Baby Gender Reveal Cupcakes + Friday Favorites

Honey, I baked! Baby gender reveal cupcakes!

So, what do you think little Iowa Baby Eats is? A boy? A girl? A HUMAN, as my smarty-pants brother predicted? (Oh, brothers.)

Well, it’s…

a…

BOY!

A truck loving, football throwing, snuggly baby boy! AHH! I get more and more excited each and every day, and Ben and I cannot wait to hold our little guy in our arms! (PS: could you not just die over baby shoes??)

Seriously, thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for the sweet congratulatory messages that you continue to send. We really appreciate it! :)

Now, this wouldn’t be a proper IGE post without a some instructions, so here’s how you make these super-cute gender reveal cupcakes, in case you ever need ’em. First bake up a batch of cupcakes. Homemade, boxed – whatever.

Once they’re cool, insert a sharp knife into the center on the diagonal then turn the cupcake as you cut to slice out a little cone. Cut off the “cone” so you’re left with a flat, cupcake “lid”.

Next mix up the frosting! I used store-bought then dyed it blue with gel food coloring. This stuff works great as you only need a tiny drop to get really bright colors. I got mine at Michaels.

Mix the frosting up then scoop it into a piping or ziloc bag and snip off the corner.

Pipe the frosting into the holes then pop the lids on top. (Note: I didn’t cut the “cones” off the lids in the second row of cupcakes which is why they’re riding a little high!)

Next, using another container of frosting, frost all the tops.

Unwrap, bite, and share the good news!

Now that we know we’re having a boy, nursery preparations can get underway. I think Ben and I are heading out to shop for furniture this weekend, as apparently some pieces can take up to 4 months to get in. I’m also seeing a blue, green, yellow and white argyle theme in my head…we shall see though. :)

Anyways, that’s the latest news on the home front! Oh also, re: bump pics, I don’t think I’ll be posting the standard side shots on the blog (they’re a little more private for me – that said, I LOVE other bloggers’ bump shots and stalk them like crazy) but I’ll definitely take some candids when we’re in Charleston in a few weeks. By then I’ll be big enough to properly fill out some maternity clothes too. Right now I’m in the awkward, too small for maternity, but too big for regular clothes phase, hence the reason why I’ve been wearing my black fleece 99% of the time!

Oh also, I wanted to mention that I am finally coming out with the Weekly Update e-newsletter that I’ve been working on for, oh, EVER! You can click here to signup > or click on the link in the grey bar at the top of the site to signup. Emails will be sent out weekly on Saturday mornings and include a wrap up of the week’s recipes and going-ons, in case you missed anything.

Ok I think that’s it from me! Have a wonderful weekend everyone, and in the meantime, please enjoy my favorite finds from around the web in this week’s Friday Favorites!

Click on the light blue links to be taken to the original source. 

Favorite treat: Pineapple Sorbet. I have been eating pineapple like a CRAZY PERSON lately – it’s so sweet and inexpensive right now. This sorbet looks absolutely mouthwatering. Psst: Here’s how I cut a pineapple! 

Favorite learn: Minimalist Baker Food Photography E-Course. My friend Dana, the blogger behind the Minimalist Baker, recently came (just wrote “cake”) out with a food photography e-course and I was absolutely blown away by the content, helpful tips, and videos she’s included in it. She also recently lowered the price from $99 to $19.99 to make it more affordable.

Whether you are a novice photographer who wants to learn more about their camera or editing software like Photoshop, or a more seasoned photographer who wants some creative ideas on how to stage and style their food shots, I cannot recommend this course enough! (Full disclosure: Dana let me review the course for free but I’d pay full price for it in a heartbeat.)

Favorite kicks: Suede Fringe Moccasins. I cannot get over how comfy these moccasins look. I am praying that they get more 6-1/2s in stock soon because I’m dying for a pair.

Favorite St. Patty’s Day: Corned Beef Poutine with Guinness Gravy. Guinness Gravy, people. Need I say more? If I can’t partake in a cold one this weekend, I would sure love to celebrate St. Patty’s Day with these gravy and cheese-laced fries, oh my!

Favorite tip: Clean your Microwave with Lemon. I hate cleaning microwaves or other surfaces that I eat off of with harsh cleaners (not that I eat off the microwave plate, but I don’t like spraying it with chemicals then heating up my food in there.) Anyways, I followed this tutorial on how to clean your microwave with lemons and water and it worked perfectly. Not a speck of grease or grime left anywhere.

Favorite fashion: Noonday Collection Acai Ombre Necklace. Not only is this necklace absolutely gorgeous, and perfect for the spring and summer, but it’s also handcrafted out of sustainable seeds by artisans in Ecuador, providing them with economic opportunity and sustainable income. Can’t wait to order this stunning piece.

Favorite indulge: Creamy Chicken & Spinach Lasagna. I know I just shared 15 light and fresh spring recipes, but this creamy chicken & spinach lasagna is calling my NAME! I’ll keep the recipe for an unseasonably cold night in the next couple of weeks.

Favorite fitness: Tuff Butt April. Totally doing this. Printed and hung on the fridge.

Favorite follow: Murad Osmann on Instagram. This professional photographer has a series on his Instagram account that show shots of his girlfriend leading him by the hand into beautiful and exotic places they visit around the the world. Too much fun.

Favorite decor: Illusorio Console. I wish this piece came in a darker stain (and lower price range) but I absolutely love the design and rustic feel.

Favorite accent: Mint Fox Bangle. Saucy, yet sweet! I’m loving spring’s pastel color palette too.

Favorite DIY: Jute Wrapped Light. I’m so mad, I just threw away a super yellowed shade (nobody wanted it, trust me, or I would have donated it) that I’m now wishing I would have saved to wrap like this. So cool!

Favorite find: Michael Kors Slim Runway Watch. Obsessed with the old-world, grandfather-feel of these handsome watches.

Favorite fresh: Orange Carrot Ginger Juice. I know I said when it came to juice, the greener the better, but Orange Carrot Ginger Juice is by far my favorite non-green juice. The hint of ginger is pure brilliance with the sweet orange and carrot. I could drink this every single day!

Have a great weekend, everyone! :)