Lovely

Has anyone ever seen a prettier face?

Thanksgiving Treats

My boss receive a book entitled Hello, Cupcake! for Christmas last year and for some reason brought it in to work recently. I was smitten. Everything in the tutorial cookbook is ADORABLE! And very simple, too.
At my grandmothers, for Holidays, the grandkids are not expected to act like adults. We are not asked to bring a dish, or help out in the kitchen. While this can be a relief at times, sometimes it is also nice to be treated as a grown-up. Especially when you have a house, a fiance, a big girl job, and two fur-"babies". So I decided this year that I would make cupcakes! Yay! Only problem is, I've never made cupcakes before. Well, not really a "problem", as I am a fairly good cook, so the baking part was no trouble, but I completely underestimated the time and financial commitment that fancy cupcakes take. I chose to make the "T.V. Dinner" cupcakes and the " Larry the Turkey" cupcakes.

 

I went to Schnucks on my lunch break to buy the supplies. It took forever since I don't bake much and I wasn't sure exactly what I needed. I had decided that instead of the Peas and Carrots cupcake you see in the first picture, I would make a Sweet Potatoes and Marshmallows one. So I needed lots of orange Starburst, but I didn't know how many... And I also decided that instead of Chocolate Pudding, I would make Stuffing. That was easily accomplished with Betty Crocker Ice Cream Praline topping. So I got most of my stuff at the grocer, but I still had to stop at a cake decorating specialty store for the rest, Karen Ann's. She was really nice and incredibly helpful.  Anyway, after 5 hours of baking and decorating, here are the results.

I think they all turned out really great, but it was definitely hard work. You'll notice there are no Larry's and there are also two random "Pudding" cupcakes. I ran out of time and the will to live. Just kidding. But it was 11 pm, I had run out of orange Starburst, and I was tired. So, I deemed it "good enough". I am the queen of "good enough", BTW. But they were a big hit (especially the mashed potato ones), so I was happy.

So what did you guys make for Thanksgiving? Did you host? Or just make a little treat like I did?

Dora

Now I am not on to get all hot and bothered about silly things like color playing a part in gender roles and thinking celebrities should have any effect on our children if we teach them well. But even I can see that this Dora doll is much "prettier" and "thinner" than the normal Dora the Explorer on television.

Should Dora's appearance as a doll or an interactive cyber creature change from the Dora kids know and love? Or do you think a major change in physical appearance, like this, is confusing for kids?

Covet

I love this guys apartment.

I must have the deer head (it's similar to this one from ZGallerie). I love the Ikea frame around it. I covet the monogrammed pillows and the black vase. 

Admiring the balance and symmetry on the sofa table. And those fab retro lamps.

Love the leather rug in the living room, the beautiful mid-century sideboards, the sea urchin lamp on the desk, the ghost chair, the pop of red in the kitchen. I wish this guy would come and organize my house.

Cute Tutorial

Check out this adorable tutorial from Holly Jones at Creating Cupcakes. This is such a cute idea. Nice and wintery without being holiday specific. Love it! It's adaptable, as well. Don't like snowflakes? Make them ornaments, deer, santas, dogs, pacifiers, the alphabet, etc, etc...

DIY Snowflake Garland

This snowflake Garland is very inexpensive and easy to make. You will need some "Stiff Felt" in white or your desired color, some ric rac or ribbon, sharp scissors, a hot glue gun, sequins, and a needle with thread.

1) CLICK HERE to Download and print this 2 page PDF file. This will be the pattern for your snowflakes.
(My CLICK HERE doesn't do anything. You'll have to follow the earlier link and follow her CLICK HERE)

2) Cut out the paper snowflakes for a pattern.

3) Trace Pattern onto some stiff felt.

4) Cut snowflakes out of stiff felt.

5) Use a hot glue gun to glue sequins or embellishments to the center of each snowflake.

6) Using white thread, hand sew each snowflake to ric rac or ribbon to make your snowflake garland.

7) Find a fun place to hang your garland and enjoy!

*Note, snowflakes take a little time to cut out. I like to cut them while watching my favorite movie.

Please feel free to share my pictures and this tutorial with your friends. Please direct them to this website to download the snowflake patterns, as the pattern is not intended for

re-distribution. Thanks!

Adorable-ness

He may be the Spawn of Satan, but at least he loves his sister.

Question

Is anyone else having problems loading photos?