I love grapefruit! Grapefruit has been an acquired taste for me, honestly. Anytime my mom bought it when I growing up, I protested as a matter of course, but the older I’ve gotten the more I can appreciate the tartly sweet citrus for the tasty business it is. I still like to mix grapefruit with other flavors when I can, and sometimes when I eat one by itself I add a small spoonful of honey to maximize the awesome. So…
>> Read more
Chocolate is my boyfriend. My other lover. My favorite mistake. And I’m totally okay admitting it. Cutting sugar from my diet makes me a raging lunatic, so I’m not even going to try anymore. Sure, maybe I’ll stop at one cookie instead of the whole batch, but breaking up with chocolate, permanently, just isn’t in the cards. We should make some chocolate chip cookies to celebrate this declaration of love, yes? I think so, too. Chocolate chip cookies are one…
>> Read more
// This post is brought to you by Kohl’s. Thank you for your kindness and support of the sponsors that keep Petit Elefant running. // Today we’re talking orange cream smoothies. Because I love you. Because citrus is delightful. Because we all know orange creamies are the best, so it only follows that orange cream smoothies are a dream. We’ll get to the recipe in a second, but let’s start at the beginning of the story. This week I went…
>> Read more
Home made bread and Sunday dinner rolls, and delicious fresh cinnamon rolls are a part of my DNA. And up to this point in my life, have only been in my DNA so far as I enjoy eating all of the above foods very much, because carbs = yummmm. But even though I love me some rolls, I’ve never actually been able to make them. Properly, and for real. (if you want to skip the story behind the rolls and…
>> Read more
Today’s how-to is all about preserving garden herbs for winter. Did you know that was a thing? If only my teenage self could see me now. She’d be horrified that I not only keep a garden, but take extra steps to preserve my herbs for the Winter. It’s all good, teenage Allison, chill out. Learning how-to preserve your herbs to use in the cold months of the year is a thing, and it’s a super easy thing at that. Also,…
>> Read more
My mom’s granola is one of the better things this earth has to offer, and I’m not even kidding a little. It’s the simple things in life that make it so good, you know?
Growing up as one of the younger siblings in a family of 8 kids, I got ripped off a fair amount of my young life. I never had anything new, and anything precious I did have was broken / stolen / maimed within moments of landing within my reach. But, like any good cliché, I always had a playmate, which came in handy every year when we took our family vacation. >> Read More
Hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. I do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, home remodel projects, and cool DIY crafts you totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!
This Toffee Apple Dip is going to make you very popular this fall. I know this because once, many years ago, my husband and I attended a grown-ups only Halloween party at a neighbor’s house. In the middle of the buffet was a platter of apples and a bowl of a creamy, sweet dip I’d never heard of before. Guests were wild for it. The lovely gal who made it explained that it’s her go-to treat to take to all…
>> Read more
Iced coffee is one of the most joyous drinks of summer, isn’t it? Icy cold caffeinated beverages help keep the hot summer temperatures at bay while soothing you with their tasty glory. Tasty, tasty glory. Have you ever made your own iced coffee though? It’s the easiest thing in the whole amazing world. And I have a yummy recipe for you and you, and you in the corner. No need to spend upwards of $8 a cup at your local…
>> Read more
If you need an easy dessert for any sort of gathering this summer, look no further than this simple, extremely tasty ice cream sandwich cake. A mountainous slab of ice cream sandwiches covered in soft, snowy white caps of whipped cream. Henceforth known to my family as The Matterhorn Cake. It’s not vegan or paleo or clean or in any way healthy, and requires zero baking, and can be made a day or two in advance. Yes to all of…
>> Read more
