She Said, she said

We were in Paris a few months ago for a very special Mother & Daughter portrait session with Australian photographer Katie Mitchell. We stumbled upon her work on Instagram, and we've been fans ever since! Specializing in natural and relaxed wedding photography and lifestyle portraiture, Katie's photographs are beautiful and uncontrived.

It was a dream come true and an honor to have her take our photographs as recipients of her Mother's Day Giveaway.

Katie Mitchell is a Paris based wedding and lifestyle photographer.

Photos from Katie's Portfolio.

Paris has always been on top of our list of must-see places, and to have all these treasured memories of our trip documented through lovely photographs was truly a blessing.

The genuine passion Katie has for her craft is evident in the photos that she takes. She was such a joy to work with and took the time to get to know us so we would be comfortable in front of the camera. Our portraits turned out amazing and we will definitely cherish them for years to come.

If you ever find yourselves in Paris, there is no better way to capture beautiful memories than a portrait session with Katie!

Our heartfelt thanks to Bayo Clothing for our outfits. It was an honor to wear a proud Filipino brand while we were in Paris.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

Katie Mitchell Photography

75002 Paris, France

website

We were so excited when we found out that the Writers Bar in Raffles Makati put a posh New York twist on the classic Afternoon Tea with their Kate Spade tea set! We set out to try it last weekend and it was the perfect mother and daughter date. Mom and I had both been really busy and it was so fun to be able to wind down after such a long week, drinking tea and enjoying each other's company.

Savory Selection: Tomato, mozzarella and pesto bruschetta, Turkey pastrami, cheddar and green apple on rye bread, Cream cheese smoked salmon mini bagel and Grilled marinated bell peppers on sundried tomato ciabatta

Tea Selection: Sweet Paris and Vanilla Grapefruit

Mini eclair, Mini chocolate beau bag, Mini Religieuse, Mini cakes

Macarons and mini donuts

Chocolate Chip Scones

Homemade Chocolate

We were so in love with all of the cute sandwiches and pastries. The quirky New York vibe we got from our little tea time made us want to see the city even more. We can't wait to experience The Big Apple with our own eyes very soon!

Prêt-à-Portea: Kate Spade Afternoon Tea is available from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM daily until September 14, 2014.

Raffles Makati
1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue

Makati City, 1224

Phone: (02) 555 9777

Our favorite sweet endings to any meal are those that are made of layers upon layers of sweet cream and luscious strawberries! Eton Mess is a classic British dessert that is a mixture of broken pieces of meringue, strawberries and cream traditionally served during Eton College's annual cricket game against Harrow School in the UK.

This dessert is all kinds of decadent, and so simple to put together when you're craving for some sweet indulgence. It also makes for an impressive looking after dinner treat to serve to guests too!

Sharing with you the recipe, courtesy of The Blue Kitchen, using their Cashew Meringue. A word of caution though, TBK's Cashew Meringue is quite addicting. We easily finished two containers in one sitting! Also perfect with tea.

The word "mess" in Eton Mess, refers to the appearance of the dish- a delicious sticky mess of cream, meringue and fruits.

TBK's Cashew Meringue.

The Blue Kitchen is a specialty food store known for their artisanal, homemade and ready to serve food products. Visit their new branch at the third level of Robinson's Magnolia in Quezon City, and other branches in Power Plant Mall and Shangri-la Mall.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

The Blue Kitchen
Facebook page
website

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New York Fashion Week is a semi-annual event held every February and September, showcasing international fashion collections to the press, buyers, and general public. And like any other fashion week, it is a beautiful thing to see unfold. (Yes, even from afar.) The amount of work brands and designers put into meticulously organizing a show as they do is just incredible, and there's something about the fast-paced Big Apple that makes it all the more exciting.

It's one of my ultimate dreams to be part of the glamorous, elusive NYFW gang: rushing between shows, taking a thousand photos of everything, and seeing coveted street style up close and personal.

With that dream in mind, here are a couple of my favorite looks from this year's Spring/Summer 2015 Ready-To-Wear collections!

Michael Kors

Kate Spade New York

Elizabeth and James

Oscar de la Renta

All photos from Vogue.com

Bruschetta is an Italian antipasto consisting of grilled bread topped with tomatoes, olive oil, salt and pepper. Traditionally served as an appetizer or a light snack, other variations may include toppings such as cured meats, cheese, fresh fruits and even beans.

Tomatoes and mangoes go perfectly well together. Sweet, sour and a hint of savory, this easy bruschetta recipe is one of our favorites. We’ve also added some creamy kesong puti to add a salty bite, too. It’s simple to make, no cooking involved and once you’ve put it together, it looks seriously impressive just like the ones served in fancy restaurants. Best eaten with your fingers, no fork and knife necessary!

Mango Bruschetta

You’ll need:

Sourdough or French Baguette

Tomatoes, seeded and sliced

Fresh, ripe Mangoes, cubed

Kesong Puti or fresh mozzarella if you prefer

Olive oil or butter

Balsamic vinegar

Coarse salt & freshly cracked black pepper

Ashitaba leaves for garnish

Slice baguette and toast with olive oil or butter. Arrange on a serving platter. Top each toasted bread with sliced kesong puti, tomatoes, cubed mangoes. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Garnish with Ashitaba leaves. Serve immediately.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

Mary Grace Cafe in Alabang Town Center is one of our favourite places to go to when we’re craving for comfort food. Famous for their delectable, pillow soft ensaymadas and cheese rolls, the Mary Grace brand has become a household name for the best pastries, cakes and breads.

The café’s menu also includes a good selection of hearty sandwiches, flavorful pastas, fresh salads, appetizers and many more. And with its cozy, home inspired interiors, it is the best place to find refuge from the busy mall. The food and service here is consistently excellent, that is why we’ve been loyal customers. Even friends and family visiting us from abroad always request for us to bring them here, and we’re always happy to oblige.

Vigan Longaniza served with rice and eggs. The green mango and tomatoes on the side are the perfect compliment to this dish.

Homemade Iced Teas and Mary Grace Mushroom Cream Pasta.

Perfect pair! Valencia Orange Hot Chocolate and fresh out of the oven Ensaymada topped with grated edam cheese.

We’ve spent many leisurely lunches and afternoons in Mary Grace Café. The comforting and relaxing ambiance together with their delicious food is just so conducive for the many mother-daughter talks we’ve had over the years so each visit is always memorable.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

Mary Grace Cafe
Ground Level, Corte de las Palmas
Alabang Town Center
Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila
Facebook page

Halloween is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries, including some parts of the Philippines. On October 31st, the eve of All Saints Day, people go trick-or-treating, hold costume parties, decorate carved pumpkins, play pranks and visit haunted houses to supposedly drive away evil spirits.

Halloween is a big thing in our village. Children and adults both dress up in scary and not so scary costumes and enjoy going around houses to collect treats. It's always fun to see the creative costumes parents and kids come up with every year. And while the typical department store bought costumes are still popular, more and more people are trying to come up with original, one-of-a-kind ensembles.

Here are some cute ideas we found on one of our favorite sites for all things crafty, OhHappyDay.com. They're easy to put together as well as practical and inexpensive. All you need is a quick visit to your closet!

Little fashion icons.

She Said: Halloween costumes need not be expensive. Bianca found some useful pieces that were hiding in my closet. Thrift stores are good places to check out too!

she said: I'm so excited to be the fabulous Anna Wintour for Halloween this year! I raided my mom's closet for this look, and the magazines are mine.

Little music icons.

Photos taken from OhHappyDay.com. Visit their site here for more costume and craft ideas.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

The Lobby at Aruga by Rockwell

The Rockwell Center in Makati City is one of Metro Manila's premier communities where the conveniences of residential and office buildings, retail establishments and even a school can be found in one exclusive enclave.

The most recent addition to this one-of-a-kind neighborhood is Aruga Serviced Apartments, Rockwell's first foray into the hotel and leisure industry. Aruga which means "to nurture" in Tagalog is set out to offer its guests sincere and exceptional service.

Set to be fully operational before the end of this year, the serviced apartments ranging from studio units to one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites are all designed in Asian contemporary style and fitted with a well equipped kitchen, uninterrupted internet service, and comfortable beds.

Living area of a two-bedroom suite.

Fully equipped kitchen.

Comfortable beds ensure a good night's rest.

Aruga is a short walk away from Power Plant Mall, one of our most favorite places for dining and shopping. So, when we received an invitation to try out their amenities, we were more than happy to accept.

Perfect for family vacations and business trips, the suites are spacious and well designed. One of the things we loved most about our room was the kitchen equipped with a microwave oven, toaster, coffeemaker, kitchen utensils and dinnerware making it ideal for spontaneous gatherings with friends and family. And with the holidays fast approaching, guests from out of the country can avail of their long stay packages with the amenities and benefits of a full service apartment with ready access to 24-hour housekeeping.

Other services and facilities include a gym, swimming pool, business center, airport transfer service, a function room and the soon to open breakfast lounge.

The fitness gym offers the latest in exercise equipment, with an option of having a personal trainer or working out alone.

Be it a large gathering, a business conference or an intimate lunch, Aruga's function room can cater to your every need.

Function room set-up.

Aruga offers warm, personal service exuding true Filipino hospitality. Throughout our two day stay the whole Aruga team from Guest Services to Housekeeping made sure we had an enjoyable stay by anticipating all our needs.

Many thanks to the Aruga team- Valian Urag, Fae Teh, Pamela Augustin and Calvin Cutaran for a pleasant stay!

For bookings and inquiries, call 818-0000, or visit wwwarugabyrockwell.com.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

My daughter, Bianca, recently went on a school retreat for three days in Caleruega, Batangas. I wrote her a thank you letter and I'd like to share it with you.

I hardly write about the challenges I face in dealing with my Parkinson's disease. Bianca witnesses the difficulties I face everyday as my disease progresses and I purposely avoid writing about it on our blog because I feel as if I'm rubbing it in and making her suffer more. Sadly, there is no cure yet for Parkinson's, and it being a degenerative condition, my symptoms

Bianca and I have a diet made up of mostly meat. We love a good steak! The truth is, we don't eat enough fruits and vegetables and even though we make lots of plans to go healthy, we always fail.

When we heard that a new vegan eatery and juicery opened in our neighborhood, we couldn't be more pleased! We're not turning vegan just yet, but we're happy that there's a convenient place to go for some healthier choices.

Veganism is a type of vegetarian diet that excludes all animal derived ingredients such as eggs, dairy products and meat. A vegan diet is made up of grains, beans, legumes, vegetables and fruits. We know that there are many benefits to this type of diet and we were excited to try out the different dishes that Green Bar has to offer.

Green Bar's menu choices include salads, snacks, sandwiches, and wraps made with delicious, satisfying fillings. You won't even miss the meat because they use a vegan alternative called seitan - a satisfying veggie meat derived from the protein portion of wheat. Who knew?

One of our favorites is this Cuban Burrito that's filled with red rice, black beans, fried plantains, seitan sausage, pico de gallo, and chimichurri sauce that's served warm by the grill.

This seitan sandwich is inspired by NYC's finest foodies, and filled with crisp seitan sausage topped with caramelized onions, cashew cream and vegan mayo.

Vegan pizza.

Chocolate, Vanilla and Bourbon flavored cupcakes are made without eggs or dairy.

Green Bar Cafe was born from the shared dream of these three sisters, Michelle Araneta, Jade Santos and Sadara Santos. All vegans and diehard foodies, each recipe they prepare and serve is inspired by their years of travel and dining around the globe, be it in world renowned restaurants, hidden food trucks or hole-in-the-wall cafes.

We really enjoyed our vegan brunch last weekend. Everything we tried was delicious and filling sans the meat. We can't wait to be back for more : )

Green Bar is located inside
Beyond Yoga Alabang
Westgate Center
Muntinlupa City
Facebook page

It has been a tradition in our home to give out candies and sweet treats for Halloween. And since the only kid in the house is all grown up now, we really look forward to all the little boys and girls who pass by on Halloween with their eager faces as they hold out their open bags waiting to see what candy we would drop in.

This year, we’re planning to do things a little differently. We’re still giving out candies, but for some lucky little kids, we’re giving out some “dressed-up” lollipops just to add a bit of fun! Besides, we love candy and the month of October is the only time we have an excuse to buy more :)

Here’s a simple idea for a Candy Bouquet that can also double up as a table centrepiece for all you Halloween lovers out there.

You will need:

Lollipops

White cotton material

Plastic googly eyes

Scissors

Twine

Instant glue

Floral foam

Plastic pumpkin container

Easy how to: Cut out 4” x 4” inch squares of white cotton material from scrap cloth like old t-shirts or socks. Drape over lollipop and secure with a piece of twine. Dab on some glue, attach a pair of googly eyes, and you’re all done!

Trim floral foam to fit your pumpkin or any container you’d like to use and simply stick in your little ghost lollipops.

We had so much fun making this easy Halloween craft while eating lots of candy too. Happy Halloween!

This article also appears on Philstar.com.

We've been spending some time in the kitchen lately because school's on term break. Spending time at home always makes us hungry and constantly craving for sugary treats. We both have a sweet tooth and love all things chocolate, so we went all out and made some dark chocolate cookies with a gooey caramel center the other day. The cookies turned out amazing and they might just be the best cookie recipe in the entire world! You have to try them. We're already planning on making big batches to store in the freezer for rainy days and emergencies, and most especially for those times when you need a good cookie to get you through the day.

Ingredients:

*Makes 12 Jumbo Cookies

1 2/3 cups Dark Chocolate or Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

1/4 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1 cup All Purpose Flour

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 cup Unsalted Butter (1 stick)

1/2 cup packed Light Brown Sugar

1/4 cup Granulated Sugar

1 large Egg

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

12 pieces Individually Wrapped Caramels

Sea Salt (optional)

Instructions:

PREHEAT oven to 325F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease.

MELT 2/3 cup chocolate chips using a double boiler or microwave oven for 30 to 40 seconds until melted. Set aside.

BEAT butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar in a large mixer bowl until creamy. Add melted chocolate and mix well. Add in egg and vanilla extract and continue to mix until well combined.

SIFT cocoa powder, flour, baking soda and salt in another bowl. Gradually mix flour mixture into butter mixture just until well blended, then stir in remaining 1 cup chocolate chips. Cover dough and chill for 1 to 2 hours. Do not skip this step. Dough will be easier to form when chilled.

ROLL dough into balls, 1/4 cup measure each. Make a thumbprint into each dough ball and press a caramel candy inside. Put your cookie balls on baking sheet, 3 inches apart. Sprinkle sea salt if desired.

BAKE 16 to 18 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack until completely cool. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.

The most chocolatey, chewy, and soft cookies we've ever made. We couldn't keep our hands off and just had to have a taste while we were trying to take photos so we ended up having very sticky hands and an equally sticky camera. Oh, the dangers we go through just to share a recipe :)

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

We have a whole bag full of wine corks at home that we use for all sorts of craft projects. We don’t really drink wine, so we scavenge for these corks along with other reusable things like glass jars, paper, boxes, ribbons and all sorts of stuff we can use for crafting and as props for our photo sessions at home. Our small storage room under the stairs is actually bursting to the brim with our growing collection.

Since we’ve both been spending lots of time at home this past week, eating lots of cupcakes and cookies, we decided it was time to get out of the kitchen for a little bit of exercise. Crafting involves lots of hand movements, sweating and concentration, pretty much like exercising, so it’s the closest we can get to leading an active lifestyle. Lol!

We like to leave each other notes and reminders during busy days and always write to-do lists because we are both so forgetful. There’s a magnetic board that we use in our bedroom but we need another bulletin board for the kitchen so we don’t miss out on anything.

This DIY Corkboard is inexpensive and fun to make, and we’re really hoping you get to try this project! Before you go out to buy materials, check out the items you have lying around at home. You’ll be amazed at the amount of things that can be re-purposed. We used a brand new picture frame that we found wasting away in the storage and we are glad to be putting it to good use now!

What you need:

1 wooden picture box frame (size depends on how many wine corks you have)
glue gun
glue sticks
lots of wine corks
paint brush
non-toxic washable paint or acrylic paint if you prefer

How to:

Choose a work area with a flat surface and cover with newspaper or a drop cloth for easy clean up.

Preheat glue gun. Set aside.

Prepare your box frame. If it comes with a glass top, remove this and keep for future craft projects. Retain the cardboard or wooden backing of your frame. This is where you will attach your corks.

Arrange your wine corks by lining them up inside the box to figure out how many you will need. Our frame measures 12” x 12” in size and we used a total of 100 wine corks.

Using your glue gun, apply hot glue to bottom of cork and press firmly inside the frame in upright position. Continue to do this, arranging the corks in rows. Don’t worry if your rows don’t come out in straight lines. The corks come in different sizes so it’s okay if there are gaps.

With a small brush, paint the tops of the cork in random colors to add some contrast to your board. Let dry for at least 3 hours.

We used non-toxic washable paint from Creative Kids Studio. We love using this paint because they come in bright colors, and since it’s water based, clean up is a breeze.

Christmas is just around the corner and we’re hoping that we have time to make homemade presents for all our friends and family. Happy crafting!

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

We are so excited about H&M opening its second store in Robinson's Magnolia this coming November 20, 2014. Aside from apparel for women, men and children, the store will also carry a selection of home decor from H&M Home! Our tree isn't up yet, since we both haven't been in a holiday mood. But browsing through H&M's website certainly inspired us and got us into the spirit of the season!

We're loving the gold themed Christmas ornaments and home accessories from their holiday collection, which would be a nice change from our red and white Christmas baubles from last year.

Glass Christmas ornaments.

Gold metal bowls and trays, Metal ornaments.

Green and gold glass dispenser, Sequined cushion cover, Assorted candlesticks.

She Said: I've been dreaming of updating my bedroom! I'm partial to white and lots of muted tones for my personal space. Soft neutral tones are good for relaxing, calming and makes everything look clean and peaceful. And of course I've got to have fresh flowers to keep me happy.

White cushion covers, Metal planter, Duvet set, and a Soft weave blanket for the cool nights ahead.

she said: I've been really loving small details with a lot of personality. I think they can really make a room look like your own! This bedroom looks so charming and quirky. Just like me! ; )

Duvet cover set, Bunny slippers, Ceramic mug, Candle in a cup.

All photos taken from H&M Home.

Our family recently celebrated the 95th birthday of my grandmother who we all lovingly call "Lola Mama". Together with my aunts, uncles and cousins, we planned a special party for her to commemorate this milestone. After all, to be able to mark 95 years with relatively good health is certainly reason to celebrate.

Being very simple, conservative, and frugal, it came as no surprise to us that my lola would oppose our party plans. The minute she found out that a hotel reservation was made as the venue of her birthday lunch, she immediately called us to cancel the reservation. "Don't fuss over my birthday," and "I'm too old to have a party," she repeatedly told us. She would call every night to talk us out of our plans and even threatened us that she wouldn't show up for her own party! Lol. But we insisted, cajoled, and sweet talked, and we eventually got our way.

We knew she was finally convinced because she started nodding in agreement when my sister told her that it is a blessing to be 95 years old with good health and excellent memory, and that we would like to honor this blessing with a special gathering of family and friends. My lola still goes to Sunday mass, spends time walking around and tending to her garden in the morning, keeps herself abreast with current events, and remembers everyone's birthdays too! What an inspiration!

All in the family! 25 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. I hope I live long enough to see my great grandkids. But not too soon, Bianca, okay?!? :)

Beautiful inside and out, that's how I would describe my lola. She takes good care of herself and it shows. She always gets compliments for her beautiful skin. See our funny Instagram post here.

My lola got married at the very young age of 19 to my then 33 year old grandfather. She tells me that she wasn't the least bit interested in my lolo because he was so many years older than her. But her family convinced her, saying he was a good man and the right one for her. My lolo was smitten by her and they eventually fell in love, got married, and were blessed with nine children.

They didn't always have an easy life especially during the war when food was scarce, but my lolo worked hard and was a good provider. With the help and support of my lola, they were able to send their children to good schools and they are now all professionals.

My lola became a widow in 1995 and in the subsequent years, lost her three children (including my mom), one after the other to the big C. It was a dark time for our family, but it was my lola's strength and strong faith that kept us united. I myself can't even imagine the thought of losing my own child, but she bore it all with grace and acceptance, and never lost her zest for life. Despite everything, she remained grateful and at peace. Not once did I see anger, resentment or fear. She is truly an inspiration.

I am so happy that her birthday went well and so thankful that we were able to come together as a family to honor her and let her know and feel how special she is to all of us.

We love you so much, Lola Mama!

Ever since our trip to Paris last June, we've been busy visualizing and dreaming about our next travel destination. We fell in love with Paris and we can't wait to explore more of Europe.

Out of all the European cities, London is at the top of our list. The English capital is a diverse and exciting city to visit with some of the world's best sights and attractions and we can't wait to discover all of its iconic spots.

We love putting together travel inspiration boards. It motivates and inspires us, and helps us to focus on our goals. We have been doing a lot of positive thinking and we are targeting to be in London by mid Spring 2015, when the gardens and parks come to life and flowers are in bloom. The temperature will be in the mild 15-18F, perfect for sightseeing and exploring. Please wish us lots of luck!

For more London inspiration, please visit our Pinterest board here.

The London Eye, Picadilly Circus, and the Big Ben.

Currently, Europe's tallest Ferris wheel, the London Eye offers the highest viewing point in the city. This popular tourist attraction is on our must-see list. We can't wait to be strolling around Picadilly and the nearby shopping areas of Soho and Trafalgar Square and seeing the biggest clock in all of Great Britain- the Big Ben.

The Buckingham Palace, St. Paul's Cathedral, Red Phone Booths.

We're not leaving London without witnessing the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace and of course, a photo op with one of the queen's guards. The red phone booths that can be found all over London may now be considered obsolete, but these national icons are now being converted to solar-powered charging stations for cellular phones. We have to have our photos taken with these red phone booths before they're repainted green!

Warner Brothers Studio Tour.

We're big Harry Potter fans and we're looking forward to going on the Harry Potter Studio Tour at Warner Brothers in Hertfordshire and seeing all the costumes, props and sets used in the films.

Notting Hill, Covent Garden, Millenium Bridge.

Our plan is to stay in London for at least two weeks so we'll have plenty of time to hang out with the locals in Covent Garden and try to cross the River Thames via the Millennium Footbridge!

Borough Market, The Food Hall at Harrod's, Columbia Flower Market.

If you know us, I'm sure you already know that we both love to eat. We'll be hitting all the markets, food halls, bakeries and cafes for our fill of authentic English treats.

Primrose Bakery for bespoke cupcakes, Paper & Cup for delectable books and coffee, and amazing cakes at Lili Vanilli Bakery.

Meringue Kisses by the Meringue Girls and the queen's favorite handmade chocolates at Charbonnel et Walker on Bond St., plus of course, a proper English tea with scones, clotted cream and all the works.

All photos taken from Pinterest.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

Nothing gets us into to the holiday mood quicker than the start of holiday baking in our kitchen. The aromas of cinnamon, nutmeg and spice fill our home with an inviting scent that reflects the joy and warmth of the Christmas season.

We're not really expert bakers, but we have lots of fun in the kitchen and it's definitely a great way for us to bond after a long and busy week. We tried out this delicious recipe for apple banana muffins and it turned out really well, so we decided to share it with all of you!

These are perfect for breakfast or snack time. They don't contain butter or shortening, except for a few tablespoons used to cook the apples. We also cut down the sugar, and sweetened it with lots of ripe bananas, so they are a healthier alternative to store bought muffins : )

Apple Banana Muffins (recipe adapted from The Sweet Melissa Baking Book)

*makes around 15 muffins

For the apples:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

3 tablespoons dark brown sugar

4 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cubed

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the banana muffins:

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce

1/2 cup granulated white sugar

2 large eggs

1/4 cup fresh orange juice

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups very ripe, mashed bananas (about 3 to 4)

Before you start:

Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly grease your muffin tin with butter and flour, or use paper liners.

To make caramelized apples:

Combine apples, cinnamon and sugar and let stand for 5 minutes. On medium high heat, melt butter in a skillet until bubbling. Add apples and saute until golden and tender, about 8 minutes. Add in vanilla and set aside to cool.

To make the banana muffins:

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, pour in apple sauce and sugar and mix until well combined. Add in eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

In a small bowl, combine orange juice and vanilla.

Add flour mixture into the apple sauce mixture in three batches, alternating with orange juice mixture, combining well after each addition. Stir in mashed bananas, then mix in apples, reserving about 3/4 cup to be used as topping.

Pour batter into your prepared muffin tins and top each with about a teaspoon of the reserved apples. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool 20 minutes before unmolding onto a wire rack to cool further.

Serve slightly warm or at room temperature. Wrap muffins in plastic wrap for 2-3 days at room temperature or freeze well wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic for up to 3 weeks.

She Said: I really enjoy baking with Bianca and testing recipes that we find online. The part I don't like is cleaning up all the mess that we make after cooking!

she said: I'm not really into bananas but these banana muffins with caramelized apples taste so good! I'm think I've been converted. : )

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

Happy December 1st, everyone! I can't believe the year is ending, but I am so, so excited for the holidays : ) It is the season for giving, and for being thankful. It's the most wonderful time of the year. It's time to start playing Christmas songs, putting up the tree, making a list and checking it twice...

But what are we going to wear?!

O.K., admittedly, this isn't the most pressing holiday issue we will all face, but I made an inspiration board anyway. This one's for Christmas Eve. We spend this special night with family and loved ones, and stuff our faces with food. There is lots of hugging and singing and gift-giving - and just thinking about it makes me smile. I hope you are all in the holiday spirits, too! Have a great week!

Dorothy Perkins Duo Necklace, Mango Wrap Cropped Top, Cynthia Rowley Feather Skirt, Marc Jacobs Beauty Style Eye-Con No.7 - Plush Shadow in Lolita, H&M Purse, Tory Burch Color-block Canvas Espadrilles, Just Acces Set Of Three Lime Rings, Michael Kors Golden Pave Star Pendant Necklace in Gold, Minor Obsessions Gold Moon Pendant Necklace, Monki Cindy Knitted Top, UNIQLO Women Knit Flare Skirt

You can never have enough cookies for the holidays! Our favorite cookie flavor combinations are those that have a mix of sweet, tart and salty and we found the perfect recipe. We've been quite busy in the kitchen these last couple of weeks trying out different recipes that you can share on your Christmas table or to give as presents to your loved ones.

We baked these cookies the same day that our tree and lights went up at home, and after one bite, we both agreed that it tasted and felt like Christmas! Chewy and tart cranberries, with crunchy, salty pistachios and the addition of luscious white chocolate for extra sweetness and creaminess.... so good!

We hope you enjoy trying out this holiday cookie recipe as much as we did. It makes use of a secret ingredient (cornstarch!) that will make your baked cookies thick and chewy. The unique addition of cornstarch, which is a thickening agent, will help your dough remain compact so your cookies turn out puffy and soft.

Happy baking!

Cranberry Pistachio Cookies (recipe adapted from this website)
*makes about 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground espresso or instant coffee
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup shelled pistachios

she said: We used dry roasted, salted pistachios for the recipe and it was a perfect match to the sweetness of the cranberries. I love pistachios! I was in charge of shelling the nuts and it was hard to stop myself from eating them...so I ate them :)

Directions:

Sift flour, baking soda, salt, coffee and cornstarch into a medium bowl. Mix with a whisk until evenly distributed. Set aside.

In a large bowl using a handheld mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix on medium high speed until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and beat on high speed, then add in vanilla extract. Continue to mix until well combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

Add in the flour mixture in 3 additions. Mix on low speed for not more than 1 minute. Using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in chocolate, cranberries and pistachios. Cover and chill for at least 1-2 hours. It will be easier to scoop and roll the cookie dough after it is chilled.

When you're ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Remove cookie dough from refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for about 5 minutes. Dough will be slightly crumbly, but will come together as you roll the dough into individual balls with your hands. Scoop and roll balls of dough, about a generous tablespoon each. Place 10-12 on each baking sheet. Bake in batches, 8-10 minutes, until slightly golden brown around the edges. Allow to cool for 5 minutes on cookie sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

She Said: To make the cookies look more attractive, don't mix in all the cranberries, pistachios and white chocolate from the recipe. Set some aside. When the cookies are halfway done, sprinkle your reserved mix-ins on top, then return to oven to continue baking.

Cookies will stay fresh covered at room temperature for one week. Baked cookies freeze well for up to three months.

This article also appears on PhilStar.com.

Still looking for the perfect present to give the special ladies in your life? Mom and I put together a list of the things we think any mom, daughter, sister or best friend would love to find under the Christmas tree. Not that we're hinting, but we wouldn't mind receiving any of these gifts, either... : )

We hope that this gift guide helps eliminate some of the stress that comes with the holidays. Here's to a season of love and cheer!

Bianca's Gift Guide: H&M Dress, Mt Suite O Set of 5 Decoration Tapes, Fujifilm Instax Mini 8, Garance Dore 2015 Beauté Desk Calendar, Charlotte Olympia Kitty Flats, Topshop Sweatshirt, JCPenney Gold Monogram Necklace

Cyn's Gift Guide: Canon EOS 70D, Madewell Essex Tote, Mango Polka Dot Sweater, Kate Spade New York Mug, Happy Handmade Home by Elsie Larson & Emma Chapman, Yosi Samra Ballet Flats in Rose Pewter, Cath Kidston Utensil Gift Set

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