Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange - Our Netflix instant que is lined up with French films, I have a deep love of macarons, baguettes, and striped tees. I admit it, I am a bit of a Francophile. That is why it makes total sense to take style tips from one of the chicest Parisian women, Ines de la Fressange.

When I was a kid, there was a fantastic French bakery across the street from my doctor's office. It was there that I was first introduced to the magnificent palmier - or as I called them, "elephant ears." These delectable desserts are a flaky, sweet, and light treat that are almost ridiculously easy to make. As in 3 ingredients and 15 minutes later, you will have mouth-wateringly perfect palmiers. I made one sheet using plain sugar and the other with a cinnamon sugar mixture. They were so good that John and I gobbled them up before I could take any pictures....drats. Oh well. I never said I was disciplined when it came to waiting to eat dessert! Thank god for patient chefs like Emma at Poires Au Chocolat (ps check out her blog - your hips might regret it, but your mouth sure won't) who not only can wait but also has stellar food photography skills.
2 cups granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
2 sheets puff pastry, defrosted (recommended: Pepperidge Farm)

Combine the sugar and kosher salt. Pour 1 cup of the sugar/salt mixture on a flat surface such as wooden board or marble. Unfold each sheet of puff pastry onto the sugar and pour 1/2 cup of the sugar mixture on top, spreading it evenly on the puff pastry. This is not about sprinkling, it's about an even covering of sugar. With a rolling pin, roll the dough until it's 13 by 13-inches square and the sugar is pressed into the puff pastry on top and bottom.

Fold the sides of the square towards the center so they go halfway to the middle. Fold them again so the two folds meet exactly at the middle of the dough. Then fold 1 half over the other half as though closing a book. You will have 6 layers. Slice the dough into 3/8-inch slices and place the slices, cut side up, on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Here's a visual for this step in case you need it.

Place the second sheet of pastry on the sugared board, sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar mixture, and continue as above. (There will be quite a bit of sugar left over on the board.) Slice and arrange on baking sheets lined with parchment.

Bake the cookies for 6 minutes until caramelized and brown on the bottom, then turn with a spatula and bake another 3 to 5 minutes, until caramelized on the other side. Transfer to a baking rack to cool.

 

Apparently enough for artist Bryan Nash Gill to fill pages and pages of paper with amazing woodcut prints. He captures the wood with such extraordinary detail that you could easily count to see how old the tree was! Proof that you needn't look much further than nature for inspiration.


Found via Black. White. Yellow.

ASOS Cut Out Dress* // Rachel Roy Cut Out Studded Top* //  'To Swoon or Kill' Cut Out Dress* // Dansk Heart Cut Out Top*

I have seen so many people sporting some serious lack of fabric when it comes to their sartorial choices. No, I'm not talking about a typical unsolicited eyeful of thigh or boobage (ok, now I sound like a total creeper)....I'm seeing a flash of rib here and some shoulder there. The culprit? This new cut out clothing trend that is going on. The Breaking Dawn premiere is a perfect example. I personally have a shirt that is similar to that Rachel Roy one that I love to wear, and I wouldn't mind adding that grey dress into the mix. What do you think of this cut out clothing trend? Would you wear it?

I have this thing about grey. It's a color I both can't stand and absolutely adore. Let me clarify. After living in Boston for the last year where waking up to a grey day is a likely occurrence about 280 out of 365 days a year, I developed a healthy aversion to the dull hue....but only when it comes to weather. Give me a buttery soft bag in grey leather, a shimmering pair of gunmetal trousers, or some antique-looking mercury glass knobs and I am happy as a clam. I love to wear and decorate with grey - it goes with everything, and provides a perfect background for bright pops of color (like yellow!).

Just curious, too....do you spell it grey or gray??? ;)

1.  Whiting & Davis Chain Mesh Bag* 
2. Dangly Gunmetal Spike Earings* 
3. Diesel Watch in Gunmetal*
4. Topshop Pewter Metallic Ankle Trousers
5. Tolix Marais Barstool
6. Topshop Glitter Stilettos 
7. Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in 'Gunmetal'
8. Mixed Metal Stacking Rings*
9. Free People Crinkle Pleat Foil Skort*
10. Metallic Lace Mosaic Tray in Square*
11. Blu Bijoux Crystal Shimmer Bracelet*
12. Chilewich Dahlia Gunmetal Placemat/Lustre Silver Napkin
13. Metallic Silver Acid Washed Cow Hide Rug*
14. Lanston Drape Mini Dress* (similar styles also here and here)
15. BB Dakota Sequin Shorts* 
16. Perpetual Blooms Towels 
    
17. Mercury Glass Melon Knob
18. Silver Stretch Leaf Belt*

{recipe and photo by good life eats // card design by triple max tons}

{recipe and photo by bon appetit // card design by triple max tons}

{recipe and photo by bon appetit // card design by triple max tons}

{recipe and photo by the curvy carrot // card design by triple max tons}

{recipe and photo by dan lepard // card design by triple max tons}

{recipe and photo by ezra pound cake // card design by triple max tons}

OMGOMGOMG I am loving this Warby Parker X Suno collaboration! And remember - for every pair of Warby Parkers sold, a person in need gets a pair of glasses. Guilt-free shopping. Would you wear crazy printed sunnies like these?

How cool is this loft?! I love the industrial feel, but I often find that it can come off as a bit 'cold'. This home, conversely, feels light, bright, cozy, and - of course - industrial.  I am especially liking those unexpected elements that just work so well in the space - like the hot pink sofa (NEVER would think one could look that awesome!) and the vintage soft pink refrigerator.

{via ideastosteal}

Rug // Planters // Puzzle // Ring //Cake // Glassware // Pillow // Printable Card // Dishware