Cupcake Trail

I've developed a new fascination watching the program "Cupcake War." Bakers attempt to outdo their competition in creating the ultimate tasting cupcake and then designing a display to showcase one thousand cupcakes for an event. The winner gets the opportunity to have their cupcakes eaten by celebrities, charitable organizations and major event organizers. The ultimate in moving their businesses to the next level.

This past weekend, a friend and I went searching for a delicious cupcake to sample. We started with a local bakery. After encountering a less than enthusiastic reception from the owner, we decided to leave without sampling any of her selections. Because the local area didn't offer any other choices we proceeded to drive outside our local district. We asked shop owners and residents in surrounding communities where they would recommend we go to find a "good cupcake." The next bakery we found met our satisfaction. The service was good and so were the cupcakes we tasted. In fact, they were a dollar less than the first bakery's.

Eager to see if we could top what we had just done, we continued the search. We took a break at a little tea shop. As we talked with the owner she informed us that there was a small cupcake shop within walking distance. Since we were so close it made perfect sense for us to make our way there before the shop closed at 5:00 p.m. It was well worth the trip. The red velvet cupcake was moist and the icing had the right balance of sweetness.

Cupcakes are the latest trend. They're an excellent choice for entertaining, gifting or enjoying individually. I've decided to begin a cupcake adventure of my own. Stop by soon and I promise to give you the names of the best cupcake places I find on my cupcake trail.

10 Tips to Simplify Your Life

Baskets by Consuela:  Simplify We all need ways to simplify our lives.  Start clearing some of the clutter with these 10 organizing tips.  Enjoy, Consuela   10 Organizing Tips To Reduce Electronic Clutter By: marilynbohnclose; Author: marilynbohn I worked with a client a few weeks ago and we set up a filing system in her home office.  Then we organized every other room in her home.  She called me to say she felt free because of all the organizing we had done. She could now find everything and by putting things away where they belonged she didn’t have to donate large chunks of time to find things she needed. She carried it one step further by organizing her electronic mail. Technology organizing is something we often neglect. She had an email account she didn’t use very often and dreaded ever going to it as she knew it was cluttered with out of date information and things she just didn’t want to deal with. But because she had been so successful in reducing clutter in other parts of her home she tackled the problem. She got her inbox cleared out and because of this she received a 40% off coupon to a local bookstore which she never would have found if she had not de-cluttered. Here are 10 organizing tips on how to reduce electronic clutter. When computers first came out they were to save us time but do you find you they now use more of your time than you have to spare? 1. Set a timer when you surf the web or read your emails if you get sucked into hours at the computer “against your will”. When the timer rings close down and walk away. Set up a routine of doing this and you will find more time in your day to do other things. 2. When receiving junk mail or spam immediately delete it without taking your time to read it. You don’t even need to open it. 3. Ask your friends not to send you spam. If you can’t ask them never ever return it to them or respond and they will hopefully stop sending you junk. Mark spam as spam if your email allows you to do so. This will stop that certain type of spam coming into your email in box. 4. Set up a different email address for store offers you want to receive. These won’t clog your personal email in box. Remember to look at it every week or two. Delete the offers you aren’t going to use. Before signing up ask if they sale their lists, if they do, don’t sign up with them. 5. Make electronic folders for any information you are keeping. This will keep your in box free for incoming mail. If it is something you need to take action on in the next few days mark it with a star or a flag so you know it is something you need to take care of soon. 6. Make a folder for receipts. Scan receipts and when you need them they will be easily accessible. Make a financial folder. When you pay bills on line and your financial institution notifies you the bill has been paid put the notification in the folder. It is accessible to refer back to as needed. 7. Passwords are very important to your security. I don’t recommend keeping them in a word document on your computer for your own protection. I do recommend keeping them in a notebook and put this in a secure place in your filing system (not under the tab “passwords”) or hidden on a bookshelf. There are electronic password protectors that remember your passwords. I use roboform.com. This company came highly recommended to me from an electronic consultant to several large companies in the Seattle area. I have used it for several years with no problems. There are others on the web also that can be purchased. 8. Make folders for information you retrieve on the internet. A web site can be electronically bookmarked in the browser or the information copied and pasted into a Word document, and then moved to a folder. Make folders for information you do bookmark in your browser to make it more accessible and to save you time. 9. There are many social bookmarks to make it easy for you to retrieve information when away from your personal computer. Delicious.com is one of them. And you can share what you have bookmarked with others and can see what they are interested in that may be of help to you. 10. Online to do lists can assist you in planning your daily and weekly tasks. Many are free and you can manage your tasks from anywhere and any computer. www. rememberthemilk.com is one site. www.memotome.com will remind you of whatever date you have told it to remind you of. And if you have Office Outlook it can also do all of these tasks for you. Electronics can work for us or against us. These organizing tips eliminate electronic clutter are meant to help you take control of your computer and take back your life. Marilyn’s Bio: Marilyn is a professional organizer who works with women and seniors in clearing clutter and providing organizing tips. Clearing clutter helps those she works with to have less stress in their lives and feel more joy in living. Marilyn invites you to visit her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find organizing solutions. You will find fun stories and free organizing tips in her blogs, articles and videos. March 2, 2009 · 73 Views · By: marilynbohncloseAuthor: marilynbohn Name: Site: About: See Authors Posts (26) · Posted in Education, Family, Home Improvement, Motivational, Self Improvement, Women Issues  Baskets by Consuela Email: basketsbyconsuela@yahoo.com Website: www.basketsbyconsuela.com

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Fourth of July Fireworks

The country is about to celebrate another birthday and so am I.  Although, mine comes first, July 2nd.  Maybe that's why I'm so independent.  Having a birthday close to Independence Day has always given me the opportunity to celebrate for more than a day.  In fact, I don't stop celebrating until after the Fourth of July.  I just read this article about a new wave in the greeting cards industry.   Over the years, I received many, most of which I have saved.  Call me sentimental but that's what I do.  I've even kept the ones my daughter handmade for me when she was a little girl.  Whether you think this new phenomenon is a good idea or not, keep sending those cards on holidays and special occasions.  I think most people enjoy receiving and keeping these small treasures of recognition. Happy Birthday USA let the fireworks begin! Talking greeting cards are so yesterday By Richard Mullins Media General News Service Published: June 28, 2010 There's a new reason to get a little bit weepy looking through the greeting card aisles. It's not the heart-warming poems on a Mother's Day card, or tearful "atta-boys" for a first-born's graduation. There's a new breed of multimedia electronic cards coming on the market that more closely resemble something you'd buy in a BestBuy store than at Hallmark. Cards with recordable karaoke soundtracks. Cards with augmented reality links online. Cards with animated color LCD screens that display snappy vignettes from "Star Wars" about fatherhood – for Father's Day. Cards with a sticker price of $10 to $30 and a do-not-recycle-with-the-newspaper warning on the back. A mere "Thinking of You" card with a kitten-in-a-basket photo, these are not. Perhaps it's our HDTV-loaded culture that judges everything in dots-per-inch and megabits-per-second. Or perhaps this is an inevitable overture by cardmakers to the snap-and-post phone/camera/Facebook nation. But multimedia greeting cards are selling fast, and they're well on the way to becoming standard, and expected. "The more elaborate the electronics, the more people want them," said Tim Carlin, owner of Sara's Hallmark in south Tampa, Fla. Case in point: He first wondered about stocking audio cards the size of a clipboard that play "Bad to the Bone" with booming bass. Price: $9.99. "But they sell out fast as we can stock them." On one level, these cards represent the state of the art in an escalating arms race between rival superpowers of the greeting card industry: Hallmark and American Greetings. With each passing holiday, these arch-enemies introduce new cards with more electronic features to one-up the other. Last Christmas season, American Greetings launched a card with an LCD screen and USB cord the giver plugs into a PC to upload personal photos – blurring the line between a greeting card and a digital picture frame. Meanwhile, the retail industry remains tenaciously bleak, putting a pinch on card companies that operate stores in shopping centers and strip malls. So card companies are looking for thicker profits from each card sold, and investors who desire ever-more profit are closely watching for a payoff from electronic cards. Multimedia cards also let a card company tap into the brand recognition of celebrities, shows and movies. Why not a "Twilight"-themed card for Halloween that stands out against a landscape of mere pumpkin-print paper cards? Why not a Lance Armstrong-themed video for congratulations greetings? "What we've done is expand the world of communications," said Shelly Lulow, creative director in the writing studio of American Greetings. "As people become more technologically savvy, they can communicate more than ever. And we're finding technology is an important part of what we do as a business." Like it or not, these cards also come with an unexpected obligation for the recipient. And they may well become something of a squatter on the mantle piece. For one, there's the cost. Etiquette author Jay Remer notes he used to spend 60 cents on a card when he was a kid. "Now, when you go look at birthday cards, they can cost $5 apiece," Remer said. "And you may not even get that person a $5 gift card for somewhere." When he thinks of exchanging a card, it's merely a way to connect with someone, or acknowledge a milestone – a sign of friendship or love. If he receives a card from someone close, he may keep it indefinitely. But as for electronic cards, "This has all gotten way out of hand," he said, and it blurs the meaning of "gift." The elaborate production, cost and effort the giver invests into a multimedia card can pressure recipients to keep the card much longer than a generic birthday card. "Here's your gift," he said, "I want you to listen to this message every week, forever. That's not a gift. That's a job." These cards also bring up another quandary.  How long must recipients wait to throw out a card that Grandma loaded with a slide show of photos of the cousins' last Christmas? What about a Father's Day video card, like one from Hallmark for $30, that takes AA batteries. Even arbitrary one-week or one-year rules for birthday cards don't seem to apply for a disposing of a silicon message. "We just haven't come up with any rules yet as a culture on this particular subject," said Lizzy Post, direct descendant of etiquette icon Emily Post and author at the Emily Post Institute. Post said she's only received about 10 paper greeting cards that were meaningful enough to keep permanently. Will we all have shoe boxes full of cards with little LCD screens, she wonders? Electronics like that can't go in the paper recycling bin, and it seems a bit strange for card companies to tout their recycled paper cards while selling electronics, too, she said. "Personally, I'd rather just e-mail something to a friend," she said. "I don't want to be sent some-thing in the mail and then have to bring it to an electronics store for recycling." If the message sent through multimedia is heartfelt, and happily received, then that's all for the good, she said. But as for recycling electronics, "That's just a pain." Readers, I'd like to hear from you.  Tell me what you think about this movement in the greeting card industry.  Baskets by Consuela   "we think outside the basket" Phone: 678.499.2765 Email: baskets.byconsuela@yahoo.com Website: http://www.basketsbyconsuela.com Blogs: http://Basketsbyconsuela.wordpress.com & http://basketwrapup.blogspot.com/

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Double Leisure Time

These tea pillows are an awesome way to compliment your tea break any time of the day or night.  Get cozy and sip your favorite cup of tea.  Tuck one of these pillows behind your head, sit back, now close your eyes and breathe in the wonderful scents as you relax.  What a perfect way to double your leisure time. Leaves of Leisure Tea Pillows by Gina Wu are stuffed with real tea leaves. Available in rose, lavender, green tea or jasmine fillings and many sizes. Come in lounge, bolster and travel sizes.  TeaGW, San Francisco. For more gift ideas visit us at: http://www.basketsbyconsuela.com Baskets by Consuela   "we think outside the basket" Phone: 678.499.2765 Email: baskets.byconsuela@yahoo.com

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What A Man Needs

Father's Day is Sunday, June 20th.  This year, unlike others, it should be easier to figure out what a man needs.   Any gift that will give him an opportunity to nourish his mind, body and soul is a perfect choice.  The gift basket in this picture was custom made to include the recipients favorite snacks and treats.  It even included a quality cigar and travel case to keep it fresh. A grooming kit is ideal for those quick touch ups he might need before stepping out for work, fun or play.  How about a Swiss army knife.  He can leave it in the glove box of the car or truck.  It's a gadget that will be there when he needs it. After a long day of work or a strenuous workout at the gym or home, why not treat him to a in home spa gift basket.  Any gift that compliments his sports interest or recreational activity would be well received.  A new set of personalized golf balls, golf glove or fishing equipment are all good choices too.  Go here www.basketsbyconsuela.com for more gift ideas.  We have lots of gifts for what a man needs this Father's Day.   Baskets by Consuela   "we think outside the basket" Phone: 678.499.2765 Fax: 1-610-885-7584 Email: baskets.byconsuela@yahoo.com Website: http://www.basketsbyconsuela.com Blogs: http://Basketsbyconsuela.wordpress.com & http://basketwrapup.blogspot.com/ Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/basketsbyconsuela/

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Five Gift Ideas for Father's Day

These five gift ideas will give dad something to smile about on Father's Day this year.  Get away from the habit of gifting him with a new tie, socks or cuff links.  Whether dad likes to be outdoors enjoying his favorite sports activity or indoors watching it on the big screen, he'll know that you put some thought into buying his gift. 1.  Football Chip n' Dip Sets Officially licensed snack container. The snack helmet is a great gift item for watching the big event with friends. Snack helmets have a large container in the helmet and a smaller tray with two compartments in the facemask (Football) or one smaller tray with no divider (Racing). Helmets are approximately 10"... 2.  Roll Em Up Keyboards Twist it, roll it, fold it or soak it. The Flexible Compact Keyboard is water-resistant, dust-proof and contaminant proof. It's idea for industrial environments, hospitals, libraries and motor boats. The silicon based material is impervious to almost anything, and it's easy to use. 3. Let Them Choose Their Experience From Cloud 9 If you are looking for a meaningful gift that will be remembered, give a Cloud 9 Living Experience Gift Certificate. This Green Level Certificate will allow your recipient to choose from over 1,500 experiences nationwide ranging from Corvette Thrill Rides or a Military Flight Simulator to Whitewater Rafting or Scenic... 4.  Golf Lessons With A PGA Pro PGA Certified Professionals are universally recognized as the leaders in the field of golf instruction.? This is your chance to put their years of training and knowledge to use for you.With a private lesson from a PGA Professional, you'll discover techniques and strategies for improvement that would otherwise take... 5.  Last but not least, a custom gift basket filled with some of dad's favorite sweet treats, salty snacks or stress-reducing items is a great idea too.  Baskets by Consuela designs affordable and memorable keepsakes to keep dad feeling on top of the world on Father's Day and beyond! Baskets by Consuela                "we think outside the basket" Phone: 678.499.2765 Email: baskets.byconsuela@yahoo.com Website: http://www.basketsbyconsuela.com Blogs: http://Basketsbyconsuela.wordpress.com & http://basketwrapup.blogspot.com/ Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/basketsbyconsuela/

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National Fitness Day

Wednesday, May 19, 2010 is National Fitness Day.  It's no secret that our country is struggling with an obesity epidemic.  It is easier to follow a healthier lifestyle if you have some info on hand to keep you focused.  While I'm no health guru, I can share a few tips that most experts say we can all take heed to.  The following foods are some brain boosters as well.  Eating more fish that contains Omega 3 fatty acids like tuna and salmon.  Consuming green leafy veggies, cauliflower and broccoli.  Avocados, nuts and seeds are foods high in Vitamin E.  Dark chocolate, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries are more beneficial to you than candy with high sugar content.  Substitute whole grains such as oatmeal and brown rice in place of white rice, pasta or bread which contain process sugars. Drinking plenty of water helps you stay well hydrated.  Even coffee in moderation is alright too.  Finally, don't skip breakfast.  Do not shop on an empty stomach and avoid late-night eating.  If you keep more fruits, nuts and veggies on hand you'll have a healthier alternative than junk foods at your fingertips. Here's to your health and fitness. Baskets by Consuela   "we think outside the basket" Phone: 678.499.2765 Email: baskets.byconsuela@yahoo.com Website: http://www.basketsbyconsuela.com Blogs: http://Basketsbyconsuela.wordpress.com & http://basketwrapup.blogspot.com/

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