Happy {Sweet} Thursday

photos via dress, design, decor & once wed

I am starting my weekend early and heading off to Colorado for my friend's engagement party tomorrow!
Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend!

Full-Skirt Flashback

Fashionising

In the mood for something good

Don't these look yummy? They are vegan peanut butter and jelly cookies! I am definitely not a cook or baker, but every once in a while I find a recipe that looks yummy and sounds like fun.

In theory, the recipe seems simple enough, but we shall see how it goes!
What is your favorite thing to bake?

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cookies (recipe from The Vegan Table)
1/3 cup of non-dairy butter (such as Earth Balance - easy to find at your local grocer)
1/2 cup of packed brown sugar
1/2 cup of peanut butter (smooth or chunky - I used smooth)
2 tbsp of non-dairy milk + more if necessary (I used almond - you could use soy, or any other non-dairy milk)
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1 - 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
2 to 3 tbsp of jam (I used strawberry)

Pre-heat oven to 375˚F (190C / gas mark 5) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, peanut butter, milk, and vanilla until creamy.

In a smaller bowl, combine flour and baking soda.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in parts so the flour doesn't kick up everywhere and make a mess. Mix until combined.

Test some cookie dough to see if it will roll easily into a ball with your hands. If it doesn't, add one more teaspoon of non-dairy milk, mix, then try rolling it into a ball again. I had to add an extra teaspoon and a half. Do not add too much at a one time!

Roll the batter in one inch balls and place 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet. Use your thumb to create a little well in the cookie. This is where you'll be putting the jam. The cookies will crack as you make the well, but just flatten them a little bit and mend the cracks with your fingers. I did this and it worked well for each cookie.

Using a 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon or a small spoon fill each well with jam.

Bake for 10 -11 minutes. I had to to bake mine for 11. Then remove from the oven and wait 2 minutes before taking them off the cookie sheet. Make sure you complete this step as this is when they harden up a bit and set there shape.

My batch made about 20 cookies. But if you like larger cookies, I would double the batch for sure. Enjoy!

Navy hot pants and some Laughter

photo via fashionsing

DEFINE: Body & Mind

Yesterday, I went with some girlfriends to a free DEFINE class held at lululemon here in Houston. Upon arrival, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I thought it would be a simple class of stretching and balance. I was sorely mistaken and by sorely, I mean I have never been so sore after a class in all my life. Henry "Hank" Richardson, took us through a series of exercises, working our arms, legs, butt, and core. Since I'm a runner, I've always thought I was in pretty good shape, but as I sat there perspiring all over my yoga mat, my whole body shaking, I realized that I had never properly defined my center.
I had spent every day running, but I never stood still long enough to become rooted in my own sense of balance.

After this class I realized that perhaps I was missing out on something. At the end of our workout, while we were all lying on our yoga mats, Hank mentioned the importance of finding your own balance. Define your balance. Define your mind. Define yourself.

Hank is teaching classes every Sunday morning starting at 11 a.m. at lululemon throughout the month of August. lululemon is located at 4023 Westheimer Road.

For a class schedule from DEFINE: Body & Mind, click HERE.

Let There Be Light

For the past few days I have been in Chicago, visiting friends and hanging out with designer, Marisa Swystun. Marisa had a trunk show in her home on Wednesday and upon walking into the Ukrainian Village condo, my first thought was "Wow." Marisa's boyfriend, Michael Mertz, re-vamped an old garage into one of the most intricate, yet simple spaces I have ever seen. Not one part of the 5,000-square-foot space was left untouched. From the gentleman's room, equipped with a humidor, to the mult-level deck, Mertz's carefully selected details and vision, gives you the feeling that you're walking into a piece of art.

To read the story in Chicago Home Magazine, click HERE.