Fun Finds: Handbag Cookie Jar via Horchow and sale

It is an undisputed fact that I am a budding fashionista, lover of great design, and occasional cook.

Well my friends, the trifecta meets in this handbag cookie jar.

A zebra or leopard striped container that can store my snacks?!  Score!  I am seriously thinking about the other ways I can use this in my home.  Hmm bathroom container for random makeup? Sugar container in the kitchen?  Pen container in the office?  All simple rationalization for a pretty fun find.

Handbag cookie jar, $17.43, Horchow

Check out the Horchow website if you have time today.  They are one of my favorite sites for luxurious furniture and decor (think French style settees, beautiful mirrors, and fun finds like this cookie jar).  This is their annual sale and everything on the site is an extra 25-30% off until 8 am CST on May 17.  Now is the time to shop for your home and gifts!  This circular manicure set would be a great small gift (hmm bridesmaids, part of a manicure set?) and I am seriously thinking of ordering the Felicie mirror and bringing it to Asia.  I'm just slightly worried about it breaking after bringing it 10,000 miles.  Hmm worth it?

I am not affiliated with Horchow in any way.  I just love their products and sales!

Cure Natural Aqua Gel Winner and Chocolate Whisky Truffles Recipe

Congratulations to our winner...
...Cynthia M. Richardson (Hofken)!

Please contact me at cncliving{@}gmail.com with your mailing address information so we can ship the prizes to you!

Thanks for entering this contest and there are a few other contests coming up so stay tuned!

Now onto a delicious and decadent recipe that I kinda made up myself!  It is ridiculously easy, rich, and a wonderful treat to gift or snack on after a hard day.  I started with this recipe by Melissa Clark of the New York Times, who is like my modern day Minimalist.  But I wanted to up the "wow" factor and decided to make a slightly wicked version with alcohol.  I had good whisky on hand as well as sea salt so why not (you can replace with the alcohol of your choice!)

Here is the reaction you will get when you give someone these truffles...
Person: Wow, these are amazing and you made truffles yourself!  You are such a good cook!
You (in your head): All I did was melt some chocolate and put some salt on top!  But sure, I am amazing.

Try it yourself - you deserve it!

Chocolate Whisky Truffles
Ingredients
- 12 ounces good chocolate (60% cacao), broken up
- 2/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/4-1/3 cup whisky (to taste)
- pinch of sea salt (or kosher salt) for each truffle
- 3/4 cup cocoa


Prep Time: 30 minutes
Servings: at least 20 1" truffles
Directions:
1. Roughly break up the chocolate.  They don't have to be in very small pieces because they will melt!  Put this into a bowl.

2. Heat the cream in a small saucepan until it comes to a simmer.  Add the whisky according to your taste.

3. Place the heated cream in the same bowl as the chocolate and whisk to melt the chocolate.

4. Cover this bowl and leave it in the refrigerator to set for an hour or more.

5. Set aside a plate full of the cocoa powder and take out the chocolate.  Create 1"chocolate balls and roll immediately in the cocoa powder.  Don't hold the chocolate too long because it melts very easily!

6. Put a pinch of sea salt on the newly formed truffle.

You can make truffles or eat the ganache itself and cut it into fun shapes too!

Photo Love {Inspiration}: Mental break in Bali

One travels to escape from it all, but that is the great illusion: It cannot be done, since one travels with one's mind.

Ella Maillart 

 {Source}

Is it possible to actually get away from it all?  While I can't take much time off, I'm happy that I have the option to make a quick trip during the weekends (like this coming weekend to a wedding though it would be cool if it was in Bali!)  It is hard to stop thinking about all the things that I have to do, but it does help to have a change of environment.  While I can't fully escape thinking and worrying about ongoing issues, I can at least try to start thinking about trying to relax by a serene sunset.

I place such a high priority on travel not only because I want to see the world and family in different corners of the globe, but I also want to give myself a mental and physical break from the craziness of everyday life.  I find that if I am busy doing other activities, it does start to put my mind at ease, even if only temporarily.  We all need those breaks somehow, even if we may not all be lucky enough to go to Bali (though you deserve it!)  So I hope you can plan a vacation soon, recharge, and renew yourself.

How do you get away from it all?

Have a lovely week!

FFF - Kate Spade Tahitian Florals and Farm visits

Happy Fun, Free Friday lovelies!

Pattern Highlight
This year is the year of print for Kate Spade (and for so many other designers too, it seems!)  This month's print is the Tahitian floral print.  I like how it seems like an interplay between two patterns - a black and white, more sedate pattern marries with a colorful, tropical one.  It makes for a pattern that is both classic and unexpected!  I definitely see it working well in Sidney tote for trips to the beach or the Eliana dress for a tropical touch at a weekend brunch.

Otherwise this weekend I am...
...going to a farm!  I know, it is quite a random weekend trip.  But my friend found an operating farm on the far side of town and it seemed like a cool thing to visit (hmm are we really that bored during the weekends now?)  I suppose the city girl in me wants to take a little break from this little concrete jungle.  I hope they sell some good vegetables!  Otherwise, I can still say I made the trek and saw the farm!

What are you doing this weekend?

Have a fabulous weekend (and happy Mother's Day to dear friends that are moms!)

Travel Log/Restaurant Review: SunnyHills Bakery for Taiwanese Pineapple Cakes and Hotpot at Shaburi

There are a few famous Taiwanese foods (besides their street food at the night markets which is so fun to eat!) Otherwise, two of the most authentic and affordable Taiwanese eats are hotpot (or huoguo) and pineapple cakes.  I went to a few of the more famous restaurants for these treats and wanted to share my experiences.

What is hot pot?  It is basically shabu shabu or fondue or food you boil yourself.  It can be a fun individual or group meal.  You order a list of raw foods based around a type of meat - usually fish or beef.  Then you order your stock which can be light or spicy.  Your soup selection is brought to you along with vegetables (cabbage, enoki mushrooms, etc.) and starches (handmade noodles and fish dumplings - they are better than they sound and not fishy!)  It is SO fun just chatting with friends while leisurely cooking your meal.  You get to create your own dipping sauce as well (mmm for sacha sauce with dried shrimp!)  It is a cool, somewhat healthy way to eat out.

We went to Shaburi which is in ATT 4 Fun (who named this mall?) and has a really great ambiance.  It is a little pricier, but comes with salad and dessert as well.  You can save a little by going a la carte as well though sesame ice cream is definitely a great way to end this meal!

899 NTD (about $30)
ATT 4 Fun mall

To be honest, I never loved pineapple cakes.  Some brands were too greasy, others were too sweet.  But SunnyHills Bakery sets itself apart.  First, there are the ingredients: this international cast of ingredients includes butter from New Zealand, flour from Japan, and free range eggs as well as organic pineapple from Taiwan.  This adds up to a simple, flakey, and perfectly sweet (not too sweet) cake.  The second draw of the bakery is the location.  It is based in a quiet, tree-lined residential neighborhood in Taiwan.  The environment is artistic and chic and I loved the random art work throughout the place.  You can order cakes to go and the bakery will invite you to sit down for a complimentary cup of tea and a pineapple cake (two cakes for the price of one - score!) The last two pictures are from the website because I quickly devoured my cake and there was none left for photos!

350 NTD for 10 cakes (about $12)
No. 1, Alley 4, Lane 36 Section 5 MinSheng East Road, Songhan District