I thought I would share my go-to pie crust recipe that I’ve used versions of for the Apple Pie Cookies, Pumpkin Pie (less water), and the apple pies I made for Thanksgiving and Christmas this year (recipe forthcoming). I’ve tried and failed at many a pie crust, but once …
When I turned 30, IMAX surprised me with a cake and a batch of pumpkin pie bars from my favorite bakery in LA (arguably in the world). I was obsessed with having these again, and scoured the internet for about a year to find a recipe …
Leslie and I went through a serious macaron obsession in the early 2010’s (is that what you call that decade?). I mean – a SERIOUS obsession. I’ve had them from just about everywhere in LA, several places in New York, and even hot off a plane from Ladurée …
Kevin and I enlisted some of our talented friends (or “friendors”) to help with our DIY wedding. Jamie tried her hand for the first time at assembling wedding florals for our big day. We had bridesmaids bouquets, groomsmen boutonnieres, and a few corsages for our immediate family. NOTE: …
I’ve been buying almond milk for years and only recently realized that it might be healthier and cheaper to make it at home. Most major brands add carrageenan as a thickener and a plethora of other things to their almond milks, and some even use as …
Thought I’d share a little DIY work I did for our wedding, now that we got our photos back. Kev and I DIY’d whatever we could for our big day, including our invites. I didn’t like any of the “free” or “close to free” printable invitation …
For another Hirata family birthday potluck celebration last month, I made a birthday cake using my new go-to chocolate layer cake recipe, this time, with a classic vanilla buttercream that I stumble upon browsing Add A Pinch. It was a triple celebration for Kevin, his mom, and his …
Kevin’s grandma turned 92 last Wednesday, so as a precursor to the birthday week, we had a little birthday celebration for her. She can’t have nuts or chocolate, so I whipped up an apple tart. Here’s the recipe, as adapted from Smitten Kitchen, who never lets …
Taking a quick break from baking and crafting to share some information that hopefully any newlyweds can use! I got suckered into paying $29.95 for a name change service when I got married and realized later that there was no actual “service” being given to …
When Kevin and I first moved in together, we needed a couch. We immediately agreed on the shape, style, and price point, but there was a week-long debate on what color fabric to get for the couch cover. He wanted light khaki, while I wanted …