kiki creates

Some Green Reminders!

2012-03-07T12:00:00.001-08:00

There are just a few things I wanted to share with you today.

First off, you can find out what is in this gift with me over at Craftaholics Anonymous today..there is a fun free download and project to go with it.

Second, I just wanted to shout THANK YOU from the skies today. I just got over 1000 sales in my etsy shop. To say thank you, I am giving you a 40 % coupon code to use in my shop for 2 days only! Use code THANKYOU. Have I said thank you enough?! Really, I so appreciate all the business.:)

And third, I wanted to remind you of some fun St. Patty's projects on my blog to get you ready for the big green day this year.

There are the leprachaun paper dolls:

A quick way to add some green to your current picture decor:

A quick piece of fabric art:

Make a sweet rainbow with your kidlets:

Make them (or you!) some rainbow attire:

Make some toilet paper leprachauns:

Make a lucky bracelet:

AND make a little rainbow dessert!

Now that should definitely get you started!

Have a happy day.

4 qualities for a quality training partner {fitness}

2012-03-07T06:12:00.002-08:00

So, you’re a runner on the prowl for the perfect training partner? Seems pretty simple, right? While there are plenty of fish in the sea (or runners on the streets), there are several pitfalls you should avoid before delving into a full-blown running partnership. Chances are, these tips will save you a world of frustration, injury, or burnout.

The Flake: Have you ever come across those people who say “I want to start running” or “ I want to get into better shape”, but never seem to stay committed? When selecting a training partner, you want to nix those who are less motivated and committed than you. Reversely, don’t ask an Olympic bound runner to be your training partner if your goal is to simply complete a 5k. In a training partner, seek those with a similar commitment and ambition for running.

The turtle or the hare: While it’s sometimes beneficial to train with people on a vastly different level than you, it’s beneficial to find someone with roughly equal capabilities. However, based on your running personality, you can really benefit from training with someone slightly faster or slightly slower than you. If you’re the type to grind, grind, grind all the time, seek out someone slightly slower than you to keep your efforts in check. If you struggle to push yourself, train with someone slightly faster than you to keep you motivated to improve.

Negative Nancy: Negativity is really toxic. Running, in and of itself, is a mentally and physically taxing sport. If you have a negative Nancy adding to the stress, it’s a sure recipe for lame running experience. Conversely, if you train with someone who is positive and uplifting, it can exponentially amplify your running experience.

The Sprinter (Unless you’re a sprinter too): Choose someone who has similar goals and/or is training for a similar race. For example, if you’re training for a marathon, don’t try to train day-in and day-out with a sprinter, or someone with vastly different goals. Your paces, mileage, and mindset will be a lot different. While the occasional speed workout or long run with people of different events is okay, steer clear of a long term partnership.

The Competition Junkie: Competition is a healthy, fun way to grow as a runner, but if your training partner is constantly pushing the pace and/or racing you, it might be time to reconsider the partnership. Save the racing for races. If you and your running partner consistently run with your egos rather than your brains, your risk for burnout, injury, or chronic frustration dramatically increases.

Finding a quality training partner can be a tedious search. Remember to stay open-minded and to have a balanced approach to running. As I’ve mentioned throughout the post, it’s okay and probably beneficial for you to train with different types of runners, but when it comes to the long term, you have to do what’s best for your mind, body, and spirit! Over time, It is likely that partnership that is best for you will naturally emerge.

What experiences have you had with training partners?

Redline Running Company

Lemon, lemon, lemon! {recipes}

2012-03-06T03:00:00.002-08:00

I am trying to ward off winter by bringing out my citrus-y recipes! There is nothing like a yummy lemony dessert in the springtime. So today, I'd love to share with you some of the yummy lemon recipes I have been trying out recently. I hope you love them as much as I have!

These tasty treats won LDS Living's cookie contest, and for great reason! They are easy to make and taste phenomenal! I would take a few plates over to my neighbors, otherwise, I'd probably eat them all myself :)

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

½ cups butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1 whole egg
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoons baking powder
⅛ teaspoons baking soda
1-½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease light colored baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Whip in vanilla, egg, lemon zest, and juice. Scrape sides and mix again. Stir in all dry ingredients slowly until just combined, excluding the powdered sugar. Scrape sides of bowl and mix again briefly. Pour powdered sugar onto a large plate. Roll a heaping teaspoon of dough into a ball and roll in powdered sugar. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough.

Bake for 9-11 minutes or until bottoms begin to barely brown and cookies look matte {not melty or shiny}. Remove from oven and cool cookies about 3 minutes before transferring to cooling rack.

*If using a non-stick darker baking tray, reduce baking time by about 2 minutes.

From: Lauren Brennan; laurenslatest.com

So I have two lemon cheesecake bars on my "to try" list, and this one looked simpler and faster to make, so therefore, this is the one I decided to make this time around! I'll try the other one sometime soon and see which one really is better :)

Lemon Cheesecake Bars

1 box yellow cake mix

1/3 cup oil

2 eggs

8 oz cream cheese

1/3 c. sugar

1-2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Mix cake mix in a small bowl with oil and one egg until crumbly. Reserve 1/2-1 cup of cake mixture and put aside. Mash remaining mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes (this is better underdone!). While baking, mix together until smooth- cream cheese, sugar, remaining egg, and lemon juice (no matter how much lemon juice you put in, its not a huge flavor). As soon as the crust comes out of the oven, spread cream cheese mixture evenly on top and then crumble remaining cake mixture over this. Bake in 350 degree oven for 13 minutes. Cool and cut into bars (I like mine cold, so I keep it in the refrigerator)

From: Peachtree Cooking

This recipe recently caught my eye....I love Muddy Buddies, and this sounded like a fun twist. They are a great treat and you will be eating them by the handful! It's also a good one for the kids to help with, letting them shake up the bag with the powdered sugar. Little man loved it :)

Lemon Chex Mix
From: Chex

9 cups Rice Chex® cereal
1 1/4 cups white vanilla baking chips
1/4 cup butter or margarine
4 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 cups powdered sugar

Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.

In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chips, butter, lemon peel and juice uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.

Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; gently shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper or foil to cool. Store in airtight container.

Nothing like a good lemon bar. This one was a little different than some of the other recipes with the addition of some lime juice and lime zest. They were mighty tasty, and will be made again!

Lemon-Lime Delight Bars
From: Angel Shannon's Stick of Butter cookbook

2 sticks of butter (or margarine), softened
1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 c. flour
4 eggs, beaten
2 c. sugar
1/4 c. flour
4 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice and zest, to taste
Combine butter, powdered sugar, and flour...mix well. Press into a 9x13 pan and bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees.
Blend eggs, sugar, flour, juices, and zest together; pour into slightly cooled crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until set.

Chill and sprinkle with additional powdered sugar, if desired.

March Calendar

2012-03-05T09:04:00.000-08:00

Just popping in this morning to give you the March Calendar Download! Wow..can you believe it's been another month?! I was given an awesome suggestion by a reader to put 1,2,3 and 0 on the same pages so you only have to print those 2 twice. Smart, smart readers. Thanks for your help!

This month is all about green, white, black, gold and rainbows.

Grab those files right here!

Remember, free downloads are for people who "like" my facebook page only..takes just a second on my sidebar..thanks!

Have a happy day.

Baby To-Go Bags

2012-03-02T09:34:00.000-08:00

Do you go to a lot of baby showers? I can tell you that I make it to my fair share and am constantly looking for a practical, useful and sweet present that I could give over and over. I think I found it.:)
You all know that I just had baby #4. I would have loved to be given this gift for any of my showers, especially in the newborn stage when life is madness and to just get your kids all dressed and in the car is a miracle somedays, let alone remember to pack everything for the baby! I have been caught in a jam quite a few times unprepared, so this idea makes life so much easier!

Erin Lincoln at Procrastination Station came up with this idea in September of last year, and I kept in my "have to do" project list. I wanted to make this gift so that I could make it over and over again, though. Something that can be simple enough to just print out and sew and be done. So I introduce you to:

What are Baby To-Go Bags? The concept is simply a bag that the new mother can grab on her way out the door that has all the essentials in it ready to go. Each bag has a diaper, wipes, a onesie (in case of a needed outfit change), and hand sanitizer. As the baby grows you can add to it what he/she would need (food, bottle, toys, etc). There are four bags and they are numbered 1-4.

Each has a corresponding onesie that goes with it (the design on the onesie and on the bag match). As mommy goes through the bags, she knows as she gets to number 3 and 4, that she should refill the bags.

Aren't they so cute?! I found wipes and baby sanitizer in the dollar section at Wal-Mart in travel sizes..perfect for the bags.

I also added in baby growth cards to help mommy see the growth in her baby month to month.

I put it all together in a basket and added a few extra supplies to refill the bags underneath.

And added a card of congratulations. Simple and sweet.

So sweet, right?! Well, guess what?! You can make your own baby to-go bags now too! I am selling all of the files I used to make this gift in my shop. You can choose between a boy or girl designs and will recieve:

4-3 inch circle designs for onesies

4-rectanguler designs for bags

set of baby growth cards

baby to-go and baby growth card tags

congrats card

and the directions to put them all together.

The boy designs look like this:

The girl designs look like this:

These will normally each sell for $15 each. If you buy both the boy and girl designs, you will get them for a discounted rate of $25 (saving you $5).

Remember, each set of files also comes with a set of either boy or girl growth cards:

For one week only you can get the boy OR girl designs in pdf file format for $12 each OR you can get BOTH the boy and girl designs for $20. That is a $10 saving...and imagine just how many cute baby shower gifts you can make with them!

FIND THEM HERE!

So what do you think? Wouldn't this be a fun gift to recieve?!

Foiling Eyeshadow Technique

2012-03-01T03:00:00.001-08:00

"foiling" your eyeshadow is a really simple technique that allows you to get two colors from one eyeshadow. the foiling technique really concentrates your color so that it is more vibrant. i like to use the foiling technique with my shimmer shadows because they are less pigmented, and foiling helps make them more dramatic. here is a look i created using the foiling technique:

i used my BECCA cosmetic loose shimmer pigment and a fluffly eyeshadow brush.

run your brush under water for a brief second. using the lid of your shadow container, make a paste with the shadow.

here is what the shadow will look like before and after foiling:

for this makeup look, i foiled my shadow from the lash line to the crease. with a dry brush, i used the same shimmer powder and applied it over the entire eyelid, up to the brow bone:

for a more in depth tutorial, you can watch this video here:

xo,
kristie

free-Printables with Purpose- Strengthen

2012-02-28T22:29:00.002-08:00

On Sunday, I taught a lesson at church about supporting our family members. It got me thinking so much about my life. I love my family. My family now and those who got stuck with me from the beginning. Sometimes I don't show them just how much I do love them though. Sometimes I show my friends a better me than I show my family. I think I forget sometimes just how much they put up with me and it makes me reflect on what I can do more. On Monday, I also taught this lesson to my sweet little babies at our family night activity (we do this every Monday night). And we have come up with a fun activity that I will tell you about in a minute.

I love this quote by Marvin J. Ashton:

This quote by Dieter F. Uchtdorf I adore:

Sometimes I get caught up in quality vs. quantity, and truly think both are absolutely important when we talk about time with our family, but that quantity is SO important! How else will we KNOW our children..their concerns, their successes,etc. Being there is so important.

This scripture pinned exactly how the Lord feels about it:

There is no question when He says "all", right?! And so that is what our family is focusing on. Stregthening each other in ALL we do and say. We are having a fun time with these hearts. Each time we do something for someone in our family, a small heart is placed where it took place. I hope to see them plastered all over my home, and I know for one as this happens that those bonds between my sons and daughter and between us and them will be stronger than ever. Never in my life do I love and care for someone more than when I serve them.

These printables are free with the hope that you will put them in your home as a reminder of how important it is to support and strengthen those around you! Each of the prints is a 4x6 and I made up a whole sheet of hearts in case you want to see them placed all over your home as well.:)

To grab these files GO HERE.

I hope I am not alone in this.:) I'm off to use a few hearts myself.

Copycat recipes {recipes}

2012-02-28T03:00:00.001-08:00

Do you ever go to a restaurant and start eating something delicious and think "I know I can make this for a lot less money at home?" I do all the time! I always grab a takeout menu for restaurants we visit, which generally has the ingredients listed on them and I can try to re-create the recipe at home. As I try some of these recipes, I would LOVE to share them with you! Recipes like these are great to use when you are having people over for a meal and want to make an impression. Enjoy!

I love Outback Steakhouse. I get there once every year or so, and when I do I splurge on calories and always get this salad! It is amazing and unlike any other wedge salad I have ever had. The balsamic glaze is the key with this salad....don't skip it!
Outback Wedge Salad
For the Blue Cheese dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons sugar
6 ounces crumbled blue cheese

In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and buttermilk. Mix well.

Next, thoroughly mix in the remainder of the ingredients.

Afterwards, refrigerate the dressing for up to 24 hours before serving for best flavor.
For the salad

1 head iceberg lettuce, cut into 4 equal wedges
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved (blah, yuck...left these out :)
1/2 cup chopped red onion
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
6 ounces crumbled blue cheese
Black pepper to taste

First, you need to cook the balsamic vinegar into a glaze. Heat the balsamic vinegar in a saucepan on medium heat. Cook until reduced by half, then remove from heat and allow to cool.

Meanwhile, place the iceberg lettuce wedge on a serving dish. Then liberally pour blue cheese dressing over top of wedge. Next, top with halved tomatoes, chopped onion, crumbled blue cheese, and crumbled bacon.

Drizzle a little of the balsamic glaze on top of the wedge, and sprinkle with black pepper. Eat immediately or it will go soggy!
If you are new to eating wedge salads, there are 2 ways to go about eating them. You grab a steak knife and a fork and can cut off bite by bite OR I like to cut up the whole thing, mix all the ingredients together and eat it like that :)
From: Feature Dish

One of my favorite places to go for lunch is the Olive Garden. I think soup is the perfect lunch, and when I go there I can have a few different soups at one sitting, and they are always amazing. I have tried making 3 of their 4 soups, and we have loved the Zuppa Toscana and this chicken gnocchi soup. Gnocchi can be found in your pasta aisle at the store or in the frozen section.

*Don't judge this soup by my picture above! I took the pic the next day and the gnocchi must have soaked up a lot of the liquid. It still tasted amazing, though :)

Copycat Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup

1 cup chicken breasts, cooked and diced
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 quart half and half
1 can chicken broth
1 cup celery, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup carrots, finely shredded
1 onion, finely diced
1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin oil
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon parsley
Freshly grated parmesan cheese (when serving)
1 pound potato gnocchi

Sauté the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic in the butter and olive oil, over medium heat when the onion becomes translucent. Add the flour to make a roux. Let the butter and flour mixture cook for a minute before adding the half and half. Then add chicken. Once the mixture becomes thick add the chicken broth. Once the mixture thickens again, add the gnocchi, spinach, and seasonings, simmer until the gnocchi is cooked (maybe five to ten minutes). Top with parm and enjoy!

Recipe Source: Our Family Treat

What would go better with your Olive Garden soup than some breadsticks?! Instead of sharing another Olive Garden recipe with you, here's one from a pizza joint! These are by far our family's favorite breadsticks and go wonderfully alongside soups, salads, pasta, or homemade pizza. Enjoy.
Pizza Factory Breadsticks

1 1/2 c. warm (105-115 degrees) water
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. yeast
1/2 tsp. salt
3-4 1/2 c. flour

In a large bowl or mixer, combine water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes or until yeast is bubbly.

Add salt and stir. Add 1 1/2 c. flour and mix well. Gradually add more flour (usually between 3-4 cups, depending on your elevation and your humidity) until dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl and it barely sticks to your finger.

Spray a glass or metal bowl with cooking spray and place dough in the bowl. Cover and allow to rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in bulk.

Remove from bowl and place on a lightly-floured surface. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Roll into a rectangle and cut into 12 strips with a pizza cutter.
Roll out each piece of dough into a snake and then drape over your forefinger and twist the dough. Place on baking sheet and repeat with remaining 11 pieces of dough. Try to space them evenly, but it's okay if they're close; pulling apart hot bread is one of life's greatest pleasures!

Cover pan and allow dough to rise for another 30 minutes. When there's about 15 minutes to go, preheat your oven to 425. When done rising, bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Rub some butter on top of the breadsticks (just put a ziploc bag on your hand, grab some softened butter, and have at it) and sprinkle with garlic salt (the kind with parsley) and the powdery Parmesan cheese. Or you could sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar for a sweet treat (think soft pretzel!)
From: Our Best Bites

Whenever I go to P.F. Changs, I ALWAYS order their lettuce wraps...it has never even been an option to order anything else. About a year ago, my aunt took me there for lunch and was raving about their green beans, so I decided to branch out and give something else a try. They were great! The sauce listed below isn't quite as good as what I remember at the restaurant, but they were still absolutely fantastic!
Copycat P.F. Chang's Crispy Green Beans

vegetable oil for frying
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 pound fresh green beans, ends trimmed
1 cup whole buttermilk
1 recipe zesty dipping sauce (basically a jazzed up fry sauce)

In a large dutch oven, pour oil to a depth of 2 inches. Heat oil over medium-high heat to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl combine flour, cornmeal, salt, black pepper and red pepper. Dip green bean in buttermilk then dredge we beans in flour mixture to coat.

Fry beans in batches, until golden brown and crisp, approximately 3 to 5 minutes per batch. remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Serve warm with zesty dipping sauce or Asian sesame dressing.
Zesty Dipping Sauce

1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon garlic salt

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, worcestershire, pepper, and garlic salt. Whisking to blend. Store in refrigerator until ready to use.

*They were good, the Zesty Dipping Sauce was alright, I preferred Asian Sesame Dressing instead (I like Kraft or Kens brands).
From: Mommy's Kitchen

What are some of your favorite copycat recipes?

Britni
http://myrecipeboxx.blogspot.com/

Coconut Thumbprint Cookie with Salted Caramel {recipe}

2012-02-27T05:39:00.000-08:00

Last week, my oldest son started scouts. Having two sons right in a row often makes time for "It's not fair that he gets to.." so to make sure that didn't happen on scout night, my second boy and I made sure to have a treat for everyone when they got home. I called it his Scout lesson for the week! They turned out so great and are a great alternative to a chocolate cookie.

Coconut Thumbprint Cookies with Salted Caramel

Ingredients

3 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Table salt
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
12 ounces sweetened flaked coconut
44 small soft caramel candies (12 ounces), such as Kraft
6 tablespoons heavy cream
Large, flaky sea salt (I didn't have this, so I just omitted it! still super yummy.)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat together butter and sugar with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy, then beat in vanilla. With mixer on low, gradually add flour and 1/2 teaspoon table salt, and beat to combine. Press dough together in plastic wrap, then roll into 1 1/4-inch balls. Dip each ball in beaten egg, and roll in coconut. Place balls on parchment-lined baking sheets, and press an indentation into each with your thumb. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove sheets from oven, and re-press indentations. Bake cookies until golden, 9 to 10 minutes more. Let cool on wire racks. Repeat with remaining dough.
Place caramels and heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the caramels are melted and mixture is smooth, 4 to 6 minutes. Spoon into indentations in cookies, and sprinkle with sea salt. Rewarm caramel if it hardens before all cookies are filled.

source: Martha Stewart

Do you have a favorite, non-chocolate cookie?

A new wall of art

2012-02-24T03:00:00.014-08:00

I am so excited to show you this quick little project I have started and cannot wait to add to it!

Here is my wall of art:

I have a wall in my master bedroom..it's not too big, but was completely empty. So I decided to add a little love to it! Do you want to know my trick?

Simply buy some canvases at any store (Jo-Ann's and Michaels often have theirs on sale), spray your prints with spray adhesive, then spray your canvas with spray adhesive. Attach the print on your canvas and you have an automatic piece of hangable art!

Here is where you can find the prints:

1-You are my sunshine when skies are gray. 2 Live your life on purpose 3. dream big
4. i <3 you 5. Home is wherever I am with you 6. Choose Joy 7. i love us

2 of the pieces are new designs by me:

Something simple and fresh:

And something sweet and thoughtful:

My favorite part of this new print is the heart on the tree with the "me + you" and the tire swing. Isn't that so fun!

Do you have any walls that could use some love? Any favorite prints you want to put on there?

Change your Thoughts. Change your Body: 4 Ways to Improve Fitness with your Mind {fitness}

2012-02-23T06:58:00.001-08:00

Lately I’ve been deviating from the typical exercise and fitness advice I usually offer. But it’s for an important reason! This week, I want to address one of the single most important elements of not only a fit, clean body; but also a fit, clean life: your thoughts.

For some this may sound cliché, corny, or oversimplified; but your thoughts play the lead role in determining virtually every detail about you and your life. In a sense, they are the paintbrushes that create every stroke on your life canvas.

So, how can you practice the art of thinking to improve your fitness? Here are a few ways to brush off the dust on your dreams:

Choose your words carefully! Amplify the good feelings and minimize the negative feelings with the way you think about and describe things. Instead of saying or thinking “I had a good workout”, say “I had an earth-shattering, incredible workout”. Instead of saying “I had a horrendous workout”, say “I had a challenging workout”. By amplifying our positive experiences during and after exercise, we create more positive memories that will prompt us to want to do it again and again. Here are a few examples to get you started. Choose three positive and negative words that you usually associate with exercise, and practice super-boosting your vocab!

Good- Deeply Fulfilling

Great -Breathtaking

Fun-A blast!

Alright-Divine

Okay- Extraordinary

Nice-Beautiful

Awful-Hard won

Horrible-Challenging

Excruciating-Effortful

Freezing Cold and Terrible: Uncomfortable

I felt drained of all energy: A little tired

Cultivate Gratitude: I’m going to take a chance by saying that gratitude is the single most powerful mindset an individual can possess. A genuine, consistent attitude of thankfulness will, I repeat, will change your life. No matter how challenging a workout may seem; you have the power to shift your attitude, mood, and perspective with a mere glimmer or gratitude. Before and after workouts, spend a few minutes to reflect, pray, or draw awareness to the things you are grateful for. It can be as simple or detailed as you like.

Think about it: we are all experts when it comes to our misfortunes, why not become experts on our blessings? Here are a few areas to get you started:

Spouse, Family, and Friends

People from your past that influenced you

The body

The ability to stand, walk, exercise, run

The breath

Eyesight

Music

Your home

Transportation

Forgiveness

Literature

A means of income

Food

Think big: I recently watched a documentary called “The Secret”. While it offered many interesting points and concepts, one piece of advice that really struck a chord with me was this: make the universe your catalogue and, without inhibition, keep a list of everything your heart desires.

Every thought has a unique energy and frequency. By thinking confidently and optimistically about your goals and dreams, you generate more energy for them to come to life. It’s as if each thought is a breath, and the more breaths you devote to optimism and proactivity, the more your dreams begin to breathe and become alive.

The world’s greatest athletes, authors, thinkers, activists, influencers and entrepreneurs can attest to this concept. Like everyone else, they face a minefield of adversity, disbelief, and doubt. But at the end of the day, one thing prevails—their belief in themselves and/or their belief in a higher power. Don’t let anything or anyone—from the past, present, or future—to create your life’s destiny. Try this: create a list of fitness goals without holding back. Every day, think about your goals with the attitude of “I can”. Over time, pay attention to the feedback of your positive attitude.

Visualization: Many of the top sports psychologists spend a ton of time doing one mere thing with their athletes: visualizing success. Because your brain cannot effectively distinguish between reality and fantasy, you can reap tremendous benefits from visualizing positive, successful outcomes. Imagine your goal is to run a marathon. One way to bring this goal to life is by intensely visualizing every detail of the process and successful outcome. What will your training look like? What will you eat? How will you look and feel? What will you do on the weekends? How will you interact with others? What will you be wearing? Who will you be spending time with? What will the race feel like, look like, smell like? Once you’ve established your goals, visualize them often (once a day) in great detail and depth.

As a runner (or parent, spouse, employee, ect), what keeps you mentally strong?

Little Boot Socks {tutorial}

2012-02-22T03:00:00.007-08:00

The other day, Rebecca, from Simple As That put a link on her facebook page to Grace and Lace etsy shop. OH. MY. Are those not the cutest leg warmers and boot socks you have ever seen?! Totally inspired by these, I looked around to see what I had on hand to make my little Maizie her own boot socks.

Do you want to make some?

And that is what I call cute!

Linking to Whipperberry and these amazing parties.

St. Patricks Desserts. {recipe}

2012-02-21T03:00:00.002-08:00

Think GREEN!

Valentines Day has only just passed, but it is time to switch gears to the next holiday! I have been so excited going over potential breakfast/dinner/treat recipes for St. Patty's Day. There are about a zillion ideas in my head, and I've had a hard time narrowing the list down to only a few choices.

First off, I'd like to share with you a yummy copycat dessert from Wingers. I remember many nights in high school heading over to the restaurant to share a slice of this yummy stuff with a friend. It would be perfect to grace your table on St. Patty's Day, and is super simple to put together :)

Asphalt Pie

2 1/4 cups crushed Oreo cookies

4 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 gallon mint chocolate chip ice cream, softened

hot fudge

caramel sauce

Ready Whip whipped cream

Combine 2 cups of Oreos and the melted butter. Press down onto a 9 inch pie pan. Then add about 1/4 cup of hot fudge. Scoop ice cream onto the crust until pie is completely covered. Put in freezer for about 3-4 hours. Before serving top with reserved Oreos, caramel sauce and whip cream!

Recipe Source: Our Family Treat

Next off, a simple cookie that has some cute green swirls all through it. These cookies only take 4 ingredients....always a plus in my book. Your kids will love you if they have these waiting for them when they get home from school one day! They are delicious gooey out of the oven, or even the next day for breakfast (don't tell anyone ;)

Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

1 Devil's Food Cake Mix
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 package of Andes Mints

Mix cake mix, oil, and eggs together. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-9 minutes. Don't cook any longer than that! You don't want them to be overdone!
Take sheet out of oven and while the cookies are still very hot, place an Andes Mint on top of each cookie. In about 5 minutes, the mint will be melted. Take a spoon and smooth out each mint like frosting.

Recipe Source: Six SIsters Stuff

I'd love to hear your traditional GREEN eats!

britni

http://myrecipeboxx.blogspot.com/

(free) Printables with Purpose- Spring Notes

2012-02-20T07:14:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I have spring on my mind. This is the gorgeous time of the year, here in Vegas. We spend our afternoons outside and little Max sleeps it away in his rocker while his brothers and sister run all around him.

Lately I have had a few things on my mind. As I hustle to and from doing "things", sometimes at the end of the day I just feel empty from not doing things that are filling. Does that make sense? So many times during the day, when the air is quiet (which, believe me, doesn't happen too often!) I have these beautiful thoughts. "You should write this person..let them know how important they are to you", "Make sure you say thanks for...", etc. Well, I am happy to say that I have started taking action. Instead of just daydreaming what their response might be, I have taken the chance to write a few notes..a few long time coming ones. And it feels good to put on paper what I have been thinking and feeling.

So today, I am going to start a new series here that I am hoping to add to frequently. Today I am introducing "Printables with Purpose"! I hope that as you take the free printable and add it to your folder on your computer, that you will actually print them out and USE them! Take a few quiet moments and think of someone who could use a quick pick me up. AND THEN DO IT! I can attest to the happy feeling it will not only give you, but the person you are writing as well. I have some fun ideas to put into action this next few months, so be on a look out.

This time it will be a few springy notes that can be used for so many occasions:

For someone struggling with something or just looking for a sunny day amidst the gray clouds:

For that long awaited thank-you:

Hope you can find the perfect someones to send these to. Satisfaction guaranteed!

Pick up these free notes HERE.

Remember, free printables are for "likers" of Kiki Creates only..just takes a second on the sidebar..thanks!

Who will you give one to?

Spring inspired!

2012-02-17T04:37:00.000-08:00

Spring is up and coming in my house...

how about yours?

Spornette brush giveaway! {fashion}

2012-02-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

Spornette brushes have become my go-to hairbrushes. you might be thinking "big deal, it's just a hairbrush". i'll admit, i felt the same way until i started using my new brushes. i was amazed to see that not only did my hair style better, it was sleeker, smoother, had shine, and flat ironing or curling wasn't a must (previous due to the frizz from blowdrying). Spornette brushes give you that feel of having gone to the salon, without having to go to the salon. the best part is, their price point is affordable!

here is a video on how to volumize your hair. i'm using my favorite teasing brush, the Little Wonder by Spornette:

because i love these brushes i want to share them with you! one lucky reader can get their hands on the Farenheit 464 by Spornette. this brush is perfect for styling, doesn't allow bacteria, and the boar bristles also work well for backcombing.

To enter this giveaway:

1-Be a follower of Blushing Basics

2-Like Blushing Basics facebook page

(make sure you leave a comment for each item you complete!)

xo,
kristie

www.blushingbasics.com

The Harry Potter Birthday Party

2012-02-15T07:45:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick overview of the Harry Potter birthday party I threw a few weeks ago. Remember, I am not a professional party planner, but these ideas were great for the 8 year olds I threw it for.

The invite:

They were greeted at the front door with this:

And brought into the Great Hall, where some of the activities took place:

We started by choosing and decorating wands. I simply took dowels and drew some designs on the "handle" with a sharpie. They took markers and colored to made their wands unique! I wish I got a picture of the finished result..they were awesome.

I also printed Harry Potter glasses out (I can't find the link, but I will link up when I do find them!) and had each of them cut their own out..this was a great time saver for me...and it was fun for them. I then glued them onto a dowel..and we took pictures as a group for the thank you card that will go out.

Next, I told them while I was preparing to dip the chocolate frogs, the frogs all jumped out into the backyard. I put a freezing spell on them. Now they just needed to find them all..(all 80 of them!) This ended up being one of their favorite activities..There are a lot of rocks in my backyard and these frogs blended right in.

Potions class was next. We made Dragon Toothpaste and then a Wizard's Magic Rainbow. Both were really big hits.

Quidditch was next outside. We used chairs with hula hoops attached for the goals and balls of differing sizes for the different balls. We used a super bouncy ball for the snitch. This was great to get their energy out..and a fun way to do something physical.

It was then time for cake and presents..

And along with their wands, glasses and frogs, each person took home some sweet snitches (lemonheads)! Super simple and fun.

And that was it! It went so smoothly..(it helped that I had so many activities planned)..and the kids had a great time. Best of all, my son was happy with the end result, and for me..that is all that mattered!

Show a little love!

2012-02-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! I hope you have found plenty of fun ways to show your special someone you love them. If you are in need of a few cards and such, you can look on my sidebar and grab the freebies there!

Do you remember when I did this post a few weeks ago? Well, to celebrate Valentine's Day, Redline Running Company is showing their customers some LOVE! As long as they can get 325 "likes" on their facebook page, everyone will get a coupon for a $10 item of their choice from their gear line. It doesn't matter if you run or not, this line of gear is so great for working out in.

Simply go HERE to like their page. I'd love to see them get a lot MORE than 325. Are you with me? Head over and like them!

It's time for breakfast! {recipes}

2012-02-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

Sundays are my day to make breakfast. The other mornings of the week I am just too tired to even roll out of bed that early! There is something about having breakfast together on Sunday mornings before church that is just special.
So today, here are a few ideas for you to get your family around the table to share a yummy breakfast together :)

Say hello to my first attempt at a donut!

These took maybe 5 minutes...maybe. My husband and son gobbled them up quite quickly, they are that good. They are, however, not the best for you, so this may be a once a year or so treat for breakfast, but everyone will love them!
Super Easy Cinnamon Sugar Donuts

You need canned biscuits (anything BUT the flakey layer kind).

Melted butter in a shallow bowl(4 tbls per 8 biscuits give or take)

Sugar and Cinnamon in a shallow bowl. (Mixed together in your favorite proportions)

Veggie oil to fill your pan up to about 1/2in or so.

Heat up oil for a few minutes on medium heat.

While it is heating up, cut holes in the donuts with a cookie cutter or some other circular object.

When one side is golden brown, flip with tongs. When that side is golden remove from oil and place on a paper towel lined pan or plate.

When the donuts have cooled enough to handle...using your fingers dip one side in the melted butter, let the excess drip off, dip in cinnamon and sugar mixture. Get it nice and coated. Flip over and repeat for the other side.

Recipe Source: Little Bit Funky

I am a sucker for potatoes. I'll take them in any form I can get them! These are a great side to any of your breakfast favorites (pancakes, waffles, eggs benedict, etc.) They would also be amazing in a breakfast burrito with some eggs and cheese!
Basic Breakfast Potatoes
4 whole (to 5) Large Red Potatoes
1 whole Onion
1 Tablespoon Vegetable Or Canola Oil
1 Tablespoon Bacon Fat
Salt And Pepper, to taste
Red And Green Bell Peppers, Diced (optional)

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover entirely with water. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are fork tender. When they are ready, place the potatoes on a cutting board and dice them into 1-inch pieces.

Next cut up an onion into a large, rough dice.

In a large skillet heat oil and bacon fat over medium-low heat. Put the onions in the skillet and sauté until they start to turn brown. (You can also use red and green bell peppers diced up. If you do, throw them in at this point).
Next, throw in the diced potatoes. Stir well and then slightly press/pack then. Now you will cook them without stirring for several minutes. You want the pan to be hot enough to crisp the potatoes but not hot enough to char them. (Optional step: sprinkle a bit of flour over potatoes as they cook). Cook for several minutes and then flip them with a spatula. Salt and Pepper them as they cook. Cook until desired brownness.
Recipe Source: The Pioneer Woman

I love blueberries....like a LOT! I had a few that needed to be used up, and came across this recipe. I haven't made homemade muffins in a long time and they sounded excellent. These were GREAT! Quite possibly one of the better muffins I have ever made :)

Blueberry Muffins with Cinnamon Crumb Topping

Muffins:
1 1/2 C flour
3/4 C sugar
1/2 t salt
2 t baking powder
1/3 C canola oil (or vegetable)
1 egg
2/3 C milk
1 C fresh or frozen blueberries

Crumb Topping:
1/2 C white sugar
1/3 C flour
1/4 C butter, cubed
1 1/2 t ground cinnamon

1. In a medium sized bowl stir together the dry ingredients. In a small bowl whisk together the wet....then, let the two worlds collide, folks. Stir just until incorporated, don't over mix.

2. Add the blueberries and stir ever so carefully. You don't want that beautiful purple juice spreading all over into your batter. If it does, let's not cry about it okay? Let's just be happy about our lives. It is summer after all, and the world is a beautiful place. And we're making muffins. All good things, my friends.

3. To make the crumb topping choose your self out a small bowl and mix up the flour, sugar and cinnamon. Add the cubed, cold butter and smash it all around with a pastry blender or fork.

4. This is what you're looking for, nice crumbly crumbs.

5. Line your muffin tins with liners (or don't, if you don't have any....let's not cry if we don't, okay?) Fill the liners 3/4 of the way full, then sprinkle with the crumb topping.

6. Bake at 400 degrees for about 20-25 minutes.

From: Jamie Cooks It Up

So this isn't so much a recipe, more of a meal idea. I like the idea of switching up the normal ground beef, cheese, and lettuce taco every now and again. Why not throw in some of your favorite breakfast foods! Use your imagination and see what kind of yummy combos you can come up with! For these particular ones, we used:

hot sausage
chunky hashbrowns with pepper and onions
bacon crumbles
5 eggs
sour cream
taco sauce
shredded cheddar cheese
sour cream
soft taco shells (flour)

I cooked up the sausage in a frying pan, and when it was finished, removed it. Then cooked the hashbrowns in the sausage drippings, added the sausage back in, added some bacon crumbles, and cracked in 5 eggs and cooked until eggs were cooked through. We piled them on the tortillas and topped with our favorite stuff. Yummy :)

Britni
http://myrecipeboxx.blogspot.com/

Do have any breakfast traditions with your families?

Goal Time!

2012-02-13T05:48:00.000-08:00

Can you believe my little guy is 2 months old?! Time flies when you are busy and having fun.

As a follow up on my January goals:

I didn't do so well on the home side! ha. Though we did start a few new things with cleaning around the house with the kids that has been amazing. I did START exercising though. 1 for 3.

BUT, I made up for it on my Blog/shop goals. Did a bunch of downloads for Valentines day. check. (You can find the list on the sidebar) 3 new prints. check. (You can find them in my new shop). Baptism book? CHECK! I designed and had printed a fun and stylish book all for an LDS baptism! I have one in hand and they are BEAUTIFUL! Can't wait to show you all. I will do a whole post all about it and have it in the shop soon. 3 for 3. yay!

On to this month:

I know we are halfway through, but how do you like my follow up to my home goals!:) I don't know about you, but I am WAY better when it comes to cooking healthy when I make a menu. And for my shop goals. 3 new prints..excited for those..and that BABY BOOK. Luckily it is all designed and I will be using the same company that printed the baptism book for this one. Hoping to have a product in hand by the end of the month. (BTW, you can know that I have looked into and visited so many printers of all kinds for this book. We were so close to getting a huge order put in, but I didn't feel good having to charge everyone SO much money ...which is what would have had to be..so I set it down for awhile until I found something that was both affordable and quality!)

What is your February filled with?

You are the _ to my _ Valentine's cards! {Free Download}

2012-02-09T23:55:00.001-08:00

I hope you are as excited about this new little downloadable pack as I am! A few days ago, I asked everyone on facebook to answer this question: If you could tell your significant other one thing on Valentine's, what would it be? I got so many fun answers, but an early answer inspired this set! A sweet little "You are the Link to my Zelda" then turned my question into more "You are the_____ to my_____". I got so many great responses that I turned it into a fun set for Valentine's day!

I made a really fun banner with my set to hang over my bed on Valentine's day to let my hubby know just how special he is to me. Isn't it cute:

Within the set are a few cards to personalize and I loved this "You are my world" card and put it right in the middle!

I love how it turned out, but I can also see them hidden all over waiting for your other half to find! And, of course, it doesn't have to be Valentine's day to give them out..think anniversary or wedding present or just a fun way to show your love everyday! Can't wait to see what you do with them.

Today I will do something a little different. This will be my free Valentine's download for the week. If you feel like donating, you can click the button below to do so! My goal from the moment I started my shop and blog was to get fun and inspirational art in everyone's home...not just to those who could afford it! I have so enjoyed doing this through my free printables and keeping the prints in my shops low in cost. I hope you have enjoyed having them in your home! Obviously, in designing these free printables, it also takes time, so anything you want to donate would be completely appreciated! MOSTLY, I hope you know how much I appreciate you dropping by each day, leaving comments and pinning my projects! You really are the best!

To pin these cards, press here! (I love it when my projects are pinned!)

To donate, press the donate button. (I so appreciate it!)

To grab your files, GO HERE.

Have a happy weekend.:)

Linking to Whipperberry and these amazing parties.

Follow-up Covergirl Review {Makeup}

2012-02-09T06:06:00.000-08:00

a few weeks back i received these products and reviewed the mascara and the lipstick for you. both products were great and i would recommend them. i put off my review of the foundations until i could give them some proper time to decide if i could really recommend them based on their performance.

COVERGIRL and Olay have teamed up to create a makeup with anti-aging properties. the idea is that you are treating your skin and applying your makeup, all in one step. as with any woman, my time is precious when it comes to getting ready in the mornings. if there is a time saving step, i am ALL OVER it. i gave myself a good month with this product to see if i could notice any difference in the health of my skin. i am here to report that while my skin seemed well moisturized, i didn't notice any other effects.

as a foundation, i would recommend it. i am completely and utterly in love with my Make Up For Ever HD foundation, but at $40 a bottle (yikes!) it can get a little spendy.

one of my favorite makeup tricks is to invest in a lower cost foundation that works well, and to use that on a daily basis for my casual, errand filled days. i want to look good, but i don't need the mega coverage of the MUFE foundation, as well as the cost. COVERGIRL is a good solution to that problem. it is a foundation that works fairly well, stays put, and allows me to stretch my liquid gold foundation for special occasions, date nights, working with clients, etc.

so if you are in the market for a reasonably priced foundation ($12 a bottle) this would be a good one to try.

xo,
kristie

Going through old buckets..a fun makeover.

2012-02-08T03:00:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I did a guest post, but never just shared this project. I thought I'd post it for something fun today..to get us excited about spring!:)

One of my very favorite things to do is to turn something that has not been used in a very long time into something beautiful and ready to be used. This summer has been especially fun as I have been going through old buckets I haven't been through in awhile. Take for example this shirt:

I loved this shirt..and even though I don't wear it anymore, I couldn't bear to throw it away! There are so many great things about it that I love.

I love the sleeve detail, the collar and the sweet detailing down the front. I knew I didn't want to lose any of that no matter what I did to it.

I've been drooling over a few dresses to get for my daughter lately..one of them being a ruffly, all-white dress that came in about $200 over my budget, so when I pulled the above white shirt out of a bucket the other day, I knew I wanted to make her a dress out of it. And I am in love with how it turned out! It is a little over the top, but is just too darling. Take a look:

It's pretty tough to get a little 2 year old to model, but I did my best to show you the details of this shirt turned dress. But my favorite part is that I took something that just sat in a bucket for a few years and made something that can be used RIGHT now.

And when you are making something for this sweet face, it makes it all the better!

Have you ever gone through old buckets and found things you couldn't part with? What did you do/make with it?

A Strawberry Valentine's Feast! {Recipes}

2012-02-07T03:00:00.000-08:00

Are you all ready for V-day?! I am a procrastinator myself. I probably won't get my hubs or my kids anything until next Monday, that's just how I roll for the most part! I do have my boy's Valentines for his class purchased, so at least I have done something.

So thinking ahead about next week, I have decided to share with you a couple of strawberry recipes (because no food says Valentines quite like a strawberry!). I try and make my husband a yummy breakfast on Feb. 14th (even though it is almost painful for me to wake up when he does :) This first yummy recipe is something a little different and the components can be prepped ahead of time (aka the night before). Not to mention they are pretty, and your husband will be impressed.

Sweet Berry Bruschetta

10 slices french bread, 1/2 inch thick

5 tsp sugar, divided
6 oz. fat free cream cheese (I used the lower fat kind)
1/2 tsp. almond extract
3/4 c. fresh blackberries (I used strawberries this time)
3/4 c. fresh raspberries
1/4 c. slivered almonds, toasted (I had sliced on hand)
2 tsp. powdered sugar, plus extra for dusting

Place bread on an ungreased baking sheet; lightly coat with cooking spray. Sprinkle with 2 teaspoons sugar. Broil 3-4 inches from the heat for 1-2 minutes or until lightly browned.In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, almond extract, powdered sugar, and remaining sugar. Spread over toasted bread. Top with berries and almonds; dust with powdered sugar.

Recipe Source: my friend Melinda Christensen

Next up, a warm stick-to-your-ribs kind of breakfast! French toast is fabulous any day, anytime. This one has the yummy cream cheese layer in the middle that just makes regular old french toast that much more decadent. Your sweetie will feel special if they wake up to these! Not to mention the syrup is something delicious all in itself...save the leftovers for pancakes the next day.

Strawberry Stuffed French Toast

1 (8 oz package) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

10 slices bread (I used Texas toast)

3 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced

4 eggs, beaten

2 1/2 tablespoon milk

4 tablespoon butter, optional

2 tablespoon powdered sugar extra

Combine the cream cheese, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon, and beat until smooth, and then spread 1/2 the mixture on one side of five slices of bread. Top with the sliced strawberries (you will have some extra). Spread more of the remaining mixture on the remaining five pieces of bread and place on top, and make five sandwiches, pressing them together gently to enclose strawberries inside.

Beat the eggs and milk together and set aside.

Preheat the oven to 400F . Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place in oven to warm up. Melt 1/2 tbsp or so of butter in a frying pan. Take the sandwiches, one by one, and place in the egg and milk mixture, turning so that the mixture covers both sides. Transfer the sandwich to the pan and cook until the first side is lightly brown. Flip over and cook the other side. When both sides are lightly brown, place the sandwich on the baking sheet in the oven to keep warm. Before serving, top with the extra sliced strawberries and 2 tbsp powdered sugar. Drizzle with maple syrup or the Strawberry Syrup recipe below.

Strawberry Syrup

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 tablespoons orange juice

3/4 cup pureed strawberries

Combine all the ingredients in a small pan. Stirring constantly, heat mixture over medium heat until it begins to thicken (approximately 5 minutes). While still warm, pour over French Toast and serve immediately.

Recipe source: Real Mom Kitchen

Aren't they pretty?! I saw these cute babies and couldn't resist :) They would be dang cute at a Valentines get-together, a cute treat for your kids or your sweetie, or any get together for that matter. They are dang easy to make and taste phenomenal!

Oreo Petit Fours

You will need the white chocolate oreos {or you can dip your own oreos...I used white chocolate candy coating}. Then spread a layer of wildberry or any other berry cream cheese (I used strawberry) , top it with a half a strawberry--- and finish it off with a drizzle of choclate (melted semisweet chocolate chips).

4 am wakeup jar {free download}

2012-02-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to take to a friend who has just had a baby is a jar full of treats..and not just treats for anytime but a jar of treats for those 4 a.m. wakeups that happen so often from the start with a newborn. It takes just a few minutes to put together, but can give mommy OR daddy a little sweet treat for being up so early!

All it takes is a jar..you can buy one at the store or recycle an old jelly or pickle jar. Pick out some special treats..and you can make it ANYTHING..if they don't like sweets try something else! Fill the jar:

And use the free downloadable tags I am giving you today to embellish it. You can make it as simple as can be:

This one was simply printed on sticker paper:

Or as embellished as you would like:

On this one, I ruffled some streamers, ruffled some felt and sewed around the tag that I printed on paper. I made a strap for the jar from paper that has been punched on the sides.

Either way, you have a really fun and easy project to throw together to take to a friend who has just had a baby!

To download these free tags, go HERE.

Valentine's Cards Take 2 {Free Download}

2012-02-03T11:00:00.000-08:00

I have more cards for you today. Maybe they are more like notes. Can't wait to surprise my hubby with notes everywhere on Valentine's Day! Who will you give yours to?

To grab your free files, go HERE.

Remember, free downloads are for "likers" of Kiki Creates only. (I have changed this to you simply having to "like" my facebook page!)

Linking to Whipperberry and these amazing parties.

Darling Sparrow Giveaway

2012-02-03T03:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday! What a great week it has been here in Vegas. Hope yours has been as well. Today I have another fun giveaway for you. A new etsy shop, Darling Sparrow, contacted me and asked if they could tell you all about them as well as host a giveaway, so I will turn the floor over to them! Make sure to come back at noon for your free download of the week!

Hey everyone! We’re A. and B., and we just launched an etsy shop, Darling Sparrow, which sells our one-of-a-kind handmade children’s smock-aprons. (I know what you’re thinking…and, yes, one day we just might start calling them “smoprons.” But that day is not today.) (You’re welcome.)

So. Why do you care? For one, you just never know when a seemingly insignificant bit of trivia might become useful. But mostly because one of you lucky readers gets to win one of these adorable things!! (Commence cyber-cheers and e-confetti. Much easier to clean up.)

Let us tell you about them!

(Tangent note: This enthusiastic, exclamation-pointed monologue makes you jealous of us at parties, doesn’t it? Be honest. You’d kill to have such universally applicable conversation fodder at the ready, wouldn’t you.)

(Follow-up: On an unrelated note, we haven’t been invited to too many parties lately. Hmmm…)

Each vintage inspired smock-apron uniquely and seamlessly weaves the idyllic concept of childhood with real-life needs. (Like Velcro. Hello, invention of awesomeness.) The aprons are both functional and timelessly stylish, with their delightfully fearless mix of prints, patterns, and color within the classic smock shape. Each cheerful design is one-of-a-kind, crafted from a blend of vintage and modern materials.

We could go on and on (see party reference above), but we’ll just let you come visit the shop at your leisure instead. Let us just tell you, though, that once you have one of these, you’ll never go back – our own daughters have had them for years and use them for everything, from baking to painting to gardening to miscellaneous crafting involving accidentally lots of glue (ahem, 2-year-olds) to eating dinner. Seriously, everything. They have saved many an item of clothing from immediate stainful demise.

They make fabulous gifts or items to have on-hand for cute little visitors, and we sincerely hope you come to love them as much as we do!

How to enter the giveaway: Visit our Darling Sparrow shop and leave a comment on this blog telling which item is your favorite and who you would give it to. (Make sure you include your email address in the comment!)

BONUS entries (leave one comment per item that you do below):

1 – favorite the shop

2 – like Darling Sparrow on facebook

3 – follow us on Twitter

4 – blog, tweet, or FB a message about the giveaway

That’s it! So easy. Also, because you’ve been so patient with our happy ramblings, we want to offer you guys 10% off any item in the shop from now until February 9^th (just in time for Valentine’s Day). Simply use the coupon code: kikicreates10

Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway, Kiki! And we hope to see you all at Darling Sparrow. Check back often, as we’re constantly adding new apron styles. Happy childhood!

Jamberry animal print nails {giveaway}

2012-02-02T07:25:00.000-08:00

who doesn't love a little animal print? these nails are not only done at home, they last up to two weeks.

do i have your attention yet? that's right, two weeks, thanks to Jamberry Nails. Jamberry Nails are a nail shield designed to allow you to create your own nail art at home, with manicures that last more than a few days. these shields are different from the Sally Hansen nail art you may have seen. Jamberry Nails are a thicker, sturdier, nail applique that is not a "rub-on" product. instead, it is a thick vinyl that is set to the nail using heat (done at home with a blower dryer).

i decided to make my nail art a little more Valentiney by adding a simple red heart. adding this design was easy:

place two dots of polish on nail

connect with a toothpick to create your heart
thanks to Kori, she has graciously offered one kiki creates reader the chance to win their own set of Jamberry nail shields. to enter:

Head on over to Jamberry nails and tell us your favorite nail shield!
Go and "like" Blushing Basics on facebook.

for additional entries:
"Like" Kori from Jamberry on Facebook

for information on how to apply the Jamberry Nails, or for another chance to win, head over to Blushing Basics and check out my post here.

xo,
kristie

We have some winners!

2012-02-02T07:19:00.000-08:00

The GiGi 14 oz. All Purpose Honee Wax winner is:

Brittney said...

following your site...would love to try waxing. actually, "love" might be too strong of a word. but...i'd be willing to try it. anything to reduce the need to shave them!
-brittney

The winner of $60 to Word Whipped is:

Jenna E. said...

I like Word Whipped on FB.

Congrats to the winners! If you could email me at kikicreates at gmail dot com, I will get your info to the right people!

And again, a big thanks to Word Whipped for this great giveaway. Make sure to go and grab a fun sign! Also, a big thanks to Kristie from Blushing Basics who facilitated the Gigi wax giveaway!

Happy February {Free Download}

2012-02-01T08:10:00.000-08:00

Happy February, everyone!

Here is the happy calendar numbers for this month. If you are new, you can see the beginning of this calendar series HERE.

Don't you LOVE the colors?!

You can get all the files HERE. Remember, free downloads are for followers or "likers" of Kiki Creates only..takes just a second on the sidebar..thanks.:)

A Yummy Superbowl Party {recipes}

2012-01-31T03:00:00.000-08:00

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?!

Thinking about Superbowl food is a little overwhelming! There are so man delicious recipes for sandwiches/sliders, dips, wings, and other appetizers out there. Here I am to add to the long list of possibilities.

First off, a recipe that can be thrown in the crock pot Sunday morning, and by game time it will be ready to go! These sandwiches are fabulous, and can be cut into appetizer portions easily.

Crockpot Beef Sandwiches

4 lb. beef roast (whatever's on sale!)
1 can beef broth
1 pkg. ranch dressing mix
1 pkg. italian dressing mix
French bread
Butter spread
Garlic salt
Provolone or swiss cheese slices

Place roast on crockpot and sprinkle with dressing mixes and dump in can of beef broth. Cook on high for 6 hours, then turn to low for 2-3 hours. Shred beef and let sit in juices.

Cut bread in half and butter each side of the bread. Sprinkle garlic salt over butter. Place cheese slices on one side of the bread. Leave open-faced and place in broiler until cheese melts. Place beef on sandwich. Cut into individual sandwiches and enjoy :)

Are you feeling something on the lighter side for game day? This yummy veggie pizza is wonderful and simple to make!

Vegetable Pizza
2 (8 ounce) packages refrigerated crescent rolls
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix
1 cup fresh broccoli, chopped
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup chopped cauliflower
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
I added some fresh chopped up dill (to hike up the flavor)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Roll out the crescent roll dough onto a large baking sheet, and pinch together edges to form the pizza crust.

Bake crust for 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Once finished cooking, remove crust from oven and let cool 15 minutes without removing it from the baking sheet.

In a small mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, and dry Ranch dressing. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust (I did not use it all, it seemed like too much). Arrange broccoli, tomato, green bell pepper, cauliflower, shredded carrots, and Cheddar cheese over the cream cheese layer. Chill for one hour, slice and serve. Sprinkle dill, if desired.

What would a Superbowl party be without an amazing dip?! Here's one I just tried that is light and refreshing. I had it with pretzel chips I had on hand, but would be great with pita chips as well :

Ranch Greek Dip

8 ounces lowfat sour cream
8 ounces plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup seeded diced roma tomato
1/3 cup seeded diced cucumber
3 sliced green onions
1/2 cup crumbled feta
juice of one lemon
packet of Hidden Valley Ranch dip mix

In a large mixing bowl combine: sour cream, Greek yogurt, tomato, cucumber, green onions, feta, lemon, and Ranch dip mix. Stir well to evenly combine the ingredients. Refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors combine. FYI, the flavor of this dip is best if you let it chill out in the fridge overnight.
Recipe Source: The Weekend Gourmet

Lastly, I'm sure you'll need a sweet treat to go along with all the salty snacks. My new favorite dessert to make is truffles, they are bite-size and easy to make! So here are 2 recipes for you that are awesome....

Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles

1 package semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

1 (8 oz.) container of cool whip (left out to room temp.)

Pour the chocolate chips into a microwave safe bowl, then fill a mug half full of water and place both the bowl and mug in opposite ends of the microwave. Stop and stir the chocolate chips every 30 seconds until completely melted. Add the peanut butter and mix well. Then thoroughly mix in the cool whip. Refrigerate for at least two hours until your chocolate mixture becomes firm enough to handle. Roll the mixture into balls (about the size of a rounded tablespoon), then roll the balls into powdered sugar, coconut, or nuts, or dip in chocolate. Return the balls to the fridge. They taste the best if they stay refrigerated.

From: Favorite Family Recipes

These would be really cute if you used the white chocolate to make football laces :)

Oreo Bon Bons

1 (1lb) pkg Oreo cookies
8 ounces cream cheese

1 (16 ounce) package baking chocolate (I used chocolate almond bark, white bark would be cute, too)

1 (16 ounce) package melting chocolate (regular chocolate or white)

Place oreos in the food processor & pulse until roughly chopped. Add cream cheese and process until completely combined.

Line baking pan with aluminum foil. Roll into ball and place on foil. Place in freezer until firm.

Melt chocolate according to directions on package. Dip balls into chocolate to cover, place back on foil.

Melt chips according to package. Use a fork, dip in chocolate and briskly flip fork around to cover bon bons.

Let chocolate set and serve. Keep refrigerated.

Recipe Source: my aunt Trish

I hope you all enjoy your get-togethers this weekend to cheer on your team (I don't love either team, so I'm just there for the fun :)

britni

http://myrecipeboxx.blogspot.com/

Harry Potter Birthday Cake

2012-01-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

On my Facebook page on Friday I shared this picture and was so excited to show you what I was doing with it. Do you want to see?

Here it is:

Yes, we had our Harry Potter party on Saturday..I cannot wait to show you all the details!

I was trying to come up with a solution to my time crunch problem. Problem came about as follows:

1- My boy asked for a tiered cake with Harry Potter on top.

2-I think to myself, "Hmmm, I could make it out of fondant, but that may take a whole lot of time.."

3-Then I tried to think outside of the box..how can I make something that could be duplicated easily and be fast to put together?

Solution? Design a Harry Potter and other elements to work on the cake.

I adore how he turned out:

...and by slicing a little slit in the hand and inserting a candle, we instantly have a wand!

I added a scarf-like banner:

I cut the stars out, sewed them together, added them to some small dowels and made them into cute little pendants. I LOVE these!

I also cut out some freehand flags to match, sewed them together and added them with some adhesive onto the cake plate. Such a simple thing to do to ANY cake plate to give the cake a little wow factor..and it is so nice that you can customize it to the color/theme of the cake!

The cake (and remember I am NO professional cake maker) was decorated with a yummy coconut butter cream frosting. I added white crystal sprinkles on top of the layers and placed lemonheads around the top and bottom of each layer. Such a fun and easy way to bring a pop of color to the cake..not to mention the lemon and coconut together?! Wow..then again, you know I have a thing for lemon + coconut!

And here is a horrible picture from my phone of the cake being lit:

Best of all, my son LOVED his cake and I loved how fast it came together!

Later today I will post a link to the party invitations I will have in my new shop.

I Love You cards {Free Download}

2012-01-27T12:00:00.000-08:00

Here we are through another week already! This week's free download is two Valentines cards.

Simple and cute.

You can find the cards HERE.

Remember, Free downloads are for followers or "likers" of Kiki Creates only! (takes just a second on my sidebar!) Thanks!

Thanks for stopping by. Monday I will share all about the party separates!

Don't forget to enter this giveaway to win $60 worth of credit to Word Whipped:

(click on the picture to go to giveaway)

Word Whipped giveaway!

2012-01-27T03:00:00.000-08:00

I am so excited for this fun giveaway today. Holly from Word Whipped wrote me a few weeks ago and asked if I would like to do a giveaway on my blog. I took one look at her cute little shop and I was dying with excitement.

Holly sent me the "less and more" sign and I am in love! The quality is amazing (those letters are all painted on!), and what a fun message for my kids to read as they leave the house each day, right?! I have mine hanging right by my front door. Okay, you are right, it's good for ME to read those words each day as well!:)

A few more of my favorite signs that she has:

LOVE this quote:

Isn't this one perfect?

and the classic "Keep Calm and Carry On".

Holly is giving a $60 credit toward anything in her shop! I'm so excited for one of you to win.

This one will be super simple to enter. Simply:

1-Head on over to Word Whipped and let me know your favorite sign!

2-Go "like" Word Whipped on facebook and let her know Kiki Creates sent you.

3-Be a follower and a "liker" of Kiki Creates (You can do both of these on my sidebar)

4-Go to Word Whipped and pin your favorite sign to pinterest.

(leave a comment for each thing you do-4 total possible entries)

Giveaway will end next Thursday, February 1st!

Valentine's Ombre Nails {tutorial}

2012-01-26T03:00:00.000-08:00

here's an fun Valentine Ombre Nail tutorial that is simple to achieve. for this tutorial you will need three colors of polish that vary in shades of the same color. because Valentine's Day is right around the corner, i chose three shades of red.

before beginning, apply a basecoat to your nails for better application (and because red polish has a tendency to stain your nailbed!). make sure all nail polish bottles are unscrewed and ready to be used.

with your first shade, apply to one third of nail, beginning at the cuticles. while polish is still wet, take your second color and apply to the next third of nail. follow immediately with the third shade of polish. applying colors immediately after one another ensures an even blend of the polish as each shade will slightly "bleed" into the other.

follow these steps with subsequent nails. finish with a topcoat for longlasting polish and shine. enjoy your Valentine Ombre!

xo,
kristie
www.blushingbasics.com

Running and Weight Loss: Addressing the 4 most common mistakes {fitness}

2012-01-25T06:34:00.000-08:00

Many people equate running and exercise with immediate weight loss. While this notion holds some merit, it’s not entirely accurate. Although running speeds up the metabolism and offers a slough of health benefits, there are four common hazardous mindsets that must be addressed regarding running and weight loss.

1. “If I run I can eat whatever I want”: Diet is at the top of the mistake list for an important reason. Even the most committed running enthusiasts must monitor what they put in their body. It’s easy to rationalize gorging junk food by saying “I ran today”. If you burn 500 calories and presume to eat a large piece of cake with a few crackers as a snack, your diet will essentially cancel out your run. Even if you’re an avid fitness enthusiast, avoid processed sugars and limit dairy and processed meats. Here is a list of my favorite “feel amazing, look amazing” foods:

· Veggies: Kale, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, asparagus, leafy greens, carrots, corn, peas, celery, sweet potatoes, squash, beets, onions, garlic.

· Fruits: Apples, oranges, grapefruit, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, grapes, kiwi, mango, bananas, pomegranate, tomatoes.

· Carbs: Brown rice, quinoa, whole grain pasta, whole grain bread, oats, dried fruit, dates, tempeh.

· Protein: tofu, soy protein shakes, lentils, black beans, garbanzo beans, red beans, hummus, soy yogurt, lean chicken, fish.

· Fat: Organic peanut butter, seeds, walnuts, almonds, cashews, avocados, olive oil.

· Drinks: Almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, hemp milk, herbal teas, water with lemon/lime, fresh squeezed juices (consider buying a juicer), seltzer waters.

Here is a great collection of videos about running and nutrition!

2. “If I run the same 2 mile loop every day, I will keep losing weight”: Your body knows you very well. If you perform the same exercise routine day in-and day out for years, you’ll stop losing weight and becoming fitter. You must mix up your routine and promote muscle confusion to gain fitness benefits. Variety comes in many forms. If you’re a runner, here are some fun workouts to try out:

· Hilly Runs: (30-45 minute run on a hilly course). Hilly runs build strength, endurance, and improve both aerobic and anaerobic fitness.

· Long runs: (ex. 60-90 minutes at a conversational effort) Long runs build endurance, burn fat, and are high-calorie burners.

· Short, fast runs: (ex. 10-30 minutes of running at a difficult, but maintainable effort): burns fat, improves efficiency, builds speed, improves heart

· Fartlek runs: (ex. 30-45 minute run with 30 second-4 minute bursts of speed) Fartlek is French for “speed play”. During this run, warm-up for 10-15 minutes and integrate 30 second-4 minute bursts of speed with 30 second-4 minutes of recovery time. You can play with the time of bursts vs. recovery. This run improves metabolism, leg turnover, speed, and endurance. It also promotes muscle confusion, which keeps your body working hard throughout the duration of the workout.

3. “My bodyweight will rapidly drop when I start running more”: Often times, when you begin running and/or exercising, your body gains muscle mass. Although muscle gain looks scary on the scale, you should welcome it with open arms. Instead of focusing so intently on weight, focus on body composition. Measure fat percentages, circumferences, and dress sizes. The old cliché “muscle weighs more than fat” is a good thing to remember when it comes to obtaining better fitness.

4. “I am not an athlete, I’m just doing this to lose weight”: You don’t have to be an athlete to think like an athlete. Instead of using running as a “means to an end (i.e losing weight)”, use it as a means to improve performance, get faster, stronger, and fitter. Furthermore, think of food as fuel rather than things that “will make me skinny” or “will make me fat”. This shift in thinking will not only help you lose weight, it’ll also help you enjoy exercising a lot more.

Long story short: pay attention to the feedback of your body. When you exercise, eat, or engage in any activity, focus on your body’s response. Ask yourself—when do I feel best when I’m exercising? What foods make me feel energized, light, and confident? What does my day look like when I’m in a good mood? How does my body feel before and after a specific workout? Take note of the foods, workouts, and mindsets that keep you the sharpest. And remember, running in-and-of-itself is not the magic solution to weight loss. There is a combination of important factors that promote optimal health!

Are you a runner? Redline Running Company is having a contest RIGHT NOW. Send in your BEST worst face race photo for a chance to win an entire running outfit from Redline Running Company! Deadline is this Friday, January 27th! Go HERE for more details!

Creole Spiced Salmon or Chicken {recipe}

2012-01-24T03:00:00.000-08:00

This month has been great sharing so many yummy healthy recipes with you! This will be my last week this month sharing all healthy recipes because, lets be honest, I have to share some Superbowl recipes next week! Those recipes are not traditionally known for being figure friendly :)
Today I'd like to share a wonderful meal you could prepare for Valentines Day. I don't know about you, but we hardly ever go out to eat on actual Valentines Day. The crowds are too much for me! On the day of we generally make a yummy meal at home that is a step above our usual menu. I must admit, the hubby was the one who found this recipe AND cooked it for us this weekend. It is packed with lots of flavor, and with the salsa over top, it is to die for. Best of all, GOOD FOR YOU!

It is a versatile recipe as well. The recipe is for salmon, but I am not a fish fan at all so chicken was a fabulous substitute. In fact, the hubby cooked himself up salmon and a chicken breast for me :)

Creole Spiced Salmon (or Chicken) with Southwest Style Corn and Avocado Relish

2 large ears fresh yellow corn, peeled and silk removed
1 large red bell pepper, diced
1-2 Hass avocados, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch dice (use as much or as little as you like)
6 tablespoons finely chopped red onions
1/4 cub chopped fresh cilantro (again, to your liking)
1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets with the skin (or substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning
Grilled Asparagus with Garlic, recipe follows

Directions

Place corn on grill with medium-high heat. Grill until kernels begin to caramelize, turning every few minutes. When cool enough to handle, cut the kernels from the ear and place in a medium bowl. To the corn, add the bell pepper, avocados, onions, cilantro, jalapeno, olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to combine and set aside.

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

Lightly brush the fillets with the olive oil and season each on the flesh side liberally with Creole seasoning. Add to the grill, skin side down, and cook until the skin is crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook until the salmon is opaque and medium-rare, about 4 minutes, depending upon the thickness of the fillets.

To serve, lay the asparagus fillets down the center of 4 large plates and place the fillets on the asparagus. Spoon the relish over the fish and serve immediately.

Grilled Asparagus with Garlic:

1 pound large asparagus, woody ends trimmed*
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons chopped garlic

Preheat the grill to medium.

In a shallow baking dish, toss the asparagus with the oil to coat well. Add the salt and pepper and toss to coat evenly.

Place the asparagus on the grill in a single layer, and cook, turning, until marked and tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with the lemon juice and garlic and toss well. Cover with aluminum foil and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Yield: 4 servings

*NOTE: Large asparagus can be placed directly on the grill; smaller ones may fall through during cooking. If cooking thin asparagus, use a grill basket.

Recipe Source: adapted from Emeril Lagasse via Food Network

We made this while there was 2 inches of snow on the ground so we did it all inside. We used an indoor grill pan, but any large skillet can be used.

Hoping you are all keeping your New Years Resolutions!

britni
http://myrecipeboxx.blogspot.com/

STRIPES..a new collection! {sale}

2012-01-23T06:51:00.000-08:00

A week ago, a bloggy friend, Kristen Duke, contacted me and asked me to make a custom sign for her. She wanted a favorite quote of hers in a print to hang in a new frame. I got it to her and then decided it would be a fun time to do a little sale in the new shop...so I made a few more to go along with it and put them all together in a "Stripe" Collection.

They celebrate my love of stripes and happy things. And I am sure to add to the collection in the coming days. And BTW, did you know, I love it when people just randomly send me their favorite quotes? If I choose yours to design, I will send you a free print. You can leave a comment here on the blog or email me at kikicreates at gmail dot com!

The sale will run through this Saturday. You can get 20% off of everything with the code STRIPE20.

Hope to see you over there!

Free Kids Valentines {Free Download}

2012-01-20T05:23:00.000-08:00

I don't know about you, but I heart Valentine's Day. As a kid I remember loving all the cheesy little valentines that I got in my homemade heart box at school, so in that spirit, I thought I'd share a little freebie today...something to slip in your kids lunches, put on their pillow or use as their Valentine's. Each Friday until Valentines I will share a free download.

Find them HERE.

(Remember Free Downloads are for followers or "likers" of Kiki Creates only. It takes just a second on the sidebar. Thanks!)

Have a happy weekend.

Linking to Whipperberry and these amazing parties.

How to wax your legs {giveaway}

2012-01-19T06:12:00.000-08:00

you might be thinking "uggghhh" but winter is the perfect time to begin your waxing routine. waxing your legs requires you to grow out your leg hair to approximately 1/4 inch so that the wax will have something to grip to. who wants to grow out their leg hair during the summer?

growing your hair out now will be a cinch since we're wearing pants (or trousers if you're British) constantly. beginning this routine helps slow the growth of your leg hair, and over time the maintenance becomes easier and easier. doing this yourself is simple, easy, and relatively inexpensive.

here's how:
gather your supplies. for this you will need muslin fabric or waxing paper strips cut to desired size, a popsicle stick applicator, and wax. i have a professional wax warmer, but this is not a necessity for at home waxing. i do prefer using GiGi wax. it is the wax used by professionals and it works great.

once your wax is warmed and your legs are clean (don't forget that hair needs to be at least 1/4 inch) you can apply wax. using a 45 degree angle, apply a thin layer of wax in the direction of hair growth. the area of wax should be equal to 2/3 of your muslin wax strip.

lay muslin strip over wax and press firmly, again in same the direction of hair growth.

hold skin taught and pull wax strip off with one quick motion in the opposite direction of hair growth.

immediately apply pressure to the waxed area with the palm of your hand to sooth the skin. NEVER reapply wax to newly waxed areas. finish with GiGi's After Wax Cooling Gel, Aloe Vera, or Baby Oil.

enjoy your smooth, newly waxed legs. i am sure your significant other will appreciate it come Valentine's Day.

xo,
kristie
www.blushingbasics.com

giveaway*giveaway*giveaway*giveaway*giveaway

Now that Kristie has given you the know how on waxing your legs. She also has a fabulous giveaway for a 14 oz. Gigi All Purpose Honee wax.

To enter simply:

*leave a comment (make sure to include an email address)

*follow Blushing Basics

*"like" Blushing Basics new facebook page!

Giveaway will end on Tuesday, January 24th.

A Harry Potter Invitation

2012-01-18T05:20:00.000-08:00

Have I ever told you how busy this time of year is? In addition to having a baby on the same day as my little girl, the holidays and the new year, I also have 2 more birthdays in a span of 4 days. Crazy, right? That means in a one month period, 4 out of the 6 of us have our birthdays..and Christmas is squeezed in between!

Usually I don't go all out for birthdays, but one thing I truly enjoy doing is making the invitations for the party! It's what gets someone excited for what's to come, right?! This year marks a big birthday in our house as my oldest turned 8 yesterday! Yikes! (To be honest, makes me feel just a bit old!) He has requested a Harry Potter party, so to help set the mood, I came up with this:

We started with the owl, since my son thinks they are just the coolest things around..(with moveable wings, of course)..

and every owl MUST carry his important messages..all tied neatly with a little twine from the Twinery.

The message told the friends of the fun that will be happening (except I messed up and put 2011 instead of 2012..still hard to remember!). One of my favorite things is finding the perfect font. Did you know you can find a Harry Potter font right HERE. Pretty fun.

And there you have it. A quick invitation for a party that is sure to turn a bunch of muggle children into wizards!

I also wanted to quickly announce that I will be starting to sell my invitations and party accessories in my new shop starting next week. You will be able to buy a digital download of the party to print as you please! And so you know, I got some kinks worked out and the shop is stocked with 5x7 and 8x10 overstock items. They are going fast so go and check them out!

Linking to Whipperberry and these amazing parties.

3 new healthy recipes! {cooking}

2012-01-17T03:00:00.000-08:00

I have to admit...the last week I have not stayed on my diet plan. Why is it so hard to do when you are out of town! No worries, now that I'm home and this cruise is staring me in the face in 2 months, I am motivated...very motivated. So, continuing on with some more healthy recipes to help you to meet your goals!

I love grilled chicken breasts with fruit salsa. Here is my latest version...with pears! The flavors sounded a little off to me, but they worked. Lets be honest, I'll probably love anything that has cilantro in it :) It's a good way to use some of those pears in your refrigerator that have been staring you down!

Chicken with Spicy Pear Salsa
1 firm but ripe Red Anjou Pear, peeled, cored and chopped
1/4 cup diced sweet onion
2 T. chopped fresh cilantro
1 clove garlic, minced
2 t. sliced jalapeno peppers, finely minced
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 T. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and Pepper

In a small bowl combine pear, onion, cilantro, garlic and jalapeno peppers. Set aside.

Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

Over medium high heat, heat olive oil in large skillet. Place chicken breasts into pan and brown well on each side. Cover pan and reduce heat to low. Keep covered until chicken is cooked through.

Remove chicken from pan and place onto serving plates. Heat pan over high heat, add salsa to the pan and quickly heat salsa while deglazing pan.

Pour salsa over chicken breast and serve.

From: Fruit and Veggie Guru

Sometimes when I am craving a healthy treat, the ingredients I want are out of season...and that makes me truly sad! The best thing about this recipe is that the fresh ingredients in it are always at the store, no matter what time of year, and the rest all come out of a can. So this winter if you are in the mood for something fresh tasting, give this a try! It is great just with some chips, but can imagine how great it would be over a chicken breast as well :)

Bean, Tomato and Corn Salsa

5-8 tomatoes (personal preference), chopped into small pieces

1 can white whole kernel corn, drained

1 can black eyed peas (or black beans), drained

4 chopped green onions

½-1 bunch of cilantro, chopped

1 env. Italian dressing, mix as directed on package (use red wine vinegar)

Mix all ingredients in large bowl and serve with tortilla chips.

Recipe Source: Momma

I am a pathological snacker. It's an awful problem. In order to satisfy my snacking urges (after drinking an entire liter of water and chewing gum doesn't quite cut it), I want something salty. What is the perfect snack-y type food for that? Why crackers and chips, of course!

To help me satisfy the Doritos craving, I have been forcing myself to find alternatives. This one fits the bill... crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, packed with spices, and better yet, good for you! Think Corn Nuts here. The question is...do they taste as good as the MSG filled Doritos, why of course not...nothing ever will! But they are a great snack to have around and taste great in their own right :)

Spicy Crunchy Chickpeas
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon allspice (I didn't have so left out)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
I added 1/2-3/4 t chili powder
2 15 1/2-oz. cans chickpeas, rinsed, drained, thoroughly patted dry

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with foil. In a large bowl, combine olive oil, cinnamon, cumin, allspice, salt and pepper. Add chickpeas and toss to coat thoroughly. Turn chickpeas out onto baking sheet and roast, stirring or shaking baking sheet often, until chickpeas are browned and crunchy, 45 to 50 minutes (start checking them around 35 minutes...that's all mine took). Transfer to a bowl and let cool before serving, stirring occasionally.

From: On My Menu

Continuing to wish you luck on your weight loss quest!

Britni
http://myrecipeboxx.blogspot.com/

A new store, a BIG sale and some cute kids!

2012-01-16T11:48:00.000-08:00

So many fun and exciting things to share with you today!

#1- Do you remember when I announced this new venture?

Well, today is step one of that adventure. Here you can see a screen shot of my new store:

And here is a LINK to that store! My etsy store will still be up, so you can still order the bulk of my prints through there until I get everything over to the new store.

I'm excited to tell you though that I have an OVERSTOCK sale going on right now at the new store. What is overstock? I have a ton of prints that are perfectly new that are just extras from boutiques and sales. There may be 15 of one style and maybe just 1 of another! It will definitely be hit and miss. I have all the 5x7 Overstock inventory up and will be adding 8x10 and bigger prints throughout the next few days. EVERY 5x7 will be $5.00. That is 50% off the normal price! I promise these won't last long so go stock up now! Also with this new store I will have a $5.00 flat shipping rate within the US and a $7.00 flat shipping rate for all international orders, so whether you order 1 or 10, shipping will all be the same! This new platform is so nice for all kinds of product as you will see in the upcoming days. The overstock items are organized by print and color, so what you see on the screen in pictures is not all there is..there are a ton of options (especially on the I Love You Because prints), you just have to click on the image and then check out the drop down menu!

I will soon be adding a clearance section. Clearance items are final sales of prints that are almost perfect. They may have a small white or black dot on them due to a printing error or a small line across the top or bottom. I would not sell something that is not frame worthy, but these will be DEEPLY discounted because of their flaws!

As new products appear, I will let you know about them! I also want you to know the new site is soon to be worked on and done as well. Will I keep the logo and design above? Who knows...but I will let you know when it is all ready. I have so many fun things up my sleeve!:)

And lastly, I just wanted to show you one more screen shot of my desktop:

Is that not the most fantastic picture?! The amazingly talented Melynda from Sweet As Honey Photography was at my home on Friday taking newborn pics of Maxwell and caught some great ones of my 4 kidlets! Can't wait to show you all the pictures. There are times when my life gets so crazy, and it is just nice to turn the screen on and remember just how lucky and blessed I am. And I truly am.

Thanks for stopping by. Now get yourself over to the shop and stock up!

A Valentine's Frame Project {free download}

2012-01-13T03:00:00.000-08:00

I have a fun Valentine's Day project for you today.

I've had this idea for awhile and look forward to exploring it further later on in the year as well. There are so many possibilities with it!

This project involves a 16x20 print and a frame. You could also just take the print and spray adhesive it to a canvas the same size.

You will need the plain print for this project. The "Be Mine" print is for those who just want to frame something up quick!

Find the prints HERE.

They are in a png format. You can print these off at Costco or other printers. Just remember when you are finishing your order to click the DO NOT AUTOCORRECT THE COLOR button!

To make the heart, you will use the technique found HERE that Martha Stewart uses to make tissue pom pom's only your pom pom's will be REALLY small. You will want your tissue paper to be 5-6" wide and about 10" long. Cut a heart out of cardboard and glue the pom pom's on with hot glue. Attach the ribbon to the heart and then take the ribbon over the frame.

It is seriously cute in person! And takes so few things to put all together. Isn't that the best?!:)

Hope your January is going smoothly. I will be back next week with a HUGE sale of extra and clearance prints from my shop! Think 50% off HUGE! (and many of them are the "I love you because" Prints!)

Linking to Whipperberry and these amazing parties.

Grail or Fail {Covergirl Product Review}

2012-01-12T07:58:00.000-08:00

want to know my favorite thing about my job? when products like this show up in the mail for me to review. i am a self-confessed beauty product junkie and will try anything and everything (at least once). before blogging, i would spend a lot of time browsing the cosmetic aisles looking for the latest product releases and trying to decide whether our budget could afford yet another lipstick/gloss/mascara/blush/liner. a big thanks to COVERGIRL for sending me these awesome samples of newly released products to review for you guys!

included in the shipment were COVERGIRL's 2-in-1 Foundation and Simply Ageless Foundation, LashBlast 24HR Mascara, and BlastFlipstick. since the foundations have unique formulations that help improve skin tone over time, i will review them for you once i have used them for the recommended time period. however, the mascara and lipstick were ready to be used and reviewed immediately so here is what i thought:

the LashBlast 24 HR Mascara is designed to be a long lasting formula that will eliminate the need for reapplication. although it is long lasting, this formula removes easily without tearing out your lashes. my biggest pet peeve of mascara is how easily it will remove from your lashes and this one passes with flying colors. the price point ($8) is right on target making this affordable and accessible.

initially, i was a little thrown off by the applicator. the picture above shows the thick core as well as short bristles. once i used it, i was a fan. the shorter bristles coat your lashes well and don't catch. this is especially important when trying to apply mascara to the tops of your lashes right at the lash base. a notoriously difficult spot to reach without rubbing mascara all over your freshly shadowed lids, the short bristles reach it wonderfully with no mascara out of place.

the formulation does last the claimed 24HRs, although i wouldn't recommend wearing mascara any longer than that. i didn't notice any rub off or smearing on my undereye which is also an added bonus. the picture below was taken late afternoon (mascara was applied early morning) and you can see the color still looks good.

in this picture i am also wearing my new BlastFlipstick. the BlastFlipstick has two lipstick colors allowing you to blend and create your own unique shade. the application of this lipstick is very smooth and i love that the colors give you an easy natural look. oftentimes lipsticks can be TOO pigmented making your every day makeup look forced. but isn't that the COVERGIRL logo? easy breezy beautiful COVERGIRL. this lipstick is definitely all of the above.

the pricepoint for this little gem is also $8 which makes it a great companion for your purse, car, diaper bag, etc. having one of these BlastFliptsticks close by lets you quickly create your unique look while on the go.

both products receive the GRAIL review. they work well, their pricepoint is accurate, and the colors work for everyone. just like COVERGIRL says, "easy breezy beautiful COVERGIRL."

for more information on these products, or to receive customized product recommendations, be sure to check out the COVERGIRL website.

xo,
kristie
www.blushingbasics.com

Create {and Decorate} your Own Fitness Plan for 2012

2012-01-11T06:52:00.000-08:00

Think about the last exquisite masterpiece you created. It might have been a decorative batch of Christmas cookies, a watercolor painting, or a page for your family scrapbook. Regardless of what it was, it had a unique, irreplaceable element to it: you. Behind every beautiful creation is your beautiful, innovative mind.

Creating a fitness plan is no different than creating a quilt or a cake: it requires thoughtful planning, and the perfect combination of large and small details. Because there are a host of fitness fads, books, coaches, and philosophies, it may seem like an extensive, complicated process to build your own fitness plan. But remember: you are the master artist. Think of it like this: the grand plan is your canvas, and the tips listed below are your tools. Now create!

Cycles:
Organize your training plan into cycles. This allows you to see the large, overall picture of your plan as well as the small details. It also helps you understand the goals and purposes of each workout you do. I recommend purchasing one of those large-boxed desk calendars to map out your cycles and workouts.
Annual Plan (Macrocycle): The macrocyle is the big picture of your training plan. It begins when you start training and ends after the season is complete. Macrocyles typically last 6 months to 1 year. Pick a day to begin and end your training cycle.
Monthly Plan (Mesocycle): The mesocyle is a 4-6 week segment of your training. This allows you to divide your training into 4-6 week phases to help you safely and efficiently build fitness. Remember: your body is very intelligent! If you do the same elliptical workout 7-days-a-week and 365 days-per-year, your body will get bored and stop gaining fitness. Change up your routine every 4-6 weeks (i.e. intensity, workout type) to prevent plateauing.
Weekly Plan (Microcyle): A microcyle is a 1-10 day segment of training that integrates a well-rounded variety of workouts that build overall fitness. If you repeatedly neglect one component of exercise/fitness, you will increase your risk of injury and miss out on having well-rounded fitness

Energy Systems:
The body has a number of energy systems, but the two most important are the aerobic and anaerobic systems. By integrating both systems into your regimen, you will experience major fitness gains.

Aerobic: Aerobic (with oxygen) workouts are long in duration with low to moderate intensity. Aerobic workouts should be the bulk of your training. Among a plethora of benefits, aerobic exercise strengthens the muscles involved in respiration to facilitate the flow of air in and out of the lungs. It also increases the number of red blood cells in the body, burns fat, and reduces stress, depression, and risk for disease. Aerobic activities should be the bulk of your training regimen.
Suggestion: Incorporate one 90-minute aerobic workout (at an easy, conversational effort) into your routine once every 7-10 days (via running, walking, hiking, biking, or gym machines). On subsequent days, integrate 30-45 minutes of aerobic exercise at an easy to moderate effort.

Anaerobic: Anaerobic (without oxygen) workouts are typically shorter in duration and more intense. A separate set of energy systems are used during anaerobic exercise, which leads to greater strength, speed, power, and performance in short, high intensity activities. Anaerobic exercise is great for building fitness, burning calories, managing weight, and improving the body's ability to metabolize oxygen. Aim to integrate at least two anaerobic workouts into your regimen every 7-10 days. If you are strapped for time, a 15-30 minute high intensity workout will definitely get the job done.
Examples of workouts: 5-10 hill repeats, interval workouts (1-2 minutes hard, rest for 1-4 minutes), tempo workouts (10-20 minutes at harder, yet manageable effort). You can create your own anaerobic workout with virtually any type of exercise, just remember to shorten the time and increase the effort (non-conversational).

The Decorative Biomotors:
Research shows that sufficiency in the 5 biomotor components listed below are essential to high fitness. Aim to integrate all of the following decorations (so to speak) into your regimen. The amount of time you spend with each component will vary according to your goals.

Strength: weight training, body resistance exercises, yoga, pilates, kickboxing, hiking, hills
Speed: anaerobic workouts, short/high intensity workouts, intervals, hills
Endurance: anaerobic workouts, long/low intensity workouts, long runs/bikes
Flexibility: static stretching, dynamic stretching, yoga, pilates
Coordination: medicine ball routines, balancing exercises, agility training

Training Zones:
You cannot exercise too hard or too easy every day. You must incorporate a medley of efforts to yield the best results from your training. Simply stated, training is a repeated cycle of breakdown and recovery, breakdown and recovery, breakdown and recovery. Many people base their training efforts on heart rate zones or rate of perceived effort. Here is a great article to help you balance your efforts throughout your training. (It's a running article, but it's applicable for any type of exercise).

Bear in mind: this post is not designed for an aspiring Olympian; rather it’s written for the busy individual who wants create a reasonable, effective training schedule without wading through piles of research. You are the artist of every creation, design, and project you undertake-not only in the "hobby" realm of life, but in all realms: marriage, career, parenthood, and of course personal health. Make all facets of your life your masterpiece, and reap the infinite sense of fulfillment of being the creator of your own destiny.

What are your fitness goals for 2012?

Wrap It Up! {recipe}

2012-01-10T03:00:00.000-08:00

This week I am continuing to share with you some yummy, healthy recipes to help you achieve your new years resolutions. A few of my New Year's resolutions have to do with lifestyle changes, such as:
1. Use as many fresh, natural ingredients as possible in cooking
2. Wean myself off of pop, drink lots more water
3. Cut down on the sweets
4. Exercise at least 30 minutes every day (I've started doing Zumba at home and LOVE it!)
5. Attempt to get 8 hours of sleep a night. This will probably be the hardest one for me, seeing as I work a few graveyard shifts a week, but I am sincerely going to try!

This week I encourage you to 'WRAP IT UP!' Wraps are a fantastic way to use some fresh, quality ingredients, and take care of quite a few food groups all-in-one.

This first one I have to share with you is my favorite, and I have shared it with you before...but it is worth mentioning again! I came across it at a place called the Fresh Cafe outside of Baltimore, MD and this is my recreation of it...

Turkey (or Chicken) Cranberry Wraps

From: my recreation of the one at Fresh Cafe
*No real measurements...just put as much as you want on that will fit in the wrap!*

tortillas (the one I originally had was on spinach...didn't have those today)
chopped up turkey or chicken, cooked (I like mine grilled)
romaine lettuce, chopped
mandarin oranges
craisins
walnuts
swiss cheese, shaved or shredded
raspberry vinaigrette dressing (Kraft makes a good one)

Assemble and enjoy!

Next is one that I got from Rachael Ray. My husband LOVED this one as well. It's definitely hearty enough to have dinner! I might venture to say that this one is one of my very favorite dinners around our house :
(Please forget that I have fries on the plate...this pic was taken a long time ago!)

Thai Chicken Wrap with Spicy Peanut Sauce

From: Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals

3 (6-ounce) chicken breasts
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon grill seasoning

Salad:
1/2 seedless cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced on an angle
2 cups fresh bean sprouts
1 cup shredded carrots, available in pouches in produce department
3 scallions, sliced on an angle
12 leaves basil, chopped or torn
3 tablespoons chopped mint leaves (4 sprigs) (I didn't have these and left them out)
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 teaspoons sugar
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar or white vinegar
Salt

Spicy peanut sauce:
1/4 cup room temperature chunky peanut butter, soften in microwave if it has been refrigerated
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 (12-inch) flour tortilla wraps (I bought spinach ones)

Heat a grill pan over high heat. Toss chicken with soy and oil and grill 6 minutes on each side.

Combine cucumber, sprouts, carrots, scallions, basil, mint and sesame with a generous sprinkle of sugar and vinegar. Season salad with salt, to taste.

Whisk peanut butter, soy sauce, vinegar and cayenne together. Stream in vegetable oil.

Slice cooked chicken on an angle. Toss with veggies and herbs.

In a very hot nonstick skillet or over a gas burner heat tortillas 15 seconds on each side.

Pile chicken and veggies in wraps and drizzle liberally with spicy peanut sauce before wrapping and rolling.

This one I found one day while I was wasting the day away on Pinterest. I love turkey and apple together, such a great contrast!

Turkey Apple Wrap
From: Flatout Bread

1 Flatout® Light Flatbread (or wheat tortilla)
2 tsp fat free mayonnaise
2 tsp fat free catalina dressing (light basalmic is good, too)
1 slice light sharp cheddar cheese
3 slices smoked turkey breast
6 thin apple slices

Whisk together dressing and mayo. Spread dressing over entire Flatout. On one rounded end, layer turkey, cheese and apple. Roll, cut and enjoy!

Lastly, another Asian wrap, somewhat similar to the other one I shared. This one is a little simpler than the other, and still packs a lot of punch in the flavor department!

Asian Peanut Wraps
From:Recipe Shoebox

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
olive oil (for brushing)
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 green onions, sliced
1 grated carrot
1/2 cup snow peas
4 pita breads or large flour tortillas
lettuce leaves

SAUCE:
(if using shredded chicken, I recommend making a 1-1/2 batch of the sauce)
1/4 cup peanut butter
3 Tbs. soy sauce
3 Tbs. fresh lime juice
zest of one lime
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. minced fresh ginger
1 tsp. sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced

Brush chicken with oil and bake in a 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until no longer pink and juices run clear. Set aside, allow to cool, and chop into cubes (or shred it).

In a sauce pan, immerse the snow peas in boiling water for 30-60 seconds. Immediately drain the boiling water and immerse the snow peas in a bowl filled with icy cold water. Allow to sit for 2 minutes in the cold water, then drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, in a bowl whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, lime zest, sugar, ginger, sesame oil, and garlic until smooth.

In a large bowl, toss the cooled chicken and snow peas, celery, green onions, and carrot. Pour peanut butter dressing over the chicken/veggie mixture and toss until evenly coated. Spoon into lettuce lined pitas or tortillas and roll. Makes 4 servings.

Again, wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!

Britni
http://myrecipeboxx.blogspot.com/

so proud...

2012-01-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

Do you ever have those moments when you are super excited for someone? Friends and family who work so hard and then they get rewarded? Here at Kiki Creates we have some amazing contributors who have done some really fantastic posts, but beyond my blog they are amazing as well..and I couldn't be more proud of them!

Our fitness/health contributors Josh and Kristin, of Redline Running Company, have been working on a line of clothing made specifically for runners and it is out...and can honestly say..INCREDIBLE! They thought of everything that a runner (or anyone working out) might want.

Some of my favorites include (from left to right) the Women's Ebb Short Sleeve Wind Blows shirt in Lawn. I love everything about this one..and love the funny sayings on this line of shirts. As a runner we definitely have our opinions about things and "wind blows" is definitely one of them! Next I love the Essentials Beanie. It fits like a glove, wicks moisture, but LOVE the features it includes. As a girl with long hair, when I run with a normal beanie on, it constantly rides up on my head because of my pony tail, but on THIS beanie, there is a ponytail hole AND it has holes on the side for your glasses, for those who run with sunglasses on. Lastly, I love the men's gear as well. We got the Sprint Men's Long Sleeve Tech Tee for one of our runner brother-in-laws at Christmas and it is so fun. It has thumb holes for those who like having those, and they are hidden when you are not wearing them, as well as holes for your headphone wires and a key pocket. I also love the contrasting color of stitching they use to make the shirt even more fashionable. As you can tell, I am in love with this line of clothing. It makes a perfect gift for any occasion!

You can find their entire line of clothing HERE. Go and "like" them on Facebook as well, as they have giveaways and specials, questions to answer and advice on there all of the time!

Next up, Kristie from Blushing Basics was a visitor on Studio 5 a few weeks ago and was a pro! You can see her segment HERE! You can go and "like" her facebook page HERE.

AND Britni, from My Recipe Box, had a recipe featured on The Kitchn, a national cooking blog! You can see where she is featured HERE.

And LASTLY, I am just so darn proud of myself that I made it through this first month of having a newborn again! Ha. Can any of you relate?! Being a young college student, I was able to stay awake all night long for days on end...let's just say that this time around, I am so greatful little Maxwell has decided to start being a good sleeper and I couldn't be more greatful!:)

Here is a little letter I wrote him on his 1 month mark and put right over a picture I took of him. Each month I will do this and add to his baby book that I can't wait to show you soon!

AND THAT'S A WRAP on a whole lot of being proud! Now go and "Like" those contributors and let them know I sent you! Have a happy day.

Like Redline Running Company HERE.

Like Blushing Basics HERE.

A party fit for a princess!

2012-01-06T13:27:00.000-08:00

Did you know that my baby Maxwell was born on his sister's birthday? As my due date approached, I kept telling my body that it could go into labor and have the baby the day before her birthday, the day after the birthday, but NOT ON her birthday. Waking up to your water breaking at 5:30 AM ON her birthday meant that all that talking just didn't work!:) LUCKILY, I had this funny feeling a few weeks before to throw her friend party the day before, so I did just that. Although I didn't get done ALL I had planned for it (then again, I was 39 weeks and 6 days pregnant), it went so great and Maizie had the best time at her little "Tea Party". Here are a few of the details:

The invite. I wanted to throw her a tea party since she LOVED playing tea time with her little animals in her room...thus the cute little tea pot:

Which opened up to show the Tea Bag invitation.

I knew my daughter loved these because she carried one around for 2 weeks...they really did turn out so cute.

We don't go all out crazy for birthday parties, but we always decorate the night before so the birthday kid comes down to a "party". She was more than happy. Then again, I could have just placed one balloon down there and she would have been tickled.:)

She ADORES Hello Kitty, so we played "Pin the bow on Hello Kitty"..it was a huge hit!..and because I could design these up myself..SO CHEAP!

And of course, for playing the game, each of the kids got to take home Hello Kitty bows (for the girls) and a bow tie for our lone boy!

The next activity we did was a riot! She has her "songs" she loves to sing and dance to, so I found each of them on Itunes...found a kid version of them and made everyone a Music Mix CD to take home after they danced their socks off!

The cake was seriously delicious. (I literally frosted the entire thing in less than 5 minutes)..love that.

Idea for the cake came from here..love her!

And we also had cupcakes, which the kids LOVED.

Altogether it was a perfectly fun and easy party to put together and see through. Maizie was in heaven being "3" and it really made me feel better while I was in labor the next day to know she had at least had a party.

How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner

2012-01-05T07:38:00.000-08:00

applying liquid eyeliner can be a bit scary. for some, it is downright frightening. over Christmas break i was visiting my family and my mother commented on the perfection of my eyeliner. i told her it was a liquid and she immediately said, "i can't do liquid eyeliner". this is coming from a woman who is extremely crafty, can paint, create, and do just about anything. i was surprised to hear my own mother say she was scared of liquid eyeliner. having worn it for a decade (or two) it has lost any sense of intimidation for me.

here's a video tutorial showing how to apply liquid eyeliner. it is my most popular YouTube video (over 60,000 views!) and one of the easiest to create:

happy eyelining!

xo,
kristie

www.blushingbasics.com

Projects in Progress: my To Do list.

2012-01-04T06:31:00.000-08:00

It's been awhile since I did a Projects in Progress post. Now that I have 3 little boys..who will all share a room in just a few months, some major projects are going to be done to get their room ready. I'm sure this will be the first of many posts of projects in progress for their room, but as I have been collecting things for their room..I am getting so inspired! Here are a few things I love that I will incorporate into their room:

1. LOVE this map 2. This quote will be redesigned and hung 3. I LOVE inspiring quotes!

4. Love the tapestry 5. Using maps as art 6. The bedding..so boy and can be used at many ages.

And I promised my goal list for January..I'm just going to call these my to do lists, since I will be checking off each of them!

You can see by my list that we have some big things happening in our family (like how did I get an almost 8 year old!). Excited to see what this month holds and to share it with you!

What are you going to get done this month?

Healthy Eating {recipes}

2012-01-03T03:00:00.000-08:00

It's time. It's time to not only lose weight, but overall be more healthy. Is this in your New Year's Resolution? Well, it is in mine for sure!

I'm not sure if I have mentioned it before, but I am a nurse. I work on a Medical/Oncology unit and see people every time I work that are hospitalized because they have made bad lifestyle choices. I see people with lung cancer or emphysema after years of smoking, or melanoma skin cancer from being in the sun, heart attacks and diabetes in many cases from being overweight. It is astounding how many illnesses being overweight can bring on.
So today, I am going to offer a few tips/tricks that I have been trying to keep my diet on track and ward off all the health complications I can.

1. Water....drink it. Drink lots of it. Drinking 2-3 liters of water a day are essential for keeping your diet on track and keeping you hydrated. Drink a full glass of water before each meal, you won't eat as much. I love my hospital mug I got after I had my baby, it makes measuring how much you have had easy to keep track of. Put the pop away, even the diet stuff! If you still crave carbonation, have some infrequently. I grab be a fountain drink when I go to Sam's Club every other week or so to fulfill my craving.
2. Eat more nutrient rich foods packed with protein. A great breakfast example of this I have been enjoying is peanut butter and slices of banana on a toasted multi-grain sandwich flat.

Or what about a hard-boiled egg, or cottage cheese with some diced up peaches sweetened with Stevia? All great choices.

3. I'm sure you've heard it before, but 5-6 mini meals are a great way to keep you from over-eating and keep your blood sugar levels more constant. This will reduce binge eating.

4. Pair your lean meats with side dishes that are packed with fresh ingredients. Here is a yummy side salad we had with the Chipotle Lime Pork Chops I shared with you last week....

Black Bean and Corn Salad
4 ears corn, husks removed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup diced red bell pepper
3/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 cup snow peas, julienned
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
(I also added the zest of 1 lime and the juice of 1/2 a lime)

Preheat the grill to medium.

Grill the corn until lightly charred, about 2 minutes, turning frequently. Transfer the corn to a cutting board and using a serrated knife remove the kernels. Set aside.

In a medium saute pan over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, then the red bell pepper and the red onion. Saute for 3 minutes, then add the vinegar, beans and corn and saute for 2 minutes. Stir in the garlic and the snow peas and saute for 1 minute more. Remove from the heat to a serving bowl and season with salt and pepper. (Stir in lime zest and juice just before serving, if desired) Serve warm or cold.

*if serving cold, I would wait until the salad has cooled before adding snow peas...that way they will stay nice and crunchy.
Recipe Source: Guy Fieri via Food Network

5. Eat high fiber foods. According to an article in Today's Dietician, "Dietary fiber may play a role to modulate the immune system and therefore produce a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and obesity."

Eat beans, whole grains, green vegetables, berries, squash, potatoes, and nuts and seeds for great fiber intake.

And one last recipe today packed with fiber.

Quinoa with Peas

1 tablespoon butter
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

3/4 cup frozen peas (I put in more, more veggies doesn't hurt):)
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (I used Parmesan) divided
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the quinoa, and cook 2 minutes until toasted. Pour in the chicken broth, onion, garlic, thyme, and black pepper. Cover, and let come to a boil. Once boiling, stir in the frozen peas. Recover, reduce heat to medium-low, and continue simmering until the quinoa is tender and has absorbed the chicken stock, 15 to 20 minutes.

Stir in half of the Pecorino Romano (or parmesan) cheese and the parsley until evenly mixed. Scoop the quinoa into a serving dish, and sprinkle with the remaining Pecorino Romano cheese to serve.

Recipe Source: Allrecipes

Stay tuned for more tips and recipes to help you keep up on your New Year's Resolution!

Britni

http://myrecipeboxx.blogspot.com/

January Calendar {free download}

2012-01-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012! Hope your weekend was full of fun and celebrating. After a few months of color-filled calendars, I thought I'd go a different direction this month and go for a palette of neutrals that mimic the popular metallics that are out...something a little fresh, and still wintry.

It will take you from today...

through the end of the month.

To grab these files go HERE. Remember free downloads are for followers of Kiki Creates ONLY (Just takes a second on my sidebar, thanks!).

an easy new year's look {fashion/makeup}

2011-12-30T03:00:00.000-08:00

dressing yourself for New Years can sometimes be a headache. to make things easy, my gorgeous niece (who keeps me young) and i have put together a no fail outfit that can be dressy or casual. the first step, head over to Forever 21 and pick yourself up a pair of skinny jeans. my niece has been wearing these adorable ones this week and they were only $11. the second step, pair them with your favorite blazer or slouchy sweater, heel or flat, and you have a cute trendy look.

Skinny Jeans Dress Up by krispieleigh featuring high heels

third step, follow my New Years Makeup tutorial for an easy glam that is sure to wow:

last step, head out with your hubby, your besties, your family, your kiddos, and party your socks off!

xo,
kristie

www.blushingbasics.blogspot.com

kiki creates

Some Green Reminders!

4 qualities for a quality training partner {fitness}

Lemon, lemon, lemon! {recipes}

March Calendar

Baby To-Go Bags

Foiling Eyeshadow Technique

free-Printables with Purpose- Strengthen

Copycat recipes {recipes}

Coconut Thumbprint Cookie with Salted Caramel {recipe}

Ingredients

Directions

A new wall of art

Change your Thoughts. Change your Body: 4 Ways to Improve Fitness with your Mind {fitness}

Little Boot Socks {tutorial}

St. Patricks Desserts. {recipe}

(free) Printables with Purpose- Spring Notes

Spring inspired!

Spornette brush giveaway! {fashion}

The Harry Potter Birthday Party

Show a little love!

It's time for breakfast! {recipes}

Goal Time!

You are the _____ to my _____ Valentine's cards! {Free Download}

Follow-up Covergirl Review {Makeup}

Going through old buckets..a fun makeover.

A Strawberry Valentine's Feast! {Recipes}

4 am wakeup jar {free download}

Valentine's Cards Take 2 {Free Download}

Darling Sparrow Giveaway

Jamberry animal print nails {giveaway}

We have some winners!

Happy February {Free Download}

A Yummy Superbowl Party {recipes}

Harry Potter Birthday Cake

I Love You cards {Free Download}

Word Whipped giveaway!

Valentine's Ombre Nails {tutorial}

Running and Weight Loss: Addressing the 4 most common mistakes {fitness}

Creole Spiced Salmon or Chicken {recipe}

STRIPES..a new collection! {sale}

Free Kids Valentines {Free Download}

How to wax your legs {giveaway}

A Harry Potter Invitation

3 new healthy recipes! {cooking}

A new store, a BIG sale and some cute kids!

A Valentine's Frame Project {free download}

Grail or Fail {Covergirl Product Review}

Create {and Decorate} your Own Fitness Plan for 2012

Wrap It Up! {recipe}

so proud...

A party fit for a princess!

How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner

Projects in Progress: my To Do list.

Healthy Eating {recipes}

January Calendar {free download}

Top Posts of 2011

an easy new year's look {fashion/makeup}

You are the _ to my _ Valentine's cards! {Free Download}