Strawberry Brownie Cupcakes

I just finished frosting these cupcakes for my sister's birthday! They are SOOO good! (I had to do some quality control before I bring them to my family's house tomorrow!)

They were really easy to make too! Just buy one box of brownie mix and one box of strawberry cake mix.  Prepare each according to the box.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

I use cookie scoops to make sure there is an even amount of brownie batter and cake batter in each tin.  Put in one scoop brownie and one scoop cake, the tins should be 3/4 of the way full.  Just before you put them in, turn the oven down to 325 degrees.  Cook for 23-25 minutes.

Cool completely before frosting. (I used the Wilton recipe for simple buttercream.)

Check out the finished project!  

...drool...

Math Nerd Love Notes

WARNING! This post combines algebra, emoticons and a mushy love note all in one.

Ok so I saw this equation on Pinterest and LOVED it!  For those not fluent in mathematical equations, it uses basic algebra principles to simplify the problem down to I <3 u (which means ‘I love you’ in the emoticon world).  All together now…awwwww!

I admit I was a math major in college and this might not appeal to everyone, but I knew I had to somehow display this in my house.  The upstairs bathroom had a blank wall that was begging for a picture or something to dress it up, so this seemed like the perfect solution! 

I bought several sheets of scrapbook paper (on sale!) in shades that coordinated with our color scheme and then used my Cricut machine to cut out the numbers in the equation.  I used a tape runner to stick the pieces onto my backdrop color and added some flourishes for flair.  The cartridges that I had didn’t have negative signs or the inequalities so I just drew them in with a marker.  I had an extra matted frame in my stock so I framed it up!

 I think it looks awesome, even if people don’t get it! J

Total Cost: <$2.00 (had to use the inequality there!) 

Drab Dining Room Quick Fix

Earlier this month the hubby and I finished wallpapering and then painting (don’t ask…) the dining room; the only thing we had in the room was a table and 4 chairs (again don’t ask …J).  The room was looking a little sparse, and we were planning on having lots of family over for the holidays so we needed a dramatic centerpiece; and it needed to be cheap!

So I decided to take a trip to the Eastern Rensselaer County Community Warehouse in Hoosick Falls, NY.  It's a great place to get second hand items on the cheap.  I collected fifteen or so different looking glass candleholders, goblets and glasses.  Anything with interesting shapes or curves looks awesome… don’t worry about colored glass, ugly paintings or gold rims; they won’t show. 

I also stopped at the local big box store and picked up two cans of spray paint in white gloss (any color would work, but I chose white for a classic modern look. 

Softly scuff the glass with fine grit sandpaper, then clean and thoroughly dry before spray painting.  I like to cut one side off of a moving box to use as a backdrop for spray painting.  Make sure to move in slow smooth motions 8-10 inches away from whatever you are painting.  Let dry overnight and spray with another coat in the morning. 

Below you can see the before and after of my project!

Total cost: (drum roll please…) $10.00!!!!!

Before:

 After: