Happy Halloween!

I love this holiday! A few of my Halloween favorites include: trick-or-treaters, spooky treats and dressing up! I'm still under the weather today, but I hope feel better for the weekend festivities... Nobody likes a sick fairy. 

Happy Halloween & Trick-or-Treat! What's your costume this year?

Christina xxoo

Cupcake of the Month: Candy Corn

Hey guys--

Today is National Candy Corn Day! I didn't plan to post this recipe because of that, but somehow it worked out perfectly. To celebrate a Halloween classic, follow these steps to make your own candy corn cupcakes!

Cupcake Ingredients: 1 box of vanilla cake mix, eggs, water and vegetable oil that are called for on the cake mix box

Frosting Ingredients: 7 cups of confectioners' sugar, 2 cups of butter, 3 tsp of vanilla extract, 6 tablespoons of whipping cream, orange food coloring, yellow food coloring, candy corn 

Frosting Instructions: 

1. This cupcake has 3 layers of frosting. They're all different colors, so make sure to use different bowls and piping bags.

2. You will make the yellow frosting first. The first step is to use a mixer to whisk together 3 cups of sugar and 1 cup of butter. Mix on a low speed until the mixture is blended and then increase to a medium speed for 3 minutes. 

3. Next, add 1 tsp vanilla, 2 tablespoons of whipping cream and yellow food coloring and continue to whisk on a medium speed for 1 minute.

4. The second frosting layer that you'll make is orange. Use a mixer to whisk together 2 cups of sugar and 1/2 cup of butter. Mix on a low speed until mixture is blended and then increase to a medium speed for 3 minutes. 

5. Repeat step 3 but add orange food coloring instead of yellow.

6. Now you're ready for the last layer, the white frosting. Repeat step 4.

7. Repeat step 3, but don't add any food coloring to your mixture.

Cupcake Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Line cupcake tins with paper liners.

3. In a large bowl, use a mixer to mix together cake mix, eggs, water and vegetable oil.

4. Pour the batter into the cupcake cups, fill about 2/3 full.

5. Bake for about 15 minutes.

6. Take the cupcakes out and let them cool down before icing them.

7. When cupcakes are cool, put yellow frosting into a piping bag and frost the first layer of the cupcakes.

8. Next, put orange frosting into a piping bag and frost the second layer of the cupcakes.

9. Then, put the white frosting into a piping bag and frost the third layer of the cupcakes. 

10. Complete your cupcakes by garnishing each one with a little candy corn. Enjoy!

Christina xxoo

October's Treat: "Pumpkin" Candy Apples

This recipe was supposed to be posted yesterday, but I had to go to the hospital. Nothing serious, I'm just sick! Sorry for the delay. Anyway, I'd never made candy apples until these and I'd always wanted to. I thought that these were adorable. Give me any recipe that mixes apples and pumpkins during the month of October and I'm in. I hope you all enjoy these as much as I did! 

Ingredients: apples, large kabob or popsicle sticks, orange gel food coloring, green and orange frosting, 1 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 cup of water, 1 cup of light corn syrup, parchment paper, candy thermometer 

Instructions: 

1. Prepare by washing the apples and laying down parchment paper onto the plate/container that apples will be placed on. 

2.  Remove the stems from the apples and stick the kabob/popsicle sticks into the center of the apples.

3.  In a pot on stove top, combine sugar, light corn syrup and water.

4. Stir mixture on high heat until it starts to boil.

5. Once mixture is boiling, stop stirring and place candy thermometer into the pot.

6. Once the mixture reaches 285 degrees Farenheit, lower the heat and put orange food coloring into the mix. (How much food coloring you should use really just depends. Start by adding 1/2 tsp and continue to add more to get the color you like.)

7. Dip apples into the candy mixture. Make sure each apple is completely covered. & Dip apples as quickly as possible.

8. Then, let the excess mixture drip off of the apple back into the pot.

9. Next, place the apple on parchment paper and let dry. 

10. Use orange icing to draw lines down the apple, to imitate that of a pumpkin.

11. Then, use green icing to draw a circle around the top of the apple, to imitate a pumpkin's stem and leaves. 

12. Let the frosting on the apples dry and you are finished! Enjoy your "pumpkin" apples with some friends and fall fun!

Christina xxoo

Fall Leaves

Hey guys--

I know it's been awhile! Things have been a bit crazy. I was in New York City last week and this week I've been sick. I've missed blogging so much! I hate being sick in the midst of fall, it's too wonderful of a time. I hope all of you are well!

This is one of my October posts for Deb Shops! I wanted to create a casual, cozy look that would be perfect for playing in the leaves. This wine jacket is so comfy and warm! I've definitely gotten my wear out of it. & Where do I begin with my love for this mustard knit scarf? It's a fall staple in my wardrobe! I love the color so much, it adds a POP to every outfit! Oh and these oxfords, they've become my favorite flat in my closet!

Happy Halloween Week friends! I hope to get well soon! 

Christina xxoo

Wearing: Forever 21 White Tee

Deb Shops Wine Jacket

Deb Shops Mustard Infinity Scarf

ModCloth Heart Print Denim

Deb Shops Lace Up Oxfords

Forever 21 Fox Ring

Get The Look: Maple Cream Confection

Maple Cream Confection

Hey guys--

Fall is officially here! That means my boots and sweaters have come out to play. For Deb Shops, I've put together a cozy look for a cool fall morning.  I paired a lace dress with an Aztec print cardigan, a gold arrow necklace and brown lace up boots. These boots are a must have for fall style. I love the vintage vibe that lace -up boots have and the best part about these boots is that they fold over. The inside of the boot has a plaid print that is a perfect color scheme for autumn. 

I love a good Aztec print cardigan for cool weather. They're so cozy and chic! What do you think?

Ahh the weekend at last!

Happy weekend to all!

Christina xxoo

Wearing: Deb Shops Lace Dress

Deb Shops Aztec Print Cardigan

Deb Shops Golden Arrow Necklace

Deb Shops Lace Up Boots

Happy First Day of Fall!

Hey everyone--

 Autumn is here! I don't know about you, but I can't wait to crunch the leaves under my boots, snuggle in my biggest cardigan and bake pumpkin treats. I look forward to my scenic drives home. Ohio has such beautiful autumns! I love when the morning air is crisp and the leaves are changing colors. What do you love about fall?

Happy first day of Fall!

Christina xxoo

Fall Bucket List (2013)

1. Take a trip to the pumpkin patch.

2. Make candy apples.

3.  Make a Jack-o'-lantern.

4. Attend a pumpkin festival.

5. Take a scenic hike.

6. Have a scary movie marathon.

7. Drink hot apple cider on a cool autumn night.

8. Tailgate for a football game.

9. Make & eat a wonderful amount of pumpkin treats. 

10. Jump in a pile of crisp leaves.

Gotta love fall.

Christina xxoo