of Studs and Madeleines

Studded Ballet Flats // Zara : Trousers // H&M Trend

I gave in to my obsessions for shoes and went to Zara and bought these jeweled and studded ballerina flats over the weekend. They are unique and striking with the combination of jewels, studs and a cute ankle strap. The only thing I'm afraid of is wearing them outside in the sub-zero weather and ruining the suede by stepping in slush. So these pretty things might have to wait for a dry and warm day.

Yesterday I also had a bit of time to use my new Madeleine pan and try out a new recipe. It was my first time going to Lina's Italian Market and it was fun to look through all the Italian goods and varieties of pasta, cookware, and of course desserts. Though Madeleines are a French dessert I cannot deny myself a baking pan that only costs $8 compared to the one at Williams-Sonoma that had been keeping my attention for the last few months and retails for $38.

So here's the finished product and my recipe adapted from The Art of French Baking:

Yield: 3 dozen

What you need: 

9 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus extra for greasing
1 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, plus extra for dusting unless you have a non stick pan 
4 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract, or grated zest of 1 lemon (I used the seeds of 1 vanilla bean)
Pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Grease Madeleine molds with butter and lightly dust with flour. Unless yours is non-stick then you can skip this step

Whisk the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer for 5 minutes, until pale and tripled in volume. Slowly fold in the flour and butter, then the vanilla, lemon zest and pinch of salt.

Chill the batter in the refrigerator for two hours before baking (I didn't find a need to do this maybe chill it for 1/2 and hour if you like). Pour into the prepared molds (mine was a bit thick so I spooned it into the molds and spread it around a little), halfway full, and bake for 7-8 minutes.

 These would be a great with your morning coffee or my favorite is dipping them into my hot chocolate after all the whipped cream has been eaten off. 

Stay cozy! 

Christmas Apartment

Yesterday was the official day the holidays began in my apartment. The tree was set up and trimmed with friends all while we had a good laugh trying to solve the mystery of the missing tree leg. Yes, apparently it takes 4 people to put 1 tree together. Lucky that was solved with a small box that was the perfect height.

 

We finished the day with pizza and beer. The dinner of decorating champions! and I made some delicious no bake turtle cheesecake bites which will be detailed in the next post!

Silver & Blue sparkly heels//Holt Renfrew : 1, 2, 3, 4 Candles //Ikea : Bicycle //Crate & Barrel 

Favorite Picks Aldo Spring '13

We are barely a month into winter and as they say fashion goes on! Here is a little taste of what is to come from Aldo for Spring 2013. These are some pieces I would die to own and will be dreaming of until they can be added to my closet.

Prices unavailable as this is a preview. But here are the style names 1//Flensbura : 2//Zovencedo : 3//Resita : 4//Parodi : 5//Joyceanne : 6//Chamboot

To check out the entire collection click here.

Winter Heights

 Sweater//Elizabeth & James : Jeans//Gap 1969 : Coat//Esprit : Necklace//Forever 21 : Shoes//Zara

Winter is here! I don't know why I'm so excited because right now my toes are frozen. Err.

But having lived in Alberta for most of my life I already know that we can not stay inside forever and life goes on so we have to put on our sweaters, jackets, hats, socks, boots, mitts, and any other combination of cold weather attire and get our butts outside! For most of the week I have avoided going outside for more then 15-20 minutes (my walk to and from school) and a sore ankle. Darn badminton injury. Overall...minus a Tiffany's bloggers breakfast on Tuesday. Photos to come! I have nestled myself in my apartment between my blanketed cocoon of warmth and supplied my tea addiction happily. 

My roommate begged me to help her people watch for a school assignment, so yesterday we ended up at the Calgary Tower, and let me tell you the view was beautiful. The concrete and steel giants of the downtown core were puffing white smoke that hold the coming and goings of thousands of Calgarians was a sight...until I looked down, it was an instant set of nausea and backing away from the glass floor before I felt normal again. Apparently heights scare me. I did manage to get some photos after convincing myself that everything was alright and I just needed to imaging myself as a giant stepping on the little 'ant' cars below. Incredible how a ego boost can squelch any fears!

Stay warm and stylish xoxo!

Insta-June

Follow me on Instagram - Linlemon

Sunday Shoe Confession

So I've been a bit bad this month with shopping. I had a fun time yesterday trying on dresses with my mom at BCBG Max Azria and finding one that I'm absolutely in love with! So I may be heading to the store closest to me to check for my size which they didn't have at the one we had gone to yesterday. There was some shoe shopping at Winners and I came out with 2 pairs that are just adding to my over stuffed closet. So very bad considering the 3 other pairs added this month along with my Moschino belt and YSL skirt. Oops!




Betsey Johnson, Report

Shoe Session

A few favorite picks for this seasons shoes. This session begins with pops of hot pink, bright yellows and the ever prevalent animal print with some lucite. How very yummy. The sexy and strappy styles make me dream of summer days and wild nights!







From top to bottom:Aperlai, Finsk, Lanvin, La Rare, Jill Stuart, and Zuzana