Simply Vanilla

Vanilla on Vanilla with a tint of blue for Becky.
It was most wonderful!

Kelsey's Kitchen hits the Food Network

Utah's own Kelsey Nixon will be competing for "The Next Food Network Star," which premieres tomorrow.
Good luck, Kelsey!

Happy Birthday, Utah IKEA!

Last week I received this message from some friends and ex-coworkers in Utah via Gmail chat:

Dear Becky, One year ago, this Friday, the IKEA in Draper opened to much praise from individuals like yourself. In celebration, **** and I challenge you to a cake-off. -****

Then a few days later I got the official rules.

Becky, I'll have you know this is one 'cake-off' you are likely to never forget. Official Cake-Off Rules: 1. Object MUST be a cake. 2. Said object must also be in some way related to IKEA or fit to the standards and aims of the IKEA/design gods. 3. You have until Friday to complete the challenge. 4. (This blog is rated PG and rule #4 was not PG.)


So without further adieu here are the details of my IKEA cake:

Inspiration:
*Swedish IKEA colors, IKEA building, IKEA meatballs

Cake Flavor(s):
*There are many--vanilla with whipped cream filling, devils food with vanilla, devils food with chocolate filling and chocolate chips.

What I want you to notice:
*Mount Meatball and the stucco finish on the IKEA building base

What I really want you to notice:
* I did this without all my cake decorating supplies

Missing Brulee

I love creme brulee! While in New York I'm surrounded by such amazing cheeses, fresh produce, perfect bread and exotic chocolate that I think would aid me in my quest to design my own original brulee recipe. ...If only I had all my "equipment" out here.

So please join me in reminiscing on one of my favorites: the savory brulee. For those of you who may be wondering..I purchased my ramekins, pan and torch at Williams-Sonoma in 2006. I'm pretty sure they still sell the set inside (pan not included)...oh and pictures proudly taken a la me.

The finished product: Broccoli and Red Pepper Creme Brulee.

Recipe courtesy of Lou Seibert Pappas' book "Creme Brulee."

Enjoy the step-by-step journey to savory success!

White cheddar cheese, a key ingredient.

Steamed broccoli, sauteed red bell peppers and green onions are placed in the ramekins.

Next, the egg and heavy cream are added and topped with cheese and sourdough bread cubes.

After baking the brulee it is topped with Parmesan cheese and browned with a culinary torch!

Shop for the Pops

Father's Day will be here before you know it...so to get your creative juices flowing I dedicate this post to you, the child that has no idea what they are going to get papa or the hubby.

Whether he's a sport's enthusiast needing a renewed subscription to SI or a self-proclaimed gourmet guru that would love a cooking class at Sur La Table--these gifts are sure to please and range from $9.95 to to $79. Click on each picture to find out details.

Good Enough to Eat

Chocolate without all the calories--now that's what I'm talking about.

I found this Chocolovers perfume by Aquolina in the SoHo Sephora.
So yummy.

Crumb-diddly-umpstious!

During a little NYU/Washington Square Park jaunt--I found Crumbs. My hubby didn't want to go and I said, "Trust me, you'll thank me later." And he did. All I'm going to say is look at these pictures below. My fave was the red velvet!

Drum Roll Please...

Congrats to the winners of the first ever Give-a-way of Goodness!

Something Wearable: Bunny B.
Something Usable: Kristin E.
Something Delectable: Sara S.

Winners, shoot me an email to projectdomestication@gmail.com with "New York Give-a-way of Goodness" in the subject line and we'll get started on getting those prizes over.

{speech! speech!}

Happy Memorial Day!

No matter how you are celebrating, these cute and easy-to-make streamers from Martha would be a cute accent to any get together.

Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day tomorrow. Let us remember those men and women who have served our country and gone before us.

Take a Slice Home

Junior's hails itself as New York's Most Fabulous Cheesecake--and um...I second that. Unfortunately, I won't be spending my entire life here in the city eating slice after slice after a fabulous Broadway show. However, I would like to hone my cheesecake-making skills. I think purchasing one of their cookbooks will set me in the right direction.

Tick Tock

Time is running out...the first-ever Project Domestication Give-a-way of Goodness ends at midnight MST tonight.
Click here for details.

Luchious

"Pop a LUSH bath bomb in a pre-run bath and it erupts in a mass of fragrant fizzing, sometimes launching flower petals, leaves, natural butters, and even confetti into the bath water. After a mad frenzy it calms down and gently scents the water with natural essential oils." -Official LUSH Site

A SoHo find for me, these products are made by LUSH a fresh handmade cosmetics company. The employees were peppy and happy to demonstrate all their products. My favorites include butterball, avobath and honeybee. Whether you're needing an after exercise soak or a romantic bath of bubbly, these bath bombs will do the trick. But be sure to check out the happy pill, I can't begin to tell you how citris-sy it smells.

Click here to see if a LUSH is near you.


{da bomb!}

Props to Nordies

Did anyone else notice that Nordie's started a blog? Well it began in November 07, but this is news to me.

It's called "From the Floor" and seems to have various feeds and authors--I'm growin' a liking to the "trends" section. If anyone knows more about this or has been following it, let me know.

For My Future Little Princess

I know, I know... this is not practical but I want it so badly for my first baby girl! I'm thinking to possibly do mine in white or brown wood with custom/homemade bumpers in robin egg blue, chocolate brown and cream. Others I like are here, here and here.

And before the comments start flooding with questions, this post does not mean I am preggers.

Maryjane Booties

I am so buying these for the next girl baby shower I attend.
Check out these other cute-little-footsie-covers from Trumpette.com.
I like the Baby Ballerina and Johnny Golfs.

Cute as a Button

Somehow I couldn't justify spending $125 on this hat by Lola that I found at Saks.

Popcorn Fun

Thanks to a friend's creative wife for introducing me to this sweet treat. She brought them into work for his birthday months ago and I can't seem to get them off my mind. Don't tell anyone but I think I had at least three. Oh, and hers were much cuter than this picture...yeah, you probably didn't think that was even possible.

These are perfect for a movie or circus-themed birthday party....or even a movie night with teenagers and adults. Oh, did I mention this is a cupcake!? Here are step-by-step instructions.

The only adjustments, or rather updates I would recommend are 1) Make the "bags" on Adobe Illustrator or another computer program, then print on heavy paper or card stock. 2) Cut an "x" in the marshmallows to achieve a more realistic popcorn feel. I thought Wilton had online instructions for this but I couldn't find them.

Silky Smooth

I just changed my blade and had a really good shave this morning. It got me thinking about what products I use. For years I've been loyal to Gillette's Venus and never had any complaints. Tahitian Noni's Moe Spa Body Wash is my "cream" of choice. I'm currently using the Tahitian Lime and Papya, but my favorite scent is the Tahitian Vanilla & Gardenia.

What does everyone else use?

Mmm Mmm Nutella Buttercream

Who can resist that Hazelnut heaven that is Nutella. When I torte and fill a cake one of my favorite fillings is this Nutella Buttercream recipe. Please enjoy!

Basic Wilton Vanilla Buttercream Recipe
1/2 cup solid veg. shortening
1/2 cup butter or margarine ( I use unsalted butter)
1 teaspoon Wilton clear vanilla extract ( I usually use 3 tsp--I love vanilla)
4 cups SIFTED confectioner's sugar (sifting makes all the difference!)
2 Tablespoons milk

Cream Butter and shortening with electric mixture. (MAKE SURE YOU CREAM IT WELL) Add vanilla. Gradually add sugar, one cup at a time, beating well on medium speed. Scrape sides and bottom of bowl often.

When all sugar has been mixed in , icing will appear dry. Add milk and beat at medium speed until light and fluffy.

Yields 3 cups.

To make Nutella Buttercream Filling
To use as a filling, depending on cake size. I take about half of the Wilton Vanilla Buttercream and add about 3/4 - 1 cup of Nutella. Mix with a regular butter knife.

Instead of spreading it on the cake I usual get a small ball and flatten it with my hands then place it on the area, repeating until cake is covered. I've found it is very thick and doesn't spread well.

If you want it thinner just use less Nutella, especially if you plan to use it for the top of cupcakes or for covering an entire cake. I’d say about a 1/3-1/2 cup.

Click here for one of my most favorite places for cake filling inspiration. I'm anxious to play with her Chai Spice Buttercream concept.

{Go Nuts!}