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{homemade} confetti cake pops.

January 2, 2012 in Celebrate, Sweets + Treats with 5 Comments

January 2nd – it’s totes the new January 1st, don’t you think?

Let’s be real: I was an alien yesterday. Today marks the official start of my 2012. In fact, it should be mandatory that everyone receive this day off in addition to the 1st. Doesn’t matter what day of the week the holiday falls on. Aliens need rest.

{Also: Copious amounts of water. Breakfast casseroles made of bacon, cheese, bread, and eggs. Grape soda. And, chili dog nachos. True story. Look away…I’m hideous}

My intention was to share these cake pops with you yesterday. You know, confetti on New Year’s Day – it made sense. But yesterday, nothing made sense. So today I bring you these ridiculously adorable confetti cake pops. My guess is that today, you’re probably feeling more human too, and let’s face it – yesterday you were not about to consider embarking upon a three-day project to make cake pops.

pomegranate-champagne punch.

December 26, 2011 in Celebrate, Cocktails with 5 Comments

This is just about the prettiest punch you can make this holiday season.

Don’t you think?

It makes use of everything wintry and wonderful and worth celebrating: pomegranate (both the juice and the arils), mint leaves for a pop of festive color, Meyer lemons – which are seasonal and just.the.best, and champagne – a celebration in itself. Plus, it’s served in a punch bowl. Guys, this is pretty much a guaranteed good time.

festive cranberry-mint cubes.

December 24, 2011 in Celebrate, Cocktails with 0 Comments

Merry Christmas Eve!

I’ve got a rad little last-minute idea for you. It’s super, super-simple. You’ll need fresh cranberries, mint, and an ice cube tray.

I bet you’re smart enough to figure out what’s happening here.

Yep, a cranberry and a couple of mint leaves go right into each of the ice cube cells. Fill with water – or, if you’re making something with lemon or lime in it, you could use a mixture of citrus and water. I think it’s best to stick with a relatively clear drink – because you want to see the pretty red and green party in the glass. White wine or champagne are a perfect vehicle.

The time to freeze varies depending on your freezer and the size of the ice cube tray, but you should be good in a few hours.

I got off, like, ridiculously easy this year. I was going to make this insane tiramisu eggnog trifle, but instead I was gifted a beautiful cheesecake that we’re going to enjoy.

All I’m in charge of is, as always, the cocktail – I’m making this gorgeous pomegranate-champagne punch – and putting together Ina’s sopressata and gruyère puff pastry appetizer from her latest cookbook, How Easy Is That?.

I mean, seriously…how easy is that?

*Cheers* and happy holidays to all!

sun-dried tomato + pesto torta.

December 21, 2011 in Celebrate, Starters with 10 Comments

Guys…what if I told you I had found the single greatest Christmas appetizer you could ever wish for?

Because I did.

This is a torta. What’s a torta, you ask? Why, many people think of a torta as a cake! And it kind of is…only this is a cake made out of sun-dried tomato, pesto, and cream cheese – okay, and a smidge of butter. Does this sound like your kind of cake? Trust me when I say, this is everyone’s kind of cake.

It’s definitely Santa’s type of a cake. Does it get more festive than these beautiful shades of white, red, and green? It does not, I can assure you. But more importantly – it doesn’t get any more delicious, either.

the perfect {holiday} punch.

December 13, 2011 in Celebrate, Cocktails with 3 Comments

The other day I came across an article on what your drink says about you.

You know vodka-cran made an appearance on the list. And what’d they have to say about it? “When in doubt, you stick to what you drank in college.” And it’s true – I definitely drank my share of vodka-cran in college. So much so, that the thought of it makes me cringe a just a bit. I’ll still have one if it’s completely necessary, but these days I’ll take it with soda water and just a splash of cran.

This is not the college variety of vodka-cran. This is the older, cooler sibling. It’s the adult version, and it’s a reason to appreciate getting older – because this cocktail totally kicks the other’s ass.

You’re essentially making your own cranberry juice by cooking down fresh cranberries with water and sugar. This is the key, because I’m really not a fan of the artificial flavoring of cranberry juice cocktail – which is really, like, a doctored-up apple juice. So fresh cranberries, right, in all their tangy glory…and then we pop in some beautifully woodsy rosemary sprigs for a little infusion. The combination of the two is strikingly perfect, and yes – the color combo makes this punch as holiday-festive as it gets.

{tree-trimming} onion soup.

December 8, 2011 in Celebrate, Main Dishes with 2 Comments

If you’re in need of something to get you into the holiday spirit, nothing gets the job done quite like tree trimming.

{Though I can imagine, if you’re not in the holiday spirit, you might not be looking to get into it}

I think tree trimming needs to happen the weekend after Thanksgiving, and here’s why: I want to get the most out of my tree, my decorations – my favorite time of the year. I totally get it if you’re exhausted after Thanksgiving and the last thing you want to think about is
Christmas decorations…you know, getting those life-sized boxes from the attic, lugging them down and…

halloween party recipes.

October 27, 2011 in Celebrate, Starters with 0 Comments

Last year, I hosted a pretty ridic Halloween party. Well, it was more like a pre-party, but I still had a lot of fun doing it. I made several of these recipes I posted from last year – the witches’ brew, the cupcakes, and the cheese ball. I also forced 7 of my closest girlfriends into dressing up as Trolls.

Yeah…so we won the costume contest. Duh. Ladies, if you’re aware of any contests where you can make beaucoup bucks, and you’re willing to rock one of these not-so-flattering bodysuits, I strongly encourage you to go for the Trolls. It’s a statistical fact that you’ll win.

I was a bit exhausted after organizing last year’s festivities, so this year there won’t be a Halloween party. Instead, we will do a light pre-game at a BFF’s, where we will have witches’ brew and maybe an app or two, before heading to our party at the W. But, in case you’re feeling like making something spooky this weekend, I thought I’d share some of the most amazing ideas I’ve seen around the web with you.

living the dream.

April 15, 2011 in All We Need Is Love, Celebrate with 10 Comments

I thought about categorizing this as a Fantasy Friday post.

I didn’t. Because even though it feels like I’m living in a fantasy right now, I’m not. This is real life.

You see, real life gets a bad rap. Often characterized as stressful, difficult – downright unfair at times. Things don’t always go as planned, and sometimes you’re left wondering what the real meaning of this life is, because you used to believe that everything happened for a reason and you tried to have faith that there must be some kind of a plan for you, and then jobs are lost and people become sick – people die, people you love – hearts are broken, we lose our way – and what kind of a plan is this, anyway?

Sometimes, it feels like this plan f-ing sucks.

And in those moments, perseverance is key. Those are the times you must remember, that even though this moment may feel wrong, and even hurts, in fact – the plan, in its entirety, is right.

It’s no secret that I’m a firm believer in positive energy – you get back what you put out into this world. And for the past year or so, I’ve been putting out a lot of hard work, determination, and positive energy. Daniel has, too. And guess what? It’s paying off. I’m extremely proud to say that this is OUR TIME.

I’ll let you in on another key ingredient I deem paramount to our success: Even when times felt “rough,” life was good. We’ve always appreciated the great things we’ve had even when other things weren’t panning out the way we would have liked. Do I think this contributed to what we’re now receiving? Absolutely.

Tomorrow is our three year (!) anniversary, and I couldn’t be happier to get to spend every second of my life devoted to who I think is the greatest damned human being to ever walk this Earth. I relish in our love everyday, and that’s how I’ve spent the last three years of my life, no matter what curve balls were thrown our way.

And to make this weekend’s celebration that much more INSANE, I have an announcement – a big one.

I’m starting a new job. Everyday, I will get to wake up and do what I love. And get paid for it. I’m leaving the world of advertising, and moving on into the world of food. And writing. That’s right – I’m going to be the editor of a website.

{Details to follow}

Yes, seriously.

Something that really touched me about this whole process was when my new boss told me that one of the reasons I got this job was this blog of mine. Yes, this one – the one you’re reading right now, the one that I’ve been writing for just over a year now. The one I love tremendously, the one I kept on writing just for you, for myself, and because it was my passion – yes, this blog has evidently turned into so much more than that. It’s helped me to get a job. Doing what I love.

{Am I dreaming?}

“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them.”

~George Bernard Shaw

lemon rosé bellini.

March 10, 2011 in Celebrate, Cocktails with 2 Comments

Is it spring yet?

Winter has, at the very least, ended in South Florida – that is, if it ever existed it all. We’re all basking in this gorgeous weather, holding onto these moments while we can, because soon enough the humidity will be back – and with a vengeance.

This cocktail is, in my opinion, the greatest celebration of everything spring you could conjure up. Rosé champagne, to start, epitomizes spring for me, and the citrus vodka adds the perfect refreshing kick. It’s the lemon sorbet, however, that makes this drink. Depending on how many you’re serving, I’d be sure to pick up an extra pint or two; four of us went though one like it was nothing.

I love to use frozen raspberries for the garnish, as they also help to keep the drink cool – though you can certainly use fresh if you have them on hand. I also like frozen for those of you up north who may not have access to much else.

No matter where you are, or what the weather, this cocktail is sure to put some spring into that step.

{And imagine how fabulous these would be for a bridal or baby shower}

Cheers!

Lemon Rosé Bellini

Adapted from 101 Champagne Cocktails via Epicurious

1 generous spoonful lemon sorbet
1/2 – 1 ounce citrus vodka
4 ounces rosé champagne
2 to 3 raspberries, fresh or frozen, for garnish

Add sorbet to champagne flute. Pour vodka over sorbet, and add champagne. Garnish with floating raspberries.

the french martini, and a birthday.

February 17, 2011 in Celebrate, Cocktails, February in France with 1 Comment

One year ago today…

Can you guess what happened?

If you’re as smart as I think you are, you’re right – 20something cupcakes was born!

I never could have imagined how much happiness this tiny blog would bring to my life. I am so appreciative of all of you who read this blog, whether it’s everyday or simply when you have a spare moment. When I receive messages from you telling me that I inspired you to make something delicious or try something new – and that you actually loved it! – I cannot even express to you how much that means to me.

That’s what this is all about for me. Inspiring others, and in turn inspiring myself.

I’ve grown as a cook, and I’m now attempting to grow as a photographer – which is a daunting project, to say the least. I welcome the challenge. My passion for food, writing, and where they intersect grows each day more and more. You may already know my dream is to one day host my own private cooking classes, but I’ve also recently discovered that I want to go to culinary school. The idea of writing a cookbook one day makes my heart race with excitement. I’ve finally come to that seemingly elusive place where I know what I want to do with my life. I’m not sure how I’ll get there just yet, but I sure am glad I know where I’m going.

So, let’s celebrate.

And while some people make cakes for this sort of thing, I thought a cocktail would be more appropriate. You know by now it’s my favorite way to celebrate – it is where we started, after all – and I can’t think of a more fitting cocktail than the French martini. This is probably my favorite martini (other than an extra-dirty, but that’s a totally different category); the Chambord adds just enough color to turn it the most beautiful shade of pink, and the flavors of pineapple and raspberry are incredible together. It’s girlie, yet sophisticated – and strong enough without being overpowering, the way some martinis are. Adding champagne at the end is optional, and while it may not be traditional, I think it makes the drink.

We can’t celebrate without champagne, can we?

Thank you for being a part of this journey. I truly couldn’t do it without you. Cheers, dolls – to a life worth living!

French Martini

1 1/2 ounces vodka
1 ounce pineapple juice
1/2 ounce Chambord (raspberry liqueur)
Ice
Champagne

Add vodka, pineapple juice, and Chambord to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Top with champagne.

Makes one serving.