Smiling About...

delicious summer cocktails...

doing this next week...

this jumpsuit...apparently she wore it! I'm late! 

checking this out...

fanny packs...

lobster in a salad...

Happy Weekend! 

Love to Procrastinate...

The famous and the infamous V-Day is tomorrow, and someone is panicking.  lol!!!  Here are some last minute ideas that your sweetheart will surely love...

whip up ooey gooey salted caramel heart brownies...

if you're in or have a sweetheart in DC, Chicago, NYC, or San Fran, H.Bloom might be the way to go...

these cute little monogrammed leather jewelry pouches...I want it! 

make your sweetheart a nice cocktail before dinner...

surprise your sweetheart with their own custom fragrance...

a trip to the city of love...BAM! 

photo credit: hipparisblog

whatever you do, do it with love...

and I'm off and running...
 

Monday Sweets...

Happy December, Happy Monday!

What better way to start a Monday off, than with some super yummy, holiday-proper Cranberry Crumb bars and a cup of jo or tea.  That's what I'm having this morning!  I had a bag of fresh cranberries leftover from Thanksgiving, so I decided to use them up in a recipe from my new Smitten Kitchen cookbook.  The bars are so cheery and bright with that pop of red peeking through the two layers of crumble goodness.  You will not be disappointed!  Make them for a holiday brunch or just for you and the family along side of a warm cozy cup of cider or tea.  If you don't like cranberries, try the Blueberry Crumb bars when they are back in season.  :)

Recipe...

Cranberry Crumb Bars 

Adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Crumb:

2 sticks unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

3 cups all purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/8 teaspoon allspice

1 large egg

Filling:

1/2 teaspoon orange zest

1 1/2 tablespoons orange juice

3 cups (12 oz) fresh cranberries

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Smitten Kitchen recommends lining the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper- if you don't have any paper, just grease your pan.  In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and spices. With a pastry blender, fork, or your fingers, work the chilled butter and the egg into the flour mixture until it is the texture of coarse meal.  Pour half the crumb base into the prepared baking pan and use your fingers to press it evenly into the bottom of the pan. 

For the filling, pulse all ingredients in a blender or food processor until the berries are roughly chopped. Spread the cranberry filling over the crust base, and sprinkle the remaining crumb topping over the top.  Bake the bars for 30 to 35 minutes, until light brown on top.  Cool completely, then cut into squares.

Yummy goodness...have a great week! 

 



and I'm off and running...
 

Smiling About...

summer sandals

marco sandal by asos

nico sandal by topshop

somme sandal by monsoon

t-bar ankle strap by k. jacques

Food Love...

Happy Spring!!!! I didn't wish you all that yesterday as it was the first day of Spring.  It has been pretty cold here in L.A., but sunny.  Our heater has been out since we moved in until yesterday...we were freezing!  Thank you, Lord for heat and hot water!!!  Oh, the hot water heater needed to be replaced also.  Now, if we can just get internet at the house we will be happy campers.  We are getting settled slowly, but surely!  Over the weekend, we got our new stove...YES!  So, I cooked our first meal yesterday.  The husband requested my tasty Chicken Marsala via Smitten Kitten and red mashed potatoes w/ green beans.  As always I added a little Jiggy touch, I rubbed the chicken with dried sage with the salt and pepper.  Yummy!

He was really hungry when I got home, so before dinner I whipped up a little appetizer I saw on one of my fav blogs, L.A. in Bloom.  Heather does these lovely webisodes that just inspire me so much.  I made the Blue Cheese Honey Crostini.  Let me tell you, they were so mouthwatering and easy to make.  I bought a pretty mild blue cheese that was very smooth and creamy.  Use whatever blue cheese you like.

I must say these came out really pretty! :)

RECIPES
Alex's Chicken and Mushroom Marsala
Blue Cheese Honey Crostini

Great meal on a cold night and so easy to make! 

AND I'M OFF AND RUNNING...
J.P. ARCHIE