{Product Review} Initials, Inc.

Take a look at this happiness that arrived at my door the other day. Love it!
Alicia from Initials, Inc. sent it to me.  Wasn't that nice!

Alicia is an Independent Senior Creative Partner with Initials, Inc.
Initials, Inc. is a party plan company that specializes in all things personalized and their products are so cool!

My bag is called the Party Bin and I love, love, love it!  It is so big and will be perfect for delivering my cupcakes!  And obviously, when I'm not using it for cupcakes, it makes a great pool/beach tote too.
Thank you Alicia!!!

The pink personalization is so pretty.  And guess what?!  They customize your selection for free!

Check out some of their other products.  The Resort Collection is beautiful!

You can see all of their customized products here.  You can also connect with Alicia on Facebook and Twitter.  Be sure to tell her Me and My Pink Mixer sent ya :)

Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

Now that summer is here and fresh fruit is so plentiful, I have been making muffins to take with me to work instead of granola bars.  Gotta change things up every now and then ya know :)

I've posted a couple of Blueberry Muffin recipes here on my little blog, like Blueberry Cream and Best Ever Blueberry Muffins (they won me a blue ribbon at our County Fair a couple of years ago!), but I thought I would make a healthier version this time.  I ground soft white wheat that I purchased from our local Farmer's Market in my Wondermill.  If you don't have a wheat grinder, I recommend using Bob's Red Mill or King Arthur brands of flour.
These muffins were quite yummy and better for you too!  Give them a try :)

Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins

Recipe from Skinnytaste

1 cup applesauce

2 cups whole wheat flour (I used freshly ground soft white wheat)

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups blueberries

1 large egg, beaten

1 tsp. vanilla

2 T butter, melted

raw sugar for sprinkling on top

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  Line muffin tin with paper liners.

Combine flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.  Whisk together.

In a medium bowl, mix egg, melted butter, vanilla and applesauce.  Add to the flour mixture and stir just until blended.  Fold in blueberries.  Scoop into muffin liners with a large ice cream scoop. Sprinkle with raw sugar if desired.  Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Eclairs in a Jar

Making dessert in a jar is my latest obsession. 

They are just so cute.

You can transport them easily and you have portion control - win, win, win.

It all started last summer when I made these cupcakes in a jar.

.Now I've been thinking of all the other desserts I can make in these adorable little containers.

Look out Wal-Mart, I'm stocking up on jelly jars like there's no tomorrow :)

I found the idea for Eclairs in a Jar on Whipperberry and thought they would be perfect to take for a friends cookout this past weekend.  I used 4 oz. jelly jars and this recipe made 20 jars.  I kept them in a cooler until serving time to keep them chilled. 

I used my 2 inch Marvy Punch to make these toppers from scrapbook paper.

I think it makes them even cuter!

Eclairs in a Jar

1-2 sleeves Graham Crackers

2 (3.4 oz) boxes Instant French Vanilla Pudding

3 1/2 cups milk

1 (8oz. ) container whipped topping, thawed

1 tub chocolate frosting

Wash and thoroughly dry jars. 

Break graham crackers into small pieces and line the bottom of each jar.

In a large mixing bowl combine the pudding and milk, beating at medium speed for two minutes.

Fold in thawed whipped cream.  Divide pudding mixture amoung the jars filling about 2/3 full.

Top with another layer of graham cracker pieces, covering the entire surface as well as you can.

Pipe a layer of chocolate frosting on the graham crackers.  (I used a Wilton #21 tip)

Refrigerate for several hours before putting the lids on so the frosting can firm up.

Display on a cute little stand (from Wal-Mart) for serving.

Linking to:

Paisley Passions

Fireflies and Jellybeans

Polka Dots on Parade

Serenity Now

Tidy Mom

Sweet Tooth Friday

Foodie Friday

Tatertots and Jello

Sweet Indulgences Sunday

Made By You Monday

New Nostalgia

Homemaker in Heels

The Weekend and Banana Muffins

Summer weekends with no plans are the best ever!

Here's a peek at my weekend.





Love this tea in the morning, especially drinking it while sitting on the deck.



The weather was beautiful.  That meant lots of pool time - yay!

Pool time means catching up on my reading. 

I have a slight magazine addiction, especially those that involve recipes :)

I made these for a friends cookout.  Recipe coming soon.

I even found time for a craft.  Chicken Wire Memo Board. 

I am loving Rust-oleum aqua spray paint right now.  The color is so pretty!

I lightened up my favorite banana muffin recipe. 

Here it is if you want to give them a try.  Hope you had a wonderful weekend too :)

Banana Muffins

1 cup whole wheat flour (I used soft white wheat)

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 cup mashed ripe banana (I used 2 bananas)

1/3 cup milk (I used Almond Breeze)

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 large egg

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray bottoms only of muffin pan or use liners.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt and brown sugar.

In a large bowl beat milk, bananas, applesauce and egg with a whisk until well mixed.

Add dry ingredients to wet just until flour is incorporated.  Do not over mix.

I added dark chocolate chips to half of my batter.

Scoop batter into muffin tins.  Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.

Linking to:
Made By You Mondays

{Product Review} Novica

Are you familiar with Novica?  If you are, then you know that Novica is associated with National Geographic and that they offer beautiful accessories and unique products made by talented artisans all over the world. Accessories such as scarves, silver cufflinks, and beautiful jewelry.  If you're not familiar, then go to their site and check them out!

Novica works with thousands of talented artisans around the world to offer you unique products.
Father's Day is coming up soon, so be sure to check out all of their gifts for Dad! You may just find something for yourself too :)

I love these earrings!

And this bracelet!

Too many choices, I don't know what to pick!

Novica has also just launched a home party division called Novica Live.  Very exciting!

If you're looking for extra income with flexible hours, then this just may be the perfect opportunity for you.

The starter kits are $199 and have over $400 of samples included.  Want to know more?

Check out Novica Live.  If it feels like the right opportunity for you, please let them know that

Me and My Pink Mixer sent you, then we can shop together :)

Note - I was given a gift certificate to use in their store for this post.

Household Tip Thursday - Homemade Carpet Freshener

Every now and then I like to use a carpet deodorizer to get rid of pet smells or just to freshen things up around the house.  Yes, I could just buy some at Wal-mart or the grocery store, but why do that when you can make your own for just pennies.  All you need is baking soda and a few drops of your favorite essential oil. We buy the big bag of baking soda from Costco for our swimming pool, so I always have baking soda on hand any way.  I purchase essential oils at Martin's Grocery store or you can get them from any health food store.  I'll tell you how to use more of the essential oil on a later household tip :)

Homemade Carpet Freshener

1 cup baking soda

4-5 drops of essential oil (I use lavender)

Place baking soda in a zip-lock baggie and add a few drops of oil.

Shake the bag and then let it sit for a day or two so that the baking soda absorbs the fragrance well.

After that I keep mine in a glass parmesan cheese shaker from the Dollar Store or you can recycle a plastic one when you are finished with it.

Sprinkle the mixture lightly over your carpet and let it sit for about 30 minutes.  The baking soda pulls odors out of your carpet.  Vacuum it up after 30 minutes or so and you have nice smelling carpet. 
The End :)

Linking To;

Tatertots and Jello