red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting...

I have literally been sitting here for 5 whole minutes straight, staring at a white screen with a blinking cursor. Why? Because how does one even begin to describe their love for something like a red velvet cupcake OR piece of cake? I mean, every possible word I have thought to use to describe to you all, just falls short. Words don't do justice to the love my heart (and tastebuds) have for this lovely thang. 

Maybe that paragraph is good enough.

Oh and by the way, red velvet needs to have cream cheese frosting. ALWAYS. Don't even try to put anything other than that on top. A friend recently told me he knew someone who put vanilla buttercream on top of their version. I almost got my keys right then and there and drove to their house with the "crazy look" in my eyes and.........'Nuff said.

|diy| washi tape cupcake toppers...

Ever since I made this washi tape project (which you guys said you loved! THANK YOU!!) I've seriously been itching for my next victim to cover in washi. I've been (secretly) searching through Pinterest, pinning possibilities, and looking throughout my house for something that desperately needed some washi flair. 

Honestly? Couldn't find my perfect thing. 

Then Mother's Day came. Bwahahahaha, oh did it! Without even thinking about washi really (who am I kidding, this stuff is always on the brain) I made some yummy cupcakes, topped with delicious frosting and then placed them on their cake stands. Hmph. Not good enough. I mean, this is MOTHER'S DAY after all, and mother's need like...way fancier things.

Then it hit me like a ton of washi covered bricks (which would be just the most delightful sight, really). I need to make some cute little washi flags to top each cupcake with! So I did.

Just for the moms. Really.

fluffy mini vanilla cupcakes...

I think I have a cupcake problem. 

What's the problem? I just can't quit them. Even though they're made with white flour (gasp!), white sugar (double gasp!), and topped with all things fatty and buttery (aka "delicious") AND even though I know I'll pay for eating them, later....I just can't say "no thank you" when a cupcake is involved.

Ever.

Even store bought cupcakes. Even cupcakes topped with that what-exactly-do-they-put-in-here frosting (no judgement here)! If it's a cupcake...if it's in my presence...I will eat it. Guaranteed.

fluffy vanilla frosting...

See the color of that frosting? I've come to the realization that it, indeed, is my favorite color in all the land. What would we call it? Teal? Mint? Seafoam Green? Whatever it is, I love it with my whole heart and have noticed that, over the years, I have come to purchase MANY things in that hue. 

Like, shirts. Purses. Furniture. Nail Polish. Towels. Sheets. Jewelry. Sharpies. Bowls.

I mean, really....you name it, I most likely have it in some sort of shade of this color. All unintentional too, I swear. 

I was laughing the other night with some girls from my book club about this very thing. Someone had the gorgeous color on them and I said (way too excitedly might I add), "OoOoOoo! I just love that color!!!" Then they noticed that I was wearing it as well, sitting by my notebook (in that color), and crossing my legs next to my purse (yep, you guessed it...in that color). Sheesh. I seriously had NO clue this was going on.

So, really...when making vanilla frosting, it only made sense to tint it in the softest hue of Minty Teal Seafoam. 

Either that or have an intervention.

gluten free blueberry almond muffins with almond crumb topping...

Let's talk about this last week I had. Why? Because it was pretty epic, to say the least.

For one, I almost cut my thumb off. No, I'm not being dramatic (for once), I could see meat. Thumb meat! No one should ever....ever see their own thumb meat. You know- the yellowy/reddish stuff that clearly belongs on the inside of your body? Yeah...that stuff. Nor should anyone ever see it pertruding out of the stupid "cut" they just inflicted on themselves! Gaw!!

That's what I get for making more peanut butter, I guess? No way Josè, I refuse to believe that. Actually, I probably shouldn't have been absent-mindedly cleaning that food processor blade while mentally trying to figure out the night before's series of Fringe episodes my husband and I had just viewed. Yeah, that's what it's really about. 

Stupid J.J. Abrams...and Peter...and Olivia.

june 2013 free desktop calendar...

Happy June, ladies (and gents?)!!!!

So excited for June! This month to me, is the true start of summer! As it should be- June 21st marks the official begin of the summer solstice! Bring on the ice cream, BBQs, pies, bonfires at the beach, delicious fruit, farmer's markets, and sun-kissed skin!

Dates to remember:

June 16th- Father's Day

June 21st- First day of Summer!

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|B.You| some of my favorite blogs...

Sometimes a blogger needs inspiration. Actually, to be completely honest- I should say, "You, as a blogger will always need inspiration!" Your brain can only do so much on its own before you need to refuel it by looking at some pretty nifty blogs across the web!

I personally, try to refuel once a week (but that's just me)- usually on a Saturday morning when I really can't get much work done. I usually have a good hour or two of quiet before the weekend starts with my husband- so this is the perfect time to browse through my favorite blogs (and Pinterest), find inspiration, pin certain ideas or loves, and then digest it all, the following two days while I'm off.

Because I'm a food blogger mostly, my blog loves are usually going down that road. But I love to gander through home and DIY blogs, as well as just "pretty to look at" and design-focused blogs.

Do you need inspiration? Are you feeling like you could use a few new blogs to frequent so your brain can refuel? Head on over to B.You to see a few of my absolute favorites!

bloglovin' blog hop thursday (9)...

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Thank you to everyone who linked up last week!! Lets help this bloglovin' blog hop grow by sharing with your friends, followers, and adding the button to your sidebar!

Grab the button above and put it in your linky list or sidebar.

Follow your host, co-hosts, and guest host on bloglovin'. Leave a comment that you're a new follower so we can all come and check you out!

Link up your bloglovin' URL only. We had several people that submitted their blogs URL, but this is a bloglovin' hop so only link up your bloglovin' account, please!

Hop around and visit some of the other blogs that linked up and give them a follow. This is all about making new friends and finding new reads, not just linking up and expecting everyone to follow you.

Pin, Tweet, Facebook, blog this link up! The more exposure it gets, the more potential followers for you! 

Your Host:

B.You Blog

Your Co-Hosts:

Ashley @ A Fox & A Wolf

Torrie @ Fox + Hazel

Christina @ Sweet Lavender Bake Shoppe
Natalee @ Eat Nap Play
Ashley @ Modernette

**If you are interested in being a guest host, please email us at b.you.blog [at] gmail [dot] com

cinnamon rolls from scratch...

I'm sorry to talk to you about this so early in the morning.

No, I take that back, I'm not. I don't think there has EVER been a time I have made a single recipe that included more butter, than this one I am about to show you. That also includes my time in culinary school AND all of my restaurant days. 

This recipe would make Paula Deen so happy. Well actually, this recipe would make the old Paula happy. The last time I heard, she was on a health kick and losing major weight because of heart problems and diabetes warnings... Scratch this whole point altogether.

milk chocolate frosting...

Towards the top of my "What Makes Christina Giggle with Delight" list is this: Making someone dessert for their birthday.

I LOVE IT. I love it so much that just typing these words out onto the screen is making me smile and get all giddy inside. I kid not.