Saturday, January 29, 2011

Not Quite Honeysuckle, But Truly Pink with Raspberry Cupcakes

Pink Cupcakes
So girly



On one of last week's snowy days we made some yummy cupcakes. Below is the recipe we used from More magazine, February 2011 issue.

Yummy Snow Day Snack
Someone could not wait to have a bite!

More Magazine's Pink Cupcake Recipe
Prep time: 32 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes
Makes 12

Cupcakes

• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter (½ cup), softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup milk

Glaze
• 2 cups confectioner’s sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk (and more if needed)
• Pink or red food coloring
• 12 small red raspberries for garnish

1. To make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350ยบ. Line 12 cupcake cups with liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until soft and creamy. Add the sugar, and beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time until incorporated. Add the vanilla. Alternate adding flour mixture and milk in three additions. Beat until just combined. Fill cupcake papers ¾ full, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, rotating pan halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool completely on rack.

2. To make the glaze: In a small bowl, stir together the confectioner’s sugar and 2 tablespoons milk. Slowly add food coloring with a toothpick until desired pink shade is achieved. Top each cupcake with 1 teaspoon glaze. Spread decoratively toward the edges to create a scalloped, just- dripping effect. Top each with one small raspberry.


WE USED BRIGHT PINK CUPCAKE BAKING FOILS

Friday, January 28, 2011

A Couple of Things

February, a month celebrating love. One of my favorite lines, Luscious Verde, is running a few loving promotions this month (see below). Let's create something memorable together - just for you.




Friday, January 21, 2011

Letters To Love

Valentine's Day is a perfect opportunity to be loving.

With love,

Hugs & Kisses,

:)

xoxxox

Fondly,

All my love,

Sincerely,

Warmly,

Thinking of you,

With affection,

Love,

New stationery for yourself or someone you love - or both!
Reds, pinks, black, golds, platinum, even some adornments if you like.

A luxurious and personal way to say thank you for your Valentine's Day chocolate - or any other delights you may give or receive throughout the year.

Yummy!


Call me,

Jackie

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Living Color: Amazing and Weird Plants That Eat Animals


Amazing and Weird Plants That Eat Animals (Click the link to see full story.)

I had to stop, look and read.
Vibrant hues and really fabulous shapes. And, notice the live honeysuckle color in the photo above (Pantone's color of the year as noted in last week's post.)
Query: Assuming these plants are safe to eat, and readily available for your next dinner party, would it be an oops if you unknowingly served them to a vegetarian guest?

photo courtesy of Vaartaaha

Friday, January 7, 2011

Honeysuckle Pink 18-2120 - The Color of the Year for 2011

Happy 2011!

It has been announced that the Pantone Color of the Year for 2011 is Honeysuckle - Pantone color 18-2120. It is a reddish pink - a child of the "mother color red... the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum" says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute.

Photo Courtesy of Pantone 

I like it but not as much as I favored last year's color of the year, Turquoise. The qualities associated with this color are courageous, uplifting, energetic; all fabulous for the beginning of a new year. A color that gets "you going in times of stress." Who could argue with all that? (Well, I think red might get me going a little more quickly -  but remember I am on a red kick lately.)

And, as seen in the Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2011, honeysuckle plays a predominant role in the fun and flirty category. The colors I would add as pairings to this honeysuckle pink would be navy, black, charcoal grey and or gold. (Of course adding an apple green goes to your inner preppy.) Any of these combinations will make a great addition to your stationery wardrobe.


Pink on a winter day