Homemade Milano Cookies

As I mentioned yesterday, I did some baking over the weekend and made these homemade Milano cookies.  I've always loved the Pepperidge Farm version and the wasn't sure if they could be topped.  I was wrong.  These homemade cookies blew the store bought variety out of the water.  They were buttery, slightly sweet but also a bit salty, flaky and crumbly with soft centers and gooey vanilla flavored chocolate oozing out the middle.  They were really something special, if I do say so myself.  Gabe also approved.

Homemade Milano Cookies
Ingredients (for shortbread cookies):
2 sticks butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions:
-Preheat oven to 350
-Cream together butter and sugar with an electric mixer.  Add flour, salt, and vanilla and blend until it forms a soft dough.
-Wrap dough in plastic wrap and store in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
-Roll dough into a log and cut 1/4-1/2 inch slices.  Place slices on cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until edges start to turn brown.  Cool completely on a rack.
Chocolate center:
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/4 tsp vanilla extract (can substitute for mint, almond, etc.)
-Melt chocolate in microwave safe bowl, stirring every 30 seconds (should take about 60-90 seconds total). Stir in vanilla extract and spread melted chocolate on half the cookies, topping them with the other half to create a sandwich.

Scenes from the Weekend

BBQ nachos at 26 Beach

The happy couple (Nate and Kristal)

Kobe Beef Burger at 26 Beach

Kristal's gorgeous engagement ring (good job, Nate!)

cupcakes to celebrate

My weekend was great and went according to plan with lots of fun times with friends, a dinner to celebrate Nate and Kristal's engagement, walks around Santa Monica Promenade, a visit to Vanilla Bake Shop, and some baking.  I was happy to lose the hour of sleep on Sunday in order to gain the hour of light each evening, which always makes me feel like warm weather is right around the corner.  How was your weekend?

Dream Vacation: South Africa

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In honor of the season finale of The Bachelor tonight (I'm rooting for Emily but I think he'll pick Chantal), I had to discuss my ultimate dream vacation-a South African safari.  I can't imagine a more exhilarating adventure than being able to roam through the jungle among hippos, lions, zebras, etc, ride elephants, and sleep in luxurious tree houses.  I hope to one day make it here, but until then I have a mindless/awesome reality show finale to tide me over.  Will you be watching The Bachelor tonight?

Weekend Plans

Best wishes to Kristal and Nate!

You had me at "fudge covered potato chip clusters".

This week seemed to go by quickly and I'm thrilled it's already Friday.  I'm looking forward to a weekend filled with a lunch date with old friends, dinner to celebrate Nate and Kristal's engagement, walks/bike rides to enjoy the sunshine, a trip to the library, and the continued search of Ben & Jerry's new flavor-Late Night Snack (I've been to 5 grocery stores in the last week and it's nowhere to be found).  What do you have in store this weekend?

Aqua

Sleeveless Printed Jersey Dress $68

One Shoulder Batwing Dress $168

Fitted Sateen Tube Dress $88

Capsleeve Drape Jersey Dress $78

Sleeveless Multi-Color Dot Printed Dress $88

Striped Maxi Dress $98

While I've loved Bloomingdale's Aqua line for years, it seems they've ramped it up a bit this season and I'm suddenly hoping many of their Spring items will find their way into my closet.  What I love about this line is that they offer all the latest styles (this season it's bright colors, stripes, long hemlines, and floral prints to name a few) in high quality items with reasonable prices.  What's not to love, right?

Welcome Home

H&M blouse and scarf, Asos Clutch, Gap belt, Express jeans, Steve Madden boots, Michael Kors watch, Giorgio Armani sunglasses, J.Crew, Gorjana, and Raine Studios bracelets

As I suspected, this bright yellow clutch made its way into my closet over the weekend and has already become one of my new favorites.  The enormous size, fun color, and gold accents make it exactly what I wanted and at $21, I couldn't pass it up.  I pulled these wide leg jeans out of the back of my closet recently and have been wearing them everywhere.  Although I haven't given up on skinny jeans, it's nice to mix it up and the wide legs always seem so much more comfortable to me.  Are you embracing wide leg denim?

Scenes from the Weekend

Gabe's so happy!

Hillstone's (Houston's) French Dip

Gabe finally had a weekend off and we spent it riding our bikes at the beach, walking to breakfast, relaxing at home, watching movies, and enjoying the beautiful weather.  Saturday night we went to dinner in celebration of Gabe passing his Boards!  The overall feeling of the weekend was joyous and giddy because of it.  Congratulations on such a huge accomplishment, Gabe!  You're the smartest man alive!