Summer Recipe #1

Hello darlings,
Today I had the chance to do my first recipe out of my amazing cookbook. I chose to make Ganache icing.  But not without first making this delicious recipe for the cupcake's mix (I added almonds to the recipe, of course) and I was not disappointed. 

Doesn't it look absolutely delicious? (Photo by moi)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
• 12 ounces of bittersweet chocolate (chopped)

Directions:

• In a medium saucepan bring whipping cream just to boiling over medium-high heat.
• Remove from heat
• Add chocolate (do NOT stir).
• Let it stand for 5 minutes and then stir until smooth.
• Cool for 15 minutes
• With a spoon slowly pour over cupcakes.

Profiter chéris!

6 Months and 7 Days Later...

Darlings,
That is how long it took for this letter to reach my hands. Sean sent it back in November as a surprise (I love good-old-fashioned letters) but as the weeks passed and there was no mention of a letter from my part he grew suspicious and I was told of the existence of my letter. After a couple months we both gave up and decided that our letter had been lost during its journey to me. After that we would joke about receiving the letter 55 years later, just like what happened in this case. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait that long for my good-old fashioned love letter. 

Another Location For My List...

The Amalfi Coast! 

Darlings, Charmain mentioned this place to me here and I was sold.  

You will now find it on my list under the Italy category, right next to Venice and Rome. 

What a breathtaking and gorgeous place!

Photos from Google Images

Have a Marvelous Weekend!

Hello darlings!
Check out Kestrin and Jonathan's magical wedding in the most beautiful series of pictures. Their two-day wedding extravaganza took place in Northern California and it is nothing short of wondrous. 

A great photographer should be able to capture in one picture the whole story... that's what I believe.

Photos by Noa Azoulay-Sclater    

Our First Ever... Guest Article

A couple of days ago I received an email from Patricia Harris, the creator of a fantastic blog centered on ideas to eat healthy to prevent and manage diabetes. She was wondering if I would be willing to share with you, my darlings, a very informative article about diabetes she had specifically written for Mariel's Window. Thanks darling!

Click HERE to read it

Photo from here.

A Summer Afternoon in the Company of...

A Melon Cooler. Doesn't it sound simply captivating?

Just...

Step 1- Cut 2 cups cantaloupe into half-inch cubes

Step 2- Freeze pieces

Step 3- With 2 cups honeydew melon repeat steps 1 and 2

Step 4- Add 2 tablespoons of sugar

Step 5- Puree the melons: Place the frozen cantaloupe pieces, 1/2 cup of water, and 1 tablespoon sugar into a blender and purée on high speed until fruit is smooth and pourable. 

Step 6- Transfer to a bowl and keep chilled.

Step 7- Repeat steps 5 and 6 using the frozen honeydew 

Step 8- Assemble the drink: Alternately layer about 1/3 cup of the puréed cantaloupe followed by the same amount of the honeydew melon into 2 large glasses. 

Enjoy!

 

Makes 2 servings

PS. Want more? Try the Berry-Guava Lemonade and the Cherry Cooler

Canto Della Terra

Hello darlings, 

While going through my Pandora playlist I came across this magnificent song by two of my favorite performers: Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. I believe it just became my new favorite song. 

Godere!

This Is My Dream Vacation... What Is Yours?

For many years now I have been absolutely and utterly in awe with Santorini, Greece. So much so that it has gotten the title of "Dream Vacation" in my list of place I would love to visit one day. Maybe for my honeymoon someday?

 

Where would YOUR dream vacation be?

Photos from Google Images

Have a Marvelous Weekend!

Darlings, 
Today I have cupcakes on my mind thanks to Bliss Bake Shop and Sprinkles Cupcake Company. Maybe I should add that to my busy schedule this weekend: 

• Make cute cupcakes. 

Triple Chocolate Bliss

Creamsicle Bliss

Chocolate Chip Mint Bliss

Luscious Lemon Raspberry Bliss

Cookies 'n Cream Bliss

Red Velvet Bliss

Mocha Bliss

Strawberry Bliss

Cherry Chip Bliss

Photos from here.

"If You Never Do Anything, You Never Become Anyone"

Hello darlings,
A couple of days ago my sister and I watched An Education, a coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and we were both quite captivated by the style (the 60s were indeed a wonderful time for fashion) and the lesson we got out of it. Even though the whole movie is pretty much based around the that quote, the main lesson is that we have choices to make regarding our own lives, and that there are no shortcuts.  Well, there are, we just have to know when to take them, and the consequences that come with it.

"If you never do anything, you never become anyone"

~Jenny (Carey Mulligan in "An Education")

Wouldn't You Just Love...

...to find a book this old while searching through some old boxes in an attic? or while looking through the countless forgotten books in that really old bookstore in the city? Well, I would. 

Photo from Greige

Rain On Me Too

After reading this I realized that there is one thing that I need, one thing only... for You to rain on me, now and forever. This is MY "prayer for a spiritual rain", oh God.

Photo from here.

My Dream House

Hello darlings,
A while back I came across a picture of a breathtaking house the pretty much defines my dream house exactly as I have always imagined it... constructed like a Mediterranean villa, really high up, by the ocean, and with a breathtaking view.

Now tell me, how would you describe your dream house? 

Almonds Make Everything Better

Good morning darlings!
Today is going to be a fairly busy day for me but that is no excuse to skipping breakfast. I was greatly inspired when I saw two jars of preserves (one of strawberry and another one of papaya) and a bag of chopped almonds. 
This was my creation... simple but delicious!

Like Learning to Play the Piano

Darlings,
When it comes to photographers, Clayton Austin would be considered a genius... specially when it comes to capturing a story in his pictures.  The story behind this specific photo shoot with Tyler and Anna is quite beautiful. In it Clayton explains how being in a relationship is like learning to play the piano, or any instrument for that matter. 

I'm in love with his photo-taking-story-capturing skills... he shall be my photographer one day ;)