Ramblings of a Mom Surviving Her Crazy Life

New York Chica



Decorating Cakes With Duff Goldman From Ace Of Cakes 3

Posted on June 05, 2010 by Lisa

Watching shows on Food Network has been an obsession for me since my husband and I got DirectTV when we first moved into our house.  I had no idea there was a channel dedicated to food (no, I wasn’t living under a rock but it sure felt like it…lol).  I remember watching Emeril Live and Rachael Ray (they were my fave shows back then) cooking up some delicious meals,  I would get so relaxed but also wishing that I was there tasting all the yummy foods too.

My obsession is still with the Food Network channel but now it’s geared towards their cake shows.  After the first episode of Ace of Cakes, I was hooked!  They just don’t make cakes, they create masterpieces.  The cakes are phenomenal and breath taking. Some even look like the real thing but in a miniature form like the Harry Potter cake, which is my most favorite cake that was ever created.  You can take a look here.

Lately, I’ve been having some great opportunities to meet some of the chefs from the Food Network and I’m loving every minute of it.  Who would of thought that little ol’ me would be meeting some amazing, famous people? Not me, that’s for sure.

This past Thursday, I had the privileged of attending an event to promote Duff Goldman’s (Ace of Cakes) new cake supplies that are exclusively sold online and at your local Micheal’s Craft stores.

When I first got there, I was thrilled.  I couldn’t wait to learn how to decorate cakes and “play” with fondant (something that I have never done before).  I was really hoping that my cake would turn out like the cakes I see on his show (I know, wishful thinking).

Lots of people were there already with cool aprons that had his name on it and about 12 stainless steel rectangular tables that were set up as stations.  Each station was set up with cake stands, tools, bowls (for mixing icing and food coloring) and rolling pins.

After seeing a few of my friends, we were asked to choose our cakes (either chocolate or vanilla – I chose chocolate…yum) and get ready to do some cake decorating.  While we were trying to figure out all the supplies and setting ourselves up, Duff was mingling with everyone and talking like he knew everyone.  He seemed as nice as he is on his show which was great to see.

A few minutes later, as I had everything on the table, I was overwhelmed because there was so much “stuff.”  I didn’t know where to start but luckily there were professionals on hand to help us amateurs with whatever question we had.

(Photo credit: Vera Sweeney)

Even though I was a bit overwhelmed with all this new stuff, I stuck it out, went in and did my thing.

Here are some pictures I captured with my LG Dare (which didn’t go so great because the camera SUCKS! Time for a new camera.).

Our base cake.

I flatten my fondant (Note: You have to microwave the fondant so that it's pliable)

I molded the fondant onto the cake.

After trimming the fondant, this is what it looked like.

Using Duff's cake tattoos (so easy to use!)

The finished product! And yes, this was my first time doing this. Beginner's Luck!

Would you buy this cake? ;) Trust me, it's delicious.

Too late. We ate half of it already! LOL

You see, I did meet him. :)

Thanks to Vera for letting me use her fabulous photos. Below are some she took with her fabulous camera:

Me and Vera working that fondant.

Look @ me mixing icing. Look @ Jessica working that fondant.

Adding the finishing touches to my creation.

Looking thru Duff’s great web site, I have promised my family to try this project next so wish me luck! ;)

A huge thanks to Sarah from Gartner Studio’s PR firm for inviting me to this special event. I had the best time ever! I’m still smiling ;)

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Lopez Tonight With George Lopez 2

Posted on November 09, 2009 by Lisa

lopeztonightAre you a fan of George Lopez? Well if you are, then you’ll love his brand, new talk show on TBS called Lopez Tonight.  This show marks the first time a Latino will host a late night talk show, joining Arsenio Hall as an elite group of minorities to do so.

Lopez Tonight premieres tonight, November 10, 2009 on TBS at 11/10c.  Tonight you will see “Desperate Housewives” actress Eva Longoria Parker, talk show host and “American Idol” judge Ellen DeGeneres, NBA all-star Kobe Bryant and rock legend Carlos Santana.

Also, don’t miss the audience game that everyone will be talking about tomorrow, “Bullet Wound… Not a Bullet Wound?”

Click HERE to fan him on Facebook.

Click HERE to follow George on Twitter.

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Thursday Thirteen | Shows I Love 1

Posted on October 08, 2009 by Lisa
  1. Fringe (My fave..it’s sorta like X-Files)
  2. Heroes (Cheerleader is my fave)
  3. The Mentalist (Wish I had his ability)
  4. Lie To Me (Watch out when you lie to me! LOL)
  5. Hell’s Kitchen (Love Gordon Ramsey)
  6. Ugly Betty (Not much of a fashionista but I love America)
  7. Dexter (Who doesn’t love Dexter?)
  8. Curb Your Enthusiasm (Larry David is hilarious!)
  9. Rachael Ray Show (I love Rachael Ray!)
  10. The Next Iron Chef (Love the cooking shows & competitions)
  11. Ghost Whisperer (Love her middle name ;) )
  12. ’til Death (They are so funny!)
  13. ANY Show on the Food Network (I’m a Foodie!)

Note: Click on each title to go to the show’s web site.

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Woo Hoo! Hells Kitchen: Season 6 Is Only A Day Away! 1

Posted on July 20, 2009 by Lisa

chefgordon

I don’t care what anybody says, Chef Gordon Ramsey is one of the best chefs out there!  I LOVE Chef Gordon Ramsey. He loves his kitchens to be spotless, his food to be perfect and his chefs to be the best!

He’s a tell-it-like-it-is kind-of person and I love that.  Yes, he screams at the top of his lungs when he doesn’t like a dish that you should be an expert on  and yes, he makes people feel like crap…

BUT,

if you don’t have to cook for him, he can be the sweetest guy you could ever meet (from what I’ve read ;) ).

Just in case you never seen Hell’s Kitchen or never heard about Chef Gordon Ramsey, check out this video from the very first season below:

And below is sneak peak from tomorrow’s episode:

So there you have it!! You either love him or hate him. As for my family and I, we LOVE him and we can’t wait!!

Oh man!! Season 6 is going to be GOOD!

Hell’s Kitchen premieres Tuesday, July 21 at 8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT on FOX.

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WW – The Smallest people Comments Off

Posted on February 25, 2009 by Lisa
Primodial Dwarfism

(The kids on the outisde have Primordial Dwarfism. The middle child is "normal".)

I was flipping thru channels and this show caught my attention.  It’s called “The smallest people in the world”.  It was a very interesting show.  My daughter and I stood up until 10pm to watch it.

Click here for more information.

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United States of… 2

Posted on January 28, 2009 by Lisa

Tara is HILARIOUS!!! If you don’t have Showtime, then you should call your cable or satellite provider and order it because you are missing some serious laughs.  If you enjoy crazy comedy like me, then you’ll love this show.  You’ll laugh, be in “awe” and you’ll be left wanting more after the show ends – that’s how good the show is.

It’s about a mother and artist named Tara (Toni Collette), she’s been married to her husband Max (John Corbett) for 19 years and they have two children, Kate (Brie Larson) and Marshall (Keir Gilchrist).  She has Dissociative Identity Disorder, a.k.a. Multiple Personalities Disorder.  She recently got off her medication and now her personalities are back with a vengeance.  You’ll meet Buck; a beer-drinking, porn-watching male; T, a sex-crazed teenager and Alice, the prim and proper housewife.  She’ll changed into these “alters” whenever she gets stressed so you never know who will be next.

Showtime is offering the public a chance to view the first episode for free, for a limited time.  Just make sure there are no little ones around because it is rated MA.

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A great sale and something for FREE! 2

Posted on November 13, 2008 by Lisa

Everyone loves free stuff, right?  I know I do.  I also love Oprah Winfrey.  I DVR her show every day and my favorite shows are about decluttering and how to stay looking young.  Yesterday’s show was awesome.  Organization expert Peter Walsh and his clutter crew was in New York to look for some messy houses.  He found some apartments in Harlem that desperately needed some organizing. I wish he would come to my house because my closets are full of things I never use.

Anyway, the great sale is from The Container Store.  I love that store!  For the next 6 days, you can save 20% EVERYTHING in the store if you print this coupon or if you can’t get to a store, you can go ONLINE and save 20% off with this code: CLUTTERCREW at checkout.

And now for the free item.  Have you heard of Snapfish?  It’s the #1 online photo service.  You can have your digital photos printed on paper, books, posters and even mugs.  They are offering Oprah viewers a FREE standard 20-page 8″X11″ Custom-Cover Photo Book!  But you need to hurry.  This great deal ends Friday night at 11:59PM PST.  Click here and get your free book!

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