Snail Mail...

Once a month I look forward to snail mail.  Birchbox, (who has no clue who I am)  sends me my $10 monthly subscription filled with makeup goodies and samples.  Who am I to turn this down?  It's only $10!  Also, I've actually found things that I've fallen in love with.  You should know, I rarely check the sneak peaks or spoilers because this is the one surprise I enjoy!  

Pink Velvet Cupcakes...

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought I'd try mixing things up.  I used this recipe but I left out the cocoa powder.  When I did some research on velvet cakes, I noted most recipes left out the cocoa powder.  The cocoa powder tends to turn the batter a dark color with a brown tint.  I also used pink food coloring, not red food coloring.  For the frosting I used this recipe, only because I wanted something different.  I guess I wasn't feeling cream cheese frosting today?  I'm not sure I hit the mark I was looking for.  The cakes are super moist and fluffy, thanks to the sour cream.  Although I've got to be honest-- they're clearly lacking that buttermilk taste that I enjoy in a velvet cake.  I plan on trying another recipe.  So, I'll keep you posted!  The color on these was perfect!  Happy Valentine's Day, for those of you who love a Hallmark holiday!  

If you're wondering, I used Candy Melts to make the hearts.  I just added pink food coloring, and used a squirt bottle to help create heart shapes.  Parchment paper is the perfect surface to use because the hearts slide right off, when they are dry.  

Salty and Sweet...

One of my most favorite combos is salty and sweet.  There's just something about the sweet mixed with salt.  It's like you kill two birds with one stone.  Also, the salt seems to bring out more flavor.  Since sea salt has become rather popular in resent years, it is now frequently used in baking.  Anytime I see or have an opportunity to try a dessert with salt, I jump on it. 

These brownies seemed much like a chocolate chip cookie recipe.  However, they were a pleasant surprise.  I didn't have Fleur de Sel, so I used a sea salt that, I had on hand.  I also used a little maple flavoring, to just to mix it up.  Plus, I didn't think I had enough chocolate chips on hand so, I broke up a chocolate bar for a chunkier chip.  I'll definitely make these again, when I have a sweet and salty craving!  

Surf's Up...

Dear J.Crew, 

Let's catch up.  After months of sending me silly emails of items that greatly missed "the" mark, you finally hit bullseye with this rash guard!  You see, I fancy myself a surfer.  I've surfed in WASPY Kennebunk, ME the past two summers with my best friend, Alice.  I feel like this rash guard would make me look like a bad, ass, pirate, surfer chick.  Yet, I'd still be refined with the classic stripes.  Also, with this purchase, I'd hope to avoid the hives the rented wetsuit gave me last summer.  Mind you, I learned a valuable lesson: Benadryl, is a wonder drug.   J.Crew, if our annual affectionately dubbed "Surfing with the Monks" trip happens this summer... I'll do you proud by sporting this as I ride the waves.    

J.Crew Striped Rash Guard