Treasure Hunting

I started out looking for vintage cake stands on Craigslist and next thing I know. . . this desk is staring back at me! I can’t believe how unique and pristine it is. The ad says it’s a 1950′s optometrist desk, hence the neat cutout and swivel chair. I would swoop it up in a heartbeat if I had the room (and money) for it!

Sketchbook Sunday

Thanks to my Two Dozen Goals list, I have started keeping a journal / sketch book again! I’m going to share some excerpts from it on the blog every now and then! It can be pretty hard to make necessary changes when you’re stuck in a rut. Sometimes it can be even harder to admit you’re stuck in a rut in the first place— uninspired, living on autopilot, questioning all your own actions. So after making some life-altering decisions, I am looking forward to a better tomorrow!

Thrift Store Dream Coat

This post is my way of letting you know I failed at not buying any clothing for a year. But HOW FABULOUS is this jacket?! I was doing so well at avoiding thrift stores until I promised to help a friend with a fashion project . . . and the rest is history. Even if I counted this as an accessory to make myself feel better, it wouldn’t matter because I found an incredible vintage dress that day, too!

shirt, skirt, jacket: thrifted // tights: target // flats: DSW 

I read this post by Georgina Swan about cost per wear and it couldn’t have come at a better time. By no means do I spend tons of money on clothes only to wear them once, but I am guilty of buying pieces I love in the dressing room only to get home and have complete “what was I thinking moments?” where I realize I have nothing to wear said piece with. So here’s to focusing on better quality items with timeless fits that I can stretch further than my current wardrobe! Do you have any shopping habits you’re trying to change?

“The Best You Ever Made”

I don’t mean to brag, but these Banana Maple Cupcakes with Spun Sugar Hearts were deemed “the best you ever made” by my partner. I mean, he does have a thing for banana flavored foods, and I have been told that several of my other desserts were “the best I’ve ever had” by friends, but these cupcakes really might actually be the best. I think my favorite food conversation comment  of all time came from my Cherry Cheesecake Cupcakes and went like this:

These are vegan?
Yes.
But they’re so good! Sooo goooood! They’re even moist!

You guys, I’m changing the world! Okay, so maybe just the opinions of those that get to try my vegan baking. But hey, you gotta start somewhere, right? And what better place to start spreading compassion than your own kitchen?
For the hearts, I used the caramel sauce from this croquembouche recipe. I promise they aren’t difficult, just messy. Put down lots of parchment and experiment. And remember to watch the sugar mixture closely so it doesn’t burn!

So here’s the breakdown: Banana cupcakes, topped with lightly flavored maple frosting + a pool of maple syrup in the center. I got the idea from this photo and decided to try it since I have had trouble with making the maple flavor strong enough in the past (and I didn’t feel like buying maple extract to remedy it).
Look how the syrup drips down the side of that front cupcake! Yum! These are definitely for those that like to indulge in dessert, not the kind of person that appreciates cupcakes because they feel they are “less messy” than cake. Pile on the syrup and top with your sugar creations, I made mine into hearts: 

Vegan! Banana Maple Cupcakes
adapted from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup ripe banana, mashed well
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 2/3 cup milk alternative (I used vanilla soymilk)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1. Prepare your muffin pan with liners. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the banana (mashed well with a fork, a few small lumps are okay), sugar, canola oil, vegan milk, vanilla, and almond extracts.

4. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients, folding everything together until just combined.

5. Fill each cupcake liner about two-thirds of the way up. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until a toothpick or knife comes out clean when testing. Cool completely before frosting.

Vegan Maple Frosting

• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening
• 1/4 cup vegan margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup*

1. With a mixer, beat together the shortening, margarine, and vanilla extract. Alternate adding powdered sugar one cup at a time and maple syrup one tablespoon at at time, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Beat for 5-7 minutes until fluffy. Create a well in the center of your cupcakes and fill with additional syrup. Note: If you are going to pipe this frosting, try refrigerating it for about 30-45 minutes first because it is not very stiff.

*It’s okay if you only have breakfast syrup that is not technically Pure Maple Syrup. At least for me it is. . . I am not picky.

If you celebrate Valentine’s Day then these Banana Maple Cupcakes would be a great gift for someone special OR something fun to make together. They would also be sweet for an anniversary gift .Or just because you like hearts. Or bananas. Or trying new things. Or if you just need a go-to banana cupcake recipe. Now what are you waiting for?! Go forth and use those bananas you are never going to eat!

Update: These are best served same day. The spun sugar kind of dissolves and melts into the cupcakes. Also, my sugar hearts kind of tasted like coffe, but that could just be because of how long I cooked it for. (so I am saying if you don’t like that idea then be careful how long you leave them in the cupcakes or how long you cook the sugar for!) I am trying the spun sugar again this weekend so I might do another post/update about it!

Hear, Hear! : The Cat’s Meow

I have some news! This is the first edition of what I am calling The Cat’s Meow: A Collection of Things to Purr Over. I really enjoyed the last two times I shared lists of little treasures that are making me happy, so I decided to make a regular feature out these posts from now on. So here is a little glimpse of what is inspiring me in February:

1. These diy Valentine’s Day cake stands make such a delightful tablescape! I would love to create a little dessert bar someday.

2. I am dying to make this simple + sweet chain collar necklace

3. I highly recommend reading The Styling Dutchman’s post: Feminism as Extremism; here is one part I loved:

“I’m here to raise awareness, to make you think about your position in life. Next time feminism comes up in a conversation, I urge you to keep things simple. Tell them that yes, you are a feminist, and ask your detractors why they are against equal opportunity for every individual, regardless of the contents of their underpants. More broadly: please, don’t be afraid to fight for your beliefs, to educate yourself, to think. Our ancestors fought hard to give us those opportunities. And don’t forget: we are ancestors to be, and our decisions have consequences.” 

4. Speaking of feminism, I am dying to read the book Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom (with a Few Flat Tires Along the Way):
 5. Speaking of bikes, I can’t even explain how happy this photo from Bike Fancy makes me!
I have a really hard time staying chic in the cold and when that’s coupled with biking then I just end up feeling like a hot mess (which I don’t really mind, but apparently being a fashion consultant comes with certain expectations!). Luckily this winter has been extremely mild, but since I am working on improving my style in general, learning to be as cute is this girl (is that even possible?) would be pretty handy.

6. Speaking of fashion, I am obsessed with wedges lately! I’m not personally ready for some of the more extreme ones out there, but I can really appreciate a timeless wedge done right. For me: clean lines, classic details, and versatility come first, like so:

7. And lastly . . . my blog’s facelift! I wasn’t happy with the previous changes, so I tried again. I have been a bit preoccupied with my job recently because I got a promotion (yay!) so I haven’t been able to document as many things as I want. Also, I maybe misplaced my camera for a while there…
So rather than working on content, I have been working behind the scenes on the appearance of my blog— new header, color scheme, background, and sidebar! If you are not familiar with the old layout, you can see it here. I really think these changes were much needed.  Now I can’t wait to keep posting and sharing little peaks into my life.

What’s inspiring you lately?