
You guys, Valentine’s Day is only a few weeks away. And now that you’ve got your outfit, updo, and manicure covered, it’s time to move on to more important things. Spoiler alert: We’re talking about chocolate (duh). Instead of picking up a regular old box (or book!) of chocolates this year, we think you should totally DIY your own. Homemade sweets for your sweetie are ALWAYS a great idea. PS — to all of the dudes reading this post, we guarantee that a box of handmade goodies will score you some extra points on February 14th. Seriously.
Using a microwave to melt chocolate is a huge time saver. Follow these instructions to melt chopped chocolate or chocolate chips.
Instructions:
1. Place chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate) in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Stir.
2. Continue to microwave in 30-second intervals until completely melted.
How simple is that? Now time for some candy making!
No Valentine’s Day is complete without some conversation heart candies. Go on, tell your sweetheart how you really feel this February 14th.
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– 2 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
– conversation heart candy
Instructions:
1. Melt the semisweet chocolate according to the directions above.
2. Pour the melted semisweet chocolate onto wax paper. Spread to an even thickness. Sprinkle conversation heart candies on the chocolate.
3. Melt the white chocolate according to the directions above.
4. Pour the melted white chocolate onto wax paper. Spread to an even thickness. Sprinkle conversation heart candies on the chocolate.
5. Set both barks aside to firm up at room temperature. Once each bark is completely set, break into chunks. Enjoy!
Melt the semisweet chocolate according to the directions above. Pour the melted semisweet chocolate onto wax paper. Spread to an even thickness. Sprinkle conversation heart candies on the chocolate.
Melt the white chocolate according to the directions above. Pour the melted white chocolate onto wax paper. Spread to an even thickness. Sprinkle conversation heart candies on the chocolate.
Set both barks aside to firm up at room temperature. Once each bark is completely set, break into chunks.
Ta-da! Easiest. Recipe. Ever.
Spread some love with our Sprinkle-Dipped Chocolates. Warning: You might melt some hearts in the process ;)
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– 1 cup white chocolate chips
– pink sprinkles
Special Tools:
– heart-shaped silicone mold
Instructions:
1. Melt the semisweet chocolate according to the directions above.
2. Pour or spoon the melted chocolate into your silicone mold. Using an offset spatula, smooth the chocolate across the mold. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until firm. Pop out your heart chocolates.
3. Melt the white chocolate according to the directions above. Dip half of each heart into the white chocolate. Sprinkle with pink sprinkles. Enjoy!
Melt the semisweet chocolate according to the directions above. Pour or spoon the melted chocolate into your silicone mold. Using an offset spatula, smooth the chocolate across the mold.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until firm. Pop out your heart chocolates.
Melt the white chocolate according to the directions above. Dip half of each heart into the white chocolate.
Time for some sprinkle action!
The more sprinkles, the better.
If you’re giving these away to your sweetie, box them up!
Red tissue paper and red ribbon add an extra special romantic touch.
Yep, these chocolates are the way to anyone’s heart. You can thank us later.
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.