25. Buy Sprinkles Cupcakes for MYSELF!

Okay, so kind of selfish... BUT it was well worth it!

If you haven't tried these cupcakes, try them and you'll know what I mean

David and I took a day to ourselves to just be adventerous! Our day started out a little rough, I'm not going to lie.  David was sick and I spilt my hot tea on myself in the car.. but we weren't going to let that get us down!! We drove to Irvine to take a ride on the FREE hot air balloon and the Great Park ... and the park was closed :(

STILL! We were determined to have a great day.  We drove down to Corona Del Mar and had a great time sitting by the beach and walking around a little bit.  On our way to lunch in Balboa, we stopped at SPRINKLES CUPCAKES

in Newport Beach, just a mile or so from where we already were (it was meant to be).

I was so excited to get in on these very popular desserts!  I ordered a vanilla cupcake with sprinkles, a vanilla cake and chocolate frosting cupcake, and a gluten free red velvet cupcake.. :))

I got into the parking lot, and couldn't resist but to try one! 

It would have been a long drive before getting home to properly eat one

So I stopped outside in the parking lot, handed David my phone and told him to capture what was about to happen....

They're just the most adorable looking cupcakes ever!

 First bite...

DELICIOUS!!!! I would have put two thumbs up if I could!

And then.. I couldn't resist but go in for another..

Lets just say, I was one very HAPPY girl!

Goal Completed!!!

97. Try making a new recipe each month - December AND 53. Bake a dessert from scratch!

Who doesn't love a 2-in-1 special??

Erin threw a holiday "Cookie Swap" party this past Christmas and after searching around for a recipe, I looked to a new cookie cookbook I bought at Target (for $5!) and decided to bake

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies!

I wasn't sure how this would turn out because I have never used real fruit in a dessert recipe before, it's usually chocolate related or artificial, but these were legit!

I made these cookies from scratch, VERY easy, and it was also a new recipe for me for December!

Ingredients:

12 ounces of fresh strawberries, diced
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 cups of all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
2 teaspoon of baking powder
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2/3 cup heavy cream
Sanding sugar, for sprinking (optional)

Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper
2.  Combind strawberries, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of sugar.
3.  Whisk flour, salt, baking powder, and ramining 7 tablespoons of sugar in large bowl.
4.  Cut in the butter using a pastry cutter, or rub in using your fingers, until mixgture resembles coarse crumbs.

5.  Stir in cream until dough starts to come together, add strawberry mixture and stir gently.

6.  Using a 1 1/2 inch ice cream scoop or a tablespoon, drop dough onto lined baking sheets, leaving appropriate spacing.
*7.  Sprinkle sanding sugar if using.

8.  Bake 23-35 minutes or until golden brown and then transfer to a wire rack to cool

**Cookies are best served on the day they're baked! This is very true!! If you're going to eat them another day, warm them up!

P.S. This was a bit of a messy recipe, so I couldn't take a lot of pictures :(

Zodiac signs have changed!

and I am pissed!!!! "hoooold up!
Before you consult your cosmo astrology for best mates
make sure you check this," - Erin

There has been a new sign added because the Earth's alignment has changed; therefore, creating new dates for the signs that we all know so well.  In result, a new date range has been added that is throwing the rest off!  Parke Kunkle says that as the Earth and Sun slowly move the signs gradually change, as expected.

The change didn't happen over night either. The 12 signs were designated to different periods of the year almost 3,000 years ago, when astrology began, and since then the Earth's position in relation to the sun has changed.  Below is a list of the new date ranges for the signs, better check yours because most of us have changed:

Capricorn: Jan. 20 - Feb. 16
Aquarius: Feb. 16 - March 11
Pisces: March 11- April 18
Aries: April 18 - May 13
Taurus: May 13 - June 21
Gemini: June 21 - July 20
Cancer: July 20 - Aug. 10
Leo: Aug. 10 - Sept. 16
Virgo: Sept. 16 - Oct. 30
Libra: Oct. 30 - Nov. 23
Scorpio: Nov. 23 - Nov. 29
Ophiuchus: Nov. 29 - Dec. 17 - New signSagittarius: Dec. 17 - Jan. 20

Although this list states that I am now a Pices, I am and will always be an Aries.  I was born an Aries and I will always to refer to myself as such!

ONE word...

Erin failed at this.. but lets see if I can give it a chance.

Your Cell Phone? Obsessed
Your Significant Other? David
Your Hair? Changing
Your Mother? FABULOUS
Your Father? Hilarious
Your Favorite? Teaching
Your Dream Last Night? Scary
Your Favorite Drink? Collins
Your Dream/Goal? Happiness
What Room Are You In? Office
Your Hobby? Attire
Your Fear? Lonliness
Where Do You See Yourself In Six Years? Bliss
Where Were You Last Night? Felon
Something That You Aren’t? Quiet
Muffins? Yum!
Wish List Item? Credential
Where Did You Grow Up? Cali
Last Thing You Did? ATE
What Are You Wearing? Boots
Your TV? Tiny
Your Pets? AMAZING
Your Computer? Running
Friends? Adored
Your Life? Crazy
Your Mood? Exhausted
Missing Someone? London
Your Car? Dirty!
Your Work? OLD
Something You Aren’t Wearing? Perfume
Your Favorite Store? Forevs
Your Favorite Color? Girly
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? AM
Last Time You Cried? December
One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? Erins
Favorite Place To Eat? Chipotle

BAM!

75. Go on a roadtrip!

December 26-28th, 2010

Alex, David, Erin, and Danny depart from California travelling roughly 300+ miles to Arizona to visit family.

We left pretty stinking early considering the day before was Christmas and David and I had traveled to Temecula area to spend Christmas with his Dad's side of the family.  I was a late evening due to the weather and traffic, but we managed to get up early with a smile on our faces in order make this trip magical! And I must say, that it was exactly that!

We didn't get any photos of us on our way up, I think we were all too tired for that, but I did snap a few at the beginning of our trip back...

 David and I love traveling together, although we have only really gone as far as Vegas and Arizona.. so we haven't done much.. yet!

 We're a silly bunch! But the boys didn't want to play for this shot.

 All smiles.. very tired smiles - but smiles none-the-less!

And then the boys come out of their shell!.. well David at least!

We had a blast in Arizona! Visiting our niece had to be the best ever!! She is the cutest little thing and makes us laugh, it was really hard to leave her and Danielle.  Only urges us to go back ASAP!

Overall - successful trip!

71. Go to a comedy show

When adding this goal to my list, I envisioned sitting at The Improv watching a stand up comedian.  But this opportunity could not be passed up! It was free, it involves an entertainer who happens to be one of my absolute favorites, and I was able to bring 4 other people.. for FREE!

Ridiculousness is the show.

Rob Dyrdek is the host.

Johnny Knoxville and Chanel are the guests.

My excitement was through the roof!

Basically this show is called Ridiculousness and it features video clips, from YouTube or other sites where people have submitted their captured stunts, and Rob categorizes them into different titles and presents them for laughs.  It was pretty funny, I must say.  Especially with Johnny Knoxville there! That was a surprise when we got there, we weren't sure who was going to be the guest and I was pleasantly surprised!

I whistled at him when he came out :) 

You'll have to check your local listings for when this will be presented in your area.  I hear it is supposed to begin late January.

This is actually a shot of the episode we went to and was the second to last showing! TiVo it to try and see us in the crowd!

The only person missing was Drama, that would have made my fantasy!

72. Watch the Sunrise & Sunset in the same day

December 26, 2010

6a.m.(ish)

California

Erin, Danny, David, and I were leaving Starbucks and I looked over and noticed, through the buildings, the sun was peeking up and decided this would be a great opportunity to caputre it!

The sky is so beautiful in the morning, I was so excited to see this!

December 26, 2010

5p.m.(ish)

Arizona

After arriving in Arizona, we played around for a long while and afte returning from a trip to the store I saw the sun setting and was captivated by it.  Arizona's sunsets are amazing!

#72 done and done! Beautiful!