Leslie's Little Luxuries

02/21/2023

My self care line is expanding since the new year. I have made goats milk soaps for about 10 years  because I wanted to use a product that didn’t have crazy ingredients that you cannot pronounce.

This week I added, bees wax lip balm made with all natural ingredients in vanilla, garden mint and cherry in the cutest little retro tins😊
Thanks Print & Design for coming up with the perfect labels!!

I formulated a goats milk lotion with shea butter, coconut oil in scents to match soaps. The brown sugar coffee scrub has such a nice exfoliating benefit again with natural ingredients. Also created a men’s beard bar/body bar and beard balm made from bees wax shea butter olive oil and coconut oil.

Chemistry is so much more fun than when I was in high school 🤣 (I totally flunked chemistry)

01/22/2023

💖 Valentine’s Day is approaching quickly💖

Taking orders for handmade chocolate covered cherries 🍒  two dollars each order one or a dozen but when they’re gone they’re gone! No pressure 🤣

11/08/2022

Who’s ready for the holidays?!!! I am sharing some of my favorite items to make for gift giving, custom trays or just because you want them all to yourself😂 I don’t judge!  descriptions below the pictures. 

08/01/2022

Just paid my college students rent and need to generate some cash ( yes I am shameless😂)

🚨Jams and jellies for sale🚨

Strawberry jam
Strawberry jalapeno jam
Peach jam
Peach jalapeno jam
Jalapeno jelly
Blackberry jam
Fig jam coming this week 😁

Most grown organically by me or sourced locally $5.00 for half pints

07/22/2022

I am at Rusty Water Revival, LLC ~☆~V.I.P.~☆~ until 4 pm today, come see me 😁

07/21/2022

Probably not many of you would want to stand over a hot stove this time of year getting a blackberry steam facial to put me out of business 😂 so I am sharing a little tip for good jams and jellies I learned years ago.

Low and slow simmering of the fruit makes the flavor more concentrated before adding the rest of the ingredients.

🎼Everything I do....🎤I do it for you 🎶

Come see me and Nettiesnummies this Friday at Rusty Water Revival, LLC ~☆~V.I.P.~☆~ from 11 to 4.

07/20/2022

Jalapeno jelly has to be one of the prettiest products I put in a jar 😍 Most of my garden is suffering but the jalapeno plants just keep thriving!

I will be at Rusty Water Revival, LLC ~☆~V.I.P.~☆~ This Friday along with Nettiesnummies from 11 to 4.

07/17/2022

Strawberry jam making today!

I am super happy about taking my strawberries from flower to the jars, proof I have some patience and perseverance 😂

I make small batches with strict quality and safety control.

I grow without pesticides and use all natural fertilizers.

Did you know that when you buy a jar, or more of jam for me I will give you 50 cents off your next order for each jar you return?

I will be at the Rusty Water Revival, LLC ~☆~V.I.P.~☆~ This Friday July 22nd along with Nettiesnummies from 11 to 4

07/17/2022

We're Back! Leslies Little Luxuries and Nettie’s Nummies will be at Rusty Water Revival this Friday from 11 to 4.

167 W. Main St. Van. You can't miss it!!! Turquoise building with a leopard door!

06/18/2022

Y'all have me so humbled this morning from the spectacular response to the Van Sweet Shop Pop-up I appreciate everyone that came out and supported small business. I never imagined I would be close to selling out 💖 The little that is left is a gift for Fathers day tomorrow. Thank you again!!!

We are already planning another for July 💖 I better make a whole lot more lemon blueberry bread 😳 😂

06/16/2022

At the finish line for Baking this week! Come see me tomorrow teaming up with Nettiesnummies at the Van Sweet Shop Pop-up. We look forward to seeing you 😁

06/16/2022

Calling all cookie lovers!! Come see us at the Van Sweet Shop Pop-up. THIS FRI- YAY!!

06/14/2022

🎼Everything I do,🎶 I do it for you😁

If you know me very well, you are aware of my disdain for zesting fruit. But the truth is, it is worth it. Nothing compares to the quality fresh ingredients bring.

The zest and sugar mixture will sit overnight in a storage bag so that the sugar will absorb the Citrus oil. Little extra steps make what I do extra special for you!

🎼🎤You know it's true, every thing I do 🎶 I do it for you💖🎶

06/13/2022

Making peanut brittle for the Van Sweet Shop Pop-up this Friday! Come see us!

06/05/2022

My first column for Big Red Magazine is out 😁😁😁

Here is the digital link to the magazine
https://www.flipsnack.com/linmin/big-red-magazine-june-2022/full-view.html

Check out the new segment in Big Red Magazine. We are elated to bring incredible tips, recipes, and ideas from Leslie. Can't wait to hear about these biscuits next month. Stay Tuned!

06/03/2022

Sweet shop pop up the Friday before Fathers day! Make plans to come see us for a gift that the men in your life will truly L💖VE! 😁 Thank you Rusty Water Revival, LLC. for your hospitality 😍

05/31/2022

Peanut butter cookies coming out of the ovens shortly. Who wants some ? 😁

04/30/2022

😍O M GOODNESS😍

I made apple fritters for the first time today from a 1927 cookbook and they are oh so delectable!

I am cancelling swim suit season 🤣😳 (again)

Who would like to see me begin to offer these up for sale?

04/28/2022

I made honeysuckle jelly! I have 10 jars up for grabs. 😁

03/28/2022

Being the food history geek that I am, I wondered why is it called German chocolate cake?

The cake is actually named after the blend of sweet chocolate used in the cake, German chocolate, and the chocolate is named for the man that developed that specific blend. His name was Samuel German. So the cake isn’t “German” as in the country, it’s “German” as in the chocolate.

The more you know 😁

03/01/2022

3 layer Italian cream cake southern style...with pecans 😍 Lucky birthday fella 😁

02/14/2022

3 layers of rich chocolate cake, peanut butter buttercream, topped with chocolate ganache and peanut butter cups 😍 I hope the birthday boy loves it 😁

02/04/2022

I made 108 chocolate covered cherries today 😁 Let me know if you would like some for Valentine's. 48 are already sold and I won't be making anymore. Reserve yours before they are gone 💕 $2.00 each any quantity.

11/07/2021

Things that make a from scratch foodies day!!! Paid 4 bucks for ALLLLLL of these. This greatly helps me keep prices low during this crazy hike in food prices. 🙌 SO THANKFUL 🙌

11/05/2021

I have achieved pecan praline perfection for this special order. I was just going to take a taste after I was done stirring, when I awoke my rubber spatula looked like I could put it back in the utensil holder 😋 🤣😂🤣 Creamy, buttery, pecany goodness! Is pecany a word? It should be 😂

10/03/2021

Orange cranberry bread making for Van’s National Night Out 😍😍😍 Fresh ingredients made with LOTS OF 💕

10/03/2021

Goats milk soap making ✔ I will be at Van’s National Night Out. Tuesday selling these and much more 😁

Apple harvest
Cucumber melon
Rose
Lavender
Lovespell
Honeysuckle jasmine
And a 💥MAN SCENT💥 Suede and smoke

$5.00 each or buy 3 get one FREEEEEE 😁

10/02/2021

Super excited to be prepping for Van’s National Night Out this coming Tuesday! I have made loads of hand poured goatsmilk soaps in amazing scents with plant based colors. Making banana bread, cranberry orange, lemon zucchini, lemon blueberry, pumpkin and possibly others. I will have jalapeno jelly, and candied jalapenos. Weather permitting I may make peanut brittle 😁 Come out and enjoy a free evening of family activities and food💥

08/29/2021

Pretty excited about this special order lemon marmalade. 3 ingredients, lemons water and sugar. Instead of using a commercially made pectin such as sure jell, prepped lemons are soaked overnight to draw out pectin from the peels. This was quite a long process, there is a lot of love in these jars 😁💕 and so looking forward to my customer review on how it tastes on salmon. I made 10 jars, not sure how many she will want yet but will put what is left up for sale 😁

08/21/2021

I got the opourtunity to make this quintessential birthday cake again. The topper lights up, how fun is this? 😁

07/25/2021

Special order vanilla cake with sprinkles in the mix and vanilla almond buttercream frosting. The cake topper was a fun find from our local Dollar General and lit up😍

07/22/2021

Forgot to post these gold and white themed special order wedding shower cupcakes I made last week. These were really fun to make 😍

06/25/2021

Lemon zucchini bread making 😍 Suzann Rhodes Ferguson Farms fresh eggs, zucchini purchased from a man on the side of the road with a hand-lettered sign😁 💕 You can purchase a loaf of your very own from the Bake sale at the Dollar General this Saturday hosted by the Van Lady Destroyers earning money for State enrty fees. Yes I am tempting you and all kinds of happy about it 😂

04/22/2021

A sweet friend asked me to make her wedding cake. I have never made a wedding cake, just too much pressure for such a special day. I have to give a HUGE SHOUT to Sondra Smith from Essential Grace Cakes & More for coming to my emotional rescue to make it BEAUTIFUL!! Underneath her amazing work is lemon blueberry cake, with lemon pie filling and blueberry pie filling in between the layers, with buttercream frosting. The bride approves!

04/11/2021

I am so proud to say I sold out 250 pies from last night and this morning. THANK YOU for helping me raise money for Van High School Project Graduation 2021 I am overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity. 😍

04/10/2021

I am back at the pie making this morning for 3 Knocks Crawfish Boil and Jam Session this evening from 5 to 8 PM. I am gonna brag a bit....not only do I make my pie crust from scratch but make my own buttermilk from home canned milk. Another batch of apricot filling just went to the fridge to chill, dried apricots simmered until soft, then add sugar, butter, cinnamon and cooked until thickened. Simple ingredients with no preservatives. I will be donating my profit from the sale of these pies to Van High School Project Graduation 2021 hope to see Y'all there!

04/09/2021

Who's ready for crawfish, live music and fried pies? Come see us tomorrow from 5 to 8 PM at 3 Knocks Crawfish Boil and Jam Session. Can't wait to see Y'all there 😁

04/09/2021

Today is the day. I must have felt as if I was some kind of Superwoman agreeing to make anywhere from 2 to 300 baked hand pies. (I am a one girl show y'all with one oven!!) And even though I'm well prepped in the days that preceded this morning, I began to feel as if I had drank too much coffee. My heart was racing and I was filled with all the doubt! I immediately recognized I'm fixing to have a full-blown panic attack.

It has been a long time since anxiety and panic has overwhelmed me. Immediately I went to my closet and took out the shirt that my dear friend gave me and I told the devil straight up you don't want none of this today! I am a child of the most high God you have no Authority in this place and furthermore I can do all things through God who strengthens me! So back off and let me get on to my Pie making😁😂

So now I am filled with peace and happiness that I will get to share love from my kitchen with so many people tomorrow oh, what a blessing!

04/05/2021

From scratch lemon pie filling is checked off my list for 3 Knocks Crawfish Boil and Jam Session this Saturday where I will be offering baked hand pies (fried pies that are baked instead) for sale. Come join us and taste a little LOVE from my kitchen 😁

02/02/2021

Time intensive but SO worth the effort! These little chocolate covered cherry beauties will need to remain in airtight containers until Valentine's day. This is needed so that the cherry can do its magnificent work of softening the mixture of real butter, powdered sugar, and cherry juice mixture. Let me know below if you would order. $2.00 each, packaged cute, ready to give 💕