apple cobbler

There is not much tastier than tart Granny Smith apples baked with cinnamon and sugar and topped with a yummy crust.  We hosted a little dinner party recently and I whipped up this apple cobbler for dessert.  The most difficult part is peeling the apples, but if you can get through that (or get someone else to do it), the rest is a breeze!  Sadly I failed to take many photos because I was running behind (shocker), but you get the idea.

Marcille Bakeware brownie pan and Natalie Lete Francophile Pie Dish

apple cobbler

(the filling)
4 lbs Granny Smith apples
1 lemon
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 Cup sugar
1 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract

(the crust)
2 Cups flour
1/4 Cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp  baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 Cup unsalted butter, cubed
1 Cup buttermilk

Optional crust add-ins to make it fancy: 
zest of 1 lemon
spoonful of chopped crystallized ginger
brown sugar

make filling

  1. Grease a pie plate or brownie pan with butter and set aside.
  2. Peel and core the apples, then cut into 1/2 inch chunks and place them in a large bowl.  Squirt the juice of the lemon over the apple chunks to keep them from turning brown.
  3. Add the sugar, cinnamon, flour, and nutmeg to the bowl of apples.  Stir until the spices and sugar are evenly distributed.
  4. Stir in the vanilla.
  5. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and then pour it into the bowl of apple chunks.  Stir the apples until the butter has coated all the pieces.  [**Note:  This will leave the apples in the filling slightly crunchy; if you prefer the apples to be soft, then melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add the apple mixture to the  saucepan of melted butter and cook about 10 minutes, or until the apples are tender.**]
  6. Transfer the apple filling to the greased pan.

    make crust

  7.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  8. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt with a fork until well mixed.
  9. Add the cubed butter to the bowl and use your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture.  Keep at it until the largest piece of butter is o bigger than a pea.
  10. Optional:  Stir in the lemon zest and/or crystallized ginger if desired.
  11. Make a well in the middle of the flour mixture and pour the buttermilk into it.  Stir with a fork until all of the flour is moistened — but not longer!  Don’t overwork the dough.
  12. Crumble the dough over the apples.
  13. Optional:  Sprinkle some brown sugar on top of the dough.

    bake

  14. Bake for 10-15 minutes at 425 degrees.  Once the top begins to brown, lower the temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes more.  [**Tip:  Place a rimmed cookie sheet or piece of foil on a lower rack to catch any drippings!**]
  15. Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

 

Enjoy!

xoxo
-ash

 

more to love (SURPRISE!)

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Some people wait until the 3rd month to share their news, we wait until the 3rd trimester.  There were some challenges along the way, but the excitement – and some anxiety – is finally starting to build… this is happening!  This will be our first little one, and it kinda feels like we don’t really know what we’ve gotten ourselves into.

Over the past several months I’ve come across many pregnancy resources, some helpful and some not so much.  So, for the benefit of any moms-to-be out there, I thought I would share a list of those I found most useful —

Apps to download: 

  • What to Expect.  The app is part of the “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” brand and it is filled with daily blogs and weekly videos to help you understand what’s going on with your body and the growing baby inside.  This is one of my favorite resources and I check it pretty much daily.
  • Sprout.  The app delivers daily and weekly information about you and the developing baby.  It has a personalized pregnancy timeline for a general overview of what to expect, as well as daily blogs and checklists.
  • BabyCenter.  The ‘My Pregnancy & Baby Today’ app delivers similar weekly videos and daily blogs as the others, but it also has some nifty tools like a Baby Names finder, Birth Class videos, and Birth Club chat forum.

Books to read:

  • What to Expect When You’re Expecting.  Per the cover, this is the “#1 Bestselling Pregnancy Book” and it seems like a good one to have.  Shortly after my first positive pregnancy test I picked up the book on one of my Target runs, and I wish I’d gotten it sooner!  There’s a whole section on preconception, as in things you might want to know or think about before you conceive.  Much of the information in the book is available online or via the app, but I like having the physical book on my nightstand to flip through.
  • The Girlfriends’ Guide to Pregnancy.  A practical, honest, and funny guide written by a mom of 4 who is super candid about what really happens to you and your body during pregnancy.  I have not been blessed by the pregnancy gods with glowing skin, thicker hair, or any perks really; so it was comforting to read stories of others who talk for real about the nausea, fatigue, breakouts, bloating, heartburn, nerve pain, and more that has been my pregnancy experience.

Registries: 

Despite this being our first baby, we were going to skip the whole registry thing… until we read about the perks!  There are some companies out there that give you 10-15% off your entire registry as you approach your due date.  And you can make the registries ‘private’ so that only those you want to find it can. So if you’re going to buy the stuff anyway, why not get a discount?!   Here are the two registries that we went with, and both had helpful online checklists to guide us.

  • Amazon Baby Registry.  Amazon offers free shipping on orders over $49 (and free 2 day shipping for Prime Members), a 90-day return policy, and what seems to be the largest selection in one virtual place.  Amazon also gives you a registry completion discount of 10%, or 15% for Amazon Prime members, once you are within 60 days of the baby’s due date.  The discount is good toward most things, though there are some exclusions.  And if you’re a Prime member, once you’ve populated your online registry and made at least $10 in purchases, Amazon will send you a little ‘Baby Registry Welcome Box’ filled with  samples and some full sizes of various baby products.
  • Target Baby Registry.  Create a baby registry at Target and you get to pick up a ‘welcome kit’ from Guest Services for $50 worth of coupons and samples.  Then 8 weeks before baby’s due date Target will send you a 15% discount for most anything left on your registry (there are always exclusions).  And returns/exchanges are accepted for up to one year.  Wow.

xoxo
-ash

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Ash’s obsessions3v3-1-27-17Havaianas ‘slim’ flip flops.  Hands down the best flip flops.  I’ve had mine for years and only recently looked to replace them with a new pair of the same.  It may not be warm yet outside, but you still need pedicure shoes.

Burberry ‘Kensington’ trench coat.  For all those rainy days… ’tis the season.  I don’t own this trench (yet), but every time it rains I think about it… classic and timeless.  Love.

Nathalie Lete Francophile Pie Plate.  We recently hosted a dinner party and for dessert I made apple cobbler.  I used it as an excuse to pick up this adorable pie plate and this brownie dish too.

Aj’s obsessionsscreen-shot-2017-01-31-at-8-46-20-pmQuay Australia Sunglasses. I love a fun pair of sunglasses but hate spending the money on them because I don’t want something that looks cheap. For only $55, these fit all my wants!

Adidas Pureboost X ATR. I have heard great things about these shoes. I’m anxious to get them and give them a try! I already love the way they look, hoping I like the way they fit and feel even more.

Madewell Central Shirt.  This is a great top. Madwell always has great clothes, and this shirt is no exception. I love this type of fit.

valentine gifts for her

Not sure what to get your gal this year?  Read on for some ideas!  Full disclosure, these are pretty much things that I want or already have…

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1. Lots of Love bath bombs.  If you have’t yet discovered Lush’s bath bombs, you should do so stat.  This adorable gift set includes 6 yummy bath bombs to indulge in.  Ah-mazing.

2. Ruby and Rose Gold stackable ring.  Dainty rings are oh so feminine, and this ruby and rose gold one is perfectly hued for the holiday.

3. Silk-Satin Pajama Set.  See also here.  A luxury item for sure, and one she can slip into every night.

4. Gilded Cheese Board.  Show up at her door with one of these cheese boards, a few fancy cheeses, and a bottle of champagne — WOAH!!  Cheesy maybe, but OMG PERFECT!

5. Bella Silk-Satin Pajama Set.  Arguably more sexy than the traditional pant set, yet equally as comfy.

6. Champagne Flute Glasses set.  Just make sure to bring along a bottle of bubbly too, and you’re all set!  I bought these glasses last year during a trip to Napa and I absolutely love them.  And I found them for you online and ON SALE NOW!

7. Open Market Throw.  A cozy blanket to for snuggling on the couch while watching a romcom.  You know you want to 😉  I own this one and I love it!

8. Jo Malone Body Creme.  The ‘Peony & Blush’ and ‘Nectarine Blossom & Honey’ are two of my favorites, and definitely go with the body creme over the lotion.  I’ve found some of the lotions to be slightly sticky, but the body cremes are always perfect.

9. Jo Malone Cologne.  The ‘Peony & Blush’ is a mix of peonies, apple, jasmine, and rose that blends to a soft romantic scent.  I wore this on my wedding day and it is still one of my favorites.  Also top of my list would be the ‘Nectarine Blossom & Honey’ and the ‘English Pear & Freesia’.

10. Diamond Stud Earrings.  A classic.  And they’re available in all sizes and price ranges!  Sweet and simple, and they go with literally everything.  She may very well never take them off.  Just be careful she’s not anticipating an engagement ring… that’s the only way this gift may not end well…

Still need more?  Check out last year’s gift ideas here.

Happy gifting!

xoxo
-ash

valentine gifts for him

Hallmark holiday or not, we’ll take it!  Not sure what to get your guy this year?  Here are some ideas…

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Hey Handsome shaving kit.  Super cute.  Super practical.  What’s not to love?

Nespresso Pixie and Aeroccino.  Also available here.  I bought one of these a while back and I love it, but I think my hubs loves it even more!  He wasn’t even a coffee drinker when I bought it, and now he’s making lattes daily.

Molten Brown Black Peppercorn gift set.  Because this body scrub bar is a big YASSS!  The black peppercorns exfoliate and leaves behind the scent of bergamot.  Sexy.

Ugg Ascot suede slippers.  Warm and fuzzy, just like he makes you feel… awwww…

Let’s Play Doctor truth-or-dare game.  … just gonna leave this one right here…

Beer Tasting Set.  Set includes 6 types of glassware in various shapes, and stainless steel coasters, and a beer tasting guide.

Cosmetic Lad face moisturizer.  The perfect moisturizer for your man, and it smells oh so good.

Prince shaving cream.  Cocoa butter, rose water, and almond oil with a citrusy finish.

Hottie massage bar.  A massage bar for sore muscles with vanilla, black pepper, and ginger oils for a slightly spicy fragrance.

Still want more ideas?  Check out our gift guide from last year here.

What will you be gifting this year?

xoxo
-ash

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Ash’s obsessions

Currently in the mood for all things pink and red and covered in hearts!  Valentine’s day is right around the corner, and I’m already feeling it.

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte in Strawberry Pink (aka No. 49).  I received a sample size of this gem from Sephora a couple months ago and I love it!  It is my current go-to color and I’ll be buying the full size very soon.

Free People Saturday Morning Cardi.  Yes please!  The perfect soft rose color (aka “antique pink”) in an oh-so-cozy oversized cardigan.  I need this. NOW.

Cinq A Sept ‘Ela’ Midi Dress.  The perfect LRD, IMHO.  Squared neckline, thin straps, sheath silhouette, and side slits.  Super flattering and super versatile.  Throw a sweater over it for a chic office look, then toss the sweater aside for a romantic date night out.

 

Aj’s obsessions


Free People Embroidered Sweats. I just bought these, in black, and have worn them more times than I care to admit this last week. So comfy and cute!

Free People Long Cardigan. This sweater almost came home with me this past weekend…. I keep thinking about it, so that must mean it should be mine!

Embroidered Maxi Dress. This dress looks like an expensive one I’ve been lusting over for awhile now- but, this one is only $35!