Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Studio 5 Teaser!

Can't wait for Thursday ... busy cooking and crafting away ... here is a little teaser just for your curiosity!
Be sure to watch Studio 5, channel 5, at 11:00 am!
Segment will be posted later that afternoon for those of you that don't live in Utah!

Friday, February 24, 2012

Party Details & Coupon Codes!

I have been meaning to post for a few days and have let life take it's course. There was so much that went into the Man Cave Party segment that I thought I would share the details. Listed are pictures, recipes, and tips! Please let me know what you like! I am doing another milestone birthday segment on March 1 and would love your feedback!

Did you love the outfit? www.wearpanache.com (Season Boutique store) dressed me! I loved my outfit and if you did too, there is a coupon available for you! Just visit their website and use the 
code “MANDY” at checkout and you’ll receive 20% off your order through March 3, 2012!

I mentioned in my earlier post how www.shopsweetlulu.com provided some of the supplies for this segment. They even provided a discount code for my blog readers, and I failed to get it on my previous post! Be sure to visit www.shopsweetlulu.com and enter the 
discount code 'change' to offer 10% off the order for my readers
Here are just a few of their products to show:
First, who doesn't just love those stripe straws. I had them on my table to use as just straws, but couldn't help use them as food stands to display what each food item was! All I did was took a can lid from your average soup can. Put a little hot glue dot in the middle, and stuck the straw right on. Then attached my little nameplate (stampin up! die cut of course)! Thought they turned out extra cute!
Next was those darling Chevron Chip Bags. They are used for party favor bags, but I just cut off a little off the top and used them for chips. DISCLAIMER, if you use chips in them, be sure to put them in right before serving. The oils did seep through a little.

Last was those cute long candles! I thought they were super unique from the ones you find in the grocery store! Be sure to check out the segment on March 1 to see even more awesome products from Shop Sweet Lulu, and don't forget to use your coupon code for 10% off your order!
While we are displaying that cake, I just have to give another shout out to DIPPIDEE who was so kind to custom make this cake for the segment. The look was AMAZING, but the taste of the cake was what I couldn't get over! It was a Chocolate cake with cream cheese filling and it really did CHANGE MY LIFE! If anything, I don't think any bakery can beat the taste of Dippidee's cakes!
Be sure to look for the next cake on my next segment! I can't wait to see it!
Did you love the "Chevron inspired" balloon dart game?
Thanks to Pioneer Party who not only provided the awesome balloons for the game, but the cute displays to each side! Believe it or not, Dart's are not the easiest thing to find ... and you can find them at Pioneer Party! They ordered them in especially for me! (SO SWEET btw)

When putting together your balloon wall, I used a cork board that I wrapped in linen cloth. It made it really easy to use a push pin to put each balloon on. It really was much easier than I anticipated. I blew up the balloons the night before, put them in black garbage sacks, and easily recreated it in the Studio!
If you think these balloons are amazing, Just wait until March 1 to see what Pioneer Party has in store!

Decorations
Do you see that "40" sign right below the balloons. SO simple to make. Just did a little newspaper wreath and hot glued the pieces behind the yellow circle. The "40" I cut out with my silhouette.

The newspaper Banner I cut out of newspaper (tried to keep just the words on the paper rather than pictures) and cut out the letters with my silhouette. The rope wasn't my favorite, but it is that nylon rope that any guy would find in his garage!

The lights I wanted to string across the studio, but because of space, & expense, I just wrapped them around the table. I think they turned out pretty fun, don't you?

The table I wrapped with black butcher paper, then put some metal fencing around. I think it gave it an extra masculine touch!

As I mentioned earlier, I made the little food signs and even put the utensils in tin cans and wrapped them with the same labels. 

Last, but the most important part is the FOOD!
The 7 Layer dip I put into little mason jars. My sister helped me make them since I was so slammed the night before. She found if you put the beans, sour cream, and guac in baggies and piped them into the jars, it made it much easier to get the look you're going for. You also don't need as much as you think you do of each layer. 
I am not really a drinker, (Okay so I haven't even drank alcohol, nor do I wish to) so I thought the IBC rootbeer and cream soda were the perfect look for any man. Tags printed and cut with a circle punch. Backed on Orange Cardstock.
 These were by far the easiest things to make, the most tasty for sweet and savory, and SO stinking cute! Got the idea for these here.
Put White chocolate chips in a baggie and melt in the microwave in 30 second increments until they melt. Cut a small corner off baggie, and pipe onto wax paper. Only pipe 5 at a time. Break a rod pretzel in half, and stick a yellow M&M on top. SO easy!!
 These Oreo parfaits were SO tasty and super easy. I got the little shot glasses at Party Land in Lehi. Made a chocolate cake mix, and put in crushed oreos to the dough. Put the dough into mini muffin tins. When cupcakes are done, let them cool and cut them in half. Put the lowest portion in the bottom of the cup, put in some chocolate pudding (jello cook & serve) Pipe the pudding in a baggie too! Can you tell I am into my baggies for piping? And follow the pudding with a mini oreo w/o the filling. A little  whipping cream (CAUTION be sure to pipe REAL whipping cream. I used the cans and they melted as you can see!) follow whipping cream by the rest of the cupcake, pudding, another oreo, and whipping cream. Cut more of those cute straws into 3rds and put them in cups. Top with another mini oreo! SO easy! 
 Mini Pigs in a blanket. Hillshire farms mini sausages and refrigerator crescent roll dough. EASY! Mustaches cut out on my silhouette and hot glued onto a toothpick, even EASIER!
 Sliders. I just got rolls from the bakery at Walmart, and the easy Lloyds' BBQ already cooked pork. EASY!!
 Who doesn't love wings? These are just from Walmart, but if this was a real party, I would get mine at Wingers!

WHEW! Lots and LOTS of details! 
Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did designing it! I can't wait for March 1st to show you one more milestone party idea! Be sure to check back!

PLEASE EMAIL ME if you have questions, and comments are always appreciated!




Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Studio 5 meets Man Cave “Milestone” Birthday



Preparing for my Studio 5 segment today has been a big work in progress. When preparing for a segment, there is a lot that goes into it! Weeks of preparation, contacting people with the perfect supplies, and giving that segment the magical touch! I wanted to give my readers, and Studio 5 viewers a chance to get a great look into some the things that made this segment so exciting!

First, How did you like my outfit?? Whenever I go on Studio 5 I want to look my best, and I have now learned that I can find everything I need at a store called Seasons Boutique! (located at 10489 South State Street in Sandy, Utah) What is even more exciting is that they have officially opened their online store called Panache! www.wearpanache.com
Panche is an online experience that changes the way boutique shopping can be done! They believe shopping should be fun, not stressful or rushed.  There are SO many options that are not only different from anything you’ll find anywhere else, but they stand by their quality, & affordable fashion for women. You can find all their cloths at their store in Sandy, or online! I love that option!!
If you loved my outfit, here are the links for the cute ruffle cardigan
And for those darling teal skinny jeans (SO extremely comfortable!)
Not to mention the most comfy off-white tee underneath
And the necklace can be purchased in their Sandy Store!
Panche is also one of my newest sponsors on my blog and is offering a special to all of my readers. Just use the code “MANDY” at checkout and you’ll receive 20% off your order through March 3, 2012!
Okay, now back to the segment! You might have noticed that I have some great companies now sponsoring my blog! All of them had a big part in making my segment today a success!

First, is Dippidee! Dippidee is my favorite local bakery, located at 476 North 900 West in American Fork, Utah. Dippidee is well known for it's delicious cake flavors. Their store currently offers 28 different flavors on a regular basis. If you can think of a flavor, they most likely make it. I had them custom design the cake for my segment today, and I am so thrilled with how it turned out! Not only is it amazing to look at, but the taste you can’t find anywhere else!!

Second is an online source I actually found through Pinterest! They are called www.shopsweetlulu.com. This is the place for striped straws, darling birthday candles, and those amazingly cute chevron bags I put the chips in. I was really impressed with the selection this online store had. I didn’t have to rush around town trying to find all the supplies I needed for my segment! I found them all here!

Third is Pioneer Party located at 154 West Main in Lehi, UT. Pioneer Party supplied all the balloons for my segment today and even ordered in those little darts for the balloon game!! Pioneer Party is my favorite party store in Northern Utah County. Not only do they have an awesome selection of unique candy and party treasures!

Oh, and just for a mention for the great idea, thank you to Ordinary Miracles and the crazy 9 blog … they are the ones that inspired the cute “Grand Slam” idea! http://nancyvnjourney.blogspot.com/2011/07/family-faves-bacon-eggs.html

I have lots of other great details to share with you, but you just might have to check back again in the next few days! 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A Happy Valentines Day

I have to admit. I was expecting today to be terrible. It was the second year that Adam has had class on Valentines Day ... and although we went on a great date this last weekend to celebrate, I really was expecting my day to be like this:
{I have to admit Adam and I totally laughed when we took this picture}

But Adam really pulled out the stops today.

** DISCLAIMER ** Anyone who has ever known me has known that 20 out of the 31 Valentines days I have celebrated in my life have been TERRIBLE! So this is not a post to brag, or make anyone feel terrible ... it is only to say that I am grateful to have had a great day this year, and that is it :)

Adam went to Nordstrom Rack, picked out a shirt combo all on his own and gave it to me this morning. Then me and the boys decided to go have lunch with him in Salt Lake at Cafe Rio. For dinner my sister invited us over for a homemade pizza heart dinner with her family, and upon getting home was two dozen roses on my door step.

Today I realize that Valentines is more than romantic love. {Even though I have to admit, Adam really was super romantic without even being here} ... but I had a lot of time to realize that I have a lot of people that love me. I have two little boys who love me, and can't live without me. I have sisters, parents, and friends who care and love me. And most importantly I have a Father in Heaven who loves me.

Those realizations {okay and Adam too} Made this one of the best Valentines Days I have ever had. I hope you had something make you smile today too!

*** NOTE - Working on a great segment for Studio 5. Can't wait to post about it next Tuesday!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Enchilada's That Changed my life

I bet you didn't think that enchiladas could be life changing! But I can guarantee if you try these babies, you will be licking you lips for hours. Here is the recipe, then a few pointers below!
(not actual picture of this recipe ... but looks very similar to this!)

Chili Verde Chicken & Cheese Enchiladas
1 small red onion, halved
1 1/2 pounds tomatillos, husked, rinsed, & cut into fourths
1 to 2 serrano chile peppers, stemmed and seeded (optional)
1/2 C chicken broth
1/2 tsp Salt
Pinch of sugar
8 Corn tortillas (I prefer small taco sized flour tortillas)
3 C shredded rotisserie chicken (Costco best flavor & price)
2 1/2 C shredded mozzarella and/or Monterey Jack cheese (I use both
1/3 C fresh cilantro (maybe more)
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing

1. Preheat the broiler.
2. Cut onion into cubes, & separate. Place tomatillos onions, & serranos chili's on a foil lined baking sheet. Spray cooking oil on top of vegetables and broil until vegetables are soft and slightly brown, turning as needed (7-10 minutes).
3. I choose to shred my chicken while vegetable are cooking, if you haven't already shredded chicken.

4. Transfer vegetables and any liquid to a blender, add the chicken broth, and sprinkle a little fresh cilantro in blender and puree. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and the sugar.
4. Meanwhile, stack the tortillas, wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave just until warm and soft, 1 minute; keep covered. 5. Spoon a portion of the chicken down the middle of each tortilla. Add a few cilantro leaves and a little cheese then roll up.
6. Place the enchiladas side by side in a lightly oiled 9 X13 inch baking dish and brush with the 2 Tbsp olive oil.
7. Broil until crisp and golden, 3 minutes.
8. Slice other half the onion into thin rings and set aside. Pour the tomatillo sauce over the enchiladas and top with the remaining 1/2 C shredded cheese, and a few sliced onion rings.
9. Return to the oven and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 3-5 minutes.
10. Garnish with any remaining cilantro, avocado, and salsa