Nummy.

By now you probably know that I have a sweet tooth.  Sweet teeth, actually.  Over the weekend I made this layer cake.

I used the Best Birthday Cake and Instant Fudge Frosting recipes from Smitten Kitchen, which is a stellar baking/cooking blog.  For the frosting, I did not use a food processor, as she recommends.  This is mostly because I do not own a food processor.  I whipped it and whipped it good, though.

I had taken a few other pictures, but the lighting situation is dire.  The cake was fairly scrumptious, though.  I took it to work on Monday to share with co-workers. 

Sidenote: I used what I call my cake cozy, which I found here. It's one of the best things I've bought over the last six months or so.  A steal at $13.95.  It does not budge and has a built-in slicer/server.  Genius.

I Swam Dirty Water, But You Pushed Me In...

This album is amazing.  And people throw that word around quite a bit these days.  But it's true.  Stellar.  I don't know why I did not jump on the Adele train sooner.  I bought this and 19, her first album (coincidentally, also her respective ages when each album 'dropped') a few weeks ago and have not looked back.  You may remember "Chasing Pavements" as her first big single from a couple of years back.

21 has been in constant rotation.  Every song is a keeper.  The first two are "Rolling in the Deep" and "Rumour Has It," and it took me about fourteen days to get past them because I kept hitting repeat.  Thank goodness that I did because that soul is evident in the rest of the CD.  She oozes talent.  The link above is to Amazon, where you can preview.  Except for the awesome cover of The Cure's "Lovesong," the tracks are all originals. 

Give it a whirl; you won't be sorry.  Oh, and she's British.  It doesn't get much better.

Blink!

Saving money + being green = a stellar idea.

Today's post is brought to you by the letters L & V, as in LearnVest.

Derailed.

My resolution train is seriously off its tracks.  *sigh*  Linda & Harriett has a new outlet and craft bin.  My order has been placed.  Enjoy, but hurry!  Things are going fast.

To The Victor...

I feel like the trip to Atlanta was a whopping success.  Although my resolution had to be put on the back burner, as it were, much fun was had by all.  I also spent monies at Ikea and Young Blood Gallery.  Here is what I bought:

The frog print is by Ryan Berkley via Young Blood Gallery (also available on Etsy), and the frame is from Ikea.  I just love how it came together.  I also love the caption that came with the print:

This unassuming frog is a high school math teacher. He also coaches the mathlete team who have gone undefeated under his leadership. The students like him for his laid back attitude and his "Fractal Fridays" slideshows.

This artist has tons of options for different animals in spiffy outfits.  Kermit meets Mr. Rogers was the vibe I got from this one and had to have it.  The prints come in different sizes, and some are even made into magnets.  (Shhh...I may have bought one of a doe that says "Best Eyes," yearbook style.)

Nothin' Goin' On But the Rent

Do you remember how I'm recently obsessed with LearnVest?  Well, via LV I found this:

I think it's graphically appealing, but more than that, it shows which places in the country are smarter for renting versus buying.  It's just some cool food for thought.

(via Trulia)

Just Peachy

I spent a nice, long weekend in Atlanta with my pals Samantha and Jonathan, a fun married couple.  We went to Paper Source, Yeah! Burger, CB2, Lotta Frutta, Youngblood Gallery, Highland Row Antiques, The Beehive, Richard's Variety Store, and IKEA. 

I had a blast.  Here are some pictures.  :)

I want two of these stools.  Bad.

Cool succulents at CB2.

Random antique-y goodness.

The Beehive is really neat.  It's like an in-person Etsy.  That's how Samantha described it--spot-on.

You know I always have my eyes peeled for specs.

Here Samantha is chilling with her imaginary wine in a 67-cent glass.

We had an excellent time together.  Thanks again, Samantha and Jonathan!