Let's talk.....cupcakes.

So.... I made this little recipe I found on Not Just Another Jennifer's blog for a charity bake sale this week. This, my friends, is heaven in your mouth...as I like to say, it tasted like rainbows and unicorns. But also heard in the hallways of my office...

"Holy Sh!t - what is this wonderfulness?"
"I like you so much better now."
"Thank you, thank you so much, this changed my life."

Needless to say, they sold out. Also sold a red velvet cake for $50! One of our work family members recently lost his 41-year sold unexpectedly. He had six children. In a week, we were able to raise 9K for their education fund. I'm so proud to be a part of the office i work at!

Here's all i did: Made yellow cake batter from a box. Filled cupcake pans about 2/3 full. Dropped in a ball of cookie dough (pre-made roll of dough). Cooked and frosted (with a tub of whipped frosting) and sprinkled on some chocolate chunks. A true working girl's recipe.

(I forgot to take a picture, so this actually comes from here, love the cookie dough frosting idea...mmm).

The wallet clutch

In case you've been waiting on the edge of your seat for this one... I picked the red! As if whipping out the credit card wasn't fun enough as it is. I puffy-heart it! Find your own here: KailoChic on Etsy

Violence and Abuse

Interrupt my usual triviality for a seroius message. This Saturday, Tim and I are participating in SafePlace field day. SafePlace takes care of women and children who are raped and/or abused. Sadly, in these economic times, they are serving even more families. But of course, it's harder to raise money. They are currently in danger of losing their pre-school (for children who may not be safe attending an outside school). This saddens my heart.

The SafePlace services are amazing - they have a hotline, counseling, legal support, hospital support, a shelter, community outreach...the list goes on.

If you can spare even five dollars, it would really make a difference to these women and children. Your donation is tax-deductible and can be made here: Safeplace. Donations are being gathered until noon CST tomorrow.



Thank you!

Ugly Molly Monday

Argh...having trouble with this post. Anyway...hopefully this works so I don't have to retype again!

I think I could start a regular feature called Ugly Molly Monday. I love Molly (not as Michael, but I do love her) but she cannot take a cute picture to save her life. Promise she really is cute in real life. But in pictures...not so much.

Fly by night update...

It's been a busy weekend and we're exhausted, so this will be a lame post! Actually, I'm having trouble even remembering what we did. Let's see...

Friday - day off...what! We saw I Love You, Man (cute but not in puffy-heart love) and then pillaged the Gap. Yes, the gap - are they possibly turning things around (finally)? Maybe...or maybe i just needed basics (more likely). My favorite find was this dress (much longer on me and with a wide woven belt).


Saturday, a bbq in Canada (aka Round Rock), Sunday, food shopping, errands, laundry, cleaning, etc. etc. I admit, we celebrated Easter over breakfast tacos from Torchy's (B+ definitely prefer Taco Deli) at the Trailer Park Eatery (love Austin and this counts towards #50).


Oh, and also had Zuzu (C+) on Friday, so tick off two more restaurants on the 101 list. And finished the Undercover Economist (so two business books down).

I'll add to this random post by saying, this week, I'm most thankful for the beautiful wildflowers found all along Austin's highways this time of year. They make me smile!

Spring Look 5 - First Thursday in Austin

Every first Thursday, South Congress in Austin, a funky little neighborhood with cute boutiques and vintage stores, opens all their doors late and serves beer, offers music, booths, etc. I've been meaning to go since we got back to Austin but haven't made it yet. But when I do...this is what i want to wear! I'm not really feeling the cutesy summer dresses this year - this one has a more vintage-y grown up feel while still being airy and comfortable.

Dress - Fossil
Boots - Frye (I couldn't decide between the two - each makes it's own look!)
Wood cuff - Burberry




**Apologies these pictures are always either blurry or small - can't seem to work this one out!

Beautiful new find for my office!

Can't remember whose blog originally pointed me this direction, but thank you! I'm adding these beautiful photos to my bland office walls.

Tricia McKellar, Etsy

Slowly

Wanderlust

Many and One

Karma is awesome!

Every day, I am so grateful. I mean, I'm one lucky girl. And just one of the ways includes never having to be subject to any abuse in my life. Others are not so lucky. That is why I'm participating in the event below. I would love to have your support if you are in the position to give it. (and feel free to spread the word!)




On April 18, I am participating in the 2009 SafePlace Field Day & Festival and I need your help. I have set a fundraising goal for myself--help me reach it!

By donating in my name, you can help SafePlace change lives by providing vital programs & services to those in our community who have been hurt by rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence. Your contribution is invaluable. SafePlace could not do the important work of ending this type of violence without our help.

To make a tax-deductible donation, click on the link at the bottom of this message. If you would prefer to sponsor me through cash or check rather than online I am glad to collect your donation myself so I can keep track of my fundraising goal.

I appreciate your support.

Click here to visit my personal page.

SafePlace
We envision a community free of rape, sexual abuse and domestic violence.

24 Hour Hotline: 267-SAFE
927-9616 TTY for the Deaf community

Recipe Monday

I don't have enough recipes in my repertoire to make a feature of it...but it's Monday and I made one of my favorite recipes this weeekend - Black Eyed Pea dip. I don't really do main dishes but I'm great at desserts and appetizers! This recipe comes from friend Kristin. So easy and ALWAYS a hit!



3 cans black-eyed peas
2 serrano peppers (more if you want spicier)
Handful of cilantro chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
A few squirts of Robusto Italian dressing

Tastes great with Frito's scoops and blue corn chips too. Tastes best with a scoop frito, i scoop of dip and a drizzle of queso (discovered after a few drinks at a bbq one night).

Everytime I make it, it tastes different because i play around with the proportions, but it's always good!

101 Sunday

Great week and weekend! Too tired to write a diatribe...so here's the update in bullets.

- Have lost 5.8 lbs (slower than i thought, but i'll take it)
- Completed week 2 of the couch to 5k plan
- Had a great bbq with work friends
- Finished 80 pages of my work book-club book - The Undercover Economist
- Got new haircut and color

And, have updated a few things on my 101 list
- went to the ballet (okay, I added this after I went, but I should have had it on there to begin with because i've been wanting to go for a while)
- went bowling
- took a picture of us (been slacking on this)
- Tried a new restaurant - Finn and Porter at Hilton
- Grow basil (although I probably shouldn't hold my breath, i just got it!)
- Prettied my blog
- Take a yoga class. Have been going to yoga yoga regularly and love it!
- Set up a regular tithe. I now have a bit of money coming out of my check automatically each week to a fund we have set up through our office

Iowa gay-marriage ban ruled unconstitutional

This is great news. But Iowa? I'm shocked! I thought all the farmers were straight.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30027685/

You should be ashamed of yourself California!

Increase the culture points...an evening at the ballet

Since I'm a girl whose best dance moves include smacking my own bum and the running man, I don't know all that much about "real dance." But intrigued by the current show at the Austin Ballet, a few friends and I headed downtown to see it tonight. The studio is intimate and gorgeous and the dancing was really so beautiful. Their bodies are just insane! There were two pieces - Left Unsaid, which was intense and deep, and Songs of Innuendo (why I wanted to go) which was so much fun - featured music from James Brown, Nina Simone, Etta James. So, being a dance ignoramus, let me not even try to comment on that and focus on...the styling. I'll leave the first piece alone since it was kinda ballet-wear(although I still hold that the french twist is out). But, the second piece, which I loved regardless, was disconnected in the styling! The music was sexy - I mean Nina Simone and Etta singing "songs of innuendo?" The styling was a gum-popping, 50's diner worker who's headed to the sock-hop after her dinner shift. It contradicted so starkly with the beautiful music and movements. But that, and the lack of leg room in the seats, were the only disappointing things, otherwise I highly recommend! I believe it goes through this weekend.


Pic from Austin Ballet

Side note: I parallel-parked my car into the TINIEST spot ever. I'M THE BEST PARALLEL PARKER EVER!