Tuesday, February 28, 2012

A Market :: Newport Beach

















If you're ever in Orange County, A Market in Newport Beach is a must visit! Great ambiance, delicious food for breakfast and lunch, and to die for desserts.


Cous Cous + Kale Salad ::




I had whole wheat cous cous at home that I wanted to use up, so I decided to make a cold salad with it. I searched for healthy ingredients that I already had at home and decided to add toasted almonds and kale. It turned out delicious and was so easy to make! Follow the directions on the box to make the cous cous. After cooking, I poured the cous cous into a big mixing bowl and added a little lemon juice, toasted almonds, and raw kale that I already had washed and ready to go in the fridge. I tossed all of this with a sherry vinaigrette dressing that I made by whisking together (with a fork) 2 parts olive oil, 1 part sherry vinegar (any vinegar works, though), a dash of salt and pepper, and about a teaspoon of dijon mustard. The dijon acts as a binding agent and makes for a thicker, and delicious, dressing. You can also add shallots and a couple teaspoons of honey to this mixture to make a great sherry vinaigrette, but I left both out this time. And that was it... A very quick and healthy lunch or dinner!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Chocolate Chip Cookie ::




This is a great basic chocolate chip cookie recipe that I use all the time. I often bake a couple dozen and store them in the freezer so I have them on hand for any occasion that comes up. If packaged correctly, they will store perfectly in the freezer for weeks. Enjoy!

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (sometimes I add a bit more)
dash of cinnamon, if desired
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla
12-16 ounces chocolate chips (I prefer dark chocolate)

Wisk together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a small bowl and set aside.
Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, and vanilla until combined. Slowly beat in dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Bake at 375 until light golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Luxe Wish List ::


After reading Donna Hay Magazine's 10th Birthday edition (side note: BEST food magazine in the world), I was inspired to create a luxe wish list for myself. Some of these items are a bit more luxe than others... and some are way out of my realistic range right now... but I absolutely adore them all.

A subscription to Donna Hay Magazine
Mercedes Benz GLK350 {white, with tan interior ;)}
An elegant, beaded Elie Saab Dress {+ a fun event to wear one to!}
A linen headboard/bed {I'd love to add a big white monogram to this one}
This table to use as a desk in my room
A painting for my room of this photograph of ranunculus

Love Shoot ::




Adorable engagement sesh by Bryce Covey Photography via Snippet & Ink