Month: March 2014

Back to Basics

Sadie2 Comments

Let’s talk cookies. Chocolate chip to be precise. While this may seem basic, it’s something I rarely make. I’ve tried various versions and none of them have really resonated with me as being good enough to add to my standard repertoire. Enter this recipe.

I have a friend at work who bakes from time to time and shares her goodies in the office. I really admire her because she’s such a stud in the office, and seems to be quite the baker as well. Anywho, she makes amazing chocolate chip cookies, so I begged her for the recipe. She forwarded me a link the recipe she uses, and said she thinks the key is recipe that has about twice as much brown sugar as white sugar. Very interesting. I’m always curious about how adjusting some of the baseline ingredients (flour, sugar, eggs, butter), will affect the texture and taste of the final product.

I was looking for an occasion to bake some cookies and lo and behold, it was another coworker’s birthday, and she happens to love cookies. Bingo!

So I made these, and they definitely lived up to the hype. I think I might have kept them in the oven a minute or two too long, so they were a little crispier than I remember, but still quite good. If you need some good old fashioned chocolate chip cookies, give this recipe a try for sure! To add a little extra “je ne said quois” I also made some oatmeal cookies and homemade marshmallows!

The birthday platter

The Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

from Savory Sweet Life, yields about 4 dozen

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, room temp
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1½ cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs, room temp
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2¾ cups (12 oz) AP flour
  • ¾ tsp. medium coarse sea salt
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1½ tsp. baking powder
  • 2¼ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (about a standard bag and a half)

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 360.
  2. Cream together butter and sugars until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and mix another couple minutes until well incorporated.
  3. Add the dry ingredients and mix until relatively uniform (try not to over mix). Fold in the chocolate chips last.Batter up
  4. Use a medium ice cream scoop to portion out the dough onto parchment lined baking sheets. Bake at 360 for 12-14 minutes or until light golden brown.ready for the oven
  5. Allow to cool and enjoy!out of the oven

party platter

Fave 5 Nail Polish

CarrieLeave a comment

I like to save money when I can and one way I do that is by giving myself manicures.  You certainly don’t need to pay for your nails to look good.  You can easily do them yourself with the right tools.  Go to a beauty supply store or Amazon if you don’t already have a nail file, buffer, clipper, and cuticle trimmer.  These are the only tools I need to give myself a top notch manicure.  Here are my favorite nail polishes that are essential for your collection.

1.  You need a great base coat to keep your nails healthy and protect your nails.  Essie makes an assortment of base coats depending on your needs.

essie base-coat

2.  You need a few colors that are your go-to colors.  You might not have the same go-to colors as me because nail polish is a great way to express yourself.  The hunt is on for your go-to colors.  This color is my go-to for the Holiday season and for Valentine’s Day.  It’s from Mariah Carey’s holiday line…OPI In My Santa Suit.

OPI-Mariah-Carey-In-My-Santa-Suit-Nail-Lacquer-192511

3.  This is my fall go-to nail polish..OPI Romeo and Juliet.  I don’t wear nail polish in spring and summer due to my rigorous work schedule and hand-washing/scrubbing of sheet pans.  Hopefully one day, I’ll be able to wear spring and summer colors.

romeo and juliet

4.  To make my manicure a little bit special, I like to put Essie Luxe Effects over the layer of color on my ring fingernail.  It just gives it a little bit of glam.  It comes in a lot of different colors.  You can also go full-on glam and do it to all your nails.

essie luxe effects IMG_1037

5.  Make sure to finish off your manicure with a great top coat.  I have found this one to be the ultimate top coat.  I won’t ever try another one because it is simply the best.  It’s called Out the Door because it speeds up the drying process.  It also puts a glossy finish on your nails and protects them from chipping.  What are some of your favorite nail colors?  It’s always nice to have a few more colors to add to my arsenal.

out the door

Fashion at the Oscars

Sadie1 Comment

Just when I thought awards season was done, the Academy Awards snuck in at the end. I actually did not watch much of the actual show (I’ve already seen enough of this year’s batch of nominees), but of course I watched the red carpet. It looked like white and very pale colors were a huge trend this year. Some people made it look elegant, and some people made it look like they were just wrapped in sheets or toilet paper. All in all, though, I think people were pretty safe, there were no drop dead fashion forward stunners, and no catastrophes, I guess people are taking the Oscars seriously.

As usual I borrowed the pictures from People.com.

The Best:

Amy Adams: This look is not so dis-similar from her SAG choice, but when it works, it works! The color is great for her, and I love a simple dress with some interesting structural elements.

AmyOscars

Kate Hudson: This is the definition of glamour. Definitely riding the white and metallic trends, I think this is a good mix of fashion forward and classic.

KateOscars

Cate Blanchett: I think this is the best she’s looked so far this year. She definitely looks better than many starlets half her age. It’s unique but fabulous.

CateOscars

The Worst:

Lupita Nyong’o: She had a really good run this year, but I am not thrilled with her final dress of the season (that being said, I’m sure she’ll be on many best dressed lists anyway). Lupita Nyong’o was making waves, but this choice seems kind of princessy and unflattering for her (not to mention the Cinderella headband). I wish the color was richer and the structure on the bodice wasn’t so blah.

LupitaOscars

Elsa Pataky: (aka Chris Hemsworth’s wife) I am going to hell for saying this, I am sorry. In my opinion, this silhouette isn’t working for her. I think you have to be completely fitted with more of a column dress like Olivia Wilde at the Golden Globes, or drapey like Kerry Washington. That being said, the fact that she is even standing up and walking around is impressive to me, let alone all dressed up.

ElsaOscars

Kristin Chenoweth: I’m all for a metallic, but I don’t think this dress is doing her any favors. It seems reminiscent of both art deco and 70’s glamour, which sounds good in theory, but I think she can do better. Perhaps a tan and better makeup would have been to her advantage.

KristinOscars

Who were your best and worst?