a boozy bar mother russia would be proud of.

black and white espresso russian bar.

December 31, 2010
18 comments »

bye bye, 2010! this year went by so. damn. fast. i’m super happy to announce that i’m the new featured blogger on Sarah Hearts! Sarah is a super-talented designer that I came to know through a mutual friend, and i’m so flattered that she asked me to guest-blog on her site once a month!...

caramelsauce2

vanilla bean caramel sauce.

December 13, 2010
5 comments »

i’ve never really had a ‘type.’ i’ve dated all types of boys, from all walks of life. i’ve dated rich, snobby boys. quiet, thoughtful boys. boisterous centers of attention. artsy guys. existentialists. burnouts. hipsters. musicians. philosophers. comedians. i mean, not that i’m a harlot or anything. really.

squashsoup2

butternut squash soup.

December 8, 2010
4 comments »

we finally got some cold weather! the air is chilly, the breeze is constant and crisp, and we’ve been drinking tea like it’s going out of style. the days are short, and the evening sneaks up quiet and quick. this is falling in love weather. if only it would stay like this forever.

chocolate malted cake

supernatural chocolate malted cake.

November 29, 2010
3 comments »

i inherited my grandmother’s recipe book, one of my most treasured possessions. i love poring over that book, reminiscing about all of the wonderful recipes that have become staples in our family. the one downside to the book is that it is completely handwritten, mostly in smudged pencil. time has not been kind to...

whoopie2

mini pumpkin whoopie pies.

November 22, 2010
1 comment »

i feel cheated. after this thursday, my favorite season will be over, gone before it even started. we don’t get much of an autumn here in florida, save a few random days where the air is full of chilly promises. the leaves get slightly crunchy, but don’t take on any gorgeous, brilliant new hues....

cranberries + orange peel =

cranberry orange relish.

November 11, 2010
2 comments »

so, let’s talk for a minute about cranberry sauce. it’s a staple at thanksgiving, no holiday table would be complete without it. yet have you ever noticed how little of it is actually consumed? everyone feels more comfortable knowing that the jiggling red blob with the can imprints is at the table, yet everyone...

applesauce cake

applesauce cake with apple cider glaze.

November 7, 2010
3 comments »

so i start culinary school tomorrow. i’m excited, nervous, panicked, joyous, anxiety-riddled, giddy, and basically just a bundle of crazy emotions. it’s just so beyond my wildest dreams that i’m actually doing it. i daydreamed and wished and hoped i could work up the nerve to follow my heart and enroll in culinary school...