Classic Cocoa Mix

Layer the ingredients for homemade cocoa in a jar, add a ribbon and a tag, and you have a simple but stylish gift. This mix will fill a 1-quart jar (12 servings), but if your containers are different sizes, just keep the ratio of ingredients constant. On the back of the tag, write: "Mix contents in a large bowl. For each serving, place 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup boiling water. Store remaining mix in airtight container."

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup powdered milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup miniature chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows

Preparation

• Layer sugar, cocoa powder, powdered milk, salt, chocolate chips, and marshmallows.

Makes 1 quart or 12 serving hot cocoa.

Homemade Bath Salt

What You Need

2 cups Epsom salts
1 cup baking soda
Large bowl
Lavender-scented oil
2-x-4-inch scrap of white cotton fabric
Food coloring
Cookie sheet
Apothecary jar
Ribbon
Baby spoon

How to Make It

1. In a large bowl mix 2 cups Epsom salts and 1 cup baking soda. Dab a few drops of lavender-scented oil onto a 2-x-4-inch scrap of white cotton fabric and stir through mixture. Repeat with drops of food coloring. Continue mixing scented oil and food coloring until desired scent and color is achieved. If desired, make two colors of salts to layer in a purchased apothecary jar (available in thrift shops).
2. Spread salts mixture onto a cookie sheet for several hours, stirring several times. Wash and dry the jar. Spoon salts mixture into jar.
3. Tie a baby spoon onto jar with ribbon.
4. To use, dissolve several teaspoons of salts in bathwater.

Cookie mix in a jar

Cookie mix in a jar is a great gift for any occasion!!!

Here are the recipe I use for all of my cookie mix.

1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups semisweet chocolate chip; m&m etc
1/2 cup brown sugar

• Another recipe I use

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup & leveled
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cooking oats
3/4 cup m&ms
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar
1/3 – 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions : Empty contents of jar into a large bowl. In separated bowl add 1 slightly beaten egg

1/2 cup butter (melted slightly in the microwave)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Use the back of a large spoon to work it all together. You may even need to use your hands to get everything incorporated.

Then roll the cookie dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, place on a parchment covered baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven. I got about 26-28 cookies out of these.

To make your own. First layer ingredients and pack each level real thight or else it wont fit. If you decide to add pecans pack it last just in case they wont fit. I rather sacrifice nuts then chocolate.

To finish off decorate the lid with a piece of fabric and a ribbon.

You can change the color of the chocolate to give as a gift for Christmas, Halloween, Baby Shower, etc. Get them from your store when they are on sale right after the holiday.

DIY Hurricane Lamps

Make your own Hurricane Lamps that you can easily customize the decor based on the season.

On a quick trip to the Dollar Store you can gather all the items. You going to need.

Do you see where this is going?

First off remove all the labels and tags.

Glue the base of your candle holder looking down to make sure its centered.

Then its time to decorate.

I glued my ribbon so it wouldnt be coming off but the candles at the dollar store it so cheap that you can make a different one for each season.

Final touch decorate with rocks, glass pebbles or artificial flowers.

Its a great inexpensive gift!

5 ways to spend less on holidays!!!

Holidays and any other event in the year can be a budget breaker. I put together a list of 5 resourceful ways to spend less in the next Holiday.

• Make a budget.

Be honest with yourself and write down everybody that is getting a gift and how much you have to spend. Figure out how much money you are able to spend for each person. If money is really tight, start crossing people off the list.

• Buy your gift with cash.

Once again if you don't have the money to spend don't buy it. Most people get themselves in debt by trying to keep up with the Joneses. Once you run out of cash that it. No more spending. An evening gathering is not worth debtors calling!!!

• Shop smart.

Search your favorite store website and check out if they have any deals before you head out there. Most store now days offer good selections at clearance prices with free shipping. Do your research on big items as well. Never settle for the first.

• Be Creative

Off the list that you first created. How many of those can you make them a gift. Sometimes a homemade gift its better than an expensive store bought one. There are several gifts that you can make yourself. I always make gift baskets for my family such as: bath and body; popcorn and movie; pasta lover; etc as well gifts in a jar m&ms with the colors matching the specific holiday; kisses; cookie mix in a jar etc. Once I made my mom a calendar with picture of the family right out of my computer and she loved it. Gifts don't have to be expensive just thoughtful.

• Create a Secret Santa and spend only on the kids.

My family we do it every year. We agree on a budget for our Secret Santa and splurge on the kids. In my household we are very strict about gift giving to the kids. They know they are only getting gifts 2 times a year. Christmas and Birthdays any other day of the year its only needs and not wants.

Easy party favor!!!

Easy and creative party favor.

Get a candy car of your choice. I like the flat ones like the Hersey's Bar.



Get a double sided tape and pretty scrapbook paper of your choice.
Tie it up with a pretty ribbon and add some bling and you are all done!!!

You can create party favors, for Baby Showers, Bridal and Birthdays!!!

Good luck with your next event!!!

www.bpartys.com

5 simple ways to save money!!!

There are great sites instructing someone on how to save money. Well here is my updated list

• Track your spending and stick to a budget

It may not sound easy. Trust me it wasnt for me but when I decided to take time off from work and be a stay at home mom I had to learn real fast. My husband and I we write down on our kitchen calendar what needs to come out every week to pay off our expenses and from there we see what is left off. That allowed us to have a weekly allowance and pay ourselves first by putting money on a savings account.

• Create a Master Grocery List

I like to write down my grocery list by categorizing the items. Example: Breakfast- eggs, milk, cereal etc. Lunch- mayo, lunchmeat, juice, canned soda etc. Dinner- meat, rice, pasta, veggies etc. Others- shampoo, laundry detergent, toilet paper etc. You get the idea. This way I know what Ill be using for what meal helping me plan ahead on meal planning and cost plus saving me time walking thru the supermarket looking for the items.

• Pay Cash

I am still getting my husband used to this idea but it makes sense. If you dont have the money to pay for something dont get it!!!  Save it up, wait to make sure its a need instead of a want and then if you still want it go and get but only after you have the money to pay for it in full.

• Recycle reinvent and reuse

Before you throw things out take a second look at it. What can you do with it? I love  to save the spaguetti sauce jar and save them to make gift in a jar for friends and relatives. They cost less and you can create different combinations. What else can you reuse? I use old plastic chinese take-out container and I store my kids crayons and use as a wipes case for the car. Not counting the fact that they store leftovers pretty well. Always keep an open mind on the items you have laying around your house. You never know what they can be turned into.

• Borrow before you buy

Can you get away with borrowing before buying it? I cant remember last time I went clothing shopping for myself. Reason being its because I always shop my sister closet instead of buying a new outfit. We fit on the same size, live in different states just 40 mins away and honestly who cares if you spent $100 or next to nothing getting yourself ready for that party? This goes to everything else. If you have a kind neighbor and you have a good relationship dont be shy to ask if you can borrow her blender instead of buying a new one.