I haven’t been posting as many collections from NZ/Australian designers this year because I haven’t really been into them as much as I used to be. Which isn’t to say that I don’t like them or think they’re good. It’s just that a lot of the collections keep getting younger, while I’m only getting older. And it’s OK. I like simpler things these days anyway.
That’s why I don’t ever think I’ll get tired of seeing Juliette Hogan’s collections. She makes classic clothes instead of trendy ones, things you’ll have in your closet for years versus throwaway pieces of the moment. Her new collection Yacht Rockers may be inspired by the ’80s, complete with bright prints, graphic collars, and sheer fabrics, but it’s all done in the Juliette Hogan style; understated, classic, and all grown-up.
Hands down, my favorite recipe so far from the Back in The Day Bakery Cookbook has been the one for drunk blondies. I’ve made them maybe 4 times already; when Drew’s birthday came around I offered to bake him anything he wanted, and even though I thought he’d pick a cheesecake or something fancier he ended up going with drunk blondies (with ice cream). And a few days ago when I was getting ready to go see my family in Tennessee I made up another batch of them. They’re that good–old-fashioned chocolate chip cookie bars, loaded with bourbon and butter (a lot of it).
Drunk Blondies (Recipe from The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook, by Cheryl Day and Griffith Day).
“Makes 12 large or 24 small bars
Ingredients:
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder, preferably aluminum-free
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons bourbon
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut, toasted (*see tip)
1/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-by-2-inch baking pan and line with parchment, allowing the ends of the paper to hang over two opposite edges of the pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
Put the butter and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl and stir with a spoon until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and bourbon, and mix until thoroughly combined. Stir in the flour mixture, followed by the pecans, coconut, and chocolate chips.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the top is golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack. Cut the blondies into bars. The blondies will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
*Tip: The easiest way to toast coconut is in the oven. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the coconut in a baking pan and bake for 5 to 8 minutes, tossing every couple of minutes with a heat-resistant spoon to ensure even browning. Keep a close eye on the coconut, because it can burn easily.”
PS: Because they’re already really unhealthy I go all the way and double the bourbon and chocolate. (why not). I also love Cheryl and Griffith’s idea of sprinkling fleur de sel salt on top of their chocolate chip cookies, so I go ahead and do the same with these, and they turn out so much better.
Photos by Drew
Dress: Alexa Chung for Madewell
Belt: Revolution 11 vintage
Shoes: Dolce Vita
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Number One
Sorry for disappearing for so long. This last week Drew and Rufus and I went up to the Smoky Mountains with my family, and I meant to post more, but was having too much fun to bother opening my computer. We all stayed in a cabin on a mountaintop just outside of Pigeon Forge, where we’d go when we got brave. No Dollywood (I really wanted to see it but it’s probably not worth the admission if you’re like me and don’t even like rides) though we did drive through town and see the sites (mostly funny tourist junk shops/weird-creepy attractions like a Titanic Museum and Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum) and eat at the Old Mill Restaurant. My mom and sisters and I went to the same antique store we had gone to 4 years ago on our last Pigeon Forge trip—it was as good as ever, and I bought a Bob Dylan record and Lauren bought a bunch of vintage clothes.
On Saturday we went into the park to go see Cades Cove, where Drew took tons of photos that I’m saving until later. No photos of me (thank goodness) but just beautiful scenery and old mountain homes and churches—Cades Cove was right up there on my list of places I had to see in the south, and it didn’t disappoint at all. It was also fun to drive along the roads with Drew and my sister Ashley, brother-in-law Danny, and nephew Jack because we all made jokes and even almost saw a bear but not quite (just a big turkey off in the distance).
Mostly I loved getting to relax and hang out with my family, joking and talking and eating a ton (as always). We celebrated all our April birthdays, had cake for Ashley and my dad and Drew. And I got to spend time with my niece and nephew, who get smarter and funnier each time I see them. They both cried when we all had to leave, and I almost did too because the weekend had been so nice and I could have spent a few days more there with everyone. But since we were leaving early we had time to stop at interesting/beautiful/strange places along the way. The drive from Pigeon Forge to Atlanta takes you straight through the national park, which by the way terrified me four years ago when I had to make the drive by myself in my junky old car (R.I.P.) But this time Drew was driving, and I got to sightsee and take pictures out the car windows. We stopped at a little stone lookout tower built in the ’30s by F.D.R.’s Civilian Conservation Corps and we stopped at some mountainside pull-offs that reminded us a tiny bit of Big Sur. Then when we reached the end of the park and the beginning of a little tourist town we had to stop and take more pictures, because all the old signs were so good.
Photos by Drew
Tuberose Top and Camellia skirt: Secret Squirrel (via Silent Sundays)
Bag: vintage, Rag-O-Rama
Boots: Rachel Comey
Sunglasses: Karen Walker Number One
I’d been to Central Park probably 3 or 4 times before this last visit, but always during the fall or winter, when the grass was brown and the trees were bare. I thought it was beautiful enough then with all of its little white bridges and random 19th century buildings, so being able to see it in the height of spring was probably one of the highlights of our trip. We didn’t walk around that much this time (too many things to do/see, plus stupid and insensible shoe choice on my part) but we had to go there because it’s a sentimental place, and also how could you go to New York without stopping by Central Park?
1. Illesteva Dasha sunglasses at Opening Ceremony: Like most sunglasses with circular lenses these would probably look bad on me, so I didn’t even bother trying them on, but aren’t they good? I love how oversized they are, bigger than a lot of circle sunglasses I see. Makes them look a little less ’30s grandma and a lot more wacky ’60s starlet, which is probably an easier look to pull off.
2. Something Else Tangled Back Dress at Steven Alan: Usually when I go shopping in New York I’m too nervous to try anything on, but one of the salesgirls at Steven Alan was super nice and pulled this dress off the racks because she thought I would like it. Of course I loved it–I could tell it was made by an Australian designer even before checking the label. And when I tried it on I loved it even more. It would be amazing to wear to a music festival or on the beach, but since I’m not going to either this summer I figured that maybe I didn’t really need it.
3. No. 6 Emerald Yoke Blouse at No. 6: I’d been eyeing this blouse online at Steven Alan, but seeing it at the No. 6 store made me love it even more. It’s completely romantic and 1970s flow-y, and I think that with a pair of flat sandals and denim shorts it would be just perfect.
4. No. 6 5 Strap Kiltie at No. 6: Well, honestly I fell for just about everything at No. 6. They had racks of vintage clothing, and there are a few dresses I regret not buying (or at least trying on). I’m glad their shoes are carried online at a bunch of stores so I can keep my eye on them all season, just in case . . . Though honestly I don’t want to know how long it would take me to choose a pair. There are so many colors (I really liked the red ones, which is strange for me), and so many good shapes that keep getting better each year.
