Monthly Archives: July 2011

Wedding Reception Centerpiece Ideas

July 31, 2011   Kristen   2 Comments
Come in under budget with these

  So, I already showed you Mommas my wedding cupcake box decorations and now it’s time to go over my “tablescape” plan!  Like I mentioned before, our reception is going to be at a nearby restaurant and since we will only have 25 attendees and (mostly) because we’re on a tight budget, we are not

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Wedding Cupcake Ideas

July 31, 2011   Kristen   5 Comments
Wraping the cupcake box lids with thin contrasting ribbon adds more interest and elegance to the display.

    Sorry I’ve been away SO long!  I’ve been in wedding preparation hyper-drive, with the big day being only ONE WEEK away!  But I wanted to take some time to show you Mommas what I’ve been up to in the last week and a half! First up: my wedding “cake”!  Really, these cupcakes are

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Beautiful Paper Flowers

July 31, 2011   Kristen   6 Comments
At just one dollar a flower, it's impossible to not want to stock up on these festive decorations! I love that they store flat and you "puff" them up as needed!

  As you might already know Pin It , I love to craft!  I also love to oogle at other talented crafters on Etsy!  I also have a wedding coming up and doing so many of the aspects of the nuptials myself, I decided to turn to a paper flower “expert” to get part of

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Orzo & Spinach Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette Dressing

July 22, 2011   Kristen   2 Comments
Using orzo and tofu in this salad moves this salad from a side-dish to the main-dish! Or use your favorite soft cheese for a more classic version!

After the delicious carrot “risotto” recipe I tried last month that used orzo I have fallen back in love with the cute little seed-shaped pasta and have been experimenting with new ways to use it!  Behold my orzo salad recipe–I hope you enjoy!  By the way this recipe can be made with any soft-bodied cheese

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Toy Review: Bubble-Matic Car Wash by Hot Wheels

July 20, 2011   Kristen   2 Comments
The automatic bubble blower sold me on buying this for my 2-year-old son who is a Hot Wheels fanatic!

Today was one of those too-hot-to-go-to-the-park days, so I decided to treat Kysen to an awesome new toy from our local Toys R Us!  Funny side note: when Kysen was a newborn I used to insist that I would never let him go to the toy store when he was old enough to “understand” where

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Quick Breakfast Recipes Using Strawberries

July 18, 2011   Kristen   2 Comments
Have this quick and healthy oatmeal in a flash and feel full all morning long! It's also lactose free and vegan, so you know you're treating your body right!

  You already know why you should eat more strawberries!  And as promised, here are a few strawberry recipes to begin with, and where better to begin than breakfast?  And what is a healthier and tastier way to start your day than with a berry-packed punch?  Forget a coffee fix, I need my strawberry fix! 

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Strawberries

July 17, 2011   Kristen   4 Comments
Is there anything more simply delicious than a bowl of fresh strawberries?

  My Love Affair with Strawberries It’s Summertime and that means berry season!  And to me the most fairest berry of them all is the strawberry!  Maybe it was my childhood romance with everything and anything “Strawberry Shortcake” or maybe the fact that I lived in Florida and could go strawberry picking almost year-round.  Or

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Healthy Lunch: Stir Fried Soba with Baby Bok Choy

July 15, 2011   Kristen   4 Comments
You can feel good about this low-fat lunchtime recipe that's full of good-for-you veggies!

One of my pantry staples is “Hakubaku’s Organic Soba Noodles.”  And to answer my own question from my Ma Po Tofu recipe I have found an online retailer here that carries all the specailty Asian ingredients you’ll ever need and also carries this fab product (for those of you who do not have a Chinese

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My Ma Po Tofu Recipe

July 14, 2011   Kristen   2 Comments
This recipe will change you into a believer that tofu CAN be mouth-wateringly delicious!

I am a lover of ethnic foods!  And ever since getting pregnant with Kysen I have wanted my ethnic dishes (and every dish, really) SPICY, SPICY, SPICY!  Ma Po Tofu is a Chinese dish from the Sichuan province that traditionally features tofu and ground pork or beef.  When I lived in Maryland there was a

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“Our Sweet Obsession” Cookies & Cream Cupcakes

July 13, 2011   Kristen   2 Comments
The girls from "Our Sweet Obsession" perfected this delish cookies & cream cupcake recipe!

When I was planning my sister-in-law’s baby shower I contemplated making this Cookies & Cream Cupcake recipe.  I made this test batch and they were devoured by myself, my DF and his coworkers but I ended up going with a more simple doctored chocolate cake recipe for the chocolate lovers at the actual event. But

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First Birthday Cake

July 12, 2011   Kristen   1 Comment
Make beautiful fruit-themed decorations on a store-bought cake for a super-easy and elegant 1st birthday cake idea!

I wanted to post, as I promised, what I ended up doing with the Best Candied Orange Recipe that I posted yesterday!  As I had mentioned, I was obsessed with these candied oranges, but before that, I was obsessed with Kysen’s 1st Birthday Cake!  It became so important to me that even now I have

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Best Candied Orange Recipe

July 11, 2011   Kristen   4 Comments
Dip these candied oranges in chocolate fill them in a beautiful glass jar and mass-produce for Christmas!

I became infatuated with homemade candied oranges when I was planning Kysen’s 1st birthday cake (which ended up being a store-bought cheesecake, promise I’ll post about that in my party-planning section soon).  I researched MANY recipes online and settled on this one from Brownie Points.  I am including Jocelyn’s picture here because her picture does

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A “Refined” Trail Mix Take Home Treat

July 09, 2011   Kristen   2 Comments
This bunny-themed take home treat was a big hit--making a good trail mix is a bit more complicated than I originally thought!

I promised to post more of my sister-in-laws baby shower ideas and I will not disappoint!  This is excellent take home treat idea that works for more than baby showers!  Just switch up the decorations and you have an elegant treat for your guests at your next birthday, Christmas gathering or any other special celebration!

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Baby Boy Shower Ideas

July 07, 2011   Kristen   4 Comments
You can create an entire baby shower decoration scheme using one $6 rubber stamp!

  Recently I helped to throw my soon-to-be-sister-in-law a baby shower for her new baby boy and I was in charge of the fun stuff, like theme, decorations, invitations and dessert!  Since he was to be born in March of 2011 it was the Chinese zodiac of the Rabbit–an excellent sign, especially for a boy

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Blanca’s Veggie Tostadas

July 07, 2011   Kristen   1 Comment
Sliced oranges make take this tostada recipe over the top!

  This is a recipe from a spa director at one of the best day spas in my area: Blanca from Avant Gard Spa in San Carlos, CA.  I have yet to have a service at this spa, but I seriously can’t wait to based on the Yelp reviews and pictures of the facilities alone! 

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