Life* á la mode

February 28, 2010

Sunday Funday

Filed under: Baking, Dessert, Foodie, Live to Eat — Ms. Tabitha @ 10:46 pm

My goal this morning was for today to be a productive day and by geebus, it was. Except for the fact that I left a whole half pound of roast beef at the grocery while self-checking out and packing my wares into my canvas bags but it’s ok.  I’m ok. Because I SUCCESSFULLY MADE FRENCH MACARONS!!!!!

I ended up following the French meringue recipe from Hisako Ogita’s book “I Love Macarons.

Mine weren’t as pretty, but now that I have more confidence in executing the technique from the book, I plan on being a lot more adventurous with color and fillings.  Because I didn’t have time today to make buttercream, I  sandwiched nutella in the shells.  Seems to work – the flavors complement each other and his recipe isn’t as almond-y as some other macarons I’ve tried.

Notes for next time:

  • Add more color – it really does fade during the baking process but it’s really cool because when you look at its cross section, the intended color still shows and is contrasted by the outer shell.
  • Get two smaller baking sheets that both fit into my oven so I can bake the whole batch at once.
  • Be more firm with the mixing so they’re puffier.  Mine are still rather flat in comparison to Hirako Ogita’s.

Macarons really are an acquired taste.  I think it all depends on the filling – it can’t be too sweet.  These are such light, fluffy yet chewy treats that just one or two will be enough to satisfy even the sweetest tooth. I still think they’re perfect for weddings or showers though, either as part of the desserts or as favors.

Until next time!

February 27, 2010

Frenchy

Filed under: Foodie, Live to Eat, Uncategorized — Ms. Tabitha @ 2:22 pm

Those of you who follow me on Twitter have seen me tweet about how cupcakes are slowly (finally?) taking a backseat to other tasty delights.  One sweet treat I foresee becoming more popular for special occasions is the macaron or French macaroon.

These macarons are from Paulette Maracons in California.  Her flavors range from Colombian Coffee to passion fruit, with each flavor a distinct color or look.  SO pretty!

Some time this weekend, I’m going to attempt this recipe I found from David Lebovitz.  It seems to be the simplest one I can find, that isn’t all doom and gloom with warnings like a lot of others I’ve seen.  I’ve already attempted this once when I was trapped at home during a tornado watch and because it was quite humid that day and also my first attempt at a pastry that’s not easy to make, they were flops. Major. Flops.

I love to bake.  I’ve had a ton of fun baking cupcakes and 2009 was the year of homemade cupcakes and frosting recipes for me.  This year, I think it’s time to branch out, not just with my baking projects but also my dessert eating habits.  The only place in town you can get macarons are from Provence bakery and I’m not even sure how often they offer them.  Those of you who live in New Orleans or who are going to visit soon, make sure you go to Sucre, another amazing pastry place. I’m tempted to order a box from them!!

I’m looking forward to macarons catching on here in Nashville.  They’d be perfect for wedding or party favors, or just to have on display – they’re gorgeous little things!

Picture source Curious Mess blog

February 23, 2010

Priscilla of Boston Trunk Show

Filed under: Green Hills, Just plain haute, Weddings — Ms. Tabitha @ 11:41 pm

Last Friday I started my weekend (and brushed the week’s dirt off) at the Bride Room here in Green Hills.  I was there as Louise’s date and also visiting as a past Bride Room customer and fan.  I do love the girls there, they never forget a name or a face and that says a LOT, considering they see lots of those everyday and it’s been almost 4 years since I got hitched!

Friday was day 1 of the Priscilla of Boston Platinum Collection trunk show.  This wasn’t an ordinary trunk show – the designer of the Platinum Collection himself, Mr. Kenneth Pool was here too!  I was quite in awe of his presence, and I tried my best not to girm so after politely shaking hands and exchanging a delightful conversation with him, I let him have his space and moved on to get some pictures of the beautiful people and the beautiful gowns.

Stephanie from The Bride Room with some delicious cupcakes from local bakery, B.Jackson’s.

Pretty pretty pretty pretty!!!

Stephanie, Charlotte Poling (boutique owner) and their models who donned these gowns so well.

Gorgeous

Here I am with my gorgeous date and Kenneth Pool.  Thank you to local photographer Erica (hope I spelled your name right) for snapping this pic for us.

This was my favorite gown by far.

For more pictures and a wonderfully detailed recap of the evening, visit my date’s blog The Thirty-Something Bride.  Like her, I was giddy to be in the same room as Kenneth Pool – it’s rare to interact with someone so talented and so genuinely nice.  I think the only other time I had this opportunity was when I met Romona Keveza at another trunk show.  Mr. Poole has an enviable resume, working with phenomenal talent (Vera Wang, Amsale just to name a couple) and when he listed Yves Saint Laurent as one of his favorite designers I was SOLD.

He entertained a fun Q&A session where I threw in one of my own queries.  He answered VERY diplomatically (hats off) but I really wish I had pulled him aside and asked him for an honest, off-the-record answer to my curiosity.  Oh well!  And by my description of the evening, I’m certainly not doing the man justice. Luckily, Louise did just that in her recap so definitely check her out after you’re done looking at the rest of my pictures from the evening.

View the full Platinum Collection from Priscilla of Boston at their website.

*le sigh*

I love weddings.

NYU Business School Professor Takes Entitled Student Down a Few Notches

Filed under: NOT cool, Uncategorized — Ms. Tabitha @ 12:00 am

If there’s one thing that drives me absolutely nucking futs, it’s people who feel entitled to things that, if they’d just take a few moments to think through, do not make any sense at all.  Like this MBA student (how he got into NYU Business School I’ll never know) who thought it’d be a good idea to walk into a professor’s class one hour after it started and thought it was rude of the professor to tell him to come back to the next class! Since when is it ok to saunter into a class an hour late even if you are “sampling what’s available?”

Yes, business school costs a lot of money.  It’s worth checking out what you’re investing in, but it still doesn’t excuse lecture-hopping.  Or does it?  Am I missing something here? My college education cost a lot of money too but I trusted my own judgement and went to classes I picked based on reviews.  If I could do that at age 19, surely this MBA student could have too.

A quote from the student’s email that made me want to poke my eye out:

Since I had never taken your class, I was unaware of your class policy. I was disappointed that you dismissed me from class considering (1) there is no way I could have been aware of your policy and (2) considering that it was the first day of evening classes and I arrived 1 hour late (not a few minutes), it was more probable that my tardiness was due to my desire to sample different classes rather than sheer complacency.

Part of Professor Galloway’s response:

“In addition, your logic effectively means you cannot be held accountable for any code of conduct before taking a class. For the record, we also have no stated policy against bursting into show tunes in the middle of class, urinating on desks or taking that revolutionary hair removal system for a spin. However, xxxx, there is a baseline level of decorum (i.e., manners) that we expect of grown men and women who the admissions department have deemed tomorrow’s business leaders.”

Now, Deadspin is still checking on the facts to this case and the source of the email.  But true or not, I don’t doubt that people like this exist, and that people like Professor Galloway also exist to put these d-bags in their place.

Enjoy.

February 20, 2010

Chances

Filed under: Uncategorized — Ms. Tabitha @ 11:26 am

When you have faith in someone, and you give them the chance to prove you right, things can turn out well. The power of faith – it’s a pretty amazing thing.

Last fall, I was given the chance to be the 2nd shooter with Jonathon Campbell Photography for a wedding in Gallatin, TN.  Nashville is chock full of talented photographers, and if I were to get married right now, I’d have a hard time picking but I know I wouldn’t go wrong if I hired JCP.  They’re good at what they do, they’re genuinely wonderful souls and the times I’ve seen them with brides they manage to put everyone at ease to produce the best pictures.  Jonathon’s style is very rich, making the most of saturation without going too far.  His pictures, as he likes to say from time to time, are “delicious” and I agree wholeheartedly.

I’d never been so nervous and so excited all at once like I was that day, and through the adrenalin rushes I managed to take some shots that Jonathon said he loved. Thank. Jeebus.

Once they’re available to show, I’ll have it available. For now, here’s the sneak peek JCP has on their blog on Keri Beth and Jud’s wedding. Enjoy.

January 14, 2010

New beginnings

Filed under: Just plain haute, Online, Weddings — Ms. Tabitha @ 9:44 am

2009 was great for me and as the year passed, things got better and better.  I let myself enter new doors and let’s just say I’m thrilled about one particular door I stepped through.

I’ll keep you all updated on this when I’m given the “ok” to make an official announcement but let’s just say it’s in a realm I enjoy being a part of and I’m glad I won’t have to leave behind soon.

For now, here’s a gorgeous wedding blog I found this morning – Green Wedding Shoes.  Yes, I love weddings I think you already knew that but what I love even more about this blog are the images. They’re all so dreamy and vintage, such an inspiration and exactly how I wish I could capture all of the photographs I take.

This one made me laugh.

And oh, oh oh this is just exquisite!

I can’t wait to go through all the archived posts and see what other eye candy I come across.  Hope you enjoy it too!

January 12, 2010

I am woman

Filed under: Uncategorized — Tags: — Ms. Tabitha @ 12:42 pm

From today’s NY Times Motherlode blog: Is Refusing Bed Rest a Crime?

Excerpt:

Burton was in her 25th week of pregnancy in March 2009 when she started showing signs of miscarrying. Her doctor advised her to go on bed rest, possibly for as long as 15 weeks, but she told him that she had two toddlers to care for and a job to keep. She planned on getting a second opinion, but the doctor alerted the state, which then asked the Circuit Court of Leon County to step in.

She was ordered to stay in bed at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and to undergo “any and all medical treatments” her doctor, acting in the interests of the fetus, decided were necessary. Burton asked to switch hospitals and the request was denied by the court, which said “such a change is not in the child’s best interest at this time.” After three days of hospitalization, she had to undergo an emergency C-section and the fetus was found dead.

I’ve never been pregnant and I really can’t say what I’d do, personally.  But I believe in our rights to live our lives within reason.  It’s not like this woman was shooting up (although she was smoking which I think is dumb but not grounds for what happened to her) or getting drunk everyday against doctor’s orders.  And since when do doctor’s orders = the law??

What do you think?

The rest of the article here.

January 9, 2010

Dance dance revolution

Filed under: Gettin' physical — Ms. Tabitha @ 4:40 pm

This little boy puts me to shame.  I can’t wait to see how awesome he is when he grows up!

See more funny videos and Music Videos at Today’s Big Thing.

January 6, 2010

Wonky Advertising

Filed under: Bad ads — Ms. Tabitha @ 12:46 pm

Who thought this was a good idea?

Why yes, I’ll take that pair of running shoes that have the sperm on the side.

This has to be a joke.

Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress