penny. LA

The Easiest Cupcakes You’ll Ever Bake

Posted on March 10, 2011 | 8 Comments

Due to my newfound passion for food photography, I have found myself scouring the Internet for affordable cupcake recipes. Dessert photography isn’t cheap…

…That is, unless you do plenty of research. These chocolate cupcakes are scrumptious and nearly impossible to ruin; even the most amateur baker will find success. Plus, these delights only require three ingredients, one being water. Scroll down for the complete recipe.

All you need to purchase is one box of devil’s food cake mix and one 15 oz. can of pumpkin. Frosting, chocolate chips and cocoa powder are optional.

Combine ingredients in one large bowl, including 2/3 cup of water (use 1/2 cup for thicker cupcakes).

For an extra chocolatey batter I mixed in 1 tbsp. of Dutch-process cocoa powder and folded in a handful of Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate Chips. For my next batch I will double the amount of each.

Mix until smooth. Remember to fold in any chocolate chips once the initial mixture is smooth.

Pop in the oven at 350 degrees. Bake for 20 minutes (mine took 30). Allow cupcakes to cool before frosting. Top with frosting and a couple chocolate chips for fun.

And don’t forget to enjoy!

Recipe: Easy Chocolate Cupcakes (yields 24)

Ingredients:

18 oz. devil’s food cake mix
1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin
2/3 cup water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.
Mix ingredients; batter will be stiff.
Disperse equally among liners.
Bake for 20 minutes, or until top springs back.

→ 8 Comments

Posted in baked goods, cake, cheap food

To Further Boycott Victoria’s Secret…

Posted on October 31, 2010 | 13 Comments

Prepared for an unglamorous post?

Like many women, I do not wear pretty undergarments all the time. For normal days I have looked to Victoria’s Secret’s array of basic cotton underwear. For some time their panties were priced 5/$20. In fact, in junior high, with our limited allowances, my best friend and I would buy five pieces and split them rather than pay $7.50 a piece. Years later the price rose to 5/$25 and I didn’t mind.

But now I look elsewhere for the basics. For the first time in years I purchased packaged underwear from a mass retailer. Unglamorous, maybe, but 25/$25 sounds much better than 5/$25.

Be frugal with the basics,

→ 13 Comments

Posted in Hanes, under $10, undergarments

E.L.F. Blush Brush

Posted on October 28, 2010 | 5 Comments

One thing I’ve learned from Allure magazine is that nice (read: expensive) cosmetic brushes are a makeup must. But apparently it’s time to reeducate myself.

For $1 at Target I scooped up e.l.f.’s Blushing, Bronzing and Blending Brush. It works many more miracles than the Cover Girl complete face brush I’ve been using for years. The bristles are soft and the coverage is very good. I also recently purchased e.l.f.’s $1 Eyeshadow Brush, which is a massive improvement over the applicators that are packaged with some eyeshadows. If you’re in the market for brushes, I recommend trying e.l.f.’s line (and they’d make great gifts, too).

Tip: Remember to clean your brushes! Shampoo and water does the trick.

Strive for inexpensive quality!