snowed in with no bake chocolate cake in a mug

Ever since owning this pair of cashmere blend tights from Express, I've worn these a lot under my dresses because they keep me super warm when I'm out and about. I also love this h&m tank top dress because I can dress it up with a leather jacket and accessories or make it casual by layering a shirt over it.  :)

tank top dress: h&m; leather jacket: zara; cashmere tights: express

always laughing and smiling these days ;)



shirt: adapt



No Bake Chocolate Cake in a Mug 

WHAT?! Chocolate cake without using the oven?! Yup. I found this recipe and I knew that I had to try it. 

3 tbs almond meal

2 tbs cocoa powder

2 tbs honey

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

few dashes of salt

few dashes of cinnamon 

Mix all ingredients together and set in microwave for 2 minutes. 

Surprisingly, the cake turned out pretty good. Thanks for joining us this month! I can't believe March is around the corner. I can't wait for spring here in Chicago. :)

<3, phu

Warm and Fuzzy

The brisk, and recently rainy, weather has me wanting to bundle up and stay inside. And the best way to keep the apartment warm is to put something in the oven. I used what I had to avoid a grocery run but worked from these recipes for Bittersweet Chocolate and Cardamom Cupcakes and Cream Cheese Frosting. They turned out great, substitutions and all. (HINT: For every cup of buttermilk needed, add 1 tsp of vinegar to 1 cup and fill with milk. Let sit for 5-15 minutes before use.)

As much as I want to stay inside with my baked goods, I have to go to work. Don't let the Bay Area Sun fool you. It's freaking cold. Here's my alternative to the usual scarf, coat, and boots combo: chambray, striped sweater, skinnies, and booties. I added a camisole and knee highs underneath it all for extra warmth.

Apparently, fancy hair to me translates into, "Put a braid in it."

Stay warm!

<3 C

chocolate chip & blueberry muffins

chocolate chip & blueberry muffins [makes 12]

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Grease muffin pans, or line them with liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.  Add milk, egg, and butter.
3. Mix until ingredients are moistened.  Do not overmix.  Stir in blueberries and chocolate chips.
4. Spoon batter into the muffins (about 2/3 - 3/4 full).
5. Bake in oven for about 20 mins, until the tops spring back when lightly touched.

Serve warm and enjoy!

ooey gooey fresh blueberries & melted chocolate

i love the slightly crunchy flakey tops of the muffins.  great to grab and go for breakfast, and packed with antioxidants ;)

thank you for reading, and hope you all enjoy this recipe!

<3 roe [a roesy life]

black & stripe

pardon the blustery hair. :)

 

 

i love stripes, but don't wear them often enough.  'tis the season for bold stripes!

{outfit}

top: cotton on

jacket: express

pants & scarf: h&m

heels: cole haan

happy hump day!! hope you enjoyed this little post, stay tuned for the chocolate remix!
<3 roe [a roesy life]

February's Remix: Stripes & Chocolate

Announcing February's Remix:

Can't wait to see what February brings us!

Pho at Phu's

So part of my growth project is to try cook at least 1 new recipe every other week. I love Vietnamese food and want to learn how to cook more of it. I asked my friends and roommates if they'd be my guinea pigs for my pho and thankfully they said yes. :)

Pho takes a really long time to make so I decided to put my crock pot to use. I used this recipe and this one as a guide. I used oxtail, toasted the spices, and broiled the onions and ginger.

Pho broth:
1 lb oxtails
2 lb eye of round beef slices
2 packages of beef meatballs
1 package of noodles (Banh Pho)
1 package of pho spices (can be found at an Asian grocery store - very convenient because it comes with a mesh bag that can be easily taken out once the broth is done)
2 inch knob of ginger sliced
1 onion
1 carrot sliced
5 cloves of garlic
2 tbsp salt
2 tbsp fish sauce

For serving:
Cilantro
Thai basil
Lime
Hoisin sauce
Siracha sauce

1. Broil onion and ginger in oven for 15 mins

2. Toast spices for about 2 mins in pan

3. Wash oxtails with water and place in crock pot with garlic, onion, ginger, bag of spices
4. Fill crock pot with water and add salt and fish sauce

5. Set crock pot on high for 6 hours
6. Add meatballs into the broth
7. Boil noodles for about 6-8 mins
8. Assemble bowl of pho - noodles, sliced beef, pho broth, meatballs
9. Add basil, cilantro, lime, hoisin sauce and siracha sauce (optional)

So simple with the crock pot! Everyone said the pho was a success. Enjoy! :)

<3, phu