Thursday, May 9, 2013

The Macaron Project

Since I have this week off from school (a pseudo-summer break) I have decided to take on the task of perfecting the macaron.  My lovely friend Annie recently got married and for her honeymoon went to Paris.  As a surprise on the day of one of our finals she brought in some macarons straight from paris.  They were so delicious!  I had never had them before.  They were soft and sweet and just perfect.  I tried the raspberry, pistachio and the lavender. 

I decided that this would be my new baking extravaganza.  Macarons.  I decided to start with some basic shells with a nutella filling.  While they turned out alright I discovered I stirred the batter for too long when mixing the eggs and dry ingredients together.  Thus they came out a bit flat and very crunchy.  But still pretty tasty!  


I thought they could be better so using what ingredients I had around the apartment I made Earl Grey Macarons with Cream Cheese Icing.  And they were PERFECT.  They have a hint of tea taste and are light and fluffy and I love how the color turned out.


And so the macaron making continued and I moved onto Rosewater Buttercream Macarons.  Forgot to add the sugar till the last minute.  I knew they might turn out bad.  They taste great!  But they look odd and were a pain in the butt to get off the paper after baking.  Last time I forget the sugar while whipping the egg whites...



Then last but not least (at least for now) is the Salted Caramel Bourbon Macarons.  These required the most work but I love how they turned out.


Basic Macaron Recipe

3/4 cup ground almonds (in food processor)
1 cup powdered sugar
2 egg whites (room temp)
4 tbsp granulated sugar

1. Pulse ground almonds and powdered sugar together in the food processor
2. Whip egg whites until start to hold shape
3. Add granulated sugar gradually to egg whites while whipping
4. When egg whites hold stiff peaks add food coloring if desired
5. Add half of dry ingredients to egg whites, using about 10 strokes of rubber spatula, mix together
6. Add second half of dry ingredients and mix until incorporated and egg whites are a bit deflated but not too liquidy.
7. Transfer batter to ziplock bag.
8. Line baking pans with parchment paper and pipe cookie sized dollops of the batter onto baking sheets.
9. Tap cookie sheets on counter to level tops and let sit for 15-30min until shell forms on cookie.  Preheat oven to 350*.
10. Bake one sheet of cookies at a time for 5-7min.  Watch closely as to not burn.
11. Remove from oven and remove parchment sheet from tray about 1 min after removing from oven.  Let cool.
12. Once cool remove cookies from paper and fill with filling of choice.

Note:  Keep completed macarons refrigerated. Set out for 5 min before serving.

And enjoy!!!




Tuesday, February 26, 2013

A Gorgeous Bathroom on a College Budget

Good afternoon to all!  I love today.  It is raining cats and dogs outside.  Even though I am stuck inside studying for class and MCAT until 5pm I am greatly looking forward to getting home, slipping into some fleece with a cup of tea and enjoying this gloomy weather.  This is just the perfect weather for me!  

Before heading home this afternoon I do plan on stopping off at Target to purchase an item I've been eyeing lately.  

I first saw these gorgeous towels at Anthropologie.  But being a masters student I certainly don't have $36 to spend on a singular bath towel (no matter how tempted I am).


So I gave myself the task of finding similar towels with a more friendly price tag.  About a year ago I had seen some similar towels at a TJ Maxx.  Of course no luck upon my recent return.  Alas, after some research here's what I've found...


These adorable purple and cream ones (which would match my shower curtain perfectly) are from World Market.  $10 for a hand towel and $15 for a bath towel.  Less than half the price of the others!


Now this one comes from Target!  It comes is yellow and a nice light blue color.  $10 for a hand towel and only $13 for a bath towel!  This is why I plan on going to Target this afternoon.  To get these towels to spiffy up my bathroom a bit!

Nothing like a rainy day to inspire you to dream, to create, to imagine.




Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Curing Cancer One Step at a Time

Cancer is a scary word. One that frightens people, worries them, makes them sad.  Cancer kills, cancer sickens, cancer fights against us...  But for all the bad cancer is... There is HOPE.  There is HOPE that one day there will be a cure to ALL types of cancer.  There is HOPE that one day we will be able to prevent cancer in the first place.

It is once again the time of year where all of the fundraisers against cancer begin.  Relay for Life, Susan G. Komen 3-Day, etc...  As I hear of all these events I cannot help but think back to all of the Relay for Life teams that I captained and all of the great experiences and awareness that came from them.

It was a little over 3 years ago that my Pacaw went to be in the Kingdom of Heaven with our Lord.  Cancer was the cause.  My Pacaw fought so hard and defied the odds and beat the clock that was set on him the day he was diagnosed.  I miss him each and every day and I only hope to continue my personal fight against cancer for the rest of my life.

Here is my Pacaw and I at the 2008 Relay for Life...



I also wanted to share a video that a fellow classmate shared with me last week that is astounding.  It is about a new possible cure for leukemia.  Incredibly beautiful video.




I am incredibly blessed to also have the chance to work with the Children's Cancer Center here in Tampa.  I will be working with their SAIL program in which I will be teaching a musical theater class once a month.  I am extremely excited to be able to work with these amazing kids and to be able to hopefully bring a smile to their face.  

http://www.childrenscancercenter.org/


Now let's go fight cancer together!!!



Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Today is a day for Bible verses...

Today has been an off day.  So I am going to revive my soul with Jesus and go to a campus ministry tonight.  I thought I'd share some bible verses to inspire you all to have a wonderful evening as well.









Friday, July 13, 2012

Coral Couture

Hello to all who might be reading this!  I am still in Gainesville.  Just about done boxing everything up for next weekends move.  It's raining today and I'm happy to say I've been running around returning items I never used and I've made about $100!  And... I'm swing dancing tonight!!!  So excited!  

Now before I get to today's post let me tell you about the amazing khaki pants Jenna and I found at the Gap last night.  $11.  Yes.  $11.  Go now before the sale ends or before they run out because they fit great, feel nice and are perfect for any wear. (I needed them for London trip!)  Here's the link.


Now, let's talk about my second favorite color of the summer.  CORAL.

1. Nail polish:  Essie's Tart Deco

2. Fashion:  I love this outfit.  From the top to the coral chiffon shorts to the lilac and gold heels.  If anyone knows who makes those heels please let me know ASAP.  I couldn't find the shorts either so here is my next favorite pair that actually exist from Free People (link).


Other outfit combos I love...


DIY:  Here is the dress I hope to make soon (I also need an occasion for it.) (Pattern). And here is another ruffle cake like the one I made only with coral icing.  Love it.


For the home:  Love love love Southern Livings May 2012 cover room.  Punches of coral and bright colors and prints make it fabulous!!!  And I love this idea.  Paint the inside of a bookcase for a pop of color! (And in coral of course.)  And the final touch?  My (hopefully) next bedding set from Trina Turk for Macy's! (link)




9 days till LONDON!!!!!!

<3

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Hand and Foot



I am back in Gainesville for the week with my favorite girl friends!!!  How did I spend my first night back?  Being nerdy and having tons of fun of course!  My great conversation with Jenna was something out of The Big Bang Theory. "Our conversations are like plasmids.  Sometimes they get back to the origin.  But sometimes they keep rolling and rolling and rolling..." Hahaha.  After about a 2 hour vent session we headed over to our other friend Emily's house to meet with her and Katie for our bridge club. (Yes, we are 90 years old, not in our 20s.)  The game of choice?  Hand and Foot!  Now I just recently learned this game myself and I love it!  I know you will too, so here's how to play! Enjoy!!!



Monday, July 9, 2012

Turquoise on My Mind

So I have to share my favorite color at the moment: TURQUOISE. I love it everywhere I see it. Fashion, home decorating even in baking! I hope to incorporate more turquoise into my life very soon.


1. Nails. I have really enjoyed painting my nails lately and my favorite color of the moment? Essie's Turquoise and Caicos.
2. Accessories.  I just bought this fabulous little cross-body satchel at Target for $18! (Here's the link!) It's exactly what I've been looking for to house my personal items plus my Nikon camera for my upcoming London trip.  And it's so chic with such a small price tag!  The other purse? A Coach that I hope to obtain someday.


3. Other fashions in turquoise?  I love this dress.  Don't know if it would work for my body type but I think it is so flirty and cute. (Shop here)  And of course when choosing my Otterbox replacement for my phone I chose none other than the Turquoise and Teal option.


4. Turquoise in the home might be a bold choice but when I get my own place that is exactly what I'm going to do!  Here's my inspiration, isn't it quirky but elegant?




 4. BAKING. Yes! You can incorporate turquoise into your baking!  I took the idea from this ombre rosette cake. Since it was my cousin Savannah's 9th birthday I asked her what her favorite color was.  She said turquoise! So I went to town and this is how it turned out! Happy Birthday Savannah!