Showing posts with label party. Show all posts
Showing posts with label party. Show all posts

February 13, 2016

The Cutest Little Valentine's Day Craft + A Fun, Simple Party to Celebrate!


Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

Are you looking for a fun way to spend Valentine's Day with your little sweetheart? This super simple craft is the perfect way to show your mini that you love them and that you love spending time with them, plus the end product is so cute you can keep it around your house all year long!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

I decided to make two love day crafts, one a simple painting on canvas and another a decorated pot for a new plant I picked up at Ikea. No matter what you decide to add some little love hearts to, I guarantee this craft will steal someone's heart and they'll be asking for a couple to ad to their space as well!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

So how do you make these cute little crafts?

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

You will need:


Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!



1 toilet paper roll
1 small pink & 1 white acrylic paint
A "canvas" of sorts


Now it's time to get crafty! You'll pinch the TP roll into the shape of a heart, or you can let your little one shape the heart. Once it's the perfect bubbly little token of love, you should start to mix your paint. Just a little tip: If you're letting tiny little hands in on this project, you might want to wrap a rubber band around the TP roll to ensure the heart stays in the same shape!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

With the paint, leave a bit of the edges unmixed to give your hearts a tie-dye look. Now go ahead and dip your toilet paper roll into the paint and place the paint end on the surface of your canvas (or pot, mug, vase, etc). Gently make sure all edges of the heart have made contact with the surface and remove the roll fairly quickly. Repeat until you've reached the desired amount of hearts on your craft!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

With my actual canvas craft I decided to add the world love with a small paint brush at the bottom and fill in a few of the hearts with paint! I think the end result is adorable, don't you?!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

See, that craft was beyond easy and the perfect way to spend some time with a little one today! Next time I see my niece, I actually might make something similar with her... it's so easy and she'll love getting to help me make something so "pretty"!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

After your finished with your craft, set up a pretty little strawberries & white chocolate mocha party for you and your loves and enjoy some fun!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

I just laid out my pretty new creations, simple mini pink mason jars, and a little strawberry dessert set up with whipped cream and delicious little decorative chocolate pearls!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

I also added in delicious Starbucks Instant White Chocolate Mocha Latte singles for each little mason jar! This little setup is the perfect way for you and your little sweetie to treat yourselves and some friends this Valentine's Day!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

So tell me, what are your plans for Valentine's Day other than crafting up something adorable? I can't wait to hear all about your plans in the comments below!

Are you looking for a fun way to spread a little love? Check out this super simple DIY project and a simple set up for all of your little sweethearts to enjoy a party!

February 4, 2016

A Celebration for The Choice by Nicholas Sparks: A Book Club Favorite! {NOW in Theaters: February 5th}

This post was sponsored by Lionsgate as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review.

Are you a hopeless romantic or the type of girl that loves Nicholas Sparks novels? You have to check out The Choice and get lost in the romantic, unexpected story!

I know I can't be the only girl in the world that gets lost in a book; getting swept away with the characters and their story line, letting my imagination and vivid storytelling take me away to another place. So it comes as no surprise that I've been lost lately in The Choice, by Nicholas Sparks. The man has a gift for writing and I always appreciate reading the dreamy, romantic novels he produces, but this book is one of my favorites.

Are you a hopeless romantic or the type of girl that loves Nicholas Sparks novels? You have to check out The Choice and get lost in the romantic, unexpected story!

Spending time with my feet in the sand and hearing the ocean breeze rolling in, while reading a love story with unexpected, yet brilliant twists has been how I passed my time recently... and maybe a few afternoons cuddled up on the couch too. I've enjoyed having the chance to read the book and now I'm making the choice to go see The Choice in theaters, TOMORROW (February 5th).

Are you a hopeless romantic or the type of girl that loves Nicholas Sparks novels? You have to check out The Choice and get lost in the romantic, unexpected story!

To celebrate the occasion, I had a few of my besties over to do a little gossiping about our favorite parts of the book. I guess you could say we're officially a "book club" since we spent most of the day snacking on some delicious foods, and dare I say, we even took the time to treat ourselves to mani-pedis while chit-chatting about The Choice! There's really nothing better than pampering yourself while sharing your thoughts!


Are you a hopeless romantic or the type of girl that loves Nicholas Sparks novels? You have to check out The Choice and get lost in the romantic, unexpected story!

I don't want to spoil the movie (and/or book) for you, but this story is about a fun, feisty medical student named Gabby who moves in next door to a total ladies man, Travis. From there, they get swept away in an unexpected, whirlwind of a romance neither even thought possible. The thing is, Travis doesn't believe in long-term commitment and, well as hard as it is to admit, Gabby is already in it for the long haul... or she thought she was, until she met Travis.

Are you a hopeless romantic or the type of girl that loves Nicholas Sparks novels? You have to check out The Choice and get lost in the romantic, unexpected story!

The Choice is one of those novels that takes your heart on a journey and I think it's definitely a must-read for any book club involving hopeless romantics! After you complete the book, you'll definitely want to compare it to the movie so I suggest you check out which theater you can catch it in nearby you... or if you're more of the movie-going type of crowd, add The Choice to your must-see list & check out the preview for the movie today:



So will you make the choice to go see The Choice this weekend or are you going to wait until you've read the book first/ I know I'll be sitting front and center to see this book come to the big screen, there really is nothing better than a love story by Nicholas Sparks... but any girl with a heart knows that!

January 19, 2016

Celebrate The Big Game with a Pineapple Party!

             This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #TeamPizza #CB #CollectiveBias
The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

The countdown to the Big Game is on and that means we're all watching our favorite football teams a little closer and enjoying some of our favorite foods while cheering them on. With that said, this weekend I had a little shindig to celebrate and while the game was good, the food was delicious!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

Are you planning on hosting a party to watch the Big Game with your family and friends? You're in luck because this Pineapple party is the sweetest and most creative way to celebrate and I'm dishing out all the details and sharing a super cute printable to set the theme for your party!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

We'll start with the chow, because who doesn't love food?! I decided to keep things simple, yet pineapple-y and the end result is sweet and savory and absolutely delicious.

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

The Red Baron Classic Crust Hawaiian-Style makes the perfect centerpiece for a pineapple party with perfect little pieces of savory Canadian bacon and delicious little tangy pieces of pineapple in each bite!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!


The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

Plus, you can snag plenty of pizza at Target for everyone to eat and score a 5% discount with the cartwheel app... and it's so easy to pop these in the oven and have a meal served in just a few minutes-- I know I won't miss a minute of the game thanks to the simplicity of fixing Red Baron Pizza and I definitely won't sacrifice any flavor either! Literally, crust perfection in every bite is that easy!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

While pizza is a fan favorite, you know I had to add plenty of pineapple into the mix for a pineapple party! So I served up these adorable little pineapple cups full of freshly-made pineapple juice, straight from my juicer!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

Now I know what you're thinking, what more could I add to this delicious spread? Well, the answer is simple. These two recipes I'm sharing today are the perfect pairing for your pineapple party and they both are easy to make!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

We'll start with the fun and festive Pineapple Kicker Dip! It's so delicious and has the perfect amount of sweetness to it!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

For the Pineapple Kicker Dip you will need:

1 pineapple
1/4 packet of vanilla pudding mix
1/3 package of whipped topping

The toughest part of this recipe is slicing your pineapple in half, which really only takes a steady hand and a sharp knife.

Once that mission is accomplished, it's all gravy from there. You'll just scoop out the inside of one half of the pineapple and place it in a bowl. Mix the inside of the pineapple with about 2/3 of the whipped topping and add in 1/4 of the pudding mix.

Mix it all together really well and place back into the shelled Pineapple. Serve with fruit, crackers, or whatever floats your pineapple boat!

http://cbi.as/1v61k

Now that we've scored a "field goal" with the Pineapple Kicker Dip, I want to share my favorite salad recipe with you... it's definitely going to be a hit with your crew! While it's super delicious, it actually includes apple instead of pineapple... regardless, it's the perfect way to serve up something somewhat healthy without sacrificing any flavor!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

For the Fabulous Football Fanatic Salad you'll need:

For the most amazing homemade dressing:
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 minced garlic clove
1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp salt & pepper

For the Salad:
2 cups arugula
1 cup spinach
1/2 a pink lady apple, cored and sliced thin
1/2 oz shaved Parmesan
2 tbsp chopped pecans

The good news is this salad is super simple to make, but it doesn't taste like it! You'll begin by whisking the vinegar, oil, garlic, Dijon, salt, and pepper for about a minute; making sure it's all combined perfectly. Set aside.

Now toss the arugula, spinach, apple, Parmesan, and pecans.

Add in the dressing when ready to serve and you're all set to score a touchdown with all your team mates!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

Now that I've shared how I whipped together two delicious recipes, next on my list of party foods is the delicious Key Lime Edwards Pie! While key lime obviously isn't the same as pineapple, it makes the perfect compliment with it's creamy, tart flavor and is the perfect way to end the meal!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

Plus, Edwards Pies taste homemade so you're able to serve up a pie from the heart while only having to supply minimal effort to de-thaw the package! What more could a football loving gal wish for on the day of the Big Game?

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

Other than the food, my table decor consisted of some adorable little paper pineapples, a few handmade accessories, an inflatable "cooler" for all of our bottled beverages, some fun & festive napkins, a couple of homemade pineapple chocolate candies, a simple banner, and this free printable perfect for the pineapple party!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

So now that I've shared how you can have the sweetest (and most delicious) party on the block for game day, I'd love to hear what you love about watching the game with your family? Are you a fan of the commercials, a die-hard football foodie, or do you watch the game with more enthusiasm than the coaches? Tell me all about it in the comments below and don't forget to head to Target to score your favorites and snag a deal or two with the Cartwheel app!

The Big Game is right around the corner and this fun, festive pineapple party is the perfect way to celebrate! Get all the details & plan the most spectacular pineapple shindig today!

December 21, 2015

Eat, Drink, & Be Merry with Libbey!

This post was sponsored by Libbey as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review

It's the holiday season and, in my opinion, that's enough of a reason to let yourself enjoy some of the finer things in life - check out how I celebrate every special occasion with Libbey Stemware! #CelebrateThis

It's the holiday season and, in my opinion, that's enough of a reason to let yourself enjoy some of the finer things in life - check out how I celebrate every special occasion with Libbey Stemware! #CelebrateThis

It's the holiday season and, in my opinion, that's enough of a reason to let yourself enjoy some of the finer things in life - check out how I celebrate every special occasion with Libbey Stemware! #CelebrateThis

It's the holiday season and, in my opinion, that's enough of a reason to let yourself enjoy some of the finer things in life. From a nice bottle of wine to some delicious little nibbles, it's nice to let loose and enjoy.

It's the holiday season and, in my opinion, that's enough of a reason to let yourself enjoy some of the finer things in life - check out how I celebrate every special occasion with Libbey Stemware! #CelebrateThis

While I love having the chance to eat, drink, and be merry, I also enjoy playing hostess and ensuring my guests enjoy themselves when they come hang out at our place. Recently, we wanted to have a little shindig with wine involved and my super simplified little set up for the party was a hit. I wanted to be able to set this up anywhere so I kept my "party decor" minimal and classy!

It's the holiday season and, in my opinion, that's enough of a reason to let yourself enjoy some of the finer things in life - check out how I celebrate every special occasion with Libbey Stemware! #CelebrateThis

All I did to make this cute little minimalist serving table was cover our shelving unit with a layer of shipping paper and wrote my most favorite saying during the holiday season at the bottom. I then sliced up some delicious sausage, added a little goat cheese spread, crackers, and apples and voila - my food spread was complete & full of a good selection of deliciousness.

It's the holiday season and, in my opinion, that's enough of a reason to let yourself enjoy some of the finer things in life - check out how I celebrate every special occasion with Libbey Stemware! #CelebrateThis

Now let's get to the fun part, I wanted to pair my foods with wines that were equally as delicious so I grabbed a Malbec-Syrah blend and Sauvignon Blanc and both bottles were a hit.

It's the holiday season and, in my opinion, that's enough of a reason to let yourself enjoy some of the finer things in life - check out how I celebrate every special occasion with Libbey Stemware! #CelebrateThis

Since I had such delicious pairings, I also decided I needed to upgrade my stemware. I think when you finally decide to upgrade to gorgeous, reliable stemware like the Perfect Signature Collection from Libbey you finally have mastered "adulting".

It's the holiday season and, in my opinion, that's enough of a reason to let yourself enjoy some of the finer things in life - check out how I celebrate every special occasion with Libbey Stemware! #CelebrateThis

These glasses are huge and that is absolutely perfect, I suppose you could say they're made for wine drinkers like me. Plus, the collection is so sturdy it will hold up to even your heaviest handed friend.

It's the holiday season and, in my opinion, that's enough of a reason to let yourself enjoy some of the finer things in life - check out how I celebrate every special occasion with Libbey Stemware! #CelebrateThis

Here's an added bonus, since they're offering a 30% off incentive for the Libbey Perfect Signature Collection at Bed Bath and Beyond (find the store closest to you here) you can save big while upgrading to the finest stemware (made right here in America)! Here's how it works:

You'll start by going in-store to Bed Bath & Beyond and purchasing any glassware set from the Libbey Perfect Signature Collection - then, you'll head home and need to take a picture of how you celebrated with the Perfect Signature Collection and share it by January 30, 2016.

To gain an official twitter entry, you'll need to share a tweet showcasing your celebration! Don't forget to tag @LibbeyInc and include #CelebrateThis and to gain an official Facebook entry, you'll need to post a photo on the Libbey Facebook page. Now go ahead and sit back, relax, enjoy a glass of wine & wait for your 30% discount to arrive!     

While it would be awesome to have a coupon for your initial purchase, I want to remind you - this is an incentive for your next purchase, not a coupon for your initial purchase. The discount applies to future purchases at retail.Libbey.com; not Bed Bath & Beyond.


It's the holiday season and, in my opinion, that's enough of a reason to let yourself enjoy some of the finer things in life - check out how I celebrate every special occasion with Libbey Stemware! #CelebrateThis

Now that I've shared how I put together my super simple table with my awesome new wine glasses, I'd love to hear how you like to claim the title as the "hostess with the mostest"? Are you an excellent bartender or do you have a knack for secret santa gift selections? Tell me all about how you like to celebrate the holidays in the comments below!


December 19, 2015

The Best QUICK Party Food: Delicious Savory Mini Cheese Balls

Sponsored post by Lunchbox
Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

The holidays are here and that means it's time to be a total cheese ball. I'm not talking about imitating your goofy uncle that tells jokes that no one understands! I'm all about the most delicious thing served at any holiday party, the actual cheese ball!

Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

While I'm usually the type to stick with just one delicious big ol' cheese ball per party, I saw this Kraft recipe and knew I had to try it, so I decided to make savory mini cheese balls for everyone to enjoy! I think I like things better this way, with a variety of flavors I'm sure this will be a dish that truly everyone can enjoy!

Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

I was so shocked at how simple this recipe is and how absolutely delicious it tastes... minimal effort with maximum taste, this is my kind of recipe! Plus, I was able to put it all together in literally a matter of minutes...

Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

Maybe you have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring... or maybe you want to show off for Santa this year? Show up with these delicious Mini Savory Cheese Balls and everyone will be asking for your recipe!

Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

This recipe is super simple to prepare and you can find the original from Kraft here and everything you'll need at Walmart! I wanted to share the details with you though, so they are listed below as well!

Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

You will need:

1-1/2 pkg. PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese (12oz total)
2 Tbsp. toasted sesame seed
1 tsp. poppy seed
2 cloves garlic, minced, divided
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary
1/4 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
2 Tbsp. finely chopped PLANTERS Pecans

Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

So lets get this party started, you'll begin by cutting the cream cheese into 6 pieces; rolling each piece into a ball.    

Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

Combine sesame seed, poppy seed and half the garlic in small bowl. Mix herbs and remaining garlic in separate small bowl. Combine cranberries and nuts in a third bowl.    


Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

Roll 2 cheese balls in sesame seed mixture, 2 cheese balls in herb mixture and remaining 2 cheese balls in nut mixture. Serve & ENJOY!

Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

Have a holiday party coming up and can't decide what to bring? These savory mini cheese balls will be the most talked about dish of the evening! Get the super easy recipe...

I'm totally obsessed with this recipe, with no baking time necessary and minimum work put into preparation, it's easy to see why I plan on making and taking this to the next handful of parties we are invited to... So tell me, what will your holiday spread include this year? Hopefully a handful of cheese balls and a whole lot of love! Find more recipes here so you can make every day delicious!

http://bit.ly/1ISYtp1



September 14, 2015

You're Invited: Caposaldo Wine Girl's Night Twitter Party

Who likes to party? I know I'm not the only one!

Love a delicious glass of wine after a long, hard day?

Love being pampered and enjoying a little girl talk in the process?

Today's discussion and the discussion on Wednesday are sponsored by One2One Network and Caposaldo Wines, regardless all opinions expressed  are my own.
Go ahead and grab your planner + pencil in GIRL's NIGHT IN
on Wednesday, September 16th at 9pm EST.

It's going to be so much fun!

Now that you've added the event to your calendar, I'm guessing you want all the details on this upcoming shindig - This fantastic little girl's night in is actually going to be a twitter party with Caposaldo Wines, Kendall Rayburn, and myself.

Don't forget to RSVP for the event so you have the chance to win 1 of 6 $50 gift cards or 1 of 4 of the Grand Prize Home Spa/ Girls Night Packages!

That means that you'll want to have a nice, adult-sized glass of Caposaldo wine ready for Wednesday evening (find a bottle in your area with their store locator) as well as your prettiest party dress or your comfiest night gown! Since Caposaldo is the benchmark of Italian wines and comes in all of your favorite varieties, I promise you won't be disappointed in the spirits and Kendall and I will supply all the girl talk fun - this is a twitter party you won't want to miss!


While we have a ton of fun planned, I suggest you add some throwback tunes, a comfy couch, and your favorite finger foods to the mix as well. I'll be honest and reveal that I'll definitely be sitting back on my couch listening to the Spice Girls in my comfiest night gown with all my favorite foods and, of course, a nice glass of the delicious bubbly Caposaldo Sweet Sparkling Peach!


I literally can't wait to share all the fun Kendall, Caposaldo, and I have been planning! It's going to be a blast! So I'll "see" you Wednesday, with my wine glass and my cell phone in hand!


When: 9/16/15 at 9pm EST
Where: Twitter under the #Caposaldo hashtag
Who: Kendall Rayburn, Caposaldo Wine, and Yours Truly
Prizes: 6 $50 Am Ex Gift Cards and 4 Grand Prize Home Spa / Girls Night Packages
Must be a US resident to win!

August 15, 2015

Find The Perfect Gift with Best Buy Gift Ideas + Wish Lists!

The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Whether you are searching for the perfect gift for the person in your life who has everything or hunting for birthday gift ideas for yourself, Best Buy has you covered!

There's just something so special about celebrating birthdays with my loved ones! Ranging from making a cross country trip to attend my adorable niece's 2nd birthday party to planning a kayaking adventure for my husband's upcoming birthday, I'm all about doing things in a big way to help celebrate the people I love so dearly and their date of birth! I don't just like to just go on epic adventures for birthdays though, I'm also all about giving epic gifts; but as you may know, sometimes that gets hard, especially with a quirky family & group of friends!

Whether you are searching for the perfect gift for the person in your life who has everything or hunting for birthday gift ideas for yourself, Best Buy has you covered!

So when I heard about Best Buy's Online Gift Experience making online shopping for everyone a little bit easier, I knew I had to check it out. They've made gift giving a breeze, with lists of great birthday items categorized and easy to shop for ‘Him’, ‘Her’, ‘Kids’, and ‘Teens’. Plus, if you are shopping by price point, they even offer lists of gifts in a range of prices from under $25 all the way up to $250+! With gifts like heart rate monitors and coffee machines to fondue sets and the best romantic comedies to date, you are bound to find something for everyone!

Whether you are searching for the perfect gift for the person in your life who has everything or hunting for birthday gift ideas for yourself, Best Buy has you covered!

Maybe your shopping for the super sophisticated techie in your life that has everything already...? Best Buy even has a category for that person! You can shop their top tech gifts and find the perfect present or send a gift card via mail or e-mail and let the techie in your life find the best birthday gift ever for themselves; the choice is yours and I'm sure the gift will be much appreciated either way!

Whether you are searching for the perfect gift for the person in your life who has everything or hunting for birthday gift ideas for yourself, Best Buy has you covered!

That's the thing about Best Buy, everyone can find something they just have to get their hands on!  Now that I've shared why Best Buy is the best place to shop for any birthday celebration, I'd love to know what you will be adding to your Best Buy wish list?

Whether you are searching for the perfect gift for the person in your life who has everything or hunting for birthday gift ideas for yourself, Best Buy has you covered!

Go ahead and make a list of all the epic techie stuff you need and let me know what you want the most in the comments below! I may be making my wish list currently; after all, my birthday is only 5 months and 3 weeks away! *snicker*

July 3, 2015

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #InsideOutEmotions #CollectiveBias
Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes
Stop for a moment and tell me, how are you feeling today? Are you full of joy? Feeling a little sadness? Possibly even a little red in the face from anger after a tough day? Maybe it's hard to translate how you are feeling at this very moment?

If you really think about it, we have some super complex emotions, so if you are having trouble I don't blame you. Some of us cry when we are happy, a lot of people smile a joyful grin when they are embarrassed, and some people even laugh when they are angry, translating those mixed signals into words is so very difficult at times.

Emotions are a difficult thing to discuss; when we are children we can't quite put our feelings into words and once we are older we are told to keep composure. While it's nice to keep your emotions at bay in some situations, here's some news for the adults holding it all in all the time and the kids learning to express themselves: all emotions are normal and it's healthy for us to express ourselves.

While I'm not an expert on the expression of emotions, I will be the first to admit I wear my heart on my sleeve. I am passionate and feel everything deeply so not sharing how I'm feeling is abnormal for me. 

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

After seeing Inside Out recently, I'm a huge fan of the movie and just have to share my joy! I love that the characters in the movie make relating our emotions to situations so incredibly easy. It's like a guide book for kids to learn to express themselves in an emotionally healthy way, while still having plenty of humor for adults to get a real chuckle.

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

In celebration of all the joy I'm feeling about Inside Out, I decided to make a rainbow of Inside Out cupcakes, sharing all of my emotions through baking! I made yellow cupcakes for Joy, blue cupcakes for Sadness, red cupcakes for Anger, purple cupcakes for Fear, and green cupcakes for Disgust! They all each had their own little twist but were made with the same delicious, cake batter recipe.

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes
Ingredients:

Cupcakes:
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup oil (vegetable, canola or extra light olive oil)
1/2 cup almond milk with a pinch of lemon juice added (or buttermilk)
Gel food coloring in yellow, blue, red, purple, and green

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

Frosting:
1 stick of butter
1 tbsp vanilla
3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1 tbsp of almond milk

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

 *This recipe yields about 12 cupcakes, I made two batches so I could make plenty of each color.*

Directions-

You'll want to begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Stir together with whisk, and set aside.

In a separate bowl, add eggs and beat with mixer for about 10 seconds.  Add sugar and continue to beat on medium speed about 40 seconds, now add the vanilla and oil, beat for an additional 10 seconds or so.

Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add about a fourth of the flour mixture.  Add about a fourth of the milk, then add another fourth of the flour and another fourth of the milk and so on.  Beat until just combined.

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

Pour batter into 5 bowls and add desired amount of food coloring. I added a pinch of coconut and lime to the disgust cupcakes, 1 tbsp of cocoa to the anger cupcakes, 1 tsp of lemon extract to the joy cupcakes, and left the fear and sadness cupcakes just plain ol' vanilla for those that like that type of thing. These additions are totally optional but add some fun flavor varities to the cupcakes.

Then pour into a muffin pan prepared with silicone liners or directly into a silicone baking pan.  Fill approximately 2/3 full.

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

Place in oven and bake for 12-14 minutes. We ate some Inside Out fruit snacks while we waited for our cupcakes... Remove all the cupcakes from the oven once you can stick a toothpick (or fork) into the center and it comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool in the pan for a minute or two, then remove cupcakes from pan and finish cooling on a wire rack.

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

While your cupcakes are cooling, you can start on your frosting prep! Combine the butter, vanilla, confectioners sugar, and almond milk in a large mixing bowl and mix on high for about a minute or until the frosting is smooth in consistency. Separate the frosting into five bowls again and add desired amount of food coloring and flavors, if you desire.

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

Once your cupcakes are completely cooled, cut each one in half and add a thick spoonful of frosting to each "top" of the cupcake and place the bottom on top. You want the inside of your cupcake to be the outside, hence their name "Inside Out" cupcakes! 

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

Add Sprinkles, if you wish and these little emotional cupcakes are ready to serve!

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

Enjoy!
Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

These Inside Out Cupcakes are like little cupcake sandwiches and are absolutely delicious. The perfect colorful addition to a conversation about emotions or a very happy celebration of any sort! 

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

Now that I've shared my delicious (and emotional) Inside Out cupcake recipe, I'd love to hear which cupcake you think best represents how you feel on a daily basis...? I'd also love to hear if you've seen Inside Out or if you plan to see this adorable movie? If you want to celebrate seeing the movie in style with all the fun emotions, you can find all kinds of cute plush animals, toys, and more at Walmart!

Let's Talk About Emotions with Inside Out Cupcakes

April 28, 2015

It's a Fiesta - Have a Delicious Cinco de Mayo with Delimex! #DelimexFiesta

While this recipe and shop have been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, all the love for Mexican food and all of the opinions are mine alone. #DelimexFiesta #CollectiveBias

It's a Fiesta - Have a Delicious Cinco de Mayo with Delimex!  #DelimexFiesta

I'm always up for a party and since Cinco de Mayo is a day of celebration, you better believe we will be celebrating in our home. Sadly, Cinco de Mayo falls right smack dab in the middle of finals week. But since we never turn down a good time, we will still celebrate in style - we just have to keep our festivities short and sweet this year!

It's a Fiesta - Have a Delicious Cinco de Mayo with Delimex!  #DelimexFiesta

By short and sweet, I mean our festivities will still include tasty little Mexican candy, a pinata, some amazing Mexican food, delicious drinks, and maybe even some confetti; everything a Cinco de Mayo get together needs, just scaled down with some studying involved as well. Not exactly a party, but a good time for sure!

It's a Fiesta - Have a Delicious Cinco de Mayo with Delimex!  #DelimexFiesta

After finding a whole freezer full of Delimex deliciousness at Walmart, I knew the perfect way to treat us to some delicious mexican food on-the-fly. With tacos, tamales, and taquitos galore to choose from we finally narrowed down our selection to the beef taquitos, chicken taquitos, and the cheddar and beef rolled tacos!

It's a Fiesta - Have a Delicious Cinco de Mayo with Delimex!  #DelimexFiesta

These taquitos and tacos paired with a guacamole cream sauce that has just the right amount of kick to it, can you imagine a more perfect meal for Cinco de Mayo? Since the taquitos and tacos are ready in just minutes and the dip practically makes itself, I can prepare this cute and festive appetizer quickly and serve it up during study time! Who wants to be my study buddy for my statistics final, any takers?

It's a Fiesta - Have a Delicious Cinco de Mayo with Delimex!  #DelimexFiesta

While you may not want to study statistics with me, I bet you'll want to give this Guacamole Cream Sauce a try. It's the perfect blend of avocado, creaminess, and a kick of spice - I'm sure you and your family will be craving it all the time after you give it a try!

It's a Fiesta - Have a Delicious Cinco de Mayo with Delimex!  #DelimexFiesta

Guacamole Cream Sauce

Ingredients:
3 oz Sour Cream
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup onion
1 tbsp garlic
1/8 tsp chipotle powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp white pepper
1/2 lime
1/4 cup tomato
2 avocados


Want to make this delicious cream sauce for your family? The recipe is so simple!

It's a Fiesta - Have a Delicious Cinco de Mayo with Delimex!  #DelimexFiesta

Rinse and dice all veggies. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy! Top with a bit of cilantro and you're all set!

ENJOY!

It's a Fiesta - Have a Delicious Cinco de Mayo with Delimex!  #DelimexFiesta

Our Delimex choices didn't disappoint during our initial taste test and dipped in my homemade guacamole cream sauce, these little babies will make the perfect treat on Cinco de Mayo and maybe even be what's on the menu for dinner tonight as well! Taco Tuesday, anyone? I suggest you check out all of these delicious recipes, I'd love to know which one you plan on fixing up first?

It's a Fiesta - Have a Delicious Cinco de Mayo with Delimex!  #DelimexFiesta