Safe Keeping

How neat is this book safe? I always wanted to do this as a kid, but the thought of taking an X-acto knife to a favorite novel still saddens me. I suppose a cheap hardback book wouldn't be too difficult to find at a thrift store.

My favorite part: how perfect is the book selection? I love that the title, The Tower Treasure, hints at the surprise hidden within the pages. Very clever.

The book is available for purchase from SecretSafeBooks on Etsy.

Books, Books, Books

What I anticipate most of Wednesday evening, and early Thursday to entail.

The hopeful result.

What I need to avoid.

My last paper of the semester is due today. One step closer to the end of the semester!

Images via weheartit

Salted Caramels

In two short weeks I'll be home for Christmas. I'm already dreaming about the cooking, baking, and candy making that surrounds the holiday in my family. On this year's list: my mom's famous toffee, spritz cookies, peppermint bark, fudge, and peanut butter balls.

A new contender? Salted caramels. I love how easily these can be packaged as a gift or holiday treat. If wrapping them individually in wax paper is too time intensive, they can be bagged in a pretty cellophane bag tied with a large ribbon and decorative tag. If you're feeling extra generous, you can share the recipe on the card as well.

Salted Caramels
Ingredients and Equipment

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 2 teaspoons sea salt, plus extra for sprinkling on top.
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
  1/4 cup light corn syrup
• 1/4 cup water
• 8" square baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Candy thermometer
• Wax paper for wrapping or paper candy cups

Directions

• Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper and lightly oil the paper.
• Bring the cream, butter and sea salt to a boil in a small saucepan; remove from heat and set aside.
• Boil the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Bring to a boil, without stirring but gently swirling pan; then cook without stirring until the mixture reaches 248°F, the firm-ball stage.
• Carefully stir in the cream mixture—the mixture will bubble up. Simmer, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes. The temperature should not go higher than 250°F.
• Tip: To get the caramel consistency you want, test by dropping a spoonful of caramel into a bowl of cold water. It will form a ball, which you can test with your fingers. Stop cooking when the ball is the consistency that you want.

• Pour the mixture into the baking pan and cool 2 hours.
• Optional: dip the caramels in tempered melted chocolate; sprinkle the top with some grains of sea salt (pretty salts make a difference); or press in some culinary lavender buds.
• Cut into 1-inch pieces, then wrap each piece in a 4-inch square of wax paper, folding ends or twisting to close like taffy.

Images via The Kitchn

Ski Coat

It's finally starting to feel like winter, by which I mean I nearly managed to get frostbite this weekend. At the last minute I ended up helping out at an outdoor activity (that I knew I wasn't dressed for, but there was no time to change) in thirty degree weather. Not the smartest choice, but I thankfully recovered. The whole time, I kept imagining my warm, double layered ski coat sitting unused at home.

Moral of the story? Don't forget this guy. It may not be the most fashionable of clothing, but when it comes to a day on the slopes, or a few hours in below freezing temperatures, there's nothing I'd rather have than my ski coat.

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream...

When all else fails, find cute pajamas...

Ay, there really is the rub.

It's a fairly well accepted fact that seven to eight hours is the "golden" amount of sleep. That is, too much more or less can be detrimental to one's immediate and future health. According to David Dinges, chief of the Division of Sleep and Chronobiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, "Some of us are so used to not getting enough sleep that we've forgotten what it feels like to be fully alert."

I couldn't agree more ardently with that statement. On this chuckle-worthy list of "32 Undeniable Truths for Mature Humans", number nine reads "I can’t remember the last time I wasn’t at least kind of tired."

Is there any hope? Fortunately, yes. Our brains, always looking out for our well being, have a mechanism that allows us to sleep deeply when we're most in need. The amount of "recovery sleep" recharged depends on how much sleep you've lost. While a full eight hours after a week of squeaking by on five to six hours a night won't do much, ten hours is enough to get you almost back to normal. The study warned against carrying a "sleep debt" as well. Bottom line: It's alright to skimp every once in a while on sleep (nothing a recovery night or two can't fix), but persistent sleep deprivation is rather harmful.

The article's suggestions for actually getting eight hours? "If you think you're just too busy to get the requisite amount of slumber, try removing all electronic media devices—BlackBerry, TV, computer—from your bedroom. These distractions, says Dinges, are a prime reason many of us turn out the lights an hour or two later than we originally intended." Bad news for those of us who rely on cell phone alarms clocks... Rest easy!

Apple Cider

One of my favorite wintertime drinks is apple cider. What's the difference between apple juice and apple cider? Juice is filtered to remove solid matter, like seeds and skin, whereas cider retains its cloudy appearance due to their inclusion. From a nutritional standpoint, the two have nearly the same amount of calories, fiber, and sugar. I enjoy the stronger flavor of cider, but both are delicious.

Hot Spiced Cider Recipe (from Southern Living)

Ingredients

• 2  quarts apple cider
• 1/2  cup  molasses
• 4  lemon slices, cut in half
• 12  whole cloves
• 2  (2-inch) cinnamon sticks
• 1/4  cup  lemon juice
• Garnishes: cinnamon sticks, lemon wedges, whole cloves

Preparation

• Bring cider and next 4 ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes.
• Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves with a slotted spoon; stir in lemon juice. Garnish, if desired.

Image via we heart it

Ann Taylor Challenge

Billy Reid

Each of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists completed in a series of challenges to win the prestigious prize. In one challenge, the designers were given a box of images from Ann Taylor campaigns from the ’50s, when the brand launched, to today. Each finalist was asked to create a look that would "set the next major career style trend.”

Loden Dager

The designers had to balance an accessible price point (Prabal Gurung had to forego hand stitching and pleating) with the spirit of the line. The winning designer Billy Reid's look is perhaps my favorite. In addition to an amazing pair of pants that are career chic, he created a genius trench coat with - get this - a lining that when removed becomes a bubble hemmed shift dress. I love the pastel aqua and blush colors of the Loden Dager set and the amazing movement of the Gregory Parkinson dress as well. Unfortunately the designs were just part of the contest and will not be going into production, although the originals will possibly be auctioned to benefit the CFDA.

Gregory Parkinson

Images via Fashionista