Strawberry Cupcakes

This strawberry themed party is adorable. The only thing that would have made it better was if MY strawberry cupcakes were on that stand!

I made these cupcakes for a wedding shower. They are jumbo size cupcakes with a strawberry filling. The icing is a buttercream with strawberries pureed mixed in. There is a hint of red food coloring in the icing to make it a light pink. I topped each one with a strawberry slice garnish and gold sprinkles. 

A simple buttercream recipe i use is this one, by martha stewart. It is easy and the consistency is good for piping the icing. I like to add other ingredients to this recipe depending on the cupcake. 

- L -

Memorial Day Kabobs

Happy Memorial Monday! 

The weather has been perfect for grilling all weekend, and it got me inspired to make some kabobs. We always resort to hamburgers or chicken on the grill, but then you are required to make all sorts of side dishes...

A kabob has your entire meal on one stick, simple and less clean up! Here are some kabob tips and ideas that i am going to use from the Food Network, and you should too!

Pork and Pineapple Kabobs

Cherry Tomato Kabobs (great side, so easy!)

Recipe here

Rosemary Lamb

This one is my favorite, i would add some potato to this to make a full meal.

Happy Grilling!

- L -

Nothing but Nudes

Classic. Soft. Feminine.

Nude, Sand, Bare, Neutral. Call it what you want, this is my favorite color /shade currently. 

I have bought more nude nail polish in the past two months than I will ever need, but I feel like they are all so different which makes me want all of them! 

- L -

Blazer Outfitting

Want to bring your outfit up a notch? 

Put a blazer on! 

Whether you are wearing a T-shirt with jeans and heels, a skirt with flats, or a scarf and some shades, a  blazer increases the sophistication and overall look of just a plain tee. 

You can even use your working girl blazer that has a matching suit bottom in your closet. Some of you are probably very familiar with these. I on the other hand have not worn a suit since my internship at Bloomingdale's 4 years ago!

- L -

Tufted Headboards

Tufted upholstered headboards could seem very feminine when done in satin or a clean linen. Although, when done in leather it takes on a much more masculine vibe. A nice way to bring a great pop of color into a room would be doing the headboard in a bright color or a print. If i liked a lot of color in my room, i think i would go bold with a bright red or blue damask, but i don't! 

I would like a light purple satin damask or a solid white satin.

What would you like?

Also, these headboards are not to hard to make!

 (I have not tried, but i know people who have).

- L -

Hatched Flower Eggs

 What to you do when you crack an egg and find a flower??

Make Flower Eggs!

photos from imgfave.com

I do not know how I came across both of these images on completely different occasions, but how perfect! These flower egg forms would be great to make this time of year and make breakfast a little more interesting. I'm sure that you could use cookie cutters of some sort and make any shape you desire. Goodbye boring round egg forms (although those are neat too)!

- L -

Shine On

Its the Weekend and it's time to Shine! A touch of shimmer is an easy way to dress-up any outfit, even if it is on your toes.

Happy Weekend!

- L - 

Soft Grey & White

2 colors perfect for any room.

Choose your Grey...

via design-crisis.com

Paint your wall...

Accessorize...

via etsy.com

- L -

Confetti Invitations!

 These are the greatest invitations I have ever seen. What a better way to get people to come to your party then giving them a mini pouch of confetti?! Who would reply no to that? I mean really! If you are going to give out the confetti invites, you better have a confetti cake. This one below is perfect. This whole theme makes me want to have my birthday come sooner rather than later, which is NEVER the case!

- L -

Kentucky Derby Inspired

The Kentucky Derby is going on this weekend, and it got me thinking of the Spring 2011 Hermes Fashion show! I thought I would share the video with you. I will never be able to afford any of Hermes couture, ever, but I can always get inspired by the looks. So here it is, happy gambling!
- L -

Breakfast in Paris/Atlanta

This morning i went to Maison Robert, a french bakery here in Atlanta, one of the very few places here that you can buy french macaroons! I bought one of each they had: Pistachio, Chocolate, Strawberry, Grand Marnier, and Salted Carmel. I went home and put my Starbucks Double Shot Espresso on ice, and felt 5,000 miles away from Buckhead! The light, fluffy, chewy, melt in your mouth macaroons were a terrific way to start off the day, and are exceptional with coffee. Who said they were a dessert? They are a great breakfast!

- L -

(photos by me)

I have been asked to make cupcakes for 2 baby showers, both girls! I use photos for inspiration, here are just a few...

photo via suchprettythings.typepad.com

photo via amanda.fakeginger.com

photo via tashahorsley.typepad.com


What is YOUR favorite cupcake?

- L -

3-Tier Cake, 1 Easy Step

If you are like me and just like the look of a three tier cake, you can now make your own in a single steel cake mold from Crate and Barrel. Currently it is on sale for 19.95. You simply pour your cake mix in, cook it upside down, then flip, and pull mold apart by releasing the pins holding it together. It is something for any occasion and a little different from cupcakes, which are of course always good too!

- L -

Pink Kitchen Accessories

 What is a better way to get inspired to cook than having a pink and gold recipe box to go into everyday!? The recipe cards and scalloped edge dividers are adorable. This is a great gift for a wedding shower, or just because its that cute to be displayed on a counter, for yourself.

Sugar Paper 96.00

I love most Keep Calm merchandise, but when it involves a cupcake and its pink, its a given that i would  own it. This was a wonderful gift (thank you katie), it calms me down just looking at it!  

- L -

White-Out

All White Bedroom = Heaven.

A totally white bedroom does look beautiful, however i do understand that they are slightly unpractical to live in day to day. It would be perfect for a guest room that is is not so much used but more so admired. White linens are so calm and relaxing. The only color that i would add are some fresh flowers.
- L -