Loved It! DIY Ombre Cupcakes

I don't know about you, but for me when the weather is cold and rainy all I want to do is stay inside and bake.  But if I bake for myself it gets to be an issue.  An issue between my pants and my thighs.  So I love to bake for others.  Few things say "I love you" better than a baked good.  And, when baking for a loved one, presentation is key.  (ok, lets be real... presentation is key when baking for other women...weddings, bridal showers, baby showers or even just a gift for a bff. my husband is digesting the baked good before he realizes it was ever pretty.) I think these ombre cupcakes are adorable.  They take a little more time but I think the cuteness makes it worth the effort.  

You'll need:

1. White cake mix (plus whatever ingredients the mix calls for)

2. Frosting of your choice

3. Food coloring

4. cupcake liners

5. Sprinkles of your choice (optional)

First prepare the cake mix according to directions.  Then separate the mix into 4 equal amounts in different bowls. (i just eyeballed it)  Start with the lightest color. I wanted to do coral so I put 2 drops of red and 1 yellow in the first bowl.  Keep adding more food coloring drops to each bowl until you get the desired shade. Pour the mixes into the cupcake liners and bake according to directions. Your cupcakes may look something like this before they go into the oven...

Allow your cupcakes to cool completely.  (also I found that the cupcakes were easier to work with if the frosting was cold)  Using a serrated edged knife cut the cupcakes into about 3 layers each.  Then, starting with the lightest color build your cupcake by piping frosting on top of each layer as a sort of mortar between layers. It also helps to build your cupcake in a new liner sheet to hold it together. Top with whatever sprinkles you like. (or cut a shape out of the cupcake scraps and use that as a topper) 

enjoy! 

Loved It: Red Lips

On my nails I have Butter London Knees Up. Lips are Laura Mercier Lip Stain Scarlet and Mac Lip Pencil Cherry.  Eye colors by Laura Mercier in Stellar and Cafe Au Lait.  Eye Liner is also by Laura Mercier in Black Ebony. 

Loved It: Primped

As I'm sure you can tell (if you've ever visited my blog before) I've given my blog a much needed primping.  I've been unhappy with how it looked for a while now, but due to an unfortunate tech-challenged gene passed on to me from my mother, I haven't really known how to change things. The blog still needs a few tweaks which I'm planning on doing through the week- but for now I hope you like what you see!  Maybe this makeover will inspire fresh starts all around!

 

Loved It: Lavender Eyes

You know, for a makeup artist I really don't do enough posts about makeup.  I mean- it's basically my forte and yet here I am, week after week, not posting any makeup pics.  Well today I am turning over a new leaf. I hope you like it. 

I used (unless otherwise specified) Laura Mercier: radiance foundation primer; silk creme foundation in beige ivory; mineral loose setting powder #1; Bobbi Brown eye brightener in peach; secret brightening powder #1;  eye basic in peach; creme eye color in mauve pastel (limited edition. sorry!); eye colors in primrose, stellar and lavender silk (also limited edition. please don't be mad); eye liner in blue marine; faux lash mascara in black; blond eyebrow pencil; cheek color in rose petal; peach mosaic; lip hydratint in rose; lip pencil in clover. 

Loved It: Baby, It's Cold Outside.

Jacket: H&M; Scarf, Hat, Belt,  Leggings, Sweater and Dress: Forever 21; Boots: Mia; Gloves: Vintage

Loved It: 25 Ways to Tie a Scarf in 4.5 min

I don't know about you but this time of year I cannot leave my apartment without a scarf on.  And I always feel like I wear it the same old way every time.  Not anymore.  Here's a quick how-to video you'll love. I'm feeling inspired!  Hope you enjoy it as well.