Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Recipe Idea: Cotton Candy Cupcakes

Cotton candy is a timeless treat that reminds most of us of childhoods spent at a baseball game or hanging out at the local festival. Cupcakes on the other hand, were the popular confection of the uber cool fashionistas like Miranda on "Sex and The City". For those of us who don't want to choose between the two, we've found the perfect recipe that melds together the illustrious cupcake with that cotton candy treat. (Thanks to Becoming Lola for this amazing recipe and visual!)  

cotton candy cupcake recipe

  • 3 cups cake flour
  • 1 tbsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
  • 16 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 5 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1¼ cups buttermilk, at room temperature
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla extract
  1. Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners. Set aside.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cake flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk together and set aside. Add the butter to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Scrape the vanilla bean seeds into the bowl of the mixer with the butter and discard the pod (or reserve for another use.) Beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes, until light and creamy in color. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat for one more minute.
  3. Add the sugar to the butter mixture, ¼ cup at a time, beating 1 minute after each addition. Mix in the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Combine the buttermilk and the vanilla extract in a liquid measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, add the dry ingredients alternately with the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients and mixing just until incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix for 15 seconds longer.
  4. Divide the batter between the prepared paper liners, filling each about 2/3 of the way full (you will likely have batter left over after filling 24 wells.) Bake 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pans 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Replace paper liners and bake remaining batter if desired. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired

Cotton Candy Buttercream

adapted via Sugar Sweet Sunshine

  • 1/2 pound unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla
  • pink food coloring (or 1 drop of red)
  • Tiffany blue food coloring (or two blue drops, one green drop)
  • cotton candy, pulled into small pieces


Using the paddle attachment on a mixer hand beater, cream the butter. Add half of the sugar and half of the milk. Cream these ingredients until well blended. Add the rest of the sugar and the milk and combine. Add the vanilla and mix in. Separate the frosting into two containers. Add food colorings to each bowl and mix until even. Add cotton candy pieces until well combined. Frost cupcakes. Garnish with remaining cotton candy.

Friday, July 27, 2012

Musical Spotlight: Florence and the Machine

Florence Welch is an absolute undeniable operatic-pop phenomena. The lead singer of UK indie-rock band, Florence and the Machine, has a robust voice that has continued to seduce millions ever since their debut in 2009. Even with the bands colossal appeal and recognition, the band still remains to churn out timeless hits that you can dance to for years to come. One of our favorites that we have playing on repeat right now is her tongue-in-cheek song, "Kiss with a Fist". She's playful, clever and feisty and we like it. 

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Get the Look: Western-Inspired Picks

With country music stars like Taylor Swift crossing over into the mainstream, we're a little scared to admit we're seduced by country.  Sure, you may not like country music, but that doesn't mean you can't like denim, flannel and cowgirl enhanced ankle boots dipped in glitter. That and the huge plus of being able to wear Western-inspired fashion year round without having to line dance! It's a perfect transitional look to take you from Summer into Fall, with plenty of fringe, glitter, horseshoes and denim to make you change your mind about country. 





Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Animal Love: Chibita the Cat with No Paws

Counting your blessings is hard when it's easier to be Emo and sulk about small petty issues. Leaning towards being a narcissist happens to everyone. For those of you who want to deny it, you're only delaying the process of being closer to change. 

We stumbled upon this sweet image of Chibita earlier today, a strong little cat that was born without paws. No more than a half hour before we were stressing about loves lost and time wasted and this shot put everything else back into perspective. Instead of caving to selfish feelings of shame for dwelling on the trivial, we in turn have decided to celebrate the selfless courageous behaviors of others including our newest friend, Chibita. 


Friday, July 20, 2012

DIY Party Idea: Raspberry Sorbet in Lemon Bowls

It's Friday and you're eagerly waiting for the bell to ring to start your weekend party! We stumbled on this delectable shot of raspberry sorbet sitting in bright yellow lemon bowls on Pinterest and had to share it. This is a really fabulous pot luck idea that is bound to trump anything else anyone could possibly bring to the table tonight. It's ridiculously cute, easy to assemble and affordable. And you even have bragging rights/excuse to strut around talking about that cool cat who brought awesome raspberry sorbet in lemon bowls. We can't wait to get off of work to try them out! 




Monday, July 16, 2012

Musical Spotlight: Sea Wolf

Sea Wolf, the LA-based hit indie-folk band, has taken our office by storm this week. Led by Alex Brown Church, the band has you rocking to the rhythm and humming to their tunes the instant the sweet melody hits your ears.  Our favorite song is "You're A Wolf" from their album Leaves in the River, but the entire record is stellar.  September 11th 2013 can't come soon enough so we can hear the newest album release titled Old September Romance! 

Friday, July 13, 2012

BC Footwear: Instagram Daily Happenings

The past two weeks have been filled with photo shoots, July 4th celebrations and drumroll please...new Fall styles coming into stores! Be sure to follow us on Instagram to gain access to footage of the coolest cats on the West Coast @BCFootwear x 


Our beautiful blogger friends, Elsie and Emma from A Beautiful Mess, wearing our 'Stare' sandal on a trip to NY  • Jess, BC Footwear's favorite pixie, wearing a dra clothing dress to our Spring 13 photo shoot • One of our office mascots wishing all of you a happy and safe 4th of July! •  A foot model jumping for joy in our 'In the Winner's Circle' in teal and soft suede • Kicking back in our patriotic 'Ruffle' wedges • A shot of one of our favorite posters in the LA showroom  • A glimpse of what one of our office gypsies packed as summer essentials for her weekend trip • The new addition to your shoe closet with our  'Salt of the Earth' wedge in vibrant red  

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Shop the Look: Red Story

Red is the new black and if you don't have it fully stocked in your closet right now, then you have to go out there and start using that plastic wisely. BC Footwear's  'In the Winner's Circle' just arrived in stores in a rich burgundy and soft suede and would look amazing with almost anything. We suggest playing dress up this weekend and pairing it with red matte lips, heart shaped hair pins and a saucy red dress. You can now cue the non-80's music!  




Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Recipe Idea: Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Some days we need more chocolate than other days. Today, we need a lot of chocolate with a side of peanut butter! We were sucked in by this delectable, melt-in-your mouth, "come to mama" shot of these brownie bites on Baked Perfection and had to share the recipe with the fellow choco lovers of the world. Try it out and let us know how your sweet escape goes! x 
Peanut Butter Cup Brownies
Recipe adapted from Nestle’s Very Best Baking

Makes 40 brownies as adapted

1 box of your favorite brownie mix
1/2 cup peanut butter chips
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray or grease 40 mini-muffin cups.

Prepare boxed brownie mix as directed. Spoon batter evenly into muffin cups (about 1 heaping teaspoon). Bake for 13-15 minutes or until top is set and a toothpick inserted into center comes out slightly wet. After brownies are out of the oven, wait for centers to fall. This will happen upon cooling. If not then tap the centers with the back of a teaspoon to make a hole for the peanut butter.

Place peanut butter in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 45 seconds then stir. While brownies are still warm spoon about half a teaspoon of peanut butter into the center of each brownie. Top with semi-sweet chocolate chips and peanut butter chips. Cool completely in pan.


Friday, July 6, 2012

Music Spotlight: The Lumineers

If you like hand clapping, foot stomping and rustic then you'll love the folksy sound of the Colorado based band, The Lumineers. The indie crew has a low-key vibe which give us something unique to dance around and chant to. The entire album is filled with songs about heartache, hope and cheer. Our personal favorite is the robust and popular song, "Hey Ho", which you're bound to listen to on repeat. We're excited to see what else these lyrical and musical geniuses produce in the future. x 

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Get the Look: Outdoor Picnic

Some of our fondest childhood memories were spent doing somersaults ad nauseam followed by hours of rolling around in the grass. It was great fun and all until it came down to the grass and the crazy amount of itching you'd be doing almost immediately after. We'd spend almost entire afternoons scratching ourselves, happily like the old flea bitten dog you may or may not have owned. We're older now, and think we're slightly wiser when making decisions. Things may have changed a bit but we still love to rock polka dot dresses (and ones with bunnies on them), lipstick red flats and heart shaped earrings. This outfit post is for all of you who enjoy galavanting in the sun, rolling around the grass and outdoor picnics  with friends and family. 



Monday, July 2, 2012

DIY: Fourth of July Inspired Nail Art

Fourth of July is the holiday for BBQ fiends and pool party fanatics, for family recipe cook-offs and debuting your brand-new bikini (and slimmed-down bikini bod). Given that most of us will only be wearing probably one or two articles of clothing max this Wednesday, your nails can play as your standout accoutrement. Our friends at Teen Vogue shared some of their patriotic-inspired tips to show off our red, white and blue.

{the finished look}




{step one: apply your base}



{step two: add stripes}
















{step three: add glitter}

{step four: draw a star}

{step five: use a top coat}


***All photos: courtesy of Mars the Salon

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...