Euro-moon Part Une: Paris, France

Well it's official...I am now a married lady!!! I have also officially neglected my blog for 8 months. Although planning a wedding is a wonderful, fun, and creative outlet, it also feels like a second job. Sipping an afternoon cup of coffee while writing about my latest successful recipe or fave seasonal outfit seems like a thing of the past.

::::::sigh:::::::

The good news is, I have been relieved of my second job (woo!!), and can now devote my time to you :) The gifts have been opened, the dress cleaned and preserved, and blogging has now commenced.

:::::applause:::::

We returned from our honeymoon a few weeks ago, and I now understand why you need to go on a honeymoon in the first place. There are so many emotions that you feel after you get married, and the best way to process them is to go away for awhile, sit on a beach, and eat a lot of delicious food and drink a lot of good vino.

We planned our honeymoon together, so it really reflected who we are as a couple and how we like to spend our time. A little culture, a little food, a lot of relaxing. We decided to go to Paris, Marbella, and Italy. Each city brought different adventures, and we dubbed our honeymoon our "Euro-moon".

Paris was our first stop, and I have to be honest and say it was not my favorite. There were a ton of tourists and transportation got a little tricky. We arrived in St. Germain in the middle of a gay pride parade so all of the roads were closed, and our driver could not get us to our hotel. We walked a few blocks with our HUGE suitcases to our hotel, after many flight delays and me getting crazy motion sickness on the plane (of course). We stayed at the Hotel St. Beuve, a little boutique hotel that boasted cozy antique couches and coffee tables in the lobby, and a teeny-tiny elevator that held 3 people (if squished together like sardines). Oh how happy I was too get to our room and take a shower followed by a very long nap.

Our room was filled with little trinkets and vintage pieces of art, as well as french travel books.

I bought us these cute Mr. and Mrs. passport covers. They came with matching luggage tags too :)

We did a few tourist-y activities like visiting the Eiffel Tower and Arc De Triomphe, and put our initials on a lock at the Pont De Artes bridge.

We ate at many outdoor cafes, and even stumbled upon Cafe Les Deux Magot, where Julia Child used to frequent with her husband every saturday morning for breakfast. Of course, we visited Laduree for some Rose and Coffee Macaroons. I swear I have never tasted something so sweet, floral, and decadent as a Laduree Rose Macaroon. Still searching for shipping options from Paris...

We also headed to the Jewish quarter and had some of the most delicious falafel I have ever tasted, which we ate while sitting on the sidewalk outside of a furniture store.

My absolute favorite part of Paris was picking up a fresh baguette, pan au chocolat, and a piping hot cafe creme at the neighborhood bakery, stopping at the market for some fresh cheese and yogurt, and settling into a deliciously lazy breakfast at the Jardin de Luxembourg.

We were visited by a group of nursery school children breaking from their field trip for lunch of course (what can I say, I'm a magnet for children!) We chatted about the wedding and life while sitting on my pink travel blanket. It was the perfect way to end the trip.

So we left Paris a little more energized, and very ready to lay on the beach.

Stay tuned for Euromoon Part II: Marbella, Spain

xo,
Pretty Penny

Busy Baking Pumpkin Spice Muffins

I have received a few requests to post a recipe for some pumpkin spice muffins I made last week. I am embarrassed to say that this recipe is RIDICULOUSLY easy. So easy in fact, that I felt like I was cheating on flour, eggs, sugar, and the whole principle of baking.

This guilt only lasted a few minutes, because really, sometimes we don't have time to sit there and puree our own pumpkins or bake our own cookies from scratch. Alas, we still crave the delicious smell of sugar and cinnamon wafting in our kitchens, and just want to eat something that came straight out of our ovens. So we turn to the dreaded.....boxed mix. 

I know, I know. I am not a huge fan of using packaged anything, and would much rather cut out anything processed, but sometimes you just have to turn to "busy baking" and use a few shortcuts :)

These muffins were so delicious and the cake mix has such a great blend of spices in it. 

All you need is one can of pumpkin puree...

... one box of spice cake mix

and one egg!

Yup thats it. Blend together, pour into a muffin pan, and bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. (High altitude people will have to bake longer, about 25 minutes). The recipe makes these beautiful muffins that make a great afternoon snack. Did I mention they are only 100 calories per muffin? Stay tuned for more of my "busy baking" posts!

Happy Fall!

xo, 

Pretty Penny

S'mores Graham Krispie Treats

Today is a good day. I am savoring my last day off of work by organizing, cooking, and watching the Sex and the City movie for the umpteenth time. It just never gets old.

I also made myself a fancy little mug of coffee with frothed milk and a dash of pumpkin pie spice.

To go with my coffee, I tried a delicious S'mores Graham Krispie Treat recipe that I had to share with you. It is very simple, and oh-so-chocolatey. It is particularly special if you have a fiance like mine who is currently obsessed with S'mores. I found this on Pinterest of course. The original source is the Country Cleaver blog.

S'mores Graham Krispie Treats

Ingredients:
1 bag (10 oz) Mini Marshmallows
1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate chips + 1 for topping
1 box (12 0z) Golden Grahams Cereal
6 Tbsp Butter
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
Non-Stick Cooking Spray

Directions:
In a 9x9 inch baking pan, spray with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large non-stick pot over medium heat, melt butter. Add in marshmallows and stir together with butter until marshmallows have melted and become creamy. Stir in vanilla extract.

Fold in grahams cereal until all marshmallows and grahams are evenly mixed together. Mix in 1 cup of chocolate chips. Spread treats into sprayed baking pan. Press into pan and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips on top of the treats, lightly press into top of treats to make sure they stick. Place into fridge for 10 minutes to cool.

Slice into bars and serve. Devour.

xx,
Pretty Penny

Falling For Fall

Today is the first official day of fall! After experiencing what seemed like an endless summer with temperatures reaching the nineties every day, I am really looking forward to cold weather. This is a particularly special time, because I get to experience my first REAL fall season now that I live in Denver (Sorry California, but you were just faking it).

Here are some fall must haves that will really get you in the mood for this wonderful season :)

Fall Subway Printables

I found this website on Pinterest, where you can get free fall subway printables. Just download, print, and put them in your favorite frame. 

Long Scrunchy Socks

I love the look of socks that scrunch up just over boots. Great way to stay warm in the crisp fall air! You can find these at Free People or Top Shop.

Pumpkin Puree

This is a great item to keep in your pantry. You can use it to make pumpkin bread, dips, cookies, and more!

A Cozy Infinity Scarf

A friend just gifted me this gorgeous scarf, and I am so excited to start wearing it! It has a little sparkle, which is a great way to dress up an outfit.

A Good Book

Sometimes you just need some good chic lit to curl up to. I am currently reading "Where We Belong" by Emily Giffin. A great, heartwarming story :)

The Pumpkin Spice Latte

A very popular fall favorite, this warm and cozy drink offers a nice blend of coffee, nutmeg, and pumpkin. Enjoy with an iced pumpkin biscotti, the previously mentioned book, and a fireplace :)

Stay tuned for yummy fall recipes!

xx,

Pretty Penny

Rosh Hashanah and Apfelkuchen

Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year) begins tonight, and it is one of my favorite holidays. This is the first time in years I have not had to fly or drive anywhere to be with family, and I am happy to have the time to bake sweet desserts instead!

I found a recipe for Apfelkuchen (German apple cake) in a California Kosher cookbook that was gifted to me a few years ago, and it seemed really simple. I wanted to try something different from the popular honey cake recipe, and so the Apfelkuchen won out. Plus, we have been trying to pronounce "Apfelkuchen" all day, which has provided a lot of entertainment ;)

Unfortunately, the dough did not really come out dough-ey (is that a word?), so I could not press it into the sides of the springpan. The apples baked very nicely though, and the cake tasted delicious with a generous sprinkling of cinnamon-sugar. It also looks pretty! If you decide to try this recipe, play around with the dough portion to make sure it is the right consistency. I'll just blame it on the altitude ;)

Apfelkuchen

Ingredients:
2 eggs
1/4 cup butter
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
4-5 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
Cinnamon sugar, to taste

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix first five ingredients together
3. Pat dough into a buttered 9-inch springform pan and shape a small edge so dough will go up over apples when baking
4. Arrange apples on top of the dough
5. Bake for 1.5 hours. Cool before removing band of springform pan.
6. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top while cake is still hot.

Wishing everyone a sweet new year!

xx,
Pretty Penny

Skinny Spanakopita

I have found so many great recipes on Pinterest, and am finally finding the time to try some of them out. Ben actually made these tonight while I was baking a german apple cake (more about that later!) I had to share this recipe because it is not only so easy, but is SO delicious. These tasty triangles make the perfect appetizer for a party, without the guilt!

Skinny Spanakopita

Ingredients:
24 wonton wrappers
10 oz of spinach (I used frozen but fresh would work)
1/2 cup reduced fat feta cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
1 egg white, for egg wash
1 tsp olive oil

Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

2. Heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the garlic, onion, and red pepper flakes.  Once it becomes fragrant, add the spinach.   Saute until just tender.

3. Place the spinach mixture in a bowl and mix in the feta cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.

4.  Lay out the 24 wonton wrappers on two large cookie sheets sprayed with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper. Fill a small cup with warm water and place it near the cookie sheets.

5. Begin assembling the spanakopita by placing a spoonful of the spinach and feta mixture in the center of the wonton wrapper. Wet the edges of the wonton wrapper with the warm water and fold over and press down to close. Once you have stuffed and sealed all the wonton wrappers, brush lightly with the egg wash or spray with cooking spray.

6. Bake for 8-10 minutes until crispy.

Enjoy :)

xx,
Pretty Penny

Cake Mix Cookies

I have had so many life changes the past few months! Ben and I have officially moved to Denver and are happily engaged :) I am really loving it here, and am so glad that I am settled and have more time to blog! I have been trying so many new recipes and I am excited to share them with you.

I tried this recipe when we first moved and it was a DISASTER. I found it on Pinterest, but had no idea that high altitude can affect baking, and learned the hard way with flat, doughy cookies (ew). I tried this high altitude version today, and it was very successful!! Am I officially becoming a Denverite??

Cake Mix Cookies

Ingredients:
1 Box of french vanilla cake mix
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup of applesauce
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix all ingredients together
3. Scoop cookie mix onto greases pan.
4. Bake for 15 minutes. Makes 20 cookies.

*You can try this with different kinds of cake mixes and get creative! If you don't live in high altitude, omit the extra flour and only bake cookies for 11-13 minutes.

Enjoy :)

xx,
Pretty Penny