happy sunday...

xoxo

Alexandra

orange you happy

{all images from rustic rooster pinterest}

Truth when I look at the color orange I don't really get the feeling of happiness... It does wake me up though! Not saying, orange isn't a pretty color it just doesn't evoke joy in my eyes! But, after looking at these images I do feel awake and ready to conquer the day! What's your feeling about orange?

garage doors

 

Q U E S T I O N... Why don't people focus on their garages and make them look pretty? Hmmm maybe the question really is, why don't garage door companies give more pretty options that aren't custom for the general consumer. I know garage doors can be pricy, but oh man if I were in that line of business I would be killing it! lol I guess what I'm trying to say is, I wouldn't give my customers only choice A, B and C... I would add D, E and F to the selections! For the same cost. Then if a customer wants to get supper fancy like a wood garage door, more windows or different style windows... etc. Then let the price go up, up and up! What do you think? Keep them simple or go crazy and make them pretty {cool}?!?! You all know my answer! What's yours... 

fall feels

{all images from rustic rooster pinterest} 

Fall is around the corner... Little signs are starting to pop up here and there and guess what I'm ready!  Truth... I'm craving cool breezes, leaves changing and cozy camel sweaters {mixed with leopard accessories}! All these images make summer coming to a close A OK for me! I can handle it! I know San Diego's fall is n o t h i n g like an east coast fall, but I'll take what I can get here in my quaint little seaside town! Burnt orange here and rustic red there... Bring it on {smile}!  What images come to mind when you think of fall... Please share! 

monday {menu}

PRINT

{recipe from here}

HONEY EARL GREY FIG CAKE

INGREDIENTS

Earl Grey Cake:

• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 2 earl grey tea bags
• 1 1/2 cups cake flour
• 1/2 Tablespoon ( 1 1/2 teaspoons) baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla paste, or vanilla extract
• 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

Honey Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
• 4 oz unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 Tablespoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Toppings:

• figs
• honey
• pistachios

INSTRUCTIONS

Earl Grey Cake:

1. Microwave milk for 90 seconds to 2 minutes until very hot. Steep tea bags for 20 minutes. Squeeze out as much liquid from tea bags. Remove tea bags.  Stir in egg whites and vanilla paste. Set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and flour two 6-inch cake pans. Line with parchment paper and set aside.
3. Sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together softened butter and sugar. Add 1/3 of dry flour mixture. Mix on low speed. Add 1/2 of liquid mixture. Continue to mix on low speed and add another 1/3 of dry flour mixture. Add remaining liquid mixture. Mix on low and add remaining 1/3 of dry flour mixture. Scrape down bowl as needed to ensure thorough mixing. Batter should be smooth. 
5. Divide batter between two prepared cake pans. Level batter using the back of a spoon or a mini offset spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes, rotating once halfway through baking. Allow to cool in pan for 5 minutes before unmolding. Place cake on wire rack and allow to cool to room temperature

Honey Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Scrape down bowl as needed. Add confectioners' sugar, honey, and salt. Mix until frosting is smooth and thoroughly combine.

Assembly:

1. Level cooled cake as needed. Place one cake layer on a cake stand or cake plate. Spread a generous amount of honey cream cheese frosting into an even layer over cake. Place another cake layer on top. Top with frosting. Place sliced figs on top of cake. Sprinkle pistachios on top. Drizzle honey as desired. Keep cake stored in the fridge until ready to serve. Let cake sit at room temperature for 20 minutes to allow cake to soften. Drizzle additional honey, as desired, before serving.

   
   

   
   

happy sunday...