St. Louis Gooey Cake

So this January, I will be travelling to St. Louis for the first time in my life!  I think I have driven through it a few times with different car trips I took in college, but this January I met actually get to climb the arch!  I am super excited to go to someplace new and especially when it is with our friends celebrating a wonderful couple's wedding!

When I had my friend Missy's shower the other weekend, I came a little early to help out and was asked to bake this cake known as the "St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake."  I was so nervous making it because 1) there wasn't another desert and 2) I didn't want to ruin it for some St. Louis natives!  But the cake turned out deliciously!  I found a website, The Cake Spy, that has the closest recipe I could find to the one I made.  Click HERE for the recipe.  

I had to make 3 batches - and I think they turned out just great!

For all those St. Louis natives out there, I think it turned out pretty good right???  So if you ever need to make a classy little tea cake for a ladies luncheon - this is definitely a contender!

Yeah for St. Louis!

xoxo Sarah

Just Give it a Little Shake!

This year for Christmas - It's going to be a "pinteresty" Christmas in the Campillo household.  

I have found so many wonderful and creative ideas for the holidays!  I will be making a lot of posts about what I have been doing for the holidays from pinterest - but I can't divulge all of my secrets because some are for gifts for family and friends!

But I thought - this one I can share because it is such a fun and creative gift that anyone can do!  And since we haven't gotten any snow yet in Chicago - why not see it in a globe :)

I found this idea on pinterest and thought it would be a great idea for the younger individuals in my life (aka niece, nephew, and SILs).  I went to Martha Stewart's website for these directions on how to make your own snow globe.   Click HERE for the directions you will need to make your own snow globe.  NOTE:  I added glue to the jar when I sealed it after adding the water, glitter, and glycerin.  I used a q-tip to spread the glue around the jars edge. 

So I made a few of them (more than are showed below) but I think they turned out pretty well - what are your thoughts???

It's hard to see the glitter in the jar - but I promise it is there!  Silver and white!  Can't wait to see the little ones reactions to this gift this year - I know Keira is going to love it!

Yeah for Holiday Crafts!

xoxo Sarah

Following My Blog...

Hello all!  Short-fast-post here!

I added two new fancy features recently - from Twitter (top of blog) and by email (bottom right of blog).

This makes it easier so when I have a new post, you can see it via Twitter or via an email message to you!

Just wanted to highlight these new features in case anyone is interested in viewing the blog this way!

I know random old picture - but just had to show everyone once again, who is the greatest NFL team -
The Champions - the Green Bay Packers!  Don't worry Packer fans - still trying to convert him!

Yeah for new blog features!
xoxo Sarah

A New Gift Wrapping Idea!

I found this gift wrapping idea on pinterest and I thought it was so pretty!

All you need is brown packaging paper, some black stamp ink, stamp letters, and holiday ribbon!

Take a look how this turned out!  I know this is a short post - but I had to show how pretty it is!

Yeah for new wrapping idea!
xoxo Sarah

From St. Nick

So I want to share this Kaminski St. Nick tradition with everyone because I think it is awesome...

When I was younger, we always celebrated St. Nick.  And still, 27 years old, St. Nick still comes to my house every year.  This year, we got candy and Zachary got "Rudy" on blu-ray.  But the big St. Nick gift we always get is from Nueske's.  If you would like to visit their website, click HERE.  One of the most amazing stores in the world for - wait for it - BACON.  Yes, bacon.  It is from a small town called Wittenberg, WI, where this amazing bacon and other pork and meat specialties come from.

Side Note: We always stop at Nueske's on our way up north to Eagle River.  We always pile up on the deli meats, boneless pork chops, and of course bacon.

Back to Christmas, my mom started sending my grandparents a Nueske's ham every St. Nick and it took them a few years to figure out who St. Nick was!  She always signed it "From St. Nick."  Since, I moved from home and have gotten married, my mom has started that tradition with us as well.  I also introduced Nueske's to Zach's grandmas and now we send it  to them every year on St. Nick as well.

Other Side Note: Rick Bayless - famous Mexican cuisine chef from Chicago - uses Nueske's bacon in his guacamole.

Anywho - I love traditions like this at Christmas time.  Are there any traditions you enjoy during this year?

Nueske's St. Nick gift we received this year!

Yeah for St. Nick and Nueske's!

xoxo Sarah

People Should Call It "The Busiest Time of the Year"

So!  Who feels as if the holidays are crazy busy???

Does anyone feel as stressed as I do???

Well... I think that happens with everyone this time of the year - but I have to say it is my favorite!

I'm sorry I was MIA last week - I was travelling and out of town for work...went to good old Texas :)  Busy time but very productive!

I have been doing so much this year for the holidays I don't know where to begin!  My last post was about Christmas music - so this one is going to be about Christmas movies, or Holiday Movies in general!

I love love love Christmas movies!  Over the past weekend, since this is my weekend to do Christmas at home, we have been watching a multitude of Christmas movies (minus the break we had to watch SNL's Christmas show and the Packers vs. Bears game (Go Pack!)).

We have watched all my favorite movies from "Home Alone," to "White Christmas."  I will have to say, my favorite older Christmas movie has to be "White Christmas."  I could watch that movie over and over and over again.  I remember when my sister and I were younger, we would sing the "Sisters" song for my mom so many times we all know it by heart.  My newer favorite has to be "Elf."  OMG is this not one of the funniest movies I have ever seen in my entire life!!!  I love it so much I could quote this movie too!

What is your favorite Christmas movie?   I would love to know!

"White Christmas" with the most amazing cast ever: Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, and Vera-Ellen. Source: HERE

Yeah for Christmas Movies!

xoxo Sarah

Before The "I do"s...

This past weekend, I went to a bridal shower for my friend Missy while Zachary went the bachelor party for Missy's future husband Donny!  It was so fun to see friends and have a good time and celebrate a wonderful couple about to join the marriage club!

Here are some pictures of the awesome time we had - including the amazing pork tenderloin we had for lunch - the delicious brittle we had - and other wonderful decorations as well!

All the wonderful decorations and added touches for a great bridal shower!  Including a delicious app on the far right of endive and Bourdin spread!

The bride-to-be- and her mom, the lunch, friends!, opening gifts, the gifts, and Missy with the wonderful hostess Mikie!

Congrats Donny and Missy!  We love you guys and are so excited to see you get married!  Best Wishes!

Yeah for friends!
xoxo Sarah