Rainbow cupcakes!

Celebrating my daughter's birthday is always stressful. I love her, I do, but why do I stress so much about a child's birthday party? I have no idea (because I'm an anal insane person who revels in idiocy). Most people might find it a breeze to throw together a shindig for a bunch of 6th graders, no worries- but not me. No, I have stress. As my sister says my creative plans are awesome, detailed, and wonderful. The execution? Not so much. So when my daughter's birthday comes around I am not one of those lovely easy-breezy wives/moms who just says "Happy Birthday!" gayly. No, I take an idea and complicate it as much as possible. I ask- how exactly can I make this situation more stressful?

Enter the lovely idea of rainbow cupcakes from Spearmint Baby's blog that I just had to replicate for her birthday. Because I'm a lunatic cheap inspired person I decided to make 48 cupcakes for her birthday party. Yes, instead of being a normal, sane working mom with little time on her hands who buys them from the bakery, I took on the endeavour of these cupcakes. I spent only 5.00 (instead of 25.00) but was it worth the headache? Well, I can honestly say it was (now) but at the time...not sure.

First, I started with boxed white cake batter. After mixing the batter per the directions, I dispersed the batter in 6 separate bowls. I used food coloring (already had) to make each batter a red, green, yellow, blue, orange (combo of red/yellow) and purple (combo of red/blue).

If you could mix your colors in mismatched bowls like this I'd really appreciate it. I'm no Martha, fo' sho', and I'd really be grateful to know I'm not the only one.

We started with one color and drizzled a spoonful into the bottom of each cupcake liner.

Then I added the next layer of color:

And so on and so on...you can find detailed instructions at Spearmint Baby's Blog in the link above.

After baking they came out great:

Look at the rainbow! Sooo pretty!

But really, we're talking about ME here so, can it be that simple? (even though it was easy, it was time-consuming.)

But of course not! Stupid me-I made them, was pleased, and put them in their containers to take to her party the next day.

And because I hate Florida and Florida hates me (it's a symbiotic relationship, see?) I forgot how hot it gets in our house despite the astronomical electric bill we incur each month.

So, the next day, this is what they looked like:

Yeah, the idiocy of me did not put them in the fridge assuming that they would keep okay in the house.

Nope.

I wanted to cry. But of course, those little kiddies didn't worry their pretty little heads about it. The cupcakes still tasted good and the kids said they looked cool--like tie-dye cupcakes (awwww...I think they were just being nice cuz they knew I was upset about it).

So, rainbow cupcakes? YES! Organizing birthday parties? NO!

Was it an epic fail? Meh. Not really, they still looked totally awesome inside and tasted good.

A Side Note: Poetry Oh Noetry

Ode to Cheetos

Oh, how I love thee dear Cheetos.

The taste of your cheesiness astounds me.

My lips sing your praises

 and my taste buds jump with delight

at the luck of capturing your crunchy goodness.

My eyes lit up when I realized I had you in my desk drawer.

Knowing that your salty, snacky goodness, above all else,

 would get me through work on this dreary afternoon

makes me sigh with deep contentment.

Even my orange crusted fingertips relished the lovely color you painted in my life today.

Thank you dear Cheetos.

______________________

Cheetos Haiku

Cheetos are lovely

Fingers delightfully orange

Yummy I want more

Curb Appeal....

It's been awhile since I've posted and I'm sorry for that! I would like to say I've been busy but why lie to you peeps? It's sheer laziness, through and through. I haven't wanted to post-so I haven't. Ain't it awesome this free country we live in? :)

Anyhow...I do want to post pics soon of the curb appeal I've been attempting to revive in our lovely home but for now I'll leave you with some inspiration pics (which are nothing like my home--but I can dream). Mainly, beautiful gardens and front doors (I would love to have a front door with windows!)

Below is one of my favorite curb appeal houses! To die for--but can you imagine the upkeep and water bill? Plants would die within a day because of my black thumb the Florida heat:

Of course, living in Florida, most of the houses have a "Florida-esque" (it's a word--i promise) feel to them. Personally, I don't care for the look of Florida homes. They look very much like this:

 Blech. Hate the colors, hate the style.

I like the look of traditional homes instead. Something like this (love the black shutters):

this is also nice:

Of course, I love the latest HGTV Green home which is located in MA:

Stunning! (look at that porch!)

or this porch (again with black shutters!):

And I really want a front door that has windows--that whole farmhouse look is so appealing to me:

And even though I couldn't bring myself to do it (i'm too chicken) I love this aubergine door (and the wreath!):

Old...New...Old...

It's always amazing to me when old things become new again. And sometimes we don't even know it.
In the past year I've seen this chandelier in the Pottery Barn magazines:

The description: Authentic green-glass wine bottles lend artistic impact to our striking Wine Bottle Chandelier. It has a rasped finish that gives each individual chandelier rich texture and one-of-a-kind detail.

The Price: 399.00!! Wow.
 But that's not the point of this post. The point is that I was watching the movie Covergirl this weekend (starring Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly) and here is what I saw:

The movie was released in 1944. That's right, some 70 years ago Gene Kelly was replacing bulbs in a soon-to-be Pottery Barn chandelier that would sell for 400 bucks. Wait, that's not exactly what I meant. But you know what I'm saying.

 I wonder if women who watched this movie when it was released thought "oooooooh, where can I get that lovely chandelier!?". Probably not. Though I'm sure countless women flicking through PB catalog these days covet it.

It's the circle of life isn't it? Oh, wait, that's not what that means is it?

Spring desires...

As if I need another reason to spend money...a few things I've been really wanting:

1) Rain boots. There are such cute rain boots out there and I've really been jonesing for some this season. After all, Florida does get a lot of rain and the idea of having some of those fun patterned adorable wellies (as the Brits call them) is just hard to resist. The two I'm really wanting:

These by Chinese Laundry

and:

These adorable polka dot ones by Chooka.

2) Flirty Spring dress. I'm obsessed with dresses. Forget the fact that I have 10-15 dresses that I hardly ever wear because if I'm not at work (uniform required), I'm at home- cleaning, working on a project, etc- and those things just don't require dresses. Still, I'm completely in love with dresses. I find them all the time and want to buy tons and tons and tons of them. Even though I have 2 hanging in my closet right.this.minute-which have never, ever been worn. I just don't go many places that require dresses.

But, forget practical! On to dreaming:
I want something feminine and flirty and high in my mind are these two which are from Anthropologie, and, unfortunately,  major deniro (oh, wait! that's the actor) I mean, dinero:

and

Not sure which I prefer but they are both 100.00- soooo...more than I want to spend. But they're so pretty and dreamy- romantic looking. *sigh*

3)Romantic blouses. I've always been a fan of ruffles, polka dots, capped sleeves--basically anything that looks romantic. I've scouted out a few shirts- and I'm kicking myself that I didn't buy one I found at the mall a few weeks ago. I haven't gone back yet to see if it's still there but I don't have much hope that it will be (little boutique store). It was only 25.00 too. :(

Here are a few I like from Anthro (***pink puffy heart Anthro***) but are expensive as everything is there:

4)White sandals. I'm in desperate need of a nice pair of white sandals for the summer. I just can't decide if I want actual flip-flop, sandal, or flat shoe:

These are Payless...cheap, easy, comfortable.

So are these:

 (hey, I'm cheap ---and definitely not a shoe snob---so sue me that I like cheap shoes!)

These are from Target, also cheap, and cute:

Okay, I've daydreamed enough and spent plenty of my fake money.So, I must stop thinking about it before I spend my REAL money.

Peace out.

You might be a DIY junkie if....

This was too cute- I had to post. It's sooo true. I found it on thenest.com (a decorating board I frequent often):

You might be a DIY junkie if...

§ You think you might as well have your paycheck deposited at Home Depot or Lowes




§ You know what it means when someone says they have spray paint finger



§ You have a closet dedicated to your stash – fabric, scrapbook paper, tiles, paint, mod podge



§ You think tools are a fabulous gift to receive



§ You’re bored so you paint something



§ You never do a project without taking photos (and then blogging them)



§ Your idea of a hot date is strolling the aisles of Home Depot while holding hands with the one you love while the kids are with a sitter



§ You have 5 projects going at the same time



§ Your kids learn to use tools before they can talk

LOFT WALL-ART

Since getting my new little coffee table and end table (I'll show that later) I have been attempting to brighten up and decorate my loft. Understand that the loft is really my 10 year old daughter's play room. So, of course, it's always a disaster. Because of this, I've neglected it as far as "decorating" goes.

But with the mother-in-law coming into town I knew I needed to whip it into shape quickly. She's like, Martha Stewart incarnate, so it was a little intimidating to have her at my house for the first time.  I wanted everything to look as best as it could. Which meant working on the loft. Clean up was crucial but I had to do something to the blank wall there too, which had been neglected since the beginning of our move some 4 years ago.

I already had the inspiration. I just needed to get off my behind and make. it. happen. (the mantra of procrastinators)

First, remember this mirror I got from my Good friend Will?

The mirror is actually shown upside down--which I preferred much better than the other way. So, that's the way I hung it. I spray painted it white and hung it within a big frame that I'd also painted white.

Already this was looking much better.Forget the fact that I want to paint the loft which would make it look tons better--I had to work with what I had.
So, I pulled out these dollar "art" pieces that I had gotten some time ago hoping to use them somewhere. I just thought they were so cute and for a buck? yes, please.

They had a ribbon up top for hanging and were very light, which was nice, but they didn't look too substantial.I decided to add this pretty scrapbook paper I had to make it look bigger:

Aren't the scalloped edges soooo pretty?

All I did was center the art on the scrapbook paper- held together with tape. Since it's so light weight taping it was no problem.

And hung on either side of the framed mirror:

It looks sooo much better than that ugly blank wall. It even makes the color of the wall look better (if I ignore all the dings, scratch marks and scuffs kids have left on it). Which is great since it will probably be for-evuh before I can paint the loft.

This was a fairly inexpensive project since it took sooo long before I did anything to the wall and I acquired all the pieces little by little.
Mirror-5.00 (spray paint I already had)
Frame-5.00 since it was broken (spray painted it)
Art pieces-1.00 each
Scrap book paper-1.00 each? not sure here--I've had it awhile.
Total for wall: 14.00 approx
Score!