Chic Chick.

While a student attending The George Washington University just a few years back,  every once in a while on a Saturday morning Nikki Rappaport would get up early and head to Georgetown Cupcake to pick up a fresh batch, and return to her apartment to the delight of her two roommates.  The unofficially appointed house mom savored the role, and a breakfast tradition and a whole lot more was born.

So with the holiday season at it's peak and 2013 less than a week away, we're delighted to talk with Nikki about the food she cooks, bakes, loves, takes pictures of,  tweets about, and inspires her on a daily basis.

Andy:  The little story described in the introduction above is what inspired the name of your always tasty blog http://cupcakesforbreakfast.com, among other things.  Can you tell us about some of those other things?

Nikki:  I did go to school for journalism so I love to write.  As a Senior at GW, we had to create a website for our big project, and the cupcake story and a delicious batch of brownies I made while I was the "housemom" turned into the first few of many memoirs for what is now cupcakesforbreakfast.com.  In addition to picking up cupcakes and dining at my favorite restaurants in DC on a regular basis, I love cooking at home for family and friends.  Those are probably the biggest inspirations behind what I blog, tweet, and pin about.

Andy:  I'm totally blown away by the photo's I see daily on all of your social platforms.  You have no idea how you've influenced my eating habits.   I mean I've seen the food "porn" out there, but your photo's seem to be highly stylized and much more appetizing and inviting.  What's your secret?

Nikki:  I suppose there's really no secret to it other than using instagram filters effectively.  The photo's aren't staged at all.  I like the randomness of taking pictures of life right now, as it happens.... what I'm baking, an outfit I'm wearing that day, or a meal I'm having at one of my favorite restaurants.

Andy: In that case, I'm just going to say it's your passion filtering through.  And speaking of your favorite restaurants, do you get recognized as the local food critic when you're out dining?

Nikki:  I think the recognition I do receive has more to do with me tweeting where I'm dining on any given day.  For example, I find I'll receive an extra level of service, and get greeted by name at many restaurants when I let my followers know where I'm going.

Chick Magnet.

Andy:  I couldn't help but notice a photo you posted recently of what you were wearing one day.  It happened to be a Retro Brand Memphis Chicks baseball tee.  Are you a big baseball fan?

Nikki:  I grew up in New Jersey so I'm a big Yankees fan, but my Grandfather actually played professional baseball for the Memphis Chicks from 1949-1955.  Prior to that he played overseas in Japan while serving in WWII.  After the Chicks, he made the leap to the Major Leagues and played for the Chicago White Sox.  I was so proud to be able to wear the Chicks shirt for my Grandpa's 90th birthday party back in October.  Everyone wanted to know where I got this cool shirt!

Andy:  That is SO cool.  I do hope you told them where they could find it!  Other than finding a pretty cool shirt for the team your Grandpa played for, is there anything else about Retro Brand you find appetizing?

Nikki:  My favorite thing is the super softness - the shirts aren't stiff.  They feel like the shirt you always had if you know what I mean?

Andy:  I'm addicted to Retro Brand shirts like your addicted to cupcakes, so I know exactly what you mean. 

Nikki also writes about style, design, family, and a whole lot more on her blog.  I highly recommend you check it out and follow her on Twitter & Pinterest.  I also highly recommend a good gym membership and after visiting her social sites, you'll see why.

If you're a Retro Brand fan and want to be featured for an interview, please forward a picture of yourself wearing Retro Brand gear, and a brief description of why you think your story would make for an interesting post to ahyman@originalretrobrand.com  If we like what we see, you may be contacted for an interview.  We’ll even send you a free Retro Brand T-Shirt if we decide to post your story!

Love these little buttery angeletti cookies! (From nikkirap Instagram)

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