Quiltcon 2013 Part 1

"Define Circle for Me" by Kristia Withers with block contributions

This weekend Quiltcon came to Austin. I took a ton of photos, was completely overwhelmed by the amount of talent in the room, and come home to put my hands to work. I'd love to let these photos speak for themselves, rather than sharing my usual silliness. Lots more after the jump!

"Give a F*ck", a Bee (Group) Quilt

Back to Basics: Trench Coat

Well, it's time to wrap up the Back to Basics, and what better way to do so than with the perfect wrap piece: the trench coat. I love love love a trench coat. Living in a moderate winter climate, like central Texas, one doesn't need much more than a quality trench to stay warm on most "winter days". It's kind of a dream (but let's not talk about summer right now).

I love the look of a trench with a dress and heels. I had to challenge myself a little to pair a trench with pants, I don't know exactly why, but it's just not a look I go for. However, this pair of crazy canary yellow pants are such a standout piece, they really stand out with the look of the trench. Canary yellow jeans, y'all. I mean, I adore colored denim, but whether my fanny can handle yellow.

Have you guys noticed that I'm into black & white patterned dresses? Nah, me neither. Okay, maybe I'm a little obsessed... really, with everything in this second look. My life would be at least 27.8% better if I owned this neon pink purse from Cambridge Satchel Company *cough*birthdayiscomingup*cough*. Just so you know.

Feelin' a Little Green

Being raised by a pastry chef has lead me to some strange adult behaviors, particularly where it comes to food. Like my complete distain for boxed cake mix (understandable)... but a little less explicably, it resulted in a completely different conceptualization of the cooking process than most people have. 

If you've ever baked something from scratch (if you're here, you probably have. I love you for that), you know how precise measurements need to be: exact, leveled, frigging precise. It took years of tedious adulthood dinner preparations before someone finally told me that cooking (vs baking), does not require extreme precision. I leveled my teaspoons of dried thyme, guys. I'm reformed, I don't need a perfectly perfected recipe for every single thing now. Except sometimes, I want them. 

I know that salads don't require recipes. I know this. However, think of these as a visual reminder to eat better today. Tomorrow. The day after that. So many salad inspirations, so much time! 

Crispy Avocado, Bacon and Tomato Salad

from How Sweet it Is via Tasty Kitchen 

This is probably not the healthiest salad in the world. And this is how many craps I give about that (read: few-to-none)

Buttermilk Chicken Caesar Salad

from Martha Stewart

This chicken Caesar looks like the perfect combination of healthy and comfort food. What can I say, I live in the South, I am a comfort food junkie.  

Greek Salad
from The Pioneer Woman Cooks
Because Greek salads are crazy delicious.  

Smoked Duck & Peach Salad
from Stonefruit on myfoodbook.com.au
This one is kind of a 'duh' right? I mean, it has duck on it, guys. I used to pretend like bacon was a vegetable (making it suitable for my "vegetarian" self to eat), and then I ate some duck--and seven years of vegetarianism down the drain. I lurve duck.

Smoked-Salmon Cobb Salad

from Martha Stewart 

Just all-around yes on this one, please! So much protein and delicious. 

Sunday Funday

1. I love the idea of a special chalkboard just for expressing simple 'I love you's. Simple 'I love you's are my very favorite. 
2. Things I never knew that I always needed: golden pig bookends. 
3. Well, it's officially "almost my birthday" time again. Since I really kind of hate my birthday, can we just focus on sweets? I need these pink monstrosities from Martha (to dull the pain). Please.  
4. Speaking of my birthday, I think that I need this for it. It probably needs to say "whatever" at the time. Ugh, birthday. *what*ever* 

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Scones

Clearly I am on a scone kick lately. Do you remember how I told you that until recently I had never made scones? That's long over now. I'm a scone-making fiend. I've also been a bit of a cookbook-buying fiend lately. Martha, Matt & Renato have all started taking up more permanent real estate in our kitchen. Forgive me, hubs.

This recipe comes courtesy of Matt & Renato's book Baked Elements, and if we're being completely honest here, it's kind of the reason I bought the book. No, really--I needed this recipe. We haven't discussed my severe peanut butter/chocolate addiction yet, but it's a little out of control. I would move mountains to get to some peanut butter chocolate cups. So obviously, a breakfast food that combines my very favorite things had to become my new obsession. I mean, you can eat scones all. the. time. and with marginal guilt! It's a dream come true.



I love you. I hope you're not allergic to peanut butter.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Scones

From Baked Elements 
Makes 8 scones 

Ingredients
   2 cups all-purpose flour
   1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
   1 teaspoon baking soda
   1 teaspoon baking powder
   1/4 teaspoon salt
   1 cup rolled oats
   3 ounces (3/4 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
   3/4 cup well-shaken buttermilk
   1 large egg, separated
   1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
   6 ounces (about 1 cup) semisweet or milk chocolate chips
   2 tablespoons raw sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and position the rack in the center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and oats. Add the butter and use your fingertips (or a pastry cutter) to rub (or cut) the butter into the flour mixture until the butter is pea-size and the mixture looks like chunky, coarse sand.
3. In a glass measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg yolk until combined.
4. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour the buttermilk mixture into the center of the well. Add the peanut butter. Using clean, dry, lightly floured hands, gently mix and knead the dough in the bowl until it starts to come together. Knead until just incorporated. Add the chocolate chips and knead until just incorporated. Do not overwork the dough.
5. Turn out the dough directly onto the prepared baking sheet and shape it into a disk that is 7 1/2 to 8 inches in diameter and about 1 1/2 inches high. Beat the egg white slightly, brush the top of the dough with the egg white and sprinkle with the raw sugar, if you wish.
6. Cut the dough into 8 wedges—but do not separate the wedges—and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the scones start to brown, rotating the baking sheet halfway through. Alternatively, check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of the scone. If the toothpick comes out clean or with just a few crumbs clinging to it, the scones are done. (Make sure these are fully cooked — an underbaked scone is not nearly as good as a slightly underbaked brownie.) Remove from the oven, let cool for 5 minutes and re-slice and separate the scones.
7. Serve slightly warm or transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Scones taste best when consumed within 24 hours of baking, but you could store these scones in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Back to Basics: Patterned Day Dress

I know that I've been switching things up on you in this "Wear it Wednesday"/"Back to Basics" thing. I apologize. It's just that I'm such a terrific cornball, that I have to obsess over holiday-themed dressing. Please forgive me. Cornballism is an incurable condition.

Having said that, I have a couple more "Back to Basics" lined up for you, before we transition back into the more flight of fanciful natured "Wear [Whatever!] Wednesday". Apparently, a patterned day dress is an 'basic' in any woman's wardrobe--so says Tim Gunn, anyway--and I am obsessed with this Kate Spade dress. Obsessed. Whimpering in Nordstrom, refusing to try it on because I can't afford or justify it, consoling myself with Nordstrom café herbed fries obsessed.

But how could I not be? I mean, do you see this dress? It's perfect to dress up with sky-high pumps and neon accessories. It's a little ladies-who-lunch, who are also badass. It would also be perfect for running around on weekends paired with flats and a sweater. This dress would moer more than appropriate for family excursions to our favorite places (yes, those were plugs for our local library and two favorite museums).

Okay, Gunn, I believe you. This dress should absolutely become a staple in my wardrobe.

The Weeks in Instagram

It's been forever since I've posted some 'grams on the blog. I just thought you should know that I'm lovin' life lately. 

Sunday Funday

1. Story of my life...
2. ...by Stoic Mike on Tumblr 
3. I want--no, I need--to bake these Salted Caramel Chocolate Cupcakes from She Makes & Bakes
4. Speaking of reasons why I'm fat: red velvet cake ice cream?! Are you kidding me right now? More want/need, obviously. 

For more of what's inspiring me right now, follow me on Pinterest! 

Dark Chocolate Red Wine Truffles

As a former Valentine's Day hater, it pains me to admit that I'm a little sad the holiday is over.  I know, right? What? Hallmark mushy forced-loviness is my thing now? Well, no, it's just that I love the color pink. I love hearts and cheerfulness. I love how many hugs I got from my sweet littles yesterday. I love my hubs. I love chocolate, red wine, and treatin' yo' self. 

I'm a strong proponent of treatin' yo' self on a regular basis. So, even though the traditional chocolate candy, wine, and romance holiday is past us, you should still definitely indulge into some of these hot babies. Hot babies? I must have a buzz of the chocolate and wine combination in this truffles.

Early morning chocolate and candied alcohol buzz? It's still a holiday in my world.

Dark Chocolate Red Wine Truffles 

adapted from How Sweet it Is
make about 30 truffles

Ingredients:
   3/4 cup heavy cream
   10 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
   3 tablespoons of Grenache (or similar red wine)
   sprinkles or cocoa powder for rolling

Directions:

1. Add chopped chocolate to a large bowl.
2. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat. The minute it starts boiling, remove from heat and pour over the chocolate. Add wine. Let sit for 3 minutes, then whisk continuously until smooth. 
3. Press a piece of plastic wrap over top of the bowl and press down so it adheres to the chocolate. Refrigerate for at least two hours (or overnight). 
4. Using a small melon baller or spoon, scoop chocolate out and roll them into balls, placing on a sheet of wax paper. 
5. Roll the truffles in cocoa or sprinkles, then refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving. Keep truffles in the refrigerator when not enjoying 

A note on preparing: make sure that you are weighing your chocolate if you choose to use chocolate chips in this recipe. If you fail to do so, expect some seriously difficult to handle goodies. 

Wear it Wednesday: Valentine's Day

When it comes to dressing for Valentine's Day, there are a few things to consider-- Valentine's Day is a pretty multifaceted holiday. It's a holiday for heart candy, shoebox mailboxes, and gifts for all of your classmates. Oh, and it's a super sexy holiday.

So here are two options: one for celebrating the innocent, "valentimes" nature of the holiday. You know that I would love to be wearing at school tomorrow, the kids would freak out over the giant heart. Okay, the kids and I would freak out. I'm kind of a kid sometimes (most of the time).

But the most important reaction on Valentine's Day is not from my students... it's from my husband! Oh, to be wearing this bodycon Hervé Léger dress and completely take his breath away! Could someone super-duper express mail this outfit to my house by tomorrow night? Totally need.

Fortune Cookie Valentines

I think we've already established my feelings about Martha. You know, how she's my own personal Goddess and everything? Oh goodness, I love her so! It's not like it's a big secret. The kids make fun of the sheer volume of Martha's books that I own (a lot), current favorite among them is Martha Stewart's Handmade Holiday book.  

I've been itching to make these felt fortune cookie Valentines--can we be real for a second? I just wanted to see if they would actually work! They do; sorry I doubted you MSL!--and making Valentines for my co-workers seemed like the perfect opportunity. 

It's really awkward to write Valentine inscriptions to your co-workers. Oh my god. I decided to keep it neutral with "you're sweet" and hearts. Because, um, sexual harassment? I don't want to go there! 

Potential inappropriateness aside, I packaged these fortune cookies in cellophane bags, decked out in extreme Valentine-ery: heart doilies, golden tags, golden baker's twine. Like, I said, extreme Valentine-ery! Oh, and I used glitter ribbon inside of the cookies, so I imagine that the sole straight male recipient of these cookies might die of girlyness overload. Sorry, man!

Felt Fortune Cookie Valentines 

1. Using fabric shears, cut a 4 1/2-inch-diameter circle from a piece of felt [I traced an unloved DVD] Cut a piece of matching ribbon slightly shorter than 4 1/2 inches. Using wire cutters, cut a piece of floral wire slightly shorter than the length of ribbon.
2. Using hot glue, affix the wire to the middle of the felt circle. Glue ribbon on top, covering the wire. Let cool to dry. 
3. Fold the felt circle in half, using the wire as a guide, so ribbon is inside cookie. Next, angle the sides toward each other, bending the wire at its halfway point and forming a fortune-cookie shape.
4. Assemble the fortune cookies. Carefully peel back one flap of the felt cookie, and insert a paper fortune and a few candies. Fold the flap back over to close cookie around contents.

Sunday Funday

1. A spicy, prickly pear Mezcal cocktail? And it's bright pink? I want, I need. 
2. Okay, so I'm not a gentleman in the most traditional sense of the word--or any sense of the word--but I love anything that calls for a return to kindness, decency, and proper manners! 
3. Ermagerd, bacon and brussel sprout pizza?! In a cast iron pan?! From my extreme blogger ladycrush Jessica of How Sweet it Is?! Yes to the yes. 
4. I'm almost finished with all things ridiculous and Valentiney. You know, after I make a thousand of these origami hearts. PS: I have another Valentine gift idea coming up tomorrow! Stay tuned for that!

For more of what's inspiring me right now, follow me on Pinterest.

Mini Vanilla Bean Scones

Do you know those moments of self-discovery that completely take you by surprise  Sometimes I have those--well, as of late, I've been having them often. I'd like to pretend that these self discoveries are always profound, but, really, they're not (not always, anyway). Often times I realize how contented I am with parts of my life--even parts of my life that I regularly moan about--like my job. I actually kind of like my job. It fills my soul. #selfrealizationsaywhat Not exactly 'profound', but definitely outlook shifting.

But like I said, these moments aren't always profound. Take for example: recently I realized that I had never before baked scones. Hmmm? What? I know. Baking people always talk about how simple scones are to make, and I really like scones. And I so rarely produce food that is appropriate for breakfast (aside from breakfast tacos, we can talk about those later), that I rarely have morningtime treats.

Well, if you don't count cookies before noon as a morningtime treat. Those cookies (and their calories) just don't count. Take my word for it.

As it turns out, scones are rather easy to make. I'm dying to try some savory versions now, I'll have to let you know how that goes!

Mini Vanilla Bean Scones 

from The Pioneer Woman Cooks 
makes 12 

Ingredients 
   3 cups all-purpose flour
   2/3 cups sugar
   5 teaspoons baking powder
   1/4 teaspoon salt
   2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, chilled
   1 whole large egg
   3/4 cups heavy cream (more if needed)
   2 whole vanilla beans

   5 cups confectioner's sugar, Sifted
   1/2 cup whole milk (more if needed for thinning)
   1 whole vanilla bean
   dash of salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Split the vanilla beans down the middle lengthwise and scrape out all the vanilla "caviar" inside. Stir caviar into cream. Set aside for 15 minutes.
3. Sift together flour, 2/3 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt.
4. Cut cold butter into pats, then use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut the butter into the flour. Keep going until mixture resembles crumbs.
5. Mix vanilla cream with egg, then combine with flour mixture; stir gently with a fork just until it comes together.
6. Turn dough onto a floured surface and lightly press it together until it forms a rough rectangle. (Mixture will be pretty crumbly.) Use a rolling pin to roll into a rectangle about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick. Use your hands to help with the forming if necessary.
7. Use a knife to trim into a symmetrical rectangle, then cut the rectangle into 12 symmetrical squares/rectangles. Next, cut each square/rectangle in half diagonally, to form two triangles.
8. Transfer to a parchment or baking mat-lined cookie sheet and bake for 18 minutes, removing from the oven just before they start to turn golden. Allow to cool for 15 minutes on the cookie sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
9. To make the icing, split one vanilla bean in half lengthwise and scrape out the caviar. Stir caviar into milk; allow to sit for awhile. Mix powdered sugar with the vanilla milk, adding more powdered sugar or milk if necessary to get the consistency the right thickness. Stir or whisk until completely smooth.
10. One at a time, carefully dunk each cooled scone in the glaze, turning it over if necessary. Transfer to parchment paper or the cooling rack. Allow the glaze to set completely, about an hour. Scones will keep several days if glazed.

PS: Max said these scones were so delicious that I could open a "restaurant"--hello, gods of bakery start-up-capital, are you listening? My seven year-old step-son thinks I am the bomb, and begged for scones to be included in his lunchbox. If that's not a ringing endorsement, I don't know what is!  

Wear it Wednesday: Chinese New Year

Lunar New Year is this weekend! We're leaving the Year of the Dragon, and entering the Year of the Snake. I'm a sucker for any opportunity to press "restart" (again) (and again), so I can always get down with a late-January or early-February start-over.

Plus, red and gold is a smokin' color combination. Agreed? Agreed.

While the first outfit is most likely how I'll be celebrating (hanging with the kids!) this weekend, the second is a smoking option for any snake ladies with an opportunity to go out on the town. I mean, those snake earrings with a bandage dress? Come on!

You Light Up my Life!

Do you remember when we talked about my need for many, many Valentines? I posed a link to a some glowstick Valentines, and then couldn't get the idea out of my head--but you know me, I can't leave anything alone. I guess you can blame it on design school, or just being me, but I had to design a new printable. Well, design school, OCD, and I needed it to be monochromatic. My office does not have a color copier, and when I'm printing 70 of something, it needs to be Xerox-able #realtalk.

Using colored paper, a Martha Stewart glue pen, and some gold glitter, I was able to turn these DIY monochrome printables into something special enough for the littles. There had to be glitter, you know that I'll put glitter on anything (much to the chagrin of my husband, who has to live in a house sprinkled with glitter. Sorry honey!). Anything.  Mrs. one-woman-glitter-bomb McGuire. That's me.

It's a simple process: Print. Glitter. Cut. Attach. I attached the glowsticks to the paper with washi tape (of course, you can use regular tape too, but what's the fun in that?). Please feel free to use the printables! They're simple, but can easily make a huge impact.

Printables: you make my heart glow, you light up my life


PS: YOU make my heart glow! Thank you for reading!

Sunday Funday

1. Writing a message on a balloon: cute idea, or cutest idea?  
2. I am on the hunt to find a recipe that will satisfy a few dozen childhood dessert palates. Strawberry Milk Woopie Pies? There's potential there! 
3. Red fringed paper maché heart? Funny, because that's what my biological heart looks like. 
4. Flowers made out of candy? I think I just found the perfect Valentine for seven year-old boys. 

For more of what's inspiring me right now, follow me on Pinterest!