Piñata Cookies

http://www.sheknows.com/cinco-de-mayo-pinata-cookies 

I found a this really cool cookie recipe on sheknows.com

for my Cinco de Mayo fiesta that I would love to make. Inside the cookie are mini M&Ms! How clever is that?! I thought I would share this delicious recipe. The process takes about two days.You definitely need a lot of patience so make these perfect. The cookies remind me of how to make seven layer cookies because the recipe requires almond paste.

  

Tip: Don't forget that the cookie is very thick because it requires 3 layers of cut out cookie. So use dough sparingly. Also don't forget to cut the ear of the middle donkey cookie before using your sugar "glue".

 

Marvelous Macarons

French macarons are completely different from the coconut macaroons they are commonly confused with. A french macaron is a sweet decadent desert filled with buttercream or jam filling sandwiched between two airy cake-like cookies.

My friend and I went to the Macaron Cafe on our day off from school and it was well worth the trip from Brooklyn. The packaging was adorable and they were almost too cute to indulge. I loved the dulce de leche and raspberry filled macrons the most. I highly recommend sampling to try different flavors. Overall, they were all very delicious and I will be stopping by the Macaron Cafe as soon as I can.  Not only do they have macarons, the Cafe also offers beverages and lunches. There are even tables to sit and chat.

For locations:

625 Madison Ave. Entrance on 59th Street and 161 West 36th Street between Broadway and 7th.

Springspiration

  

The windy weather is inhibiting me from switching my fall/winter wardrobe to spring. I found a few outfits for inspiration to help with the transition.

I have a few colored jeans which are very trendy right now but I don't want to stop wearing classic blue jeans.

the first outfit.

A pop of color is very popular this spring. Be on the lookout for bright blazers and jeans! But always pair it with neutral pieces such as classic blue jeans and/or a white tee. I also like that this look incorporated a distressed brown leather bag for fall and transitioned it for a spring look.

the second outfit.

I have red suede shoes similar to the pair in the picture and dark blue jeans. I figure I can pair it with a dark long sleeve blouse I have. It's a perfect outfit for in-between weather

 

the third outfit:

 I really like that tweed jacket! They can be quite pricey so I am on a mission to find a similar style so I can pair it with my jeans for a classic spring look.

Artist Spotlight: Anna Razumovskaya

"Praying For Love"

"Flirting With A Violin"

"Giro"

"Solo"

"Sounds of Time"

"Hold This Moment 4"

I came across these painting by Anna Razumovskaya from a random image search of violin paintings I 'condcuted' on Pintrest. I followed it to the artist's website

 www.anna-art.com and was completely blown away. I have been a huge fan of impressionism and romanticism art since I was little.

(Fun fact: I picked Monet's Water Lillies to be my theme for my room when I was five).

I loved everyone of her paintings and immediately envisioned a few of them on my wall. I particularly like the paintings with the violin because I have a classical music background.

Anna Razumovskaya graduated from Russian State University For Arts. After she studied art in Germany, Belgium, Holland. She had personal exhibitions in New York, Paris, Toronto, Amsterdam, Antwerp and Berlin. There are many of Anna's works in private collections in the USA, Canada, Austria, Holland, France, United Kingdom and Australia.

Incredible paintings its a modern twist to impressionism with abstract elements.

Love!

Easter Cupcakes

Recipe: My Easter Cupcakes

I made these Easter cupcakes last year and they were a big hit!

My guests expected the typical pastel cupcakes I make for Easter, but last year I kicked it up a notch!

You will need:

Your favorite batter (my favorite is Duncan Hine's French Vanilla)

I used Pillsbury Vanilla Frosting

Food coloring: any blue and yellow will do!

(make add more yellow drops and adjust the frosting coloring to your liking)

Jelly beans: I prefer Starburst Jelly Beans

Peeps: Bunnies and chicks!

Experiment with different piping tips make the frosting appear like grass

Bon Apetit!

Springing Into Action

Spring has officially arrived early! Warmer weather and warm smiles =)

 I snapped a few photos of some flowers that caught my eye on the way to different destinations during the week.

 The cherry blossom trees at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens bloomed extremely early. People flocked to the gardens as soon as the blossoms were in full bloom. I wanted to visit the gardens for the Sakura Matsuri Festival on April 28-29 but it is likely that the blossoms will have already fallen. Hopefully I'll make it there before the festival!
While the flowers are beautiful to look at, it's hard to do so with my eyes watering! My allergies are horrible in the spring.

Time For Sunshine

Blouse: Zara

Jeans: J Brand

Chain: Vintage

Sunglasses: Coach

Aristotle Bike from Urban Outfitters

The weather has been great these past few days. I feel like frolicking in a meadow! If only I were near a meadow... 

My class ended early today, so I took the opportunity to go for a walk in my neighborhood.  I needed some real Vitamin D. Grass is becoming greener. The flowering dogwoods and cherry blossoms are blooming (so pretty). I'm glad spring arrived early because sunshine just puts everyone in a happier mood. Some miserable people I know at school had a smile on their face today.  What a pleasant surprise!

It's a beautiful day to go out and do something outdoors. Go for a walk or ride a bike. People don't get out much anymore. Some are stuck behind a computer at work and some are too lazy to buy their own groceries so they are delivered groceries from the supermarket. It's ludicrous. The outdoors has fresh air, go get some! =)

Incredible, Edible Art!

Cake (left) Still life of Flowers in a Glass Vase by Rachel Ruysch (Right)

Cake (left) Controlled Substances Key Painting (Spot 4a) by Damien Hirst

Cake (top) Autumn Rhythm, No. 30 by Jackson Pollock (bottom)

Cakes (top) Cakes by Wayne Thiebaud (bottom)

Cake (left) Adele Bloch Bauer by Gustav Klimt

All cakes from the Fall 2010 issue of Martha Stuart Weddings

http://picturesofcake.blogspot.com/2010/11/stunning-cakes-inspired-by-great-works.html

The things I stumble upon from my Google searches amazes me sometimes. I was looking for a Damien Hirst print for my room and I came across a cake inspired by one of his Spot Paintings.

 My curiosity caused me to come a collection of cakes that were inspired by famous artwork. Leave it to Martha Stewart to have a photo spread of cake artwork. These cakes are so beautiful!

I really like all of the cakes! However I don't think I would be able to  put my fork into the cake inspired by Rachel Ruysch's Still life of Flowers in a Glass Vase. It looks too realistic with those sugar flowers, which must have taken forever!

Wayne Thiebaud's cake inspiration is very amusing. It looks exactly like the painting! (except for the cake stands of course- Thiebaud neglected to put paint a base to the cake stands)

I wish I could have the skills to create a cake masterpiece!

The Hirst and Pollock inspired cakes seem simple though. All I would need is a cookie cutter and fondant for Hirst's. And lot's of different color chocolate to splatter for the Pollock cake.

Drench Me In Trench

1. Burberry Garbardine Beaded Collar Trench Coat

2. Jimmy Choo Garland Shoe

3. Diane von Furstenberg Lytton Clutch

4. Burberry Short Cotton Trench

5. Urban Outfitter's Bubble Umbrella

6. Salvatore Ferragamo Flavia Pump 

Burberry's spring trench line is fantastic. I created two great looks with their new trenches. #1 is from the Burberry London line and #4 is from the Burberry Brit line. My staple is what I like to call modern-classic. I like to wear items that are an updated version of classic looks.

For instance, these trench coats are perfect examples of a modern-classic. The typical classic trench is beige with plain buttons and a belt. With a modern twist of color or embellishment, a classic piece can be easily updated to contemporary trends.

The first look is my favorite night time look. Perfect for a fancy dinner or a spring wedding. The shoes can transition into the summer and fall as well. A shoe for three seasons is a closet staple. The minaudiere clutches are trendy right now, but the fashionable accesry has been around for a long time. Here is a fun fact...the minaudiere was first introduced by Van Cleef and Arpel in the 1930's. Today's trend incorporates modern elements on the classic item with studs, crystals etc. I prefer the DVF clutch in the photo, crystals go with everything!  

The second look is such a fun pop of color. I like colored trenches because the plain classic trench can get boring.  I actually found an umbrella to match! The nude Ferragamo nude shoes downplay the bottom half of your outfit so what you wear doesn't clash or look color-blocked. The shoes are a wardrobe staple. It's a good investment because it can be worn with so many outfits.

Shop smart and stylish!

Floral Fantasy

 #1 - Brooklyn Botanical Garden

#2 - Paradise Island, Bahamas ~ Hibiscus Bush

#3 Iceland ~ Lupine

#4 Cherry Blossom Avenue, Bonn, Germany, Photo by Marcel Bednarz

Wisteria Tunnel at Kawachu Fugi Garden, Japan

San Francisco, Photo by Danny Montemayor

( #4Reblogged from thisyuppielife.com) 

I already began to think about the pretty flowers that will be blossoming in Spring. The gray haze that hovers over NYC is a drab to everyone's day. The city needs some vibrant accent florals. In the springtime most of  the sky scrapers and buildings have pretty floral arrangements by the entrance and even plant by the sidewalk.

The first picture I photographed last spring. I anticipate going back to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. The Orchid Show is spectacular as well, I wish I photographed it. The second picture was taken when I traveled to the Bahamas last summer for my birthday.  The scenic view of the beach, palm trees and the tropical floral scent in the air are unforgettable. I never wanted to leave...it was truly paradise!

In my lifetime, I hope to travel to the scenes where the last four photographs were taken. Cherry Blossom Avenue in Germany is breathtaking. The Wisteria Tunnel looks like a floral fantasy. It's beautiful how the sunlight peeks through the wisteria. Two of my friends from school live in San Francisco, they want me to visit this summer so I may be there this summer. Nature walks and a trip to wine country sounds so alluring on this rainy day in NYC.

Perfectly Polished

Bag: Michael Kors

Shoes: Joan & David

Blouse: Zara

Polish: Topless & Barefoot; Set in Stones

When I saw the Spot Paintings last week polka dots have plagued my mind ever since. This week, I purchased a polka dot blouse for Spring. I paired it with black skinny jeans to match. The red shoes and bag made my outfit have a pop of color. I chose red because it's a classic color that compliments black well, but any pop of color could work nicely too.

Essie released a new line of sparkly top coats!

I wear mostly neutral, pastels and red toned nail polishes. Neons are just wrong, especially for work. 

Essie's color last year, Topless & Barefoot was the end of my search for the perfect neutral. Some nudes have a yellow base and it looks gross. The color I'm wearing has pink undertones. It's not quite baby pink and it's not quite beige but it's just right!

There are so many nail trends circulating fashion magazines to the nail salons.

 Nail prints, bedazzled nails, pointy and long lengths = ew!

Keep it simple! Put a sparkly top coat on one nail and it's trendy without being over the top.

All artwork painted by Damien Hirst

Gallery: Gagosian 980 Madison Ave

I've had quite a hectic schedule this week, but I had to create some free time to relax. I decided that I needed to be in a relaxing, quiet place...an art gallery.

Yesterday, before my classes, I made an effort to go to the Upper East Side to visit the Gagosian Gallery to see an exhibit I have been longing to go to since it opened:

The Complete Spot Paintings (1986-2011) by artist Damien Hirst.

The massive collection is being shown at 11 exhibits all over the world. Cities include: Manhattan (3), Beverly Hills, London (2), Hong Kong, Paris, Rome, Athens & Geneva.

I really loved the Spot painting in the first picture because it was completely different than all of the other Spots at the gallery. Most of the paintings were very uniformed and symmetrical, this one wasn't. The spots had paint drippings. The drips instantly sparked a Jackson Pollock connection in my brain. I also found it interesting that the piece wasn't installed on the wall, it just leaned against it.

The second painting was massive it took up to entire wall. It was completely perfect. I liked the simplicity of it. I wish I could have one to put on my wall in my bedroom.

Overall, I really liked the exhibit. It was just annoying that I had to be in every picture for security purposes.

 I feel inspired to put one of his prints on my wall as the finishing touch of my redecoration. I may have to go back to buy one!

Spring Is In The Air

1. Alice & Olivia, Isabella Dress $198

2. Kate Spade, 'all wrapped up' pavé tennis bracelet $118.90

3. Jimmy Choo,'Abel' Patent Leather Pump $525

4.Cezanne Zigzag-Rhinestone Headband $16.80

Winter is surprisingly warmer than usual and spring fever may have stuck me early.

I'm over the on and off chilly weather. Goodbye winter coat, scarf and boots! I'm making room for  vibrant colored clothes that will brighten my wardrobe and my day.

My favorite color for the upcoming season is cobalt blue.

It looks good on any skin tone from pale to tan!

I'm a big fan of simple, tasteful dresses. When I came across the Alice & Olivia dress, it instantly caught my eye. High neckline + flattering silhouette = instant classic. The dress inspired me to envision pieces that would go well with it. It had to have matching colored pumps, so without noticing I singled out the priciest pair on the page from the web search, Jimmy Choo.
 Every girl's dream shoe!

Every pretty dress needs pretty accessories. Tip: don't over do jewelry- it will look tasteless. Keep it simple with stud earrings and then pick one statement piece of jewelry. The Kate Spade bracelet is the perfect accessory: it's simple and the stones are just the right size.

The thin rhinestone headband adds just the right touch to tie the bracelet together. If you wear your hair in a messy bun, the headband can be both slightly hidden and slightly revealed making it perfect for an effortless evening look.

Sources:

1. http://www.aliceandolivia.com/isabella-sleeveless-dress.html
2. http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/kate-spade-all-wrapped-up-pave-tennis-bracelet/3247956?origin=keywordsearch&resultback=6229 
3. http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/jimmy-choo-abel-patent-leather-pump/3222058?siteid=J84DHJLQkR4-kuC9VpVG0rLu7c1ssF27oQ&url=http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/jimmy-choo-abel-patent-leather-pump/3222058?origin=category&cm_ven=Linkshare&cm_cat=partner&cm_pla=10&cm_ite=1
4.  http://www.dillards.com/product/Cezanne-ZigzagRhinestone-Headband_301_-1_301_502629374?cm_mmc=Linkshare-_-J84DHJLQkR4-_-null-_-null&linkshare=http://www.shopstyle.com/affiliatehttp://www.techsmith.com/tutorial-snagit-new-user-intro.html?requestsource=productredirect&redirlang=enu&redirproduct=snagit&redirver=10.0.0

Buttercream Cupcakes

Ever have a cupcake from Magnolia Bakery? It's a cupcake experience like no other. I went to the famous bakery and the cupcakes are really amazing. The rich buttercream just melts in your mouth with every bite! I purchased the very delicious classic 'Vanilla-Vanilla' cupcake (vanilla cake batter with vanilla flavored buttercream). I recommend this bakery with no hesitation. The line was rather long, but definitely worth the wait.  I became inspired by the yummy cupcakes on the first snow day of the year to make buttercream cupcakes. I didn't have all of the proper ingredients to make the batter from scratch, so I improvised and used a cake mix. The bakers of Magnolia Bakery use a special technique with a long metal spatula to swirl the buttercream as opposed to piping it. Well, I piped the buttercream because it seems far more simplet and quicker than attempting to master the swirl technique. The cupcakes didn't come out exactly the same, but I think it came fairly similar. The frosting tasted the same but wasn't as thick and the cake was denser than Magnolia Bakery's Vanilla-Vanilla. But nevertheless, it was very yummy!

Bon Apetit!

I used Duncan Hine's French Vanilla to make the batter (it's the best)

 additional ingredients for the batter:

*water

*vegetable oil

*eggs

I made my own homemade butter cream frosting

 ingredients:

*1/2 cup of unsalted softened butter

*3 cups of confectioners' sugar

*1/4 of milk

*add a hint of vanilla extract for flavor (optional)

*whip with a mixer until smooth

Decoration:

 *I put a drop of pink food coloring in the buttercream for a subtle color

*Use a piping tip and bag to make the swirl on top of the cupcake

*Sprinkles!

Refrigerate or the frosting will melt!

Roses and Raspberries

Roses and Raspberries is my blog about things that strike my attention. It could be fashion, a cool song or a yummy recipe!

The title of this blog came from the first two images that came to mind when I thought of something that was pretty and sweet , roses and raspberries =)

Fashion, food, music and nature inspire me daily. 

 I have always been into fashion. Following trends doesn't make you unique. So I try to be different with my style. 

I like trying different types of food. At first I was reluctant to try something foreign to my taste buds. But now, I want to try foods from as many countries as I can. I also like to bake and cook. Stay tuned for recipes!

Music is a part of my daily life. It's the first thing I wake up to. I like to listen to different types of music because nowadays music on the radio is all starting to sound the same.

Nature is beautiful. It's important to go outside and get your daily dose of the sun. Living in a city where there is more gray concrete than green grass is not so appealing. So when I come across something beautiful in nature...I have to capture it.