Baby It's Cold Outside?

Even though Mr. Winter has decided to ignore Southern California as of late (it was 80 degrees today), I have been craving cold-weather comfort food. With my oven on the fritz, I'm a bit limited to what I can do - so I decided to make some warm and creamy rice pudding
(it helped that I had rice left over from last night's dinner).

Warm & Creamy Rice Pudding

1 1/2 - 2 cups cooked white rice
2 cups milk, divided
1/3 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
2/3 cup golden raisins
1 - 2 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
ground cinnamon, to taste

In a saucepan, combine cooked rice, 1 1/2 cups milk, sugar and salt. Cook over medium heat until thick and creamy, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup milk, beaten egg and raisins. Cook 2 minutes more, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in butter, vanilla and cinnamon.
Serve warm.

Serves 4.

My guys don't like raisins in their rice pudding, so I left them
out. We like to top ours with a dollop of whipped cream
or pour of bit of heavy cream over the top.

Enjoy!!
xoxo,
Julie

PS. Don't forget about my Giveaway !

Yummy Cupcakes!!

I've ordered cupcakes in a jar from Bangerang Bake Shop
several times - YUMMY!! I LOVE to send them
as gifts. If you haven't tried them, you should!
They're having a giveaway right now!
Check it out!!

AND DON'T FORGET TO ENTER MY GIVEAWAY TOO!!

xoxo,
Julie

Lollishops Valentine Giveaway - Redux!

Since the Lollishops Valentine Giveaway got scrapped
(beyond my control), I've decided to have a re-do and post my
giveaway again. So here goes...

February 1st - 10th, I'll be hosting a giveaway
for my Lollishop, The Cupcake Cupboard .
You could win this Lemon-Yellow Sweet Shoppe Pincushion!

Here's how to enter:
1. Go to The Cupcake Cupboard and check it out.
Then leave a comment here letting me know what your favorite item is. Also let me know if you were to order a
custom made item from me, what would that be.

2. For another chance to win, become a follower to my blog.

3. For yet another chance to win, post my giveaway
badge on your blog.

4. And for yet another chance to win, blog about my
Lollishop and/or giveaway.

Make sure to leave contact info.
I'll pick the winner on February 11th!

Thanks for stopping by! Good luck!!

xoxo,
Julie

I'm in LOVE!!!

OK, so back before Christmas I ordered this adorable little Snow Pixie from Jenny at The Polka Dot Pixie . I loved it - it was so sweet and tiny and delicate!

Last week, I couldn't resist ordering this adorable little
Valentine Snow Pixie!

The picture doesn't even do her justice!!
You've got to stop by Jenny's Lollishop and check out
more of her cuties!! Oh, those cheeks!!

Oh, and look at the gorgeous necklace I won from the
lovely Jamie over at Simply Me Art !

Again, the picture doesn't even come close to doing it justice!!
Thank you SO MUCH, Jamie!

Well, that's all for now! Have a super week!

PS. If you LOVE give aways like I do, stop by Mammalicious Finds to win
these yummy lights from Jorabeels

xoxo,
Julie

Lollishops Valentine Giveaways! - ON HOLD!

Apparently, there is a problem with the giveaway site.

Hang in there! If it's not fixed, then I'll restart the giveaway here on my blog. Thanks for your patience!

Who doesn't love giveaways??!!

January 19th - February 6th, at least 12 Lollishop vendors are offering special Valentine's Day giveaways. Head on over to Lollishops Blog Giveaways and check out all of the goodies!

I'm offering a Lemon-Yellow Soda Shoppe Pincushion.

There are lots of other great things offered too!
Stop on by!!

xoxo,
Julie

Memories of Marie...

Now that my head has stopped spinning, I'm finally able to post some pictures of the Marie Antoinette Workshop & Soiree (pictures that I've "borrowed" from the other gals!)

These are our LOVELY hostesses Kim & Candice!

They thought of EVERYTHING! I can't remember the last time

I felt so pampered! Thank you ladies!!

This is our classroom! So much pink yumminess!

Our box full of luscious supplies!

The talented and HILARIOUS Maija & yours truly.

Page one of the "journal" we worked on.

Our Royal Tea Luncheon

Two amazing ladies, Jessi & Christine Rose.

Sweets! Almost too pretty to eat! (I said "almost"!)

We ended the day with pink champagne & delicious eats and swaps.

My "Wand Fit for a Queen" swap partner, Kelly & well, me.

It was an amazing day!! I tried to take in and absorb all that I could!
So many beautiful, sweet & talented women in one room!!

Kim, thank you SO MUCH for letting me be a part of this

WONDERFUL and special weekend!!

xoxo,

Julie

Elegance and Whimsy

My head is still spinning from the WONDERFULLY

pink & frilly Marie Antoinette weekend!

I was too overwhelmed to take pictures myself,

but I'll be borrowing some from the other gals to
share with you in a few days.

Just wanted to let you know about a BEAUTIFUL

new shop called Elegance and Whimsy .
The intro page alone is simply divine!

This is one of my favorite "Marie" items...

Make sure to stop by and see for yourself!

xoxo,
Julie

Sneak Peek Fit for a Queen!

Here's a peek at my wand for the "A Wand Fit for a Queen" swap hosted by the lovely Scrappy Jessi for the Marie Antoinette Soiree this weekend!

Hope my partner, KellyB, likes it!!
I'll let ya know on Monday!

xoxo,
Julie