A Kiss Is A Lovely Trick...

"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous"-Ingrid Bergman

Valentines day came and went...as did my dream of making lots of beautiful, breath-taking cookies decorated with royal icing. Eggs for Easter, snowflakes at Christmas all with brightly colored, perfectly linear and smooth facades, just me, some royal icing and a piping bag....

That foolish dream ended the moment my sugar cookies came out of the oven for valentines day. Royal icing is messy and frustrating. My first five cookies, even though I looked up the how to's and followed Irma B`s instructions, ran over the edge and looked like a pile of junk. My sister was no better at it. Fifty cookies later, some additives to our icing and a lot of cursing under our breaths, we did have a handful of decent looking V-day sweets. We also had one giant, pink, sparkly mess. I am sure someday I will be brave enough or drunk enough to try again. For now I am sticking to tricks I know!  Happy cookie decorating all!
-m

Sunday Quote...

"You can never be over dressed or over educated!"-Oscar Wilde

A Friend Doesn't...

"A friend doesn't go on a diet because you are fat..."-Erma Bombeck

I love to bake and sometimes (but not always..) I like to indulge in some of my baked sweets. Unless you are a nurse that has a slew of hungry co-worker on night shifts, you know, the kind that would give you their child for a cupcake because they are exhausted and it is 2am, you probably end up with way more baked treats than you need. Cupcakes yield twenty-four, who would ever need that many cupcakes?! If you are anything like me, they sit on your counter until you eat so many that you are green in the gills or they go bad. Here is a simple solution, a two serving cupcake recipe. Perfect if you and your sweetie need a little something sweet. Also perfect if your best friend comes over crying with a broken heart. Best part, besides the whole mini-sweet cake thing, is that you only need a whisk and one bowl. No messin' with mixers. Enjoy!
-m

 Two-serving vanilla cuppie-cakes.

-1 egg white
-2 tbs sugar
-2 tbs melted butter
-1tsp-ish vanilla (I just used a cap-full)
-1/4 cup flour (all purpose)
-1 pinch of salt
-1/4 tsp baking powder (heaping please!)
 -1 1/2 tbs buttermilk (but milk will do if that's what you got!)

Whisk sugar and egg white till blended. Add butter and vanilla and give another good whisk. Add dry ingredients, mix and add milk of choice then whisk for one final time...look at that it took you five minutes! Divide between two muffin liners (in a muffin pan) and bake at 350 for about 10 minutes. Let cool and frost with whatever frosting you like!

A Day Without An Argument....

"A day without an argument is like an egg without salt."-Angela Carter

As everyone knows, I love many things. I love exploring to find new shops and eateries. I am always willing to try something new at a restaurant. Can you imagine how much less wonderful my life would be if my mother never dragged me to try sushi?! I also love turning something old into something new and looking for thrifty ways to mix up my wardrobe and my home. I love a good book, a strong cup of coffee and a great red lipstick. I love spending time with people who matter to me but I also love spending time by myself (particularly at coffee shops, beaches and art galleries in no particular order).

 All of these loves stem from one person, my mother. She encouraged me to always be myself, instilled good taste, a sense of adventure and an affinity to being crafty and thrifty. She taught me the importance of a good haircut, to be a kind, generous and empathic person and today just so happens to be her birthday! So happy birthday Mum, you are the very best!  You truly are amazing and I love you!

To everyone else, I am sorry for my lack of blogging, once again life has gotten in the way. I will do better. For now I will leave you with a recommendation. The Salt Shaker Deli... yes it may be a trek all the way to Lunenburg, but it is a quaint little spot with a great wine list and even better sandwiches. Totally worth the drive, there is just something wonderful about artichoke hearts and fresh olive bread, not to mention excellent company.
xo-m

Home Is The Place...

"Home is the place where, when you have to go there, the have to take you in.."-Robert Frost

I am addicted to "Pinterest", and now that I am a very soon to be homeowner (eeeeep!!), I am using it as a bit of a forum for thrifty, handy and unique decor ideas...

Here are some of my favorite bedroom bliss inspirations..
Enjoy!
-m