I Wanna Be A Billionaire, So Frickin Bad

and i'm going to be.

i told e that i was going to win the lottery this week because that's the only logical way to offset what a horrible past week we all had.

so far i think i'm off to the right start.

i've stashed away a small amount of cash (really small... like $25 small) from things i've sold on craigslist and change from e's pockets and today i decided i really wanted to hit up a thrift store to see if i could find some good prints to use to turn into other things.

let's face it, most of the things at really cheap thrift stores cannot be salvaged in their current forms.

it turned out that goodwill was open until 6! SWEET! win #1.

so i drove out. the prices were a bit disappointing-- $2 for all tanks, $4.50 for all pants. i know that's still cheap, but it's not nearly as cheap as i've seen in other places. and all baby clothes were $2. that's way too much for me.

however, the shoes were right up my alley. $4 for a pair of deep red snakeskin pumps from cato? yes please. bright green pointy-toe heels? i'll take those too. win #2 and #3.

but by far my greatest find was a pair of shoes for jp:

classic reeboks. in awesome condition. for $3. they're a size 9 so they'll fit him sometime 6 months from now or later. win #4.

and then the night got BETTER. 

"blaspheme" you say. "it could not improve past $3 classic reeboks in child's size 9".

oh my good friend, how wrong you are.

i've been jonesing for a good coffee cupcake. don't ask me how i can crave something i've never had. apparently it's possible. i googled recipes and found one here that i liked, but i felt like there wasn't enough coffee. so i modified it and made what i am dubbing "double coffee cupcakes".

double coffee cupcakes

1 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
pinch of cinnamon

pinch of salt1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
4 eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tablespoons instant coffee dissolved in 3 tablespoons hot brewed coffee (my brother in law is a barista. win #4.5)

sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. 
beat butter and sugar until smooth 

add eggs, vegetable oil and vanilla extract and continue to stir until creamy
add dry ingredients, stir until just mixed
add coffee
bake at 350 until golden brown, about 15 minutes or so

top with italian creme frosting

WAIT!!! italian creme frosting!?! WHERE DID THAT COME FROM!? I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO BUY THAT OR HOW TO MAKE IT!!!! WHY WOULD YOU TEMPT ME SO!?!!!???!

oh, rest easy loved one. i shall save you.

italian creme frosting

1 stick butter, softened
2 tbsp italian creme powdered coffee creamer
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 c powdered sugar

In a large bowl, beat the butter, creamer and extract until smooth. 

slowly beat in powdered sugar.

if you want your frosting a bit thinner, add a tiny bit of water until it's the consistency you want.

store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months (that's a joke. you'll never make it 3 months. it'll be gone by tomorrow morning)

win #5.