Mandarin Cake

This past weekend, my husband asked me what baked treats I had in the house. Sadly, I didn't have a single thing to give him, clearly he has gotten used to me baking on a weekly basis. I picked up Real Simple magazine on a sourcing trip to Joann Fabrics and was flipping through when I saw the recipe for this AMAZING sounding Mandarin Olive Oil cake! I should tell you right now that I love citrus but I HATE pulp. Luckily, this loaf-like cake calls for juice and zest, both of which I can live with! 

Washi Framing

Seriously though, how easy is this? I'm still working on our bedroom decor, (by working, I mean not doing a damn thing). So I saw this and thought it would be an easy, temporary way to update my bedroom. My husband isn't a huge fan of it (he actually hates it), and when I decide to be extra nice to him, I'll take it down. 

He just said to me, "I don't think you should post that, it looks stupid".

Wednesday Words

All I'll say is this, I tend to live my life in reverse of these words but I've been making a conscious effort to seek more quality in all areas of my life.  

ofakind.com

My best friend, who is always on the forefront of what is happening suggested this website to me. Considering she knows me better than anyone (this pretty much includes my husband), I LOVE it!

ofakind.com is a website that offers limited edition runs of jewelry, apparel, accessories, and housewares. I live for Target's always on-point collaborations, but sometimes I just crave an item that I know I won't see on every woman I pass, which is why I'm such a huge fan of the limited edition concept. I fall in love with random products on a near daily basis, and I'm hoping you'll see all of those love affairs on this page for many days to come, but I am SO excited by this website that I lost count of how many items I'm lusting after. 

The site is beautifully designed and the products are expertly curated and I love that the price points are a bit higher. To me, the higher price point not only ensures that you spring for the item that you want, but it also makes that item feel so much more special, than say a $35 skirt that you'll wear twice. 

Monday Must-Haves: Bake Ware Needed

It seems like I've spent the past 5 Sundays in the kitchen baking and I've started to identify what I really need to step up my game! My life would be about 1,000 times better if I had a second bowl for my KitchenAid mixer, instead I find myself doing dishes while baking-and I am NOT about that life. Also, my desire to bake macarons at home has reached a fever pitch and I'm dying for this Lekue Macaron Kit! 

Vanilla Bean Donuts

I know that the whole world has been dying for donuts recently (hello, Kate Spade x Darcel) but I saw the picture above and had been thinking about them all last week. I grabbed this donut pan from Sur La Table and also picked up a Wilton Sprinkle Medley (yes, that's a real thing) and went to town over the weekend. Admittedly, I wish my glaze looked more like the ones above, but that will just require a little time and patience to finagle the recipe. I found the whole process to be no harder than baking cupcakes, with a whole lot more wow factor! 

Wednesday Words

I started this blog as a way to recognize and talk about what makes me happy on a daily basis. Since Novelty's inception, I find myself endlessly inspired.  I encourage everyone to open their eyes just a little bit wider to find the novelty in the ordinary-that's where true happiness exists.