Sunday, October 31, 2010

Vintage Sale


Modish Vintage shop-runner and friend of The SoHo, Evelyn, wanted you all to know about her Etsy shop's three-day sale. This Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, if you buy one item, you'll get the second for half off. Pretty sweet deal and she has some pretty sweet finds! I'll be looking for some items to fill up my new apartment.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Pumpkin Cookies


After living in hotel rooms for a couple weeks and relying on takeout while unpacking, it felt so good to get back in the kitchen. I've been coming across pumpkin recipes almost every day that I'm eager to try. These pumpkin cookies with brown butter icing were first of the list. The cookies are moist and delicious on their own, and the brown butter icing makes them over-the-top decadent.

Have a great weekend and a Happy Halloween!


Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Butter Icing
Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart

For the cookies
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 1/4 cups packed light-brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups canned solid-pack pumpkin (14 ounces)
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the icing
4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon evaporated milk,
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract


Make cookies: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a medium bowl; set aside. Put butter and brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in eggs. Reduce speed to low. Add pumpkin, evaporated milk, and vanilla; mix until well blended, about 2 minutes. Add flour mixture; mix until combined.

Transfer 1 1/2 cups batter to a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch plain tip (such as Ateco #806). Pipe 1 1/2-inch rounds onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. (I used an ice cream scoop to achieve uniform cookies and they turned out just fine.) Bake cookies, rotating sheets halfway through, until tops spring back, about 12 minutes. Cool on sheets on wire racks 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire racks; let cool completely.

Make icing: Put confectioners' sugar in a large bowl; set aside. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, swirling pan occasionally, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Immediately add butter to confectioners' sugar, scraping any browned bits from sides and bottom of pan. Add evaporated milk and vanilla; stir until smooth. Spread about 1 teaspoon icing onto each cookie. If icing stiffens, stir in more evaporated milk, a little at a time. Makes about 6 dozen. Cookies can be stored in single layers in airtight containers at room temperature up to 3 days.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Farmers' Market in Fall

 
Despite the crowds (that goes without saying in New York), the Union Square Greenmarket is one of my favorite spots, and I think it's doubly awesome in the fall. Something about hot apple cider and pumpkins set my heart aflutter. I'll be returning this weekend to pick up some more of my new favorite sweet tooth fix: maple cotton candy. Mmmm.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A Purse in the Hand

 
Just spotted this adorable shop on Etsy. The purses and the nail polish are equally appealing.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

In the Details


I promise I'll recap the cross-country drive soon, but right now furnishing my new apartment is all-consuming. There are still a few big purchases that need to be made like a dining table, a bed frame and a couple more rugs, but I'm finding myself more focused on the little things. It just seems easier to make those decisions.

[key hanger, clock; blankets; globe; cook sign]

Monday, October 25, 2010

Birthday Eats


The parents left yesterday, and we're back to normal life. As usual, we had a wonderful visit filled with amazing food. There was a trip to Shake Shack, a visually stunning dinner at Morimoto, lunch at my new favorite spot in Long Island City, and my personal favorite, a perfect birthday meal prepared by my dad, which included stuffed squashed, shrimp curry, pumpkin ravioli, venison with huckleberries, and one massive birthday cake from Magnolia Bakery, which I'm currently enjoying for breakfast. Thanks to everyone for the birthday wishes!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Birthday Plans


Today I'm 27 and life is pretty great. The day's activities will include food trucks, Central Park, sporting new boots, ice cream, sushi and quality time with my favorites.

[photo courtesy of: butaho]

Thursday, October 21, 2010

It's Good to Be Back


Well, the husband and I made it cross-country and we're in NYC! It's good to be back -- back to the city and back to blogging. I've missed you! A huge thanks to all my guest posters! You ladies are the best.

My parents are in town helping us get settled, assembling furniture, taking us out for yummy meals, and cramming a Seattle apartment's worth of items into a more modest New York City apartment. Why are moms so good at unpacking?

On top of all that, tomorrow is my birthday. I've almost been too busy to notice, but I'm excited for a weekend spent with family and friends in my new home.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Guest Post: I Heart New York's West Village

As soon as I learned Amy was a Georgia girl living in New York City, she won me over. Her blog Old Sweet Song is funny and honest and completely charming. She recently moved to the West Village, a neighborhood that holds a special place in my heart as I spent my college years in the area.

PS - I'll be back tomorrow!
***

Why do I love the West Village? Let me count the ways...

...quaint hidden streets full of charm...



...stumbling upon stunning details...



...Christopher Street Pier at Hudson River Park (one of, if not my absolute favorite spot in the city. love being by the water)...



...the best places to eat and drink in the whole world. Right around the corner from me...


To name a few: Grey Dog Coffee, 8th Street Wine Cellar, Cabrito, Joe's Pizza, The Original Sandwich Shoppe, Jack's Coffee, Daddy-O

...constant celeb sightings (nerd alert) Recently...


...and lastly (which is good for this newly single gal) there is romance around every corner.



[photos courtesy of: briansotherphotopage1987porsche944catchesthelightzzombiekitty; sionfullanakevinbnyc sionfullanaeudaimon ]

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Guest Post: I Heart Portland

I wish I'd shot down to Portland before I left Seattle to meet up with Lauren of the little things we do... I love her musings on marriage, travel, fashion and her city, and I'm pretty sure we could be real-life friends.
***

My name is Lauren and I love Portland.

I've lived here for the majority of my life and cannot imagine living anywhere else.
Here are some reasons why:

1.  The people. 
 People here are wonderful, creative, unique and just plain nice. 

2.  The pets.
People love their pets here.  There are so many pet friendly places and even restaurants that encourage people bringing their pets.  It's so fun!
3.  The food.  
The food here is beyond words - we are so spoiled!  Portland is a place where creativity and innovation are prized and because of this we have a lot of wonderful up-and-coming culinary talent that comes at incredibly reasonable prices.  If you're ever in town you must try the food carts - a great place for newbies to get their start and for foodies to sample delicious cuisine on a dime!
 3.  The drinks.
We have amazing coffee, amazing microbrews and amazing wine and cocktails!
4.  The size.
Portland is just big enough of a city to keep you from going stir crazy, but still small enough that you run into people you know all the time.  Sometimes it seems like everyone is connected.  We have really great communities here. 
5.  The weather.
It really doesn't rain all the time here and when it does it's usually pretty brief.  It's hot in the summer, snows only once or twice in winter (just perfect as far as I'm concerned) and is gorgeous in fall and spring.  What more could you ask for?  This was how pretty is looked on my drive into work the other day (I wasn't the driver).
6.  The proximity.
Portland is about an hour-and-a-half from both the ocean and the mountains.  You want to move here now, right?

There are even more reasons why I love Portland, but these are the big ones :).
Feel free to e-mail me if you're even in town and need any suggestions!
xo
{Lauren}