The Girls | Sam & Emma at Moo Moo's House

Over the Fourth of July weekend, my friend (and our wedding photographer) Claire Ryser came out to my Mom's house (aka Moo Moo) to take some photos of the girls and our family.  It was an early morning and Emma was a little shy, but Claire was able to capture some really cute moments from the girls.  I love this sweet blushing Emma above - it is one of those sweet little looks that I might have never thought to shoot.

All photos by Claire Ryser.

The girls are being silly on their Moo Moo's chenille baby blanket.  Sam was saying "I'm going to get your nose, Emma!" 

Sweet babies.

Classic Baby in a basket.

It is amazing how much more hair she has now - just a month later than this photo... and the teeth that have come in that she seems to be working on in this pic!

We were telling Sam to give Emma kisses.

We close on our house tomorrow morning!  I'm headed to pick up paint and painting supplies.  The search for area rugs and light fixtures continues over the weekend - wish me good luck!

Black & White Cookies for Lucky Magazine & White House Black Market

Lucky Magazine
White House Black Market Photo Shoot

Last week, I headed to New York for a collaborative project between Lucky Magazine, White House Black Market and 3 Bloggers (1 of them being me...).  The project will be included in the September issue of Lucky Magazine.

The photo to the left was me having my hair and makeup done - they had their work cut out for them.  I had just come from our Martha's Vineyard vacation and my skin was a mess - peeling and red!

As a "Thank You" for including me, I sent the both Lucky Magazine team and the White House Black Market team a box of Black & White cookies...  Get it - White House Black Market = Black & White cookies.  Pretty creative, I know, but 'hey' who doesn't love a box of cookies!

The decorating method is below.  To see how I packaged them in cellophane bags with kraft paper circle labels, click here.

Black & White cookies are a New York classic - they are traditionally made from scoops of leftover cake batter baked like cookies, then glazed with half white and half chocolate icing.  In fear of messing up the cake batter version, I made my own versions of cookies with my sugar cookie dough.  I hope not too many New Yorkers are offended - my apologies!

I used my Sugar Cookie Recipe and cut the cookies with a scalloped edge 3-inch cutter.

For the "Black" half, I used chocolate ganache mixed with buttercream.

Chocolate Ganache Buttercream

3/4 cup of royal icing recipe 
1/4 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons of butter
1/2 cup of powdered sugar (more may be needed)

Place chocolate chips in a small bowl with butter on top.  Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between, until the chocolate is smooth.  Add royal icing and powdered sugar.  Add as much powdered sugar as needed until the correct consistency (spreadable, but not runny) is achieved.



Make a dam around the edge of half of the cookie.  Fill in with icing and smooth with the tip of a knife...