CK bought me a purple shuffle for running as I’m a brat and declared my video iPod too heavy an accessory to deal with. The new teeny tiny iPod came with these adorable baby apple stickers. As soon as I saw them I knew just where they were going. Some people add flames to their mixers. I declare my love for all things Mac.

This is the adorable retro print apron that my friend Julia made me for my birthday last month. How difficult do you think it would be to find a real life pink stove similar to the one illustrated on the fabric? I’m sure CK hopes that such a thing doesn’t exist anywhere on the planet.

Update: West Coast Erin just made my day. Check out all of these pink appliances!

Once upon a time I lived in Portland, Maine where there was a really great radio station called WCLZ. One morning, while driving to my cubicle dwelling office job, I heard the DJ announce that Minnie Driver was going to be playing a live set in “Studio Z.” Since Minnie Driver is one of my favorite actresses and I’d revered her since she packed on the pounds and shamelessly made out with Chris O’Donnell in Circle of Friends, I knew I had to figure out a way to go. Unfortunately, it was one of those sign-up online and we’ll pick 10 random winners deals. So resourceful girl that I am, I used every email address I’d ever had in my life (and maybe created a few extras) to sign up for the session — and surprise, I won a spot. I ended up missing 5 hours of work that day. Who knew Minnie would be 3 hours late…but while I was there she sang a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s Hungry Heart and I really loved it. You can find it on her CD Everything I’ve Got in My Pocket.

You may be wondering how I was able to miss 5 hours of work in the middle of the day without getting into trouble? Well I attribute it at least partially to these cookies. As I’ve mentioned before, straight out of college my cooking skills were limited to things that came out of a box and the occasional Betty Crocker cake mix based cupcakes, and since I lived alone, all of my baking experiments were brought into the office to share. During the two years that I worked there, I think I made these sugar cookies for every holiday and using every conceivable shape and icing color. Sugar Cookies — the best way to make friends and influence people. Give it a go!

Hungry Heart Cookies aka Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies (Originally published on the Food Network website)
Note: Thanks to Anna D for sharing this recipe and allowing me to adopt it as my own almost 5 years ago!

1 cup butter, unsalted
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

In a bowl, cream the butter and sugar.
Beat in the eggs and vanilla.
In a second bowl, combine and mix well the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Stir flour into butter mixture 1 cup at a time.
Chill dough for 3 to 4 hours.
Roll out dough and cut into shapes with cookie cutters or a knife.
Bake on a sheet pan or a parchment lined sheet pan in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 10 to 15 minutes depending on the size of the cookie.
Remove cookies to a rack to cool completely.

Pretty Pretty Princess Icing

1/2 stick of butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla
Approximately 3 cups of confectioners sugar
Approximately 1/4 cup of milk
A few drops of red food coloring

Combine everything into a bowl and mix until uniform. If the icing is too thin add more confectioners sugar, if it’s too thick add a little more milk. Ta da!

Le Creuset has had a big sale going on at amazon.com for a while now and it made me wonder if perhaps, just maybe, that might possibly mean they’re going to introduce a new color. And wouldn’t it be a lovely thing if that meant they finally released a pink version of their dutch oven for Spring?! I’d die and go straight to pastel heaven if that happened. Come on Le Creuset! Make a girl’s dreams come true! My KitchenAid needs a friend.

Everyone’s favorite Food Network hottie, Giada De Laurentiis, graces the cover of the latest Crate and Barrel catalog that arrived in my mailbox this week. She’s rolling out speciality oils and spices and grinning all the way to the bank. I poke fun now, but I’m a total celebrity chef junkie so no doubt a bottle of that oil will inevitably find its way into my kitchen. I truly don’t have any self-control whatsoever.

That same catalog got me ridiculously over excited about a so-called cookware stand that could potentially cure the mess that is my pot and pan cupboard. Then I flipped out over a set of pristine bowls printed with fresh herbs that look so real I did a double take. In addition, these tomato and lettuce dish towels printed in vibrant red and green would be the perfect purchase for any cook in need of a little winter cheer. That means me. I looked like a drowned rat by the time I got home last night after a day of traipsing to and from the office in torrential downpours.

I’m more than aware that it’s very inappropriate for me to even mention the holidays out loud at this point, but Blueprint magazine just arrived and it totally rocked my world. I’ve been a grumpy magazine subscriber for months now and have been letting each and every publication that I subscribe to run out without renewing, but Blueprint has just received its stay of execution. Just look at that gorgeous PINK tree! Now…how to talk CK into such a lovely thing being allowed in the living room. Hmm…

OK..since this is a cooking blog and not an ode to my love of all things pink then I suggest you also check out Blueprint’s Essential Recipes section for what is apparently Sugar Cookie bootcamp. I’ll definitely be giving those a try in a few more weeks. But if it were to snow tomorrow all bets are off.

PS: Check out this pink themed shopping and design website I stumbled upon trying to find that hotter than hot sequined dress the platinum blonde model is wearing on the cover. I scoured Neiman Marcus and the web but didn’t see it anywhere. If you find it, please let me know because I think I have to buy it and throw a party in its honor.

My girlfriend and idol, Nigella Lawson, is back on the Food Network with all new episodes. Nigella Express begins airing this Sunday, October 7 at 10:30 AM. I can’t wait to see what she’s cooking up this time. Apparently everyone’s favorite Domestic Goddess plans to wow us with quick and easy recipes that require very little effort. Since I’m working full time again while going to grad school I’m all over that sentiment. I just hope she still raids the fridge at the end of every episode in her nightgown. Who doesn’t love a little kitsch in their kitchen?!

Poor Gary Vaynerchuk, the New York Jets are breaking his heart, but he’s still there for his wine fans. Check out this great podcast where Gary gives the run down on some wines that pair well with Pizza.

Bread making is my achilles heel. It intimidates me horribly and nine times out of ten I’d rather just serve my guests loaves from the bakery, but October 17 is World Bread Day so if there’s one day this year that you and I should give in and play with flour and knead our little hearts out it should probably be then. In addition, this site is collecting entries to make a round-up of your best efforts.

Obviously pink is one of my favorite colors. Although, I did get a little offended when a co-worker of Chris’s declared that my food blog looks like the “OMG Ponies” April Fools joke that Slashdot played last year. Needless to say I may be rethinking my stance on pink very soon, but at the very least it’s appropriate for October since this is Breast Cancer Awareness month. In honor of this Couture Cupcakes is hosting a pink dish competition complete with a tasty themed prize. All entries are due by October 15 so get your favorite pink recipes ready.