Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

I made these cookies last night and they were sooo delicious & different than anything I've made before.  I am not really a ginger or molasses fan but the boy became obsessed with the photo and insisted we go to the store and buy all the expensive ingredients and spices to make them.
If I was in Portland I would have just gone to the bulk spice section at my local grocery and spent next to nothing but since I don't know where anything is in LA the closest bulk spices I know of are at the giant Whole Foods in Venice and we would have spent hours driving and tons on gas just to get there (here in LA they have Whole Foods everywhere but they are tiny and don't carry everything.  I spent an unreasonable amount of time trying to find hazelnuts the other day and finally gave up and cried in frustration).  Sooo anyway, we got all the stuff and came home and made them.  They are slightly annoying to make 'cuz you have to refrigerate them for at least two hours before you bake and then again for 20 mins after you roll them into balls, but dare I say it?, they were totally worth it.  I am a converted ginger hater!   I also used more chocolate than they called for (9 oz. instead of 7) and it was super chocolatey and delicious.  The ginger and spices add a nice little kick in your mouth and make you feel all alive and excited! They were the perfect end to our dinner of tuna bouchons, salad, and La Brea Bakery bread.  I think I will make some into ice cream sandwiches today!

P.S.  I also trended it up and sprinkled sea salt over a couple of these babies right out of the oven and it was INCREDIBLE.  You have to try it!

Stuff you should know about in the world of literature- The Dud Avocado

I read this book last year when I got seduced by the cover ( I always judge a book by its cover) at Powell's Books.  I instantly was smitten with it and talked about it for days, weeks even.  I have called it "chick lit" when describing it, but hate that term because it cheapens this wondeful novel.  More what I am meaning to say is that I think this book could only truly be loved and understood by females (sorry to all the boys out there who probably love this book!).  It's like watching an episode of 30 Rock, which I do think is only truly loved and understood by women. 
The Dud Avocado tells the tale of Sally Jay Gorce, an American in Paris in the 50's.  She does everything she can to fit in, dying her hair platinum pink, wearing pencil skirts and drinking at the nearest cafe, having affairs with dark handsome men at the Ritz, trying to settle down with the starving artist type, and ends up getting herself into these situations.  All of this may sound "been there, done that" but it is written in the most amazing way, without falling into any cliches and has many passages that make you think, "why that's exactly how I always feel but never knew just how to say it"!!!
My dear friend Polly & I like to talk for hours about who we are going to cast in the film version, and we can usually figure out most of the cast, everyone except Sally Jay!  She is un-castable (did I make up a new word there?) which just might be the best compliment I could give.  Read this book immediately, buy it here.

Here are some pics of different covers over the years:

"The Vie Amoureuse of Sally Jay in Paris"

Stuff you should know about- We are running out of helium.

It's sad but true people- check out this article about how helium is going to be gone soon.
On a lighter note, if you could figure out how to make more or invest in someone who could, you could be a bajillionaire!

Stuff you should know about in designblogs!

Some of my favorite times are in the morning when I get up early to look at all my favorite fashion & design & food blogs. Everyone in the rest of the house is sleeping, I sometimes eat my guilty breakfast of bool banch boritos, and if I'm lucky Strudes will curl up on my feet and keep them warm.
Today I stumbled across this great blog "Inchmark" by former senior art director for Martha Stewart Living & Martha Stewart Kids Brooke Reynolds. Check it.

Stuff you should know about in fast food world!

Jack in the Box Chocolate Overload Cake- A rich chocolate cake made with cocoa, bittersweet chocolate chips and drizzled with a chocolate buttercream icing.

I hate to say it but these are really tasty. I am addicted to these damn little mini bundt cakes right now!
$1.79 @ crack in a sack

Stuff you should know about for your iPhone!

My favorite new app for my iPhone is the Photo Booth app. It works like an old photo booth, and you can save the photos in black & white or color. Look at these cute pics I took!


And this one:

The Pillsbury Doughboy is a good friend of mine and agreed to pose for a few shots when he was over for dinner the other night. And yes, he brought croissants for us to eat!

Cost: $1.99 @ iTunes