Inspiration: Labor Day (A.K.A.) National Lori Mundell Day

Cupcake Du Jour: S'mores

This delicious beauty is Magnolia Bakery's S'mores cupcake that has been one of their top sellers this past month. The perfect combination of a moist graham cracker cake and gooey marshmallow chocolate swirled topping is sure to make you feel nostalgic for those glorious summer nights. 

Once you let your taste buds try this heavenly cupcake, use the recipe below to make it yourself!

Chocolate Graham Cracker Cupcake Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 20 squares)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 standard muffin tins with cupcake liners; set aside.

Sift 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into the bowl of an electric mixer.

In a large bowl, mix together eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl and continue mixing on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add boiling water and stir to combine; set cake batter aside.

Place graham cracker crumbs, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl; stir until well combined.

Place 1 tablespoon graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each prepared muffin cup. Use the bottom of a small glass to pack crumbs into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Reserve remaining graham cracker mixture for topping.

Place 2 teaspoons chocolate in each muffin cup. Transfer muffin tins to oven and bake until the edges of the graham cracker mixture is golden, about 5 minutes.

Remove from oven and fill each muffin cup three-quarters full with cake batter. Sprinkle each with remaining chocolate and graham cracker mixture.

Return to oven and bake, rotating pans halfway through baking, until tops are firm and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer muffin tins to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and let cool completely.


Marshmallow Chocolate Swirl Frosting Ingredients:

8 large egg whites
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1-2oz of dark chocolate

Directions:
Bring water in a double boiler to a simmer (a metal bowl on top of a pot works too). Break chocolate into pieces and place in the top of a double boiler. (Don't let any water get in the chocolate). Stir constantly until evenly melted. Set aside to cool.


Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer. Set over a saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, 3 to 4 minutes.

Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix until combined.

Immediately spoon the marshmallow frosting into the left side and the melted chocolate in the right side of the piping bag. The result should be a swirl of marshmallow frosting and melted chocolate on each cupcake.


Enjoy!

Inspiration: End of Summer

Summer 2012 is unfortunately almost over and Fall 2012 is quickly approaching. The next two weeks will be my last effort to experience as much NYC summer festivities as I can.

 I hope you will do the same!

This Week's Instagram Faves

1. @Coacd

2. @facehunter: Are we beach partying today? #sattaoutside #šventoji #lithuania

3. @miamoretti: See ya when we see ya!

4. @perfectioner

5. @kegrand: Guinevere by Mert and Marcus for Love eight

6. @manrepeller: Condiments with character.

Shopping: The Evolution Store

The Evolution Store in Soho has to be one of my favorite sources for unusual accessories and home decor pieces.

 From fossils to butterflies this store has everything for science lovers like me. Below is their collection of meteorite pieces, including a sample of Mars. 

Be warned, this store isn't for the light hearted!

Fashion: Spacewoman

In my dream universe, where anyone can go to space without worrying about breathing, this is what I'd wear if I was a spacewoman on Mars. What would you wear?

Pleated collar long silk shirt by Alexander McQueen.

Low v-neck inset dress by Cedric Charlier.

Barnacle jacquard mini dress by Alexander McQueen.

Sleeveless short dress by A.L.C. 

Palm Beach Social Cluster by Christina Conrad on V&M.

Fingerless lace gloves from Etsy.

Modern cat-eye sunglasses by Prada.

Daf Booty Tag by Christian Louboutin. 

Home Decor: Curiosity Rover

August, 5th 2012 NASA made history by successfully landing Curiosity Rover on Mars. To honor this incredible moment of history, I have curated a small collection of home decor items based on the palette and textures of Curiosity Rover, Mars and Space. Enjoy!

 

Star Trek chair from Captain Picard's conference room from V&M.

Viburnum lamp ensemble from Anthropologie.

Mars rock from Evolution.

Cocktail table from ABC Carpet & Home.

"Affinity" rug from ABC Carpet & Home.

SodaStream soda maker from Crate & Barrel.