DIY HOT PINK and BLACK ZEBRA STRIPED Birthday Cake!

Well my friends,

I suppose it didn't surprise me when this little munchkin asked me to make her a hot pink and black zebra cake for her birthday :-)

(Yes, she made this entire "cat" outfit herself!)

At first I was a little overwhelmed as I thought the only way to make a cake like that would be to use fondant and I didn't really feel like trying to figure out STRIPES! :-)

Thankfully, Michael's craft store came to my rescue and I found this Duff Edible Decorating Paper - Animal Prints on sale for 9.00

The edible paper along with some Betty Crocker pink icing, Duncan Hines frosting and Wilson's zebra candy hearts I was SET!!!!  WOOO WHOOOO!!!!

I think she really liked it :-)

I used an 8" cake pan and a Pyrex glass bowl that was about 5" wide.  

I had to cut the edible papers a little thinner to accommodate the cake but it was SUPER EASY!  (I think it was not as thick because I only used ONE box for the two cakes.)

I just frosted it up, put on the paper, use the easy pre-made pink icing tube and laid on the hearts! 

Overall the entire cake cost me around $19.00 :-)  

There you have it!  

If you want to see more EASY birthday cake ideas check out my other postings :-)

KitKat and M&M cake

Have a GREAT weekend my friends!  

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EASY Festive Holiday Desserts You Could Make with Your Kids

Hey Friends!

Alright - Fess Up :-)  

I'm trying to be REALLY GOOD in the eating department and it's late at night (I obviously scheduled this to "go live" a bit later) but I'm writing a post about tasty and easy HOLIDAY DESSERTS! HA!  Um, ya, not smart - I really like yummy things......just sayin'

#1) Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

Honestly, is there anyone out there that doesn't like the MINT chocolate combination? Sigh - that combination makes me happy.  These cookies are VERY easy to make and perfect for a Christmas Cookie Exchange (you know, the ones that say "Please no chocolate chip cookies") I guess they only want the cookies that take all day to make and are really complicated?  :-)  Like these below:-)  I'm just letting you guys know - by the time I would finish a plate they would be STALE - hahaha!  No seriously, they would, and they STILL wouldn't look like that.

semisweetdesigns

Well you can TRICK all those ladies with these ;-)

Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

They taste and look gourmet but quite simply put, they might even be easier than CCC to make.

#2) Peppermint Crumble Bars

This post is about EASY yummy holiday treats; it doesn't get a lot easier than these bars!  The 5 ingredients are: Flour, Butter, Sugar, White Chocolate Peppermint Candy and Sweetened Condensed Milk.  VOILA! 

#3) Peppermint Fudge

These look so pretty and easy to make!!! It's topped with white chocolate, marshmallows and candy canes! I could see making these and using it for perfect Christmas goodie basket or cookie plate. I love fudge anyway - white or dark :-)  

#4) Peppermint or Candy Cane Popcorn

My friend introduced this to me last year - although she didn't call it peppermint popcorn she called it Christmas Crack......I hope I didn't just offend anyone, but it really is that addicting! :-)

Once again - this is SOOOOO easy!  Just melt white almond bark (it's just like white chocolate) and mix in some crushed candy canes......pour over the popcorn then sit out to "harden", break apart and SERVE!  

#5) Peppermint Patties

These pretty little patties are EASY to make.  My kids would LOVE making them (and eating them)!  It's on my "to do" list.  I wont be tempted to eat them at all though (it's simply butter, corn syrup and lots of powdered sugar) - NOT my cup of tea! I need chocolate. :-)  Just sayin'

mom on time out

#6) Salted Caramel Brownie Bites

Since I just mentioned chocolate - how about these yummy Salted Caramel Brownie Bites.  :-)

And surprise surprise - they are SIMPLE.  She just used a box of brownie mix, ROLOS and chocolate "candiquik" over the top.  OK and sea salt.....for the sophisticated taste buds of course - hee,hee.

I didn't want to overwhelm you with a million recipes - just a few good ones that were actually EASY and fun to make!  Now a days, if I'm baking I'm usually doing it to have a good time with my kids - lots of fun! 

What To Do With Christmas Cards and Fun Crafts Ideas!

Alright friends,

When I saw this I just HAD to share it with you guys!

If I'm correct, almost everyone (except my parents - hi mom!) have a smart phone.  The phones that can snap a picture at least :-)

I thought this was a fantastic idea of what you can do with all the Christmas cards you receive this year!  Just snap the Christmas card picture and put it as your contact for that friend :-) (see, if in the past, you had stuffed them in a drawer or (GASP) thrown them away you won't feel so bad -right? Guilty problem solved) ;-)

This is hands down my favorite funny Christmas card!

Just feel the J O Y :-)

Jamilia Jean Photography

Miracle of Miracles :-)  We ended up getting a family shot for a Christmas card.  

It helps that my violin student's mom is a photographer and neighbor :-) I told her the only way we'll make this work is if it's super casual and I don't have to plan anything - ha!  So she "ran" down the street and we walked into the field across from our house and snapped a few shots.  EASY enough!  

Here are some Christmas crafts (treats!) that looked so fun and EASY!

Just put together 2 small candy canes, melt (bake) at 300 for 3 min (just to soften the candy canes) Once you do that you can pinch together the ends and insert the lollipop stick.  Next fill it in with the white almond bark.  Sprinkle with sprinkles VOILA!  What a fun gift or new tradition to start with your little kids/grandkids.

OneLittleProject

Another similar food craft that I have done is these Stained Glass Christmas Cookies!  The inside is just crushed jolly ranchers (or any see through hard candy!)  SO MUCH FUN!

How about making some GINGERBREAD play dough with the kids?  I love the cinnamon added to this mixture as it makes it smell like the holidays.  I also add gold glitter for some extra excitement - yes, we get WILD over here at my house.  HAHA!

Talking about getting wild with cinnamon :-)  This ornament craft is also a winner.  You just use elmers glue, cinnamon and applesauce as the "dough" to create gift tags or ornaments that the kids can give as gifts.  It makes the house smell heavenly!

Be sure and check out my Christmas Gift Idea post for gift inspirations :-)

Are you going to do the Christmas card photo contact idea this year??  I am!

My Favorite Fall Posts ~ From Kid Crafts to Home Decor

Fall over here in Idaho can be one of the prettiest times of the year.  Bright orange, red and yellow start to fill up every street.  It's starting to get cold, but not freezing so it just leaves this crisp air feeling all around you.  Oh, and it's my birthday in the fall....so that makes it even better ;-)

My daughter playing in the leaves!

I have a bunch of easy fall craft and decor ideas on my blog that I have made with my own kids or put in my home....so I thought I'd just compile them for you to look through and get some great ideas!

This FUN fall craft involves shaved crayons and wax paper.  Kids LOVE making them! They are also a great project to do in school. (Just have an adult run the iron)

Shaved Crayon Stained Glass Craft.

Another fun fall craft is these yummy Acorn Hershey kiss treats!  You just use mini wafers and chocolates with a pretzel (or licorice) stem!  Wrap them up in a decorated bag and give them as gifts to teachers or friends!

And since it's the very end of peach season where I live, here is a great post on how you can use up all those peaches that are on sale!

And let's not forget some fun FALL DECORATING!

How about turning a  decorative bowl into a pumpkin display!

Or how about taking your old, weathered flower pots and spray painting them ORANGE to use as bright fall decor for your front porch!

Fall Orange Spray Painted Flower Pots

Ah,  isn't he a cute doggie!

And lastly, we can't forget some decadent FALL treats!  

The link is to my post about my TOP 5 healthy pumpkin recipes.

HAPPY FALL EVERYONE!!!

What Can You Do With an Old Row Boat - Recycled Home Decor Style

I had to laugh as I wrote out the title for this post. :-)

Ummm.....what CAN you do with an old row boat! ?? 

Let me show you my friends!!!

First off, how about turn it into a sand box - isn't that the cutest idea!

Desire Empire


How about using an old boat in your LANDSCAPE?

What a perfect shelter for a bench!

Just fill with flowers :-)

Webecoist

I've seen a lot of people turn a boat into a bookshelf .....

But how about a wine display!

Etsy

And lastly, because I LOVE the over the top creative people - how about a boat hammock bed!!

I could totally sleep in this!  

Anyone going to start looking for an old row boat? :-)

Enjoy your day friends!

Don't Waste Another Penny - Tips for Saving BIG on Kids Clothes!

Hello my friends!  (Mothers, Grandmas, and all clothes buyers!)

I just thought a post that lists great resources on how to buy kids clothes as inexpensively as possible would be fun.

I'll document the day I just had at the thrift store, and then I'll add some tips at the end for buying clothes at substantially discounted prices.  For those thinking you can only find worn out, out of date clothing in thrift stores- think again!

Almost ALL my kids clothes are from thrift stores and they look cute ;-)

Thrift store boots, eBay $10.00  dress (including shipping)  Jacket was a gift.

You see, people spend a LOT of money buying name brand clothes for their kids but they grow out of them SO FAST and most of those clothes end up at a thrift store.  So, why spend tons of money every year when you can buy name brand clothing and shop like this!!

Here is my last trip to the local thrift store.  It was their weekly 50% off day.  I only had 30 min and this is what I got for less than $35.00.

Getting ready for SUMMER!

Son age 9

SIX awesome summer shorts and 2 Hurley T-shirts.

Daughter age 12

Adorable Gap Jeans and Gap uniform shorts.

I love the details!

My youngest age 5

Gymboree shorts and Levi skinny jeans.

Oh and I found a few cute skirts for ME....one of them from Patagonia.  (which would have cost at least 40 bucks - they are pricey!!)

All that in 30 minutes!

I bought 23 items for 32.33 (that averages $1.40 a piece)

I hope I've inspired a few of you to hit up the thrift store before you spend your hard earned money at Gymboree and Gap.  Even if you don't find a ton of things the first time, check back to the store twice a month (that's what I try to do). You'll hit a good day like the one above, I promise! :-)

Oh and  get this!!  I bought the wedding dress below for 19.95 at the thrift store!  Believe me, if one of my girls choose to use it I'd be saving thousands!

I had to try it on for fun - I thought it was so pretty!  Shoot, for 20 bucks it could even be a Halloween or play costume!

Thrifty Shopping Tips:

Thrift Stores

Be sure and ask ahead if they do weekly specials and it doesn't hurt to ask when they open and get there early.  If you become friendly with the staff, ask what day they put out their new clothing items.

Consignment Stores:

They have lots of name brand clothes for great prices (not thrift store prices, but still good!)

Discounted Retail stores:

Ross (Tuesdays 10% senior discount)

TJ Maxx

Kohls – awesome end of season sales – 90% off if willing to save for next season

Target – check for 75% off clothing racks (children and adults)

Old Navy – they have 2 big end of season sales which are unbelievable.  They are usually in August and January.  They won’t tell you when so you have to call during those months.  It is 50% off the 50% off.

Internet:

eBay – for great deals go to “advanced search” check mark “time ending soonest” enter in name brand and catch something that is about to end in a bid for a good deal.  

Facebook "swap and shop" for your local area is also a great way to buy kids clothes.

Always Google for a promo code when you shop online.  Example- I was buying at shoes.com and saw they had a space for a promo code – I googled promo code for shoes.com and saved 20% off my entire order.  

Sign up for Gymboree.com  – if you wait for the good sales you can save 60 – 75% off and sometimes even get free shipping on top of that.  Just keep your eyes out!  Up to three gift boxes are given to you free – they are so cute – just be sure and mark that you want them.

Here's to saving some money!