Here it is: my 2012, in 2013, 9 days late.

Boom.

2012 was real good to me. At first I couldn’t think of anything major that happened.

Sometimes I’m a little really slow.

Then I remembered I began the Instagram business at the beginning of the year and it all started coming back to me, like that camera they find at the end of the Hangover except there were no hookers, tigers, or drugs. That I instagrammed.

First up, I moved. Like all out stressful moved from one house to an apartment with Steve and Mose. It was magical. Not.

The new place though, it’s kind of ten thousand times better than the old place.

Speaking of Steve and Mose, 2012 was the first full year we were living together. And got to make random decisions to go to the beach or take a walk through the forest aka Jurrasic Park minus the dinosaurs.

My sister graduated High School!! My little sister is that old and I am that much older. We celebrated with Steve’s ceviche and beers.

A super awesome event that happened that I never got around to writing about was that beauty up there getting married. And myself getting fresh with her. Everything about that night was fantastic and so perfectly executed. That girl’s got talent. So does her husband.

The talented Laura Dart was the photographer. You can see her gorgeousness here.

Steve and I managed to get out of town a few times throughout the year which helps living in Humboldt County bearable during the school year. There were a couple trips to SF: one to visit the city during pride, my first time, and the other to see Two Door Cinema Club. Both trips were much needed and fabulous. Of course.

The other trip was to Fresno to see that piece of beauty up there perform. Miss Latriiiiice Royale.  If you aren’t aware of this magic then you need to be more aware of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Can I get an Amen?!

Latrice might have performed “Natural Woman” and I might have got a little emotional and there might have been a good amount of alcohol in me. Don’t judge.

Of course I shared what I did in Color and Design. Makin’ those collages.

No year would be complete without an excess of Mose pictures. That sweater he’s wearing is meant for a toddler. And he looks fab-u-lous.

My christmas gifting involved some blondies. And some sweet packaging I had fun with. Just in case anyone wants to know, complete closure with parchment paper that’s been taped doesn’t really package anything. When parchment paper promises to not let anything stick to it, it’s serious.

That second image is my christmas gift from my friend Anna. See that picture? and those caramels? She just gets me.

New Years Eve involved ugly christmas sweaters. And a photo booth with the above guests: crazy britney, beast jesus, raven symone, barak obama, and tiny chloe sevigny.

Testing 1,2,3.

And lastly my final instagram of 2012. My ugly christmas sweater creation, along with a glimpse of Steve’s. It’s amazing what you can create with a Hane’s sweatshirt, rhinestones and some ribbon. You’re welcome. *That second image is courtesy of Anna’s instagram. Follow it.

That’s my 2012! I’m stoked for 2013, excited about some projects and can’t wait to see what’s in store for me. Finger’s crossed it’s coffee and chocolate.

Side Note: notice how things look a little different?! I’ve done the whole move servers and go to WordPress thing and now the blog’s in that state of plastic surgery where the face is bandaged up and all you can see are the lips, maybe an ear.

An extreme makeover move that bus type moment just might be happening.

Who needs a last minute gift guide for your man? or a general man in your life that you forgot to buy a gift for? Get your watch business on!

Up until about a year ago I hadn’t worn a watch since 4th grade. We’re talking permanent tanline 365 days a year watch wearing dedication. Since I’ve started, that dedication has fired back up again. I feel naked without one and I look like an idiot when I check my nude wrist for the time.

That Casio calculator watch up there is the one that I wear every day. Do I use the calculator? no. I have giant manhand fingers. It happens to be the perfect size and I like the rectangular watch face. Plus the other day at work a nine year old told me it was such a really cool watch. It kind of made my day.

The great thing about these is all of the links are to Amazon so there’s still a little time left to get Amazon Prime shipping, and the prices are considerably lower than if you were to buy them at a brick and mortar store. Also, price: all but 2 of these are under $30, one is under $10!

1. Timex Weekender Watch: $25 – Super classic, perfect for everyday wear, waterproof, and you can easily swap out the straps!? That better be in your shopping cart right now.

2. Casio Calculator Watch: $15 – Like I said above, my everyday go to watch. Good stuff.

3. Timex Reader Watch: $26 – Nice brown leather strap to dress up any outfit, plus there’s a cool little dial thing that tells you the date.

4. Nixon Time Teller: $75 – A bot of a splurge compared to the others, but that neon yellow is extremely exciting. If that color doesn’t melt your butter, there’s a boatload more colors to choose from on Nixon’s site.

5. Nixon Newton Watch: $70 – Another Splurge, another Nixon. But it’s different, and that black and white is so clean looking.

6. Casio Resin Strap Watch: $10 – Just go out right now and buy one as a stocking stuffer for every guy you know. Really simple, and a nice way to edge yourself into the watch realm again.

I have a confession to make: yeast breads freak the hell out of me. I don’t even want to admit the slight anxiety I had while searching for that perfect cinnamon roll recipe. So much rising and butter and kneading involved. What?! three kinds of flour? There’s a weird variance of flour and I don’t know if I’m adding too much, and then if I do it makes the rolls dry and dense?!. I decided to make a couple different recipes, both of which failed, both of which I’m not going to mention because it’s totally possible I did something wrong. Whatevs.

I decided to leave it in the hands of google.

Go ahead and search google for cinnamon rolls. I’ll wait here.

fingers crossed it’s the same result:

Paula Booter an Oyal Deen.

Google told me to make these. And I secretly have a crush on this woman and her magical laugh and her badassness as a business woman.

I looked at the recipe, still unsure, and then I saw she has a video. She made it look like a total walk in the park, without Mose, because he tends to pull on the leash.

I went to it, like Paula to a stick of butter, subbing buttermilk for the milk, because that’s what I had, and conjuring up a chai spice for the insides.

If you follow me on instagram, you know the chai spice was a total fail. The dough however, was not. This excited me. I had almost made cinnamon rolls.

I made another batch the next day, with cinnamon, and pecans for good measure, and took them to a brunch I had with some friends. They were well reviewed, but they seemed a little dry. I realized after making the third batch to show you, that buttermilk is necessary, and you should never eat your cinnamon rolls unless they’re hot. Room temp is a no go. You treat that cinnamon roll with some respect.

The last thing before I break this recipe down for you: MAKE THIS CREAM CHEESE FROSTING.

I know I’ve written about cream cheese frosting before, but this stuff would definitely take any cake if given the opportunity. I got the recipe from Shutterbean when Steve went to make the cake for my birthday. The recipe is originally from godsend Nigella Lawson and I may have had some on graham crackers for breakfast one morning. Or Mose did it. We’ll never know.

This stuff is so incredibly light and fluffy, thanks to heavy cream, but it isn’t as sweet as the traditional milk and powdered sugar icing, so it’s a perfect compliment to the cinnamon rolls. or graham crackers, or strawberries. Is it wrong to just let my face sit in the bowl?

Let’s just make some cinnamon rolls.

I’ve been MIA for a while, taking care of last minute school projects for the semester and finals and work work work, but break is almost here. Like I could fall down a flight of stairs showgirls status and by the time I made it to the floor break would have started and it would be christmas eve.

WHERE HAS THIS YEAR GONE?!

For the break, I have an incredibly easy beginners cinnamon roll to share with you and I want to get a little holiday crafting in to share some DIY’s. It’s gonna happen.

Until then, I have a little gift guide for you. An affordable gift guide, from food bloggers that know what they’re talking about.

Everyone does the gift guide business, but I wanted to take that frugal approach. Because I’m a poor college student. I don’t have anyone that needs/wants a $250 octopus shaped cake stand or a $500 dish rack. I don’t run or slow jog in those circles.

I sent out a call to action to some of my favorite food bloggers and gave them their Oprah moment so they could inform us about their favorite gifts and what they might be gifting this year. Calm down, nobody’s getting a car.

Everything is under $30, a couple things are under $10, and I’d like to get all of it for christmas.

Let’s do this.

Megan‘s Picks:

1. Writeable Cheese Markers: $22 – Cheese and crackers are a necessity at every get together! And these markers make it super easy to label the different types in a hip way. I know I’d love to receive these this Christmas!

2. Ash Wood Cutting Board: $20 – I have one of these and find it perfect to use for a cake plate, cheese board, or even a centerpiece. Maybe buy this for a friend, top it with a cake, and surprise them with the board too!

3. I love you like biscuits and gravy tea towel: $8 – I can’t get enough tea towels in my life. They’re perfect for topping cooling bread or dough or just to hang on the front of your oven accessory-style. So show your favorite baking-friend some love with this tea towel valentine.

Cindy‘s Picks:

4. Forged Iron Utility Shears: $16 – I love super practical things with nice aesthetics, like these shears–not only would it make me happy to cut things with these, they can double as photo props…bonus points.

5. Artisan Mini Salt Cellar: $10-$12 – I cook a lot and a salt shaker just doesn’t do it for me, these little cellars are adorable AND perfect for pinching salt.

6. Mint Striped Mixing Bowl: $10 – I love a good mixing bowl. This one is super cute AND super cheap, at just under $10, you could get a couple of small accessory gifts to go with it (measuring spoons, rubber spatulas, and whisks would be perfect)!

Sara‘s Pick

7. Takeya Glass Water Bottle: $18 – I am a practical person and I like giving practical gifts that I believe in. The amount of waste we go through with plastic water bottles is ridiculous, unsustainable and research is showing it’s not great for your health either. This year I am making eco-friendly baskets with Baggu recyclable grocery bags, this water bottle and a homemade treat for some family members. This water bottle is durable, easy to clean and anyone could use it!

Noelle‘s Picks

8. Lunchskins: $9-$12 – For fanatical snack packers. They’re reusable and dishwasher safe, with illustrations to remind you of what happens when you get hungry. They also make fun gift wrap – my almost-relative Alex gave me one last Christmas with homemade gingerbread inside.

9. What to Eat Pad by Knock Knock: $6.50 – Makes meal planning almost too much fun. The fridge and you will look like responsible young adults with good taste in food. Don’t forget to fill in the breakfast section.

My Picks

10. Oxo Cookie Scoop: $14 – I believe in giving foodies gifts they might not gift themselves because they think the price is too high for something they won’t use too often. This happened to me when I bought this cookie scoop a couple years ago. The quality is awesome and I’ve used it for everything from scooping ice cream to making the perfect size cookie or even meatball.

11. Stand Mixer Beater Blade: $20 – This one is actually on my legit wish list. It has great reviews and would help me with that inevitable chunk of something at the bottom of the bowl. Just make sure the paddle matches the bowl size. Casually bring up bowl size in a conversation about chocolate chip cookies or whipped cream.

12. Bib Apron with Pockets: $13 – This apron is a true classic, and the number one apron seller on Amazon. So, Amazon knows what’s up. The print is perfect for a guy or girl, it’s a great stocking stuffer, and it’s going to keep all the flour off them when they go to make you some cookies for giving them that new mixer paddle.

I made pancakes on Saturday.

Whaaat? Surpriiise?! (said sarcastically with my hands in the air, maybe a wink)

I mainly made said pancakes because of some buttermilk syrup I saw on Melissa Esplin’s blog.
It looked like caramel. and I was allowed to have it on pancakes. and I kind of want to try it on some ice cream.

It tastes a little like caramel and is an A+ option for your next breakfast. It makes a couple cups worth and making your own syrup is impressive so it’s perfect for a larger crowd. cough, thanksgiving, what?

Let me tell you something: Real legit maple syrup is pricey. The fake stuff is too when you think about what goes in there: sugar, water, and a little maple flavoring. My badass grandma’s been making her own “maple syrup” for years now and it’s delicious.

She also cans her own tuna and makes the best green salads. Gurl knows what’s up.

Do everyone a favor and make this ever so slightly tangy syrup that you might want to bathe in but you can’t because it would be inappropriate to take your clothes off at breakfast and you can’t fit your whole body in that measuring cup.

Buttermilk Syrup
Adapted from this recipe
Makes about 2 1/2 cups

1 1/2 c buttermilk
1 c brown sugar
1 c white sugar
1/4 c butter
hefty pinch of salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla

In a large saucepan or pot combine everything except the salt, baking soda, and vanilla.

Bring to a boil, whisking a few times to make sure everything is combined.

Remove from heat and in your large pot whisk in the salt, baking soda, and vanilla. This is where the large saucepan or pot is important. This stuff fizzles up. Whisk a little more until the fizzle bidness goes down and pour into a measuring cup or a maybe a gravy boat if you want to get fancy.

Hey everyone, It’s almost Thanksgiving.

Like, just a week away.

Cue Final Countdown.

Cue Friends Thanksgiving above. I redid the invites from last year, and only re-invited Kristen Wiig. I know usually people say that if they could invite anyone to dinner it would be Jesus or Abraham Lincoln or maybe a Jesus Lincoln Hybrid? I just don’t have that kind of self control.

The guests that were invited this year include, L to R:

• Rebel Wilson who I constantly mix up with Rumor Willis who really needs to be my best friend that I can Skype all the time and just look at her serving up unisex realness in that 90s flannel.
• Mario Lopez, because, well, he’s Mario Lopez. #teamslaterforlife.
• Kristen Wiig, again. She decided to wear the same blouse but it’s okay, I still love her.
• Kelly Cutrone, mainly because she doesn’t care about anyone’s opinion and I might have almost watched the entire season of Kell on Earth in one sitting don’t judge.
• Lastly, Rachel Zoe, minus Roger because he creeps the hell out of me. She’ll be wearing something fabulous and let’s face it, probably only eat a cranberry or something fake from a centerpiece so that means more food for me. plus I do a really good Rachel Zoe Impression and I need to get her opinion.

I’m not prepared, but am totally taking the whole “don’t be a crazy bitchface because it’s just Thanksgiving” thing full force.

Just in case you’re curious, here’s a link to what last year’s Thanksgiving consisted of. And some pumpkin cheesecake. And a photoshop explosion.

chicken: Food52 // green bean casserole: Hungry Girl por Vida // rolls: Bon Apetit // pie: Joy the Baker

I’ve definitely started a pinterest board for dinner inspirations. Because I’m always so organized. Not.

I’ve also definitely decided to ditch the turkey. I’ve decided I don’t like the texture of turkey, especially the day afterwards, no matter how not dry it cooks up. There’s just something about it too that’s sort of gamey if you don’t buy the right bird.

I’m opting for a couple roast chickens. They’re cheaper, there’s no thawing issues ever, I can probably  prep and cook one with my eyes closed, the leftovers are awesome, no gameyness, and you can cook it even faster.

If you think I’m being too sacrilegious, calm down. Here’s a way to cook up a fierce turkey for your familia. I totally understand if you fear someone will hit you for not cooking up a giant bird.

Or be an extra sneaky trickster and cook up the chicken and break it down, present it beautifully, and tell everyone you bought pygmy turkeys.

Win/Win.

Win.