Friday’s 5 at 5: Must Have Cake Decorating Tools

Posted on January 27, 2012 at 5:00 am
in Food, Friday's 5 at 5, Shopping, cooking, design, favorites, lists

Every year I make birthday cakes for all birthday occasions. I have never bought a birthday cake from the store before. However, just because I made the cakes doesn’t mean they have all been from scratch. Nope. Some of them were boxed cake mix ones. And I am not a professional cake decorator. Not at all. I do enjoy seeing pretty cake and at my very basic and amateur level I try to make my cakes or cupcakes pretty. Some fun ones I have made was the ice cream castle cake and the ice cream cone cupcakes. Um. Just realized both cakes had to do with ice cream. Huh. I love ice cream.

Anyway, even at my amateur level there are a few cake decorating tools that everyone must have on hand…

Cake decorating tips and coupler. I have various types of tips and sizes too. The coupler are the white rings that attaches the tip to the bag. My favorite tip to use is the round circle ones.
Decorating Bags. I used to just put frosting in a ziplock bag and cut off one of the bottom corners. Then I thought I would give these decorative bags a try since they go with the decorative tips. Ah-mazing. The trick to filling these bags is after attaching the tip, place the bag (tip down) in a tall glass and the opening of the bag folded over the top of the glass. Fill with frosting then twist to close.
Cake knife spatula. I bought this one because it was a combo spatula and a knife. I use the knife part to cut layers of my cake flat. Then the spatula side to even and level the frosting.
Silicone spatulas and spoonulas. Great for frosting cupcakes or cakes. And also used for scraping the side of bowls to use all the batter.
Cute cupcake liners. I always have printed and plain white cupcake liners on hand. It just brings a personal touch to the cupcakes.

» Tell me… Which cake decorating tools are a must have for you?

Instagram: Produce Colors

Posted on January 26, 2012 at 8:00 am
in Project 52: Instagram, Shopping, photos

I love a good produce section at the grocery store. I’m a produce snob. I willingly pay extra for beautiful, fresh produce than shop at a cheap grocery store with a produce section that looks too ripe, wilted or old. Last weekend before heading to the Chinese New Year festival, my mom and I stopped at an international farmer’s market for some fruits and veggies. They have the best produce section I have ever seen with amazing prices.

I stocked up on persimmons at $0.99 per pound! Oh how I love persimmons. I also got lots of cherries, avocados, taro, papaya, blueberries and a few Asian snack goodies. And I walked out of there spending only $38. What a steal.

» Tell me… Are you a produce snob like me? Are you very particular about your fruits and vegetables?

1 Comment

100th Day of School

Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:00 am
in Crafts, School, children, fashion

Kaye had her 100th day of school last Friday. What?! How can she be more than halfway through kindergarten already?! Breathe. Breathe. Her school had a big day celebrating the 100th day of school. In fact, she came home saying she didn’t learn anything that day at school. Just had so much fun.

For the 100th day of school, they were to wear 100 of something. I found a pack of adhesive googly eyes in various sizes. So I purchased it and stuck it onto a shirt. But I thought I would make it a little creative by turning it into a monster. I used a black fabric marker and drew the face, mouth and antenna of the monster on her shirt. Kaye was so excited to wear it to school. And the googly eyes jingled every time she walked. Bet that was fun during P.E. This can also be an easy idea for a monster party.

» Tell me… Does your child’s school have lots of parties and celebrations? Will they do something for the 100th day of school?

11 Comments

Birthday Countdown Tradition

Posted on January 24, 2012 at 8:00 am
in Crafts, Modern Motherhood, Party Ideas, children, ideas

I decided this year I would start a new birthday tradition for the girls. Two weeks before their birthday, I would make a countdown chart for them. And for each day they countdown to their birthday, they get something special or get to do something special.

Elle’s birthday is coming up and I actually started her chart a little late, so rather than 14 days of special things, she got 12. Still, she was super excited each day to see what she got to do that day. It is mostly simple things and below are some ideas on what to put in their countdown calendar. And as they get older, you can change things to be more fitting for their age.

I created a simple printable of this birthday countdown for you to download. It is a two week countdown with blank lines for you to fill. And then get small sticky notes, write the numbers on each one and then cover the surprise. Simple as that. Click below to download the PDF.

Birthday Countdown PDF

Stay up an hour past bed time.
Finger paint.
Put coins in your piggy bank.
Go out to eat dinner.
Get a candy treat.
Play the princess game with dad.
Go to the library for story time.
Play on the iPad.
Watch a movie.
Play a board game.
Invite a friend over to play.

» Tell me… What are some birthday traditions you have with your children?

4 Comments

Happy Chinese New Year 2012

Posted on January 23, 2012 at 8:00 am
in Holidays, The Birds, party, thoughts

Xin nian kuai le! Happy Chinese New Year! We celebrated Chinese New Year last Saturday at New Year Festival in China Town. Although the weather was horrific with tornado warning, flash flood and thunder storms, we still packed the family in the minivan and headed to the festival. The girls wanted to see the dragon dance and I wanted to engorge myself in delicious authentic Chinese food. All the yummy stuff I remember from my childhood.

We weren’t the only ones who braved the weather conditions to celebrate. The place was packed full of people.

I ate sticky rice, Chinese fried chicken, shrimp rice noodles, taro and custard filled cakes and shaved ice with fresh fruit. The girls loved the fried rice, egg rolls and seasoned eggs. Nathan had a plate full of Chinese BBQ and bubble tea drink. If you like Chinese food, you would have been in heaven here.