A Nerd Like Me

Mexican Chocolate Cupcakes

I ate this for breakfast.

And before long, it looked like this.

Yes, it was amazing.  But these cupcakes were not originally intended to be eaten for breakfast.  We threw The Hubs a 30th Birthday Mexican Fiesta this weekend, and these were just left over from the celebration.  Any self-respecting girl would never leave a cupcake to rot.  I’m just sayin.’

As soon as I get the pictures from my friend’s camera (ahem, Billie), I will be showing you all the amazingness that went down at our super fun fiesta.  But in the mean time, I want to tell you how to make these cupcakes.  Because it is necessary that you make these cupcakes.  You will not be disappointed.  In fact, you will most likely be pleasantly surprised!

While I can’t tell you the actual cupcake and frosting recipe (my boss will not give in, I swear!), I can tell you how to make any chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing a “Mexican Chocolate Cupcake.”  See, these cupcakes are spicy.  They don’t taste spicy, they still taste like chocolate…but after a few seconds you will start to feel the heat and think, “Wow!  That’s pretty neat!”  And its sooo easy!  All you do is mix a little Crystal hot sauce into your icing (trust me, you can’t taste it), a little bit at a time, until it tastes spicy enough for you.  But be careful not to add so much that the icing gets soupy and won’t stay on top of your cupcake.  If its getting too thin, but its still not spicy enough for you, then add a little cayenne pepper to finish it off.

You MUST make these.  You will not be disappointed!  And then have one for breakfast and thank me.

Share on Facebook

Read More

Chances are…

I was sick a couple weekends ago.  It was not fun, especially since I’m a big baby when I don’t feel good.  So after working Saturday, I decided to go home and watch movies for the rest of my lazy and pitiful weekend.  Here’s a list of the movies I watched – in chronological order – and what I thought of them.  Here goes!

Chances Are – If you haven’t seen this almost-unheard-of movie from the 80s, you MUST!  I grew up watching this.  I remember having a VHS tape of this, which we recorded from TV, so it included commercials and whatnot.  Remember those days?  Anyway, “Chances Are” is about a newlywed couple, and the husband dies on their first anniversary, but he is reincarnated without losing his memory…so can you guess what happens 20 years later?  You better watch it!  This movie is what sparked my love of Robert Downey, Jr.  Even when he was a cracked-out inmate, I was in love with him…because I remembered “Chances Are.”

The Hand That Rocks the Cradle – Dude.  DUUUUDE!  This movie is full of some craziness.  The Hubs made me watch it with him, after avoiding it for about a month while it sat on the DVR screen, stalking me.  I didn’t want to do it.  I was scared.  But now I’m glad I watched it.  Dude.  DUUUUDE!  The whole time I was mumbling, “Bitch.”  Cause she is…a bitch.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – Of course, I’ve seen this movie a BILLION times, but on a lazy weekend (especially one in which I’m not feeling well) always deserves a little Harry Potter action!  All I have to say about this one is:  Delores Umbridge is the DEVIL!!!

Annie – You guys.  I love Annie.  But my favorite character is, by far, Ms. Hannigan.  When I watched this two weekends ago, I fast-forwarded through parts that didn’t include Ms. Hannigan.  She is so amazing, that playing her on a stage is one of my theatre dreams.  Its on my bucket list (which is something I don’t actually have, but I like to say that when I’m speaking of something that I want to do before I die….DUH!).  Luckily for me, a local theatre is having auditions for the musical, “Annie,” next week!!!  *SQUEAL!*  So you know where I’ll be?  Begging the directors to let me play a woman who I’m clearly too young to play.  Oh well!  I hope I break my legs!

Share on Facebook

Read More

Rave Reviews!

I have a lot to do today, but one thing I’m looking forward to doing is going to my favorite local consignment shop, Rave Reviews!  And I’m taking everything in this basket with me:

Can’t wait to show you what I find!

Share on Facebook

Read More

Friday Lovefest: Etsy Edition

I wish I could say more, but I’m running late for work!!!  These are my favorite Etsy finds for the moment.  If you aren’t familiar with Etsy, you should get to know that place RIGHT QUICK.  Its a marketplace for handmade and vintage items, and it is glorious.  And I would like to mention one last thing:  Two of these sellers are in Philly (I know I know, enough about Philly) and it was a complete accident that I found their clothes and fell in love with them…then I found out they were in Philly.  Funny, huh?  It just proves I’m supposed to live there.  Like, Now.  Happy Friday!

P.S. If you show these shops enough love, maybe one of them will be willing to sponsor a giveaway for you guys!!!

Vintage Bohemian Balloon Sleeve Tent Dress from Mousevox

Vintage 1950s Madras Plaid Babydoll Ruffle Dress from Lolly Crisp Vintage (Check out her blog: Oma Vintage)

Vintage 60s Green and White Plaid Henley from Lolly Crisp Vintage

Vintage 70s Rainbow Stripe Terrycloth Beach Dress from Lolly Crisp Vintage

Vintage 70s Super Sheer Lightweight Polo Shirt from Lolly Crisp Vintage

Vintage 80s Nautical Strip Stretch Jersey Skirt from Lolly Crisp Vintage

Vintage Grunge Blue Plaid Shirt from Lolly Crisp Vintage

Vintage Mini Dress w/ Hot Pants from Marcella’s Excess

Burnt Sienna Brown Strappy Sandals from Revolving Styles

Custom Monogram Pendant Necklace in Birthstone Color (“D” and amethyst for me please!) from Penelope and Anastasia

Weave Wrapped Ring from It’s a Stitch

Golden Orchid Trio Necklace from Piper Blue

Share on Facebook

Read More

Philly finds!

Our first day in Philadelphia, we just walked and walked, without any actual destination in mind.  What we found was an art festival going on down at Penn’s Landing, which made is very happy campers!  I found some pretty neat upcycled and recycled clothing, as well as other businesses, stole some business cards, and promised to blog about them.  So here are my two favorites!

Recycle My Dress

You know those bridesmaid dresses that you will never wear again?  Or that vintage dress you found that has amazing…potential?  Well, Recycle My Dress can turn it into a whole new look!  I loved what they had on the rack, but couldn’t buy anything at the time.  My favorite transformation that I saw on their website was turning this vintage dress:

into this gorgeous piece:

You can purchase already revamped dresses from their Etsy shop, or you can send them your own by contacting them through the Recycle My Dress website!

Dahling Accessories

Gretchen, the designer at Dahling Accessories, makes one of a kind handbags mostly using vintage fabric.  They are absolutely adorable!  You can read more about her on the Dahling Accesories website, or shop in her Etsy shop.  Here is my favorite item from the shop:

Happy Etsy shopping everyone!

Share on Facebook

Read More

Jay-Oh-Bee

That’s right.  Let’s talk about a jay-oh-bee, a.k.a. J.O.B, a.k.a. Job.  Not the bible character, but the thing that you get paid to do on an almost daily basis.  See, I kinda need one.  Well, not just any job, cause I’m done playing around.  I actually need a career.  But I’m sooooo LOST!  Seriously.  I’m like a freakin’ tumbleweed blowing in the wind of confusion, trying to cling to self-help books and the internets and anything that will keep me sane.

I am facing a number of problems right now:

• I have a bachelor’s degree in biology.
• There are no jobs for me where I live.
• I don’t want to be a teacher (been there, done that, bought the damn t-shirt).
• I need a creative job, like writing greeting cards or papers, organizing museum displays, taking pictures, editing books, writing children’s stories, etc.
• I have a bachelor’s degree in biology, which makes me very unqualified at any of the job ideas listed above, even though I could be damn good at all of that.

So where does that leave me?  It leaves me glued to my computer screen for hours on end, red wine in hand, searching for one single solitary shred of hope.  I’m losing it…fast…and I haven’t even been searching for a full week.  What’s a girl to do?!?!?!

Booyah suggested that I walk around wearing a t-shirt that simply says, “I have a freakin’ BIOLOGY degree, bitches!”  And I totally would…if I could get paid for it.

Share on Facebook

Read More

Letters from The Nerd

Dear Oil, You’re like that uninvited guest at Christmas that takes up valuable space, eats all of the yummy food, and ruins everybody’s holiday.  Please go away and NEVER come back.

Dear The Hubs, Thanks for craving chinese last night, which gave me a reason not to cook, which was amazing because I had a lot of shiz to do.

Dear Panda Haven, You fry up the best tofu around.  Seriously.  I won’t eat it anywhere else, and for that, I thank you.

Dear Tim and Alicia, Today you are leaving for a 7-week vacation backpacking through South America.  So I have a few things to say to you guys:

1) T, don’t bitch at A too much if she complains about her pack being too heavy, or her feet hurting, or her roots showing (not that you’re a complainer, A, but I’m just putting myself in your shoes).  Just remember the girl loves you enough to spend her summer with you in South America, which would scare me to death…in a good way of course.

2) When you get back, and you move from Dallas to Mobile the very next day, I will be coming to your downtown loft apartment to help you get settled in.  This may or may not include take-out chinese, lots of beer, and a cupcake or two.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

3) HAVE FUN!!!  And remember: Safety First!  Or maybe beer first, then safety?  I don’t even know anymore….

P.S. I’m way jealous of you guys right now.  Just thought you should know.

P.P.S. If you would like to keep up with The Morrisons as they blog daily about their time in South America, click here!

Share on Facebook

Read More

Random Conversations w/ The Hubs – Part 7

For Parts 1-6, click on “The Hubs” in the categories to the right.

In which The Hubs compares himself to someone untouchable:

The Hubs: “I should take Simon Cowell’s spot.  I’m good at this…and I’m a dick.”

—

In which I am reprimanded for inefficient tweeting:

The Hubs: “You can’t tweet about things that happened two hours ago!”

—

Ok, so I didn’t have much for this installment, but I put these on here to preface this:

The Nerd is now accepting YOUR Random Conversations!  I would like to display other people’s dysfunctionally hilarious lives as well.  So if you have any random convos you would like to submit, please email them to me at anerdlikeme@gmail.com.  Happy emailing!!!

Share on Facebook

Read More