Best. Valentines. Ever.

If you haven’t already noticed with the lovey dovey propaganda popping up at pharmacies or the Hallmark commercials taking over entire networks, Valentine’s Day is coming up. But instead of dreading the day, why not see it as a challenge?

Sure it’s a drag, but let me give you a little insider female info: If she says she doesn’t want to celebrate Valentines Day- she’s lying. I know because I say this. I’ve never had a decent Valentines, so even though I tell someone I don’t want them to go through all the trouble, I really do. And no, I’m not usually the girl to say one thing and mean another, I just know that if I were to not receieve anything, I’d probably be mad. And no one likes an angry ginger.

Your girl wants to be surprised, and this is your big chance to do it.

So guys, it’s time to make her friends jealous and to move beyond your usual halfhearted purchase of a box of chocolates from CVS. I’m talking give her the Best. Gift. Ever.

Sure this made up holiday is an especially difficult one to navigate, but don’t let your genuine attempts turn into disgusting cliches. Help me help you.

Tell me about the absolute best gift you ever gave your girl for V-Day.. or ladies the best gift you’ve ever been given! I’ll post the most creative/awesome gifts to the blog just in time for the holiday.

You’re welcome.
-Katy

Buffalo Wing Cupcakes

Just in time for Super Bowl (no one cares about) Sunday. I hate when people use this phrase because it doesn’t really make sense if you think about, but I could care less about the big game. I’m in it for the commercials, free booze, and the snack foods my friends only prepare for times like these.

Speaking of, if you’re hosting a party, here’s an awesome appetizer to try. These could quite possibly be the coolest cupcakes I’ve ever seen, and if I had any baking prowess, I’d be all over it.

Buffalo Chicken Cupcake Recipe

..you’re welcome.

Makes 10 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

For the cake:

•1/2 cup hot sauce (I recommend a hot sauce that is typically used for Buffalo chicken. Frank’s is the classic choice. I used Bella’s Medium Wing Sauce.)
•1/4 cup unsalted butter
•1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
•1 cup brown sugar
•1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sour cream
•1 egg
•1 cup flour
•1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

For the blue cheese buttercream frosting:

•2 ounces crumbled blue cheese
•1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
•2 cups powdered sugar

STEPS

To make the cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a medium-sized saucepan on medium-high heat, heat hot sauce and butter until butter is melted.
3. Add the blue cheese and mix periodically until blue cheese is melted.
4. Remove from heat and mix in the sugar.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and egg.
6. Once the hot sauce mixture is cool enough to touch, mix the sour cream mixture into the hot sauce mixture.
7. In another small bowl, mix together the flour and baking soda.
8. Fold the flour mixture into the hot sauce mixture.
9. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full.
10. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

To make the blue cheese buttercream frosting:

1. Mix blue cheese on high speed until smooth.
2. Add the unsalted butter and mix on high speed until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes).
3. Slowly mix in the powdered sugar until fully combined.
4. Pipe or spread onto cooled cupcakes.

The Buffalo Chicken Drummette on Top of the Buffalo Chicken Super Bowl Cupcakes

Just before serving, top the cupcakes with buffalo chicken wings or buffalo chicken drummettes. Imagine the frosting as a sweet blue cheese dip and go to town.

This girl is a genius!

Oh yeah, and Tom Brady is overrated.
Go Giants?

-Katy

AUDIO: Will Reynolds and Charley the Bartender

Today’s show was all about Party on the Patio.

If you didn’t get a chance to hear Will Reynold’s- let me just say this guy is going places. His songs are amazing and he was so nice. I’m so happy Rock the Republic chose him as our first week’s talent. Listen to the podcast, then stop by Ozona’s tonight starting around 7 for Party on the Patio. He’ll be out there hanging with me before his show at 9pm!

And this weeks $3 drink of the week: the Gladiator Shot! Find out how to make one from my new best friend Charley- this guy cracks me up.

Vampire Lady of Mexico

Sometimes you come across pictures so strange and twisted, you just have to share them with strangers via the internet.

With that in mind, I present to you Mary Jose Cristerna, aka “The Vampire Woman,” aka “The Woman Of Your Dreams.”

And by dreams I mean those things you never have anymore because seriously, good luck sleeping ever again.

And finally,

AUGHHHH!

Sweet dreams!
-Katy

Group Dates

I don’t care how cute you are or how attracted to you I might be. If you bring up the idea of a group date on the first date, thanks for playing try again later.

What is it with guys these days wanting to bring their boys on dates? The first date is reserved for the two of you.

You’re going out with a guy you don’t know, so why accept the added pressure of 10 other guys you do not know? You are trying to establish a connection with one person – which is difficult to do when trying to entertain 20.

Recently I dated two different guys who believed in this group date philosophy. One basically hinted he wanted to bring out his pals to find out how I would act in a social environment (or something) and the other sheepishly told me he wanted his friends as a security net because he has a hard time opening up to new people.

Both of these situations made me mad. Guy 1 was attempting to test me and guy 2 was afraid of me. I may be borderline relationship handicapped, but to me these don’t exactly spell out longterm relationships.

And I know it’s just not me who is encountering these spineless males- my sister just fell victim to one of these awful dates the other day. Her solo date was hijacked by a large formal gathering. And to what end? Awkwardness. Sheer awkwardness. She won’t be going out with him again.

Group dates are like a flashback to the 6th grade… when making a move was grabbing someone’s hand in the cafeteria. So, natrually whenever this group idea is posed to me, I can’t help but think to myself, “What time will your mom be picking me up?” Because it’s just that childish.

If you are incapable of making small talk with a girl for a short period of time, you probably shouldn’t be dating. (and should move out of your parent’s basement).

Bottom line for me: If I wanted to date your friends, I would. If you want to date me, grow a pair.