Marshmallow Madness: marshmallow pops!

"It’s no secret that neon colors are all the rage right now. Everywhere I go, there they are… in clothes, jewelry, accessories… even manicures! I thought it would be fun to incorporate those crazy colors into some yummy treats, but who wants to fire up an oven in this summer heat?" So said our friend Kim, of KC Bakes, who joins us again to follow-up from her amazing cake pop tutorial with a brand new idea that is easier than easy and so darned cute and clever! We are honored to have her share her tips and awesome photos with us for Marshmallow Madness Pops ideas. Kim, founder of KC Bakes, also has a variety of tutorials on her website to teach you other ideas & techniques, so be sure to check them out! Thanks, Kim!

Marshmallow pops are so a chance to be creative and one of the easiest treats to assemble, and there is zero baking involved. If you can work a microwave, then prepare to knock the neon socks off of your friends!

Most candy companies haven’t caught up with the trend just yet, so for the boldest neon, dye white candy melts with electric shades of the rainbow. Refer to the end of this post for candy-dying tips and how to achieve neon colors.

Two-Tone Effect. Hold the marshmallow by the top edge, and dip it halfway into the first color. Using your free hand, insert a lollipop stick into the just-dipped side of the marshmallow, and put it in your KC Bakes stand (or Styrofoam) to dry. Once the first color chocolate is dry, dip the marshmallow in the second color, right up to the edge of the first color.

Sprinkle on some Cheer. After coating the marshmallow completely in a neon color, dip the top of it in some rainbow sprinkles to make those colors pop even more.

Happy Birthday! Put the secondary neon chocolate into a Ziploc bag, snip the tip, and pipe it on like you’re decorating a cake. Trim neon candles in half, and before the top color chocolate hardens, insert the candle, allow everything to dry. Remove the candle before eating, of course.

So Sweet. On a last-minute run to Party City, I came across these candy-coated sunflower seeds, and for some reason, they just spoke to me. They’re simple, cute and somehow sophisticated. And you know, these may be my favorite pop in this whole post.

Having a neon party, but don’t have time to order candy dye? No problem! There are a lot of bright candies that will take your marshmallow pops from drab to fab!

Nerds come in huge multi-colored boxes, or you can buy them by specific flavor and color.

Candy buttons are great because you can stick them onto the pop in any pattern you like… it’s like a candy Lite-Brite! Do they still make those?

Pop Rocks have the trifecta… sight, taste and texture! Word to the wise, don’t make these too far in advance. If left out for too long (more than 36 hours), the pop rocks begin to dissolve and instead of having that spiky glacier-like texture, it looks like a thick gel. Learn something new everyday!

Pixy Stix aren’t the brightest color candy out there, but they add a great punch of tart flavor, and they are so easy to use… just tear off the paper-end, and pour. To enhance the color, dip the top of the marshmallow in colored chocolate first; the pop on the right was dipped in pink first, and then sprinkled with a red Pixy Stick.

When it comes to taste, Fruity Pebbles were my #1 favorite. They gave the marshmallow pop some great crunchy texture, but the fruity flavor definitely brought it home.

Now while I was at Party City, I spotted a big box of Ring Pops, and I immediately knew what I could do with them… marshmallow rings!

To get just the plastic ring part, put an unwrapped Ring Pop into a paper or thick plastic bag. Holding the ring part to keep it steady, take a hammer and bang on the candy part a few times. After two or three whacks, the candy split clean off.

Put a little chocolate on the flat-side of the ring pop, and push it into the top of the marshmallow. ‘Mallows can be a little springy, so you may need to hold it there for a few moments until it adheres onto the ring.

If you want to get fancyyy, dip the marshmallow in white candy, coat it with clear sanding sugar, and violá – marshmallow bling!

For your next get-together, neon or otherwise, remember that marshmallow pops make the perfect blank canvas to match your party theme… dip them in melted candy and go crazy (with toppings)!

Marshmallow Madness Supplies

- Kraft Jet-Puffed Jumbo Marshmallows - White Candy Melts or Vanilla Candy Coating - Assorted Candy Toppings - Neon Candy Dye - Lollipop sticks - KC Bakes Stand (or Styrofoam) - Ziploc sandwich bags

Tips: 1. Dip the tip of each lollipop stick into melted candy, then insert them into the marshmallows. Let them firm up for a few minutes before dipping the pops; this will give the pops a little bit of extra support. 2. Consider your toppings and your timeframe carefully. Marshmallow pops that are fully coated in candy can sit out for quite a few days with no problem. However, certain toppings will go stale (like cereal) or can get gooey (like Pop Rocks) if they are exposed to the air for too long. 3. For the green and yellow neon dye in this post, I used AmeriColor “Electric” Soft Gels. Unfortunately, these dyes have water in the ingredients, any type of water will make chocolate seize into a hard lump. To get around this, AmeriColor makes a product called Flo Coat, which you add to the chocolate prior to adding the dye. 4. For the pink neon dye in this post, I used Make’n Mold pink candy dye, which can be found at most local craft stores. It is oil-based, and mixes into candy beautifully. Its actually marketed as their “pastel” collection, however keep adding more dye for an intense neon-like hue.

*For more detailed instructions on using neon dyes, click here.

Back to School Supplies

Back-to-school symbolizes the time of year for re-uniting with friends, dreading waking up early, and shopping for supplies ranging from backpacks to pencils & pens to lunch packs to dorm room supplies. It can be the reason to try new styles, new colors, and new gadgets. We’ve found the latest trends and coolest back-to-school supplies for trendy teens, so whatever you are looking for, we’ll be bringing it to you all week long as we bring you the latest in back-to-school for dorms,  back-to-school fashion,  beauty,  phones & IDs, and supplies! Back to school supplies range from backpacks to pencils and pens to cases for them to lunch packs to academic planners. And we've found the latest trends and coolest back to school supplies for trendy high-schoolers and teens. Whatever you are looking for, we'll be bringing it to you this week.

With a line ranging from backpacks with non-lethal spikes to a backpack with bubbles, MadPax is all about fun. Talk about a perfect fit for the popcosmo girl! We adore everything about the Bubble backpack. Of course it looks fun and cute to start, but it’s not for the faint of heart, since you will be the center of attention! If you are comfortable in the spotlight, then choose a color like Sunny Side Up (yellow) or Don’t Teal My Thunder (Teal) or Hot Tamale (Red) (like us)! Your mom will love the amazing construction, padding in the bag, big pockets, dividers and sections, sturdy zippers, and overall utility. MadPax leaves the FUN in functional and we crave their fashion-forward Bubble backpack for the girl who takes her fashion-forward style with a sense of humor and a big smile. And brothers can get in on this fashion action too! Count this backpack at the top of any back-to-school supplies list!

MadPax Bubble backpack, $60

 LUNCH, SNACK AND AFTER-SCHOOL TIME

These small stainless steel containers are perfect for after school snacks or in-between class snacks. They keep your snacks from getting smushed and keep squishable foods from getting all over your backpack. And we like that our foods and snacks can be in compartments and don’t touch. Hey, we all have our issues. Plus, we all know that plastic is not a good mix for our food and that it’s better for the environment!

Lunchbots food container, $19.99

If you need something a little larger, then check out Laptop Lunches. It's BPA free and phthalate free, and also compartmentalized, but these are removable and have individual lids. It also comes with a mid-size fork and spoon, so you have everything you need in your bento-like lunch box. It then zips into an insulated cooler, so everything stays fresh for lunch, or after school.

LapTop Lunches, Bento Pack, 32.99

We don’t like chemicals in our food or in our bodies and we are not fans of high-fructose corn syrup, no matter how many commercials tell us it’s ok. And although rehydration drinks aren't on any back to school supplies list, they should be. Because when we play after-school sports: we sweat. Not "perspire." And that means we need to rehydrate with electrolytes, not fake sugars. There aren’t many drink choices that have electrolytes, don’t have chemicals and do have flavor. But grombomb is is the bomb! Pintail punch, liptrick lemonade, seaside sour apple and wipeout watermelon have no caffeine and do have electrolytes, both of which are good on hot days when you are playing sports, and yes... sweat. Stay hydrated and stay cool and drink a great tasting drink that is good for you.

grombomb, 24-pack for $29.99, also available in stores in California

Right up there with "the dog ate my homework" is "my water bottle got my homework all wet." A bottle in a backpack can ruin everything with leaks and condensation.  But nothing can keep a cold drink cold and hot drink hot ALL day long... at least that’s what we thought. But S’well is a double-layered, insulated stainless steel bottle so ice cold drinks stay cold 24 hours and hot drinks stay hot for 12, and no water beads on the outside, meaning papers do not get wet in a backpack. This is the perfect bottle to take to school with an iced drink in the morning for after-school sports, and not have to worry about whether or not it will be cold enough in the afternoon.  And in the winter, we're dreaming of hot chai latte for break… of course!  And it comes in the cutest colors, plus there’s no BPA and it’s non-toxic, plus 10% of profits are donated to WaterAid, a non-profit organization to provide water and sanitation to the world’s poorest communities. Cheesy but true: S’well is definitely swell!

S'well water bottle, $35

GET ORGANIZED

The back-to-school shopping list. Some dread it, but around here, we are office supply geeks. We love the back-to-school supplies lists and can’t wait to run to our local supply store to find the latest and greatest. The only downside? Everyone else ends up with the same boring things! The fun is finding unique, cool supplies that reflect a sense of whimsy and maybe a bit about who we are, and definitely what we are into right now. CoolPencilCase.com has an amazing assortment of back-to-school items that make it easy to shop for everything in one place. A few of our favorite must-haves were the cute pencil cases and pouches. We like to keep our necessities stored in pencil cases in our desk or locker and cute ones that are distinctive make us happy. Last year, the high tops were a big hit, this year, we’re thinking sandals, and traveling to England… but maybe because it’s summer and the Olympics are on our mind. Halfway through the year, when back-to-school supplies are nowhere to be found and we need refills on items, CoolPencilCase.com will be the place to find those much needed items!

Cool Pencil Case, athletic shoe case, $15.45 Cool Pencil Case, patriotic pencil roll, $22.45

With all of the classes and the activities you have to juggle, it's amazing you know where to go when. So finding the perfect academic planner can be a lifesaver! Know what's ahead and stay organized.

We adore the Preppy cardboard covers for the 5” x 7” planners made by Sarah Pinto. They are perfect for jotting down general monthly and weekly plans, and keeping track of social events, but there may not be enough room if you have large handwriting and write down all of your homework  for each class. The layout: 3 years on the first page, then Notes, then Months on 2 pages, then Weeks on 2 pages, followed by a section for future planning (great for college plans, dreaming big, and job-hunting!) and telephone & addresses, plus more Notes. We think this is the perfect middle school agenda, social calendar, or outside of school calendar. It would work for school if you keep track of your assignments in small writing or do it separately. It’s just so darned cute and fits everywhere!

Sarah Pinto Academic Planner, $20

This planner by DotMine Day Planners was made with school in mind and can be your one & only school planner. The layout: 4 year calendar on 2 pages, Months on 2 pages, A place to put your Class Schedule by day and time on 4 pages with more pages to put additional info, Weeks on 2 pages, Friend contact info pages, Business contact info, Thoughts pages. There are just enough sections for everything, but no more. We like the sturdy plastic cover so it won’t get torn up in our backpack, and that it’s not too big and not too small, it’s just right 6” x 9”. There are enough cute cover selections to suit even the pickiest people, but not so many choices that you get overwhelmed. We think they must have had some teen input because it’s like they read our minds and knew exactly what we needed in a planner!

Timemine Student Planner, $13.99

TECH TALK TI-Nspire CX Graphing Handheld is so much more than the calculator it looks like. We must admit, it's a bit complicated to get it going, but once we head back to school, we know that our Algebra teacher will be all over this calculator and since she's the most amazing teacher anyone could dream of, we're hoping she'll sit down with us and explore exactly what this amazing calculator can do. In the meantime, we are told that by using the handheld along with the software, we'll be able to learn in class and then take that lesson home and continue the lesson at home on our laptop (or desktop). We can use it in math and science classes... and the screen is in full color! It is a computer screen on a calculator, so those graphs and geometric equations will look a lot more real-world, especially once we add in our own images, which it is capable of doing. Plus, once we master it (which we will!) we can take it into the ACT and SAT exams. There are spreadsheets and data/statistics and so much more, but thank goodness it's just a calculator when needed! Our favorite feature though is that we can take notes on it! So, we can store formulas.  Really, it seems to be a tiny computer in the shape of a calculator... so we're looking forward to math this year, because the TI-Nspire is going to be our math BFF!

TI-Nspire CX Graphing Handheld, $183.36

Computer Apparel has a tee shirt for your computer. You read that right! It's a case that not only looks like a t-shirt for your computer, but is washable like a t-shirt! The difference is that this one is padded, very padded. But the pocket works like... well, a pocket that fits a phone perfectly. And the v-neck is another pocket for wires and power plugs. The computer slides in lined and zippered section that is sturdy enough to provide plenty of protection, but the case is soft enough to place in a backpack or bag for school. It really is a great case, and kind of fun. Of course we selected one in pink, but there are colors to please everyone, just like your favorite tee!

The Original V-Neck Sleeve, $49

DESK NECESSITIES

Because you shouldn't have to buy everything, here's a DIY your mom probably used to do, that is just as cute now as it was then. Wish that was true for everything moms had from high-school!

Frog Tape Dispenser, 16.50

Stress Cupcake, $4.50, squeeze for instant sweet stress relief!

Alligator Staple Remover, $7.95

Back to School: Phone Cases, IDs and Keys

Back-to-school symbolizes the time of year for re-uniting with friends, dreading waking up early, and shopping for supplies ranging from backpacks to pencils & pens to lunch packs to dorm room supplies. It can be the reason to try new styles, new colors, and new gadgets. We’ve found the latest trends and coolest back-to-school supplies for trendy teens, so whatever you are looking for, we’ll be bringing it to you all week long as we bring you the latest in back-to-school for dorms,  back-to-school fashion,  beauty,  phones & IDs, and supplies! It's back to school time! It used to mean shopping for pencils and pens, but now that you are in entering middle school, high school and college, you need MUCH more than a few pencils and highlighters (although those are still fun to pick out!) Now, you need to know what kind of backpack can hold 50 lbs. books, look cool and last a year. Well, maybe not 50 lbs, but it sure feels like it!. And, what type of cell phone holder can hold a swipe card, a key and an ID card? Back to school fashion means stocking up for fall. Don't worry, we've got the latest trends, tips, and products to make sure you don't have to worry about anything, except where to meet your friends on your first day back at school.

The dilemma: you want to take your phone, some cash, a credit card and an i.d. card and your key, but don’t want to have to deal with your purse. The answer: Jamie James Hamptons Cellfolio. When you just need your phone, pull apart the very strong Velcro. When you are heading out, attach the Cellfolio which holds some cash and credit cards. It’s perfect for school to carry an id card, swipe card, emergency money, etc. We also attached a key to the wristlet. And if you are not allowed to have your phone, just detach it and put it in your locker and attach it again after school. We love the ease and that you can use just the phone case or the case + the wallet attachment. We wish there was a cover for the Velcro when we were just using the phone case because this would solve all our cell phone dliemmas! Favorite parts are the cute leather color choices, our credit cards & ID are safe with the snap covering them, and that we can add a key to the wristlet and have everything we need for a night out, or we can just use it with our purse and attach the wristlet around the handle and always have our phone and ID and credit cards accessible and never have to dig through our purse!

Jamie James Collection  Hamptons Cell Phone Case, $35.00 and 25% off now through August 31 with CODE JJC

Looking for a phone case with superpowers? We found one for you! The name is bigger than the case! The Third Rail Slim Case for iPhone4 with Slide-on Smart Battery has a normal black exterior behind which lurks a phone case to save your day. Are you heading out and didn’t charge your battery or do you have a night game and your parents need to know when you’ll be heading back… but your phone is about to die? Thank goodness there is finally a solution that is easy and not bulky. We tested the Third Rail Slim Case at a concert and it allowed us to take pictures throughout the whole night, and we our battery would have typically run out before the night ended. Ok, it would be better if it came in pink, but we’d slide on this case if we knew we had a long night ahead of us. Here’s how it works. You slide the phone into the case, the slip the top on since the case is in two parts. That’s it for the case. It’s a hard case, but with a silicon / rubber feel, so it won’t slip. It makes your phone a bit longer, but not any wider or thicker, and only slightly heavier. The beauty of it is that the battery only has to be added when you need it, and that it can be plugged into your computer for charging. No need for an outlet. And it will still fit into your slimmest jean’s pockets. Trust us, we tried. Drawbacks are that you can’t charge your phone with the regular charger when the Third Rail Slim Case is on it. We wish the smaller of the two pieces was on the bottom so that it could easily be taken off for charging. And, we would like a color choice. Because we like our pink case. But for the ability to keep texting long after we’d normally be able to… we’ll take the fun out of functional and be practical. It makes Mom happy.

Third Rail Slim Case for iPhone4 with Slide-on Smart Battery, $89.99

The eyn iPhone Storage Case is another option for when you are heading out, but don’t know what to do with your credit card, cash and key. This solid color phone case that comes in girly colors: pink and aqua and, of course, black, is a hard case, but non-slip, and leaves all the areas accessible that you need: charging, headphones, etc. Although thick, it fits comfortably in your hand and has a wristlet that can be attached. It has a hinged compartment that opens with your thumbnail and is addictively fun to open and close. We love the mirror inside, even if it is sort of a carnival mirror. It still can save us from those “do I have anything in my teeth?” moments. The clip will keep our money and credit or swipe card safe and there’s room for a key too! It’s not going to fit in our pants pocket, but since it holds everything I need for a night out or a trip to the gym and fits very, very comfortably in my hand, it’s still going with us! Even when we aren’t heading out, we keep it on our desk and use the kickstand feature to watch learning videos, of course. Too cool!

eyn iPhone Case, $29.99

Ok, ok, we know it. Earpieces are dorky. But Earloomz is out to change that. And they've got us convinced. With earpieces that are art, we took a look, and listen, and liked what we saw and heard.  And research supports the use of earpieces for 1 simple reason: safety. Not just for those around, but for yours too. It is impossible to talk on your phone and pay 100% attention to the road while you are driving, but according to recent polls, more than 60% of drivers admit to using cell phones when driving. As a result, 40 states have placed restrictions on cell phone usage or outlawed texting while driving to reduce driver distractions. In addition, the World Health Organization reported that radiation from cell phones can possibly cause cancer and people are looking for options who are not ready to give up their mobility. Most earpieces are geeky, we will be the first to admit it. But Earloomz, provides fashion-forward Bluetooth earpieces that are art. Lady Gaga or cheetah, anyone? And they are leading a national Hands-Free Initiative, “Be Aware” aimed toward providing awareness of cell phone usage and its dangers. To keep it simple: Don’t text and drive, don’t talk on the phone and drive, but if you do, make sure it’s hands-free. And because we believe you should always express your personal style, keep it stylish with Earloomz!

Earloomz, $34.99

Such a simple idea it falls under "why the heck didn't someone think of this sooner?" The nickname for the Clé-á-porter is a key’s best friend, but I think it’s MY best friend every time I head in and out of the car! I HATE digging around my purse and in my backpack, but I seem to be doing it constantly. I put my keys in my purse, and I swear I put them in a pocket on the side, but they never are there when I’m fumbling for them with tons of books or bags or whatever in my hands. I know I should find my keys before I get to my car and that it’s safer to have my them in my hand before I’m in the parking lot… really, I know this. But it’s not happening. That is, until I started using Clé-á-porter. It’s so simple, it’s genius. You simply attach the leather strip with a swivel clasp to your purse handle or backpack handle. It loops through itself, and fits any size handle or loop and comes in red, black, silver and tan. You clip your keys to the end and your keys are always ready for you. No more fumbling. Now, if only someone could organize my books and bags….

Clé-á-porter, $16

How about your own style on your own iPhone case?  If you are into photography, designing, or customizing or just prefer to create your own look, then we have the perfect site for you to design your own phone case. Uncommon is all about you and letting you express your individuality in your iPhone case... which is what we love to hear. There are two options: use their amazing images and customize them even further with words or monograms, or upload your own image. What could be more simple than to create your own look on your own device? And this isn't some fly-by-night company that's printing on flimsy covers! Their exclusive 3D TATT printing process transfers the ink deep into the case's surface - kind of like a case tattoo - so your image doesn't flake off when your case gets jumbled around in a purse, backpack or pocket. Because your masterpiece deserves only the best!

Uncommon phone case, $34.95-39.95

And of course there is the ubiquitous Kate Spade phone case that we crave every season! This back to school season, it's this perfectly appropriate case:

Kate Spade phone cover, $40