The one with Buttery-Limoncello Cookies

I was struck today with a baking idea (dangerous ones those are), to make a light butter cookie...& then to use a Limoncello cream filling to make delightful cookie sandwiches.

Well.....ideas are rarely as easy execute as they are to come by. The first batch of cookies I made were to crisp: they wouldn't facilitate biting into if a filling were between them. I tweaked the recipe & baking conditions slightly & was able to get more of a chewy cookie. Check numero uno.

Next was for the filling. This proved to be a frustrating as well as sugar-over-loading test. The first heavy-cream based which chocolate ganache proved to be too soupy due to the vast differences between white & semi-sweet chocolate. The second was thicker, but still held no form similar to the cream texture which I had envisioned. Finally I stumbled across the idea of ditching my vision of a cookie sandwich & instead decided to try a Limoncello glaze. BINGO! It set well & rang true to the taste of Limoncello. IN my first batch I simply drizzled the glaze on; however, I didn't think the Limoncello taste translated strong enough. On a secondary attempt, I dipped them & found utter spring heaven via cookie format.

Lesson of the day? If at first you don't succeed......try something else! Lol & then enjoy the sweet victors of your efforts :)

The one with a Spring forecast

Although it's merely the beginning of February, birds are already chirping outside my window, & trees are beginning to bud -- their instincts have betrayed them I fear. I still worry that we will have a bought of wintery-cold weather (such as it flurried lightly yesterday evening), but similarly to the trees, I can't help anticipate spring!

As we know, dresses makes me feel perfectly feminine -- gentle, joyful, & a flitty. It's all the best kinds of fun, & no season is more perfect for dresses than Spring. What follows is some of my favorite Spring trends...my new obsessions & soon-to-be additions to my wardrobe.

This is the epitome of my spring dream - it's a beautiful floral dress, which has sheer layers, an Asymmetrical skirt, it's uber feminine, & so perfectly waspy --

This dress is very simple & elegant, but then the details wow you...the neckline & down the sides are sheer lace - precious.

What a FUN little-black-dress!

classic, simple, with a fabulously understated belt -- I can't wait to wear this to work!

Hello Loves, where have you been?

This Blazer has me drooling over it! Tuxedo styled with an asymmetrical back...AH the possibilities!

Imagine this sheer shirt tucked into a high-waisted green skirt with a gold zipper running down the back....petals, you are coming to play!

I have no idea how I'll wear this shirt, maybe with some leggings & booties...the mint color is insanely inviting & I can't get enough of it!

The color of this blue will not leave my mind...

Both of these require no explanation, they're fabulous!

The one with floral colors

Spring is an inspiring, fresh, & spunky time of year, during which, after months of brutal winter, it feels quite perfectly fitting to wear a nice little sun dress. If you're going to wear a sundress in spring, shouldn't it be a lovely floral color?

This cute little outfit seemed perfect to welcome in the season, as well as being brilliantly nice with a light breeze in the sunlight. I found this ruffled-salmon colored dress at a little boutique near my work -- because shopping is the thing to do on one's break, of course! The shop had it displayed with a black belt; however, I thought this combination was a little too harsh. I wanted to soften it up without losing the sassy edge the fresh salmon color provided, so I added a Steve Madden red leather belt. Along with my metallic pumps which have a tint of blue, & some big sunglasses, I was perfectly springy!

Walking in the mid-day sun, the song "All these things I've done" by the Killers came to mind "I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier". So fun!