Cake Porn vs. the Diet

I had just eased into day-three of my half-hearted New Year's diet, the first day where I'm not totally starving or madly craving cake (even though on a normal diet I don't eat cake for weeks at a time without noticing). So of course I stumble across this. A recap of some of the most delicious, gorgeous, drool-worthy confections from across the country. It's enough to make me want to go on a cake-eating road trip.

Included in Cake Spy's confections of the year recap is the pumpkin whoopie pies from Brooklyn's Baked, where I just the other day gave in to the Brewers Blondie and a strong cup of coffee that gave me a toothache and the shakes, respectively, and ignited the desire to go on a diet in the first place. Oh sweets, harsh mistress, it's a vicious cycle!

Booze Saves Christmas

It's Christmas eve and you don't have a rolling pin for those Christmas cookies? Don't worry, just empty (read: drink) a bottle of wine and you've got a make-shift rolling pin.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM HOME SWEET HOMEWRECKER!

Bitchin' Kitchen

She's kind of intense and has an accent I can only describe as "biker babe," but Nadia G, the buxom blond host of web TV show Bitchin' Kitchen is a kindred spirit. She gets very in-your-face showing how to whip up recipes like "Bag Em', Tag Em' French Toast," "Rehab Ravioli" and "One Night Stand Breakfast" -- a surefire way to curb that awkward conversation the morning after.

Check out her site for the latest episode, an ode to underdog vegetables parsnips and brussels sprouts (my fav). She sheds new light on how punk rock veggies can be. Then stick around to probe her site for recipes, cookware tips and to call in to her Bitch-o-Rama hotline!

Holiday Shopping Guide for all the Home Wreckers in Your Life

While I haven't actually felt like shelling out much money this year on those I love, I do enjoy window shopping and web browsing for holiday gift items that I never intend to buy. Here's some gems I uncovered; a list of some of the best items for the home wreckers in your life.

For the DIY man (or the hot fix-it guy):
Size Matters Tape Measure

A handy tool for all your measuring needs around the house... including the bedroom.

For the bundle of joy:
Home Wrecker Onesie

Hey, call it like it is.

For the hot to trot homemaker:
Northstar Retro Range

You might not know how to cook, but at least your stove can look cute.

For the whoreticulturist (wow I just got another idea for a blog...):
Park Planters

Just like a stroll through the park near my apartment, only the flashers and gay dudes getting BJs are in delicate, white ceramic.

Happy holiday shopping friends!

A Lesson in Couture

I like to think I'm pretty decent at my job (you know, that thing I do when I'm not fussing over my apartment and what to eat). I'm lucky when I get to work on projects that involve my personal interests, like the time we taught people how to decoupage light switch plates as a promotion for a car company. Trust me, it made sense.

But then there are the times when I'm tasked with a project that challenges the boundaries of my skill set, shall we say. For instance, I coordinated an online teen soccer community (I don't play sports) and I managed marketing for an auto company (I don't own a car). I made a viral video with snowboarders in Wyoming (I don't snowboard, but I enjoyed hot tubbing in the snow). Sometimes it's, well, weird, but I'm always learning something new!

My latest challenge at work is to manage the blog of a high end fashion store. Fashion? You are talking to the girl who shops almost exclusively at Target and Forever 21. The girl who wears orthotics in her sneakers. The girl who last week paired electric blue nail polish with red plaid tights (the polish showed up mysteriously in my shopping bag with my $5 tights, so it seemed like karma wanted me to wear them together). Sure, I care about my appearance, but in my world thrift and comfort are always #1. Couture is basically lost on me.

As with everything else I've tackled on the job, I trust I'll learn something new (did you know berry tones are in for fall?) and become a better person for it. Perhaps as Home Sweet Homewrecker has helped me strive to improve my home decor, blogging for high fashion will help me hone my own fashionista know-how.

Which I will then apply directly to the shopping racks at Forever 21.

Turkey Time

So what are you cooking for Thanksgiving?

I'll be making last year's Momofuku brussels sprouts for a friend's turducken party this weekend, but for Thanksgiving proper, I'm just sticking to bringing the wine.

Rock and Roll Recipe Radio - Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

A brisk, fall day called for warm, seasonal baked goods and a little music. If that loaf of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread looks a little overgrown to you, listen to find out why. You can make your own pumpkin bread by (carefully) following this recipe:

• 3 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 4 eggs
• 2 c. sugar
• 2 c cooked or canned pumpkin
• 1-1/4 c. vegetable oil
• 1-1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.

Pour into two greased 8-in. x 4-in loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 60-70 min. or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 min. before removing from pans to wire racks. Yield: 2 loaves.

Rock and Roll Recipe Radio - Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

The playlist:
AA Bondy - World Without End
Chad VanGaalen - Willow Tree
The Pretenders - Brass in Pocket
The M's - Pigs Fly
Smashing Pumpkins - Obscured
The Muslims - On My Time