Cake Fun

What Would a Kitchen be Without a Spice Rack

2012-01-25T11:53:00.000-05:00

It wouldn't be a kitchen without a spice rack. I have two wooden spice racks that spin and take up a lot of space on my counter top... so I'm looking to buy a wall spice rack instead. Now... can I find a wall? lol My kitchen is so not the dream kitchen. Space is not a luxury we enjoy!

I love the look of this wall mounted spice rack... it's eye-catching and would free up much needed counter space. A good spice rack doesn't even need to hold all that much. Honestly... I only use about 10 spices on a regular basis. I seriously never needed the two spinning, counter occupying racks I currently have!

I like that this particular rack features the spices in their original containers too. I don't need fancy jars that require labeling. I move faster in the kitchen if I can see the manufacture label instead. Call me crazy!

What type of kitchen spice racks have you owned? What type do you prefer?

Cake Decorating T-Shirts 30% off on CafePress

2011-12-21T14:06:00.003-05:00

Not sure for how long though! If you're looking for some last minute gift ideas for your favorite decorator, check out my cake decorating t's on CafePress and bag your purchase while they're on sale!

No coupon code needed! If you've been eyeing some of the shirts on this site for awhile, but hesitated to do anything about it, the time has come to act. Here are a couple of my favorites:

Happy shopping!!!

Holiday Themed Prescription Eyeglasses from Zenni

2011-12-21T12:30:00.001-05:00

After you finish decorating that snowman cake you're working on, why not jump on over to Zenni and check out a pair of holiday themed prescription eyeglasses?

Zenni is the only online retailer of quality and AFFORDABLE prescription eye wear I have any personal experience with, so of course I'm going to feel comfortable telling you how awesome they are. We've bought two pairs of eyeglasses from Zenni, each pair with prescription lenses, anti-glare coating, and polycarbonate lenses was around $40. I'm totally not kidding. That was with shipping!

I should be earning commission from Zenni! lol I've told so many friends about this retailer. A friend of mine from Bible study came to class a few months ago wearing an overpriced pair of eyeglasses with defective lenses. She couldn't see and the optical chain she purchased the eyeglasses from wouldn't help her. Nice huh? I told her about Zenni and a few weeks later she ran up to me in her stylish new frames, smiling ear to ear, and guess what? She could see! lol Imagine eyeglasses that actually work? She paid around $40 and loved the frames and the quality. Her husband who'd been very skeptical was so thrilled with the new glasses he'd decided to get himself a pair too!

I love the pair of snowmen glasses I've featured in this post. They're perfect all Winter long, but I suppose would be most suited for the holidays. I'm really liking the price too... these frames are only $15.95. So, you'll just want to select your lenses and any lens features you're looking for and wallah! You'll have your order ready!

What do you need to know before ordering from Zenni? You'll want to have your prescription on hand and you'll need your pupillary distance. It's a number your eyecare provider should have on file.

Normally Zenni charges just $4.95 for shipping regardless of the number of eyeglasses you order, but for a limited time, all US orders totalling $50 or more ship free!

Take a moment and visit Zenni. Do some looking around and I think you'll like what you'll find. Just imagine the money you'll save on family eyewear? Perhaps freeing your budget for other things like Christmas shopping. Prescription eyeglasses can be incredibly expensive, but now that you know they don't have to be, you've been freed from yet another financial drain. Merry Christmas!

My Diet Revamped... In a Fantastically Chocolately Experience

2011-12-12T04:01:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Slim-Fast for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I've been on diets since I was about 17... meaning I've always had to watch what I eat. I fight the battle of the bulge on a daily basis and have tried every type of dietary restriction-based diet there is... including low carb, low calorie, and low fat. Usually those diets work for a few months, but then I fizzle and the lbs find me again.

My most recent attempt to lose weight has been to use a Weight Watcher's book and calculator and try to follow the plan without actually joining. I lost 6 lbs in 2 weeks, then gained it all back in a moment of weakness. Ok.... it was actually several moments of weakness, but we did just celebrate Thanksgiving did we not? What's a girl to do? lol

I've tried Slim-Fast in the past... that and the Atkins products. I've enjoyed both, but as of late was leaning towards Atkins because their shakes had a higher protein content. Yesterday I tried the new and improved Slim Fast shake and was thrilled to find it contained 20 grams of protein... that's 5 more grams than Atkins! I also love their new sporty and resealable bottle. It's easy to manage while driving. Yes, I said while driving. I do that a lot these days. Just call me taxi cab mom.

Here's the best part though... the new and improved Slim Fast shakes are thicker and creamier than before and in fact are the best tasting diet shake I've ever had. That's huge! I tried the Creamy Milk Chocolate... I'm a simple sort of gal... gotta have my chocolate.

Slim-Fast also offers shakes in the following great flavors:

French Vanilla
Rich Chocolate Royale
Cappuccino Delight
Strawberries N' Cream

So where do you find these shakes? Check out the pharmacy/wellness section of your favorite grocer. I usually purchase my diet shakes at Walmart. You'll also want to look for other great products from Slim Fast like their 100 calorie snack bars.

Learn more about Slim Fast 3-2-1 plan online which allows you 3 snacks, 2 shakes or meal bars, and 1 sensible 500 calorie meal per day. Using their plan you'll not deny yourself the sweat tastes your craving, and you'll get the protein and calcium your body needs to stay healthy.

Do yourself a favor and "Like" Slim-Fast on Facebook! I did, so should you! Learn about how you could win a "$10,000 WOW! MOMENT" or other great instant win prizes awarded daily.

Applebee's Gift Card Giveaway!

2011-12-11T05:00:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gift Card Weekend for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

This is all new to me, perhaps I've just been living in a cave, but do you know about Gift Card weekend? Apparently a handful of select retailers participate in a special gift card incentive program offering recipients special offers. Gift cards purchased from these select retailers during the Christmas season and redeemed from January 6th through the 8th are eligible for certain incentives. Pretty interesting, wouldn't you agree?

If you're a gift giver, purchasing from these participating retailers gives your loved-one an extra bit of "special" if you will. lol Just be sure to tell them about Gift Card Weekend when they open their gift card. Some of the participating retailers include Lowe's, Adidas, Applebee's, Sephora, Subway, JCPenny and the Marriot, just to name a few.

So, what about the giveaway? This is the easiest kind of giveaway to enter. All you'll need to do is "like" Gift Card Weekend on Facebook. So long as you have a Facebook account, you're just a click away from entering to win one of 100 gift cards! Sweet! For every "like" you influence by sharing this giveaway with your friends on Facebook, you'll earn an extra entry.

Be sure to check the Facebook page often too... between December 10th and the 18th they'll be given out oodles of gift cards from fabulous retailers participating in Gift Card Weekend!

6 Tips to Make Your Own Mario Kart Cake or Other Themed Cake

2011-12-09T22:46:00.001-05:00

Guest post by: Melissa C.

Being a single mom means I have a lot on my plate. Each yearwhen my daughter’s birthday rolls around, I hardly ever feel fully prepared.But I know I have to throw her the best birthday party possible to show her howmuch she means to me. She loves Super Mario and tells me everyday that shewants to marry him when she grows up. Her admiration for him is so funny andprecious. So, for her fifth birthday this year, I decided to make a MarioKart cake for her party. Making the cake was a little more challenging thanI thought it would be, but it was a lot of fun. If you want to make a themedcake for your child this year, here are some tips to help you out:

1. Get your child involved. They’ll have a lot of funhelping you and can actually make the task easier. Just make sure you and yourchild don’t eat too much of the cake batter. My daughter and I both hadstomachaches because we had a little too much of the batter.

2. Pick a cake recipe that you know your child will like toeat. For instance, my daughter loves red velvet cake, so that’s the type ofcake we made. Some homemade cakes will take a little longer to make, butthey’re worth the effort if you create something your child will love.

3. Spend some extra time on your cake base. The overall appearanceof the cake depends on the base. My daughter and I made a two-layer round cake.If you plan on doing the same, I highly recommend that you use a cake leveler.It makes it a lot easier to make sure the tops of the cake are evenly cut.Whatever you do, just try not to end up with a lumpy cake!

4. It’s a good idea to do some research before you startworking on the actual icing design of the cake. I went to a local bakery andlooked at some cartoon themed cakes they had there, and I asked the person whoworked there if he had any tips on making a themed cake. He said that I shouldhave a clear mental picture of what the cake would look like in my head beforeI started designing. I took his advice, and I looked up pictures of Mario Kartcakes online. I found a design I really liked and printed it out so I could useit as a guide.

5. Cover the cake with a plain icing layer, and then usedifferent tubed icings to draw the character/scene on top of the cake. It’s veryimportant to use icing that comes in a tube. That way you can just easilysqueeze the design on top of the cake.

6. Have fun with yourchild, and enjoy the cake!

Author’s Bio: Melissa is a busy mom who loves to write andspend time with her daughter in her spare time.

Home Movies

2011-10-26T16:00:00.000-05:00

Contribution by Stevie Kirby
Not too long ago I came up with this great idea to watch a movie at home with my boyfriend. We’d make a whole night of it – I’d cook dinner and we were going to get Ratattouie which was his favorite animated film. Somehow I got inspired that night to start my own business (I’d actually been trying to think of ideas for a while) – I was going to create gourmet movie watching baskets people could by at the grocery store right alongside their movie! We’d put hot chocolate and popcorn, of course, and some would be specialty based on the type of movie you were watching. There would be romantic baskets and action baskets…you get the point. My boyfriend helped me set the whole thing up from start to finish including looking into card services and we’re about to launch next week at a local grocery store. I wish I could tell you whether or not it works but I guess only time will tell! I’ll write another post to update y’all soon.

Ladies Citizen Watches

2011-10-15T19:58:00.002-05:00

Looking at ladies watches lately and coming up empty? Believe me, I've been there.

I've grown somewhat accustomed to using my cell phone as a time piece. Not because I don't have a watch, but because I don't have a watch that won't cause me to break out in a nickel allergy-induced rash! lol Not so cool. About 10 years ago, I developed this allergy. I can't even wear my engagement ring! We never purchased a wedding band either, so my ring finger is bare.

I've been in the market for a new watch for some time now, but what I usually find are really cute watches that I can't wear. I love this sporty and rich looking titanium women's watch from Bluedial.com. It looks sleek and pretty at the same time, and would help immensely while at work as a para educator. I have a different student every hour and I'm constantly pulling my cell from my pocket to check the time. If I'm going to buy a watch (and believe me, I need to), I'd like to buy a Citizen's. I want quality that will last for years. Something that will be fashion-changing friendly (as I believe this one will).

Would you believe this watch is even water resistant? Not that I'll be wearing it to the pool, but still nice to know! Additionally, the watches on this site ship free!

Into Penny Actions? Tell Me About DealFun

2011-10-15T18:29:00.000-05:00

I'm new to the notion of penny auctions, so naturally would love to hear from anyone who has won an auction... or made a purchase from DealFun. It appears to be a great way to save money on things like iPad's, laptops, and all sorts of electronic devices, as well as jewelry and kid's toys.

From what I can tell, you simply place your bid on any featured item of choice, then watch to see if anyone outbids you in the allotted time. If they do, you may continue your quest for said object by bidding another penny. You'll repeat this process, until the action concludes and a winner is awarded. If you aren't the winner, you may use your last bid amount as a discount towards the item you were after. So, let's say you're bidding on a Kindle which sells at action for $45 and your top bid was $44.94. You can use that dollar amount against the full price of a new Kindle... and snag it for just over $50. Not bad!

I'm always weary of scams, so I would appreciate any feedback! If you're a dealfun junky, or have ever attempted to win an action, please drop me a comment. If you think dealfun isn't so much a deal, as it is dealfun.com scam. Let me know that too!

From their website I see they have a beginner's auction, where you can brush up (or learn) your auctioning skills.

If you go to the auction page, it's sorta fun to watch the bidding. You can see it each time a new bid is placed as the bid amount increases and the clock starts over again. I'm watching an iPad which currently sits at just under $85. Sorta curious to see where the bidding stops! Call it research if you will... or perhaps entertainment. lol So far I'm not bidding, just watching with a certain degree of fascination.

Cake Decorators Will Love Geek Alerts

2011-10-01T16:50:00.004-05:00

Let me show you some of the awesome cake related finds recently featured on Geek Alerts...

My son and I LOVE this Wilton pan. I'd never before seen such a thing, until running across it on Geek Alerts. It's the perfect find for this Halloween too! We could really have some fun with this! My son has insisted we acquire this pan pronto! lol

Or what about these Halloween appropriate oven mitts? Wrap your hands in mummy-style protective wear before you reach for that hot skull-shaped cake pan!

If you're looking for a fun way to serve cake, check out this high-heeled cake server! What an awesome way to dish up cake at a bridal shower, wedding, or women's tea! Love it!

So... you've gathered that Geek Alerts offers a lot of unique, clever, and geeky gift giving ideas. I've bookmarked this site and visit it on a regular basis. If nothing else, I often times get a good laugh. It's also a great way to gather ideas for gift giving for friends and family. I really dig finding something different. If I ran my own store... that's what I'd call it too! lol Geek Alerts is all about finding the "something different" floating through cyberspace. With Christmas just around the corner (sorry, but it's true folks!), you'll definitely want to do your navigating through this site! It will make gift giving a lot more fun as you will immediately know when you've found the perfect gift for dad or your favorite niece.

Geek Alerts also offers Discount Promotion Codes and Cool Gadgets. If you're into coupon codes, you'll find even more reasons to cheer for Geek Alerts. They offer such great finds as ProFlowers coupon codes and Tire Rack coupon codes, just to name a few! Remember what I always tell you all?? Never check out of an online retailer's checkout without first searching for a coupon code. You can often find flat discounts, and/or free shipping just for entering a coupon code upon checkout! Save those pennies and have a lot of fun with Geekalerts.com! I sure have. :)

Become a Certified Teacher Through the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship

2011-09-30T22:53:00.000-05:00

Calling all recent college grads with a degree in one of the STEM fields (meaning a degree in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) who dream of going back to school for their master's degree in teaching. Do you know about the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship offering a $30,000 stipend to individuals willing to learn and work in a high-needs classroom?
Perhaps you earned your undergrad degree some time ago and are now wishing to go back for your master's degree in teaching, but haven't pursued the dream because of financial constraints. If so, this Fellowship may be your answer!

If you're a US citizen with a 3.0 or higher from an accredited university, you should consider applying for the Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship.

In addition to this fantastic stipend, you may be eligible for other forms of financial assistance through scholarships, grants, and tuition discounts.

Just as students in well-to-do regions of the United States need great teachers in order to achieve success, so to do students in high-poverty stricken areas. The Woodrow Wilson Teaching Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for those willing to dedicate some time in high-needs classrooms, while obtaining their teaching certification. You may find yourself at one of 17 universities in areas such as Indiana, Ohio, or Michigan. Imagine the difference you could make in the lives of these children... and the impact working with them will have on you!

Check out the indiana teaching programs available through this fellowship and consider applying today!

The Spice of Life... and Spice Racks

2011-09-29T19:19:00.002-05:00

Keeping life spicy.... ok, that doesn't really have anything to do with spice racks, but if you like to cook with spices (and who doesn't?), finding the right spice rack is a big deal.

I for one don't have "the right" spice rack. The racks we have come from our apartments... as in before we married. They're not awful, but in a way they are. The don't match anything else in our kitchen and I've really been wanting something sleek and fun. We have 2 wooden spinning racks that we purchased at Target years and years ago. They look great in a college apartment and I'd love to give them to a couple college students. Some of the original spices are still inside! lol In reality, we only use about 7 or 8 spices on a regular basis... so the 16 slotted spinner isn't really suited for us and why we have both spinners on our countertop is beyond me. We have 32 glass jars between 2 wooden spice racks, and I don't know why! lol

I'm not really into wall spice racks either. We simply don't have the wall space to spare. What I'd like to find is a kitchen spice rack that looks fresh, is made from glass and some sort of metal (lol), and has a simple and sleek appearance. Something that resembles nothing in my current kitchen (everything I own is sooo dated).

I think I like the simplicity of this stainless steel spice rack, with just 6 jars. That would work beautifully in my kitchen. It would save on counter space and provide me with quick access to the spices we use most.

No Time to Mess Around with Cell Phone Contracts

2011-09-24T09:02:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I don't have the time. money, or the patience for the commitment of cell phone contracts, activation or reactivation fees, or the dreaded cancelation fees most carriers slap you with. My husband is out of work and we need to cut our expenses any way possible. It's a game of survival.

I'm falling Hook, line and sinker for the Straight Talk's unlimited monthly service for only $49. We can cancel at any time without consequence... meaning we won't pay termination fees should we decide to take another path later. This unlimited monthly service includes unlimited talk, text, and web usage. For just $30 we could have 1000 minutes of talk and 1000 minutes of texting! Just $30!

What about the phones though? With Straight Talk you can Call a friend on the phone of your choosing... and all their phones are affordable. They even offer smart phones for those who are looking to take advantage of the latest cell phone technology has to offer. You'll find great rates on major manufacturers such as LG, Motorola, and Nokia, just to name a few. You can even use an Android on Straight Talk!

Imagine the moolah you could save and what life might be like without a cell phone contract? I'm all over the idea! I only hope to convince my out of work husband to NOT renew his contract for 2 years, all for a free cell phone. After all, with Straight Talk he could snag a great phone for just a few dollars, save money monthly on cell phone charges, and never sign another contract!

Dining Room Furniture Then and Now

2011-09-20T19:58:00.000-05:00

When considering dining room tables do you prefer the tables of yesteryear or the styles of today?

I have such a vast love for well constructed furniture, I don't know that I'd even know where I'd start choosing the "right" dining room set for my own home. We're still using the same table from my husband's apartment back in the mid 90's. It's small, but nice and I'd classify it as more modern than yesteryear.

We have a small teak table with chairs that once belonged to his grandmother. The chairs he inherited, the table he bought when he moved from his parent's home. So... our table and chairs have a history of sorts, making them all the more lovely. History is what makes me crave the furniture of old. There's something really charming about the dining table (pictured below) I found online on a digital library site. It reminds me of an antique sewing machine table I saw once upon a time. Don't you love it?

When it comes to furniture of today, I love simple and the fanciful. My sister-in-law has a gorgeous dining room set built by a local Amish builder. It's breathtaking. Not simple at all... rolling and full... the thick wooden table legs are something to behold.

One of my favorite things to do when visiting a friend's home is to check out their furniture and home decor... it's sorta like idea shopping! I've found myself admiring cherry tables with a sleek and simple design. Straight legs, with straight leg chairs. No frills at all can be quite nice. The RoomPlace dining room furniture is one spot I found offering such simplicity and elegance like what I've featured below.

Elegant can mean something different to everyone I suppose. To me elegant is more about the quality of the materials (like real wood!) than anything else. I don't much enjoy the budget furniture sold in boxes... the "some assembly required" furniture... or as I like to call it, particleboard on legs. This is what you'd expect to find in a college student's dorm room, not in a families dining room. So, ok perhaps I'm spoiled, but not as you might assume. The only furniture my husband and I have purchase in 12 years of marriage is a television armour and two baby beds. So... we're not exactly practicing furniture snobs. Even though we'd like to be! lol

Today we all (kids included) have beds on frames with no foot or headboards, we have living room furniture from my husband's college apartment, and a hand-me-down dresser in our master bedroom. Our desk was salvaged from a university dumpster... which still breaks my heart. It's solid oak! We also pulled out 4 matching chairs, also full oak. My husband restored them and we have an old teacher's desk (again all oak) in our garage waiting for a rainy day to get it's face-lift.

The only other pieces of furniture in our home were built by my husband in his dad's wood shop. Oak and beautiful! He stained them to look somewhat like teak in order that they'd match his teak dining room table. Today he doesn't have the freedom to spend countless hours building and staining furniture from scratch, but what a blessing to have something to pass down to our children made by their father's hands.

What's your dining room style preference? Or... are you like me and like it all! lol

Wilton Cake Tools I'd Kill to Try! Well... You Know

2011-09-18T15:56:00.000-05:00

It's been a couple years since I've added anything at all to my cake decorating supply cabinet and I though that was ok, until I saw all what Wilton has come out with since I started my hobby 6 years ago. Now I'm finding myself wanting again! lol So here we go....I have the Wilton gum paste tools that were out before this new and exciting set hit the shelves. I've got a lot of miles on those gum paste tools and they still look great, but when I saw the new set I realized how many additional things I could be doing with my tools. That is... if I had THESE tools! lol I wish I had a larger picture to show you.... if you click the image you'll see why I want this set.

Then there are the fondant silicon molds!

Ok, I have to stop now. There are scads of molds. If you haven't seen them all, be sure you do! There's still time to start that Christmas wish list... am I right? I'm starting mine. :) I think it would be fun to use these molds with fondant, then use a good brush and some Wilton color to give them added brilliance. Painting fondant can be a lot of fun!

Out of Work Woes... Save Money with Coupon Codes

2011-09-10T13:17:00.002-05:00

So... we've officially joined the economic strife of countless families in the United States. My husband lost his job a couple weeks ago. He's a saver, so we'll be ok for awhile, but we've been cutting back where we can, trying to prepare for the "what if's" plaguing our minds.

We're cutting out our satellite service, only using our dishwasher once a week, keeping as many lights turned off as possible, and opening windows and running a fan instead of the air conditioner. We're also using coupons like never before.

Online coupon codes can save you ooodles. I've shared this tip here before and I've been a coupon code junkie for years, but I've finally got my husband into couponing too, which feels like a giant victory. Hopefully once he's found a new job, we'll continue to use coupons the way we are now!

Zappos coupons offers codes for just about anything you might imagine. My husband's laptop for instance was a work owned laptop, so now he's all over mine! lol He needs his own in order to search the web for job leads and to fine tune that dusty resume, so I'm loving that Zappos coupon codes include codes for computers. Hopefully he'll find that inspiring... and motivating! lol

Then there's me. I need a new pair of athletic shoes and fortunately Zappos coupon codes include a page for shoes! Perfect! I start a new job of my own on Monday and will be on my feet a lot, but not just standing. I'll be working with special needs kids and have been told I might be doing a bit of sprinting too! lol So, I'll need a pair of shoes with excellent support and comfort to keep me quick on my toes!

Zappos coupons offers pages on costumes, travel, home and garden, health and beauty, cameras, and just about anything else you might be shopping for. :)

Saving for Retirement... Easy as Cake?

2011-09-02T20:11:00.002-05:00

Well, what did you expect me to ask? Easy as pie? We don't do pie on this site!

If you're into online trading you know more about this than I do. I actually used to work for a mutual funds company, but wasn't a trader... as you might have guessed. That's as far outside my comfort zone as you could possibly take me. I know squat about trading and know only a smidgen about investing. What I do know is this. I should have started a Roth years ago. Even adding a small amount here and there would have been a wise move on my part.

Unfortunately, I don't even have an IRA account. I'm not planning on doing any stock trading mind you, but I do think I should start saving for my golden years... before I become any more golden than I already am.

Last week I accepted my fist full-time job outside the home in 9 years! lol I've been home with my kids and just started working outside the home last year, on a part-time basis. Now that I'm full-time, I plan on learning more about investing for my future, and for theirs. So much to know... I'm glad I don't have to have all the answers! Experts on mutual funds, and retirement plans are the only way to go... I'm going to have to do some digging and find someone who can help me save effectively in this turbulent economy we find ourselves in.

What does your retirement plan look like? Do you have one?

101 Cake Bites Book Giveaway

2011-09-02T19:54:00.001-05:00

I wish this were my giveaway, but it's not. I found it doing a search for the words "cake" and "giveaway". After all, what better combination could there be?

I'll be entering this giveaway for certain! The book looks wonderful, although I've never seen it in my local bookstore or on my favorite online book seller's site. Perhaps I just missed it. Regardless, I'll love to be the recipient! lol I'm sure you would too. Am I right?

Here's the skinny....

Visit Book Giveaways and follow the entry requirements. It's a random drawing, ending September 6th, 2011. If you win, let me know! If I win (teehee), I'll do the same.

Cool Gadets for Your Favorite Geek! Oh... and Coupon Codes

2011-08-30T19:06:00.000-05:00

What a great combination... right? Who doesn't love unique gift giving ideas tossed together with a few handy coupon codes? Oh... and please don't tell me you don't seek out coupon codes before submitting payment when shopping online. I can't tell you how much money I've saved over the past few years doing online searches for coupon codes for things like business cards, running shoes, and even food! There are scads of retailers offering online savings to those of us willing to look and use their coupon codes.

Next time you're in the market for a cool calculator, computer, or basic office supplies, check out Geek Alerts for Staples coupons. Perhaps it's business cards you're after... or a window decal advertising your business? You'll find Vistaprint coupon codes at Geek Alerts too! I've been shopping with Vista Print since 2004 and they're an awesome online printer. Awesome because they're half the price of local printers in my area and always produce top-notch service and product.

Looking for the perfect gift for someone a little different? Or perhaps someone with a sense of humor? While you're on Geek Alerts website, browse through their brain juicing ideas for all sorts of unique and crazy gifts. Great gadgets, household items, things we could all use, and a lot of things no one needs, but would get a kick out of. Take for example these peanut erasers! Silly and fun, and a gift sure to not be duplicated.

Best Gadgets around the web are found on Geek Alerts too. All sorts of crazy gadgets and gizmos to give life to gift giving. Things you never knew existed and never knew you needed!

Driving Me Nuts

2011-08-29T14:25:00.003-05:00

Content by Sol Rosales

There was no good way to tell my husband last year but he was driving me crazy. He’d recently been laid off of work and he was pretty much following me around the house like a little puppy dog and it was driving me up the wall. I was really used to being a stay at home mom by myself and the kids were all in school during the day so there was no end to how much time he needed from me. I got to where I couldn’t do all my chores and the house was a mess all because I didn’t have the heart to tell him to go away! I finally broke down and went to Http://Www.ExpertSatellite.com and got satellite for the house and that seems to have helped a lot. Now he spends a lot of time watching all the sports channels and he isn’t in my face as much which means I’ve got more time to get done the things I need to do which makes everyone happy.

Go Contract Free with Straight Talk

2011-08-18T09:02:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

We're in tough economical times and there's no better time than now to cut back on expenses. Why spend more than you have to spend on anything at all, least of all on a cell phone contract? Who needs a contract anyway? With cell phone contracts you often pay an activation fee, and should you opt out before the end of your contracted period, you'll usually pay a cancelation fee. Not cool! Think of all the money you could save! Money for utilities, money for shoes, or even just money to keep in the bank! lol

Have you seen the kiosk at Walmart offering Straight Talk cell phone plans offering you the consumer everything you need for only $45 a month? We're talking unlimited talk time, text, picture messaging and web surfing. They'll be no surprises at the end of the month and should you be a mom to teenagers, I can think of no better plan for them to be on. Your kids can call a friend without fear of costing you more than what was agreed upon! There'll be complete peace in them and in you!

A year ago I was on another carrier's prepaid plan which set me back around $30 a month, but I only had a couple hundred minutes. I had to watch every call I made and constantly worried about being out with my kids and not having any minutes left on my phone! I didn't enjoy that feeling. What's more, I had a very basic phone with no perks whatsoever. Finally, this mom knows best.

Next time you're at Walmart, visit the Straight Talk Kiosk and check out this awesome money saving cell phone service!

Affordable Cell Phone Plans, No Contracts, and other Benefits of Straight Talk

2011-07-30T09:02:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Straight Talk for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

My husband has a cell phone plan that offers him a shiny new phone every two years if he commits to yet another 2 years. In other words he's contracted to stick with that carrier for 24 months or get stuck with a cancelation fee. Additionally, the amount he pays for his coverage is $50 a month, and would you believe that's just talk time? He get's charged extra if he sends or receives a text message. That's just plain nuts. I guess you could say he fell for their bate hook, line and sinker. I'm anxiously awaiting for his current contract to end so we can find him a better option.

I've personally been contract-free for several years now. Not with the same carrier mind you. I shop around and do what feels right at the time. Frugality is my middle name. I'm pretty sure my birth certificate can confirm that... if I could only find it! lol

I've been invited to look at Straight Talk today, which isn't something I'd been all that familiar with. I do recall walking past their kiosk a time or two... perhaps you've seen it at Walmart? Basically it's a contract free plan that offers you unlimited talk , text, and web usage for just $45 a month. If you decide to later take another route and drop the coverage, there are absolutely no cancelation fees. What's more, there are no activation or reactivation fees.

Imagine... you'll call a friend and not have to worry about how long you're chatting. It used to be that no contract meant a prepaid phone which is what I had for 2 years. I had to always worry about how many minutes I was using before my call would be dropped. Not fun.

Straight Talk also offers refurbished phones for as little as $10 a piece. They even offer Smart Phones! So it sorta feels like with Straight Talk you'll have everything you need. Oh... and if you're worried about credit checks, they won't! lol They don't do that. So if your past has been challenging, you're all good!

Adding Gold Bullion to Your Investment Portfolio

2011-07-03T13:03:00.000-05:00

What does your nest egg look like? Do you have gold as part of your financial portfolio? The cool thing about gold is you can trade it in any nation around the globe... everyone appreciates and recognizes it's value and because gold's value never falters, it's a great asset to help stabilize some of your more vulnerable investments like stocks and bonds.

Do you wonder what exactly gold bullion is? I did! lol I did a little research because I was uncertain of the exact definition. I guess I suspected bullion to mean a "block" or brick-shaped bar of gold set to a industry determined size and weight. What I found was that it was actually a refined and stamped weight of precious metal... or in this case precious gold!

So, gold bullion is simply a tradeable form of gold... something that's measured and stamped so buyers and sellers can calculate it's worth. A coin can be considered bullion, just as a bar of gold can be considered bullion.

If you're looking to buy bullion you're not alone. I've considered it time and time again. We essentially have no nest egg. We have savings, but it's been designated for certain expenses and retirement hasn't been one of them. We've not planned so well.

Maybe we should buy gold bullion . It's worth researching. I've heard countless investment planners recommend making gold part of our portfolio. I've never heard anyone suggest you should only buy gold... in fact I've heard quite differently, but having some gold as an asset seems to make sense. I think of stability more than anything else. I can't image the day when gold won't have value... but you can't say that about paper stocks and bonds, which are highly volatile.

If you're thinking about retirement planning... there's a free gold IRA guide at GoldCoinsGain.com. Let's go learn about gold!

Cake Pan Lady Giveaway Find at the ABCD Dairies Blog!

2011-07-03T12:28:00.000-05:00

So ok... sometimes I go looking for cake related giveaways intentionally... I need fuel for my blog after all! What's more, who doesn't appreciate a great giveaway? Free is an amazing thing and when you combine free with anything related to cake, it's like a little slice of heaven on earth.

Just a moment ago I found this awesome personalized cake pan giveaway. ABCD Diaries is hosting this wonderful giveaway... so don't leave your comments here! I'm just sharing the joy... not hosting the joy! Be sure you follow her requirements for entry properly, so you'll be in the running for this random giveaway. :)

I'd love to own one of these Cake Pan Lady cake pans. How many times have you attended a pot luck, or taken a meal or treat to a friend or family going through a rough time, only to never see your pan again?

If you're interested in entering... do it today! You only have through July 14, 2011 to enter. This giveaway is for 1 gift certificate that will afford you a personalized 9x13" pan, shipping included. You'll get to do your own shopping... decide which pan is for you and what you want it to say!

Have fun and best of luck!

Truly Unique Gift Giving Ideas Made Easy with Geek Alerts!

2011-06-27T13:06:00.000-05:00

I have a handful of people in my family and close circle of friends who are somewhat hard to shop for. Can you relate? Wouldn't it be awesome to find a one-stop source for all the latest gift-giving ideas, that aren't likely to be duplicated?

That day has arrived folks! I've found an awesome Geeky Gadgets Site loaded with one awesome find after another. Many are geared towards your favorite geek, but others are just plain fun! Some of the featured products are even useful! lol

I love this pen because it uses no ink! Seriously! It won't run dry and isn't that something we could all benefit from? There's even a key-chain version of this pen, which will write on most surfaces.What a great gift for anyone really... and what are the odds they've even heard of this product, let alone own one?

Now for the other bit of awesomeness associated with GeekAlerts.com... they have coupon codes on site! Everyone should look for coupon codes before checking out from an online retailer. Often times you'll find flat discounts and/or free shipping. Sometimes other incentives and money saving opportunities are just a click away!

Geekalerts.com has Apple Store coupons and Vistaprint coupons! I've never bought an Apple computer, but when I was in the market for a laptop last year, I found scads of promotion and coupon codes for computers online. You just have to know where to look.

I've used Vista Print for years for business cards, and for promotional post cards for a women's ministry I once lead. They're awesome! Very professional and affordable even without a coupon code, but hey if you can save even more moolah... go for it!

Cake Pop Maker Giveaway Find

2011-06-26T19:29:00.000-05:00

I just found a craft blogger hosting a giveaway for a cake pop maker!

Here's the skinny:

Host: Simply Designing
Prize: Cake Pop Maker
Entry Deadline: June 30th, 2011 (midnight EST)
Multiple Entry Possibilities

Good luck! If you find any cake giveaways be sure to share them with me so I can get the word out!

Big House Blues

2011-06-23T08:43:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Joseph Finch

It's nice having a big house, but there are some things I didn't think about when I bought the place that really add up. For example, the longest day I spend a lot of money each month just on watering bills and lawn care alone… Definitely something I didn't think about when I first bought the place. Another thing I didn't consider was having to get an alarm system to protect all my valuables, even though there haven't been that expensive since I did a lot of research beforehand at HOMESECURITY101.com. it costs a lot for all utilities, especially electricity bill, but I guess it's worth the price you pay to have a lot more square footage. If I had to do over again I might reconsider exactly how big I needed my house to be, but I can't say I don't love living here. I know the kids like all the extra space in the dogs are having the time of their lives running around the grounds!

Review of FollowFunction.com... Awesome Prices, Amazing Style

2011-06-14T22:56:00.001-05:00

My favorite room in the house is the kitchen... which is one of the reasons I manage 3 blogs on food! lol Given that I spend so much time in the kitchen and love cooking gadgets, appliances, and unique serving units, it's no wonder I'm anxious to review FollowFunction.com.

Follow Function is one of the many online stores offered by Wholesale Furniture Brokers and while this awesome website sells more than just kitchen related products (they sell everything from toys to furniture!), I'm going to focus on the kitchen! lol

I love this salt and pepper shaker! If I buy this duo no later than June 17th it will be on sale and ship for free. Talk about incentive! Oh... and there's more! I'll also pay zero sales tax!

I'm also admiring the look of the water pitcher picture below (click the photos to visit the site page directly). It's so unique! And... like the salt and pepper shakers, it too is on sale and will ship free of charge should I order no later than June 17th. You realize that's just a couple days away!

Did you stumble onto this post later than June 17th, 2011? Not to fret.. if you miss a sale at Wholesale Furniture Brokers you'll be relieved to learn they are continuously offering new sales. In fact, this is one of the many things I appreciate about this retailer. I've found great prices and free shipping offered more than once. The best part in my ever so humble opinion is I don't even have to go hunting for a coupon or promo code as I do for so many other online retailers. The sales and incentives are right there... no hunting required!

While I can't promise your must have item will always be on sale, or that you'll always find free shipping, I definitely believe it's worth watching for!

Thinking Outside the Box... Scrubs Instead of Aprons in the Kitchen!

2011-06-10T12:34:00.000-05:00

Have you ever found yourself covered in frosting even after removing your favorite apron after a day in the kitchen? I have. Makes me think that there might be a better answer.

Would it be odd for me to suggest wearing scrubs in the kitchen? lol Not the same scrubs you wear to work mind you, but a designated set of scrubs to wear for baking that could easily be tossed into the wash after a day in the kitchen. Not only are scrubs comfortable, but they're light, and as displayed in the photo... can be really cute!

When I'm in the kitchen I often get overheated, but scrubs are made from cotton... meaning they breath! I don't think I'd even need my apron if I had scrubs. Blue Sky has scrubs for men and women... even scrubs for kids! Seriously... who knew? I'm impressed by the clean look of their products at http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/Scrubs-for-Men/.

If you're looking for nursing scrubs on sale take a look at Blue Sky Scrubs! They have a dedicated section on their website for sale merchandise and currently they have women's pink scrubs on sale! I think they'd make great pj's too!

Another Cake Lover's Giveaway! Small-Batch Baking for Chocolate Lovers

2011-06-09T20:17:00.002-05:00

Gourmande in the Kitchen is hosting a giveaway for "Small-Batch Baking for Chocolate Lovers" loaded with 120 recipes for chocolate desert lovers who love to bake!

Sound like something you could go for? Head on over to Gourmande in the Kitchen today! The giveaway will conclude on June 15, 2011.... so time is of the essence!

You'll find multiple ways for entering this random giveaway... all of which are extremely simple!

Enjoy and good luck!

What do Father's Day, Geeky Gifts, and Promo Codes Have in Common?

2011-06-09T19:58:00.001-05:00

I'd say Geek Alerts! For me they all fall together beautifully... especially given that until 15 minutes ago I had no clue what to get my father or husband for Father's Day. An all too familiar feeling that hits me several times a year.

I absolutely love the gadget news and cool gift ideas (some I never even knew existed) that I just uncovered at Geek Alerts. Within seconds of discovering their site I found several appealing gadgets, gizmos, and modern day "geek" essentials.. including a waterproof cover for an iPad. Seriously awesome idea!

We noticed the other day that our public pool had wireless Internet available and we all joked about how ridiculous that was. Who on earth would be using the Internet... even in the snack bar area, with the pool just feet away? Why someone with a plastic covered iPad of course! If you visit Geek Alerts you'll even find a photo of a man sitting in a pool using his iPad! Crazy cool!

The other awesome thing about this geek loving website is they offer a directory of coupons... which I always go hunting for before I shop. I found Apple Store coupons, Amazon coupons, Best Buy coupons and so much more. Bookmarking this site for future shopping endeavours makes sense on a variety of levels and being the sensible gal that I am, you betcha I'm going to mark this site!

Promo codes are also waiting to be uncovered at Geek Alerts for the most popular stores on the web... I found Newegg promo codes which will help me save on electronics at Newegg.com! Ca-ching!

Mom Spotted Wilton Cake Decorating Mega Giveaway!!

2011-06-09T14:43:00.000-05:00

I just "spotted" the most fabulous Wilton giveaway hosted by Mom Spotted and open for entries through June 12, 2011! I've entered and you should too! Hang onto your pastry bags.....

The total value of this much sought after prize package is $126. Talk about exciting and fun! It's been a long while since I've purchased anything new from Wilton (unfortunately) and this photo has me drooling all over my keyboard. I'll have a million projects to plan if I'm fortunate enough to be the randomly chosen winner of this spectacular giveaway! Not that I'm not pulling for one of my awesome reader's to win. teehee

The tools they're giving away are part of Wilton's new Punch. Cut. Decorate! Mom Spotted has displayed a handful of amazing photos made using these tools. Be sure to pay her a visit to enter this giveaway (before it's too late) and to see just how awesome Wilton continues to be!

GoMattresses.com... It's Just a Dream Come True

2011-05-14T16:05:00.000-05:00

Why a dream come true? Because when you're sleeping in comfort, you're dreaming and we all love a good dream, don't we? I love that Wholesale Furniture Brokers brings such a great place to shop for mattresses. Which by the way I'm in need of.... soooo much in need of. My back and right hip hurt all day and I'm only 39. I'm convinced it's my mattress, which is going on 11 years now. My theory on a happy back is simple.... quality mattress + quality shoes = happy back!!

What makes mattress shopping so intimidating? It's the money. Am I right? That's just one of many reasons why GoMattresses.com is the place to be. They're having a Spring Sale and even offering Free Shipping! So... that's nothing new... right? You've seen online retailers offer free shipping before... okay, but what about NO SALES TAX? Seriously!

This sale ends today though! That's right, May 14th is your final day to sweep up discounted mattresses with the additional savings of Free Shipping and No Sales Tax! Hey... if you find this blog post too late to take advantage of this sale, be sure to take a look at their site anyway. They offer new sales and incentives all the time! You can even sign up to receive new offers in your email inbox!

GoMattresses.com offers an easy to navigate shopping experience with all the latest trends in mattresses including Memory Foam, Pillow Top and Plush. You'll also find Euro Top and Firm mattress varieties.

Need testimonials? They have them! Need someone to chat with from GoMattresses? They offer LIVE CHAT! Need variety? It's the spice of life you know... and they offer an awesome variety of mattresses to choose from.

I'm thinking Memory Foam is the way to go! I currently have a Memory Foam pillow and wow is it sweet!

What's your favorite mattress type? Are you happy with what you currently have? What would you choose from GoMattresses.com?

Don't Forget Mother's Day Flowers! Are My Kids Listening?

2011-05-06T22:35:00.000-05:00

What are three things ALL women love? Hmmmmm... I would say jewelry, cake (or is that one just me?), and flowers! Oh, so beautiful and sweet smelling... they make my heart sing and spirit soar!

Ok, so I'm being a bit dramatic, but I do love flowers and your mom does too. I promise you. No matter what she might say... "Oh, you don't have to spend anything on me", or "Please don't go to any trouble". She's your mom and deserves to be pampered and you're running out of time! Precious time. Time is one of those things we cannot control, try as we might, that clock is ticking and the time to order flowers for Mother's Day is nearly gone!

Mothers Day Flower Delivery is a blessing. You get to shop online from the comfort of work or home, choose the bouquet of your choice and tada! It's done. You're mom gets a vase filled with love! Beautiful, colorful, breath-taking love!

Before you click the submit payment button, be sure to look online for ProFlowers coupon codes. They're everywhere! I've been hearing about all the specials on my favorite radio programs (yes I'm a bit of a talk radio junkie) and the ads are popping up in my inbox several times a day. Finding a coupon code for ProFlowers.com isn't exactly hard to do, so don't use that as an excuse to not buy your precious mom flowers.You can find deals for $19.99 for example. That's right! Just $19.99 plus shipping and your mom will know you didn't forget her and in fact thought about her IN ADVANCE and didn't pick up flowers at the gas station on the way to her house. Not to slam gas stations. They're lovely places for things like gas, sodas, and beef jerky. Just not flowers.

With ProFlowers coupons you can accomplish the goal of any warm loving son or daughter (or for that matter grandson or granddaughter) while at the same time saving some dough. Oh, and don't forget to add a box of chocolates! Watcha waiting for? Tick... tick... tick...

Tiger Chef Offers Bakery Supplies

2011-04-04T21:13:00.000-05:00

Tiger Chef offers restaurants and bakeries all those essential fixtures and supplies necessary to operate an efficient and profitable business. We're talking everything from cookie cutters to janitorial supply, display cases to baking mats. Not only do they offer a wide inventory of restaurant equipment, but with 30 years of experience under their belt, they're highly knowledgeable about what they sell and how to best meet the needs of the clients they serve.

I sometimes daydream about owning and operating my own bakery and imagine what my display case would look like. What would my customers first see upon entering the awesomeness of my establishment? Bakery display cases are a very important fixture to any restaurant or bakery offering decorative or well crafted baked goods. If you want to show off your work, you'll want to do so in a well constructed unit that's attractive, easy to clean, and makes viewing your masterpieces a real treat.

A friend of mine is currently purchasing an industrial freezer for home use. When she shared this with me I started doing a bit of my own research as freezing cakes is something I do all the time, but with the challenge of trying to fit them into a standard family freezer... you know, next to the ice cream and frozen pizzas, well it doesn't make for the easiest of times. Consequently, I don't create as many cakes as I'd like to.

I'd love to own an upright refrigeration and freezer combination unit like what they offer at Tiger Chef. It's industrial and perfect for sliding in large baking sheets carrying all sorts of baked goodies. I could bake ahead and freeze my cakes all at once, then take them out as I'm ready to decorate. Oh, that would be awesome! Once decorated I could then store them in the refrigerator until it was time to serve or deliver.

I love that with Tiger Chef you can save as much as 50% to 75% off the industry standard. They offer below retail price on much of their inventory and with no minimum purchase required. Do they make up that discount in shipping? That's a fair question to ask... the answer is no. They try to keep your purchases as affordable as possible right down to the shipping expenses.

I'm an artist... but without a business and without a lot of room to play in my own kitchen. Perhaps someday I'll have that dream operation... my own bakery in either a licensed home-based kitchen or by storefront. Until that day, I'll continue daydreaming.... researching, and planning my future kitchen... the layout, the equipment, and the joy of efficiency.

Outnumbered 3 to 1: Spring Fling- Paula Deen Cookbook & Spice Set Revi...

2011-04-03T19:20:00.001-05:00

Outnumbered 3 to 1: Spring Fling- Paula Deen Cookbook & Spice Set Revi...: "Spring is finally in the air and we have some great things to share with you to kick off this wonderful season! From backyard bar-b-ques an..."

Follow the above link to read more! You can win a Paula Deen Cookbook and Spice Set. :)

BestOnlineCoupons.com for Apple Store Coupons

2011-03-28T21:38:00.000-05:00

Would you like to find Apple Store coupons, but unsure of where to start? Visit BestOnlineCoupons.com to find an impressive collection of coupon codes to put towards savings on your next Mac, IPad, IPod, or a new IPhone.While you're there check out all the coupon codes for other favorite online retailers and products.

Apple Store coupon codes aren't a challenge to hunt down thanks to BestOnlineCoupons.com and you'll be thrilled to no end at some of the cool bonuses and savings you'll find... coupon codes for things like free engraving on a new IPad, or as much as 25% off Apple Certified MacBook Pro. Seriously cool!

Find the Apple coupon code you can't live without and come back and tell me what you found! Don't dare shop for your next Mac or IPad without first visiting BestOnlineCoupons.com. We can't afford to overpay for anything these days. I'm a thrifty shopper and NEVER buy anything online without first looking for a coupon code or special offer. Comparison shop, seek out a good coupon code and feel good about what you're buying and how much you're spending. After all... we work hard for our money!

1-800 Flowers and Office Depot have some great coupon codes on BestOnlineCoupons.com too... I'm finding all sorts of great offers, deals and incentives that I wouldn't have otherwise known about. Promise me you'll take a looksee? You'll be glad you did!

Giveaway Find: Wilton Cake Baking Prize Pack!

2011-03-17T21:11:00.000-05:00

Busy at Home is offering this awesome prize pack to one lucky winner! The giveaway is being sponsored by Wilton and ends midnight, Sunday March 27, 2011 (not sure what time zone they're in... so enter early!).

Rules are simple and multiple entries are permitted. Entrants must be at least 18 and live in the United States. Please don't leave me a comment here hoping to win! I'm only a messenger... not the host or sponsor! lol

This giveaway requires you leave a comment on Busy at Home's blog... following the rules she's outlined. They're not hard! Just be sure you start with the mandatory entry (leaving the type of comment she's asking for... rather than "count me in" or "I want to win!") before you start completing tasks for additional entries!

The retail value of this awesome prize pack is $73! This will give you a nice start for learning to create wedding cakes, which by the way she teaches you how to do on her site.

Wilton makes high-quality, dependable bakeware and their books are out of this world! I have this particular book being given away and it's well worth having. I actually have everything they're giving away here... so won't be entering it myself. One less person for you to compete with!

Good luck and happy baking!

Curious George Cake... Sculpted and Unfrosted

2011-03-13T12:13:00.001-05:00

As promised, here are a couple photos of Curious George in the making. I had intended on taking more shots as I worked, but time wasn't on my side.

To make this cake I used 1 sheetcake pan (12"x18") and 3 small aluminum bowls. George's face, tummy and the top of the hat are all bowl-shaped cakes. I did some cutting on the bowl cakes before I frosted and have to admit to you that even after he was frosted gave him a tummy tuck. The final result was a somewhat less bloated George.

I've found similar cakes (my inspiration) to this one... but I changed a couple things. It's actually a mix of what I found in fondant and buttercream versions.

I wish I'd made the hat brim larger, the tummy even smaller and add a few more banana peels!

Zenni Optical... Because You Should See What You're Baking

2011-03-11T23:44:00.000-05:00

Listen up all you visually challenged cake lovers! If you like to see what you're decorating... or even just see what you're eating, you'll want to keep your prescription glasses up to date with your ever changing eyes.

I started wearing prescription eyeglasses when I was in the first grade. The worst thing about wearing glasses as a child is breaking them. It's scary! Facing your parents, knowing they'll be angry and no doubt ask if you think money grows on trees. I sure which it had back in those days. Breaking glasses when you're an active kid just happens.

Last year my 9 year old son broke his titanium frames for the third and final time. The first two times, I actually took them to a local jeweler who has the technology to repair titanium frames (most jewelers can't). Each repair set me back $35, which seemed like a great deal. My husband spent several hundred dollars on his frames, so what was $35? The third time his glasses broke I started questioning our logic and opted to try Zenni. I bought him a complete pair of prescription eyeglasses for under $40, which btw haven't broke once!

Zenni is affordable because they've cut out the middleman, bringing you prescription eyeglasses straight from the factory... additionally, the spend very little on advertising. My son's glasses look great and are very durable. They're anti-glare, anti-shatter, and only just in the last 2 weeks have we discussed new glasses, but only because he's having trouble seeing at school again. It's been 9 months since his last exam and I'm guessing he's going to take after me. I'm nearly blind! lol Before they were able to make lenses super thin, I had what looked like pop bottle lenses by the time I was in middle school.

If you're curious about Zenni, read the following article from the Brooklyn Liberal Examiner and you'll find just how affordable, professional, and reliable they are! Check it out... article on Zenni Optical.

Sleep Baking

2011-03-11T23:10:00.000-05:00

I feel like that's exactly what I'm doing at this very moment. So... to keep myself awake while my future Curious George cake bakes in the oven, I've come a bloggin!

I really think half my brain's asleep. I say this because every 30 seconds it hits me... "Oh that's right, I have 5 cakes in the oven. Better go see if they're done!". I guess it's been a long week! lol

Tomorrow I'll be sculpting a sheetcake and a handful of cakes baked in aluminum bowls into Curious George and that ever so famous yellow hat. The cakes I'm modeling them after exist online in at least 2 other cake albums... these aren't exactly Wendy originals. Still... I'm excited as this will be my very first primate cake. lol

I'll be posting a few photos of the process later this weekend. So... be sure to check back! Also... pray that I don't fall asleep in my buttercream. I need to empty the current batch from my Kitchenaid and get another batch in the mixer.

ACheapSeat.com for Premium Seating at Concerts and Sporting Events

2011-03-07T21:39:00.000-05:00

Looking for tickets to your favorite sporting event or concert? ACheapSeat.com buys and resells tickets on the secondary market... which means you just might find tickets to sold out events. They're not in competition with box office sales because they offer something the box office can't... sold tickets!

If you're a sports fan looking for Boston Celtics Tickets or Billy Elliot Tickets, give ACheapSeat.com a try. Maybe you've been wanting to take your dad, brother, or husband to see their favorite team, but think all the good seats are taken. Before you assume this is the case, check out the secondary market through ACheapSeat.com and see what they have on hand.

My husband would die for American Idiot Tickets. He loves music and is a huge fan of the show. If we could get to Hollywood... and uh, I'm sure he'd get us there if we had tickets, he'd be in music heaven. Maybe I should look into this? I think I just talked myself into it.

Maybe you need a good laugh and would like to see Brian Regan. He's coming to a venue near us, but we decided the tickets were too costly. Maybe I'll take a look at Brian Regan Tickets at ACheapSeat.com before I completely dismiss going to see him. My husband and I have loved this guy for years. He's a riot and not foul mouthed like so many would be comedians.

A big name in music these days is Taylor Swift. Would you believe you might find much sought after Taylor Swift Tickets at ACheapSeat.com? Surprise your favorite Taylor Swift fan with awesome seats the general public didn't know were available. They'll think you have connections!

Freebie Finding Sites for Savings on Food, Clothing, Music and More

2011-03-03T21:38:00.000-05:00

I've become quite the money-saving junkie over the past few weeks. This equates to Wendy spending A LOT of time on the Internet entering giveaways, hunting down coupon codes, printable coupons, and looking for free samples. They're out there... it's all about knowing where to look and taking the time to do the looking.

How many of you have little ones at home and could appreciate some free baby samples? When my son was a newborn we survived on samples! lol Some came in the mail, some came via the USPS, some from the hospital in an awesome gift basket, and a few came from friends and family members (who had them for whatever reason). All-Free-Samples.com is a great source for tracking those free samples down. Babies are expensive... even if you use cloth diapers and puree your own baby food! lol If you can save a few dollars on free samples... the time you spend looking is well worth it.

You'll also want to check out freecatcher.com for great freebies! Bookmark these money-saving sites and visit them on a regular basis. I realize it can be overwhelming trying to manage all the websites and source for clipping coupons, finding freebies, and whatnot, but you owe it to yourself to find at least a few trustworthy websites to add to your money-saving arsenal. After all... have you seen the price of gas lately? Let's save money where we can!

Flirty Apron and Cake Pan Giveaway Winner!

2011-02-23T20:50:00.000-05:00

Congratulations to Julis55! She's the winner of Cake Fun's Flirty Apron and Easter Egg Shaped Cake Pan!

Random.org generated a luck #36 as our winning number, giving honors to Julis55 who now has 48 hours to respond to her email notification before another winner is selected.

thank you to everyone who participated and to CSN Stores for sponsoring this giveaway! We hope you'll all continue following Cake Fun for new and exciting giveaways!

Cake Fun's Flirty Apron and Cake Pan Giveaway... Tomorrow is Entry Deadline! CLOSED

2011-02-21T20:12:00.001-05:00

Just a reminder... if you've not yet entered our fantastic CSN sponsored giveaway for a Flirty Apron and a Cool Easter Egg Cake Pan you've only one day left to do so!

This giveaway is still what I'd consider "low entry", meaning your odds of winning are relatively high. I'd love to see 100 people (which would result in 200 comments) by tomorrow evening come 11:50 pm (CDT). We can do that... can't we? Even better would be to hit 200 entries (leaving us 400 comments). Common cake lovers! Even if this pan and/or apron isn't your style, surely you know someone who would love to receive either or both for Christmas.

While you're at it, head over to another blog managed by yours truly... The Homeschooling Blog where I'm giving away another CSN sponsored gift. This time it's a $40 promotional code! The winner will be able to apply that $40 to anything CSN sells. As with the Flirty Apron giveaway, the Homeschooling Blog giveaway ends tomorrow evening. Oh, and you don't have to be a homeschooler to enter!

Dell Computer Coupons Codes

2011-02-17T23:52:00.000-05:00

Are you an avid coupon code seeker like I am? I never complete an online purchase without first scoured the web in search of coupon codes for discounted merchandise and/or free shipping. About half the time I find exactly what I'm looking for. Even if I only save 10%... that's 10% I can spend somewhere else.

If you're in the marked for a Dell and looking for Dell coupon codes BestOnlineCoupons.com is the right place to start. If Dell has a promotional code floating in cyberspace, BestOnlineCoupons.com likely has it. I'm in awe of some of the awesome codes there now.

This site will show you Dell's latest deals on desktops, laptops, cameras and televisions. Never complete your online checkout before visiting a trusted coupon code site that could save you money. What's more... coupon codes are free for the taking. There are no strings attached whatsoever.

You can literally save hundreds of dollars when shopping for Dell coupons. Some retailers share their current promotional codes on their websites... others do not. Don't assume if there isn't a special listed on a retailer's site, that they aren't willing to knock the price down a few notches.

I've found coupon codes in the past for places like Macy's, Snapfish and Shutterfly, and Shoes.com. It feels amazing to save an extra 10% or more and sometimes I even land free shipping! I think the best coupon code I've found to date saved me 25% and offered free shipping on my order.

If you're in the market for a Dell and if I've convinced you to take the entire 2 minutes it will take you to see if there are active Dell coupon codes, get ready to feel your jaw drop! I just found a coupon code offering as much as $269 off a Dell Inspiron 15 at bestonlinecoupons.com!

Flirty Apron and Easter Egg Shaped Cake Pan Giveaway!

2011-02-15T22:01:00.000-05:00

Do we all love to bake? Do we love cute flirty aprons and shaped cake pans? Yes we do! That's why we're super-psyched and honored to be hosting this sweet giveaway sponsored by CSN Stores. Thank you so much CSN!

CSN offers 200+ stores of awesomeness. Everything from furniture to flashlights... and yes, they have bake ware. That's where we found this sassy apron and Easter egg pan. Don't you just love the holidays? It's so much fun to impress people with cakes that look like something. Isn't it? Oh, and you'll look so cute during your creative egg baking process!

Who May Enter?
This giveaway is open to any and all residents of the USA and Canada who love cake.

Giveaway Requirements:

Entries must be received no later than Tuesday, February 22nd at 11:59 PM, CST.
Follow Cake Fun on Google Friend Connect and leave a comment on this post letting me know you did so. You'll find Google Friend Connect in my right sidebar. If you're already a follower of Cake Fun via GFC, just let me know in your comment.
In a separate comment, share something office furniture related from CSN Stores that catches your eye and let me feel the excitement when you do! Remember... to share this happy find in a second comment.

Both above entries are required, so everyone who participates is technically given 2 entries. Be sure to leave 2 separate comments, and please be sure to leave me your email. BTW, I recommend protecting yourself from the spambots by sharing your email in this manner: yourname (at) gmail (dot) com.

How We'll Select Our Winner

The winner will be selected using Random.org's automatic number generator.

The winner will then be notified via email and have 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. Upon successfully notifying our winner, he/she will be announced here in a separate post on Cake Fun.

Your Little's Cake Lover Deserves Boudreaux's Butt Paste®

2011-02-15T10:01:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you have a little one at home, you've likely dealt with diaper rash. Once your baby or toddler has his first rash, they seem to come faster and with greater intensity. Such was the case with my son who had his first rash at 9 months. Following his initial breakout we faced a constant battle... religiously keeping him coated in diaper cream to prevent new rashes from returning. It seemed no matter how hard we tried, we had to soak him in a bath with baking soda several times a week. His poor little tush was so tender and red! Can you imagine what a rash in that area of the body must feel like?

I wish I'd had Boudreaux's Butt Paste back then. It's made using beeswax and is simple to remove come bath time. There's absolutely no scrubbing or rubbing necessary that will further irritate babies delicate skin. The diaper cream we used nearly 10 years ago wasn't so gentle. Last year I had the opportunity to use Boudreaux's Butt Paste while babysitting my young niece. We spent nearly a full year together, some 50 hours a week and come diaper changing time that first week she was with me I found Boudreaux's Butt Paste in her diaper bag. My first reaction was laughter... the name caught me off guard! This product was so much gentler than what my kids used. I felt good using it and she never developed a rash like my little guy had while she was in my care!

So how about a free sample? Sound good to you? Just visit Boudreaux's Butt Paste and look for the yellow box with the cute Boudreaux's baby in the lower left corner of the screen to learn how to receive your free Butt Paste! Your littlest cake lover will thank you for it!

Super Sweet Valentine's Cake Idea by Wilton

2011-02-10T11:14:00.000-05:00

They call it "A Perfect Fit Cake" and I only wish I'd thought of it first. Look at this cool cake design modeled after one of the most traditional Valentine's Day kiddie candies of all time!

If you visit Wilton (just click on the picture) you'll find directions and reader comments for perfectly fitting your fondant hearts together.

Your Everything Vehicle... Kids, Roadtrips... and Cake!

2011-02-09T22:11:00.000-05:00

In the market for a new vehicle that not only serves as a trip-mobile, an errand runner, and a carpool cruiser, but also as delivery transportation? Maybe you're like me and don't do a whole lot of delivering anything other than children to and from school... but I've dreamed of a day when I'd be that all to cool professional cake decorator, with a logo sporting the side of a bright and shiny new vehicle, ready to attract cake loving clients from one end of the city to the other.

There are certain vehicles that probably wouldn't make the greatest delivery vehicles for larger orders, but if you're delivering 10" birthday cakes, you could probably get away with a Lexus GS (if you're planning on delivering heartier cakes you might consider the Lexus LS). Our former neighbors had a Lexus GS, and I miss envying them for it. lol Now I have to envy other people's when I have the opportunity. Obviously the Lexus GS isn't about spacious traveling, but it fits classy to a T.

Another COOL car that would make for an acceptable (and sassy) delivery vehicle if you were running a small cake business and wanting to look professional and super-sophisticated might be the BMW x5. After all, what kind of fool doesn't appreciate a BMW? This fool sure does!

Then there are vehicles like the Toyota 4Runner, which would be an awesome all around family vehicle and definitely roomy enough for multiple graduation sheet cakes come May, or that June wedding cake order you're hoping to land.

My SIL has a Ford Expedition and man oh man is it ever spacious. Parked next to our car it looks like an SUV on steroids. I don't know if Ford makes all Expeditions to such massive size, but hers is exactly that... massive. I'd hate to be the sedan that didn't see her coming! On the upside, it could probably travel easily through the feet of snow we've had this winter and would be the perfect cake transporter. Lots of room for fondant and butter creamed covered masterpieces and loads of window space for marketing purposes.

What do you drive? Is it cake worthy?

My Favorite Recipe Books.... Drumroll Please

2011-02-09T21:12:00.000-05:00

Are you ready? Feeling the suspense? Here ya go...

I have to say after having flipped through countless recipe books over the years my ULTIMATE favorite cookbooks on planet Earth have to be Taste of Home.

Not only are their cookbooks and magazines amazing (many times complete with photos and I'm BIG on photos!), they also have a terrific website. Check out this delightful Raspberry Cake recipe free for the looking. :) And we love cake right? Otherwise we wouldn't be here on Cake Fun!

Another terrific looking recipe on Taste of Home's awesome website is a sweet looking Carrot Cake ...

My kids are out of school tomorrow for conferences and I'm getting all sorts of ideas! I might just be dangerous in the kitchen.

If you love the website, check out their books! Funds are low in my household, so I've been checking out their cookbooks from my local library. Pretty sweet! They have year after delicious year of delectable, award winning recipes to drool over.

Recipes Perfect for College Cooks

2011-02-08T22:58:00.000-05:00

Guest post written by Whitney Mabe

I know that a lot of people don't think of cooking as something relaxing to do. But when I come home from a hard day of classes and studying at the library, it's kind of nice to cook something and depend on it coming out delicious when you follow the instructions. So that's one of my favorite ways to unwind from school. I'm pretty sure that my roommates think I'm weird for it, but they appreciate it when I let them eat some of the result.

I was online about a week ago looking up some new recipes to try for fun and while I was doing that I came across a CLEAR WIRELESS INTERNET online offer that looked really good so I showed it to my roommates and we agreed to sign up for it for our internet service at the apartment.

But when I was online that night I also found some really great college cooking recipes, like quiche. I love quiche and my mom actually makes it a lot at home. But it had never occurred to me how easy it would be to make. Plus, I love breakfast foods and it would make for some perfect leftovers!

Justin Bieber Birthday Cake Ideas

2011-02-08T22:16:00.000-05:00

Do you have a tween who's obsessed with Justin Bieber... asking for a very Bieber birthday party and not sure what to do about a cake? I found a few really cool sources for birthday party cakes... some are doable from home, others will give you ideas to take to your favorite decorator.

The cakes pictured in this post come from the gallery at Cakecentral.com. This is an awesome resource for seeking out cake decorating ideas... as well as learning the how to's of the trade.

You'll also find a handful of great Justin Bieber Cake on Squidoo. These cakes get high marks for their vibrant colors and I'm sure you'll agree they're all so very Bieber.

I found this Justin Bieber Zebra Cake posted by a fellow blogger to be rather cool as well... be sure to click the link and take a look at Sophia's creation!

If you'd like to order an edible image for your Justin Bieber cake, consider Ecrator.

Finally... if you'd like to find a wide number of Justin Bieber cakes... visit Flickr! The Cake Fun group has thousands of cakes posted there... many of which just happen to be Bieber cakes. ; )

Looking for party supplies? Justin Bieber Birthday supplies are prevalent at Birthday Express... everything from party plates and napkins, to favors and pinata's.... although I can't imagine wanting to Bieber?

If you're looking for something more unique for a party favor, Justin Bieber Party Favors are even available on eBay. Share the joy of chocolate while sharing the love of Justin with these cool Hershey Kiss labels that can easily be added to a bag of kisses. It's a low budget party favor that will be well received by your young guests.

The Best Valentine's Chocolate Around

2011-02-07T21:37:00.000-05:00

Or so I've been told by countless friends! Apparently they sell Sees Candies at Nebraska Furniture Mart, but I rarely have the opportunity to shop there.

So, what's a gal to do? Shop online of course! Sees is available via the web and fortunately for chocolate lovers everywhere there's even time to order your Valentine's Day chocolates! Don't forget your sweetie! The big day is just 1 week away and you just can't come home or go out on that special date empty handed.

You may be thinking flowers, but everyone knows flowers and chocolates go together like peas and carrots. Or should I say like chocolate and caramel? Ok.. my taste buds are budding!

I think my kids would love these marshmallow hearts! I'm enjoying the mental image of them devouring a marshmallow-filled chocolate heart after school in Valentine's Day!

Have you ever tried Sees chocolates? What is your favorite candy Sees makes? Are you prepared for Valentine's Day?

Looking for Online or PC Cake Games?

2011-02-07T21:22:00.000-05:00

I'm not much of a game player, but most of my friends are. They play games on Facebook, take the controls of the Wii from their kids the minute they head to the bathroom, and some even have a Nintendo DS! lol

The only games I've ever really enjoyed were things like Wheel of Fortune's computer game... which is fun as I grew up watching the television show.

If you enjoy games and you enjoy cake, then you'll most certainly enjoy cake games... am I right?

Listed here in no particular order, for your gaming pleasure are 7 PC Games:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

This should keep you busy for awhile! lol Best part of it all is you can play any of these games for free, before you buy. Have a little fun and see what you think!

Grow Your Cake Decorating Business by Accepting Credit Cards

2011-02-07T21:17:00.000-05:00

Most people today use credit and debit cards rather than carrying checkbooks or cash. If you're trying to flourish as a cake decorating business, it only makes sense to consider the many benefits of equipping yourself to accept plastic forms of money! Not only does it make buying from you more convenient for you customers, but it makes you look more professional.

Merchant Account Providers gives businesses of all sizes and industry affordable credit card processing capabilities.

If you're wishing to accept credit cards from your growing list of clientele, take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the services offered by Merchant Account Providers.

Whether you have a retail or restaurant merchant account, or you're running an online business, they have services to suit. You may even receive a free credit machine!

Additionally, Merchant Account Providers offers 24/7 customer support.

Happy baking and business building!

Valentine's Cake out of Polymer Clay

2011-02-07T20:56:00.000-05:00

Ok... so you can't actually eat this particular holiday cake, but it's rather cute, simple to make, and would make for a fun and original "little something special" to gift this Valentine's Day.

Watch how this artist creates her Valentine's Day cake in just a few simple to follow steps!

Another cool thing about this little cake, is that it'll last more than a day! It won't spoil, won't make you fat, and won't cost you much time or money to create.

Vistaprint Coupon Codes... Shopping Made Smarter

2011-02-06T21:53:00.001-05:00

Before you do any online shopping... you owe it to your pocketbook to do a quick Google search for current promotion codes... or what are sometimes called coupon codes. I do this with nearly every online purchase I make... sometimes I don't find what I'm looking for, but hey... when I do, that's extra money in my pocket!

If you're in the market for business cards or calendars, signs, pens, or stationary for your business, you likely already know about Vista Print. I've ordered all my business cards from Vista Print over the past 5 years and when the women's group I recently directed needed post cards to promote an upcoming event, we found Vista Print to be less than half the price quoted by a local competitor. That's with shipping factored in! Additionally Vista Print offered full color front and back, whereas the local printer would have only given us color on one side.

You'll sometimes find Vistaprint coupons online that can be entered upon check out. Keep in mind, Vista Print is already VERY affordable, but if you can find Vistaprint coupon codes, to add to that savings, you should go for it!

Sometimes coupon codes will even provide the shopper with free shipping. Vistaprint free shipping codes are a must have... when they're offered! The last few times I've ordered my business cards from Vista Print I've only paid shipping... the cards themselves were actually free. Seriously! They routinely run specials on standard business cards where you can enjoy 250 free cards with only shipping to pay. Pretty sweet!

Whether you're shopping for business cards or new blinds for your bedroom, be sure to be smart at the cart! Before you check out, always check to see if there are money saving promotional codes available for the retailer you're doing business with.

The Making of a Dinosaur Cake... in Pictures

2011-02-02T21:49:00.000-05:00

Two 11"x15" sheet cake pans makes for one rather large dinosaur.

Freeze your cakes before you sculpt. I take the cakes from the pan, let them cool on a rack while cleaning out the cake pans, then place a sheet of waxed paper in the pan, followed by the cake, which I then cover in the waxed paper (like a blanket), place back in the pan, wrap the entire pan in more waxed paper and plastic wrap, then place in the freezer.

This guy is sorta plump and chunky looking for a dinosaur. I usually place spikes down dino's backside, but this time was requested to leave him bare.

Personalized & Embroidered Bridal Party Bags

2011-02-02T20:19:00.065-05:00

Looking for the perfect gift for your bridal party? Maybe something special for that cute little niece of yours who'll add a bit of precious to your perfect day? Check out these fun and affordable totes offered by Simply Bags... personalized and practical for every member of your bridal party.

I've opted to show you a few of my personal favorites... they just happen to match my blog too. lol I've been married 11 years, but should we ever renew our vows, these are a must have. You can spend a lot of time trying to come up with the perfect gift. Why give yourself additional brain-pain? Shopping for special people should be fun... not a chore!

Not getting married? Simply Bags has something for everyone. You'll find lunch bags, laptop bags, photo bags, sorority bags, cosmetic and beach bags... just about any type of bag you might possibly need! I especially like the laptop messenger bag below. Something I could definitely put to use too.

Maybe you need a baby shower gift? Check out this pretty pink and chocolate diaper bag! Love it!

Enhance Your Favorite Foods with TABASCO® Original Red

2011-01-12T18:01:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of TABASCO® Original Red. All opinions are 100% mine.

Have you tried Tabasco's most popular hot sauce? TABASCO® Original Red will bring out the flavor you're craving with it's awesome mix of salt, red pepper, and vinegar! We're really talking more about flavor enhancement rather than simply an outstanding hot sauce. With TABASCO® Original Red you get both!

I found their recipe for Pizza Perfected and am totally excited to give it a try! Apparently TABASCO® Original Red makes for a pretty mean pizza and with football season in full swing, what better time than now to introduce a new party food to friends and family?

My favorite food to add TABASCO® Original Red to is my fluffy scrambled eggs! lol I love a good breakfast, any time of the day. If you haven't tried hot sauce on your eggs, you don't know what you're missing.

If you need some great game day menu items to add a little kick to your next party, be sure to visit the Game-Day Party Menu. Impress your friends and family and delight your taste buds with the flavor only TABASCO® Original Red can bring!

Have you tried TABASCO® Original Red? If so, what food do you use it with? Do share!

Mozilla Firefox Personas... Include Cake!

2011-01-11T22:23:00.000-05:00

If you use Firefox and you'd like to add a little cake to your Internet window (for a more personalized look)... check out the options for cake lovers!

Honestly, there aren't nearly enough for my taste (no pun intended)... so perhaps some talented cake enthusiasts will make their own to add to the mix? If you'd like to check out the 3 pages of personas bearing the "cake" name, visit Cake Personas.

If cake is more for eating and less for viewing on your computer screen (in your opinion)... perhaps you'll find something more your style by visiting the thousands of personas free to anyone wishing to take advantage. Over Christmas and New Year's I went with the Peanut's gang, hanging out around Charlie Brown's pitiful, yet somehow beautiful Christmas tree. Today I went with Labrador Puppies. Not cake, but I'm supposed to be on a diet. Supposed to be... hehee

Your Wicked Fresh Breath and a Wicked Fresh Contest!

2010-12-15T22:02:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Toms of Maine. All opinions are 100% mine.

Finally a toothpaste that contains natural and safe ingredients that don't leave you scratching your head... wondering "what is it I'm actually putting in my mouth?"... I'm so tired of all the mystery surrounding so many of the ingredients listed on the majority of products we buy. They're in everything from oral health care to spaghetti sauce and even makeup. Do you ever feel like a guinea pig?

Tom's Of Maine takes pride in providing oral health care products containing natural (meaning non-scary!) ingredients, and guess what? You're still getting your fluoride... still fighting tooth decay, you're just not running an experiment of sorts in your mouth and body. How exciting it this?! Visit Tom's of Maine's website now and check out their complete line of Wicked Fresh products!

Listen up, because it get's even better! Tom's of Maine is currently running a contest... and we all love a good contest! Visit the That's Wicked Fresh contest page and tweet about your own Wicked Fresh moment! For an extra entry you can also "like" Tom's of Maine on Facebook... now how simple is that? The winner will receive a $500 gift card to Target... oh could I have some fun with that! lol

Get Your Cake Decorting T-Shirts at 40% Off... Today Only!

2010-12-07T15:50:00.000-05:00

If you were considering purchasing one of our cake decorating t-shirts from Cafe Press (possibly for Christmas), today is the day to get 'er done! I about wanted to kick myself this morning when I realized I'd failed to make my reader's aware of the t-shirt sale on Cafe Press that ran all day yesterday, but Ho-Ho-Holy Smokes... they've extended the sale 1 more day!

My previous post shows my t's, but here are a couple images, just in case you missed them. You can order these shirts in a variety of styles and colors... even with long sleeves, if you're experiencing the harshness of December like I am, there can be no other option ... oh, how I miss summer!

Just be sure to order by Midnight tonight (Eastern-time I believe) and use the discount code SANTA at checkout. Your shopping cart should be updated to show the 40% savings! Have fun and Happy Holidays!

Shopping For Your Favorite Cake Decorator

2010-11-20T12:11:00.000-05:00

Looking for that perfect gift for a friend or family member who's all about cake decorating? We have the perfect answer!

Visit Sparkle Spot for great Cake Decorating Apparel, including aprons and sweatshirts, hoodies, t-shirts, and tanks as well as mugs and other great gift-giving finds.

I love this apron... and that's cool, since the design is my own! lol Check out the tote bag, which is my personal favorite, but the apron is fun and an essential when decorating a cake... trust me on that one!

If you know someone who would like to promote themselves when they're out and about, why not get them a shirt that tells the world what their passion is? They can wear it at shows, when they deliver cakes, or when they're just stopping by the bank... hey, it's free advertising!

Maybe they're not a professional decorator, but have that love for baking? We have the perfect gift. Check out the "Cake Dude" shirt, or the "Cake Lady" design. Maybe even the "Iza Baka Da Caka"?

I hope this helps you check off yet one more box on your holiday shopping list. I haven't even started tackling mine yet... waiting for Cyber Monday to purchase for the kids... hoping I can wait that long though... I think I've caught the shopping fever!

Office Coffee... It's the Little Things that Count

2010-11-12T07:42:00.000-05:00

What would an office be without the aroma of freshly brewed coffee? Isn't it nice to work in an office where coffee perks just feet from your desk (for free!), so you don't have to stop at a convenience store on the way to work? Or... brew it at home.

Maybe you're an employer and not sure where to find K-Cups or Coffee Pods online... which is by far the best way to shop for the office. I'm currently looking at Coffee.org looking over their great line of coffee related products... reminding me that I've not had my own morning cup of coffee this morning!

One of the best things about Coffee.org is they offer amazing looking Gift Baskets and Christmas is just a few weeks away. I'm soooo not ready! What a great gift idea for your employees, family, friends, and neighbors. You could have all your shopping done today! Wouldn't that be sweet?

Buying Office Coffee couldn't be any easier... seriously. Coffee.org offers same day shipping and carries all your favorite brands... maybe even a few you've never tried.

No Time for Baking?

2010-11-12T07:27:00.000-05:00

I've gone from baking up a storm, to working outside the home and finding literally no time to bake at all! What's a cake decorating loving mom of 2 active (and crazy) kids to do? lol

In a couple of weeks I'll be sharing my talents with a group of 4th graders at a local church and believe it or not I'm actually feeling somewhat stressed about this. I've never demonstrated anything, never taught a class, and I don't really even like people watching me work. So... this should be interesting!

At the same time, it will be one of the only chances left in the year for me to play in buttercream. I sooo love playing! We'll be making ribbons and basic decorations. I'm praying they don't ask me to make roses though... it's been years since I've made a buttercream rose. Seriously!

The Best Candy Anywhere!

2010-11-12T07:21:00.000-05:00

That's what I've been told anyway! lol My friends have told me time and time again that the best chocolate and candy you can find is sold at Nebraska Furniture Mart... but you can also find it online. Have you tried See's Candies?

This manufacture of delectable, taste-bud dancing masterpieces offers an awesome variety of candies, including "peanut brittle", which is a family favorite around the holidays. Oh... then there's the chocolate, dark chocolate is my favorite.... I'm on See's Candies' website, even as I type this blog post, drooling over the boxed candy. Everything looks so mouth-watering!

What a great gift idea too! I could have this candy shipped direct to family who I won't have the pleasure of seeing this Christmas. Wouldn't that be "sweet" of me? lol

An Outstanding Resource for Patients of MS

2010-10-02T13:35:00.002-05:00

A few years ago... almost 3 to be exact, it was suspected that I might have MS. It was incredibly scary and although that season in my life seems to have stabled dramatically (with the majority of my symptoms having disappeared), it's still possible I could one day have a positive diagnosis. That being said, anytime I find a website on MS or meet someone with the disease, I'm immediately interested in what they have to say.

Allaboutms.com offers an incredible amount of information for those wishing to learn more about this autoimmune disease. Multiple Sclerosis doesn't just effect the patient, but it impacts the entire family. The patient often goes in and out of remission and no one call tell them how severe the next relapse will be or how long it might last. Can you imagine living that way?

This site shares information and the latest news on MS treatments and an Ms Diet, which is something I'd never heard of before today. It makes sense though... there's an appropriate diet for just about every other condition, so why not MS?

If you have MS or love someone who does, be sure to take a look at this website. ; )

Taste Catering's Yigit Pura & His Quest to be Top Chef

2010-10-02T13:19:00.000-05:00

Taste Catering of San Francisco is now known for more than just their awesome wedding catering services... they're also known for their handsome Executive Patry Chef Yigit Pura's run for Top Chef! Haven't seen the show? Check out the "BRAVO TOP CHEF Just Desserts" series and root for Yigit!

I really get a kick out of watching a great pastry chef do his thing and Top Chef is a great outlet for watching chef's of all varieties compete. If you're a fan of Food Network, you'll also love Bravo's Top Chef. Watch the talent unfold, root for your favorite chef, and feel the suspense as the judges decide who goes home and who stays for another day.

While we're speaking of great chef's, if you're living in or around San Francisco area, Taste Catering is a great source for wedding caterers. There are a lot of San Francisco wedding caterers to choose from, but if you're looking for your own "top chef", be sure to take a peak and maybe a taste of Taste Catering!

Le Creuset Silicon Baking Cup Review

2010-09-12T15:44:00.000-05:00

So my muffin cups are here... I've admired them, used them, served in them, emptied and cleaned them and my thoughts are as follows....

Pros~

I feel very green using this product... no trees had to die
These baking cups are VERY easy to clean... Love it!
Cupcakes and muffins pop right out. Even little hands can manage removing the cupcake from the silicon form with ease.
They DO hold their shape well... even when placed on a cookie sheet, rather than having the added support of a cupcake pan.
My kids think they're pretty cool. That's worth something... right? lol
I like that I can order them in a variety of pretty colors.
They're microwave, dishwasher and of course... oven safe. I couldn't test out the microwave feature as we don't currently have one! I'm serious... wish I weren't, but sadly, it's true.

I love that I can use these baking cups over and over again... but probably won't serve in them at my daughter's upcoming birthday party as I'd originally planned. They look so much like the paper cups, I fear they'd end up in the trash can! lol I wouldn't have this concern if I were hosting a party for adults... but 8 year old girls? I'm not so sure about!

CSN stores was super quick with my order too! The Le Creuset baking cups (CSN sells a package of 6 for just $9.95) even shipped for free as I spent $69... which automatically qualified me for free shipping! Many of their products ship free on their own accord, but when you find something that doesn't... you'll have no problem hitting that free-ship threshold!

Cons~
I just found one con with this product:

I'd love it if they were just a tad thicker... they are very thin, which doesn't seem to affect their construction or durability, but I'd like to feel more between my fingers when I pick them up.

Overall Rating (1-5 point scale with 5 being best)~
4.5

Have a kitchen (preferably baking-related) product you'd like me to review? Let me know!

Save Big With Coupon Codes for Cooking Related Products

2010-09-07T18:49:00.000-05:00

Do you use coupon codes for must-have discounts and free shipping on things like photos, books, and jogging shoes? If you're a smart and frugal shopper... then of course you do! Why not do the same when shopping for cooking gadgets, pots and pans, baking racks, and cake boxes... just to name a few?

Cooking.com Coupons is just a click away for those penny-pinching bakers who don't believe in overspending. Whether you're shopping for your own commercial kitchen, family kitchen, or looking to gift a something special to that someone special, don't buy online until you've checked for coupon codes!

You might be surprised what this one extra stop while surfing the net, could save you! Simple as pie... sweet as butter cream, and exciting enough to burn enough calories for a second serving! lol

Freeing Up Kitchen Space with Pot Racks

2010-08-31T19:09:00.000-05:00

I've recently been dreaming about the kitchen of the future... or should I say MY kitchen of the future. My husband and I are talking about building a new home next year, and my main focus has to be on the kitchen, since that is where I spend most my waking hours!

We love the idea of pot racks as they free up cabinet space and make cooking quick and easy with pans ready to grab when you need them. I was looking at enclume pot racks today and loving the wall scroll design. It has a lot of style, without lacking function. Sturdy and strong with a pleasant appearance that won't diminish the elegance of the rest of the house is what I'm after. I don't want anything that looks to institutional in my family kitchen. The price of this enclume pot rack is under $90. I'd probably get two of them and place them side-by-side.

If you're looking for pot racks , what type of style is your favorite? Do you currently use a pot rack? If so, is it over a kitchen island or hanging from a wall? Tell me more!

Silicone Baking Cups... Save Money, Prep and Clean-Up Time too!

2010-08-13T09:50:00.000-05:00

After much careful consideration (and a little research), I'm going to join the 21st century and purchase my first set of le creuset silicon baking cups. The more I read about silicone bakeware, the more I have to ask myself why I continue to mess with the rigid, hard to clean aluminum muffin pans that are such a hassle to clean afterwords.

Not only can you pop these babies into the dishwasher, they're as safe to use in the microwave as in the oven. You can even stick them in the fridge or freezer! The cupcakes pop right out, with no need for greasing and flouring and hold a full 3 oz.

I'm thinking they look good enough to serve in... birthday parties and the like, so long as I get them back! lol

As for my muffin pans, I may keep them around. The silicone baking cups can be set inside or out of a cupcake pan. I'm anxious to see how these perform outside the added support of the pan. Additionally... those old pans will still come in handy for situations when I need to use paper cups for my cupcakes. Sometimes, especially when making cupcakes for larger events or for things like potlucks and picnics, it just makes more sense to use paper cups.

Now all I have to decide is which color(s) to buy. I'm not sure if I should mix things up a bit and get a variety of colors when I order, or if I should go all cobalt blue... which is my kitchen color, or will be when I finally get that project done!

I'll let you know how I like them! Stay tuned. :)

Coffee... My Favorite Way to Jump Start the Day!

2010-08-05T11:38:00.000-05:00

There are so many awesome blends of coffee to choose from these days and whether you prefer your cup of java hot or cold, coffee is a happy staple for millions of us. It gets you going in the morning and keeps you going in the afternoon. Additionally... it offers must have antioxidants! So, you could even call coffee a health food! lol I know I do. :)

Why not spruce up your coffee inventory with delicious flavor via K-Cups at www.coffee.org. I'm there now and don't even know where to start! Should I shop by brand or should I just start sorting through all the amazing flavors like Timothy's hazelnut or maybe their hot chocolate? Oooh, but they also have Wolfgang Puck varieties which I'd love to try!

If it's Coffee Pods you're after, you'll find an awesome inventory to waken your senses and excite your taste buds. So many to choose from, so many possibilities... much like coffee heaven I should think.

Shopping for your office has never been so easy or so much fun. You'll want to check out the Office Coffee
options to give your employees or your fellow workers a bit of something special. Surprise them with a basket of great coffee blends in the break room or maybe pamper those clients you're working so hard to impress with something warm and inviting. Keep everyone awake during that ever so important presentation (you know the one you've been working on all week?), all while enjoying the fresh brewed aroma coming from their coffee mugs.

Speaking of pampering, why not do a little shopping for your loved ones through Gift Baskets
filled with some amazing coffee? Can everyone say yummo? What a great Christmas gift this would be and yes I'm already shopping for Christmas. It's August after all and it feels amazing to have that boxed checked early. Giving a couple gift baskets and also having my home stocked with gourmet coffee for the holidays (for those out of town guests) sounds pretty sweet to me!

Happy Sipping!

Howdini's Video Cake Tutorials

2010-07-30T09:37:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for low-technical cake decorating instruction, you'll love this. I just found it today. Howdini offers several great cake tutorials for anyone looking to make a simple, yet different something special for their favorite cake eater.

Here's a simple pony cake tutorial. Have fun!

My Review of Duff Goldman's Cake Product Line

2010-07-30T08:37:00.000-05:00

I have finally completed my review of the Duff Goldman line of cake decorating products! If you’re interested in checking it out, please head on over to my Cake Space blog and let me know what you think. I’d love it if you’d leave me a comment there. Also… if you aren’t following me on Cake Space, please be sure you don’t leave my blog without doing so!

Just a sneak peak and a bit of added info…. I received three products from this new decorating line. I seriously enjoyed getting to play for free. Lol I even gave a chunk of the fondant to each of my kids to play with. My daughter fashioned a zoo animal of some sort, then bit it’s head off. My son just ate the fondant. Lol Both thought very highly of the texture and taste… so there ya go!

Finally, this blog has sorta slipped into an everything blog, which isn’t really my intention, so I’m going to start doing a better job of posting cake-relevant information! Lol I’m rather spacey (and struggling for moolah) though, so one really never knows what they may find here. I’m blaming this on motherhood. Can I get away with that? Lol

CSN Stores... Great Online Store for All Things Kitchen!

2010-07-28T09:19:00.000-05:00

Well... kitchen and anything else you might imagine!

Very recently I made my very first purchase with CSN stores, which can I just say has EVERYTHING under the sun. Regardless of what you may be shopping for… they likely have a dozen varieties of whatever “it” might be. We’re talking loveseats to toilet seats, microwaves to bed sheets, and pencil sharpeners to desk lamps… they have it all!

I purchased a new waffle maker (another first), through one of CSN’s 200 stores at a great price, ordered it with ease and received it in just a few days time via UPS. It came just as ordered, in perfect condition, and I received it in a very reasonable amount of time. I have nothing bad to report about my shopping experience… I was even given a confirmation email showing my order had been received… something most online retailers offer… but as I found out last week, not all. Having that confirmation email is a BIG deal.

Here's the exact model I ordered... just behold it's beauty won't you? lol It's a Chef's Choice International WafflePro and it's making me rather hungry.

I’d never heard of CSN until very recently when they graciously hosted a giveaway on my Cake Space blog. At that time I’d only scratched the surface when it came to realizing just how many products, and the variety of products they sold. Many of their products offer free shipping too. I’m big on free shipping!

If I were rating this store and my online shopping experience with a 5 star rating system… with 5 being TOP DOG and 1 being lousy flee-ridden dog… I’d give CSN a perfect 5! I’ll definitely be shopping with them again.

Bird Feeders, Picnic Backpacks, Camping Gear, Knives and Christmas Shopping in July!

2010-07-27T16:29:00.002-05:00

Call me a nut, but I'm already looking at my Christmas shopping list and checking off those boxes early. Have you ever done any holiday shopping in July? It's sorta fun... and it's easier because you're not fighting crowds. You can find great buys any time of the year and if you start early, you have more time to find them!

If you have a sportsman in the family and you're looking for pocket knives, or maybe you need some new kitchen knifes... you'll find just about any kind of knife imaginable at Knife Depot. I really like their cutting boards too... I actually use cutting boards a lot for rolling and shaping fondant. It doesn't stick to the wood as bad as other surfaces.

I like their folding knife too... maybe not for cake decorating, but as a Christmas gift, I have the perfect person in mind. That or a good pocket knife! My son is joining Scouts this year... I'm sort of hoping he won't need a pocket knife... yet!

Another possibility for those on my Christmas list is a good picnic basket or picnic backpack. I've always wanted one of the backpacks! My kids and I could use this to hike up to the park for lunch... everything would have it's place (that's just so appealing, isn't it?) and we'd look "so together"! lol

Picnic baskets are not a thing of the past... if you know someone who likes to serve others... you know the hospitable type... then you know someone who would love picnic baskets. In my family... I'm sorta that person, but I think my mom and my sister could get a lot of use out of a good picnic backpack too.

In any case picnic backpacks make for a unique gift that can last for years and would thrill just about any mom of young kids. Especially the outdoorsy types!

Speaking of outdoorsy people... if you have anyone on your list who likes to camp, then maybe it's camping gear you should be looking at. I have a feeling we'll be buying a lot more of this type of merchandise in the coming months and years. Our son... the one who is joining Scouts wants to go camping... even if it's in our own backyard.

We've thought about getting some quality camping equipment, so maybe this is the year for Santa to bring it? For me killing two birds with one stone... especially where spending money is concerned is rather exciting.

While shopping for all these outdoorsy people, I have to find something for my dad who loves to feed and watch birds. Funny thing about that... when his mom (my Grandmother) was alive this was one of her favorite things to do too! Now she's gone, but the love of birds lives on. I'm thinking bird feeders might just be a good fit for him this year.

You might think that a bird feeder is boring, but have you seen some of the amazing feeders out today? They're amazing! If you don't have a bird feeder of your own, you might be half tempted to start a new hobby. Bird feeding is actually kind of fun, if you don't mind cleaning up cracked seeds! lol

I'm going to look at maybe getting stylish bird feeders for my own backyard. We have very small trees as our neighborhood is only 9 years old, but I think they'll hold a feeder! lol

My Upcoming Review of Duff's Cake Decorating Products

2010-07-26T15:46:00.000-05:00

Hold onto your pastry bags! This week I'll be sharing my review of a few of the wonderful products in Duff Goldman's new line of cake decorating products... which are currently for sale at Micheal's craft stores.

The review will be shared on my other cake blog... Cake Space this Wednesday, so be sure to check it out. The review will include a few snapshots of the products in use, so you'll not want to miss this!

It's been so sticky hot in my neck of the woods that my husband gets a little irritable when I turn the oven on... so my review has been a long time coming. This morning I was up at 5:30 in the morning (beating the Summer heat) baking away in order to share my thoughts and opinions on Duff's cake mix, fondant, and a cool fondant decorating tool.

Having fun and looking forward to sharing! Come back and see me soon!

Mailbox News.... and Cake!

2010-07-20T20:56:00.000-05:00

Ok.... I'm going to use this space to talk about mailboxes and cakes at the same time. Can you handle that kind of excitement? lol

If you're looking for cool mailboxes to enhance your home... you're going to love this site! I never knew such beautiful mailboxes existed. Who would have thought so much style could be found in a mailbox?

Whether you're looking for commercial or residential mailboxes... mailbox posts, mail drop boxes, mail slots for your door, or even multi-unit mailboxes, you'll find the highest quality products at Mailboxixchange.com! They have over 2500 mailboxes and home decor products... including beautiful house numbers... that you'll want to purchase together with your mailbox, so they match (of course!).

Now... if you're looking for cake news... you know... to be delivered to your new handsome mailbox... you'll love some of the cake decorating publications I'll be sharing soon. One of them is even titled "Mailbox News"! Yes... we can talk about mailboxes and cake together. We live in a sweet world do we not? lol

The Battle of Lighting a Cake

2010-07-13T16:09:00.000-05:00

Whether you're working with professional lighting (must be nice)... posing with that splendid cake creation to capture just the right mood for your cake blog, or your struggling with that table lamp to get the angle just right for decorating a birthday cake before the dawn's early light, we all know lighting is an important element when it comes to the art of cake decorating.

It's one of those things I'm currently struggling with A LOT. Can I just share that as of late, my cake photos are coming out with horrible shadows and yellow tones? I simply don't have the time to go back and Photo Shop. I know it's a great program... in fact I love Photo Shop. Yet, I really have to think I could do better initially, rather than trying to fix later??? Am I only dreaming?

Our home is my studio. What's more... our home is dark. We used to be low-light people. I think it was the fact that I was stuck at home for nearly 6 years without transportation, in a city that didn't have public transportation, day in and day out... it's finally left me wanting light! I have all the blinds open during the day, and when I have any excuse at all, I'm driving (awe! to drive again) around town, loving that rich Vitamin D that surrounds me and leaves me feeling all aglow!

I would love to add some real light to this dark home. The blinds are great, pulled up that is, but that sort of light doesn't produce the best photos and on a cloudy day I'm still left, well... in the dark!

Are you in the dark? What sort of light do you use to decorate and to photograph your own edible artwork? Do share!

TLC's Premier of The Bakery Bunch!

2010-07-08T15:31:00.000-05:00

Check out this new special premiering July 11th, 10 PM ET/PT, just after Kate Plus 8 on TLC...

THE BAKERY BUNCH stars the Williams Family... a family raising 4-year old triplet boys and a bakery at the same time! lol This bakery is one they took over from mom Jennifer's Italian-born parents. In the episode airing next week, Jennifer is bombarded with her largest bakery order to date and has only 5 days to get the job done. Making matters all the more stressful, one of her childrfen is going into surgery... how will this family fair? Watch and see!

Sneak Peak:

Silver and Gold... Watches!

2010-07-01T20:06:00.000-05:00

I don't even own a watch that isn't made out of some sort of plastic, so... looking at the amazing lines of high quality watches at BlueDial.com has me drooling... almost as much as the cake I made the other day, but um in a different way.

My favorite watch is one of the dolce and gabbana watches which I think would look marvelous wrapped around my wrist. I especially love the Gloria Black Dial Strap Crystal Dolce and Gabban watch and it's only $170! I can even afford that! It's water resistant, scratch resistant and carries with it amazing style! The strap is of course genuine leather... not some sort of synthetic material that looks great for a few weeks, then starts to fall apart.

In most states (within the US), shipping is free! So not only are you getting an amazing value to start with, but you're getting your merchandise delivered straight to your door without paying for the privilege! Pretty cool!

I desperately need a high quality watch and BlueDial has a huge inventory to choose from. There's a watch for most any budget and the savings mean you might be able to afford the watch you found elsewhere and thought was out of reach. Check it out today and maybe start planning your Christmas shopping early! :)

Cake Boss + New Series + You Can Be a Star = Apply Now!!!

2010-06-28T15:20:00.000-05:00

Good afternoon to all you cake loving readers! If you love to decorate and feel you have a knack for competition, aren't afraid of cameras, and would like to meet Buddy Valastro... (you know... that Cake Boss guy) then read on!

Here's the scoop straight from an email that I rec'd just moments ago sharing all the sticky-sweet details:

"Buddy Valastro, the Cake Boss himself, is starring in a new competition series on TLC! The eight episode series will follow ten aspiring cake makers as they compete in a series of challenges that will reveal if they have what it takes to run a shop as successful as Buddy's. Each episode will be feature weekly lessons, challenges and eliminations, with the winner becoming an apprentice at the Hoboken-based Carlo’s Bakery, the setting of TLC's Cake Boss.

While the series won't debut until winter, TLC is actively casting contestants now."

Ok... so if you want more information on how to apply... be sure to follow this link as they're now casting! Hey... if you get selected for this once in a lifetime gig, please let us know! Or at least let me know! lol

Affordable and Fashionable Eyeglasses a Reality

2010-06-24T08:10:00.000-05:00

I'm getting ready to order my first pair of eye glasses from Zenni Optical for two very important reasons. First of all, I can't see! I'm incredibly near-sighted and have been since the tender age of 7. Second reason is this... I don't want to pay hundreds of dollars for my glasses like I did a few years ago. I simply don't have the budget for that right now.

One of the reasons my glasses are several prescriptions behind the times is my frugal nature and the fact that until very recently I didn't know I had any other option than purchasing glasses direct from my eye care professional or from a retail chain at the mall. I LOVE that we live in a country with so many options... and a little friendly competition. lol

Zenni Optical offers really cute eyeglasses... and I'm talking lenses and frames for significantly less that what you'll find anywhere else. They can do this for a very simple reason. You see... they are the manufacturer, not the middle man. When you buy straight from the manufacturer you keep the extra would-be markup in your pocket!

I can't decorate cakes unless I can see what it is that I'm doing. As a frequent contact wearer, I find myself lost when I need to give my eyes a rest and have to bring out my ancient eyeglasses which not only do nothing for me, but probably account for more than a few headaches, since the prescription is years out of date.

The only challenge I may face when I contact my eye care professional is that apparently it can be a struggle acquiring your PD or Pupillary Distance, which is necessary for Zenni Optical to properly fit you. I'll let you know what happens with that! lol I was just at the eye doctor last month, but had 3 kids tugging on my shirt tale and didn't think it was the appropriate time to mess with requesting my information. Hoping a phone call can do the trick though!

The Duff Goldman Collection

2010-06-23T10:50:00.000-05:00

I'd so love to sample some of the goodies in Duff's new cake line! Did you know he had a new and exciting line of cake decorating supplies... things like cake tattoos, glitter and fondant? Did you further know you can find it these goodies at Michael's?

I haven't tried Duff's brand first hand (yet) and still haven't been to Michael's to run my eyes across all the new cake decorating toys (as I call them)! It's killing me! lol

I've only used one brand of fondant and I guess I'm pretty excited to try another. Not that there's necessarily anything wrong with what I've been using... I guess I'm just hoping Duff's fondant tastes better.

Check out the press release for Duff's new line and familiarize yourself with his products now! If you represent Duff and would like to sponsor a giveaway or a review here on Cake Fun... PLEASE LET ME KNOW! lol Would love to take you up on that one!

The Cricut for Cake Decorators! Catch its Premier Next Week!

2010-04-09T17:59:00.000-05:00

I have a friend who lives to scrapbook and has accumulated a mass of scrapbooking supplies, tools, and machines, including the ever popular Cricut. She has even been on a scrapbooking cruise. lol

Wednesday evening she shared with me that Cricut was coming out with a machine specifically designed for cake decorating. Did you know about this? I couldn't wait to get home and pull up the details online, but then both my kids came down with a stomach bug. So, my research was temporarily put on hold, until this afternoon.

Cricut will be sharing an online preview on Monday April 12th and HSN (Home Shopping Network) will premiere this newcomer on April 14th. Ok... my birthday is 6 months away, but I have to wonder if I could ask for my gift now? lol

This new machine is specifically designed for decorating cakes, cookies, and cupcakes and will accept cartridges made for other Cricut machines. Can you imagine? I'm anxiously anticipating what exactly it might allow me to do at home, and how it might improve my cake decorating abilities.

The machine is said to be made with stainless steal, making it easy to clean and completely food safe!

The 2010 Wilton Yearbook is Out!

2010-04-08T20:13:00.000-05:00

This may not be news to everyone else, but I hadn't thought to look for the newest edition of the Wilton Yearbook until I saw it yesterday. lol I haven't actually bought one in 2 years, so I have some catching up to do, but my kids and I love looking through the yearbooks I have gathered over the years.... some of which are from the early 90's. Wow, doesn't seem all that long ago, but I guess that's because I'm getting old!

Did you know you can order this yearbook with free shipping from Wilton? If that's all you're ordering, they won't charge you a penny to ship it out. Pretty cool! You can also find it at stores like Micheal's and Hobby Lobby and both stores frequenlty offer 40% off coupons, that could be applied to this great publication. At full price it retails for around $11.99. :o)

If you just can't wait and want to order now, here's the link for Wilton!

Green Friendly Office Supplies

2010-04-02T22:55:00.000-05:00

Do you make a concerted effort to conserve the amount of paper you consume at home and at work? I just learned that nearly half of the waste filling urban landfills is paper. Can you believe that? With the technology we have today to recycle we still throw so much of what nature has provided us away. That's really a shame.

The number of trees that can be saved through purchasing recycled products is alone worth shopping for recycled office supplies. Finding recycled stationary, business cards, office paper, envelopes and the like from an environmentally minded distributor should mean something to us.

If you're a green shopper, Dolphin Blue or Dolphinblue.com is a paper company you will enjoy doing business with.

Do you participate in any type of recycling program? I'm grateful that at least in my own community we have curbside recycling. My children's school participates in paper recycling fund raisers, giving parents even more motivation to bring in their old newspapers, magazines, and paper stock. It brings in money for the school and gives the children something to feel good about! We've saved a good number of trees since the program was implemented!

I'd love to find a company that makes cake boxes and boards from recycled paper... I haven't found such a product on the market though. I'd be willing to pay a few extra pennies for an environmentally friendly cake box... maybe someday!

Nordicware Butterfly Pan Giveaway is Happening Now!

2010-04-02T22:42:00.002-05:00

Ok... as promised the Nordicware Butterfly Cake Pan Giveaway is alive and running! If you'd like to register for this random drawing, just click on the butterfly in this post and follow the directions as listed on Cake Space.

You'll have as many as 5 opportunities to enter, be sure you leave a comment on Cake Space for each fulfilled opportunity, as this will insure Random.org counts you accurately. :)

Good luck and be sure to enter the giveaway no later than 11:59 PM Friday, April 16th (CST)!

Living Rural Doesn't Mean You're Stuck with Dial Up

2010-04-02T22:37:00.000-05:00

Are you living out in the boonies... far from the city and relying on dial up for your Internet? If so, I bet you don't spend a lot of time online... waiting for your slow operating server to download that image or website can be agonizing. I remember those days, before high-speed Internet was available.

If you're feeling left out of the fast-paced lifestyle so many of us enjoy on a daily basis because you thought you had no other option... think again! I just found an option for you for internet satellite providers through Mybluefish.com. I'm there now learning about satellite Internet... something I'd never before considered.

I have family that live out in very rural areas that would benefit from satellite Internet with speeds up to 1.5 Mbps. There are three available packages, depending on what you're looking for and what your budget will allow for, but all come with free installation.

I'll just share that if we didn't have a quick Internet connection, I wouldn't be able to work from home the way that I do. So much of what I do online is dependent on a reliable Internet connection that moves at least as quick as I do. Being a busy mom and entrepreneur of sorts, I'd be in a world of hurt without a high-speed connection.

One of the worst things about a slow server is trying to pay bills online... have you ever had your computer just stall on you? Leaving you wondering if that bill payment request went through or not? If you're in that type of position, because of where you live, consider satellite Internet! You'll be glad you did!

Upcoming Cake Pan Giveaway!

2010-04-01T15:37:00.000-05:00

Just a little head's up to my cake loving visitors... I'll be proudly hosting a giveaway on Cake Space starting tomorrow for the Nordicware Platinum Butterfly Cake Pan! This high-quality pan normally retails for around $36, but could be yours for free! Imagine making a perfect butterfly cake, again and again? Perfect for a little girl's birthday party or to ring in a new season. Can anyone say "Yay Spring!"? lol

Be sure to check out my other blog tomorrow, April 2nd for details on how you might win my random drawing for the shaped butterfly pan. I'll provide multiple opportunities for entry too... so be sure to check it out!

Just in case you should forget to visit Cake Space, I'll share the details of the giveaway here once it's posted, or will provide a direct link.

Happy baking and thank you for visiting Cake Fun's Cake Magic!

Put Down the Cake and Learn About the Real Estate Tax Benefit!

2010-03-30T19:31:00.000-05:00

If you've been thinking about moving (like we have)... perhaps to a home with a more cake decorating friendly kitchen, now is the time my friend! Did you know about the tax credits currently available to certain Americans looking to purchase a new home? I've known about the first time home owner's tax credit for some time now, but didn't realize until very recently that current home owners who've lived in their home for at least 5 of the last 8 years may also be eligible for a credit. As much as $6,500 in fact!

Here's the catch though... you really need to act fast to benefit from this as the current deadline for qualification for this tax credit requires you have a written binding contract by the end of April and that you close by June 30th. If you're looking to move, try to have that contract signed within the next few weeks so you can qualify! Then, be sure you can close on that house before the June 30th deadline.

Naturally there are certain restrictions based on income for this real estate tax benefit, but so long as you earn no more than $125 k as an individual or $225k as a married couple you'll likely qualify. Take a few minutes to learn more about this, then sit down and do the math. Decide if perhaps this is the month you'll find that new house to build your nest in!

If you're a first time home buyer or haven't lived in a home for 3 years or more, you may qualify for as much as $8,000 in tax credit. That's just like being given free money!

Ok... that's all for now. Feel free to pick up your cake again and enjoy every last bite. Then go bake another one and give your Realtor a call!

What on Earth is a Cake Pop?

2010-03-28T23:26:00.000-05:00

This is new to me, so if I'm the only one please accept my apologies!

Apparently cake pops are decorated cakes on a stick. Very small cakes that is. I guess that's a good idea... maybe if you're wanting to limit the amount of cake you're serving and save the expense and waste associated with purchasing paper plates and forks for parties? I just can't believe I've never heard of them before. And I thought I knew everything. lol

I'd love to post a photo of cake pops here at Cake Fun, but I don't have permission from any of the websites I've been visiting tonight, so I'll just post a link to the site I found most interesting. :) I like this Instructables site because they not only show me what a cake pop looks like, but they tell me how to make my own!

I'm seriously thinking that instead of going to the cheap plastic toy isle of Walmart this year looking for party favors for my son's next birthday party, that I'll make each child in attendance a cake on a stick to take home and enjoy at their leisure. Might save me some money and provide myself a bit of entertainment at the same time. Plus, then I'd have a photo to show you. lol

In the meantime, if you've ever made a cake pop and would like to share it on Cake Fun, please let me know. I'd be happy to show off your talent and give you a link back to your website, blog, Facebook profile or whatever you might want to share.

Toodles!

Lakes Alive! It's a Kitchenaid Mixer Giveaway!

2010-03-28T13:44:00.001-05:00

I'd like to start this post by sharing that I absolutely adore anything Kitchenaid. Yes, I was a fan even before Twitter and Facebook. I've loved Kitchenaid since my first experience with one of their mixers some 6 years ago.

With that said, I'm here to share a giveaway, presented to you by Mayhem and Moxie, and only open for a couple more days! You don't want to get past the April 2nd deadline without having entered this giveaway. Just trust me on this.

Talk about sweet, here she is... the call her Bertie. I think the name suits her well. Doesn't she look solid and strong? She's powerful, dependable, and never lets you down. I would love to have her come live with me, in my humble little home, where I would put her to work several times a week... guaranteed!

To enter this giveaway visit Mayhem and Moxie, and follow the simple rules, which will give you multiple opportunities to drop your name into the hat.

This mixer is a step up (and then some) from the mixer I'm currently using. Mine has a lot of miles on it and while it still works fine, it's not large enough to handle some of the jobs I'd like to tackle. If I were to win this prize, I'd do a happy dance all over my front lawn and invite the entire cul-de-sac over for cake! lol That's right... Bertie would get broken in right away!

Alrighty then! Jump on over, read all about Bertie and get your name into the running. It could be very worth the small amount of effort you'll exert! Good luck my friends!

Win a Wilton 3 Dimensional Cupcake Cake Pan!

2010-03-26T18:17:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you've seen photos of this pan before, but do you own one? If not, enter to win at Mommy of Three!

She's given her readers a multitude of chances to win, but time is running short. I just found this giveaway today, but the deadline is March 29th, 2010 at 11:59 EST, so don't delay! Good luck! :)

Keep Your Cake Deocrating Peepers in Focus for Not a lot of Dough!

2010-03-25T13:56:00.000-05:00

I love to decorate cakes, but I'm very near-sighted. I don't have my exact prescription numbers for eyeglasses handy, but my contacts are a -9 in (right eye) and a -7.5 (left eye)... this basically means that without corrective lenses I'm blind! lol

I haven't been able to afford a new pair of eyeglasses for a number of years now and my current pair of eyeglasses are only suitable for wearing at home... my doctor made me promise not to wear them while driving or operating any type of machinery! lol Why? I couldn't afford the non-glare coating. At the time it was some $75 to add it to the cost of my lenses and I just couldn't swing it, so if my contacts are our of stock, I have to stay home! The glare I get with my particular prescription eyeglasses, especially on a sunny day provides too much distortion and distraction to be safely or comfortably worn outside the house.

If I'd known about Zenni, I could have had my cake and ate it too... I'd have enjoyed a nice pair of frames and lenses for a fraction of what I paid my local optomotrist and would have had money to spare for the non-glare feature. I finally found affordable eyeglasses and will no longer be stressing about how to pay for eyeglasses.

Truth is 3 out of the 4 members of my family wear eyeglasses and/or contacts and one of those members is an 8 year old boy who has a tendency to break his frames. We've had to have his only pair of glasses repaired by a local jeweler twice in the last 6 months. What has that set us back? $35 a pop! Nice huh? With Zenni I could have had a backup pair. What did we do though? We bought him titanium frames thinking they'd be the best frames to get an active boy, not realizing they might actually be the worst. lol There are very few jewelers equipped with a laser that will weld titanium. We won't be doing that again.

Although I haven't yet tried Zenni personally, I do believe they're just as good as they claim based on an independent review recently posted by Examiner.com. They gave this online manufacturer a trial run and were happy with the end result.Check out their review for yourself!

Zenni sells direct to the customer, which is the only way they can sell a complete pair of eyeglasses to the consumer for as low as $8... usually no more than $40 total. If you want anti-glare, which I wish I had been able to afford way back when, you'll only pay an additional $4.95. Shipping is also just $4.95 regardless of how many pairs of eyeglasses you order! Not too shabby!

Let me know what you think of this online eyeglasses retailer! I'd say it's quite a find!

Happy Easter! A Bunny and His Cupcake to Make You Smile!

2010-03-25T13:32:00.000-05:00

Not a real bunny mind you, because after all we wouldn't want to give a real bunny a sugary cupcake. lol

Video Tutorial for Fondant/Gumpaste Baby!

2010-02-09T22:16:00.001-05:00

I found this on YouTube and thought it was the cutest thing and wanted to share it with my readers (note there's no sound, but instructions with photos are all you need anyway!).

Isn't that the sweetest little thing?

Test: The interior defense dines under the sabotage.

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