Boys enjoy cupcakes too, you know! And it’s for this reason a team of students from the Academy of Art University’s School of Graphic design decided to give cupcakes a new look.

Whippit! is a fictitious line of dessert products {cupcake mix, liners, & tins, pie crust & pans, etc.} featuring a masculine cupcake spokesman and no fancy-shmancy type. The products were developed by Jon Patterson, Sali Golzari, Karen Cheng, and Risaki Koyama in a packaging class taught by Michael Osborne, Founder, President, and namesake of San Francisco’s Michael Osborne Design and AAU School of Graphic Design alum and instructor.

“Whippit was a group project conducted over 3 months,” says Patterson on his portfolio website, where the project is filed under the “because cupcakes were just too cute” category. “The concept was to show cupcakes as affordances. Often times cupcake mixes are decorated with swirls and fun type. We chose to have a character, ‘whip-it boy,’ and each new product involves the use of him in some form.”

More on the project here.

I don’t know why, but I seem to appreciate music so much more in the Summer. Maybe it’s the feeling of freedom I get when I drive with my windows down, wind blowing in my hair, jamming out to my favorite tunes. Here are 16 songs I recommend:

What are your favorite summer tunes?

Admittedly, I am not as much of a fashionista as Mish is. There are a lot of fashionable trends that I think are ghastly or just plain don’t understand. Gladiator sandals are one of them. Really, what is the appeal? Are you going to strap these on and then start a fight with a lion? Live out a fantasy as Xena: Warrior Princess perhaps? Or do you just want extra tan lines on your legs/feet?

Please, enlighten me.

One of the biggest challenges of not living in or near a big city like New York, Boston, or Los Angeles, is the lack of nightlife. In New York, you can walk a block or two anywhere and find a thumping dance club or low key jazz bar —there are tons of unique places to chill out or dance the night away. Not so here in Connecticut. But, located in Hartford, Tisane stands out not only as a cool place to hang out at night but also a relaxing tea oasis during the day.

Tisane has been around for 9 years, but I only recently discovered them. Personally, I’m not much of a partier, but when I heard that Tisane had an extensive list of teas, {and why wouldn’t they, with a name like Tisane?} I was in. I can’t say that I’ve tried every different tea {nearly impossible!}, but I love their green, oolong, and white teas. In addition to their fabulous tea infusions, Tisane also carries a variety of brews, cocktails and foods from both the East and the West, lending to the second part of their name, Euro Asian Cafe. They have cheese and chocolate fondue, edamame, sweet n sour tofu, sandwiches like the caprese flatbread or cheese steak, and so much more — truly something for everyone, whether you have a sweet tooth, are craving buffalo wings, or if you want a tasty vegan meal.

Okay, so they have great drinks and food, but what about community? Well, they have gay night {also called “Boys Night”} on Tuesday with DJ John Rzasa, Wednesday is Service Industry Night {”Live in S.I.N.”} with live music by Kenny Mehler, Karaoke on Thursday, and DJ Sobi One on Saturday nights. They also act as an exhibition for local artists, like my longtime friend {and Mish’s boyfriend} Pawel, who is also the person responsible for my Tisane love. An incredibly gifted artist, Pawel exhibited several of his paintings a few years ago at Tisane, shown above.

So, if you want a place to relax and hang out with friends in the morning or late afternoon, forget Starbucks, check out Tisane. Want to do karaoke or experience a DJ or some live music? Check out Tisane! You don’t have an excuse not to go! :)

Read more about Tisane, and view their hours of operation, on their website or like them on Facebook.

My favorite thing today is this skirt. It’s a cream colored tiered mesh skirt with a black elastic waistband and I love it! It’s without doubt my favorite thing to wear, and I got it for under $10 at Forever 21. Because it’s a neutral color and not too flashy, I can wear it a ton of different ways; dressed down with a tank top or dressed up with Betsey Johnson tights {bought a pack of 3 for $10 at Marshalls!} and pink Franco Sarto pumps {$35 at Peonies!}. Sometimes I go ballerina-style with cute black flats and a peach top, or  retro with funky colors, black booties, and a stretch belt. But by far, my most favorite thing about this skirt? It has swirling action!

What’s your favorite piece of clothing to wear?