• A Touch of Brass

    I’ve been searching for a new light fixture for my dining room, and I find myself inexplicably drawn to brass. Brass used to be the hallmark of old Hollywood regency style and stock door handles, but no more.  Aged brass seems to be making a comeback  in the design world, and I love it.  Here’s a few of my favorite lighting fixtures and inspirational interior designs featuring brass. Meurice Wall Sconce – Jonathan Adler Newton Suspension Lamp – Boca do Lobo Ike Suspension – DelightFull Hudson Valley Wall Sconce – LightingDirect Sputnik Chandelier – 1stDibs Rio Pendant – Jonathan Adler Starburst Chandelier – 1stDibs  Images from DelightFull, Architectural Digest,Jonathan Adler…

  • Pumpkin Spice Latte

    Pumpkin Spice Latte Makes 4 cups Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup of milk 1 Tbsp pumpkin puree 1 Tbsp brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 pumpkin pie spice Directions: Mix all these ingredients in a microwave safe bowl and microwave it for 2 minutes. Use a milk frother until you get a thick foam. Brew your favorite dark roast coffee or espresso, pour in a cup, add sugar and the milk mixture. Top with a delicious homemade whipped cream, sprinkle cinnamon and enjoy your homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte.

  • A Simple Autumn Tablescape

    Autumn is my favorite season; I love the colors, the weather, and seeing the amazing cycle of nature. Last Friday, my husband and I went apple picking in the Virginia countryside, a few hours from DC. We picked some pink lady apples for my Apple Rose Pie (I’ll post this recipe very soon) and also bought some beautiful pumpkin gourds and huge fall mums, which I trimmed a little and spread in a few mini vases around our dinner table.

  • Naked Cake

    I’ve been obsessed with naked cakes since last year, you might remember my berry layer sponge cake, which had a naked look.  A couple days ago, I decided to bake another cake with the naked look and fresh flowers. I used the Fluffy Yellow Layer Cake recipe from Cook’s Illustrated book and a lemon and lavender filling. Lemon-Lavender Cream Cheese Frosting 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 8 T butter, softened (1 stick) 1 tsp grated lemon zest 2T lemon juice 1 ½ tsp dried lavender buds. Ground ½ tsp vanilla 2 1/3 cup confectioners sugar Mix cream cheese, butter and sugar in a food processor or mixer.  Add other ingredients until smooth. And because I…