Pistachio Rose Cupcakes

When I was in Paris, I tried as many different pastries as I could. One treat I tried has stuck with me ever since I got back from my trip - a nice, light, not overly sweet pistachio & rose macaron. Although the flavor combination is originally Middle Eastern and not French, there was something perfectly Parisian about it. Everyone knows that I love to bake, but I very rarely make anything just for me, so since I haven't taught myself the fine art of macaron making yet, I decided to try my hand at a pistachio rose cupcake this weekend. It was a little pre-Valentine's Day treat for me, because let's face it - my true love is Paris! :) Not only were these some of the prettiest and best smelling cupcakes I've ever made, but they may have been the most delicious too.

Shopping List: Paris Vacation

Hey y’all! I’m Elle from Wonderfelle World where I (mostly) blog about luxury fashion, beauty and travel. I’m happy to be guest blogging for Amy today, and since I know she and I love Paris (really, who doesn’t?), I put together a little post on what I would pack for a Parisian getaway!

Amy's note: can I just say how obsessed I am with every single thing on this list?! Elle and I definitely have similar taste! :)

Friday Inspiration: Quotes I Love

Happy Friday everyone! I've been back from Paris for a little over a week, but I'm still thinking about my trip each and every day...I really miss everything about it, especially this view from my bedroom window!

I also wanted to announce the winner of the DAVIDsTEA giveaway!! I used random.org to generate a number, and then chose the comment that corresponded to that number. The winner is...

Congrats Melissa! I will be in touch to get your address and mail you the prize. Thanks to everyone who entered!

I have a few plans this weekend, including seeing the new Hunger Games movie with a few friends, helping out at a charity 5k race, brunch with my friend Jen and a facial at Skoah...what are you all up to? Please let me know in the comments below! {PS - I found the perfume quotes below applicable since I've been wearing the new perfume I bought in Paris every single day!}

Read on for the quotes...

Paris: Day 7

Last night, Ellie and I went out to a very traditional French restaurant called Saveurs de Savoie at 83 Rue Mouffetard in the 5eme. They had delicious fondue and raclette and the decor was so cozy and interesting - I definitely recommend checking this place out!

Then we decided to get dressed up and celebrate our last night together in Paris with some fancy cocktails at Hotel Le Meurice on Rue de Rivoli. It was the most beautiful hotel I've ever seen in my entire life - everything inside was so ornate, including the cloud painted ceiling! If you're in Paris, you must stop in for at least one drink...you won't regret it.

Paris: Day 6

And now I'm all caught up with my posts! Today was day 6 for me but Ellie's last day in Paris. We went for an absolutely beautiful walk along some of Paris' nicest streets in the 1 and 2eme arrondissements. 

Paris: Day 5

Day 5 in Paris also involved a lot of walking. Ellie and I started out in the Marais which is very up-and-coming and features a lot of trendy stores and cafes. 

Paris: Day 4

I'm sorry for the delay in posting the last few days - Ellie and I have been having so much fun that I haven't broken out my laptop at all! Day 4 was our longest and busiest day yet.

We started off the day by having brunch at Les Deux Abeilles, a pretty famous cafe in our arrondissement that serves amazing tea, coffee and pastries. I had the "french toast"...amazing!

Paris: Day 3

Happy Friday! After I wrote last night, Ellie and I went out and had a great dinner at Cafe de l'Alma a few blocks away from our apartment. We were able to sit in the covered, heated outdoor patio and enjoyed a great modern French meal and a whole lot of Beaujolais. ;) Here's a great photo I snapped on the way to dinner...

While we were eating, we asked the waiters at the restaurant where a good place to go out and get drinks would be. They pointed us in the direction of an underground cave that's been turned into a bar and plays jazz music. It was so much fun! I definitely recommend going if you're in Paris - it's right on the border of the 5eme and 6eme arrondissements. 

Paris: Day 2

Bonjour! Ellie arrived today in Paris and I waited for her to arrive at the apartment before I set out for the day. We ate a quick brunch at a cute brasserie near the apartment, and then decided to start off the day with a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower! I got to visit the 2nd level last time I was in Paris but not the very top level, so I was really excited to visit the very top floor today.

Paris: Day 1

I have officially made it to Paris! I've been planning this trip for almost a year and now it's here! I am so beyond excited that I can't even begin to describe to you how I'm feeling. Today I arrived at Charles de Gaulle around 10.30am CET and made it to my apartment around noonish. I was met by a super friendly rep from Paris Perfect who gave me the keys and a tour of the apartment and the building. It looked exactly like the photos, only better now that I had finally arrived!

Here's a mini tour I made using Instagram...

...and the view from the bedroom window. Seriously! I almost died and went to heaven!

Travel Inspiration: Paris

If you read my guest post on I Am a Lifestyle Blog last week, you  know that I'm planning a trip to Paris in November! :) I'm already counting down the days til my trip and I am more than excited to be visiting Paris for the second time. I visited Paris in 2009 with my company at the time and didn't get to see very much, but this time I'll be renting an apartment through Paris Perfect in the 7th arrondissement for a week so I'll have more time to explore, walk, eat and shop! I wanted to share some photos of my apartment rental so you can all get excited with me!! Let me know what you think of it in the comments below. :)

view from the living room

the living room

Guest Post: Feminine Interiors by Design Shuffle

Hello, everyone! I'm Mari, a writer from Design Shuffle, a terrific online community for interior designers and design lovers from around the world. I'm so excited to be visiting Cupcakes & Couture as a guest blogger. Today, we're going to take a look at fabulously feminine spaces. I love discovering great decorating ideas for all sorts of rooms, but soft feminine looks always capture my attention.

I've gathered eight stunning spaces to share and to inspire your own interior design projects. We're going to take a virtual tour of rooms in blue, pink and even browns—all feminine in their own way. Please enjoy!

A classic room in soft aqua blue is quite stunning with washed floors, ethereal forest wallpaper and gorgeous crystal tiered wall sconces. Did you notice the whimsical birds in the wall covering?

This feminine living room is at once chic and frilly. The pale bombe chest is stunning in its intricate detailing—looks like delicate frosting on a wedding cake. This is small space interior design at its best.

Gift Guide: Parisian Chic Under $100

I haven't put together a gift guide in awhile, and I'm not quite sure why - aside from sharing new recipes, gift guide posts are my favorite to write! I know there are a lot of people who have a hard time buying presents, especially for those they don't know that well, so I have a lot of fun putting these guides together. This one is perfect for the stylish girl who loves everything Parisian, sophisticated and chic. Best of all, each gift is under $100, so you don't have to break the bank to get her something she is sure to love!

gift guide: parisian chic by amybreckenridge

Pink is my favorite color!

From the palest blush to fuschia and everything in between, pink really is my favorite color. Here are some of my favorite pink images for your viewing pleasure :) Which color is your favorite?

buy this print on etsy

Design Inspiration: Parisian Rooms

Hi guys! I have an exciting guest post lined up for you today that combines two of my favorite things to blog about: Paris and interior design! Hope you enjoy it! xoamy

Hi, I’m Joanna. I blog for Design Shuffle—a website and blog created for interior designers to share their portfolios and design enthusiasts to find interior design ideas. Today, I'm bringing you Paris inspired rooms. I love all things French, especially Parisian. Hope you enjoy the post about these lovely spaces! Thanks for letting me share.

There isn’t a thing I don’t love about this Paris apartment! The pink French daybed is gorgeous. The chevron floor topped with a tiger rug adds interest to the space. All that’s missing is a lovely crystal chandelier.

This formal French space is features antique furnishings such as a partner’s desk and a 19^th century peer mirror. The soft blues are comforting.

Christian Lacroix’s Paris apartment is an eclectic mix of new and old. While the architecture of the space is quite formal, much of the furnishings are modern. The colors of the room are pulled from the abstract art.

What I'm Dreaming Of...

For this month's dream post, there's only one thing I'm wishing for: a return trip to Paris! I was lucky enough to visit back in 2010 but I would absolutely love to go again and it's all I've been thinking about lately! Here are some gorgeous photos of Paris...it was hard for me to narrow them down, but I chose my favorite ten for your viewing pleasure :)

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Feminine Art

Happy Monday everyone! I've seen some really pretty art floating around Pinterest and I wanted to share some of my favorite pieces with you. If only I could draw like this!!

found here

copyright Carol Hannah 

What I'm Dreaming Of...

Here are just a few things I've been dreaming about this month...many of them are experiences rather than material things. Let me know what's on your wish list in the comments below!

A ride on a vintage carousel...

...or up in a hot air balloon!

A romantic evening walk with my boyfriend...

A Bit of Magic

Amusement parks are magical in my eyes! I still love carousels, flying swings, ferris wheels and teacups. I hope these pictures make you as happy as they make me! :)

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10 Hardcover Books I Need Right Now

Ever since I was a little girl, I've been an avid reader. I used to beg my mum to take me to the library each week so I could pick out a new book and feed the ducks at the pond outside. :) But because my lovely boyfriend bought me a Kindle Fire for Christmas (which I am obsessed with and haven't put down since), I haven't been buying many books lately - I've been downloading them all instead!

There are a few hardcover books I've been eyeing filled with beautiful photos that won't translate quite as well on the Kindle. They're all focused on my favorite things: baking, fashion and Paris! Take a look - you might find that one of these books is just what you've been wishing for!


Les Petits Macarons: Colorful French Confections to Make at Home ~ $11. French macarons are one of the hardest things to bake, but I really want to take some time out on the weekends to teach myself! They're definitely my favorite sweet treat and it's high time I learned how to make them!

Mad About Macarons!: Make Macarons Like the French ~ $10. Another great book with simple instructions on how to make macarons in many different flavors.

Living In Paris (New Edition) ~ $33. This book is filled with beautiful photos of my favorite city: Paris! It's the perfect coffee table book and will transport you to the city of light each time you open the cover. :)