Tuesday, October 26, 2010

SILVER and GOLD









[Jacket: Ashley Stewart, White-T: Old Navy, Jeans: Ashley Stewart
Madden Boots: DSW, Accessories: Ashley Stewart & Torrid]












Just a quick shout-out and big THANK YOU to my photographer...my BFF who hooks a sista up!  Thanks lil momma!  Besties till the end!












Tuesday, October 12, 2010

What's Cooking - Neapolitan Cupcakes




It's been a while since I've baked anything, but I couldn't resist making these babies right here! 
This past weekend I took a trip to the Farmers Market and picked up a coulpe of baskets of strawberries and what better way to put them to use right?  This is definitely a great treat for that office Halloween Party this year!  You'll definitely be the talk of the office!  Enjoy!!

Vanilla Batter (Makes 24 cupcakes)
  • 8 Tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp.salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Chocolate Batter
  • 8 Tbsp. (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup whole milk
  • 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

Prepare both vanilla and chocolate batters; fill muffin cups with 3 tablespoons of each, side by side.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a standard 12-cup muffin pan, or use paper liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add oil then eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition; add vanilla, and mix until combined. On low speed, beat in half the flour mixture, followed by milk; end with remaining flour mixture. Mix just until incorporated (do not over mix).

Divide batter among prepared muffin cups, filling each 2/3 full. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a cupcake comes out clean, 22 to 24 minutes. Cool cupcakes in pan, 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Frost with strawberry icing.

Icing Ingredients

1/2 cup whole fresh strawberries or frozen berries (thawed)
1/2 lb Butter
8oz Cream Cheese
1lb Box Confectioners Sugar
1tsp Pure Vanilla Extract

Place strawberries in small food processor; process until pureed.  In an electric mixer, cream together butter, cream cheese then slowly add confectioners sugar until mixed well.  Add vanilla and strawberry puree mix until just blended. Do not overmix or frosting will incorporate too much air. Frosting consistency should be dense and creamy, like ice cream.






ASOS Love!




Hey Diva's!!! This past weekend I finally got a chance to wear this purtty print top I purchased from ASOS a couple of months ago and I can honestly say I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! It's super comfy and super light for this crazy Cali weather,which is so unpredictable. One day it's raining cats and dogs and the next it's 90 degrees.   This weekend was beautiful, so before I hit the streets I got my photo shoot on!!  Ha!



[Top: ASOS: Jeans: Ashley Stewart: Shoes: BCF: Accessories: Ashley Stewart]




















Monday, October 4, 2010




Last weekend after book club, my tee~tee and I headed over to "The Beat Goes On" at the Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival .  This event  celebrates multiculturalism and brings people together from all walks of life in Southern California and from around the world.  "Dedicated to percussion and the traditional role of drumming in human societies, the Drum Festival is held in the center of Watts, at the site of the Watts Towers.

The historic Watts Towers are seventeen major sculptures that were created by Sabato "Simon Rodia, an Italian immigrant, out of steel that was covered with mortar and decorated with a variety of embedded mosaic tiles, shells, glass from broken bottles, ceramic pieces of broken plates, and rocks. The sculptures were a 33-year obsession, which the artist worked on from 1921 until 1955, calling his steel structures Nuestro Pueblo (Our Town). Tours of Rodia's Towers were held throughout the weekend, as the events brought together artisans, musicians, food vendors and music lovers. The diverse crowd fanned out into the various areas of the festival, which was free and open to the public. Some browsed the ethnic goods available at merchants' booths while many others remained seated in front of the main stage area or in the area of the Drum Circle.  To read more on "Simon Rodia and history of the Watts Tower, visit here.

By the time we arrived, the tours were over. Wish I could have shown the detail on the towers....absolutely amazing!

Thiese pictures were made out of stained glass


 



Loved her top!


Loved her earrings!



My purtty tee-tee!




Festival vendor requested a photo with me (lol)
Excuss the lip gloss on my check..someone kissed me!

Later that evening...headed out for drinks!
Jacket: Ashley Stewart | Heart Tee: Torrid | Accessories: Ashley Stewart

Deuces!