Sunday, January 30, 2011

Giveaway: Kristen's Custom Creations Hand Stamped Jewelry

Are you ready for Valentine's Day? I love Valentine's Day maybe it is all the hearts, and everything pink and red! Would you like to win one of my pieces from my shop? One lucky winner will win one of the below items, that are just perfect for Valentine's Day!

To Enter: Tell me which hand stamped necklace below is your favorite and if you are the lucky winner that is the piece you will receive! See below for bonus entries!!!!!


The i love you more necklace is a new item that joins our many other i love you more pieces. A customer favorite, why not show that special someone that you actually love them more. You can view the entire i love you more collection HERE.


Why not create a conversation with the NEW Conversation Heart necklace, have it stamped as shown or pick a special name or word. To view other items all about love please click HERE.



Bonus Entries: {Please leave a separate comment for each bonus entry}

***** Become a Facebook Fan HERE. 2 bonus entries
******Follow my blog 2 bonus entries
******Tweet about this giveaway 2 bonus entries {can be done daily}
*****Facebook about this giveaway 5 bonus entries!!!


Special offer for blog friends: Please enjoy 14% off you entire order by enter
ing code HEART14 at check out, offer valid until 2/14/11. Happy Shopping!
La Dolce Vita
Contest open to US citizens only, winner will be randomly selected via randomorg. Please leave a valid email if your blog does not click back to you and if you do not check it often. Winner will have 48 hrs to respond otherwise a new winner will be chosen. Contest open until Feb. 9th 2011.



Friday, January 28, 2011

From scratch or a box?


When you bake do you do it from scratch or from a box?

I am about 50/50 when I make brownies or chocolate chip cookies I always use the Ghirardelli mixes but when I bake other things I do it from scratch. If you haven't tried the Ghirardelli mixes they are irresistible.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

You Capture: Happy


This Amaretto Bundt Cake made our entire family so H-A-P-P-Y!!! My sister-in-law made it a few weeks ago and so kindly shared the recipe. What really makes it is the Amaretto glaze.

Amaretto Bundt Cake

Cake batter:
1 package (18.25 ounce) yellow cake mix {I used one from Trader Joe's}
4 large eggs
1 (6 serving) package vanilla instant pudding
6 teaspoons amaretto
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Frosting:
1/2 cup amaretto
2 cups powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Combine cake mix, eggs, pudding, water, oil, almond extract and 6 teaspoons amaretto;blend together well. Pour batter into prepared pan.
3. Bake for 40-50 min.

4, While cake is cooking prepare the Amaretto icing: Sift powdered sugar and remaining 1/2 cup Amaretto and blend until smooth with a hand mixer.

5. Remove cake and leave it in the pan, while it is still hot poke holes in the bottom and pour the amaretto icing over the bottom of cake. {I used a straw and put several holes around the cake and it soaked in perfectly.} Let cool for at least two hours before removing from pan.

Enjoy!

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Tidy Mom I'm Lovin It Fridays

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Fun with shaving cream and it is wicked cheap fun!

A can of cheap shaving cream and the fun begins.......


First squirt a bit out....

then a bit more.....

see how it feels in your hands....

and then go crazy!!

Playing with Shaving Cream is a fun sensory activity I think most kids will really enjoy. It is so cheap, this can was $1.42 and believe it or not we still have more left. I gave Will a large pan and the can of shaving cream and told him to squirt away! Will had so much fun squishing it between his fingers and making the biggest mountain he could make. Such a fun activity, I warn you it is a bit messy, but so worth the mess it is easy to clean up.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

New in the shop just in time for Valentine's Day

The Hugs and Kisses necklace, simple and petite.

The conversation heart loved necklace, have it stamped as shown or have it customized! I love the simplicity of this piece.

A new version of the i love you more, a customer favorite.

You can find all items in my shop or by clicking on the images it will take you directly to the item.


La Dolce Vita

Friday, January 21, 2011

My new favorite dry skin busters...


I am a self proclaimed product junkie and like to try new things. I have used Dove products before but didn't enjoy them as much as I enjoy these new finds. I think I may be in love with the Dove Cream Oil shower wash and body lotion. The body lotion has shea butter and both the shower wash and lotions smell so yummy! They certainly soothe my dry skin.

Do you have a dry skin buster that you can't live without?

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

You Capture: Circles



We have had this You Are Special Red Plate for many years hanging out in our china cabinet and I am not sure what we are saving it for. I pulled it out and explained to Will that it is to be used by a special guest or to celebrate a special occasion and Will declared that it is to be used every day by him. {At least the kid has confidence.} And this chocolate cupcake was so good it doesn't even need frosting, the entire batch is long gone!

One thing I know for sure is that we should be using this plate more often!


Photobucket

Heart Garland....



Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays because it is all about the pink and red. I created this heart garland with some card stock and scrap pink fabric it was so simple a kid could make it. I think the simplicity is what I love about it. All you need to do is cut out some hearts and string them together it is that simple!

Do you decorate for Valentine's Day?

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Someone likes Star Wars just a little bit....




Will happens to like Star Wars just a little bit....


and kitty likes it when the Star Wars bin is empty!

I wonder how long the Star Wars obsession will last?


Monday, January 17, 2011

New in the shop...


The Wish Upon A Star handstamped necklace is a 3/4 inch sterling silver disc that has been handstamped around the outer edge, given a hammered finish and includes the cutest little star. What are you wishing for?


My popular I love you more necklace is now available for the man in your life. The I love you more necklace is a 3/4 inch sterling disc that has been hand stamped around the outer edge and hangs on a masculine stainless steel ball chain.

You can find my entire collection in my shop Kristen's Custom Creations.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Review Hasbro Family Game Night 3


Hasbro Family Game Night 3 brings five classic board games to life on Wii. Accessed through an amusement park themed hub, gamers can choose from computer-enhanced versions of Clue, The Game of Life, Mouse Trap, Twister, and Yahtzee Hands Down. Games can be played following classic rules, or under a selection of variations. Players join in the games as their own custom-designed avatars. This game can be played by one single player or multiple so the entire family can join in. It really can be played by everyone but if your little one can't read you will need to help, my 5 year old played with me and really enjoyed it.

One thing I like about this game is being able to play traditional board games with just one player, since you can play against the computer when playing solo, with traditional board games you can't do this. I found the games to be just like the classic board games and the graphics are very nice. This isn't a fast paced game so expect it to move at the pace of many board games. My favorite game is Life, it has always been a favorite and I found this one quite entertaining my 5 year old also liked this game the best. You can find Family Game Night anywhere you typically purchase video games or HERE. and is available for around $35. So the next time you are planning a family game night why not consider Family Game Night 3. Happy Gaming!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

5 things that make winter a bit more bearable...

1. Heated car seats on high
2. Automatic car start
3. Warm fuzzy socks
4. Puffy coats
5. Hot cocoa with a lot of whip cream

What makes your winter a bit more bearable?

Monday, January 10, 2011

More Disney Vacation pics...







I always love when you first walk in the Magic Kingdom and see Cinderella's Castle, no matter how many times I have seen it I always enjoy it...something truly magical about it. Did you know you can spend the night in the castle check this out HERE.

Happy Monday friends! What is the weather like in your neck of the woods? It is freezing cold here.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

A special offer


A special offer for friends please enjoy 11% off anything in the SHOP by entering coupon code DOLCE11 offer valid until 1/15/2011. Maybe you want to pick something up for yourself or for a special someone. {offer not valid on prior purchases}

To shop please visit Kristen's Custom Creations HERE

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Vacation pics...


A few days after Christmas we took Will to Disney World, it was his first visit and we all had a lot of fun. We started the week in down jackets and finished the week swimming in the pool {well Will and his Dad swam I sat in the sun} I think I need a vacation from our vacation! Do you ever feel that way? I am still up to my ears in laundry and the Christmas tree is still up.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Even though it is cute....


Even though he is very cute under the Christmas tree,the tree must come down and the sooner the better. I love decorating for Christmas but can't get the decorations down soon enough. When do you take your tree down?