Pina Colada Boozy Cupcakes

Pina Colada Boozy Cupcakes

By Judith Stone

Cupcakes aren't just for the kids you know, and these boozy pina colada cupcakes prove that point rather well. The rum helps keep the cake moist while giving it a rich and warming taste to counter the sweet and slightly sharp pineapple - delicious!

Pina Colada Cupcakes

Makes 12 cupcakes

For the cake:

300 g (2 � cups) flour

230 g (1 cup) soft butter

220 g (8 oz) sugar

4 eggs

235 ml (1 cup) milk

2 tsp baking powder

40 ml (1 � fl. oz) dark rum

140 g (5 oz) pineapple, cut into small pieces

For the frosting:

230 g (1 cup) soft butter

115 ml (� cup) milk

1 tsp of vanilla extract

580 g (20 oz) icing sugar

100 g (4 oz) dried coconut, plus more for sprinkling

Optional splash of rum

Method

Preheat the oven to 180�C/350�F/gas mark 4. Line muffin pans with 24 paper liners. Mix flour and baking powder in a bowl. In another bowl, mix the rum and milk. Beat the butter in a large bowl with a mixer until creamy. Gradually add the sugar while beating and mix until well combined and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each.

While continuing to beat, add 1/3 of the flour mixture to the butter, followed by half the milk mixture. Incorporate fully, then add another 1/3 of the flour and the remaining milk. Fully mix, then add and incorporate the remaining flour. Drop three to five pineapple chunks into each paper liner, then fill 2/3 full with the batter. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden. Cool for 15 minutes in the pan, then finish cooling on a wire rack.

For the frosting, beat the butter, half the sugar, milk, and vanilla on medium speed until creamy and fully incorporated. Add the remaining sugar slowly while beating until the mixture is fluffy. If you're feeling particularly debaucherous, try adding a splash of rum to the frosting too. Careful not to add too much though otherwise it will become too runny (you can always dry it out by adding a little more sugar so don't panic if you're a little heavy handed!) Fold in the dried coconut. Ice the cooled cupcakes, top with the extra coconut, and serve to your guests (and if you don't have any guests, then you'll have to eat them yourself!)

Judith Stone is an English catering manager, food writer and blogger. This recipe was taken from her book " Cupcake recipes - How to bake cup cakes and fairy cakes Like A Pro!" available on Amazon. Check out her blog at Judith Stone Recipes

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Top 10 Cafes in Chicago

Top 10 Cafes in Chicago

By David W Welch

Forget about Seattle, Chicago is actually the most caffeinated city in America. With average Chicagoans spending nearly three times the national average at coffeehouses, it's no surprise that the Windy City is home to some unique cafes. For those new to Chicago, you must pay patronage to the java gods by getting your caffeine buzz at least once from this list of Chicago's most aroma-arousing cafes and coffeehouses.

10. Earwax - (1561 N. Milwaukee - Wicker Park) - This un-aptly-named vegan brunch diner is just one of Wicker Park's peculiar places to score some joe. Don't let the name fool you, local hipsters speak highly of Earwax's bottomless cup of coffee. After you get your fix, check out the foreign film rental establishment below.

9. Mercury Cafe - (1505 W. Chicago - East Village) The enormous space within Mercury Caf� makes it a great place for gatherings of friends or other meetups. Or you can just isolate yourself and enjoy the tea, coffee, and espresso drinks available on their robust menu.

8. Wormhole - (1462 N. Milwaukee - Wicker Park) Make no mistake, this Wicker Park caf� is hipster-approved and certified. A charming place with an unmistakably funky vibe apparent from the collection of toys and novelty items decorating the walls. The pop-culture savvy will appreciate the humorous references to old-school video games, films, and Internet memes.

7. @Spot Caf� - (901 N. Larrabee - Noble Square) - A family-owned gourmet food and drink caf� with award-winning Paninis. This comfortable coffeehouse is a great place to relax and enjoy some local musicians or peruse the art on the walls.

6. Bridgeport Coffee Company - (3101 S. Morgan Street - Bridgeport) Perhaps the best caf� in Chicago's south side, the Bridgeport Coffee Company is a part of the neighborhood's history. Wi-fi, coffee, sandwiches, and fresh flowers on the tables - what more could you ask for?

5. Unicorn Caf� - (1723 Sherman Avenue - Evanston) Get away from the hustle and bustle of Chicago and take a trip just north of Chicago to check out this creative caf� in Evanston. A friendly place with a welcoming vibe may be just what new-in-town Chicagoans need to kick the big city blues.

4. Filter - (1373-75 N. Milwaukee - Wicker Park) It disappeared for some time, but the new and improved Filter has once again found its place as a staple of Wicker Park coffee. Thrift store d�cor and plenty of couches add to the comfy lounge environment where you can often find patrons with their requisite laptops or groups of friends.

3. Caffe Streets - (1750 W. Division - Bucktown) The wooden interiors give Caffe a rustic vibe perfect for enjoying their specialty coffees from different roasters. There's no Wi-fi, but this only adds to the down-home atmosphere, along with the friendly baristas.

2. Intelligentsia - (3123 N. Broadway - Lakeview) They have multiple locations now, but the most well-known can be found along the busy Broadway Avenue in Lakeview. These guys take coffee seriously, actually developing their own while working alongside growers. But don't let the hoity-toity attitude fool you, this caf� is just as accessible to the common man.

1.Julius Meinl - (4363 N. Lincoln - Lincoln Square) This international roaster offers a selection of premium coffee blends from all over the world. Known for impeccable service, interesting food, and a vibe of sophistication, this is a great place for intimate conversation.

For more great tips for new residents of Chicago or anyone thinking about moving to Chicago, check out the New in Town Chicago blog.

David Welch is a freelance writer for New in Town Chicago a blog about what you really ought to know about moving to Chicago - from finding a place to live, using the Chicago CTA, finding things to do and people to meet, and ultimately building a new life and experiencing the best of the Windy City. New in Town Chicago is for both people moving to Chicago and residents who already live in Chicago to share secrets, give advice, and discuss the ins and outs about life as an official resident in the sprawling cultural milieu that is Chicago.

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The Top Three Gelaterias in Rome

The Top Three Gelaterias in Rome

By Roberta Stuart

Since time immemorial, the Romans have led the world in an eclectic range of disciplines. Whether it's plumbing, irrigation, philosophy, slaughtering civilians, or just providing a luxury hotel, in Rome they always comes up with the goods. And if there's one thing they do know about, it's how to make fantastic ice cream - or, as they call it, gelato. The Romans certainly know how to enjoy themselves, and their succulent gelato is about as indulgent as it gets.

Spoilt for choice

Be careful, though, as there are many gelaterias to choose from. They are just as popular as pizzerias and you can bet there will be one just a stone's throw away from any luxury hotel in Rome. To experience the tastiest gelati the capital city has to offer, it's worth spending a bit of time to hunt down the best of the best.

Generally, an exceptional gelateria can be identified by window stickers or certificates displayed from Gambero Rosso, Italy's revered food guide, or other food-rating publications. But, without further ado, here are our top three places to get gelato:

1. San Crispino

This gelateria has two locations. One is at the Basilica of San Giovanni, and the other is located near the Trevi Fountain. What makes San Crispino so special is that it's all about the gelati. Don't be put off by their plain, muddy-like appearance, as the gelati are made from scratch with no preservatives or colourings used whatsoever. They don't use gimmicks or flashy, unnecessary add-ons. The quality speaks for itself. However, be warned: San Crispino is extremely popular with tourists, so expect queues to run out of the door.

2. Gelateria del Teatro

Because it's buried away in a winding back-street, this gelateria is not often frequented by tourists and is a favourite with the locals. Behind a romantic glass window, the gelato is lovingly made by hand. This venue is famous for its imaginative flavours such as chocolate and red wine, and for its young, welcoming atmosphere.

3. Giolotti

Situated near the Pantheon, Giolotti is the perfect pit-stop for many a romantic getaway. For a loved-up couple staying at a luxury hotel in Rome, it's the perfect choice. Not only is it one of the oldest Roman gelato manufacturers (it was established in 1900), Giolotti prides itself on its customer service. The decadent products range from Torta Giolitti, a rich ice cream cake, to Coppa Giolitti, a luxurious mix of ice cream, custard, and chilled zabaione.

So, next time you find yourself relaxing at a luxury hotel in Rome, ensure you don't miss a chance to sample the city's best gelato - Italy's finest export since the sandal. And remember how to order: 'Vorrei un gelato per favore'.

If you're looking for a luxury hotel in Rome Worldhotels has a wonderful selection. Roberta Stuart is the Travel Manager for Worldhotels, a company offering the best choice for a luxury hotel in Rome and a selection of unique and four and five star hotels around the world.

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Adding Colour to Your Look

Adding Colour to Your Look

By Emily Carron

Makeup should be fun. It may be difficult to be overly expressive when going in to the office, depending on what type of job you hold. However, when preparing for a night out with friends it is the perfect time to showcase the inner you. If you love colour and like to have fun with your makeup, then you should do so, after all life is too short not to enjoy it when you can. Products such as NYX cosmetics offer a range of eye-catching shades of lipsticks, nail polishes and glosses that are wonderful products to have in your make up pouch.

Makeup allows us to enhance our best features, namely eyes and lips, with a touch of colour on the cheeks. Nowadays the range on colours available to us is so immense that it is hard to pin point one particular shade as a firm favourite. Depending on the occasion we will have different shades that appeal to us. For a morning out we may prefer to be more natural, sticking to nudes or colourless glosses, maybe with a touch of mascara to enhance our eyes. For the day out with friends or a night out we can be a bit more adventurous, with glitter glosses or more colour products such as a bright pink lipstick or orange nail polish. It is fun to experiment and have a little fun without always sticking to shades that we are comfortable with.

It is easy to fall into a makeup rut, using the same type of makeup day in and day out, including holidays and nights out. To avoid this browse online and find out the different shades that are available, the new products that have been introduced and the latest look that is the current trend. You do not have to follow trends blindly, but it is good to know what is in and adjust your look accordingly to suit you. When you check online you can even come across deals where you can purchase branded but cheap cosmetics, which will be beneficial when updating your makeup bag!

Make 2012 the year you revamp your look and experiment with new shades. You can stay true what you like, while trying new colours. Challenge yourself by doing something new with your look and feel inner assurance. True beauty comes from within and if you are confident about your look it will radiate and impress others with your inner glow.

Check out the range of makeup offered by NYX cosmetics and be inspired to update your look with the appealing products that are available. Find more about NYX cosmetics .

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Is White the New Black?

Is White the New Black?

Author: Sami Brown

Recent years have proved that the beloved colour of black was our go-to shade when it came to outfit preparing. It was simple to style and coordinated with almost anything; we could wear it for work, casual wear and for a formal night out. It has become evident that black made a huge impact on the fashion industry, but it is now getting pushed to the side in order to make way for the new famous shade, which is white.

Way back when the only colours were black and white (hypothetically of course), these two shades were in competition in the very beginning and still are today. Black and white creates the perfect balance together but in the fashion industry that is a completely different story. Black has always outshone white due to its smart qualities and ease to hide signs of dirt, but white can look for great for smart and casual wear alike. The shade has a light and innocent feel in comparison with black which creates a dark and devious connotation, and offers a cool and fresh vibe to any outfit.

White has bounced back, not only fashion wise but in general. With the latest shade being called ‘diamond' which has become extremely popular among cars, phones and clothing. With the only real downside to this colour being the fact it is easy to get mucky and dirt is easily visible, it is not putting anybody off and they are just being more careful to avoid any accidents.

In connection to the ever popular ‘little black dress' is seems that people are beginning to get bored of this clichéd dress and opting for a ‘little white dress' instead. If you have pale skin and you are worried about looking washed out, simply add some luxurious jewellery and perhaps a splash of colour with pastel coloured accessories. This light, bright hue can look just as formal as classic as black but with a added dose of freshness.

Overall it appears that white has taken over in the fashion stakes, offering us a fresh new look to combine into our outfits with little effort. Once again, the bright hue coordinates with just about any other shade and is a fabulous option especially in the summer as it reflects the sun and helps to keep you feeling fresh and cool. Every man's and woman's wardrobe should be filled with white garments; after all, white is the new black.

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About the Author

Samantha Brown is an experienced author who specialises in fashion and beauty. Take a look at a variety of designer wear and buy online today.

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Your Morning Beauty Routine: How to Make It Quick And Easy

Your Morning Beauty Routine: How to Make It Quick And Easy

By Karen Armitage

I know very few women, who have the time for a lengthy, leisurely morning beauty routine. Most of us are busy getting the family ready for school and ourselves ready for work. A quick shower and smear of lipstick is sometimes the best we can do.

But if we neglect caring for our skin, we will pay for it in the long run, resulting in an un-even, dull, muddy complexion that may well belie our age. When we cleanse regularly, we remove the top dead layer of skin cells to reveal fresh skin underneath. Exfoliation also promotes cell renewal, speeding up the turnover of our outer cells, or epidermis, to promote a healthy glowing complexion.

By doubling up some of the steps of our beauty routine in the morning, we can save time, but still achieve our object of a clear, clean, healthy skin. Begin your bathroom routine by pinning your hair up out of the way. A plastic shower can quickly and easily achieve this. Once your hair is out of the way, and you are waiting for the hot water to come through, smear a generous quantity of good quality cleanser over your face, neck and d�colletage (chest area).

Massage lightly, and then apply over the top of the cleanser an exfoliating cream. Depending on your skin type, but you may only need to use the defoliator every second day. Avoid buying exfoliating creams that contain ground shell, such as ground almond shell. These have rough edges and will tear at the skin tissue damaging it rather than removing the top layer of dead cells. As you step into the shower, continue to massage your cleanser/defoliator into the skin, and by the time your body is wet, you will be ready to rinse it off as you wash the rest of your body.

Leave your skin slightly damp, but not wet, for quick absorption and apply your moisturiser and eye cream with swift, light, upward movements. If you choose your moisturizers in airless pump packs, not only will you save time from undoing and doing up lids, you will prevent the creams becoming contaminated from dipping your fingers into the jars.

When applying your moisturiser, pump the cream onto your fingertips, and spread over the skin on your face, neck and chest. Avoid rubbing the cream into your hands first before you apply it to your face and neck, as this takes up precious seconds and more cream will be absorbed into your hands than you actually get to put on your face.

If you like to apply foundation, use this interval to brush your teeth to give the moisturizers time to absorb into the skin, and provide a smooth base for the liquid or powder of your choice.

A quick flick with the mascara wand, a little smear of lipstick and you are ready to go, ensuring that your skin is clean, glowing and protected from dehydration by the moisturizers.

Karen Armitage has been in the beauty and hairdressing industry for almost 40 years. She was horrified to discover that 89% of ingredients used in cosmetics are not tested for safety by any independent governing body. For more information and free reports on what many be in your skin care products:
NoChemicalCosmetics
Choose Skin Care products certified organic to food standards.

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Nicki Minaj OPI Nail Lacquer

Nicki Minaj OPI Nail Lacquer

By Ange Tang

OPI's first celebrity collaboration of the year is HOT...like chart topping hot! Kick off 2012 like a superstar! Nicki Minaj has teamed up with OPI and the new year is looking bright and fun. The hip-hop princess sunk her fabulous talons into the world of nail polish to bring colours that mirror her unique, bold style.

The winter blues will be a thing of the past when you saturate those fingertips in these diva shades by the show stopping rapper. We have six Nicki inspired, limited edition colours to choose from. The names of the polishes are so lively, they make us want to pump Super Bass and dance.

Did it on 'Em: Bright green! Think spotlight lime green. It's reminiscent of the ever-popular OPI Shrek Collection's Who the Shrek are You? However unlike the Shrek version, this cr�me polish has slightly yellow undertones, making it almost chartreuse. It's bright, funky, and a lot of fun. Hmm. Isn't St. Patrick's Day right around the corner?

Fly: Sky blue, but 10 times brighter! It's time for some fun in the sun ladies. This bombastic aqua cr�me polish will infuse this long winter with some summer energy. It makes for an absolutely gorgeous midwinter manicure.

Save Me: I've been saved! Who says the New Year's party is over? It's just started and it happens to be bedazzled in blue, pink, and orange confetti. But it's not floating in the air. It's in the bottle! This polish features small silver glitter mixed with colourful and holographic bar glitter all in a clear base. The best part? It goes on smooth and evenly. Bottoms up!

Metallic 4 Life: I have to say, this is my favorite color of the entire collection. Rock this shade all year round. It's fierce. It's black. It's grey. It's shiny. It's hot! It's so Nicki! The shade is seriously glittery. Silver hex glitter, that appears grey, complements the black base. It adds some star quality to your standard black polish.

Pink Friday: This perfect shade of pink has Barbie's seal of approval written all over it. The cr�me polish is bubblegum pink and matches Nicki's pastel-hued Pink Friday lipstick that she created with MAC. It's girly and glam! Friday's just got that much better. TGIF!

Super Bass: You know the collection wouldn't be complete without something utterly edgy and cool. This polish is a glittery magenta. And did we mention? It shatters. Apply it over any color in the collection and you'll have rock star-worthy nails. When applied over a lighter color, like Pink Friday, it stays true to its dark magenta roots. Apply it over something darker, like Fly, and it becomes a dark purple. The subtle glitter adds a unique twist that is worthy of Nicki Minaj's name

Now that you can cop Nicki's style with dramatic, vivid nails learn a little bit about the hip-hop starlet. Here are five fun facts about Nicki:

Nicki Minaj is her stage name. Born in 1984, her birth name is Onika Tanya Maraj.

Nicki was born in Trinidad and moved to Queens, NY.

Nicki studied singing and acting at La Guardia High School in New York, where she graduated.

In 2008, she won Female Artist of the Year at the Underground Music Awards.

Nicki was the first female rap artist to perform at Yankee Stadium.

Ange Tang - The Salon Beauty Bar

Blog: http://www.thesalonbeautybar.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/salonbeautybar

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How to Feel Like a Bombshell Instantly

How to Feel Like a Bombshell Instantly

By Kirin Christianson

Feeling frumpy? Are you in a style rut and you just want to feel amorous, glamorous, and flat out fabulous again? Where do you start?

First of all, you're not alone. If you've ever had those days or those moments where you feel frumpy, here are three things you can do to instantly look and feel like a bombshell.

1) Wear dangly earrings. When you wear earrings that dangle, you instantly add sparkle and excitement to your face. The movement in the earrings draws attention to your smile and your eyes. The added bonus is it adds a sense of fun to your demeanor too. You just can't be grumpy when you are wearing dangly earrings.

Keep it simple. Sure you can go bold, but if that is out of your comfort zone, your earrings can be as simple as a gold hoop. Or choose something in gold or silver tones with some colorful beads on it. For the more adventurous, you can choose one with any color. Go crazy and have fun, or keep it more conservative and classy. Just be sure your earrings have at least a little dangle. This is an easy way to get people to notice you.

2) Wear a dress that is colorful. First of all, you want to wear a dress because bombshells don't wear pants, right? Think about it. Whether you think of any bombshell from Marilyn Monroe to Jessica Rabbit, they are all wearing dresses. This doesn't mean that you can't be a bombshell wearing pants. It's just that when you conjure up an image in your head of a bombshell, or when a man thinks of a bombshell, he's not thinking of pants. He's probably thinking of a dress and usually you are too. So, wear a dress.

If it's form fitting, make sure that its form fitting in the areas of your body that you like. If you love your chest, make it form fitting in the chest. If you love your tiny waist, make sure it shows off your tiny waist. If you love your legs, make sure it accentuates your legs. So whatever it is that you want to emphasize, make sure that your dress showcases that area.

Part two of this tip is to make sure that your dress is colorful, especially near your face. Why? Again you want positive attention on you. A bold color next to your face is going to instantly make you look younger, brighten your complexion.

3) Wear heels - the higher the better. The easy thing to remember with heels is to wear heels that match your skin tone. This way it doesn't matter what color your dress is, or if it's a pattern, or if it's a print. The emphasis is going to be where you want it...on you! So, don't worry about finding shoes that exactly match your outfit. Just wear heels that match your skin tone and you're good to go. Skin toned heels pull your look together, make your legs look longer, and make you look thinner.

So the next time you go out, try putting all three of these tips together. The result? Instant bombshell.

Would you like to use this article? You may as long as you include the following: Red Haute Mama, beauty queen and FORD Model, Kirin Christianson, lifts women from the doldrums of everyday and back into the 'va va va voom.' She helps them re-discover their inner bombshell. From toes to tresses, no nook goes uncovered without examination. Providing expertise in all things glam, she steers women toward the holy grail of glamor. Ladies! Snag your FREE Glam Guide - 7 Secret, Easy And Affordable Ways You Can Go From Drab...to Fab! http://www.RedHauteMama.com

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