cupcakes.

While I love spending some of my free time perusing the "net" for sources of admiration and/or inspiration, I tend to not post much about things that actually inspire me. I would say that's largely due to the fact that while I love the idea of doing things, I don't actually do them. Dear readers, I'm hoping to change that here and now. While I might only be posting things I want to do rather than things I actually do, hopefully sharing these ideas here will get me another foot through the door in my desire to be creative and crafty.

What's been on my mind lately? Cupcakes. Maybe it's the fact that Astoria has three bakeries between the subway station and my apartment. Maybe it's the fact that my friend Zoe recently posted an entry about New York City's best cupcakes. Maybe it's the fact that I've stumbled across countless blog entries and pictures about cupcakes this week (coincidence or guided by a Hallmark holiday? you decide). Whatever the reason, I'm starting to collect favorite ideas. Two that have stuck with me in particular:

Apple Cupcakes.

How adorable are these?! The link attached to this picture (Cheeky Kitchen) actually has these cupcakes full of apple spice flavor, but I also stumbled upon a similar idea for a country wedding: trays full of chocolate, vanilla, and marble cupcakes but disguised as apples to match the harvest/barnyard event theme. This is a great reminder that your cupcake's exterior doesn't have to match the cupcakes interior - you have fun with both worlds.

Another idea idea I absolutely LOVE is that of a cupcake in a jar.

cakies

I mean really, such a simple idea but why hasn't it been brought to my attention before?! Cupcakes are so scrumptious that they are hard to chow down without causing a crumb avalanche on your shirt. And don't even get me started on trying to get the perfect ratio of cake:frosting per bite. In a jar, they look simply delectable as you can see each layer as it sits on display through glass rather than underneath paper. Being able to dip in with a spoon means no crumbs, no trash aftermath, and a perfect ratio with each bite. What's not to love?

While the cupcake-in-a-jar idea might seem a bit silly for a party of two at home, it is on my to-do list for my hypothetical future cupcakes-and-tea party. In the meantime, I'll work on picking out my favorite flavor and maybe, just maybe, start baking up some goods around here.