pop it, drop it, lock it…a modern take on the pearl earring, a bejeweled friday friend-1-1

19 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by in fashion forward, friday friend 1-1, what's ringin' our belle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

We belles have been hard at work shopping for the holidays. We both have a little problem with the “one for you, one for me” thing, and this is a perfect example.

While perusing the lovelies at a local chic boutique by the name of Cone and Coleman, owned by two very savvy, classy and downright fabulous belles, we spied with our little eyes these drop-dead gorgeous earrings being worn by one of them.

Now, these are something we would jump through hoops to have on our dainty ears! They are a chic modern hoops with the fab addition of a pearl (a pearl always makes a belles glow)…

IMG_1976-0

But don’t y’all know we just love a multitasking accessory?!  You can also unscrew that pearl and wear them clean and simple!  How divine is that?

IMG_1975

Leaves us speechless…well almost. What a great gift for any belle who travels, is headed off to school, has everything or just because she wants a little treat!

These are most definitely a “one for you, one for me” item!!

a&a

shortbread…a long-lived obsession…another holiday baking bonus

18 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by in belle-icious

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Okay…butter, sugar, flour…now, dear belles, how can this combination NOT be amazingly belle-icious?!

These simple ingredients marry-up to create one of our very favorite creations…shortbread in all it’s glory. We have long held a fascination for this divine little nibble, but our interest was recently piqued by a fellow belle who has created quite a stir with her tea cookies in two unusual, yet belle-icious flavors…Lavender and Orange-Cardamom. They are 100% to die for! One might purchase them at Savvy (among other retail establishments)…or one might check out her website, Carolina Girl Cooks, to place an order online. Either way…these are a must-try!

Now, being curious little belles, and having a constant hankering to do some experimenting in our own kitchens, we decided to try our own hands at some creative shortbread. We must say…it was totally worth the effort!! Here’s what we created…

IMG_1874

Lemon Lavender Shortbread Cookies

Ingredients:

1/2 c powdered
1 tbsp lavender buds
Zest of 1 lemon
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
1 t vanilla extract
2 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 t kosher salt
Course sugar for garnish

IMG_1840.JPG

In food processor, combine powdered sugar, lavender, and lemon zest.  Pulse to combine and break up Lavender buds…

IMG_1841.JPG

Add butter and vanilla.  Process until well-combined.  Then add salt and flour.  Process just until combined…don’t over-process.

IMG_1842.JPG

Turn dough out onto parchment or waxed paper and roll into a log.  At this point, we roll the dough up in the paper and usually cut in half or thirds to store in a zip-loc bag.  Refrigerate several hours…or even a couple of days.

IMG_1843.JPG

When ready to bake, cut into 1/4 inch cookies, place on ungreased cookie sheet, and sprinkle each cookie with just a bit of the course sugar

IMG_1839.JPG

Bake at 375 degrees for 13 minutes.

IMG_1838.JPG

Allow to cool completely on a rack, then devour…or package them up for friends…

IMG_1860.JPG

Savory, crispy, buttery, slightly sweet perfection!

a&a

ALERT!! arm candy arrival…best be quick

18 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by in fashion forward, what's ringin' our belle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

We belles told you about a fab local designer, Meredith Anne Sutton, not too long ago…(click here for the post). Her designs are divine, but a T bracelet is what caught our eye…

IMG_1745IMG_1744

We had found them at one of our favorite local haunts, Savvy,…but they sold out quickly (as things worth having do!)  But…guess what?! They’re baaaack!!! Well, almost. So…before you miss out again, reserve one now!! Word on the street is that they are being shipped today.  We will Instagram the moment they arrive, but you best get on the list now, belles!

They make a great stocking stuffer…just sayin’

a&a

mountain top cookies…so good you’ll want to slap your momma!…a holiday baking bonus

13 Saturday Dec 2014

Posted by in belle-icious

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

Imagine, if you will, coming home one afternoon, dog-tired, running low on sense and steam…when, lo and behold, wafting from the kitchen…could it be the smell of fresh-baked cookies? An aroma mirage, surely!

To the delight of tall, blonde belle, it was actually a reality just the other day when one of our beloved junior belles decided to try Janice’s Mountain Top Chocolate Cookies from Glamour magazine.

Well, it couldn’t have been better timing! This belle propped right up with a hot cup of coffee and a warm cookie…with a rolo in it!! Shut the front door and give us just the sugar rush we need to make it through the rest of the day.

Junior belle earned extra points that day, at least enough for us to forgive the mess in the kitchen. She is still a work in progress, bless her heart.

Behold the best cookie recipe for a cold day….oh, who are we kidding?? Any day, really!!

IMG_1837

Janice’s Mountain Top Chocolate Cookies

5 oz. salted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 bag mini Rolos
2 tbsp coarse salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together butter and brown sugar. Add egg and vanilla; beat until smooth.

2. Add flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda; beat on low until just combined.

3. Pour powdered sugar into a small bowl. Using your hands, scoop about a tablespoon of dough and press a Rolo candy into the middle. Sprinkle a pinch of salt on top, and roll dough into a ball in your hands, then coat in powdered sugar until completely covered.

4. Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet, leaving 2 inches of space between each cookie. Bake until tops begin to crack and cookies are firm, about 10 minutes. Let cool on a rack.

Makes about 10-15 cookies. Store in airtight container.

So go tell it on the mountain…and, hint, hint…Santa might just enjoy this little nibble as he sets about his work.  Just sayin’…

a&a

a belle-worthy book for the holidays….or anytime really…your friday friend-1-1

12 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by in belle maison, belle of the ball, what's ringin' our belle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

EAT DRINK NAP…about the only other words we love more are shopping and shoes, but we can dream about those while we’re napping!

Belles, this one has it all: catchy title, looks, recipes, decorating, entertaining and pampering…what more could a girl ask for in a book?!?!

IMG_1849

Perfection from cover to cover! Available here.

We’re thinkin’ we might want to belong to Soho House…don’t y’all? In the meantime, eat, drink, nap and enjoy !!

a&a

foolproof tenderloin…a surprisingly easy hit for any occasion

11 Thursday Dec 2014

Posted by in belle-icious

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

IMG_1663

Beef tenderloin…whether served for Christmas or other special-occasion dinner, served sliced with rolls for a cocktail party, or devoured as a leftover…is the ultimate hit for the meat-lover. However, we belles are often at a loss as to the best, most foolproof way to prepare this beefy delicacy…and at the price of an arm and a leg per pound, we certainly don’t want to risk ruining it!  (one belle in particular is pretty famous among her family for being very good at ruining dinner…it’s that adult-onset ADD kicking in…).

So…we went on a search about a year ago for a no-fail way to prepare a tenderloin to suit all tastes (super-rare to over-done) and came up with what we have found to be the gold-standard prep.  We have prepared it this way time after time with surprising success, and…not to brag…to rave reviews! We feel guilty taking any credit…we just follow the directions and the rest takes care of its tender, juicy self!

 

The Belles’ Foolproof Party Tenderloin 

1 beef tenderloin, trimmed (about 5 pounds)
1 bottle Allegro marinade
1 package Char Crust roasted garlic peppercorn rub

IMG_1678-1

Marinate beef overnight in bottle of Allegro (we use a giant ziploc bag…works perfectly)

Almost as early as you wish on serving day, heat oven to 475 degrees, with one rack set in the center. Remove tenderloin from marinade and seer all sides on a hot grill or griddle, giving it a quick coat of color.

Place tenderloin in a shallow roasting pan, then sprinkle evenly and thoroughly with the Char Crust seasoning, making sure to rub it in to coat completely.

Now, for the most important part…get a timer and follow step-by-step:

–  once oven is heated, place tenderloin in to roast for 15 minutes
–  without opening oven door, turn off the heat
–  let stand in the oven for another 15 minutes
–  remove pan and place on rack
–  cover loosely with foil and let stand at least 30 minutes before slicing

IMG_1676

At this point, we have left the tenderloin “resting” for a couple of hours…plenty of time to shower, set the table, put out fresh flowers, etc…

Just slice when ready to serve and bask in the accolades!!

We recently served this at a dinner party with The Barefoot Contessa’s Spinach Gratin (not a proper dinner party without Ina’s touch), goat cheese mashed potatoes, and a delish green salad. An excellent and belleicious way to spend an evening with friends…

Get cookin’, belles
a&a

dear Santa…just sayin’

07 Sunday Dec 2014

Posted by in just sayin'

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

IMG_1826.JPG

We know he has already made his list and checked it twice…but maybe he will feel sorry for us and bring us a little something anyway!
a&a

better than breakfast at Tiffany’s…a gift-giving bonus

06 Saturday Dec 2014

Posted by in fashion forward, what's ringin' our belle

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

Feel free to bow down before the fashionabelle find of late!!! We have discovered another delight that has us positively giddy!

Perhaps y’all have seen the latest ads for Tiffany’s T square collection…

IMG_1457

For a piddly $5000.00, you can ask Santa to put it in your stocking.

Or…you might have a better shot at getting this beauty and still leave your favorite Santa a little flush for other thoughtful gifts under the tree.

IMG_1745IMG_1744

These are made by hand from brass and are priced at…drumroll…$68.00!!! They are made by Meredith Anne Sutton, are absolutely beautiful and have a great weight and feel to them. Get them at Savvy.

But be forewarned…as these are made by hand, if you don’t act quickly, you will need to get on the wait list and put it on your wish list for valentines day. It will be worth the wait as we promise this will become a uniform piece worn everyday. Belle-worthy!!

Here’s a view of this little beauty playing nicely with her friends…

IMG_1765

And…because belles love options…we, of course, have a BaubleBar find that we must report! Check out this insta-stack…

IMG_1778

Three pieces to stack as you please, and…as with all BaubleBar finds, the price is belle-ringin’ awesome…just $58!

So there you have ’em, belles…great additions for the race to the elbow. Ready…set…go!!

a&a

it’s the thought that counts…a thrifty gifting friday friend-1-1

05 Friday Dec 2014

Posted by in friday friend 1-1, what's ringin' our belle

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

For this edition of our gift-giving suggestions, we thought we might share some very useful, yet budget-friendly (all under $50!), options. We are regular “goop” readers and saw a couple of these on her gift ideas post…but we went digging a bit further, keeping prices low and practicality paramount. Hint to either of our mothers, sisters, children…(cough, cough) we kinda like this stuff. Might we find one or two in a stocking or under our trees?? Just sayin’.

From the MoMA Store…

IMG_1710.JPG
The 4-in-1 travel adaptor…$25. Good for the travelin’ belle or fella

And more from the MoMA store…
Nothin’ but blue skies…

IMG_1711.JPG
The Blue Sky Umbrella… What belle wouldn’t like this overhead on a rainy (or snowy) winter day?? Just $48…or get the collapsible version for $40.

Operate that “rectangle” in the cold…

IMG_1712.JPG
Keep the fingers warm and in control with these artsy Touchscreen Gloves. A budget-friendly $28…and they come in a man-friendly black and gray, as well!

For the blogger…hint, hint…cough, cough…

IMG_1713.JPG
This A-Fold iPad Stand makes an awful lot of sense. Come on…it’s only $48!

For the cook…from Sur la table…

IMG_1714.JPG
This rosemary tree wrapped in burlap would make a delightful delivery! Can be used as part of the holiday decor, but will be used and appreciated well after the tinsel has been cleared! This one will only set you back by $29.95. (And for a local, do-it-yourself delivery…we’ve seen some great rosemary topiaries at Home Depot. Just do a bit of creative wrapping and you’re all set!)

Here’s one that goes a wee bit over budget…$55…but we just had to share:

IMG_1715-1.JPG
From Bergdorf Goodman, the Giles & Brother Personalized Skinny Railroad Spike Bracelet is edgy and stackable…so the entire family can be commemorated! (By the way…it’s a bit reminiscent of this little beauty from Cartier…only $7545 less!)

For the younger set…

IMG_1717.JPG
This Outside the Lines coloring book should keep ’em busy for a bit. Order on Amazon for just $18 or less…and they have other suggestions as well.

Or maybe a book or two…

IMG_1718.JPG
The Open Ocean is interesting and educational…you might even find yourself curled up with it! From authors Pittau and Gervais who have another couple of books in their repertoire…maybe you should buy a set!

So there you have it, belles…lots of perfectly practical, thoroughly thoughtful options for your gift-giving pleasure.

Ho, Ho, Ho!
a&a