Smudge’s birthday was this week. 10. Double digits. How did this happen and where did the time go?
In This Post
To say that she’s been jumping, skipping, leaping and cartwheeling with joy is a serious understatement.
It’s become a tradition to drag her birthday into a week long celebration. I mean, why not? She’s an only child, so duh, we only get to break out the kiddo party hats once a year. Her big day falls at the end of the school year, so that’s an added bonus and reason enough to have whip cream fights. And me and my husband? We’re always game for a party.
Same as the past three years, we’ll be slumber partying, ice cream party bar making and family grilling. All weekend long. I’m going to need a vacation come Monday.
Earlier this week I wrote about 4 food bloggers who’ve faced severe medical conditions and in the end, saved their lives by changing their diet. I’ve featured stories highlighting food bloggers in this way in my online magazines, but have recently been debating about moving this type of content to the blog so it’s more accessible and searchable.
But I wondered if you would read it because it doesn’t have an original recipe tied to it. By the looks of the reader numbers, you guys will and you do like it whether it has a recipe or not. I’m thrilled you do because while I love sharing recipes, I love creating content that teaches and informs and sometimes raises an eyebrow or two.
I loved this comment from Roxi, who addressed some of the flack that these specialized or elimination diets have received in the press lately:
“Fantastic post, Heidi!! So many of us change our menus clinging to the hope that the latest “(*insert buzz word here)-Free” diet will cure our bulges, make our skin clear, lead us to world domination… (ok, that’s a stretch). It’s great to have some facts on real ailments and real solutions, direct from the individuals who’ve lived the ups and downs and can provide solid workable solutions that look and taste great.”
Do you like seeing this content on the blog or would you rather see it in my online magazine? Your comments, criticism and suggestions are valuable to me and I’d love to hear them in the comment section below.
And now, onto this week’s Friday Faves.
So my party, party weekend is full to the gills. Totally not the time to obsess over the fact that Orange Is the New Black is BACK. YES!!!! I wonder if I could binge watch while the slumber party slumbers?… They won’t be sleeping, why should I?
But when Sunday rolls around, I’m totally taking back my weekend and making Sunday a fun day no matter how much work I think I have on my plate.
We bought a bunch of these lanterns last year in Mexico and set them afire and aloft on the beach. We’re breaking out the rest of them to set off in the night sky for Smudge’s bday. The girls are gonna go nuts!
And I’m kinda glad she didn’t see this Frozen themed birthday party. The party is adorable, but I don’t know if I could listen to that song one more time.
instead…
We picked up some fun decorations from here. Bright. Happy. Totally Smudge.
and…
I LOVE these tassled garlands. So cute for any party!
These 10 rooms with a summer view are what indoor/outdoor living is all about. I recognize #7, it’s a home that was in our neighborhood when we lived in Venice, CA. That was the cool house in the hood.
A few things I’m following that you should too:
If you’re someone who likes the quote boards on Pinterest, this one is a lovely curated board to follow,
and…
This Pinterest board because it makes me so, well, inspired.
School’s out so this food blogger will have even more time for blogging. Because SHE’S JUST 15 years old!
And holy crap! Move over kids, mom’s moving in! I’d live in this play house in a heart beat. And check out how cool that DIY squishy mat thing is. I could do that.
I love this mini-mission to make more love.
This collection of funny goods will keep all of us giggling like school girls. I recently saw those contact cases and now I remember I need to pick one up!
Heart flutters, these sandals! and they’re on sale!
And this dress. I can see myself touring new cities in this easy wear-er.
But these pants? Are they in or are they out?
On the business side of things…
Amy always shares all and now she’s dishing her secrets on how to make money blogging.
Taylor is offering a launch week special with $25 off the bundle of issues, presets, and workshop or 25% off his Photographing Food ebook series. Get it here.
and…
White on Rice will be sharing all of their photo taking tips and styling tricks in a 2 day online teaching event. For free. I love these classes.
8 Birthday Cakes Made for Celebrating
This year Smudge says she’s done with having her traditional Birthday Cake Pie for blowing out the candles. Guess we’ll just have to break it out for the 4th of July. So I’m on the hunt for her new request, a Cake Batter flavored cake. But isn’t that redundant?
We don’t do the lavish, fondant-crazy themed cakes. Not like they don’t have their place, but we all want a basic, delicious layered beauty that slices tenderly with a fork.
In my search I came across some lovely birthday cakes that make me want to celebrate every day. Don’t they look divine??!!!?
Celebration Chocolate Cake
Sky high with white layers made extra light thanks to the addition of yogurt. Just one more reason to love to celebrate.
Recipe here.
Yellow Birthday Cake with Vanilla Frosting
This is my husband’s favorite flavor of cake, but with chocolate frosting. Using room temperature ingredients is key to making this cake extra light and fluffy.
Recipe here.
Chocolate Coffee Layer Cake
This cake was delivered to my door and holy crap! After tasting it I never wanted to eat another flavor again. I haven’t made it myself, yet, so maybe it’s time to try.
Recipe here.
Funfetti Cake
What girl doesn’t love a sprinkle or 837 in her cake? And according to Bree, this is a great starting bakers cake.
Recipe here.
Chocolate Cake with Oreo Cheesecake Filling
I mean, does it get much more decadent than rich chocolate combined with cheesecake and topped with Oreos? I highly doubt it. Barbara assures me this is an easy cake to try. And it’s one that was on Smudge’s want list…
Recipe here.
Rainbow Birthday Cake
While I’m always pushing for neutrality, Smudge is anything but. This rainbow cake would set her heart afire!
Recipe here.
Chocolate Whopper Cake
Rich chocolate with a whopper candy coated crust. Each bite is like stealing candy from a baby!
Recipe here.
German Chocolate Cake
This is my all-time favorite birthday cake, a birthday recipe round-up wouldn’t be complete without it.
Recipe here.
and…
Find over 100 birthday cake recipe links here.
Have a great weekend all, I’ll be eating cake and hope you will too.
As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own.
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Suzanne Smith
Amazing cakes really got some good ideas here thanks.
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Amazing Birthday Cakes. Specailly orange one is amazing. Please update more like this.
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch
Oh my goodness I love those lanterns! So adorbs! Mmmm… And I’ll take a slice of each of those cakes! Amazing!
Maryanne @the little epicurean
I’m so excited for Orange is the New Black! My weeknights just got a whole lot more interesting. And thank you so much for including my celebration chocolate cake! :)
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
Happy Birthday Smudge! Have a fabulous week. Thanks for including my cake in your choices :)
Courtney @ Pizzazzerie.com
Thanks for the link!! Love those cakes – oh so delish!
Adrienne
My son is also an only child. We developed some birthday traditions. Since his birthday is in January near the holidays, he and I would celebrate his half birthday in July. We would gather all his stuffed animals around the table wearing birthday hats and he and I would have half-birthday cupcakes. He would get a little present but it was more about the celebration. We would also celebrate his stuffed animals’ birthdays.
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking
I love those tassled garlands! I got it in my head to make one for my baby shower. They take FOREVER to make. I swear I had carpel tunnel afterwards so I would highly recommend buying one and not making it yourself.
roxi beck
I LOVE that pict of the decade-old babe! And happy bday to YOU too, mama! I think it’s only fair that you also find some time to celebrate the YOU that created the HER:)
Onto your content question: First, I love everything you write and photograph. It doesn’t matter to me where I see it, I just like the way your mad skillz and words and perspective all come together. Really. As for seeing this type of content more frequently – yes please! I think there’s a serious disconnect between what we eat and what we think we should eat versus what food experts recommend we eat. Add to it the society we live in, where popular buzzwords lead to unhealthy diet trends, “my-food-is-better-than-yours” bullying, an over-abundance of meaningless label descriptors or claims… I could go on…
I’d love to see highly capable and curious voices like yours in these discussions to help eaters understand the basics as well as help simplify the complexities.
naomi
Great round-up of goodies! Thanks so much for including my cake alongside the other beauties.
Amanda
Such a great group of cakes!!! Happy birthday to your sweet 10 year old. :) Blessings!
Marissa @ In My Yellow Cardigan
1) I love that majority of the cakes on this list are chocolate ones. Happy Birthday to Smudge! Loving all of the photos; such a pretty little lady!
2) Is it possible you can do those kinds of blog posts as guest posts (EX: have those four bloggers write a post and include three of their own favorite recipes) and then in the magazine write a longer piece giving an overarching look at the issue? Might be a great way to start the conversation and bring people back with something in the magazine. No matter what I will be here reading! I love this site Heidi!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious
Loving those cakes and Happy Birthday Smudge!!
Bri | Bites of Bri
Funfetti has my heart, but that Chocolate Coffee Layer Cake looks pretty amazing too. So now that I’ve read this so early, cake for breakfast it is.
Emily @ Life on Food
And now I want me some cake….