Me and a Macaron

What do you get when you mix almond flour, four hours and an intense arm workout? I'll give you a hint: It's not the incredibly sculpted arms you are no doubt imagining. This was my afternoon/early part of the evening today as I took on the most challenging quest of any aspiring baker: French macarons. Let me be the first to tell you, these delicate almond cookies are much more difficult than what initially meets the eye.

It all started 3 summers ago when I studied abroad in Paris for a month. One day, my friends and I were walking around St. Germain des Pres and we came across this little shop called Laduree. Little did we know that this “little shop” was actually the mecca of French pastry. I saw these small little cookie sandwich things, and decided to try one. One bite into a salted caramel macaron, and I knew I had found my favorite dessert of all time. During my stay in Paris, I frequented the various Laduee shops (there are 3- One near the Place de Concorde, one in St. Germain des Pres and one on the Champs.)  Imagine my despair as I leanred that Laduree does not ship their famous macarons across the pond. So, once I returned to the States, I began a quest to find a macaron akin to Laduree’s.

Flash-forward 3 years later. Finally, after numerous visits to various macaron shops, I decided to quit waiting for fate to toss me a macaron and make my own instead. I just received a Laduree cookbook straight from Paris from a dear friend as a graduation/birthday gift, and I thought “Today is Monday. Monday begins with an “m.” Just like macaron. Macaron Monday.” Today was the day! I called up my two partners in crime; we came up with a plan of attack and then began the execution.

Which leads us to my kitchen this afternoon. After consulting the bible of all macarons (the Laduree cookbook, of course) I decided to start out “easy” with my first attempt and just go with the plain, basic macaron. I figured once I had the basics down pat, I could start getting wild with different flavors and colors, but for my first time, I wanted to keep it simple. I was initially going to make my own almond flour, but after reading that it required blanching the almonds, peeling back their skins, pulsing them, squeezing every last drop of water from them, pulsing them in a food processor, sifting them, and then finally starting the recipe, I just decided to speed over to Trader Joe’s for some almond meal. Best decision ever.

Essentially, a macaron is made of almond flour, egg whites and sugar. However, as I discovered from reading multiple sources, it is imperative that the almond flour and sugar be sifted thoroughly so there are no lumps in the batter whatsoever. And, two and a half hours later, there were absolutely no lumps in this almond flour sugar mixture. Yes, that would be two and a half hours of non-stop sifting and poking and prodding the almond flour and sugar through a very fine mesh sieve. Factor in being sliced by the food processor (while it was off) in an attempt to get all the remaining bits of almond flour, a few harsh words, some stressful tears and a hot, humid kitchen and it was just a party in that kitchen. At least we were getting a workout while we were baking! Not to mention having to beat six egg whites “until nice, frothy foam is formed with small bubbles on the surface.”

Finally, the egg whites were whipped to frothy perfection, all of the almond flour was perfectly sifted and the pastry bag was all ready to go. It was time for the transformation of glossy batter into delicious round disks of pure French goodness.  I spooned the batter into the pastry bag outfitted with a 1/2cm tip and piped away! Cookie sheets with parchment paper have never looked so good. I popped them in the oven and 20 minutes later, I pulled out 3 trays of French macarons.

What looked positively majestic going into the oven emerged as slightly gritty, sometimes cracked and a little on the heavier side than the normal macaron. But, they did have the macaron flavor to them. And, spoon a little Nutella between two of the shells and no one would even know these weren’t straight from Laduree. Alright, I may be am certainly exaggerating here, but I was proud of my little macarons! They vaguely tasted like macarons, they were the same shape, and, for a first go around, I was very proud of them!

Will I be making these again? Will I finally create the perfect salted caramel macaron for the States? Is Laduree going to make me their executive pastry chef? Dubious to all accounts. Blood, sweat and tears don’t exactly mix well with delicate almond cookies. Don’t get me wrong, I am so glad I made them, but next time I’m feeling like a French macaron, I think I’ll leave it to the pros. Besides, now that I’ve actually attempted to make them, I think it’s time for a pilgrimage to Laduree to see how the best of the best are made. All I can say is “Vive le macaron!”

“If the shoe fits… buy it in every color!”




sperrytopsider.com

Let me just start off this post by saying that I really do enjoy shoes. Pretty much all women do. Actually, scratch that, I prefer to be barefoot. But, there are some establishments and social obligations that require shoes. Then, when I must wear shoes, I actually quite like them.

Once I find a brand of shoe I like, I tend to stick with them for quite a while. My mom’s closet is full of different brands, heel heights, materials, prints, patterns. My closet has tried and true brands (like Tory Burch, Vera Wang Lavender and Sperry), consists of flats, 2.5-3 inch heels and flips flops, all in pink, navy, gold or black. Why am I telling you about my shoe collection? There was one particular shoe that I did not have, yet constantly wishing it was part of my closet, especially as summer crept closer and closer.

I had been thinking about these shoes for basically the last 4 months. “You silly goose!” you are probably saying. “Why don’t you just buy them?” you ask me. Splendid question, darling. When I decide to make a purchase like this one, I do my research. I pull all the information I can find, I stalk observe people’s shoes when they walk down the street, I ask myself, “Would I want to be associated with this shoe?”

These shoes had been sort of teasing me, especially the weeks leading up to the eventual purchase. Wherever I looked, someone had these shoes. Wherever I turned, someone was strolling through the quad wearing them.  It was like all I could see was soft cream colored leather, white ribbing on the bottom and the same milky laces tying the shoes together. You could say I was a little obsessed. Only slightly…

Finally, Memorial Day Weekend came. It was now or never. I marched into the Sperry store, asked for the white leather classic boat shoe and popped it on my foot. As is the custom when someone is trying on shoes, it is only right to march around the store in them. You know, just to make sure they really fit.


sperrytopsider.com

Well, there I was, prancing around the Sperry store in the “ice” leather, when I spotted them. Exactly like the ones I had on my foot with one tiny little difference. While the ones I had on my feet felt like a stifling leather sock, the bright white ones seemed like a shining beacon of hope (and breathable canvas). Instead of a dull, muted white, these were a fun, exciting, bright, light, happy white! I could imagine myself hoisting the rigging on a sailboat with these. I could see myself skipping along PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) with an Arnold Palmer in my hand, living the life of a carefree teenager, basking in the sunshine. The white leather ones suddenly seemed like a stamp of conformity. As a prepster living among surfers and hipsters, I have never been one to cave into conformity, especially when it came to dressing myself. Would these symbolize my complete retreat into a society of beach babes and surfer dudes?

I put on the white canvas boat shoes, the last pair in the store and conveniently in my size.  They so happened to fit perfectly. If they hadn’t fit, or weren’t in my size, I could have easily said, “oh, I am supposed to get the leather ones. It’s meant to be!” Apparently, that wasn’t in the cards for me that day.

Then, the real question became could I let go of this dream? I had wanted these “ice” (the legitimate color of the shoe, as opposed to just white) leather Sperry’s for literally 5 months. I had spent hours babysitting, dividing my wages between my savings account and my Sperry fund. Every time I saw someone wearing these shoes, I felt a little pang of despair that I didn’t have them, but a glimmer of hope because I knew I would soon be the proud owner of some ice leather Sperry’s.

As a side note, let me just say that most people go in to buy some shoes. I go into a store knowing exactly what I want, then if I decide to deviate from my original plan, I start asking myself questions about conformity, letting go of dreams, who I am as a person, etc. Yet I still laugh when people say I am high matinence when it comes to shopping…

Anyway, it came down to one thing: canvas or leather? Leather is classic, canvas is contemporary. Leather is quality, canvas is casual. Leather makes your feet sweat, canvas keeps them cool and dry. Leather suffocates your foot, canvas lets it breathe. Leather is for work, canvas is for play. Leather is for winter, canvas is for summer.

There it was! The revelation! Canvas in the summer, leather in the winter! The fanciest shoes I wear in the summertime are flip flops anyways. Realistically I would never even wear the leather ones till fall. The canvas was perfect; it was dressed up but still casual. It was bright white, so it matched all of my outfits, it went with my summer accessories, and looked fab with Lilly Pulitzer shorts, and accented my new white nautical belt and white sunglasses. They were PERFECT.

A few minutes later, I strolled out of the Sperry store, the gold flats I had worn into the store conveniently tucked away in the shopping bag, and my new white canvas Sperry’s on my feet. I’ve already planned tons of outfits to wear with them, and I think I’ll officially debut when I go sailing with a special someone this Saturday. Nothing says “I’m a very experienced sailor,” and “these are the latest “it” shoe” and “hello summer!” quite like white canvas Sperry’s.

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Oh, and did I mention they are the new unofficial shoe for summer? Sailing, sun and summer, here I come!

The City by the Bay

Darlings, I’ve decided to move to San Francisco after I graduate college (or potentially law school, if I go that route).  I’ve always been infatuated by the city by the bay, and after my two trips up to San Francisco (one for Harvard Model Congress, the other just for fun), my little infatuation has turned into a full blown love affair. I don’t know if it is the incredible restaurants, the mysteriously alluring fog or the eccentric characters who roam the city, but whatever it is, I am hooked on San Francisco.

First off, the restaurants. For someone who says she doesn’t like food (I’m not kidding, I’m not anorexic, but, unlike the majority of Americans, I do not enjoy eating for the most part. There are some exceptions like salted caramel cookie bars and artichokes, but for the most part, food is just not super appealing. But, I digress…) when I find myself in San Francisco, I change my mentality from “I eat to live” to “I live to eat.” It’s embarrassing, really. The longest I went without eating something was an hour and a half. Ninety minutes! And that was with some serious self control. But, honestly, when buttery (and I do mean buttery) croissants are tempting you and the Zuni chicken has your name all over it, are you really going to pass that up? Not this girl!

San Francisco does have the best restaurants in the United States. Some may say New York is the king of the cuisine, but they are sadly mistaken. San Francisco is where it’s at. With little neighborhood bistros like Universal Café (2814 19^th Street)and pizzerias  that draw a cult following, such as Flour + Water (2401 Harrison Street), it is no surprise that San Francisco is the best of the best when it comes to food. Where else can you watch a foreign film in a courtyard while munching handmade pasta and pot de crème (Foreign Cinema , 2534 Mission Street), then five blocks away is Delfina, a restaurant that has just been named in the top 10 Italian restaurants in the country (3621 18^th Street). While these restaurants are absolutely scrumptious, they really can’t compare to one particular café located at 1658 Market Street.  

Zuni Café, also referred to as “The most amazing restaurant in the world,” “a hip joint with incredible food,” and, my personal opinion, “Heaven’s caterer.” My delicious desire for the food in San Francisco boils down to two words: Zuni chicken. The Zuni chicken is, without a doubt, the best chicken in all of North America, maybe even the world. The chicken at Chateau de Sulley in Normandie, France is the only other place that rivals Zuni’s chicken. Brined for 24 hours in advance, crispy skin and bread salad so delicious, it could be it’s own entrée. The bread salad has leafy greens, currants, pine nuts, crisp chunks of peasant bread seeped in chicken juice. It’s basically perfection. I look forward to eating this chicken (and the bread salad) months in advance. Basically, from the minute I finish devouring the chicken, I am already waiting (in eager anticipation) for the next time I go to San Francisco so I can have the Zuni chicken again. I’ve attempted to make the Zuni chicken from their cookbook (shockingly simple), but it just isn’t the same. It’ll do in a pinch, but it is definitely worth the 7 hour drive to have the real deal.

You know what else is worth the 482 miles? Seeing the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA for short). It’s got everything from Rothko to Matisse to Pollock, just to name a few. Start walking off the incredible food by taking a look at the Golden Gate Park or the Castro Theater. I'm assuming you've heard of a rust colored supsension bridge  that extends across the harbor? I know Golden Gate Park sounds like a tourist trap, but it is absolutely beautiful. Go on any day of the week (except Monday) and observe the Conservatory of Flowers. The Castro Theater is just a cool throwback to the days when going to the movies was a big deal. They even have someone play the piano on specific nights before the show starts just to set the mood and harkens back to a time when going to the movies wasn’t just something to do, it was an event.

However, while these are fun things to do, my personal favorite thing to do in San Francisco (besides munching) is just walking around. Pick a neighborhood (like Nob Hill) to stroll around, and you'll find corner bistros, darling walk-ups and too many cars to count. I guarantee you, if you trek up a few hills and just walk through a few neighborhoods admiring the architecture, you will walk off your last meal. It’s basically a win-win situation, but, then again, so is being in San Francisco.

I think Paul Kantner had the right idea when he said, “San Francisco is 49 square miles surrounded by reality.” It really is the perfect place to be. It’s got the three C’s: class, culture and cuisine. And, in just four and a half short years, it’ll have me. Get ready, San Francisco. Once I arrive, I’m there to stay, in my little city by the bay.  

Glitz, glamour and Gatsby

Glitz, glamour and glam. Pearls, drop waists and beading. Gatsby, jazz and flappers. Darling, welcome to the 20’s!

It was a time of bobs and higher hemlines (and by higher, I mean just under the knee), not to mention class with few drops of sex appeal thrown in.  Gatsby and I both agree that for winter formal this year, go big or go home. This is your one chance to let out your inner flapper! There are plenty of other occasions where you can sort of take a cue from the theme, but the 1920’s is one of the best themes of all time because you can go all out with the fashions. Instead of having to choose whether to fingerwave your hair or wear a beaded dress, why not do both, and add a string of knotted pearls, classy T strap shoes, red lipstick and a feathered headband to round out the look. There are plenty of designers this year who are turning to the 20’s this season.

One of my personal favorites is Sue Wong. Normally, I shy away from her designs because they can feel a touch costume-y to me, and all of her detailing makes me feel like a walking tapestry. But, for her collection this season, she is my go-to designer. Think beads, feathers and delicious color palates. For those of you lovely fashionistas who adore the flapper look, here are some wonderful options that will have you looking like something out of 1926 Vogue! My top picks for her dresses are:

The Scallop Sheath Dress, $565 at Neiman Marcus. This platinum dazzler delivers just the right amount of metallic sparkle to turn any eye toward the wearer (the deep V in the back doesn’t hurt either.)

The Mesh-Back Beaded Shift Dress, $430 at Neiman Marcus. This elusive black lace and mesh over cream colored satin delivers a surprisingly boudoir feeling that is reminiscent of the 20’s in sort of a dark, allusive yet totally appropriate way. It’s sort of like you don’t know whether this dress is a little bit sexy, or just really classy with some deep colors. I guess it’s up to you to determine the vibe of this dress.

The Black Feather and Sequin Dress, $355 at Bloomingdales. This dress is basically perfect. Sequins, art deco design, slimming lines and coloring, why, this could be the perfect little black dress! It has a flattering neckline, a beautiful backline and hits mid thigh with an explosion of feathers. It’s basically a 2012 flapper. Gatsby and I both agree that if there is any dress to snap up, it’s this one.

For those of you who do not have sufficient funds (or Gatsby) to shell out $350 minimum for a dress, you’re in luck! I recently discovered a wonderful site for a fabulous fashionista with a limited budget. http://renttherunway.com is by far the best site to get extravagant couture without the extravagant cost. You literally rent dresses. Before I found my fabulous formal dress (on sale), I stalked this website. It has everything you could want: dresses, shoes, necklaces, earrings, the works! And the dresses are not something you would find at a garage sale; these are designer dresses at up to 90% off the retail cost. Gatsby doesn’t approve, but shhhhhh! It can be our little secret. The best part is, they send you 2 sizes in case the size you thought would fit you doesn’t.

My top pick from Rent the Runway for formal this year are:

                NouveauShift Dress, by Anna Sui for $150. Yes, it is a little pricey to rent, but one look at this nude, sparkly art deco inspired dress is sure to make up for the cost. This dress is cut a little higher on the chest (probably three inches below the collarbone) to make up for the shortness of the skirt (a little above mid-thigh length) however, since the rest of the dress is not overly sexy, it works. In fact, at first blush, the dress is very pretty. Once you get closer and start noticing the detailing and the sequins, it becomes stunning. If you’ve got $150 for a dress, I would hope you would pick this one. It’s gorgeous.

Now, I understand there are a select few of you who don’t want to completely fly away with the flapper look. Just because we’re jetting and jazzing back to the 20’s for winter formal this year doesn’t mean you need to look like you got stuck in a time machine. There are plenty of ways to allude to the flapper fashions of the time without going overboard. One idea is to take a little black dress and jazz it up with some accessories from the roaring 20’s. I’m talking knotted pearls, t strap shoes, feather headbands, fingerwaved hair, basically everything besides your dress. What fun is having the best theme ever if you don’t take advantage of it?

Once again, since wearing the aforementioned accessories probably doesn’t fall into your regular wardrobe, what about renting it? Rent the Runway also offers great deals on bracelets (like Badgley Mischka Art Deco Bling Cuff, $60) or some fabulous pearl necklaces (Kenneth Jay Lake Pearl Rope Necklace, $25.) Just a few accessories can take your contemporary LBD to flirty, fashionable nod-to-the-twenties LBD. And, if you’re still having doubts about this whole flapper business, maybe just search “1920’s fashion.” You might surprise yourself.

Well fashionistas, it’s time for this flapper to fly. I’m off with Gatsby to check out the venue. See you in the 1920’s!