cookie monster.

This is exactly how I feel today, all I want is a delicious cookie (or two) and a giant glass of milk.    Did you see the Muppets on Top Chef last week? Instantly one of my favorite quickfires because I love the Muppets, and as Anthony Bourdain (who I also love) said, it was fun watching "Angry Dale" being challenged by Cookie Monster.

sweet hearts.

I baked these cookies for Valentine's Day, but I'm always in the mood for a little love and sweetness so it's never too late to share these little cuties with you.  I was cooking for a group of preschoolers with a variety of food allergies, so I made these dairy & gluten free cookies using Cherrybrook Kitchen's gluten free sugar cookie mix, rice milk and vegan butter spread.  Using a smaller cookie cutter, I cut out a smaller heart in the middle of the cookie and filled it with a red dough I prepared and let sit for 30-40 minutes beforehand (The colored dough was easier to work with after sitting). I usually don't bake dairy free and I thought the results were pretty spectacular, almost reminiscent of my favorite Pillsbury sugar cookies. The texture was SO similar, you couldn't even tell it was food allergy friendly. I'm definitely going to try this mix again with a classic sugar cookie (including my favorite danish creamery butter, milk and a little bit of sugar sprinkled on top).  

Happy Friday :)

roasted beet salad.

Looking for a quick and simple salad to compliment your dinner?

Wrap 4 small beets in aluminum foil, roast in oven for 45 minutes at 400F. Sprinkle sugar over walnuts in a small skillet, stirring constantly until sugar begins to caramelize. Take beets out of the oven and allow to steam in the foil for 10 minutes before removing skins and slice beets into bite size pieces. Add goat cheese and candied walnuts to taste. 

An extra treat that's always fun? Using a mandoline, slice one of the beets into thin pieces and place at the bottom of the serving dish.

black swan.

I'm seriously tempted by these Alexander McQueen feather sandals I saw on gilt today, they're very black swan. What do you think?

image via gilt

bhldn.

Anthropologie launched their new bridal site BHDLN yesterday, and among the many things I've fallen in love with already (exhibits one, two, three and four), this necklace is on the top of my crush list.  I think I've found a new sweet spot and it makes me want to get married all over again. 

Will you marry me, again?

image via BHLDN

my kinda weekend.

It's always hard to get back into work mode on Monday, don't you agree? Especially after long leisurely weekends that include an impromptu drive up PCH to Neptune's Net for shrimp tacos, late night tapas at Cobras & Matadors, margarita's with a side of movie trivia, lots of time by the beach watching surfers and a couple of deliciously fantastic homemade meals.  It was definitely my kinda weekend, what was the highlight of yours?

happy valentine's :)

whoopie, it's Friday!

A quick post, because I spent way too much time enjoying dipping bread into the white wine sauce from the mussels we had as an appetizer tonight, and now it's time to catch up on some work. I wish you all a wonderful weekend, part of my mine will definitely involve enjoying a great meal (or two) and some quality time with my husband, and trying my hand at these Valentine Whoopie Pies that I found on foodgawker. Happy early Valentine's! xoxo ... naat. 

image via Tracey's Culinary Adventures.