The deconstruction of a Twinkie !

Everyone loves a TWINKIE... in fact the Twinkie is one of the most recognizable foods in American history! 
Not gonna lie, it' had been a minute since i'd had the concoction that is rumored to be able to out live a human, but was recently re-introduced to a kicked up version courtesy of a good friend of mine! 
Instead of the old standby, he took it to the next level!! made it the base for a Strawberry Shortcake! Yes, that's right, a Twinkie Strawberry Shortcake. Please wipe the drool from your lips lol. 

But as i was sitting thinking about the life span of a Twinkie, which by the way is now said to only be 25 days, my curiosity got the better of me and i decided to look up all the ingredients! Luckily for me... someone has already done the leg work! *wink* 
So here are the 37 ingredients that make up this beloved, iconic, dessert;

Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour [Flour, Reduced Iron, B Vitamins (Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Folic Acid)], 
Corn Syrup, Sugar, 
High Fructose Corn Syrup, 
Water, 
Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable and/or Animal Shortening (Soybean, Cottonseed and/or Canola Oil, Beef Fat), 
Whole Eggs, 
Dextrose. 
Modified Corn Starch, 
Glucose, 
Leavenings (Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Baking Soda, Monocalcium Phosphate), 
Sweet Dairy Whey,
 Soy Protein Isolate, 
Calcium and Sodium Caseinate,
 Salt, 
Mono and Diglycerides, 
Polysorbate 60, 
Soy Lecithin, 
Soy Flour,
 Cornstarch, 
Cellulose Gum, 
Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Natural and Artificial Flavors, 
Sorbic Acid (to Retain Freshness), 
Yellow 5, 
Red 40.


You know.... just in case you were wondering! hahaha Grab a twinkie and throw some berries on it, or deep fry that bitch... cuz either way... DELISH! Despite knowing what's in it! XOXO

Prevent Clumsiness

Sometimes, just sometimes, i find myself with clumsy tendencies. Especially when i'm fighting with baggies and leftovers! Ugh, it never seems that they stay still or open quite wide enough... Enter the ‘Baggy Rack’! The Baggy Rack holds bags open for easy filling, and also doubles up as a bag dryer. The Baggy Rack comes in a set of two and only costs $9.99 . Baggy Rack Expands up to 10 inches to fit sandwich gallon bags. PERFECT for those tendencies i mentioned earlier! 
.
XOXO

Superstions... Friday the 13th Edition

The words "Friday the 13th" always get a reaction from people; whether it be one of fear, amusement or sinister trickster-ness, it almost ALWAYS gets a reaction. Me myself.. i don't put too much stock into the 13th, except this year.. and that's only because my niece's bday happens to fall on it! I've never seen any of the Friday the 13th movies either. I am however always interested in the history and 'conspiracy theories' of anything, this being no exception. So  let me educate you.. just a little! 

Here are some of the more popular theories of where Friday the 13th superstitions began;

• In numerology, the number twelve is considered the number of completeness, as reflected in the twelve months of the year, twelve signs of the zodiac, twelve hours of the clock, twelve tribes of Israel, twelve Apostles of Jesus, twelve gods of Olympus, etc., whereas the number thirteen was considered irregular, transgressing this completeness. There is also a superstition, thought by some to derive from the Last Supper or a Norse myth, that having thirteen people seated at a table will result in the death of one of the diners.
• Friday has been considered an unlucky day at least since the 14th century's The Canterbury Tales, and many other professions have regarded Friday as an unlucky day to undertake journeys or begin new projects. Black Friday has been associated with stock market crashes and other disasters since the 1800s. It has also been suggested that Friday has been considered an unlucky day because, according to Christian scripture and tradition, Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
• The Knights Templar were a monastic military order founded in Jerusalem in 1118 C.E., whose mission was to protect Christian pilgrims during the Crusades. Over the next two centuries, the Knights Templar became extraordinarily powerful and wealthy. Threatened by that power and eager to acquire their wealth, King Philip secretly ordered the mass arrest of all the Knights Templar in France on Friday, October 13, 1307 - Friday the 13th.
• ^{The actual origin of the superstition, though, appears also to be a tale in Norse mythology. Friday is named for Frigga, the free-spirited goddess of love and fertility. When Norse and Germanic tribes converted to Christianity, Frigga was banished in shame to a mountaintop and labeled a witch. It was believed that every Friday, the spiteful goddess convened a meeting with eleven other witches, plus the devil — a gathering of thirteen — and plotted ill turns of fate for the coming week. For many centuries in Scandinavia, Friday was known as "Witches' Sabbath. (via Wikipedia)} 
• 

The assumption that most bad things happen on Friday the 13th is actually not true. The fact of the matter IS, according to The Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics, that that "fewer accidents and reports of fire and theft occur when the 13th of the month falls on a Friday than on other Fridays, because people are preventatively more careful or just stay home. Statistically speaking, driving is slightly safer on Friday the 13th, at least in the Netherlands; in the last two years, Dutch insurers received reports of an average 7,800 traffic accidents each Friday; but the average figure when the 13th fell on a Friday was just 7,500.  (via Wikipedia) 

Happy Friday the 13th everyone... stay safe and don't cross any...

's if you don't have to!! xoxo

Must Haves in the crazy HB Dept!

HB... you DO know that stands for HANDBAGS right?? right! Not all handbags in my closet are designer... i also love the strange and amazings too! i love to find things that NO ONE else would find if they weren't as avid a shopper as i am. You see... i hate hate hate biters... in any fashion or form! 
Madream is an international company that provides just that! Take a look;
THE DICE PURSE- Do You Feel Lucky Punk?? Do Ya?? HAHA

The There's the Sushi Purse.. yeah MY personal Fave!! 

Next lets look at the Romeo and Juliet Wallet... don't kill yourself for it.. there's plenty!

And finally... the perfect Brunch accessory.... 

Like them or not, you know you still gotta smile when you saw them! 
xoxo

Coasters... Schmoasters...

Ok, i HAVE multiple sets of coasters.. but really don't use them. Like most things i have procured.. they are pretty cool! so i find myself a little conflicted, do i buy these (pic below) or just admire them from afar?!?!? 
DUH! you already know what i'm gonna do... Probably make my own! BWAHAHA 

These particular ones are made from Italian stone, run about $20 and can be found on one of my all time favorite websites Etsy! They can also be customized should you really really really want to make it an MC Hammer kinda gift... hahaha 

LOVE A GOOD PICNIC

I love picnics!! They allow you to be as creative and frugal or decadent as you'd like! The control factor is a weakness what can i say.  :) Like I've mentioned before, i'm an entertainer.. i adore creating creations for my friends and family! As a matter of fact, when i saw this diddy below, i was in the throes of creating a picnic menu for this weekend or next, as i intend to surprise my sweetie with a jaunt in the great outdoors. Kind of combining his interests as well as my own. But ANYWAY, here's what i was so jazzed about and i'm sure a few gal pals of mine will agree, 

ha! yep a BOOM BOX picnic basket! how FAB is that!?!?!?! roll inconspicuous to suprise that b-girl or b-boy or DJ of your choice and open it up for some fantasmic grubbage!! for $35 you get 

• 
  
• 1) BOXSAL PICNIC BOX
• 4) COMPOSTABLE TRAYS
• 4) COMPOSTABLE LARGE BOWLS
• 4) COMPOSTABLE SMALL BOWLS
• 4) COMPOSTABLE UTENSIL SETS
• 4) COMPOSTABLE COLD CUPS
• 8) RECYCLED NAPKINS
• 1) COMPOSTABLE TRASH BAG

For you more "square" 9-5 ers... i got something for you too!! 

the OFICE Escape Box! Escape with your cutie to a park nearby and escape the BS you encounter in the office with this spiffy non-tradish Picnic Basket! 

AT $35 as well, it includes the same amenities as the boom box... "basket"!

Yes, it's Friday so pick one up At BOXAL this weekend to plan your escapes next Tuesday!! XOXO

A Little Thursday Thought

A Creed to Live By


(one the most classic motivational poems)

Don't undermine your worth by comparing
yourself with others,

It is because we are different that each
of us is special.

Don't set your goals by what other people
deem important,

Only you know what is best for you.

Don't take for granted the things closest
to your heart

Cling to that as you would your life, for without
them life is meaningless.

Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living
in the past or the future.

By living your life one day at a time, you live all the
days of your life.

Don't give up when you still have something to give

Nothing is really over … until the moment
you stop trying.

Don't be afraid to admit that you are less
than perfect,

It is the fragile thread that binds us to each other.

Don't be afraid to encounter risks,

It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's
impossible to find.

The quickest way to receive love is to give love.

The fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tightly,

And the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

Don't dismiss your Dreams. To be without
dreams is to be without hope.

To be without hope is to be without purpose.

Don't run through life so fast that you forget
where you've been,

But also know where you're going.

Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored
every step of the way.

Author Unknown

Douchebag Awards

Basically I love the word "DOUCHEBAG" as a descriptive! it's so all encompassing and right to the point..

So when all else fails and words escape you.... they're a DB! so i've gathered up some of what i think are the biggest douchebag pics... and if you wanna vote... do so!! They are in NO particular order!!

RIIIIIIGHT!!! Numero Uno!

Words don't even BEGIN to describe number 2 LMAO!!

Love the choice of quality television and the pink drapes.. number 3

*giggle* ganster guido.. not even cool on the Jersey Shore HA! Number 4

no caption needed.. thanks Uncle Sam number 5

The DB handbook didn't quite cover this HAHAHA number 6

That's all i got folks.. have a great rest of the day!! xoxo 

Keep ya head up.. and warm lol

OMG!!! Cupcake beanies!!! that's right folks... i said it, but let me say it again... cupcake beanies!! haha!
best way to keep your head warm this winter while looking good enough to eat has arrived!

The Cupcake Beanie by Neff are just ticket if you are looking for a winter hat that's not boring. 
I didn't see an actual website... so just google those bitches!! and rock on with your SWEET self! :) 

90 days and counting!!

That's right ladies and gents... we have hit the final stretch of my 20's!!! 3 months from today, i will hit the dirty 30!!!! 
I'm a BIRTHDAY FANATIC, if you couldn't tell by my HALF birthday post a few months back, so this one is destined to go down in the history books FOR SURE!! 
no birthday is complete without a cake, so i will be posting random cakes and misc alternative cake options in todays blog, as well as randomly until the big day! Shop Wisely! :) xoxo 

Pretty Much anything BLACK AND WHITE is gonna win my heart!!

You already know how i roll!! lmao.. couture!

Blinding Bling :)

This 'gem' of a ring is quite the concoction!! This little piece of finger bling doubles as a weapon. It's filled with pepper spray (400 times stronger than the average jalapeno) guaranteeing this neat accessory will become your new best friend.

The ring itself is available in silver or gold and is capable of spraying upwards of 12 inches. Selling for $30  ring sizes vary from 6 to 14 with each refill tacking on an extra $8. Just think of it as a little "extra security" while meandering through dark parking garages late at night!!
go ahead and order HERE

Rosemary Garlic Yumminess from Over the Weekend

It was the kind of weekend that needed baked goods!!

So i went ahead and made some bread... which turned out to be a pretty good idea.. since 'someone' *wink*  was sickly and required chicken noodle soup! WHICH went fabulously with the bread! 

I decided on a rosemary garlic bread, because it smells so incredible when it's baking, and again complimented the soup in just an amazing way!! 

And because i'm the amazing person that I am.... yes i am... i'm going to give you the recipe so you can re-create  this yum in the tum bread. You can serve this bread alongside soup, use it as a piece of toast, or slather a little olive oil on it pre-pasta course!! Bake it up and ENJOY!!

Ingredients

·         1 cup water

·         3 tablespoons olive oil

·         1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

·         1/2 teaspoon of 

·         1/8 teaspoon of basil

·         1/8 teaspoon of Thyme

·         1 1/2 teaspoons salt

·         1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

·         1 tablespoon dried rosemary

·         1 1/2 cups bread flour 

·         1 cup of whole wheat flour

·         1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Directions

1.        Place ingredients in the pan of the bread machine in the order recommended by the manufacturer. 

2.        Select white bread cycle and color crust (if applicable) 

3.        press Start

oh holy good night sleep!

I'm telling you NOW, should you ever hear that i have purchased or am gonna purchase the below item... you better get all the face time you can with me.. cuz i'm bloody likely to never leave my bedroom after!! ha!  Karim Rashid‘s Hollandia Sphere Bed has a built-in LCD TV, built in massage capabilities, and a vanity mirror. Oh, and there is the added bonus of a built-in champagne cooler. basically almost all my favorite things... 
PS- the champagne cooler part is my fave! *wink* 

a SERIOUS ATM!

That's right, Abu Dhabi has an ATM that dispenses gold bars and coins!! GOLD to go is a German invention that monitors the price of gold and dispenses bars and coins right into your grubby hands!!!too bad it's such a far trip to see one in 'real life' :) 

Miu Miu

I just wanted to share with you my new favorite handbag... well today anyway!!

Prada Did it again!!! THis AWESOME bag features fuchsia and lilac ruffles and is equipped with a removable strap. Pair it with ANYTHING in your wardrobe and you are set to go!! 

Top Ten Places For Chocoholics to Visit!

As it happens, I'm NOT a choco-holic, but seems like i'm surrounded by them at all times! In fact, the whole world seems to be in love with chocolate in all forms, shapes and sizes!! 
There ARE benefits to chocolate besides the tastiness... including, but not limited to, helping out with depression, high blood pressure, tumors and PMS!! it also contains a small amount of caffeine and also is a valuable energy source... 
But since i am about all decadence and since Chocolate is a 7 BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY; I am bringing to you the Top Ten Chocolate Destinations (in no particular order) in the WORLD!! Buckle up... it's gonna be a fast trip :) 

1. Cologne, Germany

Sounding like it should be the perfume capital, but Cologne is considered the choc. capital of Germany and is home to Stollwerck Chocolate CO. who is the 2nd largest supplier to the US... There's even a museum... The Imhoff Stollwerck  

2. Tain L’Hermitage, France

This Chocolate oasis is nestled in French wine country and boasts some of the best choc. in the WORLD!! Crazily, it only houses one chocolate shop, Valrhona. A great stop is the Valrhona Ecole du Grand Chocolat, a school that teaches professional chefs, chocolatiers and caterers. They even host a three-day course that teaches amateurs how to make decadent deserts, and you KNOW how i feel about those!


3. Hershey, Pennsilvania, USA

I feel that is you are from The United States, you already know... but for my international readers... let me help you out! ;) 
Dubbed “the Sweetest Place on Earth,” the town, which was originally called Derry Church, was renamed Hershey in 1906 due to the popularity of Hershey chocolates. The town is home to both The Hershey Company and the H. B. Reese Candy Company. “Chocolatetown, USA” has branded itself as an American chocolate center and some popular chocolatey attractions include Hershey’s Chocolate World, The Hershey Story Museum and the Chocolate Spa.
That's right.... a CHOCOLATE SPA!!! do it!


4.  NEW YORK, NEW YORK, USA
 
Come on, you know that New York lands on almost every list... good and bad haha!! It's the epicenter of anything everything and nothing all at the same time usually! Everything New York-ish  is global.. for the inhabitants have come from all over this crazy earth, bringing their signature ingredients and tastes to the streets! Jaques Torres is one of those globe trotters that have left their mark on the chocolate world in a BIG way!! If in New York, hit up his shop and try the WICKED HOT CHOCOLATE!! Do it! Twice!


5. Villajoyosa, Spain

If the destination is called  “Chocolate City,” i'm pretty sure you know that a good time is at hand!
Villajoyosa’s chocolate history began in the 18^th century when it began importing cocoa beans from Venezuela and Ecuador. Today chocolate production is still booming as the town is home to Spain’s oldest gourmet chocolate producer, Valor, which was founded in 1881. Villajoyosa also houses an excellent chocolate museum that not only displays  the history of Villajoyosa’s chocolate production but also how local favorites are created. The locals are all for it, since the colbo of Churros as Chocolate is basically the town staple! lol


6. San Francisco, California, USA

That's right folks.. another US stop on the way to number one!! 
San Fran is home to one of the most prestigious chocolate companies.. west of the Mississippi! Founded during the gold rush, it is as San Fran as the Golden Gate Bridge and trolley cars! 
They give tours 6 times a day, and have one of the friendliest websites around that include Chocabulary and recipes for many versatile ways to create with their product..... milk choc. squares with caramel.. is my fave snack from there! *wink* 


7. Oaxaca, Mexico

The ancient Mesoamericans were the world’s FIRST chocolatiers and Mexico (among other Latin america countries) has continued to produce some of the best chocolate in the world to this day! Visitors to the city can’t walk down the street without being offered chocolate in some form, whether it is hot chocolate, chocolate pastry or chocolate candy.  While there are major chocolate producers based here, a lot of Oaxaca’s chocolate is made with old family recipes the old-fashioned way, ground either by hand or with electric grinders and mixed by hand. It's too bad there are no tours of THAT!! 


8.Barcelona, Spain

Spain was the first European country to be introduced to chocolate, so it's fitting that one of the last stops on our Coco- Heaven tour be here! Among its chocolate-covered achievements, the city can boast that the first chocolate making machine was built there in 1780. Today Barcelona celebrates its rich chocolate heritage with a museum dedicated to chocolate, the Museo de La Xocolata, which features everything from chocolate sculptures to hot chocolate. Pretty much amazing... you need to plan a stop here! 


9. Zurich, Switzerland

Switzerland consumes more chocolate per person that any other country in the world!! With world-renowned companies like Cailler-Nestle, Toblerone, Lindt, Treuscher and Sprungli calling it home it’s no wonder that they lead the way. Zurich is the heart of chocolate production in the country and Lindt, Treuscher and Sprungli all have factories and stores in the city. For a truly unique experience, the Swiss Travel System, along with Cailler-Nestle, offers an excursion on “The Swiss Chocolate Train.” Now THAT's sure to be a DECADENT train ride! 


10. Brussels, Belgium

Last on our tour is Brussels... actually the entire country of Belgium is a chocoholic’s paradise, boasting 12 chocolate factories, 16 chocolate museums and more than 2,100 chocolate shops. Brussels, however, stands above the rest. The city is home to two of the biggest chocolate companies in the world, Godiva and Leonidas, as well as many smaller chocolate boutiques. While all kinds of chocolate treats can be found in Brussels, pralines are king. In fact, they were first created there by Jean Neuhaus in 1912. So, even though it SOUNDS like there's gonna be veggies here... well we know better... ;) 


Now go grab some CHOCOLATE!! xoxo