Oh.My.Yum. Baskin Robbins Holiday Cakes & Treats!

Ice cream is my favorite dessert, and when it comes to celebrating, nothing is better than an ice cream cake!  This holiday season, I got to sample one of Baskin Robbins Holiday Ice Cream Cakes - and share the yum with my family.  The cakes come in three different designs: Snowman, Santa and Elf.

Knowing my husband shares my love for peanut butter and chocolate, we ordered a custom Snowman cake made with chocolate cake and Baskin Robbins delicious peanut butter chocolate ice cream.  After one night we still have about half the cake left, the cakes typically feed from 8-12 people (depending on the slice!)

 

Of course, Zion has received the ice cream gene as well, so we chose two different Snowman confections - individual treats, customized by choice of ice cream.

 

For our individual treats we tried the special holiday flavors, Peppermint and Winter White.  Both were totally delicious and big hits with those who shared bites.  I was surprised by the low price of $2.49 per individual treat...a great deal for the kiddos, and the perfect size too.

   

I always say that I have an ice cream shaped hole in my heart, and these holiday treats definitely fill it nice and full!

What is your favorite Baskin Robbins flavor?  Do you love ice cream cake?

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Baskin-Robbins. I received a gift card to facilitate my shopping experience and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

Extra Lovely Sponsor:

Holiday Entertaining Inspiration @Momtrends #LuxHoliday

 

I had an incredible time at this year's MomTrends Holiday Entertaining Event, featuring dazzling party inspirations by the two lovelies behind Party Blu Print Blog.  While we mingled, delighted ourselves in festive party foods and a drink or two, these ladies gave us a few tips for planning our holiday decor.  My biggest take home tip was to always start with a holiday inspiration board with imagery and color swatches and things that inspire the look and feel you are going for.  So, here it is...my holiday inspiration board for this year...

via BaxtronLife on Polyvore

I originally was inspired by silver and winter white, from the first table setting that was modeled at the party, but opted to go for gold and white at home instead.  I loved decorating my home this year, especially since I will be out of town for the next three weeks and had no reason to do it.  And that may have been one of my secret motivations for throwing my first annual Ladies Christmas Social at my apartment.

A few other amazing brands were showcased at the MomTrends event, and I can't wait to tell you more about them in the coming months.  You can check out a few below!  I also had the honor of meeting the lovely Courtney of The Chirping Moms and Divina of The Dancing Hotdogs.

       

The New Traditionalists // Bensimon // Catimini // Sweet Loren's // TypeCrush

Thank you to MomTrends for the invitation!  And to the many lovely sponsors of the event!

There was no requirement of me to post about this event, I received some great swag while attending, learned great holiday entertaining tips and mingled with both brands and peers.  Truly enjoyed this event!

Warming up with Panera Bread Soups

Every time my husband and I drive back toward Ohio we hope that we'll find a Panera Bread along the drive to stop in and visit!  Panera Bread is this amazing Cafeteria-Bakery that offers an assortment of gourmet baked goods, yumtastic sandwiches and salads - and delicious homestyle soups!

For the past couple of visits we didn't know where to look for Panera Bread close to the trip route - but this time around we actually planned our stops around where Panera Bread was located.  And even more exciting was the discovery that Panera has several locations now in NYC...and I didn't even know it!!  But even more exciting is the fact that Panera even has locations in Washington state, where I'm headed this week!!  You could say I have an infatuation with Panera Bread!

I'm a sucker for a good soup and sandwich, and Panera Bread definitely knows how to do it right.  I've been there three times in the last month sampling a variety of different soups and sandwiches and I'm going to share a bit about my latest experience and what menu items I recommend you try!

Sierra Turkey Sandwich & French Onion Soup

I most recently visited a Panera Bread in Norwalk, CT this week and chose the French Onion soup and Sierra Turkey Sandwich.  The French Onion soup comes topped with savory croutons and asiago-parmesan cheese shavings.  It is rich in sweet onion flavor with just the right amount of herbs and seasonings to appeal to both the sweet and savory crowd!  I loved it.

Panera Bread French Onion Soup

I paired the soup with the Sierra Turkey sandwich which comes on fresh-baked asiago cheese focaccia!    I love the flavors of the red onion, smoked turkey and chipotle mayo as they come together on this bread.

Panera Bread Sierra Turkey Sandwich

Like I said, this was my third trip to Panera Bread this month!  During my previous visits I tried the Baked Potato Soup and the Cheddar Broccoli soup - both very satisfying on a cold Fall day!  Funny enough, I still haven't visited a Panera in NYC!  But I'm delighted that I will be able to any time I want to now!  And I was just searching to find out where the closest cafe is for my month hiatus home to Seattle...and there is one just a couple of miles from where I'll be staying!  I am sitting here practically drooling as I think about sampling their New England Clam Chowder (next on my list!)

While I was visiting the website to see what day they make their Clam Chowder...I found out they have a great partnership with Feeding America.  While you are dining at one of their lovely cafe's you can give back to the community by dropping a donation in one of the Panera Cares Community Breadboxes which will go toward ending hunger in America!

Have you been to Panera Bread?  What is your favorite soup??  Or which one of these delicious soups do you want to try!?

I received compensation for my food and time for this review through DailyBuzz Food, however; the opinions and views expressed are unsolicited and authentically mine.

Come Visit Me Elsewhere!

For a look at my inspiration behind LGC2013 featured on Big Apple Mami!  You'll hear what this is all about, and what to look forward to next month on BaxtronLife!

Then...learn a bit about what a day in my life looks like at Living Like the Kings!

And then finally...save the date...for a huge follow-fest for New Year's eve...

Your chance to share what your 2013 goals are plus meet other bloggers who share similar goals!  It is going to be AWESOME!  I can't wait to tell you more about it, but I'm still finalizing a few details!

Hope you are having a great start to your week!

Extra Lovely Sponsor:

NYC Coffeehouse Tour 2013 Be Featured!!

Coffee, Espresso & Fancy Drinks!

This Seattle native is on a mission to find the best Coffee in NYC!
Learn everything you ever wanted to know about coffee plus things you may not have known.
Rediscover an unadulterated love of coffee purified by the critique of a true Seattle coffee snob.
Interviews, Giveaways, Coffee of the Month club & More!!

Kicking off in January 2013!!!

Stay tuned for more details!

Want your Coffeehouse visited? Contact me for details!

Have a coffeehouse that you love in NYC? Let me know in the comments below!

Laughter is the Best Cosmetic Bonding Over Beauty with Benefit

Benefit Cosmetics has opened shop in the SOHO area of New York City - and how did I not hear of this swanky boutique for all things beauty until now!!??  Zion and I recently had a Mother-Daughter date for Benefit's Bonding Over Beauty event, where we enjoyed pampering, sweet treats and spending special quality time together.

 

We started our day with a bit of hot coffee & hot chocolate - one of my most favorite things to do with my little lady.  Then we were off to the boutique - which is stunningly put together with pink accents, floral paper and fun vintage mannequins wearing bright and bold colors.

After oohing and ahhing over the gorgeous makeup and decor, it was time for a little pampering for the princess.

     

She loved getting a touch of satiny pink blush to her cheeks and frosty purple eyeshadow lightly dusted on her eyelids.  After she was all done - she was beaming - and glowing with joy!  I knew she'd love this event, as I catch her getting into my makeup at least once a week.

After Zion was done posing for pictures, we took some time to talk about what makes us really beautiful - its not about makeup or the clothes we wear, its about the condition of our hearts.  A joyful, thankful heart - one that is kind, compassionate and loving - is a beautiful thing.

   

We spent the rest of the time checking out all of the cosmetics displays, and mingling with other ladies at the event.  I think one of the best things about Benefit is that their products really aim to enhance and play off your natural beauty - nothing seemed heavy or over the top.  I love their free-spirited attitude and their signature quote, "Laughter is the best cosmetic, so grin and wear it."

At the end of the event I went home spoiled with some goodies that I am totally in love with and this little cutie pie...

Here are my absolute favorite products from Benefit:

Benefit Cosmetics by baxtronlife featuring a benefit mascara

1. Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW

2. Big Beautiful Eyes

3. PosieTint

4. They're Real Mascara

Have you used Benefit Cosmetics?  If so, do you have a favorite product?  How would you talk to your daughter about beauty?  Would you like to win Benefit products here on BaxtronLife?  Leave me a comment to let me know!

I was invited to attend this event by MamaDramaNY, and I received complimentary items as a thank-you for attending.  All opinions and recommendations are unsolicited and my own!