Home Sweet Home: Kitchen

I have this theory that the longer I'm away from my home in California, the more I read about interior decorating and design to make my dorm room feel more home-y. One thing I really miss about my house is our kitchen. I love making oatmeal there every morning to start the day- it's so therapeutic. The kitchen in my dorm building is underground (a little sketchy, right?) and has absolutely zero cooking supplies (not even pots/pans people!). It just isn't the same as at home. So, I've been nonstop repinning images of "dream kitchens" on Pinterest (actual torture), and have been pouring over the home section of Anthropologie's website lately. Here are some favorites:

Dream Kitchens

Kitchenware

Noticing a trend here...

Plates: Marchesa | Juliska | Vera Wang | Sharon Saks

Accessories: Anthropologie Boulangerie Jar | Sur la Table Oil Jar | Anthropologie Measuring Hedgies | Juliska Cake Tray | Layla Grace Spoons | Sur la Table Eiffel Tower Shakers

Mugs: MacKenzie-Childs | Toast

Happy friday!

xoxo

Easy as Pie: Tips & Recipes for Baking a Perfect Pie

Let's talk about pie. Flaky, golden brown, sugary pie. I love baking and pie is one of my favorite things to make. My favorites are apple and blackberry. And I promise baking pie isn't as hard as it looks! I'm excited to try out making pumpkin and pecan this fall, so with that here are some awesome pie recipes followed by some of my own tips and design ideas. 

-- Recipes--

Apple Pie: An American Classic

Blueberry Pie: Perfect With Some Whipped Cream

Pumpkin Pie: If You Love Pumpkin Pie, Try Out These Cupcakes

Banana Cream Pie: Best With Butterscotch

French Chocolate Silk Pie: Ooh La La!

Pecan Pie: Or Try This Brownie Version

--Tips--

Perfecting the Crust | Line the pie pan completely with dough. Make sure you have an evenly thick crust allover. The crust should easily fold over the edges without tearing. Use a sharp knife to cut the crust to shape. Don't attempt any styling here. Then use your **clean** fingers to soften the cut edges of the crust. You can use a fork and make impressions every so often or use your fingers to create "ripples" in the crust. Play around and mold it to your shape.

Decorations | Pie decorating essentially takes precision, not artistry. To add cool fall shapes, cut extra pieces of dough with a cookie cutter and place on top of the pie's filling. For a lattice, cut even strips of dough and weave. When you reach the end of a row, tuck the end of the dough strip between the filling and the crust or layer it on top of the crust and knead with your fingers so it blends in.

Sides | Pairing hot pie with something cold is always delicious. Try cream-based ice creams (sorbets don't always taste great with pie) in a maple, vanilla, chocolate, banana or pumpkin flavor. Drizzling caramel over cream pies is also great (banana + butterscotch = amazing).

I use an Emile Henry Artisan Pie Dish for baking. It is wonderful! 

How cute are these hedgehog measuring cups? And these dessert plates?

Mix up your pie by cooking minis in cupcake tins or ramekins....

Or making pie pops for easy serving and transportation!

Happy baking!
xoxo

College Chic: 12 Study Snacks to Keep Your Brain Sharp

Long hours spent studying in the library or your dorm room are inevitable during college. Personally, I've stayed in the library so long that I don't remember to eat until my stomach starts growling and I'm suddenly starving. Here are some quick & easy healthy study snacks that are delicious and will help keep you powering through until your work is finished. 

1. Apple peanut butter chip sandwiches: Slice up an apple and spread a little bit of peanut butter and sprinkle with chocolate chips on a slice. Place another slice on top and you have a mini sandwich!
2. Banana nut oatmeal: Microwave 1/2 cup of oatmeal with 1 cup of water for 1.5-2 minutes. Then slice a banana and break up a few walnut pieces for a yummy topping.
3. Air popped popcorn: Pop 1 or 2 cups of popcorn. Air popping is the healthiest method, however many brands such as SmartPop offer microwavable options. Try drizzling a little coconut oil on top for a unique flavor.
4. Yogurt, fruit & granola parfait: 1 container of lowfat or nonfat yogurt + a few strawberries, raspberries and blueberries + 1/4 cup of granola= the perfect mid-study snack! 
5. Fruit kebabs: Place grapes, blueberries, kiwi, pineapples, oranges and strawberries on a wooden skewer to enjoy a refreshing rainbow fruit kebab.
6. Corn tortilla chips & salsa: A few low-fat tortilla chips and some all natural/organic salsa have the right amount of spice to wake you up so you can finish studying for that midterm.
7. Healthy trail mix: Mix peanuts, cashews, almonds, unshelled pistachios, banana chips, whole grain pretzels and raisins together for a healthier trail mix that won't make you crash from too much sugar. 
8. Edamame: Packed with protein and a refreshing taste, salt-and-peppered edamame is a great savory study snack.
9. Strawberries & cool whip: For a sweet snack, try strawberries with low or non-fat cool whip. 
10. Dark chocolate: A few squares of dark chocolate may provide that extra boost of caffeine you need when you start nodding off.  However, to make sure the chocolate is full of antioxidants and a good amount of caffeine aim for 72% pure cacao or higher.
11. Hummus and veggies: Hummus and veggies are a perfect pairing when you need a more substantial snack. The more veggies the better as they are filled with vitamins and minerals to keep your mind sharp.
12. Water: Good old-fashioned H20 is the first thing you should reach for when your tummy starts rumbling. Keeping hydrated improves focus and also curbs hunger so you aren't tempted to reach for the first unhealthy snack you stumble upon.

Bon appetit!

xoxo