As all busy parents know, NOTHING can quite sidetrack the day-to-day as much as a sick kiddo.  Everyone has recovered and we are back in the swing of things.  The first thing that I've added to the Etsy store is an expansion of the popular "Mermaid Collection."  The sweet mermaid is now available customized with either dark hair, light hair, or red hair.  I'm also working on uploading the entire collection which will allow you to create the total under the sea fairytale for your little mermaid!

I am loving chevron stripes right now!  This simple and sweet "XOXO Valentine" is available in our ETSY shop.  Remember all of our printable files are delivered within 48 hours of purchase!

Vintage inspired "Bee My Valentine" is availablein our Etsy shop.   Remember all of our printable files are delivered within 48 hours of purchase! 

More Valentines to come :)

❤❤Time for Valentines!❤❤  We started with this adorable printable Owl valentine.  It is available in our Etsy shop.  I'll be adding more fun Valentine's Day designs.  Remember all of our printable files are delivered within 48 hours of purchase!  Happy shopping friends!

First let me say that I LOVE Pinterest!  Adore it, I will probably not ever have the six-pack I've seen on fitness pins and my wedding would have looked entirely different if Pinterest would have existed in 1999. Among the million LOLcat pins and recipes that appear delicious, but have a GAZILLION calories, occasionally something pops up that I pin and have to try.  Stop by the blog every Friday and I promise to share something that I have tried that came directly from Pinterest.  Sort of a review, sort of the good, the bad, and the messy of party planning the DIY way.

Today's try was the popular pin "Recipe For Making A Box Cake Taste Homemade"...so this picture pops up right around Rachel's birthday and I decided to give it a try.  Who wants a box cake that tastes like a box cake, right?  (Hmmm, in my world there is pretty much not ever a time that cake is bad, but sure some cakes are better than others.)  It is true that "from scratch" cakes from a bakery are the ideal. 

Every year I make Rachel's birthday cake and every year I try to the best of my ability to make it taste (and look) like it was made by a professional. Every year as her themes for the cake get more elaborate, right in the middle of making the cake, I question my sanity and wonder why I didn't just go to a bakery and order a cake.  Every year, she sees her finished cake and loves it. She so looks forward to next year's cake that I understand every moment of food coloring stained fingers, way too much frosting tasting, and a kitchen covered with every dirtied mixing bowl and measuring cup that I own.

Needless to say, I am anxious to try anything that claims to make my "want-to-be Keebler elf" life a little easier. So I pulled this pin, printed the recipe, and gave it a go.

I must say, it actually worked and everyone RAVED that the cake was delicious!  Yay me!  Yay Pinterest! 

This is what I did to my box of Duncan Hines Red Velvet Cake mix as pinned:

Step 1: Looked at the directions on the cake mix,
Step 2: Added 2 more eggs
Step 3: Used melted butter instead of oil and doubled the amount,
Step 4: Used milk instead of water
Step 5: Mixed well and baked for the time recommended on the box.
Step 6: Prayed and hoped she would love it AND she did. 

She has already asked for an American Girl doll cake for next year's birthday...at least I know it will taste delicious!

Wishing you a Splendid Shindig!
E

*Thanks to "The Bronze Budget Bride" from whom the pin originated.  I am in no way stealing their post or ideas, just trying to make a delish birthday cake for a persnickety six year old. 

2012 was an amazing year, a busy year, but an amazing year nonetheless!  My absolute favorite part of last year was welcoming sweet baby Mallory Kate into the world. 

However, I must say the newly launched Splendid Shindig was put on hiatus while I settled into the role of mom to two little princesses.

It is hard to believe that we are already ten days into 2013.  I am excited to say that The Splendid Shindig is now re-open for business!  I have been busy uploading new items to our ETSY shop, which are also available on the "shop" page of this site. The website is brand spanking new and MUCH easier to use and update than the last...look forward to lots of fun recipes, tips, ideas for party themes and planning, lots of printables, and last but not least, FREEBIES!

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