Julep Maven

 I love nail polish and I love mail so joining a monthly nail polish website is a no brainer for me. Every month at Julep.com you can buy a Mystery Box. How exciting is that?? In the past I've always been pleasantly surprised. However this month was a let down. I only got 3 colors (in the past I've gotten 6). I wasn't thrilled with the colors and The Daylight Defense I already own. As luck would have it D's school is having it's big fundraiser this weekend. The school makes a lot of money off a silent auction. So I donated this box to the silent auction. Combine this box of nail goodies with a spa pass and the school is sure to raise some $$$.

My one sister's nails ALWAYS look good. I would do my nails and they would look less glossy and chip right away. My sister asked "Do you use a top coat?" I was like no...Well using a top coat has made all the difference. I usually use Sally Hansen Insta-Dri. It helped seal in the color and my nails would dry fast but it has a terrible smell that lingered for days. I got Julep Freedom Top Coat in my Maven box and I'll never use Sally's again! Biggest improvement for me...it doesn't smell toxic. It prevents chipping and gives your nails a high gloss like Gels but it doesn't strip your nails like Gels. It can be removed with any nail polish remover.

Chocolate Guinness Cake

I only iced the top of the cake so it resembled a pint of Guinness. It is so delicious that it doesn't need to be St. Patrick's day to bake this cake. Guinness cake would make a great 21st birthday cake. 

This is a wonderful chocolaty cake! You'll want a glass of milk or a warm cup of tea to wash it down. Next time I make this I will frost it heavier on the top.

Chocolate Guinness Cake

(recipe from “Feast” by Nigella Lawson)

Ingredients

Cake:
-1 cup Guinness stout
-1 stick unsalted butter, sliced
-¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
-2 cups superfine sugar (i used granulated)
-¾ cup sour cream
-2 eggs
-1 tablespoon vanilla extract
-2 cups all-purpose flour
-2 ½ teaspoons baking soda

Icing
-8 ounce cream cheese (cold)
-1 cup confectioners’ sugar
-½ cup heavy cream

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch cake pan and line bottom with parchment paper.

2. Pour Guinness into a large saucepan, add butter and heat until melted. Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar. In a small bowl, beat sour cream with eggs and vanilla and then pour into brown, buttery, beery mixture and finally whisk in flour and baking soda.

3. Pour cake batter into greased and line pan and bake for 45 minutes to an hour (Check at 45 minutes for doneness, poking a skewer in center.). Leave to cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack, as it is quite a damp cake.

4. When cake is cold, gently peel off parchment paper and transfer to a platter or cake stand.

5. Place cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar in a mixing bowl, and whip with an electric beater, until smooth.

6. Add cream and beat again until you have a spreadable consistency.

7. Ice top of cake, starting at middle and fanning out, so that it resembles the frothy top of the famous pint. Since you are not icing the side of the cake you can be a little heavy handed with the frosting. 

St. Patrick's Day Nails

Happy St. Paddy's Day

I used Julep Emilie, Maybelline Porcelain Party & Revlon Siren

 F.W. found his dream car

 This morning we had breakfast downtown at The Field. We got to watch the 7 Nations rugby.

French cooking

I watched the french film Little White Lies & now I am in a french phase. I got these cookbooks from the library to mix up our regular dinner routine...stir fry, pasta, soup repeat. I don't think I'll get a chance to try any recipes till next week since Sunday is St. Patrick's Day.

Happy Pi Day

Today is 3.14 so I made a pumpkin pie to celebrate. I haven't been baking much lately. The last 2 pies I baked were a major FAIL! This pumpkin pie was delectable.

Hello March, Baking & Books

I baked New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies. They are delicious. You really can't eat just one! What makes these cookies different is you don't use all purpose flour instead you use bread and cake flour. Give them a whirl because they really are yummy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/09/dining/091crex.html?_r=0

My nails are ready for Spring. This mellow yellow is not my typical color...Not sure how long I'll keep them yellow.

 I am currently reading Lessons from Madame Chic By Jennifer L. Scott. Picked up this little nugget of wisdom from the library. We can all stand to be a little chicer.

We met the San Diego Chicken! Being a San Diego native this was a really big deal. As a kid I would see the Chicken at Padres games and he was always on the local news in the 80's. D was not thrilled about meeting the Chicken but both boys were good sports.