What Do You Think Wednesday- March Stork Stack

So as you know I am a huge fan of Stork Stack. Stork Stack is a monthly subscription company that sends you 4-5 items a month for $28. The items in the box are customized to your child's age. Each month is a different theme. This month's theme was "Colors & Shapes." Here are the contents for this month. My daughter is 16 months old.

- Weleda Calendula Diaper Care ($13.50)
- P'Kolino Plump Stacker ($29.99)
- "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See" book ($7.99)
- Wee Can Too Naturally Safe Finger Paint ($7.00)
- Simple Squares - ($2.49)

Total Value of Box: $60.97!!!!

All In All: I absolutely love this company! I can't even say enough great things about them! The products they include are always nothing short of amazing! They had the Wee Can Too crayons in their box a few months ago and it quickly became a favorite of my daughter's. So when I saw another product from that company, I was thrilled!   I would have never heard of or have been able to try out their products had it not been for Stork Stack. I get super excited when I see my Stork Stack arrive. It is like Christmas Day. Check them out here and subscribe to them today....you won't regret it!

Tasty Tuesday- Mint Candy Filled Cookies

 

This recipe comes from Pillsbury. These cookies look yummy and are a perfect treat to make for St. Patrick's Day.

Cookies
1 roll (16.5 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated sugar cookies
3/4 cup chopped unwrapped thin rectangular créme de menthe candies
Frosting
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 to 2 drops green food color, if desired
2 to 3 tablespoons milk
Garnish
24 thin rectangular créme de menthe candies, unwrapped

1. Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, break up cookie dough. Stir or knead in 3/4 cup chopped candies. Shape teaspoons of dough into balls; place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

2. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until set and edges are light golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

3. In small bowl, mix frosting ingredients until smooth, adding enough milk 1 teaspoon at a time until desired spreading consistency. Spread 1 teaspoon frosting on each cooled cookie. Cut each créme de menthe candy in half crosswise; cut each half diagonally into 2 triangles. Garnish each cookie with 2 candy triangles to form a tree.

Make It Monday - St. Patrick's Day Luck in a Jar

I was trying to look online to see if there was any ideas that would inspire me for a creative St. Patrick's Day gift idea. I saw something that had different colored candies in a jar to look like a bottled rainbow. It even had marshmallows to look like clouds. I loved the idea and decided to make my own "luck in a jar". Here are the things you will need:

 

- bag of regular Skittles

- bag of the Dark Side Skittles

- mason jar

- gold coins (either chocolate ones or decorative ones)

- bag of mini marshmallows

- ribbon

- decorative pieces (optional)

So here is what you do:

1. Separate the candy by colors.

2. Wash and dry the mason jar.

3. Start layering. Gold coins at the bottom and then color by color to form rainbow.

4. Top with marshmallows.

5. Add lid.

6. Embellish with ribbon and decorative pieces.

All In All: This makes an adorable gift! It is so easy to make that you could even have the kids join in! The total cost for this project for me was under $10 and that is because I made one big and one smaller size jar.

Tasty Tuesday - Strawberry Rosebuds

This recipe (and photo)comes from spoonful.com.


What you'll need:

Strawberries
1 cup white candy melts or white chocolate chips
Microwavable mug
Mint leaves (optional)
Thin wooden kitchen skewers

Directions:

1. Wash the strawberries and pat them dry. If the berry leaves look fresh, leave them in place. Otherwise, remove them.

2. Measure the candy melts into the microwave mug and melt them in the microwave according to the package directions. Stir the melted candy until smooth.

3. Working with one strawberry at a time, insert a wooden skewer up through the bottom. (Note: If you've removed the berry leaves, you can place a couple of mint leaves up against the bottom of the berry before inserting the skewer.) Then dip the berry into the melted candy, leaving a thin border uncoated just above the stem.

4. Arrange the skewered strawberries in a glass, not touching, and wait a few minutes for the candy to set up before serving. Makes 12 to 15 rosebuds.

Make It Monday - Valentine's Day Wreath

I love clearance sales after Christmas! I especially love looking for items that I can use for decorations for Valentine's Day. I needed a new door decoration so figured I would make a heart shaped wreath using all products that I could find in the Christmas clearance section. So off to Michael's I headed for their 80% off sale. Here is what I came out with. The only thing not on clearance was the heart shaped wreath but I used a 50% off 1 item coupon.



All In All: This wreath total was under $5.00 to make!

Tasty Tuesday - Cookies & Cream Fudge

Today's recipe comes from one of my favorite sites:  VeryBestBaking.  I get so many delicious recipes from there!  This one is a goody!  I have made it a few times at Christmas and everyone love it.  Best part is it is fast and easy!  Kids will love making it too!


Ingredients

3 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz. can) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Morsels
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème
1/2 cup finely crushed cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
1 cup crumbled cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies


Directions

LINE 9-inch-square baking pan with foil.

COMBINE sugar, butter and evaporated milk in medium, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.

STIR in morsels, marshmallow crème, finely crushed cookies and vanilla extract. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle crumbled cookies on top. Gently swirl cookies into fudge using a knife without touching bottom of pan. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. Lift from pan; remove foil. Cut into 48 pieces. Store in airtight container in refrigerator. ;

All In All:  This is so delicious!  You can even make some and give as a gift!  Once you make it, it will become a regular recipe that you use!  For this and many more recipes, check out Very Best Baking!

Make It Monday - How to Jazz Up a Christmas Present

There are so many easy ways to make a present look more "jazzy".  The best and easiest way is to add on an ornament.  Just attaching an ornament such as a snowflake or disco ball ornament is all you need to make them look perfect.  Plus you can usually always find them in sets for cheap!

Here is a bag of candy for my UPS driver.  I found these adorable ornaments that say Merry Christmas in glitter at the dollar store.  They came in a pack of 4.  Attached that and a bow to make it look more festive!

 

All In All:  Be creative!  Your gifts will look amazing!

Thrifty Thursday - BOGO Free Starbucks Holiday Drinks

Attention:  Starbucks Fans 

December 13-16, from 2-5pm, buy one holiday beverage and you'll get a second one of equal or lesser value to share. 

At participating US stores only.

View all Starbucks holiday offers and more at Starbucks.com/Rekindle 

What Do You Think Wednesday - December Stork Stack

Everyone knows what a HUGE fan I am of Stork Stack.  For those of you who do not know about Stork Stack, here is the scoop...they are a monthly subscription service filled with 5 high quality products for baby & mommy.  They have products from great brands like J.J. Cole, BabyLegs, WubbaNub, and many more!

Stork Stack is $28.00/month for a box valued at over $50.00 worth of products.  Each month has a theme. This month's theme:  Rock, Roll 'n Roar!

So what was in the box you ask.  Here are the goodies:

- Rockabye Baby "Good Day, Good Night" 2cd set ($24.98)

 - BearHands & Buddies Fleece Mittens ($12.99)

- EDUSHAPE Maracito ($3.25)

- Rubbabu Educational Ball ($6.95)

- Rockin' Green Detergent for 4 loads ($1.25)

Box Value Total:   $ 49.42

This box featured great products that I haven't seen before.  The cd set is instrumental lullabies but based on songs from the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Metallica and more.  The gloves are adorable and my daughter looks like a little bear wearing them.  She loves the maraca and ball.  I haven't tried the detergent yet, but I am sure it will be a winner.

All In All:  I absolutely love this monthly subscription company.  They have me looking forward every single month to this little package!  Not only do they have products I have never seen before, their customer service is one of the best I have ever experienced.  To me that says a lot about a company.  Once again, they did not disappoint with the product selection.  My daughter loved everything.  She looks like a little bear with the gloves & shakes the maraca non-stop.  To sign-up click here.  Check them out!

Tasty Tuesday - Eggnog Cookies

I love these cookies!  If you love eggnog, then this will defientely be a new favorite cookie for you!  This recipe comes from Very Best Baking.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups (about 1/3 tub) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Sugar Cookie Tub Dough, slightly softened

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 325º F. 

STIR cinnamon and nutmeg into cookie dough. Refrigerate for 15 minutes for easier handling. Roll dough into 18, 1 1/4-inch balls; dip in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. 

BAKE for 14 to 16 minutes or until edges are set but centers are still soft. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. 

TIPS: 

• Dip eggnog cookies halfway into melted NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Morsels. 

• Shake off excess; refrigerate. Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger batch. 

• Recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger batch. 

All In All:  So yummy and so fast to make!  This is a must have for the holidays!!!

Make It Monday - Cupcake Ornaments

Did you ever see those adorable ornaments that you absolutely love?  Then you look at the price tag...and you are horrified?  I love all those cupcake ornaments that are so cute but range anywhere from $10-$15 each.  So I decided to go to Michael's and get myself some supplies to re-create it for way cheaper.  Here is what you need:

-Any color ornaments you want your "cupcake" to be

- Paint in the color frosting you want.  

(I did some with chocolate, strawberry and some vanilla.)

- Glitter for sprinkles

- Cupcake foil liners

- Something for a cherry on top

- Paint Brush

- Hot glue

- Ribbon (optional)

Step 1:  Paint the "frosting" onto the ornament.  You don't want this to be perfect.  You want it to look like frosting dripping.

Step 2:  Sprinkle glitter on top of paint while it is still wet.  Let dry.

Step 3:  Add some hot glue to the bottom of a cupcake liner.  Position ornament on a tilt in the liner.  Be careful as the foil liner will be very hot.

Step 4:  Glue "cherry" on top.  Add some ribbon to hang from the tree.

All In All:  This is such an easy and fun ornament to make.  My son had a blast making them.  Best part is that I re-created them for less than $2.00 each!  If you wanted to, you can even purchase ornaments at the dollar store and save even more money.  Happy cupcake ornament making!

Tasty Tuesday - Frosted Gingerbread Martini

With the holidays approaching, I am always trying to come up with a tasty drink to serve at Christmas.  So when I received Sugar Free Gingerbread Syrup from Torani  to test out compliments of She Speaks and Torani, I figured this was a perfect chance to test out some drink ideas.

Torani syrups are great because you can change the flavor of any drink to make it more flavorful.  You can add to things like coffee, cakes, iced tea, specialty drinks....the possibilities are endless.  Be creative!

Here is a recipe I came up with for a frosted gingerbread martini.


Frosted Gingerbread Martini
1 oz. Smirnoff Iced Cake Vodka
1 oz.  Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur
0.5 oz. Kahlua Liqueur
0.5 oz Torani Sugar Free Gingerbread Syrup

Shake over ice.  Serve in chilled martini glass.  You can rim the glass with crushed gingerbread cookie.  Garnish with whipped cream and a gingerbread man cookie.

Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream

Ever have your hair look like this?  Then you need Not Your Mother's Smooth Moves Frizz Control Hair Cream.  I received a sample of this product in my Beauty Blogger VoxBox from Influenster for testing purposes.  Thank goodness!  This product lives up to its claims...my hair has never been smoother.  Here is the product info:

Got Frizz? Straighten up and tame that mane... or whatever you call it. SMOOTH MOVES™ is your call to fighting out of control hair and will help reduce your styling time. Infused with natural coconut & silk extracts this salon formula will keep you thinking straight all day.

PRODUCT FACTS
- De-frizzes and straightens hair
- All day performance
- Adds shine
- Coconut & silk extracts add shine and strength to hair

STYLING TIPS & EFFECTS
Apply Smooth Moves™ to damp hair, distribute evenly with a comb and then blow-dry to reveal straight, frizz-free hair.

They also forgot to say that it makes your hair smell oh so delish!  Check out their website here!

Bath & Body Works Fall Mini Candles

I Love Bath & Body Works candles, always have.  So when I received one of their fall mini candles in my Beauty Blogger VoxBox compliments of Influenster for testing purposes, I was super excited.  I received the Cider Lane scent and it smells just like a trip to an orchard.  It has that apple and cider with mulling spices scent.  It is the true scent of fall.  Here is the product info:

Mini but Mighty! Our Mini Candles provide an amazing fragrance experience exclusively developed and tested by our team of Home Fragrance experts, including the world's best master perfumers. Now in an elegant glass container, these are the perfect size for trialing all our fall home fragrances! Mini Candles burn approximately 15 hours.

15 hours!  That is crazy for such a little guy but it is very true!  The mini candles are perfect for the bathroom.  They even have little jar covers for them which are too cute!!!  The mini candles make the perfect little present or party favor for the upcoming holidays.  Check them out at Bath & Body Works.  If you purchase online, use the code RMNNOVBBW by 12/4/12 and receive 20% your entire order.

Thrifty Thursday - 10 FREE Holiday cards from Cardstore

For today only, 11/8, Cardstore.com is offering 10 free holiday cards and free shipping!  Hop over there now to snag your deal.  Just enter the code CCN2433 at checkout!

What Do You Think Wednesday - Goody Simple Styles Spin Pins

I received these Goody Simple Styles Spin Pins in my Beauty Blogger VoxBox and have to say that I am blown away at how well these little guys work.  I have relatively think hair and when I saw these pins, i thought to myself they were not going to work for me.  Boy was i wrong!  Here is the product info:

The Goody brand is the most widely-recognized manufacturer of hair accessories and styling tools in the world. Through proprietary brands such as DoubleWear™, QuikStyle™, Simple Styles™, Slide-Proof™ and Ouchless®, Goody has introduced smart innovations like the exclusive Spin Pin and Quik Style Brush. With products inspired by the latest designer trends and innovative solutions, Goody offers an inspiring range of hair accessories and styling tools.

The box has simple directions with a twist hair and pin situation.  It is that simple! They are like corkscrews for your hair.  I am loving these!  You should definitely check them out.  The retail for about $7.29 at stores like Walmart, Target and CVS.

I did receive these complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.  Check out the Goody website here.

What Do You Think Wednesday - October Stork Stack

You know from my previous reviews that I love my Stork Stack.  To me it is completely worth the money.  ($28.00 a month)  The amount of things you receive in the box always surpasses that amount.  This was my 3rd month receiving this subscription.  Not my favorite month but still had some cute things in it.  The picture posted above is from their website because my camera is not working.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't receive the card that lists all the items, descriptions and cost.  However, a few days after receiving the package, I did get an email from Stork Stack containing the information.  The theme for this month was Imaginative Play.  So here is what was included in the box this month:

- North American Bear Co. -- Tinie Dinies $12.00

- Box Play for Kids -- Caterpillar  $5.00

- Harmonica Pocket CD - Apple Apple $14.00

- Green Toys - Twist Teether $10.99

- 2 KIND Healthy Snacks - KIND Bar $3.78  ($1.89 / bar)

Total Value of Box:  $45.77

All In All:   My daughter who is 11 month old did not like this box as much as the last two either.  But Stork Stack is still by far my absolute favorite monthly box.  I also am subscribed to Bluum Box, which is $12.00 a month, but their products are not nearly as great as Stork Stack.   Again I have to give them praise because they are the ONLY monthly subscription that I actually receive on or about the 1st of the month.  This is a great service...check them out here.

Tasty Tuesday - Caramel Apple Cupcakes

I haven't tried these yet but they are on my to-do list.  I think they look adorable and they have gotten great reviews.  The recipes comes straight from Taste of Home.

Ingredients

• 1 package (18-1/4 ounces) spice cake mix or 1 package (18 ounces) carrot cake mix
• 2 cups chopped peeled tart apples
• 20 Werther's® Original Chewy Caramels
• 3 tablespoons 2% milk
• 1 cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
• 12 Popsicle sticks

Directions

• Prepare cake batter according to package directions; fold in apples.
• Fill 12 greased or paper-lined jumbo muffin cups three-fourths full. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.
• In a small saucepan, cook the caramels and milk over low heat until smooth. Spread over cupcakes. Sprinkle with pecans. Insert a wooden stick into the center of each cupcake. Yield: 1 dozen.

Make It Monday - Black Tutu (Skunk Costume Part 2)

Making your own tutu skirt is inexpensive and easy to do.  All you need are the following things:

- Tulle any color you would like.  For my costume I am using black.
- Crochet headband
- Scissors

You 1st want to put your crochet headband around something round so it is easier to see the holes.  I used a small trashcan.  Then you want to cut your tulle into strips.  I made mine 2" wide by 12" long.  Keep in mind that the length is going to be cut in half because we are folding it.  I only wanted mine to be 6" long so I doubled that amount to get the length.

Once you have cut the strips and I believe I used about 80 pieces for two layers.  You want to start on the bottom row of holes.  Fold a strip of tulle in half and pull through the hole.  Here is how you want to make the loop.  (from http://www.skiptomylou.org)

Continue doing this all around until you have all the holes covered.  You then want to do the holes in the row right above the 1st layer.  You can continue up the headband as far as you want.

When you have the look you want you are finished.  You can do more than one color...the possibilities are endless!

Thrifty Thursday - "The Original" Dish Drying Mat

Usually on Thursdays I have a coupon code to save you some money.  But today, I have a product that is going to save you money!  On a usual trip to get paper towels I spend about $14.99.  Well this is going to change now because I received an Original Dish Drying Mat in my Naturals VoxBox from Influenster complimentary for testing purposes.  I am in love with this product.  Instead of placing about 10 paper towels underneath my dishes right after I wash them, I place the dish drying mat under and this puppy soaks up 4 times its own weight!  I wash my dishes, place them on the mat, come back in 15 minutes and they have drip dried themselves right on the mat.

You can purchase this at Bed Bath & Beyond for $4.99 but you can always use one of those 20% off coupons that come in the mail saving you about $1.00.  Well worth is because I have noticed that I am using less paper towels which saves me money & causes less trash making it a green product idea!!!