Introducing PB& J StaceyCakes

Listen up, sweettooths! My dear friend Stacey Shapiro of Brooklyn's StaceyCakes has introduced me to the best treat since Tiramisu...the PB&J cupcake!

That's right: this Park Slope-mama-meets-gourmet took this classic 1940's lunch staple into what she dubs a "perfectly delicious new “old school” experience." Vanilla cake is injected with real grape jelly topped with creamy peanut butter vanilla frosting--and she's even sharing her StaceyCakes recipe with mini-Martha's like you...

StaceyCakes Peanut Butter & Jelly Cupcakes

12 of your favorite vanilla cupcakes

peanut butter- 1/2 cup (or more depending on how peanut buttery you like it)

butter-1 stick unsalted, soft

vanilla-1 tsp.

confectioners sugar- 2 1/2 cups

light cream -1/4 cup

your favorite grape jelly (or any other flavor you prefer)- 1/2 cup or so--enough to fill a dozen cupcakes

Place butter & peanut butter in a mixing bowl, add 1 1/2 cups sugar, then light cream and then the vanilla. Mix on medium until smooth & creamy. Gradually add remaining sugar and if needed a touch more light cream. Then add more peanut butter to taste if you like.

Put grape jelly in a pastry bag with injecting tip and inject grape jelly into middle of cupcakes (this was the fun part!). Then frost cupcakes with peanut butter frosting then eat & enjoy (this was the most fun part!).

And if you don’t feel up to doing any of this, you can always order them from StaceyCakes (917.545.9995 )! Don't forget to check out other awesome designs in her gallery.

Ring Pillow Redux

It's been a while since I posted an Etsy find--and this precious blue seersucker ring pillow was worth the wait! Totally feminine, absolutely fresh, and perfect for a summer wedding by the sea.

My favorite part of this design: you can customize it! Petal pink or natural wheat more your thing? You've got it. This design comes in a variety of colors, from white-on-white to country red stripes. Plus, you can pick the stud, from a pearl to a vintage cameo. And, at $38, this baby will spark some style down the aisle--without setting your budget on fire.

For more beautiful handmade ring pillows, check out Etsy.com's Ring Pillow gallery.