I know you’re sick of it already. The celery. The treadmill. The lack of ice cream in your life. You’re sick of hearing about other people resoluting to be better and kinder and how they feel that taking up yoga these past two weeks has really connected their mind with their body and their soul.

I’m sorry. I need to tell you about my resolutions. So I don’t stop doing them.

First of all, I didn’t start them until January 7th. I gave myself a week of mind prep time/holiday hangover, stuffing my face with donuts every chance I had.

My resolution this year is not to lose five pounds. It’s not to run a mile every morning (never will I ever). It’s not to organize every item in my closet by color/shape/designer and keep it like that. It’s to be more aware.

Aware of what I’m putting into my body. You know, realizing that grabbing a handful of m&ms for breakfast doesn’t count as breakfast.

Aware of my posture (this is a big one).

Aware of what comes out of my mouth (I too often speak before thinking).

Aware of what I’m spending. Sometimes I look at my wallet and I’m like what the what, didn’t I just have lotsa dolla bills? Did they walk away? And then I’m like oh right. Starbucks ain’t cheap.

So far, four days in, I’m diggin this approach to resoluting. Keeping track of what I’m doing has really helped me realize that I was a little reckless with my spending and eating habits before. I’ve been using two different apps to keep track of my food and money, and it’s really nice to know exactly how much it takes to keep a body living. The first day I used the MyFitnessPal app, I found out that I was eating 159 grams too much of sugar. Bad vibes yo. Since then, when I go to reach for a handful of cinnamon toast crunch I’m like hey self, why don’t you have a handful of pistachios instead? Realizing how much bad stuff was going into my body has made me want to stop. I don’t know how long this will last, I’m hoping I can train my body to stop craving chocolate chip cookies every hour on the hour. (Just so you know, I am definitely NOT on “a diet.” I’m really just trying to be kinder to my body, I’ve been feeling really sluggish and stomachachy lately so I decided it was time to change). Also, I’m able to put in any recipe and it spits out the nutrition facts. I’m sure they’re not exact, but it’s really nice to know how many calories is in each cupcake I make for all of those diet crazy January humans.

The expense/income tracking app I’m using is Mint. I’ve had an account on their website, which I love love love. I can put in every dollar I make and every dollar I spend. It keeps track of all of my bank accounts and credit cards, and lets me know when bills are due. I’ve set up personal budgets and there was a little money left over that I can put towards a goal, which the site helps you figure out the exact cost of. So amazing.

I was not compensated to post about these apps, I’m just a little bit excited about them.

All of that being said, how about some cupcakes?

The photos I took were extremely out of focus, so here’s a dinky instagram picture for y’all.

French Toast Cupcakes

Recipe adapted from Bakingdom.com

ingredients

Struesel

• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 TBSP sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 5 TBSP cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes

Cupcakes

• 3 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 TBSP baking powder
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup plain greek yogurt
• 4 eggs
• 1 TBSP vanilla

Frosting

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups confectioners sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup maple syrup (real deal…aunt jemima is out)

To make the streusel, combine all of the dry ingredients in a bowl and cut the butter in using a pastry blender or a fork until it resembles crumbs. Alternatively, make this in a food processor. Freeze while you make the batter.

For the cupcake batter, combine all of the dry ingredients in the bowl of a mixer. Then add the butter slowly (I did half a stick at a time so the dry ingredients wouldn’t go everywhere). Add the yogurt, eggs and vanilla and mix until combined and smooth. Note that this batter is very different from your average cupcake batter, it has a lot of eggs to make it bready-er and denser. Divide the batter among 24 standard cupcake tins, top with equal amounts of streusel. Bake at 350 for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and the cupcakes spring back to the touch.

While they cool, make the frosting. Whip together the butter and confectioners sugar until smooth, add the vanilla salt and maple syrup and whip on high speed until super fluffy. I used a spatula to frost my cupcakes so I could make a well in the center for an additional sip of maple syrup, which I really think boosted the cupcakes up notch.

Share with friends, even the dieting Januarys can’t turn down these cupcakes!

Enjoy,

audrey

I remember being about twelve years old and watching the news with my mom one night. I asked her, “Was the world always this bad and I just didn’t notice or is it getting worse?”

She replied with, “Well, it’s our job as parents to keep you away from the bad stuff when you’re little. That way you can grow up with as little worry and as much happy as possible.”

I wish it were possible for those kids in Newtown to have just a few more years, months, days even of blissful ignorance.

Though we can’t turn back time, there are a few things we can do to help, no matter how small the act of kindness is. Roo at Nice Girl Notes has compiled a list of ways to help those affected.

Tighter hugs this week, my friends.

audrey

Four things I think you should know when shopping this holiday season:

1. Those perfect little stacks of clothing in every store? Yeah, real human beings are the ones that fold them. I can honestly say I thought it was some magical folding robot until three months ago.

2. When you say thank you, I want to hug you.

3. Eye contact every now and then means I’m going to treat you like a rockstar.

4. Cookies are shopping fuel.

Peppermint Bark Oreos

I took the cookie part of this recipe straight from Deb at Smitten Kitchen.

The filling:

ingredients

-1 stick unsalted butter, softened

-3 cups confectioners sugar

-1/2 lb white chocolate, melted and cooled (I used two bars of Ghirardelli)

-1/2 tsp peppermint extract

-1 cup crushed candy cane

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the peppermint extract, beat to combine. Slowly drizzle in the white chocolate and beat once again until fluffy. Add in 3/4 cup of candy cane crumbs and beat to combine. Fill oreos with either a piping bag or just use a spoon to dollop it on one cookie before sandwiching the other one on top. Roll cookie in remaining candy cane. Refrigerate for about a half an hour just to firm up the filling, serve! (Refrigerate any leftovers if you have them!)

Cheers!
audrey

For someone who loves talking, I find myself pretty socially awkward unless there’s food involved. I get so concerned that I’ll run out of things to talk about at a party with people I only kind of know that I come up with topics in my head before I get there. Of course once I get there I’m so busy trying to remember what I wanted to say that I can’t think of a darn thing to say, and I stand there looking like a fool staring straight through the person I’m trying to have a conversation with.

And then I’m like, “Oh look! Cheese! I love cheese!” Their reaction to this sudden statement of mine determines how far our friendship will go. For example, if they immediately start describing the breadcrumbed portion of the mac n cheese they ate last week in detail, I know I could sit in a car with them for a few hours and it wouldn’t get awkward. If they react with a simple, “yeah me too.” We’re done buddy. I know all that I need to know about you.

One of my greatest friendships started this way, two strangers at a party in 6th grade (which you know haaad to be awkward since there was a pool and cool kids involved, of which I was not), we started talking about the proper way to pronounce, “fructis” as in Garnier Fructis. I don’t know how this conversation started or how it ended, all I remember was spending the better part of a half an hour saying the word over and over. Other friends would come over to us, and then realize that we were just weird before walking away to go show their cool friends their new ice pink RAZR phone.

And so I leave you with this recipe. A recipe for something you can bring to a party and not have the fear of running out of conversation. With an appetizer this delicious, you will have to put in no effort to speak, other people will talk for you. You’ll just have to answer a few questions every once in a while.

“Is this arugula organic?”
“Would I have it any other way?!”
“You’re just a doll!”

“Now this olive oil…”
“Yes, imported from Sicily.”
“How fancy you are!”
“I know.”

“The flavor is just so bright!”
“That would be the meyer lemons. Sweeter than a regular lemon, but they still wake up those pretty little taste buds of yours.”
“Let’s be friends.”

So it’s not quite a recipe, more like a guideline of flavors.
This time, I used crostini (french bread cut into 1/2″ slices, drizzled with olive oil and toasted in a 400 degree oven until both sides were light brown and crispy), topped it with super high quality ricotta (Polly-O just won’t do. Trust.), a little bit of really clean, really dry arugula, and zested a meyer lemon over the tops. This can be done a little bit in advance (although I wouldn’t do it more than an hour ahead because the bread might get soggy), but just before serving you can squeeze a little bit of the meyer lemon juice over the top and drizzle it with just a tiny bit of really good olive oil. I’ve also made these on top of toasted pita breads, which is equally delicious.

Cheers!
Audrey

(This recipe comin atcha next week yo)

1. How do you feel about the dry bar? Totally unnecessary or a fun luxury?

2. This product is brilliant! A lot of times when I don’t have a speaker around and I want to listen to my music from my phone, I put it in a bowl and it amplifies it!

3. Should I?

4. CONGRATULATIONS ELISE AND PAUL!! So happy!

5. Love the skirt Katie’s wearing in that first shot!

6. haha being social is awkward.

7. Friday Senses.

8. This is far too pretty to be a bathroom.

9. Cool packaging is the best.

10. These exist now. Time to go make them.

Have a delightful weekend, friends!
Cheers,

audrey

As Linus told us, Christmas is not about the presents. Really. But we all know that it’s hard to slide through Christmas without buying at least a few gifts for those we love. And while it is the thought that counts, doesn’t it rock when you get a gift that the recipient truly loves and will actually use? That way you get to avoid that whole awkward “oh! Thank you so much for this, I’ve always wanted a Snuggie! Here are some of my favorite things that I’m sure any lady would love to open up.

1. Dinner: A Love Story    This is the perfect cookbook for anyone, whether they’re Ina Garten or Amelia Bedelia. Filled with stories of everyday life, you feel like you are best friends with the author, Jenny Rosenstrach by the end. I read it cover to cover, not even just for the recipes! The recipes aren’t intimidating, and are much more of a guide than a strict recipe, allowing you’re creative juices to flow.

2. Barr-Co Hobnail Candle    As you may know, I’ve been working at Anthropologie for a few months (and totally love it!). Every time I passed the table that had these candles stacked high, I had to stop and take a whiff. I couldn’t help myself. While a little pricey, it has an extremely long burn time and is just the most delicious smelling thing on planet earth so it’ll make any lovely lady happy. Candles may be an overused gift idea, but when they are as superior as these ones, it’s worth it. (ps…the website has the pictures labeled wrong, the pink is the pomegranate in real life which is my favorite).

3. Backgammon    For the gamer/card player/camper/thinker/competitor in your life, this modern and beautiful revamped board of a classic game is perfect!

4. Gray Infiniti Scarf    I actually own this scarf, it’s the first infinity I have and I love it! It’s so super warm, and neutral enough to wear with just about everything. This is a great gift for a secret santa, or anyone that you’re just not quite sure what to get them.

5. French Paddle Board   For the woman who is always entertaining, you can never go wrong with a beautifully designed cutting board. Classic and simple, this can be used as a cheese board, carving board, veggie platter, really anything! I have actually visited the Vermont Farm Table storefront in Burlington, and it is the earthiest of earthy quaint shops I’ve ever seen. You walk in, surrounded by handmade furniture, cutting boards, bread boards, and out from the workshop in the back pops a perfectly rugged man (obviously wearing flannel and sporting a little more than scruff) willing to help you with whatever you need!

6. Compost Pail   Speaking of rugged men from Vermont, if there’s a hippie in your life, this is what I’d get them. They might just be using a boring old bowl in their kitchen, but you can totally take their composting skills to the next level with this eye catching compost pail.

7. Hand Therapy   Okay, so hand lotions and potions may also seem an overused gift but once again, this is one that she will actually use! This is not some overly scented Bath and Body Works nonsense, this is the most quenching drink your hands could ask for. Entering the winter season, we’re all susceptible to crackly knuckles, this is one cream that she will use over and over again, thinking of you each time.

8. Stendig Wall Calendar   Again, this might seem another obvious general gift for someone. But the Stendig calendar is so bold and beautiful, the OCD organized woman in your life will love you forever and for always.

Hope these help!

Cheers!

Audrey

Two months ago, I leaped. I leaped big. Out of the college bubble and into the real world.

For the most part it’s not too different. Until it’s terrifying.

Sitting in Starbucks this morning, I began to overwhelm myself with thoughts that will get me nowhere. Thoughts of bills, insurances, health codes, taxes, how will I ever get a small business loan without a degree. You know, the average thoughts of an 18 year old.

And then a former teacher of mine came up to me and said, “Look at you, not a care in the world. You can sit here with a warm beverage listening to great music and people watch in the middle of your workday for as long as you’d like.”

He was right. It was just what I needed to hear at that moment. A reminder of how lucky I am. I get to live in a house I love, with people I love. I have a job (multiple, actually). I run a business (woohoo for being a control freak loving the whole being my own boss thing!). And I’m only 18.

I have to get myself out of the sooner is better mentality. I have to slow down and do things right.

On days like this, I take full advantage of the ocean that is so close. Today was especially helpful because I remembered that it’s been one month since Hurricane Sandy. A month ago, we didn’t know if this little bit of magic would still be here for us to enjoy. The beaches are back, and along with them came my calm. If something as big as the ocean can exist, so can I.

Thank you for reading my talking to myself. More to come on the latest of my business ventures.

Cheers!
~audrey

(My family and I are lucky enough to be able to walk in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as balloon handlers, this was my first year since you have to be 18 and got to walk with this good man, Charlie Brown!)

1. Starting my day with a clementine. There’s nothing better than a burst of fresh citrus to wake me up in the morning, and throughout the day as I’m about to eat that brownie/extra slice of cheese/second chocolate milk I can say to myself, “Self, you ate a clementine this morning. And it’s practically Christmas. Go for it.”

2. Listening to this song. Any time of day. Sometimes on repeat. And seeing the looks I get when I dance to it in my car.

3. Wearing red lipstick. I only picked up this habit two weeks ago, because for a long time I feared I would look like I’m trying too hard. Trying to hard at what? I now ask myself. Trying to hard to be confident and bold? No such thing. Red lipstick makes me want to smile approximately 9000 times more than the average human.

4. Similar to red lipstick, I also feared wearing heels on a regular day until about a month ago. Have you ever pushed a shopping cart in heels? Woah it makes me feel important.

5. Lighting this (super cheap and awesomely natural) candle in one room, leaving that room for about a half an hour, and then coming back to be slapped in the face with some really authentic smelling christamssy goodness. (ps. I got them at target for two bucks each).

6. Waking up to an empty sink. Yes, I’m learning that taking those extra five minutes while bleary eyed before bed to empty the nasty dishes in the sink into the dishwasher is important. Not seeing cold water mixed with food in dirty bowls in the morning is AWESOME.

7. Having a conversation with someone on the phone. With texting, it’s so easy for us to say that we’re keeping in touch with everyone we know. But in real life, it’s nice to hear someones voice on the other side of the phone. To get a sense of how they really feel about their new roommate, to have a chance to talk about the silly things like how delicious their froot loops were this morning, to feel like it’s actually them. I had never really had conversations with people on the phone (much like the rest of my generation) until all of my friends moved away for college, and having the chance to talk to them even for ten minutes on the phone makes me feel more at home (even though I am home), as I’m sure it does for them.

8. Giving the computer a break at least thirty minutes before I go to bed. And using those thirty minutes to daydream. About how wonderful my life is at this moment, about the farm I’m going to live on one day with my chickens and cows, about the babies I’m going to get to see the next day. My life is pretty cool, I like to take at least a half an hour a day to think about how cool it is so I don’t forget.

What silly little things improve your days?

Cheers!
Audrey