going places

It's officially official! I'm moving to New York City! Until now, I have been pretty vague about my New York plans because I'm a firm believer in not counting my chickens until they're hatched (excuse the cliche!) But the lease has been signed and it's really happening! My life-long dream of moving to New York is finally coming true! My roommate Marla and I are moving into our amazing apartment on the Upper West Side next week! I am so thrilled to be moving, I can hardly contain myself! There's so much to do before we move and not much time. Ahhhhhh!

Stay tuned for updates, apartment decorating posts, posts about my new neighborhood and other New York adventures! I can hardly wait!

etsy explorations: mad about macaroons

Last summer, I tried my very first french macarons at the Bastille Day Festival in New York City. They were from Macaron Cafe. One was vanilla flavored and the other was rose. My life was instantly changed and macarons are now a staple in my diet.

Some of the mouth-watering flavors at Macron Cafe. Did you know that most macrons are gluten free?!

If I want delicious macarons in Kansas City, there are two places that, in my opinion, serve the best: Andre's (try the vanilla, or pumpkin in the fall) and Natasha's (the Mexican chocolate is to die for!)

Not only are macaroons delicious, but they are also beautiful works of edible art. Here are some not-so-edible macaroon trinkets to celebrate your macaroon obsession, minus the calories!

Keep Calm Macaroon print by Esquize.

This is a pretty good motto to have. If you're having a stressful moment, pop a macaroon and you'll instantly feel fabulous. 

Earrings by Pei Li.

These earrings are a subtle way to tell the world that you have macaroons on your mind. All day. Every day.

Eiffel Tower coin purse by qiqikoko.

This macaroon coin purse is so sweet and French!

Soaps by Aubrey Elizabeth Apothecary. 

These lovely macaroon soaps are scented so they look and smell like the real thing. I probably wouldn't taste one, though! 

Macaroons are heavenly, but they are notoriously expensive because they are very difficult to make and super trendy right now. I've always wanted to try to make them, but haven't been brave enough to try it yet. Here's a handy tool and a recipe for anyone who wants to try it. Let me know how it goes!

Have you ever made French macaroons? If so, comment about your experience or link me the recipe, please! 

cheesy corn dog muffins: how to win over the hearts of your siblings

A delicious cheesy corn dog muffin!

Last night Mom, Dad and Gama went to a 5 course meal cooking demonstration as an early present for Gama's birthday! That meant I was in charge of cooking dinner for two picky teenagers, Gene and Chessie. 

My parents are what you'd call a power couple. They're both super busy with work, so we ate dinner out a lot this summer. Well the kids and I were absolutely sick of it, so mom woke up extra early before church on Sunday, fired up the crock pot and made her famous beef stew. I told my family that since I was home all week, I'd make sure they had home cooked meals every day and they LAUGHED! No one had faith in my cooking. How rude!

Well last night Gene and Chessie were stuck with me! So they had to experience my cooking. I decided to get creative and make something they would love. And I wowed the judges!

The inside of this tasty treat!

Cheesy Corn Dog Muffins 

(makes 12 muffins)

This recipe is very liberal. You don't have to add cheese, or you can use different kinds of cheese, cut the hot dogs however you want, and so on. It's up to you! Here's how I did it. My goal was to make the muffins extra cheesy, because who doesn't love cheese?!

Ingredients:

One block of sharp cheddar cheese

One bag of shredded sharp cheddar cheese (or shred your own)

2 boxes prepared Jiffy corn muffin mix (as in, with the eggs and milk added, etc)

Cupcake paper (Last time I made these I didn't use the paper and they totally fell apart, so I highly recommend using paper!)

One package of Nathan's hot dogs (we used the bigger than bun kind)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Chop half the cheese block into small cubes.

3. Prepare corn muffin mix in a mixing bowl.

4. Add cubed cheese and a handful of shredded cheese to mix. Stir.

5. Check cheese-to-batter ratio. Add more cheese if needed.

6. Chop hot dogs into fourths.

7. Fill muffin tray with cupcake paper.

8. Use a spoon to fill each cupcake paper about half way with batter.

9. Add three pieces of hot dog to each cup.

10. Fill in the rest of the cups with batter, covering the hot dogs.

11. Bake for 15 to 20 mins. Let cool and enjoy!

This recipe is easy and doesn't take much time to prepare. It's a good one for kids to try, too! Even our dogs wanted to get in on the action.

Scruffy (left) and Peachy (right) anxiously watch as they wait for me to drop a piece of cheese. 

I served the muffins with baked beans and mac and cheese. The kids loved them and I got rave reviews like, "I think you're a better cook than mom!"

Of course I can cook, guys! I had to feed myself somehow while I was away at school!

It was nice to surprise my family, and I even packed leftovers for the kids' lunches for the next day! I'll admit, I'm a pretty awesome sister. :)

rock chalk, forever a jayhawk

 Today is the first day of classes at my alma mater, The University of Kansas.

 First of all, I would like to take a moment to point out this helpful campus pronunciation guide to all new students. You'll thank me when you ask where Budig is.

 It's the first day in four years that classes are starting without me being there. When I was a student, I remember telling grads how lucky they were to be done with school. But they all told me that they really missed it, and some day I would miss it too. Of course, they were right.

 It's nice to not have to buy books, or have test anxiety, or wake up for early morning classes after late-night studying, but I do miss the feeling of walking on the beautiful KU campus, running into friend after friend and saying hello. I miss talking to roommates and professors and sorority sisters.

It's definitely a strange adjustment. I still have quite a few friends in school, and because they are busy starting classes, I feel like I should be doing the same. I have little moments of anxiety because I haven't bought any books yet and I don't know where my classes are. I guess it just comes with the time of year.

 I also have friends who are starting jobs and internships right now. It's weird to think of them surrounded by adults in the workforce. We're still just kids! Remember how last year we all felt so grown up? Today I imagine some of my friends at work, and I feel like they're just kids playing dress up.

This state of limbo I'm in right now is confusing. I don't have a job, and I'm not in school either. Right now, I'm arranging my life so it's move-ready. I've been organizing my things, eliminating things I don't use or need anymore and trying to discover the next step. Until then, I'm just waiting for this new chapter of my life to start.

sweet 16: sugar cube corsage diy

This summer my beautiful little sister turned into an even more beautiful young lady (tear!) Francesca turned 16!

Chessie at her birthday tea party at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kansas City!

For my 16th birthday my aunt, grandma, mom and sister set up a special day for me. We got all dressed up and had a fabulous time at high tea at the Ritz-Carlton in Palm Beach, Fla. It was a fun outing of first class service, delicious tea sandwiches and girl talk. So of course, I had to keep the tradition going for Chessie.

Mom suggested the Oak Room at the Intercontinental Hotel by the Plaza in Kansas City. They have a few tea options, one of which is a Champagne tea complete with decadent strawberries soaked in some kind of liquor. But since Chessie and her guest of honor are not quite 21 yet, they were served Champagne glasses of Sprite so we could toast the birthday girl!

One of my most favorite memories of my Sweet 16 is the sugar cube corsage my aunt made for me. My great-grandma called her up and told her she had to make one, because that's what they did when she turned 16. A vintage-inspired crafting opportunity? Sign me up!

If I was going to make high tea a Sweet 16 tradition, I absolutely had to include this personal and adorable element for my sister! And luckily, we still had sugar cubes left over from my Sweet 16 (ew.)

Super-easy Sugar Cube Corsage DIY

Chessie's sugar cube corsage!

Materials

Scissors
Curling ribbon in your Sweet 16 sweetie's favorite colors (we used pink and yellow)
16 sugar cubes
Safety pin
hair tie, scrunchie or corsage bracelet

Steps

1. Cut 16 pieces of curling ribbon at varying lengths.
2. Tie a piece of ribbon around each sugar cube and curl both ends of ribbon.
3. Gather one strand of each ribbon-sugar cube combo and attach with a safety pin.
4. Attach the safety pin through a hair tie to go around wrist.
5. Have a happy Sweet 16!

Tips for tying cubes

You can tie the ribbon around the cube two ways. Either tie one knot around the ribbon, then double knot it for a simple look, or tie the ribbon around the cube in one direction, then tie and double knot the ribbon in the opposite direction like you would do with a present. The second look will keep the sugar cubes from falling out while the birthday girl is celebrating her big day.

This craft is seriously so easy! It took me about 15 minutes to make. Some people like to get crazy with their corsages and add Life Savers and other candies or silk flowers. I say do whatever reflects your Sweet Sixteenie best.

Chessie and I being fabulous at the Intercontinental. 

Make a wish! Our server gave Chessie a trick candle that would not stay blown out. Too funny!

Delicious tea sandwiches, scones and tarts! The food was wonderful.

Happy (belated) Sweet 16, Sis! Love you!