Chic Productions

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T10:59:00.001-08:00

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from your friends at Chic Productions.

May you and your family be blessed as we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Quick and Cheap Halloween Games

2011-10-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

Dressing up and going trick or treating is fun, but when you get to combine that with a family friendly Halloween party it becomes a memorable event. Budgets are tight and time is short, but there is no need to cancel your Halloween party this year. These four activities will add fun, fright, and competition for your guests.

Having your guests wear costumes automatically adds an activity to your party. When the guests have all arrived, have them place a ballad for each age group for the most creative costume. After the snacks have been served and the votes tallied give a first place ribbon to the winner. Shredding the bottom of a black ribbon and adding a plastic spider to it will make a spooky prize.

Next, pair up your guests for the mummy wrap game. One person takes a whole role of toilet paper and wraps his partner from head to toe. The team that finishes first wins. Give the winning group toilet paper wrapped in orange tissue paper with black and purple ribbon. A practical, yet fun gift that everyone will get a kick out of.

Photo by Photobucket

If you live in a safe and friendly neighborhood, have your guests split up into their family units and go around the neighborhood asking for art supplies to decorate a pumpkin. We did this at a Halloween party a couple of years ago, and the neighbors were so willing to help. Note: Always have adults go with children.

Make sure your guests do not go to the same house to asks for the art supplies and give them a flashlight to carry with them. We were all sent different directions and everyone came back with different craft supplies. When everyone gets back to the house, have your guests decorate a pumpkin. Before the guests start home give a prize to the best decorated pumpkin. A small basket of art supplies as the first place prize will be a wonderful gift for the winning family.

Photo by Photobucket

For the last game of the night, creep your guests out with a little guessing game. Turn a cardboard box upside down. Cut a hole in the side of the box big enough to fit your fist through. Place a bowl of gummy worms or cooked elbow noodles at room temperature under the box. Bury a small object in the bowl like a toy car or spider ring. Have your guests stick their hand in through the hole and listen to them shriek in disgust. Have each one whisper what the object is to you, and if they get it right give them a goodie bag of gummy worms.

Photo by Photobucket

These games are great for your next family oriented Halloween party. Even when on a budget, you can still have a great time. Do you have any spooky Halloween games to share?

Happy Halloween,

Amanda

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Moving Checklists

2011-10-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

Moving can be one of the most exciting and stressful times in your life. If you are like the thousands of people that are moving, and you are not hiring professionals to handle all of the heavy lifting, there is no need to stress. We have got you covered.

Kevin and Javen with the keys to the new house.

This year was hectic for our family. I graduated from college in April, my husband is going back to school, we moved in June, we had a baby in September, and that was just the the big things that come to mind. The only way we survived was making joint to-do lists for my husband and for myself. This helped us assign who would do what so that nothing would be forgotten about. After as many moves as we have made you would think this would be old hat, but it never is. We moved only 5 minutes away, but it was still a big ordeal. Here are some of the lists of things that helped us make this hectic year and move a little less stressful.

Packing Supplies:
*Newspaper/Butcher Paper
*Boxes
*Packing Tape
*Bubble Wrap
*Shrink Wrap
*Styrofoam Peanuts (If you have very fragile items and are moving a long distance)

Utilities To Change:
*Electricity
*Water
*Cable
*Internet
*Home Phone
*Cell Phone
*Renter's/Home Owner's Insurance
*Car Insurance (Note: Price of insurance my change based on where you move, even if it is across the street)
*Note: Deposits may be required even if you have a letter of good standing from your former carriers.)

Change of Address:
*All bills
*Bank
*School
*Employer
*Post Office
*Doctor Office (Have them forward to new doctor when you make your next appointment)
*Family and Friends (Send email or a cute new address post card)

To Do List Before Move:
*Clean our closets, dressers, garage, storage unit or closet, and junk drawers.
*Make a sell, keep, donate, and trash pile. This will cut down on packing and save you time and energy later.
*Reserve the rental truck, moving blankets, dollies, and friends to help with the move.
*Make the necessary purchases before the move. (Example: refrigerator, microwave, furniture, bug spray, cleaning supplies, etc.)
*If you have big purchases, request the items to be delivered on your moving day or before so they will be ready to go and in place before all the boxes arrive.
*Set up a babysitter for small children. Small children will want to be in on all of the action, but they could get hurt and be in the way. Have someone scheduled to watch your little ones on moving day. They will be entertained and you will not have to play mommy and moving lady in the same day.
*Have cash on hand and be prepared to buy everyone dinner for their hard work.
*Have water bottles, Gatorade, and protein filled snacks available for the entire move. (Moving is hard work. It was 115 degrees the day we moved. Stay hydrated.)

Moving isn't fun, but it can be less stressful with a little preparation. Do you have any moving tips?

Thanks,
Amanda

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Etsy Friday: Veiled Hats

2011-10-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

Cocktail hats are so chic and great for dressing up any outfit for a date night, wedding, or a party. These crafty sellers at Etsy are very creative. I love the different styles and colors, and I can't wait to get one. Accessories have to be my favorite part of an outfit. They personalize the look, and are a fashion statement all your own.

Blue Cocktail Hat with Veil by Jay Jay Amore

Retro Kimono Silk Cocktail Hat with Veil by Red Dragonfly

Red Cocktail Hat with Veil by Dollsville NYC

Wedding Veil with Pearl Accent by Gilded Shadows

Black Satin Hat with Veil by Le Petite Menagerie

Do you have an accessory that you have been drooling over lately? Do you think you look fabulous in a hat, or do you stay away from this look? Let me know. I'd love to hear from you.

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The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever

2011-10-11T15:02:00.000-07:00

A chocolate chip cookie, is a chocolate chip cookie, right? That's what I thought until my husband came across this recipe. The key ingredient is the vanilla pudding, and it makes all the difference. You can find this recipe on All Recipes, but Kevin added just one ingredient to bring out all the flavors.

Recipe for Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 teaspoon of salt (added ingredient)

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

2. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add pudding mix, eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, baking soda, and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Fold in chocolate chips.
3. Drop teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

After you taste these cookies you will never make any other chocolate chip cookie recipe again. Seriously, they are that good. :-) Don't over cook these; they are suppose to be soft.

I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as we do. If you have any fabulous recipes that we need to try, please let me know. I would love to hear from you, and try out your favorites.

Happy Baking,
Amanda

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Baby Hamper

2011-10-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

Since our new baby boy is consuming my life, I thought we would continue with the baby theme today. My mom made us a clothes hamper for Pierce's room, and it turned out great. The baseball button is an added detail that makes the hamper so cute.

Here are some other great baby hampers that are on Etsy.com.

Zebra Hamper from BabySeams

Wet Clothes Hanging Hamper by Snuggy Baby

Have a great Monday!

Amanda

Monogrammed Baby Gift

2011-09-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

There is just something about getting a personalized gift for your baby. My husband's company surprised us with a baby blanket and burp cloth with Pierce's name on it shortly after his arrival. It is adorable, and so thoughtful. This is a great baby shower gift idea.

Adding personalized touches to any gift is a great way to show the mommy-to-be that you took the time to select a gift. Have you received any personalized gifts for yourself or your baby?

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He is Here!

2011-09-28T19:34:00.000-07:00

We welcomed our second son, Pierce Alexander, into the world at 4:09pm on September 6th. He is healthy, beautiful, and such a precious baby. Needless to say we have had our hands full with two boys, but we are loving it.

My husband was able to stay home for 2 weeks, and my mother was in town to help for a week. It was so nice having help. We are starting to adjust to having a family of 4 now. We are so glad that Pierce is in our lives, and I don't know how we ever lived without him.

Did you adjust to having two children quickly? I'd love to hear from you.

Our New Site!

2011-09-14T20:38:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our newly updated site! We are still adding new features to our site all the time. Continue to come back and check out our new articles, tips, and great finds.

Let me know what you think about our site, leave a question, or tell me about one of your great parties. We love hearing from our readers.

Thanks,
Amanda

Let It Snow

2011-08-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

The car temperature read 115 degrees yesterday. This has been one of the hottest summers on record here in Texas, and it is making me question my love for the Lone Star State. So, here is a picture of some snow looking out over my parents' back yard this past winter. It will not stay hot forever, I know. Stay cool everyone. :-)

How are you staying cool this summer?

Easy Ways to Dress up a Cake

2011-07-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

This year my husband decided that he wanted me to make strawberry cake for his birthday. I wanted to dress up the cake and make it extra special. I added fresh strawberries all along the top of the cake to give it a more decadent look. As you can tell I am not a professional baker, but I do enjoy baking.

Here are some great tips for dressing up your next homemade cake:

*Put it on a fancy cake stand (Place parchment paper underneath the cake while icing the cake. The paper will catch the icing and make for an easy clean-up)
*If the cake is a fruit or citrus flavor use that fruit as a garnish on the cake.
*Use food coloring to brighten up any cake. It will change the color and not the flavor of the icing. (For example: If the birthday boy/girl's favorite cake is lemon, make a lemon cake and use green food coloring in the icing. Place lime and lemon slices on the cake. You will have an instant lemon and lime cake.)
*Don't be afraid to put garnish around the cake. Candy always works great.
*Chocolate shavings will always make a cake look delicious and like you spent all day on it.
*Placing edible flowers on a cake is a quick decorating fix.
*Dress up a white cake by putting ribbon around the bottom of the cake. (Just don't eat the ribbon.)

Here's to all the birthday boys and girls out there. May you have your cake and eat it too. Happy Birthday!

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Shoes and Handbags+Sugar=Delicious!

2011-07-20T06:00:00.000-07:00

What girl doesn't enjoy handbags and high heels? Make these same accessories in an edible form of sugar and you have a winning combination. These sugar cookies and cupcakes are so adorable! It was difficult to eat such works of art, but I managed.

The details on these purses are amazing.

If you are looking for a bridal shower, baby shower, or a girls night out party then this design is perfect.

We will have to throw another girls night out party just so we can have these delicious and stylish treats.

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Cheap Decor Idea: Scrapbook Paper

2011-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for an inexpensive way to spruce up your house before the guests arrive? Try putting scrapbook paper inside a couple of picture frames.

My sister got these frames at Ikea and the scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby. It took only 5 minutes to cut the paper to size and hang both picture frames. They look like works of art but for a fraction of the cost.

Do you have any cheap decor ideas? I'd love to hear them.

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One of my Favorite Things: Shoes

2011-07-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me, can tell you that I love shoes. They can make or break an outfit, they can make you feel sexy, and they will still look great if you gain or lose a couple of pounds. I would rather buys shoes than cloths any day of the week.

When my sister and cousin went to London a couple of weeks ago, my cousin decided to buy me the most expensive souvenir I have ever received. She spotted these Guess shoes and told my sister that I must have them. When she brought them home, I was blown away. They are fabulous, and they fit!

Now all I have to do is throw and party and get a fabulous dress to go with them. (I guess I'd better wait until the baby is born before I go prancing around serving hor' dourves in these beauties.)

So, what is the most expensive pair of shoes you have? Do you only wear them for special occasions, or are you never seen without them?

No Girls Allowed: Boy's Boutique

2011-07-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

Well, I hate to admit it but, shopping for little boys is just not as much fun as shopping for little girls. There is hardly any selection, and when you do find something your child's size is always missing. There is good news though! While perusing through Frisco Mercantile, I came across this little boy's boutique that offers great cloths and gifts for the little guy in your life. No Girls Allowed is a great solution for your boy shopping woes.

This is a great gift for the rock star kid.

Every baby boy needs a manly bib. :-)

I love the frogs fishing on this chandelier, but I would change the lamp shades to something a little more masculine. Maybe a solid red shade without the fuzzy pom-poms. That is an easy fix, and this light would look great in any boy's bedroom.

This little guy's backpack is great for hauling around all of the toys he can't leave home without.

Do you have trouble finding great baby and toddler boy clothing? If you have found a boy boutique that you love, please share it with me.

Giveaway: Chic Productions Tote

2011-06-14T10:46:00.000-07:00

We are so proud to announce our first giveaway! Please go to our facebook page and like us. We will randomly select a lucky winner to send this fabulous tote bag to. See everyone on facebook.

The winner of our fabulous Chic Productions Tote Bag is Rachel Sanderlin. Congrats Rachel, and enjoy the tote. :-)

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Baby Talk: Western Theme Baby Announcements

2011-06-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

As many of you know we are expecting your second bundle of joy in early September. We found out that we are having another little boy, and we are so very excited. I went on a search for cute baby announcements, and found these adorable western themes. After all, we are in Texas.

West Willow

These announcements are so simple, but adorable.

West Willow

This announcement has to be one of my favorites. It is stylish without looking too country.

Design Ink

Card Me Kelly

Announcing You

Did you send out announcements after your baby was born? Tell me all about it.

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All Aboard Train Birthday Party

2011-06-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

Every time we drive over railroad tracks or see anything that resembles a train, my two year old son will yell out, "Train, Mama, Train!" He is basically into any mode of transportation, so we thought it would be a great idea to take him for a train ride. There are not many options, and the ones available are a little pricey. That was until we found Forest Park Miniature Railroad.

Even though Javen's birthday is not until December, I'm already looking at ideas for a Choo-Choo Birthday Party.

The train at FPMR cost $3.00 for children and $3.50 for adults. This is a great option for those that want a train experience without the big price tag. The train ride is approximately 40 minutes and runs on the hour. Check out their calendar for times and dates of availablity.

The miniature train ride is a great expereince for a train themed birthday party. Have guest meet you there before or after cake time. There are not any tables or public restrooms, so it would be best to have the party at a near by location.

Babyfables Invitations

You can find these adorable invitations on Etsy.com.

Geeky Girl Design Invitations

No train birthday party is complete without a choo-choo train birthday cake. Busy B's Bakery cakes are delicious, and this train is too cute to pass up.

Have you ever thrown your child a train themed birthday party? I'd love to hear about it.

The Gravy Boat Challenge

2011-05-25T08:35:00.000-07:00

My Mom has been looking for a gravy boat for the longest time. She lives in a cute little town, but they do not have the selection of stores that I do here in the Dallas Metroplex.

You would think that a gravy boat is an easy item to purchase, but they seem to be few and far between. So I have been on the lookout for the perfect, yet affordable gravy boat for my mother. These gravy boats are simple, but could be used with almost any table scape. My job here is done. :-)

Crate and Barrel Gravy Boat

Pottery Barn Gravy Boat

Williams and Sonoma Gravy Boat

Target Gravy Boat

Fun Signs for Your Home or Office

2011-05-16T08:08:00.000-07:00

Mondays are notorious for being a drudgery, but these signs are sure to add a smile to your face. Adding a sign to your home or home office is a great way to show off your personality while adding a decrative touch. I found the first four signs at Hobby Lobby, and the last two signs were at a cute Victorian Antiques Shop in Grove, OK.

Are there any signs you have come across that you just had to have? Have a great Monday, everyone!

Cookout Goodies

2011-05-11T23:53:00.000-07:00

A cookout is all about the food, family, friends, and the conversation. Whether you are grilling up hamburgers or smoking some bar-b-que these little touches can add to your summer time get together.

I found the cow and pig napkin rings at World Market. At first I thought this might offend your guests if they were used at a dinner party, but I think they would be perfect for an outdoor cookout.

The small serving utensils are from Hobby Lobby. They come in a variety of colors and are affordable. At $4.95 you can get one for every side dish on your table.

What special touches do you add to your cookouts? Let me know. I'd love to hear from you.

Cupcakery: A Local Treat

2011-05-11T11:36:00.000-07:00

Chocolate Passion Cupcake from Cupcakery

Red Velvet Cupcake from Cupcakery

For all of you sweet tooths out there, Cupcakery in Frisco, TX, is a special treat. They offer a variety of delectable cupcakes that will make your mouth water.

My husband's favorite cake is red velvet, so he had to try their mini version. He gave his whole hearted approval and gave me permission to surprise him with one any time. I am a chocolate lover, so I had to try the chocolate passion. Of course, my son, Javen had to test it with me. It was hard not to save the last bite for myself.

This local cupcake shop is perfect for an after dinner treat or for your next party. They will be happy to cater your next soiree.

Graduation Cake Yum!

2011-05-03T06:00:00.000-07:00

My wonderful sister was nice enough to surprise me with a graduation cake after my graduation dinner last Friday night. She even got one of my favorite types of cake; yellow cake with chocolate icing. It was delicious!

Rachel, my sister, placed the custom order at Busy B's Bakery in Midlothian, TX. The cake was decorated perfectly and it was scrumptious! Thanks sis, and thanks Busy B's Bakery!

Class of 2011

2011-05-02T12:08:00.000-07:00

Congratulations Class of 2011! We did it. It was a long, hard road for some, but the effort is well worth the reward.

I want to thank my husband for standing by me and supporting me during this long process of getting my bachelor degree. I also want to thank my family for believing in me and never giving up on me. You are there for me through the good and the bad, and you always support me.

Yeah for no more homework! :-)

Easy, Last Minute Christmas Tablescapes

2010-12-20T13:39:00.000-08:00

Use the same color scheme for the candles, centerpiece, and the chandelier accessories to make this holiday look pop.

Putting candy and candles together makes for a simple but playful centerpiece.

Pour sugar into vases to look like snow. Place branches in the sugar and you have a winter wonderland.

Use the cake stand to give a lift to the shorter table centerpiece.

Everyone knows that the holidays can be stressful, but you can make them seem sophisticated with these easy centerpieces without all the fuss. I hope you all have a stress free, and happy Christmas!