Have Your Red Velvet and Drink it Too!

When I first decided to blog about red velvet, many people said I was crazy. "How on earth can you just blog about red velvet?" they asked. "Won't that get a little repetitive, and well, boring?"

Little did they know this lesser known cake that fell out of favor in the 1970's due to the Red No. 2 food dye scare, would come back with a vengeance -- making its way into our favorite recipes, and subsequently, into our hearts.

To all of the naysayers, I present to you a red velvet cocktail shot. Yes, the cake we both know and love has now made its way into liquid form, to be consumed and enjoyed in 1oz doses. I think its safe to say that once a drink has been named after something, that it is officially mainstream.

I'm not sure if a drink can possibly taste like red velvet, but its worth a shot (pun intended). You can find the recipe here.

Oh, and just for good measure I think the shot should be enjoyed in one of these.

To Bake, or Not to Bake (And an Anthropologie Giveaway)

I'm obsessed with this color right now.

As many of you probably know from my earlier posts, I recently got engaged and am in full planning mode. Planning a wedding is no easy task, especially when you are on a tight budget. My fiance and I have been trying to find ways to cut costs, and also to make the wedding reflective of who we are as a couple.

So recently I've been toying with the idea of baking for my own wedding. But not just the obvious red velvet cake. I'm thinking a whole dessert table chock full of red-velvety goodness. Red velvet cupcakes, red velvet cake balls, red velvet double doozies, red velvet trifle, red velvet cheesecake...I think you get the picture.

Here is my thought process: if the base recipe for several of these is the same (cake balls, trifle, cupcakes, etc), would it really be that difficult to make enough of these things to feed 100 people? Mind you, I'd probably need to make all of it 1-2 days prior to my wedding. I'd love to get thoughts from anyone who's attempted something like this before.

**ANTHROPOLOGIE GIVEAWAY**
Now onto the giveaway, my fiance and I have entered Crate & Barrel's Ultimate Wedding Contest, and are just 100 or so votes away from advancing to the next round. We could really use your help and support, but of course I want to offer you something in return. I love everything about Anthropologie, and I think that every baker (or cook) should have one of their fabulous little aprons. My fiance actually bought me one for Christmas and had it embroidered with "The Velveteen Baker". I absolutely love it, and even when I'm covered in flour and red food dye, I still feel fabulous in it.

So here is the deal. One lucky winner will get to take their pick of one of these chic aprons from Anthropologie. There are three ways to enter, so even if you've already voted for us you still have a chance to win.

How to Enter:

• Vote for my fiance and I in Crate & Barrel's Ultimate Wedding Contest http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entry/126647 (detailed instructions below),  then come back here and comment on this post which number vote you were (ie "Vote #525"). 
• If you’re on Twitter, receive an extra entry by tweeting the below (tell me you’ve tweeted, by leaving an extra blog comment): "Win an @Anthropologie apron from @velveteenbaker: http://bit.ly/gSK5Gc #giveaway"
• Get an extra entry if you post about this contest on your blog, or share it with your friends on Facebook asking them to vote for us. Must include this link http://bit.ly/hlTRaL (again, leave an extra blog comment here so I know you posted).

**Entries closed.**

One winner will be randomly selected. Anonymous comments, or those that don't follow the instructions will not be counted. If I am not able to contact the winner, another winner will be selected. Entries will be accepted until noon on Sunday, April 24th (EST) and the winner will be announced and contacted shortly thereafter. UPDATE: I AM EXTENDING THIS CONTEST UNTIL APRIL 29th! I'm still getting more entries come in and I feel awful not including them. Besides, we still need more votes (can you blame me?). Thanks so much for the support!! Winner will be announced after April 29th.

How to Vote (detailed instructions):
STEP 1: Go to http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entry/126647
STEP 2: Click the pink "VOTE" button
STEP 3: Scroll down and either Login with Facebook -OR- Register with your email address.

If you login with Facebook (easiest way to vote):
STEP 4: Click "Allow" for Request for Permission. It will take you back to the contest page and a pop-up that says your vote has been counted will appear.
STEP 5: Come back to this post and comment which number you were back here (ie "Vote #525" - you'll see it on the contest page).

If you vote via email:
STEP 4: Provide your first and last name, email address and a password
STEP 5: Check your email for a message from "Ultimate Wedding Contest" and click to confirm your address. It will take you back to the contest page and a pop-up that says your vote has been counted will appear.
STEP 6: Come back to this post and comment which number you were back here (ie "Vote #525" - you'll see it on the contest page).


**WINNER ANNOUNCED**
I've picked a winner! The winner was randomly selected using random.org after any incomplete or anonymous entries were removed. And the winner is...comment #34, Krista from In Krista's Kitchen. Congratulations Krista! I'll be emailing you with details so you can pick out which fabulous apron you'd like to have!

Adorable!

Love the pleats and cute little bow!