Gift: Cupcake Kit

After I heard that my daughter's regular babysitter/daycare teacher was planning to move back home to Oregon, I was pretty sad. My daughter loves her and I think she is absolutely wonderful.

Of course, I wanted to find just the right gift for her, so I scoured my brain and the internet to find something that was not over the top, but simple and would be fun to use.

After I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, I thought I'd put some of my crafty DIY to good use and I decided to make her a cupcake kit. I had also done this before back in October for a Boo gift I was giving to a friend. Hey, I like baking and all the cute things you can do with cupcakes.  ;o)

I loved being able to piece all of the items together and have it come out with a super cute package for her to take back home with her.

The Cupcake Kit was filled with Martha Stewart cupcake liners from Michael's, Royal Icing and Sprinkles from Michael's, free printable cupcake toppers from various sources via the internet and Pinterest, and the actual cupcake carrier that I bought a few months ago at Sur La Tab.



I presented it to her last week, so hopefully she liked it and will put it to good use!












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Valentine's Day Photo Ideas for Kids

If you are looking for some fun and creative ways to take photos of your little ones on Valentine's Day, check out these great ideas via iheartfaces.

image via Edda Photography

2012 Social Media Handbook

A few days ago, this wonderful little nugget arrived in my inbox via Photoshelter and I thought it would be a great share for those that want to learn how to grow a stronger presence online through Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Per their summary, it's the Photographer's 2012 Social Media Handbook that will help you how to optimize your online presence, learn how to attract followers and engage your audience and learn the ins and outs of the newest social media features and how they can help introduce you to new potential clients.

I definitely think that it's a must read and hopefully you gain something wonderful from it.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

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I HEART You Day!

So now that the holidays are ova, we are all in FULL FORCE for Valentine's Day. I thought I'd share a few goodies that I found via my time wasting internet surfing as well as a few other places and get you ready for the big, (or not so big) day.

Check it out!


Super Duper CUUTE (yes i'm a white gal and I said it) Valentine's Pad Printed Bowls via West Elm

Free Valentine Printables

Free Subway Art

Cloud 9 Valentine Martini

Valentine Jelly Pops

Burlap Hearts

DIY Valentine Kit

More Subway Art

Family Fun DIY Pink Ipod

Enjoy!!






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Let's Make Whoopie!

So I had some leftover pumpkin puree from Thanksgiving. I had originally made Pumpkin Spice cupcakes for a Friendsgiving, but this time I decided I wanted to try out some Whoopie Pie goodness with it. They came out pretty darn fantastic. I need to figure out how to prefect the shape of the whoopie since I don't have an actual whoopie pie tin. I also played with a pumpkin shaped cookie cutter to have the delicious, gooey middle peek through. I found that idea HERE and thought it was a rather cool thing to do. They did it with cupcakes, so I broke the mold and tried it with the whoopie. ;o)

Hmmm, now what should my next flavor be?

I'll add the recipe in a few days when I have another minute to spare (it's pretty close to a cupcake though).


Have a great weekend!




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Jingle Jangle Punch

 Image via Redbook

 Although the holidays are over, this was one drink that I was determined to make. It didn't quite happen with all the hustle and bustle, but I think the name is pretty darn catchy and it looks delicious.

Maybe I'll make some this weekend when a few family members come over to just hang out on the couch and do nothing. I'm usually pretty good at getting people intoxicated while they are just sitting on their behinds.  ;o)

If you try it, tell me what you think!




1.5 cups berry vodka
3/4 cups Grand Marnier
6 pints of fresh berries (raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries)
1 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed—about 8 lemons)
1.5 cups simple syrup
1 bottle sparkling wine (Something Extra Dry)

Directions:

1. Combine all the ingredients (except the berries and sparkling wine) in a large glass or plastic container (or pitcher). Stir well.

2. Wash the berries.

3. When ready to serve, first fill the punch bowl with ice. Pour a small amount of the mixture in a cocktail shaker.

4. Add about five to seven berries.

5. Top with ice and shake HARD. (Make sure you shake hard enough so that the berries break apart in the cocktail shaker.)

6. Strain into the punch bowl.

7. Keep repeating steps until the mixture is all shaken and in the punch bowl.

8. Top the punch with about 3/4 of the bottle of sparkling wine and stir well.

9. Top the punch with additional berries and serve.






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Happy 2012!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! Personally, I had a great one filled with lots of great memories and I'm glad to be back on the blogging page in the new year!

Just in case you STILL need to get some last minute gifts for that cousin you completely forgot about on Christmas or that hostess gift for the NYE party you attended, here are a few more "after the holidays" gifts under $25. I for one, simply didn't get a gift I wanted, so I'm just going to go out and get it myself! Don't judge. ;o)

You seriously CANNOT go wrong with Sur La Tab. I think there is something for everyone in that fabulous store!

Visit them. NOW.


Happy 2012!

Sur La Tab Gifts Under $25

image via SurLaTab