Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I don't know about you - but 2010 was a crazy year.  Crazy in a good way!  We moved, expanded our business, spent quality time with family and friends and did a little traveling.  Personally I set some specific goals for myself.  One of them was the 30 day workout challenge that I'm happy to say - I successfully completed.  (I'm still on my workout journey - more challenges are ahead for 2011. :))

Well - tomorrow is New Years Eve - 2011 is just around the corner.  Some have already thought of their new years resolutions and some have not.

I thought I would lend a hand - What is the definition of *resolution*?

1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.

2. A resolving to do something.

3. A course of action determined or decided on.

I was on Facebook and came across One Charming Party's post for today.  It was free printable New Year Resolution Cards.  What a great activity to do with friends, family, kids...sitting around the table and talking about and resolving to do something for 2011.  Maybe it's making a change - maybe it's trying new foods, maybe it's giving back to the community.

Photo via One Charming Party

So here is the challenge to you ~ make 3 resolutions and STICK to them.  If it's working out as an example - make the goal attainable and stick with it.  Don't give up!

I would love to hear some of your goals for 2011.  It's going to be an amazing year...I'm looking forward to all the excitement, possibilities and adventures that are ahead.

Happy New Year!

~Caryl

30 Day Workout Challenge ~ Day 24

I'm on Day 24 of my 30 Day Workout Challenge.  At the beginning of this challenge - I told myself I was going to weigh myself once a week.  So after busting my bootie each week - I would get on the scale on Saturday morning (telling myself in my head...light as a feather...thin as a board ~ remember saying that when you were younger?) and I was disappointed 2 weekends in a row.

So I decided ~ forget the scale.  It was very deflating to not see the silly little number change.  I have a completely different view now...I'm not stepping on the scale.  You might wonder - well how is she tracking per progress...I'm judging my progress on how I feel.  Stronger...Lighter...Healthier. (And trying on my tight jeans and feeling them looser! :))

I've been doing a wide variety of workouts ~ running, personal training, spinning, cardio kick boxing, sculpting classes, DVD's (physique 57 and rockin models workout) and my new discovery The Dailey Method.  You can read what I've done every day here on my Facebook page.

I've done the Dailey Method for the last 4 days and I have to say - I've felt so much stronger doing this workout and I've actually discovered my triceps.  I am shocked that lifting a little 2 pound weight is actually changing my muscles.  Each time I've gone to a class - it has been different which I love.

So you might ask - what is this amazing workout that I'm loving:  The Dailey Method is similar to Physique 57.  It's a unique combination of ballet barre work, core conditioning, stretching (lord know I need that) and orthopedic exercises.  You move through the exercises very quickly - so your heart rate stays up.

When we are in Arizona over Christmas ~ I'm going to the Scottsdale Dailey Method with my sister and niece.  I'm pretty confident they'll be hooked too.

Something to live by {Life is full of setbacks.  Success is determined by how you handle setbacks.}  Remember I handled the scale setback by not using that as a form of measuring success.

~ Caryl

Special Treats for the Holidays

Tucker's last day of school before Christmas Break is tomorrow and I wanted to do something for the kids.  You all know how I'm obsessed with the Brownie Covered Oreos - well...my sister and I decided to name them because that name was just tooooo loooong.  We came up with Brownie-O's.  (click the link if you want the recipe again. :)) Cute huh?  And kinda catchy!


Yesterday I was baking like a fiend.  94 of those puppies were baked.  I wanted to do something fun with the packaging.  I had ordered some clear bags from Nashville Wraps, made a cute label and tied with a red bow.  Take a peak below.

All packaged up pretty!

Thank goodness these little beauties aren't being handed out until the end of the day tomorrow.  Sugar high!!

Enjoy!!

Caryl

Literally Nuts for the Holidays {Free Printable}

So I have to say - I've been a bit nutzo with the baking and crafting.  I've been having so much fun.  I do have a day job though - remember...I own ROAR events group - we primarily focus on corporate clients, but doing all this crafting is taking me back in time.  I use to do this all the time and I forgot how much fun it is.  As a HAPPY HOLIDAYS gift to you ~ you can download the NUTS for the HOLIDAYS printable here.

So this weekend - I've baked - Brownie Covered Oreos.  And I've roasted Chipotle & Rosemary Roasted Nuts from Barefoot Contessa's most recent book - How Easy Is That?  I've played around with packaging. Let's just say that no Christmas shopping was done this weekend. :)

These nuts are great for a party and also a little house warming gift (toss in a bottle of wine and you are golden).  I actually brought these nuts to a neighborhood holiday party and they were a hit!

Here are the details:

The Nuts Ingredients
Vegetable Oil
3 cups whole roasted unsalted cashews (14 oz)
2 cups whole walnut halves (7 oz)
2 cups whole pecan halves (7 oz)
1/2 cups whole almonds (3 oz)
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup light brown sugar lightly packed
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (I used store bought)
2 teaspoons ground chipotle powder
4 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary (I used 1 tablespoon dried)
Kosher Salt

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2) Brush  a sheet pan generously with vegetable oil.  Combine the cashews, walnuts, pecans, almonds, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, the maple syrup, brown sugar, orange juice, and chipotle powder on the sheet pan.  Toss to coat the nuts evenly.  Add 2 tablespoons of rosemary and 2 teaspoons of salt and toss again.
3. Spread the nuts in one layer.  Roast nuts for 25 minutes, stirring twice with a large metal spatula (I used a BBQ grill one), until the nuts are glazed and golden brown (I stirred 10 and 20 minutes into the roasting).  Remove from oven and sprinkle with 2 more teaspoons of salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons of rosemary.  Ross well and set aside at room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking as they cool.  Serve warm or cool completely and store in an airtight container.

I decided that I was going to buy 1/2 pint mason jars.  This recipe will fill 11 1/2 pint mason jars. (Well maybe 12 - I was nibbling on the nuts a little bit.)  I wanted to put a sticker on the top of the jar and decided to glue ribbon around the lid.  As a HAPPY HOLIDAYS gift for you ~ I wanted you all to have the printable so you can be NUTS for the Holidays like me.  Click here to download.

Here is what they looked like after I was done with them...

The holidays are all about family, friends, giving and enjoying.  I hope that you enjoy like I am!

xoxo, 

Caryl

Nuts for the Holidays Labels

Which ones do you like better?  I'm going to use one of these for the Barefoot Contessa Rosemary Chipotle Roasted Nuts.

Brownie Oreos & Fun Holiday Packaging

Oreos are my favorite cookie of all time (even more so than Chocolate Chip Cookies).  When I saw the recipe for Brownie Covered Oreos on the Picky Palate blog (I actually think I saw it on Fresh Chick Designs Facebook page first)...it was love at first site and I was destined to make these beauties.

I have to say - they were so easy and I will make them all the time now.

Ingredients
1) Brownie mix of your choice (I used Pillsbury Fudge Brownies)
2) 1 Package of Oreos (we used the regular ones vs. the peppermint that Picky Palate has - I think DoubleStuffed would be really good.)
3) White Gel Writer for the frosting

Directions are so easy:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2) Get a cupcake tin and spray the heck out of it with Pam (or your favorite non-stick spray).
3) Dip the Oreo in the batter and flip it around a couple of times to make sure its completely covered with the brownie mix.
4) Place the cookie in one of the cupcake spots (FYI - it does get a little messy).
5) It says to bake about 12-15 minutes.  I baked for 14 minutes.
6) As soon as it's done - get a plastic knife and go around the edges of each cookie - this way there is no sticking and the cookies come out nicely.

I think I might have used a little too much batter because the recipe said I would use all of the oreos in the package and I had about 5 left over (and I didn't eat them - they are in the pantry. :))

I figured out that each cookie is about 147 calories.  I do want to try and make this recipe low cal - so you can at least not feel too guilty when you eat 5 or 6. :)

Now time for the fun packaging!!!

{Brown Boxes & White Bag ~ Nashville Wraps}

{White Glassline Bag and Red/White Twistie ~ Parcel + Paper}

{Green Ribbon ~ Richards Craft Store}

{Twine ~ The Twinery}

Four cookies fit in the brown boxes and the white bag.  I put a single cookie in the white glassline bag.

Today was super fun.  Tomorrow - I'm going to be NUTS for the Holidays..

Enjoy!

A Stylish Corkboard...

I absolutely love See Jane Work.  This is one of the best places (both online and if you are in Southern California) to buy hip happening office supplies.

I just love this hip, stylish corkboard that I saw on the See Jane Work blog.

Jane from See Jane Work made it herself.

Supplies
Ung Drill Frame from IKEA
Rolled Cork from Office Depot
Spray Adhesive from Office Depot
Jewel Push Pins from Office Depot

Directions
1. Remove glass and backing from frame.  Recycle glass, retain backing
2. Use baking as a template to cut cork to size, must be precise.
3.  Apply spray adhesive to cardboard frame backing
4. Mount cork to cardboard backing.
5. Sit a heavy object like a book or laptop on the cork until the adhesive is dry.
6. Reattach the backing
7. Hang
8) Use adorable jewel push pins from Office Depot to complete the look (or you can purchase them at See Jane Work. :)

Enjoy!

{Video} "Elfing" in progress

Click Here is the Elfing in progress.  I have to apologize - I'm still trying to figure out the entire video thing on my iPhone.  So you will have to turn your head to the side to see the first part of the video.  LOL  Tucker was about to run across the street and then the next door neighbor came out so this is the edited version.  He takes his "Elfing" very seriously and didn't want to be seen. :)

I promise next time you won't have to turn your head as many times!!

This was hilarious though and the neighbor really enjoyed the treats!  You still have time to Elf.  Click here if you want to download.

~ Caryl ~

30 Days of Workouts - 1 week later

I'm on day 8 of the 30 days of workouts and I have to say...it's going really well.  I feel great.  Haven't lost a pound which is a bit frustrating...but I just need to stick with it.

On day 6 I had to get my workout done early and that was a little tough.  It's amazing the conversations you have in your mind when you don't want to do something.  But - if you have the conversation long enough - you'll get up because you'll be wide away from all the mind chatter. :)

I've decided I'm going to branch out a little next week and try a spin class.  I did it once - years ago.  After the class the instructor asked me how it was.  I said it was good - but do they have any extra padding for the seat - ha ha ha!  So I say - let's give it a whirl again and see what happens.

Stay tuned!!

If you want to follow along my workout journey - click here.

Holiday Printables Galore...

I just love the holidays!!

I've seen such great holiday printables this year.  Check out the fun!!

From Eighteen25.  Click here for the download.

From Anders Ruff Designs.  Click here for the download.  We "Elfed" our neighbors yesterday!

From Blush Printables.  Click here for the download.  Super cute address labels also...

From Fresh Chick Design Studio.  Click here for the download.

Enjoy!!

Are you going to *ELF* someone?

Have you heard of Elfing?  If you have young children - I'm sure you have heard of 'Booing" during Halloween.  It's when someone doorbell ditches you...rings the doorbell and runs away...but they leave a sweet surprise.  It's either something baked or treats. They also leave a sign that you put on your front door - then they have to do it to their friends.  It creates a fun little chain effect.

Now - for this festive holiday season - you can Elf someone.  Click on this link and it will take you to a free printable care of Anders Ruff Custom Designs.  They do darling printables for holidays, parties and events.

I've been baking...so that means...someone is going to get Elfed today!!

Yeah!!  Can't wait.

30 days of workouts...

We went to New York for Thanksgiving (I'll do a separate post on that) and ate and did a ton.  I found the Crumbs Cupcakes.  :) They were heavenly and now they need to come off my body.  We got back really late on Friday night and on Saturday - I decided...I'm done.  It's time to focus and make the commitment to working out.  So I've decided....(actually I started on Saturday!)

30 days of workouts!

Day 1 (11/27) - An iTrain treadmill workout.  40 minutes of butt-kicking running.  Mileage 3.3 miles - totally wanted to stop after a mile - but kept going.
Day 2 (11/28) -  Chisel Class at Crunch Fitness and more running.  Mileage 3.25 miles (Chisel is a low weight high reps class and the running wasn't bad - I added more songs to my iPod.)
Day 3 (11/29) - Ultimate Conditioning at Crunch Fitness. (Ultimate Conditioning is a total body workout that includes both high and low impact exercises - basically it kicks your booty!)

I really enjoy all kinds of workouts so I think the next 30 days is going to be a DVD mix of Tracy Anderson Method (if I can get the dance moves down - it's pretty funny actually.  When I was in LA - I did take a class at her studio and it was great.  ), Physique 57 (took a class here when I was in NYC - not this last time though), and Insanity (it is truly INSANE!) as well as taking classes  @ Crunch and running.

Can't wait to see what I feel like in 30 days - well now - 27! :)

(This is me as of Nov. 23 - pre- Crumbs and pre-double chin - LOL)

I'll be updating my facebook page with my workouts so if you want to follow along - click here!

(PS - since it is the holiday season - you might see me doing 2 workouts in a day - especially if I bake the cookies that my sister showed me while skyping with her last night....ohhhh - they looked yummy!

Happy Working Out!!

{trend alert} Photo Booths are HOT!

Photo booths have been making a comeback.  They have been popping up all over the place from corporate events to social events.  I was just on facebook - yes I'm a junkie and came across Paper and Cake's Holiday Photo Booth Accessories.  These are the cutest things!!

(photo from Paper and Cake's etsy shop)

(photo from Paper and Cake's etsy shop)

Just imagine all the possibilities...

Have fun!

Packaging for the holidays

I love packaging - just ask my husband.  I have paper, tissue paper, ribbon - you name it - I have it.  I just got my shipment from Nashville Wraps of clear bags, small kraft boxes and crinkle for stuffing.  A few weeks ago - I ordered the most amazing bakers twine from The Twinery.  I ordered the Simply Traditional Christmas Trio.

I also ordered some more packaging goodness from Parcel and Paper.  The Sample Package to be exact. I loved the little bitty tags and the red and white twisties that came with it.  I need to order more.

Now I need to get my holiday tags and I should be all set.  I'm anxiously awaiting what will be coming from The TomKat Studio.  Last years holiday tags were uber cute!!

If you're looking for inspiration and ideas - head over to Think Garnish.  Oh my goodness!!!

Have fun!

Oh my Tory...

When my sister was in town a couple of weeks ago - she really liked my Caroline Tory Burch ballet flats.  They are a little pricy @ $225, but I have to say - I love them soooo.  She called today - she was at Nordstrom in Phoenix looking for them.  Unfortunately they don't sell them at Nordstrom - sad!!  I bought mine at Neiman Marcus when I was in Chicago for an event.  I actually bought a few things on that trip - but we won't go there.  Ha ha!

These are the most comfortable shoes and when these get a hole in them - I'll be sure to buy another pair.

Introducing {Hey Caryl!}

I get asked all the time…where did you get that? or I need to find something like this!…do you know where I should go for that? 

I’m always up for a challenge – but I would say, the majority of the time – I can give my gal pal the answer right away.

I’m a research junkie – I’m always on the hunt for the coolest thing, a great cupcake place, awesome inexpensive bottle of wine (if they label is cute – they have me at “open me up!”)

So – I’ve decided to create a place where I can share - and friends as well as soon to be friends can ask questions and give their own tips.

So drumroll please….I’ve decided to call this brain child of mine {Hey Caryl!}.  You might ask – kinda a random name…but when ever some one says to me – Hey Caryl – 9 out of 10 times – they are about to ask me where would I be able to find…So I thought – how appropriate.

Funny thing is – I’ve already gotten 2 calls today!  Can you guess what they were calling for?  Just wait and see...

So….{Hey Caryl!} is officially open for business!