Lovin' Summer

I am loving summer here in Seattle. It's so beautiful, warm, and so green. And you know me, I love eating the cold sweet stuff too! I mean just look at that Prosecco float with strawberry sorbet I had out on the Bottlehouse Patio. Not to mention Michael and I have been frequenting the ice cream shop below us and taking night time walks. My favorite ice cream flavors at Molly Moon's ice cream are stumptown coffee, scout mint, and melted chocolate. Yuummm.

Though the summer heat's been good to me, it hasn't been for the Blaire bear. Not many places have AC in Seattle and the same applies for our apartment unit, except our apartment building has AC in the halls and lobby. Can you believe that? Blaire's been running out into the hall any chance he can get to cool off. One time, our neighbor caught Michael and I letting Blaire frolick in the hallways, so now we've harnessed and leashed Blaire so he can have a cool night time roam in the hall.

Except, Blaire hates the harness and ends up rolling in the carpet trying to get it off. Still, he looks darn cute in it, just like a kitten!

So remember my cute Kate Spade purse Michael got me in this post? Well we ended up going shopping this weekend and Nordstrom's was having a sale. So Michael got me this wallet to match. Best. Boyfriend. Everrrr.

But really, we went to the mall so that I could buy Michael an early birthday present. since Michael broke his sunglasses, we went shopping to get him some nice sunnies. Aren't those Prada shades nice?

In just about a week, this handsome gent will be 27! Time sure flies! Right after purchasing the sunglasses Michael and I passed by Trophy cupcake and ended up splitting a red velvet cupcake (my favorite).

 Then on Sunday we went to watch my second Mariner's game of the season with Cristine and Tim.

Michael and I

Cristine, Me, and Michael

Sparkline Wine Cupcakes!

So many Birthdays today! Which is always another reason for me to bake! Today was for my roommate's 21st Birthday! Roselle and I have known each other since the seventh grade! I'm so glad we got to reunite in college and live together. So in honor of her 21st, here are some alcoholic cupcakes:]

The original recipe can be found here. I however just bought strawberry frosting to make my life easier instead of making the butter cream, and my batch yielded 27 instead of 20 for some strange reason. I also think you can use any type of dessert wine/champagne to make it to your liking. I used Barefoot Moscato in the cupcake pictured. It was definitely delicious and subtle tasting. Next time I'll probably add a lot more wine ;]

Sparkling Wine Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2/3 cup butter or lactose free margarine
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup sparkling wine
• 6 egg whites

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare a cupcake pan with paper forms.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until very light and fluffy. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, and then blend into creamed mixture alternately with sparkling wine.

In another large clean bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into batter to lighten it, then fold in remaining egg whites. Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean.

yummmmm. I drizzled it with even more wine!

Happy 21st Birthday Roselle!!!

I definitely need to invest in a cake decorating set!!!

Sidenote: I made the letters, numbers, and decor with melted white chocolate chips, putting it on wax paper and letting it harden in the fridge.