The Ultimate Perfect Cupcakes

“Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.”

- Julia Child

The month of March was no sweets or desserts, and yet I did the most baking during that month. My workplace was holding a St. Patricks Day bake sale to raise money for the Hawaii Foodbank 24th Annual Food Drive. I decided to bake cupcakes which took a lot of self control not to taste test on my own. My family was more than willing to be my guinea pigs though!

Before the bake sale I did some online 'shopping' for inspiration. I came across some really good ideas and decided to combine a few together to create one product. I got the recipe for the vanilla cupcakes from Glorious Treats and could not have received better compliments from my 'guinea pigs' about the result. Hoosier Homemade had a great idea of layering different colored batters into a gradient effect cupcake. Last but most definitely not least, Just Call Me Maria inspired me on making Lucky Charm Cupcakes! I found an online recipe for buttercream frosting but the recipe absolutely failed so I will not be posting that link. My St. Patrick's Day cupcakes didn't turn out quite as I had planned, mainly due to the consistency of the frosting.



The idea of the layered colors did not work out so well with this recipe. The cupcake batter was too runny for the layering effect to come out right. I made a second batch of just plain vanilla cupcakes with no food coloring. 

All this followed with green frosting, a marshmallow out of the lucky charms cereal, and a holiday appropriate flag. I printed the template from How Does She. Last but not least I got the packaging idea from Pinterest. Using a 9oz cup fits the cupcake perfectly for a no mess packaging. 

The cupcakes were a huge hit that I made them again for Easter. This time around, I used purple frosting, pink sugar sprinkles, and Cadbury mini chocolate eggs. I used a different recipe for the buttercream frosting, from Cooking Classy. The result of the frosting turned out so much better, as you can see in the picture. 

- R

DIY Pallet Shevles

"It takes half of your life before you discover life is a do-it-yourself project."

- Napoleon Hill

I see so many posts about creative things one can do with pallets. From furniture to artwork - the pallet has endless uses! I gave my carpentry and DIY skills a work out today when I created these shelves. It's super easy and quick to make. Also, it was free!

I picked up a pallet from the local hardware store (they receive their merchandise on them and give away the excess for free).

I used a hand saw to cut the pallet after the second board on the end from each side. Then, I pried two planks from the remaining pieces to use as bottoms.

After nailing the boards to the bottoms, I gave the edges a quick once over with some sand paper to soften them up a little bit.

Now, find a spot to hang them and accessorize!

- A

12 Step Resolution

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."

- Oprah Winfrey

Instead of trying to get through a long list of resolutions all at once, we decided to tackle one at a time. We all want to be happier, healthier and wealthier, and by focusing on one goal at a time it can be easier to get there. Aim to make these resolutions into habits instead of leaving them as temporary solutions.

January - Lean Machine

No fast food joints for the month! This includes McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Panda Express, etc.
February – Grain, Grain Go Away!

This month we are cutting out all grains. This means pasta, bread, rice and tortillas!
March – Say Goodbye to a Sugar High

No sweets or desserts! Say goodbye to cake, candy and ice cream.
April - Pay It Forward

Aim for one good deed a day. Even the smallest gesture can make a big impact.
May – Shopaholics Anonymous

Time to put away your credit cards! No shopping for unnecessary items for a whole month!
June – Sobriety Test

Say goodbye to happy hour! No alcohol for an entire month!
July – Run, Forest, Run!
Aim for a mile a day on top of your regular routine. Walk, jog or run at least 31 miles this month.
August – It’s A Wonderful World

Try new things, see new places and be adventurous for a month. Spontaneity counts!

September – Iron Chef

Time to pull out those cookbooks and show us your skills in the kitchen! Limit dining to one night a week, or none if possible. This does NOT mean instant noodles and microwavable meals!
October – Tone It Up

Work on tightening those key areas this month - abs, arms, thighs, and most importantly, your derriere!
November – Save the Cows

No red meat this month!
December – All Dolled Up

Congratulations! You've made it to the last month! Put on that party attire and let's toast to getting out and enjoying life! This includes getting pampered, nights out on the town, and spending time with those most important to you.

- A & R

Mint Chocolate Chip Bark

"I want to have a good body, but not as much as I want dessert."

- Jason Love

That quote = my life! It is so hard to pass up an awesome plate of awesomeness - no matter how much I want that beach body.

Growing up, my favorite holiday dessert was my grandma's grasshopper pie. Mint chip, oreo crust, hershey's bars - drool. This year, I decided to try my own version of mint chip bliss. I got the idea from a Pinterst post, and gave it my own spin.

You will need:

White chocolate chips

Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Green food coloring

Andes mint candy (I found a baking verison that was already chopped - score!)

Directions:

Melt the white chocolate chips so you can easily spread into a baking dish. I put them in a bowl in the microwave for about 30 seconds at a time, stirring between warm ups until it looked like frosting.

Add a bit of green food coloring and mix until it turns a minty shade of green.

Spread into the dish until it evenly coats the bottom.

Next, melt the chocolate chips until it takes on the same consistency as the white chocolate ones.

Coat the now-green white chocolate with the semi-sweet.

Sprinkle the chopped Andes candy over the top and press into the chocolate, so once it hardens they won't fall off.

Place in the fridge for a few hours then serve! You can cut it into even pieces or break it up. So good and so simple. Enjoy!

- A



Holiday Party Favors

"It isn't the size of the gift that matters, but the size of the heart that gives it."

- Unknown



For the holidays this year, my husband and I decided to invite our friends who don't have family in the area over for dinner. I wanted to do more for them than just provide dinner and classic Christmas movies for entertainment, so I decided to make small gifts for each of them.

These can be themed for any holiday/occasion. It costs about $4 per person - right within our budget!

I went to our local craft store and picked up a dozen miniature mason jars, some ribbon, gift tags and seasonal candy.

I tied the ribbon around the top along with a tag, on which I wrote "Merry Christmas!" on the front, and signed our names on the back. It was super easy to put together - it took about 15 minutes for all 12.

Fill with candy and voila! Personalized gifts for everyone :)

Happy Holidays!!

 - A



Sprinkles on Top

“Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.”

-Scott Adams

You will need:

- Base coat

- White nail polish

- About 4-5 bright colored nail polish

- Bobby pin

Optional: For a faster process. I used quick dry spray by Sephora O.P.I

Step by step:

1. Apply base coat
2. Apply white nail polish
3. Spray with quick dry
4. Wait 45 seconds
5. Apply second coat of white polish
6. Spray quick dry again
7. Use bobby pin to dot 1 color over desired area
8. Let dry/spray with quick dry
9. Repeat dotting process with different colors
10. Let dry
11. Apply top coat to finish look


Optional: To make this look a little more fun and girly, a glitter top coat is optional. 

Final Result

Sunday Brunch

"I went to a restaurant that serves 'breakfast at any time' so I ordered French toast during the Renaissance."

-Steven Wright

My favorite thing about Sunday mornings, besides sleeping in of course, is the chance to make my favorite breakfast dish: toast with avocado, spinach and eggs :)

Looks delish right?! It's extremely quick and easy to make. All you need is:

2 slices of whole wheat bread
1 avocado
baby spinach leaves
2 eggs

Start by spraying a little nonstick cooking spray in a frying pan (my not-so-secret way of frying eggs without them breaking) and turning it on medium.

Pop the pieces of bread in the toaster and slowly crack the eggs and drop them onto the pan.

While everything is cooking/toasting, cut the avocado into slices. I LOVE avocado so I put half on each piece of toast, but it will taste just as good if you use less :)

Once the eggs start to bubble slowly flip them over and turn the heat down a bit.

Spread the spinach across the toast and top with avocado.

Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, place them on top of the avocado.

Sprinkle on a little pepper and some fresh lime juice and enjoy!

- A