cupcake happy hour

about a month or two ago i came upon this recipe for Blue Moon cupcakes and haven't stopped thinking about them. i finally made them last thursday and both my husband and i were very pleasantly surprised. they have a unique taste, at first a little odd, but then i just couldn't get enough! and the frothy frosting (to mimic the head of beer) is just perfect!
i brought them in to work to get several different opinions and they were a huge success! one of my colleagues describes them as "the twinkies for adults."
(my only negative, and it's a very slight negative, is that the frothy frosting wasn't as "airy" and "frothy" the next day as it was the first day...but it was still delicious.)
i will definitely be making these again!

W is for Wellies.

as i've said before, i sorta love the rain. and living in seattle, that's a good thing. so i'm going to dedicate another post to a much needed fashion staple for the coming months. and once those april showers hit, i hope this will will help lead some of you to some inspiring accessorizing ways.

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and then i will adopt a lil' piggy and get lil' wellies for him.

wanderlust.

i adore Ireland. i traveled there years ago, and once decided that i was going to move there, (that is, until i visited Prague, and that took a solid rest in my heart.) but Ireland certainly does not disappoint - with it's pubs, castles, tiny towns, cobblestone streets...and we can't forget the accents. those accents where you're not entirely sure if the sweet old man is, in fact, speaking to you in your native english tongue, but you continue to listen because it's so charming you just can't turn away. aside from driving on the left side of the road, i had no issues with Ireland, which is why i would LOVE to return there someday...and i have no doubt that i will....

i will start my trip out with a cheers, a gulp, and a salute to Guiness. (slight ew.)

i will stay in a thatched cottage...

followed by a lovely stay in a castle...the Ashford Castle will do rather nicely.

i will bend over backwards to kiss the Blarney Stone.
i will yell, (in my best Irish accent,) from the Cliffs of Moher.

i will roll down the country hills over and over again.
and i will finish my trip out in the best pub there is. the Temple Bar.

i enjoy food.

if ever there be an event - it's well known that i like to bring the dessert. i, by no means, consider myself a chef or anywhere near advanced, but i just adore decorating food. if i could just sit (well, stand, probably) and decorate food all day - i would enjoy life immensely. so i'm always trying out new ideas and trying to improve my skills and techniques, if you will. i have a ways, to go - but it sure is fun getting there!
so here's a little glimpse of my holiday treats...

this idea came from pinterest - which is the best place ever

a new year. !

my new resolution:
get on the ball.
get on the ball, get on the ball, get on the ball!
1) buy an item of clothing - get rid of one. (i know some people get rid of 3 or 5...but let's face facts, i'm not that brave just yet.)
2) clean out my craft room...otherwise known at Tori's-Hoarding-Room
3) and possibly the most important one - get back to this lovely blog! (i'm so bad!)

what a year 2011 was.
quite honestly...a wedding took over my life. MINE! and i had [very much] neglected this place. so as a new year starts, i have decided to make actual resolutions this year (as i never do) and i wish you all a fantastic upcoming year!

what are your resolutions/wishes for twenty-twelve?