Sweets

Better Than Sex Chex Mix Neighbor Gift

1 · Nov 16, 2015 · 1 Comment

+ This Chex Mix Neighbor Gift is brought to you by Chex™ +

Oh it’s that time of the year again! One of my favorites for sure. I LOVE creating fun new ideas for neighbor gifts.

There is just something magical about getting together with your kiddos and putting together some gifts to give to those you love. They don’t need to be expensive or time consuming at all. It’s really a chance to take something simple to a friend, neighbor or even Bob (the mail man) to let them know that you care. To let them know that you notice all of the little things they do day-in and day-out to make your life a little better.

My first offering for this year is a sinfully scrumptious treat…

BETTER THAN SEX CHEX MIX!!

Yea, I didn’t come-up with the name or the recipe, this amazing concoction is directly from the folks at Chex! That means it going to be fantastic.

Look at that crazy pile of yumminess!

It’s super simple to make and it’s packed full of all the goodies that everyone loves… caramel, brown sugar, chocolate, butter, Chex cereal, mini-marshmallows, mini-Reese’s cups. Yea, it’s kinda amazing, here’s a link to the RECIPE.

Now, once you have it all mixed up and ready to give to your friends and neighbors and Bob (the mail man), it’s time to package the goodies up. I’m going to share THREE easy ways to share this amazing treat.

First, I found a nice basket at Target, but I’m sure we all have some type of basket laying around that would work. I lined the basket with parchment paper and then filled it with the Better Than Sex Chex Mix. To decorate the basket, I used a metal Christmas ornament that I found at Rod Works. The ornament made the perfect decor for the basket. It has a metal hanger that I folded over the top of the basket and it secured it nicely in place. My lucky friends will not only receive and yummy treat, they will receive a cute basket and a Christmas ornament as well. Triple win!

Next idea, I filled a large half-gallon Ball Jar with our sinful concoction and then tied a bow (ribbon is from Michaels) around the middle for a simple yet scrumptious gift.

Want to make it even easier? Grab a large cellophane bag from Michaels and fill your bag with the Chex Mix and and tie it off with a bow and bam, your done! It couldn’t be any easier!

There you have it… One amazing Chex Mix recipe that your friends will be raving about, packaged three different ways. Time to add some Chex Cereal to your shopping list and start making some Holiday goodies. Visit Chex.com for even more fantastic Chex Mix ideas perfect for Holiday gift giving.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of ChexTM. The opinions and text are all mine.

Airheads Drink Gems

0 · Nov 13, 2015 · Leave a Comment

+ This Airheads Drink Gems post brought to you by Airheads. All thoughts, ideas and opinions are my very own. +

Picture this scene… You have a house full of 10 and 11 year old girls. They are looking for something fun to do.

You are scrambling to find something “cool” to do that won’t embarrass your daughter and force your family to enter the Middle School Protection Program and relocate the entire family to Cleveland (sorry friends in Cleveland… I’m sure it’s a lovely city! I just needed to pick a place.) They are hungry and thirsty and things are starting to escalate… Your “cool” factor is dropping dramatically.

You’ve never been there? Boy, I have! I have three girls and the last one just started Middle School this year and the fun has started all over again. Take it from and experienced tween Mom… You need to stock-up on Airheads so that you can up your “cool” factor higher than you can even imagine!

If you have a room full of restless kiddos, pull out your Airheads, some cutting boards, rolling pins and some small cookie cutters or cupcake decorating tips and let them go to town.

You’ll be the coolest Mom in town if you teach them how to make Airhead Drink Gems. They will LOVE it, plus it will kill some time before you have to come-up with some other non-cringe worthy activity.

Here’s how you can look like a rockstar…

I used a fondant rolling pin, but any kind will work. Unwrap 3-4 Airheads of the same color, place them in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 5-8 seconds to soften them up. Kneed them in your hand to work them together. Lay them on a cutting board and then use small cookie cutters or a large cupcake decorating tip to cut out your shapes.

All you need to do is gather some clear class cups or jars and then affix them to the side of the glass.

They are easy to affix… All you need to do is slightly dampen a paper towel. Just like you would dampen a stamp, lightly r ub one side of your shape on the paper towel, slightly dampening it. Place it on the side of the glass and voilá, you’ve created your first Airhead Drink Gem!

Let them go to town designing their own glasses, they’ll love it!

Once they are finished you can add some clear soda or seltzer water to the glass and watch the dr ink take on the color of the gems. This is RIGHT DOWN THEIR ALLEY! You’re officially a ROCK STAR!

If you want to be extra cool… You can help them make their own Airheads Straw as well.

You can make all kinds of stuff with Airheads! For more fun ideas on how to craft with Airheads visit and follow them on Pinterest. To learn more about Airheads candy visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube!

Yes, even YOU can be a cool mom with Airheads!

Disclaimer // This post is sponsored by Airheads. All thoughts, ideas & opinions are my very own.

The Secret to Perfect Hot Chocolate

2 · Nov 12, 2015 ·

+ This Perfect Hot Chocolate post is brought to you by International Delights +

Ohhhhh, Hot Chocolate…

Need I say more?

I spent my younger years searching for THE PERFECT HOT CHOCOLATE. The minute the weather would turn chilly I would be on the hunt. I’ve tried all kinds… Powder packets, chocolate syrup in milk, actually melting chocolate in milk.

I’ve tried it all.

In my searching, I discovered that I loved to have some extra spice in my chocolatey drink. I’ve added all kinds of spices trying to find the perfect one. For some reason… The Holidays just couldn’t be the Holidays without a nice warm cup of Hot Chocolate. That little treat just seemed to usher in the season.

We’ve hit the jackpot this year… International Delights has introduced a yummy heat & serve Hot Chocolate that you can find in the dairy case. YEP… It’s rich and creamy and so convenient!

I decided I wanted to warm mine up with a little cinnamon spice. I made a cinnamon whipped cream and them rimmed the mugs with a cinnamon sugar mixture. Here’s what you need for this Holiday treat.

Cinnamon Whipped Cream for the Perfect Hot Chocolate

1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

2 table spoons powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon cinnamon

For the rim of the mug

3 tablespoons cinnamon Turbinado sugar

(What is Turbinado Sugar? Turbinado sugar is raw sugar that has been steam-cleaned. The coarse Turbinado crystals are blond colored and have a delicate molasses flavor. If you can’t find cinnamon Turbinado Sugar, just add a 1/4 teaspoon to the 3 tablespoons of sugar.)

Instructions for Cinnamon Whipped Cream

In a chilled mixing bowl, add cream and using the whisk attachment whip at medium to high speed. Let mix for 1 minute or until the cream starts to thicken. Add powdered sugar, vanilla and cinnamon and continue to mix on high until the mixture thickens into whipped cream.

Next, use the cinnamon Turbinado sugar to rim the mugs. Put a few (2-3) tablespoons of water onto a plate or shallow bowl and place your mug, rim side down onto the plate.

Then, place your sugar onto a 2nd plate and place your mug, rim side down onto the plate, like so…

Now, you’re ready to heat your International Delights Hot Chocolate according to package directions. Pour your Hot Chocolate into your mugs, top with Cinnamon Whipped Cream and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Serve immediately.

Ummmmm, YES… It’s as good as it sounds!

What brings the spirit into the Holidays for you? Is it the sights and sounds of the season or is there a specific flavor that brings them to life for you? Visit the folks at International Delights to learn how you can win a $5000 Holiday Brunch just by sharing your story!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.

The Most Amazing Chocolate Oatmeal Cake Recipe

3 · Nov 12, 2015 · 2 Comments

+ This Chocolate Oatmeal Cake Recipe post brought to you by Hershey via SheKnows +

Do you have a recipe that truly stands out in your mind from childhood? I certainly do!!

My Mother’s Chocolate Oatmeal cake made with Hershey Chocolate is one of those recipes that became legendary in our home as well as the entire neighborhood. Friends would make requests weeks in advance before their birthdays in order to have chance to eat this scrumptious treat for their special day.

The funny thing is that if they knew how easy is was to mix-up they would’ve been making it for themselves all year long!!

Come learn about this epic recipe over at SheKnows. As one of their newest SheExperts, I’m sharing some childhood memories along with the recipe how to make this amazing cake that can even pass as a breakfast food… It has oatmeal in it, it counts!! You can start a new tradition in your house with this heirloom recipe. Thanks Mom!

Click HERE for the full Chocolate Oatmeal Cake recipe!

For more ideas for new traditions follow Hershey on Facebook & Pinterest.

Disclaimer // This post is sponsored by Hershey. All thoughts, ideas & opinions are my own.

Sweets

BETTER THAN SEX CHEX MIX!!

Cinnamon Whipped Cream for the Perfect Hot Chocolate

Instructions for Cinnamon Whipped Cream

Click HERE for the full Chocolate Oatmeal Cake recipe!

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