things I'm loving from around the bloggosphere

Seriously one of the cutest Christmas photoshoots I've ever seen!
{click here} to see the rest of the pictures!
I think this chalkboard background
would be nice for a DIY "faux-tobooth" too

Personalized Stationary for a very hip Grandma
{known by all the kids as Grandma Latté}
via alee and press

Super cute pincushion
sold at TheBlueDaisy on Etsy

"French" Goodness
I have yet to make these but they look de.lic.ious.
{See the recipe here}

Sweetest. Tattoo. Ever.
Read the *short* story {here}

This great wooden headboard
found at Say Yes! to Hoboken

Backyard fun

Oh the joys of Brooklyn (as opposed to Manhattan)
Say Yes to Hoboken via Little Green Notebook
{I'm loving that Pottery Barn kitchen set in the playhouse too!}

Vintage Wall Art
- - hearts made out of ticket stubs - -
Blue Bell Bazaar via A Little Sussy

Cute little bunting crayon roll
{see the tutorial here}

sweet tooth

{lola's from the dieline}

What is the deal with cupcakes these days? They've become ultra trendy... perhaps it was the arrival of Katie Holmes on the celebrity scene with her five story cupcake tower for Posh Spice. I'm not sure. Don't get me wrong, I like cupcakes. They're cute {really cute} and sometimes come in great, swanky packaging and my philosopher is really goooooodddd at making them. Plus, trophy's lemon has me HOOKED. Still. How did this little treat become the epitome of cool? To be honest, as much as I like cupcakes, there are a lot of other sweets that I adore... much more.

For instance, if the classic black tie Napoleons would become popular and available everywhere I would be the happiest (and most voluptuous) girl ever. They're miraculous. Sweet, buttery, a little crunchy. Ekk. They're impossible to explain. And, near impossible to find - good ones anyway. The absolute BEST Napoleons I've ever had were all at the La Madeline in Austin (the Bee Caves location). Seattle has a sweet, very french bakery by the market that also makes them well but being near campus, and not wanting to spend next month's rent on parking, I don't get to indulge very often.

What else do I love, a little more than cupcakes? Candy apples from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Co. At around $7 a pop they better be delicious, right?! My favorite is the Tiger Stripe followed closely by the Apple Pie apple. Yum. If anyone knows a good recipe for these, please do share! Every visit to my nieces and nephews ends up being an excuse for an apple party. I think I'm not the only one who gets excited... :)

Lastly, I think I'd choose a piece of well-made tiramisu over a cupcake *almost* any day. But again, like Napoleons, it can be difficult to find well-made tiramisu. I was sadly disappointed by my local Whole Foods version. If anyone finds a great dive with this amazing Italian dessert in Seattle, I would love to know about it.