{Celebrate} My Birthday!

January 13th, 2012 § 12 comments § permalink

Friday, Jan 13th is a very good day!  It’s my birthday today & I’m celebrating all throughout.  It began with a giggle – tickle session with my little one & husband in bed.  And today will end on a very sweet note when my two favorite people, my husband & little one bake me a lemon birthday cake avec lemon frosting.

Photography & Dessert by Sweetopolita

My husband has baked me a lemon cake for as long as we’ve been together which amounts to quite a few cakes.  I think it’s so endearing not to mention it’s one of my favorite gifts each year.  Yes, the cake is delicious, but it’s his act of doing that melts my heart.  And now that my little one is old enough to participate, it’s doubly sweet!

Photography & Dessert by Sweetopolita

This weekend & through the remainder of the month many more celebrations are in order.  I truly look forward to celebrating with the people I love most & sharing new birthday experiences with them!

Bisous,

Jill

{Travel} In the Mood

January 6th, 2012 § 0 comments § permalink

I’m in a Parisienne sort of mood today.  A visual post for your pleasure.  Have a fabulous Friday & a relaxing weekend!

“Paris is a Feeling” by Eye Poetry Photography

“The Secret History” by Eye Poetry Photography

“Carrousel” by Eye Poetry Photography

“Love Along the Seine” by Eye Poetry Photography

Now off to French class…

Au revoir,

Jill

{Bake} Chic Technique

January 5th, 2012 § 5 comments § permalink

If the idea of frosting a cake sounds a bit intimidating, just wait until you see this chic technique!  While perusing my friend Melissa’s blog, Best Friends for Frosting, I came across this lovely gateau & just had to share it!  The icing technique is so feminine & so modern.  Right up my alley!

Photo source: Sockerrus / As seen on: Best Friends for Frosting

Before you form your own conclusions as to whether or not you would attempt this technique, click on over to Sockerrus & decide for yourself.  You will be amazed by the simplicity of this icing design!  It’s one of those “Why didn’t I think of that?” techniques.

Just the other day, I purchased a small white modern cake plate from HomeGoods.  It’s the perfect foundation for a sweet little tiered cake dressed in this chic technique icing design.  Once I purchase the appropriate size cake pan for my little cake pedestal, I’ll be whipping this one up!

On a final note, you will see Modern Cupcake popping up on the Best Friends for Frosting blog.  I will be contributing dessert ideas, recipes, etc. Stay tuned!

Cheers,

Jill

{Ideas} 12 Lists

January 4th, 2012 § 3 comments § permalink

My Birthday List has inspired me.  If you read yesterday’s post, you saw my list for the month of January.  I jotted down my Top 12 things that I would like to do for that month.  So I was thinking…why can’t I do this for every month?

Product: Jotter by Wit & Whistle

I will write down 12 experiences {BIG or SMALL} for each of the 12 months for the year 2012.  I’ll fill you in on what they are & end the month with snapshots.  I hope this inspires you to create your own lists.   These experiences are reminders to appreciate the little things & try new things. May you stretch & GROW!

XOXO,

Jill

{Celebrate} My Birthday List

January 3rd, 2012 § 4 comments § permalink

It’s my birthday month.  Some people celebrate just on their special day.  While others let the festivities flow into the following weekend. Celebrating with a birthday week is not uncommon, but why limit it?  A birthday month is much more fun!

Photo by Sweetopolita

I’ll be honest.  I’m having a really hard time with the idea of turning another year wiser.  So after much thought, I’ve decided to make the best of it!  I’ve compiled a “To Do” list, so here we go.

12.  Enjoy a picnic with my husband & son.

11.  Paint a canvas.

10. Order & have Carmela Ice Cream shipped.

9.  Purchase a little gift for myself.

8.  Make Chocolate Dipped Champagne Marshallows.

7.  Go for a hike.

6.  Take a Trapeze class w/ girlfriends.

5.  Plan my NYC trip.

4.  Prepare a meal for my parents & siblings.

3.  Get a facial.

2.  Help someone in need.

1.  Enjoy birthday cake with my husband & little one!

So there you have it!  This list has led me to another post in which I will share with you tomorrow.  See you then!

XOXO,

Jill

{Reflect} Resolutions

January 2nd, 2012 § 3 comments § permalink

The New Year celebrations have come & gone.  It’s 2012, so now what?  Have you made your New Year’s resolutions?

I’ve given this idea a bit more thought.  If you are like me, N.Y. resolutions are difficult to keep.  And if you haven’t written them down, they are hard to remember. I have decided on only one wish for my 2012.

Photo via Hey Look Oy

What is my one wish you might ask?  G.R.O.W.  I want to look back on 2012 and confidently say that I’ve grown as a person.  This idea is encompassing of all things that make up me.

I want to look back & know that I’ve grown in relationships, creatively, professionally, physically & spiritually.  Part of growing is stretching.  Do you stretch?   Do you try out-of your-comfort-zone type-things?  Life hasn’t been given to us to just waste away.

I came across a quote by Lotta of Hey Look Oy.  She said someone once told her…”You don’t need an invitation to your own life.”  With that being said, I’m excited to see what 2012 brings & how I grow.

So it’s day 2 of 2012.  How will I GROW today?

XOXO,

Jill

{Celebrate} 2012

December 31st, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink

Happy New Year!!!  Have a safe & joyous holiday!

Photo via

XOXO,

Jill

{Christmas} Day 25: Wish

December 25th, 2011 § 2 comments § permalink

Merry Christmas friends & family!  I wish for you bountiful blessings from above.  Enjoy time with your loved ones & we’ll see you in 2012!

Photo via

I will be taking a little vacation but will be back on the blog to wish you a Happy New Year!  Until then, have a safe & happy holiday!

God Bless,

Jill

{Christmas} Day 24: Nativity

December 25th, 2011 § 1 comment § permalink

The Nativity scene has special meaning to me during the Christmas season.  This year I displayed our silver one under our Christmas tree. In the evening, it gleamed brightly under the lit tree.  A quiet reminder.

Photo by Modern Cupcake

Merry Christmas!

God Bless,

Jill

{Christmas} Day 23: Cranberry Croissants

December 23rd, 2011 § 0 comments § permalink

My mother’s Cranberry Croissants top my A-list for Christmas menu offerings.  This effortless pastry can be served for breakfast or dessert.  Do you remember our family recipe for the Cranberry Relish?  Well, here is another mouthwatering adaptation!

Photography by Modern Cupcake

Cranberry Relish 

1 Granny Smith Apple

1 Navel Orange

1 – 12 oz. Bag of Fresh Cranberries

Sugar

Wash & dry the fruit.  Core the apple & leave peeling on orange.  Place all cranberries, orange slices with peel & apple slices into a food processor.  Chop into small pieces.  Add approximately 3/4 Cup of sugar.  Pulse in food processor until desired minced consistency.  Add additional sugar to taste.

I typically don’t add more sugar because I prefer some tartness.

I purchase the refrigerated croissant dough packaged in the tube.  Open package & carefully separate each croissant triangle.  Spoon approx. 1 Tbsp of Cranberry Relish onto the largest part of the triangle.  Gently roll croissant so that the Cranberry Relish is in the center.  Bake croissants according to package.

While croissants are baking, combine milk & powdered sugar to form an icing drizzle.  Continue to add powdered sugar to milk until you achieve your preferred consistency.  When croissants are pulled from the oven, drizzle icing over warm croissants & serve.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.  Thank you mother for spoiling us all these years with these heavenly croissants!

XOXO,

Jill

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