Crispy Thumbprint Cookies

These cookies are incredible. I can't. stop. eating. them. oh. my. gosh!

I'm really bad at making cookies for some reason. They are so finicky and I never seem to get them out in time before they burn to a crisp. But these... so easy!

This recipe is the simplest thing ever but they are so amazing. Soft, slightly chewy, crispy from the rice krispies and sweet. Yummmm can't stop thinking about them.

I've made them before, you can find the recipe here. Except this time I used raspberry jam, but you could use whatever you'd like!

Cookies & soy milk... what else does a girl need?

Bil Donovan

"The age of elegance is gone, there was a time when a woman wouldn't dare leave the house without makeup and the right gloves."

Now I hope I am not implying that I am some kind of glamarama. I don't have the time nor the energy nor the means to dress to the nines everyday but I do enjoy fashion and those who are well dressed and DO have the time and energy to do so. Bil Donovan work simply tugs at my heartstrings:

"Travel for site"

"P Picnic 4 site Ant"

"Set Glam Grlbending"

"Garden Party for site"

"Dog show for site"

"Audrey layout B"

You can find the rest of his works here.

Mascarpone Brownies

I've heard many, many raves about this recipe. Mascarpone in brownies?!? Unheard of (or at least for me)! As you know I'm not much of a brownie fan, but when I do happen to eat brownies I like 'em chewy rather than cake-y. These brownies were super moist and light.

The chocolate flavor was definitely present but not overwhelmingly so. Though these weren't chewy and thick they were unique because they were so moist, almost as if it had been soaked in some kind of syrup like a tres leches cake. If you are a brownie lover, this recipe is a must try. It's unique and probably like any other brownie you've ever tried.

Chocolate Mascarpone Brownies

Printable Recipe

For the brownies:

1 cup unsalted butter

3 oz. semisweet chocolate

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/2 cup mascarpone cheese, softened

3 large eggs, room temperature

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 cup flour

1/4 tsp. salt

For the ganache:

6 oz. semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

6 tbsn. whipping cream

3 tbsn. unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 325 F. Butter a 8-inch square cake pan and set aside. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and bring it to just below a boil. In a mixing bowl, add the chopped chocolate, then pour the melted butter on top and let stand for 30 seconds, stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Sift in the sugar and cocoa powder, then with a wooden spoon beat in the mascarpone, eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Gently fold the flour and salt into the batter. Pour into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 45 - 50 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Place on cooling rack and let cool completely. For the ganache, place the chopped chocolate in a bowl. In a small saucepan bring the cream and butter to just below boiling over medium heat. Pour the mixture over the chocolate and let stand for 30 seconds then stir until smooth. Pour over the brownies and spread evenly but do not cut into the brownies until the ganache has firmed up. Enjoy!

Man On The Moon

I love this song. Kid Cudi is proving to be a great talent and though Kanye might be an asshole, he is a a damn good rapper. The sampling of 'Poker Face' in this song is ridiculously good. Oh and wait...? Common too? Wow what a great collaboration.

Buy Man on the Moon now.

Oh and this man has a pretty awesome sense of style too:

Anna Sui for Target

Loving this collection by Anna Sui! It was inspired by Gossip Girl, so you can see hints of Serena, Blair, Jenny and Vanessa in it. Just perfect!

Easy Banana Cream Pie

Banana Cream Pie ya'll.

Ya heard?!

This pie was B-A-N-A-N-A-S, as Gwen Stefani would say. This pie is simple, easy as hell and delicious. I used my all time favorite go-to custard recipe, which I have also used here and here. I'm not usually one for shortcuts, but this custard is so good and so easy that I don't see the point in attempting to make real pastry cream. One day maybe, but not today. Anyways... bananas, custard, cinnamon whipped cream and pie crust? Yeah I think that definitely qualifies as a winner.

Brown-flecked bananas are perfect for this dessert; perfectly sweet:

Time to arrange your bananas:

YUM, easiest and most delicious pie ever!

Easy Banana Cream Pie

Yields: 1 9-inch pie, serves about 6 - 8

Printable Recipe

1 9-inch pie crust, fully baked and cooled (I used store bought dough, but you could use this recipe)

1 large box of french vanilla pudding

1 1/4 cups whole milk

1 3/4 cup heavy cream, split

3 ripe but firm, large bananas, sliced

2 tbsn. powdered sugar, sifted

2 tsp. vanilla extract, split

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

To make the custard, combine the pudding mix, milk, 1 tsp. vanilla and 3/4 cup heavy cream and beat for 5 - 10 minutes until thickened and well combined. Set aside in the refrigerator. To make the whipped cream topping, combine the 1 cup of heavy cream, powdered sugar, 1 tsp. vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg and whip until peaks form. To assemble, grab your cooled pie shell and fill with the custard about halfway (there might be some left over but just grab a spoon and shove it in your mouth!), then arrange the bananas in any way, top with the whipped cream and chill for about an hour or more. Enjoy!

If you're feeling on the decadent side, cover the entire thing in whipped cream!

Humminah, humminah, humminah:

Tailored Tuesdays

Yummy casual, comfy clothes offset by fierce heels and lush silk.

1. Day Birger et Mikkelsen "New kaya silk top"

2. Citizens of Humanity "Avedon legging style jeans"

3. Lanvin "Metallic leather sandals"

4. Emilio Pucci "Python shoulder bag"

5. Majorica "8mm pearl stud earrings"

all images can be found at net-a-porter.com

Say Hello to my New Friend!

I've given birth to a new blog!

It's a photoblog to be exact. Congrats to me!

Check it out here!

Some of my favorites are below:

In the beautifully graffiti ridden streets of Valparaiso, Chile:

A bird's eye view of San Francisco at night:

Happier hour: happy drinks + happy friends:

Getting ready to white water raft in Pucon, Chile:

The sweetest little girl who wouldn't let go of our futbol:

A stray cat with the friendliest eyes:

Beautiful Celiana enjoying her apples:

In Valparaiso, one of Chile's largest port cities:

At the Aquarium of the Pacific, wondrous aren't they?

Exploring the nooks and crannies of Crystal Cove, Newport Beach:

A gorgeously inviting pomegranate:

Catching snow flakes in the Andes Mountains:

Enjoying the beautiful California coastline on the way to San Francisco:

The best thing about summer? 21 choices yogurt!

Sea dragons at the Aquarium of the Pacific:

Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce

This summer has pretty much fostered my obsession with everything peaches. I've been glued to everything having to do with the furry, sweet, gorgeous things. When I choose recipes I love to read how the baker feels about the product. Most of the time most people don't even write about how the thing actually tastes which makes me so mad!!! Something pretty and something tasty can be two absolutely different things. That's why I love The Pioneer Woman!

She includes step to step photos which help me make sure I am doing everything right and that everything looks right as well. But besides that her recipes always look effing glorious and she includes descriptions of the flavors that make me drool all over my computer. Trust me people, start drooling because this peach crisp is all that and more! Gooey, sweet peaches with crispy, buttery crumble. I DIE for this crumble... oh gosh so good!!!! And the maple cream sauce?!?!? I've died and gone to heaven. One problem I had with this recipe was that it was a bit too sweet for me though. So next time I make it (trust me, there will be a next time), I'd cut back on the sugar a lot (I've included the original recipe and adjustments).

Before being baked:

After being baked:

The maple cream sauce:

Pioneer Woman's Peach Crisp with Maple Cream Sauce

Yields: approximately 8 - 10 servings

Original recipe from The Pioneer Woman, which can be found here.

For the peach crisp:

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar (I would eliminate this)

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 stick unsalted butter, room temperature

2.5 - 3 cups of peaches

zest of 1/4 a lemon

juice of 1/4 a lemon

1 tbsn. maple syrup (I would eliminate this as well unless you peaches were super sour)

For the maple cream sauce:

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

2.5 tbsn. maple syrup (reduce to 1 tbsn.)

1.5 tbsn. light corn syrup

Preheat oven to 350 F. Add flour, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium bowl and mix well. Cut butter into bits and add it to the bowl and cut into flour mixture. Peel and slice the peaches, not overly ripe or soft. Add the zest, lemon juice and maple syrup to the peaches and mix well. Pour into a small baking pan and then top with the crumb topping. Cover tightly with foil and pop into oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 - 30 minutes until top is crispy and brown. To make the sauce, stir all of the ingredients together over moderate heat, stirring constantly until thick and reduced by about 1/3, about 15 minutes. Chill until cooled and thickened. Serve over your peach crisp and enjoy!

Tailored Tuesdays

Casual yet luxe. Perfection.

1. James Perse "Oversized cotton shirt"

2. Current Elliot "Studded skinny jeans"

3. Burberry "Punched leather t-bar sandals"

4. Lanvin "Amalia python shoulder bag"

all images can be found at net-a-porter.com