While looking for an announcement for my daughter’s Christening, I stumbled across these adorable Cupcake themed invites from Tiny Prints. They have both a girl AND a boy version which can be personalized for your party particulars. Very sweet.

New! From All-Mighty Clothing:

Who doesn’t love cuteness and practicality bundled tight into one tiny little package? Life is too short, spend less time trying to find your house key. These key covers make even the mundane tasks of the day to day extra sweet. Cupcakes put a smile on everyones face.

$5.00 by Decole @ All Mighty Clothing.

This hand embroidered tea towel is from Early Bird Special. I have several items from this shop and they’re all beautifully made. The candy and donut towels are so cute I don’t see how anyone could ever actually wipe anything on them. $15 on Etsy.

Picture & Recipe via Gena @ Big City, Little Kitchen.

Cake

1 cup Guinness
1 stick, plus 1 tb, unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups dark brown sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 tb vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
Glaze*

8 oz cream cheese
1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/3 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350; butter a muffin tin.

Combine the Guinness and the butter, chopped into 1-inch chunks, in a large sauce pan, and heat to melt the butter. Remove from heat, and whisk in the cocoa and sugar. In a bowl, whisk the sour cream with the eggs and vanilla, then add to the beer mixture. Sift together the flour and baking soda, and fold into the batter. Pour into muffin molds and bake for 25 minutes, or until inserted cake tester comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes, remove from muffin tin, and cool completely on a rack.

Using a mixer, whip cream cheese until smooth, sift in sugar, and beat. Add milk, and beat until smooth. Spread glaze over cooled cupcakes.

*To create a thinner glaze, use a tablespoon or two more milk; for a topping more akin to icing, use less milk, and perhaps more sugar. In either case, add a little sugar or milk at a time, mix, and check for desired consistency.

I know TBHB has been getting lots of press lately, and I’m a part of the hoard with my interview with chef/owner Michelle Garcia form last year. But they really are doing something amazing- organic bakery with a punk rock kick in the pants! Michelle only uses local, sustainable products and contributes to just about every good cause in Chicago. I was already in love after the first interview, but I recently profile Michelle for another publication and it rekindled my passion for baking, supporting women-owned business and for well, The Bleeding Heart Bakery. It’s gotten to the point where people e-mail me to say how much they enjoyed their cupcake from TBHB and I have to tell them I’m not Michelle, I’m just a huge fan and accidental PR writer. So here are some of the many beautiful cupcakes TBHB has to offer. If you’re ever in Chicago give me a call and I’ll meet you there for one!

I’m pretty sure if you’re reading a blog called All Things Cupcake right now, this image applies to you. Entitled “Thinkin’ About Cupcakes” this brooch comes from ModelCitizen.

Now brace yourself, because this hand-drawn piece of jewelry will run you three American dollars. That’s right, $3. I don’t know what you all are drinking in the morning, but I can’t even get a Cinnamon Dolce latte for $3.

Don’t fret if Etsy tells you this item is sold out (someone with amazing taste snatched it up right after I posted it) because Bonnie is making more and they’ll be in the shop soon. I’m sure she’d be happy to let you know when more are available if you send her an Etsy conversation. 

MAC Cosmetics and Heatherette Duo Richie Rich and Traver Rains Celebrate Launch of MAC Heatherette Collection this Thursday in the most fabulous fashion- with sparkling pink cupcakes! The limited edition line is available at www.maccosmetics.com

I think Target’s new business model is “put a cupcake on it, they will come.” Because it’s getting to the point where I carry cupcake-themed things around the store and then at the check out I’m like, “Do I need a cupcake eye glasses repair kit?” But, as a compulsive list maker I always need notebooks and I found this one (and the sweetest strawberry-shaped one) at Target last night. They also have ice cream sundaes, ice cream cones and double cherries on notebooks and folders.

I know Easter is tomorrow and you all have probably bought your cupcake decorations by now, but these sugars were in the dollar spot and I’ve been using them on everything. Monday they’ll probably be 50 cents. I use colored sugar in my coffee. That’s gross, right? I don’t care. Life is short, put green sugar in your coffee.

Chicago’s Circa Ceramics has asked me to try out some of their sauce bowls as cupcake containers so I’m really excited about that. I have to see if Jessie Steele can make me an apron that looks like a mad scientist’s lab coat. I might blow up my kitchen, for real.

This isn’t a new Lush product but I was reminded today by the spring sales flier that Cupcake exists and I knew exactly which group to share it with.

If you’re not yet familiar with Lush please do not tell your husbands that it was me who introduced you. Because after cupcakes, Lush products will be your new obsession. Pay no heed to the sticker shock, Lush products are handmade, all natural, all vegetarian and in many vases vegan. They smell amazing, work wonderfully and you get a lot for your money. One bubble bar lasts me at least three baths. And those baths are BUBBLY.

This particular product is a chocolate-infused cleansing mask for problem and/or oily skin. If you are not lucky enough to have a Lush store where you live (OK, Chicago, you got me there. You might snow in spring, but you have like, three places to buy Lush) you can order online. Shipping prices can be outrageous because the products are freshly made and perishable, so consider getting together with friends, placing a big order together and splitting the shipping cost.

If you’re looking for other Lush product recommendations I’ve tried almost everything. Even the $80 moisturizer, so hit me up. I’ll tell you right now everyone on Earth needs a Buffy the Backside Slayer, a Creamy Candy bubble bar and Karma Komba solid shampoo bar.