where have I been?

I just hate being away from my blog for so long! As mentioned in this post, school has been keeping me pretty busy. Additionally, the hubs and I are getting ready to move from our little condo in downtown Fort Worth to a house a couple miles west in the Cultural District--yay! It has been such a process since we decided to purchase a lot in an older neighborhood and build the house from the ground up. I don't think I was quite prepared for how much it would test my patience--if you've ever built a home, you probably know what I mean!

Though it is a little bittersweet to pack up our compact abode of the last [almost] 4 years, we are so excited to have a little more space and a yard for our sweet pups. I'm looking forward to decorating the new house and documenting parts of it to share with you!

Now that I've gotten a handle on the school situation and the workload, at least for this semester, has become more manageable, I'm ready to bring the blog back to life. With the advent of my move from downtown to the Cultural District, I decided to  begin with a blog name refresh. So long, Lancaster Laundry! Hello, Cake for Brunch!

The new blog is under construction for now, but will hopefully be up and running within the next few weeks!

xo.

one dollar finds

Sometimes, it's really the little things in life that can bring so much joy! This summer,  I found a few edibles that I could buy for $1, which really made my heart happy and got me through long work days. I will continue to hunt for sweet deals like this, but for now I wanted to share what I've discovered so far. xo.

Dollar Days at Schakolad

As a lifetime chocolate lover, I find it kind of strange I never wandered into Shakolad before this summer [after living in the city for almost 4 years.] Nonetheless, I read some tweets announcing the chocolate shop's dollar days this summer and figured it was worth a shot. Two words: life changing! I have tried the chocolate covered strawberry, which was divinely ripe, assorted truffles galore, and the chocolate covered cookies. I'm not sure how long these deals will go on, so I highly recommend you check them out asap!

Where: 106 E. 4th Street, Fort Worth 76102

Breakfast Tacos at Oliver's

Sometimes, cereal or yogurt just don't cut it. Or I just plain overslept and had no time to fix breakfast. Either way, 99 cent breakfast tacos are a satisfying solution to start my morning off right! Besides a growing menu that includes delicious fish tacos, Oliver's serves breakfast tacos every weekday morning from 7-11 a.m. Hint: If you are calorie-concious, ask for egg whites only! There are only two options: bacon or sausage. Perfect for my inability to make decisions early in the morning. One of these days, I'll make it on a weekend to try out their brunch.

Where: 415 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth 76102

Happy Hour Pizzas at Frankie's

Despite less than stellar service every time I've gone, I have to say the dollar pizzas really made up for it. After attending a happy hour with coworkers a few weeks ago, I was pleasantly surprised that Frankie's had yummy, perfectly proportioned, cheesy pizzas for only a buck! I am not sure if this is a consistent happy hour special or only on certain days, but you should definitely check it out for yourself next time you're in need of a drink after a long day at work.

Where: 425 W. Third Street, Fort Worth 76102

m.i.a. and a cheesecake recipe

Boy, where is the summer going?

I blinked and July is halfway over. And I also realized it's been a few weeks since I've worked on the blog. Truth be told, I started my MBA July1, celebrated my birthday and 4th of July, visited my family, etc. and have thus had little time for writing about the things I love!

I still plan to continue writing and hope to zone in my focus a little more on my wonderful city, Fort Worth. It's just going to take a little time for me to get the hang of this school thing first! Sometimes being a grown up isn't fun but it's necessary, right?

I'll leave you with a recipe and picture of some adorable [and delicious] mini cheesecakes I shared with my coworkers in celebration of the 4th of July. Not only are they less than 100 calories each, but they are just sooo yummy! If you try them, let me know how you like them! xo.

Red White and Blueberry Cheesecake Yogurt Cupcakes 

Recipe via Skinny Taste

Ingredients:

12 reduced fat vanilla wafers
8 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
6 oz fat-free vanilla Greek yogurt
2 large egg whites
1 tbsp all purpose flour
8 oz strawberries, hulled and sliced thin
8 oz blueberries

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°.

Line cupcake tin with liners. Place a vanilla wafer at the bottom of each liner.

Gently beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth using an electric mixer. Gradually beat in fat free yogurt, egg whites, and flour. Do not over beat. Pour into cupcake liners filling half way.

Bake 20-25 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool to room temperature then chill at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.

project cupcake | mckinley's

My previous three project cupcake posts have been about cupcake food trucks, but today I'm writing about an actual bakery with a storefront. McKinley's, conveniently located in University Park Village, has been one of my favorite places to get a cupcake fix for years. I actually got my first cupcake crush when I was introduced to their delicious strawberry cupcakes!

Aside from an awesome food menu [the turkey pesto panini and barbie salad are my faves], their bakery is unreal. Everything is baked from scratch each morning, so you have to get there earlier in the day to truly see the entire selection. They have a huge variety of cookies, cakes, pies, monster cinnamon rolls... I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. But the star of this post is obviously the cupcakes.

Cupcake flavors I've tried and liked: Lemon and Strawberry. The end!

Description: These cupcakes are the perfect size. The frosting is always delicious and the cupcakes are always dense, moist, and flavorful. Although I love chocolate as much, or more than, the next girl, I have to say I found the chocolate cupcake verrrry rich. Thus, I usually alternate between Lemon and Strawberry flavors. Also worth noting, the prices for baked items--especially the cupcakes, I've noticed--are the best I've seen so far in Fort Worth. I'm a sucker for a bargain.

Address: 1616 University Drive, Suite 301, Fort Worth, TX 76107

Bakery hours: 8am - 6:30pm Monday-Saturday, 11am - 5pm Sunday

post-workout banana protein shake

I've been focusing a lot more on weights in my workouts these days and in turn, have incorporated more protein in my diet on the days I lift. I'm by no means a heavy weight lifter; I usually stick to the 5 or 10 lb. dumbells depending on the exercise I'm doing.

After one of my most recent workout sessions, I wasn't feeling super hungry but knew I needed to fuel my muscles I'd just worked. I came home and whipped up a little banana protein shake using what I had on hand, and it actually turned out pretty delicious. 

Ingredients

1 medium ripe banana, cut into small chunks

1/2 - 1 scoop vanilla protein powder*

1 large tablespoon of creamy natural peanut butter

1 large tablespoon of fat free plain greek yogurt

1 tsp. cocoa powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

5-8 ice cubes, depending on how thick you like your shakes

a splash of cold water

*If you are doing lots of reps or heavy weights, opt for more protein. As I mentioned, I lift fairly light weights, so I use about 1/2 a scoop of protein in my shakes.

Directions

Toss ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. You may need to add water a little at a time until the ingredients begin to blend--just not too much or it will taste, well, watery! Once blended, you can add more ice cubes for thicker consistency.

Enjoy your post workout treat! xo.

project cupcake | red jett sweets

I wish I hadn't waited so long to write about one of my favorite Fort Worth cupcake vendors. Red Jett Sweets has been a go-to stop when I needed a quick fix for my sweet tooth when I was in the West 7th district, as their truck could often be found at the Fort Worth Food Park.

As of June 9th, the business closed due to the increased amount of time and energy the owners were putting into the business, which resulted in less time for family and friends. Though my heart was deeply saddened with this news, I can only hope some good soul out there will buy the brand and keep these cupcakes going! Because honestly, they are phenom. xo.

Top left: Nuts for Kentucky. Bottom Right: Spotty Dotty Lemon.

Cupcakes I've tried: Red Jett Velvet, Coconut Comet, Nuts for Kentucky, Spotty Dotty Lemon, and Peter Pumpkin.

Description: Perfection. Fantastic texture and density. Perfect frosting consistency. Flavor packed without being too sugary to handle. Normal sized--not too small, not to large.

Address and Hours: None right now! Fingers crossed Red Jett Sweets 2.0 will hit the streets in the coming months.

Twitter: @RedJettSweetsFW

summer style guide | modern bohemian

Lately, I can't get enough of festival style.

The carefree, bohemian vibe just speaks to me these days; maybe it's the summer heat that's getting to me. Fashion always repeats itself, and this style is no exception, though it's a lot sexier than the 70's inspired clothing that was "in" a few several years ago. [I can only laugh when I remember a pair of flared jeans I wore in 8th grade that had suede leather laces on either side of the fly zipper. Wow.]

I was inspired by an image I found on Pinterest of what I think is a modern take on boho style. I love the simplicity of the off-the-shoulder white top paired with my favorite wardrobe staple: cutoff shorts. I think the shades add a little edge to the ensemble, a deviation from something more expected like retro cat-eye, wayfarer, or small round lens shapes. Even the jewelry is kept minimal: one simple ring. I used my imagination for footwear and picked something a little funky to add some interest to the whole look. What do you think of this modern bohemian style? xo.

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PS: If anyone knows the true image source, please let me know! So far I have only been able to find it on Pinterest.

trader jacques [joe's] macarons

Though I will always have a special place in my heart for cupcakes, I've recently been bitten by the macaron bug. And not just any macaron--French macarons! Those coconut macaroons [read: two o's instead of one] you can find in a grocery store are alright, but they ain't got nothin' on these light, crispy-on-the-outside-chewy-on-the-inside cookies that come in a plethora of fillings, flavors, and colors.

Although there are a few little macaron bakeries in Dallas, they are not as close as I'd like when a sudden craving strikes. Enter: Trader Joe's. I discovered that this inexpensive health food mecca just down the road actually sells French macarons in the frozen aisle! I thought this was questionable at first, but for $4.99 I decided to give them a whirl.

Four boxes later, these macarons have become a kitchen staple. I opt for the box containing colorful cookies with flavors like Cassis, Coffee, and Pistachio; however, Trader Joe's does also sell a box of plain vanilla and chocolate. If you live near a TJ's, I suggest you check these out asap! These cookies can be kept frozen and only require 30 minutes to thaw at room temperature. I have only one word left to say: heavenly.

xo.

project cupcake | cup cakin machine

I've been wanting to try Cup Cakin Machine's cupcakes for quite a while, but always seemed to miss them on the few times they made an appearance in Fort Worth [this cupcakery on wheels largely sticks to the Dallas area.]

I finally got a chance a few weeks ago to get a cupcake after a yummy dinner at the Fort Worth Food Park. Since it was late in the evening, they only had Red Velvet left, which was fine with me since I do love some classic red velvet!

It takes a lot for me to say I that I just straight up didn't like a cupcake. I'm usually so easy to please. However, I was so disappointed with my cupcake from Cup Cakin. The frosting was not cream cheesy enough. The cake was not red velvety enough. It tasted ordinary, and very sugary. The cocoa was a little too prevalent, resulting in more of a brown instead of a true red hue. I could go on. Overall, I do not think I'll be a repeat customer, unfortunately! If you live in the DFW area, let me know if you have tried their cupcakes before and had a better experience than I did. xo.

Cupcake flavor I tried: Red Velvet

Description: Very large, very sweet, but did not taste like a classic red velvet should. Cream cheese was not a major ingredient in the frosting. Decent texture, but it didn't seem to be mixed well as the coloring was not evenly red throughout.

Address: Check their schedule online to see where they will be during the week.

Twitter: @cupcakinmachine

summer style guide | nighttime

I just love easy breezy outfits for warm summer evenings. Whether it's al fresco date night or a backyard soiree, my priorities are comfort and sexiness! Is it possible to have both? Yes! 

A feminine ruffle elevates this maxi from basic to a sexy staple. With its solid color, you can easily accessorize to fit almost any occasion. A sexy, lacy bralette is a lighter alternative to a regular bra, while a statement clutch and necklace provide some pizzazz. Add a belt and simple wedges to really make the look your own. A subtly fierce piece of wrist candy dresses it up for a more "formal" occasion without competing with your other accessories. Don't forget some tinted lip balm and delicious perfume to complete the look! xo.

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summer style guide | daytime

As promised, here is part two of the summer style series! This outfit is an ideal uniform for just about any summery weekend; from running errands, to picnicking at the park, to attending an outdoor concert, it's effortlessly stylish. xo.

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summer style guide | beauty essentials

I love summer because it means stripping down to the bare basics for both make-up and clothing! Layers are fun but it's nice to take a break and just let your skin breathe. The items below are beauty products that I'm either currently obsessed with, have newly discovered, or plan to pick up in the very near future. What are your summer beauty essentials? xo.

1. Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzer. I've been using this bronzer for several months now and have been loving it! I actually prefer the one for blondes, even though I'm brunette, because my skin is so fair that I can't rock the darker bronzer.

2. Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray. Whew, say that five times fast! I'm obsessed with this spray. It's perfect after a dip in the pool to give you those natural beach babe waves. Plus, the travel size version is perfect for toting around.

3. Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Punch. This is such a beautiful, sheer pink. A little color and spf go a long way in the summer! Lip color makes me feel "put together" without getting too done up.

4/5. Essie 'Neon Collection' Nail Polish in Disco Fever (4) and Bottle Service (5). I'm so in love with these bright summer polishes I couldn't pick just one. One for my fingers and one for my toes, please.

6. Revlon Lash Potion Mascara. I saw this new product in the Target weekly ad recently and knew I had to try it. I mean that bottle... so pretty! It was love at first swipe. This mascara is fantastic and lengthened my lashes like a dream! It also comes in waterproof--perfect for afternoons at the beach or pool!

7. Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Sunscreen. My current supply of sunscreen is just about used up, so I'm on the market for more. I'm interested in trying out this cooling mist sunscreen because a) I like mists--less mess; and b) cooling? Sign me up!

8. Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream. Though I have only ever tried this one BB cream, I am already almost done with my second tube and am still loving it! This cream provides a touch of sheer color with a good dose of SPF 30. It's a great beauty essential in my book, especially in the summer.

9. Sephora Bali Bon Voyager Soft Traincase in Ikat. This adorable bag just screams summer to me. With weekend trips and vacations around the corner, I need a pretty printed bag to carry all my beauty products!

P.S. Stay tuned for my summer style essentials!

simple fried rice + general tso's chicken

I haven't been keeping a running tally of the number of fried rice recipes I've tried. And honestly, it doesn't matter because I finally found "the one"!

While on my weekly grocery store trip, I was looking for a new way to eat chicken [a weekly dinner staple for the hubs and I.] A light bulb went off and I shuffled over to the international food aisle and tossed a few Asian sauces into my cart. The one I was most eager to try was the Archer Farms General Tso sauce [only 40 cal for two tbsp!] 

I searched and searched and finally settled on this recipe for fried rice--hey, I had to cook something from scratch since the chicken was going to be so darn easy. This meal was so fun and easy and best of all delicious. I'll definitely be making it again. Bonus: You can make the rice in bulk to have throughout the week! What's your favorite way to eat chicken? xo.

Simple Fried Rice

Ingredients
[4 servings]

Adapted from this food.com recipe
3/4 cup finely chopped onion [I had red onion on had so I just used that]
2 1/2 tbsp oil
1 egg [or more if you like]
2 tbps plus 3 drops low sodium soy sauce, divided
1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
4 cups cold cooked rice
4 green onions, chopped [I used dried chives instead]
1 cup frozen broccoli, thawed

Directions
1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in wok; add chopped onions and stir-fry until onions turn brown, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from wok.
2. Allow wok to cool slightly. Mix egg with 3 drops of soy sauce. Set aside.
3. Add 1/2 tbsp oil to wok, swirling to coat surfaces. Add egg mixture; working quickly, swirl egg until egg sets against wok. When egg puffs, flip egg and cook other side briefly. Remove from wok and chop into small pieces.
4. Heat 1 tbps oil in wok; add carrots, peas, broccoli, and cooked onion. Stir-fry for 2 minutes.
5. Add rice and green onions, tossing to mix well. Stir-fry for 3 minutes.
6. Add 2 tbsp soy sauce and chopped egg to rice mixture and fold in. Stir-fry for 1 minute. Serve.

For the chicken, simply cook until the center is no longer pink. Cut into pieces and toss on a small skillet with the General Tso's sauce. I added a dash of soy sauce and a significant amount of crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor. Let the sauce and chicken simmer a few minutes and you're done!

fort worth foodie review | the woodshed smokehouse

One of my favorite haunts when the Texas temps reach what I call "patio weather" [aka 85 degrees or so] is the Woodshed in Fort Worth. This rustic-cool restaurant headed by Chef Tim Love sits right on the Trinity River with the coolest outdoor/indoor dining concept I've seen. The food is outrageously good, the atmosphere is perfect for a both casual date night and a group of your closest friends. On the weekends you will find live music to kick back and enjoy while sipping on any one of their selections of beer, wine, margaritas or cocktails. I highly recommend this joint if you're looking for a great atmosphere to soak in the beautiful spring weather. xo.

Where: 3201 Riverfront Drive, Fort Worth

Hours: Sun-Thurs, 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. / Fri-Sat, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.

What to try: Smoked hummus, smoked white fish dip, pulled pork sandwich, brisket stuffed piquillo peppers, burger, and ribs. For the more adventurous, my hubs and friends have testified that smoked red fish, bowl of ramen, and rattlesnake sausage are awesome.

spring 2013 workout playlist

Bikini season is just around the corner, y'all. Here's my latest and greatest music mix to help power you through some cardio or weights sessions. The beats are pretty fun and great for a morning jog, bike ride, or circuits! Let me know what some of your favorite tunes are lately! xo.

beachy waves tutorial

Oh, how I love beachy waves! I can't get enough of this laid-back look. After trying various methods to achieve this effortless style, I finally found one that works on my straight hair that looks fairly natural in my opinion. The best part is that it requires no heat! I've gotten many compliments on my new go-to 'do and wanted to share with you guys. Let me know if it works for you! xo.

Method

You'll need: 
Sea salt texturizing spray [I am loving Not Your Mother's Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray]
Hair tie [I am obsessed with these from Sephora]
French braiding skills [see Lauren Conrad's video or ask a friend!]

Directions:

1. Start with damp hair [read: not soaking wet]. Spritz your hair liberally with the sea salt spray. Make sure to avoid the roots and stick to middle of the strands to the ends.

2. French braid your hair. Don't worry about being perfect--the messier the better, in my opinion. The smaller the sections you use, the more waves you'll get. Bigger sections=subtle, larger waves. Secure the end of the braid with a hair tie. If it's nighttime, go ahead and sleep on it. If you're getting ready before work or just going out during the day, leave the braid in until it is mostly or fully dry.

3. Remove the hair tie and use your fingers to gently loosen the waves. Feel free to spray more sea salt spray onto your hair and use a scrunching motion to add a little more texture to the waves. And voilà--you're ready to go!

project cupcake | hummingbird sweet shoppe

In the second installment of my Project Cupcake series, I introduce Hummingbird Sweet Shoppe.

This bakery on wheels has been on my "to try" list for quite sometime, and I finally caught up with it at Fort Worth's newest food truck park, Clearfork! I ordered the "Hummingbird" cupcake, which had decadent flavors of banana and pineapple topped with cream cheese frosting and pecans. It really knocked my socks off, y'all. I can't wait to go back and try a new flavor!

Address: Check their schedule online or follow them on Twitter for daily updates of their whereabouts!

Twitter: @HBirdSweets

xo.

spring style wardrobe updates

I'm smitten with spring at the moment. So far it's been pretty mild and I am trying to make the most of the beautiful days we're experiencing here in North Texas! As such, I'm in desperate need of some fresh colors, textures, and patterns to add to my wardrobe and I think the items below will just do the trick! What are your must haves for this season? xo.

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how to eat salmon... and like it?

I'm not the most healthy eater you will find, but I do try to make good choices every now and then. I didn't grow up liking/eating seafood, but once I married a guy that loved pretty much every type of food, my options consequently expanded. Tremendously.

One thing that is both easy to make and extremely good for you is salmon. Not only is salmon high in protein and low in calories, but it's also got tons of omega-3's, which work wonders for your cardiovascular health! [source]

Let's jump into the recipe. Try it and tell me what you think. Feel free to share your favorite way to eat salmon [or fish in general]! xo.

Lemon Pepper Herb Salmon

Ingredients

Lemon pepper

Fresh ground pepper

Oregano

Fresh lemon

Olive Oil

Salmon filet[s]

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place thawed salmon filets skin side down onto greased glass pyrex dish [I just do a quick spritz of PAM]

2. Brush about a teaspoon or two of olive oil on top of each filet.

3. Sprinkle lemon pepper, Oregano, and extra ground pepper [to taste] on each filet.

4. Slice lemon into thin slices and place 2-3 slices on top of each piece of salmon. You can even squeeze a little lemon juice on top if you really like lemon, like I do!

5. Put the salmon in the oven for 15-18 minutes, until the fish is flakes easily with a fork.

Remove the lemon slices and enjoy over a bed of white rice with some kind of green veggie, like asparagus, peas, or green beans! Yum!





fort worth events | April 12 - 13

The work week is coming to a close, and now the fun begins! Take advantage of the beautiful, sunny spring days ahead by trying one or more of these cool events taking place in DFW this weekend.

Friday, April 12

Friday on the Green

The first Friday on the Green of the year kicks off at 7:00 p.m. this Friday! If you've been following this blog for a while, you know that I had this event on my bucket list for last summer. I didn't end up making it due to other plans always getting in the way, but this year I have made the commitment to finally check it out and I'm so so excited! Bring a blanket, some friends, and your pups if you have any and enjoy some live music and food truck fare. It's a great way to ring in the weekend if you ask me.

Where: Magnolia Green Park [1100 Lipscomb Street, Fort Worth]

When: 7-10 p.m.

Cost: Free

Extras: Bring pet food or cash donations for this month's charity, Don't Forget to Feed Me

Saturday April 13

Brewfest

Love beer and music? Head over to West 7th for Brewfest from 5-10 p.m. this Saturday. There will be live bands and plenty of imported and craft beer to try! I've never been but it seems like a pretty cool environment to mingle with some good friends. Plus, there are lots of yummy restaurants nearby so you could make a really fun date night of it. Think Terra, Hacienda San Miguel, Fireside Pies... I'm getting hungry [and thirsty] already!

Where: Crockett Street, Fort Worth

When: 5-10 p.m.

Cost: Free. Just buy the beer!

Pop-Up Market

This Saturday, the first ever Pop-Up Market is opening up on Magnolia Green in the Near Southside of Fort Worth! This concept is so intriguing to me, I might just have to stop by to see what it's all about. Vendors range from jewelry to vintage, and so much more in between. Visit the website to see the vendor list and find out the other dates for the market, which continues through October!

Where: 1201 Lipscomb, Fort Worth

When: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Cost: Free

The Dallas Flea

Y'all know I had the best time with my mom and sister at the last Dallas Flea back in December. Well, the next event takes place this weekend! With tons of new vendors, it's sure to be another fun day of vintage and hand-crafted shopping. I highly recommend getting a group of your best girl friends or family members together and making the trip to the Flea. You won't be disappointed! Mosey on over to the Dallas Flea website to see the full list of awesome vendors.

Where: 1409 South Lamar Street, Dallas

When: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Cost: $5 entry & free parking

How are you spending your weekend? xo.

project cupcake | stir crazy baked goods

My obsession with cupcakes began with the first bakery-fresh strawberry frosted delight from McKinley's in Fort Worth. I've always had a major sweet tooth, but the store-bought baked goods didn't really do much for me.

Needless to say, I was inspired to begin a mission to try cupcakes from as many different bakeries in Fort Worth as possible and share my review of each with you! My reviews will be in no particular order, just in the order than I happen to eat and photograph them [this is a true challenge when I usually eat them before I even think of taking a picture].

First up: Stir Crazy Baked Goods.

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Located just off of South Main Street in the up and coming Near Southside district, this sweet little bakery is vintage perfection. I mean don't you just adore those turquoise-painted re-purposed chairs? I love the open and airy atmosphere, with the sunlight pouring over the glass case stuffed with the bakery's daily rotation of baked goods. From cupcakes, to cookies, to the oh-so-delicious sweet rolls, these people know their way around the kitchen! I definitely recommend a stop by this place if you live in or visit Fort Worth. I love it so much, this is the second post I have written about them! [First post here.]

Cupcake flavors I've tried and liked: Mimosa, Coconut-Lemon, Lemon, Red Velvet & Chocolate with Stawberry frosting.

Description: These cupcakes aren't particularly large, but about the size they would be if you made them at home, which adds to the "made-from-scratch" charm they have. Though I love me a good giant cupcake piled with yummy frosting, these cupcakes are probably the better portion size and always leave me wanting more, which is a good thing! The cake is moist and dense while the frosting is airy and light.

Address: 106 E. Daggett Ave., Fort Worth, TX 76104

Bakery Hours: 7am - 2pm Tuesday-Saturday

Twitter: @StirCrazyBakery [follow them for their daily menu listings!]

Let me know if you visit Stir Crazy and what flavors you try! xo.

introducing | fort worth bike sharing

I usually consider myself fairly "in-the-know" about the goings-on in this growing city I call home. However, though previously I'd thought bike sharing was just a rumored possibility, I was completely [and pleasantly] surprised when I woke up one morning last week to see tweets announcing the installation of thirty bike share stations all around the downtown, southside, and cultural districts. Fort Worth just got some major brownie points in my book!

The official "launch" day takes place on April 22, which also happens to be Earth Day! How perfect. In the first inaugural ride, 300 volunteers will ride the spiffy red bikes from Burnett Park to one of the thirty designated bike share stations around  central Fort Worth. Memberships range from 24 hours to annual passes. An annual pass is $80 [a great deal if you ask me!] and if you register before April 22, you get $10 off! Hop on over to the Fort Worth Bike Sharing website for information about Bike Share Station locations and to register for a pass.

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I'll definitely share my first bike share experience with you all once the launch takes place! I'm pretty anxious to take a bike from the the West 7th/Stayton location [right next to Chuy's] for a spin around the Trinity Trails.

Do you plan to test out the new Fort Worth Bike Sharing? xo.

what to wear | st. patty's day

Happy St. Patty's weekend, y'all!

I don't normally post on Saturdays but thought I'd share my festive outfit with anyone who might need some inspo. I'm planning to spend my afternoon with good friends on a patio somewhere, enjoying this beautiful day. Goodness knows I need to soak up a few rays of sunshine--winter did a number on my skin!

I am pairing my Old Navy green gingham button-down [seriously one of my new favorite additions to my wardrobe] with a pair of pale pink roll up Banana Republic shorts for a fun take on the "green" theme. Some gold jewelry, casual sandals, and of course a good pair of sunnies are my only accessories. This is the kind of day where I just want to keep things simple! And yes, my shirt will be rocking J. Crew's signature half-tuck.

What are you doing for St. Patty's day? xo.

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what to wear | valentine's day date

I know this post is going up super late but [as always] I have been way busy these days and Valentine's Day just snuck up on me! Anyway, the hubs is taking me to dinner on Valentine's Day but he is keeping the place is a surprise. Though the details are vague, I know he loves when I wear pretty dresses and figured I would dress to impress no matter where we end up going! In case you are looking for a last minute outfit [as was I], have no fear. I've put together two adorable date night ensembles that are sure to get you a few double-takes! If you're wondering, I'll be going with look #2. Also, let me know what your Valentine's Day plans are, if you have any! xo.

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what to wear | super bowl party

Now that we've covered food, let's talk about what to wear to a Super Bowl party [should you be hosting or attending one]. You can always wear a Ravens or 49ers jersey, but if you're like me and are impartial about who to root for, a less thematic outfit is a more creative way to get in the spirit of the game!

Below, I've styled two potential outfits. For a Ravens fan, team colors are represented in trendy purple skinnies and a hint of purple eyeliner along with a subtle feather ring to represent the mascot. If you decide to lean towards the west coast, a loose tank that hails to the motherland with a 49ers-red blazer to pull the look together is a sure way to let other party-goers know who you're supporting! Either way, these outfits are both comfy and cute and perfect for a laid-back party surrounded by good food and good friends. As for me, I am still deciding what color I'll be wearing on Sunday! xo.

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super bowl eats

It's Wednesday which means my Super Bowl planning is going into high gear! This year, I am hosting a little get-together and am so excited! It's going to be potluck style so the food prep will be distributed among myself and my friends. I've been scouring Pinterest for the past week for yummy--but most of all, easy--recipes to whip up for the big day. Below are a few of my favorites. I'm pretty sure many will make an appearance in some form or fashion at the party--can't wait to dig in! Are you planning a Super Bowl watch party? What are your favorite football foods? xo.

Skinny Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip via Skinny Taste 

Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread via Confections of a Foodie Bride

Nacho Bar via Your Homebased Mom

Football Whoopie Pies via Make Merry; Pulled Pork Sliders via Dishing With Leslie

Skinny Beer-garitas via Eat Yourself Skinny

what's in my pantry?

It's been a while it seems since I have written a food-related post. Life has gotten in the way, which isn't a bad thing, and so my kitchen adventures have been not quite blog-worthy. However, in an effort to overhaul the hubs and my eating habits in favor of healthier selections, I've found some yummy snacks and food items that are healthier choices but still very satisfying! Take a peek into my pantry to see my must-haves this month. I'm not sure how often these will change but I'll be sure to share when they do! Also, please feel free to share some of your favorite healthy snacks/meals in a comment below.  xo.

1. earnest eats superfood trail mix granola bars are one of my new favorite grab-and-go snacks! With wholesome ingredients with none of that artificial stuff, I feel satisfied when an afternoon craving hits.

2. Almond Nut Thins are an obsession. Not only are they gluten free, but they are light and crispy and perfect dippers for hummus! They come in several flavors but I prefer the original.

3. This white balsamic & honey salad dressing is fabulous! I am not normally a salad person and am especially picky when it comes to dressings, but I think this is the only one I'll ever need. Flavorful and light, you don't need much to give a boring salad a good kick!

4. Lately, I've vowed to reduce dairy intake after reading/hearing from multiple sources that it is not necessary to a healthy diet. After having a delicious coffee and coconut milk drink at the new coffee shop down the street, Brewed, I decided to purchase this delightful drink for myself to mix with the occasional morning coffee. So. Good!

5. When a food craving hits right before mealtime, I pop a piece of gum to tide me over until it's actually time to eat. It really helps to keep me from too much snacking.

6. Bananas aren't really "new" for me, but I did go a few weeks without buying them so I added them back to the grocery list as a quick and healthy addition to breakfast or lunch.

7. My hubs and I decided to give the "gluten free" thing a try after he was experiencing a sensitive stomach. Though neither of us are diagnosed with Celiac disease, it has helped us discover new foods we wouldn't have normally tried, such as this gluten-free quinoa spaghetti! It tastes the exact same as normal spaghetti so we've made it a permanent staple.

8. I like to keep trail mix on hand when I need a little sweet and salty fix. This cranberry mix from Target is my favorite! Plus, I think it is one of the only ones that does not have ingredients that contain gluten.

9. Pears are a new fruit addition to the grocery list and have slowly replaced apples. Don't get me wrong--apples are wonderful but after many months of the same thing, it's nice to shake things up a bit! Plus they have tons of healthy fiber.

10. These cranberry bars have to be my number one favorite snack these days! My mom introduced them to me recently and I can't get enough! They are a delicious and filling breakfast packed with protein. What I especially love is that they contain a mere 7 ingredients. Wholesome and tasty!

treasure hunting

It is so thrilling and just plain fun to visit antique/vintage/junk shops in hopes of discovering something old that will get a new life in my home. A few weeks ago, I finally ventured out to Curiosities in Dallas [something I've been dying to do for months] and was amazed at the vast amount of inventory that they had! Admittedly, I was a bit overwhelmed but it was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Here are a few photos I took:

Since I left empty-handed, I still felt determined to find some new pieces to decorate with since the hubs and I decided to revamp our living room [I'll save the re-do photos for another post once everything is in place!] After mom and sister decided to visit me last weekend for a girl's shopping day, I did some digging and found a fun "junk" shop to explore much closer to home: Junker Val in Bluebonnet Circle, Fort Worth.

This place was a little piece of heaven! It was a much smaller and more manageable shop to navigate than Curiosities, with a bubbly shop owner who offered cookies/cake/wine/soda to all the visitors who wandered in the open front door. I purchased three items that I am so excited about! A silver tray [$5], a gold piggy to hold my rings [$5] and a vintage photo of the Dallas skyline [$10]. This is definitely a place I plan to frequent more often! If you plan to visit, note that this is a cash only business. If you are a klutz like me, I've learned it's best to wear a slim cross-body style purse as opposed to a large bag to avoid knocking over breakables.

Do you like to treasure hunt? What are some fun things you have found or places you've visited? xo.