red velvet cookie sandwich

I made a batch of these the other day for work. The recipe was so easy I thought I'd venture into making my own frosting. This was a first as I'm pretty fond of marshmellow puff to top off my cupcakes. (I bet that would be dang good with these cookies). Anyway, it turned out to be pretty easy! These cookies can be eaten as is...they're chewy and pretty awesome on their own. Up the ante with the super simple frosting recipe below.

Red Velvet Cookies
(recipe via howsweeteats)

1 box Red Velvet cake mis
2 eggs
1 tspn vanilla
1/3 cup vegetable oil (I think I used canola)
3/4 cup choco chips

Mix all the ingredients (minus the chocolate chips) until incorporated. Fold in chocolate, roll into desired size, and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 8-11 minutes.

Cream Cheese Frosting
(adapted from this recipe--incorporated user comments)

1 8-ounce cream cheese package (softened)
1/4 cup butter (softened)
2 cups sifted powdered confectioners sugar (more or less depending on your taste)
1 1/2 tspn vanilla

Cream together cream cheese and butter. Add vanilla and then gradually stir in sugar.

*Make sure you don't overbake these! I did and ended up with a batch of red velvet biscuits. No bueno.

orange + spoon

My friend, Brian (writer and expert rock climber), is chalk full of random know how and the most awesome kitchen goods. I learned an easy and clean way to peel an orange from him this weekend...with one of these cool kitchen gadgets called a spoon.

Score the orange...or use the spoon to cut into the top. Gently insert spoon underneath skin and orbit the orange.


Unwrap & enjoy orange...and clean hands.

{joy}

twenty something

{Hawaiian Paradise Cake from King's Hawaiian Bakery in Torrance, CA...light, fluffy, perfectly sweet...and quite possibly the best birthday cake I've ever had}

I celebrated my 26th birthday today. The weekend festivities were full and well spent with some of my favorite people in the world. (and please excuse me...may I gush for one moment? my special friend aka my man aka Abe...you are great and I am one lucky fish.)

So as birthdays and new years would lead, I decided to make yet another list. I'm sure I'll be adding and editing along the way, but here goes...things to do this year:

*pick up guitar, piano, and/or the skateboard
*learn 10 Korean recipes (learn a kale salad recipe too)
*turn something old into something new
*travel to a place I've never been
*take my parents on a vacation*take French and/or Spanish classes
*and lastly, blog more. Starting this blog has been something I've wanted to do for a long time. And though 'challenging' at times, it's been fun more than anything else. So thank you for visiting/reading, inspiring content, and indulging me with your comments and good cheer. A wise friend's words come to mind and remind me to, "always stay grateful"...and that I am. Cheers.

chocolate covered almond + orange biscotti

I'm not a big coffee drinker. I wish I was sometimes.
That look on people's faces after their first sip of coffee in the morning or on a cold day looks so gratifying...is it anything like first lick of McDonald's soft serve after a spicy meal? or finding the golden egg at an Easter Egg Hunt??? (two things I did in the past 48 hours...felt awesome).
Anyways, I've been on a baking craze so I thought I'd give this recipe a try. I will indulge with a cup of green tea or hot chocolate instead.


I like these colors together...


I substituted orange zest and almonds for the lemon and pecans.


The oranges looked so sad and naked...like I stripped them of their dignity with the zester...


I discovered making biscotti was much easier than its fancy Italian name led me to believe. Bake. Slice. Bake. Enjoy.

*Note: I used this faux double-broiler method to melt the chocolate...see step six. Also, this recipe was good, but next time I'll add a tsp of vanilla. I like mine with a little more sumthin sumthin.

{lines}

from the archives...

catch up

Hi friends,
This weekend has been busy with only the best things...coachella, celebrations, a visit home, meals shared with special people, and one of my dearest friends getting engaged. The next few weeks feel like they are going to be a marathon, so I apologize in advance for an onset of sporadic posts. I'll be playing a little catch up this week, but will posting in between. Check back soon! :)

coach.ella

quick post from the bloggie tent at indio polo fields! Looking forward to lauryn hill, ozomatli, and more tonight. pictures to come!
happy friday friends.

h&m

{images via here and here; *bottom right dress not part of the collection. Just pretty. :)}

Go h&m for making an eco-conscious line. You'd think it would cost more because...well organic, eco friendly things usually do....but, nope. Items are comparable to others and start at $9.95.

{words}

back in time...
street scene
peace
lunchtime

the senses

Taste: Abe brought these back for me and my coworkers from his last trip to Bouchon Bakery. The pistachio is my favorite. I'm tempted to try and bake a batch. Once I muster up the ingredients (and kitchen cajones) to do so, I'd like to try one of these recipes:
Earl Gray
Nutella Macarons
Macarons with Raspberry Rose Buttercream

Smell: I got my basil plant for the season. I love it and have already reaped the benefits in the form of a fresh caprese sandwich yesterday. I'm going to try out my newly learned gardening techniques and see how long I can keep it this year. Here's a simple one for basil: pinch off any new growth that sprouts off the top. (more helpful tips here)

See: Some time ago, I was given a sewing machine by someone very special. I got a little overly ambitious and purchased a slew of printed, solid knits, jerseys, chiffon...90% of which have gone unused. Anyway, I've unpacked all the dormant fabrics quietly sitting in drawers and bags in my room to motivate me. I think I'll make some simple scarves and mis-matchy napkins next...

Hear: Ms. Lauryn Hill has been popping up on my Pandora station which has rekindled my love for this album.

Feel: I always thought I was too short to wear these, but this particular H&M number fits my 5'3 self almost perfectly. Besides comfort, it's nice not having to worry about flashing your chones to the world like in a shorter dress.

fields of gold

I spy sunshine...



happy weekend.

rainy days

{Images via here, here, and here}

Days like today make me want to curl up on the couch and watch old movies or Law & Order: SVU marathons. When I can't catch the latter, my go to movie is Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade. (This also happens to be my favorite ride at Disneyland). I don't watch it often, but it's one of those movies that I find new things that I enjoy and appreciate each time I do. Currently, they are...

1. the whole beginning sequence. River Phoenix plays a young Indy running from treasure hunters on horseback and through a circus train filled with wild animals and magic boxes. You get insight into his fear of snakes, the origin of his iconic fedora and whip, and even the scar on his chin (a real one of Harrison Fords). The whole thing is just…fun.

2. Indy’s 3 piece suits, 1930’s Venice and the Fraulein’s fashions, old Hollywood glamour, and various hats.

3. Petra, Jordan and the scene where the heroes ride off with Al Khaznah behind them. This whole movie is set in beautiful places I want to visit and explore. hello wanderlust...

Give me that, Whole Foods Reduced Sodium Popcorn, and my favorite high school P.E. sweats any gloomy day. If you're looking for some adventure, a healthy & fun dose of suspense (unlike the Departed which left me sweaty palmed and stressed out for pretty much the whole movie), and some humor, pick it up! What's your go to rainy day movie?

aesthetics

{find more at freepeople}

the senses

{images via dish list, all sorts, dsgnworld}

See: Inspired by others' creativity. This is reALIze by Michael Kalish and Oyler Wu. You're looking at 1,300 boxing speed bags depicting an image of Muhammad Ali's face. It's amazing what people can do. It will be on display at L.A. Live till April 9.

Hear: anticipating the foo fighters new album due April 12

Taste: I'm really into orange foods these days. Baby carrots, papayas, cuties, and especially kabocha pumpkin...have you tried it? I like it so much that Abe's new name for me has become Miss Kabocha. (I've been known as Miss granola, miss dehydrated fruit, Miss Edamame in the past). I just cut them into wedges (1.5-2 inches thick) and put them in the oven at 375 degrees for about 25-30 minutes (or till a chopstick goes through it).
Here are some more exciting recipes if you want to try it out:
Kabocha soup or Roasted kabocha w/brown butter
Kabocha Fries
Kabocha pie

Feel: The pedal to the metal. My coworker and I took a short break and rode bikes during lunch the other day. Something about getting on a bicycle that makes me want to race airplanes in the sky and jumping over speed bumps incredibly exhilarating. All seems well for some reason...maybe it's the whole nostalgia thing. And even falling off said bicycle, over the span of what felt like 20 seconds, after trying to run over a flimsy box and 3 rolls of toilet paper that had fallen out of my basket is funny in the moment. (and really strange now...)

Smell: Spring=blooming flowers everywhere. I particularly love freesias, gardenias, the white flowers that line my streets, and the bush/tree growing next to Chapman Cafe in Orange. No candles or spray can compare...

{peace}

and hope...