A Pink Birthday Cake Note - Part 2

I love a pink birthday cake.

I really, really do, especially lit up with candles and sitting in front of a very excited little girl with the look of wonder in her eyes.

Last night Ella- Jewel had her bowling party. It was a success.

14 girls, all very delighted to be a part of the disco bowling alley fun.
There were bowling balls and shoes (of course), pins falling, giggles, some dancing, then party food, balloons, presents, and "ta da" the cake! - Yes, the very one I had started last post - catch up here.

Light pink, coral, bright pink, and vibrant red layers smothered in pink icing and covered in sprinkles.

7 candles completed the magic.

Yes, the cake was home baked for sure and a little rough (ok... a lot!) around the edges - I am in no way a dazzling cake maker -  but it was delivered in love for my special 7yr old whom I adore and that's just perfect in my book, the way it should be.

I hope some yummy cake finds you this weekend.

Do share: What is your fave flavor cake?

A Pink Birthday Cake Note! - Part 1

I love a pink birthday cake!

Whimsical, pretty, and irresistible.
Perfect for little girls and grown up girls too = swoon!

My six year old is now 7 and it's all party and fun planning in our house for tomorrow night when she joins her friends for some bowling fun and a cake.
When it comes to birthdays, nothing beats a magical birthday experience and 'the cake' with candles is the cherry on top.

My little girl has requested a pink and red layered cake for her little girls party.
Today I cooked the cake - 4 shades from pale pink, bright pink, coral, to vibrant red...

To be continued...

Tune in on Saturday to see the end result and the pink and red layered cake with sprinkles galore.

Do share, leave a comment and tell us what was your most favorite cake memory as a child? 

A very cool girl note!

I love Billy B Brown.

This girl is cool, this girl is fun, and this girl is learning how be a great friend, be responsible and learn some life lessons.
She is perfect for the little school girls in your life.

I know I kind of did a post on book love the other day but I really have to share this book series too.
My daughter Ella-Jewel is seven (by 4 days), and loves, loves, loves Billy B Brown, so much so that she dressed up as Billy this week at her schools 'celebrity' dress up day (Billy is famous with all Ella's school friends too). We gave her the book series for her birthday this week and you should have seen the smile.

These books are bright and cheerful and will make you smile too. They are perfect for girls aged 6 and up especially when they are reading on their own for the first time.

Check them out below (Sorry for the large amount of photo's but the cuteness factor of these books took completely over.)

Have fun with Billy, I totally love these books for young girls.

Do share below: What is your fave book recommendation for little grade 1 - 3 boys and girls? 
Do you remember your first book series you loved, what was it?

Teacup Note!

I love teacups.

Vintage, modern, hand me downs, crazy, and whimsical - it does not matter because I love them all.

I think tea tastes so much better out of a favorite pretty cup. It's a moment during the day that brings a pause, a delightful sigh, and a special feeling.
Sharing a cup of tea out of pretty cups with a friend is also so wonderful and adds a touch of cheer to the 'tea party'.

I have started a teacup collection, inspired by my late Grandmother who I adored. As a little girl I would sneak into her "good dinning room" and peak into her display cabinet and spy on her crazy teacup set of fine china. I thought they were the most beautiful cups I had ever seen and could only wonder what tea would taste like out of them - i'm sure something between magic, flowers, sparkles, and oh so special!

Today her cabinet sits in my dinning area filled with those very same teacups. I still have not had a cup of tea out of them for fear of breaking the spell of my memories and the treasure I feel I have in them. Those cups make me feel close to her, they are a burst of  delicate prettiness just like she was.
I do have other beautiful teacups filling the cabinet now, and I do drink from and take pleasure in using and sharing them with friends. Some are old, some are new and modern, some are just so, so darn pretty.

Teacups are perfect.

Do share/comment below: What is your favorite type of tea?

Also, in other news:

Congratulations to Bianca from a little delightful. She is the winner of dotdot's childrens book giveaway.

This fun little book will be on it's way.

You must, must, must, check out Bianca's blog because it is wonderful, so fun and very pretty too.

Click here to go to Bianca's blog

Playdough Note!

I love playdough!
I love books!

It's winter and the 'chill' is in the air, the jumpers are on, and the fireplace is going!
BUT, the kids are board!

It's playdough and book time.

Making your own playdough is fun and very easy. Plus the warmth of the dough as you knead it together, warm out of the saucepan, is simply "pure wonderful" on chilled hands. Make it any color that is requested and add glitter for fun.

Playdough will provides hours of "it's too cold to go outside" fun for my girls. (Ok, in my case it's: " I have work to do and being winter I can't just chuck the girls outside to play." :) - you all know what I'm talking about!! )

I also love book time. Snuggling together reading a book with my girls is my fave.
It is priceless to watch their little face's, beam and giggle, or get lost in a moment from a book. It's a wonderful way to spend time with your children. Winter is the perfect time to grab a blanket, a new or old favorite book and read away.

So when it's chilly and the jumpers on are and the fireplace is going - playdough and books are the way to go - (and chocolate!!! it's always the right time for chocolate).

Check below for a book giveaway and my playdough recipe.

I have one copy of this book (above in picture) to give away. 

It is fabulous and a very fun read to have with your child. It's interactive and will make you and them giggle.

To enter:

1. This one is for Australian residents only.

2. You must be a follower of the dot dot blog via this blog or the Facebook page. - If you have not joined see the right side bar and choose your option.

3. Leave a comment below letting me know you 'follow', then share with us, "what your favorite children's book is at the moment?".

Terms and conditions: Winner will be drawn randomly and announced on the blog next Friday 15th June 2012.  Winners will need to contact dotdot@westnet.com.au so dotdot can receive postal information. If no response is received within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn. The giveaway is open from 12pm Friday 8th June 2012 till 12pm Friday 15th June 2012. 

I can't wait to read your fave books.

PLAYDOUGH RECIPE

1 cup of plain flour 

1/2 cup salt

1 tablespoon of canola/vegetable oil

1 teaspoon of  bi-carb soda

1 cup water

some drops of food coloring - your color pick.

Add food coloring to the water. Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan, stir together over a medium heat (do not burn) until mixture comes together and get's thick and clumpy. Remove dough from the saucepan it should not be too hot so you can still touch it, or allow to cool on board slightly if it is. Use your hands and kneed the warm dough together until it's smooth. Add any glitter, when it is cool. Play time!

Ps. Don't you just love pudgy little fingers in playdough!!!