Chocolate Chip Cookies

There are countless recipes for chocolate chip cookies out there to choose from, but I was particularly impressed by this one from Tate's bakeshop. The cookies had the perfect balance of chewiness and crunch. I even froze half the recipe for instant cookie fixes (ie. easy desert for entertaining, to combat studying woes). It's super simple, just spoon the batter out on a cookie sheet, freeze until hard, then throw them in to a tupperware and back in to the freezer until needed.

Tate's Chocolate Chip Cookies

(slightly adapted from http://goop.com/newsletter/38/en/) 

2 cups flour (whole wheat pastry worked great for me)

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla 

1 tsp. water

2 eggs (slightly beaten)

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk together flour, baking soda & salt. In a separate bowl cream together the butter and sugars. Add vanilla, water & eggs. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and mix until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Spoon about a tablespoon of batter on to prepared baking sheets (should make about 40 cookies) and bake for 8-12 minutes, depending upon how chewy or crunchy you like your cookies. 12 minutes worked perfectly for me. Let cookies cool on wire racks.

Ps. these cookies are fabulous with a glass of milk or my personal choice-- a beautiful latte from my new favourite espresso bar Pikolo, on Parc and Sherbrooke. 

Have a great Halloween weekend! I'll be spending mine dressing up as a pirate and making home-made peanut butter cups. 

Feminine's in for Spring

I'm loving the femininity and movement embodied  in this Spring's RTW collections. Louis Vuitton showcased 60's inspired eyelet looks on a dreamworld of a runway, while Valentino's collection featured delicate plaited hair, sheer long layers and bold shoulders. My favorite looks were found on Alexander McQueen's runway. The dramatic ruffles and silhouettes of the structured gowns and floral dresses in the collection were utterly fabulous.

Eyelet and Feathers at Louis Vuitton

Lemon drop 60's inspirations at Louis Vuitton

Scarlet drama at Valentino

Beautiful colour combinations at Valentino

Floral ruffles at McQueen

Cascades of shimmering gold ruffles at McQueen

All images courtesy of www.style.com

The Perfect Shade for Fall

I can't get enough of Chanel's new Peridot nail polish (it also doesn't hurt that it's my birthstone). The shade is an iridescent combination of gold and green, and i must say, it is just fabulous. The perfect way to jazz up your mood and your outfit on a cloudy fall day. Enjoy!

Image courtesy of http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/chanel-le-vernis-nail-colour/2826973?origin=category&resultback=101

Fall Recipes To Try

Fall is my favorite time of year. The fashion is fabulous, the colors outside are inspiring and the seasonal produce is fantastic. Who doesn't love pumpkins, apples and pears? Here are some comforting recipes I plan to make use of the local fall food fare with...

French Onion Soup

Butternut Squash, Ricotta & Sage Crostini

Butternut Squash Tortellini

Images courtesy of http://www.bonappetit.com/ & http://www.foodnetwork.com/

Here comes Carven...

Carven was one of my favourite ready-to-wear collections this fall season. Although Mr. Henry is fairly new on the scene, his tailoring is exceptional, as seen in the shrunken leather jackets and exquisite pea coats featured. I was intrigued by the designers use of interesting silhouettes and cut-outs that infused life in to simple pieces like cable knit sweaters and school girl skirts. My most beloved looks of the collection showcased tartan fabrics draped perfectly in to lace and over-sized pocket embellished dresses. Equally impressive was the designers choice of accessories; penny loafers and Lennon-esque glasses complemented the classic tailoring and fabric choices of the collection wonderfully. Needless to say, I can't wait to see what Carven comes up with next season...

Photos courtesy of style.com.

August Inspirations

Here are some of my fashion, home & food  inspirations for August...I can't get enough of fresh, local summer berries this month no matter the type. Last week I made a raspberry & white peach pie (seen here), a perfect treat for hot summer nights. I'm also loving simple flower arrangements of mis-matched flowers, particularly hydrangeas, fuschia lilies & dahlias. 

Fresh Summer Berries

Anthropologie Lush Landscape Bedding

Simple arrangement of WildFlowers (image courtesy of  stylefiles)

Leather Jacket + Flats + Maxi Skirt = perfect fall outfit combination 

Kate Moss's Classic and Whimsical Wedding Dress

(Fashion photos via vogue.com)

out with the old, in with the new

As summer comes to a close I find myself partaking in my annual closet revamp, it's time to shed the neglected pieces cast to the back of my closet and invest in a few new pieces for fall. I've been drawn to simple chic basics lately and picked up a couple new items while on a quick trip to Seattle this week. Here are some of my favorite new pieces and a couple pieces i'm planning on investing in for fall.

J.Crew Chambray Blouse

AllSaints Spitafields Godiva Top

AllSaints Spitafields Melody Dress

Talula Exeter Blazer

Spring Wish List

The Perfect Travel Bag

Fabulous Sandals

Colourful Shorts

Neon Accessories

Tea Dress (Erdem)

Nigella's Chocolate Chip Cookies

I tried Nigella Lawson's Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe from her latest cookbook 'Kitchen' this weekend. They were a bit different from the average chocolate chip cookie--halfway in between a very chewy/doughy cookie and a crunchy cookie. Overall they were pretty good, but not may favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe ever. Personally I really like Michael Smith's recipe from his 'Chef at Home' cookbook.

Inspirations of the Week

{Santropol Carrot Cake}

{Retro Lace Eberjey Onsie}

{Hennie Haworth Illustrations}

{Winter Style}

{Hearts}

Five Favourites of the Week

Folio Magazine - McGill's Art & Design Magazine

Red Trousers for Spring

Valentine's Hanky Panky's

Frye Harness Boots

Johnathon Franzen's latest novel

Blue Valentine Style + Music

Loved Ryan Gosling & Michelle Williams new movie 'Blue Valentine.' I especially enjoyed the music and flashback 90's style.

{Black Frye Biker Boots + Lumberjack Flannel}

{Retro Wedding Ensembles + Red Tulips}

Penny & the Quarters "You and Me"

Grizzly Bear Music

oreo-crunchie ice cream cake

oreo crumbs  

 + crumbled crunchie bars

+ vanilla ice cream

Reviews to come tomorrow...