Tuesday, January 9, 2018

"First Timer" Russian Piping Tip Kit

*Part 2 of my "First Timer" experience. :)

So, I got the Asani Russian Piping Tip Set on Amazon. It is a 29 piece set, with 15 stainless steel icing nozzles, 1 left tip, 10 disposable bags, 2 couplers, and 1 brush. All of the nozzles created different flowers. Great for spring I must say!

They came greatly packaged in a nice sturdy box and well packaged. I love the fact that all 15 icing nozzles are stackable.
It is a wonderful set for a "First Timer" such as myself using piping tips or even a professional. I was a bit surprised actually when I opened the box at how big the nozzles are. I am not sure if it is normal for them to be that big or not. So....yeah!
After I made my Buttercream Frosting, I got started right away using and testing out every signel nozzle. Although, I'll be honest I did not use the cupplers.
I did find this awesome trick, if you take plastic wrap make a square, place your frosting in the middle, fold wrap over and spin it then cut a end off, and place it into the disposable bag it will make it easier to use different piping tips and you will only have to use one disposable bag with multiple colored frosting and different piping tips. Video of this trick coming soon!
<<<< Look at just how beautiful this flower came out! This is actually one of my favorite designs out of the set.


 Here is another beautiful flower. As you see, I am not a professional at this. lol

After, I was done piping up this cake, clean up was absolutely surprisingly easy. Therefore, that makes this momma very happy! Overall, these Russian Piping Tips are absolutely amazing and if you are a first timer like myself I suggest you purchase these! You'll love them as much as I do. I can't wait to give using these tips another go.

Asani Russian Piping Tip Kit
How to use Russian Piping Nozzles

*I did use a receipe for Buttercream from MyCupcakeAddiction which you can find on my last post "First Timer" Buttercream, but I will be trying CupcakeJemma Buttercream Recipe soon!

**Note: I was not paid in anyway for this review. I did purchase these piping tips and this is my 100% completely honest review. I hope you guys enjoyed and I can't wait to keep using my piping tips and get a real hang of it.
















"First Timer" Buttercream Frosting

*This is going to be a Part one of a Part two post. Simply because I got a Russian Piping Tip kit, and you can't use Russian Piping Tips without Buttercream Frosting. :) haha

First, I ordered and received my Russian Piping Tip Kit in the mail. Next, I had to find out what type of frosting to make to use my new piping tip kit with. Keep in mind, this will be the first time I have ever used any type of piping tips for cakes or cupcakes and this is also my first time making Buttercream Frosting.

I'm a very visual person. Which means, I tend to use Youtube a lot. So, I got to searching for Buttercream Frosting recipes. I was very lucky to come across a channel called "MyCupcakeAddiction". What a lovely lady and I love a lot of her videos and can't wait to try more stuff from her. I found her recipe for Buttercream Frosting, and thought "OMG how easy!".

I went shopping, bought everything I needed ingredient wise. Everything else I, of course, had right here in my own kitchen. Her recipe is very easy and simple to follow. I made my Buttercream Frosting, just as she did in the video. Only thing I had to do was actually add a little more milk than she did in her frosting. I think I actually added approx. 4 or 5 tablespoons of milk compared to her approx. 2 tablespoons.

It called for:
2 sticks of unsalted butter (8oz)
1/2 Vanilla Bean *Note: I used Vanilla Extract
5 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
1-2 tablespoons of whole milk *Note: I used 2% Milk

I never really had Buttercream Frosting before, and if I have I don't remember. lol
To me, Buttercream Frosting is WAY too sweet for me. The recipe came out just as she said it would at the end if you made it correctly. I let my cake cool completely before trying to decorate my cake with the Russian Piping Tips. The only thing I noticed was that while I was piping on my cake and going back and forth using different tips that my frosting after a while wasn't sticking to the cake anymore. It was like the frosting was drying to fast for it to stick to the cake.

I want to say overall, it was a success/fail if that is even possible. I think her recipe overall is a wonderful recipe that you should give a try. Even a "First Timer" like me can make it.

MyCupcakeAddiction
Buttercream Frosting Recipe

 

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Christmas Snack

Christmas Snack

White Chocolate Pretzels

My grandma has always made Christmas treats for all of us to enjoy at our family Christmas get-together. Since her heart attack, and surgeries it has been harder for her to make things she enjoys. This year, my husband and I decided we would take on the taste to create one of my grandma's favorites. Chocolate covered pretzels. 

They are really easy and simple for anyone to make and you can find out how to do them anywhere. 

1 Bag of pretzels
Great Value Almond Bark for the picture above we used the White Chocolate but we also picked up Dark Chocolate as well. 
We used a double boiler, but the Great Value Almond Bark you can microwave. I prefer to keep the family tradition and use a double boiler. 
Fork
Wax Paper
Cookie Sheet (I used 2)
Optional: Sea Salt, Sprinkles, Coconut, ETC to top with or just leave plain. 

We melted out Almond Bark in our double boiler. Remember to always stir, if you use a double boiler you don't want it to burn. 
Once it is completely melted, I recommend adding 1 tbs of olive oil to thin it out a little. 
Drop in your pretzels and fork out, letting the extra drip off and place on wax paper. 
To cool faster, place in the refrigerator for a few minutes while you do more on another cookie sheet. By the time you are done with the 2nd sheet the sheet in the refrigerator will be completely cooled and ready to place in an airtight container. 

Now if you would like to add, sea salt, sprinkles, coconut, or whatever on top of them. Once you drip and place them on the cookie sheet, add your topping to them, before you place them in the refrigerator for cooling. 

I made plain, Himalayan Sea Salt, and used Christmas sprinkles and coconut ones. That way there is something everyone will enjoy. I'll be making Dark Chocolate ones today and the process will be the same way. 

I hope you enjoy this fun, simple Christmas snack. 

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Moving To Alaska

Personal Family Update:

Our little family has decided we want to fulfill our Alaskan Dream and move to Alaska.

We are a family of 3, my husband Brian, our son Hunter and myself. Looking to locate to Wasilla, Alaska area. Our dream has been to move out of our home state Illinois and adventure to our dream state of Alaska. We love the idea, the adventure, the opportunities Alaska is going to give us, good schools for our son to go too when he is ready for school. We already live a pretty simple life here in Illinois and we are ready to live even more simple in Alaska. We are in this for the long haul. We have and still are doing our research on traveling from the lower 48, through Canada on the Alaskan Highway into Alaska. We are a family of hunters, so having too or willing to hunt for our meat isn't going to be a problem for us. Plus, we love to garden and can't wait to complete our homestead in Alaska with our very own garden.

We are already in the works of downsizing everything we currently own to almost nothing for the move. Leaving behind items won't be so hard for us, leaving behind family we love will be but that is something we are willing to do. We are hoping to pick up and move in approx. 6 months.

Our family does not want to seem like we are begging for help, but more for receiving kindness from others who are willing to help us complete Our Alaskan Dream and we have decided to create a GoFundMe to help with the cost of travel and helping to settle down in Alaska. We are not solely depending on GoFundMe to get us there, we are saving back every month, our income tax money will help and all the items we are going to be selling before we leave.

Receiving help from GoFundMe for our dream would mean the world to all of us.

If you would like to check out our GoFundMe, Donate or even Share our GoFundMe click HERE
It would mean the world to us.

You can find me on Twitter, please keep in mind I also do my reviews, and other stuff on my Twitter, it is not just for Our Alaskan Dream. TWITTER

I even recently created a Tumblr account for Our Alaskan Dream

My Personal FB



















Wednesday, December 6, 2017

Baker Family Reunion

This past weekend, was Baker Family Reunion. First one, in a few years since we've all come together again. Yes, if you go back to my 3rd Great Grandfather, I am a Becker from Germany. I'm addicted to family genealogy.

Friday, we drove the long two-hour drive to my parent's house. Saturday, we had a big exciting day full of hanging out with family, eating "potluck", the little ones got Christmas presents, chattering with everyone and catching up.

My brother and my 2-year-old son Hunter.


I was really lucky, and my aunt decided to give me family pictures from the Baker side. It was very sweet of her. I have so many pictures and knowledge of my fathers' side that now I really can dig into my moms' side.

Baker Family, Minonk, Illinois, USA

 After our family reunion, Minonk, Illinois had their annual Christmas Parade. It was the best one yet! Our family absolutely loves going to the Christmas Parade. Kind of has become a family tradition.

Fireworks to get the Christmas Parade started.












Grabbed some photo shots of my little man!












Plus a family selfie of my husband Brian, our son Hunter and I.

Sunday, as always we go out to the Minonk Cemetery and decorate for our family who is in a much better place.



This is not your typical blog post, but I wanted to let you in, into my life!

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Perfectly Posh Review

Perfectly Posh

Today, I am going to talk about one of my favorite companies Perfectly Posh. 

Why am I going to introduce you to Perfectly Posh? Well, back in 2015 I was introduced to Perfectly Posh from a former high school friend. At the time, I was pregnant with my now 2-year-old. I was looking for products to help with acne, oily skin, and dry spots. The first product I was introduced too, was the Gender Bender Chunk Bar. Which is great for oily skin, which I was facing a lot while I was pregnant. 

So, what is Perfectly Posh? 

Perfectly Posh is founded by Ann Dalton who is the founder and CEO. Ann started this company back in 2011. 

  • Made in the USA
  • Cruelty Free
  • Natural Ingredients 
  • Vegan Options
  • All Products are $25 and Under 
  • No Fillers
  • Buy 5 Get 1 Free
Perfectly Posh is a great pampering company! 

After, a few months of trying products, and hosting online Facebook parties through my friend, I decided to join the pampering pursuit. I joined Perfectly Posh and became an Independent Consultant in October of 2015. I did really well for the first year of being with Perfectly Posh, even though we have multiple Independent Consultant's for Perfectly Posh in the area. Granted I lived in my hometown (small town) in Central Illinois. Since Perfectly Posh is a very well known company and in a small town, everyone wanted to join Perfectly Posh. Which, I'll be honest made it very hard after a while to get new customers and you don't want to steal other consultants customers (that is just rude and so wrong in many ways). Perfectly Posh products can last a very long time since most if not all the products you only need a small amount of product to use. Which also make it harder, to keep customers buying all the time because their products last for so long. 

After, a move to my husbands hometown in Western Illinois and being with Perfectly Posh for nearly 2 years, and working my business the best I could being a stay at home mom it wasn't cutting it anymore nor worth keep trying to keep a business together and a float that everyone is doing these days and harder to get new customers. I decided it was time to leave Perfectly Posh as an Independent Consultant. 

Now, even though I am no longer an Independent Consultant for Perfectly Posh, doesn't mean I don't still 100% love this company. I still love the company, the products, my ex-fellow upline and team members. I still purchase their products from time to time and share what products I am using with my family and friends. Since a lot of my customers were my family and friends and they love Perfectly Posh just as much as I do. 

What products does Perfectly Posh have to offer? 

A ton of amazing pampering products, that I know you'll love if you haven't heard nor tried Perfectly Posh. 

Here is just a small list of what they have to offer: 

  • Body Mud/Mask
  • Chunks (soap bars) 
  • Face Mask
  • Hair Care
  • Hand Creme
  • Posh Kits (Which are great for gifts)
  • Skin Sticks
What else does Perfectly Posh have to offer? Do you like free products? Shop, Share or Host

These are called Perks! 

  1. Shop - You'll earn Perks! just by shopping. 
  • Sign Up - 500 Perks! 
  • Birthday - 500 Perks! 
  • Earn Perks on every dollar you spend when you enroll. 

Example: 500 Perks! = $5.00  

    2. Share - Click your personalized referral link and share anywhere. When friends and family purchase using your link, you're rewarded. 

    3. Host - Host a pampering event with your Consultant, you'll earn Perks when you guest makes a purchase. Plus you can earn exclusives.  


 Are you interested in earning some extra cash? Are you a stay at home mom? 

You can join Perfectly Posh, just like I did. 


<<<<This is my kit box I received when I joined. Let me tell you this box weighed in at 50lbs according to my mail guy. 

I'll tell you this, there was a bunch of goodies in this box! 

$99* Gets you everything you need to start. 

Now when I first started, there was a website fee, but at the time I joined they had 3 months free. Which after those 3 months in January they decided to make having a website FREE. Therefore, I never ended up having to pay for the website and to this day there is still NO website fee. Which is fabulous! 

No, I would direct you normally to my upline from when I signed up, but she currently isn't an Independent Consultant either. She is now a former Army Woman, and now a full time stay at home mom of 4 and a professional photographer. So, I am going to direct you to our team leader Kaitlyn Green. <<<Her personal Facebook Page. Shop or Sign up with Kaitlyn

Overall

Perfectly Posh is a great company. Wonderful people to work with. Great opportunities. If you sign up under Kaitlyn Green you won't regret it because she is absolutely fabulous and hard working with her business and treats all of her downlines great. Great products. Overall, I will always love this company and I believe you will too. 

If you have any questions about this company, a product or this review please feel free to contact me on my Contact Page. 


Monday, November 27, 2017

IntiMom Breastfeeding Cover Review


I received my IntiMom Breastfeeding Cover for free from Tomoson.

Photo by Jada Hall
Pros:

  • Full Coverage - Being a bigger woman, I was really surprised how amazing IntiMom Breastfeeding Cover had for coverage. When I was breastfeeding my son, it was really important to be able to breastfeed anywhere and still have coverage and privacy while I breastfeed him. This did it! 
  • Comes in 3 different colors. 
  • 100% Cotton - Absolutely soft and mom approved. 
  • Machine Washable - Did not shrink, did color...it absolutely stayed the same. 
  • Rigid Baby Monitor - Great curve at the top, to be able to look down at your baby and monitor him/her. This is a wonderful feature. 
  • Lightweight 
  • Affordable $19.99
I am so glad, I was given the change to try this product out for free. I received this product nearly 2 years ago. You are probably wondering why I am just now, writing my review? Well, it is not. I have previously given my review in the past after receiving my IntiMom Breastfeeding Cover. I have recently decided to stay my own Little Review Corner blog, therefore because I loved this so much that I would write an updated review on my blog.

I honestly do not see any Cons about this product. It is all around great, adorable, easy to use, affordable and long-lasting. I used my IntiMom Breastfeeding Cover nearly 2 years ago, and with well-taken care, it is still in great condition and able to use for our next little one.

Jada Hall (2015) Using my IntiMom Breastfeeding Cover for the first time. 



*I did not pay for this product, nor did I receive money for this product/review. This product was completely free and my review is not a paid review. This is an honest review of this product.