Angel in the Park

Did we all have fun watching the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show last night?  I actually missed it due to my boyfriend's obsession with Sons of Anarchy, but it is DVR'd and I can't wait to watch it.  Alessandra Ambrosio is one of my favorite models, and of course she is most famous as her role as VS Angel.  But I am swooning over these shots of her in Vogue Brazil.  Accompanied by Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro, they might just be the most picturesque couple to ever be styled in a fashion editorial, don't you think?

A Scrumptious Little Cookie

This is my absolute favorite time of year to bake and be in the kitchen.  With Christmas carols blazing and a glass of vino close at hand, it's the best way to wind down, but still feel as though you're doing something "Christmas-y" and productive.  I've tried a couple cookie recipes this year, and this one is hands down my favorite.   Ladies and gentlemen, I present you with "Benne Wafers".  These delicate little cookies have the most amazing texture and flavor, I can't believe I wasted 25 years of my life without them.  They are made of sesame seeds and little else and couldn't be simpler to make.  They are my new go to, and I have a feeling I'll be eating theses chewy/crunchy little morsels year after year.  Crowned cookie of the year in 1952, I'm not quite sure how they never got to be as popular as the chocolate chip.

Ingredients:
- 1/2 Cup Sesame Seeds
- 1 Egg
- 1 Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 1/2 Tbsp Unsalted Butter (softened, but cool)
- 2 Tbsp All Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/4 tsp Salt

Tools
- Parchment Paper
- A butter knife submerged in a glass of ice water

Directions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
- Mix the butter and the brown sugar until it is thoroughly blended.
- Add the egg and beat till combined.
- Add flour, salt, vanilla, and sesame seeds till combined.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Place quarter-sized dollops about two inches apart.  These will look extremely small, but trust me, they expand.
- Flatten the cookies with your butter knife so that they are nice and flat.
- Cook for approximately 6 minutes.  Cookies should be a bit darker around the edges but still a nice golden brown.
- Let cookies cool for several minutes before attempting to remove them from the parchment paper.

*Makes about 4 dozen.

At the Chalet

I headed over to Net-a-Porter yesterday and had one of those experiences where I made myself step away from my laptop.  This week's e-magazine is "Chalet Chic" and to say I have been craving ski-worthy sweaters would be the understatement of the year.  I went into Abercrombie and Fitch yesterday and left smelling of horrid cologne and gravely disappointed that all their sweaters looked... well, too "Abercrombie".  On my way home today I stopped at the Ralph Lauren outlet and was equally disappointed in the selection.  There were a few that were "okay", but who wants to buy something "okay"?   My third and final strike out was picking up my mom's copy of Gorsuch.   Yeah, you bet I found about ten sweaters I loved, but alas, not a one was under $700.   So you can imagine my horror/excitement when finding this Chalet Chic collection.   But I think a couple of these might be Christmas list-worthy and if nothing else provided some great inspiration as to what it is I'm looking for.   Below were my favorites and I even managed to find some other gems at different online sites.  Which would you choose?

French Connection

Moschino

Jonathan Saunders

3.1 Phillip Lim

Aubin and Wills

Stella McCartney

Sandro

Paul and Joe Sister

Have a Classy Weekend

Here's hoping your weekend is filled with all things that delight - leather bound books, champagne, fancy brunches and adventures with handsome strangers.  

Gros Bisous! x

Habla Espanol?

Model Clara Alonso is more than jaw-droppingly pretty.  She can style an outfit like no other.  Above is the perfect lil' ensemble for days that still have the warmth of a late autumn sun, but evening temps require a sweater.  I'm adoring how cream was paired with a delicate floral scarf and scarlette booties, hat, and bag.  I swoon for this.  Simply swoon.   Check out her site here.  I might be brushing up on my Spanish skills just so I can enjoy her blog.

Cool Weather, Warm Apple Crisp

Apple crisp is one of those delightful little foods that has the ability to take me back in time.  My grandma always made it to accompany our kulberwurst dinners and there is something about that chewy crust,  buttery apples, and savory cinnamon that is the epitome of comfort food.  My mom made it for me the last time I was home and I knew that this was a recipe I had to master.   This was my great aunt and great grandmother's recipe and I couldn't believe how simple it was.  Paired with a cup of hot tea, there is no better indulgence on a blustery, autumn afternoon.   

Ingredients:

- 5 to 6 apples (I used Fuji) peeled and sliced

- 1 cup sugar

- 1 cup flour

- 1 tsp baking powder

- 1/4 tsp salt

- 1 egg

- 1 stick butter, melted & cooled

- cinnamon 

Directions:

- Mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, & salt.

- Add the egg to the above mixture.  It should turn into a crumbly consistency.

- Line the bottom of an 8 x 8 pan with your apples.

- Cover the apples with the mixture, and create furrows (small divets so the butter doesn't run to the sides).

- Sprinkle the top with cinnamon.

- Poor butter onto the top, evenly coating it.

- Bake at 350 degrees until apples are thoroughly cooked and top is golden. The time can vary, but I cooked mine about 40 minutes.

- Serve with whipping cream, ice cream, or half and half.  

To Travel @ Dusk

Let's go here (Prague).  I'll wear fur, go to operas, and read books in quaint cafes.  I'm excited.  

Bath, England and the Royal Crescent is one of those places that simply took my breath away.  It's magic and I want to go back, stay there for a few months, and just write. 

Brazil is one of those places I've dreamed of going for years now.   It's obvious what one would do here - beaches, waterfalls, night clubs - it'd be the perfect adult-spring break.

I want to go to Greece and go on an adventure.  That and be in love.  Those are the two things to do in Greece. 

If you know me, you know Monaco is my ultimate dream.  I will go here and experience it all.   Hell, maybe I'll live  here and experience it all. 

...Love Lace...

These photos make me wanna shop for tops like this.  I guess you could say I'm easily inspired.

Day Birger Et Mikkelson