31 August, 2009

Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

Well, Cooks Illustrated strikes again. My mom has unearthed their recipe for the "perfect chocolate chip cookie" and I must concur. Very much worth the 4 mile penance run I imposed upon myself.


1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
14 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon table salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 1/4 cups Ghiradelli semisweet chocolate chips or chunks
3/4 cup chopped pecan or walnuts, toasted (optional)

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 large (18 x 12-inch) baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside.

2. Heat 10 tablespoons butter in 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until melted, about 2 minutes. Continue cooking, swirling pan constantly until butter is dark golden brown and has a nutty aroma, 1-3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and, using heatproof spatula, transfer browned butter to large heatproof bowl. Stir remaining 4 tablespoons butter into hot butter until completely melted.

3. Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla to bowl with butter and whisk until fully incorporated. Add egg and yolk until mixture is smooth with no sugar lumps remaining, about 30 seconds. Let mixture stand 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds. Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny. Using rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts (if using), giving dough final stir to ensure no flour pockets remain.

4. Divide dough into 16 portions, each about 3 tablespoons (or use #24 cookie scoop). Arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets, 8 dough balls per sheet. (Smaller baking sheets can be used, but will require 3 batches.)

5. Bake cookies 1 tray at a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, 10-14 minutes, rotating baking sheet halfway through baking. Transfer baking sheet to wire rack; cool cookies completely before serving.

As a disclaimer, my mother would like me to mention that this was a rushed batch and she failed to let the nuts cool enough before adding them resulting in a mass melting of the chips. Thus the dark coloring of the pictured finished product. We're not picky. We still managed to polish them off.

Kindness of my mom for making the cookies upon request. And the infamous Uncle David, pictured above with Mairin, for modeling said cookie...

28 August, 2009

Several Kate Spade agenda's ago, I learned that Native Americans assigned names to each month's full moon. Gotta love an educational day planner...


January - Wolf Moon

February - Snow Moon

March - Worm Moon

April - Pink Moon

May - Flower Moon

June - Strawberry Moon

July - Buck Moon

August - Sturgeon Moon

September - Harvest Moon

October - Hunter's Moon

November - Beaver Moon

December - Cold Moon

And, every 2-3 years there's an extra full moon in a single month referred to as a Blue Moon. The term "blue moon" is also used metaphorically to describe a rare event. As in, "once in a blue moon Allie thinks of things other than shopping and chocolate". Did I mention it only comes around every 2-3 years?

Kindness of Kate Spade and her penchant for adding trivia to her yearly refills...

27 August, 2009

Kimba Part Deux

Here's our host whipping up an appetizer for us, post a long, hilly run in 98 degree heat. What's not pictured is me, practically comatose on her hanging porch bed, trying to recover and looking very much worse for the wear while lounging très unladylike in my Calypso dress and popping Advil.

In a matter of minutes we were presented with goat cheese topped with pesto, chopped walnuts and craisins, Triscuits and some very welcome Pinot Noir to tide us over while she worked on a dinner that was mostly harvested from her organic backyard garden.

Staying at "The House of Howlin" has always been like checking into a four star hotel. Not only are your surrounding digs beautiful but, you are also fed, bedded and entertained in a manner fit for a Queen.

And, I never leave a visit without a parting gift of a design or entertaining idea or two...

Or three.

Every surface holds something interesting...

And beautiful.

There's always something new to discover or uncover as my hostess moves through her wifely, motherly and show stopping duties with effortless perfection.

Is Babe right? Do Kimba and I act a smidge Queenly wielding our scepters about? Maybe that's why she's so adept at treating a guest so royally and why I'm so quick to appreciate it.

And, quite possibly, why her daughter has a room fit for a preppy Princess in training...

Kindness of the entire Howlin dynasty for their generous and much appreciated hospitality...XXOO

26 August, 2009

The Fifth Frost Sister

We visited the joint bff in Charlotte last week but, from the pics we could just as easily been at mine or my sister's house. Remember, the post with all the all the freakishly like items? Well, Kimba's definitely a member of our cult and has always been referred to as the "fifth sister"...

Same brand running shoes as us. In multiples no less...

Same familiar preppy wardrobe items in an Allie approved closet. Although, I must admit that Kimba was the original "basket as an organizational tool" girl...
Also, a fan of the Huggable Hanger, even though she had to break out and go with the white.

Even her cat Buster has some very Pilge-like moves!

Now, there is something she has that I don't...

Something I've been dreaming about for awhile now. Unfortunately, I wasn't quite quick enough on the draw to take advantage of an additional photo op when she handed me tp under the stall door at the movie theater...

But, hopefully...soon...this little trinket will find it's way into my jewel box as well. And, before you know it, there are likely to be additional Alhambra sightings within the fam...

Kindness of Kimba who graciously allowed me to stalk her wrist one evening on the town. And, thank you again for my wonderful birthday dinner and a movie! XXOO

25 August, 2009

Christopher Ross Belts


While doing my due diligence, after spying this tidbit in Vogue, I discovered a new lust item on the Atlantis Home blog...

I am totally shooting myself in the foot by sharing my recently acquired Christopher Ross belt fetish...

From what I have gathered, during my fast and furious research, these belts are vintage and I will have to lie in wait, lurking in the shadows of eBay to get my greedy little paws on any...

Seriously, I could die happy with just one of these statement pieces...

Tons of mileage to be had from such a pièce de résistance...

Not a Van Cleef and Arpels thought would pop into my head while sporting this handsome prince...

And, I would quite possibly have difficulty taking off this hare even to shower...

Unless, of course it was to switch it out for my gorgeous hound...

But, if I were ever fortunate enough to land the fox I think I may I have to leave Babe instructions to bury me in it.

But, in the meantime I shall temporarily satisfy my buckle urge with a few of these swell Moss Mills beauties that I spied at Calypso in NYC...

Très reminiscent of my long lost Dottie Smith collection from high school...
And, hopefully cute enough to thwart any competition on eBay.

24 August, 2009

Someone Please Draw the Blinds...

We're all pooped from an extended weekend of birthday hoopla, a mega high school reunion, too much travel, almost loosing a bikini top to Hurricane Bill surf, runs in 100 percent humidity and all around gluttony. We'll be back tomorrow with bells on...XXOO

21 August, 2009

Ahhh...the Sweet Smell of Sea Air

Back at the beach after a road trip south with Julie to deposit Emma and Hilary at school.

Had dinner with old friends in South Carolina...didn't win Powerball, even though the winning ticket was purchased in Columbia where Emma and I bought ours...tackled some pretty steep hills during runs in très hot Charlotte...and managed to bring the bff back with us for a long girl's weekend at the beach. Well, a girl's weekend with Babe as our escort. Lucky us...

20 August, 2009

The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same

Although, today marks another year in my life, things have not changed much through the years. Ever the fashion forward little Leo, I've insisted on silk scarfs as head gear from a tender age...

Apparently, I also started young orchestrating my own celebrations by requesting "specialty" cakes, like the above strawberry puppet confection my mother made to order.

These days my friends know me well enough to know what will thrill me...

Not much variation in the ole present request department either. Jewels and tartan to please at three...

Jewels...

...and Tartan to please last year.

One thing has changed though. This year my biggest request is that I get to spend my special day with Babe. Cake and presents still très important, but secondary to the company...

Kindness of Mel for alerting me to the fabulous Signets and Cyphers family crest rings just in time for my birthday wish list last year and bff Kimba for the beautiful book...XXOO

19 August, 2009

Julie and Julia

It was well worth the wait and sooo much better than the book. The only drawback with Julie and Julia is that you leave the theater famished. Famished for fattening, fine french food...

My parents not only had the good fortune of meeting the Julia Child but, also the enviable fortune sharing a meal with her. There's my mom, dressed in her finest German woolens, cozying up to the "La Grande Dame of French Fare". Oh mom...you wouldn't sit in the front row of the Chanel show wearing Valentino now would you???

How come these types of opportunities don't seem to exist once you have the wits to realize how special and rare they are? Julia Child, Bobby Short and Lynard Skynard...three moments in time I'll never get back...

I did attend a luncheon with Martha Stewart once, along with about 100 other fans. And, I'm not complaining, believe me, but Julia Child trumps Martha Stewart. Even if Martha did spin a finer sugar nest around her Croquembouche with her tricked out whisk on her Christmas Special. It was rigged I tell ya!

So, even though my parents dined with Julia Child, on a meal made by Michel Richards without me, they knew that one day I would appreciate the moment and were thoughtful enough to bring me a signed copy of Julia's book, Cooking With Master Chefs (while snagging Michel's for themselves). And, post the Julie and Julia movie, I'm just so inclined to christen it...

As a little bonus for those of you that have already seen the movie, and left drooling as I did, here's the link for the Raspberry Bavarian Cream recipe that looked so delish...

Kindness of my mom for taking the ribbing in the spirit that it was intended. It's actually my father that's the true Germanophile...XXOO

18 August, 2009

Babe and His Vilebrequins

Babe's no slacker in our beach fashion parade either, and usually gets a new pair of Vilebrequin Moorea trunks each summer. Since he's a guy, we cut him some slack and, he's not on the receiving end of the "ole stink eye" for rotating between just two suits throughout the summer. Good thing, since we never got around to the Vilebrequin store in Southampton this summer and he's still sporting last year's look.

Although...I do recall quite a search last summer for the pair that got away. Someone was quite enamored with the "atlas design" trunks all covered in world maps and très disappointed when his global search for them was unsuccessful. He's become one of "us" and he doesn't even realize it...

But, not enough like us to care about trying to attend a private sale in NYC. That's what a good wife's for...

17 August, 2009

Send Her to Our Beach, She'll Fit Right In!

Hi,

My name is Allison and I'm a loyal reader. (Your blog is the first I go to in the morning!) I really enjoy reading your wit and outlook on life. I'm writing because I have a little problem. My mom just took my daughter and I to Palm Beach last week and it seems my daughter brought half of the beach home with us in her suits. Normally I wouldn't care but these are $75 suits that now look horrible! Do you have any suggestions for helping to get the sand out of her suit? I thought that with all the beach life guarding you have done you may have a special trick you could share. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much,
Allison

Sorry to disappoint Allison but, as you can see from the above pic, I have semi-retired three suits for the season already. I wore my Gwyneth and my Brooke until they faded, turned slightly yellow, and my sister and nieces started to boo hiss because I was embarrassing them with my fashion redundancy on the beach.

In fact, last week I took the embarrassment to a whole new level when I nearly lost my Milly bottoms walking out of the ocean. The bamboo ring completely split open on one side of my bikini bottom and the other is about to pop. It's now collecting disability. Fortunately, a Melissa Odabash white bikini bottom stepped up to the plate and is filling in for the time being til I can bear to bid adieu to the bandeau top as well...

On deck, waiting to be called into the game...a J. Crew 'lil seersucker cutie, a teenie weenie Pucci, and the Melissa Odabash top that will probably never get to see the light of day considering it's once matching bottom is, no more, since it's tango with the orphaned Milly bandeau. Two JV bikini's, a DVF string and a skimpy Melissa Odabash number, still benched in DC, may have to enter the game before I am mentally, i.e., physically, ready if I keep up this pace of wear and tear.

As a disclaimer, I must state that I was a competitive swimmer and bathing suits have always been somewhat of a utilitarian necessity. That, and as I mentioned, the company I keep on the beach enforce tough fashion standards. One week of wear before you start getting the ole stink eye. A weekly toss in the washer encased in a "delicates" bag is the extent of bathing suit care round these parts. But, I did a little research and found that The Laundress has made a Swimsuit Wash just for J. Crew. Maybe it can perform de-sanding miracles? I don't know. Unless it can glue back together one bamboo ring, I'm afraid you're on your own...XXOO

Kindness of loyal reader Allison, and her daughter, for being good sports!