Food, glorious food!

I had some healthy recipes that I have recently tried, but they’re not going to make it on this post unfortunately. If you’re trying to achieve your perfect beach bod you might not want to read this post. Continue at your own risk

Chocolate Wasted Cake

To die for.

Cake:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 4 tsp. honey
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

• frosting:
• 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/3-1/2 cup whole milk (start out with 1/3 cup of milk and add more milk to your desired consistency)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preheat oven to350 F. Grease 2 9-inch cake pans. Set aside.

Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. In a separate mixing bowl, combine milk, butter, honey and vanilla extract. Slowly add the dry ingredients into the milk/butter mixture. Mix until combined. Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Pour in the batter into prepared cake pans. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and wait for about 10 minutes to remove from cake pans and place on a cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before decorating.

To make the frosting:

In a large mixing bowl, sift together powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add the butter, milk and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, slowly mix together at a low speed. Once all the ingredients are combined, increase the speed and beat till fluffy.

To assemble the cake:

Place the first cake layer on a plate or cake circle. Spread an even layer of frosting. Place the second cake layer on top of the frosting. Cover the sides and top of the cake with frosting. Cover the sides of the cake with semi-sweet chocolate chips and cover the top with assorted chocolate candies. Drizzle the melted chocolate all over the top of the cake and let it drip down the sides of the cake.

Pizza Muffins

These are as easy to make as they are popular.

• biscuits
• fresh garlic
• pepperoni
• mozzarella cheese
• garlic powder
• butter (melted)

Grease a muffin tin and preheat according to biscuit instructions.

Open can of biscuits and roll out each piece to as big of a circle as you can get.  Place minced garlic on the biscuit, then a pinch of cheese, 1 pepperoni, then another pinch of cheese. Ball up dough and make sure the dough is pressed together. Place the pressed side facing down in the tin. Repeat for the remainder of the biscuits. Place a small amount of melted butter on the top of each pizza muffin. Sprinkle garlic powder upon each muffin. Bake for amount of time as directed on the biscuit can. 1 minute before you take them out of the oven place a pinch of mozzarella cheese on the top. 

Salted Caramel Brownies

These are ooey-gooey goodness.

Salted Caramel –

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1/4 cup sour cream

In a small saucepan, combine the cream and the salt.  Simmer over very low heat until the salt is dissolved. set aside.

In a medium saucepan combine the sugar and corn syrup carefully. They will not combine well until the sugar begins to melt. Cook over high heat until an instant-read thermometer reads 350 degrees, 6 to 8 minutes.  Without a thermometer, just pull the sugar off the heat when it is a medium goldish brown – it will continue to cook in the heat of the pan. Better to pull it too early than too late. Remove from the heat and let cool for one minute.

Add the cream mixture and the vanilla to the sugar mixture.  Whisk in the sour cream.  Let the caramel cool to room temp, then follow the brownie instructions. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate any leftover caramel. it makes a great ice cream topping or tastes great straight out of the jar.

Brownies

• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• pinch salt
• 3 Tbsp Chocolate Syrup
• half of the above caramel recipe

Preheat oven to 325F.

Melt Chocolate and butter in small saucepan over low heat until smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes.

In a bowl, mix together sugar, eggs, and vanilla, and mix until well combined

Add flour, salt, chocolate syrup and chocolate mixture and blend well.

In a greased 8×8 pan, pour a little over half of the brownie batter and bake for 18 minutes.  Remove from oven and pour in the caramel.  On top of the caramel, add the rest of your brownie batter. If it doesn’t pour smoothly, just plop it in a swirl it around a little bit.  Return to oven and bake for another 18-22 minutes.  Brownies will still appear a little shaky, due to the caramel, but they will firm up once cooled. Do not overbake.

Nutella Banana Bread

This is your semi healthy entry for the day…

• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup butter softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/3 cup milk
• 3/4 heaping cup Nutella

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 8×4-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda & salt. In a  separate large bowl, beat sugar and butter with an electric mixer at medium speed until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add banana, milk and vanilla. Beat until blended. Add flour mixture, beat at low speed just until flour is incorporated (don’t over mix). Spoon Nutella into a small dish and soften in the microwave for about 15 seconds. Add 1 cup of the banana bread batter to the Nutella and stir until blended well. Spoon Nutella batter alternately with plain banana bread batter into the prepared pan. Swirl batters together with a knife.  Bake 50 to 60 minutes, it will seem a tiny bit undercooked but that’s what makes it good. Cool for at least 15 minutes in the pan, and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Breakfast At Tiffany’s cupcakes

…I made these in honor of Audrey Hepburn’s birthday.

Chocolate Cupcakes

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 teaspoon baking soda
• 2/3 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup sour cream, room temperature

Preheat the oven to 350⁰F (175⁰C). Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners. (I got 12 large cupcakes with this recipe.) Whisk together the cocoa and hot water in a bowl. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Melt the butter and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until combined. Remove from heat and whisk for 4-5 mins with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until cool to touch. Whisk in the eggs, one by one, beating until incorporated before adding another. Add vanilla, then cocoa mixture, beating only till combined. Switch the mixer to low speed and add half the flour followed by half the sour cream, beating only till combined. Fold in the remaining flour and sour cream. Divide batter evenly among the lined cups, and baked until a cake tester comes out clean, about 20 mins. Cool the cupcakes completely on a wire rack before frosting.

Almond Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 cups confectioners sugar (add another 1/2 cup if you would like it sweeter)
• 4 oz (120 gm) cream cheese, softened and cut into cubes
• 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional; you can also use vanilla)
• 1 tablespoon whole milk

Make sure the cream cheese is softened before starting. If like me, you have forgotten to take it out of the refrigerator until the very last minute, cut it into cubes and microwave it for 10 seconds.) Sift the sugar over the cream cheese in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy (about 2-3 mins). Beat in the almond extract and milk just until incorporated.

Frost cupcakes and place decoration or dye where you’d like it!

Since we’re talking about food, might as well brag about my awesome Texas shaped food cutter! Who doesn’t want to eat a sandwich shaped like our great state?!

Also, today is my last day in Texas until August. How fitting is it that I end this post Texas themed?

Happy Trails to you, until we meet again…

The Cat’s Meow.

It’s no secret that I like cats.

 Recently I’ve noticed an influx of cats in the media.  At first I thought that it was my love for the furry felines that drew me to products that glorified them, but now I know that it is a full-fledged trend and I’m not imagining things!

For example, I walked into a bank in Waco to pay my rent and was halfway greeted by a sales clerk who was enamored by some cats on the television. She looked at me and said “aren’t they beautiful creatures?” Sure I agreed but that type of behavior is only exhibited by a true blue cat lady…kind of like this poor woman.

It’s funny to me how cats have gotten a bad rep in today’s society, when they used to be one of the most revered animals in the world. Thankfully, I think that the world is finally embracing cats again. They are certainly muses in today’s fashion market and I’m not just referring leopard print.

I work at Delia’s whenever I go home and upon my return this summer I saw quite a few cat shirts. Here’s one of them:

A trendy place that targets older customers is Urban Outfitters- they too have hopped aboard the cat wagon.

Heck! Even the cosmetic department has caught cat scratch fever.

While we’re talking about cat scratch fever, let me just interject and say that I have met Ted Nugent. Don’t understand what I’m referring to? Watch this. He has a ranch outside of Waco so sometimes he is seen about the town. Where did I meet him? The ladies department of Dillard’s in the Richland Fashion Mall. Small world.

Back to cats…

It’s not just fast fashion companies that support the popularity of cats…high fashion brands support them too. Here’s a recent Guess ad:

Me-yow!!

There is also a slew of celebs who enjoy a pretty kitty friend.

Cee Lo Green likes cats.

Tina Fey likes cats.

James Franco likes cats.

Channing Tatum likes cats. (keep staring…it never gets old)

We can’t forget technology…according to David Wolfe, technology is going to be the most import aspect of style in the future. Just search the App Store on your phone…There’s a myriad of items involving cats. There’s one that places cats in pictures with people, one that changes your voice to meows, and of course a plethora of games including cats.

Most importantly…did you know my favorite fashion icon liked cats? View the glory of Breakfast at Tiffany’s Holly Golightly and her feline companion: Cat.

“Cat! Cat! Oh, Cat… ohh…”

She even found love with Cat…

I don’t that I will, but I do know that  that one day I will get a kitten and name it Cat, but for now meow, I’ll just embrace the trend.

Have a MEOWvalous Monday! Too much meow? Sorry I’m not sorry

Trend Alert Part 1:Snippets of Spring

I am an Audrey Hepburn kind of girl.

I tend to reach for classics over trendy pieces.

(p.s. Audrey Hepburn’s birthday is next week, May 4th. She would have been 83.)

Though I don’t always participate in trends, I do like spotting them.

The most recent one I have noted is in the men’s department.

I don’t normall follow them, as I tend to just deal with womenswear, but this one was hard not to spot. literally.

Colored Socks.

 I had seen them before, but when I saw David Wolfe wearing red socks while at Fashion Group International’s career day, I knew a pop of color shown at the ankle would eventually be popular. They’re hard to see in this picture, but trust me, they’re there and adorable as ever.

After having just taken an Economics and Finance test, I was wearily leaving the Hankamer Business School at Baylor. I was taken off guard when I noticed a glimmer of purple. There was a guy who was wearing slacks and a dress shirt…but sporting purple socks. I really wanted to ask him if I could take a picture for my blog, but he looked like he was studying and I didn’t want to bother him. Don’t worry, I got a picture- I just waited until I was in the parking garage and people could awkwardly see me snapping paparazzi shots of a random student.

Sorry it’s kind of a monster picture, but since I wasn’t that close, I had to make it this large. But see? I think the socks are great.

You know who else is into socks? Rob Kardashian. Watch this video about his passion for socks. He is launching a brand called “Just Socks,” where he will sell…just socks. Who’d a thought? They look pretty cool to me- If I were a boy (cue Beyonce) I’d wear them.

Even J. Crew is talking about socks.

Be sure to look for more pops of color in the men’s sock department. Sorry, Dad- your classic Gold Toe socks are great, but there’s a new kid in town, and it’s going to make a bold statement.

The main trends for girls that I’ve  noticed are in the accessories department.

First up, EmiJay Hair Accessories.

Let’s just say they were featured by Oprah in 2009 and once Oprah gets a hold of you, you’re golden.

It’s taken a while for them to catch on, but now they’re rampant. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and SJP wear them, and so do women across the nation, including girls at Baylor. Honestly, I have never tried them because I have a massive head of hair and I’m not sure it would support my ponytail. Most of the time I wear my hair down- if it’s ponied up, it’s probably because I was in a rush. I will admit that they are cute and don’t dent your hair.

 

They come in an array of sizes and colors and seem to work great.

Nepal Roll On Bracelets.

Fair Trade is something that has been growing in popularity, which is definitely a good thing. These bracelets have given the women of Nepal another option to everyday life. Read more about it here.

I really like these bracelets because they’re supporting a cause that is bigger than ourselves, not to mention they can accentuate any outifit. They aren’t a national trend, but I think will be soon, as the fair trade concept is catching on. Girls at Baylor LOVE them and pile them on with almost every outfit. You can buy them at Roots 201 Boutique in Waco. They are also popular in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I follow a blog by a boutique there called Riffraff and they sell them as well. You should also check out what they sell, because it’s pretty darn cute.

These bracelets have proven that accessories can not only be fashionable, but good for the world.

Remember my post about large framed glasses? Well, I got some.

 Like them? I do.

If you can’t get enough of trends and want to see great talent, come to the Baylor Fashion Show this Saturday!

It is in Barfield Drawing Room at Baylor at either 2:00 pm for $10 or 7:00 pm for $15. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at the ticket office, located in the SUB.

I am in the visual merchandising class that is putting on the show, and will also be walking in it.

If you can’t go, obviously I will post pictures!

Have a trendy Wednesday!

p.s. In case you’re not up to par on your movie quotes, here’s one from Miss Congeniality that is relevant to today since it’s April 25th:)

Never trust anyone who doesn’t like dogs, the beach, or Dylan.

If you’ve seen The Wackness, then you know where I got my inspiration for the title of today’s post. There is a scene where Dr. Squires says that you should never trust anyone who doesn’t like dogs, the beach, or Dylan. (He also says people who don’t smoke pot, but clearly I don’t have the same belief on that part of the ad-lib).

Nevertheless, it’s true. We probably won’t get along if you don’t like the three things listed. Bob Dylan is a musical genius and one of my favorite singer/songwriters. I adore dogs, and for the first time ever live with one, instead of a cat. Her name is July, and she is perfect. Last, but not least, if you know me at all, you know that I love the beach and sunshine despite my fair-skinned nature. I guess I’m a ginger kid who doesn’t suffer from gingervitus. Take that, South Park.

Speaking of the beach, next week is my Spring Break and I’m going on a cruise with my family to Mexico! It’s the first time in a very long time that Baylor has had the same Spring Break as all of the other public schools in Texas; it’s usually the week before. The joke is that Baylor doesn’t like its students to fraternize with “the heathens.” Jokes.

Anyway, here is a list of my must haves for Spring Break.

A good set of books.

I love to read and I’ve never been ashamed of it…in elementary school I had the second highest amount of accumulated Accelerated Reader points. If you like spoken poetry, listen to Mark Grist on why he likes a girl who reads… These three books I’m bringing with me are Fifth Avenue, 5 am by Sam Wasson, Genuine Authentic by Michael Gross, and The House of Klein by Lisa Marsh.

Sunscreen.

How else did you think I’d be able to stand the sun’s rays? Skin cancer is real.

A new swimsuit.

HAH to those of you who thought I’d model my new suit and post pictures of it on here.  You can kind of see it in the previous picture…the whole thing is featured at the top of the post.  A red bikini for a ginger? Yes. Yes indeed. Surprisingly, it doesn’t clash with my hair…This  photo was from this past weekend when one of our friends let us lay on his roof and get some sun. Despite the fact that we could have fallen to our death, it was fun.

Croakies.

After almost losing my RayBans to bodies of water multiple times, I invested in some croakies. The joke’s on me  though,because they don’t fit my RayBans. They do however fit my Polo sunglasses, so that’s how they’ll be used. I’ve been wearing them to class all week as a sign of protest for assigning work the week before Spring Break. It hasn’t caused any of my teacher’s to back down though…darn.

Hats.

They’re fashionable and protect you from the sun. Get one. Now.

A good fingernail polish color.

This particular hue is from O.P.I.’s new Holland collection. It is called “Kiss me on my tulips.” It’s a  fun, pink color that is perfect for Spring Break and it gives me a break from my usual shades of red.

I have a bucket load of items that I have made, most of them being sweet. I’ll wait until after Spring Break to post them, so I don’t ruin anyone’s beach bod. Instead I’ll leave you with something sweet that won’t add to your caloric intake: eye candy.

I present to you, James Franco with cats…

You’re welcome.

Things I like.

After a busy, stressful week, I’m counting my blessings. In no particular order, here are some of my favorite things.

- sunflowers

-encouragement

-my family

-dark chocolate

-true friends (I cannot emphasize this enough.)

- giving presents

-Audrey Hepburn

-writing letters

-tulips

-shopping at Anthro, Banana, J. Crew, and Polo

-my sister

-learning

-falling asleep in the sunshine

-sewing

-Baylor

-Gerber daisies

-Queen Elizabeth I

-Tex Mex

-laughing

-did I say laughing?’

-mason jars. to drink out of or for flowers.

- good cheese

-happy surprises

- highway driving

-Kate Spade

-good music

-napping

-the smell of rain

-fresh fruit

-cuddling

-concerts

-having roommates who can cook…well having wonderful roommates in general

-the feeling after a good run

-movies

-traveling domestically, as well as internationally

-Double Chocolate Ghiradelli cookies

1 bag of Ghiradelli bittersweet chocolate chips 6 tablespoons unsalted butter 3 large eggs 1 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 bag of Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips

Melt bittersweet chocolate chips and butter in a double boiler or microwave.In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar until thick. Stir in chocolate mixture.In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder. Stir into chocolate mixture. Stir in semi-sweet chocolate chips and nuts.Refrigerate dough for at least an hour, or until firm.Preheat oven to 375°. Grease or line baking sheets and set aside.Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto baking sheets, leaving about 1 & 1/2 inches between cookies. Bake 12-14 minutes or until shiny crust forms on top but interior is still soft. Cool on baking sheets.

There. I left you with something sweet.

My Life as a TSM. Part 1: Crafty is my middle name.

Recruitment has ended for most, but for Baylor it’s really just begun and will end in January with formal recruitment.

Not that I’m biased or anything….but Delta Delta Delta is the best.

Anyway, in case you weren’t aware, TSM= Total Sorority Move. TSM is awarded to any act occurring that fits the stereotype of a sorority girl.  Being wonderfully crafty is a trait of any good sorority girl. The following are proof that I have fully embraced this certain stereotype. (If you hand’t already assumed that).

These are in my bathroom. The one on the left is a card from a resort in Austin that says “There’s wisdom in every wrinkle” and the other I received with my new Kate Spade bag, and it just happens to be one of my favorite KS quotes. “She is quick and curious and playful and strong.” I matted them and painted the frames.

I didn’t have a hook to put my hand towel on, so I painted this flower hook. The frame, my mom made for me. Quite clearly, crafting runs in the family.

This is another frame that I did, and it is also in my bathroom. The bottom left-hand corner says “Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14.

I have multiple neighbors, but my favorite ones live to the left of me. They’re quite classy. Don’t believe me?

They have a sign similar to this hanging in their kitchen.

 They also have a bunch of Texas decor, so naturally I had to paint them something.  I got the inspiration from the Josh Abbot and Pat Green song. You should take a listen.

I made another Elle’s Originals. As you can see, it was for Texas A&M. I lovelovelove maroon.

This Baylor dress turned out really cute too, if I do say so myself.

I decoupaged this frame for my dear friend Caitlin.

She knows me quite well and gave me this Audrey book. So. precious.

No I didn’t craft this, but it’s important…I bought a new O.P.I. nail polish and it isn’t in the family of red or pink. It’s a dark nude called Chocolate Moose. This is a big deal because I never stray from those unless it’s a French Manicure. Woah.

Well, now I’m going to do other sratty things such as make a sandwich or wash my norts.

Listen to your mother.

“I could always hear my mother’s voice saying ‘Be on time,’ and ‘Remember to think of others first,’ and ‘Don’t talk a lot about yourself. You are not interesting. It’s the others that matter.’”-Audrey Hepburn

In honor of Mother’s Day, here is a picture of my mom at Mother’s Day lunch at Celebration, a restaurant on W. Lovers Lane in Dallas.

She taught me and my sister how to laugh and love.

She also taught us to be stylish.

Speaking of stylish, one of my favorite ladies (besides my mom) and probably THE style icon in my book, is Audrey Hepburn. She spoke highly of her mother as well. She attributed her outlook on life to her. In Audrey’s life, “It was frowned upon not to think of others first. It was frowned upon not to be disciplined.” Her mother, Baroness Ella van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston must have been a wonderful lady, because Audrey was one was the classiest women to grace the world with her presence.

If you can’t tell from the preceding paragraph, I think very highly of Audrey Hepburn and am a bit obsessed.

Here’s a corner of my bedroom that is basically devoted to her. The canvas says my favorite Audrey Hepburn quote: “For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed & redeemed; never throw out anyone. ”

Here’s a paper I wrote about her in my History of Dress class. It written was over this picture.

Here’s my new, favorite book. It happens to be about her.

Here I am reading it. Two of my favorite things: Audrey and sunshine.

Oh, and these sunglasses make me feel like her in this picture. So, basically they make you an instant Holly Golightly.

I hope you all had a happy Mother’s Day. After all, Audrey said she believed “that happy girls are the prettiest girls,” and there is no doubt about that!