Welcome to - Mystery Box Cottage

Are you stumped on what gift to buy for that birthday party your going to be attending; or a special gift for the next wedding coming up? Maybe your even rattling your head on what to get your wife or husband for your anniversary this year!

 

Well look no further!

Jamie has got you covered. Its a one stop shop with gifts to go!

For any occasion, any age group, anyone!

 

Welcome to Mystery Box Cottage!

Choose a box from Jamie's gift section: Men's box, woman's box, Valentine's day box!

Or request a custom order. Give Jamie the occasion, and she will do the rest. You will receive a box of special goodies, with items that you could not have thought up yourself!

Now who doesn't like surprises...

 This is definitely an easy and fun way to get your gift shopping complete! 

 

Check out Jamie's shop for yourself!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MysteryBoxCottage

 

But wait... it doesn't end here! Don't forget about the amazing extra services offered!

Have your gift custom gift wrapped with an included card!

 

You don't even have to wrap it now! Ship it right to the recipient, and your gift shopping is done!

Fast, simple, and very exciting!

 



Mystery Box Cottage... there is so many gift giving occasions following the new year.

Baby showers, Wedding, Birthdays. The list just goes on and on.

I am definitely stopping by Mystery Box Cottage myself!

 

 

Sweet Tea for You and Me

I just browse etsy...alot!

 

Today I have come across on of our Spotlight Shops: Candlit Desserts who has made...wait for it....SWEET TEA SOAP! Yes, I'm serious!

 

Not only does it look like Sweet Tea....but just think...you can take a bath and SMELL like Sweet Tea! Um yeah, so I am going to buy some now!

 

Go getcha some and be a Southern Girl too!

www.etsy.com/shop/candlitdesserts

Pooh Bear Party!

So my little guy recently turned 2 years old. I can't believe how fast time flies!

Since he was only a few days old he has carried around his little pooh bear blanky.
Who is now ratty and pretty worn out looking. "Poor pooh bear..."

Pooh bear is his everything! If we leave the house without pooh bear, you will never hear the end of it... haha
 

So... I decided to throw him a Winnie the Pooh birthday party, with a few cute, original ideas, that I would like to share with you all!

I'm sure there is other Pooh Bear fans out there... :)

 

Lets start with the party favors.

Well since my shop is based on mostly favor tags, I of course had to make some for myself for once.
I used some shimmering yellow cardstock, cotton red twine, and a little custom message. Ordered some honey sticks from one of our previous spotlight shops "Lee's Bees".
You all know how much pooh loves his honey; well who doesn't?!
Tied the custom tags around little bunches of honey sticks, and Voilà! Adorable party favors for all of the guests!


Next was the cupcakes. I searched around online for some cupcake ideas, and came across a Winnie the Pooh and Tigger fondant molds. They were so cute!
Now, personally, I hate the taste of fondant. Blah!
However, during the time of party planning, I was also making batches of fudge to send the family for Christmas. I thought to myself, "Hmmm, fudge can be molded; and tastes so good!"
With some trial and error and lots of mess ups, I finally was able to mold some faces! I made white chocolate pooh bear fudge and died it yellow. Then I made some peanut butter fudge for Tigger.
I then used black icing to dab the eyes and nose on Winnie the Pooh.  Not as neat as fondant, but I thought they came out pretty good :)
Whipped up a batch of my special homemade German chocolate cake mix, some cream cheese frosting, and put it all together!

They were a hit!
They looked pretty decent, and tasted unbelievably delicious! 
My favorite was the peanut butter fudge cupcakes. When you bit into the fudge and cupcake at the same time, Oh goodness, they tasted amazing!

Some simple ideas that turned out to be pretty good!




My custom pooh bear tags are now also listed in my shop: https://www.etsy.com/listing/173377451/custom-favor-tags-baby-shower-tags

So if you want to give it a shot by throwing a Winnie the Pooh party, be sure you check them out!

The cupcakes... your on your own!
Warning: be ready to stay up all night!
Haha. Lots of work, but will create some great memories for everyone!

If you have some party ideas of your own, please share with us! We would love to see your party throwing creations!!!
 



NYE Fruity Cocktail

New Year's Eve is right around the corner and here is a simple, elegant and pretty yummy drink to serve to toast in the New Year! It can't get any easier than this recipe!

What you need:

 

6 tablespoons raspberry vodka

1 (750 ml) bottle chilled champagne (Korbel, Brut, your choice)                   

6 fresh raspberries

 

Directions:

Pour 1 T. vodka into each of six Champagne flutes. Swirl glasses to coat with vodka. Fill with Champagne. Add raspberries and serve. 

 

Do you have a simple and easy drink recipe for NYE? Share it below! Help us ring in 2014!

Cherry Dump Cake

Need a fast and easy dessert to take to a Holiday party, Christmas dinner or New Year's Eve party? THIS dessert could not be any easier and the best part...it's oh so delicious!

What you need:

1 Yellow Box Cake Mix
1 Large Can Cherry Pie Filling
1 Large Can Crushed Pinapple
1 Cup flaked sweetened coconut
1 Cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, etc)
1 Stick of Butter

13 x 9 Baking Dish


What you do:

Dump Cherry Pie filling into bottom of baking dish, spread around with spatula.

Dump crushed pineapple (Not drained) onto the top of the cherry pie filling, spread around with spatula.

Spread flaked coconut on top of pineapple and cherry pie filling.

Dump 1 whole box of yellow cake mix on top of pie filling, pineapple and coconut. Spread around and until the pineapple, cherries and coconut are covered.

Spread cup of nuts over the top of the cake mix evenly.

Cut stick butter into pats and place on top of the nuts. Place evenly spaced so that butter will melt and cover top completely.

Bake in a preheated 325 degree oven for 1 hour! Cool a bit and Enjoy!

Etsy Spotlight Shop #19: LenasCakes

Who doesn't love a beautifully decorated cake? This next Spotlight shop actually "takes the cake!" Eleni from Lenas Cakes makes fondant decorations and toppers for every occasion! Now you can decorate your own cakes using fondant toppers handcrafted in Greece!

 

www.etsy.com/shop/lenascakes

 

What do you love about working with fondant?

ELENI:
Fondant for me was love at first sight. I think I love most every tiny detail I make to a topper, even if it is a "cute" or an "impressive" final piece. I love the colors that can be made by mixing different basic shades. But most of all I adore it when I find a new use for an old cutter!
How many toppers do you make in a day?

ELENI:
-Number of toppers made per day is not standard. Depends on my inspiration-if I'm planning some new designs...or the orders that have to be completed before a deadline!
So we start from one (if I really have to make that unique purple color I'm searching, I can spend all day)...and move up to 60-70 toppers if they are of the same design!

 

What makes your shop different than other shops selling fondant toppers on etsy?

ELENI:
I think all of us working with fondant share the same love for this unique product. I pay great attention to detail. From matching colors, to finding the real "perfect" design for everyone of my customers.
How did you get your start on etsy.com?

ELENI:
I started on Etsy about 8 months ago. The idea of handcrafters from all over the world joined to one place was too exciting to pass. Plus I live in a small town in Greece and people here are not very familiar with fondant decorations. They prefer more "traditional" desserts. I had to have my passion shared...so I joined the Etsy community!

 

How adorable are these toppers? Get some for New Year's, Birthdays etc! The best part that the shipping costs are very affordable too! Stop by Eleni's shop and order some toppers today!

 

DIY Holiday Gift Ideas

Sometimes finding gifts for everyone on your list is impossible! The cost really adds up if you want for find something for neighbors, coworkers, teachers etc. To help you reduce the cost of gifts this Holiday Season, we've compiled a list of DIY Holiday Gifts! Check it out!

Food/Treat Gifts:

1. Make your favorite holiday treats: Fudge, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Dipped Pretzel Rods, Peanut Butter cookies with a Hershey Kiss in the center...then grab a few tins from the Dollar Tree (or a dollar store near you) and some tissue paper. Arrange goodies in the tin and hand out to neighbors, coworkers, teachers, mailman etc! **THIS IS GREAT FOR TEACHERS!**

2. An easy gift for a guy would be a gift bag full of Football Game Watching Goodies: Summer Sausage Link, Cheese, Crackers and Beer

3. Put together a Movie gift bag complete with popcorn, candy, and a $5 DVD (You can find hundreds of them at Wal-Mart)


Gifts for Kids:

1. For the little Princess browse Dollar Tree: Princess Tiara, Wand, Dress Up necklaces and bracelets, fun dress up shoes and a cute tutu. All of this will just cost $5.

2. For the little Dude browse the Dollar Tree: Puzzles, Color books, cars, plastic dinosaurs, etc. Put them all in a gift bag and VOILA! Gift for the neighbor boy, done!

3. You can also make teens/tweens/little girls some homemade LIPGLOSS! Just use a tub of Vaseline and Crystal Light drink mix! Mix together to desired taste and color and spoon into small containers you can find at Hobby Lobby! Hmm, I might need some of this too!


Gifts for Mom/Grandma:

1. Try out our Salt Dough Ornaments for a keepsake all Mom's and Grandma's will love!

2. Grab some paper and paint and make handprint keepsakes. Frame and let the kids decorate some brown paper for wrapping paper.

 

Just remember it shouldn't matter if you spend $100 on a gift! The best gifts are those that come from the heart.

 

If you love to crochet...make everyone a hat.

 

If you love to bake...give everyone a homebaked treat.

 

In the spirit of the season, give from the heart!

Jack Frost Martini

Having a Christmas party for the adults this year? These will be the hit of the party!

Not only will they be delicious, but the are so neat looking!

Don't forget the snowflake coasters! They definitely finish the look!

 

Jack Frost Martini
Makes 4 drinks

Ingredients:
1 cup pineapple juice
½ cup (4 ounces) light rum or vodka, if desired...
½ cup (4 ounces) blue curacao
½ cup (4 ounces) cream of coconut (not coconut milk)
10-12 ice cubes

Directions:
1 Mix together and strain into martini glass. Rim the glass with shredded coconut

 

 

Sing Loud

One of my favorite things about Christmas time are the Christmas Carols! I know you guys have been watching all those sappy Christmas Movies this season and boy wouldn't it be cool to be in some of those placed during Christmas? New York! Colorado!

No matter where you are I think this Christmas Tradition should be brought back. CAROLING! Wouldn't you think it was cool if people showed up at your house to sing a few songs? Wouldn't that instantly put you into the Christmas Spirit?

Here are two of my favorite Christmas songs and the lyrics...Grab a few friends and go sing to someone. Go have a coffee at Starbucks and just start singing. See how many people join in.

In the line a the grocery store...just start singing.

Remember what Will Farrell in the movie Elf Said:

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is

singing loud for all to hear!"

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some;
We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here

We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

O Holy Night

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Substitute Me

Being in Texas during an ice storm is like shutting down the whole state. Kids are out of school, grocery store shelves are bare and sometime it's to treacherous to even get out and drive!

Over the past couple of days I have had to "substitute" and get crafty on several occasions!

For example: COFFEE! I must have on a cold icy morning, but if you're like me and love a little coffee with your cream and sugar than it's not so fantastic when you run out of Sugar, or Splenda or Equal. I did! So I used a touch of milk and a bit of powdered sugar and made a coffee worth drinking!

Today I ran out of dishwashing detergent for the dishwasher. I am so addicted to the dishwasher that it kills me to have to spend time handwashing dishes, and believe me in 4 days with 5 people in the family you can go through some dishes. I scoured the internet and found that you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of blue Dawn liquid soap in the dishwasher without suds consuming your kitchen floor. Be careful not to add too much! The dishes were clean, smelled good and were spotless!

During Icemageddon, as we are calling it here in Texas, I got an email from my neighbor who invited me to a "cookie exchange party." Essentially you bake 2 dozen cookies, package them nicely with the recipe and go to a meet and greet and exchange cookies with another person. Problem is, I'm iced in and I'm out of cooking oil. I have substituted applesauce for the oil and the cookies have turned out great! And actually, they are really moist!

Do you have an secret substitutions that you'd like to share? We'd love to hear them! Comment below!

UGLY Sweater Mania

The newest trend in Christmas parties is the UGLY SWEATER PARTY! How fun would it be to walk into a room of people wearing over-the-top sweaters....

 

But what if the UGLY trend was taken to a new level

and we decided to implement the

TREE SKIRT PARTY....

could you imagine everyone wearing Christmas Tree Skirts?

 

 

Someone wear a Christmas Tree Skirt and send us the picture to

southerngirlsgetcrafty@gmail.com

 

your photo will be featured on our blog!