Five. FIVE!!! A party, rainbows and a unicorn cake.

So my big girl just turned five today.

My mind is still trying to comprehend how that can be...

I can still recall the very moments of her coming into this world and my first cuddle like it was only mere months not years ago.

My girl gave me the most special gift I could ever be given - she gave me motherhood. Watching, sharing and creating memories with my girls compares to nothing else.

I love being part of what I hope is happy memory creation.

Here's my girl:

The cake (that took hours and hours over a number of days to create) that she went nuts over... and lets face it - there's a little bit of a lot of vicarious enjoyment on my part):

The candy/cake buffet:

and another:

 And for now, after having the party today I'm so exhausted... so I'll be back in a day or so (once I clean, clean and then clean some more - just can't deal with it tonight and yes, tomorrow in the morning I'll wish I did - but I go to bed with the awareness my cranky morning self will kick my own butt).

I'll have more photo's. I've become a lazy phone camera photo taker - thanks Instagram! But my SIL had her whizz bang camera on hand so I'm hoping she got some good shots so I'll be back to show them off and to dish the info on inspiration sources, the how to's (and the how not's) and to gush a little more about my gorgeous little girls who are growing up...

 WAY. TOO. FAST.

xoxoxo

Getting ready to PAAAR-TAY!

Only 3 more sleeps till my big girl (aka Big Little Miss M) turns FIVE!!!

FIVE!!!

Hasn't quite sunk in yet and I'm not sure how the years went quite so fast...

The theme for Saturday's party is rainbow's and Unicorns. Here's a peek at what we've organised so far:

The invites... (not as pretty when I've 'jittered' out personal info but I'm sure you get the idea) I mounted these on rainbow coloured corrugated card stock with a brad.

Some of the tissue paper pom poms:

The chupa-chup lollipop ball... the pops are covered with crepe paper (Still a bit of prettying up to do but it's almost there:

Chocolate spoons (yep, she had some of these on last years birthday candy buffet, but they are so easy and pretty that I had to make them again)

Test run on a good old favourite... marble cake:

Rainbow fondant curlicues:

More candy than you can poke a stick at:

I've been wanting to try this for so long... it took pretty much the whole day with all the layers and waiting for the jelly to set. Many recipes refer to the opaque layer being cool whip but since I can't get that anywhere convenient here in regional Aussieland I just divided each jello mix in half before the step to add the cold water, and in one half mixed through a generous dollop or so of cream to achieve the pastel opaque layer in each colour. Obviously the use of dairy product does impact the longevity of the jelly but this stuff won't be sitting around for very long I'm sure!

It's still all stations go with plenty more to be done before party day... a unicorn costume, cake pops, cupcakes, a unicorn cake, a photo booth backdrop etc etc... all to create a wonderful, magical, unicorn filled day for my very special little lady - after all we only turn five once!

Oh, it's getting late, I'm rushed and my brain is somewhat frazzled but I had to let you know that the sources of my rainbow inspiration can be found over on my pinterest boards - link over on the right side bar - (I wish I could come up with this stuff but mostly I give the highest praise to those creators through the act of imitation and modification - go check out the originals and be amazed at the wonderfully talented and creative bloggers that give us the ideas that allow us to create the magic for our own little ones).

Much love and magical rainbows and unicorns to you!

xoxoxo

My girl, a party, some clown pops, a carousel cake and a photobooth

Tomorrow, this gorgeous girl turns three!

Yesterday we celebrated with a little person circus party (tomorrow night it will be a family affair)

I was at my disorganised best (one day I will find my long misplaced sense and ability of time management and order)... I had many moments of doubt as to whether it would all come together or be one big dismal and chaotic mess... I had cooking disasters, planned party activity misjudgements, a colour scheme decision that caused nothing but angst (surprising considering they were really mainstream nothing out of the ordinary), orders for party wear not arrive in time (and you can bet my house it'll arrive in tomorrows mail now that the party is done and dusted), and just not enough hours in the day...

but it all turned out well in the end and most importantly my little lady had a great day with friends and family that I just know she adores!

I think my problem is I get a picture in my mind of how I want everything to look and be for the day and that picture is sometimes a little overboard or unrealistic! I mean what three year old seriously gives a second thought about colour co-ordinated candy, napkins, tableclothes or even the detail on the cake so long as there is cake?

Speaking of cake... here 'tis:

(and yes those horses do look familiar... I forgot to add to my list of pre-party disasters the fact that the horses I decorated and painted just did not make the grade this year and at an ungodly hour on the morning of the party I was rummaging about, then dusting off the horses I'd painted, saddled and reined and glitzed up for my big girls party a couple of years ago).

*Sigh* I truly felt jinxed at many (MANY) points during the party prep!

I do quite love how it turned out - I just don't know if appearance matches the time input on this baby though! Again, most importantly the little one loved it! Nothing beats the sparkly way their eye's light up when they see the cake for the first time all finished!

When I manage to work out the video editing program (which is being unco-operative at the minute) I will post a little video of the cake in action... I'd set it on an automatic rotating disc so that it actually rotated as well... to add to the whole carousel effect - and yes I do believe I mentioned already my tendency to go just a tad overboard for birthdays... but as a mum I do take quite seriously my title (self-appointed of course) of Chief Childhood Memory Creator for my little munchkins!) 

And so here's a few other party related pics...

The clown pops... these pops gave me a little grief this time round - have made pops quite a few times now and not ever had dramas but honestly jinxed I tell you... I'd had a massive production line going making about three times the amount you see below only to be afflicted with cracks, sliding pop heads (down the stick that is). I managed to salvage this motley bunch by reattaching hats and more hair to cover the cracks... I love their little faces and how when I look at this photo they look like they've got all different personalities! 

And just so you know, all the time spent on these and I left them at home in the fridge!

They didn't even get a showing at the venue!

But never mind I have a feeling they are going to 'pop' up at the family birthday dinner tomorrow.

My hastily thrown together 'photo-booth' and dress up station...

My gorgeous birthday girl xo

What you can't see is the little wooden blue stool that I painted (and repainted) for this whole scene... check out my instagram if you want to admire (tongue in cheek obv.) my awesome spray painting abilities!

More photobooth...

Big Little Miss M and gorgeous City Cousin (here on in designated the psuedonym C.C)

and more...

Pity Big Little Miss M had lost interest in posing and was nowhere to be found! Feels all sorts of wrong to have a family pic like this but without all of us in it... I've decided to maybe try a recreated photo session with all of us... maybe tomorrow on her birthday I'm thinking!

Still more...

SIL and the super cute CC ;) Huge commitment from SIL who travelled a round trip of 4hrs when she quite literally could have bub no.2 at any stage... My girls love their awesome Auntie and cousin!

Pinata time...

Do you ever find it a little odd or troubling that we encourage our kids at parties to belt the you know what out of a poor unsuspecting clown with a great big baton until his body is quite literally severed from his head and flung across the room and then instantaneously pounced upon by the kiddos with a raging display of pack mentality all in order to load up, stash and secure as their own as much candy as possible? Whilst we then try to teach them to share and be kind and to not hit etc etc... Hmm... thinking too much I think. I LOVED pinata's as a child and I turned out alright... 

I think :P

The take-home party treat boxes...

And that's it for now... more coming soon.

Birthday Season...

Time for another catch up!

Check out Instagram to see a little more of this funny fellow!

Life is busy, busy, BUSY at the moment! It's birthday season here... Mine, the hubs and my sweet girls all have our birthdays in May and June.

And you know what that means?

Yep.

I get to go nuts... totally, somewhat overboard (and just a little stressed) about all things cake, party and themes!!!

I LOVE birthday cakes and cake decorating - you may (or may not have) read in a past post (here, here or here)... As I've mentioned in those posts making themed cakes takes me right back to childhood and how magical birthday's were as a child... I want that magic for my girls... the grown up world is sadly lacking in some of that magic sparkle (curse you reality and your horrible responsibilities :P )!

If you check out my instagram you'll get 'hot of the press' sneaky peeks into the prep for my Little Little Miss M's Circus themed party this Saturday (she's three on Monday - OMG!).

And whilst we're on about Instagram...

Here's my catch up pics from FatMumSlims photo a day May Challenge:

DAY 18: Something I made...

Well, I think I've shown you before but here is one of the BOW dolls I made a little while back.

DAY 19: A favourite place...

Outdoors on a sunny day, exploring parks with my two little ladies.

DAY 20: Something I can't live without

(plenty more things I couldn't do without and this is by far not the most important obviously... but you knew that)

DAY 21: Where I stand...

(Every time I thought about this one I'd get that darn Lady Gaga song, Edge of Glory in my mind - not for grandiose, self inflating thoughts but more just standing on the edge... if you get my drift? But alas, I went all boring and everyday...)

Yep... ma legs, ma legs... they kinda look like I'm dangling - which is a little disconcerting, I think the blur did that... oh and from this angle my legs look kinda long (even if they are anyhow - I'm 5'10)

DAY 22: Pink

Simple really... a pretty camellia from the back yard

Okay, we're almost all caught up (one more for now)...

DAY 22: Technology

Well, so much to choose from... Good old internet - It's hard to imagine how we did it before, bit like mobile phones... or even cordless phones for that matter... or temperature controlled heating and cooling... how about remote controls? My older brother and I used to fight to cover the buttons on the box tv when we were arguing over channels... on a TV that came with it's own legs!

Well, there you have it... all caught up!

Not sure if I'll get back on here before the party on Saturda ... I am due to go into 'crazy-lady-stressing-over-a-kiddie-party-that-has-gone-overboard'... but secretly, I'll be loving it!!!

Cheers

xo

Life by instagram

Photo a day in May catchup....

Day 9: 

Something you do everyday

Hmm.... time for a new toothbrush I think... strange how showing off a photo of my own toothbrush feels a little personal... was it too much too soon? LOL!

Day 10:

A favourite word

Into the looking glass to see a favourite word or four... oh and I really should have added the word "Escapade"  because who doesn't love a little bit of an escapade to brighten and lighten your day?

Day 11: 

Kitchen

How about a kiss, ginger... this was the going's on and creation from my kitchen on this day... yummo ginger kisses!

Happiness = always my munchkins; sometimes the silence at night; strangely, apple trees - laden with fruit, totally bare or covered in blossoms

And so with that we are up to date...

Wishing all the mum's out there a fabulous and special day tomorrow surrounded by love for mothers day.

xxoo

Oh and if you're inclined, why not follow me on instagram... you'll see a bit more of my everyday amongst other things... like this shot of my two pegs on my clothesline - RIVETING!

or a baked or prettied delight that does not grace the blog

 - and you know I'd love the company!

Check me out - there's a tab to the right or just search for:

the_spangler

☺

How about a little sugar, sugar?

Sugar - you evil but oh, so sweet fiend!

It's a love/hate relationship.

I'm not sure what to call these cupcakes... I'm thinking they are the lazy ladies cupcake. I truly was lazy in the creation, preparation and baking of this sweet, shhhaha-weeeeet, creation.

Seriously, it was MEGA sweet. Don't like sugar? Diabetic? Health food freak? Close the lappy, shut down the screen, back away from the computer because these cupcakes will bring you no joy!

Okay, maybe just a little... especially for cutesy finished factor.

Here's a peek at the heinous ingredients:

I had heard about pink lemonade cupcakes but had not heard of the main feature ingredient in the recipe, lemonade concentrate. Lemonade concentrate? It read like it was a liquid because many recipes stated that it was to be used frozen... but my brain imagines it as a powder like 'Tang'... I don't believe I have ever seen lemonade concentrate here in Aussie-land. Feel free to leave a comment at the end of my post and enlighten me. 

Please? 

Can I get it anywhere in Australia?

Well the recipe pretty much goes like this (and please bear in mind lazy = very generalised and loosely thrown together instructions)

Place your box mix, instant custard pudding powder and half the packet of jelly crystals into your mixer bowl and stir to mix.

Add 2 lightly beaten eggs, a drop or two of pink food colour (totally optional as the jelly crystals will provide some colour), then add in a cup and a half of the creamy soda (or whatever flavour soda you choose to use... I might try a purple grape soda version next time after a convo with my SIL)

Blend in your mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides to ensure all ingredients are evenly combined.

Divide into patty pans or cups and bake in a moderate oven for approx 16 minutes.

Check out these super cute waxed patty cups:

My girls and I like pretty, pink things... so the pink cupcakes then got prettied up a little, and went from this:

To this: 

The icing again was a lazy lady recipe... you might have noticed my box mix came with a sachet of ready made frosting... well, I simply whipped it up some more in the mix master, added a little extra icing sugar and some fresh cream together with the remaining sugar crystals and whipped until the crystals had all dissolved and the frosting was light and smooth.

Then my girls and I got busy with a piping bag.

Ah, love. Now, I'll be honest and tell you that I'm not someone who really is a fan of packet or box mixes - whether it be for sweet cakes, breads, desserts, sauces, meals or whatever - I am so normally, totally a 'from-scratch' girl. This sugar abomination however was a nice and brief departure from my usual cooking ways. Whip some up - they couldn't be easier, or more loaded with all things sweet... well, actually, I had thought to sprinkle these cute delights with some rose coloured sugar crystals I had left from another baking escapade but I was already starting to freak about how much sugar was already in these babies!

So, there you have it. 

Cheers xo

PART 1: It all started with a pin...

Pinterest... It's been an addiction for some time now - there's almost always a tab up the top of my screen with it open and ready for some random browsing, pinning, wishing and dreaming!

So many pins so little time... You can find all my pins by clicking the above tab, check them out - and I'd love if you liked what you saw enough to follow along!

I thought I'd do a bit of a showcase series of sorts and show you a few of the things that all started with a pin....

I'll be doing a few more posts on other themed pinterest inspired projects over the next few weeks...

Today, here's a few of the food type ones...

I love cake decorating... you will find some examples of my earlier cakes HERE... but then I saw this fabulous fondant quilled cake on pinterest:

Source: mycakeschool.com via Spangler on Pinterest

And this one....

Source: redoncakes.com via Spangler on Pinterest

And so I had to give it a go... and so was born my first Quilled Fondant Cake:

Source: thequickunpick.blogspot.com via Spangler on Pinterest

 

This rainbow icing pin...

Source: raspberrytart.tumblr.com via Spangler on Pinterest

...inspired this... oh and the cake pops were an idea garnished from the wonderful world of pinterest too!

My cookie monster cakes were born of a pin seen and loved...

Source: thequickunpick.blogspot.com via Spangler on Pinterest

And then because my girl LOVES pink at her request we came up with and made... Conchita - Cookie Monsters long lost cousin!

Source: thequickunpick.blogspot.com via Spangler on Pinterest

In my search for a cake theme for Big Little Miss M's Birthday last year I came across this:

Source: howsweetbakery.com via Spangler on Pinterest

This was my result:

Source: thequickunpick.blogspot.com via Spangler on Pinterest

Source: howsweetbakery.com via Spangler on Pinterest

I used this idea to package up some homemade cookies for my mother-in-law as a gift from my girls...

Source: southernliving.com via Spangler on Pinterest

These brilliant cupcakes baked directly in a wafer cone and the foil tray holder are fabulous...

Source: ohcupcakes.net via Spangler on Pinterest

And with that inspiration I made these:

Source: thequickunpick.blogspot.com via Spangler on Pinterest

I saw these...

Source: deliciousdeliciousdelicious.blogspot.com via Spangler on Pinterest

And just knew that my girls party candy buffet would not be complete without them....

This cake photo...

Source: foodgal.com via Spangler on Pinterest

...inspired my own Frangelico Imbibed nutella combo cake

Source: thequickunpick.blogspot.com via Spangler on Pinterest

Now here's some food pins I've road tested and Oh My Goodness... sinfully yummy food (that sadly does my diet no good!)

Magical Layered Brownies..... these are GOLD!

Source: melskitchencafe.com via Spangler on Pinterest

This pastry effect is easy and looks good too - was the perfect way to wrap my yummy apple strudel...

Source: eatliverun.com via Spangler on Pinterest

These Vanilla Pudding Cinnamon Rolls are pretty much perfect... quick, easy, oh so yummy, super light and fluffy!

Source: melskitchencafe.com via Spangler on Pinterest

These yummy cookies have been given a few runs at our house... they are the new go to cookie recipe for baking days with my girls...

Source: yammiesnoshery.com via Spangler on Pinterest

The girls claim this take on the old banana split as their new favourite:

Source: lickmyspoon.com via Spangler on Pinterest

This Turkish Semolina Cake has been made a few times now - I'm a sucker for semolina and more so for anything drizzled with copious amounts of gorgeous yummy homemade syrup

Source: tastespotting.com via Spangler on Pinterest

Well, I could go on and on - I haven't even included any savoury foods!!!
So if you're not on pinterest head on over - there's more things to try and experiment with than you'll ever have all the time to do but you will find some absolute gems that are sure to be long - time family favourites!

So, as much as Pinterest sucks the spare time out of your day, makes you wish for a bigger house with fantastical proportions and oozing charm of a H&G mag, and all the rest of it... it's all those projects, recipes, hints, tips, quotes to inspire and laugh and identify with that make the Pinterest experience so lovely and addictive.

So, tell me with a comment and a link - What is your favourite pin of all time? I'd love to check it out and have a sticky about your pinterest boards.... and while I'm at it stop by mine and tell me what you think!

Oh, and if you'd like to enter my current Facebook Giveaway, stop by at SPANGLE say g'day and to get your entry simply click the below link and LIKE the fitness comment I've left there - it's to help me win a small competition for some weight loss products (you can find out more about the product and my weight loss by following my FB page) and as a thank you one lucky liker of the comment will receive a gorgeous SpaNGle doll (doll design by Bit of Whimsy) OPEN for WORLDWIDE entry! 

Here's the link to enter CLICK HERE Like the comment and the winner liker will be decided via Random.org on 13th February - Good Luck

Be sure to stop by again soon to see what other pins have inspired me!

Cheers xo