Florida Wedding Weekend

I'm off to the airport again- this time for a my good friend E's wedding in sunny Florida! I'm looking forward to celebrating such a wonderful couple and enjoying the nice weather. Have a great weekend everyone!

Lunchtime Links for November 29th, 2012

• A Kitchen Addiction: Chai spiced pumpkin cheesecake bars.
• Serious Eats: Sausage gravy.
• Tasty Kitchen: Pumpkin cornbread.
• Table for Two: Sweet potato and sage butter casserole.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Nutella swirl pumpkin bread.

Wanderlust by La Mer Collections at Target

I will admit, I'm not a huge fan of wearing watches, but I have a few in my rotation that I like to wear from time to time.  I've seen La Mer watches before, mostly in cute boutique stores, and loved the idea of having something that worked as a bracelet and a watch.  So, I was REALLY excited when I heard that there was a special Wanderlust by La Mer collection at Target, and couldn't wait to see them in person!

I got one in Beige - I figured this was a good neutral to have as a basic every day watch.  It's been really great - the straps are nice and soft, and I like that it wraps around like multiple bracelets. There are multiple strap holes so these should fit just about anyone's wrist.  Funny sidenote - I got stopped by a TSA agent on my way to Seattle, and while I thought she was telling me to take off my watch, she was really asking about it since she liked the way it looked, haha.

They have a number of different colors and styles available, including ones with chains and other extra pieces added to the regular watch strap.  They're all super cute and would be a fun gift for any friends, family, or yourself :o)

Lunchtime Links for November 28th, 2012

• Kirbie's Cravings: 5 minute pumpkin cookies. 
• Cookies & Cups: Nutella pastry cookies.
• Table For Two: Garlic mashed potatoes.
• The Kitchen Magpie: Giant Reese's PB cup skillet brownie.
• My Baking Addiction: Pumpkin mocha cupcakes.

Shake Shack - Pumpkin Pie Oh My! Concrete

Earlier in November, these magical words showed up on my Facebook feed:

"Autumn just got sweeter…our PUMPKIN PIE, OH MY! Concrete is back. From Nov. 12th – Dec. 2nd, cozy up to Fall with our vanilla frozen custard blended with a slice of pumpkin pie. Taste for yourself why this is our most popular concrete, ever!"

HECK YES!!

I recently was in the area meeting up with my Theta grandlittle who just moved to town, so it was the perfect opportunity to introduce her to the wonders of Shake Shack, and also force her to split a Pumpkin Pie, Oh My!.

This was sooooooooooooooooo good.  Yes, it's just pumpkin pie with vanilla ice cream, but it's like jumping into a giant vat of it, in the best way possible. I am so glad I got to try it out since it's a seasonal item, and I loooooooove me some pumpkin items in case you didn't notice, haha.  And FYI, we split the small size and still couldn't finish it, so if anyone tries out the large size and lives to talk about it, let me know.

Lunchtime Links for November 27th, 2012

• A Kitchen Addiction: Quick and easy peanut butter fudge. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: 5-minute Nutella cookie. 
• Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Recap from TVGasm. 
• Eat, Live, Run: Sweet potato cinnamon rolls.
• My Baking Addiction: Pumpkin cheesecake. 

Wanted: Dunkin' Donuts Red Velvet Drizzle Donut

Oh man... anyone that knows me would know that Red Velvet + Cream Cheese + seasonal item = I WANT.

As soon as I saw this Red Velvet Drizzle Donut on the Dunkin' Donuts Facebook page, I knew that I had to put it on my radar.  I'm really hoping that the DD by work, or the DD by my house will have this available.  If anyone sees this at their local DD and tries it out, let me know what you think!

Lunchtime Links for November 26th, 2012

• Steamy Kitchen: Chicken salad with sesame miso dressing. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Favorite pumpkin bread. 
• Table for Two: Butternut squash soup. 
• Picky Palate: Giant salted pumpkin chocolate chunk cookies. 
• Bake at 350: Pumpkin cheesecake brownies. 

Starbucks - Holiday Drink Stamp Promotion

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving break!

If you went to a Starbucks over the Thanksgiving holiday, you may already know about this, but in case you haven't:

From November 19th through January 2nd, Starbucks is offering a holiday beverage sticker card - collect a sticker each time you buy a holiday beverage, and get a grande drink of your choice once you get 5 stickers!  The eligible holiday drinks are: Caramel Brulee latte, Peppermint mocha, Eggnog latte, and Gingerbread latte.

This is a great deal if you're a big fan of the holiday drinks - why not enjoy a holiday drink and eventually earn a free one while you're at it?

I found the sticker card stacked in a pile next to the register, but if you don't see one right away be sure to ask for it!  My only wish is that they would include the Pumpkin Spice latte as a "holiday" drink as well, if that was the case I'd be well on my way to a free beverage, haha. 

Thanksgiving Week

Hi everyone!  I am currently in Seattle with my family for Thanksgiving week so the blog will be taking a holiday break as well. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and eat ALL THE PUMPKIN THINGS (hah)

Lunchtime Links for November 16th, 2012

• Eat, Live, Run: Chocolate chip pumpkin pancakes. 
• Real Housewives of Beverly Hills: Recap from TVGasm. 
• How Sweet It Is: Pumpkin s'mores cupcakes. 
• Picky Palate: One bowl buttermilk pancakes. 
• Adventures in Cooking: Dark chocolate chip pumpkin cookies with cream cheese glaze. 

Lady Gaga's Meat Dress

Here it is folks - the real deal Lady Gaga Meat Dress from the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards!

The infamous dress is a part of an impressive collection of female artists' clothing, personal items, and historical memorabilia as part of the "Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power" exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.  In addition to a few pieces from Lady Gaga (including her childhood piano), there are lots of stage outfits and other pieces from artists ranging from Billie Holiday to Taylor Swift.  It's a great exhibit and a fun opportunity to see these pieces up close and in person!

And for anyone that is still wondering - yes, real meat was used to make this dress. And yes, it has been preserved for display purposes, haha.

Lunchtime Links for November 15th, 2012

• Kirbie's Cravings: Cinnamon pumpkin soft pretzels. 
• Two Peas and Their Pod: Nutella drop biscuits. 
• Picky Palate: Hearty chicken pumpkin soup. 
• Bakerella: Jingle bell cake pops.
• Eat Yourself Skinny: Sausage, sage, and apple stuffing. 

Starbucks Buy One Get One Event

It's back!  The Starbucks holiday season Buy One Get One drink event starts today and goes through Sunday the 18th, from 2-5pm each day.

This is a great chance to catch up with a friend before the crazy rush of the holidays, or to try out one of the holiday specialty drinks for cheaper (Caramel Brulee Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Gingerbread Latte). I tried the Caramel Brulee recently and it's a very decadent but delicious drink!

Lunchtime Links for November 14th, 2012

• Kirbie's Cravings: Soft Nutella cookies. 
• Serious Eats: Pumpkin spice doughnuts.
• No. 2 Pencil: Chicken pot pie soup.
• Crepes of Wrath: Chocolate whoopie pies with pumpkin custard filling.
• Table for Two: Reese's cups brownies. 

Georgetown Cupcake - Free Candy Bar Spider Web Cupcake

Over the weekend prior to Halloween, Georgetown Cupcake offered two fun free secret flavors: Candy Bar Spider Web and Halloween Lava Fudge.  The photo above is of the Candy Bar Spider Web cupcakes that we got - the Halloween Lava Fudge looked exactly the same on the outside haha.

This Candy Bar Spider Web cupcake consisted of a chocolate cake with chunks of Snickers mixed in, orange-colored vanilla buttercream frosting, and a fudge spider web on top.  The addition of the Snickers bar chunks added some texture which was nice.  I usually love when Georgetown Cupcake adds mix-ins to regular cupcakes, and this one was no exception.  Both Halloween-themed cupcakes were a delicious way to celebrate!

Lunchtime Links for November 13th, 2012

• Kirbie's Cravings: Pumpkin spice doughnuts.
• Thought Catalog: Little-known facts about Mean Girls. 
• My Baking Addiction: Pumpkin cream cheese muffins.
• Serious Eats: Dumplings in Seattle.
• Picky Palate: Skillet baked candy bar stuffed double cookie.

Starbucks Pumpkin Scone

After a long season of searching, I finally came across the Starbucks Pumpkin Scone on a day when I wasn't even looking for it, haha!

According to my Starbucks app, it is a "pumpkin spiced scone dipped in a sugar glaze and double-iced with cinnamon and vanilla icing".  The app also told me that this is 480 calories, which I definitely didn't need to know about, so share it with a friend like I did :o)

So the funny thing is, I don't even really like scones. Personally, I find most scones to be too hard, brittle, and heavy to actually enjoy. However, the main reason that I liked this one is because it is nothing like a real scone, haha.  It was more like a big pumpkin cookie with icing on top, and that was perfectly ok with me.  If you are a fan of pumpkin cookies and find one of these near you, I'd recommend trying it out for a seasonal treat!

Lunchtime Links for November 12th, 2012

• Buzzfeed: 21 ways to bling out brownies.
• How Sweet It Is: Chocolate fudge peanut butter cake.  
• Table for Two: Pumpkin pasta with turkey sausage.
• Eat, Live, Run: Lightened up Snickers pie. 
• Two Peas and Their Pod: Chocolate peanut butter cup cupcakes.

Baked & Wired: Flapjack & Unporked Elvis Cupcakes

A while back N and I were in Georgetown and hit up one of our favorite spots, Baked & Wired.  I saw a Serious Eats post about the Flapjack cupcake, and I knew I had to try it ASAP.

On the back left we have the Unporked Elvis, and on the right we have the Flapjack:

Flapjack maple brown butter cupcake with caramel buttercream and candied bacon on top.

Elvis Impersonator AKA The Unporked Elvis Banana cupcake topped with peanut butter frosting and drizzled with chocolate.

Both of the cupcakes were delicious, but I have to say I really enjoyed the maple brown butter cupcake portion of the Flapjack cupcake was Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious. Super super super tasty. Trying both of these cupcakes at the same time was a little overwhelming but it had to be done... ok not really, but it was pretty fun, haha.

I would recommend either of these cupcakes, but probably the Flapjack one moreso because I really loved the cake portion of it. But hey, either one should satisfy anyone's sweet tooth :o)

Lunchtime Links for November 9th, 2012

• Eat, Live, Run: Salted caramel chocolate cookie bars. 
• Table for Two: Pasta sauce.  
• Cookies & Cups: Blondie ice cream sandwiches.  
• The Pioneer Woman: Corn dog muffins. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Healthier pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

Frankenstein Is Not Impressed

The McKayla Maroney Effect can occur just about anywhere - including Halloween-themed baking cups at Target, haha!  These are currently on sale for a deep discount, if your local Target is still carrying the old Halloween/seasonal items. I can't wait to use these next fall!

Lunchtime Links for November 8th, 2012

• The Cozy Apron: Pancakes 'n' bacon cookies. 
• Raspberri Cupcakes: Cake batter ice cream sandwiches.
• Cookies & Cups: Peanut butter pretzel bars. 
• Cupcakes for Breakfast: Pumpkin snickerdoodles. 
• Bakerella: Bat cupcakes. 

Trader Joe's Coffee Latte & Cream Bars

From the box:

Just coffee, cream and all natural ingredients make up these indulgent frozen treats make for us down under in Australia.  The ideal blend of smooth, rich tasting coffee is sourced by the family-owned company and blended with fresh cream to create this unique dessert.  The real coffee ice cream is balanced with the refreshing cream to make this a delicious "almost latte" experience.  You push the bar right up through the seal on the individual package and have no stick to mess with at the end.  Pretty neat and very delicious!

This is another great find from Trader Joe's, especially if you're a fan of coffee ice cream!  It was a little strange to find that these ice cream bars are stick-less, but it works easily as a "push-pop" type ice cream.  The combination of coffee and cream ice cream flavors work really well together - this is a delicious little treat for a snack or dessert!  Also, the small rectangular shape may lend itself to being layered on top of a warm brownie.... yum!

Lunchtime Links for November 7th, 2012

• The Kitchn: Asian noodle soups. 
• Table for Two: Pumpkin peanut butter cookies.
• I Heart Naptime: Sugar cookie bars. 
• A Kitchen Addiction: Peanut butter glazed chocolate chip doughnuts. 
• Tasty Kitchen: Apple cider doughnuts.

Hello Kitty 2012 Campaign HQ - Living Social, DC

Earlier this month I posted about the Hello Kitty Presidential Campaign at LivingSocial in DC - well, here is a little photo tour of what there was to see at the campaign headquarters!

Hand-crafted paper Hello Kitty, and a super cute HK-version of Mount Rushmore

Lots of fun Hello Kitty/political artwork on the walls of LivingSocial

This piece in particular cracked me up - the bear in the back right especially

The view of the headquarters from outside

This is the cute, comfy limited edition t-shirt I bought in the upper level shop.  There were a few t-shirt designs, as well as keychains, bow headbands, art prints, tote bags, etc.  On the top right of the photo is the free button and sticker that I got from the event. Lots of cute, fun stuff for any Hello Kitty fan! 

Lunchtime Links for November 6th, 2012

• The Kitchn: Pumpkin and brown butter blondies. 
• Cupcakes for Breakfast: Pumpkin cupcakes with brown butter cream cheese frosting.
• Kirbie's Cravings: Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  
• My Baking Addiction: Pumpkin brownies.
• Glitter Guide: Halloween compost cookies.

Bigelow Fall Teas

I bought these Bigelow seasonal teas last fall, and looked forward to their return this year.  Luckily, with a sale and coupons, I also managed to get them for a great price as well - 2/$5 on sale + two $0.55 coupons that doubled to $1.10 each. Check your local stores because these will likely go on sale if they haven't already, being a Fall item.

Since the Bigelow website seems to be keen on extensive (and sort of funny, in an unintentional way) descriptions, I figured I'd let the teas speak for themselves, haha:

Apple Cider Herbal Tea-  Fall in love with Bigelow® Apple Cider Herbal Tea. There's nothing like a crisp, cool Autumn day to turn trees vibrant hues and our attention to the weekend ritual of football games, apple picking, raking leaves... And there is no better way to warm up after a day in the fresh outdoors than with a steaming cup of Bigelow Apple Cider Herbal Tea. An all-natural blend of premium herbs and spices, Apple Cider Herbal Tea is big on flavor but has no caffeine and no calories - just sweeten to taste for a healthful, soul-warming treat the whole family will enjoy often.

Pumpkin Spice Tea- Fall in love with Bigelow® Pumpkin Spice Tea. The harvest moon brings bountiful blessings for us to enjoy, not the least of which is Bigelow Pumpkin Spice Tea. Smooth and satisfying, its rich, round flavor is a masterful blend of the finest, mountain-grown teas. Pumpkin Spice Tea has no calories - just sweeten to taste for an Autumn treat that is sure to warm the hearts of family, friends and all who gather 'round. 20 individually foil wrapped tea bags per box.

Now doesn't that make you feel all fall festive and cozy?

Lunchtime Links for November 5th, 2012

• Bakerella: Candy corn and spider web cake pops. 
• Serious Eats: Chocolate peanut butter jack-o-lantern cookies. 
• Cookies & Cups: Lightened up pumpkin cream cheese swirl bars. 
• The Kitchn: Apple cider recipes.
• How Sweet It Is: Fudge striped pumpkin peanut butter cookies.

Shake Shack - Figs & Coach Farms Goat Cheese Custard

Back in September I headed over to Shake Shack to try out the Figs & Coach Farms Goat Cheese custard... yeah, not something you see everyday, right?

Much like many of the other non-chocolate custards, this special flavor looked exactly like a regular vanilla custard at first glance, haha.  I was always suspicious that they gave me regular custard in the beginning, but I've since come to realize that a lot of them look plain on the outside.

The goat cheese flavor was very pronounced, but not overbearing.  I felt like it added an extra level of creaminess as well as some tart flavor to the custard base.  As far as the fig portion, I can't recall any big pieces of figs being visible, but there were specks of fruit mixed in as well.  I find that many of their special flavor custards are blended really well, to the point that the flavors are more so tasted than seen.  This was a good and creative flavor - any goat cheese fans will love this one!

*Update: Shake Shack provided me a link with more information on Coach Farms here!

Lunchtime Links for November 2nd, 2012

• Serious Eats: All of the cream puffs at Pacific Puffs, San Francisco. 
• Bake at 350: Rosy little pumpkin cupcakes. 
• My Baking Addiction: Sugar and spice cupcakes.  
• Picky Palate: Pumpkin brownie cupcakes with vanilla bean buttercream. 
• Kirbie's Cravings: Pumpkin frozen yogurt.

Shake Shack - November Custard Flavors

Another new month of Shake Shack custards, woohoo!

Monday: Toffee Pear
Tuesday: Pretz-idential Caramel
Wednesday: Pumpkin Pie
Thursday: Apple Spice Cake
Friday: Cranberry Almond Marzipan
Saturday: Maple Cheesecake
Sunday: Chocolate Hazelnut

Mmm, lots of fun-sounding Fall flavors!  Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday are definitely on my to-do- list!

Lunchtime Links for November 1st, 2012

• Kirbie's Cravings: Pumpkin hot chocolate. 
• Serious Eats: Chocolate peanut butter cup ice cream. 
• Penny Pincher Fashion: The classic trench.
• Eat Yourself Skinny: Iced pumpkin cookies.  
• A Kitchen Addiction: Soft baked ginger cookies with pumpkin pie dip.

Hello Kitty Campaign Event - Living Social, DC

11/02 update: The pop-up Campaign Headquarters will be at the Living Social space through November 6th, with events and prizes throughout!  Also, the proceeds from the upper level store merchandise sales are going to the Red Cross - Hurricane Sandy relief fund!

How awesome is this???

For whatever reason, Hello Kitty is doing a presidential campaign event today at the Living Social space in DC, haha.  Unfortunately it's running through the work day so I won't be able to get there until later, but it sounds like a fun event if you're in the area!

(E-flyer courtesy of Washingtonian)