Monday, August 27, 2012
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Cupcake Du Jour: S'mores
This delicious beauty is Magnolia Bakery's S'mores cupcake that has been one of their top sellers this past month. The perfect combination of a moist graham cracker cake and gooey marshmallow chocolate swirled topping is sure to make you feel nostalgic for those glorious summer nights.
Once you let your taste buds try this heavenly cupcake, use the recipe below to make it yourself!
Chocolate Graham Cracker Cupcake Ingredients:
2 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (from about 20 squares)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 standard muffin tins with cupcake liners; set aside.
Sift 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into the bowl of an electric mixer.
In a large bowl, mix together eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and beat on medium speed for 30 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl and continue mixing on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add boiling water and stir to combine; set cake batter aside.
Place graham cracker crumbs, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl; stir until well combined.
Place 1 tablespoon graham cracker mixture into the bottom of each prepared muffin cup. Use the bottom of a small glass to pack crumbs into the bottom of each cupcake liner. Reserve remaining graham cracker mixture for topping.
Place 2 teaspoons chocolate in each muffin cup. Transfer muffin tins to oven and bake until the edges of the graham cracker mixture is golden, about 5 minutes.
Remove from oven and fill each muffin cup three-quarters full with cake batter. Sprinkle each with remaining chocolate and graham cracker mixture.
Return to oven and bake, rotating pans halfway through baking, until tops are firm and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer muffin tins to a wire rack and let cupcakes cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and let cool completely.
Marshmallow Chocolate Swirl Frosting Ingredients:
8 large egg whites
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1-2oz of dark chocolate
Directions:
Bring water in a double boiler to a simmer (a metal bowl on top of a pot works too). Break chocolate into pieces and place in the top of a double boiler. (Don't let any water get in the chocolate). Stir constantly until evenly melted. Set aside to cool.
Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heatproof bowl of an electric mixer. Set over a saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, 3 to 4 minutes.
Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix until combined.
Immediately spoon the marshmallow frosting into the left side and the melted chocolate in the right side of the piping bag. The result should be a swirl of marshmallow frosting and melted chocolate on each cupcake.
Enjoy!
Inspiration: End of Summer
Summer 2012 is unfortunately almost over and Fall 2012 is quickly approaching. The next two weeks will be my last effort to experience as much NYC summer festivities as I can.
I hope you will do the same!
Sunday, August 12, 2012
This Week's Instagram Faves
1. @Coacd
2. @facehunter: Are we beach partying today? #sattaoutside #šventoji #lithuania
3. @miamoretti: See ya when we see ya!
5. @kegrand: Guinevere by Mert and Marcus for Love eight
Friday, August 10, 2012
Shopping: The Evolution Store
The Evolution Store in Soho has to be one of my favorite sources for unusual accessories and home decor pieces.
From fossils to butterflies this store has everything for science lovers like me. Below is their collection of meteorite pieces, including a sample of Mars.
Be warned, this store isn't for the light hearted!
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Fashion: Spacewoman
In my dream universe, where anyone can go to space without worrying about breathing, this is what I'd wear if I was a spacewoman on Mars. What would you wear?
Pleated collar long silk shirt by Alexander McQueen.
Low v-neck inset dress by Cedric Charlier.
Barnacle jacquard mini dress by Alexander McQueen.
Sleeveless short dress by A.L.C.
Palm Beach Social Cluster by Christina Conrad on V&M.
Fingerless lace gloves from Etsy.
Modern cat-eye sunglasses by Prada.
Daf Booty Tag by Christian Louboutin.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Home Decor: Curiosity Rover
August, 5th 2012 NASA made history by successfully landing Curiosity Rover on Mars. To honor this incredible moment of history, I have curated a small collection of home decor items based on the palette and textures of Curiosity Rover, Mars and Space. Enjoy!
Star Trek chair from Captain Picard's conference room from V&M.
Viburnum lamp ensemble from Anthropologie.
Mars rock from Evolution.
Cocktail table from ABC Carpet & Home.
"Affinity" rug from ABC Carpet & Home.
SodaStream soda maker from Crate & Barrel.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Cupcake Du Jour: Chocolate "Ditto" Inspired by "Ghost"
After visiting Magnolia's Bakery, make it for yourself with the recipe below!
Chocolate Cupcake Ingredients:
1/2 cup (50 grams) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 cup (240 ml) boiling hot water
1 1/3 cups (175 grams) all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 16 muffin cups with paper liners.
In a small bowl stir until smooth the boiling hot water and the cocoa powder. Let cool to room temperature.
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In another bowl beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat only until incorporated. Then add the cooled cocoa mixture and stir until smooth.
Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with batter and bake for about 16 - 20 minutes or until risen, springy to the touch, and a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, pipe with icing.
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
5 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Dash of salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Blue food coloring
Directions:
Combine sugar and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook 3 minutes, without stirring, or until candy thermometer registers 250°.
Combine egg whites, cream of tartar, and dash of salt in a large bowl. Using clean, dry beaters, beat with a mixer at high speed until foamy. Pour hot sugar syrup in a thin stream over egg white mixture, beating at high speed until stiff peaks form, about 3 minutes.
Reduce mixer speed to low; continue beating until egg white mixture cools (about 12 minutes). Beat 1/4 cup butter until light and fluffy; stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Fold in 1 cup egg white mixture. Fold butter mixture into remaining egg white mixture, stirring until smooth. Add food coloring to make the frosting blue.
Enjoy!
Monday, August 6, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
This Week's Instagram Faves
- @Style101mag: My #London travels!!! #UK #Olympics #BigBen #Memories #2006
- @royfire7: A long #training #day - got #me on my #knees
- @bfa_nyc: Beauty!!! @alecambrosio Loves Melissa Collaboration Launch at Galeria Melissa @MelissaShoes #alessandraambrosio #TeamBFA
- @manrepeller: Wahw, rihngs.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Shopping: Roni New York
There was a large collection of beautiful dresses, which is heaven for a girl that hates wearing pants. Not to mention the impeccable assortment of colors, textures and silhouettes. There is literally something something in this store for every girl.
If the prices weren't already reasonable enough for my budget, the sweet sales lady informed me that half of the store was on sale! If you find yourself on Prince St, I recommend giving them a visit.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Fashion: Olympic Uniform Ceremony
You have watched the opening ceremony and experienced their performances thus far, now it's time to evaluate the uniforms designed for these athletes. Below are the uniforms that I have rated based on predictability, creativity and design. Like the Olympics, gold is first place and tin is fifth place. Have fun looking through my selections and leave a comment below if you feel the need to agree or disagree with my ratings.
Great Britain's uniforms were designed by Stella McCartney. I gave her first place, because her designs were very dynamic and though the color palette was predictable, the textures she used really stood out.
Jamaica's uniforms were designed by Bob Marley's daughter, Cedella Marley. I enjoyed the energy in her designs and the fact that it is clear that Ms. Marley had as much fun creating these uniforms as she did presenting them.
French fashion house, Hermès designed France's Olympic uniforms. I appreciated the fine tailoring and attention to detail put into creating these uniforms. I also enjoyed the playful touch of pairing a blue blazer with white bottoms.
When you think of America, one of the designers that should automatically come to mind is Ralph Lauren. So it is no wonder that he has designed both the ceremony uniforms and village wear for these athletes. I appreciate the patriotic tribute, but wish his designs had more exciting elements that matched these athletes performances.
Giorgio Armani designed the Italian Olympic uniforms this year. While I appreciate his unpredictable approach and refined palette, I wish there was more energy in his designs.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Home Decor: Team USA
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