Birthday Surprises: Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

February 22, 2012

{Hydrangeas courtesy of husband}
Birthdays around here are celebrated by getting to have all of your favorite foods for the day.
Gabe’s birthday had to be postponed this year since it was the same day as my grandpa’s funeral🙁  So this weekend I got to baking. Wanted to share one of my favorite desserts with you.
 
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake:
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick butter, unsalted, softened
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
Icing (optional)
 
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.
Using a hand mixer, cream the butter, light brown sugar, and vanilla extract on medium speed, about 1 minute.
Add the egg, blend on medium speed for 30 seconds.
Add the dry ingredients and combine on low speed until just a few dry streaks remain.
Add the chocolate chips and hand mix with spatula.
Scrape the batter into a greased and lined 9-inch round cake pan.
Press the batter into a smooth and even layer in the pan. Bake until lightly golden and puffy around the edges (insert knife at center to make sure the middle is done), approx. 20 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes and then run a knife around the edge of the pan to release the cake.
Cool before turning the cake out of the pan and onto a large plate.
I used a cake deco kit to add icing drops on the top for that birthday cake look and feel. 
Slice and eat that bad boy!
Hope you enjoy!
(recipe adapted from this original recipe)
 
*Kind of ironic I am posting this on the first day of Lent, as Gabe and I are giving up sweets! Sigh…

I {Heart} My Readers Giveaway: 50$ Credit to Shopkempt!

February 21, 2012

I have a weak spot for online boutiques. Shopkempt is no exception. Cute everythings with every click of the mouse. I am so thankful to them for taking part in my February I {Heart} my readers giveaways and generously offering a reader a 50$ credit to spend on the site!!

To Enter (must be a subscriber or follower of IHOD):
1. Visit Shopkempt and let us know how you would spend your credit!
Additional Entries (separate comment for each):
2. Like Shopkempt on Facebook and let them know I sent you!
3. Tweet or Facebook about the giveaway.
example tweet: Just entered the giveaway over @inhonorofdesign for a 50$ shopping spree to @shopkempt! http://inhonorofdesign.blogspot.com
Will draw a winner next monday night! Open to all readers! Best of luck!
Also, the winner of the Rack and Sack Giveaway is #35!! Serendipity Handmade! Congratulations! Will be contacting you with details:)

True Beauty Files: Tone on Tone

February 20, 2012

{Cardi: GAP (gift), Denim: ON, Scarf: c/o Three Bird Nest , Earrings: c/o LYLIF, Tote: H&M, Belt & Nail color: H&M, Shoes: Jessica Simpson}
Style Word: As you can see from Friday’s post, blues and greens are a hit with me right now! (For example.) Its appealing to the eye to see warm or cool colors from the same family paired up and layered. Yesterday I pulled out some peach and tangerine to make a nice fruit salad  color mash up:)
How was your weekend?? My hubs has today and tomorrow off, so I feel like we are on a mini spring break!
Since I have had some problems with the linky tools, just leave your blog link in the comment section with your modern modeste outfit posts for others to check out!
P.S. Its the last day to enter the 40$ shopping spree giveaway at Rack and Sack! Don’t miss out! Drawing a winner tonight!
The True Beauty Files:
A lookbook for the modern modeste.
“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.” 
~ Audrey Hepburn

Style Files: Hues of Blue and Green

February 17, 2012

1 || 2 || 3 || 4
What are you all up to this weekend? 
We have to start the day with shots for the babes:( I am heartsick about it. Sometimes, I have my husband take them because I can barely stand it. 
Also on the plans is to celebrate Valentine’s Day and my husband’s birthday since we were traveling on tuesday and wednesday:) So looking forward to spending some time with him.
P.S. Please welcome my newest sponsors Casey Leigh (if you aren’t already reading her blog, you really should!) and BMB (Brianne designs some incredible accessories at an affordable price – you may recognize some of the pieces I wear on the blog)!! 

Take 3: Braid It. Twist It.

February 16, 2012

Its been quite a week. Still visiting with family, but wanted to share some of these beautiful hair options I came across:) 
Thank you to all of you who have left your thoughts and prayers for my family. I really do {heart} you! 
P.S. The lovely Casey Wiegand is having a group sponsor giveaway, and I am throwing in a three month premier sponsor package! Go check it out!

CLOSED* I {Heart} My Readers Giveaway: 40$ Credit to Rack and Sack!

February 14, 2012

Excited to introduce you to Rack and Sack!
A beautiful AND affordable Online Vintage Shop with trendy and unique pieces to adorn!
Rack and Sack is generously giving away a 40$ shop credit to spend:)
To Enter (must be a subscriber or follower of IHOD):
1. Visit Rack and Sack and let us know how you would spend your credit!
Additional Entries (separate comment for each):
2. Like Rack and Sack on Facebook and let them know I sent you!
3. Tweet or Facebook about the giveaway.
Also, Rack and Sack is offering all readers 15% off your purchase with code IHODBLOG!
Best of luck to all of you! Happy St. Valentine’s Day! Much love!
P.S. The very lucky winner of the THEIT Camera Bag is…..#263 Emily!
Will email you for details!


The True Beauty Files: Contrast

February 13, 2012

First, I wanted to thank you so much to each of you for your sweet words and condolences you have sent about my grandfather. I continue to be amazed by you!
Last weekend, we got a beautiful dose of warmer weather and sunshine. I think God knew I needed it before the long week ahead. I never think twice about wearing brights in the middle of winter.
{Scarf, Neon Cardi: F21, Striped Tee: H&M, Jeans: Gap, Shoes: Francesca’s, Bracelets: c/o Poshlocket}
Style Word: Balance out color on color with a neutral color underneath, and make it pop by working in a pattern such as stripes or polka dots:)
Up for discussion:
Did you watch the grammy’s?
Who was your vote for best dressed?
I find the contrast of Nicki Minaj  and Adele almost comical. Both been given an immense amount of media attention in Hollywood, but one drew herself much disgust and disrespect (don’t get me started on her performance!) and the other earned the awe and increased love and admiration of fans. Incredible how what you wear can speak volumes about who you are.
Adding the link tool this week so you can link up your outfit posts! (The true Beauty Files posts receive over 4,000 views) Since its been a few, feel free to use a post from the past week! Just grab a button or text link back to this original post!
P.S. Vanessa featured me in a Wonder woman Interview. *blush. You can see the post here.
P.S.S. Today is the last day for the THEIT Camera Bag giveaway and I will be posting a new I {Heart} my readers giveaway tomorrow!

The True Beauty Files:
A lookbook for the modern modeste.
“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows & the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.” 
~ Audrey Hepburn
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