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 can’t believe you made that cake! It is AMAZING!
I need to give House of Cards a second chance. I watched the first three episodes of the first season. It was good but it didn’t grip me. Everyone keeps saying that it’s amazing so I need to start watching again! That snow is insane. You’d laugh at what passes for “snow” here in Vancouver (we get maybe 2 inches a year?). Zainab, that cake! It’s amazing! I’m in total awe of your cake decorating skills. It’s a perfect lil minion. I hope Maddie went crazy for it and enjoyed every single bite.
Hahah for being in Canada you get lame snow!! But I envy you 🙂 And yes give House of Cards another shot. It will grow on you and you will be hooked on his evilness :p
I love these posts! Hopefully snowstorms like the one pictured are behind us, although it gives us an excuse to watch endless Netflix shows. I am watching House of Cards right now as a matter of fact!
The minion cake is so stinkin adorable!!! 🙂 And those snow pictures are beautiful.
I received those two new cookbooks but haven’t had a chance to look through them. I can’t wait to sit down and decide what I am going to bake first! And those shoes!! Nordstrom is one of my favorite stores ever and I could spend hours along in the shoe department.