Get a Clu

So in love with this brand right now.  I know, I know.  I just resigned at my old job at a clothing boutique, so maybe the discount-withdrawl is getting the best of me.  I just think the lines of these pieces are fun, flirty, drapey and sophisticated all at once.  And, neutral!  Duh.

* all photos from clu website

Last Few Weeks

A lot has happened with me.  All good, I swear.

(seeing a really close friend's work in a very cool retail store)

(slow cooker Chipotle-knockoff barbacoa)

(gluten-free Fonuts for a great partay)

(slowly researching wedding centerpieces)

(deciding this might probably be easier)

(internship work)

(moving the boy in...into my closet was harder than the entire rest of the apartment)

(my brand-new baby nephew)

(getting ready for baseball season)

(homemade birthday breakfast - paleo pancakes)

Habanero Tequila

Hi.  My newest obsession.  Habanero tequila, mixed with grapefruit juice and a cucumber slice.  That is all.

I made the mistake of slicing too many cucumbers for a salad this weekend (recipe to come).  That, inevitably meant that I needed to make an endless supply of habanero tequila.  Right?  That's how I interpreted my cosmic universe, anyway.

Wendy's Lookbook

Last week, I had the absolute joy of mixing business with pleasure.  One of my favorite bloggers was kind enough to host an event with my company!

Seriously, Wendy is arguably one of the sweetest people you will ever meet.  Pair that with her everyday fashion brilliance, and her ability to mix high-and-low - she's a surefire winner.  Plus, her blog has only been around less than a year.

Get ready to see a lot more of her, ladies.  But, feel free to start stalking her, here.

Cupcakes

When Suzanne (co-founder of, this amazing site) invited me over for dinner, she had these little gems a-waiting.  Of course I employed every method of social media the next day to make sure I got her cupcake recipe (I mean, I'm nothing if not persistent).
So, while you can view her chocolate version on her site, she was kind enough to share her vanilla version also.


Grab:
(makes one dozen)
6 eggs
1/3 cup mild-tasting oil (I used grapeseed oil)
3/4 cup honey
1.5 T vanilla extract
3/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 t baking soda
1.2 t salt


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (seriously, the mixing takes a minute).  Line your muffin pan with papers.
2. In a small bowl, sift together dry ingredients and set aside.
3. In a separate large mixing bowl, blend wet ingredients until combined.
4. Gently add in dry mix until combined.
5. This batter will rise less than you may be used to, so fill just over 3/4 for each muffin paper.
6. Bake for 20-22 minutes until almost clean toothpick comes out (a little moisture is fine, and you don't want overly dry cakes).
7. Cool completely before icing (I actually refrigerated mine overnight and made the icing in the morning).

Icing:
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup hazelnut oil

1. In a glass bowl, microwave the chocolate in 25 second bursts, stirring after each set.  Shouldn't take more than a few go-arounds.
2. Once the chocolate is completely melted, add in the oil until everything is evenly combined (though it might just look like oily melted chocolate. duh, it is).
3. Chill bowl in freezer for 10-15 minutes.  I transferred mine to my stand-mixer bowl, and then froze that.
4. Beat the chilled mix, on high, for approximately 5 minutes - you are going for icing consistency.
5. Ice cupcakes, show self-control, then show absolutely none.

Enjoy!

Neon Necklace

When my friend, Sarah, sent me this photo of a D.I.Y. necklace, I knew I had to make one.  I poked and prodded, asking what website or 'D.I.Y. guru' she found the template.

Of course, it was HonestlyWTF to the rescue.  The easy template, the link to online resources, the whole enchilada!

In the words of Sarah - this will be my seasons' P.O.C.  Squeal.

It's the Little Things...

We decided early that we wouldn't do anything over-the-top for Valentine's Day (I'm not a fan of flowers, and the boy is a fan of not buying me things that I don't like).  So - low and behold - he picked out a good present this year.

He found me a marvelous stand-mixer on Craigslist!  It's glorious!!!!!  I had intentions to make cupcakes the minute he told me, but we spent this weekend with family - and my family is never short on homemade desserts.  

So, last night, we made these.  I got to use my stand-mixer for the super-stiff egg whites for the gluten-free buns, and he spent the twenty minutes making the sauteed meat filling.

Air Supply

Not the band.  Get over it.  But, question to you all - have you ever tried growing 'air plants' (formally known as tillandsia...less fun)?
It's a species that can root anywhere, but just needs massive moisture once a week.  I feel like I owned one once, but over-watered it.

I found a great online retailer (here), and wanted to try again.  Call it 'Spring greening' or whathaveyou... I just want pretty things that don't die on me.

Pardon the Interruption

Life sort of happened.  I got side-tracked.  

I promise I'll get back in the swing of things soon.  Cupcakes will be happening this weekend (thanks to Sean and Suzanne).  Feel free to test on your own, too.  See ya' soon.

Robynn Molino

So, I love supporting small, independent business owners.  Both my parents ran their own businesses, so I appreciate the passion, struggle and unique offerings.  And then....there is jewelry.  Yeah.  It's doubly fun to buy from smaller, indie designers.  I already bought the Bully Necklace, above (ummmm...hi, it was $20).

But bracelets and necklaces made from vintage typewriter strike-plates?  Might be next on the list....

Her entire collection (along with questions about custom orders), are available here.

Maria's Primal Goldmine

If your resolutions were anything like mine, the list looked a bit sad and quirky.  But, one of those things - as always - was a bit more realistic.  Take gluten out of my diet.  So, with my proverbial sword in hand (read: the internets), I began my quest.

Oh, good lord, thank you Maria!  And by 'Maria'... I actually mean Maria.  Maria Emmerich has been a nutritionist and primal/paleo food advocate for years.  Her books, blog and recipes are an absolute delight.

I made this pizza last night (this is her photo, mine looked a bit more brown).  But oh, geebz did it taste amazing.

While her main goal is to cut harmful gluten, corn and chemicals from her clients diets, she also understands people's needs to supplement their old, treasured comfort foods.  

Whether it's a chocolate mousse pie, a sloppy joe (she uses grass-fed beef and has her own recipe for the bun!), or jicama sliced to resemble tortilla chips - she intends to make it taste great, first and foremost.

So, stalk her website, buy the book if you wish, and get to cooking...you'll be better for it, and you might be able to sneak this in front of a loved-one without them noticing the change.

Siiso

All her works are available on her Etsy site, here.

Punctuated

How Come?

How come every time I go to the thrift store, the men's section is spilling over with amazing finds?  Allen Edmond wingtips, Cole Haan loafers, Salvatore Ferragamo double monks (not pictured).  I'm not complaining.  The boy has gotten some pretty good pieces from these trips - he just doesn't wear four varying sizes of shoes.

Again, I love my domestic finds.  I found a full set of espresso cups (white ceramic - perf!).  And then, found the cutest little ceramic grapefruit bowl.  Remember when you were little and everyone and their mom ate half a grapefruit with every meal?  I think that's what this bowl was meant for.  I plan to keep Cuties in it.