Happy Halloween!

Halloween Bowie, Illustration by Lauren Taylor of Project Play Play

Halloween Whoopie Pies

Haven't you heard? Whoopie Pies are the new Cupcakes! After quietly enduring decades of modest fame, Whoopie Pies are poised to oust the dessert kingpin in a way that would feature well in Malcolm Gladwell's The Tipping Point. So Why is the Whoopie Pie's popularity on the rise? It just might have something to do with how delicious they are!

Update: I made these again with Vanilla French Butter Cream Frosting and they were even more delicious!

Halloween Whoopie Pie Recipe:
(From Martha Stewart)

Ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour, 1 1/2 cups
  
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 1/2 cup
  
• Baking Soda, 1 teaspoon
  
• Baking Powder, 1 teaspoon
  
• Salt, 1 teaspoon
  
• Unsalted Butter, 1 cup
  
• Brown Sugar, 1 cup
  
• Egg, 1 large
  
• Unsweetened Apple Sauce, 1 cup
  
• Vanilla, 1/3 teaspoon
  
• Confectioners' Sugar, 1 cup
  
• Black and Orange Nonpareils, for decoration

Cake:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, bakind soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
• Beat in egg.
• Alternately add flour mixture and apple sauce.
• Mix just until smooth.
• Drop dollops of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 14 minutes.
• Let cool on a wire rack.

Frosting:

• In a large bowl, beat vanilla and 1/2 cup butter with an electric mixer.
• Gradually add confectioners' sugar and beat until smooth.
  

Whoopie Pies:

• Spread frosting on bottom of half the cookies and place other half on top.
• Sprinkle exposed filling with nonpareils.

Meringue Ghosts

Meringue Ghosties and Ghoulies and Things that Go Bump in the Night

I love Halloween- an entire holiday that revolves around getting dressed up and eating sweets! And is there any sweet more delightful as meringue? So before I undertake Pup's bat wings, I thought I'd make some spooky meringue treats!

Meringues Ghosts & Bones Recipe:
(From Martha Stewart)

Ingredients:

• Egg Whites, 6 large
  
• Sugar, 1 1/2 cups

Meringue:

• In a metal bowl set over simmering water, constantly whisk egg whites and sugar for 5 minutes.
• Return bowl to electric mixer and beat on high for 8 minutes until stiff peaks form.
• Place meringue in a pastry back with a round attachment.
• Pip ghost and bone shapes onto parchment lined baking sheets.
  
• Bake for 1 hour at 200 degrees for the most perfectly chewy meringue!

For more meringue recipes, try my Pink Berry Mini Pavlova and Pink Grapefruit and Sanguinello Meringue Hearts.

DIY: Maison Michel Bunny Ears

Owned by Chanel, the Maison Michel is a Parisian couture millinery that has been creating exquisite headpieces since 1936. Maison Michel's Artistic Director Laetitia Crahay, who is also head of accessories and jewelry at Chanel, designed these whimsical and coquettish headbands that are simply irresistible!

SUPPLIES:

Note: I opted for a simple black tulle, as I wasn't smitten with the lace selection at my local fabric store. Just another reason to move to Paris!

DIY MICKEY MOUSE EARS:

DIY BUNNY EARS:

Illustration of Heidi Mount in Maison Michel Designs by Cedric Rivrain

Caramel Apples

Last weekend my honey and I ventured out to the annual UBC Apple Festival where we sampled over 50 varieties of new and heritage apples grown in British Columbia. My old favorite, the Macoun, was among good company and faced some stiff competition! I never knew apples could taste so different, but I know one thing for sure- they all taste amazing with caramel!

Caramel Apples with Toasted Almonds Recipe:
(Adapted from Martha Stewart)

Ingredients:

• Apples, 6
  
• Almonds, 1 cup ground
  
• Sugar, 1 cup
  
• Dark Corn Syrup, 1/4 cup
  
• Heavy Cream, 1 cup
  
• Unsalted Butter, 2 tablespoons
  

Toasted Almonds:

• Bake almonds on 350 degrees until golden brown.
• Place toasted almonds into a bowl.
  

Caramel:

• Bring sugar, dark corn syrup, heavy cream, and unsalted butter to a boil in a small saucepan.
• Continue cooking until temperature registers 245 degrees, about 12 minutes.
• Remove saucepan from heat and plunge into ice water to stop cooking.

Caramel Apples:

• Insert dowel or stick into tops of apples.
• Dip apples into caramel, coating completely.

With Toasted Almonds:

• Roll bottom of apples in toasted almonds.

For more Autumn recipes, try my Cranberry Preserves, Cranberry Walnut Bread, Rustic Apple Galette, Harvest Pumpkin Pie, and Mulled Wine.

Exciting news! Now you can follow Coulter Curated on Facebook and Twitter!

5 Pieces, 10 Looks

10 Pieces, 10 Looks -in which I put my less is more mantra to the test by pulling 10 pieces from my wardrobe to create 10 minimalist chic looks for Fall- has been one of my most popular posts. So, armed with modeling tips from Crystal Renn, I thought I'd give it another go, but this time with a twist- I'll only pull 5 pieces!

5 Pieces...

1/ Jimmy Choo Boots; 2/ Banana Republic Flats; 3/ Armani Exchange Leather Jacket; 4/ Juicy Couture Sweater; 5/ American Apparel Lamé Leggings

10 Looks...

If you liked this, then you will love 10 Pieces, 10 Looks! If you're shopping around for the latest fall trends, check out my 100 Under $100 Guide. Or if you're already thinking about Spring, consult my Spring 2011 Runway Trends Report.

We have such good times here, why not join me on Facebook and Twitter!

100 Under $100

TREND: THE 50s

Lipstick/ Guerlain/ Kiss Kiss Lipstick in Insolence de Rouge/ $31

Liquid Eyeliner/ Guerlain/ Liquid Eyeliner in Noir/ $35
Perfume/ Guerlain/ Jicky Eu de Toilette/ $85
Briefs/ La Perla/ Silk-Blend Culotte Brief/ $87.50
Pearls/ Banana Republic/ Genuine Freshwater Pearl Choker Necklace/ $98
Trench Coat/ Norma Kamali/ Women's Trench Coat/ $35
Kitten Heels/ J. Crew/ Lucie Kitten Heels/ $79.99
Sweater/ See by Chloe/ Double Breasted Wool Blend Cardigan/ $94.50
Skirt/ McQ/ Cotton Pencil Skirt/ $100
Purse/ Zara/ Shoulder Bag with Gusset/ $64
Sunglasses/ Ray-Ban/ New Wayfarer 2132 Sunglasses/ $99.95
Leather Gloves/ French Connection/ Bow Gloves/ $68
Handkerchiefs/ Brooks Brothers/ Women's Embroidered Handkerchiefs/ $20
Stamps/ Cavallini/ Paris Rubber Stamps/ $25.95
Post Cards/ Lanvin/ Post Cards/ $70
Pen Necklace/ 1928/ 1960s Vintage Inspired Gold Tone Pen Necklace/ $20
Mad Men DVD/ Mad Men Season 1/ $26.99
Pouch/ Tiffany/ Flat Pouch/ $95
Paris City Guide/ Louis Vuitton/ City Guide 2010 Paris- English Edition/ $34

TREND: THE 20s

Earings/ Kate Spade/ Looking Glass Lever-Back Earings/ $95
Perfume/ Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier/ Eu de Camelia Chinois/ $99
Nail Polish/ NARS/ Versailles/ $16
Fan/ Luna Bazaar/ Black Gilded SAA Paper Fan (Henna Motif)/ $6
Bra/ Stella McCartney/ Louise Dancing Bra/ $87.50
Briefs/ Stella McCartney/ Molly Humming Hipster Briefs/ $55
Necklace/ J. Crew/ Soleil Necklace/ $99
Dress/ Alice + Olivia/ Fringed Chain Crepe Top/ $82.50
Headband/ BCBG/ Feathered Headband/ $12
Ring/ Lee Angel/ Desiree Crystal and Glass Pearl Cluster Ring/ $75
Skirt/ Adam/ High-Waisted Fringed Skirt/ $78
Lace Body Suit/ Juicy Couture/ Lace Body Suit/ $68
Mary Janes/ Aerosoles/ Gin City Mary Jane Pumps/ $79

TREND: MINIMALIST CHIC

Hat/ T by Alexander Wang/ Ribbed Knit Hat/ $70
Tights/ Wolford/ Twin Pack of Velvet Deluxe 66 Tights/ $84
Scarf/ T by Alexander Wang/ Fringe Scarf/ $89
Hair Cream/ Frederic Fekkai/ Glossing Cream/ $21
Perfume/ Chanel/ Coco Mademoiselle Eu de Toilette/ $95
Brush/ Mason Pearson/ Pocket Mixture Brush/ $80
Maxi Dress/ Kate Spade for Top Shop/ Jersey Maxi Dress/ $73
Ballet Flats/ J. Crew/ Kerrington Metalic Leather Ballet Flats/ $79.99
Cape/ Uniqlo/ Wool Capelet/ $97
Jeggings/ James Jeans/ Mid-Rise Legging Style Jeans/ $66.80
Booties/ Contibutor by Rachel Comey for Urban Outfitters/ Pocket Bootie/ $98
Bra Top/ T by Alexander Wang/ One Shoulder Bra/ $56
Journal/ Aspinal of London/ Italian Wrap Journal/ $55
Pouch/ Marc by Marc Jacobs/ Totally Turnlock Key Pouch/ $68
Bag/ Longchamp/ Le Pilage Mini/ $98
Gym Shoes/ Comme des Garcons/ Play Converse Low-Top/ $100
Sweater/ Uniqlo/ Cashmere Polo Neck Short Sleeve Sweater/ $81
OTK Boots/ Olsenboye/ Camden/ $50
OTK Socks/ Falke/ Striggings/ $39

TREND: COUNTRYSIDE

Plates/ John Derian for Target/ Melamine Insect Appetizer Plates Set of 8/ $15.99
Lipstick/ Mac/ Pro Matte Lipstick in Full Chocolate/ $24.99
Blanket/ Pendleton/ Lambswool Throw/ $78
Harness/ Pendleton/ Leather Carrier/ $25
Sweater/ Uniqlo/ Mohair Blended Crew Neck Sweater/$24
Gloves/ Marc by Marc Jacobs/ Elliot Wool Gloves/ $80
Rain Boots/ Sperry Top-Sider/ Hingham Quilted Shaft Rain Boot/ $98
Coat/ Uniqlo/ Super Light wool Hooded Coat/ $98
Slippers/ UGG/ Coquette Bomber Jacket Chestnut Slippers/ $94.95
Blouse/ Splendid/ Cotton Shirt/ $88
Chinos/ Current/Elliott/ The Pleated Pant/ $94
Bag/ Contributor by Rachel Comey for Urban Outfitters/ Canvas and Leather Satchel/ $68
Pouch/ Coach/ New Madison Leather Large Wristlet/ $98
Boots/ Zara/ Blucher Ankle Boot/ $99

TREND: ROCKER

Lipgloss/ YSL/ Pure Lipgloss No. 49 Black Limited Edition/ $26.60
Nail Polish/ Chanel/ Les Vernis in Paradoxical/ $23
Lighter/ Zippo/ Soaring Eagle/ $36.95
Eye Palette/ Bobbi Brown/ Honey Glaze Long Wear Set/ $55
Necklace/ Chrishabana for Urban Outfitters/ Oversized Gold Cross Necklace/ $76
Ring/ Tom Binns/ 24-Karat Gold-Plated Studded Ring/ $90
Dress/ Arden B./ One Shoulder Sequin Tunic/ $79
Fedora/ BCBG/ Felt Fedora/ $38
Leggings/ Malene Birger/ Bulko side Zip Leggings/ $72
Shoes/ Dolce Vita for Target/ Studded Oxford/ $29.99
Skirt/ Camilla and Marc/ Gem Zip-Embellished Jersey Skirt/ $68.75
Gloves/ Armani Exchange/ Short Zip Leather Gloves/ $58
Tights/ Wolford/ Leo Print Stay-Ups/ $68
Briefs/ Faster by Mark Fast/ High Top Knickers/ $56
Pouch/ Temperley London/ Zebra Print Canvas Clutch/ $77.50
Sharpies/ Marc by Marc Jacobs/ Sharpies/ $1.50
Camera/ Fujifilm/ Instax 210 Camera/ $100
Clutch/ Armani Exchange/ Studded Wristlet/ $29
Bracelet/ Marc by Marc Jacobs/ Double Wrap Leather Bolt Bracelet/ $78

TREND: GLOBAL

Earings/ Owlita/ Prairie Pheasant Large Black and White/ $98

Stamps/ Cavallini/ Par Avion Rubber Stamp Set/ $24.95
Mocasins/ Minnetonka/ Front Lace Knee High Boot/ $78
Dress/ Tucker for Target/ Signature Dress in Lawn Bird Print/ $27.98
Pouch/ Marc by Marc Jacobs/ Nylon Printed Wash Bag/ $64
Tibetan Prayer Flags/ Turtle Island Imports/ Mini Tibetan Prayer Flags/ $3.95
Briefs/ Stella McCartney/ Floral-Print Briefs/ $26
Throws/ Pottery Barn/ Authentic Kantha Throw/ $99
Baja Surfer Poncho/ Gone Blue/ Deluxe Baja Original Mexican Baja Hoodie/ $19.99
Mochila Bag/ Columbian Style/ Mochila Lisa Brown/ $72
Shoes/ J. Crew/ Fringed MacAlister Boots/ $69.99
Hammock/ Via Nativa/ Hammock/ $42
Camera/ Lomography/ Fish Eye One Royal Red/ $64
Drum/ Celtic Labyrinthe Djembe/ $89
Passport Case/ Monsoon/ Je'Taime Passport Holder/ $14
Journal/ Lanvin/ Small Notebook/ $30

What are your favorite Fall trends?!  Mine is following Coulter Curated on Facebook and Twitter! 

Cranberry Preserves

Cranberry is one of my favorite tastes of Autumn- along with pumpkin and apple. You can look forward to many more cranberry recipes to come leading up to Christmas!!

Cranberry Preserves Recipe:

Ingredients:

• Cranberries, 3 cups
• Orange, enough to squeeze 1 cup of juice
  
• Water, 1 cup
• Sugar, 2 cups
  
• Ground Cinnamon, 1 teaspoon
  
• Ground Cloves, 1/4 teaspoon

Cranberry Preserves:

• Bring all the ingredients to a boil in a large saucepan.
• Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Put jam in a blender and pulse until smooth.

For more Autumn recipes, try my Cranberry Walnut Bread, Rustic Apple Galette, Harvest Pumpkin Pie, and Mulled Wine.

Exciting news! Now you can follow Coulter Curated on Facebook!

Harvest Pumpkin Pie

One of the best parts about being An American in Canada (did Gene Kelly star in that one?!) is getting to celebrate Thanksgiving twice! This suits me perfectly because I have so much to be thankful for and...well...it means twice the pumpkin pie!

Harvest Pumpkin Pie Recipe:
(from Martha Stewart)

Ingredients:
(Makes 2 pies- you'll want 2 pies!)

• Sugar Pumpkins, 2
  
• All Purpose Flour, 2 1/2 cups
  
• Salt, 1 teaspoon
  
• Sugar, 1 teaspoon
  
• Unsalted Butter, 1 cup
  
• Ice Water, 1/2 cup
  
• Light Brown Sugar, 2 cups
  
• Cornstarch, 2 tablespoons
  
• Ground Ginger, 2 teaspoons
  
• Ground Cinnamon, 2 teaspoons
  
• Ground Cloves, 1/4 teaspoon
  
• Eggs, 6 large, lightly beaten + 1 for glaze
  
• Evaporated Milk, 3 cups
  
• Heavy Cream, 1 tablespoon

Pumpkin Puree:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Pierce the pumpkins all the way through to let steam escape.
• Place pumpkins on a baking dish with 1 inch of water.
• Bake for 1 1/2 hours.
• Cut of tops of pumpkins, scoop out seeds, and peel.
• Puree pumpkin in a blender until smooth.

Pate Brisee:

• Combine flour, salt, and sugar in mixer.
• Mix in butter.
• Mix in water and let the mixture come together.
• Gather dough into two equal balls and flatten into disks.
• Wrap dough in plastic and chill for 1 hour.
• Roll out dough to 12" diameter between two sheets of parchment paper.
• Fit dough into a 9" pie plate and trim edges so there is a small overhang.
• Fold overhang over or under and crimp as desired.
• Repeat for second pie.
  
• Chill for 15 minutes.

Pumpkin Pie:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, pumpkin puree and six eggs.
  
• Beat mixture well and add in evaporated milk.
• In a small bowl create the glaze by beating 1 egg and adding heavy cream.
• Brush glaze onto edges of pie shell.
• Fill pie shell with pumpkin mixture.
• Transfer pie to a parchment lined baking sheet.
• Bake for 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for 30 minutes.
• If you can withstand temptation, allow to cool for 1 hour as the pie sets.

Spring 2011 Runway Trends

BLACK & WHITE:

(Gareth Pugh, Giambattista Valli, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Jil Sander)

THE LBD:

(Lanvin, Lanvin, Rick Owens, Hakaan, Bottega Veneta)

BLACK JUMPSUITS:

(Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent, Celine, The Row)

LEATHER CAPRIS:
(Balmain, Haider Ackermann, Theyskens' Theory)

WHITE:

(Derek Lam, Chloe, Giambattista Valli, Hakaan, Alexander Wang)

WHITE T-SHIRTS:

(Reed Krakoff, Balmain, Jil Sander, Jil Sander, Christian Dior)

WHITE CROP TOPS:

(Rachel Comey, Theyskens' Theory, Ralph Lauren, Vanessa Bruno)

SILVER:

(Gareth Pugh, Balmain, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Burberry Prorsum)

HINT OF ORANGE:
(Burberry Prorsum, Celine, Giambattista Valli, Yves Saint Laurent, Prada)

RED HOT:

(Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Isabel Marant, Haider Ackermann)

RED LEATHER:

(Balmain, Balenciaga, Balenciaga, Reed Krakoff, Helmut Lang)

THE ROCKER:
(Burberry Prorsum, Burberry Prorsum, Balmain, Balmain, Balmain)

THE MATADOR:

(Haider Ackermann, Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen, Miu Miu, Celine)

WESTERN:

(Hermes, Hermes, Ralph Lauren, Derek Lam, Ralph Lauren)

CARMEN MIRANDA:
(Prada, Prada, Stell McCartney, Moschino, Yves Saint Laurent)

BOLD STRIPES:

(Celine, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Jil Sander, Moschino)

MIXED PRINTS:

(Louis Vuitton, Moschino, Rachel Comey, Proenza Schouler, Balenciaga)

FLORAL:

(D&G, Peter Som, Rachel Comey, Chanel, Isabel Marant)

SHORT SHORTS:

(Chloe, Lanvin, Derek Lam, Louis Vuitton, Isabel Marant)

SURFER PONCHOS:

(Celine, Vena Cava, Tory Burch)

EMBELLISHED SHOULDERS:

(Burberry Prorsum, Acne, Fendi, Balmain, Acne)

*All photos are from Style.com.

What new Spring trends are you seeing? What will you be rocking next Spring?! What are your favorite collections? It's so hard to choose, but my favorites are Burberry, Celine, Chanel, Chloe, Derek Lam, Hakaan, Hermes, Isabel Marant, Lanvin, Ralph Lauren, Reed Krakoff, Yves Saint Laurent, and of course Gottex! Ah so many!

P.S. Read about my time at New York Fashion Week here, here, and here!

P.P.S. Exciting news! Now you can follow Coulter Curated on Facebook!

Cranberry Walnut Bread

Having spent many an autumn in New England, I can say that there are few things more spectacular than a cranberry bog surrounded by fall foliage! So this weekend my honey and I drove out to the countryside to watch the cranberry harvest here in BC.

I'm so excited for cranberry season and all its bounty! I have so many recipe ideas, but first up is cranberry walnut bread! As a little girl, nothing beat waking up on a brisk autumn's day to the scent of my mother's cranberry bread!

Cranberry Walnut Bread Recipe:
(Adapted from Good Eatin With Lynne)

Ingredients:

• All Purpose Flour, 2 cups
  
• Salt, 1/2 teaspoon
  
• Baking Powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons
  
• Baking Soda, 1 teaspoon
  
• Sugar, 1 cup
  
• Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice, 1/3 cup
  
• Vegetable Oil, 2 tablespoons
• Boiling Water, 3/4 cup
  
• Egg, 1 large, whisked
• Cranberries, 1 cup, cut into thirds
• Walnuts, 1/2 cup

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  
• Toast walnuts on a baking tray for 10 minutes.
  
• In a mixing bowl, sift together flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar.
• Mix in orange juice, vegetable oil, and boiling water.
• Mix in whisked egg, cranberries, and toasted walnuts.
• Bake for 45 minutes.
• Enjoy with a piping hot cup of Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice Herbal Tea!
  

For more Fall recipes, try my Rustic Apple Galette, Apple Fritters, and Toasted Walnut Banana Bread!

Project Play Play

Pup and I are so ecstatic! Our favorite artist, Lauren Taylor, designed this festive new graphic specially for Coulter Curated! And just in time for the Paris Vogue Masquerade Ball with our beloved Anna Dello Russo!

Check out Lauren's charming new blog, Project Play Play, which describes the enormously daunting but exciting endeavor of following her dreams of designing, illustrating, writing, and connecting with people.