Oscar's Night

I always think of my best things to blog about when I'm working in the early morning. Unfortunately my laptop isn't attached to my hip that early in the day. Cinnamon Rolls and Fruit Tarts, well that's another story.

The activities committee for church asked me to do desserts for our Oscar's Night. The ward was split up into groups and made their own videos, the plan was to eat a wonderful dinner, screen the videos, and enjoy dessert.

I was dessert. I decided on cupcakes. Since the theme was Oscars I decided to make red velvet to mimic the red carpet. I also decided on a midnight chocolate cupcake with amaretto frosting to break it up a little bit. The red velvet cupcakes were garnished with fondant stars that we're painted in an edible gold paint. The chocolate cupcakes were by far my favorite. I made chocolate bow ties and top hats to dress up them up. Each was hand painted in silver luster dust to really make them shine.

To give some height to the table I wanted to make 3D sugar cookie statues. I found this awesome tutorial on Bakerella and fell in love. This year I've decided to really improve my sugar cookie work and this was right up my alley. Unfortunately we didn't have time to get the cookie cutter shipped to make them for the event. Then again I am me, and don't take the word "No" very well. So I did some research. My best option was to build my own cookie cutter. Thank goodness my Momma was in town for the twins arrival. She doesn't think my projects are crazy. Love that woman.

45 minutes later we were leaving Lowe's with a 10ft long piece of aluminum siding, clamps, glue and some enthusiasm. An hour later and we had a rocking cookie cutter.

Not to shabby if I do say so myself.

 Now for the drama. It wouldn't be a successful event without drama now would it? I was spent this week. Between the twins arrival, my family in town. I really didn't have a whole lot left to give to make this event happen. I really, really wanted to do this. I wanted to show all these people who knew I was a pastry chef what I was truly capable of. There really was no way I wasn't going to make this happen. 300 cupcakes? I do that in my sleep. Pretty much did. On top of cooking around the clock there was a huge roommate blowout. Nothing that needs to be mentioned here, but it really just added to the stress of finishing the event. Somehow I finished with enough time to shower. My mom came over to help wash dishes and make sure I was put together before it was time to deliver and set up. Did I mention I love her? Let's not kid ourselves. Wash the dishes certainly means stabilize the hurricane of emotion and exhaustion that was covered in buttercream. I'm so truly grateful she was here.  By the time we finished setting up I had 45 minutes to change and get back to the event. It was critical that I looked good. There was going to be a lot of attention on me. Rather than going home, Mom whisked me away to buy a new dress and look good for the night. In 30 minutes she had an entire outfit picked out for me. I changed inbetween stoplights and painted my toes on the last one. Nothing a can of hairspray and 15minutes can't fix right?

While I was trying on dresses my mom produced these shoes. Sassy to say the least, and oh so worth it. So grateful for a fun event and my fairy godmother.

Can't even tell I hadn't slept in 3 days. 

Vacation:)

Well I did it. I took some time off of work. I know you're shocked.

Being a Pastry Chef is a sacrifice. I don't get Holidays off, I don't think I'll ever sleep in on a Saturday again actually. Sleeping 8 hours is about as common as The Eclipse.

My sisters are my best friends. I think I've been incredibly blessed to live by both of them since I moved out of the house. It's really important to me to be close to family. I was lucky enough to live near Lindsay and Mackay when I was in Denver. They are the NUMBER one reason I survived, and the best part about those two years of my life. Lindsay and I talk everyday. I've been trying to go back and visit. I found a killer deal on a flight to Denver, and took 3 days off of work. The best part about not being able to take weekends off: flights are much cheaper, when you go the first part of the week.

The day before my trip my landlord called and told me they wanted to re-do the wood floors in my room. Which meant I needed to have everything out of my room before I could leave. I also was working 10-12 hour shifts the two days before I left. There's always something isn't there? Getting out of town is so hard!

I made it to the airport on time, but I was certainly exhausted and grouchy. I've really mellowed out the past two years, but when I went to check a bag I met the most ridiculous woman. I was literally .2lbs over the weight limit. Her solution was for me to pay a $50 fee. Uhm no.

Jessica: Well can't I just take something out of my suitcase?

Dumb Wench: *smacking gum* Well I think it would just be easier to pay the $50

Jessica: Pretty sure it's going to take me the same amount of time to get out my card as it would to take out a left shoe

DDubs: I don't think so, I really think you should just pay it.

because paying $50 is always easier than unzipping a suitcase.

Jessica: At this point I lost it. Took my laptop out. and. yelled. Pretty sure The airport is the last place you want to make a scene. I even yelled for her manager. Then I told her she was an idiot and shouldn't treat people this way.

To top it all off she was wearing a scrunchie.

We ALL know how I feel about Scrunchies.

I called Lindsay once I was at the gate and told her the whole thing, she laughed politely at the whole thing, and put together I most likely unmedicated. ( I feel like ADD meds keep making an appearance on the blog, but I think it's really interesting when people can tell the difference.)

I love the Rockies

I did however have an INCREDIBLE time in Denver.

I have a thing for organizing. By that, I mean it's an addiction. I love my label maker, and well don't even get me started on cleaning supplies. I deep cleaned the dishwasher yesterday. (so simple, and it turned out great!)

I told Lindsay I would help her declutter and organize her house:) Best vacation ever!

we started in the kitchen. Lindsay and Mackay have been married for five years. They moved into a gorgeous new house, and it was time to get rid of the clutter and settle into their fantastic new house.

I believe in the rule of threes. Keep, Trash and Donate. I'm also a visual person. With the kitchen especially, I like to take everything out of the cupboard and see what I need to fit back into the space. We went cupboard by cupboard and divided things into those categories. Everything was scrubbed down and lined with contact paper. It did my little heart so much good. :)

Also. Containers. Loose Spice Packets, Papers.. etc. Contain it. 

Spices are a good example, it's important to be able to see what spices you have, otherwise you'll buy more of the same thing, and contribute to clutter. Don't do it! 

I also slept. The first night I slept a solid twelve. Followed by a long nap after church. Sleeping is so good. I should probably do it more often. 

We also ate really well. M&L have fallen in love with Jim & Nick's BBQ. It certainly didn't disappoint. 

 I'm determined to figure out this Lemon Icebox Pie. It's Fantastic. I also love the use of Butter in the crust. Who's surprised?

It wouldn't be vacation without a little kitchen time now would it? The Moores love raisins in their cinnamon rolls. When I was little my Mom would put raisins in them. I usually don't, but it was fun to have a little taste of  nostalgia. 

And then we went shopping :) Is my Lillie Bug not the cutest ever?  

Love my Lindser.  

annnnnnd Kelsey came up from Colorado Springs to visit. It was so fun to get caught up. It has been an entire year since we've seen eachother and we really haven't skipped a beat. We laughed hysterically at Christina's sparkly glitter diaper during the voice finale, ate rootbeer licorice. Spent the morning getting our toes done, and soaked up the sunshine at Starbucks. Love you Kels! 

ps. why did we not take a picture?

One of my favorite places in Denver is The Lamb Shoppe. It's everything you expect a yarn shop to be. The classes full of old and young people. Walls filled with the most gorgeous yarns. Over stuffed chairs to sit and knit for awhile. I just adore it. I love this Cascade 220 wool for knitting longies and they have a whole wall full of it. Lindsay did my heart good and took me on the way to the airport. It made me giddy. 

 Playing Dress Up

 When they picked me up from the airport, Lil informed me that her and I were going camping, and that she needed a cake for her birthday on Wednesday. (Couldn't bring myself to tell her, her birthday was in January.)

Thanks for having me! Can't wait to see you guys in August!

The One about Getting Rose-ted

Let's get real here. I'm no Fashionista. In fact calling me Dirty Harriet isn't a stretch at all.

Enter Rose.

Rose spends her days styling the Dirty Harriets and Fashionistas of the world in her mothership known to the mortal world as Nordstrom's.

She has taken it upon herself to make over my highly fashionable wardrobe. You would think cotton workout shirts and yoga pants are acceptable for going out.

Guess not.

Mostly I need to take a picture of her day to day outfits and take notes every time she starts talking fashion.

We made plans to go shopping when I got back from Denver, but it was the day before Mother's Day, and with any holiday for a Pastry Chef. There was no way I was going to be done in time to go shopping and still make it to the ward BBQ in time. One of the things I love about Rose is she doesn't put up with excuses. She basically told me to hand over my card and sizes and she'd shop for me.

I decided what's the worst that could happen and unleashed her.

This is what I came home to after work.

 This is what the note said.

Jessica! Welcome to the world of COLOR BLOCKING. Below you will see a shirt and shorts that are two completely different colors and tones. Yes, they match. Yes, you will look like a babe.

Love Always,

Rose.


I kinda drug my feet about getting dressed. I told her two sizes for shorts and she picked the smaller one(Why? still don't know). I was reallllllly panicked about them fitting.

And then a fashion miracle occurred. Everything fit perfectly.

I think I might have to keep shopping this way.