go here now

just a quick post to say: go to cupcake bakeshop or vanilla garlic and admire all the creativity! i mean, these baking masters have some crazy delicious recipes on their sites, and now they've kicked off this contest bringing out all the crazy cupcake heads. the 60+ recipes have my head spinning. i don't know which recipe i will try first! avocado?!! cuba libre? vanilla saffron, figs and mascarpone, lemon curd & whiskey? pear walnut and cardamom?

A Yummy Smelling Valentine's Gift?

new from philosophy - red velvet and buttercream frosting 3 in one shampoos (hair, body and bath). i'm gonna git me some.

xoxo

Stay Super Sweet!

Over at Fred Flare you can get a hand-made by Amy Sedaris FAKE CAKE! There's only one of each color, and they are expensive. But they're made by and SIGNED by Amy! I think I'll stick to baking real cakes, it's much cheaper and yummier, but I might have to order some of these overpriced Amy Sedaris Jimmies. Cute!

how did I miss these cuties?

My mouth is watering on overdrive because of this post at Orangette! How have I missed these little lovelies right here in my own fabulous city?!! I've been to Pearl Bakery, I've eaten their scrumptious treats, but I've never seen, tasted, or even heard of a bouchon! Where have I been? I love me some chocolate! And brownies, scones, and stale cake! And I looooove champagne, so all of these flavors, textures and tests rolled into a mini cupcake slash champagne cork? That's just too good to be true. OH! And the creator is a baker whose last name is Posey?! How did I not know of her? I'm feeling a little silly and embarrassed about all this right now (and very hungry). I'm going to make a special trip to Pearl Bakery this weekend and will report in as soon as I do. And I'm going to test out that recipe as well. Thanks Orangette!

xoxo

thank you.

I'm playing catch up today and writing out my overdue "thank you" cards for birthday and christmas presents. I got so many cupcake and baking related gifts that I thought I should share some. One you've already seen the results of, the gingerbread pan in the post below. SO cute! I never knew I needed one until I owned it. I can't wait for Christmas to come back so I can do some more cute Christmas baking! Thanks Maureen!

Birthday bowls - set of three of these fabulous mixing bowls. They are perfect for mixing and pouring (love that lip). Thanks Dan!


Also these fabulous measuring bowls. No idea where my mom-in-law found them, but I adore them and have used them in every cooking adventure I've gone on lately. (I love that you can get two measurings out of one little bowl!)


Cookbooks galore! I got cookbooks from both moms. Some how I'd made it this far without owning Nigella's How to be a Domestic Godess;
Chocolate Obsession is so good I can't read it without a piece of chocoltae in hand, well, mouth. I'll let you know as soon as I've tested out some recipes!

The Amy Sedaris book is fabulous! The day after Christmas I made turkey pot pie with leftovers (her recipe calls for chicken, but I thought she'd approve of the substitute). Really, if you don't have it you must run out and get it now!

My husband stocked my stuffing with Sili Cups from Sur La Table. I've used them and they're superfantastic!














Miss Erin got me these stylin' rain boots that I love to pieces (they're so comfortable!)




and Gretchie gave me this super cute necklace and Tina made me the darlingest (totally a word!) cupcake tray bracelet...








I have very very good friends and family and I feel very loved. I also received all kinds of crazy fabulous gifts of the non-cupcake kind. Thank you, everyone.