Los Angeles, I'm Yours

I'm still here I promise.
At the request of my sister and out of the fact that I have nothing else to do, I am back to blogging.

Here's a quick update of what you've missed.

I quit my cozy job at Anthropologie on a whim. 

I moved myself and my two displeased cats to Los Angeles.

I am currently (hopefully not for much longer) unemployed. Hence the "nothing else to do" mentioned above. 

I don't have a crazy moving across the country story to tell. No long road trip staying at Motel 8s, eating diner food, or long stretches of desert road with light indie music in the background- just a flight from ILM to LAX with two cat carriers, 4 suitcases, and a duffel bag. Oh yes, and some deep scratches from a frightened cat carried through TSA. Now THAT is a story enough for me.

So what exactly have I done to fill my time? 

       I've obviously been job searching like a mad woman. Although the opportunities are endless out here compared to back home, the competition is even greater.
I've revamped my resume several times. Jazzed up my LinkedIn profile - even including a picture gasp! Written so many cover letters that the term is now a four-letter word to me. A necessary evil to get one pinky toe in the door.

      I have also taken up Cardio Barre thanks to a lot of Groupons. A exercise regime that combines everything I hate but need - squats, push ups, and holding my arms up for extended periods of time. It seems like the laws of gravity would just send all my arm jiggle downwards. Can I blame my bat arms on Newton?

      I have had the chance to do a lot of fun things here already though. Went to a local brewery that had life size Jenga and Connect Four, attended a 2 Chainz concert, met John C. Reilly at his Check It Out with Dr. Steve Brule screening (more detailed post to come!), and hang out with my sweet sister who has been selfless enough to let me live with her until I figure things out. Selfless enough to the fact that we are now a 3 cat and two litter box household. Pee-yew. 

Here are some pictures of my life so far.

{ Facetime with my sweet nephew Harry! }

{ The marquee at The Palladium in Hollywood. }

{ First plants I've ever bought. Shall we place bets on how long they will stay alive? }

{ Cats enjoying the constant sunshine. }

 { Visiting the infamous Dumb Starbucks. }

Now that you're up to date on everything, expect to hear more from me soon!

<3

Insta-Muffin

Here I am again...attempting to get back in the swing of blogging. There are several reasons as to why I haven't kept up with it lately...
1. I'm lazy
2. I don't have anything to say
3. I'm lazy
All legit reasons right?!

For my first post back in awhile I have a short collection of some Instagram photos taken lately.

 Willie and Livy hanging out in Wilmington. Willie just loves the camera. 

Map of Birmingham found in a book at work.

Tiny and I signing a petition at Lush against animal testing. 

Family reunion = sunburn. First sign of summer.

On a very exciting side note, my friend Cheri is opening a furniture, jewelry, and clothing store in the Kernersville area called Accent Prone! The website is still in the works but until their June 2nd grand opening go "Like" their Facebook page. Glad someone's actually putting their Entrepreneurship degree to good use! Congrats Cheri! :) 

More posts to come, PROMISE!

xoxo,

Your Muffin Top Mistress

Homemade doughnuts...donuts?

While it's debatable how exactly to spell doughnuts donuts whatever...what's not debatable is how stinkin delicious they are. It takes all the will power I possess to not order a dozen donuts every time I get coffee from Dunkin Donuts. The only thing stopping me is the fact that my mid section has started to take on a similar round shape...the name "muffin top" was definitely chosen for multiple reasons.
In my life I go through phases, from a health phase to a baking phase and back to a health phase because the baking phase took over my bod and you get the gist. With the purchase of a new doughnut pan I would say I am on a baking phase full force.

I made my first batch of homemade donuts the other day and for a first attempt I would say they turned out pretty swell. Since I didn't use yeast and they were baked instead of fried, these donuts took on a more muffin-like consistency. In fact, because of my inability to follow the "fill 2/3 of the way" direction, many of the donuts even came out looking like a muffin.
Call me a glutton.


Recipe: (background YouTube mix optional)

Mix together:
4 tablespoons room temperature butter
1/2 cup of sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla (I used Trader Joe's Bourbon Vanilla)
Sift together:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp spice (whatever you prefer, I used pumpkin pie spice which contains cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg)
Icing: 
I followed Alton Brown's recipe. 

Preheat oven at 350°F.
Spray doughnut pan generously.
Add flour mixture to butter mixture a 1/2 cup at a time and alternating with a 1/2 cup of milk. (This makes the doughnut extra fluffy.)
Fill the pan 2/3 of the way. I repeat, 2/3. Not overflowing as I previously did.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until donuts are done.
Remove from pan while still hot and drizzle with vanilla glaze.
I chose to add some cinnamon sugar on top to give it a little something extra. 

and VOILA!

Doughnuts! Donuts! Ra ra ra!

Now I am going through a few cupcake recipe books to draw flavor inspiration for my next batch :)

Happy Fat Tuesday Wednesday!

xoxo,
Your Muffin Top Mistress