The Topknot Baker

My Morning Coffee

February 25, 2020February 24, 2020by Brynn KingLeave a Comment

Like most American, I like to start my day with coffee to feed my coffee addiction . As of late I have really been enjoying make my drinks at home rather than running through my local Starbuck . As much as I love Starbucks, sometimes I enjoy being able to control what goes in and how much of it is in the drink. So for todays post I thought that I would share how I make my morning coffee.

With any good cup of coffee it comes down to what beans you use and how strong you like it. I go in between the kinds of roast that I like, lately I have been enjoying the Italian dark roast which I pick up at my local grocery store. Some people prefer certain brands over the roast but I do find that I like the roast over the brand.

To make my morning coffee you will need:

1 tablespoon of simple syrup

2 to 3 shots of espresso

One cup of ice

1/2 a cup of milk

Drizzle of caramel sauce

Put the simple syrup in the bottom of your cup. Add your espresso and mix it together. Add the ice and milk. Top off with the caramel drizzle. Then enjoy!!!

Now with any recipe you can always add ,substitute, or take out what doesn’t work for you.Somedays I prefer more ice and less milk , it really just depends on the day. I hope you enjoyed this little post about my morning coffee and what gets me going in the morning. If you make this recipe please share if you liked or if you made any changes to it.

Much Love

Brynn

Lifestyle

20 Goals for 2020

January 4, 2020January 4, 2020by Brynn King1 Comment

Happy 2020!!! I hope that everyone had a wonderful new year. I always get so excited for the new year because it is a fresh start for everyone. At the beginning of every year I like to challenge myself with goals that I would like to accomplish and this year is no different. This year, I thought that I would challenge myself to 20 goals for 2020. Below are listed all the things that I want to achieve this year.

Read one book a month
Grow my Blog
Workout three days a week
Eat healthier
Travel for a Month
Move to a new city
Finish my master
Get a Tattoo
Visit Five New Places
Volunteer 100 hours.
Be more sustainable
Become more spiritual
Step out of my comfort zone
Be more present with family and friends
Cut m screen time
Make my blog my job
Take me for my mental health
Learn a new skill
Learn a language
Start playing the piano again.

I am super excited to see what 2020 will bring and excite to see where I will be at the end of this year. I hope that you all have a safe and wonderful 2020!

Much Love,

Brynn

Lifestyle

Fall Bucket List

September 25, 2019by Brynn KingLeave a Comment

Happy Fall Y’all !!! Fall is my favorite time of year, I just love the changing of the leaves and the weather becoming colder. Every fall I like to put together a fall bucket list so I can enjoy fall to the fullest. So this year I thought that I would share that list with you. Please feel free to use this list as inspiration for things to do thing Fall.

Go Pumpkin Picking
Make Apple Cider
Bake Some Fall Treats
Go to Corn Maze
Have a Harry Potter Movie Marathon
Go for a Hike.
Host a Bonfire
Decorated for Fall
Crave Pumpkins
Have a Fall Picnic
Buy some Fall Candles
Join a Book Club
Go to a Farmers Market
Make soup
Make a Fall Wreath
Take a Fall Drive
Change over my wardrobe .
Make some Homemade Hot Chocolate .
Make my own Halloween Treats.
Visit my sister in Maryland

What are you looking forward to doing this fall?

Much Love,

Brynn

Lifestyle

September Goals

September 2, 2019September 2, 2019by Brynn KingLeave a Comment

Happy September and Happy Labor Day!!! Sorry that I have been a little M.I.A in August. I took little break from my blog and social media. However,I really excited for September content that I have plan for my blog and I am also just genuinely excited for fall !! I thought I would share my goals September.

Post two blog post a week– I really want have more content on my blog. So, this month I am going to pushing myself to get more post up .

Start School – This month I start back to school to get another degree.I am really excite to be learning again.

Getting into fitness – I keep saying that I want to get into a work out routine but this month I am changing that.

Add some new items to my Fall and Winter wardrobe– There are a few pieces that I to add to my F/W wardrobe. I definitely am on the lookout for some chunky knits and a blazer.

Hope everyone has a wonderful September. Is there anything that is on your September to-do list?

Much Love,

Brynn

Also, is anyone else super excited about the Downton Abbey movie coming out? I know I am !!!

Lifestyle

3 Podcast Worth Listening To

August 9, 2019August 8, 2019by Brynn King4 Comments

As of late, I have been listening to podcasts non-stop. I have always enjoyed listening to them as a great alternative to music but lately, it’s like I cannot get enough of them. They have quickly become an obsession for me. I love listening to them on my drive to work in the morning to help get my mind rolling for the day ahead or while relaxing in the bath to unwind from the day. Here are three podcasts that I have not been able to stop listening to lately.

The Shrink Next Door

I found this podcast by chance while browsing the through the lasted podcast and boy am I glad that I have found it. The whole story is base around a therapist named Ike , and how a journalist Joe Nocera found out he is his neighbor. However, one summer Joe learns that who he thought his neighbor was not the case. There where many twists and turns that you did not see coming at all and I would have to say the way the story ends makes me a little upset. I don’t want to tell you why but when you found out I think that you will be too! Please don’t walk to listen to this run, run as fasted as you can. Listen to The Shrink Next Door…. Here .

Noble Blood

If you are lover of history then you will find Noble Blood quite a delight. I was quite happy when I came across this podcast. I am such a lover of history and learn about the Royal families has alway intrigued me. This is a fairly new podcast and there are only three episodes out right now. However, the host weaves this stories so well you don’t know where you are going to end up. What I really enjoys is that this podcast covers stories with familiar names the you learn about in history class but stories that you may never of heard of before. It you are a history buff then you will enjoy Noble Blood quite a lot. Listen to Noble Blood ….Here.

At Home With…

Two of my favorite Youtuber Anna Newton and Lily Pebble are behind this fabulous podcast. These two lovely ladies go and interview women that they admire in their homes. I really like how laid back the interview style. You feel like you are sitting around with a group of friends just having a conversation. I really find myself being truly inspired by hearing these women stories of how they became a kick-ass trailblazer in their respected industries. Listen to At Home With … Here

I am always looking for a new podcast to check out if you have any recommendation please let me know. I would love to go check them out.

Much Love,

Brynn

Beauty, Lifestyle

Fresh Cream Soft Suede

July 18, 2019July 18, 2019by Brynn King1 Comment

When it come to picking out perfume , I get very pick with my choose that I make. I am very sensitive when it come to perfume and i usually end up with a head if the sent is to over powering. So I the fact that I bough this sent with out even smelling is pretty daring for me. One night a few weeks back when I could not sleep I tuned on the TV with is the worst thing to do.

When I normally can’t sleep I usually put on the QVC channel to fall asleep to but unlucky for me that night they had Philosophy on. They presented this holiday collect that was for Christmas in July event that contained the Fresh Cream Soft Suede set. This immediately peaked my interest because I am such a big fan of Fresh Cream, the original . So of course, I order it with out really even thinking about it .

I was quite sure that I would have to return it because I would not like the scent at all. However, when I finally got it in the mail I was pleasantly surprised how much I actually enjoyed the fragrance. The first note that you get is a warm vanilla scent that then mellow out to a smoky bourbon, musk, leather cream and amber. It is defiantly a warm and cozy scent which would be prefect for the colder months .

I am super happy that I picked up this set from QVC and quite happy that I enjoy the scent as much as I do for never smelling it before I bought it. I can wait to wear Fresh Cream Soft Suede this fall and winter !!

Much Love,

Brynn

Food, Lifestyle

Strawberry Blueberry Shortcake

July 7, 2019July 7, 2019by Brynn King4 Comments

Happy July, everyone. I can not believe that it is July already. I feel like this year so far has gone by slow and fast at the same time. I find it so crazy the we are half way through 2019. Anyway, for today post, I thought that I would share with you a simple and festive dessert that you can that bring to party or a low key backyard BBQ . It’s a little twisted on the classic strawberry shortcake.

Ingredients

2 lbs of Strawberries
2 Cups of Blueberries
1/2 tablespoon of sugar

Whipped Cream Ingredients

1 cup of heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon of maple syrup
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Shortcake Ingredients

2 1/3 cups of Bisquick
3 tablespoons of sugar
3 tablespoons of melted butter
1/2 cup of milk

Directions

Clean and cut up the strawberries in bite size pieces. Place the cut strawberries and the blueberries into a medium size bowl . Add the 1/2 tablespoon of sugar. Set aside .
Make the shortcake.(I use the Bisquick recipe) In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients together. Divide mixture and bake for 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees. Then let cool.
While the shortcakes bake, make your whipped cream . Combine the cream, maple syrup, and vanilla extract together in a chilled mixing bowl. Whip together using a hand mixer until you have peaks the form.
Cut the shortcake in half . Place a spoonful of whipped cream on the bottom half of the shortcake. Then add lager spoonful of fruit on top of the cream. Place the top of shortcake on top of the fruit. Finish of the with drop of whipped cream, strawberry, blueberry and dusting of power sugar.
Enjoy!

Much Love,

Brynn

Beauty, Lifestyle

Five Minute Makeup Routine

June 19, 2019by Brynn King1 Comment

Honestly, most days I am lucky if I am able to walk out the door with my scrub pants on the right way round let alone have a full face of makeup on my face. Nevertheless, when I do have a little extra time to put on more than mascara, that is where my trusty five minutes makeup routine comes in to play.

To begin with, I use the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue all over my face either with my fingers or a Real Techniques sponge. This is great for evening out my skin tone while giving me some SPF 30. I then like to give my face a little bit of color by using some bronzer. The bronzer that I have been loving lately is the Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer.

Now, that my face is done I move on to my eyes. I like to take a fluffy shadow brush and dip into a matte shade to give a wash of color on my eyelid. I focus most of the color on my lid and then blend outwards from that point. My go-to colors are mainly warm browns but I have been using the Huda Beauty Mauve Obsessions for the last couple months.

My favorite shade from the palette is the chocolate/purple color with works really well with my skin tone. I like to at least apply one coat of mascara to finish off my eye look. For the daytime I like my eyelashes to look pretty natural and that is what the Marc Jacobs Noir Velvet mascara does to my eyelashes .

To finishes off my look, I will throw on my lip balm like the glossier Blamdotcom. This routine takes me no longer than five minutes to do but it just gives me that little bit more put together look when I walk out the door.

Do you have your quick makeup routine when you’re in a rush? Do you have a makeup product that you always put on ?

Much Love,

Brynn

Lifestyle

15 Motivational Quotes

June 12, 2019June 12, 2019by Brynn King2 Comments

Sometimes we all need a little reminder that we can achieve our dreams. I know that I need to keep reminding myself that I have to put 150% into my dreams if I want to make them become a relative. Quotes are one of my favorite ways to remind myself that I have got this and to just keep plugging along. Here are 15 quotes that I find Motivating:

Believe you can and you are half way there – T. Roosevelt

Always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that’s the one that is going to help you grow. – Caroline Myss

Sometimes the place you are used to is not the place you belong – From the film The Queen of Katwe

It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop.- Confucius

You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just the take the first step.-MLK

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.-Steve Jobs

The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.-Ayn Rand

Nothing works unless you do.-Maya Angelou

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.- Walt Disney

We generate fear while we sit.We overcome by Action.- Dr.Herny Link

All progress takes place outside the comfort zone.- Micheal John Bobak

Don’t watch the clock; do what it does.Keep going.- Sam Levenson

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.- Arthur Ashe

You don’t have to be great to start but you have to start to be great.-Zig Zagler

Start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart. – Ray T Bennett

What do you do to motivate yourself?

Much Love,

Brynn

Beauty, Lifestyle

My Current Skincare Routine

June 9, 2019June 9, 2019by Brynn KingLeave a Comment

*I get a commission for purchases or clicks made through links in this post

I have been wanting to share my skincare routine for a while but I wanted to make sure that I was pretty happy with it before I shared it. I have always been quite lucky with my skin and not having to worry about having crazy acne prone skin. For the longest time, I didn’t have a skincare routine that I consistently followed. Now, as I have moved more into my adult life I have noticed that my skin had changed quite a bit due to more stress in my life and requires more of a skincare routine.

To begin with, I like using the Philosophy Purity Cleaner to get rid of any of the dirt or oil that has built up overnight. I like to put a pump of Purity on my Clarisonic, wet my face and let the Clarisonic do its job. The Purity cleanser leaves my skin feeling super clean without leaving it with any of the tightness that you can get from some other cleanser.

As of late, my skin has been a little drier than normal that I have been using the Pacifica Coconut Essence Hydro Mist to give my skin a little shot of hydration. After I let that soak into my skin I like to hit with some more hydration with a moisturizer. As of lately, I have really been enjoying the Philosophy Purity Moisturizer it is super lightweight but lets my skin feeling hydrated all day long without feeling super greasy.

To finishes off my routine, I use an eye cream that helps with the really bad undereye circles that I got from my momma. (LOVE YOU MOM) You got to love genes. However, I have been using the Sunday Riley Auto Correct which I have honestly have seen a true difference in my undereye circles. All in all, I am really enjoying my skincare routine and my skin has been responded supremely well. My skin is looking the best it has looked in a long time.

Much Love,

Brynn