The Ironical Transcendentalist: June 2010

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

D.C. Cupcake Contest

This past weekend, a few friends and I made Cookie Monster cupcakes for a birthday party:
(a couple very special people even handmade the white chocolate eyes!)

Today, I discovered that Washingtonians showed that they are what they bake with entries to Dupont Circle bakery Hello Cupcake's "Design Your D.C." cupcake challenge. The amateur cake decorators crafted D.C.-inspired cupcakes that reflected their love for the city, and the panel of judges chose winners for: most creative use of fondant; most likely to be eaten; best use of theme and best-designed political statement.

Winner for Most Creative Use of Fondant:
(Metro map)

Winner for Best-Designed Political Statement:
(D.C. Statehood)

For Obama lovers:
(Nom Obama)

For Obama haters:
(Washington Chopping Cherry Tree/Obama Chopping Money Tree)

Foggy Bottom:

Panda at the National Zoo:

Recycle DC:

Snowpocolypse:

Eat Cupcake, Be Happy -- A Tribute to Chinatown:

Grand Prize Winner for Best Overall Cupcake Design & Most Likely to be Eaten:
(Chinese take-out)

Yay, Maryland crabs!:

Of course, there were not 1 but 3 Ben's Chili Bowl cupcake entries:

(This one is my fave:)

Red (Done Right)

Cell Phones > Boyfriends(?)

How women love their mobile phones... more than their boyfriends

Women treasure their mobile phones more than their boyfriends, research revealed today.

The poll of 4,000 women showed that four in 10 said they would be 'devastated' if they lost their phones, while a third admitted they could happily live without a man in their lives. Mothers came top in the list of women's most treasured possessions, followed by photographs and best friends.

The study, by online pawnbroker Borro.com, saw boyfriends come fifth in the list, placing above diamond rings, pets, laptops and hair straighteners. One in five would consider pawning their valuable items to raise much needed cash, and the majority would even dump their boyfriend or husband in exchange for £700,000.

Borro.com CEO Paul Aitken said: "The list certainly threw up some surprises with boyfriends featuring below photos and mobile phones. It's understandable why mums come out top though - they are there to lend an ear, offer support and a best friend to many girls. Photos hold fun and significant memories which could be devastating to lose and a mobile phone keeps women connected and it's always by their side."

The survey found that treasured possessions helped raise a smile at least five times a day for three quarters of those polled. Other items among the top 20 included a favourite pair of shoes, Vaseline, concealer and mascara. The research also revealed that the average woman will spend £624 a year on treats - such as lipstick or jewellery - to boost her mood.

Mr Aitken added: "Diamond rings represent 70 per cent of the loans we give to women so we are not surprised to see them right at the top of the list alongside mothers and boyfriends, that have a high emotional value but zero material value."

THE TOP 20: WOMEN'S MOST TREASURED POSSESSIONS
1. Mother
2. Photographs
3. Mobile phone
4. Best friend
5. Boyfriend
6. Diamond ring
7. Pet
8. Laptop
9. Hair straighteners
10. Handbag
11. Purse (wait, isn't this the same as #10?)
12. Car
13. iPod (soon to be replaced with iPad?)
14. Favourite shoes
15. Tweezers
16. Mascara
17. Cuddly toy
18. Old love letters
19. Diamond earrings
20. Slippers

(I would like to know: (A) How old these "women" are. (B) Whether or not they were all British.)

(Hmm...)

Monday, June 14, 2010

Pearls of Wisdom

"The best thing you can do for someone is make them a beautiful plate of food. How else can you invade someone's body without actually touching them?" -Padma Lakshmi (Esquire interview, May 2010)