Hello dearies!
If you’re reading this via an RSS Reader you may not notice anything different. For the rest of you, well, there are quite a bit of changes around here. And I love it!
A humongous thanks goes out to Stephenie Zamora Media. There’s so much that goes into creating a new logo and website design that it was very overwhelming at times. I’m so glad that they were extremely supportive, kind, and patient.
So, tell me, what have you all been up to since I’ve been gone? We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.
Much love, bacon, and sprinkles,
♥ Arbine
P.S. The mobile version looks slightly different than the desktop version.
Photo by Arbine Villanueva-Hoapili
1. My blog redesign is almost complete (Huzzah!) and I’ll be moving from WordPress.com to WordPress.org in a day or two. What does this mean? Well, it means that if you are subscribed to My Shiny Life via a Reader (Feedly, WordPress.com, etc) you may have to re-subscribe after the change.
2. I got a Serenity comic book for Free Comic Book Day!
Shiny!
3. While we were picking up our free comics I was talking with someone I had met at the Hawaii Geek Meet. She asked if I was going to Oni-Con. I had no idea what that was.
4. I’m seriously considering attending it. The hard part will be deciding who ‘ll want to cosplay as. The Eleventh Doctor? Twilight Sparkle? Kaylee? So many options to consider.
5. Since our girls wanted to go with my mom after we picked up our comics, my husband and I decided to watch Iron Man 3. I liked it. I really like the way they write for Tony Stark.
6. In case you didn’t see it, here’s what I posted for Star Wars Day.
7. On Sunday we celebrated Mother’s Day early with my mom and took her to dinner at Max’s of Manila.
8. Love this Calhoun and Felix (from Wreck-It Ralph) cosplay.
9. Cute tights!
10. This takes me right back to college.
Have a brilliant week!
It’s just been one of those days.
One of those days that make me completely question my parenting abilities.
One of those days where I feel like I’m going to completely crumble.
One of those days that I wish I were stronger.
One of those days where it’s evident that I’m not as patient as I’d like to think I am.
One of those days that make me wonder if I’m not cut out to be a mom.
Crossing my fingers that tomorrow is better.
Ingredients
- For Cupcakes
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- ¾ cup mashed bananas
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 4-6 slices bacon, fried and crumbled
- For Frosting
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, cream butter and sugars together for about 2 minutes. Add mashed bananas and mix for a minute more.
- Add eggs and vanilla and beat until combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Mix until combined.
- Pour into lined cupcake tins and fill about ? of the way full. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a
- toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cupcakes completely before frosting.
- Cream butter and peanut butter for 1-2 minutes.
- Add powdered sugar a little at a time while mixing with a hand mixer. Once all sugar is
- incorporated, beat for 1-2 minutes more.
- Add vanilla and milk. Beat for another minute.
- Frost cupcakes and top with bacon.
Okay, so here it is. Me stepping out of my comfort zone.
I was cleaning one day and out of the blue an idea came to me. Wouldn’t it be fun to do some photo shoots that would showcase life in Hawaii but have a Stormtrooper* as the main character? Well, on a whim, I sent a message to the Pacific Outpost of the 501st Legion and asked if they’d be interested in participating in a project like this. I didn’t really expect to hear back from them, but fortunately I did. I also really lucked out and found an awesome photographer who loves Star Wars.
Thus, Troopers in Hawaii was created. I’m going to try to post this photo-story column every month, or every other month, for a year. This project is a lot of work but also a lot of fun. I hope you all enjoy it.
Photography | Nicholas Kau for My Shiny Life
Biker Scout | TB 7432
Art Direction | Arbine Villanueva-Hoapili
*Any character from the Star Wars Universe could pop up in any given photo shoot. Except for Jar Jar, of course.
My Shiny Life and Arbine Villanueva-Hoapili are in no way endorsed by or affiliated with Lucasfilm LLC. The Star Wars name, logo, trademarks, characters, costumes, and all associated items are the intellectual property of Lucasfilm. ©2013 Lucasfilm LLC. & ™ All rights reserved.
Hello friends!
I’ve been working on a couple of projects for my blog and although I’m super excited about them, I’m also super afraid to share them with you all, with the world. Mostly because it’s something I’ve never done before. Something completely out of my comfort zone. And I happen to really love that comfort zone of cupcakes, cookies, and wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff.
I guess everyone has to step out of their comfort zone every once in a while. Sure, I might completely fall on my face (figuratively speaking, of course) and people will point and laugh. But maybe, just maybe, some people will say hey, that was kind of awesome. Either way, I’m going to hold my head up high, knowing that I love working on these projects and they make me happy.
Also, if you’re not busy tomorrow, don’t forget to check out your local comic shops (and libraries if you’re on Oahu) and support Free Comic Book Day.
Hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Much love, bacon, and sprinkles,
♥ Arbine
P.S.
* Tickets are ON SALE NOW for Give+Take: A Benefit Concert for Hands In Helping Out Featuring Jake Shimabukuro and Paula Fuga! If you can’t attend but would still like to support HIHO, you can donate to them here.