Top Favs: Shoe Brands!

If you don't already know, my "real" job involves shoes.  A ton of shoes.  hehe.  Of course, I get asked all the time what are my favorite brands, what are the best for your money, how to tell quality verses crap (and it's not just price!).  I've decided to talk a bit about my top fav brands and why they are my favs.  These are not in any particular order.

• Born/B.O.C.
• The perfect combination between style and comfort.  Born/B.O.C. are one in the same company.  B.O.C. (Born Original Concepts) is made by Born and has the same quality -  just at a cheaper price.  I absolutely LOVE their boots and ankle boots.  They also make some of the most comfortable wedges and sandals ever!
• TOMS
• One-for-One.  Every time you purchase a pair of TOMS shoes or apparel, the company donates a pair of shoes to a person in need.  They donate in the U.S. as well as outside in tons of countries.  This company not only gives back in an exceptional way, BUT they make super comfortable shoes!  I absolutely love their classics, their strappy wedges, cordonnes (tennis shoe style), and their boots.  They come up with some of the most unique colors, patterns and designs possible.  I absolutely love them!
• Steve Madden/Madden Girl
• Need I say more?  Everyone who loves shoes knows these two brands.  Steve Madden, the name that shouts style and cute!  Madden Girl, the cheaper and just as incredible brand made by Steve Madden.  I love their boots and flats the most!  Many girls will know their boots by "the brown boot with the red zipper" which is extremely popular right now.  Super cute shoes at a price that's incredible for the quality.
• Corral
• Hand-made, Western and English style boots.  I'm in love with their riding boots, but their western boots are just as gorgeous.  These high-quality boots come with a price to match, but with proper care will last for eons.  Plus, they are so comfortable!  Can't go wrong with a high quality leather boot that looks just as good as it feels.
• Sperry
• Boat shoes no more!  These gorgeous, high quality leather shoes are made to last and look great.  They are super comfortable and only get more comfortable with wear.  What I like most about these shoes, is how versatile they are.  Dress them up with a pair of khaki or black pants or dress down with a pair of jeans.  They come in a huge variety of colors and styles to suit everybody's shoe dream.
• Merrell
• The perfect hiking, work or walking shoe.  Tons of support, tons of cushion and incredible quality.  These shoes are made to last and built for comfort.  There is a one to fit every person's needs and feet.  My favs are the Encore Eclipse (Primo Patch) and the Jacardia sandal.
• Gabriella Rocha
• A brand I can only find on 6pm.com, they make super cute and comfortable shoes.  The quality is great for the price too!  Some of the cutest wedge heels, flats and boots I've found at a price that anyone can afford.

What are your fav shoe brands?  Almost all of these can be found at the nearest shoe store to you.  Check out their websites for help on finding these incredible brands.  Happy Shoe Day!

"I'm Still Here" by Marti Sharp

I received a portrait today from my dear friends, Marti and Jason Sharp.  They mean the world to me and have quickly become part of my family.  Back in February, we lost our first dachshund - Cazic - to a horrible disease called IMT.  His passing was unexpected and extremely difficult for us.  Cazic was only 3 years 11 months old when he died.  We think of him daily and miss him so much.  Our little family was hurting so badly that Marti decided to create a remembrance portrait for us.  I was overjoyed when she asked if it was okay.  Today, the portrait came in the mail.  Below is the picture Marti based her portrait on.  I can't photograph the actual portrait for copyright reasons.

Portrait title: I'm Still Here

 She did such an exceptional job though - take my word for it.  You can't even tell the picture is done in colored pencil, because it looks actual photograph.  I'm overwhelmed with how much I love it.  I encourage you to check her art out on Facebook.  If you ever find yourself needing a portrait or want to get one as a gift, definitely contact her!  Her work is done at a reasonable price for the absolutely exceptional quality.  Tell her I sent you!  Happy Picture Day!

Silent Monday

Lost my voice on Sunday - today is now Silent Monday.  This should be fun.  Here's a cute picture that my friend edited of Yosuke.  Happy Silent Monday!

BIY: Chiffon Cupcakes and Vanilla Frosting

Welcome to the first BIY (Bake It Yourself).  After tweeting so much about cupcakes the other day, I decided it would be good to share my favorite recipe for cupcakes and a quick frosting.  I love these recipes and they are my "go-to" whenever I need a batch to satisfy everyone.  They are very fun to make too!

White Chiffon Cake (Difficulty: Medium to Hard)

Yield: two 8" round cakes OR 24 cupcakes

1/2 C. Butter softened

1 C. white sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

2 C. cake flour (must be cake flour; All Purpose has too much gluten)

2/3 C milk

4 eggs whites (do not use carton egg whites, they do not work the same)

1 tsp. vanilla extract (or desired flavoring; also taste amazing with orange or almond!)

What you will need: three bowls, measuring cups, measuring spoons, one stand mixer, one electric mixer OR stiff metal/wire whisks, cupcake pans, cupcake liners, and rubber spatula

1. Preheat oven to 325*F
2. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; scrap sides of bowl to make sure sugar and butter are mixed
3. Sift flour and baking powder together; set aside in a separate bowl
4. Add flour mixture, eggs and milk to butter/sugar mixture - alternating each ingredient (wet, dry, wet, dry..)
5. Beat egg whites until medium peak (not stiff!!); Add vanilla right before egg whites are done
6. Gently fold the whites into the batter with rubber spatula.  Only mix until whites are mostly incorporated.  You should see a little swirl pattern in the batter.
7. Fill cupcake pan with liners; Fill each cup 2/3 of the way with batter
8. Bake until cupcake springs back when the top is touched (time varies)
9. Cool and serve with frosting or as is (LOVE this recipe by itself!)

 Hilary's Quick Frosting (Difficulty: Easy)

Yield: ~ 3 cups (enough for one dozen cupcakes)

4 Tbs. Crisco or Butter (I prefer Crisco that isn't butter flavored) at room temp

2 1/2 C. powdered Sugar

1-2 Tbs. milk

1/2 tsp vanilla extract (or any other flavoring you desire)

food coloring (optional)

What you will need: electric or stand mixer,  rubber spatula, bowl, cling/plastic wrap OR air tight container

1. Put all ingredients except milk into bowl; mix until sugar starts to incorporate with Crisco
2. Add milk 1 tsp. at a time until thickness desired (less for thicker frosting; more for thin; I usually use 1 1/2 Tbs.)
3. Add food coloring if desired
4. Store in refrigerator with cling/plastic wrap over top OR in air tight container
5. Bring to room temp before using; Serve with cupcakes or cake

**Note: I use Crisco because it holds up to warm temperatures better.  If you plan to take your baked good in any kind of warmer climate, definitely use Crisco instead of butter!**

Tbs = Tablesppon

Tsp = Teaspoon

C. = Cups

Click here for a measurement converter.

Click here for a temperature conversion chart.

Here are some pics using these recipes.  Two of my fav final products.

Chocolate Candy Cane Cake

 Chocolate cake and frosting (added cocoa powder to recipes above) and crushed peppermint in between layers with candy cane decorations.

Mini Pumpkin Cupcakes

 I love these! I took two cupcakes and stuck them together with frosting.  Then added a frosting layer on the outside, covered them in either orange colors sugar or just left frosted.  Then added a piece of pretzel as the stem!  So cute!

These are by far my favorite recipes for cake/cupcakes and frosting.  If done right, they will bring any cake lover to their knees.  The flavor combinations and filings are endless, have fun and take pictures!  Post the pictures to my new Facebook like page!  Happy Baking!

Review Day: Script Kiddie (Book 2)

It's Review Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Title: Script Kiddie (Assured Destruction Series Book 2)

Author: Michael F. Stewart

My Rating: 5 stars

Book Blurb:

Jan Rose no longer steals data from the old computers she recycles. She doesn't need to. As the newest member of the police department’s High Tech Crime Unit, the laptop of a murderer has landed on her desk. Her job: to profile and expose a killer.

 

But that’s not all.

A creep lurks in the shadows, stalking a friend, and Jan must stop him before the hunt turns deadly. The clock counts down for Jan to save her friend, her job, her boyfriend—maybe even her life.

My Review:

Another incredible book in the Assured Destruction series - possibly even better than the first!  I enjoyed the first book, but definitely enjoyed this one more.  Janus is developed as a character much more (of course) in this book.  We get to see more of her Twitter personalities, but also find out those personalities are becoming part of her in a very real way.  When Janus joins the police task force for her community service hours, she isn't exactly accepted by everyone at the precinct.  I loved reading how the relationships between the officers and Janus changed throughout the book.  Janus and Peter still don't get along very well, but their relationship changes drastically when she figures out who he really is.

The second book in the series and yet it's even better than the first.  I highly recommend this series to everyone!  This is a quick, witty and techy series that even people who don't like technology will love.  Try it out, you won't be disappointed!

Pick up a copy of Script Kiddie (book 2) and Assured Destruction (book 1) on Amazon.  Happy Review Day!