I need this back.



and I need this back.

1. Mona Lisas and mad hatters - Mandy Moore

One of my favorite parts of summer is the music. Anything goes- from country to pop to reggae - it's all good. There's only one rule: there's no such thing as too much banjo.

 However, summer will always remind me of one artist in particular- Dia Frampton. I saw her last summer at the House of Blues in Anaheim, California and the whole experience was magical. With a unique voice and a modest yet fierce way of performing live, she quickly became one of my favorite artists. If you haven't heard of her or her music, I suggest you do so immediately. Here, let me help you:

One of my favorite songs of the summer was just made even better:

Dia Frampton's cover of "I Love It."

I know this is an overrated topic, and at the risk of letting this section of my blog become an extended version of US Weekly I want to talk about Kimye.

At first I was really psyched for this couple. I thought they were a good match. Kanye is almost as much as sinful as Kim and as self-obsessed as Kim and as much of a "business person" as Kim. All in all,  it just. made. sense.

 But then I watched Kim explode to the size of a Hollywood mansion and try desperately to save her good looks while doing it and I realized Kanye. wasn't. there.

And then I read about Kim eating desserts and desserts and carbs on carbs and I realized, Kanye. wasn't there.

And then Kim was taking flights to Paris to see Kanye... while she was in her third trimester. Which is,  I've learned from multiple medical shows, something you're not supposed to do. He's got access to a private plane too... whatchu doin?

And then Kim is 9 months pregnant and Kanye. isn't. there.

So basically, Kim has lost her body, her overall career, what was left of her dignity, her freedom and now her vagina to this man who is primarily famous for ruining Taylor Swift's acceptance speech in 2009.

While I'm not Kim's biggest fan, I am sad for her situation. It's not easy to be in a downward spiral of a relationship with a man who was once a South Park character. And it's even more tragic that she will be having a child that may have some of the same traits of this man. And that said child will grow up and be on the loose.

All we can hope is that new baby Kimye does not become a Taylor Swift fan...

Lavender Cupcakes (With Vanilla Bean Frosting)

• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 Tbsp dried edible lavender
• 1 1/3 cups (158 g) cake flour
• 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 3 Tbsp honey
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
Vanilla Bean Frosting
• 1/2 cup salted butter*
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• seeds of 1 vanilla bean
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor combine milk and lavender and pulse about 1 - 1 1/2 minutes until lavender is well chopped, scrapping down inside of processor once during processing. Pour into liquid measuring cup (be sure to scrape out all of milk and lavender from sides and lid), set aside and allow to rest.
• In a mixing bowl whisk together cake flour, baking powder and salt for 30 seconds, set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, whip butter and sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl. Blend in honey. Add eggs one at a time and mix just until combined after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Working in 3 separate batches beginning and ending with flour mixture, add dry ingredients alternating with milk mixture, mixing just until combined after each addition. Fill paper lined muffin cups 2/3 full and bake in preheated oven 19 - 21 minutes, until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Allow to cool several minutes in muffin tin before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Cool completely then frost with Vanilla Bean Frosting. Store in an airtight container.
• For the Vanilla Bean Frosting:
• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip butter and vanilla bean seeds on medium-high speed until nearly white and very fluffy, about 7 - 8 minutes, frequently scrapping down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Add in powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla extract and mix on low speed until blended, then increase speed to medium and beat until very light and fluffy, about 5 - 6 minutes, frequently scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Pipe or spread over cupcakes. For best results use the day prepared.
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• Recipe Source: Cooking Classy

First things first, I wanted to have a travel portion of my blog simply because there are so many places I want to go/return to. I wanted to be able to share my experiences and favorite parts of my favorite places, as well as virtually explore places I've been dreaming of seeing and what I would do if I ended up there.

The first destination I chose was a place that I've always felt a strange pull to-  New Orleans, Louisiana.   One of my favorite parts of Disneyland is New Orleans Square/ Blue Bayou restaurant. I would go to New Orleans primarily for the cuisine, but there are so many other elements of New Orleans I would like to see as well. Here's my top 10 to-do if I ever find myself in New Orleans.

1. Audubon Nature Institute - Not only does this zoo/aquarium have a cool water park inside, but it also offers behind-the-scenes tours where you can get up close and personal with  penguins and giraffes.

2. Hear Some Live Jazz

3. Try Authentic Gumbo

4. Find a Psychic/Voodoo Magic

5. Get a Beignet

6. Go Vintage Shopping

7. Go to a Pirate Museum 

8. See the French Quarter

9. Take a Boat Ride on the River

10. Bourbon Street.