Today Donna from donnahup.com brings us these adorable Easter Peep Surprise Cupcakes! These cupcakes are not only adorable to look at, but they’re so much fun to eat! Under each peep is a “surprise” in the cupcake. You can customize them depending on dietary needs. Get the full recipe with tutorial pics over at donnahup.com.
You will need to send out invites, declutter your living space and guest areas, and enquire as to any +1 guests that might be attending your winter holiday events. You might also need to send out maps or printed instructions with directions to your home, and you might want to plan games and activities to entertain your guests too. In short, there is a lot to be getting on with where your guests are concerned, so get cracking!
Think about food
You will need to make space in your pantry and refrigerator in readiness for the season ahead, so now is the time to work with your existing food. So, you might want to donate some of your food items to charitable groups in your area, for example, as this is a better option than throwing unwanted food away. You might want to prepare a dinner party for friends and family too, as you will be able to use much of your food up this way. And you might steadily start to work your way through the food you have before replenishing your stocks, as you will then save space and money in the run-up to Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Think about gifts
What should you buy your nearest and dearest for Christmas? Now is the time to ask them outright if you don’t feel cheeky in doing so, or you could consult with other people in your family and friend groups to find out a few suggestions. And when you have found out more, you might do more than go for the obvious. So, if your nephews and nieces enjoy reading, you might consider signing them up to a book subscription service instead of buying them a novel or two. If any of your work colleagues show a passion for charity, you might want to find out how to donate on their behalf. And for those people who simply have everything, you might start your shop for unique items so they don’t end up with something they already have. Consider this viking drinking horn for ale and beer for any of your friends who like a tipple or two at Christmas, for example.
So, don’t delay. Thanksgiving will be here before you know it, and then Christmas will be merrily weaving its festive delights into your life too! We hope our practical suggestions have been useful, but if we have missed something in our post, be sure to remind us below.
Thanks for reading and happy holidays!
I am receiving a case of Pura Vida Ultimate Tequila, Backstage Pass & VIP All-Access Pass to the Rockstar UpRoar Festival in exchange for this post, However all thoughts & experiences are still 100% my own.
As you may already know, this past Wednesday I attended the Rockstar UPROAR Festival with Pura Vida Tequila! Myself & Rachel from The Link Fairy were treated like VIPs in the Pura Vita Party Bus.
I got there around 4:30 (I would have liked to have gone sooner, but I had to get the kiddos from school) and was able to take in a little Buckcherry before I headed over to the bus! They played on the second stage, and may not have been a “headliner” but they sure rocked the house!
After a few songs I headed over to the Bus..eeekkk..where I hung out for a bit and met some amazing people before heading back out and catching the end of Buckcherry.
After that it was time to head back to the bus to meet & greet with the band! Even more of an eeekkk, just might have squeaked out! By this time there were more VIPs around so the bus was getting pretty packed, but the mixologist had arrived so it was time for drinks! I decided on the Sully Smash which I shared with you last week…if you missed it, you can get the recipe here!
A crowd gathered outside the bus..it was time for the local contest winners to line up and get autographs from the band…
Godsmack finally rolled up on their golf carts…by this time Rachel and I were grinning ear to ear! The band very graciously walked the line singing pictures and a tee-shirt or two. Now is our time! We loaded on the bus with the band and other VIPs and got to interview GODSMACK!!
Rachel: When did you know you wanted to be a rockstar?
Sully: “Since I was a kid, I always knew this is what I wanted to do.”
Me: When did you feel like you “made it”?
Sully: “When I got my first GOLD record. I couldn’t believe so many people bought our record.”
Rachel: What is your favorite song to play?
Tony: “Voodoo”
Sully: “Really?!’
What’s your favorite Godsmack Song?
These guys are really down to earth and grateful for where they are! After our interview, we all headed outside to do the 8:15 Toast! We were handed a cup with a shot (or two) of Pura Vida Tequila.
After the toast Godsmack got back on their golf carts and headed off to get ready for their performance.
We hoped back on the bus for a few more drinks and conversation with the other VIP then around 7:30 we headed over to the main stage and was able to photograph the first three songs of Seether in the photo pit then enjoy the rest of their set off to the side of the pit.
Finally it’s 9:30 and time for GODSMACK to take the stage! We got to go into the photo pit for the first three songs from them as well! I loved being so close, and soaked up every moment! After our three song limit was up we soaked up the rest of their set. I really enjoyed when they rolled out the second drum set with Sully at them. Watching Sully & Shannon go at it was amazing!
I only have two regrets from the evening…not getting a picture with them..and not getting anything autographed..but being up-close and personal has definitely been checked off my bucket list! I did get a picture with Jason Cassidy who was with us on the bus!
Check out GODSMACK’s new album 1000hp on shelves and digital media now
And check out Pura Vida Tequila so you can experience your own Sully Smash (it really is to die for!)
Follow Godsmack on: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram and Google+.
Follow Pura Vida: Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Follow Rockstar Energy UpRoar: Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL THE GUYS BEHIND THE SCENES AT PURA VIDA TEQUILA & NEW CREATIVE MEDIA FOR PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER!
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This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Marvel films are some of my favorite films. I love the action, the stories and how they all blend and intermingle. I will admit I never read comics growing up and watched more syfi…I’m not sure where my love of all things Marvel came from, but Doctor Strange kept that love going strong.
I went into the screening just as excited as the next, but after reading a few of his comics prior I was a little worried it would be very confusing and hard to keep up with….but it was anything but…it was completely amazing and was a great introduction to such a complex & mystical story.
In Marvel’s Doctor Strange, we are introduced to Doctor Stephen Strange – Benedict Cumberbatch – who is a true genius neurosurgeon with an ego that could rival fellow Marvel star Tony Stark. He goes through life with little regard for the people around him. On a high-speed drive, he is distracted by a text of a medical document which cause a brutal accident that leaves his hands scared and trembling. Even after surgery after surgery fails he becomes more and more withdrawn even hurting the one person, Dr. Christine Palmer – Rachel McAdams – who was always there for him. After learning that there was one person who had recovered from a severe injury, Doctor Strange hunted down Jonathon Pangborn – Benjamin Bratt – who gives him a tip to seek out Kamar-Taj in Napal.
After meeting the Ancient One – Tilda Swinton – Doctor Strange can’t believe what she is telling him can heal him, but after she sends him on a “Magical Mystery Tour” Doctor Strange is ready to learn. As Tilda said you will not need acid after watching this…we are taken on a trip through many dimensions with a kaleidoscope of colors & the beauty of space. Doctor Strange is put through training of mind and body which pushes him to the limits, but shows the Ancient One & Keeper of the books, Wong – Benedict Wong – that he is a quick learner and destined to be in the mystic arts. But when Doctor Strange breaks the rules and secretly reads from the Ancient Ones forbidden texts he learns how to bend time while yielding the Eye of Agamotto.
Soon Doctor Strange learns that he is in for than he intended when he is thrown into a mystical battle to save the world from a former student of the Ancient One, Kaecilius – Mads Mikkelsen – who has stolen a page from the very same forbidden text to cast a..well…forbidden spell. The battles all have you on the edge of your seat as the worlds are twisted and flipped upside down. In the end Doctor Strange learns that “It’s Not About You” – The Ancient One (By the way, this was the cast’s favorite line!)
IMO, I think Director Scott Derrickson did a great job of bringing his favorite comic to life. It made me laugh, cry & about jump out of my seat…Benedict Cumberbatch played a fantastic Doctor Strange who was able to make you feel what he was going through as he struggles to get his life back after the accident & Rachel McAdams perfectly balanced his “all about me” attitude with her role as Dr. Christine Palmer who is full of love & all about everyone else.
Mads played the perfect villian…he commanded the screen and drew you in when he spoke. I loved Benedict Wong in his role…as he said, it was like it was made for him…He was able to play this serious character, that should be more like a “sidekick” but had me loving him as much as Doctor Strange.
Chiwetel Ejiofor, the only main character we didn’t have the pleasure of interviewing played a loyal, very skilled “#1”, so to speak, to The Ancient One. He is one who love order and rules (a little like me)…I can’t wait to see him more in the next edition. As we now know the role of the Ancient One was written with Tilda Swinton in mind…Tilda was visually striking and lends her fantastic talent which leads you to the fact that she is a very old, fiercely talented and wise leader of the mystical “Avengers”.
This was a great start to hopefully many Doctor Strange films and does lead into Thor & Infinity War…so stay tuned! Doctor Strange is a movie you don’t want to miss!
Remember…
“It’s Not About You”
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Tilda Swinton Interview Interview with Mads Mikkelsen Scott Derrickson Interview Rachel McAdams Interview
Benedict Cumberbatch Interview
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This is the start to our 12 days of Easter Ideas! Over the next 12 days I will be sharing some very clever crafts and recipes to celebrate the Easter holiday!
Today’s recipe comes from SavingYouDinero.com. During the Easter holiday, I am sure that we have a ton of jelly beans in the house. Use them to make some yummy Jelly Bean Cookies to serve at Easter dinner!
Make sure you also check out the other recipe and craft ideas from my blogger friends!
This post may contain affiliate links which fund the My Sparkling Life blog.
Valentines may be over, but it’s never too late to have a romantic night in! Gourmet Gift Baskets can help with that. Send her the Italian Dinner for Two then let her sit back and watch you cook it…or enjoy cooking it together!
What’s a better way to celebrate your love than with all the ingredients you need for a romantic dinner in? This beautiful basket contains two bottles of wine which will pair perfectly with the dinner of artichoke bruschetta, artisan pasta and zesty Arrabbiata sauce, and authentic imported Italian dessert biscuits. A wonderful gift to celebrate Valentine’s Day, your anniversary, or a “just because I love you” day, this basket will make them fall in love with you all over again.
Contents:
Chianti by Ruffino – 750 ml
Chardonnay Trebbiano by Villa Fassini – 750 ml
Arrabbiata Pasta Sauce by Cucina & Amore – 16.8 oz.
Tuscan Minestrone Soup by Bountiful Pantry – 8 servings
Polenta by Cucina & Amore – 17.6 oz.
Fricelli Organic Pasta by Morella – 1.1 lbs.
Artichoke Bruschetta by Cucina & Amore – 7.9 oz.
Amaretti di Saronno by Lazzaroni – 2.3 oz.
Sun Dried Tomatoes by Cucina & Amore – 7.9 oz.
This gourmet gift basket came with everything we needed to get an Italian dinner for two, night-in rolling! I made fricelli pasta with sun dried tomates topped with parmisan cheese & artichoke bruschetta with parmisan cheese. We enjoyed a little of each wine, and finished with Amaretti di Saronno cookies. Believe me when I say this meal can feed 4! They give you so much delicious food plus 2 wines! All you need to do is pick up some extras (like the cheese) and add some candle light & flowers.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
