Cake Pops!

If you are a blogger and baker like myself than you have probably heard of Bakerella. If not, she has the most amazing blog and bakes the cutest little things. Check out her blog and her loads of inspiration for craftiness! I attempted to make her infamous cake pops before but I heated the melts wrong and couldn't get anywhere after that. Last weekend I hosted a party and got them down! I just made simple ones because I planned on just making cake balls but when they turned out I grabbed my lollipop sticks and went to town. They are simple but delicious and all of the guests liked them too. Best of all, my husband, who just likes yummy simple things was finally impressed. Usually I'll spends hours making something impressive but he would rather have mac n cheese or a brownie. Finally I found a desert that he wouldn't stop eating and one that I can't stop thinking about! I bought her book last week from a certificate I got from doing a survey so I only paid tax. I was so excited I took a picture and uploaded it to Facebook. Her book looks like this and teaches how to make fabulously cute cake pops.

So now I"m going to show you how much simpler mine look compared to the ones on the book, haha. The ingredients and instructions are simple but you really need to plan ahead and dedicate at least a few hours to make cake pops. Here is the recipe for the cake pops I made. Keep in mind you can use any cake flavor, frosting, and candy melts as you desire.

Ingredients:

1. 1 box red velvet cake mix (cook as directed on box for 13 X 9 cake)
2. 1 can cream cheese frosting (16 oz.)
3. 1 package chocolate melts
4. wax paper
5. lollipop sticks 
6. styrofoam block

Directions:

1. Bake the cake according to the directions. After cake is cooked and cooled completely cut the cake into four sections. Take two pieces and rub them against each other and crumble into large bowl.
2. Mix thoroughly with 1 can cream cheese frosting with a metal spoon.
3. Roll mixture into quarter size balls and lay on cookie sheet. (Should make 45-50. You can get even more if you use a mini ice cream scooper, but I like to hand roll them.)
4. Chill for several hours. (You can speed this up by putting in the freezer.)
5. Melt chocolate melts in microwave per directions on package.
6. Dip the lollipop stick in about an inch of the chocolate. Take the cake ball and stick the lollipop stick in.
7. Dip the cake pop in the chocolate, being careful not to get any crumbs in the bowl of chocolate.
8. Tap of any extra chocolate and then stick your cake pop on a styrofoam block or item of your choice.

Here you have it, my first success at cake pops, yay! I have so much room for improvement but wow they are amazing,so moist, and so cute!

{Calissa}

Craft Store Coupons

Depending upon where you live, your craft stores may vary. However, in the great state of Utah we have so many to choose from! My all time favorite is Roberts. They have a huge variety of Cricut products and scrap-booking pages and materials. At the same time, I also like Michaels and recently bought some things from Hobby Lobby. The great thing is all of these places offer a 25-40% off coupon each week! They are included on their weekly offer which may or may not come in the mail. I found it easiest to just subscribe to their mailing list so they send me a weekly update of items on special sales as well as their 40% off weekly offer. If you click on any one of the links you will be directed to the webpage and either at the top or bottom is a place for you to enter your email address to subscribe to their mailing list.

Also, a few weeks ago Roberts started doing double coupons on Tuesdays. You can use 2-40% off coupons for the items of your choice, awesome right? They also have a new rewards program. It's free to join and anything you buy goes towards earning a gift card to the store! Click on the links below to print out coupon of your choice, valid through February 5th.

~Michaels offer
~Hobby Lobby offer
~Roberts offer

{Calissa}

Southwest Vegetable Soup

It's cold outside and this time of the year I especially love having soup for lunch and dinner. This recipe is extremely easy and cheap and comes from my favorite bakery. It is called the Friendship House in Wamego, KS. They were voted the best bakery in NE Kansas and they have the most amazing Cinnamon rolls, soups, and cookies you have ever tasted! Here is one of their soup recipes. This meal costs just around $5.00 but most of the ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. It serves 5-6 8 oz servings or in our case, 4 generous servings. Try it for yourself! You simply just dump everything into the pot and let it simmer for an hour, talk about easy :)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 can tomato soup
• 1 can cut green beans (drained)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (not drained)
• 1/2 can Rotel tomatoes
• 1- 4 oz can chopped green chilis
• 1 can whole kernel corn (drained)
•  3cups water
• 2 1/2 tablespoons taco seasoning

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large soup pot. Bring to a boil.
2. Simmer at least 1 hour over medium heat.
3. When ready to serve, top with shredded cheese and crushed tortilla chips.

 {Calissa}

Quiznos Coupons

I am a fan of subs and Quiznos is a great place to eat for lunch! This offer is good for a free chip and fountain drink with the purchase of any regular sub, large sub, or chopped salad. There is also a coupon good for $5 dollars off any delivery order over $25. Print these out and use them by 1/25/2011. Enjoy!

{Calissa}

Free Subscription to American Baby Magazine

I found this freebie and thought some of my family/friends who are mom's or expecting would be interested. It is for a free subscription to American Baby Magazine. Although the duration is not listed, I assume it is for a free year. Sign up for this freebie before they reach the max of free magazines. Also, keep in mind acceptance may depend on the age of your baby/toddler.

{Calissa}

**New House Party-Johnsonville Italian Inspirations

Yes, another new House Party is available for you to sign-up! This party is a Johnsonville Italian Inspirations party (the sausage) I just finished filling out my application and I already have some great ideas if I'm selected. Again, this is to the site House Party, the site where companies select applicants to host parties using their products. The party pack will be mailed to your house and this one will include all of the following:

• Coupons for free Johnsonville Italian Sausage links
• Coupon for free Prego Italian Sauce
• Coupon for free Sargento shredded cheese
• Coupons for $1 off Johnsonville Italian Sausage links
• Johnsonville recipe pamphlets
• Napkins and plates
• Spaghetti scoop
• Apron
• Oven mitt

Awesome! By the way, today I received my first Party Pack for the Durex Girl Talk House Party: Valentine's Day Edition and they really know how to treat a host! They have so many goodies and ideas on how to make your party the best. I am literally counting down the days until my party, yay! Anyway, go ahead and fill out your application before the spots fill up. If you are chosen the party will be on March 12, 2011.

{Calissa}

Free Sample of Playtex Sport

This is one of those freebies that you might be thinking, what? haha. I sign up for this kind of sample for my emergency/preparedness storage. Meaning that sometimes I forget which day I start on or maybe I took my husbands car to work and I have no feminine products on hand. So I sign up for free samples and when I get them I place them in my glove box, purse, my desk at work, etc. I cannot even count the times that these little free samples have saved me when I forgot to be prepared! Besides, I have found the Playtex is the best brand for me personally and I love them! Each time I get a free sample they also include a coupon too, which is great! Sign up for your free sample!

{Calissa}

Free Sample from Wal-Mart

Did you know the Wal-Mart gives new samples every few months? It's a great way to try a new product without having to buy it first. I first got into free samples when I was a teenager and I still enjoy it. It is a great way to have travel shampoos, soaps, granola bars, etc. Don't get me wrong I can afford all these things but it's nice getting something in the mail for free right? Usually Wal-Mart has a few different samples to give away but they are already out of all their other samples so here is the remaining one:

Right now Wal-Mart is giving away free samples of Crest Whitening Strips. They provide one sample to use and there is a limit of 1 per household. If you've used Crest whitening strips before you probably experienced difficulty getting them to stay on your teeth for the full 30 minutes. Well the new ones grip so much better! Try the free sample to see exactly what I'm talking about! Also, with free samples usually comes a coupon to buy the product at a cheaper price. Now that's something to smile about :)

{Calissa}

**New House Party-Philly Dinnertime Party

Remember how I was just talking about how great HouseParty is? Well they've added another new party, which you can now apply for. Remember you do have to apply but it only takes about 2-3 minutes. This party would take place on March 12 and if you are chosen you will be notified a few weeks before the party date. This one looks like for a dinner party with girlfriends, family, or couples!

Here is what the pack includes-
For the Host:

• 4 Gratuity coupons for PHILLY Cooking Creme
• 1 GreenPan^™ Signature Stainless Steel Skillet
• 1 PHILLY Cooking Creme Oven Mitt

For Hosts and Guests:

• 16 PHILLY Cooking Creme Coupons
• 16 PHILLY Cooking Creme Recipe Booklets
• 16 PHILLY Cooking Creme Notepads
• 16 PHILLY Cooking Creme Magnets
• 16 PHILLY Cooking Creme Wooden Spoons

Click here to apply! If you have any questions, post a comment and I'll be sure to answer your questions.

{Calissa}

Free Amazon 2-day Shipping

I formerly worked at a textbook store and learned that buying textbooks from the university bookstore is like getting scammed. The best two websites are Amazon and Half. I was just ordering my textbooks on Amazon when I was offered free 2-day shipping. This saves you at least $2-$10 each order, which is great!

The 2-day free shipping offer is extended to current students. Click on the link and you will be directed to sign up. As you sign up they will ask for your school email address (.edu address). Next, you are sent a email which is for confirmation purposes. Once your account has been confirmed you can enjoy the benefits for a full year. They include the following:

• Amazing Prime free for one year
• Unlimited Free Two-Day shipping on textbooks and many others
• No minimum order size
• Upgrades to One-Day Shipping for $3.99/item

Hope this helps all you fellow college students. Good luck with your semester!

{Calissa}

After Christmas Specials

It has been a few weeks after Christmas but if you haven't already checked out your local craft stores or national craft chains you can still find some great deals. I was at Roberts Crafts (a local UT craft store) and they had their entire Christmas decor for 50-65% off. That is a steal! You can buy wreaths, ornaments, trees, etc. This is a great way to stock up for next year without having to spend nearly as much.

I went to both Roberts and Tai Pan about a week after Christmas and with only $30 I got all of these amazing decorations! I saved over $40 by shopping after Christmas for decor for 2011. I was literally thrilled because Tai Pan carries gorgeous decor but it can be pricey.

Were you able to snag some deals too? Tell me about it, I would love to hear!


{Calissa}

House Party

I'm so excited to share this amazing website with you! It is called House Party and they specialize in providing people like you and I, free products to host parties with. Cool right? Each event is sponsored by a leading brand and focuses on something cool–like a new product, hit TV show, or great cause–that the sponsor wants its best fans to experience firsthand and share with their friends.  If selected to a House Party you will receive a Party Pack filled with gifts

for you and your guests! All they ask in return is that you post pictures of your party on their site and take a follow up survey after your party is over!

Now maybe you're asking how legitimate this is? That is exactly that reason I started my own blog. I've been following some blogs and they are amazing but sometimes they post things that I wouldn't waste my time on or that send so much junk mail to your inbox. This site is extremely legitimate and to prove it I was just selected to host my very first party! I am so thrilled and have already began planning mine. 

To see a complete list of parties coming up and to sign up to host your own parties click on the links.

{Calissa}

Welcome

Welcome to my new blog all about sharing my knowledge and love for all things domestic! I'm so excited to share the things that I enjoy with all of you. I'll be updating this as time allows with work and school. Here is a brief overview about me. My name is Calissa Shepherd and I am 22 years old. I was born in California but moved and lived all around the Midwest. I grew up in a large family with 7 sisters and 2 brothers. When I graduated high school I moved to Utah to attend BYU. Shortly thereafter I met Jesse and we dated until July 4th when he proposed. Shortly thereafter we  married on September 20th, 2008. Now we've been married for 2 years and live in Spanish Fork, UT. When we engaged I took a break from school and it was a rather long break. I started school again in the fall of 2010 and I'm majoring in Culinary Arts. Right now I'm taking a few Culinary Arts prerequisites so I can apply for the program, which is extremely competitive. I attend UVU and their culinary program is the best in the state! Like I said, I love all things domestic but my ideas aren't always produced as well as I think of them in my head so it is a work in progress.

Alright enough about me- here is to my first post!

{Calissa}