Hi friends! Popping in after a super busy week… The weather here in New Jersey is so dumb. I feel like we have been buried in snow for 2 months straight. I can’t remember the last time I have even seen the grass. Luckily though last weekend I had the chance to pack up and head to Orlando for Food Blog Forum, which is a food blogging conference held in the happiest place on earth. I had the best time traveling with my friend Christie, one half of the Mantitlement team…it’s always more fun to fly with a friend than by yourself! Leslie picked us up from the airport along with Kristan, Angie and Amanda. Also, the Orlando airport is confusing, man.I picked up this cute bag to travel with not too long ago and it worked great. I think it’s actually a baby bag…but whatever, it has tons of pockets and fits my laptop and blanket with lots of room to spare for airplane snacks. Totally recommend! I got these jeans to wear on the airplane and they are super comf and they’re a great price. I don’t usually buy jeans at Old Navy because I find the sizes super unpredictable, but I’m a sucker for a good boyfriend jean. I also wore my Tieks all through Disney and they were totally comfy. Love those flats the best best. If you’re on the fence about the splurge I totally recommend! Christie/Angie/Kristan/Me/Jenny/Amanda photo via Amanda Disney was super fun and we got to ride most of my favorites…but I will say that I think my most favorite is Soarin’ in Epcot… RIGHT? It’s just such a happy ride! I was telling the girls how I wish they made a perfume the same smell as the orange orchards in Soarin’ and Jenny (who always knows the best stuff) told me that Jo Malone’s Orange Blossom was pretty spot on to the orange scent. Needless to say, I bought it and it’s AMAZING! AND we ate our way through Epcot too… Also when you see your best only a few times a year it’s totally appropriate to wear matching outfits… And ugh I just bought this shirt. Can’t wait for GoT to be back! I’m also loving this shampoo and conditioner right now. We started watching the new show Secrets and Lies with Ryan Phillippe. Did you guys watch? Thoughts? Also, I can’t believe it but we haven’t started the new season of House of Cards yet!! I think we are waiting, because once you start it will all be over…ugh! The book stuff is coming along. I have almost all my recipes done, except a few that I have been waiting to do because..well..I’m lazy. Anyhow, I still haven’t shot the cover yet, which I am insanely nervous about! Also, picking the recipe for the cover is like picking a favorite pair of shoes…ALMOST impossible 🙂 Ok, that’s it for now! Have a super happy weekend!
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title: “Sugar Break” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-21” author: “Dudley Daniels”
Hey frands! So I thought I would take a minute and just pop in and talk about what’s happening lately in my world. I know a lot of you aren’t baking lately (HELLO SUMMER) so let’s chat about some things (mostly) non-sugar related. Well, first off that picture up top was a “contender” for the cover for my BOOK! But alas, it was not agreed upon by all so whomp whomp, it’s just another picture to send to the archives. Maybe just maybe I can convince them to put it as an inside image, but we’ll see! We’ve finally narrowed down the cover image (I think!)…and oh lordy, what a process that was. We changed our thought process about 7 trillion times, but it’s only because we want it to be *just right! Hope we nailed it! But oh the falling sprinkles. Anyhow, beyond the book (and the blog) I do actually have a life. Shocking, I know. SO here’s what we’ve been up to lately… It’s been really rainy so far this summer, but after the rain we have been getting some gorgeous skies. Can’t complain. Also I recently joined snapchat. WHYYYYY?! I have been trying to figure it out as I go, but totally follow me (cookiesandcups) and help me learn! Am I making it too hard? Everyone says it’s easy and I just don’t get it…is it because I am not 16? HALP! And of course when it’s not raining, we’re eating ice cream. Like I have to say this summer so far I’ve eaten more ice cream than the past 5 years combined. Not even joking. Also, an ice cream sandwich making station is the best idea. I mean really people. It’s getting out of control. A few weeks ago I met up with some friends in NYC and we went to the “Fancy Food Show”. Oh y’all…if you ever have a chance to get to the FFS ( I think there’s only one in NY and also San Fran) DO IT. I don’t really know why they call it Fancy Food..because there were tons of booths that were just candy. I snapped a quick pic of these ADORABLE Funfetti Truffles. I think these need to be recreated soon! We literally ate all day ALL DAY at the show and then of course followed it up with cocktail hour and then dinner and dessert. So stuffed, but I loved spending the day with these ladies… (Gina/Joanne/Me/Julie/Amber)
I’ve been spending the vast majority of my summer evenings at the soccer field. This little dude loves his sport! And of course when I get home there’s been tons of puppy snuggles. Seriously the best. I may or may not have spent WAY too much money at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. People, I can’t even. THIS GIRL is to blame. Seriously love her cute style! Those sneaks right up there are one of my favorite purchases (totally not on sale). Some of my other purchases were: These PERFECT boots (omg YES), THIS SHIRT (Because Tacos), THIS SWEATER (Stop what you’re doing right now and buy this), THESE JEANS (Yes, a splurge but I have been eying them for ages), these leggings (so fun) and this necklace. I did get a few other things, but I won’t bore you with they nitty gritty. Seriously Nordstrom, stop taking ALL MY MONEY! My other guy “graduated” from 6th grade, which is the end of elementary school for him. Middle School here we come!! And this… THE STRUGGLE! LET ME JUST LIVE! Also, the moment before you know your slice of cake is officially a DNA specimen. Kiddo turns 10 today. We’ve been celebrating for a week, as one does. Also, I just had to share this picture, because I am sorry, but I am pretty sure I have the cutest kid to even exist. I mean really. This was taken on a day when his 4th grade class had to dress up like “immigrants”. Also, my romper is from Anthro. You need one. Excuse the wrinkles in this picture. My iron hasn’t been used since The Great Burn Incident of 1999. OH and I’ve been doing some fun stuff over at eBay recently… Check out my guide on What Show’s You Should Binge Watch, My Beach Bag Essentials, My Favorites from June, and How to Make a Simple Ice Cream Cake… to name a few! So there you have it. My summer so far in an itty bitty nutshell. I have some fun vacations planned really soon and I can’t wait. xo. ps- there are no affiliate links or sponsored content in this post. All the items I linked to are just stuff I bought with my own dollars.
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title: “Sugar Break” ShowToc: true date: “2024-10-24” author: “Carol Malan”
Oh hi friends. It’s been a while since we’ve taken a Sugar Break. Too long, I think. The last few weeks/month/year have been so super busy for me. So busy that when I am home I can’t seem to catch up, and when I do catch up I fall over in exhaustion. Seriously I haven’t stayed up past 9:30 in months. Is September always like this? I feel like maybe I have blocked it out and every year it feels new again. I can’t complain…all the busy is GOOD busy. And FUN busy. But busy nonetheless. Let’s see, where should I start? MY BOOK! Well yes, of course. That picture up top is my book on paper. %$!*#&!!! It was completely surreal getting it in the mail. We are still doing final edits on the layout etc, but seeing it on paper was CRAZY! I am SO SO excited for you guys to see this thing. ALL THE CAPS! I’ve been working on it so long, it just means the world to me. Seeing it on paper really makes it feel like A BOOK and not just a really long blog post 🙂 AND OMG YOU GUYS seriously I was so shocked and happy SO MANY OF YOU pre-ordered it already!! I mean, for you to pre-order my book when the release date is still SEVEN MONTHS AWAY is overwhelming. Like I can’t even wrap my mind around it. I have never in my life pre-ordered a book that far in advance and you guys did. I seriously can’t even believe how great you are. So great. So great. Trips. If you guys follow me on Instagram or Snapchat (sjaronsky is my username) you know I’ve been lots of places since July…Aruba, Topsail Island, NC, Washington DC, Las Vegas and a California Cruise! I have such high hopes of sitting down and telling you all about each of these trips, but gah…TIME! I have far too little! So hopefully I’ll get it together and share my fun. In the next 2 months I have trips to Jamaica, Chicago and then LA planned…so most likely I won’t be sitting still until December. All of these upcoming trips are work related, so while they are great fun and I’m lucky lucky, there is still an element of obligation. It’s just that I have been in constant catch up mode. I need to plan better, but I am trying my best to enjoy the chaos right now. Oh and yes of course school started here. My kiddos are in 5th and 7th now. WAHHHHH. Like when did it suddenly become ok for them to grow up and be human people? They’re both fully into soccer right now, so that’s what we do pretty much 7 days a week. I do love it though. I am a typical soccer mom, which is fine with me. As for fall clothes, OMG all the fun stuff I can’t wait to start wearing! I am in LOVE with these jeans I bought a few months ago. IN LOVE. It looks like they are sold out in the color I got but they do have this darker color which I might buy. They are so comfy, super stretchy and they aren’t crazy expensive. Totally recommend. Also order a size down. I’m also glad that flares are back…right? Actually I’m not a huge “full flare” girl, more of a boot cut flare. I’m short (5’2″) and full flares just don’t really do well on my. Plus I have hips and there is just too much curve happening in a full flare. BUT with all that said I LOVE the American Eagle X4 Kick Boot. They are another really stretchy, super comfy jeans…again I ordered a size down in these because of all the stretch. Also, I got these in a “short” because the regulars were too long for me! I NEVER order short jeans in flares, because is there a bigger fashion crime than a girl in too short flare jeans? No. The answer is no. BUTTTTT the short in these were long enough that I can wear them with a stacked heel (obsessed with those heels, btw)! The “regular” length was crazy long. Anyhow, just a tip from a shortie. I’ve been obsessed with plaid lately too. Got this shirt from the Gap in both red and white. It runs big because it’s a “relaxed” fit, but I ordered the XS and it still has plenty of room…and no I don’t usually wear an XS in anything! Also, SO. I have become in the last 2 years a bit of a sunglasses junkie. In any case, it becomes a rather expensive habit if you buy pricey ones. When I heard about DITTO I knew I had to get involved. Basically it’s the Netflix of sunglasses. They have TONSSS of adorable high end sunnies to choose from. They send them to you and you wear them as long as you want…2 days 2 months… and then send them back with their provided shipping label and they send you another pair. I ordered the pair in the picture first (these Karen Walkers) and used them for about a month. I traded them in for my next pair (these Lanvins) and I am currently obsessing over them. It’s been a fun program so far and they are offering anyone who signs up and uses the promo code COOKIESANDCUPS a free month! Totally try it out, it’s super fun. I had my first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season last week…I held out a little longer this year than usual. It was delicious, as per usual. I’ve heard about this whole Graham Latte…is it GOOD? DO I need to run out right now and get it? Also, I’m wearing my Apple Watch in the pic above…does anyone else have one? I’m really liking mine. Are there any tricks I need to know about? I’m still figuring it out! I still can’t really get down with talking into it. It’s a little weird and spy-ish, right? I feel like Inspector Gadget or something. Also, I referenced Snapchat up top. My username is sjaronsky. I joined SO long ago before I thought I would use it for my website and I guess you can’t change your username? Does anyone else know if this is true?? I am just learning snap, but I guess I kind of like it? I have been super bad about Instagramming lately…actually I have been really bad about all social media lately. I think I might have some burnout. Ugh. BUT I am trying enjoying Snapchat. I love seeing what people are doing. I’d love it if you guys all followed along! Read this book on a flight from LA to Newark. Loved it. About to start reading this book because I can’t wait to see the movie Everest. Doesn’t it look so so good? Also, fall shows…what are you WATCHING?! I don’t know how I feel about the new Greys. Not sure it will ever be the same. I know Scandal is must watch for so many but I don’t know why I don’t love it?! I’m sure it’s just me being annoying. I am super excited for The Affair to start. Love that show…also Homeland…because Quinn. I binge watched Masters of Sex over the summer. I didn’t love it at first. It was a little too…well… ahem for me. But that eased up after the first season a bit and by this last season I was counting the days until Sundays when it’s on! We also are watching Ray Donovan…does anyone else watch this show? Joey Potter is on it this season and she has braces and I don’t know how I feel about it…or why? Oh and I have been basically living in these Zella capris the last 2 months. Like seriously wearing them 3 times a week. Washing and wearing, washing and wearing. You people need them in a MAJOR way. Ok, that is all for now (as if that isn’t enough).
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title: “Sugar Break” ShowToc: true date: “2024-11-09” author: “Robert Rosenbaum”
So this post is going to be a little all over the place. I feel like I haven’t talked to you guys, like about life stuff, for a good while. It’s been all business here for far too long. If you follow me on Instagram or Snapchat you might be all caught up on some of my adventures, but if not, let’s chat…starting with my drink for the summer, along with all the other basic b’s out there…ROSÉ! I haven’t decided if I will take my Whispering Angel into the fall months, or trade it in until next summer…thoughts? But since today is the FIRST day of Fall, I thought it might be a good time to reminisce. Let’s see where to start… Summer 2016 was a doozy for me. I have never been so life-busy in all my days. I honestly don’t know where the time went. I really wanted to focus my summer on my kids, this year. Last summer was SO MUCH about THE BOOK. So while it was still fun-filled, there was always a deadline to meet. Speaking of, you’ve bought my book, right? If not, NOW is the time! FALL BAKING! But I digress…My kiddos are 11 and 13 now and our free summers together are only a moment in time, and I realize there aren’t many of them left. So we tried to make the most of it. In June my kids and I went on an impromptu trip to Houston to see the USA play Argentina in the COPA America semi-finals match. My boys are hugely into soccer, and this was the first time the US team has made it into the semi-finals in a long while, plus, we got to see Lionel Messi play, which was WORTH.IT. Here we are… It was just the 3 of us on this trip… it was super last minute, but so much fun! We spent a lot of days this summer at the Jersey Shore. We did day trips, which are really great. But over Fourth of July we headed up to Vermont for a long weekend. It was GORGEOUS up there. We stayed at Sugarbush and had a blast. Of course we headed to Ben & Jerry’s for the day! A few weeks later, my friend Amanda came to NYC for a girl’s weekend and we ate our way through the city in a VERY short time. Don’t miss the Funfetti Croissants at Union Fare. They are ridiculous!! I am putting together a NYC EATS post in the next month or so, so stay tuned! Our family vacation this year was to Jamaica in July. Unfortunately we there were a few circumstances that prevented us from loving it there, but that’s another story for another day. In early August I was lucky enough to have all my boys home and we attended a family wedding. With the older boys getting…well…older, getting everyone together (and dressed nicely) is sometimes tough! At the end of the summer I went on a quick girl’s trip to Las Vegas with my friends Amanda and Jenny. We shopped, ate, and shopped some more. It was fantastic. I will be writing a whole post dedicated to this trip soon! AND last weekend I toasted summer 2016 with a trip of a lifetime to Disney for the Epcot Food & Wine Festival (more on this soon too)! Again if you follow me on Instagram and Snapchat you’ve probably seen so many of the sweet treats we ate! It has been a whirlwind of a summer and I transition to fall with a full heart. But speaking of fall… I’m so INTO IT! Like every basic girl across the land, break out the scarves and the pumpkin spice, I am SO ready! I’ll be honest, I haven’t had a PSL yet, but oh just you wait. My fall musts include: This popcorn. This candle. This scarf.(So many options!!) These jeans. (Not even kidding you right now with these jeans. Priced great and seriously the most comfortable I own…I won 3 pairs!!) These shoes. (Yes they are worth the money) This scent. (Yes, I know it’s pricey, but I am so in love with it I can’t even tell you) This sweatshirt/cardigan. Ridiculously comfy with HUGE pockets so my phone doesn’t fall out. Love that I can wear it with yoga pants or jeans and look cute and casual! This blush/highlight combo. This watch. (Yes I love mine so much) and this book. I know this is the very Cliff’s Notes version of my summer, but know it was fantastic! I’m looking forward to fall and ALL THE BAKING!!!! You in?
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title: “Sugar Break” ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-27” author: “Roberta Sturgill”
So yeah it’s been a minute…and now it’s March. Can you even believe? We’ve gotten glimmers of good weather here, but I am waiting for the other shoe to drop. March is wildly unpredictable in NJ. I have to say that the last weeks of cooler weather work out well for my lack of summer bod prep, though. Silver linings… Anyhow, if you guys follow me on social media you might have seen that I spent a week last month in Disney! We were there as part of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration this year, and we had a BLAST! I haven’t ever been to this conference, but it is very family oriented, so I was able to bring my crew with me. The most exciting thing about this conference was it took place on both land and sea. We had a few great days in the parks as well as a 3 night cruise on the Disney Wonder! If you’ve never been on a Disney Cruise, book it now. We all had such a great time. Highlights of the trip included getting major backstage access at Disney with TONS of behind the scenes opportunities. We got to screen the new Disney movie Born In China, which opens April 21 and it is FANTASTIC. We loved it. Disney previewed the new Rivers of Light Nighttime experience in Animal Kingdom for us…BEAUTIFUL!. We also got a sneak peek of Beauty and the Beast (omg canNOT wait), and the new short Lou, which will appear before Cars 3. Of course the parks were a blast…I ate my way through as per usual. Here are a few that I loved… All American Sundae / Mickey Krispie Ears / Red Velvet Cupcake / Mickey Cake Pop / Carrot Cake Cookie / Pizza / Peanut Butter Cup / Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich (for more of my Disney Food Faves check out THIS POST) Like I said, we loved the cruise portion of our trip too. We went on a Disney Cruise 5 years ago for the first time and my kids have been bugging me to go on another one, so this worked out perfectly!
The highlight of the cruise is always the stop at Disney’s own island, Castaway Cay.
My boys all participated in a 5k race right on the island too. I cheered from the finish line.
We had such a great time, and I LOVED being able to bring my family on a work trip. Beyond that fun trip, things have been pretty normal over here…which I will not complain about. I saw this quote a month or so ago and it’s really been a reminder to me to enjoy the normal, the regular, the everyday, the nothing special…
Now onto my latest shopping faves. None of this is sponsored and there are no affiliate links. It’s just stuff I’ve bought with my own dollars that I love! Bought my first pair of FlyKnits and never want to take them off. How did I not know that they are the most comfortable sneaker ever made ever? Of course I just got black, but now I want them in all the colors. Also these socks are perfect to wear with them. Speaking of Lulu, I bought these Align II “pants” on a whim last week and OMG HOLY YES. They are freaking RIDICULOUS. I have worn them 4 days in a row…I am not proud. They are the most crazy soft and super stretchy leggings I have ever worn (fyi – yes I’ve tried LuLaRoe and no I don’t love them). I read the reviews, and some say they don’t hold up well to washing, but I will wash them on delicate to try and avoid this. I know they are pricey, but seriously go try them on, you will buy them on the spot, I seriously am OBSESSED. Sidenote, I am not a huge Lulu leggings fan other than these, so if you aren’t on the Lulu bandwagon you still need to try these! While we’re talking about pants I bought these jeans at Anthro before we went to Disney. Hello 1995. But I freaking love them. They are cute, comfy and a total outfit maker! They run large, so size down.
Clinique Happy Gelato Cream in Sugared Petals. GIRL. THIS. SMELLS. GOOD. It does not smell at ALL like their Happy perfume. I know there are other scents, but the Sugared Petals is where it’s at for me. It’s a super low-key sugary floral that is light and gorgeous and not overpowering. But it’s also a super great body cream. Another body cream I am obsessed with is the Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Cream. Actually the cream, the Shower Cream-Gel, and the Lip Butter. ALL OF IT. The smell, the quality. It’s just GOOOOOD. Also I’ve been really loving the Tarte Shape Tape concealer. Have you guys tried this yet? RUN DON’T WALK. It’s amazing coverage, no creasing, easy blending, no setting necessary. So basically, it’s the perfect concealer. The only problem I have with this, is my shade is consistently sold out at my local Ulta, so I have had to order it online. The past few years I have been on the search for a concealed that I love and I think I can stop looking! If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen my Instastories about my Bath & Body Works candle hauls. I am a candle freak, and I have a new favorite!!!! COPPER COCONUT!!! I’m about to go buy out the stock of this one because I freaking love it. And lastly on the beauty front I bought this eye shadow palette from Morphe in the shade Fall Into Frost (35F) and I am LOVING it. It’s super cheap ($22.99) for all the colors you get, and all the colors are super blendable, totally wearable and REALLY, really pretty.
And in other news I got a new car. I had a Toyota Highlander for a while and really liked it, but just found I wanted something a little bigger. SOOOOO I got a Yukon Denali in the color Iridium Metallic and I feel like if I could marry I car, I might. I went into the dealership and thought I was going to buy the XL size, but decided on the regular size. I hope I don’t regret not having the extra trunk space, but it felt so long to me. I can’t imagine loving a car more. I’m hopeless. In other news, buying a car when your profession is “blogger” is super fun. JK.When you write that down on the employment line, just be prepared for ALL THE QUESTIONS. HOW? WHY? REALLY? THAT’S A JOB? WHERE CAN I BUY YOUR CAKES? Embarrassing. ANNNND I’ve been slowly joining the food video game. I share all my videos on facebook, but I do have a YOUTUBE channel too, if you want to have them all in one place! SUBSCRIBE HERE. Also, my quest for the perfect Rosé is still happening. It sure is fun research!
Anyhow, there’s the latest from my world! Let me know if you have tried anything on my list or ANYTHING I DO need to try! I’m an easy sell!! OH and ps – I just bought my first Lipsense and am SCARED! I got the color Pink Champagne which is super neutral. Have you guys tried this stuff? What shade do I need? Save
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