The Many Variations of the Chocolate Chip Cookie

First off, I am obsessed with cookies in general. As a kid I use to try to convince my Mom that warmed up chocolate chip cookies were a suitable breakfast. 

I am also a big tea drinker so love to pass a lazy afternoon with a magazine,  strong cup of earl grey and the latest batch of baked cookies.

I could write a million posts on cookie recipes, but for now I am just going to stick with an old stand by: chocolate chip. If you want to see more cookie recipes, I have tons of different ones on my Pinterest cookie board. Yes, that is correct, I have entire board dedicated to cookie recipes.

These are my all time favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes:

Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies from Nestle

The one change I make to this is I usually use more brown sugar then white sugar because it makes the cookie softer. The recipe calls for 3/4 of a cup of each and I usually do 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup white sugar.

Cowboy Cookies from Martha Stewart

The addition of pecans, oats and coconut make for a great cookie.

Chocolate Pecan Drop Cookies from Martha Stewart

A good chocolate chip cookie recipe with chopped pecans.

Investing in Quality Clothing & Accessories

I will be the first person to tell you that I have no problem buying something on sale or picking up a cute top from Gap or H&M. Not everything I own is high-end designer and worth $1000. I love to mix stuff up and as long as it's cute and looks good on me, then I'll buy it.

That being said, I am a believer in the idea of spending money on good quality, well designed clothing and accessories that will last. I like to call them "Investment Pieces."

Everyone has different ideas about what items are considered investment pieces. These are my choices that I am personally willing to invest more in.

A Great Trench Coat

A Classic Watch

Leather Pumps in Black & Beige

A Quality Bag

A Tall Leather Boot

Pearl Stud Earrings

Sturdy, High Quality Luggage

What are the key pieces that you think are worth investing in?

St. Patrick's Day

With St. Patrick's Day coming up, I figured that an Irish-themed food post is in order!

 The great thing about St. Patrick's Day is that every can celebrate whether you are Irish or not. The funny thing is that I'm Irish but I don't look like it at all (I take after my Dad's side of the family) and most people don't believe me when I tell them I'm Irish. I usually end up whipping out my license to show them my middle name (it's my mother's maiden name).

Here are some fun St.Patrick's Day recipes to try, whether you're Irish or just want to join in on the holiday fun!

Corned Beef & Cabbage

 

Colcannon

 

Fashion Week Street Style Wrap Up

When I wasn't following the runway shows on Style.com, I was keeping up to date on the street style coverage. After the shows themselves, this is my favorite part of fashion week because I get so much personal style inspiration from these pictures.

I find that places like The Cut and Fashionista do the best street style coverage.

These are my top pick for fashion week street style:

If you found a great street style look from fashion week, please post a link in the comments!

Paris Fashion Week: Top Picks

If I were to pick one city to visit during fashion week it would be Paris. Fashion Week is glamorous in general, but it seems even more so in Paris. The parties, the street style, the clothes! 

I've been following the Paris shows via Style.com and these are my top picks:

Louis Vuitton Fall 2013 RTW

Hermès Fall 2013 RTW

Patterned Place Settings

My personal taste in china patters doesn't usually go beyond white, cream, gold and silver. In short, I like neutrals. It isn't that I don't love bright, graphic or floral patters, it's just that the neutral china is much more versatile. 

Even though I will most likely only own patterns in white, silver and gold,  (because you pretty much have all your bases covered with those three) a girl can dream about fun and whimsical china patterns.

These would be on my wish list:

Imperial Blue 

Philippe Deshoulieres Orsay

Wedgewood India

Style Icon: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

What can I say about one of the most stylish and iconic women of all time? There will never be another Jackie O!

American women have been copying her style since she entered the public eye in the late 50's because of her husband's political career.

She has been a personal style icon of mine since I was a little girl and I still try and emulate her style and good taste today.

These are some of her most famous and/or most copied looks:

Pre-White House Years

Spring Table Settings

I know i'm probably jumping the gun with it only being the first week of March, but I want winter to be over so badly. I wanted to share some spring table settings that I hope will inspire you this coming spring. This is especially helpful when planning for Easter or Passover.

 Perfect for Easter if you want to go the non-pastel route

A great take on purple without going over the top

(Sometimes all over purple comes off a bit tacky)

I think this may be my next tea party color scheme

Words Worth Repeating: Manners Edition

I am a big fan of words of wisdom. They are great because it only takes a simple phrase to lift your spirits, inspire you or remind you of what is really important.

Here are some of my favorite words of wisdom regarding manners - something that is in very short supply in this day and age.

Statement Staircases

When you first walk in to most homes, one of the first things that you will see is the staircase. 

There are so many different shapes and styles and it's a great way add detail and craftsmanship to any home whether it's wood carvings, marble, wrought iron or a beautiful runner the length of the stairs. 

Styles will vary depending on the style of the home. Personally, I prefer that the staircase match the style of the house. It would be odd to walk in the front door of a colonial and see a marble staircase with wrought iron bannisters.

Here are some of my favorite staircases, via Pinterest of course!