Little Things

The saying "it's the little things in life that count" is always, always true. We usually take for granted the little things in life, but when we don't have them we can totally feel a difference. I, for one, cannot sleep without kissing good night to every member of my family in my house. I've decided to make a recap of the little things that have made me happy throughout this week (like my blogger role model Emily Schuman from Cupcakes and Cashmere does every Friday). This is a perfect way to realize how blessed I am and share my thankfulness with my readers through my blog. 

{New Michael Kors handbag bought at an amazing price} 

{New ALDO flats}

{A bouquet of white and yellow roses from my dad for my parents' 26th wedding anniversary}

{The Fault In Our Stars by John Green & a Minion from my Happy Meal at McDonald's}

Classic Angel Food Cake

About a quarter of a century ago, two of the most wonderful people in the world fell in love. As a result of this love, I was born 15 years ago. So, to me, this is a big deal. My parents' 26th wedding anniversary almost slipped away without me realizing it. I guess this week has been so hectic for everyone since we have had to adapt back to our every day lives after we came back from our trip. That being said, I had to come up with a plan to make my parents feel appreciated and special without making such a big deal about the fact that my brothers and I forgot about "the date." I flipped through the pages of one of my cook books and found a recipe for a Classic Angel Food Cake. Thankfully, I had all of the ingredients and it seemed fairly easy to make. I was hesitant on what the outcome might be, but when we sat down and finally cut the cake, the expression on my mom's face was priceless. She gave me a round of applause and said she loved it. I hope she didn't just say that since she's my mom and that's kind of her job, but I was happy with the outcome as well.  

Classic Angel Food Cake

Baking time: About 35 min at 350 degrees

Ingredients:

1 cup cake flour 

1 1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

10 large (1 1⁄3 to 1 1⁄2 cups) egg whites, at room temperature

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I added 1 more tsp, total of 3 tsp)

Directions:

Adjust oven rack to lowest position; heat oven to 350°F. You'll need a 10-in. tube pan with removable bottom. Line bottom with nonstick foil, cutting to fit around the tube; place back into pan.  (I used a big round pan and added aluminum foil at the bottom, topped with cooking spray and sprinkled flour on top)

Whisk together cake flour, 1⁄4 cup sugar and the salt; transfer mixture to a sieve set over a small bowl.

In large bowl, beat the egg whites with electric mixer on medium speed 2 minutes until frothy and well blended. Add the cream of tartar; increase speed to medium-high and beat until soft peaks start to form, about 3 minutes. While still beating, add the remaining 1 cup sugar in a slow stream; continue to beat until whites are very thick and hold firm peaks when beaters are lifted, about 3 minutes. Beat in the vanilla. (It will end up meringue-like)

Transfer mixture to a large, wide bowl. Sift 1⁄3 of the flour mixture over whites; fold in with a rubber spatula. Repeat twice with the remaining flour, folding in until incorporated. Scrape batter into pan and spread evenly. Run a knife through the batter to remove any air pockets.

Bake 35 minutes, or until top of cake springs back when pressed with fingertip or a skewer inserted into cake comes out clean. Immediately invert the pan onto a wire rack. Cool completely, upside down.

To loosen cake, run a knife around all sides of pan. Lift cake out of pan by tube. Loosen cake from bottom; invert to unmold.

Top with sifted powdered sugar before serving. Adding frosting or whipped cream and strawberries is also an option. The cake will be very sponge-like.

Recipe adapted from Woman's Day Guilt-Free Sweet Treats

http://www.womansday.com/recipefinder/classic-angel-food-cake-122273

Very Chocolate Chip Brownies

You wake up 15 minutes later than you should on a school morning and find that your hair is a mess and your brother finished your favorite cereal. The school bus parks right infront of your house as you're brushing your teeth and you run out out the door in a flash. You make it to school and find out you forgot to turn in a homework assignment, and to top it all off you have a Math test tomorrow. My solution to a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day? CHOCOLATE. 

Chocolate, somehow, magically makes everything better. We all have one of those days where chocolate seems to be like the only way out of our misery. 

I made these brownies for one of my best friend's fifteenth birthday (but I turned out curing a huge chocolate craving as well). They were so rich, soft, and had crunchy edges, just as I like them. 

Very Chocolate Chip Brownies

This recipe makes 6 brownies.
Baking Time: About 30 minutes at 325F

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, cubed
• 1 1/2 tablespoon water
• 1 1/3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Powdered sugar for powdering

Directions:

1.  In a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, butter and water; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate chips until melted. Cool slightly
2. In a separate bowl, beat egg and vanilla; stir in chocolate mixture. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to chocolate mixture, mixing well. Stir in chocolate chips if desired. 
3. Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 325° for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. 
4. Add sifted powdered sugar on top. 
5. Enjoy with a big glass of milk. 

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Very-Chocolate-Chip-Brownies 

June & July's Best Dressed on the Red Carpet

As you may or may not know, Teen Vogue does a weekly round up of the top 10 best dressed. Some, however, in my opinion commit fashion crimes and should be banned from those lists. But the world is full of opinionated people, you know? Fashion isn't something you have to just "go with the flow." If I don't like something, I refuse to wear it. Period. My motto in fashion is that YOU are the one to make YOUR OWN RULES. No matter what people think, you should be able to express yourself and who you are through your style. Again, PERIOD. As I was flipping through all of the weeks I missed while I was on my trip, I encountered a few outfits that I think make the top of the list. Among this list are some of my personal women role models in the world of Hollywood; Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, and Ashley Madekwe.

 

 

Eat, Pray, Love

{Starbucks: Passionfruit Tea}

What would a summer trip be without-yes- FOOD. I had a craving for dessert pretty much every day, so why the heck not? Trying new delicious foods was one of the best parts of the trip, but I swear I was desperate to come back home to a good and healthy home-cooked meal. I surely have no regrets, though, and I can't wait to try and recreate similar dishes at home.

{Godiva: White Chocolate Covered Strawberry}

{Pax Wholesome Foods: Make-Your-Own Salad} **

{Fogo de Chao: Turtle Cheesecake}**

{Haagen-Dazs: Vanilla Frozen Yogurt with Strawberries and Blueberries}

{Paul: Classic Mini Macarons}

{La Madeleine:  Spinach Salade}**

{The Cheesecake Factory: Skinnylicious Chicken Pasta}**

{The Cheesecake Factory: White Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut Cheesecake}**

(**Favorites**) 

Taking Over the Upper East Side

National Harbor

The answer to why I love the upper east side so much is the escape from reality. The minute my mom turns on her phone and phone calls and emails start blasting in, I wish we were back in the peace and quiet of DC. I also wish I were sitting in the midst of the beautiful trees in Central Park, being kissed by the sun, and eating a refreshing popsicle. This trip was among one of the best ones I've ever taken. I already miss eating amazingly delicious food, laughing histerically at my uncle's immature jokes, spending one-on-one girl time with my mom, admiring the beauty of God's creation, and even sleeping in just a bit more than usual. Our trip consisted of 18 days, 3 of which were spent in New York. I swear I would go back in a heart beat if I could.

U.S. Capitol Building

Central Park

 The White House

Michelle Obama's presidential inauguration dress

 Baltimore Aquarium

 Overlooking the Potomac River from Georgetown

Confessions, confessions

And so I've come to the 10th day of my stay in Washington D.C. Although my motto is to make the most my day by waking up early, I slept in a few more hours than usual and, oh, it was worth it. The past few days have been incredible. It's amazing to think the amount of things we've accomplished in so little time! So far we have managed to balance touristing, shopping, eating, sleeping, laughing, and so on. But I have a confession to make. I miss my daddy, my brothers, my friends, and even my annoying dogs. I miss my home-cooked meals and I've been craving a baleada for about five days now (flour tortillas with refried beans, sour cream, grated cheese, and optional scrambled eggs-a typical Honduran dinner). On the other hand, when we finally leave, I am gonna miss this place so much and I'm sure my single, handsome uncle will miss our company too (although it must be strange for him to have pints of strawberries and cherries in the fridge since he's obsessed with burgers and bacon).

My absolute needs: camera, sunglasses, Forever21 bow ring and chain bracelet, pink Ked's, and OPI Strawberry Margarita nail polish.