Parisian Macarons, part two

a few more pictures for you! :)

piped and ready to go!

after about 13 mins in the oven!

SO SHINY!

a bit overcooked, but AMAZING either way!

EPIC SUCCESS: Parisian Macarons

oooooh friends, yesterday was the best day of my life! not only was the weather A-MAZING, but i had a little kick in my step (that may or may not have been due to sangria consumption) that led to the most perfect little macarons i have ever laid my eyes on!

*now, i know you remember my epic fail in the fall. i've had my sights set on the perfect macaron since, and i am very proud to say that this was only my second try! and they.were.perfect!!!

While I could take the time to write down the steps, I don't want to. I want to introduce you to the best book I've ever read: I {heart} Macarons by Hisako Ogita. Not only is it filled with plenty of eye candy, it gives you options for millions of flavors of macarons and buttercreams as well as other fillings. it also gives you step by step instructions - with pictures - which i obviously needed. Seriously, this book was my life saver!

without further ado, i present to you the most adorable little dessert i've ever seen, made by: ME!
while i am not thrilled with my color choice (only made two batches in fear that i'd royally screw up again), i am PUMPED about the results!

brownish color = plain almond/vanilla buttercream
green color = matcha (green tea....with hints of blueberry)/vanilla buttercream

every single person said: "seriously? you made these? are you sure you didn't buy them when no one was home!?!?!?? THEY LOOK LIKE THEY ARE FAKE!"
needless to say, I LOVE reactions like that!

i forgot to mention that i SCREAMED out loud when i saw the feet forming - so much so that my room mates that were home all came into the kitchen to see if i was ok/dead. it was THAT exciting!

HAPPY!

What do I want to be when I grow up? who knows.

but amidst all the "growing up" and career decisions, i do know that where i am now, is EXACTLY where i want to be! I LOVE my job, my boss is AMAZING (seriously. she doesn't read my blog, so it's not like I am trying to impress her), and my coworkers are the bomb.com. Everyone is SO helpful, they are willing to teach me new things when i ask a million questions, and - most of all - they are encouraging.

I was just informed of my compensation increase for the year, and needless to say, i am thrilled! It's not the lottery, but it's perfect for me - right now.

I'm going to go frolick...

...without that hideous dress and shoes, might i add.

it's another birthday weekend!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ali and Katie!

Ali is my awesomely smart, beautiful, caring and sweet cousin! It's the big 2-1!


Katie is my fabulously crazy, fun, amazing, gorgeous roommate! She is at the quarter century mark, 25!



happy birthday ladies, i hope its fabulous, just like you!


picture from: http://voir.tumblr.com/page/3

Birthday !

hii!!

ahhh yes, the birthday extravaganza blog! It was glorious! Matt and I have birthdays on the 17th and 19th of October and plenty of the same friends - so we teamed up (more like I forced myself into the mix) and had a hokie celebration/birthday party in Adam's Morgan this weekend! He went home early (sukka), so i have no pictures with him.


Started at Town Tavern.
could.not.say.anything.bad.about.this.place
the waitress was so accomodating and amazing
free shots when the hokies score/win (which didnt really happen in this game...)
$10 all you can drink beer during the game! amazing.

at some point after the game, i gave my camera to my dear polish friend, alex.
she captured through photo the essence of the evening.
needless to say, it was hilarious/awesome/amazing/fun/crazy/hammertime all mixed into one!

We made our way over to Peyote Cafe - a hole in the wall Karaoke bar right next to (i think) Town Tavern.
we all sang. we all danced. we all blacked out.
i requested Party in the U.S.A. about 30 times. and got rejected about 30 times.



here are a few more pictures from the night...

they sang me happy birthday, i was too excited!




apparently i am strangling claire....



singing??



and then we got jumbo slice. those who know me, know that this is my JAM.
i was too busy eating to take pictures of it...but that was the end of the night! :)

Thank you to my bestest friends for being there Saturday and always! Love you!