In Love with... Tiny foods - Kracie Popin Cookin Happy Kitchen kits

Kracie Happy Kitchen Ice Cream Kit

One day I was browsing Youtube and I came across these awesome, Japanese candy kits. I love mini food things so I knew I needed to try one for myself but I couldn't decide which one to try. Thankfully they are available in variety packs on Amazon so I ordered this lot of 9 for my kids and I for Christmas. They are so fun and they actually taste better than I anticipated.

The instructions for these are in Japanese so that made it a challenge at first but then I just went ahead and searched the Internet for the English instructions.  There are lots of Youtube videos out there that show you how to make them but I prefer written instructions. The videos helped me figure out what to expect though, and they are pretty entertaining!

Kracie Happy Kitchen Sushi kit

The first kit that my kids and I made was the hamburger kit. It was the most challenging because I wasn't sure what the consistency was supposed to be like and it actually needed to be microwaved at certain points. Once I got the hang of it I became more comfortable with trying to decipher the instructions on my own.

The English instructions help a lot but beware - sometimes the colors of the packet inside your kit may vary from the color of the packet in the tutorials or instructions. If this is the case it helps to try to compare the writing on the packages. If the writing looks identical but the colors are different than you may just have different packaging. Smelling the powder can help you figure out what component it actually is if this happens to you.

If you purchased a kit and you'd like to read some English instructions check these out:

• Sushi Kit English Instructions
• http://whiterabbitexpress.com/popin-cookin-english-instructions/
• Doughnut Kit
• http://whiterabbitexpress.com/happy-kitchen-donuts-english-instructions/
• Hamburger Kit
• http://japanesecandykit.com/Cheeseburger.php
• http://fhauling4you.blogspot.com/2012/11/japanese-candy-making-kit-happy-kitchen.html
• Ice cream Kit
• http://createeathappy.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-to-make-kracie-popin-cookin-diy-fun.html
• Bento Kit
• http://twinebirds.com/lets-make-obentou-instructions/
• Gummy Land Kit
• http://createeathappy.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-to-make-kracie-popin-cookin-diy.html

I can't find any written instructions for the waffle kit or the cake decorating kit so Youtube is your best bet for those. I still wonder if I made the blueberries right in the waffle kit because mine turned out squishy. The play dough kit seems to be pretty self explanatory but I still haven't opened it.

Assembly Hints:

• Open the packaging very carefully.
• Sometimes the wrapper is used in the final product either as a place mat or as decoration, such as the fry holder and drink wrap in the hamburger kit. 
• It is recommended to cut the top and bottom of the plastic wrapper with scissors. 
• Sometimes the box is used for display too like in the ice cream kit.
• Less water is better than too much water. 
• You can always add a little more if it is too thick. 
• Have little dishes ready. 
• Little pitcher, teapot or dish to hold the water. 
• Kids love to use their own play kitchen dishes - just make sure they are clean! 
• Little plate for your treats. 
• Use filtered or bottled water.

Have you tried any of these? I think they are so fun! 

Later Lovelies, 

<3KM

Impractical Sweaters

I'm usually for function over fashion when it comes to clothes. These sweaters will not keep you warm, but I really want to lean how to make one. They are just so... post-apocalyptic somehow. 

This one would probably be easy to make - just the right yarn and some giant knitting needles

And this one just make holes in the sweater above and tie them off.

I have no idea who made any of these, so if you know, give me a heads up.

My December Favorites featuring Chain Dumbin' and a box cake mix

December Favorites by kmfern featuring an apple candle

1. BB Dakota Felicity Tank

I love the floral sequins design on this shirt. So shiny!

2. Robert Rose Swap Necklace
I bought this from Little Black Bag and it's even prettier in person. I plan on wearing it with a black dress for New Year's. I love the draped chain look.

3. Chain Dumbin' by Star Slinger ft. Juicy J., Project Pat & Reggie B.

This song is over a year old but I have been listening to it at least 4 times a day since I discovered it last week. It sounds so smooth!

4. Duncan Hine's Holiday Velvets

My hubby's birthday is in December and my son chose this cake mix to make to celebrate. I just made my own frosting to go on top and added blueberry filling in the middle. I hope that they make this cake mix in other colors like pink/purple, blue/green or purple/blue. It makes baking a multi colored cake a no brainer because each color is on its own pouch and you just add one egg and some oil and water to each and bake them in round pans. Easy peasy, even when the kiddos are helping!

5. Laura Zindel Mushroom ornament

I saw this in the Martha Stewart gift guide and it reminds me so much of MR. I visited the potter's website and she even makes bottles and tea cups with mushrooms and ferns and all kinds of creatures on them. <3 her style!

6. Steve Madden zippered sneaker wedges

I have been wanting a pair of sneaker wedges for awhile but I don't really like the ones that have too many ridges on the top. I love that these have a zipper and that the "collar" part is not too high. Plus I like that these have just a stripe of leopard which makes them more wearable.

7. RiRi Hearts MAC "Pleasure Bomb"

This is a very bright fuchsia lipstick. I just love the RiRi Hearts MAC collection and this color is really fun.

8. Diamond Candles

I finally got one of these for Christmas in the Gingerbread Latte scent, it smells so good! I got a cheap purple ring in mine. I've actually been wearing it though. My mom got a beautiful ring in hers. It has some sort of stamping in the band but it's so tiny that none of us can read it. Can't wait to take till she takes it to a jeweler to see what it's made of!

Wishing you all a very happy new year. Bring it on 2014!

<3KM

Snowy Diy Xmas

On Christmas Eve I finally got into the spirit, sang a bunch of Christmas songs, and got crafty.  I made a cake and decorations for my tiny, barren tree. This would be my first white Christmas in almost 20 years, so obviously the theme would be snow. I love snow!

Paper Snowflakes:

Remember those snowflakes that you cut out in grade-school? Well, if not, I'm here to remind you. 

All you need are some pretty sharp scissors and some printer paper.

This layout makes 4 medium and 3 small snowflakes. Fold on the dotted lines and cut the solid lines. I find it easier to fold all the lines and then cut. 

You can fold the squares as many times as you can in the square diagonal pattern, or you can fold out from the center however you want. If you fold the square in half and then into thirds you can get a six pointed snowflake instead of eight points. 

Anyway, just fold up those little suckers into long thin triangles and cut shapes along the folds. Be careful not to cut all the way through! The more rounded you make the top of your triangle the more circular your snowflake will be. 

Rum Cake: 

 I used this recipe, omitting the bar chocolate and one egg, since my eggs were very large. The baking time was less because I used the round pan, too. 

To decorate, get out some red and green paper, or color the paper yourself with markers or pencils. Cut out the holly leaves and and roll bits of red paper into berries.

Dust with powdered sugar to evoke the snowy feeling and pin on your holly berries.

Hope your Xmas was full of cheer and snow!

All I want for Christmas featuring a Cat Surfing on a Bacon Strip

Recently I found out about RageOn clothing through Twitter and I just love their loud style. This cat tank from them is on top of my wish list this year. I know I will probably look ridiculous wearing it but if I wear it with a cardigan people may just be like, "Cool outfit...wait...what was that?"

All I Want for Christmas by kmfern featuring a leather purse

Hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas! 

<3KM

In Love With... Tracy Reese

Every once in awhile there will be an advertisement in my side bar that I am actually happy about. I haven't paid too much attention to Tracy Reese in the past but recently I saw an advertisement displaying her Plenty collection. I loved the dress in the ad so I clicked and found many dresses that caught my eye on the site.

In Love with... Tracy Reese by kmfern on Polyvore

Tracy Reese is known for using vintage inspired sillouettes and prints with a modern, fun edge. Michelle Obama has worn Tracy Reese multiple times for special events and Mindy Kaling has worn her skirts in The Mindy Project.

Most Tracy Reese pieces are dry clean only because of the delicate materials that she uses but I think it is worth it for occassion pieces. They are available at stores like Nordstrom and Anthropologie. I really like the Plenty collection which is more affordable and youthful looking.

The black and white sequins dress in the middle of this set is my favorite at the moment. I love glitter and sequins for the holidays and this one manages to be a little bit edgy. The neckline is also conservative but still shows a little skin and the back of the dress features a V shape.

Hope that you are enjoying yourself this holiday season!

Later Lovelies!
<3KM

How to Sprout Yourself

I love sprouts. They are so tasty. They also keep me from going crazy from having nothing to grow in the winter. I think eating them also helps to balance my hormones a little. I seem to get less cramps when I eat them... that was probably tmi... 

Anyway, most sprouts can be sprouted using this method. I used my favorite, alfalfa, but you can use adzuki, mung bean, broccoli, fenugreek (eww), clover, or many others. Some sprouting seeds need more work like onion, but I have limited experience in that at the moment. 

There are other methods of sprouting. Some require weird muli-layered contraptions. There is also the bag method, which I want to try one day. I did this method because it required the least equipment and it was easy, so I never switched to anything else.

First get some sprouting seeds and put them in a mason jar. 

Rinse them well. 

Let them soak for 8 to 12 hours.

Drain.

There are a few methods for draining. In these pictures I used a cut off piece of pantyhose because I was not at home. At home I have this little green plastic lid with holes in it. It sometimes gets stuck on the jar, so if I were going to buy a new one I would probably look for something else. I've also used cheese cloth and the metal lid-band to keep it in place. 

Rinse and drain every 8 to 12 hours. 

In the times between rinsings I like to keep the jar sideways and upside down in a dish so the excess water runs out and so the little planties can get some fresh air. 

In about four days, depending on the type of sprouts you used, they should be done. 

The sprouts don't need any sunlight. You can do this in a cave if you want. The leaves will be a yellow then, but the sprouts will be just as nutritious and tasty. Sprouts are pretty forgiving, so even if you forget to water them for a little bit, they usually come back to life right away when you remember. 

When the sprouts are done growing you should put a lid on the jar and put them in the fridge because they will last longer. Just make sure you don't rinse them right before you put them in the fridge because that could promote bacteria growth.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot because I don't often do this, but if you want to get rid of the little seed hulls take a large bowl of water and swish the sprouts around in it. You should be able to pour away the husks.