roasted veggie salad with walnut oil dressing

Salads are not my favorite. Not even close.

roasted veggie salad with walnut oil dressing | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

I have a best friend that craves salad. Like, eats it a million times a week. How are we even friends? I need carbs carbs carbs. Pasta, sandwiches and  the bakery are what my heart needs to feel satisfied. It should probably be my stomach that’s satisfied, but it sure feels like its my heart that’s full when I’m devouring a veggie panini.

roasted veggie salad with walnut oil dressing | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

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(f)unemployment

When everyone else is on facebook at work, I’m at home baking.

That generalization is, for the most part, grossly true. I don’t believe I’ve told you about my (f)unemployment.

I’m a seasonal worker. Thank the Lord, because I don’t think I could handle working all year round. I whole-heartedly respect everyone who does, because to maintain my sanity I need an off-season. I’m blessed that the man in my life can provide for me and my baking addiction, although I’m pretty sure he doesn’t mind that I do, well, most things around here. I don’t know how people get it all done at home while working, because you do not want to see our house in the summer. Disaster.

www.cogsandcupcakes.com
photo by DreamyPhoto
www.cogsandcupcakes.com
photo by KimFearHeily
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etsy monday : calm and collected

I feel like doing something a little different with handmade monday today. Sound good? People can put some of their favorite Etsy items in a collection called a treasury. Here are a few calming treasuries for your Monday, because that’s the kind of Monday I had. And I want you to have that kind of Monday, too.

Just click on the collection to find the items on Etsy.

handmade monday : quiet and calming | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

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salted caramel brownies

Gooey gooey brownies. That’s my favorite kind. These are made extra gooey by loading them with the salted hazelnut liquor caramels I shared with you last week. Did you make them yet? Pleeeease say yes. And then say you some left over to make these. Doubtful. Those babies are addicting.

salted caramel brownies | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

Unfortunately, none of these made it to the cooling point so I have no idea what they are like chilled, or even at room temperature. YUP. They’re that good.

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etsy monday : rustic weddings

This week marks the beginning of a long and beautiful wedding season for us. Many (actually, most!) of our good friends are getting married in upcoming months and it’s been so much fun dreaming of ideas with girlfriends. Etsy is one of the best places I can think of to get ideas and find gorgeous accessories for the perfect day.

 

rustic table numbers from countrybarnbabe

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rustic pen holder from braggingbags

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wedding invitations from beaconlane

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mini strawberry trifle with french yogurt cake

It feels like spring, smells like spring, and I finally got to wear my new spring jacket. Does that mean it’s spring?

mini strawberry trifle with yogurt cake | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

I don’t want to jinx it, but I’m sharing a dessert that will make it feel springy even without the nice weather. So whatever, Mother Nature. Do what you want. (But please not really, because I loooove above-freezing temperatures.)

mini strawberry trifle with yogurt cake | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

I might be the only person on planet earth who doesn’t like greek yogurt. I feel like everyone raves about that stuff. I had some in my fridge and couldn’t gag it down, so I turned it into a glorious French yogurt cake. Problem solved.

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salted hazelnut liquor caramels

Last week, I baked.

salted hazelnut liquor caramels | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

And baked and baked and baked.

salted hazelnut liquor caramels | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

Seriously. Kyle was out of town for work so I had NO structure in my day. Brownies for breakfastlunchpredinnersnack? Sure! Then force down a healthy dinner even though I’m not at all hungry to make up for it? Smart!

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etsy monday : easter things!

Easter is one of those holidays that comes and goes at the blink of an eye. It all happens in a day and then you go back to work. Blah. But who can resist all the pretty pastels and bunnies? And eggs! Dying eggs was always a HUGE operation in our house, wax and all. When I say huge, I mean our dining room was dedicated to egg dying for at least the entire month before.

Despite the cold not-so-spring weather (still..), get in the Easter mood with these Etsy picks!

 

etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

silk egg dye kit from BooBahBlue

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

sterling silver necklace from FingerPrince

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

greeting card from ThePaperCub

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

rabbit sticker decals from MaxaPeel

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

rustic easter egg ornaments from Florasense

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

treat bag from  Lafabriqueabricole

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

easter egg greeting card from TheBestDayPaperCo

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

tiny felt bunnies from SistersDreams

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

easter spring garland from AFeteBeckons

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

easter invitation printable from LuluPaperPrints

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

felt easter basket from LIVbylouise

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

newborn bunny hat from CraftyKsCrochet

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

egg nest ornament from FairyFolk

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etsy monday : easter | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

felted stuffed bunny from TwoSadDonkeys

 

Wanna see more Etsy favorites?  Click here.

 

Hey! See what I’m up to:

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whole grain oatmeal m&m cookies

My mom recently texted me saying I need talk about stuff she’d actually want to make.

Thanks mom.

whole grain oatmeal m&m cookies | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

I knew what she meant, though. Since we kinda think alike (sugar, chocolate, gooeyness, more sugar), I wasn’t offended because I’d been sharing more real food than sweets and treats.

whole grain oatmeal m&m cookies | www.cogsandcupcakes.com

Sorry mom, but these aren’t as junk-food as you’d prefer. Guess you raised me well? These cookies have some better-for-you ingredients, so they’ll only do a little bit of damage to your diet. Okay…they’re still chock-full of sugar and chocolate, but I love that commercial so much I can’t help referencing it whenever I can {nerd alert}. Anyway, these have peanut butter (yes, peanut butter) m&m’s and dark chocolate chips, making them super extra delicious.

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