Azure Chocolat

Dear Readers,
To make up for my absence, I am finally making this my second Culinary post! First was my affection for french macarons. This, is only getting better. Ive found the most wonderful shop in Greenlawn, Long Island, not too far from my parents home and am in love with their rich, exotic flavors that can only be cherished by a real Chocolate lover. Godiva is so passé.

                                        Mexican Rose 

     

Dark chocolate, coffee, rose water, Kahlua, rolled in dark 

chocolate topped with a rose petal and cinnamon       

                                           

                            Hot Monkey Love

Dark chocolate, banana, whiskey, cayenne, rolled in dark 

chocolate, topped with cayenne and crushed banana chips

                                

              

                       Tangerine Macadamia

White chocolate, fresh tangerine, Macadamia nuts, liqueur, rolled in white chocolate, topped with Tangerine zest

                         

                        Honey Date

Dark chocolate, Medjool dates, honey, liqueur, 

rolled in dark chocolate, topped with minced dates

                                             

  

                                     Pear & Sage

       Dark chocolate, fresh sage, pear, white chocolate caramel, 

       liqueur, rolled in dark chocolate, topped with almonds, 

       brown sugar & sage

              Peanut Butter Banana

Milk and white chocolate, organic peanut butter, bananas, 

rolled in milk chocolate, topped with white chocolate

  

                                                                            

                                                

                             Nipples of Venus

                                                                   

         Dark chocolate, chestnuts, honey, liqueur, rolled in 

         white chocolate, topped with dark chocolate

       

                         Walnut Lavender Honey

Milk chocolate, Provencal lavender, honey, fresh walnuts, 

rolled in milk chocolate, topped with walnuts & lavender buds

                                                                                                                           

                                  Beauty Bark

70% Belgian chocolate, fresh walnuts, wild blueberries, cocoa nibs, goldex flax & sea salt; high in Omega 3's & antioxidants; completely healthy & decadent, and its Vegan and Dairy free too! 

With flavors and quirky names to go along with them, how can anyone resist? Out of all the chocolates Ive tried so far, Mexican Rose and the Beauty Bark are my favorites. I have no words to describe them without getting excited and grinning because I simply refuse to share any of these sinful little heaven sent treats. The ladies of the shop were so wonderful, they have allowed me to take pictures. Alas, I intend to put up a "Part Deux" post for Azure Chocolat especially with Valentines day coming up. Heres a few fun facts to end this post in hopes that you will leave your computer for a little while and head over the chocolate shop to sample not only the truffles, but the best chocolate covered Graham cracker cookie you've ever had in your life!! 


-Everything, and I mean everything in the shop is GLUTEN-FREE
-The chocolat ladies make Vegan Cupcakes to order.
-It is set in a very quaint village like town that resembles Huntington Village. (only much cuter!)
-Everything is handmade on premises
-Ever tried one of those fancy truffles from Whole Foods markets? Azure Chocolat is the supplier. SWEET!
-They ship orders from the shop
-They have a Facebook page. Click HERE to "Like" them and stay up to date


Enough drooling over your comp screen and visit Azure Chocolat or place an order! 
AZURECHOCOLATE.COM


All pictures via Azure Chocolates Facebook page. 

Design Inspiration: Bedroom

Since the new year resolutions list is piling up, I may as well add new bedroom decor to it! For the last 5 years, my bedroom has a buttery-peach color with Indian bedding complete with a ruby red canopy. I even named my room as the love shack. Nowadays, my taste in bedding and decorations have been leaning more towards the Shabby Chic or European side or a more modern city with a glamorous high fashion touch. I want tons of inspiration and found a few pictures to share, and will post up more for everyone else who wants to change up their rooms!

My dream bedroom. sighhh



My modern inspiration. Love the dark walls with bright accents and the large chaise at the foot of the bed



All photos courtesy of House Beautiful Magazine

New Year, New Heels!

2011 brings on a new bevy of jewel encrusted, silk draped and breathtaking heels we all dream of floating down the street in. Here are a few of my new favorites that are truly eyecandy. YSL is becoming my favorite when it comes to shoes, with more daring and wearable shoes that stand out!




Giuseppe Zanotti- Flower Sandal $750

 

Miu Miu- Glitter Oxford $595



Manolo Blahnik- Poznansa $1,295

 

Giuseppe Zanotti- Stone T-Strap Sandal $750

 

Christian Louboutin- Brandaplato $1,125



Yves Saint Laurent- Cork Wedge $695

 

Yves Saint Laurent- Tweed Platform Wedge $695



Yves Saint Laurent- Espadrille Sandal $795

 Which shoe do you like the most?

2011

Happy New Year!! Who else thought this year flew by? For me, 2010 was full of laughter, obstacles, dramatic situations, shed tears for the unworthy, crazy fun people, psychotic people, lots of partying, fun and cringe worthy dates, epic makeout sessions and a bitchfight(s). What is the one thing I learned out of the last 12 months?

DONT WASTE TIME. LIFE IS TOO SHORT
-Don't waste your time with people in your life who do not return the same love you have for them.
-Don't waste your time sitting on your ass doing nothing, because at the end of the day, all you will do is complain. Pathetic.

What are your new years resolutions? I think I'll share a few. = )


1. Start AND maintain a healthier lifestyle, do yoga more often instead of once a month.

2. Focus on Balance! School + Work + Social life = Happiness (all this in nyc of course! )

3. Be a little more selective when it comes to dating, instead of just being curious or being too nice or even double-booking. I've had my fair share of Carrie Bradshaw moments last year!

4. Sketch and design and sew a WHOLE lot more during my free time. Practice really does make perfect and nothing in life every comes easy especially when your working towards a long term career goal. How gorgeous is this Hermes sketch by this awesome FIT graduate below? Jennifer Lilya, <3!!

http://www.jenniferlilya.com/index.php

5. Drink more champagne, but never alone! Before my best friend Mal moved out to her sleek pad in BK (right over the water!) we drank Korbel two nights in a row which is a bit much for us, but we did it just because we felt like it was worth celebrating!

Holiday Art

I hope everyone had a wonderful christmas and is enjoying the blizzard like I am! So sorry for my absence, my laptop has been under costruction and I'll hopefully get it back soon! It's below freezing and apparently NY will be hit with about 16 inches of snow, especially on Long Island! I'll be in pj's watching my favorite musicals and experimenting in the kitchen. Open faced baguette sandwiches anyone? I'll be in the kitchen making this and this from the last episode called the "the holiday show" on Martha Stewart. YUM! Happy Holidays!

ps- I had to share some wonderful holiday cards from Papyrus by none other then Bella Pilar. Here are a few of my holiday favorites.

LOVE the ice skates and whimsical design!

My favorite, nothing like a deep red gown with sparkles and ornaments



Love the Peppermint Martini here...  ; )



Christmas Trees... or Branches?

I love the idea of having your own decorated tree at home for Christmas, and I also loveeee the designer trees at some wonderful department stores for their window displays such as Barneys, Bloomingdales and of course Macy's. For those of you who in the city, or in your studio apartments...I imagine you'd look for an alternative to a tree for festive decor, so I'm glad to share this wonderful idea that I came across a great French design site called Maison et Demeure . This is the perfect cheaper and chic way to to make your living space more holiday friendly and wont cost you a fortune for excess lighting or ornaments and will not be a hassle to clean up afterwards (since there is no trimming involved). My advice, hang up a few classic ornaments in holiday shades such as red, green, silver or gold sparingly. For some extra fun, hang one or two extra ornaments related to YOU.

If your a baker, hang a little cupcake ornament. If your a fashion designer, a little shoe/purse/dress ornament. For sports nuts, little basketballs or footballs...you get the point! When you make it personal, its fun. Just remember, don't overload...they're leafless and empty branches not a green tree. Have fun decorating!