Cupcake Vineyards

I am definitely one of those people who enjoys a nice glass of wine. I'm a huge fan of red wines (Cabernet Sauvignons to be specific) from all over different countries and regions! I get really excited when I try or hear of really great wines.
Last weekend my buddy told me about a wine he tried called "Cupcake Vineyards", he had the "Red Velvet" and said it was really delicious. So naturally, I was excited to hear about a new tasty wine, but SO stoked to hear the name Cupcake in it!

It's one of my dreams to visit a California, I want to check out the beaches, Hollywood etc, but most importantly I've always wanted to see the country side and visit some vineyards! Cupcake Vineyards has officially been added to my bucket list. Located in Soledad, California, Cupcake Vineyards was introduced nationally in 2008. Adam Richardson, their head winemaker, has been making wine around the world for over a dozen years now! They offer a nice variety of reds, whites, sparkling, and even vodkas! (Must try all)

Their motto is "Live Deliciously", love it.

Photo Credit: cupcakevineyards.com

There isn't a large variety sold in Quebec, but I know in Ontario they have a better selection!

Cheers!

Tuesday's Tune - January 31st, 2012

Today's tune is a cover of one of the legendary Bob Dylan's songs. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with covering songs, as long as you don’t butcher it! Jeff Buckley does nothing of that sort, in fact, sorry Bob but I kind of enjoy Jeff's version better (yep I said it).

American singer-songwriter and guitarist Jeff Buckley, was born November 17th, 1966 and sadly passed away May 29th, 1997 by a freak drowning accident. His memory lives on today through his music, most of you will remember him from his famous cover of "Hallelujah".

Jeff released two successful albums during his music career, "Grace" in 1994 and "Sketches for My Sweetheart the Drunk" in 1998.

Today's tune is called "I Shall be Released", enjoy!

Cheers!

P.s Where did January go?

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Unfortunately there will be no Mel's Meals today. It was my broski's birthday dinner last night, and therefore I didn't have a chance to make a meal for today's blog!
I won't leave you completely hanging though, here is a delicious chocolate cookie recipe perfect for this cold winter weather! The recipe is from one of my favorite Food Network Chefs; Ina Garten. You might know her from her cooking show called "Barefoot Contessa" on the Food Network. My mom got me hooked a few years ago, and I'm happy she did, because Ina's got some amazing recipes, I absolutely love her!


Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
• 1 1/4 pounds semisweet chocolate chunks

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Cream the butter and two sugars until light and fluffy in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the vanilla, then the eggs, one at a time, and mix well. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt and add to the butter with the mixer on low speed, mixing only until combined. Fold in the walnuts and chocolate chunks.

Drop the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, using a 1 3/4-inch-diameter ice cream scoop or a rounded tablespoon. Dampen your hands and flatten the dough slightly. Bake for exactly 15 minutes (the cookies will seem underdone). Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Photo Credit: foodnetwork.com

Recipe courtesy of the Food Network.

Cheers!

Cheers to the weekend!

Well here we are, Friday! I have to say I noticed while leaving my office job this week that the days are getting longer! The sun is setting as I'm getting home, as opposed to when I walk out the office doors. This gives me hope that spring is on its way, there's a light at the end of  the tunnel!

Today's Jenna Marble video is great, and SO true. God knows I've met a dozen of these people in my life. With tv shows like Jersey Shore, and pretty much any other MTV "reality" show set in the US, they're pretty much unavoidable now and days!

P.s I literally could just watch her talk to her dogs, she's hilarious and I'm glad to know I'm not the only crazy mo fo out there that does this!

Cheers!

5 Things

After discovering new blogs, and seeing what other individuals produce on a weekly or daily basis, I've decided to run with a new weekly idea for Les Gâteaux Mignons; 5 things. Every thursday I will come up with 5 things that I love/want, inspire me, or make me happy!


Kitchenaid Stand Mixers

I just bought my first Kitchenaid stand mixer this year, and it is Amaaaaazing! I have the lowest model (because I'm no millionaire), and it works like a charm, I can't even imagine what the more powerful models would be like! What I really love about Kitchenaid is all the amazing colors this Mixer is offered in. Truly smart, because this means it can match any kitchen's color palette! So with that being said, I 100% recommend this Stand Mixer to anybody interested in buying one! They can be purchased through any Walmart, Canadian Tire, Ares, or Sears store!

Photo Credit: Cookingmadeeasy.com

Crocheted Cell Phone Case

A local Hudson business "Sanford Sisters", makes these really cute Iphone & Blackberry cell phone covers! They're super inexpensive and work great to protect and keep your phone cozy! These can be purchased through their Etsy account under TheSanfordSisters.

Photo Credits: Etsy.com

Greige Nail Polish


A new nail color I'm totally in love with right now is Greige! This is a mix of grey and beige, and it will go well with any outfit! Obviously Chanel is way out of my price range, but if I could, I would! This is called "Paticuliere", by Chanel. It can be purchased at your local "Bay" (Hbc) department store.

Photo Credit: poleshfreak.com

Indoor Garden

For my birthday, my girlfriend gave me this amazing indoor garden gift! It will eventually produce "African Dwarf Sunflowers", I cannot wait till they bloom! These can be purchased at local gift stores around the island of Montréal, or through Windowbox.com

Photo Credit: windowbox.com

Cupcake Oven Mitts

As a baker, I always need to make sure I have my trusty oven mitts, without them, dangerous things can occur (which I've learned the hard way)! Check out this really cute Cupcake Oven mitts that can be purchased through Etsy under LoveandAvenue.

Photo Credit: etsy.com

Well this concludes the first addition of 5 things!

Cheers! xo

L'amour

Can you believe that a month ago was Christmas? So crazy right? We are now only a couple of weeks away from the day fully dedicated towards Love, Valentine's Day. I'm not one of those people who goes all out for my man, in the past we've done dinner and little things, but one year I made cupcakes and it was the perfect gift. What a better way to your lover's heart than decadent sweets right? So this year why not replace the box of chocolates and go for a box of Les Gâteaux Mignons' delicious cupcakes! Prices start at $3.00 and Les Gâteaux Mignons is offering a limited time special* on all regular and mini size cupcakes for Valentine's day, free fondant hearts & flowers toppings!

Here are a few styles that have been done in the past for Valentine's Day!

Photography by Emilie Olson

Please place your orders by the end of the weekend, as Les Gâteaux Mignons requires a minimum of 2 weeks notice for all regular orders.

Cheers! xo

*Deal ends February 15th, 2012

Tuesday's Tune - January 24th, 2012

 Although this band started up in 1995, I started listening to them about 5-6 years ago, and with their reggae vibe, I instantly started digging them. Slightly Stoopid is an American band based out of Ocean Beach, San Diego, California. It's been said that they describe their music as "a fusion of acoustic rock and blues, with reggae, hip hop, and punk." The band is made up of 6 members, and they've proved their place in the music world by releasing 6 studio albums and 2 live albums over the past 17 years.

Today's tune is off their 7th album "Chronchitis" (released in August 2007), called 2 Am. I'm sure you will enjoy it!

Cheers!