Non-GMO, "Morena" Sugar: Zulka Sugar {w/ reviews}

Sugar.

It's in the name of my blog.

But believe it or not, for years I have not paid any attention to the type of sugar options available. It's silly, I know. For someone who shops at three different grocery stores -- because I know what items are the best quality and price and where to find them on what day of the week -- I have never thought twice about what type of sugar I buy.

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes {w/ recipes}

Top o' the morning to you!

Happy St. Patty's Day! I thought I'd share one of my favorite cupcake recipes:
Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

If you're not familiar with the drink, an Irish Car Bomb is a Guinness beer with a shot of Jameson Irish Whiskey and Bailey's Irish Cream. In "bomb" drink fashion, the shot is dropped into the beer and then you basically chug it.

If you're in the mood for something sweet and want to celebrate your Irish pride (because everyone's Irish on March 17th), these cupcakes will do the trick. The cake is a dark chocolate stout  (the Guinness) and the frosting is a basic butter cream with a little Bailey's and Jameson Whiskey, just enough for an insane frosting flavor. {Since the alcohol in the frosting is NOT cooked off, please be sure you only make these if you are of the legal drinking age.}

Little Cakes {w/ San Diego}

Anyone else out there addicted to Food Network's Cupcake Wars? I'm slightly obsessed. I love seeing what unusual ingredients are thrown their way in the taste challenge and how the theme of each show comes to life in fondant decorations and massive cupcake displays.

It was especially fun to see a local (very local) cupcakery take the cake on an episode that aired a few months ago.
Little Cakes Cupcake Kitchen is a boutique bakery in sunny Vista, CA. I remember visiting them a few years ago when they first opened and being wowed by the home-y feel of the kitchen style atmosphere. I've been back a few times since, not too often though since I prefer to make my own cupcakes (see here and here).

Once I saw my hometown cupcakery take the prize on Cupcake Wars I knew I needed to stop by again.

Steven and I had a coffee and cupcake date a few weeks ago.

On Mondays Little Cakes has a "happy hour" with buy one get one free.

 I selected a blueberry lemon cake and Steven had chocolate with chocolate ganache.

They were delicious!

It was a perfect way to end a Monday and start the week.
What is your favorite cupcake flavor?

Butterfly Cupcakes and a very blessed week

happy friday friends!

***

I made these cupcakes for my coworker's birthday this week. I love to bake! It always seems to put me in a good mood. And it was so fun to make these butterfly and sunny flower decorations.

I used a box of red velvet {PTL for cake mixes} and made my own cream cheese frosting. No matter how busy you are or how limited your time is, I think you should always use homemade frosting. It's a lesson I hope to one day teach my daughter.

Boxed cake mix plus homemade frosting still equals homemade.

The decorations are fondant, cut out with a mini cookie cutter borrowed from Steven's mom.

I thought I would link up with Molly from Urban Nester this week and share my Unfortunates and Fortunates. I'm very blessed that there were far more fortunates this week.

unfortunate

-Not seeing my husband very much L Our work schedules were not conducive to spending time together this week. But thank God for overtime pay J

-Cloudy gray weather at the coast. They kept saying it would warm up in the afternoon. It did not.

fortunate

-Cinco de Mayo celebrations with two of my favorite ladies – chicken tacos, salad with chipotle dressing, and sangria. Yum!

-Birthday celebrations – dinners, ice cream cake, lemon meringue pie, and presents. 

-Watching my little god-son Trip and god-daughter Kaylin swing at the piñata for their birthday. And watching Kaylin run away screaming when she got silly stringed {I felt bad, but it was so cute!}. And hearing little Trip exclaim so emphatically that his “laser gun is bea-u-tiful”.  

-Getting scared by one of my high school girls jumping out of a trash can. Yes, you read right. They lured us out into the street and got the whole thing on video. It was awesome J

-Running the last 200 feet of my 4 mile walk by the beach. I felt so empowered and strong. Then I felt tired.

-Juicing! Hubby got me a juicer for my birthday. So healthy and yummy. I'll share recipes soon.