March Madness!!! An Update

Welcome back, my long lost friends!
Before we get too misled by the title of this post, let me just clarify that I am NOT going to talk about basketball. Clear? Ok.
Welcome back! After procrastinating and procrastinating since my birthday, I have finally found time to write. Why? Because yesterday was a snow day and now I'm home sick. Truly, I feel like absolute crap, so you're lucky that I'm even sitting in front of my computer right now.

I've Been Very Busy...
And I have been!!! Holidays and being sick and doing homework and  and sewing and sewing and FCCLA and homework and tests and applying for scholarships and singing and singing and now I'm planning an entire FASHION SHOW!!!!
Yeah!
Busy.
So don't hate me, because I've been crying every day on the drive home from school because of stress and then falling asleep as soon as I get home. I don't think I can take the hate right now.
Not to say that I don't like being this busy; I love it!!! I just wish I had some more time for...me? Does that sound selfish?
And then did I mention that my back has been weird? It gets stiff and then I do one of those chair turn things to crack it and my whole spine starts popping. Doesn't hurt, but it sounds like I'm shaking pennies in a tin can. Is that normal? It's probably from sleeping on the couch.
Welcome to my life. Just 16 days until spring break...and then my life will go back to semi-normal. Ah...

So...Singing!!!
Up there I mentioned singing. And oh, have I been singing. This month, I have two singing competitions. One was not really a singing competition, it's my school's annual talent show. It took place on March 1, and it was grueling. I was the SECOND act to perform and I was beyond nervous, especially considering that the first act was last year's winner. And, not to mention, I choked--literally, on my own saliva--at the audition.

Once I got on stage though, I was super calm. I sang "The Ladder" by Andrew Belle and I guess everyone loved it. I didn't win. I didn't want to win. (Mainly because the night of the district-wide talent competition, which the winners have to compete in, is on the NIGHT BEFORE MY FASHION SHOW!!! The fashion show that I've been waiting since my freshman year to plan!!!) But the night was really fun and I got to eat pizza when I got home.
My second competition is in 2 weeks, on the 16th, and I'm uber-excited for that one. That one is one that I'd like to win, though. (I mean, who wouldn't want to win?) I'm singing ____________________. AH! Thought I'd tell you? Wrong. It's a secret.

That's All For Now
I don't have any new recipes for you, sorry. BUT, I'm cooking...tomorrow night? So expect a new post and a new recipe soon. I'm off to curl up under a warm blanket now and sleep. TOODLES!!!

Eighteen Candles

Hello Craig, I'm Back!

Yeah, I've been AWOL for three months and I start with the Doctor Who immediately. If I haven't mentioned about...a million times before, I'm a bit obsessed. (And I'll probably mention it a million times after this.)

It's Party Time!!!
Before we get too off topic, which I think we already are, let's start with why this long awaited post is titled Eighteen Candles. Well, I think that's easy.

That was me at two or three.

On Wednesday the 7th, I--Alexis, Not A Lexus--celebrated my 18th birthday! Yay! Boo that it wasn't in time for me to vote, but still yay! I feel older, much more refined.

Instead of a sugary birthday cake, I opted for my favorite: the simple strawberry torte.

So in honor of my birthday--no matter how late I planned to post this--I felt like it is time to give everyone a little gift: an update! A major update. A little fashion, a little music, a little food. Just like a party! So what are we waiting for? Let's get started.

Crank Up the Tunes

Over the past few months, I've tried to keep up with singing. It's been working out so far; aside from school and getting the flu again...twice, I've managed to sing almost every day. Fortunately for me, I was able to record a few videos of myself to share with you all. Enjoy!

Not A Lexus Fashion Corner

As you may know, I try to be very fashion forward. Not only am I enrolled in fashion at school and plan to compete in 2 fashion competitions this year, but I'm also going to continue my learning of fashion and design in college next year. So, for anyone out there who need a little inspiration in looking good during these colder months, I give you:

Shitty screencap courtesy of yours truly...

The Teen-y Stylist.

I figured that, since this has become more of a baking and cooking blog than anything else, I would start a tumblr blog dedicated to fashion and style tips...as well as my nerdy ramblings. See me up there? All sepia and soft toned?

Why the Teen-y Stylist you ask? Well, I'm a teen, I'm also somewhat short, and I'm a fashion lover. Must I say more? Unlike with this blog, which has kinda depended on me getting off my lazy bum to cook, I'm resolving to post at least once a day on the Teen-y Stylist with a new polyvore styleboard, and maybe some fangirly stuff too.

Check it out if you'd like.

Mouth Wateringly Delish
And now for the part I know everyone has been waiting for...unless you've skipped everything else to get to the recipe. If so, shame on you!!!
Since I've tried to kill my sweet tooth, and have been succeeding, I haven't been able to bake much. SO when an opportunity does arise, like a holiday, I bring my classmates from Fashion class a little treat. My birthday was no different.
So thanks to a convenient halloween clearance sale at Joann Fabric's, my handy dandy "Chocolat" book, and an ass-istant chef  (I'm the head chef--read: dictator--and whoever is helping is my ass-istant. It's a joke at my house.), I made some delicious cupcakes. Wanna see em?

The Best Chocolate Cupcakes, derived from multiple recipes online and from Chocolat by Stephan Lagorce
The cupcake is really moist and the chocolate is not too overwhelming. To get away with a clean mass-transport, I found a way around using gobs of frosting and still be able to go ape with sprinkles. 
Makes: 24 cupcakes
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour- Be sure to have more on hand in case your batter is too thin.
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
3 large eggs
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Pinch of salt

Vanilla or White Chocolate Bark/Candy Coating
Assorted Sprinkles- optional

You'll Also Need:
Electric Mixer- As I always say, you can also go the old fashioned way and use a bowl and a spoon or fork. Since I got my mixer, though, I've really been getting my money's worth out of it.
Medium sized bowl- This is a separate bowl that will be used for mixing dry ingredients only.
Ice Cream Scooper- If you have one big enough, they create perfect batter portions for each cupcake. I have a little twisty arm thing on mine that pushes the ice cream--or batter in this case--out of the scooper, which is a real help. This, like the mixer, is optional. You could always use a spoon.
Cupcake Tins
Cupcake Liners
1 microwave safe bowl
Spoons

Directions:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare your cupcake tins with liners.
Step 2: Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and salt into medium sized mixing bowl and set aside.
Step 3: Using your mixer, or by hand, cream butter and sugar together until...well, creamy.
Step 4: Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly before adding the next one.
Step 5: Once all eggs are mixed, add other wet ingredients (sour cream, almond extract, vanilla) and mix until fully incorporated.

So much batter for so many cupcakes.

Step 6: Add dry ingredients and mix well. You want a batter that is thick so it is scoopable, but not so thick that it's almost dough. If your batter is thin and soupy, add more flour.

Remember my previously mentioned ass-istant? Meet Kristen, my little cousin,  who became honorary ass-istant when she stayed over for the night. She did a marvelous job, especially with the batter scooping as well as shuffling cards and teaching me a new card game while we waited for the cupcakes to bake!

Step 7: Once batter is ready, fill cupcake tins about 3/4 of the way full with batter.
Step 8: Bake for about 30 minutes. Check for doneness using the toothpick test.

Step 9: Let cupcakes cool completely before decorating and/or devouring.

Decorate

Step 1: In a microwave safe bowl, melt your candy coating/bark by following the instructions on the packaging.
Step 2: If you plan on decorating your cupcakes with sprinkles, pour the sprinkles into a moderately deep bowl.

Step 3: Arrange cooled cupcakes on a flat baking tray. This will allow for an easy way for you to grab them and an organized space for them to cool.
Step 4: Dip the top of your cupcakes into your candy coating and then, if you wish, dip them into your sprinkles. Be careful not to let the cupcake touch the bottom of the sprinkle bowl, as the coating will smear and cause some unnecessary clumping. Replace cupcake back onto tray and allow time to cool.
Step 5: Repeat until all of your cupcakes, or as many as you can manage before you get tired or eat them all, are decorated.

Up close and personal...

The Verdict
Well, I brought my cupcakes to school on my birthday for my friends in fashion class and they were devoured immediately. I love my fashion girls; I brought cupcakes just for them and they still asked if they could have one, or take another one after they ate their first. So polite.
Speaking of polite...

Paparazzi! But seriously, she was a pro at eating the cupcake before the candy coating. Wow!

Meet Bianca, my new fashion friend--even though she isn't in fashion, technically--as of September and my birthday buddy. (Mine's the 7th, her's is the 8th.) She ate 5, count em, 5 cupcakes, including 2 that I made especially for her, because she wanted to try all of the different sprinkle designs I had brought. That's dedication to the craft!
Bianca, if you are reading this, you are my new food tester. Just wait until Christmas come around, or when FCCLA gets closer, and I bring goodies to fashion. Haha!

And that's it!
I've pretty much covered everything. Yeah? How was it?
Too bad it's time for us to part ways now. I'll try to update sooner--really I will, because I'm in the middle of waiting for a new cookie recipe to finish baking right now--and more often. Besides, I have way too much fun with you guys.

Thanks for reading!
Until Next Time,
Alexis, Not A Lexus