Strawberry Cupcakes!

It had been awhile since I baked.  Like several months type of awhile.  So...when the opportunity to pop on my polka dot apron and try out this strawberry cupcake recipe arose (as I had promised cupcakes to a few people), I was tickled.  And they really didn't turn out too bad.  I will say that they were quite a bit like a muffin with icing...which is odd.  But the strawberry flavor was quite amazing.  

 

 

And okay...I thought that they turned out really cute as an added bonus.  

 

Although I was rather nervous about sharing this rather interesting creation with others, many people complimented them so, although odd, they must not have been too bad. 

 

 

Looking to give them a try?

Strawberry Cupcake Recipe at Better Homes and Gardens

The Top: Movies (1930's - 1960's)

First of all, you must know that my dad is a complete movie buff.  I sometimes can't even believe how many he has seen over the years.  Therefore, even as a little tyke, he was introducing me to older movies that most of my generation never had the pleasure of viewing.  Therefore, I would like to introduce my favorites that span from the 1930's to the 1960's.  Hopefully 70's and 80's will be covered in a different post. 

1. Houseboat (1958)
               This isn't the first time I've mentioned Houseboat within my blog and this is with good reason.  It's one of the movies I've loved since I was a little, partially because the concept of re-doing an old houseboat intrigued me.  Since then, I've gained a broader appreciation of it as a vintage film.  I absolutely love Cary Grant and Sophia Loren in it and every time I watch it I am consistently riveted by the wardrobe and props. 

 

2.  The Parent Trap (1961)
                 Also another childhood favorite, The Parent Trap was re-watched with great frequency in my house. It was the perfect movie for a mischievous child.  It had me on a huge summer camp kick for quite some time.  Sadly, I grew up a little too late to catch the summer camp boom.  I'm not sure if I have ever fully recovered from that disappointment. 

3.  Gone with the Wind (1939)
                 A more recent addition to my list, I am completely awestruck by this movie every time I watch it...even though it's ridiculously long.  Sometimes when you watch a movie, you can tell that it's great but you can't exactly pinpoint the reasons.  That is the case with Gone with the Wind.

 

4.  Babes in Toyland (1961)
                  We're back to the childhood favorites with this one!  Every Christmas (and sometimes at random points in the year) I would dig out this movie recorded on a VHS tape.  I can still remember some of the commercials from it, including my favorite McDonald's one in which Ronald helps a pup get home to his kid owner.  I love the fact that this one incorporates the musical numbers in amongst the story - which I vividly remember dancing to...a couple weeks ago.

 

5.  Man's Favorite Sport (1963)
                  Another new one on my list, my dad had me search for this one to order online which he remembers from younger days.  I'm glad he remembered it though, because it is quite funny and yet another of the movies which I can't help but admire all the vintage goodies in.

 

6.  Follow that Dream (1961)
                   You knew there had to be a classic Elvis film in here somewhere right?  I think this movie has so many amusing parts, I just can't help but giggle.  It's the type that really pulls you in and keeps you hoping for the inevitable happy ending
.

 

7.  White Christmas (1954)
                    The Christmas classic of all Christmas classics in my opinion, watching White Christmas is an annual tradition in my family.  Even my dad admits that he can't help but feel better after watching it, it really instills the Christmas spirit. 

 

8.  Psycho (1960)
                     I found this movie while channel surfing one day and was intrigued by it.  Although not a horror movie buff, I had never seen any of the oldies in this genre so I figured it would be worth a shot.  After all, it was directed by Alfred Hitchcock right?  Good move.  It actually kinda weirded me out for awhile, but it was good. 

9.  The Wizard of Oz (1939)
                     I bet you saw this one coming right?  I mean, it is The Wizard of Oz.  "Follow the yellow brick road.  Follow the yellow brick road.  Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the yellow brick road!" 

10. Beach Party (1963)
                   I have to admit, I'm a big fan of Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.  In fact, right now the entire Beach Party collection is in my Amazon Wish List.  So therefore, no list of this era would be complete without them. 


Well that's all for now folks.  So what are some of your favorite classic films?  Any you would recomend? 

A New Read: Flea Market Style Magazine

I have this thing with magazines.  I really love them.  I buy them, then I look through them, then I fully read them, then I go through and mark the pages I really love, then I go through and cut said pages out and put them in my books (which is another blog post of itself).  I recently picked up a few back issues of this magazine in an antique store for a dollar or two.  I had always saw them in stores and loved the look of them, but never the price tag. 

 

Well lets just say, the most recent issue was purchased on news stands, full price. 

 

 

 

I can't even bear to cut them up.  I love rereading them over and over again far too much for that. 

 

What types of articles are we talking that make them that good?  "Tall Order" featured 10 DIY projects for repurposing old ladders.  "Too Cool for School" featured some creative ways to use old school goodies (some of which I may be trying).  "Frame Work" consisted of some awesome ways of framing photos, most of which used items I would have never considered.  Other than those specific project oriented articles, there are also several others on the flea market experience and decorating with all the goodies you find there.  So basically it's like a little idea book that just so happens to expand the wish/to look for lists. 

 

And makes me crave the flea market season like crazy.  I'm ready for it.   

 



A New Read: I Brake for Yard Sales

I have a bad habit to share.  As a college student, every semester prior to the start of classes I go through the joyous process of ordering overpriced textbooks that I may not even utilize depending on the class.  During this process I have a tendency to add some extra goodies to my amazon shopping cart.  I know, it's not exactly the most frugal practice, but it's one of the only ways I have found to remain sane.  Somehow, my anger lessens at my $100 management textbook when I also find something fun in the box.  This year I purchased season one of Mad Men and Lara Spencer's book I Brake for Yard Sales (and Flea Markets, Thrift Shops, Auctions, and the Occasional Dumpster).  Intriguing title isn't it?

Well tonight I finished my cover-to-cover read of the book and figured I'd put a little review of it out in blog-space.  Overall, I must say I enjoyed it.  It got me rather amped up for the summer flea market season and widened my view of possible things to search for.  I must also note though, that as a seasoned flea market attendee (I have been going at least every other weekend since I was a child), I found very little "new" tips in it for me. 

Throughout the book there were some very interesting before and after pics that I found to be intriguing as well as some good "finds" of her's which she shared.  My only real issue throughout the book wasn't so much with the content, but with the general style featured.  It was focusing far more on the modern mid-century style (think Lucite, faux bamboo, and chartreuse) than I tend to prefer.  Generally I'm more of a shabby country gal. 

 

As said though, this really was a fun read and filled my time when I didn't really have the time to get involved with a full novel.  If only the "blue-bloods" were mentioned less, *sigh*.  Although I won't be incorporating Lucite into my decor any time soon, there were a few things featured throughout the book that I wouldn't mind finding in the thrifts.  Now onto my next read...well re-read...Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks for the second time before the movie comes out. 

So what have you been reading lately?