Fanciful Fall Cake

This fall cake is just so cute I had to share it with you. It was featured on Cake Wrecks, a blog of "when professional cakes, go horribly, hilariously wrong." They don't usually feature beautiful cakes like this, as the goal is to share the most hideous cakes ever. You can view close up shots of the cake details on the blog, like the little painted on fur markings on the mice! I could never cut through a cake like this, it's way to cute. Looks like it should be a porcelain figurine instead. Even the cobblestones are adorable!

My Latest Find

So I warned my readers that I love dishes. I don't know how I let you off the hook for over a month without posting some dishes related find.

Here is my most recent purchase, a Fleur De Lys sugar and creamer from Anthroplogie for only $10 each! They don't have these items listed online. I found them at the Irvine, CA location. They do have a sweet matching teapot and serving dishes listed.

I'm pretty happy with my new find. I don't have a matching set and this $20 spend was a good compromise from the $47 it would've cost to buy the set from Crate & Barrel to match my White Pearl wedding dishes (that I love!)

Another Bacon Post

I know, I know...this bacon stuff is getting a little out of hand now. But this post is for my Double-Sided Tape friend who loves all things bacon. Somehow my co-worker stumbled across this site today and I just had to share after the Bacon Chocolate Posting. How about some Baonnaise or Bacon Salt from J&D's? Because "Everything should taste like bacon." (Except for chocolate.) If anyone buys any, be sure to report back!

Ghosts and Jack-O-Lanterns

Here's a festive alternative to sugary Halloween treats. Try making these scary fruits from Martha Stewart Living. I might give it a whirl if I can find Seckel pears and Lady apples...would be a charming party favor if you wrapped them in cellophane don't you think?

How To:

1. Melt 20 ounces white chocolate in a double boiler. Leave half untinted. To remainder, add 3 drops orange and 1 drop yellow gel-paste food coloring.
2. Holding stems, dip 10 Seckel pears in untinted chocolate and 10 Lady apples in orange chocolate. Refrigerate on a parchment-lined baking sheet until set, 20 minutes.
3. Microwave 4 ounces semisweet chocolate at 50 percent power, stirring, until melted but not hot. Transfer to a plastic bag, and snip off corner. Draw faces onto white-chocolate-dipped fruit; refrigerate until set, 10 minutes.

The treats are best eaten the day they're made.

Quote of the Day

"This place is a tomb. I'm going to the nut shop where it's fun!"
--You've Got Mail

A classic film, one of my all time favorites. P.S. It's a bit boring here at work today.

Fall Soups

Yay it's fall! And we can start eating warm soups again - if only this 100 degree weather would go away! I want to try this Spinach Stracciatella Soup from Epicurious' Fall Soup List. This soup is a simple version of the Italian Wedding Broth my grandmother makes. The Yellow Squash and Leek soup also looks really good, I wonder if you could make it hot instead of chilled.

2009 Calendars

It's that time of year where events start getting booked for next year and I don't have a calendar to write them in! So I thought I'd share a few calendars that I love in case you need to buy one too.

1. Wall Art Calendar by Paper-Source $26.95
Beautiful modern art for your wall.

2. Desk Calendar by Modern Art Everyday $19.00
These desk calendars in jewel cases seem to be the rage on Etsy.com.

3. Around the World Easel by Cavallini $12.95
I usually pick a new design each year to keep at my desk for quick reference.

4. Curious George Mini Calendar from Calendars.com $6.99
Can't find something you like? Calendars.com claims to have the best selection in the universe.

5. Weekly Pocket Planner from Barnes and Noble $9.95
I've carried one of these in my purse for 3 years now.

6. Google Calendar online FREE!
My hubby & I share an online calendar using our gmail accounts so we always know when each other is busy. It's made our calendaring so much easier!

Fall Decorating: Glittered Pumpkins

These glitter pumpkins from Martha Stewart Crafts are a sparkling decoration for fall. I made them myself a few years back with mini pumpkins and little gourds to fill a bowl as a centerpiece for my dining table. I believe I just used a fine clear glitter as I could not find the colored glitter in stores that Martha mentions. It makes quite a sitcky glittery mess so be sure to cover your work space. Note: The squash will rot a bit quicker than usual since they are coated in glue. Mine lasted about 3 weeks.