Sunday, January 30, 2011

My favorite cupcake recipe. Pumpkin Maple

.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 4 large eggs
  • 15oz can of pure pumpkin (in a can is fine, do not use pie filling)
  • 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp mapeful flavoring (imitation is fine)
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. Set aside. In your mixer bowl, add the eggs, pumpkin, granulated sugar, brown sugar, oil, and maple flavoring..
Mix the wet ingredients until well blended. Add the flour mixture to the mixing bowl and slowly mix until well incorporated. Fill your cupcake tin with liners and scoop batter in each holder, filling each one about 2/3. 
Bake anywhere from 20-23 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Set aside to cool completely. While they are cooling, prepare the filling and frosting, as follows.
For the filling, you’ll need:
For the frosting, you’ll need:
  • 2 8oz packages cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1 stick butter (not margarine), at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 tsp maple flavoring
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • chopped pecans for garnish (optional)
  • or crumble cinnamon and maple crumbs for garnish (optional of course)
Add the maple flavoring and vanilla extract and mix to incorporate. Add the powdered sugar, on low speed, and mix well.


Use your dulce de leche cream to fill each cupcake’s hole up to the top.


I recommend letting your cupcakes cool for about 20 minutes before frosting them. Next, put your maple frosting generously over the cupcake, starting by going AROUND the center filling, then putting a generous dallop smack in the middle. I say to go around so that you don't smear the filling around with the icing, (the icing will get darker) But its not big deal if that happens...still tastes wonderful

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Recent Purchase- Candie's Dress

I loved this dress the moment I saw it, which is always a good sign. I tend to be a sucker for black and white, so sharp and classic. This dress is by Candie's, available at Kohl's     $58.00- I got mine for $40, it is probably even cheaper now...

Saturday, January 22, 2011

One of those 'gifts' you keep for yourself

 Ever go to buy someone a present, and because you are such a great gifter, you end up falling in love with the gift you bought that person, so much that, you decide to keep it for yourself? Case in point- this Cross and lace Betsey Johnson ring. I was going to give this to my sister for Christmas last year. When it arrived, (I ordered it online) I fell in love with immediately, and knew I had to keep it for myself. I got her something else for Christmas instead...a sweater I think.




Free Miss Bimbo Backgrounds coming soon.

....

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Cheap find! - Blazers

The other day as I was about to leave the mall, I walked by Charlotte Russe and thought "why not?". So glad I did. I got this cute blazer for $10.00.  (It also comes in red) The sales associate told me that they were new arrivals, but for whatever reason they were on sale for $10.00, originally $30.00  Talk about a good deal!




I love blazers because you can make them look

Professioinal
Sexy
Sophisticated
Playful

or all of the above!

Please disregard my naked mannequin, just wanted to  show you what the blazer looks like

Monday, January 17, 2011

Wishlist: Modcloth Daytime Darling Dress

.I came across this dress on accident on the internet and immediately wanted it. It makes me excited for summer already, and even though I have roughly 782 dresses in my closet already, I swear I don't have one that looks anything like this.

$44.99 - Not bad, but I've never tried this brand, so not sure about the quality. Hmm...
You can check out the rest of ModCloth's stuff here :

http://www.modcloth.com/store/ModCloth/Womens/Dresses

Sunday, January 16, 2011

So nice she wore it twice...Wardrobe Favortism

        I was looking through some recent pictures of mine lately, and realized how much I use some of the same clothing/accessories on a weekly basis. Whether its my favorite pair of boots or a great jacket, I tend to use the same pieces in my daily wardrobe.  However, due to the way I mix what I wear things with (like the boots, one day I might wear  with skinny jeans, the next time wear with a dress), you don't really notice that I recently wore it. Instead of calling myself an outfit repeater, I'd like to think of myself as someone who plays favorites with items in my closet. Every person does though. Even filthy rich celebrities have their favorite go to pieces that you may spot them wearing on several different occassions. I don't believe in spending money on cheap products that will fall apart after a couple of wears. (Unless I want a cupe top that I might wear once, I head to Forever 21 like any other female). I do, however, believe in investment pieces - ie, pieces that may be a little more pricey then you like, however, due to them being practical pieces and pieces you adore, you know that you will get a lot of use out of them. For example, in wintertime I find it very practical to spend money on at least one pair of boots that you adore. I always go for grey and black boots, seeing as how those colors are so very easy to work with and also chic looking. I also favor flat boots that are over the knee. The fact that they are flat means I can wear them all day, even to something like a concert, and be comfortable the whole time. The fact that they are tall and over the knee- makes me feel sexy. Therefore, spending $90 on a pair of boots that meets these needs is more than worth it to me. In honor of fashion favortism, here are some pictures of my favorite celebrities wearing their favorite go to pieces.       




                    Sienna Miller mixes it up
                           Sienna Miller shows two very different ways to wear this cute tank top. It's always great to find two different looks for the same piece. More bang for your buck I say. The tank is Susie Rose, first picture given a simple yet girly look with her skirt and flats. In the second picture, she wears the Susie Rose tank with boyfriend jeans and flip flops.






            "Is it  a dress, or a shirt?" Jessica Simpson  asked out loud.  "It's a tunic", replies her stylist. Jess then procedes to look up 'Tunic' on google. 

                                                     Jess is spotted not only sporting the same tunic, but the same pair of heels as well








                      Victoria Beckham doesn't have to buy a new purse every day of her life, here she is with this cute leopard bag on different occassions.




Whitney Port loves her Wildfox Coutore Top





Diane Kruger shows two very different ways to wear this black and white scarf. First look: With a casual tee, jeans, and heels. Second look- keeping it cute and classy with a dress and flats.


Saturday, January 15, 2011

.Review- Mascara : Maybeline's Stilletto Lash

For several months I haven't had to worry about mascara. Why, you ask? Because I have been getting eyelash extensions. However, I haven't had time in weeks to get them filled, and am currently going to take a break from the extensions. Having said that, I have been looking for a drugstore mascara that gives length and volume. I have bought the expensive department store mascara's before, and have yet to find one I truly love, so I assume to just stick with drugstore mascara. Anywho, I started trying Stilletto Lash by Maybeline last week and have been loving it. Right away  I saw the length it gave to my eyelashes. It also has a nice, long brush. I don't remember the last time I bought a mascara that I liked this much, and for under $6.00 to boot!                                                          



                                         

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Hair Product Review - It's a 10

       This haircare line was introduced to me a few months ago by my manicurist. She told me to try the It's a 10 Miracle Hair Mask (I had been complaining about my hair being dry, turns out, bleaching the **** out of it every month isn't so healthy for it afterall).  Anyways, I immediately fell in love with this product, and started trying other items offered by this line (The miracle moisture shampoo and the miracle daily conditioner)  Pay attention to the salons that carry this line- I have noticed the price points vary depending where you buy it. I buy my Its a 10 products from a salon that is close to my house, but not my actual salon. At the salon by my house the hair mask is 25.00   At the salon I get my hair done at, the miracle mask is 34.00 ! So again, pay attention to the price before you buy.  If you are having trouble finding a salon that carries this line, go to its-a-ten.com to place your orders. Most salons are starting to carry this line though, so hopefully you can find it in person.