Sweet Somethings: Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake

Monday was the bf's 26th birthday so I had to make him his favorite dessert - cheesecake.

I swear, there wasn't actually anything orange in the cake. My camera is strange some times.

People think cheesecake is intimidating, but I assure you it's a piece of cake. Pun intended.

For the crust:

1 1/2 cup of crushed craham crackers
1/2 cup of sugar
4 tbsp melted butter

For the Cheesecake:

3 sticks of cream cheese
1 cup of sugar
4 eggs
1 tbsp vanilla
1/2 cup of cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix

SUPER EASY!

1. Mix together all the ingredients for the crust and press into the bottom and one inch up the sides of an 8" or 9" springform pan.
2. Cream together the sugar and cream cheese. (Don't skip this step or your cheesecake will be lumpy!)
3. Add in the eggs one at a time and then the vanilla and mix it real good.
   
4. Pour half to 3/4 of the batter into your pan.
5. Mix in your chocolatey goodness to the remaining batter and then pour that on top.
   
6. Swirl with a knife to get a ribbon-esque look.
7. Bake for 40-45 minutes at 350 degrees until the edges are firm but the middle is slightly jiggly still.
   

I got lazy and topped it with cherry pie filling, but you could also sprinkle your favorite chopped fruit (like raspberries... mmmmm) with sugar and let it sit for a couple minutes so it gets all juicy and top it with that.
And voila! In less than an hour you have a gigantic piece of deliciousness to enjoy :)

Buried Treasures: Winners Cardigan

I definitely don't feel as inspired in this one, but we all have off days.
What I love about this outfit is my hair What I don't like is the silhouette I'm creating with this long sweater, wide jean combination.

tee - Zara (2010); cardigan - Winners (2011); jeans - Dynamite (2010);
belt - Smart Set (2010); shoes - Madden Girl (2009)

Keeping: tee, jeans, belt
Purging: shoes. they're cute, but I think it's a donate now.
Debating: long sweater

I scoured my lookbook but couldn't find multiple outfits in which I wore any of these pieces besides the jeans... I think that means I didn't choose these pieces well when I bought them!

Buried Treasures: BCBG Full Skirt

With a closet as overstuffed as mine, it's east to forget pieces that you absolutely love.

I'm definitely happy that I chose to do this. Getting dressed these last few days have actually been FUN. Pulled this out the other morning and couldn't believe I hadn't worn it since the spring! It's so swingy and freaking adorable, it should be part of my regular rotation!

blouse - Jacob (2010); skirt - BCBG (2009); watch - Guess (2010); heels - Aldo (2010)

another piece I never wear... thrifted this back in 2008!

Other ways I've worn this fabulous skirt...

Buried Treasures: The Shop My Closet Challenge

It just so happens that today is the 2 year anniversary of my lil' ol' blog. You can partake in my embarrassment here. They grow up so fast, don't they?

I was planning on doing a year in review, but (if we haven't noticed by my lack of posts lately...) I am short on spare time, and while I'd LOVE to go through all my old pictures and put together a little montage-y thing for you, I know I'd just be making a promise I can't keep.

I DO on the other hand have a new challenge that I will be starting today :)
If you're addicted to the shopaholic series of books (a super quick & fun read!) you already know that in the most recent installment Rebecca Brandon (née Bloomwood) is on a shopping ban until she wears EVERYTHING in her closet. I have decided to partake in said challenge as well. I already have a spreadsheet (my OCD goes a little crazy here!) of all the items in my closet, so I will be using that as a starting point to make sure EVERYTHING GETS WORN BEFORE I SHOP AGAIN! If I honestly can't make a piece work, it will be donated. I'll make a post dedicated to my spreadsheet eventually for those of you who are also Type A's!

Wish me luck :)

fur trim vest - Old Navy (2010); vintage blouse - thrifted (2011);
skinnies - Smart Set (2010); boots - Spring (2011)

Ways I've worn this Fur Trimmed Vest...

It's never too late for a costume post.

I freaking love Halloween.

Let it be known that there were THREE costumes this year.... but of course, after the debauchery started, no pictures were taken so you only get to see me as Marilyn and not Red Foo or my adorable 50's chick in my handmade poodle skirt.