Grandway Designer Apron Giveaway

I adore darling aprons, but I think they're hard to find. That was until I checked out the collection of Designer Aprons available through Grandway. I had to see these for myself because no two aprons are a like and typically they don't work for all body types.

I selected this darling the Black Floral - Audrey Apron. I loved the scooped neckline with the darling collar. And of course everything goes great with black and white. I opened the package and could tell right away that the quality was good. The fabric was high end, the details was beautifully made and would you believe it was just as cute on. And best part, the tie actually tied in front for me (not typical of most aprons I've tried in the past).

 

My daughter said this apron was too cute for me and she should have it. 

But after a small arm wrestle match, I won. I've been running around in it all week. I find I craft in it much more then I cook in it though (wink)! 

It's always nice to buy yourself something to look forward to after the holidays. That way you won't go through online ordering withdrawals. Be sure to check out the wonderful selection at Grandway. 

GIVEAWAY

And bonus for us, Grandway has kindly sent along a second Black Floral - Audrey Apron to give away another  apron to one lucky reader. The giveaway is open to those in the continental United States. Use the widget below to enter....good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My New Tool: Martha Stewart Scoreboard

I've wanted one of these Martha Stewart Scoreboards for a while now, but it was a blog post for a mini fold book by Lisa Johnson that totally had me hooked. When I find a tool I know I must own it sort of nags at me until I finally buy it...which I did. And I took it with me to a weekend crop to give it a try.  

Here's what I created with my new Martha Steward Scoreboard. I saw this fun Shutter Card on the Scor-Pal website and thought I'd give it a try. After a couple of attempts and adjustments to size, I finally found my groove (ha, ha) and created this beautiful card with Teresa Collins Giving Thanks Collection. 

Then I created this Candy Bar Card from another pattern I found on the Scor-Pal website. It's super easy to make once you figure out the directions.

And if you have ever tired making these pin wheel flowers without a scoring board then you know how hard it is to get it to turn out right. 

It fits those oversized Hershey or Symphony Bars...cute huh?? I created this fun card with the new Everybody Loves Christmas collection by Echo Park. And don't you love my Devine Twine on the card??

Now a little bit about the Martha Stewart Scoreboard, you should know that it's really reasonably priced. It's only $19.99 at most stores and it's competitor, Score-pal retailers for almost twice that ($39.99). And if you'd like to read a sweet review on this, check out Erin Bassett's post over on the Craft Critique.

My recommendation...buy one! Other then it's another tool you have to figure out how to store, it's a great product to own!!

Utah County's NEW Cafe Paesan (from the Cafe Rio creators)

Saturday I had the yummy pleasure of taking a friend out to lunch and since I was in Orem I suggested the new Cafe Paesan: Italian Bistro. I'd heard that it was started by one of the original creators of Cafe Rio Mexican restaraunt...which is one of my favorites!! I love that it's like fast food, but not and it's yummy food! So the whole idea of a place like Cafe Rio but ITALIAN...was a must see for me.

So here's my review of Cafe Paesan....

Their menu states, "There is an old saying, 'An Italian Grandmother is a gift from God.' The time honored Traditions of Italian Grandmothers preparing family meals each day are the heart and soul of Cafe Paesan (Pie-saan)."

They have only one location so far, but hope to open more near Salt Lake. The Orem location is at: 69 South State St., Orem, Utah (801)404-5555. Their take out menu were a four page hand-written 4 page flyer...hopefully they'll get something more professional or a website to reference, but for now I'll try to give you as much info as I can.

The set-up when you order is just like Cafe Rio, just italian. However, much like my first time to Cafe Rio I was CLUELESS on what to order. And after going there once, I for sure need to go back a few more times to figure out exactly what I would love!

Loved the decor by the way...

My friend ordered from the Pasta Fresca menu. The pasta dish will cost you $7.95 and it's enough I think for two people. They created her dish fresh (homemade noodles too) and offered her grilled mushrooms and zucchini on top. It was beautiful when they served it (photo below was after a few bites). She selected the chicken with pesto sauce I believe. 

Here's how you order the Pasta Fresca: 

First you select your meat, either Paesan Italian Sausage, Balsamic Grilled Chicken, Italian Braised Beef or Bolognese Meat Sauce. Second you choose a sauce: Pomodoro Fresh Tomato Sauce, Creamy Parmesan Rich Cheese Sauce, Pesto Creamy Basic & Garlic Sauce, Rosa Sauce Creamy Tomato Sauce or Primavera Grilled Veggies. 

I ordered the pizza special and oh how YUMMY!! It was an Artichoke/Shrimp Pizza and seriously it was delightful. I loved the sun dried tomatoes mixed with the artichoke and shrimp...it was the prefect size too and made to order and the best crust.

Here's how you order the Pizza: 
They offer six regular menu choices of pizza, but today I picked their daily special (Artichoke & Shrimp). Here's the daily choices, 1) Torrino Apple Braised Pork, 2) Italian Style Braised Beef, 3) Romagna Sausage, 4) Paesan Pepperoni, 5) Siena Spicey Chicken and 6) Margarita. The pizzas are $4.95 and about the size of a plate...made fresh to order as well...yummm!

We also ordered the Bruschetta (ate that super fast) and I had a side salad with my pizza special (salad shown).

Other menu options included the following...

Grilled Flatbread Sandwiches where you pick between Tuscan and Roma Style. You also pick the sauce and meat or veggies for the sandwish. I'm sure those or delicious too!

Any a Cafe Rio style restaurant wouldn't be the same without Paesan Hand Tossed SALAD options too!  Crisp green and garden vegetables served on freshly grilled paesan flatbread. First choose your dressing: Balsamic Viniagrette, Spicey Honey Mustard (which I tried) or Creamy Pesto. Then next you choose from the following: Balsamic Grilled Chicken, Spicey Apple Braised Pork, Italian Braised Beef or Grilled Vegetables. The salads cost $7.95...can't wait to try one of these!

Buon Appetito!

Review: Mini's Cupcakes

I hope you're not hungry...because you will be after reading this post. I should mention I did not receive anything for free, nor any compensation to write up this review. I'm doing this simply because I love these yummy little cupcakes!! 

We've tried a few different cupcake shops from the Salt Lake & Utah County areas and I have to say that Mini's Cupcakes has to be one of favorite cupcake shops around. They have a location in Sugar House and Salt Lake. When we first tried them we picked up one of their box lunches. It included a yummy sandwich, salad and your choice of lovely mini cupcakes. But honestly, the cupcake was definitely the highlight. 

I know a lot of people like the full-size cupcakes, but not me. A few bites and I'm happy, so these mini cupcakes are plenty filling! The amount of frosting is more then enough for the few bits of moist cake. Oh I should mention that they try to buy local...I know their flour comes from Lehi Roller Mills and other products are purchased locally...loved that!! 

I've since been back a couple of times to purchase cupcakes. In fact, the photo above is the box I took to a presentation at CK Media last week for the staff and editors of Creating Keepsakes and Paper Crafts magazines.  Everyone loved them and who wouldn't!! Here's some close-ups of my favorite cupcakes!  

Chocoholic - Dark Belgium Chocolate Cupcake with Dark Chocolate Ganache Frosting

The Diva - Dark Belgium Chocolate Cupcake with Pink Crème Cheese Frosting (my personal favorite!!)

Breakfast at Tiffany's -Madagascar Vanilla Bean Cupcake with Tiffany Blue Crème Cheese Frosting topped with edible gems

Even their cupcake boxes are cute...check out the darling cutout flap. I would highly recommend Mini's Cupcakes for a quick sweet treat stop OR for special events!! 

Link to Mini's Menu

Mini's Locations: 

Downtown - 14 East 800 South - 801-363-0608

Sugarhouse - 1751 South 1100 East - 801-746-2208