Chocolate Chip Scones

For my recent impromptu tea party I served homemade chocolate chip scones hot out of the oven. Since it was a rainy day, it was a perfect warm and cozy compliment to an indulgent spread. I'm not gonna lie though... the first batch was a total flop—possible baking soda mishap. But the second batch was just right, especially with some whipped cream and strawberry jam spread on top! 

I used a recipe from Rose Bakery's cookbook, Breakfast Lunch Tea.

 Semi-sweet chocolate chips.

 Always bake with unsalted butter.

 Mixing the butter and dry ingredients by hand.

 Rolling the dough out to a 1/4" thick.

 On the Christmas list: these cookie cutters to make perfectly round scones.

Chocolate Chip Scones:

3 1/2 cups plain flour

1 handful wholewheat

2 slightly heaped tablespoons baking powder

2 heaped tablespoons caster sugar

1 teaspoon salt

scant 1/2 cup unsalted butter cut into pieces

1 1/4 cups whole milk

1 egg beaten

butter, jam or whipped cream to serve

Preheat the oven to 400 ºF. Grease a baking tray with butter or use parchment paper. Sift the plain flour, add in the wholewheat. Mix in the baking powder, sugar and salt. Then with your fingers mix in the butter until the mixtures resembles fresh breadcrumbs. Make a well in the middle, pour in exactly 1 1/4 milk and use a fork to work in the dry ingredients around it. Finish mixing by hand but don't overwork. Mix in chocolate chips. Form a soft but firm dough—add milk if too dry, add flour if too wet. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a solid shape (1 1/4 inches thick). Cut or separate into rounds and place on the cookie sheet. Glaze the tops with the beaten egg and bake 15 - 20 minutes until lightly golden. Serve warm with whipped cream and jam!

Bits and Tips

Cinnamon, clove and nutmeg scented Pine Cones from Botanik. 

With Christmas on the forefront I've been slowly gathering ideas for decor, recipes, gifts, outfits for parties and fun wrapping materials. I forgot how much I love this time of year but also how quickly it flies by. Every year it seems I never have enough time for all the holiday related projects and parties I hope to do and throw. So this year, I'm getting a head start. Here's a look at some findings and favorites I've recently come across. 

A favorite new scarf by A Peace Treaty. I'm currently craving this one as well.

 Christian Lacroix gold foil notecards.

 Wine tasting at Municipal.

 The beau's watch that I've been eyeing.

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

Joie Blouse, Mother Jeans, Alexander Wang Wristlet, GAP Espadrilles (see similar styles here and here), Jennifer Fisher Bone Cuff and Nail Cuff, Vintage Belt, Bracelet 

and Ring (similar one here). 

Having a mini break this past week was exactly what the doctor ordered. My long weekend consisted of eating pumpkin pie, hiking, catching up with friends, wine tasting, watching movies and sleeping in—pure bliss to say the least! After Thanksgiving I am officially in the Holiday mood and can't wait for the weeks ahead, which will definitely call for something sparkly and glamourous. Until then, I've been loving warm earth tones like this silky Joie top I found at Therapy in Pasadena. 

Impromptu Tea Party

Over the rainy weekend, I got a wild hair to have a fireside tea party with my girlfriends. It literally poured all day outside while we sat around my coffee table and snacked on sweet treats, mini tea sandwiches, scones (homemade, recipe to come!) and sipped tea and prosecco. I served two types of tea, one was a Christmas flavor I picked up at the Huntington Tea Room in Pasadena and the other I found while browsing Upstairs at Pierre Lafond called the Queens Guard—love the name. Here's a look at a lazy, girly afternoon that was just my cup of tea. 

Antique tea cups. 

The Queens Guard Tea from Bellocq Tea Atelier

Fresh cut roses brought over by a friend and mini sandwiches—cucumber, mint and cream cheese and classic PB & J. 

Homemade chocolate chip scones, whipped cream, jam and lemon bread.

Chocolate chip Madeleines.

A pink Elizabeth and James dress and pearls. 

Coconut cream cheese cake. 

A very proper tea guest came with glittery gold gloves. She definitely won for best dressed.

 Lounging by the fire.

Tip: add cranberries to Prosecco for a Holiday touch.

 Heels were kicked off early on. 


*Check out my facebook page here or more tea party pictures! 

Boyish Glamour

GAP Plaid Shirt (similar one here), Vintage Jax Blazer, Helmut Lang Jeans, Steve Madden Boots, Ariel Gordon Rings here, here and here, Ray Ban Aviators, Vintage Rhinestone Necklace

Over the rain-filled weekend I was reminded of how fun it is to bundle up with layers, throw on some boots and accessorize with scarves and hats. I recently pulled out some favorite flannels and have been living (and sleeping) in them, proving they are a cozy essential at this time of year. I love pairing these masculine plaid prints with structured blazers and glitzy rhinestone jewelry for a little contrast. 

Tasty Inspiration

I'm a sucker for all Holiday related foods and with Thanksgiving just days away, I've been getting in the mood to spend some time in the kitchen. As much as I love the favorites—mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, stuffing, yada yada yada—it's definitely more fun to try out a new spin on old classics. Food blogs are a great resource for getting inspiration and discovering new recipes, here's a look at some that I'm planning on testing out in the next month and a half. 

Viennese Hot Chocolate, Flagrante Delicia

 Gingerbread Apple Upside-Down Cake, Smitten Kitchen

 Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Savory Sweet Life

Candied Yams, Recession Kitchen

Apple Crisp, The Dog's Breakfast

Ivy Wall

Mosaic Ring and Mumbai Bracelet c/o JewelMint, Rag & Bone dress (similar one here), 360 Cashmere Jumper from Therapy, Theyskens' Theory Wedges, Alexander Wang Fumo Wallet, Raen Sunglasses

In an effort to break out of my denim uniform I've been resorting to these days, I paired a favorite summer dress (seen here and here) with an ivory colored cashmere sweater I found during my trip to Pasadena. I'm crazy about monochromatic looks right now mixed with metallics, bits of black and an extra dose of accessories. An easy way to shift into the Holiday season. 

If you haven't already, be sure to check out JewelMint's über cool mix of jewelry. My favorite part? They match specific pieces to your own personal style. All you have to do is take a fun quiz on what you like and don't like. 

62º

With the recent chill in the air, I've been pulling out all my favorite cashmere pieces and bundling up for cooler days. Silver, cream and earth tones mixed with black have been favorites lately. Here's a look at some key pieces I've been lusting over.

Clockwise from top right:

Helmut Lang Wing-Print Silk Top

Alice + Olivia Leather and Tulle Dress

Mother Denim Metallic Skinny Jean

Super Sunglasses

Helmut Lang Terrain Leather and Metal Shoulder Bag

Miu Miu Bow-Embellished Suede Ankle Boots

Asos Knit Leopard Mittens

T by Alexander Wang Space Dye Stretch Jersey Maxi-Dress

Aubin & Wills Calderwood Cable-knit Wool Sweater

Urban Outfitters Crescent Collar Necklace

Bits and Tips

Silver jewelry from JewelMint that I can't wait to style. 

After a whirlwind weekend that consisted of a trip to L.A., lunch at Hals on Abbot Kinney and a mini family reunion that resulted in sore abs from laughing too hard, the beau and I crashed yesterday afternoon, which left me some time to gather my latest cravings. From decadent breakfast entrees to rustic colors and glamourous touches, I've been brightening up my days lately with a yin and yang of simple basics and fancy finds in all categories. 

 Ladurée macaroons—a slice of Paris given to me by a friend. 

Antique chandeliers.

A collar necklace by Auden Jewelry—check out another one I'm currently craving here.

Color inspiration from Lars Bolander's Scandinavian Design book.

 Buckwheat pancakes with cranberries, walnuts and powdered sugar.