This recipe was such a hit at my brother’s little get together last week. My lame theme was “manly” tea party. While the theme was a flop, the recipe was a success! Constantly I had people approaching me about the recipe. I told them to check out my blog in the next few days. I hope you try this recipe. Oh, and please note that I added just a little more vanilla than suggested and a tbsp of lemon rind. Enjoy.

Grandmother Paul’s Sour Cream Pound Cake

* 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter (make sure it is room temp)
* 3 cups sugar
* 1 cup sour cream
* 3 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 6 eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla

- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Cream butter and sugar together
- add sour cream.
- Sift flour and baking soda together.
- Add to creamed mixture, alternately with eggs, one at a time, beating after each.
- Add vanilla.
- Pour into a greased and floured tube pan and bake for 1 hour 20 minutes.

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Recipe from Food Network (slightly different)

Ingredients

* 1 stick butter, room temperature
* 1 1/2 cups sugar
* 1/2 cup sour cream
* 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 3 large eggs
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together.
Add the sour cream and mix until incorporated.
Sift the baking soda and flour together.
Add to the creamed mixture alternating with eggs, beating in each egg 1 at a time.
Add vanilla.

Pour the mixture into a greased and floured loaf pan.
Bake for 40 minutes to 1 hour or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

I love Vancouver during the holidays. I go to every mall in search for that perfect gift. While most family request cash or gift cards, I still go out of my way to get that one gift to bring a smile to the ones I love. So, what to wear? This look is more for the indoor window shopper. Ladies, we may be in our 30’s+ but we don’t need to look frumpy. If you’re like me, you can spend up to 4-5 hours just walking around the mall. Additionally, you may also find items for yourself and not for your friends or family. Sad, isn’t it? I like this look. It’s a bit edgy but a person our age can pull it off.

Christmas Shopping by 30somethingmom featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

The Chained bag is trendy again. I remember looking back at old photos of my mom, now 63 years old. Back in the day my mother was quite the fashionista! I guess you could say that I get my sense of style from her.

I was at an Indian wedding in the summer and my girlfriend just got back from London. She was carrying the Unique gray Chanel flap handbag to accent her gray summer dress. I asked her if it was a vintage bag to which she replied, “just wait… these are hot in London now and they are slowly making their way to Canada.” She was right!

My style tip would be to limit the jewelry when wearing this type of bag as the the handle acts as a “jewelry” piece.

Chain Purse by 30somethingmom featuring Yves Saint Laurent bags

Sexy-Sexay! Lace leggings are here. What is it about winter and lace? I shouldn’t complain because now I have no excuse to wear dresses to my dinner parties. I often opt for the pant look as it is so cold in the winter. I guess I shouldn’t complain, I live in Vancouver. The younger celebrities are pairing their black lace leggings with a simple black cocktail dress. This is a look that a person my age can pull off. While there are various colours of lace leggings out there… remember to keep the colours in your outfit uniformed. For example. If you have dark gray lace leggings, pair it with an even darker shade of gray whether it be a dress, cropped pant, or sweater dress. And, Christmas does not not give you an excuse to pair red with green. I don’t want my readers showing up at a fancy dinner party with a green dress and red lace leggings. No-no-no! Have fun with this look.

Lace Leggings by 30somethingmom featuring Miss Selfridge tights

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups canned pumpkin, mashed
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg plus 2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, optional
• 1 piece pre-made pie dough
• Whipped cream, for topping

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place 1 piece of pre-made pie dough down into a (9-inch) pie pan and press down along the bottom and all sides. Pinch and crimp the edges together to make a pretty pattern. Put the pie shell back into the freezer for 1 hour to firm up. Fit a piece of aluminum foil to cover the inside of the shell completely. Fill the shell up to the edges with pie weights or dried beans (about 2 pounds) and place it in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes, remove the foil and pie weights and bake for another 10 minutes or until the crust is dried out and beginning to color.
For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, half-and-half, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger, if using, and beat until incorporated.
Pour the filling into the warm prepared pie crust and bake for 50 minutes, or until the center is set. Place the pie on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Cut into slices and top each piece with a generous amount of whipped cream.

taken from: The Food Network

Yes ladies, it is now the time to watch what we eat, dye the grays and wax places we have not waxed since last winter. It is the time of the Christmas party. And, it’s not just any Christmas party. It is the party where you represent your man. A party where woman smile yet say horrid comments in their head about the fashion choices made that evening. I hate the sad old, “hi, nice to meet you” crap. I enjoy the food and free booze. I especially like showing off my dance skills to songs like, baby got back and let’s get married.

Let’s talk clothes. I will share with you several looks which are quite popular and trendy this christmas. These looks include hot pink blouses paired with a black skirt. Hint ladies… Imagine that your crotch represents the age of 16 years old and your knees represent the age of 45+ years old. The older you are the closer the length of your skirt should be to your knees. Be conservative, remember… you are a mom.

The second look is a black dress with a tulled bottom. Again, mind the length. And ensure the tulle is not too puffy consequently making you look like the death of ballet.

Finally, gold sequins. This look is sophisticated and if you are shy and yet want to try this look… maybe go for an all black outfit and wear a gold sequin blazer or even a clutch to give that pop. Hope you enjoy these looks and have fun at that party! Don;t forget to wear your Spanks!

Hot Pink Top + Black Skirt by 30somethingmom featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

black tulle dress by 30somethingmom featuring Forever21

Gold Sequins by 30somethingmom featuring Antik Batik

So, you’re probably wondering how a mom in their 30’s can pull off this look. I would suggest that if you are in your early 30’s it is worth the attempt. Anyone older than 36 years you may be breaching on the “are you dressed up for Halloween?” comment. Which we don’t like. Most of the young celebs, and when I say young… I mean teens are wearing this look. For my more mature audience, try this lace legging with a pencil skirt and jeweled tone blouse. Or, just under your black pants to give that peek-a-boo effect down at your feet. Or, just wear them at home with a long tee and show your man that you too can look like those fashionable teens.

Lace Leggings + Black Mini by 30somethingmom featuring Surface To Air dresses

I guess we have Rhianna to thank for this style. I have recently purchased a pair similar to the Louboutin Black Gladiator Sandal worn by many celebs. My heels however were bought at Winners and they cost a billion dollars less. I love Winners. So, what is great about this shoe is that it creates an edgy somewhat downtown look. Like most heels it is versatile in that it will pair well with either a dressy cocktail look or a more toned down denim style. Which ever style you choose remember to maintain that manicure as your toes are still visible and choose a colour that will match with the majority of your wardrobe. Stick with basics as this is a seasonal look.

Gladiator Sandal by 30somethingmom featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

Blue Printed Dress by 30somethingmom featuring Emilio Pucci dresses

Winter is near and the prints are out. Rather than going for that spring, flower, pinky pattern… shift your eyes and credit card to the blue and black pattern combination. Celebrities have been spotted with this look along with black tights and booties. You can wear this look with whatever accessories you have. I find that people tend to copy the celebrities way too much. If you just place yourselves in their shoes I’m sure what they chose to wear made sense. With the cooler weather wouldn’t it make sense to grab your tights and what looks good with tights? Booties. At least that’s how I go about with my style. Regardless, blue patterned dresses are here and their hot!

Years have gone by and leather has always remained popular. With the ever changing styles it has consistently stayed as a black signature piece. This winter however, many Vancouverites are seen wearing grey leather. While Grey on grey made a comback a couple seasons ago, grey leather jackets did not. What I like about grey is that it isn’t so dark or emo. The problem however lies in that coordinating colours may be quite of a challenge. Keep your tones in the Cool colours ie blues, greys, purples etc. Obviously black will work best. Keep it simple and don’t over power the look with too much leather. Keep your bag small and try not to wear those boots that ride up to your crotch… too much leather seems try-heard and animal-like.

Grey Leather by 30somethingmom featuring Jil Sander