31 days of cookies . day 2. chocolate chip

Who doesn't like the good old stand-by deliciousness of a chocolate chip cookie? You can find a recipe on the back of any bag of chocolate chips. But around our house, we like them a little flat and chewy with just a hint of crispness around the edges. Our favorite recipe is one we adapted slightly from Martha Stewart's Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie.

2 1/4 C all-purpose flour
1/2 t baking soda
1 C butter (I use either salted or unsalted, depending on what I have on hand. It doesn't seem to make a difference.)
1/2 C granulated sugar
1 C packed light-brown sugar
1 t salt
2 t vanilla
2 eggs
2 C semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a small bowl whisk the flour and baking soda; set aside
Cream the butter and sugars until light and fluffy
Add salt vanilla and eggs; beat until well mixed
Add flour mixture; mix until combined
Stir in the chocolate chips

Drop heaping Tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. (I line them with parchment paper.)

Bake 8 - 10 minutes, until golden around the edges, but still soft in the center.
Remove from oven and allow to cool and the baking sheet for a couple minutes
Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.









































More cookies to come!

The Wonder of Cloth Napkins

A few years ago we had a casual dinner in the home of some friends who have three children... and we used cloth napkins. I was helping their daughter set the table, and watched as she took a basket with cloth napkins and put them at each place. The five for their family each had a different napkin ring, identifying who the napkin belonged to. Jen, our hostess, explained since it was the same person's germs on their napkin, that they would use the same ones for several days (unless it got particularly dirty, ending up in the laundry.)

I have a thing for cloth napkins, and have a ridiculous supply.

But I had wanted to keep them unstained, so used them only for special occasions. But no more. After our visit to Jen's table, I started using those beauties regularly. And now a paper napkin seems so flimsy and worthless. I have discovered the many benefits to cloth napkins!

- they will actually clean your hands and mouth
- they really covers your lap and stays put
- they keeps all that paper out of a landfill
- they can be doubled as a bib for a child (and looks so cute... like a little bandana)
- they do a great job sopping up a spill
- they look so much nicer next to my place
- they really don't have to be washed after each use... unless you had barbecued ribs
- they end up less expensive in the long-term

And now I've been making lots of napkins myself, and having fun getting creative with them. We've got a good selection for sale... and more coming in the next few weeks. If you're into cloth napkins (or want to be) take a look.

 


PS: Here's a peek at three.

Etsy Wish List: Bright Kitchen

Here are a few fun kitchen items that will add some color to your in-home cooking and dining experiences!

Dishtowels | Utensil Print | Serving Platter | Butter Dish | Eat Sign

Black and White

Black and white! What a timeless combination. I recently found some wonderful inspiration on Pinterest that I thought I'd share. I particularly love the simplicity of the anemones in the varied glasses...so charming!

From top left: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 

Printable: Valentine's Day Card

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and if you are still in need of a card for your favorite someone, we have just the thing! Click here for our cute heart card. It will perfectly fit a 4-Bar envelope. Just download, print, cut, fold and give!

Polka Dot Fun

Polka dots are pretty much everywhere these days and we're in love. We found some dotted items we think you'll love too.

Kate Spade iPhone Case  |  Rufflewood Placemat  |  Highbury Plates  |  asoftblackstar Makeup Bag
Hoyvoy Shoes  |  Anthropologie Dress  |  SITE Silverware

Valentine Brunch

I know that Valentine's day is a week away but I thought it would be nice to have a pre-Valentine's Day brunch with my husband this past weekend. So we did! We had waffles, strawberries, coffee and orange juice. Sweet and simple. Of course I wanted to make the table festive and lucky for me, my husband appreciates my attempts at making things "cute". It was so fun I might just do it again next weekend!

Birthday Sweet

The Miette cookbook is beyond adorable and I now have my very own copy thanks to my dear friend Christine. Happy Birthday to me! I discovered Miette at the San Francisco Ferry Building circa 2005 and have been in love with their sweet and perfectly girly style ever since. I'm completely looking forward to poring over every single scalloped page of this cookbook. And then I will bake! I think the first thing I'll try is my favorite goodie of theirs: the old fashioned cupcake. What a treat!

Cozy Feet

'Tis the season for being warm and cozy. What better way to keep toasty than with a cute pair of slippers? Here are a few I would love to own.

1. Red Crochet Slippers... Luulla
2. Cuff Boot Slippers... Target
3. Felted Orange Slippers... ing00te
4. Fair Isle Slippers... Urban Outfitters
5. Sheep Slipper... Nordstrom

A Renegade Weekend

Wow, what a weekend! We had a great time at the Renegade Craft Fair at the San Francisco Concourse. Since it was our first experience as a vendor at a craft fair, we were not sure what to expect. But what we did know is that we would meet great people and learn a lot - and we did! Here are a couple shots of our booth. Thank you to all of you who stopped by and we hope to see you again at another event soon!

Rolling Pin

Sometimes there are things that are just so ridiculously adorable and affordable that you have to get them (with a gift card & 15% off coupon, of course).

Do I need a new rolling pin? I don't believe I've used the plain one that I have in my drawer since I got it as a wedding gift six years ago... so the answer is no. Yesterday I was at Anthropologie and saw this beauty and fell in love. I thought to myself that this is motivation to start baking consistently. I also told myself how grateful my husband will be that I got it because he'll benefit from those baked goods.

I looked at the price tag: $9.99. Before my discount.

Well okay, Anthropologie, if you insist.

Fall Party Wish List

No. 1 Easy Share M575 Digital Camera...Kodak
No. 2 Nevin Flatware...Anthropologie
No. 3 Get Together Invites...Rufflewood
No. 4 Mums Wreath Kit...Paper Source
No. 5 Log Vase...West Elm
No. 6 Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Stick...Ticket Kitchen
No. 7 Ursula Throw...Ikea

Ahhhhh October!

I can never decide what I like best about the beautiful month of October. Top contenders are:

Fleet week... the second week of October in San Francisco every year. The weekend tends to be gorgeous and the planes put on stunner performances over the bay, bridges, and Alcatraz.

Always a party. Always gorgeous.

Boots. Every year I spot a pair of boots- almost always brown because I can't help it- and I tell my husband they're a must-have. I say "They're classic! I can wear them forever!" and I hope that around my October 12 birthday they'll land themselves in my closet. Which the last two years they have. This year I received spending money which gives me the predicament: the new boots which maybe I don't need per say, or fall dresses, cardigans, and preppy shirts? Either way, the search for the fall boot of the year is one of my favorite October pastimes.

The other best part of the month is having amazing orange and purple flowers on my coffee table! My husband came in with a smile and this vibrant bouquet wrapped in brown paper and tied with string.  Whenever I get flowers I wonder why I don't buy them more. It's a dilemma really. If I bought them weekly would they still put authentic smiles on my face every time I walk past? Or is the reason that they bring so much joy in the realization that they're a special occasion delight? I might have to try that and let you know.








This doesn't even address the other perks of October like the availability of pumpkin spice lattes, the smell of fireplaces, the indecisive weather (that's somehow a bit exciting to me), the cozy sweaters and the caramel apples... the list goes on.