Happy Movember!

New Creation {Eat}

I have discovered a new dessert. It is kind of a healthy version of apple pie. In my opinion.

Here's what you need to make this:

-1 apple, cut into pieces

-2-3 scoops of fat-free greek yogurt

-2 tablespoon of agave

-1 tablespoon cinnamon 

So yummy!

Friday Faves {Inspiration}

Here are this weeks...
Friday Faves
01. There are only 13 school days left in this semester...13 days and 10 assignments left.
02. There are only 23 weeks left before I graduate!
03. Colder weather means it's time to bring out the mittens. I have a slight obsession with them...they are just so warm and snuggly!
04. New Girl. That show seriously makes me crack up! I see so much of myself in her.
05. Yoga. After a stressful day at school, it's nice way to de-stress.
06. "You can't start the next chapter of your life, if you keep re-reading the last one." That really resonates with me.
07. This cute hairstyle:

Lemon Yogurt Muffins {Eat}

With my current addiction to Pinterest, I have been trying out a lot of new recipes. I happen to love all things lemon, so when I found this muffin recipe I HAD to try it. I loved it so much, I have made them two weeks in a row. They are so light and fluffy!
Okay enough talk. Here's the recipe:

For the cake:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup full-fat plain yogurt (I used low-fat vanilla yogurt)
• 1 1/3 cups sugar, divided
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (2 lemons)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)

For the glaze:

• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter or spray a 9×5 loaf pan, a 24-cup mini-muffin pan or a 12-cup regular-sized muffin pan. (My batch made 24 minis and 3 regular-sized cupcakes.)

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt into small bowl.

In a large bowl, whisk yogurt, 1 cup sugar, eggs, lemon zest and vanilla until blended.

Slowly whisk the flour mixture into the yogurt mixture. Fold the vegetable oil into the batter with a spatula until thoroughly combined.

Pour the batter into the loaf pan or muffin cups. For loaf, bake for 45 to 50 minutes. For regular-sized cupcakes, bake for about 23 to 25 minutes. For mini-cupcakes, bake for about 15 minutes. Cake tester inserted into center of cake should come out clean.

While the cake is baking, combine 1/3 cup lemon juice and remaining 1/3 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is clear. Set aside.

When the cake is done, allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Carefully place each cake upside-down on a baking rack over a sheet pan. While the cake is warm, poke the bottom of each cake all over with a toothpick. Pour the lemon-sugar syrup over the cake slowly and allow to soak for about 10 minutes.

Turn each cake over. Using the syrup that ran off the cake from the first soak, brush/drizzle the syrup over the top of the cake. Allow to cool completely. 

For the glaze, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle over each cake.

Note: This cake is great in loaf form and as cupcakes. I love them both ways. 

Friday Faves {Inspiration}

Sorry I didn't post last Friday, school is getting to that "I'm so busy, I don't even know where to start" phase. But I am here today and have lots of faves, for this weeks...


Friday Faves
01. Long weekends...and the sleep-in's that come with it.
02. Getting a haircut...lets just say that after 3 months, I look like a bush woman!
03. Seeing older couples and how in love they are. It gives me hope that true love and soul mates still exist in this world of divorce.
04. This saying...pretty much the story of my life right now.
05. Once Upon A Time & Ginnifer Goodwin
06. "Small things become great when done with love."
07. Getting a gingerbread latte mainly just for the Starbucks Christmas cup
08. My mom. I seriously love that woman!
09. Making Christmas fudge covered marshmallows at work:

Friday...er Saturday Faves {Inspiration}

Sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday. Between school, group meetings and going to the ballet, I just didn't have a spare minute yesterday! Here are this weeks faves, better late than never!

Friday Faves
01. Halloween inspired fudge apples
02. Wooly socks
03. Doing homework while listening to happy music
04. "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us." -Joseph Campbell
05. This lovelyness
06. Getting dressed up and going to the ballet with friends
07. Watching Little Women again and after 10 years, I still remember ALL the words!

Happy Weekend!

Photo Shoot and Website Updates {Design}

I decided it was time to get some professional shots done of myself. I have gotten pretty handy with my point-and-shoot and iPhone, but they don't always look that professional. I contacted the talented Troy Goldthorp and got some shots done. Here is a peak at the shoot:

Once I had the images, I decided it was time to update my branding. I had created the original branding back when I was in second year; I felt that I had outgrown it and needed an update. So I went back to the drawing board and came up with this:

You can see more of my website here. My blog also got a makeover to match my website and the new branding (as you can see right now and for the last couple of days).

What do you think of the new branding of my website and blog? Have any comments or suggestions?

Chunky, Knit Socks {DIY}

It went down to -11 degrees celsius last night. It was a bit chilly this morning when I left for school. With winter approaching, I want/need a good pair of wooly, warm socks. Something to wear with boots, or pull on after a long day. Something like this:

found here

 My mom is a knitting guru, so it is natural that I would find a free DIY pattern for her to knit. I have been scoring Pinterest and Google for something and have come across this and this. Now all I have to do is decide which one, find the perfect wool and get my mom a knittin'!!!