it's about to get all nerdy in here

Saucy got home late last night from a week in the Arizona sun. She did some stuff, she saw some things. She got a little sun and she did a little shopping.

Oh, you can bet she found some great deals on some Juicy wear for her and Loopy. The girls hit the shops while Veto hit the Barrett-Jackson Auto Show. Do you want to know what else they hauled back?

A few bottles of LoArann's Bakery Emulsions. Baking emulsions are water-based concentrated flavourings that won't "bake out" when heated. They are alcohol and gluten-free. Saucy picked up a few and she'll let you know how it goes.

When she's south of the border, Saucy stocks up on Kool-Aid in flavours she can't get at home. For some reason she can only get strawberry-kiwi up here in Canada and they don't sell cherry anymore at all. You know she also uses this stuff to tint and flavour buttercream, right?

Pillsbury cake mixes aren't available here in Canada, and nobody sells any type of red velvet mix. She stocks up as best she can but since she's flying home, she's limited to the number of mixes she can bring back at one time *sob* these will be gone before you know it.

Saucy always has her eye out for anything cute to put on top of a cupcake. On this trip she picked up mini Pop-Tarts, nonpareils in different solid colours (multi coloured ones are so yesterday) and some of the new Jet-Puffed Mallow Bits in vanilla and peppermint.

These dessert toppers caught her eye. They were a pain to haul back but she might not regret it if they add neat flavours to cupcakes or frostings. Again, Saucy will keep you posted.

In the hotel room at night, she enjoyed Ben & Jerry's ice cream in flavours not available close to home. You can bet that she carefully washed out the tubs and brought those home filled with little things to keep safe on the trip. She has a collection of Ben & Jerry's tubs... nerd. They make cute storage in the craft room for bits and baubles.

She might have enjoyed a bottle (or two) of nice dessert wines. This Chocolate Shop wine was rich and tasty... she could get used to having a glass at bedtime every night, but this was a holiday!

At Williams-Sonoma, the heart pocket pie molds and the heart shaped sandwich cutter were both on markdown, so... yeah! Heart shaped fun for everyone!

At ABC Baking Supply and Sur La Table, Saucy picked up an abundance of Ateco piping tips and one 8" baking ring. She has a plan for the ring, if it works you will see the result here someday soon. As for the tips, she has had a couple of requests about which tips to buy and what cupcake effect they give so watch for a tutorial next week. Next week at this time, Saucy and the Cheerios will be knee-deep in cupcakes again for a special event.

Of course, the Cheerios make out like bandits. Pop-Tarts in all sorts of crazy flavours were found. Those really filled up the suitcases fast. Poor Veto, all that lifting.

Saucy also found the perfect kelly green hair extension clips for the Cheerio's ponytails. So, so cute.

Loopy mostly shopped for treats for her peeps but she managed to talk Veto into a Pikachu hoodie like this at Hot Topic. 

Yep, nerdy.

And from the Betsey Johnson store, a tiny little top hat with a veil was procured for a mere twenty dollars. Coming soon, to a photo shoot near you.

Well, Saucy had a nice little break. She and Loopy spent a day at a cheerleading competition and that gave them some food for thought about the routine so she's called a few extra practices over the next couple of weeks. She also has some unfinished (and very bloggable) projects spread out around the house so she needs to tackle them even though Veto is as understanding as Ryan Gosling himself and doesn't mind the mess too much.

It also appears that most of Saucy's vacation purchases are just excuses to come up with more projects.

And that's just the stuff she can show you right now. She needs to keep a few surprises up her sleeve yet! After all, the Cheerios read this blog.