Two-toned Nail Trend
Posted: May 31, 2011 Filed under: Fashion, Trends Leave a comment »I hope you all had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend. Isn’t it just fantastic to have 3 days in a row off. Or at least the Monday off. Technically, I really only had Monday, since I babysat Saturday evening for 8 hours and then helped with a wedding on Sunday. Don’t get me wrong, I had a blast. Especially, at the wedding!! The wedding was fantastic, gorgeous, amazing. Nevertheless, I love 3 day weekends!!!
Speaking of Monday, Molly and I decided to just have a fun, see where the wind takes you kind of day. Of course, we ended up at Target. We always do, but we were there for a reason to start our summer off right with a fantastic new trend. I was reading the new People Magazine this weekend. (Yes, when I babysit, they always have the newest People Magazines, so I have to catch up on the most important news, always life changing). As I was reading, I found this awesome finger nail trend for the summer. Do you want to know what it is?!? I’ll show you a picture of it and then see if you can figure it out?!?
Photo from People.com
Okay, I hope you figured it our from the picture, but if you didn’t here you go!!! You paint 9 fingers one color and then your ring finger another color. Super fantastic huh!?! So I know a few years ago, there was a similar trend but you did your pinky finger, but this is so much better. It’s better because I found out who apparently started the trend, Baby V (Vanessa Hudgens, if you aren’t familiar with the nickname). Of course because Baby V started this trend, I had to try it out. If you don’t know, Baby V was in HSM (High School Musical) that if you have read my blog you would know I LOVE!!!!! So on our venture to Target Molly and I bought new finger nail polish to try it out. I don’t have pics of my awesome nails, but here are some more of Baby V. She has been spotted more then once with her nails like this in different colors so I know it is going to be the hit of the summer!!!
Photos from here
Swiss Meringue Frosting
Posted: May 27, 2011 Filed under: Desserts, DIY-Do It Yourself, Parties Leave a comment »First off, I am sorry for the lack of posts this week. It has just been one of those busy weeks where I have not had much time. With working, meetings for the wedding that I am helping with this weekend, and trying to finish a bunch of projects for my sista Kara and baby Alice (which I will share next week, once she gets to see everything), I have had no time.
Nevertheless, after work last night, I looked around my house and did not see a dessert in sight so I decided I would make something for Molly and I for this weekend and of course give some out to the Jesss’, Molly’s co-teacher. I bet you are thinking that you wished you lived near me so I would give you some. Too bad you don’t!!! I really would give you some. Last night I just made a simple vanilla white cake and then a Swiss Meringue Frosting. Best frosting ever!!! You want to make it, well you can now because I am going to teach you!!!
Ingredients:
5 egg whites
1 1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups butter (3 sticks)
1-2 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
First you will take your 3 sticks of butter and cut them up so they have time to reach room temp/soften a bit.
Next, put your 5 egg whites and 1 1/3 cup of sugar into your metal mixing bowl. Fill a sauce pan part way with water. Place your metal mixing bowl on top of the sauce pan and turn the stove on med. With your whisk, continuously gently mix the eggs and sugar. You will mix the eggs until they are about 140 degrees or until the sugar is dissolved and the eggs are warm to the touch.
After your mixture reaches 140 degrees, place mixing bowl on mixer with your whisk attachment. Place mixer on med high and mix the eggs and sugar mixture for approximately 10 minutes. You will know when it is finished when the mixture is glossy and white and forms stiff peaks. Don’t worry I will show some pictures. I am not going to lie but I have messed this up many times. This is the step that you will know if you have done everything right. If your peaks do not form you know that you must have gotten a bit of yolk in the mixture. The fat from the egg makes it so it does not form the stiff peaks. You may have to start over at this point if after the 10 minutes peaks have not formed.
This is what it will look like in the beginning and then it will form the peaks like the picture below.
From here you can see that there are stiff peaks. This means it is time to change to the paddle and add the butter. Add the butter one cube at a time. Mix on medium through this process.
The frosting will begin to look runny and have chunks in it. Don’t worry because it will soon start coming together.
See how it is getting thicker all ready. It is still a bit chunky but only has about 3 minutes left until perfect consistency.
Here is the consistency you are looking for. I know that it looks puke green, but in real life it is lime green. I forgot to take a picture before I colored it. After it reaches this consistency, add your colorings and flavorings. I add mint flavoring to please the mint lovers who are going to consume the cupcakes.
Beautify your cupcakes or cake! And Voila, the finished product! Yummy! I’m going to go eat a cupcake now and you all have a funtastic Memorial Day weekend!!!
Alice Mae Hawes
Posted: May 23, 2011 Filed under: Miscellaneous 1 Comment »Holy Cow, most exciting news in quite sometime! I am an auntie once again! Kara and Chris had their beautiful baby, Alice Mae Hawes on May 20th 8lbs 9oz!! She is so precious and I just want to eat her up!!! I know a lot of exclamation marks, but it is just so exciting. My parents flew out there to be with Chris and Kara, when she had the baby. Am I super jealous?!? Of course because I can’t wait to meet her! We skyped yesterday and OMG, she is such a beautiful baby. I don’t know who is cuter, Lucy or Alice. Man, I just have the cutest nieces EVER!! Here are some photos of the new baby! I love you lots!!! I can’t wait to meet you!!!
