With Style has moved and was renamed to With Style and Grace!

LOVE. you.

Just think, you could say anything with this  Message-in-a-cookie-cutter (via Creature Comforts). Not that I’m suggesting anything other than PG rated (me, never), but it does allow you to be creative for any (& every) occasion. Then, there’s the Personal Embosser. This needs to move into my “need” category, ASAP.

Someone, anyone? Please produce these Helvetica Cookie Cutters by Beverly Hsu (via Swissmiss). My Birthday is coming up and I’d really like to unwrap these. Thanks in advance, WithStyle.

Apologies. I forget not everyone lives in the same world as me… *Helvetica is a sans-serif typeface (i.e., it’s a font option).

]]> http://withstyle.wordpress.com/2010/01/28/helvetica-cookie-cutters/feed/ 0 WithStyle WithStyle WithStyle WithStyle http://withstyle.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/the-best-hummus-recipe/ http://withstyle.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/the-best-hummus-recipe/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:38:16 +0000 WithStyleGrace http://withstyle.me/?p=836 ]]>

You’ve twisted my arm. Enough. Here’s “my” [no longer] secret hummus recipe for all of you to enjoy.  It’s one of my most requested recipes (well, Ina’s recipe) so I figured I’d post it and now let you be the super star at the next party. I usually serve this dip with pita chips (Trader Joe’s guiltless) and lots of cut veggies when entertaining. When I’m on the go, I’ll spread hummus on a gluten-free tortilla, add veggies (fresh or roasted) and wrap it up. It’s healthy, easy and delicious!

Ina Garten’s Hummus Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 cups canned chickpeas, drained, liquid reserved
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
• 6 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• 2 Tbsp water or liquid from the chickpeas
• 8 dashes hot sauce

Directions

Turn on the food processor fitted with the steel blade and drop the garlic down the feed tube; process until it’s minced. Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and process until the hummus is coarsely pureed. Taste, for seasoning, and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Thank you Valentine’s Day for giving me another reason to visit the craft store. Seriously, if it weren’t for the holidays, it would be much more difficult to find excuses to do fun s*** like this (reminder: no kids. yet). No “Valentine”? Not required. Send/give to your girlfriends or your girlfriends kids. They’re going to appreciate it more anyway. I’d save the cooking and dessert for the men.

1. DIY Valentine’s Day Brownie Bag from Twig & Thistle; 2. Sweet Love Valentine’s Day collection from TomKat Studio; 3. Valentine’s Day Treat Packages from Martha Stewart; 4. Match stick candy boxes from inchmark via Celebrations at Home

]]> http://withstyle.wordpress.com/2010/01/22/packaged-with-love/feed/ 1 WithStyle WithStyle WithStyle WithStyle WithStyle http://withstyle.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/style-me-pretty-diy-wedding/ http://withstyle.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/style-me-pretty-diy-wedding/#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:00:43 +0000 WithStyleGrace http://withstyle.me/?p=811 ]]>

I wish I could say I knew this couple, but no, I’ve just been fixated on their amazingly creative wedding photos. Strange? Yes, probably.

Several girlfriends of mine have recently gotten engaged and since I’m a wedding fanatic, I had to share this *DIY Wedding, part II and part III from Style Me Pretty (highest ranked wedding blog). For the bride-to-be on a tight budget, there are countless DIY tips & tricks that will add the personal touch you were looking for.

All you married women admiring this fun/playful wedding, envisioning how you would plan your wedding with an entirely different look & feel, then I’m sorry. I don’t know if it’s normal, but it’s a challenge I face on a daily basis. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my wedding, I just want to plan another one.

*DIY: Do It Yourself

Photographer: Jessica Johnson

That’s it. I’m quitting my job and becoming a baker. Alright, likely I may be throwing the towel in to soon, I’m just ridiculously excited about this amazing banana bread recipe from Babycakes NYC (thank you Miss Lauren for my cookbook)! I will put money down that all you non-vegan, meat-eating foodies can’t tell this apart from the real deal (Reminder: real deal = sugar + eggs + butter + flour = + 5lbs). Between the bold flavor and the moist texture, you may be tempted to inhale the entire loaf (husband, guilty).

I knew someday I would live up to my maiden name, Baker.

NOTE: For the best results, I recommend you read the directions below and watch the video before you begin baking.

Ingredients

• 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose baking flour (Bob’s Red Mill)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp xanthan gum (what is this?)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, plus more for the pan
• 2/3 cup agave nectar
• 2/3 cup rice milk
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
• 1 cup chocolate chips (optional)

*Coconut oil is solid at room temperature and needs to melted in a saucepan before combining with the other wet ingredients. Be sure to let the oil cool before mixing.

Directions

Preheat oven 325 degrees (F). Lightly grease 7 x 4 x 3-inch loaf pan with oil.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt, and cinnamon. Add 1/2 cup oil and agave nectar, rice milk, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Stir until the batter is smooth. Using a plastic spatula, gently fold in the bananas [& chocolate chips if you choose] until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.

Fill the prepared pan halfway with batter. Bake the banana bread on the center rack for 35 minutes, rotating the pan 180 degrees after 20 minutes. The finished loaf will bounce back slightly when pressed and a toothpick inserted in the center will come out clean.

Let the banana bread stand in the pan for 20 minutes. Gently run a knife around the edge of the cake, cover the top of the pan with a cutting board, and invert the loaf on to the board. Carefully lift the pan away and re-invert the bread on to another cutting board. Either cut and serve warm or wait until completely cooled before storing. Cover the uncut banana bread with plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Makes 10 slices

Whether or not you can afford designer shoes that already come in their own fancy bag, they certainly aren’t as charming as the ones I spotted on Twig & Thistle (another favorite blogger of mine). This DIY shoe bag from Betz White would be the perfect [& inexpensive] gift for bridesmaids or perhaps your traveling shoe-loving girlfriend. Face it, shoes are essential to every woman’s outfit that it’s only necessary they have their own stylish tote.

Step by step tutorial, here.

“I will wear things that hug the body I’ve worked hard for”

I know what you’re thinking. Yes, if I had a body like that I’d wear tighter clothes too, but you get the point.

“I won’t dress scrubby on Sunday”

“I’ll take one big fashion risk”

“I’ll look pulled together and polished for work”

Apparently you’re more productive when you dress the part

“I’ll resist wearing a T-shirt and boxers to bed every night”

Fine, but only if I can crank the heat up. RIP Lululemon sweats and my old [stained] college sweatshirt

“I’ll stop being a wuss about wearing color”

“I’ll look hot at the gym”

I’m not recommending you wear this jacket, but again, you get the point.

Source: Women’s Health