Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Coral



This blouse has become one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe. I stumbled across it at Nordstrom awhile back with my mom and couldn't get it off my mind. Not only is it one of my favorite colors (coral), but also one of my favorite brands, Joie. Joie combines chic style with comfortable fabrics and great patterns. I am always looking out for it on the sale racks at Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack; you can find amazing designer pieces at great prices when you hit the sales right. I love this blouse paired with skinny jeans and wedges, or a simple pencil skirt. The tie in the front adds that little something special. I can't wait to wear it throughout this summer!










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Photos by Preston Anderson


Love this one! 

Monday, May 19, 2014

Lilly Love


It's officially wedding season so I wanted to share a look appropriate for any summer wedding. I love the bold color and pattern in this Lilly Pulitzer number, bright colors are a must for summer and Lilly does color like no one else. The piece I'm wearing is a few years old but I love their current line of dresses- all very wedding guest appropriate. Be sure to check out my favorites here, here, and here

How many wedding are you planning on attending this year? Any go to designers you run to when in need of the perfect look?  

Have a wonderful Monday!









:: Shop The Post ::

Lilly Pulitzer Dress old // SJP Bobbie Heels // Stella & Dot Necklace // J. Crew Ring old // J. Crew Clutch old (similar)


Thanks for reading, 
L


Photo's by Brendan Lorentz 

Friday, May 16, 2014

Thick & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies {Food}



A couple of weeks ago, my sister brought down some delicious, chewy chocolate chip cookies (My sister owns the duplex that P and I live in. We never thought we would live together because of our age difference, but have been blessed to be roomies for the last year). I instantly fell in love with the recipe and asked her to share her secrets. In the most recent addition of Cook's Country (our go-to cooking magazine), they address how to bake thick and chewy chocolate chip cookies in their "Cooking Class" section. Below you will see some of the tips and tricks they share to make the perfect thick and chewy cookie. I love the Cook's Country magazine because it really teaches you how to become a better cook and baker. I hope you fall in love with these as much as we have; we honestly cannot get enough of them! Happy baking!

: : Tips and Tricks : : 

Using a quality, rimmed baking sheet will make a difference. They suggest their favorite in Cook's Country, but my favorite baking sheets are the Gold Touch pans from Williams Sonoma

Pure vanilla extract is significantly better than imitation vanilla extract. My favorite is Nielsen-Massey vanilla from Williams Sonoma

Use the dip-and-sweep method for measuring dry ingredients like flour and cocoa powder for the most consistent measurements. Dip a dry measuring cup into the container, fill it, and then sweet across the top with a straight edge. 

Bake one sheet of cookies at a time. To guarantee even browning, rotate the baking sheet 180 degrees halfway through baking. I set my timer for half the suggested time, which is my reminder to rotate the pan. Then I set the timer for the second half of the time. 

DON'T stint on brown sugar! Brown sugar produces chewier baked goods than white granulated sugar. In this cookie recipe, twice as much brown sugar is used than white sugar. 

DO melt the butter! I feel like the majority of baking recipes call for the butter to be at room temperature. However, I was happy to learn that melting the butter will produce chewier and softer cookies! 

To keep cookies chewy longer, store them in an airtight container with a  slice of sandwich bread. 

: : Ingredients : : 

2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg plus 1 large egg yoke
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Makes 24 cookies

: : Recipe : : 

Line your rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper and pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees. The parchment paper keeps the cookie bottoms from over-browning. The slightly lower temperature yields chewier cookies. 

Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt using a whisk. Whisking will evenly distribute the leavener (baking soda) and salt in the dough and helps to alleviate clumping. 

Microwave the unsalted butter until melted and let cool. 

Beat the brown and white sugars with the melted butter for 2 minutes. Beating the butter with the sugar ensures that the sugars dissolve completely. The result was a rich, creamy substance that I have yet to experience in baking before. This step really does make a difference and makes the cookies chewier. 

Beat in an egg, a yolk, and vanilla extract. With one less egg white, the cookie is denser and chewier. 

Slowly beat in the flour mixture in 3 additions. Scrap down the bowl as needed. Adding the ingredients gradually with the mixer on low helps them fully incorporate. 

Stir in chocolate chips by hand. This prevents overworking the dough, which makes the cookies tough. 

Roll the dough into balls (2 tablespoons in size) and place 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Rolling the dough rather than dropping in mounds creates thick, even cookies. 

Bake one sheet of cookies at a time, rotating the sheet halfway through. This ensures the most even browning in any oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until edges are set and beginning to brown but centers are still soft and puffy. 

Let cookies cool for 10 minutes on baking sheet before serving.  













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With Love,
A

Photos by Angela Anderson

Favorite Things Friday



Happy Friday! I don't know about you but I'm ready to get this weekend started! On this lovely Friday I'm excited to share with you a favorite thing that I don't actually own but have been obsessing over for weeks now. I'm dying over the amazing variety and uniqueness of fashion rings. I've never been a ring person but I love the daintiness that these rings provide. I've listed my favorites below from a few sites that have amazing selections at great prices. The selections highlighted in pink are the ones I'm considering. More to come when I finally pull the trigger on one of these beauties. 

:: Favorite Fashion Rings ::

1 // 2 // 3 

1 // 2 // 3

1


Thanks for reading, 
L


Picture Source
1

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Jumpsuit Style #2 Glam


The jumpsuit is back and I've dressed it up for a glam night out on the town. I paired it with a sleek white blazer, neutral pumps with a slight twist, and a little pop of color in my clutch. I love the elegance of white and black together, its sophisticated, cool, and easy to put together. What other ways would you style this oh so versatile jumpsuit?

Have a great rest of your week!









:: Shop The Post ::

Banana Republic Jumpsuit (limited sizes online) // J. Crew Blazer // Trina Turk for Banana Republic old (similar) // Rachel Rachel Roy Heels old (similar) // Stella & Dot Necklace 

Thanks for reading,
L


Photo's by Brendan Lorentz

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Color Splash



Last weekend P and I enjoyed a special date night at one of our favorite restaurants, Cafe Lurcat in downtown Minneapolis. The food and the atmosphere are divine, and the location is in a charming part of the city. To celebrate our special evening I wore a new favorite, this colorful skirt from Anthropologie. Not only does it contain beautiful summer colors and patterns, but it is also made of cotton jersey, making it easy to wear for a day of teaching, a date night out, or a relaxed lunch out with friends. Comfort and versatility are important for summer pieces, and this new staple has it all! 








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Anthropologie Skirt / / J.Crew Chambray / / J.Crew Clutch / / Tory Burch Wedges, old (similar here) / / Chanel Sunnies / / Wrap Bracelet / / J.Crew Earrings, old (similar here)

With Love,
A

Photos by Preston Anderson

Monday, May 12, 2014

Jumpsuit Style #1 Casual


I finally did it, I splurged on a jumpsuit and could not be happier! After obsessing over them for months I was pleasantly surprised to find one at Banana Republic. I stumbled along it initially while just browsing during a lunch break and made a mental note to check it out online. It was finally posted about a week later and loved the way it draped on the model so I hurried back to the store to try it on. They had just one left in my size and were running a $50 off deal with any purchase of $100 or more so I knew it was meant to be. For this post I paired it with my trusty jean jacket and flats for a laid back everyday look. I found the jumpsuit to be amazingly comfortable and cannot wait to wear it to work.  

Later this week I will show you how I styled it for a glam night out. 

I'm now obsessing over these two adorable rompers- be sure to check them out here and here. Have a great Monday!









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Thanks for reading, 
L


Photo's by Brendan Lorentz
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