Fabian Ciraolo Illustrations

A few fantastic pop illustrations by Fabian Ciraolo. If only Frida Khalo really was a hipster. The unibrow would definitely become the new mustache.

a happy place

I love this magical image by Kansas City collage artist Colleen Burner. I'm hoping my weekend will be this peaceful & relaxing.

The Best Cookie Recipe Ever: Pecan Sandies

We got a surprise package of pecans from the farm last week. I wasn't sure what to make with them, until I found this pecan sandies recipe. The pecans are toasted, chopped, and mixed into the dough. The cookies are incredibly flavorful and it's impossible to eat just one.

I used a circular cookie cutter and didn't sprinkle with raw sugar.

Pecan Sandies from Smitten Kitchen

Makes just shy of 12 dozen, one-inch square cookies

1 cup pecans

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

2 tablespoons turbinado (raw) sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the nuts out in one layer on a baking sheet and bake them, stirring occasionally, until they are well browned, 10 to 13 minutes (they will smell toasted and nutty). Transfer the pan to a wire rack to cool.

In a food processor, grind the nuts with 1/4 cup of the flour. Set aside.

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until creamy and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla and beat well. Sift together the remaining 1 3/4 cups of flour, the salt, and the baking powder, and add it to the dough, mixing until just combined. Stir in the nut mixture. Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 3 hours.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Roll the dough between two sheets of wax paper to 3/16 inch thick (a rectangle approximately 10 x 14 inches). Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 1-inch squares, then cut the squares on a diagonal into triangles (I skipped the last cut into triangles). Sprinkle the cookies with the turbinado sugar. Place them 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets (do not reroll the scraps). Prick the cookies with a fork and bake until pale golden all over, about 10 to 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

KEEP CALM AND PET BUSTER

A ton of things are happening right now, but thankfully Buster is here keeping me sane.

You can create your very own KEEP CALM and WHATEVER YOU WANT poster here.

Ocean vs. Daughter at Balliceaux

The adorable Flanna Sheridan of Ocean vs. Daughter played a wonderful show at Balliceaux this week. Her music is sweet and ghostly and I'm currently listening to the song Apollina on repeat.

Fortunately, the entire Ocean vs. Daughter album is available for free on their bandcamp page.

Ocean Versus Daughter - Appolina directed by Emile Rafael on Vimeo.

Etsy Valentine's Day Gifts

1. Two initials gold necklace by burnish

2. Birch candle holder by urban plus forest

3. Boom Box Mug by Daily Grinder

4. You Me & The Dog Print by Ashley G and Drew

5. Tree Cups by Lovemilodesign

6. Hand Printed Tea Towel by Sveika

7. I love you for reals by hellosmallworld

M.I.A. Bad Girls Video

I adore M.I.A. and this video has instantly become a favorite of mine. Her outfits are INSANE and the hook is catchy.

Live fast, die young
Bad girls do it well
Live fast, die young
Bad girls do it well