Not Your Average Mother and Darling Divas and Dudes Childrens Boutique

Beauty Brite 10K Fan Celebration Giveaway!!!

2012-11-26T19:10:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the 10K Fan Celebration Giveaway, hosted by Beauty Brite and Asha Butterflys! Beauty Brite just hit 10,000 fans this week and now it’s time to celebrate! We would like to thank our sponsors who contributed to this giveaway!

A huge thank you to the following blogs for helping us put this giveaway together: Charisma Media, Fairy Tale Reviews, Stressed Rach, Thrice the Mischief, 3 times the love and Tammie's Reviews, Giveaways and More.

We started out with 4 prizes and it has now grown to 10 prizes! Instead of just 4 winners, there will be 12 winners! The prizes include the following:

1. Hidden Treasure Candle (RV: $25)

2. MUPS Shoes (free shoes + ornament (RV: $79+) 3. Closer by Halle Berry ($28) 4. $100 Giftcard to SkinCareHeaven.com 5. (Avon) Jon Bon Jovi Unplugged For Her $30 &Unplugged For Him $29 6. NeoCell Hyaluronic Acid and Super Collagen (RV: $29.95, $15.95 respectively) 7. Canvas (RV: $80) 8. Yoyo lip gloss (RV: $10) 9. Eclos (RV: 40) 10. Flora The Garden Gucci (RV: $30.00) -3 winners

This is a great opportunity to get some extra gifts for Christmas. Either for yourself or a loved one. You wouldn't want to miss out so enter for your chance to win.

This giveaway is open to US Residents Only, and ends 12/6 at 12:01am! Use the Rafflecopter form below to enter to win! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Let it Stroll Giveaway!!!

2012-11-17T10:23:00.001-08:00

The holidays are here and its time to win some great items!!! Enter for your chance to win a Baby Cargo 200 Series Stroller that retails for $149.99. You can win this for yourself or makes a great gift for someone special who could us it.

I love strollers and have been through so many between my three kids. Every stroller is different and has its own unique advantages. You have the strollers that carry everything, the light weight, the double side by side, double front and back, single jogger, double jogger. I have been through them all. I LOVE STROLLERS!!!

The Baby Cargo 200 has so many great features including, compact easy to fold design, easy to carry shoulder strap and handle, adjustable canopy, underside cargo basket, multi position padded adjustable backrest and adjustable leg rest, and Water resistant hood.

Sign up, and enter for your chance to win!!

Visit S.O.S Mom for her wonderful product review.

I wont let you forget, I'll be posting updates on twitter @DDivasnDudes about this wonderful giveaway event!!

The event is open to Canadian and US residents.

Event dates are 11/19/2012 through 12/03/2012

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Exciting New Business Venture

2012-11-11T08:43:00.001-08:00

I took a little break from blogging, but I'M BACK!!!! Lots has gone on since I've been gone. One of my previous blogs was about figuring out a way to make money while staying home with the kids. I brainstormed lots of ideas but finally found my true calling and opened up a online store.

Darling Divas and Dudes (www.darlingdivasanddudes.com) was launched and I couldn't be happier. I love owning my own business. I love searching for the cutest children's items. We have so many great things and since I'm not allowed to have more children, this has become my new baby.

We focus on mommy and me items. We have the most darling mommy and me aprons. My daughter loves wearing her apron whenever we cook together. To her, its a special treat to get to dress like mommy. Maybe this will keep her out of my closet for a while longer.

We have mommy and me bracelets. These bracelets are stunning! You can have yours personalized with initials or a first name. To be honest, I would rather initial things instead of putting entire first names on children's things. For me, its a safety issue. I don't want strangers knowing my child's name. But initials are perfect and it makes the bracelet much more special.

We have the most stunning little girls shoes. We chose to add high quality swarovski crystals to the toes of these shoes because they shine and sparkle like no other jewel available except diamonds.

Other items available are little boy tie onesies and leggings, children's shirt saver bibs, and boutique bows.

I hope you will come check out the site and from the site you can like our facebook page to keep updated with amazing new product adds.

Website http://www.darlingdivasanddudes.com

Like us on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Darling-Divas-and-Dudes-Childrens-Boutique/419223154808591

xoxoxo

Kristan

I'm a Business Owner!!!!!!

2012-10-09T18:45:00.001-07:00

So I finally did it! Started my own business. I am now the proud new owner of Darling Divas and Dudes Children's Boutique.

I started this like I start most things, by jumping right in, not fully knowing how complicated the process is. Filing a business license, fictitious business name, ecommerce hosters, website designers, wholesale license, secure shopping cart hosters, and this is just to start. Then there is finding suppliers and managing inventory. I'm still in the process of getting the right designers. I have one amazing one but I need more to get the site fully loaded. Its overwhelming at times but I look forward to the possibilities and what the future has in store.

As soon as its up and running, I'll post an update and I hope I'll have your support.

XOXO

Swag for Starbucks

2012-07-29T23:02:00.001-07:00

So I stumbled upon a great site called Swagbucks.com. Swag bucks are the digital dollar, and you earn them by surfing the web. What could be easier. I'm a pro.

There may be a little more work involved if you want the big SB's. Sometimes you fill out surveys, watch videos, answer polls, and claim swag codes. I had to set up a email account just for filling out surveys. In just a few days, I already earned enough swag bucks for a 5 dollar Starbucks gift card. There are many other gift cards to choose from but I'll do almost anything for caffeine.

Remember to stick with it. Every buck adds up. Your well on your way to some fabulous gift cards!

White Chocolate Dipped, Blue Bedazzled, 4th of July Strawberries

2012-07-11T00:44:00.001-07:00

We had our annual 4th of July block party and I always try to woo the neighbors with fabulous treats. Thanks to Pinterest the possibilities are endless. I found the cutest red, white, and blue strawberries recipe ever!!!

Easiest thing to make, but they are gobbled up fast so I've made a mental note to make extra next year.

Just look at that picture. They look to pretty to eat.

Holy Blackberry Cobbler!

2012-04-19T12:51:00.001-07:00

Holy Blackberry Cobbler! I'm more of a chocolate person but my husband doesn't care for chocolate. Who in their right mind doesn't like chocolate?!?! So I make these cobblers for him. You can use any kind of berry you like, our favorites are blackberry and blueberry.

Some people call it the cupa cupa cobbler. Because its a cup of flour, cup of sugar, cup of milk and 1/2 cup melted butter. Easiest recipe to remember.

Gather the goodies

Rinse your berries

Mix your flour, sugar, milk, and then whisk in your melted butter. Pour into a buttered baking dish. Drop in your berries, sprinkle with 1/4 cup sugar and bake for an hour. The recipe calls for an hour, I bake mine for about 45 minutes. It usually browns to much if I keep it in the whole hour.

Look how pretty. I wish you could see the juice bubbling up through the crusty bits and smell the blackberries.

This recipe is courtesey of my favorite Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummand.

Ingredients

1 stick Butter
1-1/4 cup Sugar
1 cup Self-Rising Flour
1 cup Milk
2 cups Blackberries (frozen Or Fresh)

Preparation Instructions

Melt butter in a microwavable dish. Pour 1 cup of sugar and flour into a mixing bowl, whisking in milk. Mix well. Then, pour in melted butter and whisk it all well together. Butter a baking dish.
Now rinse and pat dry the blackberries. Pour the batter into the buttered baking dish. Sprinkle blackberries over the top of the batter; distributing evenly. Sprinkle ¼ cup sugar over the top.
Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 1 hour, or until golden and bubbly. If you desire, sprinkle an additional teaspoon of sugar over the cobbler 10 minutes before it’s done.

Mock Ice Cream Sandwich (Low Cal)

2012-04-18T22:19:00.002-07:00

Mini Mock Ice Cream Sandwiches

Cool Whip Free
8 Quaker chocolate quakes rice snacks
1 Tablespoon mini chocolate chips

Put a teaspoon of the cool whip on each rice snack and sprinkle some chocolate chips on it then pop in the freezer for an hour. THATS IT!!!! Each one of these babies is 25 calories, If you add a top to it to make it into an ice cream sandwich, its 50 calories. Its really yummy and a super low calorie frozen dessert.

If you like my fancy pictures???? Check out the new iPhone app camera+ I dedicated a post specifically for that just because its that FANTASTIC!!!!

Vegetarian Enchilada Pie

2012-04-18T14:17:00.005-07:00

This is hands down, the BEST enchilada pie you will ever taste!

Every time my grandmother Beryl visits us from Arizona, she makes this recipe. Its so good, I make it for my family, and they love every bite.

Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the pan

Layer 8 corn tortillas and top with another small layer of sauce

Sprinkle a third of the cheese, onion, olives, and chiles.

Repeat the process two more times

Cover with foil, pop in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes

Top with salsa and sour cream

ENJOY!!!

Directions for Grandma Beryls Enchiladas:

Preheat oven to 350

9x13 inch pan

5 cups shredded Cheese

1 4oz can of diced green chiles

1 4oz can of chopped olives

1 cup of chopped onions

1 23oz can of green chile enchilada sauce

14 white corn tortillas

Salsa and sour cream for topping

Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on the bottom of the pan
Layer 8 corn tortillas and top with another small layer of sauce
Sprinkle a third of the cheese, onion, olives, and chiles.
Repeat the process two more times
Cover with foil, pop in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes
Top with Salsa and sour cream
EAT EAT EAT!!!

Chipotle Sweet Potato Fajita Burgers

2012-04-14T20:40:00.003-07:00

I'm a vegetarian living with a meat eating family. I usually eat whatever sides they are having with their main meals or make myself something extra special like these Chipotle Sweet Potato Fajita Veggie Burgers. They are so flipping good! I came up with this recipe when I was making the husband some Fajita turkey burgers. So waaaaaay down at the bottom of this page is a picture of his turkey burger along with the recipe, but doesn't mine look so much better?

Sweet Potato Fajita Veggie Burgers
makes 7-8 large patties

2 cans cannellini white beans, drained
1 large sweet potato, baked/peeled/mashed (about 2 cups)
1/2 small onion Diced
1/2 red pepper diced
1/2 green pepper diced
2 Tbsp tahini
2 tsp maple or agave syrup
1/2 tsp chipotle powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup wheat flour

Panko crumbs
Olive oil for pan

Directions:

1. Bake sweet potato. Peel, place in large mixing bowl.
2. Add drained beans to mixing bowl. Mash beans and potato together.
3. Mash in seasoning, flour and any additional seasoning. Your mixture will be quite soft and moist. But you should be able to form a patty. Add more flour or a scoop of breadcrumbs - or dry rice to thicken the mixture if needed.
4. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a pan.
5. Form a patty from mixture and coat in Panko crumbs. Thick coating. Then drop the patty in the pan. Repeat until the pan is filled. Cook until browned on both sides.

Fajita Style Turkey Burgers
By: Aromatic Delights
Ingredients
2 lbs   ground turkey breast
4      garlic cloves
½      onion, finely chopped
1      small green bell pepper seeded and finely chopped
1      small red bell pepper seeded and finely chopped
2      jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
3 tsp   ground cumin
2 tsp   thyme dried leaves, crushed
1 – 2 tsp hot sauce
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
Handful chopped fresh cilantro leaves – parsley may be substituted
8 Burger Buns
Directions: Put meat in a large mixing bowl. Mix the cumin, thyme, and salt and pepper together and add to the meat. Add chopped green pepper, red pepper, and the jalapeño. Mince in garlic. Add the cilantro and hot sauce. Mix well. Form into 8 patties. Cook in skillet with oil over medium high heat for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Place cheese (optional) over the patties in the last 2 minutes of cooking to melt.
Suggested Toppings: Mexican style cheese, Salsa, Tomato, Avocado / Guacamole
Makes 8

Cheesecake stuffed strawberries, drizzled in chocolate, and topped with graham cracker crumble

2012-04-13T15:42:00.006-07:00

Absolutely sinful!! I made these to go into that personalized dish I made my mother in law for her birthday. I only made 8 of these today. Couldn't have the extras going into my stomach before her birthday, but we HAD to test the recipe.

My assistant baker and I took on the cheesecake challenge!

Ingredient list:

1lb Strawberries
8 oz cream cheese, softened
4 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
graham cracker crumbs
dark chocolate or white chocolate melted

Rinse strawberries, and cut off the tops

With a paring knife, cut out the centers

Mix the cream cheese, powered sugar and vanilla. Fill your ziplock baggie with your "cheesecake", cut off the tip of the bag and fill those strawberries.

Smash up those graham crackers for that crumble topping.

Oh! Heaven!

Lets see my taste testers faces and find out if these things are any good.

Directions:

Rinse Strawberries, cut off the top and remove the inside, and set aside
in a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add cream cheese to a piping bag or ziplock baggie with the corner cut off.
Fill the strawberries with the mixture, top with graham cracker crumbs, then set aside
I chop my chocolate into small pieces and melt in short 20 second intervals in the microwave. I keep doing it until the chocolate is nice and melted. If you do it to long you will burn your chocolate. Once its just melted, pour into a ziplock bag with the corner cut off and drizzle over strawberries
Refrigerate until ready to eat.

Glass Etching FUN!

2012-04-13T09:16:00.000-07:00

I've been searching for ideas on what to get my mother in law for her birthday. I didn't want to just get her a pair of slippers or perfume because I wanted it to be special. Pinterest gave me my inspiration again! I could personalize a baking dish just for her, then fill it with some homemade goodies. I was thinking about Strawberries stuffed with cheesecake, drizzled in chocolate, and topped with a graham cracker crumble. Of course I have to taste test them first, so I'll save that for a later post.

Here's what you need to etch glass:

Glass Etching Cream (I used Armour Etch)
Stencils
Paint or foam brush

The stencils I bought from Michaels were called Plaid FolkArt Peel & Stick Painting Stencils. They saved me from doing a lot of cutting with an exacto knife into contact paper. WHEW! They are reusable too.

Once you get your stencils in place on your glass dish, apply a think layer of Armour Etch Cream over it. I let the cream sit for 10 minutes, then washed off all traces of Armour Etch Cream with water.

Check out the finished product! Now imagine it with those Strawberries stuffed with cheesecake, drizzled with chocolate, and topped with graham cracker crumble.

Teacher Gift, fake out birthday cake

2012-04-12T15:06:00.004-07:00

For my sons teacher birthday gift this year, I wanted to make her a cake. I couldn't actually bring her a cake so I improvised. Safeway was having a deal at the time for 50 cookies 5 dollars. Well that's a smokin' hot deal. So I took my big container of cookies, and decided to decorate it like a cake. I hot glued cream colored ribbon around the container, curled some ribbon for color to glue that around too. I topped it off with candles, also hot glued, and a happy birthday note for the top. (the candles do melt a tiny bit when you set on top of the dab of glue, but just hold for about 30 seconds and they stay perfectly)

When I brought this cute little "cake" into her class and had the kids sing happy birthday to her, she actually thought I was bringing in a real cake. She had enough cookies to share with the class and some to take home for herself too. SUCCESS!!!!!

New to Blogging

2012-04-12T14:47:00.001-07:00

Its time to start blogging! I've been cooking, baking, and crafting so many new things, it would be a shame for me not to share some of these. I've had some epic fails, but some of my creations turn out amazing!

I have to warn you that I'm terrible with grammar, I overuse exclamation marks, but trust me it will be worth it. Let the journey begin!!