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Written on April 1, 2012 by Kate

Spring Break has completely snuck up on me this year. I can’t believe Easter is only a week away. Our Spring Break doesn’t officially start until after Easter, but the boy and I have decided to start early. We picked my girlfriend, Deb and her girls up from the airport this weekend and are excited to have them back in Southern California (where they belong) for the next ten days.

I’m excited to have Deb’s three crafty girls here to dye eggs with this week. Every year we always end up making two kinds of Easter eggs. I have to buy the PAAS kit. It’s purely nostalgic and reminds me of decorating eggs every year with my sis. The boy and I also try to come up with a more creative way to decorate each year.

Here are a few creative decorating ideas from around the blogosphere…

I love how the simple touch of grass from Better Homes and Gardens makes these Easter egg pop… and the butterfly just adds to the cuteness factor.

Is it wrong to decorate eggs so that they coordinate with your decor? These lace eggs from Martha Stewart would color-coordinate perfectly in my kitchen!

A few years ago, we made these chalkboard eggs shown on style.com and set chalk out in little pails for the kids to decorate at our Easter gathering. You just spray them a few times with chalkboard paint and cover completely. Once they dry, they’re ready to go.

These ladybug eggs are another fun idea from Martha Stewart. I don’t think the boy will be all that excited for these, but the reality is he is going to be totally outnumbered by girls. These would be even more adorable dyed in pink!

Don’t you love how the blue egg above was made just for me? It’s featured on ReadersDigest.com . I’m a huge fan of monograms, and these monogrammed eggs would make great place settings on the Easter table.

I also love these speckled eggs from Southern Living this year. They look perfect in these decorative nests.

Tissue paper is another great medium for making eggs fancier. Martha shows the steps on how to make these tissue-paper adorned eggs.

This technique above is one that my mom and I tried a few years ago. My mom saw this on the Martha Stewart show, and we then proceeded to raid my dad’s ties and attempt these. Kelly shares a photo tutorial on how to make these on her blog Mommy Knows . This does involve boiling water, so it’s not as kid-friendly in terms of the process, but the kids can hang around the kitchen and be amazed when you unveil these eggs.

I was able to find time to make a bunch of Easter cookies last week. I’m hoping to snap photos and post them this week before they disappear!

Holidays, Other, Table Setting Ideas

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Written on March 14, 2012 by Kate

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Made by me!

Some food for thought today… I received an email this week telling me that one of my photos was posted on another site without any link back or credit. Basically, the person took an entire 60 seconds max to cut, paste, post it on her site, and then took full credit for my creation. I emailed the person nicely letting her know it was my original photo and that it’s only blogging etiquette to link back, or at least say where it came from. And no, I did not call her a thief (at least in the email). I never did hear back from her and the photo is still up. Interesting, isn’t it?

This is a highly sensitive issue for food bloggers, and I completely understand it. Putting up a post on your blog is the culmination of several hours of baking, photographing, and writing. I currently have been ~~blessed~~ cursed with way more wacky issues at this point in my life, so as far as this incident… I’m annoyed. I think it’s pretty tacky. Am I angry? Do I have blogger’s rage (similar to road rage)? No, not at all.

I do love to post and share other people’s recipe, photos, and ideas on my blog. (Some bloggers even disagree with this.) When I see an amazing idea, I get excited to share it. I always give credit, link back to the source, and explain why it’s so fabulous. I also search the person’s blog and try to find his or her name so I give credit to the person, not just the blog (not always as simple as you think). If I see another recipe or idea on a blog and am inspired to try it or tweak it a little, I do my best to credit the person for his or her original idea. By giving credit and link backs, it informs and encourages readers about other creative blogs… Spread the love, if you know what I mean.

There was one time that I was accused of stealing someone’s idea (not photo) without giving her credit. I had posted mini cupcakes or cheesecakes and had put a few chocolate eggs on top. Okay, google “Easter Cupcakes” and you will find a plethora of photos with chocolate eggs sitting on cupcakes. That is what we call a very unoriginal idea. So yes, there is a bit of a gray area, but let’s not be ridiculous folks.

As much as I enjoy Pinterest, one huge downside to it is that people are pinning photos that don’t link back to the person who took the photo. When I click to see the source, it often takes me to google images, another search engine, or some other site. That’s really a bummer.

Made by me!

Here is how I look at it, if I share your idea or photo and give you credit, I increase the chance that you will gain more readers, get more hits, rise in your popularity, etc. If someone did not want me sharing their ideas or photos, I would totally respect that.

But without further ado, here are a few of my favorite St. Patrick’s ideas from some very creative bloggers.

I saw this treat idea on Tip Junkie, created by the girls at eighteen25 . I’m kind of addicted to Lucky Charms. On occasion, I will even eat Lucky Charms with a glass of wine, and call it dinner (wish I was kidding, it’s very true). What an easy and festive treat this is to make for friends. You can print out the “Lucky” topper at Tip Junkie.

Rainbow Cake Pops found on Etsy… I have an entire shelf dedicated to sprinkles in my kitchen. I admit it, I hoard sprinkles and cupcake liners. I had to come clean when my girlfriend Deb was helping me organize my kitchen cabinets and pantry (is that an awesome friend, or what!). Deb banned me from buying sprinkles or cupcake liners (no matter how cute they are), until I use a whole bunch of what I have. Rainbow cake pops may just do the trick!

Rainbow waffles, is this not the best…Kelli shares how to make these on her blog Random Thoughts of a Supermom. Now this is what I call an original idea!! Oh how I LOVE those puffy, whipped cream clouds.

And if you’re more of a pancake lover, these Rainbow Pancakes made by I am Baker are perfect for St. Patrick’s Day morning. Kids would love to help in making these.

This Leprechaun Trap Cake is pretty fabulous, isn’t it. But you can’t possibly know how fabulous it is until you click over to see what’s inside. Megan whose blog is called Not Martha is the creative cake genius behind this.

I’ve seen bakers make cake in little jars, but this one takes it a step further with sprinkles and a darling little rainbow tag on top. Sprinkles make EVERYTHING better. The Rainbow Cake in a Jar was made by Lisa at Sugar Celebrations.

Enjoy St. Patrick’s Day this weekend! Hope the leprechaun leaves you a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

A Few of My Favorites..., Favorite Foodies, Favors, Holidays, Other, Parties

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Written on March 8, 2012 by Kate

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Happy almost weekend! It’s a calorie-free post today! If you’re craving a good book, you’ve come to the right place. I do have freshly made sugar cookie dough in the fridge that I’m hoping to roll out over the weekend so I can share something sweet next week.

We all have our own priorities in life, right? It really doesn’t matter how poor I am (and no I do not consider myself living in actual poverty yet), but wine and books will always remain in my budget. Both are essential for my mental health. And since I’m on the topic of poverty, just to update… the pup can only walk but a few steps on her back leg and we are almost out of doggie Vicodin (Gasp!). However, we do still have a case of Kendall Jackson chilling in the outside fridge so we’re managing! I am afraid there could be a very large vet bill in my future, which will only result in more charges on my credit card to amazon and less wine in the fridge.

But onto the books… I just finished reading The Baker’s Daughter by Sarah McCoy last week. LOVED IT! I think it only took two or three days to get to the end. It totally sucked me in. The story switches back from World War II to present day. The plot revolves around a German family who owns a bakery. The story partly unfolds through letters written by the sisters in Germany during the war. If you like historical fiction, you will LOVE this (good pick for a book club too!)

Sleep Toward Heaven is another great read that I actually read during a weekend baseball tournament. I couldn’t stop (except, of course when my son was up to bat). The story involves a small group of women on death row and a few other central characters. The lives of the women are beautifully interwoven.

Before I go to Sleep has the same flavor of the movie Sleeping With the Enemy (you know where the psycho husband keeps sneaking in on Julia Roberts and messing up the towels in the bathroom… SO creepy!!). In this book, every day that the main character wakes up her memory has been erased. It is very creepy, but will suck you in… guaranteed!

A Grown-up Kind of Pretty revolves around three generations of women. When a certain something is unintentionally dug up in the yard one day, a whole mystery ensues. I didn’t have it all figured out until the end.

I loved The Sisters: A Novel . I’m not going to lie though, it is sad. Due to a series of misunderstandings two sisters remain disconnected from the 1920′s to present day. The story illustrates how one small event has the power to change the whole trajectory of one’s life.

The Last Letter was inspired by real love letters written by the author’s great, great grandmother to her husband, Frank. This is another book about misunderstandings, brought to the surface by a letter that is discovered.

I’m about halfway through Defending Jacob by William Landay. The main character is an assistant district attorney whose middle-school son is accused of murder. It’s a little John Grisham like, but also reminds me of Jodi Picoult’s novels. So far, so good!

Anyone have any other good book recommendations???

Happy reading and happy weekend!!

A Few of My Favorites..., Other

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Written on January 12, 2012 by Kate

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Okay, I’m not ready to take responsibility for my new addiction or even admit that it’s a problem. I blame it 100% on my girlfriend Deb for showing me her boards while I was in DC and on the sick boy and his naughty dog who have held me hostage in my house for a week. The boy does seem to be getting better and every day since this started I have been so thankful that Matt, the boy, and I are here for one another. I love that we continue to redefine the meaning of family after divorce. The boy knows that he is loved and that we are all in this together!

I’ve avoided Pinterest for quite some time. I don’t need one more social media site to suck up my time (at least I didn’t think I did). So I am warning those of you who have been leary, you will get sucked in. Remember the days of clipping pictures and recipes out of magazines and putting them in different file folders ~ never to be seen again? This is the same concept except everything you see online that you like you can “pin” to one of your online bulletin boards. The fun part is you can see what others are pinning… a plethora of ideas that has the potential to suck up a lot of your free time. But I highly recommend that you get on board because it’s VERY cool, and when you do, follow me so I can follow you back and see what you’ve discovered. I’ve added my Pinterest link to my sidebar (See, I told you I’m obsessed.)

Want to see a few of the things I pinned this week…

I hope Prince Charming knows that red roses are totally over-rated, rainbow roses are so much more fun!

There are endless crafts and DIY ideas to pin. I love this easy Easter arrangement .

I have kind of a quote fetish, which is easily satisfied on Pinterest. I want to give this Love Note to someone someday!

There is a little bit of danger with Pinterest. You find things you didn’t even know you needed, like this Apron from Anthropologie that’s on its way to me.

Did I mention it can be SERIOUSLY dangerous? I have nowhere to wear these Kate Spade sparkle shoes, but I would wear them around my house daily if I had them to remind everyone that I’m the queen of the castle.

I’ve pinned a bunch of clever and easy valentines. Hoping the boy isn’t too cool to give out valentines. I might be able to convince him with these Pop Rock Valentines .

You know what’s better than getting roses on Valentine’s Day… getting Cinnamon Roll Hearts

Maybe one day… Yes Pinterest lets those of us who are house poor DREAM!

Okay, here’s what worries me the most about Pinterest. You see, I’m finally at the point where I feel like I need someone else in my life to love. It’s taken a LONG time, and it might take even longer for me to find him because I refuse to settle. I think in the meantime, this little pup may fill that void.

Really, this is what you call love at first site!

Have a great weekend everyone!

I can’t wait to see what you’re pinning!!

A Few of My Favorites..., Other

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Written on January 4, 2012 by Kate

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Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year with your families and friends! No desserts today, but I’m guessing this time of year we have all resolved to get back in shape and ban all things sweet (at least for a week or two).

The boy and I spent the New Year in DC visiting our BFF’s who moved there last winter. It wasn’t until I got away from my regular life that I realized what a stress case I really am (it’s kinda scary!). For the first time in ten years I slept through the night without waking up, and I did it six nights in a row! I really did not want to come home, even with our Southern California weather in the 80′s. I also discovered that the boy who refuses to wear anything other than short sleeves, shorts, and flip-flops will, by his own choosing, wear a jacket in 40 degree weather.

The cold didn’t stop us from seeing the sites. We crammed a ton of stuff into one week. One of our days was spent at Arlington and the Pentagon. This was our first visit since 9-11. We went to my Uncle Karl’s grave site and went to see the memorial… both places took my breath away. To see so many lives being honored, I couldn’t help but think of all the blessings in my life… how easy it is to take so much for granted. Though not ready to get back to reality, the week was incredibly therapeutic. Spending time with those we love really is the best therapy there is ~ better than wine or chocolate!

I can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store!

Other

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Written on December 1, 2011 by Kate

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I’ve tried to instill in the boy that it’s better to give than receive, but a few days ago it became quite obvious that I haven’t done a very good job. I sent him to school with fifteen dollars cash to spend in the school’s holiday shop and when he came home, he proceeded to empty the contents of a rather large shopping bag. A small rope toy for the Naughty One fell out and the rest of the things he bought were gifts to self. So apparently, he missed the entire point of the holiday gift-giving shop.

Don’t get me wrong, I too have embraced the gift-to-self concept. I just believe in gifts for everyone, including self. So in the spirit of giving ~ gifts to yourself or to others, here are a few things anyone who loves to bake would appreciate.

I know a lot of baking friends that share in my fetish for cake plates. I love this Rosanna Rococo one in black, so classy!

Baking is messy, so if you’re going to get messy, at least do it in style. This Reversible apron is from Debbie’s Etsy storefront, DebzDoodlez . She has lots of other prints to choose from.

You might have read one of my posts about this before, but it’s worth repeating. I think this Wilton 50 piece decorating kit is the best out there for someone getting start. It’s reasonably priced and comes with tips, couplers, gel colors, spatulas, bags, and more!
Ruffles are all the rage, and this ruffle pie plate is on sale for $19.99 and ships for free. If you know someone with a cake plate fetish, it’s probably an issue with pie plates too.

If you’re looking for cookbooks, here are two great reads. As much as I love pretty cookbooks, I find most of the recipes I try from the Internet. These two books are not your traditional cookbooks. They explain the science behind cooking and baking so you can be successful in creating your own recipes. Ratio came out in 2010 and Ruhlman’s Twenty was just released this fall.

This is the only baking sheet worthy enough to go in my oven. These Airbake sheets are only $14.99 at Target and by far the best and only sheet I will use at this point. Just don’t submerge it when you clean it, trust me on this!

I love my Babycake Cake Pop Maker. When I bought one for my sister’s birthday in September, I bought one for me too. Happy Birthday to me! They are currently sold out online at Kohl’s, but they should have them in stock in the store. It’s on sale for $26.00 and with the $10.00 coupon they send every month, that makes a great present for a great deal. If you can’t find it at Kohl’s, you can also buy it at the BabyCakes online store.

When decorating cookies, I could not live without Kuhn Rikon squeeze bottles. Sur La Table is selling a new cupcake set which includes a cupcake corer and silicone baking cups. It’s $30… a great price for everything you get.

Anyone who bakes will tell you that measuring cups are not all created equal. I happen to think Williams Sonoma makes some of the best. They have a gift set right now with all of the cups and spoons for $39.00. It’s worth the investment.

Prince Charming, really you can skip the jewelry this year and get me this. Yes, I’m picking a Kitchen Aid mixer over diamonds. This KitchenAid® 7-Quart Bowl-Lift NSF Commercial Stand Mixer is the Rolls Royce of Kitchen Aids. Now I happen to LOVE my aqua blue 5 qt Martha Stewart Kitchen Aid. If there was a fire in the house, I’d grab the boy, the Naughty One, and the mixer. That’s how much it means to me. But I’m pretty sure I could fall in love with this one too. Christi from Love From the Oven was given one to try out (I am seriously jealous!) She wrote a great review of it on her site. The best part is this can make up to 14 dozen cookies at a time. But if you don’t generally make 14 dozen cookies at a time, go check out the rest of the stand mixers that Kitchen Aid has to offer. You’ve got to love the rainbow of colors.

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!

Gift Ideas, Holidays, Other, Products

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Written on November 11, 2011 by Kate

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Happy Friday everyone! I can’t believe how fast this month is flying by. Thanksgiving will be here before we know it, so it’s time to start thinking about turkey treats. My parents are heading out on their first road since becoming homeless, and they will be gone for Thanksgiving. I know what you’re thinking, how dare they leave me on a major holiday (okay, that’s what I was thinking). I might have been a little bitter, but my sister and her family are driving here from Texas to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. The boy and I are SO excited to have them with us. Usually, they stay at my mom’s and we have to share them, but now that my parents are drifters, we get them all to ourselves. My sister and I are excited to make Thanksgiving dinner together. We’re of course making the traditional Thanksgiving pie, but we also need something festive and sweet for the non-pie lovers. I went in search of some adorable turkey treats created by other food bloggers and here’s what I found. Now comes the tricky part… figuring out the cutest.

Two Oreos, a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, and a Whopper disguised as a turkey? This is my kind of dessert posted at ourbestbites.com .

Martha Stewart has a turkey cupcake how-to posted on her site.

I love these M&M turkey favors posted at the Party Animal blog. Wouldn’t they look cute at each place setting at the kiddie table?

How simple and yummy does this turkey rice krispie treat look that Ali from Gimme Some Oven created.

This turkey cake pop posted by Maria on Martha Stewart’s Dreamers into Doers page is the cutest one I’ve seen for Thanksgiving.

Turn a chocolate cupcake on its side, get some Nutter Butters and a few other goodies and you can make these turkey cupcakes (created by Jeanne Benedict)

I love this turkey cupcake cake for a big group posted at Atomic Cupcakes.

Why did I just buy the giant turkey cookie cutter when this cookie made using a circle and heart cookie cutter looks so much cuter. Bee in our Bonnet posted a step-by-step photo tutorial on how to make these.

Happy Weekend Everyone!!

A Few of My Favorites..., Favorite Foodies, Favors, Holidays, Other, Parties, Table Setting Ideas

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Written on October 6, 2011 by Kate

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I’m constantly giving away my sweet creations to friends and family… Spread the love, spread the calories, that’s my mantra. I like the treats I give away to be wrapped up and looking cute… it’s all about presentation (I learned that from my mom!). Lucky for me, I’ve discovered a few graphic design bloggers, who create awesome printables and allow the rest of us download their artwork for free.

Here are some of my favorites for Halloween…