Sweets 4 your Sweetie: chocolate chip cupcakes with heart-shaped strawberries

Hi Everyone!

It's good to be back after a few crazy months.  Though I have not been blogging I have been keeping up with my blog reading and have really been missing my usual blog writing mornings. While I am getting back into the swing of things, I thought I would share with you this quick and easy idea for Valentine's Day.  I had plenty of time to wrack my brain for ideas as well as baking on this wintery snow day. 

 Let's face it, if you still have no clue what you will be doing tomorrow to show your V-day spirit then you may feel as last minute as this post. This is definitely not a rocket science kind of idea but it's simple and fast.  This works for a girl's night in or for the start to a couple's night out.  It's easy, sweet, pretty and definitely festive. You may already have some of these ingredients in your cupboard.

I decided to use the natural beauty and shape of the strawberry.  These strawberry  hearts are not perfect by any means.  Each one is unique in shape and size, perhaps that is what I love most about them.  Some Yellow boxed cake, choco-chips, chocolate frosting, strawberries and some blush champagne and you are in business!

Hope you have a lovely Valentine's Day:)
xo
Jen

Use some good old Betty Crocker yellow cake mix for the cupcakes. Just add chocolate chips.

Decorate and frost anyway you would like.  I kept some without sugar for the strawberry toppings.

Choose strawberries from the package that have a slight heart shape like this one.

Pull back the stem and cut the front of each side of the strawberry.  Depending on how deep the heart shape continues, you may be able to get more than 2 slices per strawberry.

Sweater or Sweatshirt?

I have been loving the past few weeks of real Fall weather.  The chill in the air brings so much excitement and anticipation for the start of the Holiday season.  I adore the colors of Autumn and the beautiful contrasting trees that line the streets.  The crisp air automatically lifts my spirits.  Can you tell this is my favorite time of year! AND of course with cool weather brings the opportunity to layer up! A layered look is by far one of my favorites.  Under each layer can offer an element of surprise and a mix of different textures. This day was simply a lazy Sunday.  Rupal and I took a short stroll around Tudor City before grabbing some lunch.  This casual look is super cute and fun for any day.

  This outfit's navy and tan color theme is simple and classic while showing color pops from Rupal's Capwell + Co statement necklace and her bright lip color.  This beautiful necklace was a gift from Capwell + Co from Lucky Fabb and I couldn't resist passing it off to Rupal to wear over her cream sweater.  I should also mention that this sweater/sweatshirt from Anthropologie is amazing!    It appears to be a sweater when layered under a jacket. When worn by itself you can see that it is a sweater on the front and a sweatshirt on the back and arms. The material is super soft.  I am pretty sure I will have to buy this top for myself. Sorry for being a copy - cat Rup :)

x

Jen

Rupal says " One thing comes to mind when wearing this outfit, its comfortable!  The sweater and hat were so warm and cozy, the jeans are stretchy so they always fit just right, and the shoes are so light that I could wear them all day.  I'm also in love with my new jacket.  I can pretty much wear it with any casual outfit because it is so basic, but the gold and leather details really make it unique".

Sweater/Sweatshirt - Anthropologie
Jacket - Zara -find similar

Jeans - Mother

Hat - Anthropologie

Necklace - Capwell + Co

Bracelet - Tory Burch -find similar

Watch  - Michael Kors

Booties - Mia

Bag - Vintage



P.S. Don't forget to enter our Stella & Dot Giveaway.  There are only 3 days remaining!

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Stella & Dot Giveaway!

Mae Necklace

Happy Weekend Everyone!  Hope you all had a Happy Halloween.  We thought we would jump start the weekend with a fun Giveaway from Stella & Dot.  A few weeks ago Kelly and I hosted an S&D trunk show.  It was a great excuse to get old and new friends together while sipping on cocktails and trying on the baubles of our choice.  An old friend from high school, Shannon Burgwald was our S&D stylist, which made things even more fun since we rarely get to see her.  She was so knowledgable and helpful to everyone exploring all of the jewelry options.  She is definitely our favorite stylist :) After our two hour jewelry party turned into 4 hours of non-stop fun, Kelly and I picked out 2 great pieces that we thought our readers would really enjoy, the Mae necklace and the Tia cross-body bag. Shannon was awesome enough to sponsor yet another amazing giveaway!   The Mae is super pretty and versatile and can also be the perfect piece to add to any holiday or party outfit. This beauty looks perfect when paired with the Somervell or Christina link necklace, also available at  S&D.  The Tia bag is a simple and chic design that can be taken anywhere.  Use it as an easy cross-body or remove the strap to sport a clutch.
We'd like to give a BIG "Thanks" to Shannon for being such a wonderful stylist and our great friend Jenn for surrendering her house for our festivities.

Enter to win through the Raffelcopter at the end of this post.  Two winners will be drawn.  Good Luck!

Tia cross-body bag

Here are some photos from our recent trunk show!

Our friends, Maggie and Kim skimming through the look-book.

A bunch of us trying out some new pieces of sparkle.

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Belted Flannel

I am such a huge fan of this look and of Rupal's overall style.  Who doesn't want to slip into a heavenly soft outfit that looks chic but is cotton from head to toe, well maybe not the shoes but you know what I'm saying.  I Love the punch of red that this flannel gives while looking fab paired with mainly black accessories. I think the belt just pulls it all together making this ensemble office appropriate.  I must also mention that I LOVE that necklace!

This particular day spent with Rup in NYC wasn't too chilly so she was able to rock her skirt and open-toed booties without tights.  If you like this look you will most likely need to add the tights now that the Fall weather is here to stay with the winter chill on the horizon.

x

Jen

Rupal says "I love that this outfit mixes different styles yet is all cotton.  At first I never would have thought to wear a flannel shirt to the office, but once I paired it with a pencil skirt, belt and heels it looked so polished.  This shirt is so super soft and warm".

Plaid flannel - South Moon Under

Necklace - Gorjana

Skirt - Velvet - find similar

Belt - H&M - find similar

Shoes - Isola find similar via Nordstrom 

Bag - Prada

Readers - Carolee

Leather bracelet - Chie Mihara

Gold Bracelet - Vintage

Watch  - Michael Kors