Let Them Take Cake!

Is there anything more perfect in this world than getting to eat your cake and take it too?!



How perfect are these cake slice boxes?! I mean seriously? SO much better than a traditional to-go box! I would totally take a piece of cake just for the adorable packaging!

These would make a great accompaniment for your special day or an event!  There is nothing better than getting to take a small piece of delicious heaven home after a great event!  It is a great way to remember a fun day or evening!

These precious cake slice boxes can be found at the UK's Cox & Cox.  But for us Yanks it can be found on their website!  6 Euros will get you 10 boxes in a choice of 3 colors.

I would recommend these adorable favors for:

• Bridal showers
• Baby showers
• Tea parties
• Weddings

Happy Eventing!

xo

-J-

So Fly!

I do not recall where I heard of Fly Lady, but I heard about it!!!  They have a great starter program, Beginner Baby Steps.  (Free of charge).  Below I have compiled my favorite tips & tricks from Fly Lady.  I hope these help you organize and sort chores and activities the way they helped me!!!

I am already hyper-organizational, but this definitely refined these skills.

First: Shine Your Sink

This is simply making sure your sink is clear and dry when you are finished with it after:

                 *your morning wake-up/beauty routine

                 *breakfast/lunch prep

                 *dinner/dessert prep

                 *evening cleansing routine

by doing this you come home to a clean bathroom and a clean kitchen sink.
You will be amazed at how much stress this relieves!

Second: Get Dressed all the way

*This is a variation of their Get Dressed Up to Lace Up Shoes

This will allow you to be ready for the day no matter what is thrown your way.  I say get dressed all the way because I do not like walking around the house in my shoes.  (This saves on vacuuming time later and keeps floors looking nicer longer!)  

Third:  Pick Out Your Clothes

Set out what you would like to wear the next day before you go to bed at night, after you shine your sink and you will be time ahead in the morning.  I also do this with my meals up to dinner the evening before.  It makes for less hassle and less stress in the morning.  I find morning to be hectic as it is, so why not make it easier and less hectic?!

Fourth:  Write These Things Down

Write reminders down that help you stay on task!  I am by nature a list maker.  I constantly have a minimum of three, yes THREE, notepads on my desk.  They all vary in size according to the length of list needed.  I also, place post-its around that are tasks I need to do or little inspirations.  But I am careful as to not let them clutter!  If I have looked at something for more than about a week or two, I take it down and refresh it!

Fifth: Declutter for a Few Minutes

For me this may mean putting laundry away (my absolute least favorite chore) or wandering the house and tidying a little at a time.  It could also mean organizing for later in the day or for the next day.  But make it something that works for you!!

There are 30 total of these little tips.  These 5 are my standbys.  I will post 5 a week until I have posted all the ones I think are relevant! But all these links are linked to a point on the Fly Lady website!  That means you can view all of the tips/tricks at anytime and determine which are your favorites.

xo

-J-

Goody Goody Cupcakes!

This weekend was not productive for me other than work and making a LOT of cuppycakes!!!

Earlier in the week my father brought home a cupcake.  I saw it and intended to share it or simply refrain from eating it at all... But if you know you know that I canNOT refrain from eating a cupcake at all.  It is not in my DNA to say "Oh wow that surely is a gorgeous looking cupcake, I'll share it or let someone else eat it."  That will never happen.  Sharing is caring does not apply to a cupcake, unless I make a HUGE batch... Which is exactly what I did Saturday morning!  I should say "baked" because to be shamefully earnest I used store bought mix and icing! Shame, shame, shame on me!! I do usually make my own batter and icing from scratch. But the ideas were too fresh on my mind, and I did not want to use the extra time on cupcakes that were an experiment.

I find using some store bought items for a first try of cupcakes is great!  I found one cuppycake recipe I am keeping and one that needs LOTS of work.  So it was a successful baking weekend.

So onto the actual cupcakes...

The first was a cookies 'n' cream.  This was the absolute BEST! Oh my word, (I am sure this cupcake has been made plenty of times before by others) I have no clue how the idea for this cupcake never struck me before! I used yellow cake mix.  HOWEVER! I chopped up Oreos (R) and added them to the mix.  Delicious.  Then used simple vanilla icing and dipped the iced cupcakes in leftover crushed Oreos (R) for the topping!  Please I am begging you, make these! You will not be disappointed!

The second was S'mores.  Great concept. Poor execution.  But hey it was for fun and I have an even better idea how to execute this cupcake another time. So great learning experience!  Again, store bought rich chocolate cake mix.  Marshmallow creme and crushed up graham crackers on top.  The idea was well-intentioned however the marshmallow creme had other plans...  I will be re-doing this cupcake later in spring/early summer because I am dedicated to perfecting it.  In the meantime, I fully plan on enjoying what is leftover.

The cookies 'n' cream was a hit at work.  And the cake mix from the S'mores was a hit.  But the next time I make these cupcakes it will be with homemade batter!

Oh the adventures in cuppycakes!!!

Have a sweet week!!

xo
-J-