Frugal Gourmet

Okay, I admit it: I LOVE a good deal. In fact, those closest to me may say that this is one of my major defining characteristics. I especially enjoy a discount when it gives me the chance to experience a luxury for which I would never pay full price, which is why I am one of those people who frequent the small sale rack at the back of Williams-Sonoma. They generally mark down their gourmet foodstuffs when there is still a reasonable amount of time to spare before expiration, as was recently the case with this and this. When all you need to add is  butter and an egg, it may actually be the cheapest way to make homemade cookies. Add some fun packaging, and their luxury factor remains intact, even if you did buy the mix for a ridiculously low price.

Piece of Cake

Lemon Daffodil Torte from a sweet Cincinnati institution

It was one of those family-packed and sugar-fueled weekends when you spend more time socializing than taking beautifully composed photos. Thus, I don’t have a single acceptable image of the pink, yellow, orange, and white polka dot bedecked tables at the birthday brunch that we hosted for my Mom. Regardless, I can tell you that these table confetti party favors were a huge hit, the cellophane-wrapped 6 and 0 sugar cookies and fresh flowers in mini glass vases on each of the tables were a nice touch, the never-ending buffet was incredible, and I won’t soon forget the look of shock on my Mom’s face as she came into the room and was greeted with a collective shout of “Surprise!” The icing on the weekend was the dessert, slivers of which I slowed down long enough to capture on my cell phone camera.

My first attempt at Creme Brûlée, and a chance to use my new kitchen torch

Paper birthday cake centerpieces waiting to be adorned with straw candles

Blink of an Eye

I channeled Carrie Bradshaw with a very affordable new flower pin (and the most fun nail combo ever: Essie’s A Crewed Interest with a top layer of Lux Effects Set in Stone)

I rarely reach for an afternoon coffee, but that’s precisely what I did this Sunday afternoon when I found myself with a half-finished list of things that I hoped to accomplish before the day’s end. I love jam-packed weekends, but I find that the time flies by much more quickly than it would if I spent the day in front of the TV. That’s not to say that I didn’t reserve a few hours to check out HBO’s Game of Thrones, and the highly anticipated series premiere of Girls. Here are a few of the other highlights.

Obsessed over my new semi-permanent lash extensions from Benefit

Finally celebrated the arrival of a much-needed bahn mi shop with a toast of unfiltered ginger ale

Got started on a surprise craft project, details to be shared soon

Stashed some fragrant lilacs, “borrowed” from a neighbor, in the bathroom