last minute to do list before #blogher11

I am usually very early on things. I mean crazy early. I will show up for an appointment sometimes 45-30 minutes early in hopes I can be seen early but also because I hate being late. I apply this to almost everything in my life. I pack for a trip early, I make dinner early so I don't have to rush at night time, I lay the kids pajamas out in the afternoon, ect.

This has not been the case with my BlogHer preparations though. I have yet to pack a single thing, yet to even really look in my closet and think about what I will wear. I have my shoes thanks to Bucco so now that BlogHer is just 4 days away I need to pick out outfits to match said shoes.

I have scribbled down my list of things to do, how to promote my fabulous sponsor Rosey Bear Boutique and how I am going to manage my time but I'm really nervous nothing is going to pan out the way I want.
I think I'm like everyone else and I've over scheduled? I NEVER do that. Never. BlogHer should really extend the trip to Sunday and we leave on Monday. That way we can get so much more done.

I wasn't able to teach the hubby how to clean the diapers. I know I have 3 more days but I just don't think he will get it, plus his work schedule is crazy this week so I really don't have time (or enough dirty diapers) to show him. I have a very strict washing plan for the diapers and I know the hubby won't have the patience to deal with it. Although this makes me sad I'm ok with it since she'll be in Huggies just for a weekend.

So I need to pack, get my nails and toesys done and then really I'll be ready to go.

countdown 4 days!

back to school shopping

So school is about to start. I can't believe the whole summer is almost over. I remember when I was a kid the summer felt soooo long but now as an adult summer goes by super fast. Makenna is going into 1st grade so we had a lot of supplies and I like to do it as soon as the sales start hitting the shelves.



Monster energy drinks are so yum!



We headed to Wal*Mart yesterday but I got no sleep the night before so I had to get something for some energy. Coffee at home was just not going to cut it so I stopped at Murphy USA first.



I love Monster energy drinks! I love the green regular kinda but the hubby loves the blue one. 2 for $2?! Perfect!! Such an amazing deal at Muphy USA since I am use to paying $3.00 for ONE can alone! Yay for saving $4.

I'm sorry but 1 can of Monster won't get me through a day of shopping. I was running off of about 2 hours of sleep. I ended up getting M her favorite soda since she was being an awesome daughter, 2 frappuchinos, 2 Monsters and a DoubleShot which is energy AND coffee!

We guzzled down our drinks and then headed to Wal*Mart. About 5 minutes into the shopping trip I began to feel the Monster and I was so ready for the next hour! We found almost everything right in front of the store and they even had a list of supplies per grade level so if you forget your list at home don't worry!

Supplies in tow plus an outfit and a couple things for the baby, we are done and ready to get out of Wal*Mart still on our coffee and energy buzz, lol.

Check out my full story below!

I love shopping at Muphy USA. You get amazing prices and you can save 10cents on each gallon of gas just for using a Wal*mart card (gift cards even count!)!

This shop/project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. Like always all opinions are my own though! :)

skinny jeans here i come! (#nsnation)

I'm so surprised I've stuck to the program this long! It's been.. 6 weeks and although I would be lying if I said I'm been an angel, I can tell you that Nutrisystem works!

I have been doing it probably 75% so I can only image what I would look like if I have been doing it 100% like I should. I am bad at temptations. Horrible in fact. I have a very hard time saying no to yummy, sweet, chocolaty things. Even though Nutrisystem has some amazing treats it's just not the same as when Hershey's makes it, lol.

I can report that I've lost 13.8 lbs to date though so I am very happy with that. I have some skinny jeans that I've been dying to wear with some heels for some time now and I put them on the other day and felt awesome. Still may need some work in the tummy area to lose the tiny muffin top I may have goin' on but I'm happy.
I haven't been able to wear some of my jeans since December 2009 and I'm glad I saved them because I knew I would be able to wear them again!

My goal from now on is to go on this program 100% so I reach my goal weight sooner then later.
Also, I really need work out again. I lost confidence in myself so I stopped working out, which of course made my confidence even worse but hey, what can ya do.

I used to lovee working out. Did it every single night then went next door and tanned my white butt to a gorgeous shade of well, tan (no, not orange)! Then, I have no idea what happened. Life? Kids? Marriage? Everything!

I am loving my weight loss so far and being in the gym will of course improve everything!

Wish me luck!

Want to lose weight and get healthy on Nutrisystem? Join today by calling 1-888-853-4689 or by visiting http://www.nutrisystem.com/nsblog
Disclosure: Nutrisystem is providing their food and program to me free of charge in exchange for blogging about my experience as part of the Nutrisystem Nation Blogger Program. All opinions are my own personal thoughts.

working from home: what kind of work is available?

If you’ve had a baby and decided not to return to work, or have tried to return to work but your employers have not been able to accommodate your request for part-time hours, you may want to consider working from home.

You may choose to set up your own business: anything from cake-decorating, to a franchise for companies like Temple Spa or Body Shop, to writing wills. A bit of research on the internet will provide you with plenty of inspiration and ideas on what training you’ll need or how to get started.
With many such opportunities there are start-up costs, and you’d need to work out whether the likely income you’d receive would make those start-up costs worthwhile. If you went down the franchise route, most franchises come with a package of products for you to demonstrate to your clients, like cookware for a Jamie Oliver party; but you’d need to pay for those items. You may also need to factor in advertising costs if you are doing anything more formal than the odd products-party with friends or family.

If you don’t have any capital with which to start up your own company, you could try looking for jobs where working at home is an accepted practice. For example, there are loads of jobs offered on www.workingmums.co.uk/ from helping with this year’s census to delivering catalogues, to telemarketing and sales jobs where all you need to start is a phone line and a computer with an internet connection.

If you’re a typist, there are transcription services that may want your skills; you may need to invest in audio-typing equipment but those companies can usually supply them at a discount. Or you may consider advertising at your local college or university to type up essays or dissertations at so much per page (check what’s a competitive rate in your area) – adult education centres are a good bet for this as it’s usually the more mature students who need help with this; either because their typing speeds aren’t as fast as they could be or because they’re also working part-time and don’t have time to spare to do the administrative work involved.

Similarly, foreign students with English as a second language may seek help in ensuring that their work is not only typed but written in a way that reads well.

Keep searching and you’ll find what you want. As a starting point, if you sign up to www.workingmums.co.uk/ you can request that they send you details of work that becomes available in different fields that would suit home working.

new living room... maybe

We've been trying to slowly redocorate the house for some time now (Kendall's room, the patio furniture, getting a new grill, our bedroom...) but what about the most visited in room in the house - the living room!

We've been looking to a variety of sofa sets to replace our current set. The set we have matching perfectly with the other furniture and the walls but it stains extremely easy and now that we have a baby running around there have been spots showing up here and there because of her messy little hands. So I need something comfortable but kid friendly - yeah ok! Oh, and I also don't want grandma furniture with plastic all over it, lol.

Another option I brought up is getting a cheap sectionals couch. We have a regular couch, love seat and ottoman right now but why not a sectional. It makes seating easier because no one will fight for the loveseat. I have no idea why it's the favorite place to sit in our house but it is. Four people trying to squeeze onto this thing isn't a pretty sight, take my word for it.

Ew and John he brought up getting a black leather sofas but um yeah sorry we live in Florida and sticking to a couch when I'm trying to get up is not my idea of a good time! He has always been on a leather kick. Even his car has leather seats. I wasn't around when he purchased this said car but I always complain when we have to take it places. It's too freakin' hot and it's black! Seriously, I have no idea what his 16 year old head was thinking... actually I think I do but let's not go there.

So anyway, we have so much to think about and I was really hoping to get this remodel done before I left for BlogHer. Doesn't really look like that's going to happen though *sigh* I suppose that just means I have to listen to leather seat talk for a few more weeks till I can convince him it's not going to happen.

mutsy transporter stroller review plus giveaway

Mutsy (pronounced: moot-sy) is a Netherlands-based company that has been producing high quality strollers since 1935! They are just recently making their US debut by bringing their luxury strollers in the states.

I am thrilled to introduce you to this company and all they have to offer which does not stop at just strollers! Mutsy also makes seating products, such as their Grow-Up! booster seat and their Easygrow high chairs.

I reviewed the Transporter which is a sporty 4 wheeler that weighs 24 pounds but is easy to fold up.

With it weighing 24 lbs, the Transporter is about average weight for a full size stroller. When folded it is pretty compact if you are talking height but it can be pretty bulky. It does easily fit into a sedan trunk but doesn't leave too much room for anything else. The wheels do easily pop off which lowers the weight (18 pounds) and makes it an even smaller folded stroller.

The Transporter has a deep seat that is roomy enough older siblings. The weight capacity is 55 lbs so this stroller will definitely grow with your child.  The seat is 14 inches wide seat and has a 21 inch seat back (from seat back to canopy). My 6 year old is only 45 inches and she sits comfortably in the seat. Her head slightly sits the canopy but not enough that it bothers her.

The seat back reclines to an almost flat position that is lowered by a strap system. It's easy to push the buttons and pull the strap now since my 1 year old is so little but I think once the child is older it will be harder to raise the seat back up if the child is sitting back.

Because the seat does not lie completely flat Mutsy recommends this stroller be used with children 3 months and up. You can purchase the matching bassinet (see below) that easily attaches to the frame of the stroller that then turns this stroller into a pram. Or you can purchase a car seat adapter for Graco, Peg Perego or Maxi Cosi infant car seats turn the Transporter frame into a convenient, lightweight travel system!

The Canopy is an ok size. I definitely would love for it to be a bit larger since we live in Florida and blocking as much sun as possible is a plus. On the top of the canopy there is a tiny zipper pocket but honestly I have no idea what would fit in there because it is very narrow. Where you see the stitching on the left side... that's where the "pocket" ends width wise and for length it goes just beyond the zipper top and bottom. Seriously, not even a full size pencil can fit in here!

What we do love about the canopy is the windows on either side. It lets baby look out wherever we are!

You get a silky smooth ride on almost any terrain with the four rubber wheels on the Transporter. There are large 12-inch wheels in the rear that have a linked back brake that is easy to lock quickly with your foot. The front 9-inch wheels can be left free to swivel (making it ideal for roads and theme parks!) or that have the ability to lock straight for rougher terrain, like grass, dirt or even snow!



I promise the front wheel is NOT as small as it looks in this pic!!

The Transporter is probably the easiest stroller I've ever had the pleasure of pushing around. You can maneuver this puppy with the lightest tough of one hand. As I just mentioned having the swivel wheels unlocked allows us to use the stroller in crowed places like Disney World or even the mall.

One of the biggest problems we face as parents to a baby (I refuse to call her a toddler yet since she isn't walking!!) is the height difference between the hubby and I. I am 5'4" and he is 6'2"! With the Transporter that has put one less worry to mind since it can accommodate parents of differing heights with its adjustable handlebar. There are four positions you can set it to, the lowest also being how you fold up the stroller. My husband uses the highest setting, I use the middle setting, and our 6 year old uses the 3rd lowest setting which is perfect for her to stroller her sister along with.

You can purchase the Transporter in 5 colors: black, gray, sand, red, and the new gorgeous purple! We are loving this stroller and highly recommend it to parents. With it's ease of maneuverability, easy to fold and lock position, removable wheels and large seat it is a perfect luxury stroller.

You can check out the Mutsy Facebook page for great updates and sign up for their newsletter

Things I would change/add:

Cup holder for parents

Snack/cup holder for baby

Larger canopy

Automatic locking fold

As I mentioned earlier you can purchase a bassinet attachment to use from newborn to 3 months. For giggles we put our 10 month old in it. She actually had a blast but I HIGHLY do not recommend putting a child over 3 months into the bassinet. We did it just for the sake of pictures and to see how the bassinet snaps on and off.

I do love how thick the padding is and the locking canopy of this bassinet. Getting it off was not a big deal but getting it on... I had some trouble. It's pretty easy to do but lining up the slots that snap the bassinet and frame together took a second. I think if I had a sleeping baby in the bassinet then I would have definitely woken them up in my attempts to attach this.

Now watch my video review so you can see in detail the great features of the Mutsy Transporter!

color: mandarin

The most stylish seat at the table for baby. Mutsy’s Grow-Up! booster seat allows baby to sit in the average grown up chair safely and comfortably.  Grow-Up! features a clever 5 point harness to ensure baby is securely fastened.  The easy to clean, easy to transport seat is ideal from when baby can sit unaided to approximately 4 years of age.

It comes in 6 different colors:

Mandarin, Apple, Nut, Raspberry, Aqua, Blueberry

(the two following mandatory entries count as one entry which = one comment please!)

• Follow Me Publicly via Google Friend Connect
• What color you'd like the Grow-Up in!
  -------------- 

• 

  @mommaJWoww19
  You may tweet 4x a day. Wait at least 1 hour in between tweets.
  Use the RT button @ the beginning of the post
  or tweet the following:
  Win a "Grow Up" high chair from Mutsy and @mommaJWoww19 http://is.gd/RJLkey - ends: 8/12
  
  
  facebook.com/DDMblog
  (Use may use the following to post on your facebook wall. You may need to write my blog name and Mutsy USA over again so it links to both pages. You will know it works when both names are blue)
  Head over to @DoubleDutyMommy to win the "Grow Up" highchair by @mutsyusa! http://is.gd/RJLkey
  
  And as it says, comment on any non giveaway post for endless extra entries. One entry per blog post. Just be sure to tell me what post you commented on, please :)

  

**I was sent the product(s) free of charge by the company or PR representative. It has been used solely for the purpose of this honest review. The views are strictly 100% my own. Receiving the product did not influence me to produce a positive review**
Giveaway is open to USA & CANADA only. It will end and close on August 12th @ 9:00pm EST. Any entries made after such time will not be counted and will be removed from the list. Winner will be contacted via email & will have 24 hours to respond. If winner does not respond their prize is then forfeited and a new winner will be selected.

disney on ice "dare to dream" coupon and ticket giveaway

I am super excited to bring great news to all you Central Florida mommies - Disney On Ice presents Dare To Dream! This will be the first Disney show in the new Amway Center and I'm super excited about it! You will see the newest princesses Rapunzel and Tiana but also they bring you your your kids' favorites Belle, Cinderella, Mulan, Ariel, Snow White, Jasmine and Aurora!

Skate into the hilarious hair-raising escapade as Rapunzel, Flynn, and Maximus, embark on an uproarious journey that takes adventure to new lengths! 
Boogie to the beat of the bayou with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog. And fanciful dreams become reality as Cinderella meets her Prince Charming, with a glass slipper fit for an unforgettable fantasy come true. All your favorite princesses take to the ice in a spectacular finale at the ultimate Disney Princess event of a lifetime!  Experience the beauty, sparkle, and spirit when Disney On Ice presents Dare to Dream comes to your hometown!

Disney On Ice Dare To Dream! comes to Orlando, FL on September 9, 10, & 11th with multiple show times each day! This is definitely a show to be seen and I have a special code for you to get tickets for just $11! Enter code MOM11 in the Discount area on ticketmaster.com or at the Amway Box Office. Discount is valid for ALL performances:  opening night, Friday at 7:30 pm; Sat. at 3:30 and 7:30pm; and Sunday at 1pm and 5pm;; limit 6 tickets; not valid on Front Row or VIP seats.

I will be there opening night with my girls and guess what!? I have 4 tickets to the show to give away to one lucky family! I've made it even easier for you to enter by using Rafflecopter! Have fun and enjoy the show!

I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

nutella cupcakes with nutella cream cheese frosting

So if you've tried Nutella how can you not like it. It's the perfect blend of chocolate andhazelnut flavor. Perfect on toast in the morning but what else can you do with it? So so much actually and I've made some cupcakes and frosting to prove it!

Nutella Cupcakes
10 tbsp butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated (regular white) sugar
3 large eggs, at room temperature
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour. sifted
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp veggie oil
Nutella. 12 teaspoons. (1 teaspoon for each cupcakes)

First cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy I like to do this for about 5 minutes on high setting. Add in eggs one at a time, until they are all fully combined into butter and sugar mixture. Add oil and vanilla then combine. Stir in flour, salt and baking powder until no flour remains visible.

Preheat oven to 325F. Line 12 muffin tins with paper liners. Who does this step first now a days? It takes my over about 2.5 seconds to get hot so I never preheat the oven before I make anything or else the whole house gets too hot.

So anyway, using an ice cream scoop , fill each muffin liner with batter. They should be about 3/4 full.. Top each cake with 1 huge tsp of Nutella. To make it pretty use a toothpick and swirl the Nutella around. Tip: don't over swirl and also make sure you have some of the white batter showing on the top so it doesn't look like a regular chocolate cupcake. You want the marble effect.

 

Bake for 20 minutes and then cool completely on a wire rack.

Top with Nutella cream cheese frosting (recipe below) or white cream cheese frosting and sprinkles!

P.S. I'm not a food photographer so you have to deal with my half ass picture taking. K? thanks! :)

This should yield 12 cupcakes. Key word is should. I was only able to make 11 so I guess I was a little generious on the scoops.

Nutella Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup Nutella

Combine cream cheese and butter until smooth. Sift the powdered sugar into the butter mixture and slowly combine. Add the Nutella and mix until completely incorporated.

For plain cream cheese frosting:

Remove the Nutella.
8 oz of cream cheese
1 Tbls butter
1/4 cup of butter (instead of 2 Tbls).
1/2 C. powdered sugar (instead of 1/4).

Combine using same process as above.

*I don't remember where the recipe came from so credit goes to whoever deserves it*

#perfectpairing party from frito-lay

As you know the past couple weeks have been very busy. It's nice to just relax and take a breather once and a while especially as a mom of 2 hyper girls.
Earlier today I spent some time with some local Orlando bloggers Lee, Jessica, Becca, Angie, and Tracie and other friends to share in some laughs, gossip and of course good food.

We sorta had a pot luck style party where we each made our favorite dip (or two or three) to share with each other along with some Frito-Lay brand chips like Fritos, Tostitos and Classic Lays!

We love the different types of chips that Frito-Lay makes and honestly Frito-Lay’s snack chips contain less sodium than most people think. For example, a one-ounce serving of Tostitos tortilla chips has less sodium than a cup of plain yogurt!

It was so great to talk to moms and make new friends. We all brought our kids and they had a ball playing together except Kendall who was shy so I had to hold her the whole time. Of course chips and dip isn't the healthiest of lunches so we had some yummy snacks like fruits, veggies, chicken fingers and juice for the kids (and maybe some of the moms, hehe).

With all the different dips there it was hard for me to pick a favorite but I think I liked Jessica's Pico the best! The hit for everyone else was Angie's Corn and Black Bean Salsa (pictured). It was very tasty but I am just not a bean person so I couldn't eat much of it.

I personally brought 3 different types of dips because I just could not choose which one I like better (are we noticing a pattern? I'm really indecisive). I made a Tzatziki (Greek Cucumber Yogurt) dip, a "BLT" dip and a Mango Salsa - perfect for summer! Each were super easy to make and some shared in ingredients so it was easy to make more then one dip.

The biggest hit out of the three was:

Mango Salsa!
To make you will need:
1 mango - diced
1 half red onion - diced
1/2 cucumber - diced
2 Tbls lime juice
1/2 jalapeno - removed the seeds and ribs then dice
handful of cilantro - chopped
*add 1 Tbls lemon juice if you like

Mix all the ingredients together, chill for at least 1 hour and devourer, preferably using Tostitos Scoopable chips!

Here is my other dip that is now a household favorite with the hubby and Makenna: I called it a BLT! :) It had sun dried tomatoes, crisp bacon and it was housed in a lettuce bowl!



Jessica - TheUnemployedMom, Becca - MamaBBlog, Tracie - FromTracie, Lee-  MySentimentExactLee, Angie -WholeLotOfNothing.Net, and me!


So what's your favorite summer time dip? Whatever it is, just make sure you are using Frito-Lay's chips!

This is a sponsored post. Frito-Lay and TheMotherhood provided me with chips and ingredients to make this recipe and I was compensated for my time. Thoughts are my own.

hip hip hooray #blogher11

My BlogHer countdown list if slowly becoming checked off and I'm so excited!

I just got my custom tab skin in the mail yesterday. It looks mighty pretty I might add :)

I have brand new Bucco shoes on their way to me as we speak. Hopefully I can wear them around a bit before BlogHer or else my feetsies will not like me at the conference.

I have my business cards (with more on their way) ready.

I have brand tshirt and tote bag to wear!

Hair and nail appointment is made.

I have blog posts ready to go up and a few more giveaways!

What I do need to do is teach the hubs how to wash diapers. Yesterday he said he has no problem with using them when I'm gone (P.S. at that moment, I saw a pig fly by the window!). But then I asked if he knows how to wash them and he said no. If I was gone for a day or even two I wouldn't have a problem with them sitting there but 4 days? No, they will need to be washed.

It gets way too humid  to not wash them since the diaper pail is in the garage (where our washer/dryer also is). I didn't wash for 4 days before and a couple of the inserts had mold on them *sad face*

So yeah, either I teach him and I trust him to do it right or go out and get Huggies. I am so torn honestly.

Also, yay, I am being sponsored for BlogHer! I am super excited to introduce you to Rosey Bear Boutique especially if you have little girls to shop for!!

They are a cute family owned shop in New York that sells dressy type fashions, petticoats, hair bows and so much more!

Makenna loves these two dresses

I'm so excited to be representing this brand and being able to introduce you all to them! If you're going to be at BlogHer then find me because I will have some goodies for you (shhhh)!!!

so is anyone else ready for BlogHer like I am?!! I am so nervous and not ready to mingle and talk to everyone but so excited for all the fun and of course learning!

why i cloth diaper

I've never actually asked myself this but recently someones outside opinion struck a chord with me. I bet they will be happy they "struck" tme and now provoked a blog post out of me. But no, this is not for them.

So why do we I use cloth?

Simple, it's cute.

The saving money part is great, yes. But I just love the pretty colors and how I can match Kendall's diaper with whatever she is wearing.

I try to be "green" but do I actually believe all the all the hype of disposables being bad for the planet. Not really.
Do I think it takes 500+ years for a disposable to decompose? No. How is that even proven anyway? Disposables haven't been around for 500 years.

Was I influenced by anyone to start using cloth? Sure, aren't we all in some way? Whether a friend told you about it, you researched it and you were influenced by what you found. Something or someone influences you. Do I use cloth because someone else does? Honestly, that's just dumb. Seriously. Dumb.

Why would I spend my money (Rockin Green, electric bill, water bill, on diapers, disposable inserts, extra washable inserts) and my time on something that I don't want to do? Why would I accept doing 3-4 more loads of laundry a week on just diapers alone, organizing, folding, stuffing. Why would I do all that just because someone else does it?

I cloth because I like to.

This time last year I thought cloth was the most disgusting thing EVER. Was I educated? No. Was I only making that assumption by looking at pictures and just the thought of using cloth? Yep. Then I began using them and I changed my mind.

Isn't it a good thing when you change your mind to a positive decision?

Well apparently when I personally do that it means I am just coping someone.

Well guess what. OH WELL!

I love cloth! <3

When we have more kids next year then they will have cloth on their little butts from day 1 and not because someone else does.

The end :)

**EDIT/ For those who asked. We have about 6-7 different brands in the house. I use Apple Cheeks then Charlie Banana. When those two brands are dirty I usually do laundry and throw Kendall in FuzziBunz while the wash is going. Other brands are good but I prefer Apple Cheeks over anything.
Hubby hates Apple Cheeks but loves Charlie Banana more. /EDIT**

rainbow cupcakes

Okay so they look like regular cupcakes from the outside but oh no... these are GORGEOUS on the inside!

For the batter I use Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe. Technically I was suppose to use white cake but all I had was yellow. It worked perfectly fine though. And if you want to go ol' school on me and make your batter from scratch then go right ahead :)

I failed and forgot to take a picture of the most important ingredient - Apple Sauce. Yep!

So the box directions say 1/3 cup oil but instead substitute the oil for apple sauce instead ok.

So I added 3 eggs, 1 1/3 cup water to the bottom of the mixer, then the cake mix and finally apple sauce on top. The other wet ingredients go in first so the cake mix doesn't get stuck to the bottom :)

After a LOTTTTT of mixing. Seriously, don't just mix for a 1-2 minutes and call it a day. Make your batter fluffier for slowly mixing then speed it up till almost the highest setting till you get to the highest speed then beat for about 5 minutes! I use setting 8 on a kitchenaid mixer.

While the batter is mixing THEN preheat your oven to 350*

Once it's done mixing, evenly divide up the mixture. This takes a while and was really messy. I used ziploc baggies but you can use plastic cups or paper bowls instead so it's less to clean up as well. I use the baggies so I can cut a hole in the corner and evenly coat the cupcake tins.

So as you see I then added food coloring to make 6 colors of the rainbow. Add as much or as little to make your own desired tint of color. Purple kinda looks like crap but in person it is really purple, not the nasty purple, blueish, brown color in the picture. Oh and I Indigo is missing but that's ok :)

Starting with purple put about 1Tlbs of mixture into each cup. Make sure it's spread evenly. Continue next with blue, green, yellow, orange and then finally red. You're making a backwards rainbow so this way a prettier color is on top.

With each layer just go slow and again, make sure it's even and try not to mix the colors.

On my oven I bake for EXACTLY 20 minutes. no more and no less. I don't even put a tooth pick in to check on them.

Once they are out take out of the pans right away and cover a little bit to cool. I half way cover them so some steam comes out but as you see by the lid I want most to stay in so it helps keep the cakes moist.

I use a store bought thing of white frosting but I like to whip it up in the mixer so it's fluffier and smoother.

To frost the cakes I put the frosting in a bag and cut the tip off. Unless you have a 2nd person to hold the bag for you then you can use my trick. I wrap the bag around a huge open vase and once it's filled it can easily come off with the frosting at the bottom and not on the sides.

Aren't they amazing! Believe me, the colors are much brighter in person.

Also, I'm not sure why but the colors from the bottom came up and over to the top while cooking. I don't know why but it looks cool none the less.

INGREDIENTS:

1. White or yellow cake mix
2. 1/3 cup apple sauce
3. 1 1/3 cup water
4. 3 eggs
5. food coloring
6. sprinkles

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. mix batter for 5-6 minutes
2. preheat oven to 350*
3. divide batter into 6 cups/bowls/baggies
4. add food coloring: red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple
5. add 1tlb of each into each cake tin evenly making layers on top of each other
6. bake for 20 minutes, then remove from cake pan and cool in covered place for 1/2 hour
7. Fluff store bought frosting in mixer if desired then pipe on cakes
8. top with sprinkles or candies!