2.18.2009

Leanne M.



Sooo... maybe this is old news (well, I'm sure it is), but Leanne has a blog!  According to some of her  posts, she's recently made the trip cross country from Portland to NYC, and is officially here on the East Coast -- woo hoo!  I can't wait to see what she creates.  

1.29.2009

Say it isn't so!




So, I am well aware that is this is yesterday's news, but I am SO sad that Domino is soon to be no longer! Every issue contained page after page of stylish home decor inspiration!

On a much happier personal note, I did return to work approximately five weeks ago, hence my lack of posts. It has just been a hectic whirlwind since day one, but I am finally getting settled in to a work schedule. I hope to be back in action on the web more consistently. Happy belated New Year to you all, by the way... I have entered into this new year with a renewed sense of optimism, excitement, and a much higher level of accountability.

12.12.2008

Sorry I've been MIA the past couple of days.  I have had a headache beyond belief and it is PAINFUL to look at a computer screen.  I wanted to hop on and wish everyone a wonderful and relaxing weekend, and to my friends and family in the NY capital region -- be safe and drive carefully!  I will be thinking of you.  I am going to leave you with a live version of one of my favorite Christmas songs, although, I feel like it is debatable whether it is REALLY meant to be a Christmas song or not.  Even if it wasn't, I always hear this song at Christmastime, so it brings back holiday memories for me. What's your favorite Christmas/holiday song?

12.09.2008

All I want for Christmas part I


Christmas List part I by nicole pascale

So my family has requested a few Christmas ideas, and so, of course I must oblige! I started a Universal Wish List on amazon.com, and since I discovered the "Add to Wish List" bookmark to my browser, the list has grown fast! You can add pretty much anything from pretty much any website. So fun. I love it!

12.08.2008

Speaking of Anthropologie...


Image courtesy of Anthropologie

For those of us who just can't get enough of the Anthro aesthetic, Anthropologie now offers the Spotlight Widget that delivers a new product of the day straight to your desktop! Available for both Mac and PC, I downloaded it in ten seconds. Check it out!

Afternoon Tea & Holiday Shopping in Annapolis

                        Images courtesy of the City of Annapolis

So yesterday, my darling friend Jane drove 'round the beltway and beyond to visit me here in Annapolis. Our original plan was to go to Reynolds Tavern, my favorite place for traditional afternoon tea. They have an amazing selection of teas from around the world, as well as the most delicious cakes, scones, and cookies that are all made on the premises. But, I was also dying to make the cookies I talked about in my last blog. It was the perfect opportunity! Her birthday is next week, so I decided to make her a few sweet treats that we could enjoy with tea. As planned, I did make the pecan snowballs and glazed lemon cookies. In addition, I also made these napoleons that I had seen here a while back, gingersnaps, and a very simple chocolate orange torte that I actually took from the back of a $2.50 box of Ghirardelli Ultimate Fudge Brownie mix (see recipe below). To balance out the sweet with a little savory, I also had a rustic sourdough baguette with some coarse grain mustard, and a small cheese assortment from my local Whole Foods.   Jane brought a lovely bottle of port that went nicely with the spread.

After catching up over all the goodies, we went downtown to walk around , and see the holiday decorations. I was excited, because I had really explored downtown in quite a while. It was COLD by the water, but we did see some good holiday finds. First, we stopped at Hats in the Belfry. I was impressed, they had definitely done an overhaul of their inventory and brought in some really nice hats! Plus, they have a huge selection of Life is Good items, if you're a fan. We also checked out Paradigm, A.L. Goodies General Store, which is always good for some fun tourist-y type things, and these huge homemade chocolate chip cookies and fudge that are made throughout the day, and of course, Pet Paws Boutique -- a must if you're shopping for that special dog or cat in your life. New to Main Street is YoFiore (which apprears not to have a website), a Pinkberry-ish type frozen yogurt themed eatery. It looks delish, but it was far too
cold!


I want all of these wrapping papers from Paper Source...

Once we had made our way through historic downtown Annapolis, we decided to head to the shiny, new Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole. I was dying to check out the new Paper Source AND Anthropologie within walking distance of my apartment!! These two stores never disappoint, and my Christmas wish list (some of which I plan to post later this week) got a little bit longer... Spending time with Jane is always a pleasure, and needless to say, it was a great day.


*** Edit after the fact... 

I forgot to post the Chocolate Orange Torte recipe!  If you like chocolate, this is a quick, easy and inexpensive idea.  So here it is as promised:

Chocolate Orange Torte (adapted)

1 box of Ghirardelli Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix (1 pouch mix and 1 pouch fudge topping)
1/4 cup of water
1/3 cup of vegetable oil
1 egg
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.  In medium bowl, blend together brownie mix, water, oil, egg, and orange zest until moistened (about 40 strokes).  Spoon batter into parchment lined or greased, 8-inch round cake pan.  Bake 40-45 minutes.  Cool 10 minutes and invert onto serving plate.  Warm fudge topping as directed in the original brownie recipe on the back of the box.  Cut top off of pouch and squeeze onto warm torte.  Gently smooth over top and sides of torte.  Makes 12-16 servings.  

12.06.2008

Holiday Cookies I love

Ok, so I know I said I'd be back on Monday, but it's Saturday morning -- my favorite time to bake, and I just had to share.  As most people are, I am running on a significantly smaller budget than last year, well, the last ten years, but anywho...  I had to get creative for my holiday gift giving ideas.  The folks at Real Simple never cease to amaze me.  This month, they came up with four make ahead cookie recipes AND four super cute ways to gift these cookies.  

My two favorites are:

                                                              
The Pecan Snowballs -- don't you just love the egg carton?



All four cookie recipes can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to two months!  I plan on doing round one today, so I can give them to my dear friend Jane, who will be coming to visit tomorrow.  
 
all photos courtesy of  Kana Osada @ Real Simple