Ice Cream You Scream..Yeah You Know the Rest

Okay so I came up with a B-rilliant idea yesterday. Make and sell ice cream on Etsy! So I made my first test batch of Mexican Rum Ice Cream. It is a dark chocolate ice cream with chiles and rum. OMG. Heavenly! The ice cream will be shipped in plastic containers and in dry ice with insulated coolers for those who wonder, "How the crap is she going to ship this stuff?"

According to my palate, it is creamy and rich. Just the right amount of heat but plenty of chocolate. And the rum? Oh yeah, you know it's there. It's so wonderful! I also made it with 2% milk which makes it even better! 

Here are some suggested flavors:

Chocolate Mint

Birthday Cake

Creme Brulee

Cotton Candy

Mango

Drunken Turtle (tm)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Marshmallow

Ginger Praline (tm)

Green Tea

Banana Split

White Chocolate Peppermint (tm)

Mexican 

Cinnamon

Brownie

Pistachio

Snickerdoodle (tm)

Almond Biscotti (tm)

Peppermint

Honey Vanilla Chamomile

Salted Butter Caramel

And more to come! If you have suggestions for flavors, leave us a comment and we might add it to our store, better yet and name it after you!

Now for my Etsy pick of the day: Aromalite - www.aromalite.etsy.com

Aromalite Candle Company, LLC began in 2004 when the owners husband bought her a candle making kit for Christmas. The kit wasn't all that, but she immediately fell in love with making candles. She found different supply companies and people to be her guinea pigs. Hence today exist a thriving company with over 200 sales and is her full-time business! I'm sure they ship items as gifts, go buy some now!

Ciao!

Can You Say Konichiwa?

Okay so about two weeks ago I took a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). You can go just about anywhere in the world and use this certification. Well, I have applied for my dream job to teach in Japan. I have had two responses. One from Japan and one from Taiwan (not to sure about that one). So, I hope that by February or March 2009 I will be in Japan teaching English and living in a wonderful world. They pay for round trip airfare, give you a furnished apartment, sponsor your work visa (which is extremely expensive and hard to get), some companies will give you a car, depending on the company they pay 250,000 to 270,000 JPY which is around $2628.48 to $2834.22 USD per month. Which is pretty flipping good to only have to work 20-30 hours a week. So this is a good deal. I hope that I will be writing you good things in a couple of days.

Oh so about the other job that I was offered. Um..that is a negative. They have never called me back and I didn't get the other position. So, I am banking on leaving the country to teach and be stress free. Sounds like a plan to me. :-)

NOW for my fun part of the day. Shout out to my featured store of the day:

RuJu - www.ruju.etsy.com

RuJu seems to go green! Fabulous bags and items for your car!

Ciao!

Okay Two's a Charm?

Errr...so I got a call today about an interview tomorrow. Uh...I just got a job yesterday. What shall I do? Dang it I'm going on that interview. I just want to see what it is about and how much money it pays. If it fits and the pay is good. I accept! Sorry it's allow about the benjamins, c-notes, cash-monays, dollas. I need more of them.  Sidetracked thought --------> There are kids playing in my front yard - GET OFF OF MY GRASS! <-------------- Aaaannnd we're back. So yea I'm going tomorrow and just check it out.

Well, I started a job at Banana Republic. I had to work today. Well, I went somewhere with my mom last night. Went to leave for work today and oy vey, couldn't find my keys! Realized they were in her car. Needless to say I couldn't go. I'm glad anyways, I'm dead beat tired. I have a bake sale on Saturday and haven't baked one cookie. *sigh* I'm so TIRED! *bangs head aaggghhhhh* Just give me money so I can sleep. Okay, *whew* I'm calm now. 

So let's give a shout out to a shop today, what do you say?

Van Fleet  Street Design - www.vanfleetstreetdesign.com

Eclectic, funky art that catches the eyes and mind. This art seemingly shows the true personality of the artist. 

Ciao~!

Ladies and Gentlemen, It's Pay DAY!

I.Got.A.JOB! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have a J O B. I went to an architectural firm today and got the job. We are negotiating the salary. Whoot! 

On Also my client out of my other Etsy shop,  www.steelcitypr.etsy.com, Joan Shum (www.joanshum.etsy.com) got 2 big accounts yesterday! She secured Kleinfeld of Manhattan and Gabriella Bridal. She had a meeting with SAKS Bridal today so I'm sure she got that one too. It's so awesome! I'm excited for her. I like this Public Relations thing...lol.

So in concluding. FABULOUS day. I'm off to Marietta, GA on Sunday to take a TESOL class. Pretty stoked about that as well. 

So a shout out to my ETSY store of the day: 

Liza Rietz - www.lizarietz.etsy.com

Liza Rietz began designing and sewing custom and retail pieces in 2001. Her designs are available nationally in high-end boutiques in Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles and Washington D.C. Rietz's modern designs are structured yet feminine, detailed yet wearable. 

Ciao~!

Nothing...

I got nothing. I haven't been able to blog for DAYS. It's been almost a month. Still no job. I've been feeling kind of low and not useful.

I started a job at Banana Republic. I LOVE it. I want to find another position so I can actually BUT the clothes at a discount Bwahahahaha! So at least I'm liking that .

Well, according to my predictions, Alabama will be 12-0! I am LOVING that. 

So any who. Today's featured store iiiissss:

SweetPetula - www.sweetpetula.etsy.com

Their company began in 1995 selling to farmers markets and craft fairs. They now have a retail store in Seattle, Washington where they also sell beautiful bedding and lingerie!

Until later, ciao!

Aanndd The Winner Is... *drumroll*

First of all, thank you all so much for reading my blog and commenting! It's something that I really love to do. Now for the good stuff!

The winner of the Grand Prize of the "Ultimate Gift" blog giveaway is:

ThreadBeaur - Her blog comment about her favorite dessert was simply wonderful! Congrats!

"When I was growing up in a small town in Florida (Mt. Dora), my mom would take me to a special restaurant. When we needed to celebrate something good, like an extra good grade, birthday, and sometimes just because, we would go to the Park Bench restaurant. They had the best dessert, it was a chocolate truffle cake served cold with fresh raspberries and a raspberry sauce, with a dollop of whip cream of course. This dessert was my favorite for a very long time and we became regulars. The staff knew our order when they saw us coming. I went on the last day of business for one last slice of cake. When I got married, my moms friend got the recipe from the restaurant and made it for my bridal shower. That was 10 years ago, now I have the recipe and can make my special dessert and reminisce about my favorite dessert."

The winner of the 2nd Place Prize of the "Ultimate Gift" blog giveaway is:

Heathen's Hearth - Her blog entry was awesome as well and made me laugh! Congrats!

"Oh man...you mean I have to choose a favorite?! I don't think I can...Shortbread, brownies, lemon meringue pie...

Shortbread because it's so buttery and melts in  your mouth.

Brownies because they are ooey gooey chocolatey evil goodness!

And lemon meringue pie because it reminds me of my grandma...She always makes it for me during the holidays."

Congrats to both winners! We'll be back in November with another giveaway!

Time for a shout to MY Etsy store pick of the day:

Leastlikely2Breed

www.leastlikely2breed.etsy.com

They have products with humorous titles but work like a charm. Get some for yourself today!

Get some today and ciao...

Let's play "Review that Popcorn!"

I am now coming up (with help, ;-) thanks girls) with new popcorn flavors. You have the opportunity to buy a bag for ONLY the cost of shipping $6 per bag and give me a review on the flavors. Yay, Nay, Crap, Not so bad, What the heck were you think, DOA. For the month of October you can purchase the following 3 oz samples for $6 dollars only per bag and no shipping! Get all 7 for $42.

Strawberry Patch Carnival Popcorn

BananaRama Creme Carnival Popcorn

Scotch Bonnet (Butterscotch) Carnival Popcorn

Blue Razzleberry Carnival Popcorn

Buttery Caramel Carnival Popcorn

Cheesecake Carnival Popcorn

We will be doing more flavors in November! I need your honest critiques! Thanks again and ciao...

You can

New Job Possibility?

Okay so I got a new job (possibly). I went on an interview today and I am almost 99.99% positive, that I have the job. It's with the utilities company and it pays well. There is room for advancement, flex work week and benefits. Oh there is one small, teeny, tiny problem. What's that? I DON'T WANT TO WORK FOR ANYONE ELSE. What the FLIP? Is there something wrong with me? I mean seriously. Someone else would kill for this job and me? Oh nooooo, no quiero. *sigh* I think I'm mental. I want to do my bakery and public relations jobs full-time. I swear there is something wrong with me. I've been out of work for about a month and I'm actually liking it. 

Okay so my bakery comes back online next Wednesday. Am I ready? NO! Dang it! I lost my job inconveniently and lost a lot of the financial backing. Now I am about to get my job back. UGH! Should I delay the opening until November? I don't know. Should I just go ahead and jump in feet first and re-open on schedule? I have no idea but I'm starting to be annoyed.

So, I ate 5 double stuffed oreos and my stomach is now paying for it. I feel sick to my stomach. Oh, well, I couldn't resist. Now I have really bad gas and I've been killing myself all night. 

So for the fun part! I want to give a shout out to MY Etsy store pick of the day:

SRBDESIGN or Miss Bohls

www.srbdesign.etsy.com

Congrats for being on the front page of Etsy tonight!

I'm going to pick up my sister and my baby nephew. He has colic and she hasn't slept a wink. So she is coming to stay with us for a few days to get some rest. I am sooooo excited!! I love him so much! 

Alright until tomorrow or whenever - Ciao!

Clean House!

We are moving! I am cleaning house. I started in my room last night. Cleaned under my bed and the bottom of my closet. I also took out ALL unwanted clothes out of my closet. I took all the unwanted shoes out of the attic and put them and the clothes NEATLY downstairs in the garage for the yard sale next week. I still have crap everywhere. Doesn't make sense. You take out so much stuff and you STILL have junk everywhere. Its like it has legs of it's on and everything walks back where you took it from. 

So, right now I'm taking a break and watching THE most fantabulous Alabama football game in the land of football. Seriously, I'm going to call the season 12-0. I'm trying to be modest but eh eh, we're just good this year. Okay so if I was conservative, I would say 11-1. But okay, I'll take that back. IF we beat Georgia next week, I call it 12-0 for the season. 

My bakery opens up soon! Exciting! I made strawberry pickin' popcorn, banana creme de la creme popcorn and blue raspberry bush popcorn. I need to perfect it more. Perhaps popping MORE popcorn. 

I think I'll bake it for 10 minutes after I make it to see if it gets crispy. 

Alright! I must get back to cleaning! 

I want to give a shout out to my favorite shop of the day:

www.iragrant.etsy.com

They make fanTABulous handbags! Get one for yourself! 

I Can Blog

My mind is finally clear enough where I can blog! I've had writers block a couple of days and really couldn't blog. But I'm good today.

Saturday I went to the Alabama vs. W. Kentucky game. It was fun! We "rolled" over them. 41-7, I believe the score was. Now we face our first SEC game this weekend and we are away from home. Arkansas. HA! I think we're going to win. I usually can tell if we're going to lose but I think we will win. Putting us 4-0 and 1-0 in the Conference. 

So I made a rum pound cake and o.m.g. Can I say fantabulous? I have leftover butter rum and I don't know what to do with it. Ice cream perhaps? Chicken? Just in a cup? Hee hee. I also made chocolate pound cake, lemon pound cake and an original. I'll be offering them in my bakery. I've GOT to finish my marketing. I want my store flooded with customers. So, I've got to get on the ball.

Well, that's all I have for now! Love, peace and college football! Ciao and ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Celebrate Our Grand Re-Opening and WIN the ULTIMATE Gifts!

Come celebrate our Grand Re-Opening with us on October 1st, 2008! Steel City Bakery will be back and better than ever!

All you have to do is subscribe to my blog and answer this simple question: What is your favorite dessert?

Yep that's it! But please be descriptive! I love to read stories. Maybe where you first tried or what made you fall in love with it! Contest ends on September 31st at Midnight Eastern Central time. 

You must still be a subscriber when contest ends to win. You must be 18 to win! There will be TWO winners! As always, please comment on my blog and I'll return the favor! Happy eating!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER:

2 Dozen Cookies of the Choice

4 Pack Sampler of Pound Cake - Original, Lemon, Chocolate and Rum

Half Dozen The Original Southern Red Velvet Cupcakes

Half Dozen Sky Fluff Cupcakes

Vulcan Brownies (equivalent to one pan)

2nd PLACE WINNER:

2 Dozen Cookies of Choice

4 Pack Sampler of Pound Cake - Original Lemon, Chocolate and Rum

Half Dozen The Original Southern Red Velvet Cupcakes

I've baked my fingers off!

Well, not really..lol. But I baked a LOT! October 1st is the Official re-opening date of my bakery. I have SO much to do. I am baking so I can have pictures taken of my items by a professional. I baked the following:

Out Of My Mind Cookies

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Apple Pie Cookies

Carrot Cake Cookies

Brownies

Red Velvet Cakes

Right now I have just taken mini chocolate pound cakes out of the oven. MMMMMM.. Next I am going to make mini Rum Pound cakes with a special rum from the the Dominican Republic as well as some other secret additions. :-) I think this year is going to be the best year I've had. Happy One Year Etsyversary to me! 

So I must get back to baking. I hope something exciting happens today so I can blog you about it. :-) Ciao!

I am in LOVE!

Okay so I just made it back in town and settled in. OMG...I am in LOVE with my new nephew. I love him so much. He has stolen my heart FORever. He's so precious and only 4 days old. He is very hairy though..lol. He has precious little gums and the longest fingers and toes you'll ever see. He's so beautiful! I am so happy he is here. I could ramble for days but if you only could see him. I love him with all my heart! UGH! I almost cried when I had to leave. Thank you Melissa and Paul for bringing him into the world. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!

Well, Alabama won like I said they would. But I was FAR from impressed. STEP IT UP! We've got much harder teams to play this season. No more dropped passes, missed blocks! NO MORE!

Anyways, I love my little baby. *flies away to cloud 9* Ciao

Worldwind of a Day

So today I slept late. I then got up and did some work on finding my clients wholesale accounts and other misc. things. BOY did I WORK! I think the phone is my third ear! I got one new client today. I'm so happy! I love what I do. I love helping small businesses, new designers, realize their potential and get their businesses to where they should be. I am a second hand but I am THEIR Public Relation Officer. Sounds cool but a LOT of work. I wish I could just get other Etsians to see that they DO need a second hand so that they can focus on what they do, whether it is sewing, making jewelry, graphic designs, baking, whatever they do. They need to let others know that they are out there and how great they are. 

On to more exciting news, I bought a Keurig coffee maker! Yippeee! It's awesome! I can't wait to get more flavors for it. I might overdose. HA! I used it for the first time and it is awesome! It heats your beverage to 192 degrees. That is hot! It's not a wimp. But it does it in under 3 minutes! I tried the Van Houtte French Vanilla. I've got to get used to brewing a small cup for a stronger strength on Light coffees. But I LURVE it. I'm going to hug it.

Well, I shall go for now! Alabama and Tulane this weekend! ROLL TIDE! Yes we will win. Not a shadow of a doubt. Ciao!

Pooped

I am POOPED! My mom left today to go see my new little nephew baby. So, she has the great idea to wake up at 5 AM and bang pots around and wash glasses! I was soooo mad! My baby sister and I decided to have a sleep over, so in my sleep I said, "I'm going to hurt her". My sister got up and closed the door and yelled something. We got so tickled that we could barely go back to sleep. It was the BEST thing because we know that we were laughing about something but we can't remember what we said. It will ALWAYS be hilarious. So because of a lack of sleep, I am POOPED!

Today I saw pictures of my beloved nephew for the first time and HE IS SO CUTE! UGH! Precious as all get out. Nothing exciting really happened today but I leave on Friday to go see my little baby. I'm going to kiss his little face off. Alright that's enough for tonight...ciao!

The Tide Rolled! And Gabriel is on his way!

Aaaanddd what did I tell you? The Tide SPANKED Clemson. It was awesome!!! Alabama - 34 - Clemson - 10. We looked good. Better than I have seen us in years. We still have a LOT to work on but we did look like we can actually beat some teams this year. Oh, *scoffs* we will definitely, DEFINITELY beat Auburn. Watch out ;-). This doesn't mean that we are going to win any National Championships this year or the next. But it does mean that teams will not underestimate us this year and they will take notice. 

So, on to more important news (I have to blog in sequence so don't flog me). My sister is IN LABOR RIGHT NOW!  My little baby is on his way AND I said he was coming today. Yes I did. *takes a bow* So, I have to cut it short today and say ROLL TIDE! And come on Gabe!!! Ciao!

Football season has arrived!

Today is the first day of college football! Yay! ROLLLLL Tide ROLL! For those of you who do not know, that chant belongs to the infamous, University of Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I've been an Alabama football fan since I was little. My dad was an Alabama football fan and my family has been ever since. We only allow Auburn (our state rival) to exist just because we're the nice team. :-) And we're sooooo much better and our colors are prettier too! But all across the country, football fans will be mesmorized and preoccupied from this weekend on into November for the ULTIMATE competition. Unless you're a National Champion from 2007, all slates are wiped clean and everyone, despite what the POLLS say are on even terms. You can be number 3 this week and drop to number 11 the next. You could be back up to number 5 the next. Your performance has to be at it's height. Today everyone expects Alabama to be beat by Clemson. I say HA! We never lose the first game. Don't underestimate the power of the Tide. We've got the fire and determination and frankly we're just going to win today. 

I forgot to blog yesterday. But nothing exciting happened anyway so, you didn't miss anything. I'm off to get an Alabama t-shirt and to buy food. The game is at 7 central and the state is hyped and on edge. There are butterflies in the stomachs of all true Tide Fans. Today could be the beginning of the best season ever. Only time will tell. So I must leave and get prepped. Until tomorrow, I say to you..ROLLLLL Tide ROLL oh and ciao!

Today Was Good.

You know when have those days that are just good, not great and definitely not bad? Well, that was today. It was my last day of work and it was sad because I will miss everyone. They were like a family to me. So caring and genuine. There is no other company like them and I will NEVER work for a company like them. They took me out to lunch and we just sat and talked like it wasn't ending. Like we would always be friends and have lunch and chat. They gave me a really, REALLY nice gift. No one has EVER done that for me at a job. $100 gift card to BELK. With Labor Day sales coming up, it will DEFINITELY be put to good use..hee hee. I will so miss them and love them.

I had an interview that went so well that it was scary. I was nervous about what I was going to say and how I was going to impress them. "Be Myself". That's how I didn't it. I finally said hey I've been doing this for 7 years. If they can't see my skills and my good work ethics and how great of a person I am, then it's on them. It went well. I wasn't nervous at all until towards the end, I had talked so much my breath became a little tart. But I'm sure they didn't smell it..lol. I just told the truth and answered the questions. "Yes, I have done this." "No, I have no experience in this BUT I'm smart, I can learn if given the opportunity." And that's just what I shall do. 

I got two of my clients fantabulous scarf sets in the mail. I am marketing for her. A beautiful purple  and a yellow - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id-14021300

One for two celebrities names that I can't mention for fear I might get smited with a big stick. But it's fun. Oh by the way if you don't know, I am the owner of www.steelcitypr.etsy.com. The next new marketing giant. Bwahahahaha! If you need help promoting or developing your business, call me. I am here to help. So, anyways, these sets will be sent out on the 8th of September. I can't wait for next months send out. The celebrity list is going to be even better. This is good, today is good. Now you  be good. :-) Ciao!

Today was solemn

Well, tomorrow is my last day of having a job. Today was a solemn day, sort of. I kept wanting to cry but then not wanting too because it feels stupid to do so. I know everything is under control but I am a worker. Not having a job just seems against my nature and who I am. The secretary kept hugging me and saying she was going to make up things for me to do so I could stay...lol. I wasn't sad until she started doing that. Everyone tried to keep me busy to keep my mind off it. Well, at least I get to go to lunch with everyone for a last hurrah. I almost don't want to because I have a feeling I'm going to cry and I don't want anyone to see me do so.

So, on to happier news. I am trying to get my bakery back on line and it's HARD and dadgumit, it's expensive. But I have a feeling that I am going to really well this year. My marketing strategy is going to be unreal. I need to make $800 a week to be able to not have a job and make this my full time job. I also have found some spaces downtown Birmingham, that I want to turn into my bakery. I REALLY want to do this full-time. It relaxes me and comforts me and it's mine. It's my creative outlet and it's my stamp in this little world. So, we'll figure out as time moves on.

Tomorrow I have an interview. I don't know what is going to happen, but I need it to further my bakery dreams. I need it to pay my bills too..lol! I need to do this for my family. I want to take care of my mom now. She's always taken care of us especially doing the difficult past 8 years after the loss of my father. So we ALL need this...

Ciao!

It Rained AGAIN!

So yes, it rained again. Thanks Fay! Come back again! *rolls eyes* I cannot wash clothes again, thanks to having a septic tank. I brought my lunch today to work so I wouldn’t have to go outside in the rain. Yummy baked chicken, a golden potato and a left over O’Charley’s roll. It was quite delightful. What made it even better is - I found a packet of Chick-Fil-A’s new sauce in my work drawer from last week. That stuff is so good. Well, my last day of work is Thursday. Being a contract drafter is not always so great. When they are done with you, they are done. They don’t really have to give you two weeks notice. But my company is really great so they did. Still, it stinks. I’m out of work for now. I do have an interview on Thursday for a drafting job so we’ll see what happens.

I refuse to talk to ANOTHER employment agency. All they want is a fee. They have no jobs for you. They want you to waste your time and gasoline, to come to their office and stare at you like you’re an alien. They proceed to talk down to you because you’re “unemployed.” Oh, and don’t tell them how much you really want for a salary, because they laugh in their heads. Sometimes, they laugh in your face. That’s when you squint one eye and give them the evil drop dead look. So, farewell agencies. I am done with you!

Well, tomorrow we’re supposed to go to www.surinwest.com, THE best Thai food restaurant in Birmingham. I love everything they have, BUT I will get the coconut soup and Thai Noodle Bowl. All for $7 bucks. I’ll have a glass of water because now that I am almost unemployed, that’s all I can afford. Maybe $1.25 for tip, if they are really good..hee hee. Okay well, this is all for today. It’s 11:30 pm, and I must get up tomorrow and stare at my computer for 8 hours and pretend to work. Ciao!