Music!

Here's a nice little list of music I'm currently enjoying. I won't try to persuade you to take a listen, I will just give ya a taste of what makes me happy. I can generally be found driving around aimlessly singing loudly to this stuff, or dancing around my kitchen making various delicious items, or even mindlessly scanning the internet on sleepless nights for new things to listen to. I have a tendency to consume a massive amount of music and spend a week on each new item, playing it over and over and over until I'm so sick of it I have to move on. I'm not one to try and get high and mighty and technical with what it is that draws me into an album, so I will just try to explain a situation where this music would be appropriate.

Yeasayer - Odd Blood

photo via the trip wire

If I were listening to this album I would probably be painting on the floor in my dining room with the curtains pulled back and the sun streaming in. It would be a spring day, so I would have the patio door open, and birds would be chirping, and dogs barking, children laughing, etc... I would definitely be painting something abstract, and there would be a lot of colors involved.

Hockey - Mind Chaos

photo via xyz magazine

I think this would definitely be one of those albums that I could see myself dancing to at a First Avenue dance night, twirling around in a sparkly dress with a cocktail in hand and friends surrounding me. This time of year is perfect because it's chilly and snowy outside, so the warm and crowded interiors of clubs and tiny music venues beckons you in. Hockey knows how to make you feel sweaty and happy and crazy.

Passion Pit - Manners

photo via bbc

This is the album I listen to when I go walking/jogging/running (depending on my level of laziness for the day). It's an early early morning in late August, so there is dew on everything and there is a chill in the air, but it's refreshing. I would be running through a path that goes through the corn fields and the woods, and cuts through the industrial park. Everything around me is in a yawn and stretch state, but I don't notice because I've already hit my most energetic point in the day, and with all this happy music blasting in my ears, how can I slow down?

By the way, happy belated Christmas! It's been a long week or two, and I cannot wait for New Years to get here so I can enjoy a little four weekend!

So Sorry!

I don't really know if anyone reads this, but if you are, I'm so sorry I've been M.I.A. for so long. This past week has been nuts! Derek and I have had multiple holiday things to go to, and plenty of last minute Christmas shopping to do, and my very best friend has just come home from college for the holidays. In reality I just haven't had the motivation to post anything, and I think the main reason other than all the chaos at home and work is that I just don't know who I'm writing to. It feels like I'm just throwing this all out into a big black hole and nothing is coming back at me. Are you out there? If so, leave a little comment, or send a message my way!

By the way, I made the most delicious cupcakes for a holiday party! I am in love with them! Here they are:

Cream Soda Toffee Cupcakes (With the most amazing Brown Butter Frosting!)

Photo via Better Homes and Gardens

Cream Soda-Toffee Cupcakes:
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 Tbsp. molasses
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup cream soda (not diet)
3/4 cup toffee pieces

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line eighteen 2 1/2-inch muffin cups with paper bake cups; set aside. Combine four, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In large bowl beat butter with electric mixer on medium to high 30 seconds. Add sugars; beat until well combined. Beat in eggs, one at a time, on low until combined. Beat in molasses and vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture, buttermilk, and cream soda to butter mixture, bating on low speed after each addition until combined. Stir in 1/2 cup of the toffee. Fill cups 3/4 full. Bake about 18 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool in pans on racks 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool. Frost; top with remaining toffee.

Buttermilk Brown Butter Frosting:
1/2 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
dash of salt
1-2 Tbsp. buttermilk

In saucepan, heat 1/4 cup butter over medium-low heat until lightly browned, about 8 minutes; cool. In bowl beat 1/4 cup softened butter with mixer on medium 30 seconds. Add cooled brown butter; beat until combined. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and dash of salt. Beat in 1-2 Tbsp. buttermilk until spreadable. Use immediately. If frosting begins to set up, stir in a small amount of boiling water.

Etsy Picks of the Week

Winter has officially begun in Minnesota. We are known for our extreme winters, and this year is no different. At this very moment the temperature is 10, which is better than it has been the past few days. On Tuesday mother nature just decided it was time for winter and dumped a bunch of snow on us. So I am now in need of winter equipment!! What a good week for creating a winter themed Etsy pick list.

crochet neckwarmer from emily knits and crochet

So cute! Look at those buttons!

Cashmerino Slouch Hat in Fawn and Steel from Adventures of Jessica Rose

I love everything about this hat. The color combination is awesome, it looks so soft and warm, and look at the adorable little bow and that little poof ball!?

And because I couldn't just pick one cute style.....

Rotterdam Cashmerino Scarf and Hat Set in Ballerina from Adventures of Jessica Rose

I want it. Right now. For real. SO CUTE. I love hats, I seriously have a suitcase in our front closet that is just designated for hats.

Fingerless Mittens in Mustard with Brass Buttons from Melp Designs

I am in desperate need of driving mittens. My hands are already becoming dry and cracked from the cold. I am almost out of my tube of "Look ma, new hands!" lotion, and that realization is making me wish for a pair of gorgeously adorable mittens to save my hands from this Minnesota weather!

Wedding!

Here are some shots from my September 19th wedding. All of the decorations and centerpieces were thrifted and put together by me. I feel pretty proud of how my wedding turned out. Here's a list of important businesses that helped us out:

Miel y Leche - Best Cupcakes Ever! Here are the amazing flavors we got: Chocolate Bomb, Dreamsicle, Pumpkin Butterscotch with Cinnamon Buttercream, Pink Lemonade, and Lemon Blueberry.
Tinuccis - An important part of any wedding is the food. Unfortunately that was the last priority on our list, so we ended up scrambling to find a caterer about a month or so before. Tinucci's is in Newport, and not only was their food fantastic, they were so nice! And totally affordable!
Thomas Ward Photography - Morgan of Thomas Ward did a phenomenal job! She was so sweet and so accommodating even when our families bothered her to do impromptu family portraits that neither Derek nor myself were in. She stayed almost all night too, I had to shoo her out so she could go get some sleep! Absolutely wonderful to work with!

Anyways! Here are some of the best photos from that day!

Etsy Picks of the Week...

Sorry this post is a little late! This weekend has been rather busy with cookie making and holiday things.

I decided that this weeks picks would have a theme. I have always wanted to either throw or be invited to a big fancy New Years Eve party, since I hardly ever have an excuse to get dressed up. I think New Years Eve is one of those holidays that is meant to be celebrated in a ritzy, elegant way with champagne and dancing and fashion. This weeks picks are put together as the outfit I would wear to that hypothetical party.

rosebud headband via heart of light

I have wanted to snatch one of these up since she started her shop! I love the new trend of headbands with flowers on them or feathers, but I've noticed that a lot of the styles are very gaudy and obnoxious, and I think these headbands stand out so much because they are extremely understated and elegant.

vintage red hot suede heels via my cocoon vintage

I have always wanted a pair of really sexy red high heels, and I think the suede would make it a little less.... slutty?... than leather or vinyl. The heels are also not that high, which is perfect for me since I am 6 feet tall, and only about an inch shorter than my husband.

new years statement necklace via doloris petunia

I love this so much! It's absolutely stunning, and very very bold! I think the new trend of bib necklaces is so lovely, and I wish I had the talent to make some for my shop.

silk lined ginkgo sateen frame kisslock clutch via briana edelman designs

I love these colors together, and the large graphic makes it a piece of art in your wardrobe, and yet its very simple because it doesn't require all that glitz and glam by putting rhinestones or silk flowers all over it to make a statement.

the canary dress with layered silk chiffon via holly stalder

I have a terrible weakness for anything yellow, and I think the layers on this dress are gorgeous. Yellow is one of those colors you have to be careful with, because if you get the wrong shade it can turn out very ridiculous looking, but I think this shade is perfect. Its very buttery and soft, but still bright enough to stand out in a crowd.

Shop Stuff!

Here's some recent supplies I purchased and hope to work with soon.

pink coral smooth brioletteslapis lazuli rod beads

from SunBijoux Gems

I would really like to make some bold jewelry, and I'm trying to find different shapes to use rather than plain old round beads, which are my usual stand by. I think after the holidays are over I will go on a vintage exploring trip and find some new pieces to break up and refurbish.

Here is my current supply wishlist! I'm really digging on pearls lately, but I love drops and rods because its a modern twist on a vintage classic. So pretty!

pearl drops from karmel kisses

long rod shape freshwater pearl from sunbijoux

glossy twist faceted prehnite briolettes from sweet earth gems

hot pink rutilated quartz from bela brazilian gems

peruvian blue chalcedony briolettes from modern metals

phantom quartz teardrop pendant from alicediy

Christmas Presents (and our new favorite thing!)

So since I took the handmade pledge, I've been trying to come up with something to make as gifts this year. I realized that I have all this glassware lying around from my wedding, and it now has no purpose. So I decided I'm going to take each vase and hand paint it and then fill it with homemade truffles. Here is my first attempt:
So I have thirteen more to go! Wish me luck!

Also, we have a new tiny friend in the house!His name is Tribble. Now if you know the reference, do not giggle! It was not my choice! It was my geeky husband's decision! If you do not know the reference, check out The Trouble With Tribbles.

Anyways, sorry for the short post, I'm literally running out the door to work now.