Month: August 2015

Rainbow Bit Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

~ sweetlifestyle

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The kids came home from camp last week and my husband asked if I was going to bake a cake.  I think he secretly wanted one because I had never baked a welcome home cake for them before!  He chose a rainbow bit cake with cream cheese frosting which was a great idea because it is so colorful and happy.

This cake comes from a Betty Crocker cake mix which was easy enough. Finding the Rainbow Bit flavor was a bit harder.  As I made several calls to find a retailer that carried this flavor, I got to wondering about the origin of a rainbow bit cake.

What I found out is that this is basically a funfetti cake in a box.  I had never heard of a funfetti cake before!  It’s a white cake with sprinkles or rainbow chips (made with colored white chocolate bits) baked in. There are many recipes online and one even includes a recipe for making homemade sprinkles, here. Continue reading →

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Backpacks As Purses

~ sweetlifestyle ~ 8 Comments
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Mulberry.com

This fall, backpacks continue to be everywhere.  And, they are beautiful!  They offer a practical yet stylish alternative to a purse.  Almost every designer has created a version of the backpack.  Have a look at some of the styles out there:

Alexander [email protected]
StellaMcCartney.com
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Rebecca [email protected]
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Here are some options to consider when choosing a backpack: Continue reading →

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Peach and Strawberry Crumble – It’s Summer!

~ sweetlifestyle ~ 3 Comments

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It’s summertime and that means fruits like strawberries, cherries, peaches, and blueberries are in season!  Whether you pick your own or buy them at local farmers’ markets or the grocery store, having them at home just says summer.

Last week I picked up a basket of peaches, specifically to make a crumble. When I was searching for recipes, I found tons and ended up making up my own.  Confession: I love the oat crumble on top of the fruit and I like it to be thick.  That’s why I ended up using a crumble topping recipe for a 9 by 13 inch pan on my 8 by 8 inch crumble! Continue reading →

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Statement Jewelry Everywhere

~ sweetlifestyle

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I’ve been buying statement jewelry, especially necklaces, for a long time.  I find it the simplest way to dress up an outfit and look pulled together.  It’s easy and the piece you choose is not only unique but it reflects your personality.

Statement jewelry is just that: it makes a statement.  That necklace, bracelet, or ring attracts attention because it is either big, colorful, noisy, glittery, or just plain unusual.  Its very role as part of an outfit is to be the center of attention.

This fall I am seeing statement pieces everywhere.  Shoes, clothing, and handbags are wearing jewelry, too!

Prada.com
Givenchy at BergdorfGoodman.com
MCMWorldwide.com

Continue reading →

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Mango & Blueberry Salad – That’s It !

~ sweetlifestyle

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At a kids’ year end party a few years ago, a mom brought this salad and it was such a hit.  It only has mangoes and blueberries in it but the mangoes are cut up using a melon baller making the salad look elegant and fancy.

There is something about the combination of the golden yellow of the mangoes and the dark bluish purple of the blueberries that makes the salad look good, too, especially in a white serving dish.  The salad looks healthy for you, and it is! Continue reading →

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Frozen Strawberry Banana Daiquiris

~ sweetlifestyle

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These frozen daiquiris have become a summer favorite!  Made using Bacardi’s Strawberry Daiquiri Mixer with the addition of a ripe banana, these drinks are smooth, tasty, and easy to make.

By definition, a daiquiri is made with rum, lime juice, and a sweetener. Daiquiris originated in Cuba over 100 years ago as a shaken drink.  According to Kitchn.com, drinks made with fruit juice, creme, or eggs are shaken to introduce air bubbles that give a frothy appearance.  Try making a shaken recipe from a fellow blogger at Charly’s Bar, here.  You may find other drinks you might like there, too!

Bacardi’s Strawberry Daiquiri Mixer does in fact contain sugar, lime pulp, and lime juice as part of its ingredients, as well as crushed strawberries.  You can find this mixer in the freezer section of your grocery store, next to the lemonade and orange juice.

Try these daiquiris with rum for the adults and without rum for the kids!  Let me know of any other variations that you like. Continue reading →

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