things i've been meaning to blog about, bookmark it edition: food 52

After I started a job in Columbus, life got very hectic and I took an unplanned break from this blog. Since leaving that job and moving again, I've returned and recommitted regularly blogging at Beagle & Bear. Part of that returns includes a blog series called "Things I've Been Meaning to Blog About," which is made up of posts I intended to publish in summer or early fall but haven't yet. This post is part of that series.

Over the past couple years, I have become really interested in cooking and baking, as well as entertaining in the home. I love gaining more knowledge about the art of cooking and baking, whether it be by finding new recipes, learning about winepairings, or reading about sustainability. That being said, I was so excited this summer when I came across the amazing website and community Food 52. Food 52 is definitely not a new website, but it is new to me!

Food 52 was founded by Amanda and Merill (experienced food writers and the brains behind The Essential New York Times Cookbook). They wanted to bring a major part of what they love about cooking, sharing and socializing, online. Food 52 began as the vehicle for a specific project: creating the first crowd-sourced cookbook in 52 weeks. Basically, Food 52 posts themes (such as Best Beef Stew or Best Winter Cocktail) for which community members can then submit recipes. From the recipe submissions, the Food 52 staff compiles a list of recipes that the community can check out and then vote upon. The winner of that theme's challenge is included in that year's Food 52 cookbook. (A more detailed and probably less confusing explanation of the contest system can be found here). So far, Food 52 has produced two cookbooks and a holiday iPad app.

In addition to the awesome recipe contest, cookbook-building aspect of Food 52 (which has its own section on the site), the website also includes the following sections:

• Recipes: An extended recipe section that features all Food 52's recipe articles and the options to search by category name or through a search bar
• Articles: Detailed articles on recipes by Food 52 staff, community members, or well-known cooks, holiday/seasonal ideas, entertaining tips, wine, cookbook reviews, etc.
• Hotline: A message board/forum section in which the Food 52 staff and community members ask and answer food and cooking questions
• Cooks: A section of the website for community members, full of articles such as Cook Spotlight, Winner's Q& A, Latest Community Picks, etc.
• News: The top food news stories from around the web, separated into categories
• Shop: a Food 52-curated online shop with spotlight items and special offers

You can also sign up for Food 52's electronic newsletter to be delivered to your inbox.

I can spend literally hours on this site. It's pleasing to look at, easy to navigate, and full of information and inspiration. I highly recommend it!

All photos, Food 52

things i've been meaning to blog about, use it edition: babycakes cupcake maker

After I started a job in Columbus, life got very hectic and I took an unplanned break from this blog. Since leaving that job and moving again, I've returned and recommitted to regularly blogging at Beagle & Bear. Part of that returns includes a blog series called "Things I've Been Meaning to Blog About," which is made up of posts I intended to publish in summer or early fall but haven't yet. This post is part of that series.

In June, my wonderful friend Elizabeth got me a Babycakes cupcake maker for my birthday. It is an awesome tool for people like myself who love baking, love cupcakes, and/or love cool kitchen appliances.

The Babycakes cupcake maker bakes sweet treats in 5-8 minutes. The longer the cupcake maker is on, the faster the batter bakes (which is when your sense of smell comes in!). While the cupcake maker has non-stick coating, which makes any clean-up rather simple, it is necessary to use cupcake liners while baking. The cupcake maker can make mini-cupcakes (obviously!), mini-muffins, brownie bites, or mini-pies (additional pieces are included with and needed for the appliance in order to make mini-pies).

The first sweet treat I made with my cupcake make were simple but delicious strawberry cupcakes with pink vanilla frosting. Those cupcakes (and all the others I have made with the cupcake maker, for that matter!) taste just like cupcakes baked in a traditional manner. Plus, using the cupcake maker is really fun! I am definitely interested in other Babycakes products.

I haven't yet used my Babycakes cupcake maker to bake any mini-pies, but I certainly intend to do so this fall and winter. While I enjoy pies at any time of the year, they seem especially tasty and special throughout the holiday season. Any suggestions on what type of mini-pies I should make first (after pumpkin, of course)?

Have you ever used a cupcake maker or a Babycakes product? What do you think?

outfit envy

While Dan and I won't be getting married until mid-2013, I can't help but let wedding and marriage plans sneak into my everyday thoughts - especially after this weekend, when I went to an incredibly beautiful wedding of a dear friend from college! I've always loved the idea of gray as one of our wedding colors, and ever since we got engaged, I'm hyper-aware of how other colors pop out when paired with it. I especially love the way gray and vibrant colors are used in the outfits below:

Source: polyvore.com via Kelly on Pinterest

I love how using gray and denim in the big pieces like the shirt, pants, and bag and bright orange in the scarf, shoes, and belt is both casual and stylish.

Source: polyvore.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Yellow and gray is such a gorgeous, happy, and calm combo of colors, and I love the way this outfit pairs them in a professional yet pretty way.

Source: polyvore.com via Kelly on Pinterest

I think this outfit is an excellent example of how the color paired with gray doesn't necessarily have to be a bright color in order to stand out. The use of light purple in the main pieces and simple gray accents is peaceful and romantic.

What do you think of the use of gray in outfits, as either the starring role or as an accent? What colors do you prefer to pair it with?

weekly gems

Source: etsy.com via Kelly on Pinterest

• Best. App. Ever.
• An excellent idea for displaying and organizing a collection of sunglasses!
• Secrets of people who rarely get sick.
• Loved this Refinery 29 tour of Coach's NYC offices!
• Ten celebrity marriages that were even shorter than Kim and Kris's crazy 72 days.
• Will you join the thankful challenge?
• I'm looking forward to all of the movies and shows featured in Buzz Sugar's November Entertainment Must Haves!
• Definitely want to try out these recipes: healthy and quick fish meals, cranberry pear sauce, sweet potato risotto, and whole wheat autumn apple pizza.
• 150 AWESOME gift ideas!
• Ten things to do when insomnia strikes.
• I adore these shoes!
• Five tips for making your house appear cleaner than it is.
• Inspiring wallpaper download for November from MML.
• Love these weddings: one, two, and three.

design dreams: throw pillows on beds

Lately I have been daydreaming a lot about the home I will have someday soon with Daniel. I want our bedroom to be a safe haven: cozy, comfy, and relaxed, yet romantic, cute, and stylish. I love the idea of lettered throw pillows because they add an "extra something" to the room's style while also being functional. Check out the ones pictured below:

Source: tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Adorable "Mr. & Mrs." pillows are perfect for newlyweds.

Source: imperfectlypolished.com via Kelly on Pinterest

They can always be switched out first initials of the husband and wife once the honeymoon phase is over ; )

Source: etsy.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Or, if one wanted to emphasize atmosphere and attitude over coupledom, Scrabble letter-style pillows to spell out a well-chosen word.

Do you like the idea of lettered throw pillows? What sort of ones would you use in your home?

P.S. Check out The Aestate for a great giveaway of an instaclassic home design book, The Perfectly Imperfect Home. And while you're over there, explore the site - it's awesome!

pet love: cuteness overload

Since it's the first week of November (and a Wednesday, which in my opinion is usually way more challenging than a Monday), I think watching an adorable video is a great way of kicking things off on the right note. And what is more adorable than a baby AND puppies?!

use it: favorite teas

Happy November, everyone! : ) It seems like fall is finally underway here in Ohio, with the all the trees' leaves changed or fallen and the temperatures in the 50s. Since it's officially "jacket weather," I'm pretty much craving huge cups of hot tea all the time. That being said, I do have some favorites:

Source: celestialseasonings.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Celestial Seasonings is my go-to tea when I am craving a hot fruity drink. It's yummy, low in price, and can be found in almost every grocery store. I love all the (caffeine free) flavors in the fruit tea sampler: Raspberry Zinger, Country Peach Passion, Wild Berry Zinger, True Blueberry, and Wild Cherry Berry.

Source: twiningsusa.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Twinings of London is my "everyday" tea. I adore the English Breakfast tea for the rare mornings when I don't want coffee or in many afternoons that I need a pick-me-up. I even have decaffeinated English Breakfast tea at night before bed when I'm stressed out or sick. I also love Twinings' black tea fruit fusions: mixed berry, blackcurrant breeze, and pomegranate delight are my favorites.

Source: starbucks.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Tazo teas can be found at the grocery store or at Starbucks. My alma mater has a Starbucks in its student union that is on meal plan, and I would grab cups of tea before class or studying. Tazo Awake tea probably the best tea alternative to coffee that I have found. Tazo's Passion tea is delicious, as is its Wild Orange tea (At Starbucks, you get two tea bags with a venti tea, so sometimes I combine one Passion and one Wild Orange. Yummy!).

Source: stashtea.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Stash tea is my favorite hard-to-find tea (at least in Ohio!). Some varieties are available in some grocery stores, but your best bet is to order them online. My absolute favorite flavor is Licorice Spice. It takes a bit of time to get used to, but once you've gained a taste for it, you're obsessed. I also love Lemon Blossom, Wild Raspberry, Mango Passionfruit, Blueberry, and Strawberry Pomegranate, Peppermint, and Chamomile.

What about you - Do you drink tea? What are your favorites?