Sprinkles Mix...buy it. try it.

Sunday evening I made the Sprinkles Vanilla Cake mix! Let me just tell you how good it was...my parents think I made it from scratch. Sorry Mom, if you're reading this right now.

The mix is $14, but let me tell you now...it is worth it! You won't ever want to buy the 89 cent Duncan Hines mix again. Either that, or you'll want to start making yours from scratch, because no other mix that I know of now will beat this.

Some things I noticed. the mix calls for 1 egg and 2 egg whites instead of the 3 full eggs I'm used to. The way they have you mix the ingredients was a bit different. You didn't add liquid or vanilla until the very very last...and the eggs went in themselves. The batter was very thick. Lastly, the frosting was very, very thick and they have you make it all from scratch. It was great! Oh, and the modern dots are edible...but I only had one of them from the number-that-will-remain-unknown cupcakes that I consumed. I also used Williams-Sonoma's Silicups, I think they added to the moist goodness.

The cupcakes were so dense and moist. I really couldn't believe it. I can only imagine how amazing the fresh ones from the Sprinkles shop taste.

Top photo courtesy of Williams-Sonoma.com. Mine is to the right.

You can purchase the mix from the official Sprinkles Cupcake site or Williams-Sonoma.

Flirty Aprons

There's no need so feel frumpy in the kitchen. With these cute and flirty aprons, that is the last thing you need to worry about.

As I was perusing the University Mall yesterday, I notice a new kiosk near the food court: Flirty Aprons.

I immediately was drawn and had to take a closer look at their products. I for one love my current aprons, which consist three 1) Pure white, perfect for baking 2) My Terikayi Stix apron from my freshman year job 3) My very favorite, a bright red Williams-Sonoma apron with cream trim.

There's no doubt I would add these creative and trendy ones to my collection. My faves of Flirty Aprons include: Red Cherry, Blue Chocolate and Sunshine. All are $29.99 and adorned in fun colored prints, waist and neck ties, ruffles and a bold front pocket.

The owners of Flirty Aprons say their goal is to "redefine kitchens...cooking doesn't have to be dreary--it can be done in style." Well ladies I think you've outdone yourselves. I love your aprons.

FYI: Their site also alludes to a future line of men's, children's and waist aprons!

{Be a flirt!}

Blog Books

Let's be honest...Blogs are the journals and family histories of our time.

I'm quickly approaching the year mark for my family blog and want to publish these fun memories. Yes, I said publish! You can turn your blog into a book!



I've found a few companies that do this and I think I'm going to go with Blurb.com.

Why, you ask? Well, Blurb works with the blogger platform that I use; you can edit as much or as little as you like, meaning you could do a quick import or customize your layout; they have a fast turnaround and they do hardcover books.

If anyone has had any experience with blurb.com, or any other companies that are compatible with blogger.com let me know.

New Edition: "What to Expect"

The ever-popular mother-to-be book, "What to Expect When You're Expecting," has a new edition out! The first addition you'll notice is its cover: a hip and sexy expectant mother, wearing jeans and a fitted sweater that shows off her belly.

The old cover showcased a mother in a moo-moo type dress sitting in a rocking chair, pretty outdated? Yes. The author believes that just like today's mother, the cover has evolved.

New Features in "What to Expect"

*A new chapter on preconception and how to get into shape for making a baby

*An expanded section on working during pregnancy, including how to stay comfortable and how to tell your boss

*A new section about alternative forms of medical care

*A new chapter on eating while pregnant

*More information about the pregnant lifestyle and pregnant beauty

*An expanded section on sex during pregnancy

*Detailed week-by-week fetal development section in each of the monthly chapters

*Much more on surviving pregnancy's emotional ups and downs
*Brand-new section on having a safe and pampered pregnancy

The author herself is a mother, and came up with the idea for the book when she was expecting her first child. The book has been on the New York Times Bestseller list for 351 weeks and 90 percent of women who have read pregnancy books have read WTE.

Buy it: $14.95 in stores or $12.95 special on the official site!

For more pregnancy and parenting tips, visit the "What to Expect" Web site: http://www.whattoexpect.com/

(image and information (new features) source Deseret News, Nicole Warburton article 4/21/2008 and WTE official site.)

Home Grown

There's just something about a garden ripe tomato or chopped fresh herbs in a dish. For those of us who don't own an overabundance of land, have the time or a green thumb; these small herb and salsa gardens are the answer.

You can take a couple different paths if you decide to have one. You'll find a variety of kits online, at Target or most local grocery stores. You could also buy any Terra Cotta or other pot of your choice and get seeds from your local nursery. Each kit has a different mix of herbs or veggies and some can even stay inside.

Just plant...water... add sunshine and enjoy.

{fresh is better}

Drop Flower Tip

I use the Wilton method for cake decorating. I use mostly all their products when I decorate my cakes. I LOVE all their products, recipes and project ideas...and I'm happy to report they have a wonderful Web site.

One of my favorite resources on their site is their Decorating Techniques section. Basically, they have a huge list of what you can create. They've even separated the list into what you can do with fondant and buttercream frosting. They give great step-by-step instructions and have beautiful pictures. 

Tonight I'd like to talk about tip 2D, for drop flowers. I've used this tip for a number of cakes and cupcakes. It is by far the easiest tip of all, especially considering the lovely outcome! You can make these flowers to top a cupcake, make a border or cover an entire cake like I did below. You'll also need a number 3 or any small round tip to fill the center of the flower. Click here for Wilton's instructions!

New Poll!

If you haven't noticed already, I really care about what you as readers are interested in.

My last three posts were based on the outcome of the most recent poll. Thanks to everyone who voted.

Well, a new poll is up and I'm excited to see what you want to read .

If there is something that's not on the poll that you want me to blog about, write it in the comments section!

{Vote now!}

Hungry Girl

I've been following an awesome site for a few months now, thanks to a friend. I can't keep it to myself any longer. Let me tell you about it!

Hungry Girl, Lisa Lillien has an amazingly resourceful Web site loaded with healthy food alternatives. 

She divides her site into different categories: 

*News: What's Hot and New in the World of Dieting 

*Chew the Right Thing: Fabulous Food Finds and Hidden Horrors , 

*Ask Hungry Girl: The Goddess of Grub Answers Your Diet and Nutrition Qs 

*Girl's Bite Out: Survival Strategies for the Weekend.

All are fantastic, and what's even better is she sends out a daily email with tips, recipes and even answers to her reader's questions. She really is up on her stuff. 

Lisa follows the Weight Watchers point system and calculates points for all her recipes and recommendations. I myself have am not familiar with the WW program, but appreciate all her hard work just the same.

Best news of all: Hungry Girl has a book coming out April 29! It's titled Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World. Read about it here.

Lisa's not a nutritionist, but a self-proclaimed foodologist. She's passionate and serious about what she does. Her mantra is "I'm hungry!" Lisa, I'm hungry too and I love all you do! Thanks!

{I'm hungry!}

Shut it down!

As I type I have a second batch of mini cuppycakes in the oven. Tonight I experimented and well....I failed. I don't know why I'm even going to let them finish baking.

See for the last few months I've been meaning to make a fun and special cake project and tonight I was going to do it. I won't go into details cause I'm going to try again...

Basically, the project is going to be a mini cake with surrounding mini-cupcakes, or what I call mini cuppycakes or cupcake bites. If you recall for St. Patrick's day I hit gold with my chocolate cupcake bites! They truly were a hit.

Tonight I thought I could recreate them. But this time I was going to do a vanilla cake with a buttercream Nutella filling. The surrounding cupcakes would have either the Nuttella buttercream or regular vanilla frosting on top.

I didn't burn the cake or anything crazy like that. It just didn't taste amazing. I was so disappointed. I didn't want to go any further. There was no way I was going to bust out four pounds of powdered sugar and my expensive Nutella. This cake was not worthy!

In my head I heard Gordon Ramsey screaming at me "Shut it down, SHUT it down!"

I'm going to list some mistakes I think I made. Don't get me wrong, this wasn't a complete disaster, it just didn't meet my standards.

Potential Mistake #1: French Vanilla Cake Mix. I haven't found my own signature cake recipe or developed one, so in the meantime I'm using cake mixes. Wilton actually recommends Duncan Hines, I've used them since my cake classes and haven't had any complaints. In fact I've only improved them with some mix-ins.

These mix-ins coupled with this particular mix could have been the problem.

Potential Mistake #2: Sour Cream, I usually use the BYU Creamery's. This time I used a different brand, Daisy Brand.

Potential Mistake #3: Semi-sweet chocolate chips: this was another mix-in. In the past I've used Macey's milk chocolate chips.

Potential Mistake #4: Jell-O Instant Vanilla pudding: Though this is my favorite mix-in, maybe it just competed with the french vanilla-ness.

Potential Mistake#4: All of the above: I think this may actually be the real mistake. Maybe all these flavors just didn't work together.

Or...maybe I just don't like French vanilla?

Either way, I couldn't bring myself to finish the cake. It would have been another two-or-so hour investment and I wasn't going to do that to myself.

Don't let me scare you away from these mix-ins cause they are AMAZING! (In fact, I will be posting the measurements and details in the near future.) They seriously worked like a charm when I did the chocolate cake last month.

Well the buzzer just rang, I better take the cuppycakes out of the oven and throw them away.

The Act of Marriage

I highly recommend "The Act of Marriage" by Dr. Tim and Beverly LaHaye. Whether you're engaged or have been married 10 or 30 years, this book is a good read. One of my great friends gave this book to me at a bridal shower, and I really enjoyed and appreciated it. I found the book was in line with my own personal beliefs about intimacy and marriage. The couple approached intimacy very tactfully, yet straight to the point. You can find it at Borders, other large book stores or online at amazon.com.

Trip to Williams-Sonoma Land

I'll admit I'm addicted. I love this store.

Here are this week's favorites, from left to right.

Cup-a-cakes: I've told my husband time and time again that our kids will have these in their brown bag lunches. Williams-Sonoma touts that the "predicament of transporting frosted cupcakes has been resolved once and for all by a team of mothers."
Your choice of Clear or Blue, set of 3 for $10.50

Orleans Toile Tablecloth, Blue: If I could ever afford this pretty yet pricey tablecloth, I would buy it in a heartbeat. The print is, after all an exclusively licensed 19th-century toile de Jouy from the textile archives of the State Museum of Louisiana. I'm hoping for a clearance in a season or two!
Various shapes and sizes, ranging from $65-115

Ebelskiever Filled-Pancake Pan: Sweet or savory, take your pick. WS is currently promoting this for Mother's day and I want it. What a great way to mix up Saturday pancakes!
Nonstick with roots in Denmark, $35.00

Garden Patch Cakelet Pan: This sweet treat may be the closest some of us get to actually planting a veggie garden. Oh well! This pan bakes 20 little petite fours in carrot, cabbage, radish and pea pod shapes. WS suggests you decorate with colorful icings or simply dust them with confectioner's sugar. Be sure to check out the decorating demonstration video.
Eat your greens for $34.00

Emile Henry Artisan Ruffled Pie Dish: I've been eyeing this caramel-colored pie dish for over a year now. It is so beautiful and I know my apple pie would fit perfectly...and maybe even taste better sitting in it!
Comes in different colors, $40.00

{I am in Williams-Sonoma heaven!}

(photos from Williams-Sonoma Web site)

Charm Cake

With wedding season soon approaching, I'm sure many of you will host or attend a bridal shower in the next few months. So naturally, I'd like to begin a series of posts about the celebrations that surround weddings.

Enter bridal showers.

For my sister's shower that I co-hosted last February I stumbled upon a neat idea: the charm cake!

I first heard about the charm cake from an old roommate from Louisiana. Since my sister was marrying someone from the south, I thought it would be a fun way to incorporate the groom and his background.

What is a charm cake you ask?

Traditionally, the cake is served at the bridesmaids' luncheon, in our case the bridal shower. Each guest pulls one ribbon from the center of a Bundt cake to find a good-luck charm and message dangling from the other end. Charms are available by mail order, often complete with fortunes, ribbons, and bags.

Our charms were a mix from Robert's Crafts and a jewelry store the University Mall. We chose to have the bride and her sisters and sisters-in-law draw the ribbons.

Ribbons can be color coded so single, married, and very young women will choose charms -- such as rings or baby carriages -- that are appropriate for their situations. Other popular charms include a coin (for luck), an airplane (for travel), and a telephone (for a special phone call). To assemble, bake your favorite Bundt cake, put the charms in the center, and drape the ribbons over the cake; fresh flowers provide decoration while hiding the charms.

(Description adapted from Martha Stewart site.)

As you can tell we adapted it to our liking. I'm sure any little changes made will only personalize your event and make it even more special for the bride and her guests!

Brush up...

...on your technique that is.

Williams-Sonoma offers complimentary technique classes most Saturdays. (Sunday if you aren't in Provo, Utah)

I bet you never thought you'd get something free out of this Grand Cuisina, did you?

My mom and I had the chance to attend one a few months back. The class was focused on formal table setting and tableware. I absolutely loved it--how could I not? One of my favorite stores, cool take-home pamphlets filled with golden nuggets of WS goodness and a chance to learn something new. So great!

There's no doubt the classes are a big plug for their products, but the teachers are not pushy for you to make purchases, and they really know some neat things...plus I think it is just so great to reach out to the community.

Here are some upcoming classes that look most delightful. Check 'em out! If you go, let me know!

April 19/20 - Spring Pasta and KitchenAid Mixer
* Learn how to enjoy classic fresh pasta by incoporating the flavors of spring. We'll be making pasta from scratch, enjoying springtime recipes and providing season variations.

May 3/4 - Breakfast for Mom
*With Mother's Day in a week, we want to share with you some of our favorite ideas for breakfast with mom. Learn the basics to waffle making, a delightful Ebelskiver and much more.

May 17/18 - Grilling 101
*The first part in a three part series on grilling--we want to help you get ready for the grilling season. We will be covering everything from the essentials needed for grilling to different methods of flavoring, marinating and creative grilled accompaniments.

(Descriptions taken from local Williams-Sonoma flyer)

Old books, new lamp!

A while back, Studio 5 did a segment on using old books in everyday home decor. My favorite was using them to make a custom lamp. I couldn't find the link in their archives, but did find some pictures online. (I've e-mailed them and will keep you posted if they send me information)

These lamps would be great on any entry way piece, in a study or even in a family room. I'd also like to see the idea taken further for a child's room, using classic children's books.

Click here for some step-by-step instructions from the Do it Yourself Network site.

(photos link to original sites)

Cardigans, please!

Cardigans. You can wear them with jeans, skirts, shorts, capris. You can dress them up, dress them down. They can keep you warm in your cool office cubicle and be he perfect addition to a springtime oufit. The possibilites are limitless.

I'm on the lookout for some new cardigans. Here's some favorites that I've found. The prices range from $17-$178. Ideally, I'm looking for one under $35.00.

If you know of any others or want to share your favorite, please do!

{Happy Shopping}