I'm moving!!!

Hello hello!!

So I'm not actually moving...

I decided I wanted a change considering I sorta let my blog go during my last semester of school, so I created a new blog that had more of a specific "topic" if you will.  That's where beHAUTE comes into the picture.. it's a place where I can talk all things fashion, interior design, DIY related.

I hope y'all follow me over as I try my hand at a little fashion blogging!!

:)

xxoo

Crazy for Cupcakes!!

I've always had a little bit of an obsession with cupcakes.  Not only are they delishhh, they are too stinkin' cute!

images via pinterest & google images 

I don't know what has gotten in to me lately, but I've been BAKING.. from scratch.

Shocking.. because if you know me at ALL, you know that I don't do baking.  And if I do, it's me opening a boxed brownie or yellow cake mix and throwing it in the oven.  My grandmother, my aunts & my mother are all wonderful cooks.. and my cousin was just on TLC's 2nd season of The Next Great Baker!! (She's ahhhmazing, creates stunning cakes - especially her wedding cakes - and so so precious! If you watched, my cousin is Heather G, the cute, blonde pregnant one who was kicked off Week 7 -- NOT the stripper Heather -- just had to clear that up)

Clearly, it's in the genes somewhere, but I had NO idea I possessed any of those genes.  I've always been a huge fan of the Food Network.. watching people cook is so intriguing to me!  And recently I've been all about Cupcake Wars.  That show is IN-TENSE.  

SO when my mom asked what kind of cake I wanted for my birthday last month, I decided I would give her a break and make something on my own.. the only thing that came to mind was cupcakes.

I decided I wanted to make something different, so I searched online for recipes from Cupcake Wars.  I found so many that I would have tried in a heart beat IF baking was something I've been doing my entire life.  I needed something a little more on the "Easy" side.  I stumbled upon the Pretty In Pink Strawberry Champagne Cupcakes courtesy of Jenny Harrison and Mariel Williams.  Um, I love the movie Pretty In Pink, I love strawberries & I loooove champagne...

It was just PERFECT, right?!

ummm

WRONG.

Yea, needless to say, it was a fail.  It says intermediate, but I didnt think it would be that hard??  Well, it ain't easy people!!  The cupcake part was pretty straight forward, but the frosting.. ohmahword.

I was a bit discouraged...  and I'm not gonna lie, I got a little heated & may or may not have sworn off baking forever. 

 Yes, after my first attempt... 

buuuut I decided I could not be a quitter.  I gave it another go a few days ago, and it actually went well!!  I got online and did lots and lots of research on baking in general -- 

boy did THAT clear up a lot that I had noooo idea about... like the fact that each ingredient goes in at a certain time for a specific reason and that you should have all your ingredients measured in separate bowls sitting out in front of you.. yea, NOW it makes sense, but I didn't think to do that... 

Hmm, who knew?!

It was way more fun than I ever would have imagined.  Ok, let's be real, it's all the compliments I got on them!!  I used to look at baking as a hassle... you put all that time & effort into it, then BAM - it's eaten & gone.  But when people enjoy what you've made AND actually appreciate the time and effort, it's such a nice feeling!

I decided to go with more of a classic flavor and chose to do a Vanilla cupcake with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting.  I got the cupcake recipe from Bake Happy and the frosting recipe from Annie's Eats.  The frosting was really good, but a little too sweet for my likings.. so I'll probably change it up a bit.  And as for the Vanilla cupcake, well there is a secret ingredient she uses -- Nutmeg -- and I should have left it out.  I'm really not a huge fan of nutmeg, so why I used it?  I have no idea.  I guess I thought it wouldn't be as strong, but WHOA.  It hits you like a ton of bricks.  Not my fave... but my boyfriend, my roommate & her boyfriend liked them, so guess that's all that matters!!

Here's the finished product:

*Currently patting myself on the back*

I'm not one to toot my own horn & that is NOT what I'm trying to do right now, but if you saw me during my first cupcake escapade, you'd understand :)

***

Here are the recipes in case anyone wants to try them out for themselves!

Vanilla Cupcakes

From Bake Happy

Ingredients

1 ½  cups unsalted butter

1 ¼ cup milk

1 ½ cup sugar (if you have vanilla sugar, that would be nice)

2 eggs

2 ½ cake flour

2 ½ tsp baking powder

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp nutmeg (secret ingredient)

2 tsp vanilla extract and / or 1 vanilla pod 

Line cupcake pan with paper cups.  Preheat oven 375.

In a saucepan, bring milk and butter (if using vanilla beans, add them here) to a boil. Remove from heat and cool. 

In a large bowl, sift or dry whisk flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.

In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until pale yellow, fluffy and double in volume.  While still beating, add the butter/milk mixture.  Fold in the flour mixture (if using vanilla extract mix it into the mixture as well).

Fill the cups two-thirds full with cake batter.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

***

Easy Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

from Annie's Eats

Ingredients

20 tbsp. (2 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1/8 tsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbsp. heavy cream

In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat butter at medium-high speed until smooth, about 20 seconds.  Add confectioners’ sugar and salt; beat at medium-low speed until most of the sugar is moistened, about 45 seconds.  Scrape down the bowl and beat at medium speed until mixture is fully combined, about 15 seconds.  Scrape bowl, add vanilla and heavy cream, and beat at medium speed until incorporated, about 10 seconds.  Then increase the speed to medium-high and beat until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scraping down bowl once or twice.  

***

Since today is Valentine's day, I SHOULD be posting about my absolute ALL-TIME favorite cupcake...

Red Velvet.

Y'all, this recipe is melt-in-your-mouth good, but I have to share that post tomorrow considering I'm a little behind on my posting.  It'll just be my V-day recap ;)

I hope everyone has a wonderful day with their loved ones or with their favorite bottle of wine & DVR!

xxoo

Simple is more

It's no surprise to anyone who knows me that I am a sucker for all-white, neutral interiors with somewhat of a shabby chic feel. 

There's something about the simplicity that I cannot get over.  I think the love affair with all-white, neutral homes started with my aunt.  She is the epitome of a "modern day queen" in my eyes.  She wears her robe and dainty slippers with fur on top until her makeup is done and her 2 cups of tea (which she gets from a tea man..) are gone in a home that has always been all white adorned with huge gold mirrors & elegant pieces of furniture everywhere. Absolutely gorgeous.. it's such a dream.

My first set of furniture was ivory and was given to me when I was about 5.  It's beautiful & VERY nicely built.. so I still use it today!  I used to sit my TV on the dresser, which has done some serious damage, and when I was in middle school I didn't exactly care about my furniture appearance.. sooo there are a few discolored areas on my desk & nightstand from my straightener. Needless to say, I'm thinking about fixing it all up and repainting it in a whitewash.  I've been all over the internet for ideas.

Here are some pictures that I'm currently swooning over:

photos via In the fun lane 

photos via pinterest

photos via Shabbychic

I love my little house that I live in now, but after getting SO many ideas, I can't wait to get started decorating a place of my own!  The distressed furniture, white linens and cloud-like duvets with ruffles draw me to that shabby chic look.  I'm not a huge fan of furniture with color or floral prints though.  I prefer flowers in vases as opposed to on my linens & decorative pillows, so disregard those elements from above and envision WHITE.. with a few pink elements here and there, of course :)

I've run across a few DIY ideas from pinterest and blogs that I plan on using to redecorate!  This is going to be my first huge DIY project, so I'll make sure to post along the way!  

PS. I recently turned my desk into a desk/vanity (I figured I didn't need anywhere to keep schoolwork anymore, so I tossed it!) AND reorganized my closet.. so you may be getting a post about those little tidbits soon!

I hope everyone has a fabulous start to their week!!

xxoo

Long Time No Blog

Wow.

I hate it's been so long since my last blog post, but I had to take a little break for my studies! 

Lame? Yes. Worth it? YES!

 I finish my very last semester {and not to mention the hardest semester of my entire college career} on FRIDAY & graduate Dec. 12!!  I've been taking Organic Chemistry 2, it's corresponding lab and French 122 since August, and it has taken up every single bit of my time.  It was not unusual for me to be in the library for 15 hours at a time...don't judge.  I knew what I needed to do in order to graduate with good grades, so I did it.  And I found out today that I got a B+ in my lab and an A in my ochem class!! YAAAY!  Call me a nerd, but ish is HARD and I am SO proud of myself!

A few posts ago I let it all out and explained I've never really been a "school" person.  WELL, this semester on the very first day of class I met my motivator and life-long best friend, Ashley, who believed in me and reminded me DAILY that I am capable of whatever I put my mind to.  She and I spent countless hours in the library studying, crying, procrastinating, laughing our booties off, etc. together.  I honestly don't think I could have made it without her!!

I'm not sure what I made in french, but I passed the 3 required Exit Exams!  You have to pass the lecture course AND the 3 exit exams in order to pass the class...AKA if you pass the class with an A, but don't pass 1 of the 3 exit exams you FAIL and have to retake the whole course...ummm NOT FAIR!! I def feel for anyone who doesn't pass those little babies.

ANYWHOOO, What's next you ask??

NO IDEA!!

My dad and I have been talking about grad school, med school, design..and all that jazz.  I'll letcha know when I've come up with something :)  Until then, I plan on enjoying my free time during the holidays.

Now, I'm off to watch the remainder of my most favorite show of all time:

THE VICTORIA'S SECRET FASHION SHOW!!!

It may or may not be my dream job...but seriously...

P.S. Thanks to those who continued to leave me sweet comments even though I wasn't posting at the time, and HELLO to my new followers!! I promise I will be back to posting regularly soon!!

xxoo,

"Every woman..."

FACT:  I'm a HUGE quote collector.

I remember walking into my mom's office when I was just a little girl and seeing quotes posted everywhere...some she just jotted down real quick and some she took the time to type up, print out & post where she can see it every day.  My dad is the same way.  They both feel strongly about motivational speaking..going to see speakers, listen to them, read their stories, etc. to help guide you to a successful and fulfilled life.

SO, over the years I have made word documents and collected a quote book of any and everything I've read or seen that could help relate to a situation I'm in or could go through.  Breakups, friendships, life...you name it, I probably have something for you.

Today I was going through some of my quotes to post on my roomie and I's fridge when I came across a cute one I got from a sorority sister a few years ago...

***

Every woman should have:


-enough  money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to
-something perfect to wear if the employer, or date, of her dreams wants to see her in an hour
-a youth she's content to leave behind
-a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age
-a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill and a black lace bra
-one friend who always makes her laugh, and one who lets her cry
-a good piece of furniture not previously owned (at least not by anyone else in her family)
-eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored
-a feeling of control over her destiny
-how to fall in love without losing herself


Every woman should know:


-how to quit a job, break up with a lover and comfort a friend without ruining the friendship
-when to try harder and when to walk away
-that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents
-that her childhood may not have been perfect, but it's over
-what she would and wouldn't do for love or more
-how to live alone, even if she doesn't like it
-whom she can trust, whom she can't and why she shouldn't take it personally
-where to go, be it to her best friend's kitchen table or a getaway place, when her soul needs soothing
-what she can and can't accomplish in a day, a month and a year

***

I thought it had some pretty valid points so of course I jotted it down!  Just thought I'd share :)

I hope you all have a good hump day!

xxoo

Piperlime & Rachel Zoe

I love online shopping.  Plain and simple.

I get on a number of websites daily just to see if anything new has appeared, but one of my all-time favorite websites is Piperlime.  Year-round it has the best clothes to choose from...and it's a GREAT way to find outfit inspirations.  Plus, you get to see Rachel Zoe's pics which are always my FAVE!

Here are a few items I'm lusting over at the moment :)

{all imgs via}

 J Brand

Ali High-Rise Corduroy Pants

$218

7 For All Mankind

Lexie Bell Bottom Jeans

$178

Flared pants are REALLY in this season...with a flowy top, long pendant and high wedges...SO cute and 70s-ish!!

Joie

Newbury Silk Top

$198

Trina Turk

Braden Vest

$298

Milly

Klarina Sleeve Dress

$380

Rachel Zoe

Bella

$425

Madison Harding

Blair

$335

Why can't I have all the money in the world??  I would snatch up these gems in a heart beat!  All of these were Rachel's pics, duh...does she not have the best sense of style EVER??

{via}

{via}

ahhh...she's too cute!!

Hope y'all have a FABULOUS Tuesday!!

xxoo

Find What You Love

Alright y'all, today I'm preachin'...

In my last post I revealed that I had no major plans for the weekend...well, like 30 minutes after I clicked "publish post" I got a phone call from the Art Institute of Charleston.  I've been in contact with them about their interior design program, but haven't had a free weekend to go visit.

I kind of wanted a relaxing weekend at home, but I decided to just go for it because of football coming up and all that jazz.  I made an appointment for Saturday morning, but left Friday to make sure I didn't over sleep or whatever.  {Henry being the BEST boyfriend EVER came with me}  Yes, we ventured to Charleston in prime hurricane weather.  Oh well, we survived.

Anyway, the school was everything I hoped it'd be.  I LOVED it!

And this is where the preaching comes in...

 When I was in middle school and high school I remember sketching clothes and talking to my mom about wanting to go to the Art Institute in New York City, but do you think I wanted to live up north?  No.  And the one in Charleston didn't exist yet.  So, I went to my second choice, USC.  I went in as a Public Relations major and was with someone who brought out the worst in me.  He had me believe that money was everything and I wouldn't make it unless I did something in medicine, aka dental school.  A girl who, for lack of a better word, SUCKED at high school biology decided to major in biology because of what someone else convinced her was right.  BIG BIG mistake.  I made good grades freshman year because it's all the core classes that are pretty easy, so I convinced myself the road to dental school wouldn't be so bad…so I made the change to bio and attempted it for 2 years.  {and in the mean time I dumped the faggot}

My senior year in college I hit a wall.  I could not go on any longer doing biology.  I wasn’t doing well, I already decided I wasn’t passionate about dental school…It just wasn’t me.  SO, I switched back to PR to actually see what it was all about considering my freshman year we didn't get into any major classes yet.  Again, I made better grades, but I was still not 100% happy.  I kept at it because I didn’t know what else to do.  I mean my senior year isn’t exactly the time to just pick up a completely new major, right?  Wrong.  Should have done that FO SHO.  Anyway, I met with my advisor at the end of my senior year and we discussed graduation plans.  If I stuck with PR, I could graduate the following May, but I’d have to take a full summer course load.  Gross.  If I switched back to biology I would only need a few more classes to graduate the following December.  I discussed this with other people and they had me convinced, “Morgan, it’s only a few more classes…you can stick it out!”

This genius right here went along with it.

What. An. Idiot.

Because here I am, still trying to pass stupid courses like Organic Chemistry in a major that I HATE and a major that I KNOW I’m doing nothing in life with.  Obviously I have had one hell of an emotional roller coaster over the past 5 years of college.  I've spent countless hours studying things I don't enjoy and it was ALL due to someone else's opinion.  Not my own.

Girls, if I've learned ANYthing at all in this horrific biology degree of mine it's.. DON'T SETTLE.  Life is entirely too short to be anything but happy.  If you're not completely satisfied, change it.  You are in control of your life.  Nobody else... {other than the big Man upstairs that is..}  So don't let other people decipher your life.  YOU need to find the meaning of it.  What are you passionate about?  If you aren't sure, try a bunch of things and figure it out!  I guess I was just lucky to have a passion for design at a young age, but I still didn't even know what type of design until midway through last year.

We're still young and have our whole lives ahead of us to find what we love, but why wait?  You ain’t gettin’ any younger people…And the sooner you start, the longer you get to enjoy it.

Do yourself a favor and read this article about Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple.  It's an eye opener for sure.


http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903596904576520690515394766.html


{PS. the message ISN'T about quitting college, just clearing that up before I get hate mail or something...}


Enjoy the rest of your Tuesday, loves!


xxoo