Houston restaurants = Endless

We used to be known as the fattest city in America...well all I have to say is that we like good food! We may have started slimming down, but when you take a closer look into Houston's restaurants, you'll find hidden treasures. 


This top 10 list from Culture Map would be a great list to work off of if you're going to start trying new restaurants:


http://culturemap.com/newsdetail/01-03-11-where-to-eat-right-now-10-rockin-houston-restaurants/


My personal favorite though is Urbanspoon! You've probably heard of it because of it's known app for almost all phones - But the website is even better!


http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/8/Houston-restaurants.html


Urbanspoon is a place where you give reviews for restaurants, add your favorites, and they even give you Top 10 lists for different categories. It's best if you have the app on your phone because based on your location, it picks places close to you (also based on your selected choices of price range and type of food). Then once you eat there, go back to it on your phone and give a review!


Amazing and pretty convenient if you ask me.


Me and Scott tried telling ourself a long time ago that we would eat at the first place Urbanspoon randomly chose on my phone...however, I don't even think we kept that up after the first place it gave us. Maybe that would be fun to try again...


_

Happy New Year!

I was I would have thought of these amazing NYE cupcakes!

Instead, I didn't make any NYE cupcakes and regret it. So as a result, I've added baking and my blogs to my New Year resolutions! I'm making it a priority to keep both blogs updated. I know, I know...I always say that with practically every other post. But I have had no reason to stay accountable to myself. Now, my reason is because I'm making a goal for myself and I'm posting at least once a week!

I also didn't complete the 12 days of cookies how I said I would. I got a little to busy for having to go to the store every other day and spend hours on end baking. 

I did however, manage to create some ADORABLE baby shower cupcakes for a close friend of mine!

Brynlee will be here in March and she will be arriving in style! Pink and zebra was the theme for her baby shower and it just came together so well! Chelsea (the To-Be aunt and one of my best friends) did a wonderful job decorating and planning for her big sister's arrival. These cupcakes were my personal favorite, Cream Cheese filled Chocolate with regular buttercream frosting - Yum!

Until next time, have a great Monday evening and eat something delicious tonight!

12 Days of...Cookies!

Alot of bloggers and websites are posting 12 days of cookies so my plan is to bake for 12 days before Christmas gets here! That'll be alot of cookies, along with all the other baking goodies I want to make.


For example, Scott just gave me the idea of trying 12 different chocolate chip recipes (seeing as he's not extremely adventurous with food) but it's a great idea so get ready to receive cookies if you see me over the next month!

Majestic Purple

You can NEVER go wrong with purple - It's just so full and easy on the eye. It's definitely my favorite color. I don't really wear it to often, or even own many purple clothes for that matter. And never have I baked or cooked anything purple...besides berry-something-or-another. 

This icing looks heavenly!!...And I will be trying this soon!

http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/09/purple-is-my-favorite-color-so-of.html

Cupcake Vinyard

What?! Cupcakes and wine together?


I've always seen Cupcake wine at HEB and Specs, but I finally have joined their newsletter and have started reading more into the wines. So far this is the first one I will try - Sounds delicious!

Mosel Riesling

Of course I will try to eventually try them all - But for now, if you have tried it or heard about it please share!!

Happy Frappe Day!

WhooHooo I can go get Starbucks without feeling too guilty since it's a holiday - As in spending the money or taking in the calories lol


Today is National Frappe Month and I think I will treat myself to Starbuck's Mocha Frap Light!

The origin behind "Frappe" is - New England term for milkshake, from the French frapper, “to beat.” (http://www.thenibble.com/REVIEWS/MAIN/desserts/ice-cream-definitions.asp#frappe)

Interesting how it's turned into an icy, coffee drinks over the years. Here's a basic recipe for making your own:

http://www.ehow.com/how_961_make-coffee-frappe.html

Happy Noodle Day!

When I think of noodles I think Ramen Noodle...so I'm changing that thought into how much I love food photography.

Here are a couple of neat photos I found with noodles/pasta, in honor of the carb-loaded, funny shaped food's holiday:

Fall is upon us

I'm so making these! I've never cared for Pumpkin flavored anything...just Pumpkin seeds. But this year, I'm baking pumpkin everything to find at least one Pumpkin recipe to love.


This will be my first encounter.


http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2010/09/pumpkin-spice-cupcake-recipe.html

Foodie Fun

This website is something I stumbled upon tonight - It looks like you upload pics as you are at different restaurants. This could be a great excuse to try all the places I want to in Houston :o)

http://www.foodspotting.com/#/loc/Houston, TX/

http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/8/Houston-restaurants.html

I also LOVE Urbanspoon! If you don't use, START!

http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/8/Houston-restaurants.html

It is my favorite app on my phone, as it's like a slot machine that picks restaurants based on your selection of location, type of food, and price range. But not only does it pick for you, you can also review any place! It's the easiest review yet - I used to write down what I wanted my review to say, and I may or may not ever actually went back online and gave my review. Now I simply give the review while I'm still at the restaurant!

Anyways...Foodspotting looks like another fun tool to use for picking food and uploading pics! If you use it, let me know what you think about it!

Cupcake Creations

I've been HORRIBLE at keeping this updated!

Here are some cupcakes I've made over the past several months!

For a Surprise 50th Birthday party

Mandy's Baby Shower for Tessa!

Another baby shower for my best friend's SIL

Sarah and Nathan's Couple Shower before their wedding

Bunco night - Sometime in Spring

Christmas Kappa Delta Chapter

My parent's UT Championship party

Amber's 22nd Birthday!