Fiat Lux

I need a little sunshine!

I covet: J. Crew's Navy wool schoolboy blazer. Navy, metal buttons, tailored.... 'nuff said.

I am craving: Lemon bread! I have this great recipe I have been making for years. I have the recipe memorized and I don't remember exactly how I got the recipe.

Lemon bread
1 ½ cup flour (all purpose)

1 cup sugar 1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp Salt 2 eggs

½ cup milk

½ cup vegetable Oil

grated peel of 1 lemon plus juice

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat eggs, milk, oil, and lemon peel until blended. Mix liquids into flour mixture until smooth. Pour batter into loaf pan (spray with pam and line with parchment paper). Bake in a 350 degree oven until a toothpick (or cake tester) inserted into the center comes out clean (40-45 minutes).

This is a perfect way to lift your spirits, easy and comforting. Its great with raspberry jam and a cup of tea.

I am annoyed about: Inconsiderate people! Do not drive in the far right lane if you are not going to let cars merge onto the freeway! I'm sorry you're annoyed that you got stuck going 15 mph but if you don't let people merge into traffic, they have nowhere to go!

Is it Friday yet?

Jenn's Bridal Shower

I'm packing for a Tahoe trip, we're heading to Jenn and Augie's wedding! I was thinking about Jen's bridal shower that took place only a month ago, and how I forgot to to post about the red velvet cupcakes I made.

It was the first time I felt like my cupcakes would be on display, so I spent so I wanted them to be extra special. The guest list was 35! It was also my first foray into fondant territory, so I was a bit nervous!

I used Kara's Cupcakes as models, since I really didn't have a specific theme to work with. I think they look fancy, no?

Happy Friday!

I had the day off and was boot browsing ;) Found this lovely video on Loeffler Randall, it has a bit of a somber feeling but I like that it shows what goes on in photo shoots and the setting is so old school Victorian.

Cat Power's cover of Oasis' Wonderwall is awesome. Love it!

The great gray boot search continues!

Loeffler Randall from Petter Ringbom on Vimeo.

Summer Eats

It's been a busy summer! What I do enjoy most about summer is the ample supply of fresh ingredients that take simple meals to the next level. The two I enjoy most?

Tomatoes!

Slow Roasted tomatoes & garlic...

Tossed with fresh mozzarella, olive oil, and basil

Served over toasted baguette

Peaches for me!

Note: I can eat peaches anyway any day. I've been going through a box of 10 peaches a week for the past month.

Hello sugar...

Peach, meet George Foreman

Get in my belly!

Meatballs!

In preparation for our upcoming NYC trip, Mai and I started to compile a must eat list. On our list to try is Little Owl, which is also known for their meatball sliders. Yes, meatballs on mini buns. I found the recipe on NY Magazine's website.



Last month, I attempted the recipe however I omitted the veal and I didn't bake the garlic buns (it was a Friday). I would love to attempt the recipe again with the garlic buns (maybe on a Saturday).
What did the sausage say to the ground beef? "At least I don't crumble when the heat is on" (Wah wah wah....)

Happy Birthday G-I-G-I

Oh man! Little Gigi is 6! I was asked to make a fish themed cake for our little birthday girl. I took the challenge but I was hesitant.

Last fall I took a cake decorating class and walked away with a bad taste in my mouth literally! It seemed that because butter in all its natural glory, melts super easily. I learned that a lot of decorated cakes require a lot of shortening or other unnatural ingredients to stabilize the frosting.
I did learn a lot from the class, but I think I'm

I was inspired from this recipe. I liked that the frosting used egg whites which will produce an airy frosting (a la meringue). And I knew that I was going to get a less than professional result from the recipe (I wanted less sailboat, more under the sea), but it was A LOT misinterpreted. It was literally lost in translation... but I assure you, it tasted great.


The 7 minute frosting was super easy to make, but it was not as easy to handle as described, and it slowly started to melt and fall apart as the afternoon went by. I just may not have that je ne sais quoi, I totally need to practice... I'm currently researching frosting ideas, and will keep you updated!

Happy Birthday Gigi!

Anytime cookies

Who doesn't like a batch of fresh out of the oven cookies? No one. I have a method of making batches of chocolate chip cookies and then freezing the dough so that they may be baked in any amount; anytime.

I have had people ask for my chocolate chip cookie recipe because they think there's some hidden ingredient, but there is not! I use the very original, very trustworthy Nestle Toll House recipe. This sounds really sad, but I have that recipe memorized by heart! Its a very good recipe however my method of baking differs.

1. Use a cookie scoop to shape all the dough (all at once)
2. Spread them on a cookie sheet
   
3. Put them in the freezer for about 15 minutes (if I'm baking them that day, this is when I would preheat the oven to 330 degrees)
   
4. Put any unused cookie dough balls in a Ziploc bag and (try to) save for anytime
   
5. Bake cookies at 340 degrees for about 10-12 minutes, or until golden at the edges
   
6. I promise chewy cookies every time!