Birthday Cake Blondies - Simple & Delicious Recipe

Hi lovely reader! If you follow me on Instagram @notexactlyplainjane you may have seen that I posted a Reel the other day of a Birthday Cake Blondie Cake that I made (check it out here). It turned out super cute and was really easy to make so I wanted to share the recipe with you! Funfetti, white chocolate, and rainbow sprinkles, what's not to love? Check it out below!

Ingredients
-Cooking Spray
-Baking Pans (I used 2 6-inch rounds and 1 8-inch round to make multiple "cakes")
-Parchment Paper
-3 cups All Purpose Flour
-1 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt
-1 tsp. Baking Powder
-2 1/4 sticks butter (18 Tbsp), softened
-1 1/2 cups Granulated Sugar
-3/4 cup Packed Brown Sugar
-2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
-3 eggs
-2 1/4 cups white chocolate chips (I used the Nestle Funfetti morsels)
-1 cup Rainbow Sprinkles (or any color) + optional extra for decorating (I used 2 small shakers total to cover the sides)
-Icing (option, these are actually really moist so they don't necessarily "need it")

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease your pans with cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment paper. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder.

2. In a larger bowl using a mixer, beat the butter and sugars until fluffy, then add the vanilla and eggs and beat until combined.

3. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture gradually and beat until combined. Then fold in the chocolate chips and 3/4 cup of the sprinkles.

4. Pour the batter into the pan(s) and bake until the edge are golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool & then decorate!

And Voila!

What's your favorite birthday treat to make for others? Xx

Shoe of the Week - January 2021 Recap

Hi lovely reader! If you follow me on Instagram @notexactlyplainjane you will know that I have a segment called "Shoe of the Week" where I share a shoe I'm currently loving every Monday. Somehow it is the end of January so I have put together a recap of the styles from this month with direct links (not sponsored) and similar options if they are not available. Enjoy!

Adidas Grand Court Sneaker - Exact

New Balance x Kate Spade Saturday
Exact - No longer available, if you search these there are a few pairs from the collection on Poshmark
Similar - New Balance Fuelcore Nergize Sport Training Shoe

Circus by Sam Edelman Gunner Boots
Exact - Out of Stock
Similar - Circus Flora Hiker Boot

Dr. Scholl's Amara Bootie - Exact

Cheeky Quote Tuesday

My 2020 Quarantine Skincare Routine

Hello lovely reader! Happy almost New Year! I put together a little summary of my "Quarantine Skincare Routine" aka the products I have been using and loving over the past few months. The great thing is that the majority of them are drugstore brands meaning you definitely don't have to break the bank to create a nice little routine. As far as a skin type, I have a very oily t-zone, and deal with blackheads on my nose. My forehead I would say is the least sensitive part of my face and my chin is definitely the most sensitive. So if you can relate to any of that I would highly recommend giving any of these products a try. I have also provided links (which are not sponsored or affiliated) in case you want to check anything out!

Soap and Glory Vitamin C Facial Wash
This product is great for getting some exfoliation into your routine. It leaves your face feeling fresh and smooth, especially if you use it with some type of spin brush. It also has a great scent to it!
Dermalogica Clear Start Foaming Wash
This face wash is a bit more of a splurge but I have found that it really works well with my skin type. It definitely helps to control the oil on my t-zone and is also great to use as a follow up to the Soap and Glory wash. 

PMD - Personal Microderm - Classic
This was my quarantine "self-care" splurge. I ordered it in the spring and can honestly say that it is worth it! When you factor in how much Microderm facials cost and the fact that a lot of places are closed right now it actually is a great deal. I have found that using this once a week has helped with the redness/scars left behind by breakouts on my chin area and the oiliness of blackheads around my nose. I will say that this doesn't suck out blackheads but removes layers of dead skin cells, so if you use if consistently it can help with appearance of black heads but will not remove them all at once. It also makes your skin super smooth and helps it to absorb any product that you apply afterwards. A lot of places carry this product too and I have seen it go on sale a lot so keep an eye out if you're looking for a deal.

Thayers Witch Hazel Alcohol Free Toner
This is a great product to try if you are looking to introduce a toner into your skincare routine. It is extremely affordable and I have found it to agree with the sensitive areas on my face which was my main concern. They do offer an unscented version which I would recommend over this Rose Petal one (bought it by mistake) and even offer it in little travel sizes if you don't want to buy a big bottle to start. 

Ole Henriksen Banana Bright Eye Creme
This product would also fall under the splurge category in my book but again it is definitely worth it. The cream has a great scent and texture to it. It gives you a glow for those days when you don't wear makeup (everyday since March) and really does feel hydrating when applied.

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturizer
It's a classic and it works! This moisturizer is great for the winter because it is a bit heavier and I don't know about you but since turning the heat on, the air in my house is dry!! It also has SPF in it which is important to wear year round.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque
This mask is perfect to use if you feel like your skin needs a moisturizing boost. Even for someone who has oily skin this is great to use every so often, the next day I can totally notice a difference and it doesn't cause breakouts for me in my more sensitive zones when is a huge plus. I would recommend using this once a month if you have oily skin and if you have more balanced skin every few weeks.
Origins Clear Improvements Active Charcoal Mask
Tried and true, and much used as you can tell in the photo, this mask is great for detoxifying your skin. I can tell for even for a day or two after as I have less redness in areas that were previously irritated and again it doesn't aggravate anything either. I try to use this once a week, typically at the end of the week.
Feeling Beautiful Facial Polishing Masque with Charcoal and Black Sugar
This mask is great and I actually use it in the shower. I'll apply it right about halfway through and then scrub it off at the end. This is also a great option to bring some exfoliation into your skincare routine especially in the winter months! Great to use a couple of times a week!

And that is my routine! I hope these reviews were helpful and maybe inspired you to try out some new products! Xx