How gorgeous does FL look from the air?  Was so excited to get started with the festivities.

I was aboard the Disney Magical Express Shuttle Bus headed for my hotel.  So close!!

We stayed at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort for the weekend.  It was perfectly stunning.

Back Row left to right: Aggie, Sommer, Katrina, Megan, Rachel, Erin, Gina, Carla, Audra, Julie
Front Row left to right: Meagan, Jenny, Tina, me (Photo via Audra)

After our opening dinner a giant group of us food bloggers were headed to Magic Kingdom.  Can you tell we were excited?  Lol!

We made it!  There’s something so magical about Cinderella’s Castle at Disney.  Even as an adult.

Left to right: Rachel, Gina, Megan, Meagan, Carla, Erin, Julie, Me, Jenny, Katrina, Tina and Sommer

First things first, we made sure we got our photo in front of the castle.  Then we proceeded to Space Mountain and hunting down churros, turkey legs and dole whips.  Fun night indeed

Right photo via Julie

Saturday morning we met nice and early in a lovely conference room at the Grand Floridian to start our sessions.  We were so lucky to hear from the Steamy Kitchen Family including their adorable boys, The White on Rice Couple, Elise, Julie, Lindsay, David and so many more.  So inspirational sitting in that room.

Photo via Julie

We are ready to go!

During our breaks we always had time for some chit chat and photos.  Love all of these gals!  Left:  Angie, Leslie, Paula, me, Rebecca and Tina.  Second photo Aggie and I.

Julie, Amanda and I on Saturday at the conference.  Love these gals!

Two of some of the sweetest women around.  Robin from Simply Southern Baking and Kiran.

Left Photo via Cate O’Malley

Where there are desserts, you can find Amanda and I photographing like maniacs, lol!  Had so much fun.  We were served a gorgeous lunch and dessert from the Disney Chefs Saturday afternoon.

Saturday afternoon Amanda and I spent some time at Epcot Center.  Love this place.  We darted straight to walk eat our way through all of the countries.

Have you ever been to Epcot Center and walked through all of the countries?!  It is amazing.  You can find authentic foods that you would actually eat in the country you are visiting.  We got a steamed BBQ Bun and Curry Chicken Pocket from China, Werther’s Caramel goodies from Germany and Gelato Cookie Sandwich from Italy!  What a dream!

Later Saturday night we raced to Hollywood Studios to hunt down a Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake and I reluctantly went on Tower of Terror with Amanda.  That ride scares me to death, lol!  If you look right above the goofy guy folding his arms, that’s Amanda and I.  I am closing my eyes screaming and Amanda smiling

Sunday morning Amanda and I packed up and spend a couple last hours at Magic Kingdom.  We were determined to try a gooey cinnamon roll we heard about.

How adorable is Gaston’s Tavern?!  Get a load of our cinnamon roll we shared.  We begged for extra frosting which is a must should you go.  Gooey and delicious!

Photo via Julie

Huge thanks to these adorable girls Julie and Lindsay  in the above photo who put together this whole event for us.  They worked so hard and we are so grateful!

More Food Blog Forum Re-caps (will update as more come in)

Amanda of Kevin and Amanda

Julie of Table for Two

Rachel of Baked by Rachel

Audra of The Baker Chick

Angie of Big Bear’s Wife

Liz  of The Lemon Bowl

Amy of Nifty Foodie

Please link in comments so I can add your re-cap!!

Check out my first video attempt from Animoto.com  Thanks Todd and Diane for the recommendation!

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You are probably thinking I have got a weird obsession with Frosted Flakes.  Well, I had to do one more recipe with them before moving on to another cereal, lol!  As you can see I did a Frosted Flakes Macaron!

I am so happy how these turned out.  I used the same shortcut methods as my Cookies and Cream Macarons.  See that post for full details of the shortcuts.  I’d say from start to finish these took about 45 minutes.  No joke.

Invest in a food scale (no more than $30), some piping bags, tips and you are ready to get started.  I want to take the fear out of making macarons because I am telling you, I am no trained professional.  Just a home cook like you experimenting  Give it a try!

Good luck and have fun!

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So excited to be teaming up with Nestle today for a fun new cookie recipe and giveaway at the end of this post.  Nestle reminds me so much of my childhood baking with my mom and grandma.  It’s so nice to have those same products to use for my own family on a regular basis.  Needless to say I was thrilled to create a recipe with them.

The Nestle ingredients I am highlighting today are their Cocoa Powder, Mini Chocolate Chips and Premier White Morsels.

Be sure to visit my friends Maria and Amanda also creating recipes with Nestle and offering a fun giveaway!

Here’s your line up of ingredients.  Lot’s of delicious Nestle products packed inside these cookies.

If you haven’t used Nestle cocoa powder before, I highly recommend it.

Two of my favorites Nestle Premier White Morsels and mini chips.

You’ll use a nice spoonful of peanut butter.

Oh for the love of mini chips.  Obsessed.

Pretty white chips, always a favorite.

This dough!

Bake this lovely cookie dough for 10-12 minutes in a 350 degree oven until baked through.

Enjoy friends!  Be sure to follow Nestle Kitchens on Pinterest for more cookie ideas and check out Meals.com for more recipes!

Follow the widget below to enter to win a 6 piece baking set plus an array of Nestle products!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Below you will see I did a little shopping for YOU!  I gathered up some things that I love and make summer more bright and fun in my life.  At the very end of this post, you can enter to win my gift basket of summer goodies! (value approx. $50+)

To view closer details and enter to win the other baskets, simply HOP on over to the links below, where you can also enter to win the giveaway on their sites.

You can enter to win ONE or all TWENTY, what ever looks fun to you.  There’s such a great variety from all the bloggers.  From fun crafty items, home decor, household, jewelry, beauty products and office supplies to snacks, bags, gift cards and so much more!  There’s a little fun for everyone!

 20 Bloggers!

1. Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke | 2. No Biggie | 3. Tatertots and Jello | 4. The Idea Room | 5. TidyMom | 6. Dine & Dish | 7. Skip to My Lou | 8. House of Smiths | 9. I Heart Faces | 10. Nest of Posies | 11. The Inspired Room | 12. Living Locurto | 13. 30 Handmade Days | 14. Picky Palate | 15. Today’s Creative Blog | 16. Live Laugh Rowe | 17. Snap Creativity | 18. My Baking Addiction | 19. Sweet Sugar Belle | 20. FoodieCrush

Here’s what to do:

• Take a quick glance at the collage below
• Scroll to the bottom of this post to see my giveaway up close with details of my favorite summer things
• Enter to win my gift basket using the giveaway widget below
• HOP to all of the other sites from the links above to enter to win their gifts and say hello!
• Look around and enjoy the sites of the 2o creative bloggers–they will not disappoint!  Be sure to tell your friends!

Here’s what’s up for grabs in my box….you know I was including Mega Stuf Oreos right?  Lol!

Here are all of the goodies that are inside my favorite things box.  Most of my goodies are from Target, one of my absolute favorite places to shop….ever!  The bracelet is from Bauble Bar and the PB&J bar is from Trader Joes

Another look inside.  One of my favorite drug store mascaras, Maybelline “the Rocket” works fabulously. Love the Method soaps and one can never have enough wet wipes if you ask me!

Pretty little aqua studs.  Look just like the Kate Spade ones.  Yippee!  Love the little gold coin purse too.

I am still a sucker for these Sally Hanson sticker nails.  This is my favorite one she makes and looks so cute on!

Yummy raspberry lipgloss.  Can’t ever have too many

I LOVE Bauble Bar and  this is one of my favorites from them.  Cobalt Blue and fabulous.

Good luck!  Follow the widget below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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It’s Friday!  Yippee

What a great week it’s been.  Last weekend we got to spend some time with my sister and her family visiting from AZ.  They got a beach house practically right on the water so we spent lots of time in the sunshine, sand and water.  Here’s my sweet little guy living it up.  This boy knows how to play.

CanNOT get enough of this Red Raspberry Lemonade Cupcake from B Candy in Corona Del Mar.  I’ve tried many many cupcakes in my day and this is one of my all time favorites.  If you are ever in Southern California, you’ve got to get one…..and the Frosted Flake Ice Cream.  To die for!

A few more pictures from our weekend at the beach.  My boys had so much fun playing with their cousins.  It’s always so sad to see them go!

My Paxerooni got his first tooth!  Little cutie pie wants to eat anything and everything that goes near his mouth, lol!

Ok, who saw Gatsby last weekend?  I had been waiting to see it for a while and it was really good.  Not your typical feel good Fairy Tale story line, but it was definitely entertaining.  Would love to hear your thoughts on it.

Beach time with Pax and a giant Banana Split Sundae of my nephew.

I found a macaron candle at B Candy this week.  I am in love.  It smells just like a lovely sweet macaron!  It’s by Voluspa.

My sister had on some fun neon summer flip flops and come to find out she got them at Payless for under $10!  Going to get some asap!

Headed to Walt Disney World this weekend for the Food Blog Forum.  I’m probably on the airplane right now  Kind of tradition to get Cajun Shrimp nails for this event, can’t stop the tradition right?  Love this OPI color!

Photo via Waltdisneyworld.com

So excited to play at Walt Disney World with some amazing Food Bloggers this weekend!  I’ll be sure to eat a few churros for everyone.

Have a great weekend!!

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Kind of random right?  I know, I know but hear me out.

I have been enjoying one of the best ice cream flavors I’ve ever had at a local candy shop down the street from me called B Candy.  They are located in Corona Del Mar and have a bakery and homemade ice creams.  I would have never even been tempted to try “Frosted Flakes” ice cream, but got a sample just for the heck of it.  It was sweet and a tad bit salty and sent my tastebuds over the moon.  Can’t seem to get enough of it.  With Frosted Flakes on my brain lately the above cookies have been born.

These are over the top sweet with little crunches of Frosted Flakes throughout.  Crispy on the outsides, chewy on the center.  Do yourself a favor and make theses.  Now.  Seriously.

 Ingredient line up.  Simple pantry items.

I have to be honest.  We don’t keep Frosted Flakes stocked in our house, probably because we’d go through a box a day.  I forgot how tasty these little flakes are.  Yum!

 You’ll measure out 1 cup of cereal.

Place it in a Ziploc bag, close it and roll over it with a rolling pin until finely crushed.

Time to get started with your butter and sugars.

Cream cream cream

Egg and vanilla please.

Time for the dry ingredients.

I snuck in a few tablespoons of vanilla instant pudding mix for a lovely texture and sweetness.

Bring on the Frosted Flakes!

White chips!

Just you wait until you take a taste of this dough!  To die for.

Yah, pretty amazing.

Come to mama!

These are officially going on my “make all the time” cookie list.

Enjoy friends!

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Let me get a few things off of my chest….number one, I am not a professionial macaron maker, nor will I ever claim to be. Number two, I do not follow the typical macaron rules.  I am too impatient.  Phew, I feel much better.  Ok, now we can start.

I adore macarons.  Wait, I should say, I adore eating macarons.  There is a lovely little macaron shop down the street from my house that I pick a few up on a regular basis and savor every bite.  There’s just something about them that makes me so happy.  Also, The Bouchon Bakery macarons make my heart sing.  If you haven’t had one, be sure to order one in this lifetime.  They are amazing.

I have never had any desire to make my own macarons, because I know they are a bit of a process to make and can be finicky to get just right.  However….A couple weeks ago, my friend Amanda was visiting and we got to talking about macarons.  She has made them dozens of times on her blog and I told her that I’ve never tried making them…not ever. Before I knew it we were preparing a “macaron baking day.”  I knew immediately I wanted to make an Oreo version!!  We went to Sur La Table and got a few necessities and Amanda showed me the traditional way of preparing macarons.  We had so much fun and I learned so much. They turned out lovely.  I was still thinking, man I wish the process wasn’t so long!!!  Could there possibly be shortcuts?!  I was on the hunt to find out.

I came across a blog post from Brave Tart about Macaron Myths that changed my view about macarons forever.  Let me explain.  Brave Tart is a pastry chef who makes macarons on a very regular basis.  She goes on to say she’s tested every step of making macarons and has found that some of the traditional steps that take a good amount of time are not always necessary.  I’m talking particularly the step of having to age your egg whites (let them come to room temperature overnight) and letting your macarons sit on a baking sheet for 45 minutes before even getting them into the oven.  Now, I don’t mind doing those steps every now and then, but I surely wouldn’t make them on a regular basis with that kind of process involved.  After reading Brave Tart’s blog post, she said she has tried preparing her macaroons with egg whites straight from the refrigerator and also baking her macarons right after she pipes them on the baking sheet with the same results!  That cuts out hours of time, so I said I am trying it!!

Some of the things you’ll need that you might not have on hand are a food scale (about $20-30), almond flour (about $8), a piping bag and large round tip (about $8)

Let me show you the process of making them….my way.

Read the rest of Cookies and Cream Double Stuf Macarons

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Welcome to another addition of my chit chat page.  Hope you are enjoying these as much as I am.  If not, feel free to click over to the recipes, I’ve got lots to choose from!

First things first, I was cracking up when I saw the e-card above.  How true is this while on Pinterest?!  I’ll be pinning like crazy and realize I absolutely do this, haha!  Oh well, it’s all good fun

I could hardly contain my excitement this week knowing I was going to see a live taping of The Voice with my friend Sara in LA!  We were sitting right above Adam’s seat and had a great view of the stage.  What a fun night it was.  Love Love Love this show.  Grateful to the guy sitting next to us who snuck his phone in and took some pics for us.

One of my favorite finds this week were these fun summer sandals by Sam and Libby at Target!  Remember Sam and Libby from the 90′s?  I used to wear them all the time.  Love that they are making a come back.  These look so cute on.  You can see mine on Instagram HERE.  Love these leather metallic silver flip flops from Gap too.

So, last Sunday I was sitting in church with my family and in walks Mindy Gledhill, one of my favorite musicians ever!  So glad I introduced myself and got a picture with her.  She is so sweet.  If you haven’t heard her music, you must check it out.  She is amazing!!

So…..when Amanda was visiting last week, we made homemade macarons together.  Let’s just say, the version I am posting first thing Monday morning is out of this world delicious!!  I think you can see what I did, haha.

 Completely obsessed with all of the cherry blossom trees around our neighborhood.  They are just so happy and lovely right?

Unsure what you should ask for Mother’s Day?  One of my good friends told me about Jo Malone cologne/perfume a couple months ago.  Guess I have been living in a box, because I didn’t know much about it.  Can I just say that they make the most beautiful scents ever?  I’ve never been a huge perfume collector until now.  Great, lol!  The fun of Jo Malone scents is that they are made to mix and match to create your own signature scent.  It’s just too much fun.  Check your local Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdales if you don’t have a Jo Malone boutique.  Here’s a store locator to see where there’s one nearest you. Trust me, they are worth hunting down.  My favorites are Nectarine Blossom and Honey, Orange Blossom, Redcurrent and Cream and Blue Agava…and just about all of the others.

My little angel boy is 8 months old now.  Little cutie pie cut his first tooth on Wednesday this week.  Can not even tell you how much I love this kid.  Pure happiness and joy!!

Have a great weekend friends!  See you Monday for a macaron party!

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I’ve compiled some of my favorite breakfast/brunch ideas for you that will make any mom oh so happy!  Have fun planning!

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My sweet dad was visiting from Arizona and we love walking through Balboa Island in the Newport Beach area.  We had Pax with us strolling through this adorable beach neighborhood enjoying the sunshine.  I happened to look through the window of Michelle’s studio and my jaw dropped when I saw her gorgeous photos.

Beautiful black and white vintage style photos were hung on the walls for all to see.  I immediately told my dad, we had to go in for a closer look.  I knew without a doubt that I wanted Michelle to photograph my family.

A couple weeks later we had our session with Michelle and her assistant.  These ladies were unbelievable.  They knew every trick in the book to get the perfect smiles and looks from the boys.  I was standing back in amazement watching them work their magic.

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