Aloha Friday - Hoodies and Leggings and Boots...oh my!

As much as it pains me to post this, the sun is setting on the last Aloha Friday...

of the summer! (cue the waterworks)

Ok, ok... I know it's not technically the "end" of summer, since the first day of Fall isn't until September 23, but the first day of September is next week and it's got me thinking of cooler temps, falling leaves, and of course, the inevitable return of long pants and long sleeves. 

Here's what's in my dream closet for fall and... ahem...the "w" word (a word that I refuse to speak, let alone type, since it is my least favorite season of them all).

Beanie - check! Comfy cardigan - check! Lived in tee - check! and finally, all purpose black leggings - big check! Everything I love!

Same goes for this one - but made even better with Starbucks and that army green coat, which I already own! Bonus!

I am on the hunt for a comfy pair of skinny jeans this season. Every pair I've ever owned have either been wayyy too tight in the calves and too loose in the waist or fit perfectly in the legs and too tight in the midsection. Don't get me wrong... I love my Lululemon's just as much as the next girl but sometimes all it takes is a good pair jeans to complete the perfect comfy outfit.

I am also on the lookout for a pair of cute camel coloured ankle boots. I already own a pair black faux leather wedge booties but this colour just seems a little more casual and unexpected. Sub the plain grey tee for my Wifey tee and I'll have this outfit on in no time flat.

The rest of my fall fashion wants are

on my Dream Closet board on Pinterest!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get myself a coconut latte from Starbucks to cry into and try to convince myself that pumpkin spice lattes aren't all that bad and that coconut ones will be back before I know it...

Throwback Thursday: Chocolate-Covered Strawberry

In the spirit of #throwbackthursday, I thought I would share some of my past creations!

These chocolate-covered strawberry cupcakes were perfect for another mid-summer party (it's seems as though most of my cupcakes end up at mid-summer events!) and they tasted oh-so yummy!

All I did was make chocolate cupcakes and topped them strawberry jam buttercream and a fresh strawberry - so good!

If you like what you see and want them for your event, look no further than my Flavour List! 

Yes - these made the list! 

Contact me for your event before strawberry season is over!

Click here for all Throwback Thursday posts! 

Now Booking!

I'm booking for fall and winter 2015!

If you're getting married and haven't found the perfect dessert yet, look no further!

Or if you've got a birthday or a special event coming up, I've got you covered!

Check my flavour page and my price list and contact me to book your event!

I can't wait to hear from you!

xo dinel

Aloha Friday - Blog Lovin'

Happy Aloha Friday!

Ahhh...my favourite day of the week :)

This week, I'm sharing some of my favourite blogs that I follow and read on the regular!

Olive and Tate

I feel like Stephanie gets me. Everything she blogs gets me saying "amen sista!", even the baby and mama stuff and I'm not even a mama yet! I stumbled across her blog while researching for our Greece honeymoon while she was posting about her and her husband's babymoon last year. Ever since then, I've been hooked! Girlfriend is incredibly down to earth and doesn't mince words - whenever her posts hit my inbox, I get a little too excited (#crazyladyoverhere) (#notashamed)

The Small Things Blog

Read my explanation above and it's pretty much the same for Kate. The only difference is I can't remember when I started following her because it's been so long. My favourite posts are definitely her hair and makeup tutorials but her honesty about her struggle to get pregnant is really what got me. I felt for her, even though I didn't understand the pain and frustration she was going through. I did, however, recognize and level with her faith in God's timing and I think that's why I really connected with her writing.

Goldfish Kiss

Rebekah's blog is my spirit animal. It's got everything that I crave in life - Hawaii, Aloha, ocean, beach, hibiscus flowers, coconuts - and she has a wicked palm tree tattoo to boot! This is the blog I wish mine could be. I always get serious post envy and wanderlust when I read her blog. She truly takes me away to my most favourite place on this planet with every post.

Tone It Up

I have been following Karena and Katrina of Tone It Up for the last 3 or 4 years. They have built a massive community around women's fitness and I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of it. Their premise is not just about fitness and nutrition but about women motivating other women to feel their best and to have fun too! I have met with some pretty fantastic gals during this time (shout out to my main #tiugal, Asia!) that are ready to motivate and encourage at a moments notice. 

You don't have to be a member of Tone It Up to reap some serious benefits of following their blog! They post healthy recipes, upload free workout videos to their YouTube page, give tips on fitness and life in general... the list goes on and on! These emails are the bright spot in my inbox and I always look forward to reading about what their up to!

Jillian Harris

Last but most certainly not least, my #wcw (except it's everyday... #nervouslaugh). There is nothing this chick does that I don't like. Teanna and I met her a year and a half ago and I can honestly say I've never been so starstruck in my entire life, to the point where I almost chickened out (thanks Tea for not letting me!). Jillian posts about fashion, food, Bachelor recaps, how to's and, of course, interior design, her first love. It also helps that she's an Okanagan girl, just like yours truly, so that a big win as well!

What blogs are you reading lately? 

Reading new posts are always the highlight of my day and I love finding new ones!

Have a great weekend! xo

Throwback Thursday: Pink Lemonade, Anyone?

In the spirit of #throwbackthursday, I thought I would share some of my past creations!

These Pink Lemonade cupcakes were one of my first cupcake baking adventures - I made them for a mid-summer puppy party a few years ago and they were a hit! 

How cute are the straws?! I really love these ones!

Although they were terribly simple to make, they were delicious! This was before I tried my hand at buttercream icing and now that I have gained buttercream confidence, I can't wait to try these again and make them even better!

I've got a few more throwback posts coming up so stay tuned!

Recipe Round-Up

Hello my lovelies!

Since I didn't get to bake this past weekend (super sad face!), I thought, instead of my usual recap post, I would post some of the recipes that I would love to try some day!

Oreo

How yummy do these look?! I love Oreo cookies as it but add them to cupcakes... AH! Please! Heaven in a handheld dessert! These are definitely on my to-do list!

Creamsicle

Although it seems these would be a no-go in my world (I've never been super fond of orange fruit or orange juice, so go figure), I've always loved a nice cold creamsicle, especially on a hot summer day! I bet these would do just the trick for when a craving hits, especially when it's not creamsicle weather.

Coconut Angel Food

There isn't much in the food world that I love more than coconut (yes, I'll admit...cupcakes come in a very close second!) ~ whenever I make chocolate cupcakes, I always secretly hope that whoever I'm making them for requests a chocolate coconut cupcake because those are my very, very favorite ones to make and to eat (of course)!

This recipe, however, seems equally as good! The light, airiness of the angel food cake base complements the sweet coconut flavour to make a perfectly matched flavour combo! I can't wait to try these out!

You can find all of these recipes and tons more on my Pinterest board 

cuppycakes 

(how appropriate, right?!)

See you on Thursday for my very first #throwbackthursday post!

Aloha Friday - August Tunes

Happy Aloha Friday!

This week, I'm sharing my favorite August tunes!

If you don't have Spotify, you are definitely missing out! This is has become an essential app for me over the last 8 months! I have a premium membership so I can pick and choose which tunes I want to listen to on the fly, but it's totally free to sign up and to listen to playlists as they shuffle the music!

I'll be updating this list as August continues on, so make sure to follow me so that you get notifications when new songs are added!

What are you're favorite songs this month so far?! I'm always looking for new tunes so tell me in the comments!

Have a great weekend!

Boy or Girl?!

This past weekend was spent celebrating my hubby's childhood best friend (and his best man at our wedding!) and his wife as they gear up to welcome their first little keiki (child in Hawaiian) in January!

Since they live in Ontario,  we unfortunately don't get to see them as often we would like but fortunately (for them and definitely for us!), Lucas works for WestJet so they can get over here relatively easily*!

Lucas' mom arranged Claire's baby shower and a BBQ for their friends and family and I was dying to bake! They won't be finding out what they are having so I used this as the perfect excuse to make two different kinds of cupcakes - cherry chip with almond icing for my "girl" flavour and chocolate coconut with coconut icing for my "boy" flavour.

Check them out!

How perfect are these in mini size too?!

We had such a great time with everyone and 

we couldn't be more thrilled for the arrival of the new little babe!

See you in a couple days for Aloha Friday!

*Being a child of an airline pilot, I use the phrase "relatively easily" very loosely. Flying standby ain't no joke, people... 

Aloha Friday - Very Pinteresting...

It's Aloha Friday once again! *imaginary high-five!*

This week, I thought I would share some of my favorite/recent pins!

Cotton Candy Birthday

Over the years of cupcaking (no, it's not a real word but yes, I'm making it one from now on), I have always tried to elevate my little handheld desserts and not just go with run-of-the-mill, see-everywhere flavours and decorations; however, when asked to make birthday cupcakes for this weekend, I knew had to go old-school.

Enter the ever popular Rainbow Sprinkle Cupcake...

Now add Duncan Hines Frosting Creations Cotton Candy flavouring and...

BOOM! 

(drops the mic)

(ok...not really...I'm not done talking yet...)

(I'm sure my husband is saying in his head in a really sarcastic 

voice "no...really??!! I totally thought you were done..." 

and then rolling his eyes to complete the thought.)

Add some yellow sugar on top to make them stand out and you've got one heck of birthday cupcake!

Happy August Long, everyone! 

I've got baby shower and BBQ coming up next weekend and 

I can't wait to show you what I've got up my sleeve!