February 08, 2021

Valentine's Day Cookie Recipe & Sweets Board

February 08, 2021/ Colleen Marie

It’s officially Valentine’s Day week and it has been a hot minute since I’ve made a post! More on where i’ve been and what we’ve been up for a different time…

I put this little dessert snack board together after I eyed the most adorable and delicious cupcake for Siena’s monthly milestone photo. She’s already 10 months, cue the tears! As soon as she eyed this board she couldn’t resist getting into the fun and lately wants to grab anything she can between that little index finger and thumb. Had to capture this moment with my two Valentines this year.

When creating a snack board I like to start with a larger piece then build around it with different colors, textures, and flavors to keep the eye moving around the whole board. For this board, I layered some heart doilies first then arranged some larger dessert pieces like the pastry heart and cupcake before adding in some smaller candies and cookies for different textures. I’m really missing celebrating with my gals this galentine’s and this would definitely be on the menu if we were able to be in person!

I also am resharing my favorite recipe of my mom’s, her cut out cookies!

These cookies are more of an almond shortbread cookie than sugar cookie, and basically melt in your mouth. So good and sweet! Before reading any further, this is definitely not one of my healthy recipe shares, but it is one that will dance on anyone’s tastebuds. The secret is I frost them with my mom’s wedding cake frosting!

These cutouts make for a sweet treat for your Gal-entine’s Day gathering (or Valentines Day dessert with your other half). The recipe makes a ton, so I always end up giving a bunch to friends & family for Valentine’s Day. I’ve also linked all of my baking essentials and table top details below. By far my favorite kitchen tool is our Kitchenaid electric mixer. It was a wedding gift from my mama from our wedding registry and it is so easy to use and efficient! We even have all of the pasta making, veggie slicing, and food processor attachments to use so it doesn’t have to be just for baking!

Dough Ingredients

4 1/2 c. flour

2/3 c. confectioner’s sugar

1/3 c. light brown sugar

1 tsp. almond extract

2 cups butter, softened

Directions

1. Mix together sugars, butter, and almond extract with an electric mixer for two minutes until mixed.

2. Gradually add in flour & mix. Save the 1/2 cup of flour to roll out dough & for cookie cutter.

3. Once dough is mixed & softened roll into 2 large balls.

4. Sprinkle counter, rolling pin with flour, and cookie cutter with extra flour.

5. Roll out dough to 1/2” thick then press cut out into dough.

6. Place cookies on parchment paper 1/2” apart & bake 10-12 minutes at 300 F.

7. Let fully cool before frosting. Yields 24 cookies.

Frosting

1/2 bag confectioner’s sugar

1 tsp Crisco (if no crisco add more milk)

1/4 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract

Directions

1. Add milk & vanilla extract to the confectionary sugar . Continue mixing until smooth & creamy like yogurt.

2. Section into bowls if adding food coloring and frost!

My Baking Essentials

Salt & Pepper Shakers
Heart Placemats Opalhouse
Great White Dishes Pottery Barn
Heart Cookie Cutters
Martha Stewart Apron (mine is unavailable) love this heart one!
Spatula
Berry Bowls with words
Heart Cupcake Toppers
Wooden Rolling Pin
Heart Plates

February 04, 2020

February Bar Cart & Table Setting

February 04, 2020/ Colleen Marie

Cheers friends! We finally made it to the month of February! It felt like January would never end and it’s always a dreary month in New York full of gray skies, snow, and cold weather. So glad spring will come earlier this 2020! Winters are never easy for me so I try to use February as an opportunity to engage in some self love and care spent hosting with friends or making our space feel a little festive. It’s become one of my favorite months because I know spring is right around the corner and my husband’s birthday is at the end of it.

After photographing this bar cart I realized I’m clearly channeling my indulgence for sweets these days, since I’ve been on a hiatus from the actual use of our bar cart. Although my husband has been able to mix me up some delicious mocktails. I’m thinking we need to create one with candy as a garnish!

If you haven’t tried the Malfy Gin collection it’s a must if you like gin. Each is made wihin the Amalfi Coast of Italy, one of our favorite regions. Each flavor, blood, orange, or grapefruit are all equally refreshing.

For this cart I kept everything more minimal than usual since we’re on full on nesting mode over here and I’ve been trying to declutter every square inch! Last year I transitioned the bar cart to more a hot chocolate stand. You can see my 2019 February bar cart post here. This year I combined some new and older pieces for both the bar cart and table scape and went with reds and pinks.

Fresh flowers are a must for me through these winter months and can bring so much life into a room especially during the darker winter months.

Thank you to the talented and creative Sarah of Eight Peonies who generously gave me these beauties. If you’re an upcoming bride looking for a floral/event designer or want a customized arrangement for Valentine’s Day definitely message her over on instagram. She’s been putting together stunning arrangements within our building that light up a room. Her entire feed is so uplifting!

Whether you’re planning on hosting a Galentine’s gathering or staying in with your significant other on Valentine’s Day it doesn’t take much to brighten up your space. I try to think of pieces I can use year to year when I decorate with a theme in mind so definitely recommend starting there.

I find most of my items from Target such as the garland, the heart string lights, and the mini chalk board. I always find great home decor at great prices at HomeGoods or TJMaxx or Hobby Lobby. That’s where I picked up the Valentine’s Day heart table napkins. The placemats are old from Target but these Opalhouse version are just as sweet too and super affordable.

Check out the widget below for some fresh updates to your space this February that won’t break the bank and will last across seasons.

Before baby Siskar arrives I’m soaking up all of the friend time I can. My friend is hosting a Galentine’s Night this weekend and I’ll be attending some NYFW events (as much as my swollen feet can handle). As I’m heading into week 32 it’s time to start taking it easy and check off the baby to do lists.

What are your plans for the month of February? Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day with friends or loved ones or prepare to pamper yourself? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

February 11, 2019

Heart Cutout Cookie Recipe

February 11, 2019/ Colleen Marie

One of my favorite recipes from my family is my Mom’s tried and true cut out cookies. They’re more of an almond shortbread cookie than sugar cookie, and basically melt in your mouth. So good and sweet! Before reading any further, this is definitely not one of my healthy recipe shares, but it is one that will dance on anyone’s heart or tastebuds. I frost them with my mom’s wedding cake frosting!

These cutouts make for a sweet treat for your Gal-entine’s Day gathering (or Valentines Day dessert with your other half). The recipe makes a ton, so I always end up giving a bunch to friends & family for Valentine’s Day. I’ve also linked all of my baking essentials and table top details below. By far my favorite kitchen tool is our Kitchenaid electric mixer. It was a gift from my mama from our wedding registry and it is so easy to use and efficient! We even have all of the pasta making, veggie slicing, and food processor attachments to use so it doesn’t have to be just for baking! We have the azure blue which adds the perfect pop to our white kitchen.