Classic Comfort Baking | DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookies

Hello lovely reader! I hope you are staying safe and healthy in these beyond crazy times. This pandemic is truly an unimaginable situation and I hope everyone is coping the best they can and that you are being kind to others and especially to yourself.

One thing that I have always found relaxing and therapeutic is baking and this time at home has allowed me to try new recipes and zone out for an hour or two. At the beginning of April, Hilton released their world famous DoubleTree Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe as a way for people to bring this iconic, warm, and comforting treat into their own home. I don't tend to stray much when it comes to chocolate chip cookies with my go to being our family recipe so I'm always a bit hesitant to give something else a chance...however, when in quarantine might as well! I decided to give it a go and I am glad that I did! The cookies are delicious, crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside and the walnuts add a great additional texture! 10/10 would recommend.

DoubleTree Signature Cookie Recipe (Makes 26 cookies)

Ingredients

½ pound butter, softened (2 sticks)

¾ cup + 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

¾ cup packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 ¼ teaspoons vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 ¼ cups flour

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Pinch of cinnamon

2 2/3 cups Nestle Tollhouse semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 3/4 cups chopped walnuts

*Click here for recipe in metric units*

Cream butter, sugar and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes. 

Add eggs, vanilla and lemon juice, blending with mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until light and fluffy, scraping down bowl. 

With mixer on low speed, add flour, oats, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, blending for about 45 seconds. Don’t overmix. 

Remove bowl from mixer and stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.

Portion dough with a scoop (about 3 tablespoons) onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart. 

Preheat oven to 300°F. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and center is still soft. 

Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for about 1 hour.

Cook’s note: You can freeze the unbaked cookies, and there’s no need to thaw. Preheat oven to 300°F and place frozen cookies on parchment paper-lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake until edges are golden brown and center is still soft.

Simple to make and really delicious!

What have you been baking during quarantine? Tried any new recipes? Xx

*This post is not an ad or in affiliation with Hilton or the DoubleTree*

Hunter for Target | Wishlist

Hello lovely reader! Last month I was beyond intrigued when I saw that Target's latest collaboration was going to be with Hunter. My first encounter with the Hunter brand was purchasing a pair of their Original Boots Tour Rainboots which are top quality and my go-to for rainy days. I studied them for a semester long project and they really are a class brand. Their products continue to move forward yet stay true to the British brand's identity. I love their styles, imagery, marketing, and could not wait to see what this new endeavor would bring.

After previewing the collection online the other day all I can say is they did not disappoint. The prices points are soooo reasonable! There's a diverse range of options from apparel and boots to coolers and hammocks. I'm most interested to see what the quality will be like but quite frankly I don't believe Hunter would but their name on something that wasn't good, so I have faith! I pulled together my top picks that I will be aiming for this Saturday April 14th when the collection becomes available below.

Hooded Trench Coat

Super chic and versatile with a stripe detail to give it a sporty feel, love.

Exaggerated Sleeve Sweatshirt Dress with Pockets

Okay so I didn't even realize this had pockets until I went back to see the proper title....sold!

Embossed Sweatshirt

I am all about a nice classic logo crewneck and really like how this one is embossed rather than screenprinted.

Medium Backpack

This shade of purple is one of my favorite colors and I think this bag would be perfect for travel days or outdoor adventures.

Cooler Backpack

This would fall under the category of "I don't actually need this but think it's really cool so maybe I do..."

Bubble Umbrella

I like bubble umbrellas and Hunter and the pink is cute for spring showers, done.

So these are my favorites from the collection! What pieces are you hoping to snag? Xx

Building a Sustainable Closet | Spring Cleaning

Hello lovely readers! According to the calendar it is officially spring! With that comes the need to transition closets from winter to spring and take part in some spring cleaning. I like to consider myself an organized person and love to make sure everything is in its place when it comes to my combing through my wardrobe. I used to absolutely dread giving clothes away but within the last few years I have gotten much better at it. I have tried to make my wardrobe more sustainable as I have gotten older and that is what I want to talk to you about today!

As someone who studies fashion I have come to learn the impact that our purchasing and disposing of clothing can have on the environment. Unfortunately there are more negative facts than positive which is why it is important to take initiative in making an effort to build sustainable wardrobes! There are a few things you can do that may seem small but can add up to make a huge impact. 

The best place to start is looking at what you currently own. What pieces do you wear the most/least? Are these things that you would wear in a year or two? For me these questions are the best way to decide what to keep, donate, or recycle. 

While I love to get a few new trendy pieces each season, when shopping I try to keep the majority of my purchases to classic garments with a modern twist and not fill my closet with things I won't wear next year. This will make your wardrobe sustainable because it will last. 

In relation to lasting clothing it also helps to pay attention to the quality of what you are buying. The common misconception within fashion is that higher prices = higher quality...this is not always the case. Often times with pricing we are paying more for brand names because of the logos on a tag rather than the fibers in the fabric. This is great news for those of us who do not have a limitless budget and have to be mindful of what we are spending. Brands such as Pact offer sustainably manufactured basics that won't break the bank. Everlane is also a great company that is all about transparency. The Good Trade offers a list of "35 Fair Trade & Ethic Clothing Brands" that cover all style types and price ranges from Patagonia to Eileen Fisher.

Once you have decided on the pieces that you no longer want, the best thing you can do with these items is to upcycle, recycle, or donate. For those who may not know, upcycling basically means you are taking a piece and giving it new life. Maybe you can physically edit a top to look different than before or maybe you discover a new way to style it. You can also donate gently used items to various charity shops or organizations that will resell the items or give them to someone in need. Finally, if your clothing is beyond "gently used" you can recycle it just as you would paper or plastic. There are places who recycle textiles and offer drop off points such as H&M and Madewell.

I hope this post has been informative and inspiring to you for your spring wardrobe! How do you keep your wardrobe sustainable? Xx

The Perfect Sunny Afternoon | Notting Hill - Kensington

 Hi lovely reader! We are nearing the end of spring and summer is coming quickly which means more sunshine and warmer weather and with that more opportunities to be outside! Since living in London my view on weather has changed in that when it is sunny, I am more aware of it and appreciate it, feeling like I need to take full advantage of this time and do as much outside as possible! So I thought I would share my ideal day out in London, including where to eat and what to see, and some insta-worthy spots. Notting Hill is a great area with tons of shops and restaurants and of course pastel colored houses that lead to OOTD and Instagram pic goals. Kensington Palace is not far from the main area of Notting Hill and of course houses the royals and some gorgeous gardens which are really worth seeing in the spring and summer. 

Like I said, so cute and picture ready. There are multiple side streets with these colorful homes just off Portobello Road.

Of course you have to start the day off with some breakfast and Eggbreak is too cool of a place to pass up. As with many brunch spots, the place is smaller so there may be a line but don't let this scare you away as it typically moves pretty fast. They serve breakfast items from 8am-12pm so just make sure you give yourself enough time to wait. I got the McMuffin when I went which is of course a play on the golden arches classic but with much more natural ingredients and was really nice. They also serve "regular food" from 12-10pm which I have heard is good as well. And of course after eating breakfast there is no better way to walk it off than with some shopping.

Portobello Road is packed with little shops such as Alice's which is worth a peak inside to see the amount of things in the store! Some of my favorite shops are Ragyard which does really cool clothing and accessories and The Blue Door which has a mix of teas and tea-ware. Portobello Road Market is definitely worth going to and is up at these times:
09:00 – 18:00 Monday To Wednesday.
09:00 – 13:00 Thursday.
09:00 – 19:00 Friday Antique stalls
If you can go on one of these days you'll see everything from flower stands, to tapestries, to old post cards, and souvenirs. 

After you've done some walking and shopping, Farm Girl cafe is the perfect place to have a nice lunch. Now, I will admit that after seeing blogger after blogger post about this place on Instagram I wondered if the food was actually good or if it was just picturesque. So in my honest opinion and based on what I had to eat, the taste and quality of the food is just as good as the amount of photo opportunities, if not better. 

I had a Chicken sandwich which was full of flavor. There was beetroot on it which prior to ordering it I was unsure about but it was actually delicious and one of my favorite sandwich or salad additions now. I also go a side of sweet potato fries which were seasoned to perfection and so good.

 

After lunch you can take a walk or a tube to Kensington Palace where you can relax and enjoy some time outside strolling through the gardens or sitting in the park.

Where's your favorite place to take in some beautiful weather? Xx

His & Hers Spring Style | Bonobos

Hi lovely reader! Today's post is all about spring fashion inspired by some of Bonobos favorite trending looks for menswear this season. I have worked with them in the past and find it fun as menswear is an area that I have been looking at more frequently and definitely enjoy. They reached out to me recently asking if I would like to put together some womenswear looks to coordinate with their springtime looks. Obviously I said yes and here we are! All of the men's pieces can be found on the Bonobos website and all the pieces from the looks I put together can be found on ASOS.

I really liked the simplicity and easiness that was in the Bonobos shot and so for the coordinating outfit I wanted to mimic that. I love all the different versions of button up shirts that we are seeing at the moment and gingham is also big this season so this shirt was the perfect combination. Paired with a skinny white denim jean this outfit can be dressed up or down depending on the shoes you choose to put with it, sneakers (which I love) or simple heels. Either way you both will be casual yet class and ready for spring. 

 

With this Bonobos outfit I liked the vibe of casual with the jeans and sneakers, yet still nicer looking with the touch of the blazer. The time for a pop of color is this spring (groundbreaking I know) and this bright pink blazer gives just that, paired with a basic white tee and some distressed jeans you get the casual cool feel as in the menswear. Since the clothing is pretty simple it's the perfect opportunity to have some fun with shoes. Metallic footwear and slide on loafers are extremely popular at the moment and I thought the bee appliqués were a cute quirky touch. 

A few more shots to inspire your own fashion or that of a lovely man you know.
What are your favorite spring trends at the moment? Xx

Take Me to Brunch | OOTD

Lovely Weather | iPhone Snaps

Hello lovely reader! I hope you are doing well. Hard to believe that its already April! I could not be more ready for summer. Spring weather has been making a few guest appearances here and there and I have been taking full advantage of it, hopefully you are too!

I haven't had one of these types of posts in a while so I thought it would be nice. Of course I always have my phone with me and some moments are just too blog worthy not to take. So here's a look into my last month. 

Mini outdoor picnic with Pita chips, hummus, and friends is always a good idea. If anything this type of weather makes me want to just relax and not have to do anything, unfortunately that is not the case!

Brunch at an adorable little diner, where the omelets are sooo delicious. A ham & cheese omelet with toast is my go to order. Yum!

Again, impromptu picnics are necessary because you never know how long the nice weather will last. Whales crackers are also a nice touch (anyone else find these super addicting once you start eating them?)

Plain bagel with honey almond cream cheese? Yes please!

The quality of this pic does not do it justice but the sky was gorgeous that evening!!

What types of pics have you been taking? Xx

Spring Makeup Routine | Drugstore Makeup

Hi there lovely reader! Today I am going to share a spring makeup routine of mine which involves all drug store brands. It is extremely simple and light. I think as it gets closer to summer daytime makeup looks should become lighter. This look is good too for those who are not bold or willing enough to go all natural (which I know is on trend right now, #nomakeupselfie), haven't been that bold myself so I'll just stick to this for now. So have a scroll and see if it's something you like, I wasn't planning on giving exact names of products or shades just because the colors are not that difficult to find in whatever brand you prefer. If you would like to know a specific though just let me know in the comments and I'd be happy to tell you! 

I do my eye makeup first, I know in some people's eyes that's completely wrong and I should be ashamed but that's just how I prefer to do things. 

First I apply eyeshadow primer on my lids and a bit on to the crease of my lid. 

Then I use a light champagne color that has some shimmer and apply it to my lid.

Next, I take a dark brown and apply it to the crease of my eye.

I then use a darker color, this can be any shade that you like, for me currently I love this dark purple and apply it to the outer corners of my eyes. I know that the purple may not seem like a "light look" but it really isn't that dark and it adds shape and depth to the eye. I then take a fluffy shadow brush and blend. I pull the brown from the crease up and then the dark corner shade out. 

Then I curl my eyelashes and use a black eyeliner, followed by mascara on my top and bottom lashes. I then take a white eyeliner and apply it to my lower water line. This gives the illusion of bigger eyes. (Ooo ya big eyes trick)

Now this combination may seem a bit pointless, a moisture filled product and a stay matte product. Let me explain, I use the BB cream more like concealer (under my eyes and on any red spots). I do not apply it to my T zone which is where I have oily skin. I use the stay matte foundation in my t zone and only my t zone, everything else remains bare.

Then I apply a some powder, again only on my T zone. 

Next some bronzer to contour my cheek bones.

Finally I apply this blush/highlighter to my cheekbones.

To finish off the look I like to add a spritz of some floral perfume!