Never Turn Down A Cupcake: September 2018

Friday, September 28, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 28th, 2018

Dessert for Two: Chocolate pudding.
Creme de la Crumb: Salted caramel stuffed double chocolate cookies.
The Pioneer Woman: Potato bread.
Bake at 350: Spiced chocolate sandwich cookies with pumpkin cream filling.
The Kitchn: Garlic chicken with tomato butter sauce.

Bath and Body Works - Fall Finds

Happy Friday everyone! I purchased these from Bath and Body Works a few weeks ago, but now that we're officially into Fall I wanted to share them. Of course I love the pumpkin and apple themed items every year when they come out, but I was pleasantly surprised to see such a nice variety of items that they had out this year.

I normally buy the foaming soap (like the Autumn Pumpkin on the upper right), but I'm glad I tried out the Nourishing hand soaps as well - they're both great! Especially the Marshmallow Pumpkin Latte that I'm currently using - it's a soft pumpkin scent with a strong vanilla/cream accent, which I love. The pumpkin shaped candle for me is definitely less about the candle inside and more about the soft blush shade- even after I finish the candle I will definitely be keeping the container as decoration. Finally, I used a free item coupon to try the foaming mousse hand sanitizer. I like that the mousse doesn't dry your hands out, and it's the perfect size to keep in your purse or car. I will definitely be back for more of the hand soaps soon!

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 27th, 2018

Joy the Baker: Toasted marshmallow milkshake.
Seasons and Suppers: Pumpkin sheet cake with cream cheese frosting.
Oh Sweet Basil: Sun dried tomato bacon pesto grilled cheese.
The Cozy Apron: Apple fritters.
Handle the Heat: Pumpkin cake with whipped ganache.

Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 26th, 2018

Table for Two: Pan-fried sesame garlic tofu.
Bakerella: The Museum of Ice Cream.
Two Peas and Their Pod: Chicken and dumplings.
The Kitchn: Fall foods at Trader Joe's.
Gimme Some Oven: Magic garlicky tofu.

Trader Joe's - Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

I love this time of year when Trader Joe's brings out the Fall items by the truckload, haha. I love trying just about all the Fall foods, and this pumpkin ravioli is definitely a must-have for me! The filling is a great balance of sweet and savory flavors, and I love that the pasta is orange and yellow for the perfect Fall themed pasta. The seasonal items are usually only around for a few weeks, so be sure to pick this up if you want to try it out!

Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 25th, 2018

The Cozy Apron: Orecchiette with pork Ragu.
Crazy for Crust: Chocolate fudge pie.
Gimme Some Oven: Baked tofu.
Averie Cooks: Chocolate cake mix M&M cookies.
Dessert for Two: Cookie dough cake.

Monday, September 24, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 24th, 2018

The First Year Blog: Applesauce spice crumb muffins.
Two Peas and Their Pod: Pumpkin bread.
The Kitchn: Creamy garlic pasta.
SoraNews 24: Starbucks Japan's sweet potato drinks.
Table for Two: Oven-baked honey butter ribs.

Target - $1 Mini Pumpkins

Happy first full week of Fall! I saw these pumpkins a few days ago in the Target dollar section and they are so tiny and cute! I love that they come in colors other than the regular orange pumpkins too, they'll go with just about any existing home decor.

I bought one and later received a few more as a gift from friends, which turned out to be really good timing - the Target where I took the photos above didn't have any left just a day later! Since it's still September I would think they will be restocked, but if anyone is interested definitely check back often.

I love switching over to Fall decorations around my home, and these mini pumpkins are a great addition to my existing pumpkin items!

Friday, September 21, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 21st, 2018

The Kitchn: Crispy Parmesan garlic chicken.
I Heart Naptime: Corn chowder.
Love Swah: Peanut butter chocolate cupcakes.
Damn Delicious: Creamy beef and shells.
Cookies and Cups: Sour cream apple cake.

Marshalls - Treat Yo Self Mug

Happy Friday everyone! While it's a grey and rainy day over here, just a friendly reminder to enjoy your weekend - maybe even with a doughnut or two, haha. I came across this cute pink mug at my local Marshalls - there are always so many cute mugs at these stores!

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 20th, 2018

Oh Sweet Basil: Healthy Thai peanut steak salad.
Serious Eats: Cake recipes.
Cookies and Cups: Krispie treat chocolate chip cookies.
Handle the Heat: Caramel stuffed chocolate cupcakes.
Crazy for Crust: No bake pumpkin pie.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 19th, 2018

The Kitchn: Skillet Gnocchi mac and cheese skillet.
The Live-In Kitchen: Crispy tofu.
Seasons and Suppers: Pumpkin bread.
My Baking Addiction: Creamy Pesto pasta with shrimp.
Crazy for Crust: Pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting.

Din Tai Fung - Bellevue, WA

I always try to go to Din Tai Fung at least once when I'm in Seattle - it's just too good to pass up since there isn't one by me! In addition to the soup dumplings, I also love the side dishes like the rice cakes and fried rice - it's all delicious.

During my recent visit, I noticed two new fun things at the restaurant - the first being a Lego model of the restaurant, haha! I love the window that shows the workers making the little soup dumplings inside.

On our way out I stopped to look at the little stand of merchandise that is sold there - and had to get this little shrimp Shumai keychain, haha. I have a soup dumpling one from a past visit that I currently use, but this one is too cute to pass up!

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 18th, 2018

A Spicy Perspective: Easy chicken Pad Thai.
The Kitchn: One-bowl apple Bundt cake.
Style Sweet CA: Chocolate peanut butter caramel cupcakes.
Averie Cooks: Mini chocolate chip pumpkin bread.
Dessert for Two: Small batch biscuits.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 17th, 2018

Handle the Heat: Chocolate cake.
Seasons and Suppers: Mexican street corn soup.
How Sweet Eats: Honeycrisp crush.
The Kitchn: Breakfast grain bowl.
Serious Eats: Garlic Confit.

Starbucks - Seattle Been There Series Mug

I couldn't resist picking up this Been There Series Seattle mini mug on my recent trip to Starbucks - it helps that it's a good size to squeeze into a carry on bag, haha. I love the city-specific drawings all packed on to the small mug. If your tree is big enough, it also comes with a string on it so they make sure cute Christmas tree ornaments! I've seen these in person in only a few cities so far, so I'm happy to have one from the birthplace of Starbucks :o)

Friday, September 7, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 7th, 2018

A Spicy Perspective: Creamy tomato Tortellini soup.
Cookies and Cups: Outrageous cookies and cream cookies.
The Comfort of Cooking: Homemade Naan.
Kirbie's Cravings: Caprese chicken.
Crazy for Crust: Pumpkin muffins.

Shake Shack - Cabin John/Potomac, MD

I am super excited to have a Shake Shack that is close to my house, woohoo! The Cabin John/Potomac MD location had its grand opening yesterday, so I hustled over as soon as I could after work to check it out. I love what they did with the entrance/patio area with all the different seating configurations. You see one person in the photo here, but when I was leaving the patio was packed with a huge line going outside the door - I got there at just the right time!

I was mostly looking forward to seeing what concrete flavors are available at this location, because this varies at pretty much every Shake Shack. I've seen the Shack Attack before but the Cookie Butter Blender is new to me, and sounded delicious! I love that the Pie Oh My concrete usually pairs with a local baker (Sweetly Anchored Patisserie here), and donates a portion of the proceeds to charity!

My main focus was the Custards, but I figured I should also get some dinner as well, haha. I got the regular single hamburger and a single Cookie Butter Blender concrete.

Can I just say - I really appreciate when the concretes are made well. You can see all the components that make up the concrete, but it's still blended together properly. I've had some before that were clearly rushed or sitting out for too long where it looks messy, and this one was perfect! Anyone that likes cookie butter/Biscoff cookies will love this one!

Shake Shack Cabin John/Potomac
7997 Tuckerman Lane
Potomac, Maryland 20854

Thursday, September 6, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 6th, 2018

The Kitchn: Creamy garlic shrimp.
Oh Sweet Basil: Apple cake with caramel frosting.
Handle the Heat: Three easy cinnamon rolls.
Kirbie's Cravings: Soft chocolate chip cookies.
Smitten Kitchen: Cacio e Pepe.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Lunchtime Links for September 5th, 2018

The Kitchn: Peanut chicken power bowls.
Love and Olive Oil: Old fashioned fudge sauce.
Seasons and Suppers: Birthday cake Gelato.
Oh Sweet Basil: Mexican cheesy ground beef and rice casserole.
The First Year Blog: Doctored up caramel cake.

UNIQLO Pike & Rose

I am a big fan of UNIQLO's clothes and accessories, so I was very excited to find out a store was opening in the Pike & Rose neighborhood! I went during both the soft opening on August 31st and the grand opening on September 1st to check it out.

The grand opening started off with some Taiko drumming performances and free Kung Fu Tea bubble teas, which were much appreciated while waiting in line to head inside. While it's a relatively small store, it's organized well and there's a good mix of comfy basics and seasonal (currently fall/early Winter) items all available.

For me, the best items at UNIQLO are the basics and lounge pieces - so comfy! I have a lot of the HEATTECH and AIRism shirts, and their lounge pants are great too. They regularly have seasonal items on sale, so it'll be really nice to have one nearby where I can pop in to see what's new and on sale!