Hi! Well, I'm a 28 year old New Yorker who went to F.I.T. (the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC) for Fashion Design/Illustration.

I've been drawing/painting ever since I was able, before I can even remember. So basically, I'm a freelance graphic designer who loves fashion and also does some webdesign as well. I've been with my boyfriend for over 6 years and I have a black cat named Arwyn and a Labrador Retriever/Staffordshire Bull Terrier/English Coonhound mix named Indy, both of whom I treat like children.

How long have you been a Daring Baker/Daring Cook and what’s your favorite thing about being in the group(s) so far?

I joined in May of 2008 as far as I can remember. I love this group because it pushes me to make new things that I'd never think to make on my own. Like the Opera Cake? Oh, that was just amazing. And I never would've made it without the Daring Baker's!

What’s your favorite kitchen gadget? How about your favorite kitchen appliance?

My pink KitchenAid Artisan mixer. I just adore it. It's almost unhealthy how much I adore it.

Are you known for making a certain dish or dessert? If so, what is it?

Well my family loves my basic Italian foods; lasagna, stuffed shells, baked ziti. They also request my homemade pizza and macaroni and cheese all the time too.

What is the ultimate comfort food to you?

Oh macaroni and cheese, definitely. It's so homey and cozy to me.

Which season (Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall) is your favorite.. why?

Fall. This goes back to my fashion interest- I've always thought the fall fashion lines were the best. Also, my favorite holiday (Halloween) is in the fall. And... fall foods are so good. Nothing better than warm, yummy, comfort food. it's the eating equivalent of a big thick wool sweater and jeans

Other than cooking and/or baking.. what hobbies do you enjoy?

Well art is a huge part of my life. I haven't had much time for it lately, but I love painting (watercolor is my medium of choice) and digital art (I use Adobe Illustrator). I also love reading and devour books. I like to sew and be crafty too when I can.

How long have you been blogging? Do you like it? What’s your favorite post you’ve written?

I've been blogging, in one way or another, since about 2001. I've had a few different domains over the years... but I stopped using my sites as "blogs" in 2003/2004. I made them online portfolios for my artwork, and then basically forgot about them. I never thought of doing a food related blog until I found myself with a lot of time on my hands to cook and bake and found myself wanting to share my creations. I posted them on MySpace starting in September of 2007 and when people got interested I opened up a wordpress.com blog. It became sorta popular, so as a gift my boyfriend Jay bought me cupcakerehab.com in March of 2008. The rest, as they say, is history!

What’s your favorite flower and/or plant?

I'm partial to lilies. But I love roses & orchids too.

Do you have a favorite local restaurant? If so, why is it your favorite and what kind of food is served there?

I am a big fan of Angelo's in Little Italy, NY. It's been around since 1903 or something, and the food is fantastic. I also love any pub-type place where you can get a Guinness or Harp with your meal.

Who taught you how to cook and/or bake?

My mom. My mom was always baking when I was a kid, and she taught me everything I know.

What’s your favorite holiday and why?

Halloween, because it's magical to me. I'm into the whole scary stuff scene- vampires, zombies, etc. I just love the entire premise of the holiday. I'm very into the Universal Classic horror movies; Dracula, Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein. I actually went as the Bride Of Frankenstein one year, I was about 14, and I won Best Costume at my school's Halloween dance. I won a jack-o-lantern candy dish that has eyes that light up and laughs in a spooky way when you go to take a piece of candy, haha. I love the decorations, the costumes, everything.

What is your favorite cooking/food related magazine? Why?

It's a tie between Bon Appetit and Gourmet. I lean a bit towards Bon Appetit though. I find their recipes are more accessible and more "up my alley" so to speak.

What kind of colors do you like? Pastels? Earth tones? Brights? Neons? Etc.

My favorite color (and I know it's not technically a "color") is black. I wear black almost every single day, and have for years now. I just find it's more flattering and goes with everything.

The Martha – Angel of Domestication or Minion of Evil? Why?

Angel of Domestication! Her holiday magazines are my go-to decoration guide. I want to be Martha's best friend.

You can visit Marilla on her blog Cupcake Rehab