{Currently Craving} Delicious Desserts

(Deluxe Carrot Cake)
Today I had originally planned on sharing a chocolate hazelnut cake, but for some reason the recipe was an epic fail, meaning it tasted only okay (the recipe called for too much sugar not enough chocolate) and I only want to share the best of the best.  I decided in turn to share some delicious recipes from some of my favorite food blogs that currently have my mouth-watering not just for the recipes but also for the photography and styling.  

(Lemon & Poppy Loaf)

Petal by Petal:: 'Cloony' Ranunculus

When it comes to flowers the more ruffled and layered the better, hence the amount of roses that I feature on this site in addition to my love for peonies.  Close to both peonies and roses are another favorite the ranunculus, a beautifully layered flower that comes in a variety of colors and is plentifully available this time of year.  Browsing the flower market in New York you are greeted with an extensive selection so it was hard to narrow it down, however, when I came across the 'Cloony' Ranunculus I immediately fell in love.  This particular variety is from France and is beloved for it's faint pink color and the way that it blossoms from a tight rosette to an unbelievably beautiful bloom that is about five inches wide.  The ranunculus is a very hearty flower that when refreshed with clean water every day can last in a vase for nearly two weeks.  

{Trend Spotting} Milan Fall 2014

Fashion months is more than half over and the results for fall have been a steady dose of key trends that will take you through next autumn.  Patterns have been a key trend in both New York and London thus far and in Milan, modern plaids were introduced in a large scale incorporating muted colors like gray and brown as seen at Ferragamo and Max Mara, while sharp geometric prints in punchy primary colors delivered a feast for the eyes at Fausto Puglisi, Fendi and Missoni.  On the other spectrum, designers like Gucci and Costume National sent models down the runway wearing tonal palettes in dusty mauve to electric blue.  Florals, as seen in both New York and London were out again in full bloom in Milan where designers like Marni, Dolce & Gabbana and Aqualino.Rimondi created a dreamy garden of rosette and gerbera daisy prints to create utterly feminine looks. Leather, always a staple when the leaves begin to change was in nearly every show, some noteworthy pieces were the buttery leather skirts and blouses at Gucci to the head to to look in fluttery amethyst at Blumarine.   Finally what women doesn't need a power suit to slip on when the time is right? Fall unveiled a hefty dose of  pieces for the powerful women whether chic in black as seen at Versace or a softer edge at Tod's.  What shows were your favorite from Milan? My favorites were Dolce & Gabbana, Luisa Beccaria and Les Compains.