I'll start out by admitting, like I did on Instagram, that only 2 out of the 3 elements of this cake turned out successfully. I'm not really sure what went wrong because everything went as it was supposed to, but my quest to cook sugar successfully every time (and without mild fear) will continue. But let's focus on the good parts. I was so excited to make this because it seemed like a fun challenge and I've never baked something FOR someone's birthday. My friend was hosting a birthday party and she loves Twix, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try this out. She also happens to love Seinfeld and there's a hilarious Twix moment in that show, and I had my pairing. Sure, this is a little bit of a cheat by interpreting the real thing, but for a birthday, the rules are bendable. Plus, I made the rules, so...
Read more#tbt Michael Scott's Dunder Mifflin Infinity Gift Basket Chocolate Turtles [The Office]
I'm so obsessed with 30 Rock and Parks and Rec, it's surprising to find out I didn't watch The Office for the first time until a couple of years ago, and obviously I instantly loved it. I've only re-watched one more time sequentially, and I decided to revisit it again recently, which was an excellent decision. Unsurprisingly, food is used intentionally and thoughtfully in the show, featuring specifics for peak comedy moments. This episode, Dunder Mifflin Infinity, was no different. Michael Scott is trying to win back clients with elaborate gift baskets that include all the cliché fixings. I LOVE chocolate turtles and have since I was really young, so when Andy Bernard reached for them and was shut down by Michael, I felt his excitement and disappointment. The turtles recur as a plot point later when Michael throws a fit when he goes to get a basket back in true Michael Scott form and sees they ate the turtles already. I can't blame him, they're delicious. I needed something sweet to bring to a reunion of coworkers and when I chose this, I didn't make the connection that I was bringing something from The Office to former coworkers, and it made me love the choice even more. I wanted to up the flavor with some homemade caramel and I definitely think it elevated these from an above average day at work to Pretzel Day.
Read moreOlivia Pope's every meal popcorn [Scandal]
Olivia Pope has a lot things about her life "handled" (or, she did until things went CRAZY a couple seasons ago), but her diet was never one of those things. For someone so in command of insane situations, we pretty much only ever see her eating popcorn with red wine out of her signature Crate & Barrel wine glasses. Even though she's an established woman with more than enough means to at least get delivery, she makes the sad choice to eat several servings of popcorn on her own. But at least she has it together enough to always put it in a chic glass bowl. That way you know this questionable nutritional choice is deliberate.
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