Barcelona!

I have finally made it to Spain and settled into my new home for the next three months! This city is absolutely amazing and has so much culture. The food and fashion are fantastic and I hope to gain inspiration for both my wardrobe and my cookbook!

This is a view from Park Guell, completely designed by Guadi and has some of the most amazing views of the entire city...wouldn't you agree?

-A

Fresh Foods the Best Food

There is nothing more beautiful than going to your local farmers market and gazing at the fresh produce. I love all the different colors and shapes of heirloom tomatoes. Make sure to support your local farmers market!

-A

Travel Essentials: LBD

I know, this is only the millionth post you have seen about the versatility and general amazing addition to your wardrobe a little black dress brings, but since Spain is only two weeks away, I'm starting to freak out a little about packing. I have no idea how I am going to fit 3 and a half months worth of clothing into a suitcase or two. Don't even talk to me about carrying it. Luckily, one thing makes the whole packing ordeal easier and that is the LBD, or Little Black Dress.
I am lucky enough to own two different styles that are on my list to bring with me. One is more formal, with a cut out in the back that I got from the boutique that I work at- C Collection- in New Orleans. The other one is more casual, and a racerback cut with a pocket in the front, from Mercer at Stanford Shopping Center.
I can dress them up and down with tights, heels, boots (if I find them), scarves and coats. Hopefully they will lighten my load for packing!
-K

Sunday Baking

I went to the Farmer's Market this morning and there was a special on blackberries. I haven't had a good blackberry pie yet this summer, so I thought I would take advantage of the opportunity, and make a pie. When I got home, I realized I didn't have quite enough blackberries, so I also cut up three small apples from our tree outside to add. Here is the recipe I used:
Blackberry Pie

I decided to get a little fancy and make the crust a lattice one too. It's currently cooling on the countertop...

-K

Tiffany's Leather

Tiffany's has a new Leather Collection- it's available to buy starting September 1st at a select few stores across the country. I want one of these clutches so badly. I do have a big birthday coming up in a few months...:) Hopefully there isn't too much of a wait list. These are so classic- I can see it going with anything. I love the Tiffany blue, but I think I would probably get the tan. Unless I just got two...


-K

Dress Like: Gossip Girl

One of my guilty pleasures is watching Gossip Girl- I know it's only deteriorated over the years but A and I both love the visual aspect- the clothes are amazing. I found this site the other day that catalogs all of the outfits that they wear on the show, and provides cheaper alternatives to the couture worn on the show. I'm not the biggest fan of knock offs, but I like this site because I always want to know the labels that the characters are wearing.
Shop Gossip Girl
My favorite is definitely Serena- I need that closet. Do you have a certain TV show that you love watching, even if it's just for the clothes?

-K

Fresh Bread

We didn't have bread at home for some reason today, so I decided to whip up a fresh loaf in the bread machine. I've been having issues making bread recently- it's either collapsed or has been undercooked. Not that it didn't taste good, it just wasn't very attractive. This loaf however, came out perfectly! I used a mixture of white and whole wheat flour, and added in some flaxseed for some texture.

Here is the recipe I used:
3/4 cup of white flour
3/4 cup of whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 stick of butter (cold, cubed)
2 tablespoons yeast
1 cup lukewarm water

1. Combine the yeast and water in a bowl and leave for 10 min
2. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a smaller bowl
3. After the 10 minutes is up, add the dry ingredients and butter to the yeast and water mixture and knead. Let this dough rise in a room temperature place for 10 more minutes.
4. Put the dough in a bread pan, and bake on 350 degrees for around 45-50 minutes.
(If you have a bread machine, just put everything in the machine and select the setting!)

Nothing makes a house smell better than freshly baked bread.
-K