Hole in One

Today is Ian's 27th Birthday and since he has been very into golf lately I decided to make him a golf theme cupcake cake (and matching birthday card). I started by making Ian's favorite chocolate cupcakes and buttercream frosting. I then went to work making the fairway grass, the green sprinkle green, and graham cracker sand trap. Both the flag and the golf balls were with melted white chocolate. Now we just need to find some people to share all these cupcakes with.

Tahoe

I'm headed to Lake Tahoe for the next 7 days to celebrate Ian's birthday and the 4th of July! This will be my first 4th of July back on Lake Tahoe since my parent's bought their house on Donner Lake 10+ year's ago. I'm looking forward to spending quality time with Ian and Sierra and then celebrating the 4th with Family and Friends!

All Wrapped Up

I've been the unofficial present wrapper in my family for quite some time. My favorite part of wrapping presents is selecting the paper and ribbon. For this bridal shower gift I decided on the bubble print paper because I liked the contrast between the bright orange and soft khaki and blue. It took me a while to find the right shades of matching ribbon, but with a little bit of effort I was able to find all 3 colors. A beautifully wrapped present is never complete without a card, so I decided to make a matching card for the bride to be.

Backyard BBQ

One of my favorite parts of summer is Outdoor cooking and spending time with family and friends. I'm offically off work for the next week and I can't wait to get to Tahoe. The pictures above are from our Memorial Day BBQ complete with fresh corn on the cob, grilled chicken topped with caramelized onions and grilled mushrooms, served with green beans with orange peppers. I'm looking to recreate it with some 4th of July flair so stay tuned!

Born in the 80's - Raised in the 90's

You know you were born in the 80s and raised in the 90s if the following apply:

1. You know what's inside this cupcake (it's a cupcake scented doll) - I'm pretty sure this is when my cupcake obsession actually began
2. This girl pretty much sums up the early 90s...
A) You played with a Skip-It.

B) You wore biker shorts under your skirts and felt stylish.
C) You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.

D) You wore fluorescent clothing (and still do - thanks to JCrew).

E) You wore socks scrunched down with either high top Reeboks or LA Gear.
3. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars (and noise makers on your bike spokes).

4. You owned a pair of jelly shoes (and I just bought another pair - they are making a comeback).

5. You played with Pound Puppies.

6. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.

7. You thought Sheera and He-Man should hook up.

8. You remember watching "Rainbow Bright" and "My Little Pony Tales."

And a few more because I couldn't resist...

9. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline skates - I had a birthday party there and my mom fell and broke her wrist.

10. You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of Belair"

11. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to start a club of your own.

12. You've ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE."

13. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class.

14. You made your Mom buy one of those clips that would hold your shirt in a knot on the side.

15. You can sing the entire theme song to "Duck Tales."

16. You saw the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" on the big screen - I still remember their names (Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, Leonardo).

17. You played the game "MASH" (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House)

18. You took Lunch Pails to school (with the matching thermos of course).

19. You know what a slap bracelet is.

20. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By the Bell," the ORIGINAL class.

Mini Starbucks

If you've been in Starbucks lately, you have probably noticed their new menu layout and Frappucino relaunch. I've never been a fan of blended coffee, mostly because of the brain freezes and overly sweetened and grainy texture. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I received a mini sample on my way to work the other morning. It was just the right size and didn't produce the typical brain freeze! If only I could only order a mini frappucino instead of tall, grande, or vente I would be sold.

DIY Cupcake Cards

I went to the craft store this past weekend to pick up supplies for a few DIY projects I've been working on and somehow I ended up with a cupcake die cut, blank notecards, and glitter paper. Not at all what I went in for, but oh so much fun. I've decided that I can no longer visit craft or baking stores unattended, it's just too dangerous.

Books

{Inspiration via books}

{Before: Our mismatched bookshelf}

{The paper I used to recover our books - primarily cream, taupe and brown to match our living room}

{After: Our books recovered - what a difference a little bit of paper makes}

I saw the inspiration picture a few weeks ago and instantly knew that it would only be a matter of time until I recovered all the books on our bookshelf. The inspiration picture used hardcover antique books, which lends itself to a more 3-dimensional display, however, I chose to recover the ones we already own due to lack of storage space in our 1 bedroom apartment. I love how the paper easily transforms a mismatched and cluttered bookshelf into a beautiful and cohesive story. Now I need to figure out which books are which so that we can actually read them at some point.

Father's Day Cookies

I needed a last minute Father's Day gift for my step dad so I decided to make a batch of Chocolate Chip Cookies (his favorite). I bought Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chips from the corner store and rather than waste time searching for a recipe, I decide to follow the recipe on the back of the bag (omitting the nuts of course). Homemade doesn't get any easier than that!

Happy Father's Day!

{Baseball for Dad...missing you}

{Football for my Stepdad John (if only they had wine cookies)}

{Tennis for Gramps - RIP}

{Golf for Phil (and Ian if you count Sierra as a child)}

{Sailing for my Stepbrother Will - it's his first father's day}

{Camping just because they are so cute! Dad's like to camp, don't they?}

{BBQ because all Dad's love to grill}

I found these Cookies on Amy Atlas' blog and I can't tell you how inspired I was. I'm amazing at the variety, who knew a single cookie creator had a different design for all the important father's I know!

These cookie's make me even more excited for the Cookie Decorating class I signed up for next weekend - more to come!

Mint Inspiration

When I saw this mint vespa I instantly fell in love, but since I couldn't justify buying a yellow vespa I decided I should search for more attainable mint expressions. Now I'm really loving the mint scallop shoes!

Images via The Dressing Groom Diva, Mrs Lilien

Greece

I couldn't get away with just one Greece post, so here's a few more pictures...isn't is beautiful!!!

Beautiful Blue Door

I am very envious of the owner of this door, not only because of it's beautiful blue color, but because of the view of the Mediterranean Ocean through the other side. It's been 4 years since I studied abroad in Europe and I'm very anxious to go back!

Cooking with Color

As you know, I am obsessed with both yellow and kitchen stuff and apparently my friends and family got the hint because I've recently received these amazing gifts that combine both. I didn't think cooking could get any better, until I started using all these yellow kitchen gadgets!

Cake Plate - Crate and Barrel

Striped Apron and Spatulas - Williams Sonoma

Yellow Nesting Bowls - TJMaxx

Yellow Colander - May Madison

Organized Cupcake

{Before: My unorganized and overflowing baking supply cupboard}

{Frosting Tips}

{Food coloring finally contained}

{After: My newly organized and portable cupcake supply box - includes food coloring, sprinkles and colored sugars, cupcake liners, and frosting tips}

My new hobby of cupcake decorating (seen here and here) requires a number of supplies, which I have recently accumulated. They quickly began to take over one of our kitchen cabinets so I decided (thanks to Ian's persuasion) to get organized. I went to the Container Store to pick up a number of clear containers and then I got to work. I am really happy with my new cupcake supply box and I love that it's portable in case I want to take my cupcake decorating on the road!

Historic Highway 1

{Tomales Bay}

{Point Reyes Station}

{The Local Saloon}

{Fresh Fruit Stand}

Ian and I decided to take advantage of our weekend in Marin by taking a mini road trip. Saturday was a perfect day for a drive and since it's been years since I've been out to Tomales Bay we decided to drive the coastal route and relive a few of my childhood memories. We drove out to Tomales, passing the sheep ranch my dad used to take me to as a kid and Walker Creek Ranch where I attended Outdoor Education in 5th grade. We then headed South through the town of Marshall (known for Oysters) before stopping to stretch our legs in Point Reyes Station. We ended our trip with Sandwiches in Olema before heading back down Sir Francis Drake. It was a very nostalgic and meaningful day!