Cuppy Cake Lovin'

This week the hub hubs had a project for work in Napa, and since discovering Sift: a Cupcakery { 4.5 stars } on our last trip there, he was sweet enough to pick up some for us (actually mostly for me). They have three locations in the wine country, but I've only been to the Napa location. That one actually shares a space with a clothing and accessories store...kind of weird. Although, in San Mateo there's a froyo place that shares a space with an optometrist. Times are hard...why not share the rent?

Onto the goodness...

Top: Pink Champagne (fresh raspberry cake with champagne frosting; Bottom Left: Irish Car Bomb (rich chocolate Guinness cake with irish cream frosting); Bottom Right: Over the Moon (rich chocolate cake with pink buttercream frosting)

My faves are the Pink Champagne and Knock Your Sox Off (vanilla cake, bevarian cream filling with chocolate ganache). That one is not pictured.

Other cupcakes places I have tried around the Bay Area...

• Sibby's Cupcakery* (all flavors)
• Cups & Cake Bakery
• That Takes The Cake* (red velvet, banana and strawberry)
• Miette Patisserie
• Kara's Cupcakes
• Sprinkle's* (red velvet, banana and strawberry)
• Citizen Cupcake Cafe
• Mission Minis
• Bi-Rite Market
• Sweet Dreams
• Ambrosia Bakery

* my recommendations

These are all the places that I can think of off the top of my head, but for me a lot of these cupcake places have been a disappointment. Also, I have yet to find a place that has really good chocolate cupcakes, however, Sift come pretty close to it in my books.

Then there are cupcakes that I love that you can't eat. My lovely mom hand knitted each and every single one of these babies as the favor for my bridal shower. You can see where I get my craftiness from, but I do wish I was as talented as her.

bye for now...

*bri*

My Day Off

On Monday I didn't have work, I took the day off to go to my doctor's. After my appointment the hub hubs and I went to Delfina Pizzeria in Pac Heights. It was our first time there, and I've heard many good things about this place. However, I think we should have tried the one in the Mission instead. Don't get me wrong the food was good, but it was nothing that I would have to go back for. Here's what we had.

We started with the fritti, which had risotto and oxtail inside. There was definitely a lack of oxtail meat. { 3 stars }

Next we shared a salad, it was just the right portions. Albacore Tuna Conserva with cannellini beans and watercress. { 3.5 stars }

Then of course we had pizza. Prosciutto Pie, which consisted of prosciutto di parma, caciocavallo, mozzarella, pana, and arugula. The prosciutto was really good. { 4 stars }

To top it off we couldn't resist, and had the housemade gelato. Coppa with Tcho Chocolate and Tahitian Vanilla Bean. Yummy! { 4.5 stars }

Overall, I liked the food, but as I mentioned I don't think I'll be going back anytime soon. For now I prefer Delarosa where the pizza is bigger, the service is better, and the prices are a little bit cheaper.

bye for now...

*bri*

Ahoy Matey!

My best friend's baby boy Lennon just turned 1 years old, and had a pirate themed party down in Orange County. Unfortunately, we weren't able to make it, but I'm sure it was a blast. For his card I wanted to make it special, so I decided to make a treasure box. This is how it turned out, and I'm pretty happy with the results.


I bought a box from the craft store, and wrapped the lid with the polka dot paper. The flag and telescope were embellishment stickers (Jolee's), but I made the pirate using different paper punches.


This is the final product. I drew out a treasure map, added some more embellishments, burnt the edges, and added some chocolate coins inside the box. I know he won't be able to eat the chocolates, but maybe his parents will be able to enjoy them. For Lennon's card, I sized a piece of card stock, where I wrote my birthday wishes to him, and adhered it to the bottom side of the lid.

bye for now..

*bri*

Happy Retirement Mom!

In January, my mom retired from her job of 35 years. That's commitment. She's so happy now, and I'm so happy for her. Personally, I have never stayed at a job for longer than 2 1/2 years, but I'll be hitting my 3 year mark with my current job in July.

To celebrate my mom's retirement we bought her some cupcakes from Sibby's Cupcakery, I made her a card, and then we headed to Las Vegas!

This was the retirement card I made for my mom.

In Vegas, we

...stayed at Aria. { 3 stars }

...ate at

• Cafe Vettro at Aria { 1.5 stars }
• The Buffet at Wynn { 4 stars }
• America at New York New York { 3.5 stars}
• Cafe Bellagio { 3 stars}
• Raku Japanese Charcoal Grill { 5 stars }

...shopped at

• The Forum Shops at Caesars { 2.5 stars }
• Fashion Show Mall { 4 stars }
• Miracle Mile { 4 stars}
• Las Vegas Premium Outlets { 4 stars }
• Crystals { 3 stars }
• The Grand Canal Shoppes { 3 stars }
• The Shoppes at the Palazzo { 3 stars }
• Bass Pro Shops { 4 stars }

...watched Cirque du Soleil { 4 stars }

* Disclaimer: my star ratings only reflect my personal opinions.

I can't wait to go back to Vegas to eat at Raku again. The food is so good.

bye for now...

*bri*

About me...

~Picture taken at the Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore in Santa Barbara at the Bella Vista Restaurant~

• I LOVE cupcakes. Love them!


• I married my best friend last year in August, and went to Kauai for our honeymoon.


• I am an amature crafter. I try to make cards instead of buying them.


• I'm very grateful to have loving parents.


• I am a shopaholic, but buy things within my budget. Of course you have to splurge sometimes.


• I love traveling, but I don't get to travel as much as I would like. Two things called work and money hinder a lot of my travel plans.


• I have a closet full of black clothing. It's very monochromatic, but I try to throw in some other colors at times.

• I still don't know what I want to do with my life. Hopefully, one day I'll get to do what I love for a living when I figure that out.


• I'm a shy person.
  

What you'll find on this blog...

• A lot of randomness.


• Things I like and things I don't.


• My recent happenings.


• Craft projects.

bye for now..

*bri*