Author: Paris

Entertaining: Afternoon Tea & Palmier Cookies

~ Paris

My favorite part about studying abroad in London was definitely visiting the various tea houses for afternoon tea. There’s just something so classic about spending an overcast, rainy day with a hot cup of tea and cookies {preferably of the French variety, such as a macaron, Palmier, or a madeleine, though those are technically a cake}. After discovering that I could make Palmier cookies with only two ingredients required {sugar and puff pastry}, I knew that I would have to try my hand at making some. I paired it with a strawberry & chocolate flavored tea for an indulgent afternoon pick-me-up. The sweet, caramelized cookies, paired with the refreshing hot tea, was the perfect combination on a stormy afternoon, and felt like such a grown up way of having an adult approved tea party.

Ingredients:
1 sheet all-butter puff pastry
1/4 cup sugar {or to taste}
Recipe:
1. Sprinkle the granulated sugar through each layer of the puff pastry. Editor’s Note: A quarter cup of sugar went a long way for me, but I know many people may want a sweeter, more caramelized cookie. Please add more sugar as needed for your personal preference.
2. Allow the sugared puff pastry to chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
3. Add some sugar around the tray to dip both sides of the cookie. Editor’s Note: Be careful as too much sugar can cause the cookie to get a bit over-caramelized/ burnt.

4. Slice the puff pastry and then shape them by hand into the classic heart shape.
5. Leave plenty of room for the cookies to expand as the bake or they will expand and stick to each other.
6. Bake for ~7-8 minutes at 425 degrees. This may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the cookies as they are being made.
7. Enjoy!

x Paris




A Dose of Pretty

~ Paris ~ Leave a comment

{My kind of brunch date: al fresco dining to enjoy the pretty weather + a vegan Cauliflower Benedict & a rose London fog tea latte.}

While this week’s photographs actually span the last month, this week was equally as beautiful. The weather truly felt like spring {which began today at 2:01 am PST, and also marks the astrological new year and is national proposal day} with each day alternating between stormy and sunny. I managed to be productive during the day so I had time to do more creative endeavors at night. And while I love trying new restaurants and ordering in takeout, I really loved spending more time in the kitchen making yummy dishes. Cooking, after all, has always been a love language for me, but as an adult, {ahem} laziness + other priorities have sometimes taken over my ability to prioritize it.

This weekend I am excited to have some quality time with my three boys, spring clean my closet, and work on a DIY art project that has been on my list for awhile now. I hope you have a great one as well! x


{Stargazing in the evening to enjoy the 7 planet alignment at the end of February: Venus is just to the left of the bright light, while Mercury is quickly setting below near the trees. Uranus was apparently between the two but not visible to the naked eye.}

{Walking around the San Diego marina with my new favorite drink: coconut lavender lemonade.}

{Enjoying the extra perks of my massage membership by taking a spa shower with all the pretty products for my hair, face, and body.}

{Watching the sunset over the ocean from my hotel room is now my new favorite way to watch the sun rise or set.}

{One of the best ways I spent a recent Monday afternoon: cooking food for a friend’s meal train to help her family after a recent health diagnosis.}

x Paris