BEYOND THE OVEN
Hello friends!! Sorry for the silence on this series front. I haven’t been up to much the past couple of weeks and couldn’t update you with nothing. But here’s a few things I’ve been up to!
We had a big snow storm two days ago after a series of 40 degree days. Despite being a crazy mess, it was actually beautiful once I made it home safely of course. I stepped out for a few minutes into it and took these pictures.
Despite how it looks outside, I’ve been obsessed with and enjoying smoothies lately for desserts. This paleo chocolate cherry smoothie is a new favorite.
This weekend I’ll be curled up on the couch enjoying two wonderful cookbooks. I pre-ordered both from Amazon and they showed up on my doorstep yesterday. Amanda’s (i am baker) surprise-inside cakes is one I’ve been looking forward to for months. She is my cake idol and I’ve learned so much about cake decorating from her blog. Sally from Sally’s Baking Addiction has always been a great big blogging sister and of course makes drool worthy desserts. Her book is nothing short of amazing treats. I will share more after I read them both cover to cover.
On another note, since the last time we talked, I have watched the entire two seasons of House of Cards. If you have not seen it or heard about that show, drop everything you are doing NOW and watch it. It’s that good. Just know that you will accomplish nothing for the next two weeks. Right Jessica?
This new shoe collection by Sarah Jessica Parker at Nordstrom is going to be the death of me, my credit card and my poor husband. I want them all. Save me!!! These are some of my faves.
Talking about fashion, what are your spring must-haves? I am thinking I need a new spring blazer, a colored skinny jean and some floral tops. I’m trying to keep my list to the minimum so that I can afford one pair of SJP heels come August for a certain monumental birthday. After all, a girl only turns 30 once 😮
And talking about birthdays, today, we are celebrating this cool chick’s 13th birthday. Happy Birthday Miss Maddie!!!
Little tidbit why she is my dearest…Mr J invited me to her birthday party 4 years ago to ‘meet’ the in-laws after 6 months of dating. She has been glued to me since then (I don’t know why) and made that nervous meeting so easy. Love her.
For her birthday, I attempted to make a minion cake. Here’s what it looks like. By the time this goes live…I think I’ll be there already so the surprise won’t be ruined 🙂
Hope you all have a great weekend!!
OMG!!! I am behind in House of Cards …we are literally planning to watch the rest as soon as this long drive is over haha. But anyone who hasn’t NEEDS to watch it!! That shoe collection looks so beautiful! Looks like Sex and the City really inspired her taste. And as I told you while drooling over that photo of the minion it’s SO CUTE! Perfect execution!!!
OMG — that cake is amazing! So adorable and your replicated a minion perfectly. Maddie must have been absolutely thrilled. My husband just walked in the room as I was reading the post, and he stopped to look at the cake for several moments. And then he started talking like a minion, haha.
Hi Jamie!! Thank you very much. Maddie was thrilled and she is still talking about the cake. Your hubby is funny 🙂
GIRL! That cake is INSANELY AWESOME. Seriously, I’m just beyond impressed.
also – those shoes. Want.
Oh wow – that cake looks amazing!!
Glad I came across your blog – looking forward to following it.
xx Milana
Thanks Milana!! Thank you for following 🙂
Wow, your minion cake is AMAZING!!! Maddie is adorable and I bet she was super surprised! It’s always nerve wrecking to meet the in-laws, but I was lucky too that there were kids there that cuddled up to me and made me feel comfortable too! So sweet!
Thanks Diana!! She was so surprised she got an actual minion. I think she was expecting little decors on top of a normal cake. I’m glad to hear your in-law meeting went well too for the first time. It’s always so nerve racking lol!
Talk about being snowed in! You watched not just one but TWO seasons of House of Cards! I would’ve done the same thing and those books couldn’t have come at a better weekend. But what’s most important is that cake! Holy sheeze that cake is unbelievable! How many hours did it take?
What a fun cake Zainab! I’m sure it was a huge hit! Enjoy your new books – I met Amanda at the Minneapolis SITS conference – she is really nice! I think we are getting more snow tomorrow 🙁 I want to go back to Phoenix!
Deb, I would have loved to meet her. She sounds incredible. And sadly we have more snow today too. It’s a whooping 10 degrees lol!
Oh I am on hold for cookbooks right now and am so jealous of the two you got. Glad you made it home in the snow. Not going to lie, I am glad I missed out on that one. Love your cake. It looks so amazing!!
awwww how sweet is that Minion cake!!! The snow is lovely and omg those shoooes!
(I’m so jealous that you have Sally’s cookbook!)
That cake is AMAZING! You seriously blow me away with your talent.
I just finished the newest season of House of Cards. I watched it too fast though cause now there’s too much time until the Third. Especially since I hadn’t seen the first season yet so I did both all at once. As for this cake – holy impressed!!! Your cake skills are amazing which means you’ll have much better luck with those surprise inside cakes than I will. I just got that cookbook too and am having a hard time deciding which cake looks the least like I’ll pull my hair out doing.
I LOVE those shoes. I need to find them asap! I am so done with the winter, I am ready for spring!! That cake, that cake! Beautiful job!
You have no idea..I am so done with winter. The sun needs to appear 🙂