friday loves.

I  am loving my last free days of baking for the holiday weekend.

 Hope your weekend is just as sweet. xo

all good things.

Yesterday was a pretty big day for me, I accepted a job offer!

No, it's not a baking related job. It's one that I went to college for and is in the industry that I have worked in. 

Why why why? Because while I dream to bake and blog everyday, I simply can't right now. I want to live a great life and to do so at this age, I need to make some money. And that is the truth my friends.

I picked a job where I could see myself grow, see myself happy, and see myself having a balanced life. I have learned that these are the most important things you need to think about when accepting a job, even more so than the money.   

I can't believe it but funemployment will come to an end in just four days! 

And I plan to enjoy every last second of it.

Cheers to new beginnings.

easter inspiration.

Dessert tables are sort of my thing, I just love them so much. Every holiday I make sure there is a decorated table of sweets. Sometimes I go too overboard, to the point where I tell myself that I am absolutely ridiculous. But that's better than being boring right?

So I am starting to plan for Easter; pinning things, looking through cookbooks, and checking the seasonal section of every store I walk into. I was looking through some of my old Easter photos for some inspiration and figured I would share them to talk about some tid-bits regarding dessert tables I have...

First and foremost, make what you know and what people like. Sure, it is ok to try new recipes but make sure you are capable of making them or else it will not be fun if you make them the night before (as I usually do!). Cupcakes and sugar cookies are fun to make and a sure people pleaser.

In addition to baked goods, chocolate covered anything will look great on your table and are so easy-peasy to make. Decorate them with nuts, sprinkles, chocolate chips, marshmallows, and little candies!

Display your baked goods in pretty baskets, bowls, and platters; mix it up and make it fun! Use doilies!  

(It's a running joke with my friends that I may be the only person who still uses and loves them)

Decorate your table with any fun little accents you can find that fits your theme. 

Bright colors are great for the springtime.

Stack pedestal platters to give some height to the table.

If you have the time to make cake pops, make them, 

but I can't stress enough that you need to give yourself time.

This year I plan to keep it simple, let's see how well I do!

Have fun planning!

happy monday.

Oh what a weekend. 

Yesterday I participated in an Easter egg scavenger hunt with a large group of friends. We had to complete a list of hilarious tasks and visit bars to solve riddles throughout the city, all while wearing bunny ears. It was quite a Sunday funday.

Oh and on Saturday I finished making this...

I was inspired by lace as it has been an obsession of mine for a few years now. It is a genoise cake filled with Italian meringue buttercream and decorated with fondant. Sounds pretty fancy right?

It is my final cake from the fondant and royal icing course that I have been taking this past month. Every Saturday I would lug a large bag and tool kit to the city for a five hour class. And though my social life level dropped a bit due to this, I really loved it. It was fun, challenging, and rewarding. I meet some wonderful people, learned new cake tricks, and tasted really great food. 

Warning, really dorky and unflattering picture below...

hehe. xo

friday loves.

Loving...

The Hunger Games. 

I saw the movie last night with one of my best girls and I thought that it was a great interpretation of the book! 

Read the series if you haven't had a chance.

These signs. 

I saw them in TJ Maxx and wish I had a kitchen to hang them in.

The Vitamin String Quartet. 

I like to listen to them when I am doing quiet work.

Easter Prep.

How did it sneak up so fast?

 Healthy hair. 

I finally got a much needed haircut. (apologies for the no makeup serious face).

Chocolate Chip Cookies. 

I was inspired by Joy the Baker and baked them topped with sesame seeds. They give the cookies a little texture and decorative appeal without an overpowering sesame taste. I also used my absolute favorite chocolate chips, Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet. I am a sucker for dark chocolate and in my opinion they are so worth the extra cents. I won't lie, I ate 3 cookies right out of the oven and had to pull myself away to stop.

Hope you have a lovely weekend. 

xo

thoughts.

"You're far too young to believe that it's not going to be okay."

I had to repeat this to myself for most of this crazy week. I have had so many thoughts racing through my mind that my head was spinning. And all of these thoughts that would not leave me alone were of things and situations beyond my control.

It took a solid day or two to finally get past them and remember that everything finds its place. If something doesn't work out then it just wasn't meant to be and something better is on its way. 
It is going to be just fine.

Thankfully, I have the best girlfriends and family to help me when I loose sight of things.
They snap me back to my positive self and help me find the humor in these sticky situations.
Froyo and retail therapy also keeps me going. 

If I could, I would share with you.

love and hugs.

happy monday.

This weekend...

I was obsessed with the cherry blossoms in full bloom outside our home...

I spent time outside to enjoy the spring weather...

I may have had a brownie craving, but that's pretty normal...

and I baked cream puffs for my Grandpa's birthday.

I hope you have a lovely week ahead. xo