The best of Pinterest: Part 1

I’m not usually one to completely rip-off someone else’s idea, but when I complimented fellow blogger and social media friend Crystal Blin of Crystal Cattle on her recent Pinterest recipe review post, she told me I just had to do one of my own. So, it’s with complete permission that I present my own list. This post, focusing on the good times, is just part 1. Be sure to stay tuned for my Pinterest disasters coming up next…

Bake some vanilla extract for a yummy-smelling house.

The pin: Put two caps full of vanilla extract in a coffee cup, then place it in the oven at 300 degrees for one hour. Within 20 minutes the whole house smells like Heaven. It's actually a common Realtor trick.

Repinned from: My first friend. Like, ever. Her name is Lane and though we haven’t seen each other in probably 25 years (despite unknowingly attending the same college), we’re social media buddies and I’m forever grateful she found this gem. Because let me tell you — it works!

Result: The whole house (OK, so my house isn’t that big) smells completely delicious for hours. Also great at absorbing cooking odors.

Turn cheap frames into versatile displays that are easy to switch out.

The pin: http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2011/07/revamping-my-picture-wall.html

Repinned from: The website

Result: Awesome gifts on the cheap. Here’s what mine looked like:

Cookies ‘n Cream Oreo Fudge Brownies

The pin: http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dessert/cookies-n-cream-oreo-fudge-brownies.html

Repinned from: Deliciousness

Result: Um, perfection. Super easy, too. Probably my favorite Pinterest-inspired dessert yet, and I’ve tried a lot.

Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Cake

(Can you tell we like Oreos?)

The pin: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2012/06/22/cookies-and-cream-ice-cream-cake/

Repinned from: Someone random

Result: Amazing. I did make a couple of adjustments — I used store-bought ice cream, for one. (After all, this cake is already a 2-day process. Who has time to churn up some homemade ice cream?) Also, I used Oreo Ultimate Chocolate Creme icing instead of hot fudge to decorate it. It looked like this:

Texas Sheet Cake Cupcakes

The pin: http://schnauzerandstrudel.blogspot.ca/2011/03/texas-sheet-cake-cupcakes.html

Repinned from: Someone random

Result: I actually just made these for the first time tonight, but I’m already a fan. I’m also sure why I never thought of this before. I mean, I love sheet cake and I love cupcakes…seems like a no-brainer. I will say don’t skim over that part where it warns you to not overfill them. These people know what they’re talking about and I might have gotten a little chocolate on my hands. And shirt. And face.