Wednesday, December 7, 2011
10 Red Hot Holiday Trends
 | Trend: Double DessertsTaking two desserts and mixing and mashing them together is one of our favorite trends. Things like pie shakes, cookie stuffed cookies, and pie-filled cupcakes deliver a whole new kind of delicious. It´s a 1+1=3 kind of thing. Recipe: Pumpkin Pie Cookies Pie, meet cookie. Cookie, say hello to pie. When two all-time favorites come together, you get Pumpkin Pie Cookies, the star at your next holiday cookie exchange. |
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 | Trend: Boozy BakingFrom booze cakes to cocktail pies, bakers everywhere are bringing the bar into the kitchen. A titch of tequila or a skosh of scotch whiskey adds a serious shot of fun and flavor for the over 21 crowd. We´re loving these boozy baked goods! Recipe: Boozy Bourbon Chocolate Cupcakes Taste for yourself what the buzz is all about! A bit of bourbon, a hit of coffee liqueur and some vanilla vodka-spiked frosting make these sophisticated chocolate cupcakes the ultimate "holiday helpers." |
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 | Trend: Color. Flavor. Fun.Traditional baked goods are being transformed with bright colors and playful flavors. With a little creativity and imagination, no one can resist this happy, fun food! Recipe: Cake Batter Cookie Stackers Take sugar cookies to a whole new level of delicious! Kids and adults will love these cake batter flavored cookies with colorful frosting, and lots of sprinkles! Stack `em up and watch `em go. |
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 | Trend: From Cave to KitchenForget the man cave. Today guys are in the kitchen making (or at least appreciating) really good food. Big food. Really good, big food that´s stacked and stuffed with the flavors they can´t resist. Here´s a new take on chicken `n´ waffles - made better with beer, bacon, and bourbon. It´s the ultimate manly man meal. |
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 | Trend: Skinny CocktailsHere´s the skinny! Drinking high-calorie cocktails is so last year. The modern mixologist is shaking things up with light & flavorful cocktails. Recipe: Skinny Clementine Martini Add some clever sparkle to your next party. Enjoy these natural, light martinis made with fresh juice, high-quality liquor, and a splash of club soda. Lower calorie cocktails never tasted, or looked, so sweet. Cheers! |
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 | Trend: Better Than BoughtFrom canning to candy making, there´s a renewed interest in handcrafted foods. This season, homemade food gifts are just the right thing to show your care and creativity. Recipe: Cajeta Caramel Fudge Create the perfect combination of flavor and crunch with this homemade candy. Rich chocolate fudge layered with cajeta caramel, cashews and a sprinkle of sea salt-a recipe to impress. |
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 | Trend: Veggie LoveOnce just tolerated, vegetables are now celebrated. Omnivores and herbivores alike have discovered that veggies offer variety and great taste, and are feeling the love. Recipe: Sweet Potato Hummus Hummus with fresh sweet potato packs even more plant power. Add a delicious blend of smoked paprika, coriander, and cumin to make this flavorful dip. |
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 | Trend: Shareworthy & Allergen-FriendlyAllergen-friendly foods may be free from things like nuts, dairy and eggs, but shouldn´t be free from flavor. Thankfully, we´re seeing new foods and recipes that can be enjoyed by everyone - whether you´re allergy-sensitive or not. Recipe: Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bread Gather everyone around the table to enjoy this moist and delicious pumpkin bread. Made with no nuts, no dairy, no eggs, and no gluten - no kidding! |
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 | Trend: D-I-Y for D-O-GMan´s best friend deserves man´s best effort. That´s why making your own dog food is one of the latest canine crazes! This year, homemade dog treats are at the top of fido´s list. Recipe: Dog Bark This treat will make your dog sit up and beg for more. Make the bark by melting carob chips and peanut butter then top with your dog´s favorite ingredients - bacon and cheese. Bow WOW! |
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 | Trend: Food CraftThe kitchen is the new craft room. With food as their medium, clever cooks are making amazing edible food crafts that are as good to look at as they are to eat. Recipe: Chocolate Coal Lumps |
I was provided with these recipes thanks to Betty Crocker through My Blog Spark. I was not compensated in any way.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Kidorable Backpack Review & Coupon Code
If there is one company that comes to mind when I think about imagination play meeting form and function, it's Kidorable. Over the course of my blog I have reviewed many items for them and my kids have always loved, played and worn the items to pieces.I am so excited to share with your their newest collection: Dragon Knight!
The Dragon Knight collection is steel grey with dark green as accent color, perfect for strong and brave boys. Some pieces accentuate the Knight, others the Dragon, but there is a nice interplay between both characters throughout the set.
The umbrella has protruding dragon horns and wings, with a knight, fire, and a castle motif along the bottom.
Made of 100% nylon, Kidorable umbrellas are child-sized for those little hands.(measures 24" long and 27" diameter open)
The helmet on the matching raincoat is Kidorable’s coolest hood so far. The child who wears it can imagine himself as a valiant knight fighting the dragon.
Comfortable polyester lining, available in sizes My First (1T, 12-18 mos.), 2T, 3T, 4T, 4/5, 5/6 and 6/6X. All coats now come with a FREE matching Kidorable hanger.
More than just a pair of boots, these playful puddle magnets make a wonderful gift. Made of natural rubber, they are guaranteed to be the cutest boots in your neighborhood. All styles are available in My First (size 5), children’s sizes 6-13, plus young adult sizes 1 and 2.
We were sent this adorable backpack from the Dragon Knight Collection. My son loves it. Although at the ripe old age of 7 his homework folder wouldn't fit inside it. I would recommend a younger age set for this particular item. Not one to be deterred that easily he has taken to carrying his Knight backpack inside his larger backpack everyday. This way he will be prepared when he has to carry something that will fit in it! This is making looking for homework and notes for school quite an adventure.
As with all the other items that we have reviewed in the past this backpack is made tough to handle all that kids can put it through. His favorite part is the stuffed sword zipper pull. The backpack is shaped like a shield for extra play value. Now all we need is the matching umbrella to make sure that this brave knight of mine can weather any storms that might pass between him and the playground.
If you would like to get any of these items for your brave little knights, now is the time to do so. Visit Kidorable Dragon Knight Collection.
December 5-11 you can use coupon code DRAGON7 to receive a free Dragon Knight umbrella with their order over $20 (make sure to add the Dragon Knight umbrella to your cart first).
I was sent this backpack from Kidorable for the purpose of this review. I was not compensated in any other way and all opinion expressed is mine and mine alone.
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Tree Is Finally Up...
This Friday when my kids were supposed to be visiting their grandparents I had one child hold back. He decided that he would stay home. While at first I was worried that he would be bored, I quickly guessed the reason. His mission for the night was to wear me down enough so that I would drag our tree upstairs and get it decorated.
I was amazed at how much this usually quiet kid talked almost the entire time. I was even more surprised by the things that he said. So much so that through my tears of laughter I had to write a few of them down:
While I was putting the lights on the tree he marveled at all of our ornaments saying:
It's like opening presents!
After finding an ornament that his teacher had given him last year:
Aww, it's my horse. I always put it on my hand and rode it around.
I asked him to put it on his hand for a picture and he was crushed that it wouldn't fit anymore.
While dressing the mantle with garland and stockings I had to remove my lamps for fear that I would knock them off. He said:
Don't people put these on their heads at parties?
I am so thankful that he wore me down enough so that I got our tree out. I got to see a lot of his personality that I miss when there are four kids in the house all constantly competing for attention. It really made me stop and think about the last time that I had one on one time with each of them. I'm so thankful that they have each other, I know that they deserve to had the spotlight of my attention shining just on them every once in a while.
Now that our tree is up, it's time to get cracking at some of our favorite holiday traditions.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Christmas Shopping Part 3
I am really trying to stick with this plan of buying a few presents a week so that I don't get bogged down trying to do it all at once or skyrocket right out of my budget. I am hoping that this plan will make this season the most enjoyable that it can be.This week I am concentrating on a few toys...
All of this organized shopping has really got me in the spirit. Now if I can just get my tree set up and decorated maybe we could start a few of our Christmas traditions. The kids are already asking to watch the Polar Express and make hot chocolate.
Have you started your Christmas shopping? How do you stay organized and within your budget while spreading joy?
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