Product: Wilton Professional Cake Decorating Kit

Hi Sweethearts! Today I will be publishing my opinion on a kit I received over the holidays this year and have been loving ever since.

A little backstory- I had always just picked up a large plastic bag, filled it with icing and cut the tip off to frost my different baked treats- it worked -but was definitely not something that I was planning on partaking in forever. Just picking up an opaque white piping bag equipped with a gleaming silver tip gave me a feeling of excitement and professionalism that I was unable to experience prior.

Onto the product-
The kit is nicely organized, with a detachable top level divided into three sections. The bottom seems to me more of an endless pit than anything else after you have started using it-I find it easier to throw everything back in there after I am finished for a quicker cleanup- but I am sure if you are more meticulous than I am there would not be a problem.

Inside the kit:

• Two disposable decorating bags
• One 10 in. decorating bag
• One 16 in. decorating bag
• 6 Wilton Gel Food Colors in:  

             -Violet

             -Rose Petal

             -Royal Blue

             -Lemon Yellow

             -Golden Yellow

             -Kelly Green

• 11 Wilton Professional Tips in #'s:

        -Cake Icer #789

        -#104

        -#18

        -#22

        -#5 (2)

        -#12

        -#352

        -#48

        -#225

        -#1M

• One rose pin in #9
• 6 rubber bands
• 2 couplers
• One 16 oz. white decorator icing
• Wilton icing knife
• Tip Brush
• Cake Decorating Guide

My Feelings: I think that that product is definitely well equipped for amateurs or working professionals, and the included guide makes it easy to learn how to utilize each product to its fullest potential. From my experience, the tips are easy to use to decorate and ice cakes as well as cupcakes(I have yet to venture into the realm of cookies and other baked treats). The tips and bags are easy to clean up as well.  My  one complaint is the food coloring-it does make beautiful, vibrant icing colors, but I want it on my cakes, not my hands!

Stay sweet, Candee

Product: Frontera All Natural Guacamole Mix

While I consider myself to be fairly adventurous when it comes to trying new cuisines, there is a category of food that I try to avoid at all costs: dips. The psychology behind this bizarre "fear" is truly another story for another day, but within the last three years, I developed a love for the buttery, creamy, tangy taste of guacamole.

  I make it a point to always order the "Tableside Guacamole & Chips" when dining at my favorite Mexican restaurants, and after watching it made by some of my favorite Food Network Chefs like Ina Garten and Bobby Flay, I decided it can't be that hard to make!

  The first few times I made it my ratio of avocado:tomato:onion was terribly off. Instead of avocado being the main star, there were about equal amounts of all three veggies. So, I tried buying the powder mixes that the supermarkets keep conveniently located next to the avocados. While very easy to make, (just add avocado) these mixes seem to use powdered sour cream in their ingredient list (which is not one of my favorites) and I found the taste to be very acidic and too similar to sour cream and onion potato chips.

  After these failed experiences, I had written off making my own guacamole at home and decided to leave it to the professionals.

  However! Yesterday while food shopping for taco night necessities, I couldn’t help but pick up the Frontera All Natural Guacamole Mix. When I checked out the ingredients list, I found yummy things like fresh tomatillos, fresh tomatoes, green chiles, fresh onions, fresh cilantro and fresh garlic. I was also intrigued by the fact that it came in a jar and needs to be refrigerated after opening.

  The bottle suggests using the entire bottle with 3-4 avocados. Although my husband and I could probably eat a bowl of guac with 3-4 avocados in it, we shouldn’t, so I just used one and about ¼ of the jar. After tasting, I found it to be a bit spicy so I added the juice of half a lime, and about a ¼ cup of fresh cilantro to balance out the flavors.

  While I could have eaten this guac on its own, it was a great partner for our soft beef tacos! Knowing that this product exists makes me a happy girl because now I know that I can make yummy guac at home! J

Fun fact! This product is made by Top Chef Master Rick Bayless who owns the Frontera Grill in Chicago that my husband and I have eaten at. Thanks Rick!