Oct 31, 2010

Chocoholic


I'm a sucker for peanut butter and chocolate. So, I had to try this recipe from Smitten Kitchen.

I don't know how she got hers to look so perfect, but every time I tried to dip them into the chocolate they fell apart or sort of drowned in it. It wasn't pretty. That's why I started drizzling them. Honestly, they're so delicious that it doesn't matter what they look like.

The recipe says to make them the size of a tablespoon, but I'd make them smaller next time. It's a pretty easy recipe if you're in the mood for sweets and your trick-or-treating didn't go as well as you had hoped!

Oct 30, 2010

Sweet like candy



HALLOWEEN is finally here!

After a whirlwind few days filled with plenty of traveling, too many buses, and too many trains, I'm ready for lots of candy and playing dress-up.

I'm spending today getting ready for tonight's costume party, making this delicious-looking salad from Martha Stewart's October issue, and then making these heavenly-looking chocolate and peanut butter balls from Smitten Kitchen. The salad will make me feel better about all that chocolate and peanut butter...

I'll also be switching channels between college football and all the scary movies on TV this afternoon :)

I'll put pictures up of my costume tomorrow! Have an amazing weekend everyone!

Oct 27, 2010

Every autumn singes

The trees outside are telling me that it's fall.

The thermometer -- reaching a toasty 74 degrees today -- is laughing at me.

So, since I can't change the weather, I might as well try to bring some of that summertime campfire-feeling indoors.

Smores bar from Chocomize
Indoor DYI fire pit via Design*Sponge
Campfire candle from Terrain
Fall tailgating via Country Living

Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

Urban Outfitters
via Tish's Place

Nevermore Necklace, Anthropologie

They did the monster mash

Halloween is this weekend! In the spirit of spooky fun, I thought I'd share with you guys this Halloween-inspired, online game from M&M's.

As an advertising junkie, I love when I come across creative campaigns. Although online games don't work for every target audience, I think this M&M's Dark tactic is great. The M&M's brand is fun, which the game reinforces. The "dark" aspect of the candy is represented by the dark, horror movies in the game, and to top it all off, when do you usually eat candy? At the movies.

Have fun! Happy Halloween!

P.S. I finally found my costume! I'll share soon...

It's always better when we're together


This picture has been making it's rounds on various blogs, but it was just too perfect not to post.

What's better than a puppy running towards you?!

Speaking of puppies, the Delaware County SPCA just became No-Kill! If you're in the greater Philadelphia area, check out their website here.

(By Tim Flach, via A Cup of Jo)

I will never be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it.



Scarlett's new cut, gorgeous as always. This is going into my "short hair" inspiration files. I never quite figured out how to style my bob the last time I tried it. Maybe I'll be brave enough to try again in the future. In the meantime I'll just lust after how effortlessly chic these women look.

Ok, fine. She doesn't look so effortless, because she's in lingerie.




(Image sources unknown.)

(Title quote from Carrie Bradshaw on Sex And The City.)

Pretty things

Dogeared jewelry came out a few years ago, and I loved it then. I especially loved their Make A Wish necklaces, which are tiny charms on thin thread that eventually break. When the thread breaks, the wish that you made when you first put on the necklace will come true. Allegedly.

I just recently stumbled across their jewelry again, and although they've branched away from their signature Make A Wish necklaces, I still love their stuff.

I think their necklaces make the perfect birthday present. Cute, thoughtful, and unique! Maybe the recipient will return the favor when your birthday comes around...


Oct 26, 2010

Never grow up

My old, faded, blue jeans

How cool is this DYI denim kit? It includes the materials to distress, fade, bleach, and add studs to your jeans, in addition to fixing hems and waistlines.

It kind of reminds me of the Bedazzler. Remember that? Just for fun...

Oct 25, 2010

I'm leaving on a jet plane

I've finally settled on the perfect outfit for traveling.

Needed?

A hat for hiding travel-messed hair, sunglasses, a cozy t-shirt, a large scarf that can double as a blanket, a lightweight jacket that's easily stuffed into a suitcase, skinny jeans, and a comfortable pair of flats or wedges. I usually carry a large carry-on with a change of clothes and any essentials, but I never know what to do with the purse that I plan to carry once I get to my destination. Enter:  Longchamp. Once folded, it's easily slipped into a carry-on bag.

Glasses, beanie, top, jeans, scarf, boots, bag, jacket.



Oct 24, 2010

I go to the corner, I end up in Spain

If you've never been to Barcelona, I can tell you what it smells like.

Fresh bread, strong coffee, ocean air, and cigarette smoke.

It's pretty much what I imagine heaven smells like.

That's what my kitchen smelled like tonight. Well, almost. I made tortilla espanyola and pa amb tomaquet for dinner -- my two favorite dishes from Barcelona. Between the sound of the potatoes frying and the smell of the bread toasting, it almost felt like I was back in Spain. (I wish.)






Tortilla Espanyola (Spanish Tortilla)

Ingredients:
3 large potatoes
1 large onion
3 eggs
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Peel potatoes and slice into even, thin slices. Fill a saute pan with enough olive oil to cover the potatoes. Heat oil in large pan until bubbling. (If you drop a slice of potato in the oil, it should float.) 

Place potatoes in oil and cook on high heat. While potatoes are cooking, peel and slice the onion in half, and then slice evenly. Just when the potatoes start to brown at the edges, add the onions and cook for a few more minutes on medium heat.

Take the potatoes and onions out of the oil and place on paper towels to drain. Beat 3 eggs in a large bowl and add potato and egg mixture. Stir together until potatoes and onions are fully coated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Pour entire mixture into a large frying pan. Once the bottom is browned, flip. (Trick: Put a large plate on top of the frying pan and flip the tortilla onto the plate, then push it back into the frying pan to brown the other side.)

Tortilla espanyola should be cooled a bit before eating. It's also great at room temperature, on french bread, or dipped in aioli. Enjoy!

I'll add the recipe for the Pa Amb Tomaquet (bread with tomato) soon!

Oct 23, 2010

I got soul, but I'm not a soldier

Via The Sartorialist
 JCrew
BulletGirl
Anthropologie
JCrew
Maxpedition



Because I'm really loving these men this military trend. Wait.