So, I totally did something dumb. I missed my own blog's birthday! Seriously, how this happened, I don't know. Actually, I do know: it's because I was sick, I was busy planning my own birthday, and because I am lame and forget minor details like the DAY IN WHICH MY BLOG WAS BORN. In other words, I'm a terrible blogger. #loserstatus It's hard to believe that four years ago, I
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Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Footballs
Okay, let's get real. I don't watch football. I know, I know. Shocker of the Year. But it just doesn't interest me, ya know? It isn't necessarily because football doesn't interest me; it's mostly because A) I have other things I could be doing than watching grown men tackle one another; and B) the commentators. You know, the men who have to narrate every. single. play, every
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Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Baklava
So. I kinda sorta trashed the living ish outta this baklava, but I'm not sure anyone will be too upset about it. I remember the first time I tried Greek food. I was dating this guy -- we'll call him A -- and he and his family lived in downtown Sacramento in this gorgeous 40's-era mansion. 'A' and his folks were really liberal and artsy and totally not at all like what I was
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Red Velvet Scones
So as some of you know, I got back from a cruise recently (and will be posting pics and inspired recipes soon!). Overall, the experience was wonderful. I met so many awesome people, gained so much exposure and knowledge for photography and blogging, and got to travel to the Caribbean islands of St. Maarten, St. Thomas and the Bahamas, taking in their exotic beauty, amazing
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Homemade Hostess Cupcakes
It's no secret that I work from home full-time... and that I am so incredibly blessed to blog full-time, work in my home, and be my own boss. But let's get something straight: working from home has its difficulties for sure. And before y'all roll your eyes as you head to work in 9am rush-hour traffic, hear me out. First of all, I have a set schedule like you do, but the only
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The Easiest Lemon Tarts
I struggle to call this a recipe since it's about the furthest thing from it. You know when you just happen to throw something together and of course everyone raves over it and asks for the recipe and you're like, "um, I put ground sausage in my boxed stuffing mix" and they treat you like the Second Coming? Yeah, this is exactly that except minus sausage and stuffing and add
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Avalanche Cookie Clusters
When I was in high school, one of the coolest things to do was to visit Downtown Sacramento. Now mind you, I am a kid from the suburbs, about 20 minutes away from Downtown. But seeing as the most exciting thing in my town was the halfway abandoned Yogurt Delite, Downtown seemed so cool and exotic and hip and different to a 15-year old. For one, Downtown had a mall which was
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Soft & Chewy Red Velvet Cookies
Some of you may not know, but my dad is a popular history teacher at the local high school. And because we live in a smaller kind of city, I tend to run into his current or former students quite often. Most of the time, I'm totally cool when they ask me if I'm Mr. Parker's daughter, or if they rave to me about the treats I baked that he'd bring to class. Because most of the
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Peanut Brittle Cupcakes
Peanut brittle is one of those candies that I totally love but often overlook. One, because it isn't sold in many stores, and two, because it isn't as common as your average M&M's or Skittles. But when I am around it? Lawd have mercy, homedog. I'm scarfing it down like it's my day job. It's just so addictive! Since I still have an enormous fear of candy thermometers
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Sparkling Mimosa Muffins
I am definitely not a fancy alcohol drinker. I mean, I do like having umbrellas in my drinks and the more cherries, the better, but when it comes to actually-fancy things, I'm out. One time a friend wanted me to try Jameson because it was supposedly sooo much better than the Crown Royal that I worship. But within one sip I was gagging and begging for forgiveness because that
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