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Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

Summer “Thyme” Spritzer with Reynolds Baking Cup Covers

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I am a Reynolds Real Mom, and as such, have been compensated for my time. All thoughts and opinions express here are mine, as always.

Are you planning any summer soirees this year? When the weather is gorgeous, the great outdoors become the perfect backdrop for a gathering with family and friends. But the bugs in the air can definitely put a damper on things, especially if they land in your drinks! There’s a clever solution to this problem that takes just a second to create, and that makes your event look totally swanky.

Aren’t these Reynolds Baking Cups drink toppers awesome?! Here’s how to make them:
Simply flatten out a Reynolds Baking Cup and then form it around the top of your glass. Stick your straw through the top (I recommend cutting a small hole in the top of the baking cup with a pair of scissors first) and your beverage will be bug-free. It will also look pretty darn cute! What an easy way to dress up your drink and solve a problem all at once. That’s how this Real Mom does it! Here’s a link to the exact baking cups I used if you are as in love with them as I am!

Now for what’s inside those beautifully covered cups!

Summer “Thyme” Spritzer

Ingredients
  • 32 ounces lemon flavored sparkling water
  • 2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 2 lemons, sliced thinly
  • fresh thyme
  • ice cubes
Fill your small pitcher with the sparkling water. Add 2 Tbsp lemon juice to give the beverage a little extra kick. In 4 individual glasses, place a slice of lemon, a few sprigs of thyme and some ice cubes. Pour drink into each glass, cover with a Reynolds Baking Cup, add a straw and enjoy!
This post contains an affiliate link. I only promote what I already love! 

Baking Cups Aren’t Just for Cupcakes! (Time to Vote!)

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It’s week 4 of the Reynolds Real Moms competition! I can’t win this thing without your help! Could you take a quick moment to vote for me on the Reynolds Facebook page? Just click on my face (bottom row, second from the left…I’m Tiffany!) and then click the orange button on the left side of the screen. This won’t work on mobile devices, unfortunately. Thank you SO much! 

A few weeks ago, I was preparing for Darah to have one of her closest friends from school over for their first play date. Her mom was coming over, as well, which meant that I got to have a play date, too! I knew I wanted to do something special, so I bought ingredients to make some delicious cupcakes that the girls could decorate as an art activity before we devoured enjoyed them.

And then this happened:

wound from a food processor covered with a bandage

The day before our playdate I had a serious run-in with my food-processor blade. It was a “4 stitches needed” kind of run-in. Cooking can be dangerous, friends! Anyway, I was told that I couldn’t get this hand wet AT ALL for 48 hours. That meant that cooking would be pretty close to impossible. At the same time, I was also dealing with this:

baby Layah drooling from getting 3 teeth at once

This little monkey decided to cut 3 teeth at the same time. This was her second outfit of the day, soaked with drool after only 45 minutes. She wanted to be snuggled and cuddled ALL. DAY. LONG. So as the play date hour drew near, I had to face facts: there would be no cupcakes. But I was having a tough time letting go of the idea of using those cute Reynolds Baking Cups. Time for plan B!

I got out my muffin tin and filled them with two different types of baking cups.

empty Reynolds Baking Cups in a muffin tin

Then I headed to the pantry and the fridge to gather all the snacks I could find. I was really surprised by just how many things I found that could be fun in a muffin tin once I started digging. Here’s what I put in the baking cups:

various snacks in baking cups inside a muffin tin

I had a nice variety of fruits and nuts and sweets and even veggie puffs. Not only did the girls enjoy this, but the moms snacked on it, too!

baking cups can even hold hummus!

I was even able to use the foil lined baking cups to hold hummus. It worked wonderfully as the dip bowl. These two items were gone in a flash!

The girls had a fantastic time playing with each other upstairs in Darah’s room. In fact, they ONLY came downstairs to get more snacks. At one point, Darah asked if she could take one of the baking cups back upstairs to save a trip. I managed to snap a shot before this little fairy flew off with her treasure!

Darah in her fairy wings holding a muffin tin snack

Despite not being able to cook a single thing, I still managed to put together something special and fun thanks to my Reynolds Baking Cups. Who said entertaining had to be hard? Give this idea a try the next time you have company. I bet it will be a hit!

I am a Reynolds Real Moms finalist, and as such, have received complimentary products. All thoughts, opinions, and hand gashes shown here are strictly my own! If you enjoyed this post would you take a moment to vote for me (voting happens every Wednesday!). Just click on my face (bottom row, second from the left) and then click on the “vote for me!” button on the left side. I’d also be grateful for you sharing this post (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.). Thank you! 

And don’t forget about the giveaway for the 6 month supply of Reynolds products! Find the link over on the sidebar and get yourself entered!