My Baby Shower

Since our little sweet pea is almost 2 months old I thought I should finally share some pictures from my Baby Shower. It was just for my family which is quite large and hosted by my wonderful and always helpful mom. We didn't have a specific theme, I just knew I wanted it to be soft and feminine. Everything was perfect and all of the pink was a delightful change from all of the boy colors I've become used to!

The invites, food display cards, and thank you circles were by the always impressive Kori Clark of Paper and Pigtails. We printed out the what's in your purse game on pink card stock and added the bow and pearl embellishments. We also made the pink pomanders using this DIY tutorial from Pizzazzerie. The inspiration for the pink ruffle cake made by my mom came from My Sweet Saucy. This was also my moms first attempt at using Italian meringue buttercream frosting. It was delicious!!! I will never be able to settle for plain buttercream again! The nursery blocks were a gift from my mom, but I loved them so much we decided to use them as decor at the party. They were purchased from Shugabee Lane on Etsy. The take home favors were cupcakes in a jar and they were not only adorable but heavenly!

Ice Cream Sandwhich Labels

How sweet are these ice cream sandwich labels from A Subtle Revelry ?!! Lucky for you they are available as a free printable download here. Check out the entire ice cream party on Hip Hip Hooray. Great inspiration and just in time for summer!!

Coffee Can Ice Cream

My boy's and I created a summer " to do " list this year and one of the things on our list is to make coffe can ice cream. I thought this would be fun since neither of them have ever done it and who doesn't love ice cream on a hot summer day! It would also make for a super fun activity for kids at a birthday party or BBQ. Here is the recipe we are using from Kaboose , but you can also find some really yummy recipes here.

What you'll need:1 pint of half and half
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons of your favorite instant pudding mix (chocolate was used here)
10 cups ice
1 1/2 cup rock salt (kosher salt or sea salt can be used too)
3-pound coffee can, emptied and rinsed
1-pound coffee can, emptied and rinsed
Duct tape


How to make it:In a medium bowl, combine half and half, sugar, and pudding mix with a whisk until thoroughly mixed.
Place 1-pound coffee can inside the 3-pound coffee can and pour ice cream mixture into smaller can. Cover the smaller can with it’s corresponding lid and seal with duct tape.
Surround the smaller can with ice and salt by layering 5 cups of ice with 3/4 cup of salt.
Use duct tape to seal the 3-pound can with its corresponding lid and start rolling. Have the kids face each other and roll the can back and forth on its side for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, open the cans and check the ice cream. Remove the smaller can and check the ice cream. The mixture on the sides of the smaller can will set up faster than the center. Use a rubber spatula to quickly scrape down the sides and give the ice cream one stir.
Next, reseal the lid on the smaller can with duct tape, and set it aside. Quickly dump the melted ice water from the large can, and place the smaller can into the larger can again.
Now you need to surround the smaller can with remaining ice and salt by repeating step 3. Once that is done, put the lid on the larger can and seal with duct tape again.
Ask the kids to roll the large can for 10 minutes more.
Once they're done, open the cans again and serve the ice cream to your little helpers!
Tips:>>Use your favorite flavor of pudding to change the ice cream flavor.

>>After the first 10 minutes of kicking around the can, mix in some nuts or chocolate chips to enhance the flavor of your ice cream.

>>If the children get tired of kicking that can around after only 10 minutes, take this shortcut: Stir the mixture and set it in the freezer for about an hour to allow the rest of it to harden.

Must See Preppy Crab Party on Birthday Girl

Hi! It's Tracy, your random inconsistent blogger :) A sleep deprived mother, a
newborn, a terrible two-er, and a busy 5 year old is just not conducive to frequent if ever blogging! I just had to share this SUPER adorable party from Party Box Design that was featured today on Birthday Girl. The cupcake push-up pops are beyond cute. I sooo love them!! Be sure and check out the whole party here.

Margarita Cupcakes

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!! Since I am unable to have a true margarita this Cinco de Mayo ( I'm breastfeeding a newborn ;) and a virgin margarita just isn't the same! ), I went searching for a couple margarita inspired desserts. These Margarita cupcakes from The Bliss Blog sound delicious!

Margarita Cupcakes

Ingredients:
2 c. unbleached all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp instant milk powder
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
12 Tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
1 c. margarita mix (or any basic sweet and sour mixer)
5 egg whites, at room temperature

4 oz. light cream cheese, room temperature
6 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
zest and juice of 1 lime
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt
2 c. powdered sugar

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare 2 cupcake pans.
-In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, instant milk, baking powder and salt and set aside.
-In bowl of electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together on medium-high until light (about 3 mins).
-Beat in the vanilla extract, then margarita mix.
-Reduce the speed to low and beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined.
-In a large bowl, using an electric mixer fitted with clean, dry beaters and set on high speed, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
-Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the beaten whites into the batter just until incorporated.
-Divide the batter between the cupcake molds.
-Bake about 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean.
-Meanwhile, in bowl of stand mixer combine cream cheese, butter, lime juice, and zest, vanilla extract and beat on high until light and fluffy.
-Slowly add in salt and sugar mixing until combined thoroughly.
-Place bowl in fridge until cupcakes are cooled and ready to frost.
-Once cupcakes have cooled completely, remove icing from fridge, frost, and decorate to your liking.

Makes about 24 cupcakes

Hello cheesecake, meet my friend margarita! These Margarita Cheesecake Bars from Woman's Day sound equally delightful!

Recipe Ingredients
1 box (18.25 oz) lemon cake mix, prepared as box directs
1⁄3 cup fresh lime juice (grate lime peel first)
1 pkt (21⁄2 tsp) unflavored gelatin
3 bricks (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1⁄2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp freshly grated lime peel
Garnish: 1 lime
Recipe Preparation
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 13 x 9-in. baking pan with foil, letting foil extend about 2 in. above pan at both ends. Coat foil with nonstick spray.
2. Spread cake batter in prepared pan. Bake as box directs. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Holding foil ends, lift from pan. Trim rounded top (hump) off cake with a long serrated knife until flat. Holding foil ends, return cake to pan.
3.Pour lime juice into a small saucepan; sprinkle with gelatin. Let stand 1 minute, then stir over low heat 3 minutes until gelatin completely dissolves. Remove from heat.
4. Beat cream cheese, sugar and lime peel in a large bowl with mixer on medium speed 2 minutes until fluffy. Slowly beat in gelatin mixture. Beat 1 minute to blend. Scrape onto cake, then spread evenly to edges. Refrigerate 1 hour to set, then cover loosely and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight.
5. To serve: Lift from pan. Cut in 42 bars (dip knife in hot water; wipe clean between cuts).

To garnish: With citrus zester, cut peel off lime. Cut lime in quarters lengthwise then crosswise in 11 slices. Top bars with lime and peel.

Planning Tip: Can be made through Step 4 up to 1 day ahead. Garnish just before serving.

Camping Inspired Party

Can I just tell you how much I love this camping inspired birthday party that was featured on Hostess With the Mostess Monday?!! Such a great theme, and it lends it's self to sooo many possibilities! Check out the rest of this fabulous party here.

{ Baby Shower Monday } Sneak Peak from my Baby Shower

Yesterday was my Baby Shower and I haven't had a chance to sort through all of the pictures yet. But, I thought I would share a little sneak peek with you. It was soft, pink, and SO girly.... it was perfect!!! Hope to post more pics soon.