Whether you’re a soon-to-be-newlywed or helping someone you know register for their wedding, creating the perfect kitchen setup can be overwhelming! With this wedding registry guide for kitchen essentials, I’ll share my tried and true favorites that will set you up for success for cooking and baking memorable recipes in your kitchen for years to come.

Essential Baking Equipment Every Newlywed Kitchen Needs

Starting your married life with the right kitchen equipment makes cooking together a joy! There will be so many moments you can share together and food in itself is a love language! So let’s create those memories and good times with these must-haves for your wedding registry checklist:

High-Quality Cookware Sets

A well-chosen cookware set really sets the foundation of your kitchen registry. Here are some items I’ve used and loved over the years

• Stainless Steel Pots and Pans – Learning to cook with stainless steel does have a little bit of a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, you won’t use anything else! Good, high-quality pots and pans will last for years to come!
• Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven – I didn’t have one of these for a long time, but now it’s something I won’t give up! Trust me – a good Dutch oven will quickly become the star of your kitchen, making everything from hearty stews to freshly baked bread taste absolutely incredible! And just like the pots and pans, it’ll last you a long time!
• Half-Sheet Pans – Not only are these used for baking cookies but for other various foods like cheese croissants, pizza, or easy sheet pan meals like this!

Must-Have Kitchen Tools

These wedding registry essentials will make food prep a breeze!

• Cutting Boards – I’ve had these cutting boards for years and love that they don’t slip!
• Knife Set – If you’re looking to save, you can’t go wrong with this set. If you want to splurge, these knives are the way to go! You’ll also need a knife sharpener to keep those knives in tip–top shape.
• Measuring Cups – You’ll need both dry and liquid measuring cups. Don’t forget the measuring spoons too!
• Sticky Measuring Cup – Yes, there is such a thing and it’s my favorite! It measures ingredients like peanut butter, honey, and mayo with ease!
• Mixing Bowls – Either stainless steel or glass will work!
• Colanders – I like having a variety of sizes on hand! And as with the pots and pans and mixing bowls, stainless steel is the way to go for long-lasting durability.

Small Appliances to Add to Your Wedding Registry

There are so many little trinkets and gadgets out there, but I would focus on these:

Stand mixer (perfect for baking together) Food processor Blender for smoothies and soups Electric kettle Toaster or toaster oven

• Stand Mixer – This one is a work horse! I use it to mix batters, knead dough, and even shred chicken.
• Hand Mixer – This is the gadget I use when making any sort of frosting, meringue, or whipping mashed potatoes.
• Food Processor – Because I bake a ton, I have a large capacity food processor, but if you’re just starting off, this one works wonders too!
• Blender – A high-powered blender is perfect for whipping up healthy smoothies or even making soup!
• Electric Kettle – Heat water up in no time at all. I love the sleek and simple design of this kettle!
• Toaster – This sounds like such a cliché thing to register for, but it’s one you don’t want to be without! I loved the slim design and cute colors of this toaster!

Best Bakeware for the Newlywed Kitchen

Whether you’re dreaming of homemade cookies or planning to master that roast chicken, having the right bakeware makes all the difference. Start your newlywed kitchen off right with these must-have pieces that you’ll reach for again and again:

• 9×13 Baking Dish – For both sweet treats like brownies and poke cakes, and savory recipes like casseroles!
• Pie Plate – Like the baking dish above, it can be used for both sweet pies and savory quiches! I’ve even used it for dips before.
• Loaf Pans – I definitely recommend having two on hand. Perfect for homemade bread, quick breads, and meatloaf.
• Muffin Tins – I use a standard size for breakfast treats and mini muffin tins for bite-sized appetizers.
• For Cookies – One of the easiest desserts you can make are cookies, and what a fun way to have a stay-at-home date night! You’ll need a cooling rack, silicone baking mat, and cookie scoops!
• For Handling Hot Stuff – Safety first! Don’t forget to register for oven mitts and trivets!

Splurge-Worthy Appliances

Having a few of these appliances on hand will seriously make life easier.

• Air Fryer – The perfect kitchen appliance for cooking food fast and keeping it crispy!
• Instant Pot – I use this mostly to prep a lot of food, but you can cook a whole dinner in it!
• Crockpot – Who doesn’t love an easy slow cooker recipe… Especially when it’s dessert? Bonus: Make clean-up easy on yourself and use crockpot liners!
• Coffee Maker – I mean, this doesn’t really need any other explanation! COFFEE!

Wedding Registry Honorable Mentions

You may or may not already have these, but it can’t hurt to have more!

• Cheese Grater and Microplane
• Dish Cloths and Dish Towels
• Glass Storage Containers
• Pantry Organization Bins – Like these or these
• Air Tight Canisters

Wedding Registry Tips for Kitchen Success

When building your wedding registry, consider registering for items at different prices points. Remember to choose quality over quantity and select timeless pieces that will last you a long time. This is why I opt for stainless steel kitchen products because they last forever. Also consider that over time, your cooking style and needs will change, so choose colors that are neutral… but always go for a pop of pink, in my humble opinion!

It’s that time of year when all the biggest sales of the year are happening! Not only is it a great time to knock off all those items on your Christmas list, but you can stock up on household essentials, clothing items, and and anything else you need. Here are my hand-picked favorites… Let’s get shopping!

Shop ‘Til You Drop

I’ve organized this list by store, so shopping should be easy. Keep checking back because I’ll be updating this frequently!

Target

I love me a good Target run… It soothes the soul. Since we can’t go shopping together, let’s do a virtual shopping run together! Here’s what I’m putting in my cart:

• Apple AirPods Max – I’m absolutely in love with these! I use them every day and have found that they’re more comfortable than regular AirPods.
• Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster – Not only is this a fantastic air fryer, but it’s a toaster too! No need to heat up your house if you’re wanting to cook a frozen pizza or want to bake a small batch of cookies! This thing is a work horse!
• Therabody Theragun – I use this on the regular, especially after a long day of working at my computer!
• Nespresso – I love the small and sleek design of this coffee maker! I also love that it comes in so many fun colors.
• Dreo Cool Mist Humidifier – Now with the cooler months upon us, a humidifier is a must!
• Shark Pet Cordless Vacuum – If you have pets, you know having a cordless vacuum on hand is a life saver! I use this daily!
• Cricut Explore – One of my favorite things of all time! I love unleashing my inner creativity outside of the kitchen with this! Endless possibilities!

William Sonoma

Williams Sonoma is such a classic store! I’ve scoured their website and here are some of their best deals:

• KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer – As an avid baker, my KitchenAid is going all the time! The artisan stand mixer is perfect for large batches of cookies and cake batter. Comes in a variety of beautiful colors too!
• Cuisinart 14 Cup Food Processor – This is a heavy duty food processor that slices, shreds, and chops! It’s a must for all your holiday entertaining needs!
• GE Opal Nugget Ice Maker – Definitely a splurge, but let me tell you… IT. IS. WORTH. IT. Nugget ice is definitely the best kind of ice and will elevate your drinks at home!
• KitchenAid Flex Edge Attachment – This is my favorite KitchenAid attachment! It reduces your mixing time and because of the design, it folds all the ingredients together, rather than just stirring them!
• Sweet and Savory Silpat Mat – Just a fancy way of saying this Silpat comes in a 2-pack! Silpat is such a baker’s dream because it reduces the use of parchment paper and is literally the best way to keep your baked goods from sticking to the pan!
• KitchenAid 6 Speed Hand Mixer – I’ve used a lot of hand mixers in my day, and this is literally the best one. It’s lightweight, compact, and the quietest mixer out there!

Disney

I couldn’t let a Black Friday go by without adding some of my favorite Disney deals! As an avid Disney lover, these are all on my list and I think you’ll love them too!

• Santa Mickey Mouse Cream Crewneck – I love the sleek, classic design of this crewneck! The colors are classic and will quickly become a holiday fashion staple!
• Minnie and Mickey Mouse Christmas Crewneck – Do I need both this crewneck and the Santa Mickey one? Yes, yes I do! And so do you! I absolutely love the red color on this one!
• Minnie Mouse Sequined Ears – If you get the crewneck, then you obviously need these darling ears to match!
• Minnie and Mickey Christmas Tree Stacking Measuring Cups – Measure all you holiday baking with love!
• Mickey JOY Mug – Sip your hot cocoa in style with the happiest mug out there!

Amazon

Of course it’s not a Black Friday unless you can get a little Amazon shopping. If you want the most up-to-date items that I’m adding to my list, you can check it out here! But here’s a little sneak peek at what deals are happening:

• Motion Sickness Glasses – I get asked about these ALL THE TIME! If you struggle with motion sickness like I do, then these are an absolute game changer. They look a little funky, but trust me… they work!
• Milk Frother – This may not seem like something you need, but I honestly couldn’t live without my frother! And this one is pink, so it gets extra bonus points!
• Fuzzy Blanket – The biggest, softest, fuzziest blanket is right here! So many colors!
• Set of 3 Whisks – This is one of those things you don’t even think about buying until you absolutely need it… So take my advice and get a set now! This is such a good price!
• Phone Car Mount – I’ve tried a lot of car mounts, and this is my fave! Easy to use!
• JBL Portable Mini Bluetooth Speaker – Not only is this a waterproof, long-lasting bluetooth speaker, but I love that it has a clip so you can attach it to anything and not loose it!
• Prime Day Best Seller – I don’t want to give this away, but this was the most purchased item during Prime Day! Do you have one?
• Gold Charm Bracelet – Charm necklaces and bracelets are all the rage right now, and this piece is timeless!
• Food Chopper – This is seriously the kitchen accessory you didn’t know you needed! Now that I have this I can’t ever go back to chopping by hand!

Walmart

• Shark Vacmop – Spills happened and it’s been a game changer to have a mop ready to go!
• Striped Bow Sweater – The pink and the green combo! Love!
• Karaoke Machine – Unleash your inner party animal with this fun karaoke machine!
• Rhinestone Ballet Flats – These shoes are all the rage right now!
• Shark Upholstery Cleaner – Rule #1 of adulthood? Never be without a spot cleaner! This one is amazing.
• Stainless Steel Mixing Set – Set of 5 different sizes of stainless steel mixing bowls with lids! Yay!

Misc Stores

Here are some fabulous Black Friday sales happening in some of my favorite stores!

• Minnie Confetti Ears from Bauble Bar – Bauble Bar seriously has the cutest stuff and I couldn’t pass up these Minnie Ears! They combine my love of all things Disney and all things confetti into the cutest ears!
• Checked Crossbody Bag from Baggu – If you’re not a fan of checked patterns, there’s tons of different patterns and colors available… as well as different sizes of this crossbody! You definitely need to check it out!
• Gold Rimmed Glassware from West Elm – If you’re entertaining at all, this is the glassware for you! If you need other tips on how to make your own cocktail bar at home, I have just the post for you!
• Personalized Knit Doggy Sweater – These sweaters were just too good to pass up! Your cute pup will be the talk of the town with these sweaters!

Football season here and I have no shortage of ideas! These Taylor Swift Football Party Must-Haves are epically FEARLESS. From banners to confetti to bracelets, here are 13 ideas that will give you a solid REPUTATION for throwing the best football party of all time.

• Bingo Cards – Let’s play Bingo! This game is sure to keep everyone on their toes!
• Tiny Temporary Tattoos – I couldn’t resist. The CUTEST little tattoos!
• Red Fringe Photo Backdrop – Every football party needs a photobooth, and this one gets the job swiftly. *Get it? SWIFTLY*
• Photo Booth Props – Can’t have a photobooth without some fun props!
• Portable Collapsible Ice Bucket with Bluetooth Speaker – Blast your favorite T Swift songs while cooling your favorite beverages! This bucket changes colors, so red will be my clear choice!
• Chiefs Grilling Spatula – Football and grilling go hand-in-hand and the Chiefs lover in your life is sure to love this spatula!
• Taylor’s Version T-Shirt – You know what I’ll be wearing every game!
• Cupcake Toppers – One of the easiest ways to add charm to your food is with cupcake toppers! These would also be cute in sliders!
• Football Era Banner – I immediately became obsessed with this cute banner! You better believe it’ll be hanging from my mantle at every single Chiefs game!
• Football Era Confetti – Yes, every party needs confetti! So fun to spread out on the table and to obviously throw in the air when the Chiefs win!
• Football Era Bracelets – You literally need to wear these every game! They’re so cute!
• Printable Food Labels – These labels are too cute! Completely customizable to whatever party food you’re serving!
• Kitchen Tea Towel – You obviously need this for when you’re cooking all the food for everyone. It’s sure to send winning vibes to the Chiefs!

More Taylor Swift Football Party Must-Haves

I’m definitely in my party throwing era, so I have so many more ideas for you!

• This post will help you decide which food and drinks to serve at your Taylor Swift Football party plus give you a free editable invitation!
• This post will give you over 100 Treats for a Football Party.
• This post will spill the SWIFTEA on throwing a Taylor Swift birthday party.
• This post will help you know how much food you’ll need for your EPIC ERAS party!
  
  

Plan your next party like a pro! I’m sharing my best tips and tricks for how much food to serve at a party (drinks too!) because there’s nothing worse than running out of food halfway through the night.

Whether it’s a happy hour party with drinks and appetizers or a full sit-down dinner with main course, sides and desserts, get all the estimates and planning tips you’ll need to have an amazing party that has plenty of food and drink for everyone.

Party Planning Food Amounts

If you’re planning a party and have no idea how much food and drink to plan for you are going to love this post! There’s nothing worse than running out of food and drinks halfway through the party. It’s also painful to blow your budget because you planned for more than you need! So, I’m taking all of the guesswork out and sharing a handy-dandy guide for planning your next party.

I’ve got you covered in all departments – wine, beer, mixed drinks and even ice! In the food department I’m breaking it down for you whether you’re serving simple appetizers or a sit-down dinner or buffet including how to estimate main courses, side dishes, and, of course, desserts.

This guide will help you better estimate what you’ll need and you can adjust based on your guests. You know, because we all have the friend who loves the champagne a little more than the next person or the family member who takes more than their fair share of chicken wings. 

This party food guide is customizable and flexible – use it as a starting point and you’ll be confident you have the right amount of food and drinks to serve your guests.

How do you calculate drinks for a party?

Assume each guest will have a one alcoholic drink per hour, but you know your guests best so use it as a starting point. 

For non-drinkers estimate two drinks in the first hour with one drink an hour after that. 

Tip: Planning a summer party? Estimate more drinks if it’s hot outside!

This list covers the type of drinks per person if that’s the only kind of drink you’re serving. Use it as a starting point depending on your guests and the variety of drinks you want to offer.

Tip: The more drink choices you offer, the less you need of each choice. So, keep this in mind while you’re planning!

• Wine: 2 to 3 glasses or approximately one (750ml) bottle per two guests.
• Champagne: 2 to 3 glasses on average, estimate more if you have a bubbly-loving friend (don’t we all?!).
• Beer: 1 to 2 bottles per hour.
• Punch: 2 glasses. In my experience, people usually switch to wine, beer or cocktails after a couple glasses.
• Cocktails: 3 drinks per person. A 750ml bottle makes approximately 16 drinks if you are doing an average pour. Also, don’t forget the mixers! Plan for a quart of mixers per three guests depending on the kind of cocktails you are serving.
• Non-alcoholic drinks: 2 drinks in the first hour, 1 drink every hour after that.

It’s always a good idea to have extra beer and wine on hand in case you run low on other drinks you’re serving.

How much ice do I need for a party?

It will depend on the kind of drinks you are serving but a good rule of thumb is approximately 1 pound of ice per person. If it’s hot outside you may want to have more.

Great drinks for a party:

• Fruity Vodka Party Punch
• Lemonade Prosecco Punch
• Pineapple Party Punch
• Cranberry Champagne Punch
• Blue Hawaiian Punch

How to Calculate Food for a Party?

Whether it’s appetizers and snacks for a game-day party or a fancy sit-down dinner for a special occasion or holiday dinner one thing is for sure – you don’t want to run out of food! Use my guide for how much food to serve and I think you’ll feel a lot more confident in planning food for your party.

Depending on what you’d like to serve the amount of food will differ. Appetizers only? Buffet-style with main dishes and side dishes? Or a full meal with appetizers, main dishes, side dishes and desserts? I’ve laid it all out here for you so you don’t have to worry about running out before the party is over.

How many appetizers for a party?

Depending on the type of party you’re having you’ll want to estimate different amounts of appetizers to serve.

• Appetizers only: If you’re only planning to serve appetizers and snacks plan on 16 to 20 appetizers per person.
• Appetizers with a main dish: If you’re planning to serve appetizers before a main dish estimate approximately 8 to 12 appetizers servings per person.

Of course, take into account the type of appetizers you’re serving. If they’re light you might want to estimate a few more per person. If they’re on the heavier side you can estimate a little less. Also, like drinks, the more variety you have the less you need to serve of each.

Plan to serve bowls of chips, crackers, nuts or olives that people can snack on, too, in case someone gobbles up your best appetizer!

How much food per person?

If you’re planning a main dish with side dishes here are some estimates to start with as you’re planning your dishes:

• Plan for 6 to 8 ounces per person for your main dish protein.
• For side dishes, estimate 1 cup per person.
• For bread, it’s a good idea to estimate 1 to 2 slices or rolls per person.

How many desserts per person?

Want to offer a sweet treat? Here’s a guide if you want to serve desserts at your party, too!

• For small desserts like cookies estimate 3 to 4 pieces per guest. 
• For big desserts like cake estimate 1 slice per person.

What are good party foods? 

• Pepperoni Pinwheels
• Pizza Dip
• Peanut Butter Football Dip (can be made into a cheeseball!)
• Ham and Cheese Sliders
• BBQ Turkey Sliders
• Any Cake Roll
• A variety of cookie recipes!

No more guessing! This guide will take all the stress out of planning your party. Everyone will think it was catered and you can focus on having FUN at your party instead of worrying about running out of everything. I hope you’ve found it helpful!

I started this blog exactly 10 years ago today. Happy birthday Crazy for Crust!

I honestly don’t even know where to begin this post, so I’ll just dive right in. If you’re taking the time to read this, you probably have been around for awhile. Maybe you’ve been following me since the beginning, or maybe you’re new-ish. Maybe you’re another blogger or maybe you’re a mom or a grandma reading this from your couch with your coffee on a Sunday morning.

Whoever you are, wherever you are, thank you. Without YOU, the die-hard fan, the one who reads my words and the recipe, are the reason I’m sitting here writing this love letter.

You probably already know how this blog started, how I didn’t know what blogging was but wanted to do something for myself, how I created a site and posted recipes on a whim, and learned how to blog and do all the blogging things as I went along.

I’ve spent the last few months looking back at old posts, old designs, and taking stock of who blogging has helped me become and really, when I look at 2010 Dorothy I don’t even recognize her.

2010 Dorothy was a stay-at-home mom to a 5-year-old, unhappy in her SAHM-ness, itching for something else, something bigger, something that didn’t involve crayons or Barbie or carpool.

She was a woman with anxiety but didn’t know she had anxiety, someone without the confidence to make a decision or speak her mind or make close friends. She was shy, and timid and nervous, and let people railroad over her whenever they chose.

I’ve often said that deciding to start a blog was the one and only time in my life that I have had a spiritual moment. Maybe it was God, maybe it was the psychic part of my brain, I don’t know, but something or someone whispered in my ear that I needed to start a blog, so I did.

To say that doing that was out of character for my 2010 self is an understatement. That girl didn’t take chances, or do anything not known or planned. That girl would never have started something that would have become…THIS…but she did.

Moral of the story: listen to your gut.

Would I have become the person I am today without blogging? Maybe. But I don’t think so.

While I am not perfect, and I still suffer from anxiety, and depression, and I still struggle with confidence and self-esteem, I know who I am now. I know what I want, I know what is important, and I really owe that all to that moment I decided to push publish on my first blog post.

Every Accomplishment starts with the decision to try.

Unknown

That is one of my favorite quotes because it’s SO true! Before blogging I was afraid to try, afraid to be me, afraid to do what wasn’t expected of me.

Over the last 10 years I have tried and succeeded, tried and failed, and tried again. I feel like on a daily basis I make decisions for my business that make me question myself – but in a good way. Trying and sometimes succeeding has given me the confidence I always longed for earlier in my life.

If I had never had the courage to publish that first post, and to keep going when no one was reading, I wouldn’t be here today. I remember so many times being upset about my lack of following, or a lack of shares on a social post, or being frustrated because no one understood my job or thought I actually worked, when I was working 14 hour days. But never once did I think about quitting – I knew that THIS was what I was meant to do.

What’s the best part about blogging?

That’s a question I get asked a lot and it’s funny because I don’t have just one answer. I mean of course, I love being my own boss. I love making my own hours. And at the core of my job, the work is pretty fun: I make dessert and take pictures. When it’s safe, I get to travel and work with brands I love. It’s a pretty cool gig.

There is a lot I don’t like about blogging (social media, never really getting a day off, mean commenters, the drama that sometimes happens) but the things I do love are the things that have made the biggest impact on my life.

Internet friends are real friends

Unkown

I first saw that on a meme around 2012 and it really resonated with me. Back then it was weird to have “internet friends” and believe me, my friends in real life gave me quite the looks when I’d talk about all the people I met online.

One of the best parts about blogging are the friendships I’ve made.

As an adult I struggled with friendships. We moved a few times, and I am shy, and it’s really hard for me to open up to people. Blogging allowed me to talk about myself and be who I really was, something I struggled with in real life.

In real life I was a mom without an in-person job, so all my interactions were because of my kid. If you’ve done the mom-group or school-friend thing, you know what I mean. It takes time and effort and a lot of patience to find a group of people who you can really open up to – and even then you’re lucky if you can weed through the sea of them to find even one person who can be the friend we all need.

One of the best things about blogging was that all I had was time. We weren’t working around playdates – we could text and message each other whenever and that was normal.

Over the last 10 years I have met several women that I consider family. Sisters, even. As an only child, I replace siblings with friends, and I’ve found some really good ones. We are friends outside of blogging; we travel together and celebrate milestones with each other.

Through blogging I truly found my people, my circle, the people that love me for me. And that is probably the best thing that’s happened to me, because through them I’ve managed to find myself, and that is priceless.

I’m not going to name names, but I’m pretty sure they all know who they are, and if you’re reading this then know I’m sending you hugs and kisses.

Never underestimate the influence you have on others.

Laurie Buchanan

It would be remiss if I didn’t mention all of YOU reading this too. Knowing that I’ve reached people of all ages, all over the world – there’s something amazing about that.

I’ve written posts about anxiety and about fertility, and those are the ones that have resonated with so many people. Knowing I can open up about how I feel and have it help someone – that is empowering and inspiring.

When I get DMs or emails from people with snapshots of my recipes they’ve made, and comments about how their dad/mom/child loved it – those make my day. I love knowing that my cakes and pies and brownies have held candles for birthdays, been given as gifts, and put smiles on so many faces.

10 Years of Learning

Kind of like that kindergarten poem, I’m going to end this with Everything I’ve learned about life, I’ve learned through blogging:

Listen to your gut – it’s rarely wrong.

Don’t be afraid to fail; failing is just part of trying. If you’re not failing, you haven’t tried.

You don’t have to be perfect at something to start. Just start – then work on working up to perfect. (Also: nothing is ever perfect!!)

Be yourself. Be authentic, always.

If someone doesn’t like you because you’re being yourself then let them go. They aren’t worth your time or energy.

Celebrate the milestones and the accomplishments – big and small. They’re worth it, and so are you.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey – readers, bloggers, friends, family…I couldn’t have done any of this without you.

xo,
Dorothy

Are you stuck at home wanting something to do that’s not just binge Netflix? Are your kids bored and needing something to do? Driving you crazy?

I have 8 ways to keep busy right now, new things to learn, try and do that will keep your mind occupied (and off the news app). These ideas are the perfect distraction!

During the first few weeks of this weird time, I became a pro at:

• Eating
• Drinking
• Scrolling Facebook
• Watching Netflix

Now that this is our new normal for awhile, I’ve started focusing on working out at home, planning my next trip, and finding something for my kid to do that isn’t making a TikTok.

I have a feeling you’re in the same boat, so today I’m sharing some new fun things I’ve recently found to pass the time (and I’m learning something too!)

Each of these resources is completely FREE. They’re email courses I’ve been taking over the last week, and they’ve been super helpful.

1. Cookie Baking Hacks to bake better cookies!

This is my free email course that I know you’ll love, because who doesn’t love cookies?

In this course you’ll learn:

• My EASY Hacks for baking better cookies
• Some of my favorite easy cookie recipes

2. For Disney Lovers: Crafts, games, and activities!

These stay-at-home activities all have a Disney theme! You’ll get crafts, Disney-themed games, and screen-free activities to engage your child’s imagination.

You might not be able to GO to Disney right now, but you can still enjoy Disney fun!

3. Learn Culinary School Secrets to Transform your Cooking

Once you master a few basics it’s a lot easier to whip up dinner with whatever you have in your pantry. Right now, that’s really important!

This course will teach you about cooking chicken perfectly, grilling the best steak, how to make the perfect rice PLUS the secret formula for roasting vegetables!

4. 14 day Kids Activities Challenge

If your kids are bored then THIS is the guide for them!! Are you looking for activities that are easy to set up, easy to do, and might actually teach them something?

This email course includes 14 days of FREE kids activities, from science to engineering and art and so many more. Keep your kids busy for the next two weeks!

5. Stress Free Travel Planning

I know, we can’t travel right now, but we will be able to again. This email series is perfect for you to do NOW so that when we can book travel again you can go for it right away.

Learn how to save money, how to get started, and so much more! If you’re ever thinking of planning a trip you don’t want to miss these ideas.

6. Learn to use that Instant Pot!

Is your instant pot still in the box? Well, use this time to get it up and running. These 5 easy recipes will for sure get you going and give new Instant Pot cooks the confidence to use your pressure cooker!

7. 2 weeks of FREE Home Workouts

We can’t go to the gym so we’re ALL stuck working out from home right now. If you’re like me that can get boring or confusing FAST. Don’t give up your workouts – this series not only shares free workouts but also tips for making home workouts easier AND sample meal plans!

8. Keep your kids reading – without the library!

Public and school libraries are great resources for kids and a great place to get new reading material if you’re like me and don’t buy books. But what do you do if your library is closed? This 5-day course, No Library? No Problem: 5 Secrets for Reading During Quarantine is going to help you keep your kids interest in reading even now!

If you’re looking for something fun for summer look no further! This free printable Summer Bucket List is perfect for foodies and ice cream lovers. It’s an easy summer bucket list for families to do together and perfect when paired with ice cream.

This post is sponsored by Mirum. All opinions are my own.

PIN IT NOW TO SAVE FOR LATER

I’ll never forget walking downtown and getting ice cream during the summer when I was young. First we’d go as a family and as I got older I’d go with friends and it was always an event I looked forward too.

In fact, the only reason I didn’t hate camping as a kid was because we’d go to the campground store and get ice cream and snacks. Ice cream can make even camping better!

Every year I have all sorts of goals for the summer. This year I decided to compile them all into one fun Summer Bucket List! This list is geared towards my favorite kind of people: foodies and ice cream lovers, just like me and my family.

All of these ideas are fun and simple and can be done super inexpensively, especially when you stock up on ice cream from Breyers, Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s from Albertsons.

This FREE printable Summer Bucket List for foodies and ice cream lovers is the perfect family fun this summer!

Be sure to click here to get the FREE printable PDF download!

Have you heard of Albertsons Ice Cream Rewards? It’s back for summer so be sure to check out IceCreamRewards.com, where you can earn a $5 reward when you spend $20 on your favorite Unilever ice cream brands! And – you could be one of 21 weekly winners of a year’s supply of ice cream from your local Albertsons Companies store! Check out all the details below.

I cannot wait to stock up on my favorite ice creams for summer:

• Breyer’s 2-in-1’s (two flavors in one carton!)
• Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Core (GASP)
• Magnum Minis and Double Tubs (minis are the perfect after dinner treat!)

We’re going to celebrate summer by working our way through my summer bucket list for foodies!

Some of my favorite items on the list are:

Make s’mores with ICE CREAM! Sandwich Ben & Jerry’s Cookie Core ice cream with melted marshmallows and graham crackers for a new and fun type of s’more. My daughter proclaimed this the “BEST IDEA EVER” – ice cream s’mores are going to be a hit this year.

Make Ice Cream Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Make homemade lemonade.

Eat pizza for breakfast.

Pack a cooler full of Magnum Minis and Magnum Double Tubs for a beach or picnic day and have an ice cream bar picnic!

These ice cream bars are perfect for small hands (or for big hands too – if you want a small treat!)

Pick a new recipe to try for dinner.

Host an ice cream social.

Skip dinner and have an ice cream sundae instead! (Your kids will thank you.)

Have pancakes for dinner.

Make cupcakes for your dog.

Have an ice cream scoop fight.

Make root beer floats with Magnum Double Tubs: the chocolate and vanilla pair so well with root beer!

Plus those double tubs are fun to crack!

Watch an outdoor movie with popcorn.

Make homemade iced coffee (and add ice cream!)

The best part about this printable Summer Bucket List are the memories you’re going to make with your family!

Don’t forget to head over to IceCreamRewards.com! One weekly winner will be chosen at random (one a week for 21 weeks) to receive a year’s supply of free ice cream (awarded as a $250 gift card to your participating Albertsons Companies store).

Just remember BUY, SNAP, CHOOSE:

How to easily host a cookie decorating party for kids! Use this free printable invitation and pre-made shortbread cookies to host a fun cookie decorating party with a hot chocolate bar.

The kids will love decorating their own cookies and these tips will keep you sane during the entire thing. Using Walkers Shortbread cookies is an easy way to keep your prep to the minimum and everyone will have a great time.

Every year for the past several years we’ve hosted a Christmas party for a bunch of Jordan’s friends. She looks forward to planning this party every year (well, until now, she’s too cool for it as a 7th grader) and we always have some fun activities like games or an ornament exchange to get the kids in the mood for the holidays. The activities and food might change year to year but the two constants at her holiday party are decorating cookies and drinking hot chocolate.

Between her Christmas cookie decorating parties and class parties, I’m pretty much a pro at not going insane during cookie decorating. I mean, that first time you’re in the classroom while the kindergarteners are building gingerbread houses out of graham crackers it’s pure chaos, am I right? As an experienced mom, I’m here to tell you that hosting these fun parties are doable, easy, and won’t kill you, as long as you follow my easy tips and tricks for the perfect cookie decorating party.

Tip #1: the invitation.

Whether you just email or text the parents or send out an actual invitation, plan to invite the kids a few weeks ahead of time. The holidays can be stressful with lots of commitments. I actually found that doing the party after school on a Friday or before the holiday break worked best for most kids. Unless they’re young, plan that kids will be dropped off (moms don’t have time to go to parties for their kids in December!) so think about that when you make your invite list. Can you handle 8 pre-teen girls? Or preschoolers?

This free printable cookie decorating party invitation is yours to personalize. Download it and print it out, bonus points if your kids fill it out on their own!

Download a PDF of the Cookie Decorating Party Invitation HERE.

Tip #2: Use Shortbread Cookies

To save yourself some time preparing for the party, use Walkers Shortbread Festive Shapes cookies instead of trying to make your own sugar cookies. They taste SO GOOD and hold up to frosting. I can easily go to town with a box of these cookies and a can of frosting so I guarantee the kids will love them. They come in several shapes to keep the kids busy decorating and you’ll be happy too: using Walkers Shortbread is a convenient and delicious way to avoid spending your precious holiday time making cookies from scratch.

Tip #3: Have a seating chart.

It’s easy to skip this step and just give it a free for all when the kids go to sit down, but I don’t recommend that. Kids, especially girls, are notorious for being cliquey (believe me, it started in first grade!) so we always do a seating chart. Makes my life easier because there are so many less squabbles that way.

A cute way to do a seating chart is to write each child’s name on their hot cocoa mug with a dry erase marker. It’s a fun way to let your kids do something “evil” like write on the glassware, plus it makes it fun for them to drink and stops everyone from “losing” their mug.

Tip #4: Use a table cloth and/or runner on your table

Now that Jordan is older, I can get away with a cute burlap or Christmas themed table runner, but when she was younger a full paper tablecloth was a MUST. Kids spill – a lot – especially when sprinkles are involved. Get yourself a white paper tablecloth and throw some crayons on the table. The kids love to draw all over it too! (Or better yet, get this cute one that looks like a coloring book!)

Tip #5: Lots of decorating options

Kids get territorial so make sure to have lots of little bowls of the same kind of sprinkles scattered throughout the table. And by all means, do not give them the entire sprinkle bottle. I guarantee you one kid will pour the ENTIRE thing on their cookie.

Tip #6 Hot Cocoa Bar

The amount of DIY hot chocolate you do kind of depends on how old and how responsible the kids are. For younger kids, pour the hot chocolate for them and add the toppings, asking them what they like. As the kids get older you can give them more reign with that, but expect them to pile on the whipped cream if left to their own devices.

What to have at a hot chocolate bar:

• Hot chocolate, obviously! You can use the powder to make a pitcher or use k-cups, but I love making slow cooker hot chocolate. It feeds a crowd!
• Whipped cream (save time, buy it in a can).
• Sprinkles
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate sauce
• Mini M&Ms or other candy
• Candy Canes

Tip #7: Give them their own knives and frosting

This is something I learned after Jordan’s first cookie decorating party back in Kindergarten. Some mom handed each table a can of frosting and a bunch of plastic knives. Before I knew it the kids were double dipping knives after licking them and it was all I could do not to pour lysol all over Jordan.

Save yourself the flu bug at Christmas and give each kid a dollop of icing and their own plastic knife. You can control how much icing they use AND if they lick the knife there is no double dipping. As they get older this is less of an issue, and they might also want piping bags to do more intricate designs.

As for the frosting, feel free to make my favorite cookie icing but really, a can works just fine for the kids.

Tip #8: Cookies to go

Depending on what other things you’re doing at the party, you’ll want to limit how many cookies they eat. If cookie decorating is just one activity, I’ll give each kid two cookies and they just eat them. But if that’s the main thing keeping them busy, you’re going to want them to make more than 2. These make a great gift for a neighbor or a grandparent, or even to take to a nursing home for seniors. If you have older kids who want to decorate lots of cookies, give them each a box of the Walkers Shortbread Festive Shapes so they can decorate all of them. Then package them up in cute little boxes or tins that are great for giving.

Tip #9: Make sure there is a firm end of party pick-up time!

Because really, after 2 hours, you’re going to need a break, lol. (And if you’re me? A glass of wine.)

This post was sponsored by Walkers Shortbread. All opinions are 100% my own.

Do you feel like time flies during the holidays? Me too, which is why I created this Holiday Bucket List for myself so I can remember to do all the things we want to do. I’m sharing this free printable for you, as well as some great food ideas to help you check some items off your list.

And click HERE to download the Holiday Bucket List!

Every single year I feel like I don’t get anything done I want to do at the holidays. With the rush of back to school then Halloween and Thanksgiving, by Christmas I’m tired. Add in school events and dance events and work events and there is zero time. Unless I plan, nothing fun happens. This year I decided to make a Holiday Bucket List for myself so I wouldn’t forget to do anything we wanted to do. And I’m sharing this list with you as a FREE printable! (Scroll for the link.)

I added some easy things to the list, like decorate the Christmas tree and wrap presents. Whenever I make a list I like to add a few no-brainer items I know will get checked off so I feel better about myself. I also added some Santa items this year (writing a list and sitting on his lap) because, well, Jordan is 12. I still want the magic of Santa to continue!

Along with the normal Christmas things like watching Elf or Home Alone, I added some things I want to do to share the meaning of Christmas with Jordan. Things like donating to Toys for Tots, telling each other we love each other, paying it forward, and delivering surprises to neighbors, teachers, and the fire house. It’s always important this time of year to show our thanks for all the things that the people in our world do for us.

After all that, there’s the food. Of course, for me, the holidays are about the food, whether it be the traditional sides at Thanksgiving dinner (Cornbread Stuffing and Knoepfle) or making our favorite cutout sugar cookies or Mom’s Pecan Pie. You’ll also see having fondue for dinner as an item – we always do that for New Year’s Eve. Last year we added Peanut Butter Fondue and this year…NUTELLA Fondue is on the list. And don’t forget cupcakes. I know Christmas is a cookie holiday but did you know that Red Velvet is a traditional Christmas recipe?

This year I’ve partnered with The Home Depot and their new blog to share two new favorite recipes, Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cupcakes and Nutella Fondue. The recipes are live over on The Home Depot blog and I know you’ll want them ASAP.

Get the Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cupcake Recipe here, which uses this muffin tin.

Get the Nutella Fondue Recipe here, which uses this fun old fondue pot!

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Emoji Lunchbox Notes are the cutest free printable notes ever! Your kids will love them, along with these easy lunch ideas for back to school.

Back to school is in full swing here, how about with you? I think there are still a few schools that don’t start until close to (or after) Labor Day but we started two weeks ago! I’ve been dutifully packing Jordan’s lunch each day and it’s getting harder and harder to find things she likes. She’s picky when it comes to lunch so I end up with the regular old things like salami or turkey or peanut butter, but I’m constantly trying to find new extras to go along with them. From veggies to fruit to snacks and treats, I like to vary her lunches each day so she doesn’t get too bored.

Besides just food in her lunch, when I remember I like to add a little fun note or joke for her. I know that she’s all cool and stuff now that she’s in middle school, but she’s still my kid and I like surprising her with a note once in awhile. Even if she’s embarrassed by it, I think a little part of her appreciates the little hello from me during the day.

Sometimes, if I’m in a rush, I just jot down an “I love you” on a post it note. Other days, when I’m feeling like I have more time, I print up little fun jokes or printables for her. This free printable is one I made a few weeks ago to start off her school year right. She is obsessed with emojis right now (I mean, who isn’t?) so I incorporated her favorite emojis into some fun lunchbox notes. And now you can use them too!

Emoji Lunchbox Notes will make your kid smile when they see the free printable in their lunch at school!

Get the FREE PRINTABLE Emoji Lunchbox Notes HERE.

Besides just notes, I have to make lunches too. If only a note were all I needed to send! Here are a couple of ideas for easy lunchbox recipes that Jordan loves and will eat! If you have a picky eater these ideas are for you.

Jordan always gets a protein or two, some fruit and vegetables and a small treat in her lunch. One of my favorite treats to send with her are Walkers Shortbread. She loves their shortbread and they fit easily into her lunchbox.

Lunch #1: Salami and a cheese stick, carrots and cucumber slices, pretzels and Walkers Shortbread Fingers.

Lunch #2: Turkey sandwich on wheat, carrots and apples, cheese crackers, and Wakers Shortbread Fingers.

Lunch #3 (this is also a great after school snack): Peanut butter on celery, soft cheese with cheese crackers for dipping, carrots, and Walkers Shortbread Rounds.

How to pack the perfect school lunch:

1. Start with protein (meat and/or cheese, peanut butter, egg, etc.)
2. Add some fruit and/or vegetables.
3. Throw in something crunchy.
4. Add a little treat like Walkers Shortbread Cookies!
5. Don’t forget the emoji lunchbox note!

Find the free printable here.

This post was sponsored by Walkers Shortbread. All opinions are 100% my own.

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