Vanilla Pound Cake

Pound cakes are the perfect dessert for those warm days to come, really rich and buttery, but they still feel light when you eat them, so deceiving. This recipe is one that everyone should have, it's really simple to make and you can make so many variations from the same recipe. You can go with some fresher options like lemons, limes and oranges or some richer ones like chocolate, caramel or rum. The same stands for the glaze, you can go simple with the cake and twist it up with glaze, adding nuts or rose water and even just dusting some confectioner sugar. This pound cake recipe makes two cakes, so it's perfect for a party or a dinner between friends and it's so simple that it takes one stress away from party planning. I love decorating with fresh flowers, it's a perfect idea for spring and really easy. You can make the Glaze Recipe and use it for both cakes.  Hope you enjoy the post & try out the recipe!

Xo

Flor

Recipe:

1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temp

2 cups granulated sugar, divided

4 extra large eggs, room temp

3 cups all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon kosher salt

3/4 cup buttermilk, room temp

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

Directions

Preheat ove to 350 degrees F. Grease & flour 2 (8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2 inch) loaf pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper.

Cream butter & granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment for about 5 mins, or until light & fluffily. With the mixer on medium speed, beat in the eggs, 1 at a time.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, & salt. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk and vanilla. Add the flour & buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, beginning & ending with the flour. Divide the batter evenly between the pans, smooth the tops, & bake for 45 mins to 1 hr, until cake tester come out clean.

When the cakes are done, let them cool for 10 mins. Take them out of the pans, place them on a baking rack & allows the to cool completely. You can wrap them well & store in the refrigerator if not for immediate use.

Source: Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa)  

Glaze:

2 tablespoons melted butter 

1 cup confectioner sugar

1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

2 tablespoons milk (if needed)

Directions:

Combine the 2 tablespoons of melted butter, vanilla and confectioner sugar; if the result is too thick add milk. ( I suggest you add one and if it remains to thick add the second).

Femininely Bold

I definitely have a thing for full skirts, so when I saw a preview of Prabal Gurung's collection for Target and saw this dress I fell for it and hard! It's the perfect combination of feminine and bold, you have a traditional very feminine silhouette combined with a strong apple red and black accents. I decided on adding the sash to accentuate the waist, with full skirts it's easy to look bigger than what you necessarily are, so accenting a small waist or giving the image of it is a must. The dress has such a flirty flair to it, I couldn't help myself on adding "rougher" accents to balance the equation out! Hope you liked the post! Let me know what you think!

Xo

Flor

Dress: Prabal Gurung for Target, Shoes: Calvin Klein, Bag: Rag & Bone, Shades: Tom Ford

Blues & Whites

My parents bought this blouse in St. Thomas over  30 years ago and luckily for me my mom kept it and I happily took ownership of it! Its a bit big on me, but I absolutely love the batik print it has and the different tones of blue. The contrast of the tight skinny jeans with the loose blouse works wonders for an effortless look. I rolled up the sleeves not only for functional reasons ( so they wouldn't reach my elbows), but it adds to the beachy laid back look. For everyday looks I really prefer effortless styles, you know, you can really be yourself when you feel comfortable with what your wearing. I think it's a note to self to store things we really, really like, even though we don't wear them anymore... who knows you could pass it down to your children. Hope you liked the post! Let me know!

Xo

Flor 

Pants: 7 for All Mankind, Blouse: The Carib, Bag: Kate Spade, Shades: Tom Ford, Shoes: Zodiac

Graphic Print

Who said you can't look put together in shorts? I've never been one to think that shorts only work for a day at the beach, I think they work anytime you want them to. Usually, I try to find shorts that have a great print, don't get me wrong i love all shorts, but printed ones are my favorite. With this look I wanted to play with the graphic snake skin print and went for a safarish inspired look, using neutral tones and the big studded leather bag. Layering always adds interest and texture to a look, so I added this jacket which contrast well with the soft flowiness of the blouse. Dressing up shorts is really simple, just switch the t-shirt for a flowy blouse and add some sandals or platforms and you've got a super chic laid back look. Hope you like the look! Let me know!

Xo

Flor

Shorts: BCBG, Jacket: Zara, Blouse: Spense , Bag: Michael Kors, Shoes: Idore, Shades Tom Ford

Geometrics

I have such a huge soft spot for geometric prints that I couldn't wait to post this look on the blog.When you have such a bold statement, like this skirt you can either go simple on the top or be really bold and add another print or use a bright color, yellow would be perfect! Today I really wanted to focus on the skirt and let it be the statement, so I paired it with a classic white button down blouse & cleverly added color with the orange of the sandals. I love that this skirt is simple in nature because it's an A-line, but it has a modern twist to it thanks to the print. This look would be perfect for a lunch meeting, a day at the office or meeting the in-laws for the very first time. Let me know what you think about the look!

Xo

Flor

Blouse: Ralph Lauren, Skirt: My own design, Shoes: Calvin Klein, Bag: Louis Vuitton, Shades: Tom Ford

Fudgy Brownies

You probably already had an enormous amount of chocolate, but who can resist chewy fudgy brownies? I know you might be thinking "Why would I ever bake brownies from scratch when the boxed mix is so good", well there are some recipes that are worth it. This is another back to basics recipe and it's delicious. A common mistake in baking brownies is over baking them, so be sure to take them out when the knife comes out almost clean. I know it may sound kind of confusing, but when it comes out with some brownie pieces that look moist, they are ready! I have the fondest memories of baking brownies with my mom and being so excited about licking the spoon and finally taking them out of the oven, and to this date baking brownies are is still my favorite moments. What are your favorite moments baking with love ones?

Xo
Flor

Recipe Fudgy Saucepan Brownies
3/4 cup butter or margarine
4 (1-ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups unsifted flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 3/4 cups coarsely chopped pecans (I omitted the pecans)

Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Melt butter and chocolate in a large, heavy saucepan over lowest heat. Off heat, mix in remaining ingredients in order listed, beating well after each addition. 
Pour batter into a greased 9'' X 9'' X 2'' pan and bake 40 minutes until brownies just begin to pull from sides of pan. Cool pan of brownies upright on a wire rack to room temp, the cut into squares.