Swan Lake

While reading the plot of the movie Black Swan, I was drawn to the intricate costumes designed by Rodarte. A little lighter than the dark tone of the movie, here are some chiffon pieces with airy silhouettes.

~3.1 Phillip Lim: Pleated Silk-Chiffon Shift Dress

~Alexander Wang: Draped Chiffon and Twill Dress

~Adam: Silk and Chiffon Skirt

~Elizabeth and James: Tokyo Chiffon Blouse
~Giambattista Valli: Chiffon Fringe Jacket
~Ingwa Melero: Anya Chiffon Mini Dress
~Modcloth: Chiffon Over You Top
~Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti: Pastel Multi Color Silk Chiffon Dress

Macarons

My love affair with Paris {see here and here} includes all things sweet, especially macarons with airy meringue shells and rich filings. This past weekend, I made caramel and chocolate macarons adapted from Pierré Herme. The caramel macaron shell was perked up with coffee-flavoring and filled with gooey salted butter caramel. For the chocolate macarons, I creamed the caramel with butter to make a dense buttercream filling.

Caramel au Beurre Salé Macaron {Salted Butter Caramel Macaron} Recipe

Macaron Shell

{Adapted from this recipe}

*Replace coffee extract with espresso powder

*Omit egg yolk food coloring

Salted Butter Caramel Filling

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1 1/2 cups superfine sugar

1 tsp. sea salt

3/4 cup heavy cream

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

Add corn syrup, sugar, and salt to a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring slowly until the sugar is dissolved and turns golden brown, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and add cream. Mixture will bubble vigorously. Continue stirring. Add butter, and stir until incorporated. Let cool. Spread onto one macaron shell, sandwich close.

Chocolate Macaron Recipe

Macaron Shell

{Adapted from same recipe}

*Replace coffee extract with cocoa powder

*Omit egg yolk food coloring

Caramel Buttercream Filling

1/2 cup salted butter caramel filling {above}

1 stick unsalted butter

Cream caramel and butter until smooth. Spread onto one macaron shell, sandwich close. Don't tell anyone you've made them; you'll eat them all before you ever leave the kitchen.

Bonn

Statues in front of the Münster Cathedral, Bonn

As the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven, Bonn is overflowing with arts, culture, and architecture. Some of the art is a little different than the typical Baroque or Romanesque styles of the region~mainly these enormous head stone statues and this bronze boy with goose statute. It made for an interesting cosmopolitan mix.

Bronze statue near the central Markt, Bonn

Münsterplatz, Bonn

Coat: Milly

Handbag: Chloé

Boots: Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti

Wire-Wrapped

I love the idea of modern day dress-up, with jeweled necklaces and bracelets draped everywhere. After watching a few how-to videos and ordering a set of wire-wrapping tools, I started making jewelry a few years ago. I picked up a stash of beautiful semi-precious stones and gold-filled components the last time I went to this gem show. This necklace is made of bright green chrysoprase stones with a gold-filled chain.

Iron Scrolls

Details make the biggest impact. Although not as grand as the intricate scrolls on this iron gate, this grey H&M infinity scarf has a delicate knitted pattern. I paired it with a winter white coat and my favorite Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti riding boots on a chilly afternoon walk. For some finishing touches, I adore the timeless look of the Chanel Kelly handbag, leather driving gloves, and hand-carved cameo from Naples.

Scarf: H&M

Coat: J Crew

Sweater: J Crew

Pants: H&M

Boots: Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti

Handbag: Chanel

Gloves: Leather Gloves Online

Cameo: Mandile

Ruffles

My favorite accessory might be this Black Lily Edmonia Scarf that I picked up in the stylish Sachsenhausen neighborhood of Frankfurt. I can drape it around my neck a couple times like here and it instantly creates a feminine look. Here are some other delicate ruffled pieces. I'm dreaming of wrapping myself in the floating layers of this 3.1 Phillip Lim Silk Crepe Ruffle Coat.

~3.1 Phillip Lim Silk Crepe Ruffle Coat

~Black Lily Edmonia Scarf

~Diane von Furstenberg Delancy Strapless Silk Chiffon Dress

~Kookai Ruffle Tiered Mini Silk Dress

~Mango Ruffle Skirt

~Nina Ricci Tiered Evening Bag

~Pier 1 Imports Ruffle Pillow

~Tibi Ruffled Silk-Satin Skirt

Momofuku Crack Pie: Pie is the New Cupcake

In Germany, there are konditorei with endless whipped cream cakes. In the U.S., there are trendy cupcake bakeries. For a change of pace, I’d like to find a cute little pie shop selling lovely slices of pies with updated flavor combinations. Although not a traditional pie, this Momofuku crack pie definitely satisfies my sweet tooth. Its buttery cookie crust is topped with gooey filling and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Momofuku Crack Pie Recipe

{Adapted from Momofuku and the Los Angeles Times}

Crust

1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour

Pinch baking powder

Pinch baking soda

1/8 tsp. salt

1/2 stick softened butter

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1/2 egg

1/2 cup Quaker Quick oats

1/2 stick melted butter

2 tsp. brown sugar

Pinch salt

Filling

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. milk

1 stick butter, melted and cooled

1/4 cup plus 3 Tbsp. heavy cream

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

4 egg yolks

Powdered sugar

Heat oven to 375 degrees. For the crust, sift flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside. Cream butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in egg. Add flour mixture, a little at a time, until fully combined. Stir in the oats.

Spray a 1 ¼-quart rectangular baker or 9” pie pan with cooking spray. Spread mixture evenly in pan. Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool for 15 minutes. Crumble cooled cookie in a bowl. Add butter, brown sugar, and salt. Mix with fork until butter is evenly distributed. Press cookie crust into pan to form a thin, even layer. Set aside.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. For the filling, in a large bowl, combine granulated sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Whisk in milk and melted butter, and then add heavy cream and vanilla. Gently whisk in egg yolks. Spread filling over the cookie crust. Bake for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees and bake until filling is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Refrigerate until cooled. Dust with powdered sugar, cut, and serve before you eat them all.