Tailored Tweed

tweed jacket (Zara), black tank top (Forever 21), pocket watch necklace (Bunnie Bee jewelry), ring (David Yurman)

tweed jacket (Zara), black tank top (Forever21), black jeans (Forever21), pocket watch necklace (Bunnie Bee jewelry), black ballet flats (Chanel)

tweed jacket (Zara), black tank top (Forever21), black jeans (Forever21), black ballet flats (Chanel) 

tweed jacket (Zara), black tank top (Forever 21), pocket watch necklace (Bunnie Bee jewelry), earrings (Chanel)

This tweed jacket is a recent addition to my wardrobe and has been a great piece to just throw on a feel so put together.

Homemade Caramel

I have recently been introduced to coconut sugar and immediately went out and bought a bag of it. Coconut sugar is said to be one of the healthiest alternatives to sugar and it is made only from coconut. Now that I had the sugar, I had to begin to brainstorm what I could start making with it. Finally, I decided the first recipe I would try would be homemade caramel sauce. With only three ingredients, I made what I think is some pretty delicious caramel sauce. You can store for a rainy day, or even just a lazy Sunday, like today. Below are some snacks I made with my caramel sauce to cheer up my Sunday afternoon. Snacks included some sliced green apples and bananas with fresh whipped cream.

Recipe for caramel sauce:

1 Cup water
1 Cup coconut sugar
1/2 C heavy cream

Put the water and sugar into a sauce pan and stir constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Once it starts to boil stop stirring and let it bubble for about 5-7 minutes until the mixture starts to smoke a little (don't catch the kitchen on fire). Pull the mixture off the heat and pout in the heavy cream and stir until everything is evenly combined. As the mixture cools it will thicken to the gooey consistency you are used to seeing. You can store in the fridge and pour on whatever makes you happy.

Brownie Love

It has been a while since I have had a moist, fudgy brownie...it has actually been a while since I've had a brownie, period. Tonight I decided to change that and made these delicious brownies. I hope you give these a try and I hope they lift your spirits, like they lifted mine. No butter, no flour...little guilt and a happy tummy!

Ingredients:

1 16oz jar of almond butter
1/2 C unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 C maple syrup
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a food processor, blend all the ingredients until smooth. Pour the batter into a 9x13 inch pan and bake for 30-40 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean). Cool and enjoy! (in our house the "cool" part is optional, but try to wait as long as you can)

Sexy Simplicity

I think classic pieces in a woman's wardrobe can help you feel sexy and confident every day. Collect pieces that make you feel happy and you can pair them with anything to boost your day (or night). Here are a few pieces that really boost my mood (keep in mind I'm personally a huge fan of red):

Classic black patent Louboutins to spice up any outfit. Paired with a tweed mini skirt, Zara and black cotton tank top, Moschino

Classic black Burberry jacket, paired with one of my favorite plaid sweaters, Ralph Lauren and a great pair of dark jeans, JCrew.

Sausalito - one of the most beautiful places on earth

I have spent the past few days on vacation in San Francisco. We have tried to explore every nook and cranny of the city and (accessible) surrounding areas - we decided not to rent a car. One of the places that came highly recommended was Sausalito. Without much of a plan, we took the very quick ferry ride from San Francisco over to Sausalito…what a fantastic recommendation this place was. The houses were spectacular sights to see (most built into the side of the hills with beautiful views of the water) and the ice cream was quite scrumpteous (which is always important).

views of the bay from the waterfront homes

me…dancing with excitement at how cute this little island was...in my gold Toms (essential when you are out and about exploring with a lot of ground to cover -- stylish and comfortable) 

one of the amazing houses overlooking the bay

rock sculptures one of the locals was making - his balancing was amazing

me and my banana, caramel, chocolate chip ice cream…oh the simple things in life

enjoying the view before heading back to San Fran -- also enjoying my newly purchased red sunglasses for a nice pop of fun color

I hope everyone else has been enjoying their weekend!

Banana Bread

This banana bread recipe is one I love to make and eat up right out of the oven (ok -- I'd wait a few minutes to let it cool down). This banana makes a great, healthy breakfast or just a filling afternoon snack. It is a great way to use up any bananas that have started to go brown. When they begin to go brown, it just means they are going to make sweeter banana bread.

Ingredients

3 eggs

3 bananas

1/8 C honey

1/4 C plain apple sauce

1/8 C grapeseed oil

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 C Coconut Flour

1/2 C chopped Walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350F. Whisk the wet ingredients together until they are smooth. Sift the coconut flour to ensure there are no clumps. Slowly add in the dry ingredients in with the mixer on low. Fold in the chopped walnuts. Bake for 40-50 minutes. They are done when a knife comes out of them clean.

A very special finding...

I'd like to dedicate this post to one of my greatest findings, my partner. Although I don't think that you should only expresses these types of feelings and love on Valentines day, I'd like to highlight just how lucky I am. After more than seven years, thank you for loving me, no matter what.

I will continue to tell you until the day I die: "If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you" - Winnie the Pooh.

The simple black dress

Around this time of year I begin to root through my closet looking for a great little black dress for Valentines day. Here are a couple great black staples. Sometimes sexy is what is left to the imagination.

Simple short black dress

Calvin Klein full length jersey dress

Calvin Klein full length jersey dress from the back

Not so oatmeal raisin cookies

One of my go to (and favorite) recipes is my version of oatmeal raisin cookies. Since I can't really eat oatmeal (because of the fact they are made from oats and they're quite processed) and I'm not really a fan of raisins, I came up with these cranberry nut cookies that imitate the warm cookie feeling that oatmeal raisin cookies give you, without all the processed oats and overly sweet raisins.

Recipe:

Ingredients

1 1/2 C raw almonds

1/2 C walnuts

1 C pitted dates

1 C shredded coconut

2 eggs

1 C apple juice infused cranberries

zest of 1 orange

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor blend: almonds, walnuts, dates, coconut, orange zest, and cinnamon. Empty the blended ingredients into a bowl and mix in the cranberries in and then mix in the 2 eggs with your hands -- make sure the eggs are well incorporated. Roll out 12 cookies and bake for 30 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!

After making these cookies today, I had a left over orange (because I only used the zest in the cookies), so I decided to make a little something sweet for my valentine. I made these little chocolate orange cakes so that nothing went to waste.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

2 C Almond Flour

1/2 C maple syrup

Juice of 1 orange

1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder

3 eggs

pinch of salt

1/2 C almond milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor blend together all ingredients. Grease two ramekins and fill with batter. Bake for 40-45 minutes (until a toothpick comes out clean). Enjoy!

Love affair with red

As a tribute to valentines day I'd like highlight one of my favorite accessories -- scarves, specifically one of my favorite red scarves. I throw this scarf on with a cute dress to go out to dinner, or use it to spice up a casual daytime look.

Just a causal look -- and don't forget another favorite red pop of color, my Toms!

Anchors Away

On a recent venture to the Brooklyn Flea I found these great anchors for my mantle. Great furniture is important in putting together an apartment, but its the "nick-nacks"that really make it a home. I have a love for all things nautical and I thought these were the perfect pieces to help make my apartment feel more like a home.

These vintage anchors were used on the back of old yachts to tie up the ropes so they didn't get tangled while you were at sea, but I'll settle for them as mantle decor.

The joy of baking

A few years ago I found out that I had an auto immune disease, which was causing me all sorts of stomach woes. After years of trial and error I have found a way of eating that has really helped me keep up my energy, keep away my stomach woes and most importantly has helped me find one of my greatest loves, all natural baking.

One of my favorite recipes that I have developed is for jelly donut cupcakes. I hope you all give these a try and make someone else's tummy as happy as they have made mine.

Recipes:

Cupcake batter ingredients:

6 eggs

1 cup of applesauce

4 tbsp grapeseed oil

1 cup of honey

2 tbsp vanilla extract

1 cup of coconut flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

Jam:

2 containers fresh raspberries (buy some extras to decorate the tops with)

2 tbsp maple syrup

Cook for 30 minutes until it starts to thicken - then refrigerate (it will continue to thicken when its in the fridge...usually takes another 30 minutes)

Preheat oven to 350F. Mix eggs, applesauce, grapeseed oil, honey, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, sift the coconut flour and baking soda. Once the egg, applesauce, oil honey and vanilla mixture is smooth, leave the mixer going and slowly add in the sifted coconut flour and baking soda. Once everything is mixed smoothly. Grease a cupcake tin and using a tablespoon, spoon one table spoon of batter, then two teaspoons of jam, then cover with once tablespoon of batter. Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for about 20 minutes and then use the additional jam to ice the tops of the cupcakes and stick a raspberry on top and enjoy! :)

Spring Ahead....please

It is usually about this time of year in New York when I find myself trying to remember what the joy of Springtime feels like. I can't wait to dig these prints and pops of color out of my closet and enjoy the warmer weather.

simple floral

beachy stripes

red Toms

unique print

Chocobolo

One of my favorite activities, when I'm not at work, is to explore my neighborhood for places that offer simple food and a unique atmosphere.  The latest discovery I've made is the newest Portuguese coffee shop in my neighborhood, called Chocobolo. This unique little coffee shop offers authentic Portuguese pastries and a warm environment to come and sit for as long as you want. It is one of the few places I have been to where the staff never rushes you and actually welcomes you to sit for hours.

I now love spending a weekend afternoon at one of these little tables writing on my laptop, sipping their wonderful mochaccinos and observing passers by. This quaint cafe has now become part of my weekly routine.

Mirrors on the ceiling really open up the space

A little delicious bite I sometimes indulge in

Unique cork details & mirror table tops

 

Baby Rogers

We are just days away from the birth of our first nephew and we couldn't be more excited. It feels like just yesterday that I threw this baby shower for the soon to be proud mama.

Homemade hot cocoa as party favors

Its a boy!

Cutest containers for our plain and cajun popcorn

Oreo Pops & Popcorn

The importance of basics

Sweater Dress, Michael Kors; Sweater, Banana Republic;

Leggings, Zara; Boots, Burberry; Coat, Zara

Coat, Zara; Sunglasses, Michael Kors; Purse, Louis Vuitton

Sweater Dress, Michael Kors; Sweater, Saks Fifth Avenue;
Leggings, Zara; Boots, Burberry; Sunglasses, Michael Kors

When I woke up this morning to the chilly breeze coming through our bedroom window, I immediately began to think about the layers I would need to stay warm today. As I stood in front of my closet (or the open wall I have converted into a closet) I saw a few of my go to layering items. I think it is essential to have those simple items in your closet that you can always depend on on a cold winter day to still make you feel put together. Above are just a few of mine.