Weekly Roundup

one: Ellen's never-ending scares. I double dog dare you to watch this without just cracking up. There's just something insanely funny about people getting scared!

two: 33 times celebrities stood up for feminism in 2015. This post just makes my heart happy. Let's go, girls. 

three: Dogs playing in the snow. Absolutely adorable, and yet another reason why dogs are the best!

four: 25 hilarious tweets from the "explain a film plot badly" hashtag. Some of them are actually pretty spot on. The others are just hilarious.

Have a fun weekend!

-Kylie

Podcast Obsession

Lately, I've been obsessed with listening to podcasts! They've completely replaced listening to music in the car for me, which is a huge deal. It started when I finally gave Serial a shot back in October, and it all just spiraled out from there. I thought I'd share some of my favorites today, and get others hooked on them so I have someone to squeal over them with ;)

Limetown and The Black Tapes: So the first thing about both of these is that they're both fictional. I went into Limetown not knowing that and was SERIOUSLY freaked out. However, they're still creepy and interesting and just WHOA, even though they're stories. Limetown deals with a mysterious community that just people just disappeared from one day, and The Black Tapes deals with the paranormal. I basically binge listened to both of these (I recommend not doing it at night, yikes) and I'm currently anxiously awaiting the next season of Limetown and the next episode of TBP.

Missing Maura Murray: This one is real life, and is about a girl who basically disappeared back in 2004. The show goes through all the evidence from the point she went missing, and also from the time surrounding it. It's crazy to listen to, because there are just so many theories that could have happened to her!

Lore: I never thought I would be someone interested in folklore stories, but this podcast is insanely interesting. Every episode deals with a specific folklore topic and finds showings of that throughout history (the most recent one was about zombies!). 

These are only 4 of a huge list that I've listened to, so if you want more suggestions, I'm happy to give!

And on the other side, any podcasts you recommend for me? 

-Kylie

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes

I think it's pretty essential to have a good vanilla cupcake recipe in your personal recipe book. It's something that pretty much everyone likes, and can also be transformed into so many different cupcakes! I found this one with vanilla bean in it, and quickly fell in love. I love seeing the little flecks of vanilla bean throughout the cupcakes, and they just taste so darn good!

Vanilla Bean Cupcakes (recipe from Sarah's Bake Studio)

ingredients

for the cupcakes: 

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

6 ounces white chocolate baking bars, broken up

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 granulated sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

4 large eggs

seeds scraped from 1/2 vanilla bean

1 - 5.3 ounce container of greek yogurt, plain or vanilla

for the frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

3 cups pure cane powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

seeds scraped from 1/2 vanilla bean

1-3 tablespoons milk

instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan, combine white chocolate baking bars and milk over low heat, stirring continuously until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla extract until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Split vanilla bean down the middle lengthwise; scrape seeds from half of vanilla bean into batter. Reserve other half for buttercream.
6. Slowly add flour mixture to wet ingredients, alternating between flour and Chobani Greek yogurt; beat at low speed until blended.
7. Scoop batter into cupcake liners – no more than 2/3 full, or use a #24 disher to scoop batter. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cupcake, if it comes out clean it is done. Remove cupcakes from oven and allow cupcakes to cool in cupcake pan for 3 minutes; transfer to wire rack and cool completely. Cupcakes should be cooled completely before frosting.
FOR VANILLA BEAN BUTTERCREAM
8. In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat butter until creamy and smooth.
9. Turn mixer on lowest speed and add powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract, vanilla bean seeds, and a tablespoon of milk; mix on low speed until combined.
10. Turn mixer on high speed and mix for 3 minutes, adding more milk if needed; mix until creamy and smooth.
11. Pipe or frost cooled cupcakes. Eat & Enjoy!

Enjoy!

-Kylie

weekly roundup

one: 38 images that are scientifically proven to boot productivity. It's science, guys ;)

two: 49 thoughts you have every time you watch Fixer Upper. Anyone else want to move into every single house they redo?

three: 9 facts about The Lion King that will make you feel old. Ugh.

four: A video of Bill Nye (the science guy) reading mean tweets. I love him even more now. Can I watch him on Netflix?

Have a fun weekend! (and stay warm if you're gonna be snowed in like me!)

-Kylie

Kate Spade Kitchen

Have you guys seen Kate Spade's latest kitchenware? It is seriously the cutest! I want my kitchen filled with it ASAP. But since that's highly unlikely (silly issue of money and space and such), I'll just create my own little wishlist here! If anyone has the urge to buy me a gift, you know where to look ;) You can shop my favorite below, or view the whole collection here.

Anyone else super in love with all of this?
-Kylie

Pink Plaid Blanket Scarf

Whoops. My blogging has gotten off to a bad start this year! Everything has just been hectic, but I kinda of needed that time to miss blogging and remember why I love doing it! So back to blogging and back to the blogging community :)
This outfit is pretty much my winter staple. A cozy sweater, good jeans and a huge blanket scarf. I mean, how else are we supposed to stay warm in this ridiculous weather? 

sweater: Forever 21 (similar) // scarf: Marshalls (similar) // jeans: Joe's Jeans // boots: Frye (similar)

Have a great Monday!

-Kylie

Bloggers Gonna Blog

I've had such a thing for shirts with cute sayings on them lately, and when I saw this one about blogging, I just knew I had to have it! Paired with my absolute favorite sweats from Aerie (they have so many fun things lately!), and my trusty Nikes...and I was set for the day!

shirt: Trendy Sparrow // pants: Aerie (similar) // shoes: Nike (similar) // jacket: Abercrombie (similar) // sunglasses: nich boutique (similar)

Happy Monday!

-Kylie