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.Â
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!Â
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! :)
Tina 03.15.2013
Congratulations! That’s all I have in my house, boys!! Miami Hurricanes football watchers coming up!
Sarah E 03.15.2013
Oh my goodness – that’s so exciting! My first is a boy and he was just an amazing baby. I honestly think that little boys are the easiest going, usually it’s the girls that give you trouble ;)
Congrats again!
Julie 03.15.2013
I so ENJOY your blog and recipes, and I can’t wait to continue to read up on the new baby boy that you will welcome to your life! I love the reveal cupcakes…seriously, so creative! Thanks for sharing your life with us blog readers! :)
Denise 03.15.2013
I am so silly! I feel like I could cry I am so happy for you! I remember that feeling like you can’t fit in your clothes but don’t feel large enough for full on maternity just yet. I have 3 girls and 1 boy. And let me tell you, there is something entirely beautiful and special about a boy. Congratulations!!!!!
Joanie 03.15.2013
Congrats on your exciting news! Love the cupcakes too!
Candy 03.15.2013
Congratulations on your baby boy!! My “baby boy” is 23 years old…..LOL!
Gretchen 03.15.2013
OMG I am the same way–I don’t know WHY, but for whatever reason, dedicated baby bump pics feel private to me. Candids are fine. I’m glad I’m not crazy (or rather, not alone in the crazy?)
Kristin 03.15.2013
Congrats on the boy! They’re so fun and WILD! We have twin 5-yo girls and a boy who just turned one and it amazes me to see how much more physical he is. They’re all a blast! Have you checked Valley West for the Gap shoes? I just bought them in a 7 1/2 today and I am pretty sure they had 6 1/2, too. They are ridiculously comfortable!!! Get them!!
Stephanie 03.15.2013
Congrats to you and your hubby! I’m also pregnant, with a boy, due July 17th. We can’t wait! I’ve been reading your blog for a few months now, found through Pinterest. I live in California now, but was born and raised in Nebraska so we were neighbors! :) Looking forward to more baby updates! (PS I’ve been eating so much pineapple lately that it has resulted in a burned tongue. That acid is serious business!)
Iowa Girl Eats 03.17.2013
omg I am seriously right behind you – and getting another one at the store today. Can’t stop won’t stop!
Urban Wife @ Live Faithfully 03.15.2013
Squeeeeeeee!!! Loved the cute reveal. And those shoes. I die. Boys are the best. We’re having one in 8ish weeks and it can’t come soon enough. Again, congrats! :)
Iowa Girl Eats 03.17.2013
Congratulations!! 8 weeks – so exciting!!
STACY 03.15.2013
Yay! Baby boys are precious. I did want to say, while I LOVE baby shoes, I highly recommend that you let the little guy go barefoot or just wear socks 90% of the time until he’s walking. I read somewhere that it helps to inspire crawling/walking. My daughter started walking at 9 months so I’m definitely a bit biased. She started wearing shoes full time once she was able to walk steadily and then we were careful to make sure to buy soft sole shoes at Stride Rite.
Morgan 03.15.2013
Yay to little boys!!! I am due with my first, A BOY, in June and can’t wait. I too ate pineapple like it was going out of style my first trimester! Congrats
Iowa Girl Eats 03.17.2013
Congratulations, Morgan! Hard to believe we’ll have little boys running around before we know it!
Nicole @ Fruit 'N' Fitness 03.15.2013
Congratulations on the baby boy! I love the cupcake reveal, so fun! I feel like a lot of the blogs I read are having baby boys right now. Elise, Courtney, Ashley and you. I am so excited to read about all the little baby boy happenings.
Margaret 03.15.2013
Are you considering a companion blog, Iowa Baby Eats, when he starts solids? :) Very happy for you! Congrats!
Iowa Girl Eats 03.17.2013
I haven’t thought about it yet, but you never know! :)
Rachel 03.15.2013
Yay! Baby boys are awesome! :) Mine’s 5 now, and I just love him to pieces!
Kelly 03.15.2013
So funny…..I craved pineapple with my son also! It tasted like the most wonderful thing ever! We went to Hawaii and I ate all of the pineapple slices out of everyones fruity cocktails!:) the really ironic thing is, my son (who is 6 now) loves every single fruit, EXCEPT pineapple!
Jamie 03.15.2013
YAY!! Since I have a baby boy I can say with absolute confidence that baby boys are da bomb! A girl would be too, and hopefully we’ll have a girl the second time around, but the little guy is pretty darn special. I have such fun imagining him following in Daddy’s footsteps in the near future. Congrats again!
Fran 03.15.2013
Congrats on having a son!!!! Your announcement with the cupcakes was so cute!!
Kels 03.15.2013
Congratulations!! So exciting!!
Melissa in IA 03.15.2013
Congratulations! Boys keep life rather exciting and full of adventure…I have 3 with another bundle on the way in August. We haven’t found out what gender #4 is yet, but soon will!
LOVE those baby shoes too! I’d always thought baby girl shoes won in the cuteness department, but now I’m definitely reconsidering! :)