Coffee - For Your Eyes Only

I’m a total coffee nut and I always try to come up with excuses for myself when I drink too much of it, just ask Balazs. What can I say, it’s just that irresistible in taste and the whole ritual makes for a better, smoother day. Anyway, last night I read a little German study that discovered that coffee not only helps women deal better in stressful situations, but also contributes to having healthy and beautiful eyes. You should have seen Balazs' face when I told him that this morning :) So ladies, drink it up. Cheers! Are you a coffee drinker? What’s your favourite type? How do you make it? (I'm still totally smitten with our French Press).  xo

P.S: Also, coffee etiquette and coffee trick to make your cuppa taste ever better.
P.P.S: Coffee break in Italy.

(via Vitamin G. Photos via Fox on the run & Classy in the City)

The Best Macaroni & Cheese You'll Ever Have

Macaroni & cheese is one of those comfort foods that makes you feel better no matter what kind of day you've had. Three different cheeses, salty pancetta, warm pasta...I'm craving a big bowl right now. (And it makes great leftovers!) Luckily, Naomi from Rockstar Diaries agreed to reveal their favorite family recipe, which they (and their toddler daughter) can't get enough of...
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The Best Macaroni & Cheese You'll Ever Have

Macaroni & cheese is one of those comfort foods that makes you feel better no matter what kind of day you've had. Three different cheeses, salty pancetta, warm pasta...I'm craving a big bowl right now. (And it makes great leftovers!) Luckily, Naomi from Rockstar Diaries agreed to reveal their favorite family recipe, which they (and their toddler daughter) can't get enough of...
Read more »

When flavours collide

Have you ever roasted strawberries before? How about putting them between two slices of fresh bread with some brie and dark chocolate? Admittedly, I was a bit reluctant, but I have to say, I totally fancy the pants off this sandwich.  It’s like a French toast meets grilled cheese sandwich in the most mind blowing way. Jessica, you are a genius! (Full recipe here).

Loves, would you try it? What’s the most unexpected flavour combination you ever tasted? xo

P.S: More scrumptious sandwiches to try. Yum!

(Photos by Jessica via Wit + Delight)

10 Best Cookbooks

Lovelies, what's your favourite cookbook? As promised this morning here are ten on mine that I love browsing through and getting inspired by. If you fancy dirty pots, I highly recommend getting any of them.

* Plenty - by London chef, Yotam Ottolenghi. It's a collection of totally vegetarian recipes but those that even a big meat-eater can't resist!
* Super Natural Every Day - by Heidi Swanson. This book is full of good for the body go-to recipes that I keep on going back to over and over again.
* I Know How To Cook - by Ginette Mathiot. It's the bible of traditional French home-cooking filled with tons of little secrets to simple dishes that you'll fall in love with from the first time you make them.
* The Art of French Baking by (also) Grinette Mathiot. If you fancy learning how to make éclairs, macaroons or even madeleines - this is the book for you. Bonus: super easy to follow!
* Kitchen by Nigella Lawson. The queen of kitchen who makes nostalgic food oh so delicious (like when you were little and everything tasted that much better when grandma made it).
* Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights by Sofie Dahl. This book is a gem - full of fun stories and great everyday recipes.
* Tartine Bread by the awesome Chad Robertson who owns the Tartine bakery in SF. If you want to perfect bread making - this is the book you need.
* Mastering The Art of French Cooking by the one and only Julia Child. I'm speechless - it's that special.
* Alone in the Kitchen with an Eggplant by Jenni Ferrari-Adler. This is not your typical cookbook. It's more of a collection of short stories written by foodies who share their favourite recipes for when they eat alone. (I made them all and they are really good).
* Jamie's Great Britain by the awesome chap Jamie Oliver. Every time I make his classic dishes I think of my mom. Hearty, easy and delicious.

And those four sassy beauties below are the cookbooks I'm anxiously awaiting. (Some are on their way already and some are about to be released):
* Smitten Kitchen by Deb Perelman - will be released on October 30, 2012.
* Dinner Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach - will be released on June 5, 2012. Check out her amazing book trailer.
* Joy the Baker's Cookbook by Joy Wilson. This girl makes me crave apple crips all the time. Yum!
* At Home on the Range by Elisabeth Gilber's great-grandmather. (Here you can read about it).

Loves, do you have any of those cookbooks? Any of them caught your eye? What's your favourite cookbook? What are the places you find great recipes? Cookbooks? Blogs or maybe magazines?

Mother's Day Brunch (with recipes)

This past weekend, my friends at Pinhole Press asked me to help throw a brunch to celebrate our friends who are mothers and daughters. My answer (obviously!) was yes!!! It was an early Mother's Day brunch to see the new Pinhole Press collection and just hang out with likeminded women. The food was so delicious, and the company so lovely, I'm excited to share recipes--and photos--in case you might like to throw a similar party or make brunch for your mom on Mother's Day. (P.S. Pinhole Press is one of my beloved sponsors, but this isn't a sponsored post)
The event was held at the new Sunday Suppers studio in Brooklyn. How beautiful are those flowers?!
We started off with a "welcome bite," of homemade Nutella with French bread and sea salt.
Mimosas were made with orange juice and Prosecco (the poor man's Champagne, which is just as delicious:)
The first course was mixed greens with mangos and Panko-fried goat cheese!!!
The main course was Croque Monsieur French Toast!!!! What the what?! Everything was mouthwatering, which wasn't surprising because the meal was hosted by Sunday Suppers with guest chefs Jewels of New York. They're all culinary geniuses.
But the dessert secretly may have stolen the show. Everyone was swooning over these berries with citrus and vanilla mascarpone.
How pretty is this yellow dress with butterfly hair clips?
We had such an amazing time and felt so lucky to be there. My friend Leigh brought her new baby, Hazel, who immediately gave everyone baby fever.
Finally, a HUGE thanks to Pinhole Press for letting us enjoy such a beautiful morning! I made wine labels with our personal baby photos, and we set up a table to show off Mother's Day gifts and their brand new wedding collection.

Thank you to all involved! What a magical morning! Find all the recipes here. xoxoxo

(Photos by Karen Mordechai of Sunday Suppers. Event production by Sunday Suppers with Sunday Suppers guest chefs, the Jewels of New York. Flowers by Saipua. Pinhole Press is a Cup of Jo sponsor, but this is not a sponsored post.)

Mother's Day Brunch (with recipes)

This past weekend, my friends at Pinhole Press asked me to help throw a brunch to celebrate our friends who are mothers and daughters. My answer (obviously!) was yes!!! It was an early Mother's Day brunch to see the new Pinhole Press collection and just hang out with likeminded women. The food was so delicious, and the company so lovely, I'm excited to share recipes--and photos--in case you might like to throw a similar party or make brunch for your mom on Mother's Day. (P.S. Pinhole Press is one of my beloved sponsors, but this isn't a sponsored post)
The event was held at the new Sunday Suppers studio in Brooklyn. How beautiful are those flowers?!
We started off with a "welcome bite," of homemade Nutella with French bread and sea salt.
Mimosas were made with orange juice and Prosecco (the poor man's Champagne, which is just as delicious:)
The first course was mixed greens with mangos and Panko-fried goat cheese!!!
The main course was Croque Monsieur French Toast!!!! What the what?! Everything was mouthwatering, which wasn't surprising because the meal was hosted by Sunday Suppers with guest chefs Jewels of New York. They're all culinary geniuses.
But the dessert secretly may have stolen the show. Everyone was swooning over these berries with citrus and vanilla mascarpone.
How pretty is this yellow dress with butterfly hair clips?
We had such an amazing time and felt so lucky to be there. My friend Leigh brought her new baby, Hazel, who immediately gave everyone baby fever.
Finally, a HUGE thanks to Pinhole Press for letting us enjoy such a beautiful morning! I made wine labels with our personal baby photos, and we set up a table to show off Mother's Day gifts and their brand new wedding collection.

Thank you to all involved! What a magical morning! Find all the recipes here. xoxoxo

(Photos by Karen Mordechai of Sunday Suppers. Event production by Sunday Suppers with Sunday Suppers guest chefs, the Jewels of New York. Flowers by Saipua. Pinhole Press is a Cup of Jo sponsor, but this is not a sponsored post.)