CANDY CAKE

THIS is the perfect cake {for me}! Cakes are not my specialty and living at 5300 feet above sea level makes it even more challenging. Our little boy, Drew, just celebrated his 7th birthday and when I saw a candy cake on Pinterest, I knew I had found my winner!

Just bake the cake of your choice; frost it when cooled {messy or neatly, it doesn't matter!}. Break regular size Kit Kats {I used about 11 packages} in twos and gently press against the frosted sides. Add your favorite ribbon and tie a bow, or tie neatly in the back. For the top, I used a bag of mini M&Ms, but be creative! Speaking of which, I don't always feel super creative, but I am a great copier! Here is where my inspiration came from: made in melissa's kitchen.

These "Happy Birthday" candles on the other hand, were horrible! They melted before Drew could even blow them all out. Hope #7 is super birthday boy!

Homemade Candy Bars

I have not tried any of these, but I love the idea of making my favorite candy bars {these are seriously 3 of my all-time favorites!} at home. As the big 4-O quickly approaches, I have made a goal to get in really good shape again by the time that dreaded age rolls around. Unfortunately, that means less baking! And more blogging about baking to appease my cravings? So let me know how they turn out!

Snickers™

Twix™

Reeses Cups™

images and recipes via Chow

PUMPKIN PATCH

Fall is right around the corner and you know what that means? Pumpkin season! And since it is too early to talk about Halloween (best...holiday...ever!), we will do the next best thing and talk about pumpkins. And desserts! Better yet, pumpkin desserts! Here are a few I am looking forward to trying. Soon!

Pumpkin Cookies w/Cream Cheese Frosting

 Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles

 Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars

Pumpkin & Cream Cheese Whoopie Pies

Images via Let's Dish (pumpkin cookies), Bake at 350 (bars), Our Best Bites (whoopie pies), Erin's Food Files (truffles)

CHANEL HAS A SPELL ON ME

"What do I wear in bed? Why, Chanel No. 5, of course." ~Marilyn Monroe

Chanel Tiffany Blue Nail Colour

My love of Chanel started as a young girl. As soon as I realized Chanel No. 5 was what my idol Marilyn Monroe wore, I was hooked. And then again, many years later, on the day of my wedding. We were in Barbados and I had a not-so-pretty sunburn and a "professional" makeup artist that didn't make it past the trial run {ugh}; a lovely family member came to my rescue with some Chanel tinted moisturizer. Now in my late 30s, I have fallen in love once again with their eye and facial moisturizers. They are an indulgence I admit! But once you start using them, it is very hard to go a day without them! If I had an endless bank account, I am 100% sure I would use NOTHING but Chanel beauty products. I am yet to use their nail polishes, but they have the most vibrant and amazing colors. Thank you Coco Chanel!

photo via Glitter and Pearls

TASTY LITTLE MORSELS

MINI MAPLE PANCAKE MUFFINS

recipe & photo via Bakerella

1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons sugar
2/3 cup buttermilk (* see tip)
1 egg
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar in a medium bowl. Sift together with a wire whisk.
• In another bowl, stir buttermilk, egg, maple syrup and melted butter until just combined.
• Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir with a spoon until combined.
• Stir in chocolate chips. Reserve a few chips to sprinkle on the tops.
• Generously grease a 24 cup mini muffin pan with non-stick spray.
• Bake for 8-9 minutes.

Makes 24 mini pancake muffins.

Let cool slightly and remove from the pan. You may need to use a toothpick around the edges to separate the pancake muffins from the pan.

Serve immediately with warmed butter, powdered sugar or maple syrup.

*TIP: If you don't have buttermilk on hand, make your own: add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to one cup of milk, stir and let sit one minute.

CASSEROLE LOVE, CAN'T HELP IT

SALSA CHICKEN RICE CASSEROLE

• photo & recipe via AllRecipes
• 
  
• 1 1/3 cups uncooked white rice
• 2 2/3 cups water
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (I used a Rotisserie chicken)
• 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups mild salsa
• *1 can green chiles
• *Green onions
• *Sour cream
• 
  
• Place rice and water in a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• 
  
• Meanwhile, place chicken breast halves into a large saucepan, and fill the pan with water. Bring to a boil, and cook for 20 minutes, or until done. Remove chicken from water. When cool enough to handle, cut meat into bite-size pieces.
• 
  
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• 
  
• In a medium bowl, combine Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses. In a separate bowl, mix together cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, onion, and salsa (*I deleted the onion and added can of green chiles). Layer 1/2 of the rice, 1/2 of the chicken, 1/2 of the soup and salsa mixture, and 1/2 of the cheese mixture in prepared dish. Repeat layers, ending with cheese.
• 
  
• Bake in preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until bubbly. (*I baked covered with foil for the first 20 minutes; uncovered for the last 20. Served with sour cream and sliced green onions on top.)

IKEA HAS ARRIVED

We made the pilgrimage to the new Ikea in Centennial, Colorado this weekend. Also the second largest in America! How do I describe the crowds that were there on the 5th day of business? Hmmm...insane! There were so many people that you literally just had to follow everyone in a line throughout the entire store. I will most likely wait a while before going back, but we did pick up a couple of items (one of them being my beloved cheese grater that I lost in the move!!!). I really love Ikea's toys and wanted to share a few of our favorites, and you just can NOT beat their prices! We also bought a swing for the kiddos for $19.99 but it wasn't online (the rope ladder is from the same line).

Cirkustalt Children's Tent {$19.99}

Mula Bead Roller Coaster {7.99}

Busa Play Tunnel {$14.99}

Mammut Children's Chair {$14.99}

Ekorre Rope Ladder {$19.99}