rainy day love.

What is it about rainy days that make you want to stay inside with the ones you love? And that's exactly what I'm doing today. 

What are your favorite rainy day plans?

-Pretty Little Things

Quote of the Day

I have a crazy busy day {and week} this week...and I know I wouldn't have too much time to tend to my blog today. So instead, I just wanted to leave you all with a quote today, that has really seemed relevant in my life recently. Plus I love how it's written in a chalkboard {LOVE}.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day : )

-Pretty Little Things

cupcakes and beer?

Cupcakes and beer. Two things that don't seem like they should ever go together -- until now. I found the most amazing looking cupcakes on Pinterest that I am dying to make using Corona and Blue Moon beer. 

I found this recipe from a blog called Erica's Sweet Tooth. This creation along with her many yummy sweets and treats might just be my new favorite food blog. Below I included the recipe for the beer cupcakes, or what I'd like to call "man cupcakes" -- perfect for when entertaining for sporting event like football (Go Giants! Is it football season yet??) or any entertaining event or party where you want to impress!

Blue Moon and Corona Cupcakes

For the beer cupcakes: 

3/4 cups butter, at room temperature

1-3/4 cup sugar

2-1/2 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3 eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp orange or lime zest

1 cup Blue Moon or Corona beer, plus more for brushing on tops

1/4 cup milk

Orange/lime wedges and sanding sugar for garnish

- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line 24 muffin tins with cupcake liners.

- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

- Add eggs, beating after each addition then add the vanilla and zest.

- Combine milk and beer and alternatively add this mixture and the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture with the mixer on low speed, starting and ending with the flour.  

- Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 18 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean.

- When cupcakes are done, poke holes in the tops of the cupcakes with toothpicks and brush some beer on each while still warm.  

For the citrus cream cheese frosting:

12 oz cream cheese, cold

6 tbsp butter, at room temperature

1 tbsp freshly squeezed orange/lime juice

1 tsp orange/lime zest

4 cups powdered sugar

- Cream together the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.  

- Add the citrus juice and zest and gradually add the powdered sugar until well-combined.  Beat until smooth for about 2 minutes.

- Load frosting in a piping bag fit with a large star tip and pipe cupcake tops once cooled.  

Recipe yields 24 cupcakes.  

How amazing is this cupcake presentation complete with lime and orange wedges, and bottle caps to add playfulness! I can't wait to try out this recipe -- would you all eat beer cupcakes? What other beers do you think could be made into a yummy cupcake version?

-Pretty Little Things

My Weekend in Photos

This weekend mom and I ventured into the city to see The Lion King on Broadway! It was my birthday gift to her to celebrate her 60th. I've seen many, many shows on Broadway, but this one was absolutely breathtaking and had me crying -- yes I know I'm such a baby! The costumes alone were just stunning and so visual. Overall the show was AMAZING and I suggest anyone who hasn't seen it to see it asap!!

 Me in front of Minskoff Theater.

 Momma in her cute little hat.

 Posing in front of posters.

Being silly with statues at port authority.

Stopped at the Hello Kitty store aka Sanrio in Times Square to look around like a little five year old girl. I just had to take a picture of this Hello Kitty sushi bar. Seriously how cute is this?

Cheers momma in celebrating your 60th -- I hope you had fun, and hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend! What did you all do this weekend?

-Pretty Little Things