Chocolate Easter Nest Cupcake Recipe

Hello, lovelies! Tomorrow is Easter! Do you know what that means? Family time; warm weather; and best of all, food! For my family's Easter get together, I've made cupcakes for dessert, but I made them a bit more festive. Also, if you gave up sweets or desserts for Lent, this will definitely be a treat for you!

Here we go!

Ingredients

Cake:

1 package of yellow cake mix

1 cup of water

1/3 cup of butter, softened

3 large eggs

Topping:

1 container of milk chocolate frosting

5 cups of shredded wheat, crushed

1/2 cup chocolate, melted

1 bag mini chocolate easter eggs

Utensils:

2 cupcake tins

24 cupcake cases

2 mixing bowls

2 wooden spoons

2 cooling racks

1 microwaveable bowl 

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Mix the yellow cake mix, water, butter and eggs together in mixing bowl for 2-3 minutes until smooth.

Place cupcake cases in cupcake tins.

Pour the cake mixture evenly into cupcake cases about 2/3 full.

Bake in center or higher rack for 14-19 minutes or until a fork inserted into the center of 
the cupcakes comes out clean, then cool on cooling racks.

Ice cupcakes with milk chocolate frosting just enough to cover the tops, don't worry about putting loads on each cupcake. 

Prepare chocolate by breaking up, if necessary, and putting it in a microwaveable bowl. Melt the chocolate for 2 minutes on 50% power (watch carefully to check it doesn't burn and stir occasionally). Add the crushed shredded wheat to the melted chocolate and leave to cool, ensuring the shredded wheat is nicely coated in chocolate. Press handfuls of mixture gently around the top of each cupcake.

Decorate with mini chocolate eggs on the top of the cupcakes. I used two for each one but feel free to add more or don't use any at all. You can also use little fluffy chicks or Peeps if you'd like.

There you go! Your delicious Easter treat is ready to go! I hope you try these out for Easter or any other occasion this spring! I hope you all have a happy Easter!

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

LUSH Haul {Easter Edition}

Hello, lovelies! Easter is so close and for some reason this makes me really happy! I'm not really known as an "Easter fanatic" but I'm especially excited for this year's time around. I think I like that fact that Spring really feels like it's upon us and the warmth is something I've been yearning for since October. 

However, the warmth isn't the only thing that I'm loving in correlation with Easter. I'm also loving LUSH's Easter Collection! Yeah, you're probably not surprised, but I just feel the need to show you my findings, Easter and not Easter related findings.

Hope you enjoy!

✿ ✿ ✿

Easter!

Bunch of Carrots Bubble Bars

This bunch of carrots seriously looks like they are picked fresh out of the garden, but on the contrary, they smell super sweet and fruity! Three carrots come in a bunch, so I'm looking forward to three heavenly baths that will put a spring in my step.

You want my recommendation for a good bath time snack? Carrots.

Hoppity Poppity Bath Bomb

To be honest, this isn't my favorite scent (too much lemon-fresh stuff, I'm more of a fruity girl). So you're probably asking me why I got it... Well, there are vibrant green popping candies that will crackle and pop whilst it fizzes in the tub! Now tell me that doesn't sound like an exciting bath?!

Doesn't this photo make you want to hop into the bath?

Immaculate Eggception (Yellow) Bath Bomb

First of all, hehe, punny. Second, shhh! It's a secret! Inside this mega bath bomb is a surprise! When I shake it I can hear the mystery! I want to use it so bad but I'm disciplining myself and waiting until Easter to use it! Good, Amanda, very good.This egg is worth three baths: 2 halves of the egg once cracked, and the special surprise! Stay tuned for pictures... or maybe I shouldn't spoil the surprise. What do you think?

Is it Easter yet? I want to uncover this mysterious mystery!

Not Easter, but still Spring worthy!

Avobath Bath Bomb

This is the perfect "pick me up" for tough mornings, afternoons, evenings, etc. Popping this in the bath as a defogger will be such a relief as the lemongrass scent jolts through the air.

The Comforter Bubble Bar

Does anyone else think it's super satisfying crumbling bubble bars under running water. No? Just me? Okay. Well, feeling it dissolve in my hand feels fun and it's exciting to see purple water streaming between my fingers. Seeing big bubbles can be exciting too. I know, I'm a child. All of this stuff is... comforting... hence the name. Do you know what makes it more comforting? This bar makes two baths! Woot woot!

Avobath and The Comforter accompanied by a candle. Not modeled at all.

Miranda Soap

If you weren't aware, Miranda is made of kiwi which has amazing beneficial qualities for the skin. Kiwi will cleanse, tone, and brighten your skin... at the same time! It's kind of weird that I get excited to use soap, but I don't care; I always look forward to using fruity things and Miranda is the perfect way to get soft and lovely smelling hands!

Strawberry Feels Forever Massage Bar

I love this massage bar! It's so easy to use and it's a relaxing part of my regimen. Just glide the fruity bar along your skin and it melts from the warmth of your body. It's nice in the middle of the day for a refresher or after a nice LUSH bath.

Sympathy For The Skin

Don't let the fact that you're rubbing mushed bananas all over yourself throw you off; it's amazing. Bananas are known for helping the skin becoming more flexible and relieving cracked, hard worked areas (hands, elbows, feet, etc.).

P.S. It smells more like vanilla than bananas.

You've Been Mangoed Bath Melt

OMG! Just, omg. If you know me personally, you will know that I love mango. It's my favorite fruit, soft, touchable hands down. Whether I'm eating them or slapping stuff that smells like it all over my bod, mango is the only thing for me! Holy cow, I got off subject. Mangos are worth it, though. Anyway, this is no ordinary bath melt, this one helps to soothe the skin, condition, and moisturize the skin. LUSH recommends you use it in the morning to get the day started, but I say, "What the heck?!" Do what you want, girl! Go crazy and get MANGOED!

Apologies for that long mango-induced novel.

Miranda, Strawberry Feels Forever, Sympathy For The Skin, and You've Been Mangoed lounging bath side.

✿ ✿ ✿

 I hope you like these kinds of posts, and maybe you'll be inspired to hop to LUSH and pick up some spring worthy staples!

Happy Easter!

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Parchment Paper Salmon Recipe

Hello, lovelies! It's starting to feel a bit springy now, right? I've recently been inspired to do some major spring cleaning: house and body. To keep the body clean, I made a delicious salmon dish; this was one of the easiest meals I've ever made. I feel really good about eating well, and it's so much easier when you can chuck a bunch of things together, wrap them up, and bake them!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter, softened

1 tablespoon parsley

1 tablespoon garlic

3 large potatoes, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

2 shallots, thinly sliced

1 celery stick, finely chopped

1 cup baby spinach

3 salmon fillets (6 ounces and 1 1/2 inches thick each), skinned

1 lemon, thinly sliced

Note: Feel free to add any other vegetables that you like!

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut 3 large pieces of parchment paper into heart shapes. I suggest folding a large piece of parchment paper in half and cutting half a heart to keep it symmetrical.

Stir together butter, parsley, and garlic in a small bowl; set aside.

Divide potato slices between parchment rectangles, layering them in stacks to form a bed (slightly larger than the salmon fillet) to one side of crease. Season with salt and pepper.

Uncooked ingredients in heart-shaped parchment paper.

Top each bed of potatoes with the shallots and celery, followed by half the spinach. Place salmon fillets on top of spinach. Top each salmon fillet with 2 lemon slices; reserve remaining slices for garnish (optional). Finish with the butter-parsley-garlic concoction; season with salt and pepper.

Half-heart shaped salmon packets ready to be baked.

Fold parchment paper over ingredients at the crease. Starting with one end of the paper and keeping edges together, make small overlapping pleats the length of the paper, creasing tightly as you go and shaping the edge into an arc. The packet should resemble the shape of half a heart.

Place packets on baking sheet. Bake until packets have puffed, 25-30 minutes. Transfer packets to plates. Serve immediately, opening packets at the table. Garnish with remaining lemon slices, if you desire.

The final product. Yum!

I hope you all try this recipe and love it as much as I do! It's so easy to make! Also, feel free to post pictures and tag me so I can see them! Enjoy!

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Making the Best of a Love-Hate Relationship: Exercise {Part 2}

Hello, lovelies! Well, it's beginning to look like Spring... kinda. The grass is still brown and the temperature can hardly pass 50 degrees (and I'm on Spring Break). It's kind of a bummer. Regardless of this disconcerting spring weather, it's been warm enough to start getting active again.

Trust me, working out is never something I look forward to doing, but it just needs to get done. College seriously is 100 times worse if you're feeling sluggish and tired all the time. You just have to take thirty minutes out of your day to take a walk around campus or on a treadmill, ride your bike or longboard, strap on some rollerblades, or go lift heavy things if that's really more your style. Start sweating, people! 

In my 18 years, I have never heard someone say they regretted working out.

So today, I decided I'd make my walk a little more interesting. I cranked up some music on my phone, took the cameras with me, and I got lost in Downtown CR. What a better way to start the morning than to have a tranquil adventure to discover places and things you've never seen before?

Here is what I discovered on my walk... Enjoy!

"Only hipsters drink Sprite"

"Hues of Blues"

"Anonymous Graffiti"

"Ducks and Rubbish"

"Downtown in the Distance"

"Go Like This on Instagram"

Maybe this post will give you a little motivation to go work out. If not, maybe you'll get up and go on an adventurous endeavor! It was so fun to discover some cool stuff today!

xx Amanda 

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Want to read {Part 1}? Click here!

Mascara Mini Reviews

Hello lovelies! Hope you're all doing splendid.

We all want to achieve long, voluminous lashes that make our eyes really pop, right? The key to this is having the right mascara. We desire the mascara wands that coat every lash with the perfect formula while separating, curling, and lengthening all at the same time. We want a multitasker. Is that so much to ask? I definitely don't think so. Whether you're looking to lengthen, curl, or volumize (or all of the above) I've got a list that will help you perfect your lash look!

Maybelline Volum' Express Pumped Up! Colossal Mascara

This mascara is the ideal 3-in-1 for the woman looking to lengthen, add volume, and separate lashes. It's the biggest mascara wand I've ever seen which distributes more mascara when applying to lashes and rids lashes of clumps. It also has a long lasting formula that will stay all day with no smudging included.

COVERGIRL Lashblast Volume Mascara

If your eyes aren't known to get along with mascara due to allergies, this could be your perfect match. This hypoallergenic mascara formula and large brush will max out the volume of each lash and lasts all day. No tears. No smudging. Also comes in waterproof.

Maybelline Great Lash BIG Washable Mascara

This mascara includes a large brush to awaken your lashes by lengthening and curling. It also creates lots of volume with each coat applied without forming clumps and globs. The product is know to be contact safe and great for women with sensitive eyes.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

You are about to create some intense lashes when applying a coat of this thick formula. This hour glass shaped wand will make lashes will look lush, full, and desirably long. Just be ready to start begging for more.

Maybelline The Colossal Cat Eyes Washable Mascara

Not loving the eyeliner look but want to create cat eyes in a matter of seconds? This is your product, my friend. With a stroke of this claw wand across your lashes, this formula will create super fierce feline-like eyes while separating and lengthening lashes to a T. 

L'ORÉAL Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara
This crazy huge brush brings all sorts of volume to your top and bottom lashes. With its 360° flexor brush, your lashes will be long and amplified all day. Be ready to build up to 15x the volume in a few quick swipes.

There ya go, folks. I hope you enjoyed this mini reviews of mascaras I've been using recently. I hope you enjoyed!

xx Amanda
Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore 

Quick and Easy Homemade Donut Recipe

Hello, lovelies! I hope all is well, if it's not, this recipe might fill you with warmth and happiness. Today, I'm going to teach you how to make quick and easy donuts. But let's be real... is it 'doughnuts' or 'donuts'. I'm going to say 'donuts' because it's shorter and I'm lazy efficient.

A big thank you to Zachary for teaching me his "campfire" cookery skills.

Let's get started!

What You'll Need
Pillsbury Biscuits 
Vegetable Oil
Sugar
Cinnamon

Yields: 1 biscuit = 1 donut, so that's your choice.
---
Okay, so you may have noticed that I didn't really provide proper measurements. The thing about this is that it's typically used when camping outdoors. When you're packing minimally, you wouldn't want to pack measuring cups and other utensils. So this all just depends on how many you want to make, and how much sugar and cinnamon you like.

Directions
1. Fill a medium sized pot with vegetable oil (about 1/2 way - 2/3 of the way full so the donuts will float). Heat stove to medium-high heat. 
2. Pull biscuits apart and shape them into donut form... or if you want to be creative, make other shapes.
3. Prepare a cinnamon-sugar mixture in a medium sized bowl.
4. Once stove is heated, put 1-2 donuts into oil and let cook. Occasionally turn donuts over to monitor. You want both sides to be evenly cooked. They should look somewhat crisp and golden brown.
5. When you're ready to take donuts out of the pot, pull them out with a fork, spatula, or (as Zach does) use chopsticks to pull out and put in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Evenly coat both sides and place on plate.
6. Let cool (optional).
7. Eat.

I hope you all enjoy and have a good rest of your week!

xx Amanda
Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Valentine's Day Make Up Tutorial

Hello, lovelies! How many of you are getting ready for Valentine's Day? Maybe you're planning a special evening with a special someone or maybe you're just hanging out with some friends. Whatever the case may be, if you're looking to do something with your make up, I've got a look for you!

This look is centered around the Naked 3 Palette from Urban Decay, but you can always use drugstore dupes to create this look too! I suggest the Iconic 3 Palette by Revolution Makeup.

Let's begin!

 

I started off this look with priming my face with the POREfessional Primer by Benefit. 

For foundation, I'm using a fancy foundation because I'm considering Valentine's Day a special occasion. I used my Nars Sheer Glow Foundation {Light 3: Gobi}, and I applied that with a foundation brush. 

For concealer, I used the same-old, same-old Maybelline Dream Lumi Highlighting Concealer {Ivory & Buff} and blended that in with the same foundation brush I used for my foundation. 

To finish off the face (for now), I used my trustee Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder {001: Translucent} and applied that using my Real Techniques Contour Brush.

For brows, I used my Too Faced Brow Envy Kit and use the Brunette shade to fill those puppies in! To prep my lids for the eye shadow, I use Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion {Original} and just blend that in with my finger. 

Okay, now it's the part that we've all been waiting for: THE EYES. 

Starting off, I applied Strange (the lightest color) all over my lid and on my brow bone. This is just to reassure that all the colors we apply show up as brilliant and true-to-color as possible. 

Next, I applied Limit (a pinky-tan shade) on my crease for a transition color. 

Then I placed Buzz (a shimmery pink shade) all over my lid. I did a few layers of this to get the best shimmery look I could get. 

Then I went for Darkside (a dark brow shade) and applied that on the outer 2/3 of my crease and really blended that in with Limit. The trick with dark colors is to only apply a small amount at a time, blend, and then if you want more, add more and blend again. 

Once I was satisfied with the amount of Darkside placed in my crease, I added a bit of Liar (a shimmery brow shade) on top of that for extra definition.

To finish off the eyes, I tight lined and hit my waterline with some Maybelline 
Define-A-Line Eyeliner {Brownish Black}. If you feel comfortable using liquid liner to line your top lid, go for it, but I don't think it is as flattering on women with hooded eyes (like myself). Lastly, I coated my top and bottom lashes with my Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara.

To add a bit of color to the skin, I used a bit of NYX Powder Blush {Mocha} on the apples of my cheeks. I like this color because it's a soft pink blush that doesn't overpower the eyes, but still works with this "pinky-Valentine's-ey" theme I'm going for.

And last, but certainly not least, I applied my Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter {025: Peach Parfait} which is a nude-pinky color with a hint of shimmer which I think really pulls the eyes and lips together. If you want to go for a bolder lip, feel free to do so!

And there you go! Here's one look that you can do for Valentine's Day! I hope you enjoy these types of posts! Have a spectacular Valentine's Day, whether you're hanging out with your significant other or just getting together with some good friends!

♥♥♥
P.S. Feel free to send me pictures of you recreating this look!

P.P.S. A special thank you is in order to Zachary who so kindly let me use his room to create this post because my new roommates would've thought that I'm weird.

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

January 2015 Favorites

Hello, lovelies! Guess what today is! Groundhog Day!! Yes it is, but I was more implying that it's February now, which means it's about time to share what I've been loving in January.

Apparel
Pizza Sweatshirt
I owe credit where credit is due: my boyfriend introduced me to this website by rocking his "cat eating a hot dog" sweatshirt (I kid you not), and it's safe to say we're both a little obsessed. For Christmas, he bought me a pizza sweatshirt (because pizza is delicious) and it's so comfy and so "out there". It's not like me to be comfortable standing out of the crowd but I don't even care. It's so cool and I like seeing everyone's facial expressions when they see me in it!

"Bad Hair Day" Beanie
If you're like me, you hate doing your hair. You wake up in the morning, and you just look at your hair and cry inside a little because it has the potential to look decent, and yet, you just can't be motivated enough to make it look good. When I have these days (80% of the week), I just throw on this comical beanie and go on with my day. 

Once again, I get comments and giggles from people and I just feel so clever wearing it (even though I didn't come up with the idea). I just let people think I'm clever. In reality, I'm just lazy.

Beauty
Bioré: Charcoal Facial Cleanser
So I've shaken up my beauty regimen a little. I had been doing a lot of research about products that really help with sucking out all the toxins and dirt from your pores, and I concluded that charcoal was the secret ingredient. I bought this product at Target and the beautician I was talking to said the same thing. I'm convinced it's some sort of magic.

Warning: Your skin may get worse before it gets better while using this product. I personally did not experience this, but it has been reported that people get serious breakouts, and in a few week's time, the acne will disappear and your skin will feel like butter (but not oily and gross). Okay, maybe butter wasn't the best comparison but you know what I mean. SUPER SOFT!

Garnier: Charcoal Facial Scrub
I bought this the same time I bought the facial cleanser. I only use this 2-3 times a week to get extra dead skin and dirt out of my pores and off my face. Don't go overboard using this product: there is such a thing as "too much exfoliating".

Too Faced: "Better Than Sex" Mascara
This mascara works wonders! It helps lengthen and curl my lashes and gives them loads of volume! It is a bit costly, but I think it is worth every penny when you get these types of results!

Gold Bond: Intensive Healing Hand Cream
Hands down (punny), the best hand cream I've ever encountered. It absorbs into your skin in a matter of seconds and keeps my hands soft for a hours. It repairs the cracks I get in my hands on frigid days and even after I wash my hands, I still notice it working!

Entertainment
James Bay: "Scars"
His voice is gorgeous and he's British! This song is about his significant other leaving him to go to America. It's so beautiful, and it will most definitely be on replay for awhile. Give it a listen.

Ellie Goulding: "Love Me Like You Do"
I heard this song on Pandora and fell in love instantly. I have always been a fan of Ellie Goulding, but this song is definitely my favorite. Also, to my surprise, I found out this song is also featured in the upcoming movie Fifty Shades of Grey. That makes me 1000 times more excited for the film!

Zoe Sugg: Girl Online
Okay, I will admit that the intended audience is probably in the tweens to young teens range, and I may be a little too old to enjoy this book... but who is too old to read about young love? If you're a romantic like me, I'd suggest this book. There's adventure, friendship crises, romance, and even blogging! It was practically made for me!

Let me know what you think of these products and if I should do any proper reviews over any of them! Have a wonderful week and always be smiling!

xx Amanda
Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

Major Changes

Hello, lovelies! I hope January is treating you well. Even though the new semester has begun, I just wanted to update you all.

So... the whole "dermatology, majoring in Biology, going to University of St. Thomas" situation...? Yeah... that's not really a thing anymore. It was a concept of my imagination.

As you are all very well aware, I wrote a lot about stress last semester. Maybe too much? The reason I had to continuously confide in my blog with all my stress problems was because I was continuously stressed; I was not in a good position: physically, mentally, or emotionally.

I think that most of the pressure was coming from the thought that I had to have my life figured out the second I turned 18 and headed off to college. I compared myself to my siblings and family members and their success stories. I wanted to make millions and do something that I thought I would be admired for doing. 

I've said so many times (and I even have a sign on my bulletin board) that I want to be an inspiration to others. I guess I had this radical idea that the only way I could inspire people was by making 6 digits and creating the perfect life.

However, this is not the case. None of that stuff is worth the torture and anxiety I went through last semester. It's unfathomable how many times I cried per week while I stared at the piles of assignments. The grades I received weren't so hot either. I tried so hard to please my family and impress my friends, but I had to be honest with myself. That life was not for me.

And although UST is a beautiful school, I hated it. Now, I'm not telling you that you shouldn't go there, because it is a magnificent school with amazing programs and majors. It just was NOT for me. 

First off, it was 5 hours from home, and I'm too family oriented to be away from them for a significant amount of time. Second, the thought of having night classes makes me cringe, and they made my schedule so awful that I never looked forward to going to class. Thirdly, I hated my major, therefore, I hated school. Lastly, everyone knew everyone, except for me. I had three friends (you know who you are) and I'm so thankful I had them. But they had their own lives and did their own things so I couldn't depend on being entertained or having something to do all the time.

Now, I am going to school closer to home, closer to the love of my life, I've made friends, and the best part: I am content with my major and my classes. As much as I'd like to think it will be a surprise to you all, I am now a Journalism major... surprised? Yeah, I didn't think so. 

Writing is my passion. Biology is work.

Do you see the difference? I may not end up making nearly as much as I had hoped for, but I'm going to feel fulfilled and happy throughout the years and be able to find so many opportunities.

If you are thinking of changing your major or your school, just keep those things in mind. I hope this helped a little.

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore

•••

I'm appreciative of everyone who supported me through the tough times and making me feel like I made the right decision.

Seriously... I can't thank you all enough.

New Year's Resolutions 2015

Hello, lovelies! Happy New Year! Holy crap, it's 2015! Where has the time gone?! Well I figured instead of making a "December Favorites" post, I figured I should address the most challenging... challenge that the new year offers to each one of us: New Year's Resolutions.

Yes, the dreaded resolution. The unappealing thought of having to "better ourselves." I, myself, struggle with this every year; not even struggle, I lack desire to concoct plans that will ultimately fail me. I have told myself for multiple years that I will "eat healthy." Does that happen? No. I hoard boxes upon boxes of Ferrero Rocher in my kitchen/bedroom. Yes, I'm awful. I've also told myself that working out is a stellar idea. I think I worked out about twice and then wasted away that $50 gym membership.

-I'M VERY WELL AWARE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE-

We need to stop and be honest with ourselves. We cannot be making promises to ourselves that we know we cannot keep. So I've decided to make a list of New Year's Resolutions that will benefit myself, and maybe some of you, and won't strain your bank account or y(our) lack of discipline. 

P.S. I did post a few of these suggestions on Twitter but you 

can only do so much with 140 characters.

Read more.

Write more.

Pick up the camera again.

Hold doors open for people.

Appreciate every square inch of my body.

Be thankful for everything I am given.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. 

Drink more water.

Cherish the little things.

Unapologetically say no.

Pleasurably say yes.

Find better ways to cope with stress.

Make 2015 a year to reminisce. 

See? There are plenty of resolutions to be made and ways to improve ourselves without giving up things we really love. Let me know what your resolutions are! It would be nice to get some inspiration from you too!

Happy New Year!

Bring it on, 2015!

xx Amanda

Twitter & Instagram: @amanda_wymore