OMG! BHLDN?

OMG!  My 2 Favorite things in the world have just merged- Anthropologie and Weddings!  Yep, Anthropologie- the most amazing and inspiring store of all time has just launched a new wedding site called BHLDN.  

(In case you didn't know that I'm a total anthro addict, click here, here, or here.)

BHLDN is so new that it isn't even fully up and running, just a teaser to spark our interest.  I don't even know what BHLDN stands for?  I can't wait to find out!  

And how perfect, it launches on Valentine's Day!

More to come,

~City Belle

(yes, I know I sound like a total 12 year old girl in this post) ha!

photos courtesy of Anthropologie and BHLDN

Country Boy Toast

Ok I know what you're thinking....We ordered french toast from some great restaurant near-by and had it delivered.  Nope, this here is genuine, home-made Country Boy French toast.

Basic ingredients are gonna be needed.  And as much as it's been snowing lately you should have an abundant supply of milk and eggs.  But not just any bread will do.  You gotta get Challah.  

Challah Bread is a Jewish tradition.

It's the best bread I have ever put in my mouth.

I used crush roasted almonds that are salted.  The salt works well when mixed into the batter.  I used just a little vanilla extract, and some coffee creamer.  Yes coffee creamer w/ a half a cup of 2% milk.  

City Belle did a great job behind the camera while I was slaving away in the kitchen!

Cinnamon Eggs!

 

 Twice'd baked is the trick. This came about by accident.  See, we don't have a big enough oven or pan to cook it all simultaneously, so I used to do 2 at a time.  Well, when I was done with the 1st two pieces I would stick it in the convection oven while I made the other two.  When I got the two out of the oven they were crispier, gooder,  and fluffier, and just better all around!  So now when I make Country Boy Toast, I bake it too!

  This might be some of the best french toast I've ever made.  It came out great and considering it's been so cold outside I thought it was a perfect time to make some gourmet Country Boy Toast!

 As you can see it turned out purdy good.


until next time,

~Country Boy

Chocolate Hug Mugs

 Country Boy here just saying hay!  Do you love chocolate?  Yeah, me too and Max Brenner is the bald man with all the chocolate. He reinvented the chocolate experience and created a modern day Willy Wonka's Chocolate factory in NYC.  I was lucky enough to walk by a boutique selling Max Brenner gift sets in Bryant Park the other day.
It was a post holiday sale.

When City Belle and I first started going out we went to Max Brenner's restaurant for a date.  They had hug-mugs that you drank hot chocolate out of, and we thought it was the coolest thing ever.  It's made with a curvature that enables you to completely wrap your hands around the mug, creating a hug.  Hence, HUG-MUG!!!! Whoa!!   So when I saw a gift package with them, I jumped at the chance to get em'.  I got 2 hug-mugs, 2 saucers, and lots of European style hot chocolate mix called Chocktail for 25 bux! 

Basic ingredients of 2% milk, Chocktail mix, and some TLC.

Milk being poured into a Bialetti Hot Chocolate maker.  

Chocolate Chocktail mix being poured for Swirly Swirl!!!

Here's the star of the show, the Bialetti Hot chocolate maker!  This thing has literally revolutionized the way we make hot chocolate.  It is an actual kitchen appliance dedicated soley to a frothy cup of hot cocoa.  Crazy right? The frother sucks the air out of the bottom and recirculates it back on top creating a chocolate froth while heating the milk!

Frother being submerged!!!

 

Adding to the experience we decided to toast some marshmallows.  

(getting them slightly burnt on top is the trick)

TA-DAAAA!!

Mmmmmmmmmmmm.......good  

Double ~ Decadence

Fahgettabout-it!!!

The hug mug is a perfect gift for an upcoming holiday men.  Hint. Hint......It starts with a V.

until next time,

~ Country Boy

marimekko monday

Photo: CrateandBarrel.com

Hey Yall!  It's Monday, so how about some fresh inspiration to start your week.  A few months ago, Crate and Barrel in Soho opened a marimekko shop inside the store.  

CrateandBarrel.com 

I finally got a chance to go check it out and it was awesome! 

All of the amazing, graphic, vibrant prints in one spot!  

See how bright and colorful it is!

All sorts of beautiful things for your home!

Teapots and Trays

Colorful Bedding

You could even buy printed fabric to make your own marimekko designs. 

Bath Accessories

More Bedding...

Totes and Accessories

The store had something for everyone!

Desk and Office Accessories

Even brightly-colored accessories for a Rainy Day!

Hope you get some inspiration to start your week!

Until next time,

~City Belle

Cupcake Tour Part 3-Eleni's

By now, I think you all know how much we love cupcakes, but it's been awhile. 

So, time for another cupcake tour!  If you didn't get a chance, 

check out Cupcake Tour Part 1 and Part 2.   

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we had to bring you a sweet delight. 

Today is all about sweet treats from Eleni's.  Actually, Eleni's is most famous for their amazing iced sugar cookies.  I remember the first time trying her amazing cookies. 

It was love at first bite!

Eleni's has a location at the Chelsea Market in NYC near 15th street and 9th avenue.  Chelsea Market in itself is an amazing place, but that's for another post.  Eleni's is the perfect shade of pink with all the cookies and cupcakes you could imagine.

A casual place to sit and have a cupcake.

Look at all those delicious cupcakes!  YUM!

View of the shop

Gorgeous packaging for take home gifts. 

And just in time for Valentine's Day, they have their amazing Valentine cookies.

Photo: www.elenis.com

Photo: www.elenis.com

Photo: www.elenis.com

They even have a cookie on their website with my Monogram!  How cool is that!?

So, if you are ever in NYC you have to check out Eleni's.

Until the next treat, 

~City Belle