Vanilla Lemonade Cupcakes

With Memorial Day Weekend upon us, I was inspired to make something sweet to ring in Summer. I thought a Pink Lemonade cupcake would be perfect, but once I was in the kitchen, I opted instead for a Vanilla Lemonade concoction instead. Thus, the Vanilla Lemonade Cupcake- perfectly light, perfectly sweet and perfectly Summer.


Sip a glass of sweet tea, grab an Adirondack Chair, and bite into a perfect taste of Summer.

Vanilla Lemonade Cupcakes

2 3/4 cups of all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

2 sticks salted butter

2 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup pink lemonade juice
Lemon zest

Heat Oven to 350 degrees

Combine flour, salt and baking powder in bowl.

In another bowl, beat butter and sugar until combined and fluffy. Add eggs, beat well after each egg is added. Combine flour mixture into butter/sugar in 4 parts. Add in vanilla extract. Alternate adding flour and milk and pink lemonade juice. Beat until well combined. Add the zest of half a lemon (to taste). Beat batter together to combine with zest.

Line cupcake tin with liners and fill each cupcake 3/4 of the way full and cook for 20-22 minutes until done.

Frosting:

2 sticks of salted butter

6 cups of powdered sugar

1/2 cup of milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Lemon Zest

Beat the sugar and butter together and combine milk and vanilla extract about 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Add in lemon zest and beat about 10 more seconds to combine. Frost the cupcakes once cooled.

Spring Is In The Air

Happy Spring Everyone!! Spring is in the air here in New York- finally! And I can't believe that summer will be here even faster! 2012 is flying by and so are the seasons! With Spring and Summer upon us, and an easy breezy lifestyle means summer dresses! I am loving the prints, vibrant colors, and mod-ish feel that many of the dresses have. And my latest find are great dresses from Amazon. Did ya'll know that Amazon has a 'dress shop?' Amazon is my go-to, and now can be my go to for cute dresses!

Check it out now Shop At Amazon!

Lilly Pulitzer Women's Allura Dress

Halston Heritage

Trina Turk

Jessica Simpson

Lilly Pulitzer Maybell

Fall

I know it's been a while, but I'm back. Have you all noticed all of the Fall online sales for the weekend? My email is full of 'starred' items of sales, that I can't wait to purchase over the weekend. What better way to spend the first cool fall weekend of November.....a cup of coffee (Peet's please), college football, and shopping the online sales for new warm weather goodies! Here are some of my favorites that I just may or may not have purchased:

The Limited

Cabled Fly Away Cardigan

Button Bateau Sweater

J. Crew

Cambridge Cable Zip Crewneck Sweater

Maritime-stripe Blazer

Icon Trench

Martina Tortoise Wedges (Love these!)

All of the above little wonders are all on sale! Can't beat that! Y'all have a great time shopping this weekend!

Sunday Funday!

Happy Sunday, ya'll! I hope you all have a great and relaxing lazy hazy summer day! Enjoy beaching it, having a summer picnic, or sipping a delicious cocktail- all sounds like the perfect day to me! What are you up to?

The Skinny

The Skinny by thepreppycupcake featuring high waisted pants

Skinny pants are fashion magic. They can be dressed up or down- trousers or jeans, leggings or cropped. Depending on your work environment, they can be dressy or more 'biz cas'..... which is what I love at the office. Here is the skinny minnie on how to work 'The Skinny.'

1) Bold: Skinny pants in a bold color- think coral, 'Nantucket red,' or kelly green, with a neutral flowy top adds drama and ease to an otherwise blah Tuesday at the office. Pair them with a neutral pump, and some some killer earrings and you are all set.

2) Black: Everyone needs a pair of black Skinnies..... Either cropped, zippered, or tailored, you can't go wrong with a pair of basic black skinny pants. Adding a plain tee, and some cute and tailored flats, make this look a polished classic. Add a silk scarf around your shoulders, and this look is perfect for a client meeting on Friday right before escaping the heat on a summer Friday on the Jitney.

3) Neutral: Who doesn't love a neutral skinny pant. However, the 'skinny' is not just your average khaki, so please don't confuse the two. Add a classic black patent pump, over-sized gold watch, a little black tank, and a lightweight lace cardi for the cool office AC, and you are good to go.

Fall Into Autumn....Changing Seasons, Not Breaking The Bank

Fall is all about 'new'. Even though it's not a new year, per-se, it always seems to have a new feel to the season..... Back to school, new crisp cool air, and with all of the 'newness', you don't have to break the bank and still look great- classy and sexy and sophisticated. You can do this all under $100, for the most en-trend looks for the season, while mixing and matching with your transitional summer wardrobe staples.

1) Skinny Jeans: A fashion no-brainer. If you don't already have a pair, run don't walk and purchase. These Zara skinny jeans are perfect for chilly fall nights, but still chic and sassy for autumn days at work or on the weekend at cheering on your favorite college football team (Go Cardinal!).

2) High-Heel Loafers: I am LOVING this new look! Perfect for a casual outfit, or dressy for a work meeting. I can't wait to buy these in any and all colors available. Perfect with the skinny jeans, or a jersey dress.... the platform-ish look makes them not look too stuffy and Connecticut prep circa 1983.

3) Wrap Watch: This wrap watch is perfect from the very trendy large gold watch look right now. The wrap watch makes a statement with the burgundy band, but is not so ordinary. Classic and simple and different. What's not to love?!

4) Orange Scarf: Who doesn't love a 'pop' of color? And what more perfect color for Fall than orange. The orange scarf or snood is perfect to cozy up with while wearing your favorite white tee.

5) Cape: What more of an update than the classic cape coat. A great alternate to a barn or trench coat, this cape coat adds extra 'umph' to jeans, trousers, riding pants, even the ever amazing legging.

Okay, girls, go out and get ready for Fall! Even though it's a balmy 90 degrees in the dog days of summer, it's never to early to day dream about the 'new' autumn season looking cozy, classy, and positively fab for Fall!

Fall Into Autumn....Changing Seasons, Not Breaking The Bank by ThePreppyCupcake featuring high heel shoes

Summer In The City- Beach

Summer heat is upon us (well it is July!), and what better way to escape the heat fron Manhattan, but to head to the beach. Cool breezes, warm water, sun on my face (covered with SPF 60 of course!), and end the day with a Ralph's Ice. These are no joke, y'all!

Feeling some summer beach inspiration, I decided to put together my dream fashion NYC beach outfit that is perfect for a NYCer escaping for some R&R at the beach (even if it's not the Hamptons!)

Summer In The City- Beach by ThePreppyCupcake featuring red straw hats