Macaron A to Z {Part 4}

Macaron's feet {PIED}

Macaron is not a 'macaron' without it's pretty 'feet' or 'pied' in French.
{Foot is the curly bottom part of the macaron shell.}

 

I have been baking these pretty little treats for the past 2 months and each time they came out different. Since I have quite a few of them in the freezer from baking them at different time and at different oven temperature; so I am curious on how their feet looks like. So let's take a look at their feet !

But first I am curious on how the famous Macaron bakery 'Laduree' and 'Pierre Herme'  looks like. For comparison I put them here as well.

www.laduree.com

www.pierreherme.com

 www.notsohumblepie.blogspot.com

And MINE !

See how they look different one another ? I must say the no. 1, 3, 4 and 6 has the best looking 'feet'. No. 2 and no. 5 are over baked; therefore the feet came out larger and thicker  than the rest of them. Plus an over baked macaron creates a interior gap between the chewy filling and the crispy skin. {last post here} So now I learned !

Now how about the dome (the very top part) ?

Clearly the one that has good looking feet also has a 'good dome'. Not so flat but also not very domey. These macarons are the closest looking to Laduree's, Piere Herme's and NotSoHumblePie's macarons shape. So lesson learned !

Another picture of my MACs

Have a lovely Memorial Day week end Everyone !!

One Afternoon with Tulips & Macaron

Steven, my husband just came back from work and brought me fresh tulips. How pretty ! I can not resist on putting them in a white antique porcelain water jug that I bought a few years ago from Ebay. Then the thought of taking pictures of the tulips with the macarons came into my mind. Yes, more pictures of macaron;  why not ! I love taking pictures, setting up the props, setting up the lighting, moving the objects around to get a good composition and see how the pictures will come out.

Here they are !

 

Enjoy them !

Macaron A to Z {Part 3}

'Storing' and learning the 'interior' of a macaron.

Macaron can be stored in a freezer for about a month. I had my macaron in the freezer for 2 months  and they were still delicious. But I won't go for more than that ! I still can't decide if I should put the filling and store them in the freezer or I just leave the shells in the freezer and put in the filling when ready to eat. I can't decide yet ! It seems and from reading a professional macaron bloggers; they put the filling right away and store them in the freezer. I guess it all depends on 'when you are going to eat the macarons.'

Now about the interior. If you are an ambitious macaron baker like myself, the interior is as important as the exterior; a part from the delicious taste.  So I decided to take a bite of 3 macarons that has been stored in freezer at a different time. Oh, before I forget; each time you take them out from the freezer let them rest in a room temperature for about 40 minutes to an hour. You do not want to chew on a cold hard macaron right from the freezer.

The Lemon Macaron on the left has been in the freezer for about 1-1/2 month. The one in the middle the Coffee Macaron has been in the freezer for about 1 month and the one on the right the Blueberry Macaron has been in the freezer for about 1 week.  I took the macarons out of the freezer put the filling {I have only blueberry cream cheese filling} and put them back in the freezer. After an hour I took them out and took a bite on each of these cookies to see what the interior looks like.

To my surprise the Lemon one is still delicious and has the nicest interior. The Coffee one is also delicious but the interior has a slight hollow shell while the Blueberry  has an apparent gap between the interior and the crispy shell {on the very right side of the bluebery macaron} You can see there is much of a gap in between.

You can learn the trouble shooting making the macaron here.

I also learn that macaron is best when eat after 24 to 48 hours. This is called 'maturity'  

Hermé points out an interesting aspect of his macaroons that seems to challenge the basics of most pastry teaching - freshness. "As soon as they're made they're not ready to eat, but they're really at their best after 24 or even 48 hours," he says. "An osmosis takes place between the garnish and the biscuit. When freshly baked this is hard and crisp, but it absorbs some humidity from the filling and its inside becomes more tender while the crust on the surface stays intact." {link}

*******

Thank you ...!

MACARONS IN BLUES

 

 

******

Macaron A to Z {Part 2}

 

BAKING

In the mean time set your oven temperature. I know that my oven has to be turn on when I start drying the macaron. After reach of 350 deg. I turn it down to 265 deg. Then the temperature will set and level out at a correct 265 deg when the macaron is ready to go into the oven. I accidently put the macaron in 5 minutes only after the temperature reach 265 deg. and found that most of my macarons were cracked open on the top because it was a little too hot. So give it at least 15 minutes of time for the 265 deg.  temperature to even out inside.

Then bake the macaron for 8 to 9 minutes and turn the pan {the front part to the back} for another 8 to 9 minutes.

If your macaronnage is done the right way; the feet should be appearing after about 4 to 5 minutes.

Below is the result when using an "OLD" almond/pistachio meal. To correct the flour; put the flour in the lowest temperature oven for a bout 3 to 4 minutes.

 

Good Luck Everyone! I hope this time you will successfully  making these pretty little treats....

******

MACARON A to Z {Part 1}

PREPARATION

I have been practicing and making a lot of macarons lately. And since I have several people asking me how to make a macaron and after failing so many times, I decided to write from A to Z what I know about making a macaron.

First, you must have all the tools handy within reach.

MACARONNAGE

Uncook macarons and after piping  should stay and rest in a room temperature for about 50 to 55 minutes.  The top of the uncook macaron will be harden to touch. Then ready to bake

 Continued to Macaron Part 2

******

Sporty Vintage Anorak Polkadot with Minty Tube Pants

Steven's client, Andy Jackson and his wife Shery are in town. We always love Andy and Shery's company. Today we went to meet them for a Sunday brunch. A perfect excuse to be in the city of Manhattan and to get a view extra little things while we were there.

As usual I love having brunch in the city and sitting in an open restaurant and looking out to the side street where people walking by.

I managed to get a few things like 'Blueberry' and 'Lavender' food flavoring at my favorite spice store; Kalustyans. 

*****

Remember the trip I made to The Vintage Clothing Show in Manhattan last month ? (here) This is the other top I bought in that Vintage Clothing Show. At the beginning I did not know what it was. But it has an interesting design to it. The collar, the waist and the bottom part inserted with white cord. You can pull the cord then it will tighten the waist and the bottom makes it even a flattering shape. It has two pockets in front and on the lower side.  Steven my husband likes it and recognized that it is a 1960's style. Then I found a picture of similar style but with a hoody in a fashion magazine and is called "anorak." I really like this top; it is sporty and elegance at the same time.

What I am wearing ;

~ Vintage Anorak Polkadot Top (bought here)

~ Minty Tube pants (Zara)

~ Color Blocking Neon Pumps (DIY here)

~  Vintage Wraparound Rhinestone Necklace (

Ellya's Etsy store)

~ Vintage Chanel Handbag (old)

~ Rhinestone headband (Zara)

Thank you for stopping by !

Pairing Vintage Short Sleeves Jacket with Stripes Skirt

I just want to share this rather sad news that I am going to have an angiogram tomorrow morning. Although this is a simple procedure, I am  afraid of what they might find. Dr. Chang (Vascular Specialist)  has been monitoring my abdominal aorta and a week ago they found out that the artery is slightly larger in size.

Although I feel perfectly fine; this case can be dangerous and life threatening when it burst. 

So today I feel like doing an outfit post since I have to go to a friends gathering.

 

I really like the combination of these two pieces. The silver vintage belt is repeated of the cream stripe of the skirt. So it brought balance and tie the whole outfit together.

What I am wearing ;

~ DIY vintage jacket (here)

~ Stripe skirt ( bought at Century 21)

~ Headband (Zara)
~ Vintage Silver Belt (Ebay)

~ Vintage clutch (Ebay)

~ Bracelet cuff (Top Shop)

~ Nine West shoes (old)

~ Vintage Serpentine Gold Necklace ( Ellya's Etsy store)

~ Clear and Green Rhinestone bib necklace (Ellya's Etsy store)

Thank you !

Short Sleeves Vintage Jacket {DIY}

INSPIRATION

MY LONG SLEEVES VINTAGE JACKET

Step by step;

1. Cut both sleeves with scissor

2. Using fabric glue; fold in the sleeves.

(VOILA ! Done !)

I was going to change the button but I totally forget about it, so it will be my next project.

~~~~~

Thank you for stopping by !

The Winner of the "Heart Rhinestone Bracelet" giveaway announcement.

~~~~~~

An afternoon at the "Spring/Summer Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show."

"Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show" is like no other vintage clothing show I ever experienced before. From the minute I entered the entrance door until 2 hours later walked out the same door; I transformed into another time where the nostalgic of vintage fashion goes way before you were born up until about 1990s is under one roof. The adrenaline is pumping and I did not know even where to start to look. What was in front of me is definitely an ultra  exclusive old, used vintage fashion items at it's best !

Every direction I looked; saw vintage dresses, vintage gowns, vintage tops, vintage blouses, vintage sweaters, vintage jackets, vintage skirts, vintage swim suits, vintage hats, vintage blazers, vintage coats, vintage pants suits, vintage jumpsuits, vintage shoes, vintage lingerie, vintage jewelry, vintage handbags/purses and vintage glasses/sunglasses. They are from different eras, different style, from top designers like YSL, Nina Ricci, Gucci, Chanel, to a more affordable Italian designers like Genny (which I spotted and bought; here)

After minutes from entering the door I realized I ended up in a booth where a rack of row of skirts were hanging. A young Asian woman came and handed out a bright lime green skirt to me and said "this color is very much in trend right now!" I smiled and took the skirt from her hand and thought to myself how does she know that is the one I was attracting to ? It was a "Nina Ricci"! I liked it already. Remember, I just walked in 2 minutes ago. The price tag is USD 130.00. Not bad for a Nina Ricci.  The next thing I knew she escorted me to the fitting room which was located on the other side of the hallway. It was a perfect fit. Later her boss an older woman said "I can give you for USD 100.00!" I told her politely I just came in and I want to see more what's out there. So I left leaving the Nina Ricci's skirt behind.

I was walking aimlessly and was mesmerized by the beautiful items hung and displayed at every direction my eyes could set upon. Thought I was in a Vintage Clothing heaven. Perhaps I was !

Oh yes, before I forget I must take some pictures since I want to write a full article about this lovely afternoon experienced in my blog.

~~~~

Isn't she look like a beautiful young princess from a fairytale land ?

Then I saw two young ladies wearing a gorgeous necklace that I never had seen before. So I asked them politely if I could take their picture wearing the lovely necklaces. To my surprised they were very nice and let me take the pictures.

Julie Skinner is wearing a Laurent G. necklace.

 

A close up shoot

 A purse from Julie's boutique.

I could have spent 2 hours there but I decided to go home after scored 2 tops; "here",  "a polka dot anorak" (which I am excited to showcase in this blog in the near future) and" a pair of vintage golden Chanel earrings" here  before I did some serious damage. Ahhhh.....am so happy with my purchased and said to myself; "definitely must come back to the next show !"

More pictures from the show

 

 

The lobby.

 I brought home some 'nostalgia' in a shopping bag.

At home I found out from checking out  the business card the lovely lady handed out to me, is a high end vintage clothing dealer herself and an ex top model; her name is Julie Skinner. A full article about her, here. I remember how sweet she was when I asked to take picture of one of the purse displayed on the table in her booth. I was in awe realizing that I have met a celebrity that afternoon. Then the idea of sending her two questions about her and the necklace that she was wearing came into my mind. It would be a good article to have in my blog. So I did.

I have not heard from her for about two weeks and a little disappointed that I could not include her answers to my questions in my blog about the necklace. So I was about to write the blog without the answers all together. What a pleasant surprised when I received her email yesterday. I was in such joy that afternoon to finally have her answered my two questions. 

So these are the Q & A or a short interview with 'lovely' Julie Skinner. Thank you very much, Julie ?

~~~~

Q: Tell me about yourself ?

J.S.: Hello Ellya,

I apologize. It has been extremely hectic here, as I am 8 months pregnant and relocating next week to Los Angeles.

I would be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

The website gives a detailed explanation of how I started and where we are now. (yet we are moving to Beverly Hills this month) We work with clients all over the world. 

Recently we have been featured in W magazine on Elle and Dakota Fanning, in interview magazine on Katy Perry as well as Spanish Vogue, U.S. Vogue, and Italian Vogue.

Q: Could you please explain about the necklace you are wearing ?

J.S.: The designer is Laurent G. He is a current jewelry designer, working from Paris. He has designed for the likes of Paco Rabanne, Chanel, YSL, Christian Lacroix for the past 30 years. His designs will be showcased on www.postscriptcouture.com within the next week or two.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

~~~~

Isn't she sweet ? I replied her email by wishing her best of luck, success and happiness in her new home in L.A. and a new baby on the way.

I did not hear from the you lady that looked like a young princess from the fairytale land; but I am very happy to have Julie Skinner emailed me personally and explained about the piece she was wearing during the Vintage Clothing Show. This means a lot to me plus it would make a positive impact on my Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show blog post.

More stories and articles about Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show, here.

AND

Find out celebrities, stylists, who came to the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show, here.

~~~~~

Thank you for stopping by !