Sweet Mini Donuts

Last week, I mentioned that we took a trip to Siesta Key, Florida. We rented a condo on the beach and cooked a lot of our meals, and thus little food finds were extra special. One morning when Shaun ventured out to find me Splenda for my morning cup o' joe (just can't go without it), he found this sweet little donut shop on the main drag. We enjoyed fresh, warm donuts for a few mornings thereafter. These donuts were not only adorable but so, so delicious. 

I seriously could've eaten my weight in donuts :\ There were a few different flavors, ranging from strawberry cheesecake to classic powder and cinnamon and sugar. On our last day, we decided on the strawberry cheesecake, key lime and chocolate peanut butter cup.

Tiny, warm, fried donuts, straight out of the fryer. We brought these back to the condo and devoured them immediately.

How cute are they?! Now all I can think of are little warm donuts. I think it's time I got a donut pan.

Isn't vacation food the best? What are your favorite vacation food finds?

Emmy Awards 2014

So, tonight is the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards. Though I'm still pretty annoyed that it's taking place on a Monday and I don't get to do my Emmy-watching tradition with my Mom, I'm still looking forward to watching...even if it means with Dukan-friendly meatloaf and a semi-reluctant husband (he is a trooper, though, and I know he will happily watch if I ask), rather than with less-than-healthy dips and desserts with my Mom.

Ah well.

I admittedly don't watch all of the shows that are nominated for this evening, and my expertise is really limited to the drama category. But, I think I've watched enough of these award shows to make educated picks, so here goes!

DRAMA

Best Actress in a Drama Series

Nominees: Lizzy Caplan, "Masters of Sex"; Claire Danes, "Homeland"; Michelle Dockery, "Downton Abbey"; Julianna Margulies, "The Good Wife"; Kerry Washington, "Scandal"; Robin Wright, "House of Cards"

My Picks: I'm going with Julianna Margulies on this one. I actually did not watch any current seasons of the aforementioned shows (I'm behind on Downton Abbey and threw in the towel on Homeland). The Emmy's loves her and apparently she rocks. Her competition here is Robin Wright and Lizzy Caplan, who could pull this one out.

Best Actor in a Drama Series

Nominees: Bryan Cranston, "Breaking Bad"; Jeff Daniels, "The Newsroom"; Jon Hamm, "Mad Men"; Woody Harrelson, "True Detective"; Matthew McConaughey, "True Detective"; Kevin Spacey, "House of Cards"

My Picks: This is a tough category. I think Bryan Cranston ultimately will and should win for his portrayal of high school science teacher geek turned murderous meth lord. He was so believable and...dare I say...actually had me rooting for him in the end? I adored Matthew McConaughey in True Detective...and that role actually made me an MM indifferencer-turned-lover. I think for the final Breaking Bad season, Cranston pulls this one out. Also to note that I think Woody Harrelson was also phenomenal here, however, he was overshadowed by Matthew McConaughey and may have been better of submitting as a supporting actor...

which brings me to...

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Nominees: Aaron Paul, "Breaking Bad"; Jim Carter, "Downton Abbey"; Peter Dinklage, "Game of Thrones"; Josh Charles, "The Good Wife"; Mandy Patinkin, "Homeland"; Jon Voight, "Ray Donovan"

My Picks: I love Aaron Paul so much, but my vote goes to Peter Dinklage. If Paul wins, it will be because of Breaking Bad's last season, and I could see a sweep here. But you can't not adore Peter Dinklage as the underserved, always put down imp in Thrones. You can't not love him or root for him. Find me one person who doesn't. And he consistently gets sidelined, betrayed and heartbroken. His storyline was my favorite this season and if anyone is to be recognized for Thrones, it's Dinklage. I'll be sad if he loses this one, but I'm not discounting Aaron Paul or even Jon Voight for this one.

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Nominees: Anna Gunn, "Breaking Bad"; Maggie Smith, "Downton Abbey"; Lena Headey, "Game of Thrones"; Christine Baranski, "The Good Wife"; Christina Hendricks, "Mad Men"; Joanne Froggatt, "Downton Abbey"

My Picks: Like I said, I haven't kept up with Downton, though I know these ladies really rock it. Lena Headey once again brought it like nobody's business on Thrones. But I'm going with Anna Gunn on this one. I think she'll be rewarded for years of her performance of Skylar White, the housewife turned philanderer turned protector of her home & children. I typically dislike her character so much, but her turn as a wife scorned who would do anything to protect her kids..well, that I can get behind.

Best Drama Series

Nominees: "Breaking Bad"; "Downton Abbey"; "Game of Thrones"; "House of Cards"; "Mad Men"; "True Detective"

My Picks: Another toughie. Thrones ruled this season. It was so good that I couldn't wait for the weeks to go by, if just to see how it all played out. Certainly my favorite (yet most disturbing) season thus far. And we have newcomer True Detective, which rocked the TV world for better or worse. Stellar acting, a compelling story and whether the show's ending left you loving it or longing for more, it's hard to disagree that it was one of the top shows of the year. Mad Men, you've seen your day and I think you're getting shut out this year. In the end, I think Breaking Bad will take the cake for not only a great mini season of television, but for being one of the greatest shows on TV EVER. 

COMEDY

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

Nominees: Lena Dunham, "Girls"; Edie Falco, "Nurse Jackie"; Julia Louis Dreyfus, "Veep"; Melissa McCarthy, "Mike & Molly"; Amy Poehler, "Parks & Recreation"; Taylor Schilling, "Orange Is the New Black"

My Picks: The Emmy's LOVES (with a capital, capital L) Julia Louis Dreyfus and I adore her. However, I think it would be a crime to discount Taylor Schilling's portrayal of Piper in OITNB. Positioned as the stuck up, priveleged New Yorker, I can't help but root for her as she does such an amazing job of just being likeable. If I get sent to prison, I want Piper as my roommate. Just sayin'.

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

Nominees: Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"; Ricky Gervais, "Derek"; Matt LeBlanc, "Episodes"; Don Cheadle, "House of Lies"; Louis C.K., "Louie"; William H. Macy, "Shameless"

My Picks: We know the Emmy's loves them some Jim Parsons. But I've had enough, I tell you, enough. This category is filled with amazing actors. I'm not taking anything away from Parsons, but let's give someone else a chance, no? My pick goes to William H. Macy in Shameless. For being exactly that. Somehow, I continue to root for him (and LOVE WHM!!) though his portrayal of Frank is so vile, so unforgiveable and so beyond the beyond. And for that alone, he deserves the statue. I also wouldn't be disappointed to see Louis C.K.

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Nominees: Mayim Bialik, "The Big Bang Theory"; Julie Bowen, "Modern Family"; Allison Janney, "Mom"; Kate Mulgrew, "Orange Is the New Black"; Kate McKinnon, "Saturday Night Live"; Anna Chlumsky, "Veep"

My Picks: Once again, I'm going OITNB here. Kate Mulgrew is a supporting character who is so vital to the dynamic of the show. I could see Julie Bowen taking this one (again), but again...snoozefest.

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Nominees: Andre Braugher, "Brookiyn Nine-Nine"; Adam Driver, "Girls"; Jesse Tyler Ferguson, "Modern Family"; Ty Burrell, "Modern Family"; Fred Armisen, "Portlandia"; Tony Hale, "Veep"

My Picks: I would love to see Adam Driver take this one home for his portrayal of Adam on Girls. He is my favorite character on the entire show and the only tolerable personality. I think he's about to explode in popularity and he isn't to shabby to look at, either. Again, I wouldn't be surprised if this went to a Modern Family member, but I'm kind of over it.

Best Comedy Series

Nominees: "The Big Bang Theory"; "Louie"; "Modern Family"; "Orange Is the New Black"; "Silicon Valley"; "Veep"

My Picks: I like Orange is the New Black's chances. I think it could end up being the surprise of the night. Everyone is talking about this show. It's got it all...sex, nudity, humor, drama. It may be too racy for the Emmy's, and that could be its only stumbling block. Realistically, though, I think it goes to The Big Bang Theory, once again proving that I know nothing. I don't care for the show and clearly I'm alone in that! It's been all the rage since it went into syndication and so I guess it's earned its dues. 

So that's how I'm thinking things will go down tonight at the Emmy's!

What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Think I'm crazy?

What are your picks for tonight's telecast?

 

Friiiiday.

This week has been fast and furious and I'm so ready for the weekend ahead. We don't have much planned, aside from trying to soak up these last summer days. I think I've had my fill of the beach, but I wouldn't mind a little more pool time over the next week or so. In all honesty, I'm kind of ready to be done with full-body sunscreen as well, for both myself and Penelope.

We're all over Orange is the New Black and I'm looking forward to continuing a few eps over the next couple of days, as well as sneaking in some time to plow through The Goldfinch.

Tonight the Giants face off against the Jets in a preseason game! Though I don't get too excited for preseason football, I'm pretty psyched for football season in general. It kind of crept up on me, but I'm ready to welcome football Sundays with open arms. Also, if you are looking for a fun treat for football, baseball, or any day, really, I love this party popcorn that I made a few years ago...

So fun and festive (and easy).

On Monday, Seth Meyers will host the Primetime Emmy Awards.

I'm really annoyed by this. Historically, the Emmy's take place on a Sunday in September. I head to my mom's for the evening, where we proceed to binge on dips and pizza while critiquing the fashion gracing the red carpet and cheering on our favorite shows. This year, the Emmy's are on a Monday night.

Boo.

This means that instead of hours of red carpet viewing, I will be running home, taking care of Penelope and just squeezing into my seat on the couch in time for the ceremony to start. As a TV addict, I really enjoy the Emmy's and, well, this is just a big bummer to me.

In other news, Starbucks releases the pumpkin spice latte on Monday, and in a truly obnoxious way. What the what? Sorry, I love Fall just as much (if not more) than the next person, but this is just not ok. Let's enjoy the last week of summer without rushing Fall, shall we? 

But...thinking of Fall made me think of this apple upside down cake and o.m.g. I just got a serious pang of Fall nostalgia and love.

Other stuff I'm digging this week:

Entertainment Weekly gave out their own EWWY Awards, for those shows and actors/actresses who were snubbed by nominations. My beloved Sons of Anarchy (and the best show on TV in my opinion), remained shut out. I was thrilled to see The Viper win for Best Guest Actor in a Drama, though!

Design Sponge rounds up 10 Vacation Worthy Hotels (love)

These baked apple pie fries. 'nuff said.

Use up that overgrowing mint in your garden for these coconut cupcakes w/fresh chocolate mint buttercream

35 yum-inducing back to school treats

If you love New Jersey things, check out one of my favorite JC shops for all kinds of curiosities

And last, but definitely not least...Shaun started a blog! Check out Grilled Cheese Sports for some great, funny sports commentary (even if you aren't a sports fan, it's hilarious!)

I hope you guys have a great weekend! And enjoy some fun and delicious eats along the way!