Bake Me a Wish... Valentine Cakes

Carmel Apple Crumb Tiramisu Red Velvet Turtle Brownie

Oh boy...take a look at these cakes from BakeMeAWish.com!

Show your loved one how much you care and send them something that no one else would, a Valentine Cake. Who doesn't like cake? And these are top of the line, fresh and delicious.

BakeMeAWish.com has several types and price ranges , here is an example of pricing:

$15.00 for a 4" cake
$29.99 for the crumb cakes
$34.99 for the decadent delight cakes
$39.99 for the refrigerated classic gourmet cakes

Shipping and handling prices vary depending on the cake and the delivery date needed. Best pricing is for 2 day advance orders, but they do handle overnight priority, just cost a bit more.

You may want to take advantage of their current promotion - 10% off, if you order 2 cakes.

11 Days until the Super Bowl - Appetizer Idea

Since I live in Arizona, I believe it would be a cardinal sin (hee, hee) not to support this upcoming bowl. So I thought I would share a few EASY recipes with you. Whether you are hosting or attending a party, it is always nice to have something a bit different and delicious. For the next week and a half, I will be posting some recipes that I have used in the past. All winners!

Spinach and Artichoke Dip
1 (8ounce) package of cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 (10-12ounce) bag frozen cut leaf spinach, thawed and well drained
1/2 cup quartered artichoke hearts (about 7 ounces, canned) rinsed and drained
1/3 shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Tortilla chips or sliced baguettes

I use a small crock pot and double the ingredients.

Combine all ingredients,(except the chips/bread) into a small crock pot and heat. Stir every 5-10 minutes until thoroughly heated.

It's that simple! Enjoy!

Free Shipping... Valentines Gift for your Co-Workers

If you have someone at work that really helps you in "getting the job done", don't forget about them on Valentines Day. You don't want to get into anything big or expensive, and maybe you have a few people in mind, so keep it simple. Avon's Moisture Therapy Line is great gift idea. I can name three good reasons to buy this product:

1. Winter weather is so hard on our skin
2. Handling paperwork can really dry our hands out
3. because it works, it's a great product.

I prefer the online method, then I don't feel the pressure of a local rep calling me and having to say "no thank you".

If you shop on line you can get all 5 Moisture Therapy products for $10.00, normally $21.95. Just click on AVON.com to shop and enter coupon code LSSHIP for free shipping with any $30 purchase.

Discounts for Valentines Gifts - Things Remembered

Things Remembered is a great place to find something different for Valentines Day. Over the years, I can't tell you how many times I have been shopping for a gift in the mall and walked right past Things Remembered. But over the holidays, my Dad was visiting and he really liked the steel flask I gave my husband umpteen years ago. I thought it had cost me about 20 bucks and if you can believe it, it still costs $20. So I ordered one for my Dad and thought I would pass on the gift idea to you.... make your Valentine's shopping a bit easier and save a few bucks. Here are a few deals I found:

FREE Standard Shipping on Orders Over $100! Shop Things Remembered!

10% Off Any Order! Use Code: LOVE10 Valid ONLINE ONLY!

40% Off All Personalized Frames at Things Remembered!

15% Off Orders Over $80! Use Code: HEART15 Valid ONLINE ONLY!

20% Off Orders Over $100! Use Code: VALDAY20 Valid ONLINE ONLY!

Up to 75% Off Personalized Gifts at Things Remembered's Clearance Sale!

Lush's Sex Bath Bomb...Sounds a bit wild, but it's not

Have you ever heard of Lush Cosmetics? This store is awesome...

The LUSH approach to cosmetics retailing can, at best, be described as ‘unorthodox’. LUSH is far more a food retailer than a traditional cosmetics company (think handmade and fresh merchandise loaded with natural ingredients, butchers’ blocks, prices by weight, grease-proof wrapping paper, and best-by dates). In LUSH’s ‘beauty delis’, soaps are piled high on Provençal-style wooden tables like strange and exotic cheeses, whilst a myriad of orbs (fizzing Bath Bombs) are presented in-store like perfectly round apples.

Lush offers a wide range of products such as bath bombs, bubble bars, liquid shampoos, shampoo bars, soaps, skin care creams, hair care products, massage bars, body butters, foot care products, face masks, gift sets and much more. All products are natural, handmade and cruelty free. Vegan and vegetarian selections are available.

Try a Sex Bath Bomb for Valentines... it is the perfect bath bomb for a romantic evening for two, or an indulgent evening for one. Romantic pink water and an incredibly sexy jasmine fragrance set the mood... and once the rice paper rose petals fill your tub, there's no holding back! Let your fantasies run wild as this bath bomb brings out your sensual side.

Super Bowl Munchies... Can Fruit be on the list??

I don't know about you, but the older I get the better food grazer I am at parties. I have tried eating before, drinking lots of water during and using a small plate, but I still manage to get WAY more than my share! The biggest issue I see when attending a party is the lack of healthy foods. Yes, the usual carrots and celery are there, but plopped in the middle is that evil veggie dip... how can I deprive my carrots and celery, they love to be dipped!

My mother-in-law introduced me to a company called Edible Arrangements. If you haven't heard of or tried a fruit arrangement from this company, you are missing something good! You should check out their site, they have over 70 arrangements to choice from, starting at $35.00. A good sized party arrangement would cost you around $65-$85. You can either pick up or have something delivered. I guarantee it will be a hit and everyone will love it.

A Valentine's Gift I really liked...

I've been married for almost 20years and my sweetheart of a husband has truly tried to please me with an array of gifts. Jewelry, clothes, workout equipment, appliances, sporting stuff and God knows more. I have to confess, I am not the easiest to please in the gift department. Maybe I am wrong for saying I don't exactly love the gift, maybe I should just keep the "stuff" and use it and or wear it until it dies. Ugghh, I just can't do that and my husband says he understands. I really do appreciate the thought and I treasure his fortitude in finding the perfect gift. I sure hope he know this, I love him so!

So on with what I wanted to say... I did get one really great unique gift from my husband a few Valentines ago - cute flannel PJs from PajamaGram. He had it delivered to work, which was fun. (The other wives received the typical flower arrangement or nothing at all). Now I know flannel is not exactly a romantic nightie, but it was perfect for me to wear around the house and perfect for him to talk me out of in the bedroom!

Hooray for Flannel!

What to do with all those Candy Canes...

How many candy canes do you have left over from your Christmas tree? Well, we had two trees in the house and about 90 candy canes adorning them. My little one has eaten about 30 over the past month and a half. I know, not the best of parenting, but hey, it's Christmas. I used 20 for my table decor for my dinner party ( see the blog dated Dec 19th), but I still have a whole basket full of them. I can't throw them out and I can't afford the dentist bill if my daughter eats 1 more, so I'll cook with them!

My mantra in the kitchen is EASY, FAST and DELICIOUS... I think this recipe covers that. All I need is cut off Sugar Cookies and the Candy Canes.

There are two ways to design your cookie:
1. Just cut off and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top
2. Roll out the dough, use a heart shaped cookie cutter and sprinkle with candy

(Careful with the candy cane sprinkles, keep them off the cookie sheet, they really stick)

I'll have enough cookies for all the neighbors, my friends and even send them to my daughter's school for her party. I'll look like a Super Mom without all the hard work!

Yeesss! Another good day for us Moms!

Gift for My Teenage Daughter

Since I am home now, I have absolutely no excuses for last minute gifts. For years I have rushed around like a mad women, of course at the last minute, trying to find a meaningful gift. That doesn't always work and it put me in a crummy mood. I believe these holidays were not created to make us all grumpy and broke, but for us to take a moment to appreciate and/or spend some time with those we love.

For the girls, I like to give them a little something when they wake up in the morning. I have been doing this since they were 2 years. Now that my oldest is a teen you would think she would feel it is hoaxy and not cool. But nooo, she is right there looking for the gift. I really want to get her something different. I think she is old enough to appreciate something a bit nicer and hopefully will keep it as a keepsake for her children. ( High hopes) I decided on a stainless steel heart bracelet. Cost me $28.87 including shipping and I didn't have to leave the house. Amen for the Internet.