Inspirational Tuesdays #118

With all the rainbows and double rainbows that have been popping up lately in NYC, I've been inspired by all the vibrant colors!

All collected images were found randomly online. Click on image to view source.

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Tasty Thursdays: Cherry Baby Cakes

Inspired by a super cute candle from Pookaberrys Candle Bakery that I received from Cameo PR's press preview (which I will post at a later date), I decided to make this Tasty Thursdays recipe about Cherry Baby Cakes. I found this recipe on Better Homes and Garden. This makes about 30 small cakes.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 
• 2/3 cup sugar 
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 2/3 cup milk 
• 1/4 cup butter, softened 
• 1 egg 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 2/3 cup cherry marmalade or cherry preserves, large pieces snipped if necessary 
• 30 maraschino cherries with stems, drained 
• powdered sugar icing

Directions: 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Line thirty 1-3/4-inch muffin cups with miniature paper bake cups;* set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, butter, egg, and vanilla. Beat on low speed until combined. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute. Spoon 1 scant teaspoon of batter into each muffin cup. Add 1/2 teaspoon of cherry marmalade and top with 1/2 teaspoon additional batter.
3. Bake cupcakes about 12 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire rack.
4. Pat cherries dry with clean paper toweling. Frost each cupcake with about 1/2 teaspoon icing. Dip half of each cherry into remaining icing; place on top of baby cakes. Makes about 30 small cakes.

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Mallory Musante Shoes

On Wednesday night, I attended the Shoe and Tell - Mallory Musante press preview/trunk show held at a boutique called Ruia. Guests were able to view her two collections, one for the fall, and my personal favorite - her bridal collection. Shown above is her bridal collection; the color palette was a lot softer with lighter colors. Mallory hand paints each of them herself! When I was younger, I used to make designs on my sneakers with markers - but these are just incredible! If I weren't told that these were painted, I would have thought they were an already made print design. The colors are also customizable, which is definitely great for those brides who want their bridesmaids' shoes to go with their dresses. Her shoes are all platform heels (measuring about 4"), but she does offer sexy kitten heels for those women who want to be more comfortable.

Below are two closeups. One has a marble-like design and the other is more tribal-themed. She uses special paint that won't wash off or chip ever!

Her fall collection, shown below, definitely had more of a darker palette with pops of bold colors. Though, you can still see the same aesthetic of the painting on the shoes.

The event was hosted by celebrity stylist, Yannique Joseph. Check out her amazing vintage sequined jacket!

There were delicious mini cupcakes to sample along with wine & champagne. There was also Skinny Water to try (which I think tastes just as great as Vitamin Water) and Food Should Taste Good corn/tortilla chips for guests to enjoy while looking at both collections.
By the way, I decided to stop auto-play on my playlist. I realized it bothers some of you readers so sorry about that! :) Though, I'd like to remind you all that I have a new song posted each time I update & I haven't repeated one since! But I'd like to know, do you like it better with or without the music auto-playing on my blog?