Cookie Week Comes to The Fashionable Plate

imagesWhat could possibly be more fundamental to any housewife worth her fashionable apron than a good chocolate chip cookie?  While I am probably quite a few years away from any kind of housewife status, every time I make cookies  I like to imagine myself serving warm chocolate chip cookies to beaming children and friends as I smile coyly and say, “oh no, they were no trouble at all. So easy.” That, in my mind, is a true picture of domestic bliss.

I have a small obsession chocolate chip cookies, but honestly, I doubt that I am alone. There’s something about the combination of butter, sugar, and chocolate that just turns magical when mixed up and baked into an amazing cookie creation. It’s true, I’ve met a few versions that put a bad name on chocolate chip cookies, but I still believe that they are the pinnacle of dessert confections. And yet, everywhere I turn there are different recipes promising “the best chocolate chip cookie.” Apparently there are endless ways to make amazing cookies even more amazing.

Monday marks the beginning of a 5-day-long quest to develop the best chocolate chip cookies. All week long we’ll be testing recipes and posting about them on The Fashionable Plate. And because everyone has a different ideal for cookies, I’ll be trying recipes to fit every crunchy, chewy, soft, and unique cookie lover’s dream. I will be baking a new recipe every day and posting the results here, so get ready to pull out your mixer and try some new takes on an old classic!

And if anyone has a nagging issue with their cookies that they want help with, or a great idea for their favorite version of chocolate chip cookies, leave us a comment and let us know!

The lineup is…

Monday: chewy cookies
Tuesday: crunchy cookies
Wednesday: soft cookies
Thursday: lace-chocolate cookies
Friday: cool cookie flavor variations

This post, and the Cookie Week posts, are written by Nell Birch, a high school senior in Boston, who is spending her final month of school in an independent learning project related to  cooking and the fine art of food blogging!  Many thanks to Nell and The Winsor School for her contributions to this blog and especially to our kitchen!

 

 

LUXECOAT Monthly Nail Care Membership Program

I just found out about this new monthly nail care membership service called LUXECOAT and wanted to share in case any of you lovely ladies were interested!

luxe coat

Members receive everything they need to create a spa-quality manicure and pedicure. In your monthly box is three vegan nail-polishes reflecting the hottest colors of that month along with all the tools and products you need to have perfect nails.

box of products

Watch the video:

luxe box

In honor of their launch, LUXECOAT is running a two week contest on Instagram, inviting fans to post photos of their best, most unique manicures or pedicures with the Hashtag #LuxeCoatStyle for a chance to win! 50 lucky ladies will be selected at random to win three polishes of their choice!!! Don’t forget that contestants must follow @Luxecoat on Instagram to be eligible.

The Must-Have Item for All Sock-Free Shoes

With “barefoot style” shoes like oxfords and boat shoes being all the rage this season, you will definitely need a pair of Sock-Free Saviors from Foot Petals.

sock free

Sock-Free Saviors from Foot Petals
($18.95 per pair from Zappos.com)

Tired of wearing socks with those low profile skimmers, flats, and sneakers and having them obnoxiously stick out in an annoying fashion? Ditch the socks and slip these Foot Petals® sock-free saviors into your favorite shoes for instant foot protection! You’ll be able to wear your favorite shoes and feel great at the same time! And honestly, isn’t that every gal’s dream come true?

Well it certainly is! You can’t always wear “fashionable socks” or ankle socks with every style of shoe. Some styles just call for bare feet like Sperry’s and flats.

Sock-Free Saviors have a DRI comfort moisture management system that is built into the terry cloth padding that keeps feet cool and dry all day long while the PORON® cushioning absorbs shock making these ideal for any pair of shoes that you wear often.

The amazing Microban anti-microbial protection in these shoe liners doesn’t rub, wear, or wash away AND they fits all types of closed-toes shoes. If they get dirty, just gently hand wash in cold water with mild detergent and dry flat. Best of all, Foot Petal products are proudly made in the U.S.A. Score!!!

Here are a couple of pairs I’m wearing sock-free saviors in right now…

oxfords from Marshalls for $19.99 #fabfound

Nude Oxfords from Marshalls – $20

leopard sperrys

Sperry Biscayne Leopard Boat Shoes from Famous Footwear – $60

oxfords

Naot Kedma Oxfords in Merlot – $190

dkny flats from TJ Maxx #maxxstyle

DKNY Striped Flats from TJ Maxx – $35

What sock-free styles are you sporting this season?

Mother’s Day Gift Idea – Home Decor Items

This Mother’s Day, celebrate the one who deserves it all with chic home accessories and decor items from Target! No matter what her style or interest, Target has an amazing and AFFORDABLE selection of stylish gifts that mom will undoubtedly love.

Here are a few of my favorites for under $35!

Click here to indulge in Target’s Home Items online >> or visit your local Target store today!

Scents for Mother’s Day – Must-Have Perfumes

Fragrance has the unique ability to conjure memories, capturing a moment in time that you will remember forever. This Mother’s Day, give your Mom a gift that will help create new memories that she can cherish for years to come.

Here are a few of my favorite perfumes this Spring:

Find one that is just right for each of the Moms on your list!

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“Buy Her Bag, Not Her Body” Eco-Friendly Handbags, Tech Accessories, etc

Nomi Network

Looking for a unique gift for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day? Maybe you are trying to find a gift for that grad in your life? Or perhaps you just want to find a new bag for summer. Stop for a second and check out Nomi Networkan innovative non-profit organization that creates eco-friendly handbags, accessories, and organic t-shirts to ultimately employ survivors and women at risk of trafficking under the brand, Buy Her Bag Not Her Body®.

Free Shipping for Mother’s Day!!!
Use Code: NOMIFREE

At Nomi Network, 100% of the profits from the Nomi Network’s product sales are directly invested back into training and education opportunities for women in Cambodia and India. Really, a company that is truly amazing. Nomi has developed partnerships with numerous local organizations that provide employment, shelter, medical care, and training opportunities for survivors too. By making and selling unique products, these self-sustaining cooperatives are able to invest in a better future for these poor women and break cycles of poverty and exploitation. I love companies that actually stand for something and try to do good rather than just making a profit. This is one of those kind of companies that I can truly stand behind whole-heartedly.

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Mother’s Day Beauty Look: Pretty In Pink

Get pretty in pink this Mother’s Day with CoverGirl’s latest beauty products that we’re gushing over!

I’m obsessed with CoverGirl Lipperfection Jumbo Gloss Balm right now! So many gorgeous spring colors to choose from, easy application and a creamy finish that lasts. I’ve been wearing “Rose Twist” and “Radiant Rose” all week. They are the perfect girly, spring shade of pink!

Don’t forget to polish those nails in the perfect shade of pink like Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss in Peek A Boo Pink. Do an accent nail with one shade darker like Tickled Pink for an on-trend look. Or try some cool nail art like this pretty manicure…

Stay tuned for more of our favorite mother’s day products and meanwhile…

Shop our favorite Covergirl Products for Mother’s Day:

What’s YOUR favorite CoverGirl product? We want to know!