Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Sale!!!

Join us in this awesome sale!!  Great stores with greater discounts! Perfect for your holiday shopping!!




See you there!!!

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Bad Oreo!

You might be wondering what the heck is wrong with me... A bad Oreo? Really?? There is no such thing.. is there?

Well.... there is for me.

By the end of October we went on vacation to visit the in-laws.... in COLOMBIA! ;-)
For me this trip began full of stress. I was worried and unsure dreading to be the.mom.of.the.noisy.baby.on.the.flight. My sweet baby boy is super active, I strongly believe he doesn't have the ability to stay still. At home, I enjoy every minute, but on a cramped space, on a plane, over 30,000 feet on the air... I was scared.

To my utter surprise, he did wonderfully! He slept, ate and played completely calmed with minimal crying. I was feeling pretty good taking into consideration that I was sleep deprived, tired and hungry. So when the Flight Attendant handed us our lunch (which by the way was quite good and included.... Way to Go Copa Airlines!!) and I saw the familiar packaging... I felt extreme happiness and all my worries completely melted away. That was until I took a bite out of the cookie.

For some reason that completely eludes me, not all Oreo's are done the same. The ones we got were made in Nicaragua. The cookies do look the same, but the taste was off and he creamy filling was NOT creamy! Is that filling supposed to have granulated sugar? And the cookie... well the chocolate taste was not as strong, more like mild milk chocolate. That was SO disappointing!


It's hard to see, but there are sugar crystals there!! 

Shouldn't all Oreo cookies be the same? Shouldn't it be the same recipe even if made in different locations? I don't know the Oreo recipe, nor I know if granulated sugar is on the recipe, all I know is that I love the creamy filling and those Oreo's don't have it. Shame on you Nabisco...shame on you!


Have you ever found a bad Oreo?

P.S. Needless to say upon our arrival we went shopping for the good stuff!

P.S.2 .... Be sure to sign up to our Newsletter for special discounts on my Etsy store (only for subscribers) and sale alerts!! I also changed our  URL, is shorter :-) be sure to bookmark us!











Thursday, November 10, 2011

New Look!!!!!!!!!!!

We have a new look!!!!

What do you think? There are still a few details to be worked.... I would appreciate any suggestions..

Monday, October 24, 2011

And the winners are!!!!!!!

Here are the winners for the Team Sabre Halloween!!

This was such a fun experience with lots of learning!!! Lots of them!

All the entries where just great, and guess what, the winners are sold! Congrats!!



For Spookiest....... 





with a 34.7% of the votes






Boris!!!!!



And now Most Original.......




With a 25.7 % of the votes....


Calista's Hair Clips!!



Congratulations to the winners!

Happy Halloween!


Friday, October 21, 2011

Under Construction!!!!!!!!



Yes I know, its pretty bad.

No, It wont stay like that ( No way!)

We are under construction! 

New blog design soon!!

Please ignore the weird ugly stuff!!

You know what would be cool, If we get 100 followers to celebrate the new blog!
So what are you waiting for... go on.. tell your friends....
There is gonna be a sale too!!  ;-)




Sunday, October 16, 2011

Team Sabre's Halloween Challenge!!


 Yayy!! Its finally time to vote for our Halloween Challenge winner!

You have until the 23 of this month to vote for your favorites!
There will be two categories, Most Original and Spookiest.

Prizes for Most Original:
LiquidSabre-your shop promotional Keychain
Hecmi- Dolce Aromi Sachet (you pick scent)
MissDesignit- shop banner

Prizes for Spookiest:
YourMemory-Halloween Octopus
TheKnitBrit-knitted pumpkin
Hecmi- Soy Tart Melt ( you pick scent) 

Here are the entries. You can click on the picture to see the actual listing.
---------If you cant see the poll to vote please refresh the page!
Make sure you click on next poll link to be able to vote for both.






Witch/Wizard Ornament


Ling's Handmade Craft



They are great entries!! What do you think????

You have until October 23 to vote! Winners will be announced on the 24! 
Good luck everyone!!!













Thursday, October 13, 2011

Flea Market Sale

I recently introduce you to Etsy's Flea Market Team, a group of almost 100 stores that have teamed up to make great sales together, offering buyers a one spot place to buy pretty much anything. Home decor crafts by Cecrafts, recycled and upcycled gardens by Artcain, hand made Jewelry by Aether, adorable girly bows by Allthingsgirlybows, and much more!!!!



I would like to share with you an interview with Artcain, one of the team leaders, who is currently in charge of these sales.



● Good Morning Art! How are you today?

I am doing very well, thank you. Family is coming in this week, so I am trying to get shipments out, half-finished projects completed, and stored away.

● How did the Flea Market Team started?

Aetherdesigns started the Flea Market Team after going to several Buy aNd Replace sales and Buy aNd Stay sales. That started on a track of wondering why everyone was selling to other shop owners instead of buyers. She thought it was a great idea that could be expanded on. She spoke to many others, including myself, who wanted the same thing but didn't know how to go about it.

Aether, due to previous experience with social media and customer service, knew that a mailing list that was composed of buyers would be one effective way to take the “Treasury Sale” concept and evolve it. Collected information about sales and shops would be another asset to those who browse Etsy for items, but don’t need the incentive of shop promotion to engage in organized Treasury Sales.

I joined the team after finding it browsing Teams to learn more about the BNRs and BNS sales. It was an interesting alternative to paying into Treasury Sales for promotion, as I have just started my shop online with a thin budget. I offered to help curate Treasury Sales, since I am at home most of the day.



● Whats the main purpose of the team?

The main purpose of the team is to get other shops who don’t have the ability to market to “Buy In” audience sales. With everyone out promoting to new buyers, rather than other shop owners, there is a greater chance that someone who buys from one shop might buy from an associated shop. Sharing the free exposure goes a long way!

We offer two Treasury Sales.

The weekday sale is called the Early Bird Special BNR. It features inexpensive supplies, destash “cheap unwanted items,” frugal vintage, and on Sale items. Most products will be $10 or under, but any item for any shop featured is eligible for raffle entries during the sale. This is our only normal BNR aimed to shop owners who already participate in BNRs around Etsy, or are still learning familiarity with the popular concept. We would like to introduce them to the Flea Market Treasury Sale idea and hopefully network with them. We would like shop owners to join the team as they get Featured for a purchase, but it won’t be necessary. Joining the team will have the added advantage of being featured in our weekend Flea Market.

The weekend sale is called the Flea Market Sale. It features items from all our team shops at various prices. (Our base at the moment sells mainly items under $40.) This treasury sale is not the typical BNR or BNS targeted at shop owners. We rotate purchased shops with team member owners so that every member will get featured, and continue to be featured at future events. You don’t have to buy in to get a feature. Being active in our discussions online, donating time or an item for a raffle, and promoting the Email Newsletter and Treasuries will always ensure you with numerous Features. Shop Owners who participate in sales will earn future guaranteed spots as they advance up rotation for promoting and investing in other members. We believe this cuts down on Treasury Sales showcasing the same small group of shops with owners wealthy enough to keep Buying Into features. Funds are not simply rotated between other shop owners without expanding their potential customer base.

● How can sellers sign up?

There are two ways that sellers can sign up. They can join the team on Etsy’s website, which we prefer. This way shop owners have can discuss how the team is run and keep updated. Sellers who wish to be notified via e-mail may sign up for our newsletter by joining the Sellers mailing list.

http://bit.ly/pXV8Fd

● How can buyers sign up?

Buyers can sign up for the mailing list where newsletters go out when we plan an event. We use the same mailing list system that Etsy does to ensure that none of their information is stolen or sold.

http://bit.ly/nP6Yl1

Buyers can also join the team online. There are incentives to buyers and since we want to cater to buyers, we encourage their input on things they'd like to see.

● Whats the benefit to buyers?

We want to offer a lot of incentives to everyday people browsing Etsy for their various needs. We had 24 sales during our first set of Flea Market sales. Some shops offered bonus items with a purchase. Most of the shops offered coupons, and additional savings by using the codes listed in the sale and newsletter. We also are active in Etsy's comment section and use it to chat during the sales. It's a great environment to be in and you can talk to the artisans themselves about their products. We offer games with prizes to randomly drawn winners, based on entries to promoters (no purchase necessary) and for purchases from the sale. Simply by coming to our Flea Market, having a look around, and telling others about us, you could win a prize. It does mean that you have to have an account with Etsy to see the products that are in the Flea Market, but it's a simple and free process.

● Anything else you would like to add?

Flea Market BNR Team on Etsy has just started, and already we have been profitable for both sellers and buyers looking for good deals on great items. We have 63 active members including shops and buyer accounts. We had a very good showing of both at our opening Treasury Sales,and expect it to only get better from here! We enjoyed 1297 views, 484 clicks, and 76 admirers with our first Flea Market Sale Saturday and Sunday in September. During that week, Wednesday and Thursday, we saw 1012 views, 393 clicks, 72 admirers to our Early Bird treasury.

We gave two permanent revolving spots to a guest team during our first Flea Market sale. We would like to continue networking and showcasing other team shops to widen our viewership. There is no need to join the Flea Market team to be a shop showcased through a Guest team at our sales. Guest Team Leaders and Captains can decide which shops to feature and rotate with sales. Guest teams are listed in the Title of the Treasury and listed when our sales are promoted on social media. We are also looking to promote sponsors, since we are a new venture.

Anyone can contact us on etsy.com in the Community section: http://etsy.me/nw1en7

Email the Captain and Leaders at fleaMteam@gmail.com

Find us on Facebook: http://on.fb.me/ql1RWZ

Tweet with us on Twitter: @etsyFleaMarket

Thank you Art for sharing this with us!

So there you have it, a great variety of stores, great discounts, raffles, fun chat and the best part, all from the comfort of your home! This is a perfect opportunity to get all your Holiday shopping done, without leaving your house, at affordable prices.

Next sale is this Sunday. Join the mailing list to get the info! I will be posting the link for the sale as well on Saturday so make sure you don't miss it!


Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Dark Chocolate Cake!

Today was one of those days in which you just need chocolate. One of those days when having a melt-in-your-mouth piece of chocolate is the only thing keeping you sane....So I did the only thing I could do... I gave in. I went to that sacred place, and grabbed the Valrhona chocolate bar, pulled up my fave recipe and proceeded to get rid of all worries, stress and demons in my head while baking. It is as I re-discovered today, one of the top 3 ways to relax, the other two involve the smiles of the most handsome husband and his little side kick, the most gorgeous 9 month old baby boy, am I lucky or what?!

Here is the recipe for you, for the next time you have one of these days...

Cake:
1/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ounce high-quality milk chocolate (such as Lindt, Perugina, or Valrhona), chopped
1/4 cup boiling water
1/4 cup milk
2/3 cup cake flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup melted butter
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract



Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Butter one 5- inch cake pan with 5 inches-high side or 5-inch cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; butter parchment. Combine cocoa powder and milk chocolate in medium bowl. Pour 1/4 cup boiling water over; whisk until mixture is smooth. Whisk in milk.


hehe.. you can see my phone while taking the pic




Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in another medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat both sugars, melted butter, egg, and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Add flour and cocoa mixtures; beat until blended (batter will be thin).

                                                                                                                                                           





And here are my toes!








Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out with some crumbs attached, 28 to 30 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 15 minutes. Turn out onto racks; peel off parchment. Turn over; cool on racks.









Heavenly!




The original recipe has also a recipe for a frosting, but I was too lazy and in a hurry for a choco fix so I went the easy way. 


1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks 
1 tablespoon of butter


Warm the heavy cream and add the butter and chocolate. Mix well until blended, re heat if necessary. 

Once the cake has cooled enough... if you can wait that long ... pour the melted chocolate over the cake, as little or as much as you like... Its your cake!! ;-)





Drop me a line, tel me what you think!
Enjoy!!!


P.S.  Visit my new website/blog dedicated to my Sweet Spa products. Homemade bath and body products with wonderful aromas! http://hecmis.weebly.com/


  

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Flea Market Team Sale!!


You can check this pre-sale event today and tomorrow... we have a raffle, earn entries by promoting and by spending ;-)

These are some of the stores on this sale!




The big event will be this Saturday and Sunday!! Awesome stores with great selections for you or gifts for that special someone! Don't forget to ask for the discount codes! There is also a raffle so make sure you get your entries!!!

Here is a preview of the stores on this sale.... Enjoy!!!

P.S.... Don't forget to enter on my GIVEAWAY!!!! Is almost over!!!


Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Etsy Team Sabre's Closet

I just wanted to share with you some of the amazing handmade creations some of this artist have created.


They all belong to the Etsy Team Sabre's Closet, and this is just a sample of all the talented crafters you'll find on this team.

Visit our Facebook page and the shiny new web page.

Just remember to say Hi to Johnny....poor guy needs someone to talk to   ;-)


Stay tuned to see what they come up for the Halloween Challenge!!!!!!!!!!!!   

Monday, September 19, 2011

Featuring Etsy Shops


I have decided to do something a little different...

I will be featuring an Etsy store....don't know how often...lets just see how this goes.

There are so many great people that need a little help with sales, many great stores don't get noticed at all. And some, well, some have stories that leave you thinking how can you help.

So next time you need to buy a gift, or need something for you, or just need some retail therapy (who doesn't ) visit one of these stores. You will both get what you need.


To begin I present you Red Bess Bonney Creations.

A jewelry store run by Susan Carroll. She provides an eclectic variety for different budgets. 
She is currently trying to generate sales to support her family after her husband's open heart surgery last month, after only a month on his new job. 

Visit her store! Maybe there is something there for you!



Midnight Ocean Scarf



Large Emerald Celtic Chainmaille Pendant

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Wanna bathe with CHOCOLATE!!!!

I'm supper happy with how these worked out.

They look good, smell good,its a shame they are not edible. Eating chocolate is one of the most famous guilty pleasures, now wouldn't be better to get the fix without those annoying calories. Easy BATHE WITH CHOCOLATE!!!! 

Chocolate Souffle Bath Soak


This darling is a Fizzy soak that foams up!



Chocolate Bath Salts

Soothing Epsom Salts with lost of cocoa butter and chocolate!


Want to see more ... visit my etsy store.


Did you know there is a Giveaway here!! What are you waiting for....you could win a Sweet Spa Gift Set!!!

Friday, September 2, 2011

HSD Sweet Spa and a Sweet surprise!

I know I've had my baby abandoned for a long while...


As a new mom it has been hard to make time for non-baby stuff. Don't get me wrong, I'm having a blast!!! Seriously, I never thought a kiddie pool could be so much fun!! I know it wouldn't be that fun without the kiddo, but still. I'm enjoying my baby all the way.
But I have been also working on a new project. Something that I have been curious about for a while. And so today is the big day!!


Today is the official launch of HSD Sweet Spa!! 






Cupcake Bath Bombs





And to celebrate Im doing a giveaway!!!
In one week from today I will pick a random comment to win a gift box with a 4oz jar of Bath Salts, a 4oz jar of sugar scrub and 4oz bag of Bath Cookies all with the scent of winners choice.
Now since i need to do a shipping test, winner will also get a Cupcake, a Bath Bomb Cupcake that is. 

To enter all you have to do is go to my Etsy store ad tell me which product you like the best and in which fragrance you would like to try it (from the ones I have or one you would like me to have).


Giveaway closes Friday Sept. 30  at midnight (Eastern Time)
And the winner will be announced  Saturday Oct. 1 at noon, or as soon as Little G. lets me ;-D
Open to US residents only!

Good Luck, and let the comments begin!!!!!!


  
AND THE WINNER IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






COMMENT #4


CONGRATS ARTCAIN!!!!!




Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Friendship Bread

About two weeks ago my Hubby arrived with a starter for friendship bread he received at work. I had no idea of what it was, I've never heard of it before but once I made it I was hooked! It is so good!!!! It was actually the first time I baked a bread that I was totally happy with. It takes ten days but is not really complicated and after searching online I found many variations, including even cookies.


I'm saving the remaining starter to try some of those recipes. In the meantime, this is the one I did. Apple cinnamon friendship bread :)





It came out soft, sweet with an amazing cinnamon smell... heavenly!!







Starter Recipe ( Since I received the starter, I didn't try this, but everywhere I looked, same recipe came up.)

Use plastic or wooden utensils and plastic or glass containers when making this. Do not use metal at all!
Ingredients:
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F)
Directions:
1. In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water for about 10 minutes. Stir well.
2. In a 2 quart glass or plastic container, combine 1 cup sifted flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or the flour will get lumpy when you add the milk.
3. Slowly stir in warm milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Loosely cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap. The mixture will get bubbly. This will be day 1 of the cycle.



Recipe ( if you receive the starter on a ziploc bag, remember to let the air out every day.)
Day 1 - receive the starter (the recipe for the starter is below)
Day 2 - stir
Day 3 - stir
Day 4 - stir
Day 5 - Add 1 cup each flour, sugar and milk.
Day 6 - stir
Day 7 - stir
Day 8 - stir
Day 9 - stir
Day 10 - Add 1 1/2 cup flour, 1 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 cup milk. Divide into 5 containers, with 1 cup each. Give friends the instructions for Day 1 through Day 10 and the recipe for baking the bread.
After removing the 4 cups of batter, combine the remaining cup of Amish Friendship Bread starter with the following ingredients in a large bowl:
1 cup oil 
3 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 to 1 1/2 tbsp. cinnamon ( I did mine with 2 tbsp for a rich cinnamon flavor)
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 boxes of instant  vanilla pudding
1 diced apple (about 1 1/4 cup, I used a Golden Delicious)

Beat by hand until well blended. 
Grease two loaf pans with butter, sprinkle with sugar instead of flour.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes to 1 hour (individual oven temperatures vary). Cool 10 minutes, remove from pans. Makes two loaves.

Enjoy!!




Friday, January 7, 2011

New Years Resolution :)

I'm not to into resolutions. Mostly because I could never keep them, but this year is different. This year is my year!

Receiving 2010 was an eye opener for me. It was also one of the saddest Christmas ever, which is why my resolution was to spend this Christmas with my family.

It was great!! We had an awesome time. Unbelievable as it may be, there are no pictures and I blame that on the contractions that bugged me... and still are.

So this year resolution is all about my business... I want and I will take it off the ground!

I thought about it and even liking to do many different things I'm going to stick to Cupcakes and Cookies... for the moment. You know, start small and all that. I still have long ways to go, lot of practice are in order. And lots of shopping since I just found out today I'm all out of piping bags and my food colors... well they are NOT pretty any more.

So in the spirit of practice I decided to work on a new recipe, one that uses one of the most amazing spreads EVER... The glorious Nutella.... Nutella Sugar Cookies.
Now the recipe still needs a bit of work, but still I'm so happy with the result. Here is the final product :)








As soon as I finish working with the recipe Ill do a post about it, or maybe I should just wait till February 5. You know what's that day right? Its World Nutella Day!!!!! Yayy!!!!!! 



Happy Happy Joy Joy!!!
Hecmi



Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Baby Cake

I have been a bad blogger... over a month with no post... shame on me.

Do please keep in mind that I'm on my last days (fingers crossed) of pregnancy and I have been "trying" to catch as many zzz as possible. Not much luck on that. Oh well, I better get used to it right?

Any how... I do have a few stuff to blog about, I just need a working brain to sit down and write about it :-)

In the mean time I leave you with my first attempt at a big cake...

It was an experience, I learned a lot in the process and it was really fun. It was not 100% what I wanted, but is my first and I wont be hard on myself. I enjoyed the proses and even if it wasn't perfect I feel proud of the result....

I have to thank Gail Dosik for her amazing tutorial on Swiss Meringue Buttercream.... You have to check it out!!!















Please .... don't look at the smudges... poor monkey has an ear full of frosting...

I think I may do a tutorial for the animals... I adore them, specially the dog which is inspired on my girl Leia..

They look alike right? lol


Happy New Year!!!!!!
Hecmi