color love

This week Alison told us to pick a color and run with it. I know my color choice here seems pretty darn lame, but I have to say I'm loving it! I'm normally a very bright and colorful kind of girl. I'm the wacko who thinks that yellow shoes go with a white skirt and purple shirt. Or that a green cardigan is a neutral. But sometimes you have to tone it down.

When I saw this dress from the new "shops" collection at Target, I was immediately smitten. Honestly this was my second favorite dress I saw, but I couldn't get the image of the fabulous strapless green one to show up. Plus, like I said, sometimes it's good to stray from your norm.

color love by rundreamcook featuring a short sleeve dress

Short sleeve dress
$43 - target.com

Kate Spade ankle wrap sandals
$275 - jildorshoes.com

Prada logo tote bag
£1,150 - flannelsfashion.com

Chloé enamel jewelry
£129 - harrods.com

books

While everyone else under the sun is busily reading 50 Shades of Grey, I'm working on a much more tame book. Don't get me wrong, I read 50 and enjoyed the first one for what it was, a silly erotic novel, but I'm kind of over it. I'm not so vanilla that I couldn't appreciate the tone of the book. What it was that I couldn't grasp onto was the characters themselves and their relationship. I'm not a huge fan of whiny wimpy girls who fall hopelessly in love with someone who is clearly not good for them (especially when the girl KNOWS that it isn't a good place for her - but is drawn in only by her desire for sex...ugh). Any who...That is not the point of this post.
I am currently in the middle of How to Love an American Man. I'm in love with the book already. The first two chapters had me in tears and loving every second of it. I started the book after a suggestion by my Aunt Cindy who read it after Jenna over at Eat Live Run read and recommended it.

So, if you're in the market for a more tame story, I'd totally suggest you pick it up!

morning!

Good morning and happy Wednesday! Since it's Wednesday, it's time to share some of my favorite pinterest finds of the week!
Enjoy!

Source: elenaslife.com via Sonya on Pinterest

Early morning yoga pose. I wish that I did this already today.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Abby on Pinterest

One of the most gorgeous kitchens I've ever seen

Source: bhg.com via Debbie on Pinterest

Beautiful bathroom color. I don't love the wainscoting though.

Source: sousstyle.com via Anna on Pinterest

And this is how I wish I ate breakfast this morning....

Source: plataformaarquitectura.cl via Camila on Pinterest

Can I live here please? It's a bit intense, but I'm in love with it.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Keren on Pinterest

Beautiful bouquet of flowers. Love it a little...

Source: toppics.mooo.com via Flan on Pinterest

There are few things cuter than a baby in a skull hat.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Erin on Pinterest

I can't wait to have my own house so I can paint the front door bright green just like this.

Source: tasteofhome.com via Diane on Pinterest

Yum! I want these please.

tuesday motivation

i get knocked down...

So, I didn't win the cupcake war challenge...I tied for 3rd place for the day (out of 13). I was pretty bummed but I'm ready to try again. Third place isn't awesome, but it isn't terrible either.
I made vanilla cupcakes with lime curd filling and a whipped lime buttercream. Delicious.
And if you were wondering, I do still have a tiny bit of lime curd in the fridge and it takes EVERY ounce of self restraint I have to not stick my finger in the bowl every time I walk by....

Frosted and ready to be boxed

When I got to the radio station they got adorned with tiny candied lime zest curls. Gorgeous and delicious...

The moral of the story here is that I'm trying again in 2 weeks. I'll be at the Gardiner cupcake festival on the 19th submitting two flavors. I'll be bringing my chocolate/caramel cupcake and perhaps a vegan one too...We'll have to see how the testers come out!!

Also, if you have any experience doing gluten free or vegan baking, I'd love some tips! I'm working on perfecting a delicious gluten free and/or vegan cupcake. I was thinking the gf one would be apple/caramel and the vegan one would be something else. I'm not on gf or a vegan diet so I'd love some advice!

derby day

This morning I'm off to cupcake wars with a dozen of my most gorgeous lime cupcakes. Check back later for pictures and a full recap of the competition!!

But for now, this is my dream derby outfit. I'm in love with those shoes!!!

derby day by rundreamcook featuring bangle jewelry

AX Paris belted dress
£20 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Kate Spade strappy wedge
$227 - katespade.com

Coralia Leets gold filled jewelry
$115 - otteny.com

See by Chloe bangle jewelry
$55 - couture.zappos.com

Kokin raffia hat
£105 - julesb.co.uk

cupcakes galore

I figured it out. I'll be competing in cupcake wars tomorrow morning. I'm working on perfecting the flavors, and I need to get a new cupcake pan. Apparently my cupcake pans are more like muffin pans and are a bit more shallow/wide than I'd prefer. The shapes of my cupcakes are off just a tiny bit and it makes them a little uglier than I'd like. Since they'e so wide they need more frosting and more isn't always better.
These are the ones I was up all night making last night....

Chocolate cupcake filled with gooey caramel, chocolate buttercream and flaked toasted coconut

Vanilla cupcake infused with tequila filled with lime curd topped with sweet lime buttercream

Chocolate cupcake filled with peanut butter mousse. Dipped in chocolate ganache topped with chocolate buttercream
and chopped peanuts

The changes I'm debating:
The chocolate peanut butter cupcake with have a peanut butter buttercream with a chocolate shell instead of the ganache
Add a salted lime wedge to the margarita cupcakes
Add coconut oil to chocolate and make a chocolate shell on the buttercream for the samoa cupcake

cupcakes are pinteresting

I got some awesomely fabulous news that turned into quite the bummer yesterday. I was invited to the local radio station on Friday morning to participate in their version of cupcake wars. Only to figure out that I can't get out of work and I can't go. I'm so bummed about it, but I think I'm sending my friend Kristyn who owns the bakery in Connecticut in my place. We'll see if it works out!
In the event I can figure it out, I was looking for some cupcake inspiration (I already know exactly what recipe I'll be using, but decorating inspiration and filling options are still open!) on pinterest. I'm sharing the million cupcakes that made my mouth water a little bit with you today!

Source: mybakingaddiction.com via Mashell on Pinterest

Tagalong cupcakes!

Source: mybakingaddiction.com via Mashell on Pinterest

Rolo cupcakes

Source: sweetopia.net via Mashell on Pinterest

I really think I'll be going with the chocolate/caramel combo

Source: alwayswithbutter.blogspot.com via Mashell on Pinterest

Cloud frosting does sound delicious though!

Source: singforyoursupperblog.com via Louise on Pinterest

It's peanut butter jelly time!

Source: kokken69.blogspot.com via Louise on Pinterest

Lemon meringue, as a cupcake? I'd love this

Source: makeandtakes.com via Tammy on Pinterest

Apple cupcakes are pretty darn cute.

Source: bakedperfection.com via Tammy on Pinterest

The apple caramel combo sounds amazing

Source: google.ca via Tammy on Pinterest

Oh my these are adorable!

Source: etsy.com via Tammy on Pinterest

More adorable decorations

Source: bakersroyale.com via Mashell on Pinterest

Ganache, toffee? oh my. Love this. I think I'll use some of this idea...

baby shower love

Last baby shower post I promise! I just want to share the friend and family pictures from the shower too. Yesterday I shared all of the gorgeous details that we put together but today I want to share all the things that really made this shower what it was.
Like I said, we are incredibly lucky to have such amazing friends and family. Branson is the luckiest baby in the world.

My older sister, Jenn and I. We are super excited Aunts to be!

My radiant little sister, and look at that belly!!!

My sister's best friend from high school who flew up to surprise her for the shower

Jenn and my cousin Devan

The incredible mountain of presents

Jess and her super gorgeous group of friends, I mean really - STUNNING!

Jess and her dog (who is speedy fast - hence the blur) Addie. Addie is wearing her "big sister to be" pin on her collar!

I love this silly snapshot of my sister. We're watching Jess open gifts

All snuggled in the living room to watch her open gifts. Also, small shout out to Gigi, the girl in the blue who is
currently pregnant too! She's 25 weeks and looking fabulous!! So many babies all at the same time, love it!!

As a side note, I think I'll be doing the photo a day challenge in May! Here's the list:

Source: fatmumslim.com.au via Amy on Pinterest