Perfect Package: 8th Continent Soymilk

The other day my daughter and I popped into a local grocery store to pick up some last minute supplies for dinner and ended up coming across the most charming product packaging I've seen in a long time...or maybe ever.  It's not often that food packaging makes me all googly-eyed, but the cartons from 8th Continent Soymilk most definitely do.  I've since discovered that the company offers a full range of soymilk products all packaged in brilliant designs by Bob Dinetz and illustrated by Ben Javens. Ben Javens.

I haven't had soymilk in years, but I'm thinking I might need to pick up the habit a.s.a.p. just so I can have these cheery cartons peering out at me from my fridge every day.  Would it be weird to buy one of each just so I can cut out the designs and frame them (shhh...don't tell me if it is)?

See more sweetness on the 8th Continent website and be sure to check out more of Ben Javen's artwork as well (he also has a blog and shop full of goodies).  xo Ez

Inspiration Daily: 08. 13. 10

Image credits: 1. stay still, 2. Free water, 3. Creative Color Challenge-Yellow Close Up, 4. bubble gum bokeh

Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies

In one of my recent forays in cooking I discovered the recipe for Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies.  I'm trying not to overdo it here, but they were probably the most scrumptious cookies I've ever made.  The texture was perfect — crisp at first bite and then chewy.  The Andes mint candy melted on top of each one took the whole thing to another level of scrumptiousness.

The actual recipe calls for regular chocolate chips in the cookie dough, but I made a half and half mixture of 1 cup - milk chocolate chips and 1 cup - Andes Mint Baking Pieces (found in the baking isle at our local Super Target) - you can also just chop up a bunch of regular Andes mints (it's the same thing).  It was a great addition.  I also played around with proportions and made some smaller sandwich versions that turned out great.

I think that they would make such a nice little gifts to give around the Holidays (great for teachers, postal workers, cookie exchanges, etc).  To make them I just rolled balls of dough that were about the size of a large grape, baked them on my cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, and reduced the time to about 7 minutes (your oven may work differently, so keep a close eye on them).  As soon as they came out I turned half of them over with a spatula (so the pretty side was face down, and placed a whole Andes Mint Candy on top (following the same procedure as seen in the original recipe).  After the mints had melted down (about 4 minutes) I placed the remaining cookie on top and pressed down lightly to complete the "sandwich."  In my version I only used half of a mint and it didn't really peek out between the layers like I would have liked.  So if you end up making these guys, be sure to use a full mint or even two.

I would love to know how you like these if you make them.  It will be like a virtual cookie party.  xo Ez

Fashion Fix: Fancy Treehouse

I've just recently discovered the world of fashionista Fancy Treehouse a.k.a. Coury, but can I just say that this girl has mad style.I mean seriously!  Anyone who can pull of an 80's lighthouse sweater (like the bewildering one my grandma just gave me during her last visit) and not only make it look good...but make me wish that I was wearing it, has passed over into some alter universe of fashion awesomeness.

Too cute right?!  Luckily you can shop for many of the looks she's put together in her ebay shop or continue to get all swoony with me by visiting her blog right here.  Enjoy!  xo Ez

Inspiration Daily: 08. 12. 10

Image credits 1. Stay a While, 2. Friendship Month Swap, 3. Sprinkled Cupcake, 4. scales