Monthly Archives: December 2015

A Fun Kid’s Toy That Helps Build STEM Skills! #Giveaway #HolidayGiftGuide

If you are looking for a really fun toy for kids on your holiday gift guide, you might want to check out BathBlocks by Just Think Toys. These BathBlocks come in a variety of sets and when they are wet they stick to each other and surfaces like magnets.

They have sets like the Ball Run that present so many options to create ball runs and drops all while taking a bath. They are soft without any sharp edges so they are safe and there are a few different sets to choose from including a cooking set, a Coast Guard Set and more.

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coast guard set

cooking set

BathBlocks bring classic block play into a fun, fascinating, new, watery environment. BathBlocks empower children to create their vision and build STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) as they experiment with geometry, addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, balance, structure and cause-effect.

Bath Blocks

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BathBlocks have won Oppenheim Gold awards. BathBlocks are made from bacteria and mildew resistant EVA and contain no PVC or phthalates. BathBlocks have won Oppenheim Gold awards. BathBlocks are made from bacteria and mildew resistant EVA and contain no PVC or phthalates.

 

We have added BathBlocks to our 2015 Holiday Gift Guide. If you would like to try to win a set, enter our giveaway below.

Enter The Giveaway!

Just think toys log

Just Think Toys is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win their choice of any of the BathBlocks play sets (subject to availability-castle set is sold out) . Thank you to Just Think Toys for the review Ball Run Block Set and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

BathBlocks Play Set Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Baby, Christmas, Gifts, Giveaway, Holiday, Holiday Gift Guide, kids, Review

How To Make Marshmallow Fondant & Decorate A Cake With It!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MinionsMovieNight #CollectiveBias

minions movie watching collage

What was your family’s favorite movie from last summer?  If you are like us, it was  Minions © 2015 Universal Studios-all rights reserved . If you loved the movie like we did, then it’s time to celebrate, because Minions is coming to Blu-ray/DVD at Target on Tuesday, December 8th! We are super excited for this release and we are really ready to celebrate minion style.

If you want to celebrate with a great family movie night, Target is a perfect one-stop-shop for every thing you need to have an award-winning night! If you can’t wait, you can pre-order Minions online at Target and if you do, you will get a $5 Target gift card.  The Minions Metalpak Blu-ray/DVD-Deluxe is only available at Target and has 40 minutes of exclusive content! Pre-ordering is easy, just order online and pick it up at the store!

minions metalpak plain

 

You really get a great deal when you order the Target exclusive Minions Metalpak Blu-ray/DVD because you get bonus content not available anywhere else. You get a minions Party Planner that will help you create some fun party flair inspired by the minion movie. Have the perfect party with mask invitations, balloons, banners, cup sleeves and goody bags. Every party has to have yummy treats and recipes for frozen bananas, munch, cupcakes, cookies and cake pops are included. On to fun and games with a Pinata and Pin the Goggles. Finally get creative with balloons and bracelet arts and crafts!

We wanted to make something really special to show how excited we are for the Minions movie release. We decided to make a minions cake. In doing so we made our own marshmallow fondant for the first time. I was a little nervous before we started but found it was very easy and taste so much better than store-bought fondant. I was in Target recently and picked up their Market Pantry Powdered Sugar to use in our marshmallow fondant recipe.

market pantry sugar

My husband was a huge help and we had a great time doing this together. In case you want to try it, just follow the step by step tutorial below.

PicMonkey Collage minion cake hero

The ingredients you need to make the fondant are one 16 ounce package of mini-marshmallows, 2 Tbsp. of water, 2 pounds of confectioner’s sugar and some vegetable shortening for your hands and work surface. Our counters are quartz and they are excellent for rolling and kneading directly on. Find out if your surfaces are suitable or use a board.

ingredients

Place the marshmallows in a microwave safe bowl and put the 2 Tbsp. of water over them. Toss a little bit and put in the microwave for 30 seconds, remove and stir. You will see little change after 30 seconds but it is important to work in 30 second increments.

Marshmallow Fondant

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Marshmallow first 30

You will keep repeating the process of microwaving and then stirring the marshmallows until they are all melted with no lumps.

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Marshmallow fondant keep cooking

Marshmallow fondant cook

Marshmallow Fondant stirring

Next you will add in your confectioner’s sugar a little bit at a time. When you have a consistency that is hard to stir in the bowl you will turn it out onto your work surface you have coated with vegetable shortening. You will also need to coat your hands.

Marshmallow Fondant Crisco

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Fondant Sugar Knead

Next you will knead the fondant and get it blended together with the sugar, you will need to add more sugar until you can stretch it for about 2 inches before it breaks.

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marshmallow fondant kneading

Marshmallow Fondant kneading 2

Fondant Sugar 4

After you have kneaded it to the right consistency you need to wrap in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator at least 12 hours.

Fondant Away

In the meantime, I used a yellow cake mix to make two 9″ round cake layers.

cakes

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cake mix bake

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Next, we need to make the buttercream chocolate frosting. So you will need 2 sticks of butter, I let my soften at room temperature. You will also need 4 cups of confectioner’s sugar, 3/4 cup of good cocoa powder, 2 tsp. of pure vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp. of milk. You mix all of the frosting ingredients except the milk in a mixer and add the milk a little bit at a time to get to the desired consistency.

butter

butercream

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When the layers have cooled, you are going to frost the cake as you would for a regular layer cake.  Level the layers so your cake is as even as possible. Keep the frosting as smooth as you can. You can store the cake in the refrigerator to allow it to crust.

cake level

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cake frost

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Cake frost 2

When your fondant has been chilled enough, take it out and plan your colors. I needed a little white, a little blue, a little gray, a little black and a lot of yellow. So I cut small pieces and left the largest piece for the yellow. I have learned that the best kinds of colors that mix easily and completely are gel colors.

fondant

We happened to have a minions cutter that was made for sandwiches that worked well for the eyes and goggles. If you do not have something like this you can use round cookie cutters and improvise.  We cut out the white eyes first.

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Then we did the gray goggles. You color the fondant by adding a little bit of gel color and folding the fondant on top of the gel and kneading it until well blended. The gel color works best and I saw that first hand because we used it for every thing but the blue. The blue was a lot harder to color and did not blend as well using traditional liquid food coloring.

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Fondant 6

We made black and I shaped some hair, my husband shaped the eyeballs and I did the mouth. Then on to the yellow. My husband was a real help in all this and did most of the fondant work while I took the pictures. To get the right amount of fondant to cover the cake, you need to measure across your cake and then the height of each side. The total will be how large your fondant will need to be.

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When it was rolled to the right consistency we brushed a little water on the top and sides of the cake using a pastry brush. This helps the fondant stick and not slip.

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Next, drape the fondant in half over your rolling-pin.  Then carefully place it on top of the cake.  You smooth the top and as you go down the sides you don’t press down but up slightly and work to just smooth it all over your cake. When you have it smooth without wrinkles, you want to trim the bottom with a small pastry wheel or pizza cutter.  You can dust off the powdered sugar and then put the final fondant pieces on your cake. If you wet the back of them, it will help them stick.

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Lastly sit back and enjoy your minion cake before you cut into him to have something sweet to eat while you watch the movie. We felt bad cutting him, especially my 6 year old but in the end we knew we needed to. Everyone enjoyed our tasty minion cake.

minion cake

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If you really want to have some fun with a lot of other Illumination Entertainment’s Minions movie fans there is a Twitter viewing part on December 11th from 7-9pm EST! You can RSVP at www.SoFabChats.com and follow along with the #MinionsMovieNight on Twitter!

Please let me know if you try this, I would love to hear how it comes out.


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Filed under Baking, Cooking, Family Fun, Kitchen, Recipes, Shoppertunity

Joyous Christmas Stories To Leave You Renewed With Holiday Spirit! #Giveaway #HolidayGiftGuide

The Christmas season is so busy that we often rush through it flustered, sometimes or often frustrated at our long to-do list and we miss the time to be still. You know what I mean, unwind with a cup of tea and relax, maybe read a short uplifting story. We think we have no time to do that but it can actually help us refocus and be more productive than continuing to run around like a chicken with our head cut off.  If taking a brief rest sounds good and you would like to curl up with a great book of uplifting and inspirational Christmas stories, I can recommend a great book.

Chicken Soup for the Soul, Merry Christmas is filled with 101 Joyous Holiday Stories! There is a forward by St. Nick himself!

Chicken Soup Christmas

 

Inside you will find story after story of family bonding, holiday hijinks, then joy of giving, community spirit, family and religious traditions.  Some will make you laugh out loud, others will cause you to get a little teary eyed. All the stories will leave you smiling and with an eagerness to share the holidays with new ideas, a new perspective and enthusiasm for this magical time of the year.

Chicken Soup Christmas Back

You will find stories from Thanksgiving through New Year’s and even  some of Hanukkah in this book that has something for everyone. We think this book is a great gift this Holiday Season so you will find it on Mommy Ramblings 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  Three lucky blog reader will win a copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas. Thank you to Chicken Soup for the Soul for the review book and for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Merry Christmas Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Filed under Books, Christmas, Faith, Family, Giveaway, Holiday, Holiday Gift Guide, Home & Garden

The Best Way To Protect Kid’s Eyes #HolidayGiftGuide #Giveaway

real kids shades logo

As a parent I am concerned about protecting my Children’s eyes from sun damage. Our kids have been wearing Real Kids Shades for several years and they are eye protection I trust and one that gives this mom peace of mind. Many times parents are diligent in using sunscreen on their children but forget to protect their eyes. Real Kids Shades works in partnership with Prevent Blindness America to educate parents on the importance of protecting their children’s eyes.

Children’s eyes are at special risk from the harmful effects of UV rays because their eyes are still developing. Their young eyes are much more vulnerable to sun damage. Real Kids Shades are designed to provide serious UV protection. Real Kids Shades is the leading maker of premium quality, 100 percent UV protective eyewear for infants and children up to age 12. Their award-winning design, intensive product testing, and patented construction makes their children’s sunglasses the best available on the market today. RKS

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RKS 1

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Recently I ordered 2 pair of Real Kids Shades for my boys. They arrived with their own protective neoprene case and my little guys were thrilled. Ordering from the website is so easy and you can shop by age and there is a wide selection of styles and colors for boys and girls. We think Real Kids Shades make a perfect holiday or Christmas Gift so you will find them on Mommy Ramblings 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.

real kids shades

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Real Kids Shades is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings! One lucky blog reader will win a pair of sunglasses of  their choice (subject to availability). Thank you to Real Kids Shades for the review sunglasses and for sponsoring this awesome giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US and Canadian Residents. Good Luck!

Real Kids Shades Sunglasses Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

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Filed under Christmas, Giveaway, Holiday, Holiday Gift Guide, kids, Life, Outdoor, Outdoor Fun, Review

See How One Pair Of Shoes Can Have Different Looks & Enter To Win A Pair!

 To celebrate the launch of their new shoe line Alterre is having a  giveaway just in time for the holidays! If you ever had trouble just packing one shoe or finding a comfortable go-to for all of your outfits, this giveaway is for you. One lucky lady will get her pair before Christmas!  I had a chance to preview these exact shoes a few months ago and they are gorgeous and so comfortable. I like that you can have a totally different look in the same shoe. It saves room when traveling for sure!

Ever carry multiple pairs of shoes to work? Have you ever struggled with picking only a couple of shoes to take on your next trip that would match everything? Alterre shoes were created with you in mind. Their patent pending technology, lets you mix and match your look to fit your lifestyle. With over 65 combinations, it is easy to transform your look from day to night and pack light for your next vacation. Customizable and comfortable, they are the perfect pair for any occasion. These shoes are as versatile as you are!alterre shoes

All of their shoes are designed in their New York Studio and made according to fair labor laws in Brazil. Alterre donates 5% of the proceeds to the women’s abuse shelter Restore NYC, so you get to do good while you look good.

Alterre shoes 1
Now for the giveaway! You can win a Black Heel Starter Kit which is the same kit I have and it is awesome! This kit has an ARV of $180 and includes a pair of black suede mules, mist grey Jackies, and evening sky Marilyns with a handy travel bag for the looks. For more information and to see the product details click HERE!  To enter the giveaway just use the widget below! Good Luck!!!
Alterre Shoes 2

Alterre Black Heel Starter Kit Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings:

 

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See The Baskets That Represent Hope #Path2Peace

The other day I received a very special basket in them mail. It is a festive red and white and fits right into the current Christmas season. I can imagine it filled with some colorful Christmas ball ornaments or filled with Christmas cards. It would also be a nice centerpiece for a entry table or coffee table. You may see this in my home and think it is pretty, but you would probably be surprised to learn there is so much more to this basket.

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It is actually the Rwanda 10th Anniversary Medium Woven Star Basket. It is sold online and in Macy’s stores as part of the Rwanda Path to Peace program. These baskets, every single one of them represents a journey that they and the women who weave them have been on. The journey is one toward reconciliation.

red white basket macys

Macy’s has carried the Rwandan Path to Peace baskets in store and at Macys.com for 10 years. It’s an amazing commitment for an American retailer to make to women in another country. Back in 1994, the tiny nation, no bigger than Rhode Island saw a genocidal mass slaughter.  In three short months, nearly 1 million Rwandans were brutally murdered in a fury of ethic violence that is hard to even fathom.

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After the massacre, a few women came together and did what women in Rwanda do. They talked, they cried and they wove baskets. These were women of both sides of the ethnic divide, practicing the skills of weaving they all learn from their mothers and grandmothers. When Macy’s began carrying the baskets in 1995, it was the first example of a major American retailer committing to a Trade-not-Aid product line in a substantial way. Macy’s has kept that commitment alive, despite the fact that Rwanda has largely disappeared from the news.

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The baskets are available online and in stores and retail for $30-$50. Macy’s offers many 20% off coupons and the wonderful thing is, if you get this item for a discount it does not affect the price the weaver earns for the basket. I hope you take a look at the baskets HERE.

red white basket 2

red white basket

I have to admit I had never heard of this great commitment Macy’s has made to the women of this tiny nation. We are so blessed to live in America and it can be hard to imagine the plight of these women and what they lived through. I am sure they have very deep scars but what Macy’s has done and continues to do gives them a sense of hope, hope for the future, hope to women in Africa.

If you are looking for a gift that carries with it great meaning, these baskets would definitely fit that to a T. It truly is a gift that represents the wish and hope for Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Women. Do you realize that every basket that is sold will not only provide hope but economic sustenance for a woman in Rwanda. She will use the money to pay her children’s school fees, feed her children and perhaps buy a goat that will help improve her life. Can you imagine the kind of impact the purchase of a red and white basket can make?

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Below I hope you will take a few minutes to view a video that shows the history of the Rwanda program.

 

Rwanda Path to Peace is now the longest-lasting program of its kind, impacting thousands of women throughout Rwanda, their families and communities. With their earnings, women can now send their children to school. They can buy everything from soap to land, malaria nets to health insurance. The income they earn from their handiwork has helped rebuild their communities. One of the first things a weaver does when she sells her first basket is buy soap. The next thing she does is buy shoes and pay school fees. Many weavers today have seen huge improvements in their lives. Below are powerful videos featuring such stories, click on the woman’s name to see a video about her life now.

Every Red and White Basket is the result of a weaving process that has been practiced for centuries in Rwanda. Each basket design is unique and they are painstakingly crafted from sisal and grass by women who learned to weave from their mothers, grandmothers and aunts. If you would like to see how the baskets are made in a special video, click HERE!

Ten years ago many of the thousands of children were malnourished and sick but through this program that has provided food, medicine and education they are now thriving young adults. Many of these young adults have completed school and are entering university.  Macy’s commitment to the women of Rwanda means they can have hope for a future.

You will find the Rwanda 10th Anniversary Medium Star Basket on Mommy Ramblings’ 2015 Holiday Gift Guide.

 

“This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.“


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Filed under cause, Christmas, Crafts, Gifts, Holiday, Holiday Gift Guide, Home, Life, Review