Thursday, March 31, 2011

Don't Look Back by She & Him

She & Him - Don't Look Back from Merge Records on Vimeo.
A little something to make you smile today!
... Some musicians do still make music videos that rock.
Love the clothes, the styling, the dancing, the song... and most of all Zooey Deschanel! Everything she does is pretty much amazing.

Happy MLB Opening Day!
X,
Ray

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Ray's Kitchen: Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars

We had a baking contest at work last week and I was thoroughly undecided as to what to enter... decisions, decisions, decisions.  Cookies?... too generic. Cupcakes?... not enough time or resources to make a large quantity. Pie?... not the right season. So what did I ultimately choose? I wanted to make something different , a treat that no one had tasted before. Why not go for the unexpected.
The inspiration... my favorite class in college , Cocina y Cultura!
The final choice: Sopapilla Cheesecake Bars. Creamy , sweet , bite-sized and oh so decadent.
The result: I may not have won the all around award from the judges panel but I did win People's Choice Award based on consumer votes!
Here's what you need!
2 cans crescent rolls
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter (room temperature)
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla (Mexican if possible)
Additional 3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. 
Beat cream cheese with 1 cup sugar and vanilla in a bowl until smooth.
Unroll cans of crescent rolls. Using a rolling pin , shape each sheet into 9x13 rectangles. 
Press one sheet into bottom of baking pan.
Evenly spread cream cheese mix into dish. 
Cover with remaining piece of crescent dough
Mix together butter, remaining sugar and cinnamon.
 
Dot the mixture over the top of the cheesecake. 
Bake for approximately 30 minutes, until dough has puffed and is golden brown

Remove from the oven, drizzle top with honey.
Let cool completely and cut into bars.
ENJOY!!
***All photos by me***
Happy Wednesday!
X ,
Ray

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

A Dalliance with Dainty

The Mulberry Edie... ** le sigh**
My goal of the spring is to transition out of my standard wardrobe of boring neutral color basics and into pastel, lady-like pieces with a touch of frill and romance...
Images via Mulberry, This Is Glamorous, Audrey Hepburn Complex

Happy Tuesday!
X ,
Ray

Monday, March 28, 2011

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

A Day in the Life: An Affair to Remember

First and foremost, I must apologize for the prolonged absence dear friends.... allergy season is in full swing and sadly for the past few days I have taken ill. One upside to laying comatose in bed is the exuberant amount of television and movies I had the chance to watch. Today's inspiration comes from the much beloved classic romance film, An Affair to Remember, featuring Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant. Not only is this a whimsical love story but if you are a classicist like me, you will go crazy over the film's wardrobe.
An Affair To Remember
An Affair to Remember- France
**Click the images to view product sources.**

Link of the day: Joanna Goddard's lovely hair posts: Braided Top Bun
Deal of the day: Any two 16 oz smoothies for $5 from Jamba Juice until 3/30! Coupon Click!

Happy Belated Spring Equinox!
X,
Ray

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Ray's Kitchen: Irish Soda Bread

Happy Early St. Paddy's Day!!!!! 
You know it's authentic coming from the Korean girl with the Polish last name who's family is a mix of Irish, French, Polish, Scottish, Native American (Cherokee).... Oh yeah, Melting Pot right here! (In case you are confused and don't know me very well... I'm adopted). 
Anywho...
In honour of the holiday I will now share with you my super secret Irish Soda Bread Recipe. Okay maybe not so super secret.. it's from my high school foods class long long long ago. BUT it is quite delectable!
Here is what you are going to need:
2 Cups unsifted flour
2 Tbsp. Sugar
1 Tsp. Baking Soda
2 Tsp. Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp. Salt
1 Cup Raisins
3 Tbsp. Softened Margarine or Butter
1 Cup Buttermilk
Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a cookie sheet. In a sifter, sift all of the dry ingredients. Put sifted ingredients into a bowl. Add raisins and mix thoroughly.
Cut in the softened margarine/ butter until it is crumbly. 
Add buttermilk and mix with a fork until moistened. 
Knead for one minute on a lightly floured surface.
Roll into a ball and place on a cookie sheet. 
Flatten slightly into a 7" circle. 
Cross/ score the top of the dough (not deep). Bake 30-40 minutes until it sounds hollow. Brush with melted margarine while warm. Cook on a wire rack.
Enjoy!
Traditional meal of corned beef, cabbage, red potatoes and soda bread!
Also serves as a yummy treat for breakfast!!
**All images by Me!**

 Hope you are all having a good week!
X,
Ray

Monday, March 14, 2011

Ready Set GO.. to Target as fast as you can!

The All Go Designer Collective has FINALLY launched at Target (or Tar-Jay) as we like to pronounce it in our household. With the wedding season approaching quickly I can now completely justify buying a new dress for each upcoming nuptial celebration. Top fashion houses have collaborated yet again with the mega-chain to bring affordable frocks to the masses! Alice Temperley, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, Richard Chai, Thakoon.... and those are just a FEW of the giant names who designed creations for the line. Check out the collection online HERE or visit your local Target to see if they have your favorite in stock! (TIP: Target website has a fab in store locator so you can see local in-store availability!) Here are a few of my top picks:
Thakoon- Ideal for rehearsal dinners or indoor spring weddings
Tara Jarmon- Perfect for a Casual Spring Wedding
Tracy Feith- Best for Outdoor engagement party or bridal shower
Rogan- Top pick for bachelorette party
Rodarte- Best for semi-formal summer wedding (sans boots)
**All images via Target**

Deal of the Day: Shape Magazine for $3/ year! Here
Link of the Day: Inner French Girl Inspired Hair Style via Joanna Goddard
Happy Monday!
X,
Ray

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Ray's Kitchen: Beignets

Happy Belated Mardi Gras! In the spirit of the holiday I decided to whip up a batch of beignets. Sadly, they didn't turn out quite as planned as I ran bit short on flour... Nevertheless, they were as tasty as ever. Not to mention that my house smelled like yummy dough for days. I used THIS recipe. 
Here's what you need: 
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1/2 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup evaporated milk
7 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup shortening (I used butter!)
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water (TIP: To proof yeast, add 1 teaspoon sugar and allow to sit for 10 minutes to foam and double). Add sugar, salt, eggs, evaporated milk, and blend well. Mix in 4 cups of the flour and beat until smooth. Add the shortening (butter), and then the remaining 3 cups of flour. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours. 
Okay.. so here is what you are supposed to do: Roll out dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into 2 1/2 inch squares. 
What actually happened: The dough was too sticky to roll and cut so I ended up having to pull pieces into wonky shaped strips. (Sometimes things just don't turn out as you expect them to...)
Anywho....
Fry in 360 degree F hot oil. If the dough does not puff up/ pop, oil is not hot enough. Drain onto paper towels. Using a sifter, shake powdered sugar over hot beignets. These tasty ones are best served warm.
**All images taken my me!**
Stay tuned folks. Next up on the menu: Irish Soda Bread!
X,
Ray