The SoHo

Spread the Love

2012-02-03T06:51:00.000-05:00

I gave away a lot of this winter white honey from Savannah Bee Company for Christmas, but I managed to hold on to one bottle for myself. It's spreadable like butter but just pure honey goodness. Lately, I like it on toast with smashed raspberries for breakfast or an afternoon snack. I think that beautiful bottle would make a nice Valentine's Day gift too.

Forever Flowers

2012-02-02T06:41:00.000-05:00

Flowers that don't wilt or die. It's like magic! Who would ever guess they're all made of paper?

[spotted here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Pretzels Please

2012-02-01T06:50:00.000-05:00

I don't care much about football, but I do enjoy the food associated with the Big Game, so I decided to try my hand at soft pretzels and see if they were Bowl-worthy. They were a little tedious, but very delicious and worth the effort for a special occasion. I used Alton Brown's recipe to ensure scientific pretzel perfection. The dough comes together quickly and doubles in size after you let it rise for an hour. You get to make that fun shape for which Youtube videos proved especially helpful. Slipping the raw dough into boiling water and getting it out while maintaining a cute pretzel-y shape was the toughest part. After that, they bake for about 15 minutes, and you have 8 pretzels -- soft, chewy and perfectly salty. Pair with a beer and mustard for dipping. Game on!

Igloo Glow

2012-01-31T06:44:00.001-05:00

If you're ever in Finland, you can book a stay in one of the glass igloos at the Hotel Kakslauttanen, which are perfect for viewing the northern lights during winter. The igloos are built with special thermal glass that doesn't get fogged up and keeps you warm. Can you imagine lying in bed and looking up at that sky? I wonder if they'll bring you room service.

[spotted on: enpundit; photos courtesy of: Hotel Kakslauttanen]

Weekend in Photos

2012-01-30T06:56:00.001-05:00

The weekend was filled with a list of to-dos or more accurately to-eats. Jonah and I finally made it to Pok Pok. The Portland restaurant, beloved for their fish sauce chicken wings, recently opened up a spot here in New York. The place is tiny and was packed, so we enjoyed their fantastic wings, coconut rice and pomegranate drinking vinegar on a bench outside. Shivering in the cold, fingers covered in sticky sweetness, but totally worth it. We saw The Artist, which was completely delightful, with some friends and enjoyed refreshments afterward at Brooklyn Winery, and on Sunday, I tried my hand at pretzel-making, an involved, but decidedly rewarding process. How was your weekend?

Thoughts of the Week

2012-01-27T06:55:00.000-05:00

How to make your own diamond necklace.

I wish my kitchen was filled with this kind of cuteness.

Poland was just added to the must-see list.

Baked hot chocolate...say whaaaat?

There's something magical about the first snowfall of winter.

Poppies!

Wearing dad's glasses can be both sentimental and stylish.

Portlandia gets me every time.

The dead of winter calls for lemon and mint.

Also, I finally made a Facebook page for The SoHo. Would you do me the honor of liking it? I'll love you forever. Happy Friday, friends!

Lovely in Lace

2012-01-26T06:53:00.000-05:00

I think black lace and wintertime go together so nicely. It's chic and romantic but still looks season-appropriate, and I love the idea of pairing a black lace dress with a brightly-colored suede shoe.

[spotted here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Best Thing I'd Never Heard Of

2012-01-25T06:48:00.002-05:00

My one venture out of the hotel and into Salt Lake City last week was a food tour led by Lindsey of Cafe Johnsonia. The first stop was a fantastic bakery called Les Madeleines, and we tasted their specialty, kouing aman. I'd never heard of kouing aman and had no idea how to pronounce it, but man, I'm glad I was introduced. It's a traditional pastry from the Brittany region of France, and it's kind of like an amped-up croissant, crunchy and caramelized on the outside with a sort of a gooey sweetness happening in the center and lots of buttery, flaky layers throughout. Hungry yet? I ate one on the spot, brought two home and wished I had more when they were gone. Everything else in the bakery looked delicious, but these were worth the trip.

Bright Idea

2012-01-24T06:50:00.002-05:00

I recently came across a Nashville-based Etsy shop called Southern Lights. They produce beautiful vintage-style lighting, and you can even work with them to design your own. Maybe it's time to get my lamps somewhere other than Target.

Lessons Learned at Alt Summit

2012-01-23T06:54:00.000-05:00

me, Old Sweet Song, The Lil Bee and You Are My Fave hit up the Smilebooth

I spent the last few days at the inspiring and overwhelming Alt Summit in Salt Lake City. After a canceled flight left me stranded in Detroit on Wednesday night, my arrival to Salt Lake was all the more anticipated. The conference is held at the beautiful and enormous Grand America Hotel. So much information, so many awesome parties and so many talented, sweet and funny people all in one place. I spent most of my time taking notes, collecting business cards, trying to dress cute and eating a whole lot of chocolate. Here are my takeaways:

1. Be yourself. It's about the blogger, not the blog.

2. You can never have too much sparkle or too many photo booths.

3. There's always more you can do, so don't be discouraged. Just make a list and start checking things off (with the new pencils and notepads from your Alt gift box).

Off to Alt

2012-01-18T06:04:00.000-05:00

I'm heading to Salt Lake City today to attend Altitude Design Summit for a few days of all things blog. I'm packed, a lot of stripes and sequins are involved, and very excited. You'll hear all about it on Monday. Until then, friends!

Ladder Leanings

2012-01-17T06:54:00.000-05:00

I really hate standing on ladders, which is all the more reason to fill them with books or hang them from the ceiling. "Oh, sorry. I can't reach that top shelf, and my ladder is busy being awesome." Problem solved.

[spotted here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]

Weekend in Photos

2012-01-16T07:01:00.001-05:00

It was one of those weekends all about food. It seemed like our first real blast of winter in NYC, so casual, comforting meals were the perfect reward for the icy gusts of wind to the face every time you stepped foot outside. Friday night, Jonah and I had dinner with friends at Tipsy Parson, which involved pimento cheese, grits and hush puppies. On Saturday, we wandered around downtown Manhattan, stopping at Parm for calamari and chicken parm sandwiches and La Churreria for churros dipped in thick chocolate sauce and espresso poured over condensed milk. Sunday was a little more cozy, homemade pizza and chocolate chip cookies to go along with the Golden Globes.

This Little Blog...

2012-01-13T06:51:00.001-05:00

(1. You. 2. Are awesome. 3. Rock 'n' roll yeah! 4. Thanks!)

is four years old today! I can hardly believe it. When I started The SoHo, I didn't really know what I was doing, but this little blog has become my favorite hobby, my creative outlet and my happy place. Thank you for your visits, your comments, your tweets, your emails and your kindness. You keep me coming back!

On that note, I'm heading to Alt Summit next week! Anybody else gonna be there? I'd love to meet up and become real-life friends. Have a wonderful weekend, you lovely things, you!

Slide and Seek

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

I spotted this slide light recently and was immediately drawn to it. I have all these warm, fuzzy feelings tied up in slides thanks to my parents' collection. There's something so sweet and quaint about those tiny little photos, their saturated colors and a bright white light behind them. Nostalgia and art all in one. It reminds me of this Mad Men episode.

[photo courtesy of: le blog deco]

Melt in Your Milk

2012-01-11T06:52:00.001-05:00

I got The Ticket Kitchen's hot chocolate on a stick for Christmas, the vanilla mint flavor to be exact, so yesterday, I heated up some milk, sat on the couch and stirred. The result was rich and creamy, but not overly thick or sweet with just the right hint of mint. Definitely an indulgence, but one that deserves revisiting.

Everyday Adornment

2012-01-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

I'm always on the hunt for simple necklaces since I wear one pretty much every day. ShuFly Jewerly has some contenders that may belong in the rotation.

Weekend in Photos

2012-01-09T06:39:00.002-05:00

I'm battling the tail-end of a cold, so it was one of those weekends spent at home with tasks like cleaning out the bathroom cabinets and re-sewing buttons. Exciting stuff. This made brunch at Diner in Brooklyn an obvious but worthy highlight. They had me at apple cider doughnuts. How was your weekend?

Calling All Brides-to-Be

2012-01-06T14:14:00.001-05:00

Are you getting married? Do you know someone getting married? My dear friends at Reams Photo, who do beautiful work, are hosting Inspired by Love, a contest for engaged couples. The prize? They will photograph your wedding for free! It's all very exciting, and Pinterest is involved. Read all about it here and spread the word! And Happy Friday!

Chocolate for Christmas

2012-01-06T07:04:00.006-05:00

For me, Christmas and chocolate go hand in hand. As a kid, I'd get a big box of Godiva chocolates and enjoy them over the course of a year. They had to last until the next Christmas when, sure enough, Santa would bring me another box of Godiva. Playmobil and chocolate truffles, I could always count on getting both. This Christmas, my mother-in-law gave me an extra special treat from Fran's Chocolates, an enormous Calimyrna fig filled with dark chocolate ganache and dipped in chocolate. Over-the-top perfect!

Make Your Case

2012-01-05T06:55:00.000-05:00

Vintage suitcases are pretty great on their own, but they're even better when reinvented and put to use.

[spotted here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

The World is Your Oyster

2012-01-04T06:59:00.003-05:00

I fell head over heels for a restaurant when we were back in Seattle. It's a cozy oyster bar tucked away in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood called The Walrus and the Carpenter. It's named after the Lewis Carroll poem, just one more thing to love about it. They serve simple, delicious small plates, great drinks and, of course, oysters. The Walrus is fairly small and they don't take reservations, so it took a while to get in, but was definitely worth the wait. We shared three varieties of oysters (although they had a lot more to choose from), fried Brussels sprouts, grilled sardines, speck served with ricotta and preserved pumpkin, and cheese with local honey. Everything tasted fantastic and the low-key atmosphere and quaint decor were welcoming on a cold, rainy night.

One Big Bun

2012-01-03T06:56:00.001-05:00

Before my cross-country flight to Seattle, I thought it would be nice to put my hair up since it always ends up flat and frizzy after a long flight. Thankfully, all the bobby pins didn't set off the metal detector at the airport, and the bun held up so nicely that I'm eager to take this style to the streets. It takes a little time but was easy to do, even for this hairstyle-incompetent girl. Here's the secret, would you believe that beneath that pile of hair there's a rolled up sock? Here's how you do it.

[spotted on: design crush]

Week in Photos: Seattle and Back Again

2012-01-02T08:01:00.004-05:00

After Christmas, the husband and I spent a long, relaxing week in Seattle. We took a ferry ride to Port Townsend with his parents, caught up with old friends and enjoyed some of our Seattle favorites -- Top Pot Doughnuts, Trophy Cupcakes and a movie theater we love, which now sells chocolate popcorn. There was even time to discover some new favorites -- a chicken dinner at Spring Hill, yummy soft pretzels and hard cider at Brave Horse Tavern and a restaurant that was pretty close to perfect. All that and we made it back home in time to eat Hoppin' John on New Year's Day.

Year in Photos

2011-12-30T13:51:00.002-05:00

I spent a little time this morning reflecting on how I spent 2011. From the looks of this blog, the answer seems to be eating, more specifically, eating brunch. I also found time to re-embrace New York and all of its seasons, I made my first souffle, ate a lot of donuts, played bridesmaid in two beautiful weddings, got a dulcimer, visited Maine, Seattle, Houston, Portland, Savannah, the Hudson Valley and D.C., threw a bridal shower and a blogger party, faced an earthquake, approaching hurricane and a Halloween snowstorm, and went back in time for a day at the Jazz Age Lawn Party. 2011 was really a beautiful, joyful year filled with all the little things that make life so fun, just like French toast and mimosas.

Christmas in Seattle

2011-12-28T12:00:00.001-05:00

I'd forgotten how gray and wet Seattle winters can be, which makes the time by the fire, twinkling lights, yummy food and warm laughter of family all the more important. I hope your holidays were just as merry and bright.

Merry Merry, Happy Happy

2011-12-23T06:59:00.000-05:00

I'm heading to Seattle tomorrow to spend Christmas and all of next week with Jonah's family! I'll be making myself scarce but am hoping to squeeze in a couple posts before 2012. I hope you all have wonderful holidays, and that peace, joy, love and hope surround you and overflow into the new year.

Mull it Over

2011-12-22T07:04:00.007-05:00

This mulled wine may just be my new favorite holiday drink. It's flavorful, comforting and so easy to make. Plus, it's your one chance to drink wine out of a mug and still be considered classy.

Mulled Wine
Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten and the Food Network

4 cups apple cider
1 (750-ml) bottle red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
1/4 cup honey
2 cinnamon sticks
1 orange, zested and juiced
4 whole cloves
3 star anise
4 oranges, peeled, for garnish

Bundle the spices together in a cheesecloth sachet before adding or you can strain the finished wine with a sieve before pouring into mugs. Combine the cider, wine, honey, cinnamon sticks, zest, juice, cloves and star anise in a large pot, and simmer over low heat for at least 20 minutes. Add an orange peel or cinnamon stick to each mug and enjoy.

Sweater Weather

2011-12-21T07:02:00.005-05:00

If I were celebrating a 70-degree Christmas in Savannah, I think one of these ugly sweater tees from Vardagen would be just right. But this year, I'll be in Seattle where actual sweaters are necessary.

City Sidewalks

2011-12-20T06:57:00.003-05:00

I love New York during the holidays. The sidewalks are more crowded than usual, and people always seem to be in my way, but it's easy to understand why. There's so much to look at, Christmas trees, store windows, more twinkling lights than usual. I've been snapping pictures with my phone pretty much every time I step outside, and likely, getting in someone's way while I do it. Just don't tell anyone I'm not a tourist.

Weekend in Photos

2011-12-19T06:35:00.003-05:00

The highlight of the weekend was a little holiday gathering Jonah and I hosted at our apartment. I've done the shopping and the decorating and the baking, but it doesn't really feel like Christmas until I'm eating and drinking with people I love.

I kept it pretty low-key with snacky foods, nothing that had to be kept warm, perfect for grazing all night, mini roast beef sandwiches with horseradish sauce, bacon-wrapped water chestnuts, cheese and crackers, hummus, and for dessert, sugared pecan cookies, chocolate bark and peppermint brownies. We had the Christmas music going, mulled wine on the stove, the yule log burning on the TV, my friend Liz wore an awesomely bad sweater, and we ended the night listening to a classic Christmas tale from David Sedaris. It was a pretty perfect evening.

Gingerbread Townhouse

2011-12-16T07:01:00.001-05:00

I've never possessed the patience or engineering skills for building gingerbread houses, but if I were to pay someone to make me a gingerbread house, I would want it to look like this. Amazing.

[courtesy of: not without salt]

Festive Felt

2011-12-15T07:03:00.007-05:00

Last year, I fell for felt ball garlands while making this multicolored one for the windowsill. This year, I decided to go for the whole tree. All you need is some heavy thread, a large needle, a thimble and lots of felt balls, which I purchased here. You can tie a knot on both sides of each ball to ensure they stay in place, but if the thread is thick enough, they'll pretty much stay put on their own. I spaced them an inch or so apart, and it took about 160 felt balls to make it down and around a six-foot tree.

Silver and Gold

2011-12-14T06:39:00.005-05:00

This should be enough gold, silver and sparkle to carry you through New Year's. I like to twinkle like a Christmas tree this time of year.

[pumps; dress; cardigan; bracelet; necklace; skirt; flats; belt; earrings; scarf; dress; top]

Reading Engagement

2011-12-13T06:53:00.000-05:00

My beautiful friend Ashley and her fiancé Darren recently had their engagement photos taken. Not only do I love her dress, but the use of so many other good things: blankets, books, frames and California sunshine.

[photos courtesy of: Rachel Artime Photography]

Weekend in Photos

2011-12-12T07:02:00.002-05:00

On Saturday, we headed to one of our favorite brunch spots, Little Giant, for a yummy egg sandwich and eggs benedict with pork belly (possibly Jonah's favorite food ever). I could have stayed there all day and been happy, but we ventured out into the cold for a little Christmas shopping. We kept finding ourselves amongst dozens of people in Santa suits since it was SantaCon. That was followed by an impromptu dinner at our friends' apartment and a prolonged Boggle game. On Sunday, I did some more Christmas shopping online, made a batch of my favorite cider and worked on a felt ball garland for the tree. How was your weekend?

Thoughts of the Week

2011-12-09T07:11:00.004-05:00

There's just something special about vintage ornaments.

I think it's time to poach my first pear.

I want a pickup truck just so I can plant vegetables in it.

Speaking of trucks, these vintage toy cars are the cutest.

Waffle House suddenly seems like a magical place.

Everything is better with sparkle.

New and exciting uses for cranberries.

Counting, great literature and pretty illustrations all in one book.

Croissant taste test, anyone?

This could be the perfect lay-on-the-couch-all-day sweater.

Happy Friday! I hope you have a lovely, cozy weekend. Hot chocolate is definitely in order!

Gifts for the Guys Under $50

2011-12-08T06:48:00.002-05:00

a slingshot for his inner troublemaker, $21

spiked maple syrup, $30

a ticket stub diary, $10

a cool tool, $23

a vintage bowling pin because he loves The Big Lebowski, $14

a book about his favorite food group, $35

a vintage lapel pin for his preppy side, $3

a manly sachet, $10

Dylan-inspired artwork, $45

drinking glasses, $38

Tim Burton playing cards, $5

a sleepy time tee, $14

a scratch-off map to catalog his world travels, $16.49

When it comes to guys, most gifts fall into two categories: man-child or modern gentleman. Personally, I think it's important to have a little of both. Happy shopping!

Apple Cider Doughnuts: Conquered and Devoured

2011-12-07T06:58:00.010-05:00

Something about apple cider doughnuts makes me incredibly happy. Maybe because they're a food rarity to me. I never had one until I was an adult, I've only come across them in places where corn mazes or the Amish reside, and they are fleeting, appearing in the fall and vanishing for the rest of the year. All that to say, I think apple cider doughnuts are something special.

I'd been planning to make my own for a few months now and finally got to it, just before I give into the peppermint and panettone whirlwind that is holiday baking. Hearth, one of my favorite restaurants in New York makes these deliciously, of course only for part of the year. Thankfully, their pastry chef shared the recipe with The Washington Post back in 2004 and Smitten Kitchen led me to it. I was intimidated at the thought of all the steps and all the oil involved, but these came together faster than I imagined and were so worth it.

Apple Cider Doughnuts
Recipe courtesy of Lauren Dawson of Hearth and The Washington Post

For the doughnuts:
1 cup apple cider
3 1/2 cups flour, plus additional for the work surface
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk (low-fat or nonfat work fine)
Vegetable oil for frying

For the glaze:
1 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons apple cider

(Optional) For cinnamon-sugar mixture:
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

For the doughnuts: In a saucepan over medium or medium-low heat, gently reduce the apple cider to about 1/4 cup, 20 to 30 minutes. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Set aside. Using an electric mixer on medium speed (with the paddle attachment, if using a standing mixer) beat the butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, and continue to beat until the eggs are completely incorporated. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the reduced apple cider and the buttermilk, mixing just until combined. Add the flour mixture and continue to mix just until the dough comes together.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or wax paper and sprinkle them generously with flour. Turn the dough onto 1 of the sheets and sprinkle the top with flour. Flatten the dough with your hands until it is about 1/2 inch thick. Use more flour if the dough is still wet. Transfer the dough to the freezer until it is slightly hardened, about 20 minutes. Pull the dough out of the freezer. Using a 3-inch doughnut cutter, cut out doughnut shapes. Place the cut doughnuts and doughnut holes onto the second sheet pan. Refrigerate the doughnuts for 20 to 30 minutes. (You may re-roll the scraps of dough, refrigerate them briefly and cut additional doughnuts from the dough.)

Add enough oil to a deep-sided pan to measure a depth of about 3 inches. Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan and heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees. Have a plate lined with several paper towels ready.

For the glaze: While the cut doughnut shapes are in the refrigerator, make the glaze by whisking together the confectioners' sugar and the cider until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.

For cinnamon-sugar mixture: Combine cinnamon and sugar in small bowl. Set aside.

To fry and assemble: Carefully add a few doughnuts to the oil, being careful not to crowd the pan, and fry first side until golden brown, about 60 seconds. Turn the doughnuts over and fry until the other side is golden, 30 to 60 seconds. Drain on paper towels after the doughnuts are fried. Dip the top of the warm doughnuts into the glaze or cinnamon-sugar and serve immediately. Do the same with the doughnut holes, gently submerging in the oil as they fry, and roll them around in the glaze or cinnamon-sugar. I preferred using the glaze for the doughnuts and the cinnamon and sugar for the holes. Makes approximately 18 doughnuts.

Gifts for the Girls Under $50

2011-12-06T06:56:00.001-05:00

a bangle that's merry and bright, $45

a cute and clever print, $28

a French press to fancy up the morning routine, $39.95

a versatile necklace for work and play, $36

hot chocolate on a stick, $15

a cozy but chic knit cap, $40

ginger-scented bubble bath, $26.50

a vintage camera, $44

a pack of hair ties, $9.80

champagne set for 4, $49.95

You can find great gifts that are personal and unique and not blow your holiday budget. Here are my suggestions for the ladies in your life. Come back on Thursday for my gift guide for the fellas!

Weekend in Photos

2011-12-05T06:47:00.000-05:00

It was the first relaxing, nothing-important-to-do weekend in a while. On Saturday, I got up early and made apple cider doughnuts and ate too many over the course of the weekend. There was dinner and a movie on Saturday night and a Sunday brunch in our neighborhood at Café Henri. Throw in some twinkling lights and you've got a perfect weekend.

Pretty Presents

2011-12-02T06:55:00.000-05:00

Anthropologie is knocking me out with all the prettiness in their gift wrap supplies section. I may just wrap empty boxes and give those away since the packaging seems like a present in itself.

Cranberry Beans

2011-12-01T06:52:00.001-05:00

You ever just buy produce because it's pretty and don't really know what you're supposed to do with it? Well, that's what happened with these cranberry beans. It's not the first time I've done this. The dinosaur egg pluot springs to mind. They do lose their specialness once cooked, but they're tasty with a little basil, olive oil and lemon. Still, I'm thinking some cranberry bean-based craft that preserves their prettiness is in order.

Hot Chocolate Challenge

2011-11-30T06:38:00.000-05:00

I came across Travel and Leisure's list of the country's best hot chocolate the other day. I'm seriously disappointed in myself for only having tried two of the 30 on the list. This may require a nation-wide tasting tour. Do you have a favorite hot chocolate spot?

[photo courtesy of: the little nell]

Merrymaking: Christmas Cards

2011-11-29T06:52:00.001-05:00

I've never been consistent about sending out Christmas cards, but I keep thinking it's a tradition I should get behind. Who doesn't love getting things in the mail? So when the lovely people at Pinhole Press offered me the opportunity to make some cards, I jumped at the chance.

Pinhole Press has a great selection of holiday card templates and their site is really easy to use. I played with different layouts and photos for hours before finally deciding on the design above. I think it's sort of simple and cozy, don't you? I also ordered these return address labels for a little touch of New York Christmas sparkle. It's a photo I took leaving work a couple of weeks ago. I'm so excited to stick these in the mail!

Thanksgiving in Photos

2011-11-28T06:59:00.002-05:00

We enjoyed a perfect, laid-back Thanksgiving with my parents. My dad did a great job of preparing the turkey and all the fixins, and my mom and I each baked a pie. The rest of the weekend included walks through the city, a handful of fantastic meals out, turkey sandwiches and the all-important Christmas tree selection. How was your Thanksgiving?

Also, we have a winner for the Shabby Apple giveaway!

Turkey Day

2011-11-23T06:53:00.001-05:00

My parents arrived last night to spend Thanksgiving with us here in New York. I'll be basking in family time and lots of good eating for the next few days. I hope you all have equally enjoyable plans. Happy Thanksgiving! See you on Monday!

And enter the Shabby Apple giveaway if you haven't yet!

My Favorite Macarons

2011-11-22T07:08:00.000-05:00

A friend and I recently had an afternoon date a La Maison du Macaron. Brandi of not your average ordinary recommended the place to me a while back, and it quickly became one of my favorites. My biggest challenge is deciding on macarons based on either appearance or flavor. I usually do a little of both. Their creations are beautiful and delicious, and you can sit unbothered with a cup of tea and your color-filled plate. There are lots of macaron shops in New York City, but I'm partial to this one.

Weekend in Photos: Washington D.C.

2011-11-21T06:52:00.001-05:00

On Friday, we took the bus down to D.C. to see our friends Annie and Anthony for the weekend. It was a great visit with some of our favorite people, complete with delicious food (in particular, a fantastic meal at Founding Farmers), sightseeing and one gorgeous sunset. The weekend went by much too fast, but otherwise, it was perfect.

Friday Giveaway!

2011-11-18T06:52:00.008-05:00

Update: The winner of the giveaway is Heather of squirrel bread!

I'm thrilled to offer a giveaway from Shabby Apple, an online shop for women featuring beautiful and affordable dresses, skirts and more. The winner will receive the Francine, a versatile black skirt with a high waist and that adorable bow. For a chance to enter, just like Shabby Apple on Facebook (if you already do, just let me know) and leave a comment telling me where you would wear this skirt. Enter before midnight on Friday, November 25. The winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!

Seeing Red

2011-11-17T06:47:00.000-05:00

I just heard about this book called A Shade of Red by photographer and illustrator, Alyson Fox. It features 100 women in different stages of life, from different places, with nothing in common, except they've all been photographed in the same shade of lipstick, Revlon’s #740 Certainly Red. Such a cool idea! I might have to go pick up a tube since it seems to work on everyone.

Argyle Admired

2011-11-16T06:45:00.003-05:00

If you ask me to take my shoes off when I come to your house, you're gonna find me in argyle socks about 90 percent of the time. I just love them, despite any nerdy connotations.

[spotted here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Place to Stay: Hudson Merchant House

2011-11-15T06:49:00.008-05:00

What really made the trip to Hudson over-the-top enjoyable was our stay at the Hudson Merchant House. I spotted the boutique bed and breakfast on Jamie's blog a few months back and bookmarked it for our fall trip plans. The completely renovated 1700s home is cozy and warm, yet clean and modern. It houses beautiful furniture, charming vintage accents, stacks of lovely, old books and two accommodating hosts (and their sweet dog, Shelby).

My breakfasts there were delicious, a selection of fruit and pastries alongside things like freshly baked monkey bread, a goat cheese and asparagus tart, and zucchini bread French toast. On Saturday afternoon, we stopped in to drop off our haul from the farmers' market and were greeted at the door by a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies. That's the kind of stuff that makes you want to go back to a place over and over again.

Weekend in Photos: Hudson, NY

2011-11-14T06:55:00.002-05:00

Jonah and I spent the weekend in quaint, little Hudson, New York. It's a town in the Hudson Valley filled with tons of antique shops, great restaurants, and at this time of year, gorgeous fall leaves in every color. Just a two-hour train ride from New York City, it was the perfect weekend getaway. We had amazing meals at DABA, Swoon and Cafe Le Perche and spent all of Saturday looking in antique and vintage shops along Warren Street. We stayed at Hudson Merchant House, a bed and breakfast that was so lovely, it warrants its own attention tomorrow. Hope your weekends were equally restful!

Also, the winner of last week's giveaway is Marisa of Good Good! Congrats and thanks to everyone for entering and leaving me with all sorts of fall dessert ideas!

Thoughts of the Week

2011-11-11T07:06:00.011-05:00

I am really under-utilizing the scarf.

Snow is best appreciated when the sun is out.

I should stand in front of prettier things.

Remember elementary school Thanksgiving crafts? I miss those.

I have a case of nostalgia/wanderlust thanks to Rachel's Seattle guide.

Color-coordinated cards and gifts make birthdays better

My hands want to wear these mittens.

Let's all go on a Flannery O'Connor-inspired pilgrimage.

And pick wildflowers along the way.

The world's prettiest sorbet should be eaten from the world's prettiest glasses.

Happy Friday, friends! Enter this week's giveaway if you haven't yet. I'm headed to the Hudson Valley tonight for a little weekend getaway! What are your plans?

Cold Night Comfort: Ribollita

2011-11-10T06:59:00.000-05:00

This is a bowlful of comfort. At my dinner party last weekend, I made beef stew in the crock-pot for eight hours and this vegetarian option on the stove in about one. It's called ribollita, a Tuscan soup that contains beans, veggies and bread in all sorts of variations. It translates to "reboiled" in English because it comes from taking leftovers from the day before and serving them again. It's hearty and delicious, perfect comfort food on a chilly fall evening.

Ribollita
Recipe adapted from Barefoot Contessa, simplified and made vegetarian

2 15-ounce cans of cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
Kosher salt
1/4 cup good olive oil, plus extra for serving
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups chopped yellow onions (2 onions)
1 cup chopped carrots (3 carrots)
1 cup chopped celery (3 stalks)
3 tablespoons minced garlic (6 cloves)
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 28-ounce can Italian plum tomatoes in puree, chopped
4 cups coarsely chopped kale
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
6 cups vegetable stock
4 cups sourdough bread cubes, crusts removed
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, for serving

Heat the oil and butter in a large stockpot. Add the onions and cook over medium-low heat for 7 to 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Add the carrots, celery, garlic, 1 tablespoon of salt, the pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook over medium-low heat for 7 to 10 minutes, until the vegetables are beginning to get tender. Add the tomatoes with their puree, the kale, and basil and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for another 7 to 10 minutes.

Rinse and drain the beans. In a food processor, puree half of the beans (one 15-ounce can) with 1/2 a cup of water. Add the pureed beans to the pot, along with the remaining whole beans. Add 6 cups of vegetable stock and one cup of water to the soup and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes.

Add the bread cubes to the soup and simmer for 10 more minutes. Taste and season if necessary and serve hot in bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan and drizzle with olive oil.

Fox Hunting

2011-11-09T06:57:00.004-05:00

I've been working on bettering the collection of knick-knacks on display in my apartment. Out with the IKEA, in with the unique and vintage finds. I wanted a little white winter fox figurine (don't ask me why, I just have this thing for foxes), but I couldn't find one. So after ordering this little guy on Etsy, I just gave him a coat of white spray paint and voilà. He was pretty cute before, but I love the clean, simple look now.

Blogger Party Goodies and a Giveaway

2011-11-08T06:50:00.005-05:00

My main task for our blogger party was putting together the gift bags and gathering prizes for our best dessert winners. I was overwhelmed by the creativity and generosity of the small businesses and Etsy shops that sent items our way. A big thank you to Confectioner's Wine for supplying libations. Glassybaby donated three beautiful votives that went to our best dessert winner Laura of Smith & Ratfliff for her delicious pine nut anise pie. Our second place winner, Susan from House of Brinson, got a beautiful calendar from Pinecone Camp and a sweet, little necklace from elephantine for her soft, chewy gingerbread caramels.

All our guests received a gift bag which contained an adorable spool of washi tape from Le Box Boutique, cookies or praline mix from Edibelles, fruit preserves from quince & apple, a discount code from EmersonMade, decorative twine from The Twinery, a New York-themed notepad from Pinhole Press, bath salts and caramels from Solay Wellness, a Japanese paper-wrapped pencil from maoiliosa, a beautifully-packaged scented soap by Prunella, and a recipe card from Pinecone Camp.

Update: The winner is Marisa of Good Good!

Since I have an extra gift bag and want to include all you non-New Yorkers in on the fun, one of you will win all the goodies pictured below. I'm even throwing in some of Susan's caramels because they're amazing and because I need to get them out of my house. Just leave a comment telling me your favorite fall dessert before midnight on Saturday, November 12. Good luck!

Weekend in Photos

2011-11-07T06:40:00.004-05:00

It was a beautiful, busy weekend! On Friday night, Jonah and I had a dinner party. I served a pumpkin, pine nut and goat cheese salad, two stews and chocolate-hazelnut pudding, which turned out more like chocolate-hazelnut soup, but luckily, no one complained. Saturday was the highly anticipated, much orchestrated blogger party hosted by myself and Amy of Old Sweet Song. How cute is her apartment, by the way? It was a great time with fantastic desserts provided by New York City's best and brightest bloggers. On Sunday, I watched the New York City Marathon comfortably from the sidelines, apple cider muffin and latte in hand.

More on the blogger party tomorrow and a chance to win one of the awesome goody bags we gave away!

Sweet Treat: Pumpkin Doughnut

2011-11-04T06:57:00.003-04:00

Did y'all see the "Treat Yo Self" episode of Parks and Recreation a few weeks ago? It's what I say in my head now anytime I grab a midday latte or an after-work snack, then I sing this.

Anyway, this week that treat was a glazed pumpkin doughnut topped with crunchy spiced pumpkin seeds from Doughnut Plant. And as we all know, pumpkins and doughnuts are two of the world's greatest treasures.

Have a lovely weekend! I'm hosting a dinner party tonight and hanging out with some of my favorite NYC lady bloggers tomorrow! What are you up to?

Tweedle Dee

2011-11-03T06:58:00.002-04:00

I've been eyeing tweed ever since I saw Jamie's beautiful photos of the Tweed Run in New York. J.Crew has some pieces that seem worthy of my closet space.

Homemade Halloween Candy: Buckeyes

2011-11-02T06:54:00.009-04:00

Over the weekend, I had a craving for excessive amounts of chocolate and peanut butter, but instead of picking up a bag of Reese's, I decided to make my own treats. Buckeyes are completely nostalgic for me. When I was little, my mom used to make them at Christmastime, and I would help her out, namely by eating all the ugly ones. I couldn't keep my craving at bay until December and they seemed appropriate for Halloween, so I think I've started my own buckeye tradition.

I have to say, gear up before making these. The recipe makes a lot of buckeyes, and it's an involved process. I was really enjoying myself for about the first half. I had Elton John's Greatest Hits on, was loving every minute in the kitchen, and then, I hit a wall. A peanut butter ball-rolling, chocolate-dipping wall. But I powered through and finished the whole batch. Days later, I'm still snacking on buckeyes, so I'm glad I did.

Buckeyes
Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen and Baked Explorations

1 1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
1/4 cup (2 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
3 cups powdered sugar
10 tablespoons (1 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
12 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped

Make the filling: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and peanut butter together until combined. Add the sugar and butter, and mix on the lowest speed, then increase the speed until the ingredients are combined. Scrape down the whole bowl, then mix again. The mixture will be quite sturdy and a little dry, perfect for rolling into a ball. Set it aside while you prepare the coating.

Assemble the candies: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Scoop out filling, you can use a tablespoon or something smaller. I used a melon baller, which was probably about 2 teaspoons of the peanut butter mixture per buckeye. Roll into a ball with your hands. Place pan of buckeyes in freezer for about 10 minutes.

Make the coating: While they're in the freezer, melt the chocolate either over a double boiler, stirring until it is completely smooth or in a microwave in 30 then 10 second increments, stirring before you start it again until it is completely smooth. Let cool slightly.

Using a fork or skewer, dip each ball into the chocolate and roll it about so that almost the entire candy is covered, leaving a small circle on the top uncoated. This is the trickiest part. Play around and see what works best for you. I stuck a skewer in the side, angled the bowl of chocolate toward it and submerged as I rolled the candy around.

Chill the buckeyes in the freezer until they are set, about 20 minutes. Store in the fridge in a sealed container.

Fired Up

2011-11-01T06:53:00.003-04:00

This chilly weather in New York has me longing for a fireplace. Apparently, you need a big glamorous house to go along with it, so I'll take one of those too.

[spotted here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Weekend in Photos

2011-10-31T06:52:00.002-04:00

When there's a freak snowstorm on Halloween weekend, there are a couple of activities I recommend. First, spend the entire day inside making fall treats, then consume those treats while working on Halloween costumes. I roasted pumpkin seeds, made a batch of buckeyes (more on those later this week), and we perfected our Hunter S. Thompson à la Johnny Depp in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and dinosaur/dragon/ hallucination costumes. I still haven't decided what exactly I am, but I did learn a hoodie, green tights and and some yellow duct tape create Halloween magic. On Sunday, the sun returned, the snow melted and life was back to normal with a little more chocolate and peanut butter than usual. Happy Halloween!

Reworked Pumpkin Pie

2011-10-28T06:59:00.004-04:00

This icebox pumpkin mousse pie has all the appeal of regular pumpkin pie, but in a lighter, creamier form and with a chocolate crust. I had no idea chocolate and pumpkin went together so well! You probably need to make one this weekend, I mean it's Halloween colors and everything. Happy Friday!

PS - A special note to all you NYC bloggers, the fabulous Amy of Old Sweet Song and I are hosting a little fall blogger party next weekend. Shoot me an email, southernhostess[at]gmail.com, if you're interested and we'll send along the invitation. Space is limited since it's at Amy's apartment, so let me know as soon as possible.

Icebox Pumpkin Mousse Pie
Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart

Crust:
30 chocolate wafers, such as Nabisco's Famous
2 tablespoons brown sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling:
1 1/2 cups pure pumpkin puree (15-ounce can)
4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup cold heavy cream

Topping:
1 cup cold heavy cream
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar

Make crust: Preheat oven to 325º F. In a food processor, process wafers and brown sugar until finely ground. With machine running, slowly add butter and process until mixture resembles wet sand. Firmly press crumb mixture into bottom and up side of a deep dish 9-inch pie plate. Bake until crust is dry and set, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool completely in plate on a wire rack.

Make filling: In clean food processor, process pumpkin puree, cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnmon, and nutmeg until smooth, scraping down side as needed. With machine running, add maple syrup in a slow, steady stream. Set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream on high until stiff peaks form, 3 minutes. With a rubber spatula, gently fold pumpkin mixture into whipped cream. Spoon filling into cooled crust and refrigerate until set, 3 hours (or up to 1 day).

Make topping: In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat cream and confectioners' sugar on high until stiff peaks form, 3 minutes. With spatula, mound topping over chilled pie and serve immediately.

Boys and Blogs

2011-10-27T06:46:00.006-04:00

My husband is convinced that blogs are just for women, at least all the ones I visit. And don't even get him started on Pinterest. So I went on a hunt for some man blogs, and I found one, just one, but a good one. It's called Emerald Son, and it's packed with guy-friendly design, fashion and art. It's run by Jeremiah Hagler who just so happens to be married to Jennifer Hagler of A Merry Mishap. A blogging super couple. I love it.

Have you come across any cool guy-friendly blogs or as Beyoncé would say do girls run the (blogger) world?

Batch of Biscuits

2011-10-26T06:49:00.004-04:00

I love biscuits and sweet potatoes, but I'd never thought to combine these two favorites. These sweet potato biscuits are light, a little bit sweet and best served warm with a pat of butter tucked inside. I'm a big fan of the color too. They'd look so pretty on a Thanksgiving plate.

Sweet Potato Biscuits
Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for kneading and shaping
2 tablespoons light-brown sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
6 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus 1/2 tablespoon melted butter and more for pan
3/4 cup sweet potato puree, chilled
1/3 cup buttermilk

Make the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. With a pastry blender or two knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal, with some pea-sized lumps of butter remaining. In a small bowl, whisk together sweet potato puree and buttermilk; stir quickly into flour mixture until combined (do not overmix).

Shape the biscuits: Turn out dough onto a lightly floured surface, and knead very gently until dough comes together but is still slightly lumpy, five or six times. (If dough is too sticky, work in up to 1/4 cup additional flour.) Shape into a disk, and pat to an even 1-inch thickness. With a floured 2-inch biscuit cutter, cut out biscuits as close together as possible. Gather together scraps, and repeat to cut out more biscuits (do not reuse scraps more than once).

Bake the biscuits: Preheat oven to 425 degrees, with rack on lower shelf. Butter an 8-inch cake pan. Arrange biscuits snugly in pan (to help them stay upright). Brush with melted butter. Bake until golden, rotating once, 20 to 24 minutes.

Camping in Style

2011-10-25T06:56:00.000-04:00

My husband is into camping and I am not, so I'm always on the lookout for some sort of invention to make it more fun for me and less like, well, camping. This pop-up camper is called The Opera, since it resembles a very famous house in Sydney, and I think it would do the trick.

[spotted on: the designer pad]

Birthday Weekend in Photos

2011-10-24T06:41:00.005-04:00

Thank you all for the sweet birthday wishes! It was a great weekend. I got lots of packages in the mail, which is always exciting, and had a fantastic birthday dinner Saturday night at Buttermilk Channel in Brooklyn. Pumpkin and sweet potato soup, fried chicken and cheddar waffles, and a pecan pie sundae. I wore my new white skirt and didn't even spill anything on it. Score! Also, I think my new favorite thing is when friends and family refer to my blog before buying me gifts. For instance, last week I blogged about bells, and for my birthday, I got one! Maybe next year, I'll blog about a million dollars and a lifetime supply of chocolate-covered almonds.

An Early Birthday Present to Myself of Myself

2011-10-21T06:53:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is my birthday. I'll be the big 2-8. I've already received one present ... from myself. It's a custom portrait of me and the husband by the mega-talented Nan Lawson. I'd been on her waiting list for a while, but it just so happened the portrait came together this week. It makes me smile every time I look at it. It might be the best present I've ever given. Hope you all have a lovely weekend! Eat a cupcake and think of me!

PS - Please check out the guest posts I did this week, a little fall decor for Natty Michelle and my one piece of wedding advice over at Lovely Little Things.

All About AsiaDog

2011-10-20T06:49:00.003-04:00

For the past few weeks, food vendors and carts have been gathered across the street from the Flatiron Building for Madison Square Eats. My latest craving of choice there is AsiaDog. You can get an organic beef, chicken or veggie dog topped with things like Japanese curry and homemade kimchi apples, mango-cucumber relish and crushed peanuts, or Chinese barbecued pork belly and onions. Not at all a typical hot dog in all the best ways. The final night of Madison Square Eats is this Friday, but thankfully AsiaDog has a permanent location downtown, which I'll be paying a visit to soon.

And here's my favorite traditional hot dog in New York.

Ring My Bell

2011-10-19T06:45:00.003-04:00

I love these sweet little vintage bells I found on Etsy. I'm thinking about buying a few and placing them throughout my apartment. I just need someone to bring me a glass of chocolate milk whenever I ring one.

[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Maple Baked Pears

2011-10-18T06:56:00.003-04:00

If there's a smell better than warm maple syrup mingled with butter, I'd like to meet it and shake its hand. I would eat this sauce all by itself with a spoon, but since societal conventions tell us that's not acceptable, it's probably best to go ahead and make these baked pears. They are so simple to make but still impressive, and anything that requires ice cream on the side is a winner in my book. All the better to soak up that sauce.

Maple Syrup-Baked Pears
Recipe courtesy of Sweet Paul Magazine

4 pears
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter

Preheat oven to 400º F. You can peel the pears or not, but cut them in half. Place pears in an ovenproof dish or skillet and pour on the maple syrup. Cut butter into cubes and add. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Turn pears over and bake for another 10-12 minutes. Serve with ice cream.

Weekend in Photos

2011-10-17T07:02:00.003-04:00

It was a gorgeous fall weekend, a little too windy, but crisp and clear. Highlights included a yummy brunch and dessert at Peels. I ordered off the build-a-biscuit menu, which is something every restaurant should have. There was a little shopping, which really just meant gawking at amazing, expensive furniture at ABC Carpet and Home. It's one of the most beautiful retail spaces I've ever seen. And a little pizza and sunshine really sealed the deal on a lovely, relaxing weekend.

Halloween Craft for Dummies

2011-10-14T07:05:00.001-04:00

It's no secret that I am not crafty, but I do know how to put tape on things, which is the extent of this Halloween decoration. All you need is a pumpkin and washi tape, which you can find here or here, among other places. Make your pattern as simple or elaborate as you like and feel free to mix different tapes. I kept it simple and ended up with what I'm calling my little Tim Burton pumpkin.

New and Improved Brussels Sprouts

2011-10-13T06:53:00.001-04:00

There aren't any foods that I flat out hate, I'll pretty much eat anything, but Brussels sprouts aren't my favorite. I've discovered though if you add enough things you like to something you don't, you might just end up with a winner. For instance, Brussels sprouts + butter + pecans + pomegranate seeds = deliciousness. Also, I used baby Brussels sprouts, which are pretty adorable as vegetables go, and, another life lesson here, the cuter food is, the better it tastes. You're welcome.

Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate and Pecans
Recipe adapted from Bobby Flay

1 lb Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half lengthwise
2 tablespoons canola oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
Seeds from 1 pomegranate
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted pecans

Preheat oven to 375º F. Bring salted water to a boil, add halved sprouts and cook for 5 minutes. Drain the blanched Brussels sprouts, then rinse and pat dry. Place Brussels sprouts on a large baking sheet, toss with oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until lightly golden brown and completely cooked through, about 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer sprouts to a large bowl, add the butter and stir until melted. Stir in the pomegranate seeds, pecans and pomegranate molasses and toss to combine. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.

Art by the Cupful

2011-10-12T06:48:00.003-04:00

One of my favorite things about walking around in New York is happening upon unexpected and unusual loveliness, and that's just what I got as I passed the Flatiron Building the other night. The glassed-in artspace there is currently housing an installation called Hypergraphia. It's paper cups covered in beautiful drawings, strung from the ceiling, just waiting to be admired from the street. The work is by artist Gwyneth Leech who creates a unique and intricate design on every cup. It's really some of the happiest, most approachable artwork I've ever come across.

New Yorkers, you can even stop by and see the artist at work Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 2pm, from now until December 31. You'll probably be craving a cup of coffee or tea afterward.

Charmed

2011-10-11T06:46:00.001-04:00

Have you seen Anthropologie's latest charm collection? They have four different chains and a bevy, that's right a bevy, of charms to clip on them.

Weekend in Photos

2011-10-10T06:47:00.000-04:00

We had a burst of warm weather this weekend, so I enjoyed it out and about in Manhattan. There was a pizza dinner with friends at Co. I visited Lulu's Cake Boutique for the first time to taste-test one of their reimagined Hostess cakes, very serious work. I admired their Yo Gabba Gabba cake in the window and took home a white chocolate-coated, passion fruit curd-filled Twinkie, which was delicious. And I bought a cute little pumpkin at the farmers market, which will probably be the extent of my Halloween decorating. How was your weekend?

Thoughts of the Week

2011-10-07T06:53:00.000-04:00

This is my kind of graffiti.

I'm not really into the whole hiking thing, but these photos may have changed my mind.

Guess what your fall boots are missing. Sparkle!

Let's all get together for a taffy tasting.

It's hard to resist a pretty label.

Carrot cake cookies and homemade peanut butter cups. Is your mind blown too?

Who knew the shade of toothpaste was so lovely?

I may adopt an all pumpkin diet for the remainder of October.

Something to work on forever and ever.

Happy Friday! Hope you all have wonderful weekends in store!

Something Fishy

2011-10-06T06:52:00.007-04:00

I've never had much luck keeping goldfish alive, but these fishbowl designs make me want to give it another go. Maybe a cool container will inspire them to live long and full lives.

[found here: 1, 2, 3, 4]

Perfect Pumpkin Bread

2011-10-05T06:52:00.000-04:00

It's officially fall baking season according to my belly, so I made this pumpkin bread recipe that I've had bookmarked since last March. You can't just go around eating pumpkin bread in March, you know. So here it is, perfect, long-awaited pumpkin bread. It's moist, the spices are just right, and the cinnamon pecan filling makes you wonder why you'd ever eat pumpkin bread without it.

Pumpkin Bread with Cinnamon Pecan Filling
Recipe courtesy of Honey & Jam, adapted from Martha Stewart

3 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
2 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp salt
2 cups canned pumpkin purée
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
4 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cup milk

Filling:
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/2 chopped pecans
1/2 stick butter, melted

To make filling: Combine sugar, cinnamon, pecans and butter in small bowl, mix to combine.

Makes two loaves. For bread: Preheat the oven to 350ºF and coat your pans with butter. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and soda, spices, and salt, set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle, combine the pumpkin and sugars. Mix until well combined, and then add the eggs and oil. Mix until incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed. With the mixer on low, add the flour in two batches, alternating with the milk, and mix until just combined. Fill two loaf pans half way, add filling, top with remaining batter. Bake for 55-60 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. A cake tester should come out clean. Cool the pans on a rack for ten minutes, remove the loaves from the pans, and cool completely.

Wild Side

2011-10-04T06:54:00.002-04:00

I keep coming across animal silhouettes on clothes, so this must qualify as a trend. I think it's a sweet, preppy look, and I'd be up for it, depending on the animal of course. I wouldn't be caught dead in a honey badger print.

[horses; polar bears; dogs; camels; bunnies; penguins]

Weekend in Photos: Harvest Fest

2011-10-03T06:47:00.006-04:00

Sometimes New Yorkers just need to go somewhere with grass and trees. That's what happened this weekend. Jonah and I and our pals headed north of the city for Harvest Fest at the Stone Barns Center. We indulged in roast pork sandwiches, beer, and sweets and spent the day wandering around the grounds, which are filled with greenhouses, beautiful old buildings, gardens and farm animals. The piglets were my favorite. If I had been carrying a bigger bag, I would have snatched one up and brought it home with me. And yes, I realize the irony of saying that after mentioning a delicious pork sandwich.

Afternoon Snacks

2011-09-30T07:06:00.002-04:00

I've been feeling peckish before dinner all week. When it comes to afternoon snacking, sometimes four types of crostini and white wine with a delightful blog friend are necessary, sometimes you need a bowlful of edamame sprinkled with sea salt, and sometimes a raspberry and yogurt smoothie does the trick. And if none of those cut it, there's always one more slice of chocolate cake.

Happy Friday! I'm going to Harvest Fest tomorrow and busting out the pumpkin on Sunday for a little fall baking. What are your weekend plans?

Ivy League

2011-09-29T06:54:00.002-04:00

I'm always drawn to ivy on a building. There's something so romantic about it. Do you like it, or do you think it's a sure sign of a crazy old lady inside? You know, a real Miss Havisham type.

[spotted here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Classic Chocolate Cake with Mocha Buttercream

2011-09-28T06:50:00.000-04:00

I didn't just want to eat a piece of chocolate cake. I wanted to mix and sift and bake and frost and spend a few relaxed hours in the kitchen surrounded by butter and chocolate. It was bliss. This cake did not disappoint and it only got better as days went by. The cake and the mocha frosting are mild and light, not dense and rich as some chocolate on chocolate cakes tend to be. It makes it easier to eat larger slices of cake more frequently, if that's what you're into.

Chocolate Cake with Mocha Buttercream Frosting
Cake recipe courtesy of Nigella Lawson; Frosting recipe adapted from Guilty Kitchen

Cake
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup superfine sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup good quality cocoa
1 1/2 sticks soft unsalted butter
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2/3 cup sour cream

Take the eggs and butter out of the refrigerator so that they can come up to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Put all the cake ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder and soda, cocoa, butter, eggs, vanilla, and sour cream into a food processor and process until you have a smooth, thick batter. If you want to use a mixer, just mix the flour, sugar and leavening agents in a large bowl and beat in the soft butter until you have a combined and creamy mixture. Now whisk together the cocoa, sour cream, vanilla, and eggs and beat this into your bowl of mixture.

Divide this batter, using a rubber spatula to help you scrape and spread, into buttered tins. I used three 6-inch tins, which baked for about 20 minutes, but test the cake before removing from the oven. When done baking, move the cakes to a wire rack and let cool for 10 minutes before turning them out of their tins.

Mocha Buttercream Frosting
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee or espresso
1/3 cup cocoa

In the bowl of a stand mixer or using a hand held mixer, beat butter until fluffy, about five minutes. In a small bowl, combine instant coffee or espresso powder with vanilla extract, stir until coffee granules completely dissolve. Set aside. With mixer on low, add half of powdered sugar to butter and mix until completely incorporated. Add vanilla and coffee to butter and beat in remaining sugar. Beat in cocoa until completely incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated. Assemble and frost cooled cake using an offset spatula. Coat entire cake with thin layer of frosting, a crumb coat, and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Remove cake and add final layer of frosting over the crumb coat. Use the back of a spoon to achieve swirls on top of the cake.

Earmarked

2011-09-27T06:46:00.000-04:00

Where do you keep your rings when you're not wearing them? I have a little dish in my bedroom on top of the dresser, but these bunny ears seem like a cuter option.

Weekend in Photos

2011-09-26T06:46:00.008-04:00

It was a sugar-filled weekend. I spent Saturday morning in the kitchen baking a chocolate cake, which deserves its own attention, so more on that later in the week. Saturday night, the husband and I went out for Indian food followed by a visit to the Big Gay Ice Cream Shop, a food truck which recently opened a permanent shop in the East Village. It's just soft-serve ice cream, but it's topped with things like dulce de leche, sea salt, chocolate, Nilla Wafer crumbs, toasted curried coconut, pumpkin butter and more. And when you order, you say things like, "I'll have a Salty Pimp and a Bea Arthur." Hilarious and delicious.

Treat Yourself

2011-09-23T06:50:00.000-04:00

Sometimes you need to treat yourself for no particular reason. Yesterday, a Thomas Keller Oreo, or TKO, from Bouchon Bakery was calling my name and I answered. It has all the appeal of an Oreo cookie, except bigger and better, made with dark chocolate sable dough and a creamy white chocolate ganache filling. Let's all just stop and think about that for a minute.

Happy Friday! Be sure to treat yourself this weekend.

When He's 64

2011-09-22T06:51:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday to my dad! I love this awkward family photo of me, him and my brother and how bizarrely serious we are all being. Based on my appearance, one can only assume it was raining outside. I wouldn't typically broadcast someone's age, but when there's a song to go along with it, it's necessary. Love you, Dad!

Tropical Shrimp Salad

2011-09-21T06:57:00.002-04:00

I'm still eating like it's summer even though fall is creeping in. This shrimp salad with mango and avocado is flavorful, filling and comes together fast. It's perfect for a busy weeknight while the weather is still warm.

Mango Avocado Shrimp Salad
Adapted from Sunset

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons grapeseed or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon sugar
2 large ripe mangoes
2 medium ripe avocados
1/3 cup thinly sliced green onion
1/3 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 teaspoon dried red chile flakes
1 pound shrimp

Pan fry peeled, deveined shrimp in a tablespoon of vegetable oil over medium-high heat, about 2 minutes per side or until pink. Let cool at room temperature. Remove tails if desired. In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, 2 tablespoons of oil, and sugar until sugar dissolves. Dice mangoes and avocados into 3/4-in. cubes; add to bowl. Add green onion, cilantro, chile, and cooked shrimp. Mix gently. Serve or cover and chill for up to 1 hour. Makes four servings.

Light Up the Night

2011-09-20T06:46:00.004-04:00

I'm one of those people that loves Christmas lights year-round. That might put me in the corny category, but I think even Christmas lights can look sophisticated thanks to these ideas.

[1, 2, 3]

Weekend in Photos

2011-09-19T06:54:00.000-04:00

It was a lazy weekend, which went along perfectly with our cooler weather. There was a long-awaited brunch at Public, and the coconut pancakes topped with mango and ricotta lived up to my expectations. A sweet little arrangement I ordered from Flores del Sol arrived in the mail, we indulged in gooey grilled cheese sandwiches courtesy of Milk Truck, and got gorgeous views of the city during a nighttime ferry ride. How was your weekend?

Poster Imposters

2011-09-16T06:49:00.003-04:00

I love these re-imagined movie posters by Claudia Varosio. Just so charming and clever. I think the last one is my favorite because the way Meg Ryan orders food in When Harry Met Sally cracks me up every time. Happy Friday!

Gryphon Tea Room

2011-09-15T06:50:00.003-04:00

While down south, I had a lovely lunch at the Gryphon Tea Room. The space is a converted turn-of-the-century pharmacy alongside one of Savannah's historic squares owned and operated by the Savannah College of Art and Design. It's filled with old books and lamps and is a perfect spot to grab lunch downtown. We had a gorgeous salad filled with the three great P's, peaches, prosciutto and pecans, and a bacon topped pimento cheese sandwich with a cucumber salad. The meal was adorably capped off with a trio of mini desserts.

In Tents

2011-09-14T06:50:00.000-04:00

When I was a kid, my brother and I each had those tents you can attach to your bed. If I recall correctly, I had Rainbow Brite and he had He-Man, with matching sheets of course. I've realized my hatred of camping can be traced back to my love for these tents. Why would you sleep on the ground outside when an awesome 80s cartoon tent can be attached to your own cozy bed? Anyway, the indoor tents above are pretty awesome too and perhaps a little more sophisticated than Rainbow Brite.

[spotted on: pinterest; photo courtesy of: lissy elle]

Sign of Fall

2011-09-13T06:50:00.001-04:00

Just before cravings of pumpkin and apple cider strike, a desire to wear plaid starts to take root. It's a sure sign of fall and Anthropologie knows it. While I would probably be very happy in a plaid dress and plaid coat sitting on a plaid sofa with a plaid throw, moderation is key. Just like with pumpkin pie.

For a little more plaid and some fall inspiration, please take a gander at my autumn picnic slideshow over at kirsty.