raw fig cheesecake

It's a little funny to me that the only thing I've craved so far in my pregnancy is dessert...well, basically anything sweet. From candy to cookies to cakes to ice cream...it's all I can think about!* This coming from someone who was all about the salty snacks pre-pregnancy (salt & vinegar chips anyone???). I guess someone is trying to tell me that it's never too early for her to have a sweet tooth;)

But I saw this cheesecake while browsing online a few days ago and for some reason keep coming back to it. I just think it's beautiful and boy oh boy *mouthwatering*. Not to mention, it's raw! Anyone have some spare figs lying around that they'd like to send me...

*Literally as I'm typing this, I am using all of my strength and willpower to not devour the 3 boxes of girl scout cookies that Kyle brought home yesterday...

(Photos and recipe via here)

cronuts

Apparently "cronuts" are the next big dessert phenomenon--part buttery croissant and part sugar coated donut. Move over cupcakes and cake pops! Of course it was created in NYC and of course I reeaally want one...

(Via here)

pocky cake

Um, say hello to my dream cake...made of strawberry pocky!!! Boy do I need to learn how to make this... 

black & white cookies

Reaaally craving a black and white cookie right now...even though the only time I've ever had one was on vacation a few years ago (in NY!). It was one tasty cookie though. 

(Photos and recipe via The Candied Appetite)

new obsession

A Trader Joe's opened up here in Fort Worth a little over two weeks ago...and I am a little embarrassed to say that I've already been five times. I can't help it...it is every bit as good as everyone says (or so I've read in the blog world for years). Every time I go I find something new that I can't live without...most recently French macarons! Favorites so far include their garlic fries and chocolate croissants. I think I'm officially hooked.

macaron monday

Saw these macarons on Etsy and I'm thinking I need to order a box to distract me from my Monday blues...

mignon kitchen shop

Discovered the cutest online kitchen shop last night - Mignon Kitchen Co. offers lovely goods for your kitchen, pantry and tabletop. The photos are gorgeous and I'm already dreaming about the fondue au chocolat...

marshmallow caramels

Can someone pretty please make these homemade marshmallow caramels for me? I can't stop staring at them...

jeni's splendid ice creams

Kyle and I sent a variety of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams to our friends, Kevin and Joy, as a wedding present a few weeks ago (see wedding weekend here). With flavors such as strawberry buttermilk, salty caramel, and brown butter almond brittle, they all sounded pretty incredible. So far, we've heard good reviews...now I just need to find an excuse to order a pint for us to try...or maybe a few of their homemade macaroon ice cream sandwiches (um, amazing!!!):

Yea, that photo pretty much says it all...

happy friday + heart grilled sandwich

Happy Friday friends! I hope you like the few modest changes I've made to the blog recently...I plan on making a few more so please excuse any crazy-that-does-not-look-right sightings you might see in the upcoming weeks. I had a slight freak out moment last night where I thought I deleted everything and am still recovering...

Oh and how cute is this heart grilled sandwich made of strawberries, mascarpone cheese and nutella? It looks insanely delicious to me and perfect for a little breakfast in bed this weekend.

See you next week!

neapolitan s'mores

Um, s'mores made with rose vanilla marshmallows, coconut marshmallows and crisped rice chocolate? Genius.

(Via Oh Joy!)

mini pies

(Top: Blackberry; Bottom: Pumpkin)

Apparently, mini pies are the new cupcake...and I'm not surprised. Everything is cuter in "mini" form. Now if only there was such a thing as a mini cupcake (or a mini-mini cake)...then maybe it would have a chance to steal back its crown!

(Photos by Kate via For Me, For You)

macaroon thursday

Macaroon love for your Thursday, just because they are so fabulous.

A print is almost as good as the real thing right?

(Photos from here and here)

mmm cupcakes

Wishing I had one of these mouth-watering cupcakes this morning...doesn't the fruit/cream cheese fillings look amazing? Find the recipes here. Um, and homemade thin mints? Yes please!

ice cream love

Reason #143 of why I love my husband...he scoops my ice cream into a teacup for me every night:)

P.S. That's coffee + chocolate brownie flavor mmm

dessert spoons

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a great weekend...I'm loving these colorful dessert spoons by Chi-Wing Lee and will be adding these to my birthday wishlist this year (which, sadly is coming up soon wahh).

wedding favors

And lastly, for our wedding favors we wanted to send everyone home with a little piece of "Texas"...so my mom and I decided to bake 16 pounds of candied pecans using my coworker Kelly's famous recipe (warning: they are incredibly addicting so watch out!). I ordered the custom stamp from The Mayberry Sparrow and had my friend Runi and my family help me stuff the envelopes a few days before. In the end, we had about 70 bags leftover so we sent them all home with my cousin and her husband (neither of them complained).

Well that's it for wedding week! I hope I didn't bore you too badly but I do want to say thank you for letting me share a few of our favorite memories from our special day. I hope you have a fabulous weekend and I'll see you Monday!

strawberry pie

Yum. I want to make this strawberry and whipped cream pie so badly...maybe this weekend? See the recipe here.

(Photos via sweetfineday aka whimsy & spice)

very berry

I have been eating all kinds of berries lately...it's really hard for me to pick a favorite. Do you have one? Oh how I love summer...

(Photos via weheartit)

gourdoughs donuts

Doesn't this look amazing?! It's a fried donut. With cream cheese icing. Topped with fresh strawberries. I actually had a chance to try Gourdough's here in Austin earlier this week...and while I tried a different donut (chocolate frosting with grilled strawberries), this one is definitely on my must-try list for next time.

Oh, and there's one with bacon.

(Photo by Tina Phan via Oh Joy Eats)