tea, etc...

Sweet sick day with cookies and hugs

2011-12-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

Today I stayed at home to care for my sick little girl. At least, it's a productive day in the sweets making and cuddling department.

I came up with these cookies while I was trying to find ways to use this big bag of almond flour I bought. I found a promising recipe on Anja's food for thought blog but my constantly multi-tasking self misread part of the recipes and I ended up with inadvertently delicious cookies. Here is my modified recipe for this almond sandwich cookies with a cherry filling:

Wet ingredients:
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 orange or lemon zest (optional)

Dry ingredients:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup almond flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup cherry jam or any other kind. This recipe would also work well with nutella or lemon curd.

loosely inspired from:
http://www.anjasfood4thought.com/2011/05/vanilla-oatmeal-almond-cookies.html

Mix wet ingredients together. Add dry ingredients gradually. Spoon about 2 Tbs dough onto parchment paper.

Bake at 375F for 10 minutes.

When cooled down, place about 1-2 teaspoons of jam at the center of a cookie and assemble the sandwiches. Makes about 12 sandwiches.

These cookies are good by themselves too. The texture is cakey, a bit like a muffin or a cupcake. They would be perfect to make whoopie pies.

head in the clouds

2011-04-20T19:35:00.000-07:00

{cloud cookie cutter}

{stuffed cloud}

{pretty cloud mobiles}

crazy about liberty!

2011-04-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

ideas to decorate a little girl's room at {cyrillus}

and also:
{this} French mama blog I just love.
{this} Moroccan inspired recipe for orange blossom almond milk and pistachio-date truffles. yum.

My mantra

2011-04-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

sometimes, we all need a little inspiration to move along, and this is mine for today. Hopefully it will inspire you too...

'I am growing in everything I am meant to be'

tea time!

2011-04-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to make iced-tea with this Persian Rose Green Tea my sister sent me!

My favorite Mariage Tea. I just finished it this week-end!

I heart lunch accessories

2011-04-18T21:06:00.000-07:00

This is the reason I want to pack my lunch in the morning :)

Dreamy macaron flavors

2011-04-14T20:52:00.000-07:00

{picture}

lychee, cherry blossom & sake, violet & blueberry, olive oil, pink grapefruit and ginger & macadamia

I must have a thing for bird

2011-04-14T18:05:00.000-07:00

I have decorated my daughters bedroom with these little birds I painted after I cut out the shapes out of paper. As you can see, the paint job is not perfect (oops). I also bought a roll of this awesome wallpaper but I have yet to decide on which wall to put it.

The bird obsession continues with this beautiful book I just got and this one I want to get soon.

On a different note, I really love these fabric by Tana Lawn for Liberty of London. They would be beautiful curtains!

And this more girly one...

{Liberty of London on sale at Purl Soho }

First signs of Spring...

2011-04-12T07:37:00.001-07:00

and the first blossoms. I love this pretty photographs from gingerlillytea.

Some really cool fabric

2010-04-21T18:32:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite fabric of the moment {here}

And I always liberty like pattern such as this one {here}

Sewing project part 2

2010-04-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

My sewing machine is finally fixed!
I was able to complete an interrupted sewing project: a little spring toddler skirt with the cutest fabric from Tanya Whelan (now on sale here). I worked mostly intuitively and got some help for the finishing touches from Conchita, super sweet and super skilled seamstress. Isn't it pretty? it reminds me of the trees in bloom.
I also really liked the little tiered skirt {here}, maybe my next project...

Sunday at Terrain

2010-04-19T02:20:00.000-07:00

Terrain is the latest addition to the ever so hip Urban Outfitters family. About half an hour south of Philadelphia, in Glen Mills, PA, Terrain is a little farmhouse oasis where you will find the most beautiful vintage chic pieces to adorn your garden and the prettiest potted plants, dried flowers spring wreath and dainty tea candle holders.

As expected, most of the items are a bit overpriced, but everything is so beautifully assembled that it creates an enchanting and inspiring tableau.

Terrain also has a little brunch cafe featuring scones and other sweet treats from the Metropolitan bakery.

And if you don't live close to a Terrain, they even have an online shop (here!)

Food Party with Donut

2010-04-16T17:09:00.001-07:00

Making donuts: a handmade, psychedelic experience

Tribute to Helvetica, the little black dress of fonts

2010-02-10T07:06:00.000-08:00

{photo source}

{awesome article in French here}

2010-02-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

I was in town the other day and had approximately 15 minutes before my next train so I decided to go to Sephora and spend some time in the perfume aisle. Chloe has been on my radar for a while. First of all, I love actress and eponymous icon Chloe Sevigne and I had fallen in love with the retro look of the perfume bottle. For some reason, I can't remember the different notes of the fragance, all I remember, is that it was a feminine, innocent scent that furtively charmed my senses. I was transported to another place until I realized I needed to run to catch my train. I have to go back when I have more time so I can take all the layers in, wear it for a day, before I decide to call it mine!

Waiting for a needle

2010-01-30T14:29:00.000-08:00

I bought this pretty fabric by Tanya Whelan from the Dolce fabric collection. I found it at sew mama sew, and it's so cute. I was about to make little skirts for two little girls, but my sewing machine starting acting out. it started pulling thread in the fabric. Ugly. Apparently, I need to change the needle. Part 2 of the sewing project when the machine is fixed!

2009-12-28T17:47:00.001-08:00

winter 2010 by lilapapillonblue on Polyvore.com

Recipe from Grid

2009-12-20T16:51:00.001-08:00

I really love GRID MAGAZINE and this week-end I found myself with plenty of time on my hand because of a beautiful and unexpected snow day, so I tried one of GRID's vegan recipe for a pear tart tatin. It was incredibly easy to make and tasted delicious. I don't think this picture really does it justice (Edan called it 'pornographic') but it was really yummy!

It's almost not 2009 anymore!!!

2009-12-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

It hit me this morning. So here are a few futile things I am so happy I learned this year:

1. I learned how to sew and I love to make beautiful things
2. Creating playlists on youtube is so cool. Like when we used to exchange CDs back in the days
3. I added a bunch of amazing recipes to my repertoire such as the best Christmas cookies.
4. I learned some html and took a dreamweaver workshop (feeling pretty badass about it too, ah the small things!)

What did you learn this year?

Nature inspired Wallpaper

2009-09-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

Looking for wallpapers. This one is by Graham & Brown and is inspired by fossil footprints.

Also love this one by Cole and Son.

Amy Ross's bird is also a mushroom

2009-05-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

I discovered this artist I really like.

Amy's work on paper is inspired by the silent world of the forest. She draws little vignettes of animals morphing into trees or mushrooms. The botanical book-like illustrations tell us about a timeless, magic world where the boundaries between animals and plants can be reinvented.

If you are going for a jog...

2009-03-31T19:09:00.001-07:00

this would be the best music to listen to:

boyz, m.i.a.

Yellena's prints

2009-03-12T16:20:00.000-07:00

art that looks a little bit like plants on an acid trip, but I love it... find her here!

Alela Diane at First Unitarian Church...

2009-02-28T20:21:00.000-08:00

Can't wait to be there!

Pistachio, Rose water and Cardamon... sounds like a cake made by Sheherazade!

2009-02-17T14:41:00.000-08:00

In my quest for vegan baked goods, I have found this beautiful blog that enchanted me with a recipe out of an Arabian tale: pistachio and rose water cake with cardamon!

And here is my version of it: I made it into a cake sheet...

I also added a drop of pink food coloring. It was delicious. Moist, sweet with a lovely flowery flavor!

loving Lily Cole posing nude for Playboy France...

2008-10-26T08:14:00.000-07:00

'This is not just any nude photo, it's art' claims Cole. I'll have to agree with that! This girl is also enrolled at Cambridge University.

orange and black with a touch of mod...

2008-08-27T10:03:00.000-07:00

my new toy... creating my back to school style with polyvore!

2008-08-20T09:59:00.001-07:00

Loving karina Kessont...

2008-08-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

{click the picture to visit her website}

still loving headbands...

2008-08-05T07:15:00.001-07:00

...many beautiful ones at ban.do!

morning 'morbidezza'

2008-07-30T13:48:00.000-07:00

I love the Italian word 'morbidezza', it means something like nonchalance and this morning for the first time in a long, long time, I had a morbidezza moment: just me, the iced coffee latte and my favorite book.
I went to cafe loftus, a small and pretty coffee shop with beige walls and modern wooden cabinets on 15th and Sansom. I realized afterwards that I had read about cafe loftus' famous pear, pistachio cream and jelly sandwich (a twist on the traditional American peanut butter and jelly sandwich) on somewone else's blog and regretted not trying it. I guess I HAVE to go back now!

Poupee de cire, poupee de son!

2008-07-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

At one point, I am going to stop posting about dolls and childhood characters, but right now, I just have to get it all out. So this is the cutest little store if you ever have to buy something for a little girl. Sara from A little sprout sells these adorable, handmade by her, little dolls. You can even ask for custom orders, and they are very affordable.

This doll is Claire and has been adopted by Leila.

And this is Keira, Samara's companion. She's just always very sleepy.

more green tea for me!

2008-06-20T19:19:00.000-07:00

Here is my most recent attempt at baking with matcha tea. This cake is probably my best attempt: the texture was perfect: moist and dense but not undercooked with a delicate, grassy flavor. We all loved it!

Here's the recipe:

1 cup margarine
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
1 cup soy milk
1 tablespoon matcha powder

Preheat oven 350 degrees.
1. margarine + sugar + eggs + egg yolks = mix it well
2. flour + baking powder + salt + matcha = sift together
3. Mix 1 and 2 and add milk
4. put in greased mold. put in the oven for about 45 minutes.

Tea and things!

2008-06-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

I listed more stuff on my etsy store today: 3 pretty washi paper tea canisters filled with loose leaf jasmine tea, darjeeling and lychee black tea.

Each canister and tea comes with my very own recipe of :

* Caramelized apple cake with jasmine tea whipped cream
* Strawberry and lychee salad with lychee black tea syrup
* Darjeeling infused fruit compote

Feathers in our hair...

2008-05-27T18:04:00.001-07:00

I love the style of French-Finnish singer Olivia Merilahti, from The Do, in particular the beautiful Feather Earring that she wears in this video:

A very talented girl hiding behind the nickname 'featherwitch' makes beautiful head pieces with feathers, leather and beads. Thank you featherwitch, because, just like Olivia, we all dream to be a Native-American princess.

(photos belong to featherwitch)

earl grey cookies...

2008-05-21T06:59:00.000-07:00

...can't wait to try these vegan shortbread cookies flavored with earl gray tea available at this etsy store!

afternoon tea

2008-05-19T13:11:00.000-07:00

I tried and adapted this great recipe for vegan thumbprint cookies. They are so delicious and can easily be made gluten-free, for the gluten free friends. Enjoy them with a cup of earl grey!
1/4 cup almond or macademia nut, ground
1 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 pinch salt
1/3 maple syrup
1/8 light oil (canola or corn)
1/8 cup applesauce
2 tablespoons preserve (I used cherry but apricot or raspberry would be great too)
11/2 teaspoons almond extract

Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients. Mix all wet ingredients. Mix both mixtures. Flatten cookies onto a pan. Put a little jam on each cookie. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the edges start to get golden brown.

Eleanor's house

2008-05-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

My friend Eleanor's house is featured on design sponge this week. I love the color schemes and all the carefully arranged details in her house... Check it out, it's beautiful!

My first mother's day...

2008-05-11T17:17:00.000-07:00

I ate a wonderful mediterranean brunch prepared by my sweet, sweet husband!

(cupcake by bakerella)

Dolls for all ages

2008-04-23T19:17:00.001-07:00

Thank god I have two girls, so I can pretend to buy beautiful dolls for them, like this one by lilsprinkle ...

Fashion in my bedroom

2008-03-31T13:44:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple blogs about girls who love to play dress up in their apartment and then write about it.

Here's Betty's blog. I love her sense of style and how she matches contemporary clothes with second hand pieces

Alix is a young girl with a whimsical perspective on life and a closet full of vintage shoes and designer dresses.

Kitten roses

2008-03-25T19:16:00.001-07:00

Postcards by Beverly Choate.

Birds, flowers and trees in the sky...

2008-03-22T09:35:00.000-07:00

...by self-taught photographer Alicia Bock. Love the vintage look, washed out colors and natural themes.

Fashion with a pencil

2008-03-20T06:51:00.000-07:00

Another inspirational artist: Esther Kim. She draws 'personal girlish drawings with narratives'. Her work captures 'l'air du temps' as she is formulating her vision on what it means to be a young woman in our society. Interested perspective:

i had no desirable role models and felt disgusted by the influence of mainstream ideals on the interactions of young men and women. i expressed my frustration through drawing. it was a channel for my spiteful and bitter feelings. i wanted to draw unattainably attractive women and i had two different messages. i wanted the male viewer to sense that these beautiful women would never talk to them. it was my attempt to belittle them for wanting only attractive females and worshipping the surface over the inner. as for females i wanted them to enjoy the images for the fashion, color and unapologetic girlishness. i wanted to convey a sense of camaderie and celebration. but i also wanted to show the dichotomy of elation and emptiness of the sense of empowerment young woman get from being considered attractive. i think it can be poisonous and that it is ultimately unfulfilling on its own. (Esther Kim)

Japanese Floral

2008-03-14T17:21:00.000-07:00

Pretty Japanese fabric by Yuwa Fabric at Purl Soho...

Rose Milk Tea in Beijing

2008-03-13T18:18:00.001-07:00

... just for that I want to go to China. Diana Kuan's blog is one of my favorite reads, with recipes such as rose milk tea, coconut hot chocolate, homemade almond milk with bananas and honey.

(photo belongs to Diana Kuan)

Tuesday: Pretty in Green!

2008-03-03T13:06:00.000-08:00

I love it when people add matcha to traditional pastry. Here is a collection of pretty green tea cupcakes. I usually find cupcakes to sweet for my taste but they are so pretty to look at, they're like plump and decadent miniature cakes.

These cupcakes get points for pretty decorations. Love the red and green contrast. Apparently they're vegan, even better!

I like the blue hues in these ones.

The sweet but strong taste of chocolate in these cupcakes should complement well the grassy flavor of matcha

This cupcake is delicate and simple like a pretty flower.

Now, if this inspired you to make your own green tea cupcake, here is a recipe you should try!

Monday: All things blue

2008-03-02T10:18:00.000-08:00

After a week of being sick, here I am back to blogging with a post about a few things blue in my house.

I just got this pretty cameo brooch at blackbirdpye's shop, which is filled with vintage treasures.

The pretty bird and flowers print is from YumiYumi. I am about to send it as a gift to my sister.

I collect japanese tea canisters. I have a bunch of them, but this one is maybe my favorite.

Monday: eating tea

2008-02-24T19:25:00.000-08:00

I always try to find ways to incorporate tea in my baking. My last attempt is this Matcha Tea Cake I made on a week-end. It was light and moist and of course I loved the delicate flavor of matcha tea powder. Click here for the full recipe.

Later, I used the same recipe but used rose petals and rose water instead of matcha powder. Here is the result:

Thursday: just like in a fairy tale...

2008-02-21T09:56:00.001-08:00

I love Julianna Swaney's prints because they are peopled with creatures from our childhood. They probably appeal to me because I am currently reading Italo Calvino's recollection of Italian Folktales.

Wednesday: beautiful handmade bags

2008-02-20T09:05:00.000-08:00

As a coincidence, these bags are also made in Switzerland by Ira Grant from My Little Bird. I guess beautiful things happen in Switzterland!

I love their simplicity and elegant shape. The white bag is reversible, this side is definitely my favorite, it is made of Japanese light canvas. The black one is made out of canvas and lined with Japanese fabric.

Wednesday: handmade bags

2008-02-20T08:48:00.000-08:00

As a coincidence, these bags are also made in Switzerland by Ira Grant from My Little Bird. I guess beautiful things happen in Switzterland!I love their elegant simplicity

Tuesday: Swiss artist

2008-02-19T10:46:00.000-08:00

Here is a print by a very interesting Swiss Artist. Iris Schwarz of Paulette Edition lives in Zurich in an old house and says she likes old things. I think it shows in her timeless prints. Beautiful!

Monday: i heart paper

2008-02-18T08:15:00.000-08:00

...and i can't resist these cool Gocco Art Cards

They are available at Twoguitars' store on Etsy.

(pictures belong to two guitars)

Thursday: Chai-Coconut Smoothie

2008-02-14T10:24:00.000-08:00

glass by designer Eleanor Grosh

1 banana
2 cups chai-infused soy milk (prepare chai tea using soy milk instead of water)
1/2 cup light coconut milk
1/2 cup shredded coconut
2 chocolate macaron cups by Smart Treat
1/2 cup maple syrup
Ice

Blend all ingredients until smooth.

I enjoyed this smoothie with an apple crumb bun from the Amish market. Yum!

Now I realized that this Shinzi Katoh 2 pieces mug is just what I need to enjoy my drink with a treat. It's available at online boutique three potato four.

pictures belong to three potato four

friday : favorite soundtrack to my gypsy tea

2008-02-13T09:38:00.000-08:00

I have a real obsession for gypsy dance and music, hence the extended soundtrack.

This one is by Shantel, a new sensation in the Balkan. It's called 'Disko Partizani'

This one is the New York based band Gogol Bordello

And finally, my own personal attempt at Gypsy folk dance. Not so convincing but I'm still working on it!

And here is the recipe for homemade Gypsy Tea, enjoy!

Ingredients

2 Oranges                                          
3 Lemons                             
1 dozen Cloves        
1 Tbs. Ground Allspice                    
1/2 Cinnamon Stick                                     
3 Tbs. Black Tea                                     
2 Quarts Boiling Water                                     
1 & 1/4 Cups Sugar

Directions
                               
Squeeze juice from the oranges & lemons; set aside. Remove rinds & put in large
container. Add cloves, allspice, cinnamon sticks & tea. Pour boiling water over
the tea mixture & let stand for about 10 minutes. Strain & then return liquid
container. Stir in the juices & sugar.

Wednesday: chinese new year is in the air

2008-02-12T12:15:00.000-08:00

i found these cute Chinese inspired baby shoes at Target. I had to get a pair for my girls, even though they don't really need shoes yet since they're not walking yet.
The color and embroidered patterned is really pretty. And of course, the fact that they're baby size makes them irresistible.

Tuesday: Vegan Red Velvet Cake

2008-02-12T08:12:00.000-08:00

I am experimenting for Valentine's Day. I have always been intrigued by red velvet cakes. I love their deep crimson color and rich cocoa flavor. So I tried this recipe I found on a vegetarian Christian website.

The directions are a bit misleading so I had to change a few things. Here is my corrected version

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup vegan margarine
1 cup soymilk
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 tablespoon cocoa powder unsweetened
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vinegar
2 ounces vegan red food coloring (or beet juice)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a cake mold.
In a cup pour the milk and add the lemon juice (I used vinegar). Let sit. This makes buttermilk.
In a small bowl mix together cocoa and food coloring to form a slight paste.
Cream together the margarine, sugar and then add the the applesauce, vanilla flavor, vinegar and cocoa paste.
Mix the salt, baking soda and flour together and add it to the creamed mixture. Add the buttermilk.
Pour batter into a greased cake pans and bake for 45 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

...I am pretty happy with it. The texture is moist and it has a rich cocoa flavor. I decided to double the cocoa powder amount, this is why my cake is dark brown instead of a more reddish color.

monday: i want to smell like tea

2008-02-08T22:36:00.000-08:00

For today: a very light post made out of pretty bubbles, small petals and delicate scents...

I love Saipua poetic flower arrangements like this pretty amarylis bouquet.

Also loving their tea scented soap. The Chai Tea and Jasmine Tea Soaps especially. I want to smell like tea!

(note: pictures belong to SAIPUA)

friday: favorite soundtrack to my morning earl grey

2008-02-08T11:16:00.000-08:00

I am currently loving Paris based band Moriarty and their amazing song Jimmy about Jimmy the Buffalo. The pretty folk melody takes you on a sweet reverie while you slowly wake up to the world.

Since we're talking about Buffalo, don't you love this buffalo print by Nova Rhyme. Find it at Nova Rhyme Etsy store. Another of my favorite is the astronaut and alien: