tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88811394803759745132024-03-12T19:29:12.699-07:00Eat. Shop. Bake.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-60303227981827679492010-06-10T20:10:00.000-07:002010-06-10T20:22:26.145-07:00shop: staple summer outfitI am a reasonably simple person when it comes to my style. I like girlie touches to my outfits, but nothing to frou frou. These items are staples in my wardrobe and often I wear something that resembles this complete outfit. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.shopbop.com/sharp-shoulder-james-blazer-elizabeth/vp/v=1/845524441871577.htm?folderID=2534374302066271&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall">elizabeth and james sharp shoulder james blazer</a> $395<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-IkdtqGzXMh0KqPa-bdDza7FtFrhmjDIs31VdY7wDe1YdfqoTp2XIhyphenhyphendrDFpwisn-iUXpxIErH9Yp9bbPwsTvaxAz41DL4LighGPiBTfXM5NdNG3VTdhWSl72A90yZl842hCD6wJWdz2/s1600/elija2090012028_p1_v1_m56577569831950279_254x500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-IkdtqGzXMh0KqPa-bdDza7FtFrhmjDIs31VdY7wDe1YdfqoTp2XIhyphenhyphendrDFpwisn-iUXpxIErH9Yp9bbPwsTvaxAz41DL4LighGPiBTfXM5NdNG3VTdhWSl72A90yZl842hCD6wJWdz2/s320/elija2090012028_p1_v1_m56577569831950279_254x500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481349325444806722" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://shopplanetblue.com/index.php/shop-online/tops/lace-back-cascade-tank.html">twelfth street by cynthia vincent lace back cascade tank</a> $215<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORg_vDQfW26iPpTdA82xso-ESC4aL0zenfPR6fn0ktZcUf3yhpYX1I40u9cov1hf1wjyeJIMlyMJoWsPd0B94zXqzMRVVQf8I31xAFHSwsFTKpsBU7K3DOUUOZZfw2Swzp96qnUS1utA0/s1600/twelfthst-lacebacktank-white-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 203px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiORg_vDQfW26iPpTdA82xso-ESC4aL0zenfPR6fn0ktZcUf3yhpYX1I40u9cov1hf1wjyeJIMlyMJoWsPd0B94zXqzMRVVQf8I31xAFHSwsFTKpsBU7K3DOUUOZZfw2Swzp96qnUS1utA0/s320/twelfthst-lacebacktank-white-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481349800591678306" /></a><br /><br />c<a href="http://www.shopbop.com/boyfriend-shorts-current-elliott/vp/v=1/845524441867867.htm?folderID=2534374302104951&extid=affprg-2687457-CURNT2018230659">urrent/elliot the boyfriend shorts</a> $163 (or cheaper version at <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=15551740&navAction=jump&isProduct=true&parentid=MORE%20IDEAS&isProduct=true&cross-sell=true&guide-bn=true">Urban Outfitters</a>)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6RXysj_gQW3N9Ha2YbpfaXlhtNXzFBtU0n8Jm-pI8Y2SPPX9GlAnWYL-DfPH4zGuDJebD4kV_Pl_rvkdBdA5jodhG7dZu3hrQWf5xOUu1bos5wtNb4sNfoPV4bENm2J33g1b055IBBQI/s1600/img-thing.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6RXysj_gQW3N9Ha2YbpfaXlhtNXzFBtU0n8Jm-pI8Y2SPPX9GlAnWYL-DfPH4zGuDJebD4kV_Pl_rvkdBdA5jodhG7dZu3hrQWf5xOUu1bos5wtNb4sNfoPV4bENm2J33g1b055IBBQI/s320/img-thing.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481350429522570578" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.shopnastygal.com/products/new/clothing/shoes/So-Smart-Wedge-%252d-Slate.html">jeffrey campbell so smart wedge</a> $98<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_epYZaEt7Fzgwlc8uBYy8Akzo4-BLJuA3jicRVgwP1jEp4FbV9upGBsEDcq6KzIqqJ6ddqGqUS6qxhTYGTD_t1IsNdULbF02U5cG2XjUodVgjcyKYM3gxfi-JTRGH4ZlDf6dF7vXfVGXX/s1600/052210s035__75824_std.JPG.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_epYZaEt7Fzgwlc8uBYy8Akzo4-BLJuA3jicRVgwP1jEp4FbV9upGBsEDcq6KzIqqJ6ddqGqUS6qxhTYGTD_t1IsNdULbF02U5cG2XjUodVgjcyKYM3gxfi-JTRGH4ZlDf6dF7vXfVGXX/s320/052210s035__75824_std.JPG.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481350821310887410" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446367997&afsrc=1&ci_sku=0411869057775&site_refer=GGLPRADS001&ci_src=64119933">alexander wang diego bucket bag</a> $825<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvc-kn74d8HD-ZuV_OPnX0ZHN5i8Ue4QNTp3JOUNvSlM-HqyF4uPqffwNTOwft9vIHkb2-UwMmQnWFthJQvUEYRrSOI5ANV88pktp3t0jnF1kf-e2zGM7exAepVjx0Me2hpnexudti6vZ/s1600/0411869057768R_300x400.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvc-kn74d8HD-ZuV_OPnX0ZHN5i8Ue4QNTp3JOUNvSlM-HqyF4uPqffwNTOwft9vIHkb2-UwMmQnWFthJQvUEYRrSOI5ANV88pktp3t0jnF1kf-e2zGM7exAepVjx0Me2hpnexudti6vZ/s320/0411869057768R_300x400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481351145352447122" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-56808865989456683572010-05-27T11:59:00.001-07:002010-05-27T12:12:23.001-07:00eat: dessert edition: cookie monster's favorite<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXMPe2E6QbUecSwpMqAXA8mjybVMm1azRfywOZ21NwG5ktF02V5yGdV3Uf7rwL-OEu2TeEInAi97hp-jsPa3VsLj_BDfcI5XHbrpoMMrfib5HCqjTSCS_Ve0-ACkwGcxaIus2khRNcnaM/s1600/IMG_0123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAXMPe2E6QbUecSwpMqAXA8mjybVMm1azRfywOZ21NwG5ktF02V5yGdV3Uf7rwL-OEu2TeEInAi97hp-jsPa3VsLj_BDfcI5XHbrpoMMrfib5HCqjTSCS_Ve0-ACkwGcxaIus2khRNcnaM/s320/IMG_0123.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476026578830851490" /></a><br />In the heart of Westwood near UCLA there lays a shop that is always filled with people and has a line pouring out of it and down the street. Diddy Riese is a well known cookie shop that college students love because you can buy 3 cookies for $1 or get an ice cream sandwich for $1.50. The cookies are always fresh and have that right out the oven taste to them. They have so many options to choose from that one has to get 3 just to have a taste of them all. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfG2cQPr9cqZ8QBEDPaPUJiw2i1rAq0iTFCzQbkirI_VjcUh0UVVDuaY6TtnW59aSUyhav8XHqkvyHazdcCLYyxZhG2E82VMoOhksSg9VIymWgui7xrUsr7I1habVYLpmeM_YukhhPoBi/s1600/IMG_0124.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfG2cQPr9cqZ8QBEDPaPUJiw2i1rAq0iTFCzQbkirI_VjcUh0UVVDuaY6TtnW59aSUyhav8XHqkvyHazdcCLYyxZhG2E82VMoOhksSg9VIymWgui7xrUsr7I1habVYLpmeM_YukhhPoBi/s320/IMG_0124.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476027715482252146" /></a><br />The ice cream sandwich is my favorite because you get to choose the two cookies and the ice cream that goes inside. I tend to go for a chocolate chip, snicker doodle and mint chip ice cream. Yum! The sandwich is one of the best I have ever had. Because the cookies are warm it melts the ice cream a little and it is the perfect amount of ooey gooey yumminess. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTcR_mfLyTDVznOhVDW0XyYrqvR6wnUWyUJNP2jTJSd47nufJLQlh9xZoBzH6NTIB-7DYZOzK-ZlnxQPnzskS84SC-62iv9CyBkjyvbZJAS9x4D3f1UlBWtIZNL8ilpaxijTyCUjM8grl/s1600/IMG_0125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTcR_mfLyTDVznOhVDW0XyYrqvR6wnUWyUJNP2jTJSd47nufJLQlh9xZoBzH6NTIB-7DYZOzK-ZlnxQPnzskS84SC-62iv9CyBkjyvbZJAS9x4D3f1UlBWtIZNL8ilpaxijTyCUjM8grl/s320/IMG_0125.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476028469678657682" /></a><br />If you live in LA and have never been, you must go! If you come to visit LA, mark this down as a place you must visit. I promise it is worth it. Don't get frightened by the line either; it usually moves pretty quick.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-11539810253302838832010-05-24T16:13:00.000-07:002010-05-26T10:26:09.216-07:00bake: hot fudge sundae cupcakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywn6TQ-P7YJIo2YWH9jShItoaa0wmej_xAsX3Ek3dGAxLl6OkQCeShDXfA7dnVvpzowMWrv1h8MiiXwNAZ5fISGJBEZ1O50iizOyTdB141_AGieixidwaDHcSeqwxn380A7mSs5BUDKCY/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywn6TQ-P7YJIo2YWH9jShItoaa0wmej_xAsX3Ek3dGAxLl6OkQCeShDXfA7dnVvpzowMWrv1h8MiiXwNAZ5fISGJBEZ1O50iizOyTdB141_AGieixidwaDHcSeqwxn380A7mSs5BUDKCY/s320/IMG_0120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474979019269188322" /></a><br />I had a dinner party over the weekend and of course I had to bake something fun and so I chose to bake hot fudge sundae cupcakes. It was my first time making them and I got the idea here<a href="http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2010/01/hot-fudge-sundae-cupcakes/"></a>. They turned out to be so yummy and needless to say my friends devoured them. <br /><br />A couple of things I noticed though: <br />*Veer to the underbaking them side. Do not over bake them because they will be dry. <br />* I will add a 1/4 cup heavy cream next time to get them a little more moist. <br />* Do not over mix the batter. Very important. <br />* When the ganache has set and hardened, they are quite tasty. <br /><br />Other than that have so much fun! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHT8mYVxZtqtCtDeqa5oFquJP1Uu1dS7xrRujvIEJPg4r8KkUSwosC0o8ukQYuGFv9fIjm79E721QIp8pEsXX2PuKHI5pSkaky9wX_BiKrzr4IDBbjXJAqS3Rxysf2fwr-mmPjYsJcqC45/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHT8mYVxZtqtCtDeqa5oFquJP1Uu1dS7xrRujvIEJPg4r8KkUSwosC0o8ukQYuGFv9fIjm79E721QIp8pEsXX2PuKHI5pSkaky9wX_BiKrzr4IDBbjXJAqS3Rxysf2fwr-mmPjYsJcqC45/s320/IMG_1324.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475630036344056450" /></a><br /><br />hot fudge sundae cupcakes<br /><br />1 cup all-purpose flour<br /><br />a scant 3/4 cup sugar<br /><br />1 teaspoon baking powder<br /><br />1/2 teaspoon baking soda<br /><br />pinch of salt<br /><br />3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature<br /><br />1/2 cup whole milk<br /><br />1 egg<br /><br />1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTBeel2K1dLe1XdyqCt976Tcn6CaWo46QNIAae3AfUE6WbP_apyyynBoF-YK1egvfEx3MDJEwSBISxbnSA6Jq57QtxVOyVfElzyVdnkFJYkkQqPJfQmpboJhpdPe1XtP399FBy_krJVT1/s1600/IMG_1323.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtTBeel2K1dLe1XdyqCt976Tcn6CaWo46QNIAae3AfUE6WbP_apyyynBoF-YK1egvfEx3MDJEwSBISxbnSA6Jq57QtxVOyVfElzyVdnkFJYkkQqPJfQmpboJhpdPe1XtP399FBy_krJVT1/s320/IMG_1323.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475630289794481986" /></a><br />Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and butter into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or use a handheld beater and beat on slow speed until the mixture is a sandy consistency and everything is combined. Gradually pour in half of the milk and beat until the milk is just incorporated.<br /><br />Whisk the egg, vanilla and remaining milk together in a separate bowl for a few seconds, then pour into the flour mixture and continue beating until just incorporated. Scrape any unmixed ingredients from the side or the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Continue mixing until the batter is smooth. Just a few minutes. Do not overmix.<br /><br />Spoon the batter into paper lined muffin tins, dividing between the 12 cups. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until light golden and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool slightly in the pan, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fwXMFvd59bV-qsTYc9gbULbq0PrSyJZNspQCtfe-mMT_A9Vi6464qgZ42_BtiNF_hWCUVRYqP-njHtnQZgvDnQHu8dahHeJZfT5beN59E5Z5XH63kLG5X1dp12fhdVRMj_z4CFaQ2qmo/s1600/IMG_1326.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2fwXMFvd59bV-qsTYc9gbULbq0PrSyJZNspQCtfe-mMT_A9Vi6464qgZ42_BtiNF_hWCUVRYqP-njHtnQZgvDnQHu8dahHeJZfT5beN59E5Z5XH63kLG5X1dp12fhdVRMj_z4CFaQ2qmo/s320/IMG_1326.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475630869117775602" /></a><br /><br />Chocolate Ganache:<br /><br />3/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips (I used chocolate chunks)<br /><br />1/4 cup heavy cream<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWc4yKv8-EFRitoaU2hViC4tzbrJX3yBAdyqBK-M8JVuEs4X13LR3vfymsdBPBNlU0fpMCBdAlh-YHshwgSzK7waovI8zYjOwhQ-9dqMK7jbeJ9Oci5WHjGGzuAqaL0dn9h751k5q-QdA/s1600/IMG_1328.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlWc4yKv8-EFRitoaU2hViC4tzbrJX3yBAdyqBK-M8JVuEs4X13LR3vfymsdBPBNlU0fpMCBdAlh-YHshwgSzK7waovI8zYjOwhQ-9dqMK7jbeJ9Oci5WHjGGzuAqaL0dn9h751k5q-QdA/s320/IMG_1328.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475631116364454130" /></a><br />Put chocolate chips in a small bowl. Bring cream to a simmer in a small heavy saucepan. Pour cream evenly over chocolate. Let stand for one minute to soften, then stir until smooth. If frosting is too loose to spread, let it sit at room temperature for 10 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, frosting will continue to thicken as it stands. <br /><br />Top vanilla cupcakes with chocolate ganache, slightly sweetened whipped cream, slivered almonds and a cherry. <br /><br />Serve immediately.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGS_Xp9ZvtjVrU3SlVuPNNBM3O28ol6ePGrdxWziU8XIX7Y9DN5tOTvz3NhM1yjngFzX0KxHSJWlNXxNNqXMCHS-Kp9ugy5HOLpkhe0AvSfdG5m2faRDFdgL_Zf6Wc_lQ4kCeD7qPDVgj/s1600/IMG_1329.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGS_Xp9ZvtjVrU3SlVuPNNBM3O28ol6ePGrdxWziU8XIX7Y9DN5tOTvz3NhM1yjngFzX0KxHSJWlNXxNNqXMCHS-Kp9ugy5HOLpkhe0AvSfdG5m2faRDFdgL_Zf6Wc_lQ4kCeD7qPDVgj/s320/IMG_1329.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475631258127163314" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-82853363988965950362010-05-21T01:00:00.001-07:002010-05-21T01:15:18.227-07:00Shop: Polka Dots and Spots<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E93V3C2dGWZiSf1WynmO93W_tj7WFUFWhhkslPvo94fmaz63-7ADFvhmLnmbnOgMkkT6g5dUWOwFFq2byq03vp1raYySvWobygpgRzRTfI5zCmDYb1UaFArcu9g4TGOxd6eE6qDhyePR/s1600/139894_980.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8E93V3C2dGWZiSf1WynmO93W_tj7WFUFWhhkslPvo94fmaz63-7ADFvhmLnmbnOgMkkT6g5dUWOwFFq2byq03vp1raYySvWobygpgRzRTfI5zCmDYb1UaFArcu9g4TGOxd6eE6qDhyePR/s400/139894_980.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473630301472606562" /></a><br /><br />Polka dots are a perfect addition to any summer outfit. I personally am not a fan of busy patterns so when things like polka dots are in for the season I get excited because they are simple yet provide enough flare for my solid attire. These polka dot choices are just a couple selections for a spicy incorporation to any wardrobe. <br /><br />Clutch- <a href="http://www.asos.com/countryid/2/French-Connection/French-Connection-Canvas-Solar-Spot-Clutch/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=944814">French Connection</a><br /><br />Jean Shorts- <a href="http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=32051&storeId=13052&categoryId=197024&parent_category_rn=133482&productId=1658318&langId=-1&+cmpid=usls_productfeed&_$ja=tsid:19905&siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-RAOa2fFeulJnxTc9CVprMA">Topshop</a><br /><br />Straw Hat - <a href="http://www.missselfridge.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=20555&storeId=12554&categoryId=180994&parent_category_rn=63776&productId=1708544">Miss Selfridge</a><br /><br />Silk bra & briefs- <a href="http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/65610?cm_sp=we_recommend-_-65610-_-slot3">Marni </a><br /><br />Spotted Sandals- <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/See-By-Chloe-Flat-Spot-Sandal/invt/5312460560004">See by Chloe</a><br /><br />Blazer- <a href="http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_037010251163_-1">H! by Henry Holland</a><br /><br />Denim Polka Dot Platforms- <a href="http://www.refinery29shops.com/Opening-Ceremony-Robert-Clergerie-Amor-Lace-Up-Platform-Denim-Polka-Dots/">Robert Clergerie</a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-7574688322002691592010-05-20T12:48:00.000-07:002010-05-20T13:08:08.460-07:00Eat: Quest for the Best Burger in LA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOZUwV2iBoXyREkzPE3xdpvDjs3EuptJ0_n57-W_KFMNy1Ow3pb3LLd2Q26Iyd6PS244cE-fNKO2NcmFiVCKMwHS9lUJ783TNwUCLF5v0xdBm7eDXiFxI93tbMM-HKJgb3zyZXIL2CBJn/s1600/IMG_1322.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOZUwV2iBoXyREkzPE3xdpvDjs3EuptJ0_n57-W_KFMNy1Ow3pb3LLd2Q26Iyd6PS244cE-fNKO2NcmFiVCKMwHS9lUJ783TNwUCLF5v0xdBm7eDXiFxI93tbMM-HKJgb3zyZXIL2CBJn/s320/IMG_1322.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473442699125358226" /></a><br />Yesterday I decided that I wanted to embark on a quest to find the best burger in Los Angeles. I am a total burger girl and while I'd love to and have been a vegetarian I just crave burgers. The funny and ironic thing is is that one of my daily blog reads (Eaterla.com) posted that it is national burger month and there is a poll on<a href="http://www.facebook.com/losangelesfan?v=app_10531514314"> facebook</a> for the best burger in LA. Well, I am gonna visit some of these places and test them out for myself and let you all know my personal experience with them. <br /><br />Last night I went to the first contender: The Counter. <br /><br />I had been there once before with my boyfriend and only had the sliders (we were on our way to dinner and were so hungry that we couldn't wait). I think it is quite easy to make a good slider; they are small and compact so all the juices and flavors are kept in. Now to make a great burger, in my opinion, is a lot harder. The cool thing about The Counter is that you get to build your own burger from top to bottom. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oZN9wAA3aJcZx4_cg-rpdA7scevVx5pQsqK0q2MWcAeM9rNiKPqnXZ0_74Eo8o7QW9PC3ySEZqdomdw1ZN-fZQLzTmScaZ0gqkPg5SsxqU5tBZ0S4RFqIl_HMp-dJv9rNQUadpw0rsdZ/s1600/IMG_1315.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oZN9wAA3aJcZx4_cg-rpdA7scevVx5pQsqK0q2MWcAeM9rNiKPqnXZ0_74Eo8o7QW9PC3ySEZqdomdw1ZN-fZQLzTmScaZ0gqkPg5SsxqU5tBZ0S4RFqIl_HMp-dJv9rNQUadpw0rsdZ/s320/IMG_1315.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473446463620767746" /></a><br />They have tons of options to choose from, which I appreciate cause I am a picky eater. They also have sweet potato fries; my favorite! Anyhow, our burgers came and after I took some photos I dove in. I was a bit disappointed. The grilled onions were soggy and the meat was dry. The bun tasted like it was a couple of days old and the dressing was a bit flavorless. I was surprised because the sliders I had before were great and I hoped the burger would be the same. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrnpniLIZusY4Eggr347mI2pbE1mDX2cHXbVudzP2uhzqNqLaccMyqLwxyfjHTAs_bu0eVytHsheYrtMALQqSXJX-UQ-tIo31Cm2WNeO8l85F-Gv-D_3dYAZZ2NmJBSbk3mPcKUWYUh48/s1600/IMG_1320.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrnpniLIZusY4Eggr347mI2pbE1mDX2cHXbVudzP2uhzqNqLaccMyqLwxyfjHTAs_bu0eVytHsheYrtMALQqSXJX-UQ-tIo31Cm2WNeO8l85F-Gv-D_3dYAZZ2NmJBSbk3mPcKUWYUh48/s320/IMG_1320.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473446188259884898" /></a><br />The fries were delicious and cooked just right, but seeing as I am searching for the best burger they aren't a part of my decision. I do have to say though that in order to truly appreciate a burger, I need to have perfectly cooked and seasoned fries. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pYtT9b-JPc4lBUrFcxnNnYddKbaZCbnZtfbsrvyoMVevlOuwWzQO4qe-oNdP7YcfaaG8l59WMT4CzBRgMIrl_CmcvhRDmtagHpR1wxMT64S5a2zBzsSL2dgyieLfpHwC830M8TNIMB7p/s1600/IMG_1319.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pYtT9b-JPc4lBUrFcxnNnYddKbaZCbnZtfbsrvyoMVevlOuwWzQO4qe-oNdP7YcfaaG8l59WMT4CzBRgMIrl_CmcvhRDmtagHpR1wxMT64S5a2zBzsSL2dgyieLfpHwC830M8TNIMB7p/s320/IMG_1319.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473445050442368130" /></a><br />I was a bit disappointed, but it wasn't a completely awful burger. It just wasn't great. I definitely wouldn't put it in my top 3 best burgers and so The Counter is out.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-83536897712272707002010-05-19T10:21:00.001-07:002010-05-19T10:34:46.171-07:00Bake: Chocolate Coffee Bundt Cake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizm1ynIeElpHE2Wk8wNMg2IrtMeX_ClMtiaxfxJ5hkivS1m9D37qLmHVdVToxV7kk9-H5_5J-AqR-GdmMm5RRNJPOWUegJXs8UnJdxhziKN6-VDbGSPsUyZkyRL6zKEZj-BHHf34OI-rt8/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizm1ynIeElpHE2Wk8wNMg2IrtMeX_ClMtiaxfxJ5hkivS1m9D37qLmHVdVToxV7kk9-H5_5J-AqR-GdmMm5RRNJPOWUegJXs8UnJdxhziKN6-VDbGSPsUyZkyRL6zKEZj-BHHf34OI-rt8/s320/IMG_1313.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473034577078410898" /></a><br />Let me just preface this whole adventure with I am not a big chocolate fan. I enjoy some chocolate here and there and of course I'd never say no to the offer, but it is never my first choice. So, for the past week I have been taking a poll on what I should bake next and one of my daily blog reads posted <a href="http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2010/05/the-making-baking-and-consumption-of-the-best-chocolate-bundt-cake-ever/#more-2714">this</a> on her blog. It'd looked so good I thought I'd try it and then my boyfriend insisted I make this chocolate heaven. And so late last night (since I haven't posted all week) I decided to gather up my energy and set out to make my first bundt cake. Let's just say it did not turn out very pretty, but it tastes so darn yummy. I'm gonna make the excuse for it's lack of beauty that 1. it was late and 2. I'm not a chocolate fan. Also, just note to all those non-professional bakers out there: let the bundt cake cool completely before removing it from the pan. The cake will stick to the pan if not completely cooled and the you will have a Frankencake like me. Most of all, have fun! <br /><br />It makes a 10-inch bundt cake<br /><br />For the Cake:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxy37dqdZNIFXi9rZu5D4B9lxkZIxskkr9Bcf4bSRYUFf2TJRbBgqADn2__K77t5skDWDSGt0s5IuGcuM2A9I_AfZPMuM4noci8xjGaojEzt2hXTRr-LdGUI73xuoG0oxHqd2GXgDh5MIe/s1600/IMG_1302.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxy37dqdZNIFXi9rZu5D4B9lxkZIxskkr9Bcf4bSRYUFf2TJRbBgqADn2__K77t5skDWDSGt0s5IuGcuM2A9I_AfZPMuM4noci8xjGaojEzt2hXTRr-LdGUI73xuoG0oxHqd2GXgDh5MIe/s320/IMG_1302.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473033862123172658" /></a><br />1 1/4 cups plus 1 Tablespoon brewed coffee<br /><br />3/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder<br /><br />2 1/4 cups sugar<br /><br />1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt<br /><br />2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda<br /><br />2 whole eggs<br /><br />1 egg yolk<br /><br />1 1/4 cups plus 1 Tablespoon buttermilk<br /><br />1 cup plus 2 Tablespoon canola oil<br /><br />1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br /><br />2 1/2 cups, plus 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour, sifted<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa5vvXJoE_ieIcq0-o81kKGycf72tjIwrufYYMXNYZ84vJNA6OShEKViwq8TnlDQ5XieRrm2JFNqKJhwRKvGM-7dCDHMsjVyz6rRKZcvBNcZstvSs7nLHehDPVOzZJfdzpG_h9rCUiWQE/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOa5vvXJoE_ieIcq0-o81kKGycf72tjIwrufYYMXNYZ84vJNA6OShEKViwq8TnlDQ5XieRrm2JFNqKJhwRKvGM-7dCDHMsjVyz6rRKZcvBNcZstvSs7nLHehDPVOzZJfdzpG_h9rCUiWQE/s320/IMG_1303.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473034121364449874" /></a><br />For the Glaze:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWqKv_PCMjAtgU05Xjk6tR0gNGUi9rLG_CJQ9BtWdEFNHeFUK5G-L6TaOB6p7ZfaOwvahyphenhyphenyaXRKr5Q6EeDCJAEutVznhVF5k3jBrSU1lfB5toW_alcCzYsJgGxqF8InsQ0MN5aJ7qFOQc/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWqKv_PCMjAtgU05Xjk6tR0gNGUi9rLG_CJQ9BtWdEFNHeFUK5G-L6TaOB6p7ZfaOwvahyphenhyphenyaXRKr5Q6EeDCJAEutVznhVF5k3jBrSU1lfB5toW_alcCzYsJgGxqF8InsQ0MN5aJ7qFOQc/s320/IMG_1307.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473034401730170866" /></a><br />6 ounces unsweetened chocolate<br /><br />3/4 cup unsalted butter<br /><br />3 cups powdered sugar<br /><br />1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature<br /><br />1/4 cup brewed coffee, cooled<br /><br />Place an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. <br /><br />Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan and set aside. <br /><br />To make the cake batter: Put brewed coffee and cocoa powder in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Remove from the heat and let come to room temperature. <br /><br />In the bowl of a stand mixer fit with a whisk attachment, mix together sugar, salt, baking soda, eggs and egg yolk on low speed for about 1 minute. Add the buttermilk, oil and vanilla extract and mix on low again for another minute. <br /><br />Add the flour and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add the cooled cocoa mixture and mix on medium speed for 3 minutes. The batter will be very loose. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake for 1 hour, or until a cake tester inserted in the cake comes out clean. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bNKSskPa2MdoWkk7TpgAje0RJJjAiGYdLrDaEKKXMGzA0FJK0j-sSVvvC-HhmAQ1RnHqRx6aq6N-PTfoF0JDtQGnpJK5lupqT7Xb6noqQBuQdhcPDqMFZBIfYEKkFVBeBwFA82bV5QyP/s1600/IMG_1306.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bNKSskPa2MdoWkk7TpgAje0RJJjAiGYdLrDaEKKXMGzA0FJK0j-sSVvvC-HhmAQ1RnHqRx6aq6N-PTfoF0JDtQGnpJK5lupqT7Xb6noqQBuQdhcPDqMFZBIfYEKkFVBeBwFA82bV5QyP/s320/IMG_1306.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473035663814952930" /></a><br />Let the cake cool completely in the pan and then invert onto a cooling rack. <br /><br />To make the icing: Chop the chocolate into small pieces, put them in a heatproof bowl (or a double boiler), and set the bowl over a pot of barely simmering water. Be sure that the bottom of the bowl does not touch the boiling water. Remove the bowl from the heat when all of the chocolate bits have melted. <br /><br />Melt the butter in a separate pan or in the microwave. Whisk the melted butter into the melted chocolate until thoroughly incorporated. Sift in half of the powdered sugar. Add the sour cream and whisk to combine. Sift in the remaining powdered sugar and whisk until smooth. The glaze should be thick and shiny. Lastly, add the coffee and whisk to create a glossy glaze. <br /><br />Pour the glaze over the Bundt cake, covering it completely. Leave at room temperature until ready to serve.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-80841699481379832102010-05-13T12:06:00.000-07:002010-05-13T17:15:17.378-07:00shop: summer sandalsIf you are anything like me then you have to have all sorts of sandal options to pair with your spring/summer wardrobe. They must range from simple and dainty to bulky and complex. Sandals are the one item in my closet that I must have a wide color variety of. I want to have a pair for all my different skirts and dresses, but also I feel that shoes are a way to lighten up my dark color palette. This seasons selection of sandals are hardly simple and I am loving it. I tend to veer towards big and gaudy when it comes to my shoes. These sandals below are on my "to get" list and I will be checking them off one pair at a time. <br /><br /><br />Rag + Bone <a href="http://www.parallelpdx.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/farringdon-sandal">Farringdon Sandal</a> $298<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr86ZkzTDnITzvjpAKyJ95UZadjmYZjERuCmiW34ncRBnBhDZr2L0E6nX77A5PDRhLlZ3Ndmhig5C7OeXUzqxW3dDSRliNeoM_J-8tJRZtgmlW-ZUF7j9TyuBsenaAhh0PiMYpk9yY08E4/s1600/dsc3403.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr86ZkzTDnITzvjpAKyJ95UZadjmYZjERuCmiW34ncRBnBhDZr2L0E6nX77A5PDRhLlZ3Ndmhig5C7OeXUzqxW3dDSRliNeoM_J-8tJRZtgmlW-ZUF7j9TyuBsenaAhh0PiMYpk9yY08E4/s320/dsc3403.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470834769767342658" /></a><br /><br />Rag + Bone <a href="http://www.lagarconne.com/store/item.htm?itemid=7598&sid=169&pid=">Farringdon II Sandal</a> $235<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZZQn6UpvGmC8hJW2vQjeLL2Y6xEjEpkEagO9dOZwWBBxP7Cef52wqO4BhsXLvn_v7hXwWqfVh1HenRNV3iUBT_cd8Gh9UoEDSxzswS0MPHLqW_B28v4AIXkCEetPUOEbenVFmNiJotz3/s1600/Rag+%2B+Bone+Farringdon+Sandal.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 262px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXZZQn6UpvGmC8hJW2vQjeLL2Y6xEjEpkEagO9dOZwWBBxP7Cef52wqO4BhsXLvn_v7hXwWqfVh1HenRNV3iUBT_cd8Gh9UoEDSxzswS0MPHLqW_B28v4AIXkCEetPUOEbenVFmNiJotz3/s320/Rag+%2B+Bone+Farringdon+Sandal.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470834492420858018" /></a><br /><br />Matt Benson <a href="http://shop.moxsie.com/matt-bernson/sherpa-buttermilk-neon-green.html">The Sherpa Buttermilk</a> $168<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3nE-phyEsdnyB-bvbL33XkRxibCPbmqbGhy4ZXhISaA07ksSCvGCGToK4I51IOo__pbrQatA_Z0D5IpfDEP7_yYdVNfELc5cXlxlpbvPcmTkZSYTkM2d597JMuts4l3eHf-zqbR6gAof/s1600/MattBernson_Sherpa_ButtermilkGreen_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3nE-phyEsdnyB-bvbL33XkRxibCPbmqbGhy4ZXhISaA07ksSCvGCGToK4I51IOo__pbrQatA_Z0D5IpfDEP7_yYdVNfELc5cXlxlpbvPcmTkZSYTkM2d597JMuts4l3eHf-zqbR6gAof/s320/MattBernson_Sherpa_ButtermilkGreen_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470835363283999154" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.freepeople.com/shoes-wedges-and-heels/promised-strappy-sandal/">Promised Strappy Sandal</a> $132<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3zxu0DdVxZu4StaEtvb5Ylq_vJar7rcDxD1TWQCiOFsWLq3kSKHeMtBRbKB1isTEUBfg29_lOyiyRmE84bSzMTAWDhNEYvcOjb-roCF46iMEsjcphyGkudpbVCKw6SOZuEVNp-6rVw4h/s1600/18125948_001_a.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3zxu0DdVxZu4StaEtvb5Ylq_vJar7rcDxD1TWQCiOFsWLq3kSKHeMtBRbKB1isTEUBfg29_lOyiyRmE84bSzMTAWDhNEYvcOjb-roCF46iMEsjcphyGkudpbVCKw6SOZuEVNp-6rVw4h/s320/18125948_001_a.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470835882672661042" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.freepeople.com/shoes-wedges-and-heels/sophie-sandal/">Sophie Sandal</a> $98<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wub3Uy7X1eAp9hWc1AhG0yOUjS7CItX0gR0ymRDs585U_ZaXZDBZUe3GogSdMMhQuNvcURD196Nv1jU-9C4Cp30kkkWpWnxR3DE5qBFge3qxyf3O9dre5FKYWifMoHET-W48Rxv0pcDt/s1600/18115147_066_a.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Wub3Uy7X1eAp9hWc1AhG0yOUjS7CItX0gR0ymRDs585U_ZaXZDBZUe3GogSdMMhQuNvcURD196Nv1jU-9C4Cp30kkkWpWnxR3DE5qBFge3qxyf3O9dre5FKYWifMoHET-W48Rxv0pcDt/s320/18115147_066_a.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470836180544193458" /></a><br /><br />Just wondering... when did sandals get to be so darn expensive. I don't consider myself to be cheap when it comes to shoes, but geese. It's crazy what people pay to be fabulous. I am one of them though.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-14872748156601802012010-05-12T08:59:00.001-07:002010-05-12T23:15:35.044-07:00Shop: The Rose Bowl Flea Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXSH7J0Xcj8dnbwLBDkId62NvcemSb_kcPgdc5voZKfxz7dXQ09POuXYFtRqdGUvRBWcCPAWXpib5m5RaafVDS5KAX2iz_JKJuJXM51fRp2ITcrwmzSshocvkoCMo9z6pyhH_Wo55BG6f/s1600/IMG_1288.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXSH7J0Xcj8dnbwLBDkId62NvcemSb_kcPgdc5voZKfxz7dXQ09POuXYFtRqdGUvRBWcCPAWXpib5m5RaafVDS5KAX2iz_JKJuJXM51fRp2ITcrwmzSshocvkoCMo9z6pyhH_Wo55BG6f/s320/IMG_1288.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470413982434497554" /></a><br />This past Sunday was the Rose Bowl flea market. As most know, it is the one thing I always look forward to each month. I woke up Sunday morning to a grey sky and a large smile appeared on my face. Hot sunny days are never ideal conditions for the Rose Bowl because of the black top that reflects the heat and the sun. I picked up my Coffee Bean on the way and arrived at 8:30am. I usually go over to the clothing section first because I like feeling that I am getting early glances at the selections of clothing. I have a method when shopping at the Rose Bowl:<br />* I never go to the vendors that also have stores (i.e. American Vintage). I will just go to their store another day. <br />* Depending on my mood, I tend to avoid any vendors that just have rows and rows of compacted clothing racks. I definitely have to be in the mood to dig through them. <br />* I stay far away from the vendors that have piles of clothes on the ground. Gives me anxiety. <br />* My ideal vendors are the ones that have accessible racks that I can actually see the pieces and is manageable to browse around. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1QSUgE2la8PJsIsxQILnfgZ_zVlShekd5td8EtMtWrpm8qtNhWot0QJowp342XiQTKGFZ6rNqxV7Zd9aXS6Kluw00ATuyfFUn1zZXHuDWtFPckzqYifh0mD3sCmegoKK6rLbTTOUMPEP/s1600/IMG_1285.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1QSUgE2la8PJsIsxQILnfgZ_zVlShekd5td8EtMtWrpm8qtNhWot0QJowp342XiQTKGFZ6rNqxV7Zd9aXS6Kluw00ATuyfFUn1zZXHuDWtFPckzqYifh0mD3sCmegoKK6rLbTTOUMPEP/s320/IMG_1285.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470422341076937026" /></a><br />I have my favorite vendors. The girls whose tent this is are among my favorites. They always have great pieces, but early in the morning they don't bargain and are overpriced for vintage. This is something first time flea marketers need to be careful of especially at the Rose Bowl. For some reason vendors think it's okay to overcharge for their vintage because it's the Rose Bowl flea market; well it's not. For example, I found a pair of vintage Cole Haan leather Oxfords that I needed to have. (I use "needed" loosely). Now, seeing as Oxfords are very in right now I could find a brand new pair for anywhere between $40 to $200 depending on the make. These girls were trying to sell them to me for $35; crazy! I told them I'd give them $25 and they refused me and so I walked away. Bargaining skills are key at the flea market. EVERYTHING is negotiable. I went back at the end of the day when I was done perusing the furniture section and offered them $25 again and went home with my new vintage oxfords! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfCiRi9ORq_-5bLCJGrsLTPgz6t_l7ezJsmiz893WhG-kqdahRDv8ar52PAVijeBUk_q1dFrV_DK3rtqpGFagFpmJVTrqqxFdH3UsqN09T9dbTVkCldQSgCgo5Mx0lCqBsSMJ5eBk8_1Q/s1600/photo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfCiRi9ORq_-5bLCJGrsLTPgz6t_l7ezJsmiz893WhG-kqdahRDv8ar52PAVijeBUk_q1dFrV_DK3rtqpGFagFpmJVTrqqxFdH3UsqN09T9dbTVkCldQSgCgo5Mx0lCqBsSMJ5eBk8_1Q/s320/photo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470424042286830354" /></a><br />I also scored a great summer skirt, another army jacket, two vintage tees for the boyfriend and an entertainment table for our spare bedroom. I don't always come home with this much stuff. There are times when I come home with just a shirt and sometimes even empty handed, but I never come home a sad girl. I love walking around and just observing all the different people, chatting with different friends that join me, running into people, and even "window" shopping. It is so therapeutic for me. <br />Flea marketing is definitely a skill though and lucky for me I have had great teachers. It's funny to think back and remember how overwhelmed I was on my first trip. I got so disappointed when I didn't find anything. Now I embrace the abundance and love the experience (even if I come home empty handed).Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-50320637523543336742010-05-10T22:13:00.000-07:002010-05-11T08:35:16.419-07:00Eat: Dinah's Fried Chicken<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHtRz3Z-3PYw0kwlScYCVPhoNusL2uZNWIU9O7lTVIT8HoDRYdr7-N17JgFzWp91DPM2PlV2VQDIJeH_nUgqM380xYf9FT82pL72iuAge6itLN0XgaTfqne8IVUfCVqmwG5MvY1urIdP0/s1600/IMG_1295.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 179px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHtRz3Z-3PYw0kwlScYCVPhoNusL2uZNWIU9O7lTVIT8HoDRYdr7-N17JgFzWp91DPM2PlV2VQDIJeH_nUgqM380xYf9FT82pL72iuAge6itLN0XgaTfqne8IVUfCVqmwG5MvY1urIdP0/s320/IMG_1295.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469877644358659874" /></a><br /><br />I look forward to the second Sunday of every month all month long. It is like a monthly holiday for me. It is the perfect day for two reasons: 1. the Rose Bowl flea market and 2. going to a new delicious restaurant with my foodie guru. Yesterday we veered from our usual brunch and went for fried chicken. Now, I am not a huge fried chicken fan. The grease freaks me out and there is no hiding that it in no way is it good for you, but I figured I'd branch out and give it a whirl. When the guru tells you it's amazing, you don't ask questions you just go. And so we went to Dinah's Chicken in Glendale. It is a little restaurant that probably seats 25 at most. It is very old school as you can tell by the sign above. They do a lot of take out and from what the guru says, the line can be wrapped around the restaurant. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ISEOkne_bStKUYQMiTiKnCvnYBsir1nOvaOhHnvD2xPNhwSW8cApvPpf35JR5IkuR-n3HLpyUzYVkf3j_pcjnVr_9ypCCJWjbPIirR-I20RjNMBmAhuP3cgmPRkZ9rujM6PC49lFhl7s/s1600/IMG_1291.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ISEOkne_bStKUYQMiTiKnCvnYBsir1nOvaOhHnvD2xPNhwSW8cApvPpf35JR5IkuR-n3HLpyUzYVkf3j_pcjnVr_9ypCCJWjbPIirR-I20RjNMBmAhuP3cgmPRkZ9rujM6PC49lFhl7s/s320/IMG_1291.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469878938005724706" /></a><br />We had no problem getting a seat and so we ordered fried chicken of course. I decided to go with mashed potatoes and macaroni salad for my sides. You get a roll as well that you spread their homemade apple butter over. The chicken batter was so flavorful and perfectly seasoned. I will say that it was better than any fried chicken I had when I was in the South. The sides were good (definitely not great), but the chicken was well worth it. My chicken was perfectly fried and so crispy. When all the meat was gone I was just picking at the skin. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0P_muqnzMDsSWXStt2pzXQjrwLCBrtONvTbnpL6fMhLreK3iE75jlNBt3356IiJoqjAXlVrMo-gBjvdvjJ8bzBYBbQZhfj42zyleljvqEwMRUqDaOgmbA1V9wKQjYAaTaw1-Ipp-X0Fug/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0P_muqnzMDsSWXStt2pzXQjrwLCBrtONvTbnpL6fMhLreK3iE75jlNBt3356IiJoqjAXlVrMo-gBjvdvjJ8bzBYBbQZhfj42zyleljvqEwMRUqDaOgmbA1V9wKQjYAaTaw1-Ipp-X0Fug/s320/IMG_1293.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469880203269426274" /></a><br />The service was great and our server friendly. The decor of the small restaurant was country and warm. One would easily be able to spot that they have kept much of the original look. There was a small pie fridge on display filled with fruit and cream pies that are made in house. Dinah's reminded me of being young and going to old diners with my Mom. If ever you are craving fried chicken and don't mind the adventure, I recommend giving Dinah's Chicken a go. It is well worth it. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaXFd8kOLlE91pCCbBBeuIMJ5vQ27ut1jZ6NGZSeiHQjREYkJGfNkTFl7bmWIg1eGqMwMwSkopB_K1_q_Q1mpZCWjzqBWV37KAG7V-Ip-DDb0QoZAOXaBxMhwcU7T-nNidGXhpAaA-0Xv/s1600/IMG_1294.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizaXFd8kOLlE91pCCbBBeuIMJ5vQ27ut1jZ6NGZSeiHQjREYkJGfNkTFl7bmWIg1eGqMwMwSkopB_K1_q_Q1mpZCWjzqBWV37KAG7V-Ip-DDb0QoZAOXaBxMhwcU7T-nNidGXhpAaA-0Xv/s320/IMG_1294.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469881145829158386" /></a><br />(My server didn't understand why I wanted to take a picture of the chicken bucket. She laughed at me actually. I just had to capture that Dinah's still has it's original charm somehow).Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-18413070665330529372010-05-06T15:38:00.000-07:002010-05-10T10:34:45.330-07:00Bake: Oreo Cheesecake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAo9MB7pjIpbIE8j9qSlxSc1TSzkdam7qQVl4cWbP9Lmbw_fG8gH4cXOiYiwjz83qU2a1aKcqoNSpn5bwXilP05WH4uMbXslLASuJE7mmw8HyqQR0-71PtXQW94Q285Sw6O6zUZw-e5nT/s1600/IMG_1284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAo9MB7pjIpbIE8j9qSlxSc1TSzkdam7qQVl4cWbP9Lmbw_fG8gH4cXOiYiwjz83qU2a1aKcqoNSpn5bwXilP05WH4uMbXslLASuJE7mmw8HyqQR0-71PtXQW94Q285Sw6O6zUZw-e5nT/s320/IMG_1284.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469695160211569234" /></a><br />I've been taking all of the leftover goodies to work with me lately and letting everyone else enjoy them so they don't tempt me at home. Because of this the pressure is on and I get requests for specifics. This week the request was for Oreo Cheesecake. I used to make cheesecake all the time because it was my favorite. Now I can't eat dairy, so it's only made around the holidays or when someone requests it because the temptation is too much for me. That being said, today I made my first oreo cheesecake and I am hoping it turns out well. The only bad thing about me making cheesecake is that I can't taste it anymore to see what is lacking or what is too much and so I don't get the chance to perfect the recipe and have to rely on others. The hardest part of making this cheesecake is the oreo cookie crust cause I had to crush them enough to make an even crust. Oreos are a lot harder to crush than one would think. <br /><br />Here is the recipe I followed: <br /><br />Ingredients<br /><br />Crust<br />1 1/2 cup Oreo cookie crumbs (about 25 Oreo cookies finely chopped)<br />2 tablespoon melted butter<br />9″ spring form pan (buttered on bottom and sides)<br /><br />Mix melted butter with Oreo crumbs and press in the bottom of the spring pan and 1 1/2″ up the sides, set aside.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8pL4a0lMFTLd9Pgoj8Ca1A-vCG4PCENDGPBX7nloXQd4qD-xxLRPog8EaBfxUL7NmEhn6wJW3UQBXP8jZsSo5Frn-NC803zfi8GU2yOut_0KMIAmp3EuYKtgkMbza3LXJlnmk8GJqk-z/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8pL4a0lMFTLd9Pgoj8Ca1A-vCG4PCENDGPBX7nloXQd4qD-xxLRPog8EaBfxUL7NmEhn6wJW3UQBXP8jZsSo5Frn-NC803zfi8GU2yOut_0KMIAmp3EuYKtgkMbza3LXJlnmk8GJqk-z/s320/IMG_1281.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469695266048290322" /></a><br /><br />FILLING: <br /><br />1 1/2 pound cream cheese<br />1 cup sugar<br />5 large eggs<br />1/4 teaspoon salt<br />2 teaspoon vanilla<br />1/4 cup flour<br />8 ounces sour cream<br />5 Oreo cookies (coarsely chopped for the batter)<br />10 coarsely chopped Oreo cookies for the topping<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OrapgVvaas2apywrgrOTzGzwCr2Sfd1Jd0C6ycr564ndXcfdY1TFx0QUAKW3FeVJYf-dzb14lhUYgCc8-6yFk8Qvoqpoy68xJGBxx5W_SvbWjxHC7moBW7NFHRyL_apRJtRZ-HqT0D83/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OrapgVvaas2apywrgrOTzGzwCr2Sfd1Jd0C6ycr564ndXcfdY1TFx0QUAKW3FeVJYf-dzb14lhUYgCc8-6yFk8Qvoqpoy68xJGBxx5W_SvbWjxHC7moBW7NFHRyL_apRJtRZ-HqT0D83/s320/IMG_1280.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469695389655608882" /></a><br />All Ingredients must be at room temperature before beginning. Beat cream cheese with a mixer on low until fluffy. Slowly add sugar and continue beating cream cheese until mixed well. Add eggs one at a time and continue to beat until blended. Measure the vanilla, salt and flour, pour into cream cheese and egg mixture and beat until smooth. Add the sour cream and beat. Stir in the coarsely chopped oreo cookies with a spoon. Pour cream cheese into the spring pan and place the nine coarsely chopped Oreo Cookies on to of the cream mixture. Place pan on the top rack and in the middle of a preheated oven at 325 degrees F and bake for one hour and 15 minutes. After that time, keep oven door open and let the cheese cake stay in the oven for one hour. Remove from oven and let cool enough to place in the refrigerator for 24 hours.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPhvIfoSIi-z7ewlBp6DTb_xze6ihfVsLLN2HDWN8qLt-aiTmpqcEU_1wYkSHxzb3grluctg_sfp1V8xleULKHOzmMlR9CaRvpICdEiIS1oj8f7qdXVZFOTnya_36irjG53J-FZ4WKoB7/s1600/IMG_1283.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPhvIfoSIi-z7ewlBp6DTb_xze6ihfVsLLN2HDWN8qLt-aiTmpqcEU_1wYkSHxzb3grluctg_sfp1V8xleULKHOzmMlR9CaRvpICdEiIS1oj8f7qdXVZFOTnya_36irjG53J-FZ4WKoB7/s320/IMG_1283.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469695568633411490" /></a><br />Since I cannot eat dairy, I took this to work and everybody absolutely loved it and now the requests for different goodies are coming in. Enjoy!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-86185223178978371132010-05-04T22:11:00.000-07:002010-05-05T09:59:46.683-07:00Shop: Flirty Floral Summer DressesSummer is quickly approaching and it is time to pull out all my lightweight dresses and shop for new additions. I am really loving all of the floral prints that are in stores right now. I am not big into patterns, but I feel that floral prints are so versatile and you can either dress them up or down and wear them day or night no matter the cut. I am also loving the floral patterns because they put a girlie touch on my current style mood that consists of flannels, army jackets, army boots, and oxford flats and heels. Pairing shoes with these dresses will be easy because you could wear anything from Tom's, simple sandals, wooden heels, oxfords, platforms and even army boots. Here are some that I want in my closet: <br /><br /><a href="http://www.freepeople.com/clothes-dresses/kissaria-ruffled-dress/">Kissaria Ruffled Dress</a> $118<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwawEKFHqBeDdJjqiQzziqCU8IEGHqLunwFyH1HrLDeqK_zWFofdYAXCd8FSOebvdpqTKCoufvlXviDGrroEBy4rTWcBoXFGNY3u1ovaeqsu5KfElvJUTVK1N-pUsuSE-UBtPSIxT_TWEd/s1600/18251066_001_a.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwawEKFHqBeDdJjqiQzziqCU8IEGHqLunwFyH1HrLDeqK_zWFofdYAXCd8FSOebvdpqTKCoufvlXviDGrroEBy4rTWcBoXFGNY3u1ovaeqsu5KfElvJUTVK1N-pUsuSE-UBtPSIxT_TWEd/s320/18251066_001_a.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467664947052392850" /></a><br /><br />Yumi Kim <a href="http://www.yumikimshop.com/CAMILA-DRESS-in-PINK-MAUI-p/sp982-pink%20maui.htm">Camila Dress</a> $182<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnVrE8Eoe62VZ4D2lUuHEAztUUJHu1SBiHdu1ea4J7x4Af3nJz5MYBGvoQXbHa4qW0lb1UccOFQkhhLaGPiRcCnjuw6OWReJ_wemI4F-p1CnT15LKwKYgr1oer_ASvXGUfJjtccaE0zxc/s1600/Yumi+Kim+Camila+Dress+%24182.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnVrE8Eoe62VZ4D2lUuHEAztUUJHu1SBiHdu1ea4J7x4Af3nJz5MYBGvoQXbHa4qW0lb1UccOFQkhhLaGPiRcCnjuw6OWReJ_wemI4F-p1CnT15LKwKYgr1oer_ASvXGUfJjtccaE0zxc/s320/Yumi+Kim+Camila+Dress+%24182.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467664620202071922" /></a><br /><br />Mcginn <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3100813/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6014132?<br />mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6014132&P=2">'Adriana' One Shoulder Chiffon Dress</a> $270<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXg_9Yd4mBuayOTq8w1Xn5n8r_yq-3gkbyAMgv0eAFG5Oz8iMZaEXdGBsY64Blcp8FtZnMBSdmQ7AQ5HpZevkLnAdOPweyYhs9eBInVLTtyx8Haqx7Agur9EdnboYgZpg37BT5D9rwiAUI/s1600/_6075552.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXg_9Yd4mBuayOTq8w1Xn5n8r_yq-3gkbyAMgv0eAFG5Oz8iMZaEXdGBsY64Blcp8FtZnMBSdmQ7AQ5HpZevkLnAdOPweyYhs9eBInVLTtyx8Haqx7Agur9EdnboYgZpg37BT5D9rwiAUI/s320/_6075552.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467665292762750130" /></a><br /><br />Dolce Vita <a href="http://www.shopbop.com/hope-dress-dolce-vita/vp/v=1/845524441863268.htm?folderID=2534374302038454&fm=browse-brand-shopbysize-viewall">Hope Dress</a> $176<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeexZLqvUHW0H_3CZcgu9ZDFty3FdVZONlzheHjLFqUb-rw1D8cyoCGTHPb4jrsJZJVzUy3HyB7nXmPkc_Vqgz8qBcH9bxHHUYOfT45-Wmc6yiA5T8I_NgIk0UipBxmM0a4_xqJP1w-Pk/s1600/dolce2038729665_p3_v1_m56577569831882404_254x500.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeexZLqvUHW0H_3CZcgu9ZDFty3FdVZONlzheHjLFqUb-rw1D8cyoCGTHPb4jrsJZJVzUy3HyB7nXmPkc_Vqgz8qBcH9bxHHUYOfT45-Wmc6yiA5T8I_NgIk0UipBxmM0a4_xqJP1w-Pk/s320/dolce2038729665_p3_v1_m56577569831882404_254x500.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467665690059902962" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-70177828159335445962010-05-04T09:47:00.000-07:002010-05-04T10:00:49.754-07:00Eat: Langer's Deli<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidojdb3kVtmco881SHDyw5tnO5EaJmlPQVAIlE8ZVlqLRA59VWp_bS5cBOvEiGLuKmEBvToLAZ8un_faHUFv3srnrHrVOMiUEOY2AqGzQKmoE6wFrmOl3ZKAC0jRviLbf4lrU8JcXhVapu/s1600/IMG_1277.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidojdb3kVtmco881SHDyw5tnO5EaJmlPQVAIlE8ZVlqLRA59VWp_bS5cBOvEiGLuKmEBvToLAZ8un_faHUFv3srnrHrVOMiUEOY2AqGzQKmoE6wFrmOl3ZKAC0jRviLbf4lrU8JcXhVapu/s320/IMG_1277.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467459023110992898" /></a><br /><br />I went and met my food guru yesterday for lunch downtown. He had been telling me about Langer's for the longest time, but for some reason we just never made it there until yesterday. Langer's is a Los Angeles landmark and has been around since 1947. On their website they claim "the world's best pastrami" and so of course I had to order the famous # 19. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxp7cJtPT-XJmaOtX5MngAsDIkCS5XAGPAhcQV8zanEjdnGG2Hav82co9yTLB00LiTcGfSPM-HczCsmqc4EgnjEOd3Zm4UP53akXBRw1_PVCNHzdQq6ENaNkF9hP3ljGpZNw3R2DgO00z/s1600/IMG_1274.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKxp7cJtPT-XJmaOtX5MngAsDIkCS5XAGPAhcQV8zanEjdnGG2Hav82co9yTLB00LiTcGfSPM-HczCsmqc4EgnjEOd3Zm4UP53akXBRw1_PVCNHzdQq6ENaNkF9hP3ljGpZNw3R2DgO00z/s200/IMG_1274.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467458887614021538" /></a><br />It was so full of flavor from top to bottom. The pastrami was tender and mouthwatering, the coleslaw was ideally dressed and crunchy and the rye bread had the perfect thickness and the flavor matched the rest of the sandwich. It was definitely the best pastrami I have ever had. <br /><br />The restaurant itself still has it's original charm. It has counter seating and of course had a wait. The booths are the same as they were when it opened and the waitresses are adorable older women who, I would guess, have been there for a while. If you haven't been to Langer's yet or on your next trip to LA, this landmark is a must. I promise it will not disappoint. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlfR0fylG2JxteC70-itF-ksHQ6yaL7nvJpavew6NRHlXW-MxqIJkxUGKkfElQ15kLf99HC-AhvQM9OMxq481n2zRZ8KV0EwovYLtlLll4Q1771pYR4GQA89ehreVNH-6-HnEnnto9B-k/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlfR0fylG2JxteC70-itF-ksHQ6yaL7nvJpavew6NRHlXW-MxqIJkxUGKkfElQ15kLf99HC-AhvQM9OMxq481n2zRZ8KV0EwovYLtlLll4Q1771pYR4GQA89ehreVNH-6-HnEnnto9B-k/s200/IMG_1276.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467460821919446914" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-72994232038990883142010-05-03T14:10:00.000-07:002010-05-03T14:24:56.801-07:00Bake: Key Lime Pie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMucfGYLPiuLi6_zIMb8IvCBrPlwc7yDt6wMDy_ozd-7T2_Tr0xtkcBHSEbQnH_AsqmYyb5-ogs3tUYcLAaLekb4QEWL3899D7x42imvmUylTcDxGttmDRLpL4Ub-MgnshRuZUeYbCDctI/s1600/IMG_1269.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMucfGYLPiuLi6_zIMb8IvCBrPlwc7yDt6wMDy_ozd-7T2_Tr0xtkcBHSEbQnH_AsqmYyb5-ogs3tUYcLAaLekb4QEWL3899D7x42imvmUylTcDxGttmDRLpL4Ub-MgnshRuZUeYbCDctI/s200/IMG_1269.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467157865435519890" /></a><br />Friday night I had my best friend and her fiance' over for dinner. I made soda chicken and some other delectable side dishes. For dessert I baked a Key Lime pie. A bit of back story... I used to spend quite a bit of time in the Florida Keys a couple of years ago. Every time I was there I'd always be on the search for the best key lime pie. I'd always find tasty ones, but it wasn't until one Thanksgiving I spent there that I decided to give it a whirl and see if I could bake a better one. To my delight the recipe I found was absolutely delicious and the best key lime pie I have had to date. Since it is Spring I decided to dust off the old recipe and bake it again. My boyfriend says that it's the best thing I have baked to date and my best friend's fiance' had a second helping. It is easy to make, so even the beginning bakers can make a perfect key lime pie. You can find the original recipe <a href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Key-Lime-Pie-108125">here</a>, but I added a couple of ingredients to the whip cream topping. <br /><br />For crust<br />1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs from 9 (2 1/4-inch by 4 3/4-inch) crackers<br />2 tablespoons sugar<br />5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnW1Gbgbu8c8HNUx6isowsNoLyKvWbS1vllFe4kuwheZrcp6S2b4yPE_8GAbnclrH5d5fqhBeN4CySsl__TWYOV7eI6syKenHCD-X-27L7vtTr2VGkDjZKe6IXqwsk2aT67itIzcNNBJo-/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnW1Gbgbu8c8HNUx6isowsNoLyKvWbS1vllFe4kuwheZrcp6S2b4yPE_8GAbnclrH5d5fqhBeN4CySsl__TWYOV7eI6syKenHCD-X-27L7vtTr2VGkDjZKe6IXqwsk2aT67itIzcNNBJo-/s200/IMG_1262.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467156048284341538" /></a><br /><br />For filling<br />1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk<br />4 large egg yolks<br />1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh or bottled Key lime juice (if using bottled, preferably Manhattan brand)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCZD-2x9vf69oRJ_ZkjjPZR3N_WNCuygNNxxqD2k3sq_Qwfddk4PoSFr7igmlOHZMmujcCmMxtMibItbdHZUbJ0AKuDRHTkLnlgqVargL13vpg09dmK-XwWv6ZwacAeHb112JtstnL1Tu/s1600/IMG_1264.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCZD-2x9vf69oRJ_ZkjjPZR3N_WNCuygNNxxqD2k3sq_Qwfddk4PoSFr7igmlOHZMmujcCmMxtMibItbdHZUbJ0AKuDRHTkLnlgqVargL13vpg09dmK-XwWv6ZwacAeHb112JtstnL1Tu/s200/IMG_1264.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467156666491937922" /></a><br /><br /><br />For topping<br />3/4 cup chilled heavy cream<br />1/2 tsp real vanilla extract<br />2 tbsp confectioners sugar<br /><br /><br />Make crust:<br />Preheat oven to 350°F.<br />Stir together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter in a bowl with a fork until combined well, then press mixture evenly onto bottom and up side of a 9-inch (4-cup) glass pie plate.<br />Bake crust in middle of oven 10 minutes and cool in pie plate on a rack. Leave oven on.<br /><br />Make filling and bake pie:<br />Whisk together condensed milk and yolks in a bowl until combined well. Add juice and whisk until combined well (mixture will thicken slightly).<br />Pour filling into crust and bake in middle of oven 15 minutes. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6ssl-7yzPCpJ9gHJRV8tQhRR2K4za6-sQdItUtHlmxINV47l7_DHBF3NgrRUjCZp2knFgnaQFZ_gVF_k7Xvo9h_UDbenr9ZMnSLisUmhmCHrodQt3ZNCPkm496ktTuF1Hn6E11_KhdoC/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6ssl-7yzPCpJ9gHJRV8tQhRR2K4za6-sQdItUtHlmxINV47l7_DHBF3NgrRUjCZp2knFgnaQFZ_gVF_k7Xvo9h_UDbenr9ZMnSLisUmhmCHrodQt3ZNCPkm496ktTuF1Hn6E11_KhdoC/s200/IMG_1266.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467157263322254178" /></a><br /><br /><br />Cool pie completely on rack (filling will set as it cools), then chill, covered, at least 8 hours.<br /><br />Make topping:<br />Just before serving, beat cream in a bowl with an electric mixer until it just holds stiff peaks. Serve pie topped with cream.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmewrFqw_GBiPMniXtJ6cA_QT0_qn1HrZcX-MonmiXBG1SETRKBO3Lzm2FWWaG04chSfTUficz-QOWZLCXKVGMsbHCrmbE7TGUmhgbNRMWA3XUtj7jOWkE5Js_PqMbVZN_SvJJkzREB5-P/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmewrFqw_GBiPMniXtJ6cA_QT0_qn1HrZcX-MonmiXBG1SETRKBO3Lzm2FWWaG04chSfTUficz-QOWZLCXKVGMsbHCrmbE7TGUmhgbNRMWA3XUtj7jOWkE5Js_PqMbVZN_SvJJkzREB5-P/s200/IMG_1272.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467157725398807394" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-31069381264407576572010-04-30T09:17:00.000-07:002010-04-30T09:32:38.670-07:00Shop: Army JacketsI love flea marketing. It is what I look forward to all week. Living in LA I have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to flea markets. The one I look forward to most all month long though is the Rose Bowl flea market which is only once a month. Though, now the flea marketing is becoming a "cool" thing to do they seem to be expanding flea markets. There is now one opening June 21st at Dodger Stadium, which of course I will definitely be at. <br /><br />One item that is largely popular at the Rose Bowl is army jackets. I found an army jacket there almost 2 years ago and it is a staple item in my wardrobe. Needless to say that the new wave and varied options of army jackets out in stores now make me so giddy. I have my eye on a couple different styles of them: <br /><br />J. Crew's<a href="http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/jacketsouterwear/utiljackets/PRDOVR~19985/19985.jsp"> Boyfriend Fatigue Jacke</a>t $148<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRt5VtXNhOQgWotNl6b9e8mMULN97Hwc3lZ6yz3T9BG7LgTXwu1JBgbkDlGOldhX4UkM8Q1WnD5N-XXT2STMKIIKSZMyjWtBHYtVqLqgIdibEo11BLwSaDzjxHE4_3hvB8rB7TXGm3UUD/s1600/erez.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRt5VtXNhOQgWotNl6b9e8mMULN97Hwc3lZ6yz3T9BG7LgTXwu1JBgbkDlGOldhX4UkM8Q1WnD5N-XXT2STMKIIKSZMyjWtBHYtVqLqgIdibEo11BLwSaDzjxHE4_3hvB8rB7TXGm3UUD/s200/erez.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465966819265086066" /></a><br /><br />SMYTHE <a href="http://www.revolveclothing.com/DisplayProduct.jsp?product=SMYT-WO37&c=Mar+22&sc=Smythe&n=n">Summer Surplus Jacket</a>$650<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG78MuKKDyVt95mkahYpzD5hWmx1q2iYG2OMtoeKq2hJNhYjIwG9CqQHPSqeiOcBrFlhnxzQ9Z4vawnEdjV1mVRnrv9_avBZiDxqSzFqgiBFU6KNSHIsZ_MQe2S70L-PF9jFJnf7Pzq7e/s1600/SMYT-WO37_V1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisG78MuKKDyVt95mkahYpzD5hWmx1q2iYG2OMtoeKq2hJNhYjIwG9CqQHPSqeiOcBrFlhnxzQ9Z4vawnEdjV1mVRnrv9_avBZiDxqSzFqgiBFU6KNSHIsZ_MQe2S70L-PF9jFJnf7Pzq7e/s200/SMYT-WO37_V1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465967897967240050" /></a><br /><br /><br />Theor <a href="http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446358162&site_refer=AFF001&site_refer=AFF001&siteID=J84DHJLQkR4-wGowOevxrUQhh7xZlMkG0g&site_refer=AFF001&siteID=25ZRSXYPVYg-saVPy73EM1EzBT.BiDxovw">Cotton/Linen Twill Jacket</a> $315<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizokT6YwXNP9TtWEADBJBAjtVIctP0B4lB8Zg24lCZrIi0QYgUmeWpE6xQ5z7_PN2fwsbNKH6ykDMaQDxOLQ2x5SdfmT-VoEqnkd1vJwj8zIw3yG0uV8DUI-Kpb5qq06rTt7nPPLut4fVL/s1600/0415435634261R__ASTL_300x400.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizokT6YwXNP9TtWEADBJBAjtVIctP0B4lB8Zg24lCZrIi0QYgUmeWpE6xQ5z7_PN2fwsbNKH6ykDMaQDxOLQ2x5SdfmT-VoEqnkd1vJwj8zIw3yG0uV8DUI-Kpb5qq06rTt7nPPLut4fVL/s200/0415435634261R__ASTL_300x400.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465968359850807282" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.shopnastygal.com/products/new/clothing/coats-%252b-jackets/In-The-Trenches-Jacket.html">In The Trenches Jacke</a>t $108<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaZWLDzwQgJ9nuBgjpabAb4CMXccGuATMxXZ14LtfbE9-TfnrOliJzFf5_P5eacyMTmM4E2gJHnCek_BGjaFTVAkM_ffEW62afvijnMbR0Kp5lReCB6wrHxYHLgLvb8fv-zEOB6vyeJNi/s1600/100319_051__65886.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxaZWLDzwQgJ9nuBgjpabAb4CMXccGuATMxXZ14LtfbE9-TfnrOliJzFf5_P5eacyMTmM4E2gJHnCek_BGjaFTVAkM_ffEW62afvijnMbR0Kp5lReCB6wrHxYHLgLvb8fv-zEOB6vyeJNi/s200/100319_051__65886.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465968778974366658" /></a><br /><br /><br />Or for a very cheap option do what I did and buy an authentic army jacket from a flea market or vintage store and get it fitted to your body type. I paid a large $15 for mine and it is as good as the above jackets. Though of course the shopper in me wants options when it comes to my army jackets.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-50802717474911090662010-04-29T14:01:00.000-07:002010-04-29T15:38:22.075-07:00Eat: Vacation Edition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzB2YLICjavWYiYEJP8gcP5UmhKNhIxO_HG2m4J6ElLIC8cVgnhVGgM8lCe6nac0F3V6C7B71ps4GtslCMKI_p2wxn7ZIkJLOuUBxUf47xYhbEAcli7AzNTVx0KgQeZzeMDsq-lZ5nV3R/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzB2YLICjavWYiYEJP8gcP5UmhKNhIxO_HG2m4J6ElLIC8cVgnhVGgM8lCe6nac0F3V6C7B71ps4GtslCMKI_p2wxn7ZIkJLOuUBxUf47xYhbEAcli7AzNTVx0KgQeZzeMDsq-lZ5nV3R/s200/IMG_1202.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465692448931808082" /></a><br /><br />I just returned from Cabo San Lucas a couple of days ago. It was a week filled with delicious food and lots of sun bathing. Whenever I go on vacations I always look for the little hidden gems and either the locals of my fellow foodie friends lead me there. I was lucky enough to find 2 blog worthy restaurants on this trip. The first was what a local man called "the best breakfast in Cabo." My friend suggested Mama Royale's to me and I am so glad he did. Mama Royale's food was so full of flavor and was well worth the walk from the resort. The restaurant itself was cozy and full of colorful tablecloths and walls. There was a saxist outside playing music while we dined. The waiters were great and very attentive. My boyfriend, our friends and I were starving after our long walk and so we quickly ordered. I ordered a fresh coconut and orange juice mix. For those of you who remember Orange Julius, it resembled there's. I also ordered french toast stuffed with cream cheese and topped with fresh mixed berry compote for the table. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T7hqGIgXSAS7clHsEz_1WVrpIZQEQPk1LGQ5BF_KJJ7aHnsq2IglDPbQQgeLdUJ0MCv_ycAQXbBusMiDDlvYKZ2JGEFgzGIEV-oT9SIP2V3y2LANPmfnJxd3qh1yTBHwrsI-I4XiDsTm/s1600/IMG_1236.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-T7hqGIgXSAS7clHsEz_1WVrpIZQEQPk1LGQ5BF_KJJ7aHnsq2IglDPbQQgeLdUJ0MCv_ycAQXbBusMiDDlvYKZ2JGEFgzGIEV-oT9SIP2V3y2LANPmfnJxd3qh1yTBHwrsI-I4XiDsTm/s200/IMG_1236.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465689285322529186" /></a><br />Heather and Chris, both who consider themselves "non-sweet tooth people" loved the french toast too and had more than one bite. For my meal I ordered an eggs benedict that had green onions added to it. The green onions were a tasty addition. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaOr7es0IIXVe0LaSOmvtnPsMAo5DkNJjRm2mF3UAl-EjqEDMXf_VI2WwdDJqvDPA1d8K1pNiUSAaMXGAenfPN_hel7okzwoRgfQ51hmPjc3Mqbo9FC4QljNmTPw7COg2tZsDQNJTu0wC/s1600/IMG_1234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkaOr7es0IIXVe0LaSOmvtnPsMAo5DkNJjRm2mF3UAl-EjqEDMXf_VI2WwdDJqvDPA1d8K1pNiUSAaMXGAenfPN_hel7okzwoRgfQ51hmPjc3Mqbo9FC4QljNmTPw7COg2tZsDQNJTu0wC/s200/IMG_1234.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465690424893907858" /></a><br />The eggs were perfectly cooked and the potatoes full of flavorful spices. I added some of their house salsa which just enhanced the character. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk1u4aMJQ7BLcc9qIhAlBev-b9rx13GOvxwRFBILVkKjk7CUcMef3E9Jh_5ElYdaElTRFy5AUPHm2mZbmy3LSiZ1OiySb2IIV-LIbfCc9kpJT3LdT41Sfnztt5YzOxA28B__GGXDP1ZqK/s1600/IMG_1232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYk1u4aMJQ7BLcc9qIhAlBev-b9rx13GOvxwRFBILVkKjk7CUcMef3E9Jh_5ElYdaElTRFy5AUPHm2mZbmy3LSiZ1OiySb2IIV-LIbfCc9kpJT3LdT41Sfnztt5YzOxA28B__GGXDP1ZqK/s200/IMG_1232.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465691588553261346" /></a><br />The others loved their food as well and we all left with a smile on our face, stuffed bellies and a slower walking pace. If ever you venture to Cabo, this little gem is a must.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-34559083964909817142010-04-19T21:09:00.000-07:002010-04-19T21:36:32.684-07:00Shoe Fix: Wooden HeelsI have a sick obsession for all things black. My wardrobe is predominately black. I really try and veer from black when it comes to shoes, but as I was searching for different styles of wooden heels I couldn't help but be drawn to the ones that were black. It is Spring and so choosing more neutral and lighter toned shoes would make more sense, but when it comes to choosing shoes I throw out all the rules of fashion. I figure pairing these black wooden shoes with a flirty floral dress would even out my Spring look. <br /><br />Here are some of my favorites of the season: <br /><br /><a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3087928?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=shoes:women:clog&cm_ite=jeffrey_campbell_'charli-c'_clog:293663&cm_ven=Froogle&mr:trackingCode=A000EFEB-791D-DF11-9DA0-002219319097&mr:referralID=NA">Jeffrey Campbell</a> "Charli-C" $124.95<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F15r1S1WBDxiU9AQQHhZSEVsuCNWtTG-Hzsk2f3hSts_SDjbbPxGrVwzCpW3X3e8M3wJQ6NQPULUoxUbBi6Q8X_VTreYOQivZignGB7CDmP4TcwCqmL_WxL1JTuiYSe9aDzM93eCx42C/s1600/_6044064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8F15r1S1WBDxiU9AQQHhZSEVsuCNWtTG-Hzsk2f3hSts_SDjbbPxGrVwzCpW3X3e8M3wJQ6NQPULUoxUbBi6Q8X_VTreYOQivZignGB7CDmP4TcwCqmL_WxL1JTuiYSe9aDzM93eCx42C/s200/_6044064.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462069573460277842" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.shopbop.com/greta-woven-pumps-elizabeth-james/vp/v=1/845524441864998.htm?folderID=2534374302152291&fm=browse-brand-shopbysize-viewall">Elizabeth and James </a>"Greta Woven Pumps" $425<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplEGRXPiAyEqnFHDrCphuhim18twUiS8L1QV0PhV0JV7eJdt_H0wEL6oltkJVBoVstZ4Dlr098aTm0943ul2DVDqm3wq5oWY-mzktHBiYQIsdQd66sttE5XP6C8r1C7GZVSgrV59mau1c/s1600/elija2097812867_p1_v1_m56577569831895624_347x683.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 102px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhplEGRXPiAyEqnFHDrCphuhim18twUiS8L1QV0PhV0JV7eJdt_H0wEL6oltkJVBoVstZ4Dlr098aTm0943ul2DVDqm3wq5oWY-mzktHBiYQIsdQd66sttE5XP6C8r1C7GZVSgrV59mau1c/s200/elija2097812867_p1_v1_m56577569831895624_347x683.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462069474405068914" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?subCategoryId=SHOES-HEELS-ANKLESTRAPS&id=043148&catId=SHOES-HEELS&pushId=SHOES-HEELS&popId=SHOESBAGS&sortProperties=&navCount=595&navAction=top&fromCategoryPage=true&selectedProductSize=&selectedProductSize1=&color=001&colorName=BLACK&isSubcategory=true&isProduct=true&isBigImage=&templateType=">Buckled- Up Sandal from Anthropologie</a> $178<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzJXk7pOy9-RuQEjNDLYBfoaJJbIFIX29mpsiTEm5ZKo5y7wHZuz0GJmVb3736N59OY_j9cA0mQA-mCtvSPnR5rSTXr93Y_jUeVNEGBHqjN1zqWOBBxkkc8_NSh0wc0XJ7En7LjWUdxi1/s1600/043148_001_b.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzJXk7pOy9-RuQEjNDLYBfoaJJbIFIX29mpsiTEm5ZKo5y7wHZuz0GJmVb3736N59OY_j9cA0mQA-mCtvSPnR5rSTXr93Y_jUeVNEGBHqjN1zqWOBBxkkc8_NSh0wc0XJ7En7LjWUdxi1/s200/043148_001_b.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462069843782558210" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.stevemadden.com/item.aspx?id=51425&path=|womens%20shoes|womens%20platforms|">Steve Madden</a> "Danny" $109.95<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRo7Cyt0NIe_h8iNxbQIf4lAvEjNjXXim5C-DnZ1D2RaNeZeQ6uSVaehZRniaUVVHm2JCbL1mgP3yXH6kTo6JRb3Gc6iQJ4UCqhIFLtAuFRO8KFE2B-aUZdvvgihpI3atNkp43pH59Hu8q/s1600/DANNYY_BLACK-LEATHER_zoom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRo7Cyt0NIe_h8iNxbQIf4lAvEjNjXXim5C-DnZ1D2RaNeZeQ6uSVaehZRniaUVVHm2JCbL1mgP3yXH6kTo6JRb3Gc6iQJ4UCqhIFLtAuFRO8KFE2B-aUZdvvgihpI3atNkp43pH59Hu8q/s200/DANNYY_BLACK-LEATHER_zoom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462072684390507154" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-68357910594125208092010-04-15T23:31:00.000-07:002010-04-15T23:50:08.846-07:00Eastside EateriesMy idea of a perfect night out is having cocktails or wine and dinner with friends and tonight I did just that. I finally got over to the eastside and met up with one of my dearest foodie friends and brought a westsider friend with me. I took them to one of the best restaurants I have ever been to in my life. It is a vegetarian restaurant and the food is just unbelievable. Whether you are vegetarian or not, you cannot deny that their food has so much flavor that you don't even notice that the meat isn't there. I am stuffed. The restaurant I am talking about is<a href="http://www.myspace.com/elfcafe"> Elf</a> in Echo Park. It is a small and quaint restaurant that is dimly lit and always filled with the eastsides finest hipsters. It is a real intimate setting where you can watch the chefs prepare some of the best food I have ever had. Because the cafe is so small there is almost always a wait and of course tonight was no different and so we walked across the street to the wine bar and had a glass of wine while we waited for our table. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz7oI7pjlU51By4_Lty9JInFgEozcKDURnIDtIO0El5LlkPVE1CyUashBgnNbzB4cJ1fsxyOPzKYcar99qVtI0rqZXE4pSNPeFgpObIvzo6RC3-D3oJ1mIlzzDeWazDbzzjR2BjEqIvSI/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz7oI7pjlU51By4_Lty9JInFgEozcKDURnIDtIO0El5LlkPVE1CyUashBgnNbzB4cJ1fsxyOPzKYcar99qVtI0rqZXE4pSNPeFgpObIvzo6RC3-D3oJ1mIlzzDeWazDbzzjR2BjEqIvSI/s320/IMG_1194.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460620897223955986" /></a><br /><br />The maître d’ was so great and called me when our table was ready. So, we walked back over and sat down in our own little corner and order some great entrees and shared with one another. We had a Baked Tart with Roasted Tomatoes, Carmelized Onion and Feta: <br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEWw0rA9K4VyxEecFLYjp8SvQnwnxOMorWuFuqurkYPdQ1zLfldsOD9qmfCvrATCl3eCq5gpljm8Ht8dY46xX5Xs1dUifxIGEixTQATcjdXon41eCM5WbWuc1PY51-l3WazXDB2drDM6b/s1600/IMG_1197.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEWw0rA9K4VyxEecFLYjp8SvQnwnxOMorWuFuqurkYPdQ1zLfldsOD9qmfCvrATCl3eCq5gpljm8Ht8dY46xX5Xs1dUifxIGEixTQATcjdXon41eCM5WbWuc1PY51-l3WazXDB2drDM6b/s320/IMG_1197.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460621796463771970" /></a><br /><br />A Sheep Cheese Crepe with Chevre Butter: <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7SFwdfuF1expeggm0YTCEvG-C9HknlqtElDVmhXEWD667MNTkFTv5601PRH1Ig0eGGt1auQXQoyBfSrQB6domTCctNOy8EMdkSrj1hpuPbXHQUJ8iUnywaXiwANqlSaa_DeX973ws_Pc/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7SFwdfuF1expeggm0YTCEvG-C9HknlqtElDVmhXEWD667MNTkFTv5601PRH1Ig0eGGt1auQXQoyBfSrQB6domTCctNOy8EMdkSrj1hpuPbXHQUJ8iUnywaXiwANqlSaa_DeX973ws_Pc/s320/IMG_1198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460622950361528786" /></a><br /><br /><br />And a Portobello Mushroom with Spanish Rice and Mashed Potatoes: <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuP9hCdtGJKOlBXlDlQbooTJy6UAuKc3GzGWJwCo0i694hYKU0LnvZI7evC39wjJNYMjwEN3U2MDDEmSIYxwdOnk8NoSI0y0ggmFVe4_0GLfpmuwk7mkwPP_lm9CqTY0EsnX8au5BS6Yf/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKuP9hCdtGJKOlBXlDlQbooTJy6UAuKc3GzGWJwCo0i694hYKU0LnvZI7evC39wjJNYMjwEN3U2MDDEmSIYxwdOnk8NoSI0y0ggmFVe4_0GLfpmuwk7mkwPP_lm9CqTY0EsnX8au5BS6Yf/s320/IMG_1200.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460623170883413858" /></a><br /><br />They also served cucumber infused water which was really refreshing. My friends both loved the food and were talking about the next trip back. It was so good that our dishes were being wiped clean by both of them which resulted in this: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdYIiECZ6QCaEEE-eBafQDF1Q1QmqWyOb1EG1Xly1jFSUOb6m_yPf_LynJX4dtURIa4BBR3FdHCAgRL4CJdFf1r1TrHpXPJqXmFhBtPzq6Fi5MXBtiU0dBpitYjIflJo0MEv5w1IhktOR/s1600/IMG_1201.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 179px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdYIiECZ6QCaEEE-eBafQDF1Q1QmqWyOb1EG1Xly1jFSUOb6m_yPf_LynJX4dtURIa4BBR3FdHCAgRL4CJdFf1r1TrHpXPJqXmFhBtPzq6Fi5MXBtiU0dBpitYjIflJo0MEv5w1IhktOR/s320/IMG_1201.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460623564407282978" /></a><br /><br />A beautifully, artistic stack of dishes.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-86147521936720945932010-04-14T01:09:00.001-07:002010-04-14T01:26:47.481-07:005¢ Diner<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZB-Xtx7LyNkGBVkjbJxlcNQYU4wucupmsCPjCS6oY5DNe-PmZMwPQb53L8oBwcuZpnagooYYILyV0gWDTydZK4HFMgJvzKl5jmFIUM4G0eqryhsmTimy-rky-qW44BrD5gmYqsG1Cu5G/s1600/IMG_0061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZB-Xtx7LyNkGBVkjbJxlcNQYU4wucupmsCPjCS6oY5DNe-PmZMwPQb53L8oBwcuZpnagooYYILyV0gWDTydZK4HFMgJvzKl5jmFIUM4G0eqryhsmTimy-rky-qW44BrD5gmYqsG1Cu5G/s320/IMG_0061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459904609549647954" /></a><br />My favorite meal of the day is breakfast. I could eat breakfast foods for all 3 meals of my day. I feel that finding amazing breakfast spots in Los Angeles is actually a difficult task believe it or not. I mean there are a multitude of restaurants to choose from, but not many that I walk away from being blown away. I have been finding lately that the best breakfast is served at the little gems tucked away in different parts of my big city. The most recent being the 5¢ Diner in downtown. My foodie guru took me there last Sunday after a morning of blissfully wandering around the Rose Bowl flea Market. We started our brunch with a bacon maple glazed donut and a homemade strawberry pop tart. The donut was the best donut I have ever had and the pop tart has rekindled my adornment for the flakey pastry and showed me what a real pop tart should taste like. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua5r2tMG6h820bggVwebx-en9ZZn_ZINvK5Kh7xUzBAVJlObAT9sIJU-4B_emKWdwhrLd5ztZfzyDayJGz-hgyG2IN_sMmgZ-GSOKwmZMIEctHOKNaKhWFIT20WMmOFjehuGLAPQmni4v/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua5r2tMG6h820bggVwebx-en9ZZn_ZINvK5Kh7xUzBAVJlObAT9sIJU-4B_emKWdwhrLd5ztZfzyDayJGz-hgyG2IN_sMmgZ-GSOKwmZMIEctHOKNaKhWFIT20WMmOFjehuGLAPQmni4v/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459904776904990066" /></a><br />After our filling appetizers I order a chicken sausage, goat cheese and roasted tomato scramble. The tomatoes were the best tomatoes that I have had since Greece (those of you who have been to Greece know what I am talking about). They were filled with so much flavor and the heat only emphasized the great taste. I didn't want to stop eating it was so good. My guru had a BBQ pulled pork hash and it was phenomenal as well. I am not a pork girl and I had a bit of it and it was mouthwatering. <br /><br />Because it had been featured on the Food Network a couple of weeks back the wait was about 20 minutes and well worth every minute. I have not been able to stop talking about it to anyone who will listen. They have 5 different donuts to choose from; 1 being a red velvet donut. They also have a variety of other pastries. This gem is a must for anyone who enjoys great food and pastries. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRTCYLOJk_tR0N_VuPlLL8nI7l4CZeNWVCfLnLz6bvnWVOYMjYFKXj58r0ckpfqDAirfOGTicnBspSO2Ju_B_l06Gb2RfQ-FcaDcWTCeLtTAaD-u1dl-vGxior_Y_RyxyQnWKshlp8FPC/s1600/IMG_0062.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRTCYLOJk_tR0N_VuPlLL8nI7l4CZeNWVCfLnLz6bvnWVOYMjYFKXj58r0ckpfqDAirfOGTicnBspSO2Ju_B_l06Gb2RfQ-FcaDcWTCeLtTAaD-u1dl-vGxior_Y_RyxyQnWKshlp8FPC/s320/IMG_0062.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459906169422708658" /></a>Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8881139480375974513.post-12689467685116965312010-04-12T19:16:00.000-07:002010-04-13T09:40:53.713-07:00Easter Carrot Cupcakes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mPtVBebAd-hFfETbUDWqU7QsNR0RoftYaSKkDPl9TW3w6EmW9gAPqF1McraBfcZFlCLUZDCcXMDXxxajMFi76KxajDw4UqsyEnsnlALf-ZeQGyzGfBLSSYWwHOFbDUqbU9-YpMh8uIQz/s1600/IMG_0053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mPtVBebAd-hFfETbUDWqU7QsNR0RoftYaSKkDPl9TW3w6EmW9gAPqF1McraBfcZFlCLUZDCcXMDXxxajMFi76KxajDw4UqsyEnsnlALf-ZeQGyzGfBLSSYWwHOFbDUqbU9-YpMh8uIQz/s320/IMG_0053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459442187496948914" /></a><br /><br /><br />I have a guilty pleasure of sweets. Any kind of pastry is my friend. I like to use the excuse of holidays to bake delicious treats and of course Easter is no exception. A tradition I have created is baking birthday cakes for my friends and I baked a carrot cake for a girlfriend of mine for her birthday. Sadly, it did not turn out as I had hoped and so I felt the need to redeem myself and my baking reputation. The result: Carrot Cupcakes with toasted coconut. They turned out to be so yummy and were a hit amongst my boyfriend's family and my friends. I used a recipe from <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/carrot-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-icing">Martha Stewart</a> and added a couple of my own special ingredients. I wanted them to resemble a easter basket sans the handle and I think I did a swell job. Here is the result. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPbJm45F7Yx4Fjz3HPPENCgBhXJO31KYS0DInZ6S6lg-GxWvCs6XPcJXkVTi48400FyGWwJXFxTWEfnSgxOIVb9-JgDucrSLDCCHoAcj4xv7eINx2jGsqmtWChMrTSxFRd55ycSevKLO2/s1600/IMG_0054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglPbJm45F7Yx4Fjz3HPPENCgBhXJO31KYS0DInZ6S6lg-GxWvCs6XPcJXkVTi48400FyGWwJXFxTWEfnSgxOIVb9-JgDucrSLDCCHoAcj4xv7eINx2jGsqmtWChMrTSxFRd55ycSevKLO2/s320/IMG_0054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459443623445110258" /></a><br /><br />For the icing I added 1/4 cup mascarpone. Careful not to use too much because it will out flavor the cream cheese and will become too creamy. <br /><br />For the cake I added 1/2 a banana and mashed it before putting it in and mixed it in well. The banana makes the cake a bit more moist and a boost of flavor. <br /><br />Martha's recipe doesn't direct to toast the coconut. I think that the coconut toasted adds a great texture to the cupcake and doesn't overwhelm the taste of the carrot cake itself. To toast the coconut: Set the oven to 350 degrees. On a flat baking sheet with a rim spread the coconut evenly. Toast in the over for 15 minutes (or until it is a golden brown) stirring the coconut occasionally. I used green food coloring to dye the coconut. Since Easter has passed, obviously you don't need to dye it. <br /><br />Most of all... Enjoy!Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01057518532533468978noreply@blogger.com0