Super Easy Brain Cupcakes!

Fall is my favorite season.   Not only is the weather cooler, it is also time for fun, unique halloween treats! This is a kit my Buddy gave me.

It's a Brains Cupcake Kit! Tho, it came with its own cake mix, and icing I wanted to make it red.  I purchased Red Velvet cake mix, and whipped icing I dyed pink.  I also found some Strawberry Smuckers Decorate Plate Jam at Dollar Tree (19oz) that the moment I saw I blurted out "There's my blood!"

Even without the Red Jam I squirted overtop the cupcakes, it still looks like brains.  To make the brain design just follow these steps.  If you don't have an icing bag, just use a plastic sandwhich bag, squeeze to one side, and cute a small slit.

Click To Enlarge!

The kit was cool because of the Skull sleeves it came with.  You can either buy the kit, or other halloween themed sleeves, but if you have a printer you can create your own too.

As you can see I just don't half do it, I like to go all out with the Halloween cupcakes, haha.  The kit doesn't come with the Red Jam Decorate Gel.  It's always good in my experience to use icing, and cake mixes you already know you like when it comes to these kits.  

"Brains, it helps the pain go away!"

Gluten Free Fruit Recipes! Win A Nesco Electric Dehydrator & Jerky Maker.

The Nesco/All American Dehydrator is probably one of the easiest appliances I have ever used. If you are a health food guru, or just a beginner, it's all the same. Any one can use this machine.

All I did was open the box, removed the dehydrator, and cleaned the four separate trays off. Next came the fun part, I started to prepare my fruits.

If you have younger kids, or even school aged kids, this dehydrator would make the perfect back to school snacks. Even on the run, and out the door for breakfast. Jerky for protein, and Fruits like apples that's full of fiber would be healthy & filling. Along with blueberries, and strawberries that are full of vitamins they can easily eat with no mess would be ideal too. Any fruit you like, you can dry!

It is also a Jerky Maker, and came with packs of seasoning for that as well. I plan on making chicken, and turkey beef sticks. Maybe even some turkey ones after Thanksgiving with leftovers. Be prepared to see more posts of me creating awesome things with this machine.

I'm using it to make dried snacks for my 19 month old, He refuses to eat "wet" foods, so I get his vitamins in by dried fruits. When dried properly fruits can have a great source of Vitamin A & C, along with the daily fiber for a healthy body.

This is my first time using a dehydrator, so I am just a beginner. I prepared Strawberries, Blueberries, & Fiji Apples. After washing them off. The Strawberries, and Apples(I soaked in water with Cinnamon) were sliced thin. They are not to overlap while on the dehydrator trays. The blueberries I just placed on whole, where ever, I did try to make it look pretty.

I also puree'd blueberries in the blender to make my own blueberry fruit leather. I buy fruit leather all the time, and have never made my own. This is more so for me, than the kids! You don't even have to use sugar in it, the fruit has it's own natural sugar. If the fruits you use are tart, consider using Honey. I love BeeFree Honey (apple honey.) This kit came with a make your own fruit roll up plastic tray with a special no spill over lip.

Over all it takes about 10-12 hours for the fruits I chose.

What is also great about this machine is that the top tells you what temperature to use to dry certain things. There is also a recipe book with easy to follow ideas, like, Orange Julius, Strawberry Cream Cheese, and Pina Colada Fruit Roll Ups.

This was a fun review, If you know how to slice fruit, YOU CAN make your own dried fruit. If you know how to push "puree" on your blender. YOU CAN make your own fruit leather. Don't be afraid to try something new.

My Blueberry Fruit Leather!!!! Turned out great!!!! I used just blueberry puree I made, added a drop of BeeFree Honey (Apple Honey) for extra sweetness. It would've been good without the honey too, but I love things sweet.

My Strawberry Chips!!!!! They dried faster than the rest, but I love them crunchy, so I left them in longer.

My Cinnamon Apple Chips!!!!! The aroma that came off of these while they dehydrated was just beautiful. I like my Apple Chips with the skin on. These are so delicious.

These are the Goodies I dehydrated over night, and woke up too.

The whole blueberries take a little longer, so I've puree'd some strawberries to make strawberry fruit leather with since I have extra trays available again.

I really love the fruit leather. I'm going to make my own Pumpkin Pie leather, Apple pie leather.. Peach cobbler leather.. I seriously, am addicted to the fruit leather.


Interesting Stats about the machine;

The machine itself is 500 watts, top mounted 2,100-rpm fan. That means it dries faster with more power, and you get results in hours, not days.

The patented Converga-Flow action provides even heat distribution, no need to rotate trays. No worries about flavors mixing.

Adjustable thermostat (95F-155F) used for Precision drying for the best quality for perfect fruit, vegetables, herbs, and jerky.
Opaque Vita-Save exterior for exclusive light-blocking in preserving vitamins, and minerals.

Expandable, even tho it comes with 4 trays, This model can operate with 12 trays, and automatically adjusts the pressure itself.


Here's your chance to Win A Dehydrator!!
Giveaway Begins 12:01 AM 7/30/2012 &  Ends 12:01AM  8/30/12,
WINNER IS CHOSEN BY RANDOM ON RAFFLECOPTER, WILL EMAIL WINNER WITHIN 24HOURS, WINNER HAS 7DAYS TO REPLY, OR NEW WINNER IS CHOSEN.

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I want to thank Nesco/All American Harvest for such a wonderful, easy to use machine. And, also a bigger thanks for Sponsoring this Review, & Giveaway. Thank you Nesco!!!! I am in love with my dehydrator.

**Receiving the Dehydrator for free from Nesco did not sway my opinion on dried fruit. I have always loved dried fruit, and been curious on how to make my own. Honestly, If It wasn't good, I would have said so. I've had nothing but a positive experience using this machine. Links posted are up to the reader to click in reference to more information on the machine.**..More About My Blog Disclosure.

How-To-Paint Letter Wall Art by GreenVics

This is just an idea on how to decorate Letters for a babies wall on a budget.  If it's for your little one, or to give as a gift. Here is how I painted mine. 

Go find whatever letters you need.  Sometimes they are on clearance.  Don't forget to check your Sunday papers for those 40% off craft store coupons that you can use on an item.  Ask people you know if you can have theirs too.  

Royal Talens AMSTERDAM Standard Series Acrylic 2.5 oz.

5/0 Princeton Round

Also, don't go crazy with buying every color of paint you see.  All you need are a nice set of Standard Series Paints.  Something with Red, Yellow, Blue, Black & White paint. With those colors, You can make so many different shades.  You'll also need good brushes, don't be afraid to buy single brushes, the smaller, the better.  Especially for those small detailed lines.

The brush to the right is one of my favorite brushes.  It's a 5/0 round Princeton Preferred.  Love your art brushes, and take care of them!! Always clean them off after use.  A good brush will last a long time.

Just stick to the basics.  What is great about these Acrylic tubes are you will have so much left over for other projects that come along.  The brushes are a great investment as well.  The white brushes with the gold ends are by Trenton.

Trenton All-purpose synthetic brushes 1/4" Angle, #0 Round, #5 round, #6 Shader

You don't have to be an artist to create something.  Just have fun with it.  GO for it.  Worse case scenario, if you don't like it? Start over.   But, don't be hard on yourself.  

Here's how I created mine.  Use a pencil to sketch what it is you want to draw (my favorite art pencils are by Faber-Castell.) Pencil first, with light lines in case you do want to erase something.   

After you've sketched out your design , it's time to paint.  You don't need to use a special paint palette.  Grab a dollar store plate.  

It's all about relaxing, and filling in the color.  Take your time,  This really does relax me.

After awhile it will start to come together.  For fun I made stripes on the sides of the letters that matched colors I had used for the characters.  

The very last thing I do is add the black outline.  To do this just use the small brush, ,and when you are applying paint to it, roll the brush into the black side to side.  Test it to see how thin your line will be.

Really hope this motivates you into painting something special, and one of a kind for your little ones.  I've seen Dr. Seuss art, but I wanted a Dr. Seuss themed  letter wall art.  Maybe your theme is flowers, fairies, monsters, or other well known characters that it would be cheaper to paint your own.

Now, go create something! Don't have that mentality you aren't good at it.  First think of an idea that you want to try, or atleast a few colors you really want to add.  Start from there.  All art is, are lines, dots, colors, that create the overall picture.  It isn't going to look like what you want at first.  Tweak it, and make it yours.

Color Collection #BICMarkIt @Smiley360 Mission

Having fun with my Bic Mark It Smiley360 Mission.

I am in complete love with this 36 Bic Mark It Permanent  Marker set.  The colors are vivid, beautiful, easy to use.  The fine tips make it easy to do detailed lines.  The little man, and I had a lot of fun picking out colors for our potted plants. This is a great DIY project.  Instead of buying expensive decorated pots for your plants, I had the opportunity to design my own.

First, I wanted to show how the case looks spread out on my desk.  The storage case unfolded so every color was easily accessible at all times.  I really dig that.  They also popped out, and back in with no effort.  

The rubber grips were comfortable, and did not hurt my fingers.  Which is nice.  From years of drawing, my fingers have taking a beaten so the rubber grips were a nice touch.

The seeds that Smiley360 sent, I germinated easily by just putting the seeds into a moist paper towel, and in direct sunlight.

This mission was so much fun.  Even bigger bonus that it involved art, and plants! Both which are on my top 10 favorites. For the stencils do a Google Search for Free Stencils, print, cut, and color in.  I used a stencil for the pink flowers, then free handed the mermaid, and swirls. You can really do whatever, and just have fun with it.

There is also a fun 36 Days Of Spring Colors Sweepstakes on Bic Mark It's Facebook.

I received these items for free, for being a Smiley360 Member!

Glee Gum Do It Yourself Candy Kit Giveaway!

These kits are fun, and educational! You can see my reviews for the Do It Yourself Chocolate Kit, and the  Do It Yourself Sea Weed Gummies Kit.  I haven't tried the Do It Yourself Chewing Gum Kit yet, but I bet it's as equally great if not better than the other two. I do enjoy Glee Gum.  My favorite flavors they make are the Cinnamon, and Spearmint Not only are the kits made with natural ingredients, they also tell a history about the ingredients used.

One lucky follower will have the chance to win a kit of their choice.  These are great for upcoming holidays, birthdays, home schooling(there are Educators Guides), and just because you feel like a treat days.

This is the Chocolate Kit I used to make some delicious dark chocolate cups with blueberries, and walnuts. You can add whatever extras you enjoy, or just leave them chocolate. I bet even natural peanutbutter, with oatmeal, and coconut would be a sweet treat. Really the possibilities are endless.

The Sea Weed Gummies kit was really fun to use. You can take any item you deem cool enough to impress into the starch to get your mold for the Gummies. I used an old star teether of the babies. I also just poured the extra onto a plate to let set up, and used scissors to cut out shapes, and his name.

Giveaway is open to the U.S. Only.  Begins 2/20/13 12:01AM Est, Ends 3/05/13 12:01 Est. Winner is chosen at random Via RaffleCopter. If winner does not respond back within 72 hours another winner will be chosen at random via RaffleCopter. Prize Est Retail Value: $13.95. Prize is mailed directly from the sponsor. Life According To GreenVics is not responsible for prize fulfillment. If you agree to these terms you may enter! Thanks, and good luck.

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Happy Valentines Day! Hope its full of Glee!

Glee Gum is not just all natural gum, but they also have Do It Yourself Candy Kits.  I loved the Sea Weed Gummies (You can read my review here.) And, now I just tried the Make Your Own Chocolate Kit

The Chocolate can either be doubled boiled, or microwaved.  I microwaved mine in a glass pyrex bowl.  I have a two year old, I  really don't have time, well mostly the patience to clean and use the double boiler.  Plus the only double boiler I have, I use for making soap.  

Making the chocolate in the microwave is as easy as melting down a pack of organic cocoa butter. I then added the cocoa powder, and sugar to the melted butter.  I also added a little bit of Vanilla to take away from the dark chocolates bitterness.  Once that was mixed, I checked the temp of the chocolate with the indicator stick before I added the starter crystals, stirred again before scooping into the candy wrappers.

I added blueberries in the middle of my dark chocolate treats, and put Walnuts on top too. Really you can add whatever you want. I think next time I want to add a little bit of oat meal, and some sugared coconut. The blueberries, and walnut are more for my husband. Tho Sy, and I loved the dark chocolate too!

See how easy the directions are? It really is an easy, delicious treat. There is even a side of the box that is educational about how Aztec Legend says Quetzalcoatl brought the cocoa tree from paradise to earth. ;

Glee added a few whole cocoa beans, I don't think I have ever had a whole cocoa bean.  So that was pretty cool! The texture reminded me of a coffee bean.

You can check Glee Gum out online, or give the Glee Guy some love on facebook, and twitter.  They really are a great company with all natural treats (If you've never tried their candy kits, or gum.. You really should! they make all flavors imaginable in the gum, even with sugar free.)

I received these items for free to review.  Opinions are my own and may defer from yours.

Sprout Robot Tells You When, And What To Plant In Your Garden!!

I came across SproutRobot.com, and instantly signed up.   I signed up because I love nature.  I also believe more people should give back to it, and grow something beautiful.

Why not grow something beautiful that you can eat?

This site makes it easier by putting all the guess work, and research into what Climate Zones can grow what, and when.  You just have to search by Zipcode, and it even emails you to remind you to plant.  I forget things lately, sooo that reminder is something I will enjoy.


This week I could be planting, collard greens, daikon radish, kohirabi, head lettuce, kalte, carrots, parsnips, turnips, rutabega, radishes, leaf lettuce, argula, spinach, mustard greens, beets, and transplant broccoli outdoors.

It even tells me what to start indoors as far as seedlings,

Week Of December 31, Start cabbage indoors.

Week Of January 21, Start leeks indoors.

This is SO cool, and I am getting ahead of myself.

Dezign With A Z, Fairy Tree Wall Decals Review

I wanted something cute for the area Sy likes to lounge at. The walls are pretty plain in my apartment still, and soon as you walk into the apartment you see an inner island where the sink is, that separates the kitchen from the living room.

I ordered the Fairy Tree Wall Decals 22”x25” from Dezign With A Z to fill that void on the wall. I was impressed at how fast the decal came. There were also cute little butterflies, and polka dots rolled up along with my tree, so it was like a bonus unraveling it, and finding little treasures along the way.

Here's a demo on how easy it is to Install the Decals:


It's pretty simple to install the Decal; My wall wasn't glossy so I didn't have to clean it off. I just marked where on the wall I wanted it, and I picked the corner of the inner island. I then laid the decal on a flat surface, and used the special tool that came with it to flatten it so the transfer sticks to the sticky side. I lined the tree on the wall with the marks. Since mines on a corner, I peeled the top right first and gently flattened it down to stick to the wall (Sticky side goes on the wall.) I did the same with the bottom right corner.

Then I used the tool and flattened the detail of the decal down more as I went around the wall. With the tree there are alot of little swirls, and leaves. The detail is just wild. Once I thought it was flat enough I peeled the plastic off, leaving just the decal behind on the wall. For how small some of the lines were, it really wasn't difficult. Even applying it to the corner was pretty easy. Just had to make sure I smoothed it out enough, and every bit stuck where it was supposed to.

This was a simple project for even people that aren't crafty, and want something unique. The decal is for a fairy tree, but I don't think it means for a certain gender. I love things that are magic, and mythical. I grew up reading about fairies, goblins, and trolls. Of course, I would want my son to have an imagination too.

You can find Dezign With A Z on,
Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest.


I was giving the product in exchange to do a review. Review as in, I installed it myself, gave my feed back, and honestly, pictures do not lie when it comes to decals, and placement. Receiving product did not sway my opinion. All links on review, do go to the sponsor regarding more detail.

DIY Gummies Kit Review & Giveaway

Glee Gum, Make Your Own Gummies Kit,

Most people think of gelatin when they think of ingredients used for Gummies. Gelatin is collagen(bones.) It's pretty disgusting knowing those cute teddy bear shaped characters are made out of bones.

The kit I used has no gelatin in it, at all. The process uses Seaweed. You actually get dried seaweed to add to water, and powdered seaweed. The natural seaweed gel used are called, carrageenan, and agar. If you say Eww, I would never use seaweed, honestly you should take a look into the ingredients in everyday things you use, like toothpaste, deodorant, pudding, salad dressing, cottage cheese, or even sometimes sandwich meat. Look for carrageenan, and agar.

There is no "sea" taste to seaweed in the Gummies Kit. I was very pleased with the outcome, and We had so much fun using it. The kit itself comes with, Sea Weed, Sea Weed Powder, Corn Starch, Sugar, and Sour Mix.

First Step is to Soak the Sea Weed in water(Don't use the powder just yet, That is for later, It should look like this.)

While the seaweed was soaking, I used a glass pan to dump the starch in, then a spoon to spread the corn starch evenly about, I didn't try to make it perfect, but just flat enough. The corn starch is used because Glee wants you to have fun, and be creative making your own molds. I used an old teether, and a bottle cap. You can use whatever you want for your impressions.

Now you take the powdered Seaweed, add 1/2 cup of water, mix, don't worry about the lumps, Take the seaweed from out the bowl and place it into the mixture you just made, I microwaved mine for 2 mins til if foamed. After that you take the seaweed pieces out (there will be a gel formed around it, that is great!! make sure the gel stays in the bowl, and you take just the seaweed out.) I then mixed the Colored Sugar to the bowl, and microwaved for another minute.

After that I poured the liquid mixture over top the impressions I made in the Corn Starch. It looks weird at first, but I knew there were still more steps to do. I had a little bit of the mixture left so I poured it into a small plate (I had plans for that later.) I placed both into the fridge to chill for 10 mins.

After 10 minutes I took the gummies out, and used a damp napkin to get the powder off the shapes I made. I placed each shape onto the plate. I then used scissors to cut the excess off the shapes. Remember that plate of gummies? I peeled the whole thing off, and used it to cut Vic's name out of. The excess of both shapes, I used and cut into squares, placed those into a plastic baggy filled with the sour mix, and shook.

I didn't want the bigger gummies to get messed up, so I hand sprinkled the sour mix onto them while on the plate, flipped them, and did the other side too.

I loved how they turned out. They are delicious, and when my husband came home I had to slap his fingers from opening the baggy of the square gummies I had put aside for the babies snacks.

This was a fun, easy, great tasting treat. They taste so good! You can't even tell they are made from seaweed. I loved the detail from the impressions I used.

I really want to try all of Glees Do It Yourself Kits. This was a fantastic learning experience. I feel as a mother, I have learned something to pass down to my son.

I want fun things like this to be our thing to share. I'm pleased to share this with you, too. One lucky follower, thanks to Glee Gum for sponsoring this will win a DIY Glee Gum Make Your Own Gummies Kit too.



Don't forget when you leave a comment, use a valid email. I want everyone to be able to enter, and have fun.

Enter The DIY Glee Gummies Kit Here Via Raffle Copter!

Giveaway Begins 12:01 AM 7/22/2012 &  Ends 12:01AM  8/12/12,
WINNER IS CHOSEN BY RANDOM ON RAFFLECOPTER, WILL EMAIL WINNER WITHI 24HOUR, WINNER HAS 7DAYS TO REPLY, OR NEW WINNER IS CHOSEN.

U.S. Residents Only


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I received Glee Gum; Do It Yourself Gummies Kit fpr free in exchange to do a review. All pictures, and how I felt about the product are of my own. Doing a Giveaway did not change my opinion of the product. I really loved this kit, and I hope whoever wins, does too. I think its educational, and fun.

Dali Decal Review & Giveaway

I live in an apartment that all the walls are a nuetral cream color, and the trim is a walnut, while the fixtures are white. I wanted something for my 18 months old room to make it feel more like home. It seems the past 3 years we have moved each year due to expanding our family. I really wanted a place that felt like home, and that I can be comfortable in. I've never full on decorated, or painted my apartment walls, because I didn't want to have to paint them back to a cream color when we moved.

I wanted the babies room to be different this time, somewhere he can go play, look at colorful things on the wall. Basically I wanted him to really enjoy his first room to himself. It had to be playful.

I did a search online for easy wall murals, and found Dali Decals. There were so many different designs, and for all kinds of areas of your home. I saw some cute little girl fairy wall decals that I thought, Oh man, I wish I had a girl!! Maybe the husband wouldn't mind if I put that in our bedroom.. But I got back on my main mission, for my baby boys bedroom.

I was graciously giving a $50.00 Dali Decal Gift Certificate in which I choose the Mini Happy & Fun Dinosaur Printed Wall Decals in exchange for a review. In total there were six dinosaur wall transfers. The package arrived quick through UPS. There was even a test decal to try. When you order the decals you have the option on what type of wall texture you have. Mine were just plain flat paint, so I had no problem applying the test decal. I put it above some art work on another wall. In the package is also a plastic tool to smooth the decal flat. The Dinos came on a sheet together.

The directions were very easy. Peel the test decal off sticker side up, so you can apply that side to the wall, smooth out so there are no air bubbles with the decal tool. I found it easy to just do the top left corner first, flatten it out, and smooth out evenly, and work my way down, and across to the right. Peel the transfer paper off the wall so that the transfer sticks flat the same way. I picked one corner to start on, and just kept peeling in the same direction in one motion. It all came off no problem, and one try. After that I used the tool again to make sure it was completely as flat as it could be.

1. Cut around each dino.
2. Peel the transfer paper off the side that has the self adhesive.
3. Apply the sticky side to the wall.
4. Use the tool to flatten, and make sure no air bubbles.
5. When taking the last layer of transfer paper off, I pulled in the same direction, and got it all off in one piece.

The dino's teeth, and claws gave me no problem, and they were small in detail, so it looks great on the wall above the babies crib.

I really wish I would have done this sooner. It was so easy, and now I am addicted, I want something for each room. There are all kinds of different decals, it's easy to do a search on their site, and find what you are looking for. I'm very pleased with how great they match his stuffed animals.

I've also been given the option to do a Giveaway for my Followers for a $25.00 Dali Decal giftcard. U.S.A. Only, All readers and/or contest entries are only eligible to win once per 12 months.

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