Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Simple Vegan Chocolate Cake

I am not a vegan but I like to cook/bake recipes that are vegetarian or vegan. This chocolate cake by Joy the Baker is really easy. My only complaint is it was not fudgey enough for me. I am going to experiment and see if I can't find or come up with a cake that is very moist and fudgey like.

2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dutch processed cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm coffee
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
small handful of chocolate chunks and/or cocoa nibs (optional)

Place rack in the center of the oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9-inch bundt pan with vegetable shortening and dust with cocoa powder.  Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  In a medium bowl, whisk together coffee, oil, and vanilla.
Add the wet ingredients, all at once to the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined.  Stir in chocolate chunks and cocoa nibs, if using.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan.  The batter will be relatively thick.  Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Homemade Bath Products


Bath Bomb Cupcakes
I have been working on making my own soaps, lotions, bath scrubs, and bath bombs. It is a lot of trial and error. I have been selling them for $1 to friends and family members.. I am getting better at making everything I just need to venture out and see if any boutiques in my area would like to sell any of my products. I need to work on my packaging and a name for my business. I want something that sounds luxurious. 




Shea butter soap


Monday, February 27, 2012

Awesome Time Lapse Of The Night Sky

I love stargazing. This video is just amazing! Go watch it. Warning it might make you want your own spaceship to zoom around the galaxy in. I know it made me want one..
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upshot/amazing-time-lapse-video-captures-night-sky-232027106.html

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Such Pretty Things

I just stumbled upon this blog yesterday and it has me so inspired to bake some yummy and beautiful treats. You should definitely go take a look at her awesome posts. These homemade pop tarts look divine. I have never made pop tarts but I bet they are better than store bought ones.
http://suchprettythings.typepad.com/my_weblog/sweet-treats/ 

Friday, February 24, 2012

Angel's And Lolita's

Sorry it has been forever since I last posted. I have been so caught up dreaming up and photographing some awesome surreal and fairytale shoots. I have also been working on starting up a little bath and beauty business. I will post more about that later. I am so excited about my most recent shoots with no other photographer than my own husband Jon. Hence the picture to the left... He did an amazing Job. He will also be photographing Red Riding Hood next week so get excited because it is going to be Amazing!!!
You can purchase some of my photographs online from my Etsy shop
http://www.etsy.com/listing/93636593/angel-postcard-fine-art-photography-547





The pictures of me walking away I look like a child...
I love this picture effect. I don't even remember what site I found it on. I am trying to edit my pictures for free but I am having trouble with fotoflex because it won't download some of my pictures for some strange reason and the other sites won't keep the original picture quality... Anyone know of any good places to edit??
I like dressing Lolita I am working on expanding my collection as of now I only have two items of Lolita clothing : (