Butternut Rudolph Cookies!

Ingredients:

1 x Packet of Arnott's Butternut Cookies

1/3 Cup of Cream

200g of milk or dark chocolate melts (I used cooking chocolate)

65g Unsalted Butter

1 x Packet of Jaffas

1 x Packet of Marshmallows (preferably white)

1 x Tube of White Frosting Gel

1 x Tube of Black Frosting Gel

1 x Packet of Mini Parkers Pretzels (Shapes)

1 x Packet of Silver Foiled Muffin or Large Cupcake Patty Pans

Step #1 - The Cookie Cups

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Place the cookies over the holes of a mini muffin tin/rubber tray
2. Stick in the oven for 3 minutes until cookies soften
3. Remove and gently (they split really easily!) mould the softened bikkies into the holes, forming a cup shape
4. Allow to cool a little then transfer to a tray (I did these the day before so they were fully set the next day)

Step #2 - The Yummy Chocolate Face

1. Put the butter, cream and melts into a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and shiny with no lumps (at least 5 minutes)
2. Pour into a clean bowl and refrigerate for approximately 20 minutes
3. Put the cookies back into the muffin tin to get ready for filling - this keeps then steady so the chocolate won't spill over the edges
4. After 20 minutes, stir and then heap each bikkie with a full teaspoon of the chocolate mixture
5. Refridgerate again for 20 minutes to set the chocolate

Step #3 - Becoming Rudolph!

1. Using kitchen scissors, cut a white marshmallow in half. Stick a jaffa into the sticky side (it should hold it in place) and place the smooth side of the marshmallow down towards the bottom of the chocolate cup, so as to leave room for eyes. I did this step while the chocolate was still setting, as it helps secure the marshmallow in place
2. Using the white frosting gel, make two eyes above the marshmallow nose and then use the black frosting gel to dot eyeballs in as well
3. Select two pretzels of similar size and gently press into the chocolate to secure the antlers.
4. Serve in the foil patty pans for a festive presentation!
5. Voila! Merry Christmas : )

PS: Thanks Woolies for the recipe!

Christmas Countdown - #1 Holiday Red Dress

I'm back!!! And just in time for my annual countdown of my favourite red dresses for your little princess for Christmas. First up, this beautiful tiered dress from Little Miss Princess. This Holiday Red Tiffany Party Dress, with three layers of chiffon and jewelled neckline will suit all sizes. Love it! If you are looking for a special occasion dress, flowergirl dress, pageant dress etc, then LittleMissPrincess.com has lots of lovely styles for you to choose from.

Santa, did you send your RSVP?

It's that time of year again - all the big department stores here in Sydney (and I think, Australia wide) are having their big toy sales. I was brave enough today to venture into Big W, at 37 wks pregnant with a 5 and 3 year old in tow, to have a look at what they had and I was impressed. Gigi started school this year and is quite the little party girl. We have lots of parties coming up so I had lots of presents to buy and despite the hussle and bussle, long queues, screaming kids (ironically, not mine this time, surprise, surprise) and Gen Y shop assistants who would grunt at any question, I actually managed to get my shopping done without too much trouble. Hmm, my blood pressure was slightly up at my routine visit this afternoon so maybe I was a little more stressed than I am letting on...
But seriously, if you are in Sydney, Big W & KMart started their toy sales today, Myer started last week and finish up on the 25th July and Target is getting ready for its big sale starting July 22. I better place a call to Santa - in this time of global economic crisis, he will be looking for a bargain wherever he can get it. Wonder if Big W online delivers to the North Pole? : )

Merry Christmas from gigi + lulu - all things sugar & spice

From my family to yours, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, may you enjoy celebrating the birth of Jesus with your loved ones and have a safe and prosperous 2010 as well. Thank you for your support in 2009, I hope to continue bringing you more beautiful fashions, accessories, party ideas and celebrity baby style for your little princess in the new year x x x

Top 25 Beautiful Red Dresses for Christmas - Part 2

As the kids are tucked into bed, patiently awaiting the arrival of Santa, here is my present to you - Part 2 of my annual Beautiful Red Dresses for Christmas feature:

1. Junior Gaultier Silk Velvet Dress with Detachable Fur Collar - just divine! Available from my wonderful affiliate, Children's Salon
2. Helena Tiered Dupioni Dress, available online at Neiman Marcus
3. Florence Eiseman Girly Girl Dress, available online at Bergdorf Goodman
4. Bonpoint Dragee Short Sleeve Corduroy Dress in Rouge, from the Bonpoint online store
5. Baby Nay Papavero Girls Party Dress, from Bellabelle online boutique
6. Addi & Kinsi Cranberry Red Party Dress - one of my personal faves - from Shabby Baby online boutique
7. Biscotti Christmas Red Dress
   
8. Rare Editions Red Layered Spring Sleeveless Dress
9. Addi & Kinsi Kimono Style Pink Panther Dress, from Shabby Baby online boutique
10. Sugar Plum Girls Boutique Red Sleeveless Christmas Holiday Dress
11. Little Miss Princess Off Shoulder Red Santa Christmas Dress
12. Darlington Red Infant Dress by Isobella & Chloe at Fairy Princess Clothing online boutique
13. Little Miss Princess Sweet Red Christmas Dress

Wishing you and your families all the very best for Christmas x x x

FINALLY - Top 25 Beautiful Red Dresses for Christmas - Part 1

Finally, I have compiled my list of the top 25 beautiful red holiday dresses for your little princess this Christmas. Due to illness, I haven't had a chance to post one a day like last year but here are the first half for you to swoon over:

1. Little Maven by Tori Spelling Red Plaid Jumper
2. seed Frill Front Dress in Cherry
3. Oobi Baby Tennis Skirt with Bloomer
4. Be my Valentine Dress from www.fairyprincessclothing.com
5. seed Fruit Print Dress in White
6. Ivory & Red Holiday Dress by Sarah Louise from www.fairyprincessclothing.com
7. Janie & Jack Rose Flocked Silk Dress
8. seed Petal Trim Dress in Watermelon
9. Oobi Baby Carmen Dress in Scarlet
10. Janie & Jack Bow Plaid Jumper in Berry Pink Plaid
11. Nicole Miller Olivia Party Dress in Red
12. Monnalisa Kids Red Roses Dress (available online at www.shopkitson.com)

Enjoy!

Stockings & stockings of fun with Alice & Emma

I love anything original that is handmade (I am particularly a fan of personalised baby stuff) and when I came across UK online retailer Alice & Emma, I found the cutest personalised Christmas stockings & blankets with delightful buttons and blanket stitched edges. Worth stocking up now for next Christmas - no pun intended ; )