Kinfolk..

tulips and playing with the shades..

Cheddar and dill scones.

We don't generally buy bread to have with our lunch but once in a while I like to have something similar to it. Like these scones I made the other day which were exactly what we needed to accompany our meal. They are soft inside and a bit crunchy on the outside and kids love them. Plus, dill gives them that little herb ideal addition to the final taste. Comfort food at its best.

You can find the recipe here.

Designer of the week: Simone Rocha.

New crush in the fashion area: Simone Rocha. I love every-single-piece.

A glimpse of AW collection (above) and SS 2012 collection (below). You can see more here.

Chocolate truffles.

 On my first attempt in making truffles, I found an amazing recipe thanks to everyday musings and it was really worth it cause these are the most delicious homemade truffles I have ever tasted and exactly how I want them to be: intense with a small amount of rum just to taste. The recipe uses powdered sugar for dusting but I also used cocoa powder to half of them and I have to say they were even better that way. Here are both ways..

Traditional Rum Balls (via everyday musings)
1 cup cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup flour
6 ounces butter
1 2/3 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
4 ounces rum, or to taste
Powdered sugar for dusting

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking dish.
2. Combine cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and flour together and set aside.
3. Mix butter and sugar together in a mixing bowl until combined. Slowly add the eggs and vanilla. Add flour mixture all at once, mixing just until incorporated. Fold in chocolate chips.
4. Pour into prepared pan and bake about 30 minutes or until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.
5. Tear brownie mixture into pieces and put into a mixing bowl. While the mixer is running stream in the rum until brownies start clumping together. Continue adding rum to taste.
6. Scoop with a spoon or ice cream scoop and roll into a ball with the palm of your hands. Place balls on parchment paper. Coat rum ball with powdered sugar and serve.

Old school+white beauty.

this phone is a pure delight. but what is more fun than this case? my love, you did it once again..

Happy birthday..

..to me* with flowers and dinner at the Seed where I had the most amazing sweet potato ravioli with winter mushrooms, brown butter and sage. Also, the perfect pair drink with lavender bitters! Unbelievable.

*(that was yesterday to be exact but belated wishes are the best)

Place: Cakes&Ale.

One of my favorites cafe-bakeries in Atlanta is Cakes&Ale. Great coffee, great pastries and breads. We had a straciatella layer cake and an eclair with our coffee* there, which were both delicious, and we couldn't leave without something for Sunday morning. The apalachian (just amazing) and these almond croissants were the greatest add to that Sunday breakfast.

*(they also have this hot chocolate made with my favorite Valrhona chocolate which I so want to try sometime but that day I was in the mood for coffee-you know how this is)

Cakes&Ale: 151 Sycamore street, Decatur GA

Looks.

I am obsessed with the idea of an all-white outfit. I guess I'm having my white phase period..Too bad it can't last too long when you have two kids around..

Wearing: Zara sweater dress, Alexa Chung for Madewell skirt, Zara leopard shirt, Sam Edelman ankle boots.

Kale chips.

I always read about kale used in many recipes but I wasn't really aware of the taste of it (it is obvious because I don't think there's such a thing in Greece) till recently. Now that I find it constantly at the market and acknowledging the fact that I always wanted to try it, I end up with this chips recipe and I have to admit it is the most unexpected, yummiest and most effortless thing to do. It is one of those things you don't know what to expect (and you really don't expect much) till you try it. Also great for a night snack! ;)

KALE CHIPS (via door16)

1 large bunch kale
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 tsp lemon juice
fine sea salt

Preheat oven to 300°F.Wash and thoroughly dry kale. Cut out the thick center stalk, then cut into bite-sized pieces (I just do this with kitchen scissors—you don’t need to be precise).In a large bowl, combine kale, olive oil, and lemon juice. Make sure the olive oil gets all over the kale.Spread the kale in a single layer on a couple of cookie sheets. Sprinkle with salt. Bake for 20-30 minutes. The time will vary depending on the amount of moisture in your kale. You want the kale to get nice and crispy and dark. Just keep a close eye on it and make sure it doesn’t burn.

Place: Lady M confections.

I like this place..never been there but surely I'd love to.

Lady M Confections
41 East 78th Street 
(Between Madison Avenue and Park Avenue)
New York, NY 10075

Make my day with..

..the softest and most beautiful scarf, from madewell,
the "striped bathers" print, by kiki & polly,
baby penguin socks, for warm feet,
this sheep mobile, for sweet dreams,
delicious confections*, from whimsy&spice..

(*rose and black pepper thumbprints and pink peppercorn sandwich cookies)