Holiday Baking Project: Week 3

Last weekend, I decided to tackle cookies that travel well, because...who doesn't love to get a batch of homemade cookies in the mail during the holidays?? Using my trusty Martha Stewart cookie magazine, I was able to identify these yummy, buttery pecan sandies as the perfect recipe to try. These taste a lot like shortbread cookies, but with a pecan crunch, and are perfect for eating with a big glass of milk or tea.

My mom happened to be in town visiting, and not only dropped off some seriously beautiful German and Italian ornaments from the 30s, 40s and 60s, but also helped me out with a fun holiday project I've been working on (more on that soon!). To thank her, I wrapped up a few of these sandies in parchment paper, tied it up with festive red and white baker's string, and stamped the bottom with a light-string stamp from Paper Source. Very cute and very simple.

Inspiration 12.9

How great are these wooden countertops, although I wonder how they would stand up to use? I am not a tidy chef...

Has anyone seen this before?

Inspiration 12.2

Ok, confession time -- I find that I really struggle to get excited about homes that are practical for families with children (I know it's awful, but I just can't) and I that I really, really struggle with family homes that also happen to be in white-washed Manhattan lofts.

Something about those spaces reminds me of a ridiculously pretentious pre-school atmosphere where kids can draw on the walls because some Swiss study from 1972 found that giving kids free reign over their aesthetic environment boosts self-esteem and creativity by 1.8 percent, and the whole this is just......UGH.

So I couldn't believe my eyes when I found one of those homes that I not only don't despise, but actually really like. In particular, I appreciate the restrained color palette (white, marigold and royal blue is quite nice compared to the typical primary color explosion in a lot of similar lofts) and the fact that it doesn't pander to the kiddies, with a level of refinement that I think might just do a lot more for the kiddos than a more infantile design.

So how bad am I? Will anyone else climb out on this limb with me?

(Originally featured in Martha Stewart Living)

The Holiday Baking Project: Week 1

A little snapshot from my weekend. As a newbie baker I challenged myself to bake something every Sunday I'm in town this holiday season. The chocolatey, peanut-studded results of week one above! Recipe here.

Inspiration 1.13

(via Martha Stewart Living)

Martha <3 Cacti?

I loved this simple, but elegant idea featured in the September Martha Stewart Living. I think most of us relegate cacti to kitschy, unoriginal southwestern homes, but leave it to Martha Stewart to turn that perception on its head. Here, a table covered with several different varieties lends itself well to her traditional style, but I could easily see this work with any kind of decor. The ornate table and uniform pots are what I think make this work well in this room. Such a brilliant idea for people (like moi) who kill every plant they come in contact with, yet want something green in their homes.

P.S. I've been on the road for most of August due to work commitments, and there is no other magazine I find more calming then MSL. It made a plane ride to Alaska bearable. Most of the articles don't apply to my 20-something lifestyle, but I firmly believe it is comfort food on paper. Love it (and her!). What magazines do you read to unwind? Country Living is probably a close second.