Monique’s Blog
Art, Pets, Gardening, Design, and Southern Living
Archive for 'Weblog'
New Orleans Cupcake Craze has arrived
Posted on January 16th, 2009 by Monique, under Cooking, Daily Life, Kitchen, Louisiana, New Orleans, Photography, Vegetarian, Weblog.
Who doesn’t love cupcakes?!?! I personally enjoy cupcakes, from searching for new recipes to eating them with loved ones. They are like a little special cake, just a serving and just enough. The fun thing about cupcakes are you can make them especially decadent and they disappear! Its much different from baking an entire large cake in that fashion. I know some people can huff down a chunk of chocolate cake by inhaling, but some of us like to be a little more reserved in our cupcake chowing.
In the last ten years, there has been a growing trend nation wide of cupcake specialty bakeries opening up. At a couple dollars a piece, in today’s economy almost anyone can get some change together and for less than $5 have a coffee and sweet little cupcake treat. So it is not surprising that this trend has finally hit New Orleans, who embraces such things with open arms.
I myself am a vegetarian, so when I make cupcakes I substitute all the animal products such as eggs and dairy butter and make vegetarian cupcakes. The result is still a wonderful sweet delightful treat, as seen in my cute cupcake pic below:
I was so glad to come across this article about the New Orleans cupcake craze this morning.
Zoey Devall is still pinching herself. A few months ago, she was working as vice president of external affairs for the economic development organization Greater New Orleans Inc. Today, she spends her days inside an Uptown storefront, churning out cupcakes by the hundreds.
“It’s just been an amazing response,” Devall said of customers’ reaction to her boutique cupcake bakery, Bee Sweet Cupcakes, at 5706 Magazine St.
The 375-square-foot store, with sugar sweet turquoise walls, flowery accessories and a display case filled with all varieties of cupcakes selling for $2.75 a piece, opened the day after Thanksgiving. The debut came just months after Devall decided to pursue the idea, inspired by Monday night baking sessions with her 4-year-old son and frequent trips to New York.
“We had a line,” she recalled of opening day. “And it was raining.”
Okay, so its officially Mardi Gras Carnival Season, where’s the king cupcakes!?! I will have to find some, or make some… hmmm 
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Happy New Year
Posted on January 14th, 2009 by Monique, under Daily Life, New Orleans, Weblog.
I almost feel like my brain is still stuck in December! The time has been flying by, and it is quite amazing.
I am barely getting back into the swing of things, like blogging, so check back for updates.
It is officially carnival season here too, as in Mardi Gras is coming!
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the final day of Carnival, which begins on the Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6. Also known as Kings’ Day or Twelfth Night, Jan. 6 celebrates the arrival of the three kings at Jesus’ birthplace, thus ending the Christmas season. And in New Orleans, simultaneously starting Carnival. This festival of fun finds its roots in various pagan celebrations of spring, dating back 5,000 years.
Tonight, another arctic cold front is supposed to be on its way here. Moderate freeze… bring your puppies and kitties inside if you are in SE Louisiana.
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New Weezer - The Red Album
Posted on June 23rd, 2008 by Monique, under Art, Daily Life, Friends, Music, Videos, Weblog.
A band that I have enjoyed ever since I saw them play the Universal Ampitheatre in either 94 or 95, Weezer
Now its 2008 and bands are hating their record labels more than ever, and turning to the internet for their fan bases as can be seen with Nine Inch Nails/Trent Reznor and Radiohead. It looks as though Weezer is on their way to doing the same. I am adoring the new red album.
And this guy Rivers Cuomo, the frontman of the band Weezer, can write a song. Just amazing. I watched all of the songwriting project videos he has on youtube and was quite captivated. He is so talented, and makes it seem so easy.
And if you haven’t heard the first single from the album, Pork and Beans, you have to watch the video. If you’re not a net head, you probably won’t understand too much of the characters and things in the video. But if you’re like me and have spent thousands of hours on the internet since 95, you will appreciate Pork and Beans. Check it out:
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Pictures I took while I was really high
Posted on June 8th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel, Weblog.
…in the air that is.
I took some lovely pictures while on a flight to and from MSY and LAX. I flew non-stop United “TED” and had a great experience. The pictures came out much better than I thought they would! Click the image for more full sized pics.
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Broken Heart Velvet Purse
Posted on June 8th, 2008 by Monique, under Art, Design, Fabric, Fashion, Photography, Purses, Sewing, Shopping, Textiles, Weblog.
So here is a recent attempt I made at a velvet purse. It didn’t take me very long, I used a simple pattern I bought at the sewing shop. I dyed all the fabric and drew the broken heart design by hand, it was fun. I have about a dozen more designed in my head, now all I need is the time to make them all! Click the picture for full sized image:
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Growing Cherry Tomatoes
Posted on May 20th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Food, Gardening, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Vegetarian, Weblog.
We have about 10×30 feet in the backyard of fended off garden area, and are growing lots of tomatoes. Here is a picture of the cherry tomatoes. This plant has tripled in size and already making tomatoes within a month of planting it in the ground. It had a little bit of yellowing leaves at the base of the plant, but looks like it is taking off and should make us lots of salad tomatoes. Yum.
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McDonalds Caramel Sundaes on Sunday
Posted on May 18th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Food, Friends, Kitchen, New Orleans, Photography, Weblog.
On a beautiful springtime sunday in May, we went to McDonalds for sundaes. Caramel sundaes with apples pies on the side.
I want more just looking at the pics!
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Nissan Titan
Posted on May 18th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Travel, Weblog.
I see these Nissan Titan trucks all over the place! A truck is really an important vehicle to have here in South Louisiana, and there are lots of family people here. So these roomy luxury trucks are all over. They actually look pretty cool, here is a pic I snapped of one:
I like black nissan titans best. With silver rims!
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What the dentist did to me
Posted on May 14th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Food, Weblog.
The dentist pulled out my wisdom tooth, thankfully. It was long overdue.
I felt relief as soon as he pulled it. Even with the discomfort, I could tell it was gone and it felt so good. Well, that and the laughing gas. Now I cannot eat solid food for a day or so, time to take it easy. At least they gave me vicodin!
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My female Miniature Pinscher Penny
Posted on May 13th, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Daily Life, Friends, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Videos, Weblog.
This is a quick video (no audio) that I took with the movie setting of my olympus digital camera.
Penny is my 2 year old miniature pinscher who loves to chase, bark, and play in the backyard. There is a glimpse of our male mini pin Max eating some greens on the side of the fish pond in the background. He grazes like a cow and watches the fish like the old dog he is.
