Some Sweet Treats for the 4th

With Independence Day just around the corner, I wanted to share a few easy desserts that you can bring to any get togethers you're invited to over the holiday weekend.  They come from Annabel Karmel, who wrote one of my favorite children's cookbooks 100 Finger Foods (I'll be posting more about it in July), and while her recipes may be simple, they'll make a stylish statement for your guests.  Honestly, how yummy do these look?

And you can make them in no time.  

RED, WHITE & BLUEBERRY SUNDAES 

To make 4 large glasses, you'll need:

6 large strawberries, hulled and quartered
One 3-ounce package cranberry-raspberry gelatin dessert (or another red flavor)
1 cup of heavy cream
2 meringue nests
1 cup blueberries
Decoration
Mini flags

1.  Divide the strawberries among four glasses. Prepare the gelatin according to the package instructions and pour over the strawberries. Place in the fridge until set.

2.  Whip the cream.

3.  Break the meringues into pieces and stir into the whipped cream.

4.  When the gelatin is set, divide the cream among the four glasses.

5.  Spoon a layer of blueberries on top and decorate with the U.S. flags.

That's it!  You can even make the gelatin in advance and finish off with the whipped cream, meringue, and fresh berries right before serving. 

Here's another fun patriotic treat.

STARS & STRIPES MINI CUPCAKES

To make three dozen cupcakes (it takes 30 for the flag), you'll need:

1 stick unsalted butter or ½ cup soft margarine
½ cup superfine sugar
1 cup self-rising flour
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the glace icing:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Blue and red food coloring

To decorate:
Mini white sugar stars or piped white icing stars

1.  Preheat the oven to 350˚F.

2.  Put all the cupcake ingredients into a bowl or food processor and beat together until smooth.

3.  Line a mini muffin pan with paper liners and fill each liner about two-thirds full with batter.

4.  Bake 10 to 12 minutes until well risen and the cakes spring back when you press them with your fingertips.

5.  To make the icing, mix the sugar with 3 ½ to 4 tablespoons warm water until you have a good spreadable consistency – it should not be runny. You may need to add a little extra water.

6.  Remove 1 ½ tablespoons of the icing and color it blue.

7.  Remove two-thirds of the remaining icing and color it red.

8.  Ice six of the cupcakes blue, fifteen of the cupcakes red, and nine of the cupcakes white.

9.  Stick white sugar stars on the blue-iced cupcakes and arrange the mini cupcakes in the design of the American flag.

You can make this with the vanilla cupcake mixture outlined above or leave out the vanilla & stir in 2 tablespoons of Dutch-process cocoa powder, ½ cup chocolate chips & the grated zest of ½ orange & have delicious chocolate-orange cupcakes.

You can find more delicious and totally doable recipes like these in Annabel Karmel's book Complete Party Planner.  And if you make one of these desserts for your 4th of July bash, be sure to send us pictures so we can feature you on AFOMFT!

Images: Annabel Karmel

AND THE WINNER IS....

Congratulations MARCIE!  You've won a customized invitation or announcement design from Anders Ruff!  I'm pretty sure you're planning a luau party for your triplets' first birthday so this would be the perfect way to invite all your guests to their party.

Please e-mail me at afomft@gmail.com by end of day Friday, July 2nd to claim your prize. If I do not hear from you by then, a new winner will be chosen.  And a huge thank you to Anders Ruff for this fabulous giveaway!

YOU TAKEOVER TUESDAY: What a Doll! {DISCOUNT}

Today's YOU TAKEOVER TUESDAY question comes from Emily in Roseau, Minnesota.  Take it away, Emily!

Dear AFOMFT, I have two girls, ages four and five, who love to play together but lately I've been feeling like all of their toys do the work for them, if that makes any sense.  They're all battery operated with flashing lights and lots of noise so there's no room for imaginative play.  The girls do play with their baby dolls and their kitchen but they get bored after a while.  I wish they had more "old-fashioned" toys to inspire them a little more.  Any ideas?

Such a great question!  Off the top of my head, felt food and tea sets immediately jump out at me but my guess is you've probably already thought of those.  So I'm going to share something very special that I've had bookmarked on my computer for some time now, waiting for the day that Gabrielle and Alaina will be old enough to play with them - Mini Me Paper Dolls from Lily & Thistle.

Created by Hannah, an artist and mother to three girls, MiniMe Paper Dolls can be customized to look like your daughter or you can let her design a new friend.  Choose the hair style.

Skin tone.

Hair and eye color.

And any other characteristics that make your little girl special.

Then Hannah will hand draw a MiniMe Doll to your specifications.  It will arrive on premium grade textured art paper with a name stand and one outfit.

How adorable is that?  You can also order additional clothes for your MiniMe, like the Fairy Tale package.

The Summer line:

Or my personal favorite, the Girls in Literature Line:

Lily & Thistle even offers an Outfit of the Month Club so your MiniMe will receive a new outfit every month for a year!

Wondering how the outfits stay on?  With the amazing "Sticky Strip," a reusable adhesive that attaches to each doll and helps keep their clothes secure.

If only they made that for Barbie and the Bratz dolls!  But I digress....

MiniMe Dolls also come with a set of four "About Me" pages for their "owners" to fill out and keep as mementos.

Talk about sparking imaginative play!

Imagine the fun your little ones will have dressing up their MiniMe Dolls and playing all sorts of make believe games with them.  Oh wait, are you picturing how rough four year olds can be on paper products?  Not to worry - Lily & Thistle has you covered.  You can buy MiniMe Dolls in a print-your-own option, which means you'll get an e-mail with all of the files, or you can order one to be sent you which will come with a CD of all of the files too.  Either way, you can print as many as you like.

Starting at just $6, MiniMe Dolls are play things your child will love now and cherish as a keepsake when she's older.  I know I still have the birth certificates from my Cabbage Patch Dolls.  Imagine having your own likeness in a paper doll to share with your own daughter some day?

Susanna, I hope you think Lily & Thistle MiniMe Paper Dolls are as wonderful as I do. I can't wrap up this post without sharing the background behind how Hannah chose the name for her business.  She strives to raise her three girls to be pure and authentically beautiful like a lily, strong and courageous like a thistle.  It's a beautiful sentiment and the ability to support mother-run shops like Lily & Thistle is what I love most about AFOMFT.

I also love giving my readers fabulous discounts and Hannah is helping me do just that.  When you order any one of Lily & Thistle's MiniMe Doll Packages (either the ultimate, standard or print-it-yourself), you'll receive a free Summer Line Outfit Pack!  Just enter AFOMFT at checkout to get your free gift. 

Images: Lily & Thistle

MULTIPLES MONDAY: Oh How They Grow! {GIVEAWAY & DISCOUNT}

I looked at Gabrielle and Alaina the other day and couldn't believe how big they've gotten.  All of a sudden, they don't look like babies anymore.  They're little girls.  When on Earth did that happen?  And how can I stop the clock?

Since there's no way to freeze time (yet!), the next best thing is to try to remember all of the little details.  Now that we have the ability to record every moment, that should be easy enough, right?  But it turns out there are a few things that can't be captured in a photo or video and stored away, and that's where the great products from Pearhead come in.  Like the Handprint Growth Chart.

In "the olden days," our parents marked our heights on the walls of our bedrooms or in the door jam.  But I know we won't be living in our place forever and I'd be devastated to leave those memories behind, so this sweet - and portable! - keepsake is the perfect solution.  

The Handprint Growth Chart comes with a fabric marker for marking your child's height, as well as a plate with a tube of white paint so you can include a hand print too.  That's double the memories in one place!  I was so excited when ours arrived in the mail, I couldn't wait to pull it out.

The cotton twill fabric is nice and thick and the design is just as adorable as in the photos on the website.

What I like most about the growth chart (and the reason I'm including it in MULTIPLES MONDAY) is that there's more than enough space on it to include both girls' heights and hand prints.  It will be fun to compare their progress through the years!

I was all set to measure Gabrielle and Alaina and attempt the hand prints this weekend, but the girls got sick.  Since the combination of cranky toddlers and paint is a recipe for disaster, we're going to give it a try later this week when they're feeling better and I'll post pictures once we're done.  

If you haven't visited the Pearhead site, you should hop over and take a look. Their simple, modern designs are really well-priced for the quality.  In fact, almost everything they sell is less than $30 so it's a wonderful source for unique baby gifts that won't break the bank.  I love the Modern Wall Frame, which comes with the supplies to make a hand or foot print.

The baby keepsake set makes a big statement for just $13.

Every dad will want to brag with a book like this.

This modern twist on the baby book is funky and fun.

A collage which chronicles baby's first year would make a fabulous addition to any nursery.

And I adore Pearhead's sweet frames.  From first smile:

To loving mommy:

All of the moments you'll want to remember are covered.  My personal favorite?  The perfect pair, of course!

Pearhead's products give me the perfect excuse for breaking out of my digital world and getting some of my favorite pictures off the computer and out on display.  And now with our new Handprint Growth Chart, when I ask myself "Were they really ever that small?" I'll be able to see firsthand!

And so will one of you.  Pearhead has generously offered to give away one Handprint Growth Chart to a lucky AFOMFT reader!  The winner will have the choice of pink or blue.  To enter, visit Pearhead and post a comment here telling me what product of theirs you like most besides the ones you've already seen here (this is mandatory).  For additional entries:

• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber
• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook -- http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN
• "Like" Pearhead on Facebook
• Ask your friends to "like" AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who "likes" our page and names will be cross-checked.  
• Follow Pearhead & AFOMFT on Twitter (@PearheadInc & @AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  #Win an adorable Handprint Growth Chart for your little one from @PearheadInc @AFOMFT - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - .  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends July 5tth at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on July 6th. If the winner doesn't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY HAS BEEN EXTENDED THROUGH WEDNESDAY, JULY 7TH. THE WINNER WILL BE DRAWN THAT NIGHT AT 11:59 PM EST AND ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY, JULY 8TH.

And that's not all!  Readers of AFOMFT can get 10% off all purchases at Pearhead by entering code MYFAVS at checkout through July 25th.  Happy shopping!

Please note that Pearhead sent me one Handprint Growth Chart for the purpose of this review.  The opinions I've shared of their products are my own.

Images: AFOMFT & Pearhead

FABULOUS FOR MOM FRIDAY: $50 To Use Any Way You Choose {GIVEAWAY}

This is embarrassing to admit but I have a crush.  And no, it's not on someone who'll get me into trouble with my husband.  It's actually on a digital cutting tool which kind of makes my adoration that much more embarrassing.  But I dare you to take a look at this wonderful piece of machinery and not fall head over heels in love.

You heard that, right?  The "AHHHHHH" that sounds like a chorus of angels singing when you look at it?  No?  Well, let me tell you more about it and maybe you'll see the light.

The Silhouette hooks up to your computer and cuts words, shapes and more from a variety of materials so you can make all sorts of fabulous things.  Like glass etching:

Vinyl wall decals:

And heat transfers you can use on clothes:

Or home goods:

Oh, the projects I'd take on with a Silhouette machine!  For now, this is an unrequited love but I'm hoping to make the Silhouette mine very very soon.

Since I obviously know the pain of a one-sided crush quite well, AFOMFT and our fabulous sponsors Lil' LJ and CozyToes by Kathy Dee are going to help one of you turn your dream into a reality with a $50 American Express Gift Card!  That's right - one lucky AFOMFT reader will win $50 to spend on anything she chooses. 

So what will it be?  A fun top?  A cute bag?  Some new makeup? Leave a comment on this post telling me about exactly what you're crushing on right now (include a link if you can!) and you'll be entered to win a $50 American Express gift card to put toward it (this is mandatory).  For additional entries:

• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber
• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook -- http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN
• "Like" Lil' LJ on Facebook
• Visit CozyToes by Kathy Dee and make the store a favorite.
• Follow AFOMFT on Twitter (@AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  #Win a $50 Amex gift card to buy whatever you want @AFOMFT - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - .  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends July 9th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on July 12th. If the winner doesn't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

And if you're looking for something fun for your little one or a wonderful gift, be sure to visit Lil' LJ and CozyToes by Kathy Dee.  Lil' LJ just added this adorable new "S is for Sarah" design to the shop that you can have personalized with the letter of your choice:

And CozyToes are without a doubt the cutest baby shoes around!

A big thanks to these wonderful sponsors for making fabulous giveaways like these possible.





Images: Lil' LJ & Silhouette

Who Wants $50 Bucks? {GIVEAWAY}

The folks over at CSN Stores offered me a $50 credit to their store that I could use one of two ways - either for myself where I'd post a review of the product I selected, or as a giveaway to AFOMFT readers.  Call me crazy, but I chose to give it to one of you!  Yup, that's how much I love you guys.

CSN Stores is made up of more than 200 different sites that sell everything from dining room furniture and home goods to toys and handbags.  And I'll be honest - after browsing their stores, there were so many fabulous things that I wanted for myself that it was really hard for me to give up that credit.  But then I thought of you, dear readers, and tried to be strong.  Or something like that....

So what did I have my eye on?  I love kitchen goodies so this Le Creuset 10-Quart Roaster was high on my list.

And it's on sale from $112 to $49 so it would have been free.  Free!

Every time I watch Rachael Ray (which I admit is almost daily), I lust after her "Bubble and Brown" cookware.  At CSN Stores, her two-piece Stoneware set is just $35. 

Buy these and you've still got another $15 to spend on something else!
I'm always a sucker for pretty bedding and the Lawrence Home Fashions Notte set would look lovely in our bedroom.

And we've got a few trips planned this summer, so a pretty carry on like the Amy Butler Graceful Traveler would come in very very handy.

But enough about things for me.  When I clicked over to the babies and kids stuff, I saw the Kidcraft Personalized Sling Bookshelf which would be a welcome addition to our living room.

Then I found the Banzoongi Kids Learning Cottage Play Tent :

Gabrielle and Alaina would go nuts for that!  And at just $55 with free shipping, it would only cost $5 after the credit. Who could turn that down?!

The truth is that after finding so many fun options for the $50 CSN Stores credit, I realized that I'd never be able to choose what I wanted so my loss is your gain!  Think you can decide on one thing to put it toward???

Then show me what it is!  To enter to win the $50 CSN Stores credit, visit any of their 200+ websites and post a comment here telling me what item or items you'll put the credit toward if you win along with a link to it (this is mandatory).  PLEASE NOTE: The $50 credit CANNOT be put toward shipping costs but it can be applied to a more expensive item if you'd like to pay the difference.  For additional entries:

• Subscribe to AFOMFT or let us know you are a subscriber
• "Like" AFOMFT on Facebook -- http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN
• "Like" CSN Stores on Facebook
• Ask your friends to "like" AFOMFT on Facebook by sending them this link - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFTFBFAN - and post a comment here with the names of each one who does.  You'll earn one entry per new friend who "likes" our page and names will be cross-checked.
• Follow CSN Stores & AFOMFT on Twitter (@csnstores & @AFOMFT or click the birdie icon on the sidebar) and tweet this post by clicking the graphic above or this giveaway:  #Win a $50 credit to one of @csnstores 200+ stores @AFOMFT - http://tinyurl.com/AFOMFT
• Click here to vote for AFOMFT on Top Baby Blogs and post a comment here that you did - .  You can vote once per day per computer so if you vote every day or on different computers, be sure to post one comment for each one.
• Grab our button and put it on your blog or website and post a link here showing us.
• Blog or post on Facebook about this giveaway with a link to this post (worth 2 entries so please post two comments) and make sure your comments include a link to your status or blog post.

Please leave a separate comment for each entry (two if you've blogged about the giveaway) and make sure to include a link to your tweet, blog post, etc. All entries must be posted on AFOMFT as a direct comment to this post.  Comments on Facebook will not count as entries.  This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and ends June 30th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be selected by random.org and announced on AFOMFT on July 1st. If the winner doesn't contact AFOMFT within 48 hours, a new drawing will be held so be sure to check back to see if you've won!

Images: CSN Stores