inspiration: miranda kerr

has anyone else noticed that miranda kerr has been killing it with the outfits lately?  i mean it helps that she has a victoria's secret body, cutest baby ever and is the face of my current obsession Rag & Bone - but seriously im feeling some major inspiration from the pics snapped below:

via PopSugar

via beacuse i'm addicted

via Vogue

via PopSugar

decadent

hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving!  after all of the delicious food over the holiday i was not quite ready to get back to the normal, healthier and less delicious routine.  since there were some birthdays to celebrate, we went all out and made the amazingly decadent salted caramel six layer cake from Martha Stewart.

what an undertaking, but it really turned out well.  i was too busy digging in to snap a pic, but you get the idea...

via Marha Stewart

Ingredients

• For The Cake

  • Unsalted butter, room temperature, for pans
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1 tablepoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • Coarse salt
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons safflower oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• For The Caramel

  • 4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • Coarse salt
  • 2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons

• For The Frosting

  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • Coarse salt
  • 1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped, melted, and cooled
  • Garnish: flaked sea salt, such as Maldon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make the cake: Butter three 9-inch round cake pans, and dust with flour, tapping out excess. Sift flour, granulated sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons course salt into the bowl of a mixer. Beat on low speed until just combined. Raise speed to medium, and add eggs, buttermilk, 1 1/2 cups warm water, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth, about 3 minutes.
2. Divide batter among pans. Bake until cakes are set and a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool in pans set on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks, and let cool completely.
3. Make the caramel: Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Cook, without stirring, until mixture is dark amber, about 14 minutes. Remove from heat, and carefully pour in cream (mixture will spatter); stir until smooth. Return to heat, and cook until a candy thermometer reaches 238 degrees, about 2 minutes. Pour caramel into a medium bowl, stir in 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and let cool slightly, about 15 minutes. Stir in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Let cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, make the frosting: Whisk together cocoa and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water in a bowl until cocoa dissolves. Beat butter, confectioners' sugar, and a generous pinch of coarse salt in a clean bowl with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in melted chocolate and then cocoa mixture until combined. Let stand for 30 minutes before using.
5. Trim tops of cakes using a serrated knife to create a level surface. Cut each in half horizontally to form 2 layers. Transfer 1 layer to a serving platter, and spread 3/4 cup caramel over top. Top with another cake layer, and repeat with remaining caramel and cake layers, leaving top uncovered. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.
6. Frost top and sides of cake in a swirling motion. Sprinkle with sea salt.

Enjoy!

sous style

every once in awhile, while perusing the internet i come across a site that stands out from the crowd and that i instantly identify with and/or seriously appreciate.

most recently it's been: oliviapalermo.com, manrepeller.com, biggirlssmallkitchen.com

however today, through another on-line staple (http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/) i found sous style.

extreme girl crush on pippa and the recipe's are out of this world YUM.  the manifesto pretty much sums up my view on life.

via Sous Style

enjoy!

brooklyn & barneys - NYC weekend recap

back from a beautiful fall weekend in NYC.  the weather could not have been better, cool and sunny - perfect for that fur vest topper which i diligently wore in over the trip.  it was so nice to not have a specific agenda and just visit all weekend.

highlights:

Fitz & the Tantrums show at Terminal 5.  this was my first visit to the venue and it was pretty spectacular - much larger than i expected but wonderful nonetheless.  F&T rocked - perfect party/dance music - it's like southern beach music band meets indie.

a full day to myself to peruse the stores.  the shoe floor at Barney's NEVER dissapoints.

ridiculously amazing italian food at Emilio Ballato's, jalapeno cocktails at Mayahuel and a cozy night with friends Jo's in Nolita.

a visit and afternoon beers at Brooklyn Brewery lead to buzzed browsing and some sweet finds next door at Sound Fix Records.  im already obsessing over the She & Him Christmas album we got on vinyl. sooo good.

finally a much anticipated stop at Eataly.  i had the best paninni of my life and could have eaten and purchased everything in there.  of course we're approaching the holidays and it was slam packed.  one day i will get there when it opens and magically have someone pick me up with an arm full of fresh, gourmet italian ingredients.

winter classics

i love the fall/winter seasons to get back to basics and re-invest in timeless pieces that can go the distance.  with a strapped wallet and busy agenda i am honing in on items that can go from work to cocktails to running errands around town (sigh, that leaves out a sequin dress i've been coveting)

below are a few pieces i recently shopped and have found endless ways to style.  

via Rag and Bone

via MikkatMarket

via Zara

via Old Navy

via FrenchConnection

as you can see...i am opting for little to no color this winter, but in my opinion black/white/grey neutrals are always considered to be chic.

recipe: pasta with roasted vegetables & bacon

i am continually impressed with the recipe's featured in martha stewart living magazine, definitely worth keeping my subscription.  they are always delicious and pretty fool-proof if you can follow a recipe.  we tried this pasta dish last night and it was a hit.  perfectly hearty and seasonal with a bonus -- the vegetables roast for 35-40 minutes, just the right amount of time to take a quick jog around the neighborhood and return to finish up the dish.

via Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 ounces bacon, preferably slab, chopped * we substituted turkey bacon
• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 head cauliflower, trimmed into 1 1/2-inch florets (about 2 1/2 cups)
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 8 ounces orecchiette
• 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (1 1/2 ounces), plus more, shaved, for garnish
• 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels using a slotted spoon. Reserve drippings.
2. Toss sweet potato, onion, and cauliflower with reserved drippings. Season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until tender and caramelized, about 35 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Return pasta to pot with cooking water, and toss with grated cheese and vegetables. Stir in parsley. Sprinkle bacon over top. Garnish with shaved cheese.

Bon Appetit!