Saturday, March 22, 2014
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Cheese Cake Cupcakes
Here is my attempt at what was supposed to be strawberry cheesecake cupcakes, but turned out to be vastly different tasting because of the unearthly rice flower that was used in replacement of regular flower, but hey, that's gluten free for you...I also didn't have any vanilla extract for the frosting and this recipe called for a bit of vanilla so that could have added to the difference in taste as well... The frosting was a bit pungent without the sweetness of the vanilla because most of the frosting was made out of sour foods like creme cheese and well, sour creme. The cupcakes tasted more like a strawberry shortcake than cheesecake cupcakes. A little warming, the first bight is very dry so your going to want to keep eating bights because they will start tasting more moisture filled the more you eat. Tell this to whom ever you give these too, and it will make them eat an entire shortcake! Problem solved.
In case you want to try this recipe here is what you need to gather up:
4 tablespoons butter @ room temp
5 Tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup of "self rising" flower (what ever self rising means)
1/2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons of milk
for icing:
3 oz. white chocolate chopped
3 oz. creme cheese
6 table spoons of creme fraich or sour creme
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla
5 tablespoons of powdered sugar
fresh strawberries
makes 12 cupcakes but mine were quite small
Preheat the oven to 350 and line muffin pan with paper liners. Beat the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale and fluffy, then beat in the egg, a little at a time. Sift the flour into the mixture and fold in, then stir in the vanilla extract and milk.Spoon the mixture into muffin cups. Bake for about 10 minutes until risen and golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
To decorate, check that none of the cupcakes have risen above the rim of the paper liners. If any have, carefully slice off the top using a serrated knife to create a flat surface. Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water or in a microwave, then set aside to cool slightly (make sure the microwave is on low power, or you'll burn the chocolate). Beat the cream cheese, creme fraiche, vanilla and powdered sugar together in a separate bowl, then beat in the melted chocolate. When cupcakes are cool, smooth the cream cheese mixture over the cupcakes, up to the rim of the paper liners, then chill for 1 1/2 hours until set (the dark chocolate mixture didn't need to set). Decorate with fresh strawberries and serve.
Cupcakes, by Susannah Blake
Cupcakes, by Susannah Blake
Here's what they are supposed to look like...Word of advice, don't compare yours to these unless your Martha Stewart.
Friday, December 27, 2013
Fur or animal?
Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, I know I did skiing in Vermont, in the brisk -2 degree weather. I was sure to bring some of my favorite and most beloved fur pieces with me so I wouldn't, how do you say, "freeze my tushy off!"
I love animals and so desperately wanted a kitten for Christmass, but I also have a inexplicable love for fur and wanted a fur piece for Christmass as well...although I did not receive a kitten, something that has been #1 on my Christmass list for the last 5 years, my mother did generously give me a fur wrapped neck scarf and wrote on the card "better luck next year, I did however, in one way or another give you an animal, it just might not be breathing"...
Ok, so, aside from my tangent, this season I have been seeing lots of animal patterns incorporated into outfits as well as fabrics. Fabrics are more exciting than ever, with their explosions of color and pattern, I absolutely cannot wait for spring 2014. Fur on the other hand has also set a major precedence for winter 2013, and is predicted to be one of the biggest trends for next season. There have been up to 20 fur pieces in the hottest designers latest collections like Marc Jacobs, Marni, J. Mendel, Louis Vutton, and Altuzarra. Fur has been experimented and played with to create new, exciting and innovative looks. In particular, I have noticed some designers creating pieces to look more like their natural state, or in other words (more like the animal it was taken from), which gives it almost a "rugged" but elegant appearance. Other designers have taken a different approach, dying their pieces and adding unique touches.
sources: Elle.com, fashionista.com
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Veni Vidi Vici
With the help of a special friend from down under, and yes that means Australia, these wonderful photographs were in fact able to be taken! My Aussie companion and I took on Newbury street this afternoon, well armed with our favorite Starbucks drinks, in order to take on the brisk 30 degrees weather. The common latin term, Veni Vidi Vici, best describes this adventure filled day. This term means "we came, we saw, we conquered"; or in this case, we window browsed, we enjoyed the Christmas tree lights, and we conquered the shops. My mate and I were able to stop into the Marc Jacobs store and nonetheless we were more than satisfied when we came across this adorable pom pom black beanie hat. The pom pom was too cute, we just couldn't resist and before I knew it, I had made a cash contribution to the store! I was also lucky enough to come across this wonderful book called Grace, a Memoir, written by Vogue's current creative director, and former model. I've been told it's a must read and am quite interested to break it open considering Grace Coddington is one of the most influential, successful and creative figures in the industry.
What a wonderful day, a wonderful thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday break, much to be thankful for!
Dress: Zara
Jacket: Zara
Shoes: Frye
Necklace: vintage
Hat: Marc Jacobs
Accessories: Marc Jacobs
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
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