Oh, I’m so very excited! Miette, my absolute favorite San Francisco bakery, has finally released a cookbook – and it’s out today! Complete with recipes for each and every one of my favorite treats, mouth-watering photos and the sweetest of all: scalloped edges to each and every page!

Now, fair warning: this cookbook is not for the faint of heart. One cake recipe cautions that it takes three days to complete. But some of the recipes are simpler – like my favorite thing in the shop: their graham crackers. They’re nothing at all like the graham crackers you know. They’re crumbly and dense, packed with butter and cinnamon. They’re amazing by themselves, but they turn a s’more into a religious experience. Also, I’d have sold my firstborn to get the recipe for their fluffy, marshmallow-like boiled icing…but now, I only need $15. Much more reasonable.

{All photos kindly provided by Chronicle Books}

If you’re into cakes (their old-fashioned cupcake with boiled icing is unparalleled) and confections (including marshmallows that are simply otherwordly), are looking to test your baking mettle, or if you just like pretty, pretty cookbooks, this one needs to be on your shelf.

A little bit of bonus good news: the publishers of Miette kindly offered to let me share that delicious graham cracker recipe with you! Get your bake on…after the jump: Read the rest of this entry »

I have to start by telling you all that next week is going to be seriously amazing here at ShoppingsMyCardio. You see, it’s my fifth anniversary in the blogosphere. Can you imagine?  I can’t begin to tell you what a fantastic time it’s been, and how much I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you all. Truly, truly, I get up and do this every morning because I know you’re out there reading, a fact that brings me even more joy than my new Vince leather moto.

Since I’m finding myself ill-equipped to express myself with words, I’m giving you presents instead!  Yes, we’re doing a major, knock-down, flat-out amazing giveaway all of next week, so whatever you do, don’t forget to show up Monday to get in on the action!

In fact…okay, I can’t resist (I am the world’s worst secret-keeper). Here’s a little tease – can you guess any of the delicious prizes up for grabs?

And with that, on to Friday Finds!

I can never seem to get enough of the new goods at Chilewich. There’s just something about their use of texture and tone to make neutral pieces sing. The latest addition to their little family is this Electric Stripe utility mat, which comes in a few different stripey combos (though the blue is my favorite). It’s precisely the blend of utilitarian and inviting I’d want at my front door. Bonus: prices start at $45, and I spotted these most recently at my friendly neighborhood Ace Hardware, so they’re actually easy to acquire.

A.P.C., a French label known for clean, creative styles has just launched their Resort/Fall 2011 lookbook, and it’s a doozy. This “Resort/Fall” season is a relatively new phenom, but I’ll take all the new goodies I can get. Particularly that sleeveless shirtdress.

I just polished off Dreams of Joy, the latest Lisa See novel. It released this week, and if you’re a fan of hers, it’s a title you won’t want to miss. The first half starts a little slow, but the second half is utterly worth the wait. This continuation of Shanghai Girls (I don’t think you need to have read that title to enjoy this one) takes you deep into the world of communist China under Mao’s leadership. It’s full of that well-researched Chinese history See is known for, and the whole thing is so engrossing, even my husband couldn’t believe how rabidly I was devouring this one.

And, last but not least, I’m having another of my DIY moments – this time, I’m hellbent on recreating this gorgeous Isabal Marant necklace, as I adore it, but it’s too spendy for me even at half price. I seem to remember seeing these wavy, zig-zag-ish beads everywhere when I was just a wee shopper, but have no idea what they’re called or where I’d find them now. Any ideas?

Have a wonderful weekend, friends – I’ll be here, working away on the fabulous week ahead. But I hope you take plenty of time to enjoy the sun this weekend!

It’s been too long, and I’ve been devouring books at an alarming rate. And so, a little compendium of the titles you simply can’t miss this month:

The Hicks family is just entirely too stylish for me. In fact, if I’m honest, I wanted Allegra Hicks’ newest book, Eye for Design, simply because I knew it would look awesome on my coffee table (it does, by the way). But the interior is every bit as fabulous…packed with beautiful images of her interior projects and textile designs that are endlessly inspiring.

I like Tina Fey, but wouldn’t have considered myself a serious fan…until I read Bossypants. Now, her jokes seem funnier, and I find myself rooting for her at every possible opportunity. I’m utterly impressed by her ability to dole out hysterical stories and sage advice (sometimes simultaneously) – she’s so damn funny, you can easily forget what a major force she’s become. I’m particularly in love with the fact that she manages to talk about women’s rights in an intelligent, non-bra-burning sort of way.

And Kyung-Sook Shin’s debut English novel, Please Look After Mom is heartbreaking, but so beautifully written, you must read it. It’s the story of a Korean woman whose mother goes missing, and it details how she and her family cope with the search, and their memories of her. Most of the story is written in the second person, which gives you a unique feeling of being involved in the story. The tale is heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, and makes you work just hard enough to follow the story. It’s one of the best novels I’ve read in ages…you simply must.

Ines de la Fressange’s book, Parisian Chic, releases today…and, if you haven’t already seen it mentioned in the pages of virtually every fashion magazine in print this spring, allow me to introduce you.  When the press copy of this book arrived in my mailbox, I opened it up for a quick flip-through.  An hour later, I realized I’d been sucked in…but still didn’t manage to put it down until I got to the very last page.  It’s that lovely.

Now sure, I’m a long-time devotee of the simple, classic, innate style all French women seem to possess.  And granted, it’s been so long since I got to travel internationally that I’ve been borderline obsessed with all things European of late, particularly as they relate to Paris.  But even if you’re not a girl who reads Garance Dore’s blog first thing every morning, beelines for Vogue Paris in the bookstore, and daydreams about being able to wear an Hermes scarf with effortless ease (yep, guilty on all counts), you’re going to find so much to love in this book.

What did I tell you?  You already want to know what each of those girls is wearing, and “have to have” at least one thing pictured…if not every last one.  Am I right?

Never fear.  In the book, fashion icon Ines de la Fressange gives you a great list of the classic wardrobe pieces every Parisian woman counts on, and adds styling tips to help you make the look your own.  But she also gives you the inside scoop on all of her favorite French boutiques, from well-known favorites to tiny gems I’d never heard of.  Let me assure you, you’ll spend a considerable amount of time surfing her picks when you should be working.

But mostly, Parisian Chic – miracle of miracles – made me feel better about the clothes I already have.  It reminded me it’s not about the latest, most trendy item on the runways.  It’s about simple, chic staples that you can wear dozens of different ways.  It’s about what looks best on your body, not the body of the latest “It Girl.”  And sometimes, it’s about knowing when to take that list of chic must-haves from a well-known stylish girl, and turn it on its head.  After all, a cognac Kelly bag works for a lot of women, and your bright yellow handbag might not be de rigeur for every Parisian, but if it brightens your day and makes your style unique, embrace it!

i haven’t been reading enough “real” books lately…i let my brain check out and read throwaways too often.  i spotted the tiger’s wife, by tea obreht, being reviewed in elle (i think?), then nylon, then i saw a full-page feature in vogue.  message received.  this novel is getting rave reviews at every turn, particularly in light of the fact that the author is just 24 years old.  but there’s no trace of that youth in her debut novel.

the story takes place in a war-torn balkan state, chronicling the life of a young girl, largely through memory.  the story begins with the death of her grandfather (i don’t think i’m spoiling anything there), and then turns into a biography/mystery of sorts, as she uses her memories to spin the story of her childhood with her grandparents, then to attempt to solve the mystery of her grandfather’s death.  it’s a beautifully written novel, almost reading like a fable or something from chaucer…every character is more than they seem, and every event carries more meaning than it first appears.

while it took me a while to really get sucked in, i’ve found myself staying up past midnight reading this one on at least two separate nights.  for me, that’s the mark of a must-read.

i can’t believe i haven’t talked about this yet…shame on me.  you see, my dear friend, katharine sise, has written a book!  really, that would excite me, no matter what.  but it also happens to be wonderful!

it’s called creative girl, and the best way i can describe it is to imagine the conversation you dream of having with a mentor before doing something drastic like quitting your high-paying, high-reliability day job to design jewelry (which is exactly what katharine did).  you know the conversation i’m talking about: it’s the one where the person you most admire professionally spills every secret to succeeding,  holds your hand as you describe your plan in detail, asks you pertinent questions, and helps you figure out – after hours of analysis – whether your idea is good, and exactly how to get it started.  perfection, right?

katharine definitely writes from experience – she’s wildly successful as a jewelry designer, television host, writer, and countless other areas – but the whole book just feels like a cozy conversation with a (very smart) friend.  the book is complete with workbook-style questionnaires, checklists, quizzes and other activities that i’ll admit felt a little, well, cheesy during my initial flip-through.  but the closer i looked, i realized that if you actually participated in the reading of this book (meaning thinking about the questions and their answers), by the end, you’d almost certainly know whether you had a real business on your hands, and have already done a good bit of the work to get it started.

creative girl is an absolute must if you’re thinking of ditching your day job to pursue your real passion, whatever that might be.  which, let’s face it, is one of those dreams we all test out from time to time, right?

if your friend can always be counted on to arrive at the party toting an immaculate 3-layer cake, if you envy her impeccable housekeeping every time you stop by, and if you’re still secretly hoping for an invite to her home for the holidays, you have a martha’s apprentice on your hands.  but never fear: they’re easy to gift!  show up with anything that will make her perfect little haven even the tiniest bit more idyllic, and you’re sure to please.

(incidentally, these ideas all make excellent hostess gifts as well…in case you’re tired of showing up with flowers or wine to every holiday fete you attend.)

left to right, from top: burn candle in asian pear persimmon, $35; ren holiday duo in grapefruit, $45 (love that gorgeous chinoiserie wallpaper on the box!); home pillow by committee for the rug company, $775; new york parties: private views, $35; organic bay leaf and rosemary wreath, $70; linnea’s lights candle in winter, $29; john derian walled city decoupage tray, $110; hand-painted vase by paulova, $75; crafting a meaningful home – meg mateo ilasco, $17; simple times: crafts for poor people – amy sedaris, $15.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

for the person on your list who flat-out refuses to get a kindle, because she just loves the way a book feels in her hands, here’s a list of ideas she’ll be thrilled to see on christmas morning.  as usual, if i start playing favorites, i’ll begin telling you how much i loved the widower’s tale, and how i can’t wait to start reading unbearable lightness, and the next thing you know, i’ll have raved about every single thing on this list.  but i can’t move on without telling you that that pride and prejudice sweatshirt is the best. sweatshirt. ever.  it’s unbelievably snuggly, but somehow manages not to make me look like a slob.  and i’m not just saying that because i’m wearing it right now.

left to right, from top: oogy: the dog only a family could love, $10; ansel adams in the national parks, $24; out of print book cover tees, from $28 (includes donation of a book to a community in need!); book darts, $10; jonathan adler dachsund bookends, $40; the widower’s tale, by julia glass, $16; unbearable lightness: a story of loss and gain, by portia de rossi, $14; anthology magazine subscription (lord, i miss good magazines!), $38; postcards from penguin, $25.

{FTC disclaimer: some product samples were provided to help me compile this guide, but as usual, there’s no pay-for-play here.}

before we all head off for our weekends, couldn’t resist sharing a sale that has me salivating.  assouline, one of my favorite art book publishers, is on gilt today.  their titles are notoriously gorgeous, and never, ever go on sale, so this is an exciting one!

to check out the sale, go here if you’re not a member yet (shame on you!).  if you are, head on over here to get right to the goods~

editor’s note:  have you entered our inhabit cashmere giveaway yet?  if not, today’s your last chance…don’t miss it!

now that the weather has cooled off, chances are you’ll be looking for a few books to curl up with this month.  so i thought i’d update you on a few of my favorites from the massive pile of books i’ve made it through over the last few weeks.

the heart of the matter (emily giffin):  i’ve always loved emily giffin’s books…i think she and i are just on similar life paths.  when she wrote about weddings, i was in the middle of mine.  baby drama (or at least other people’s baby drama)?  check.  and her latest book is about a couple who’s been married for a few years, settled into their lives, and then everything changes.  okay, so that last part isn’t exactly right.  but i still loved reading about women at a similar place in their lives, going through things i can imagine going through, and seeing how they handle it.  it’s a great read, and i think giffin is one of the best chick lit writers out there.

the cookbook collector (allegra goodman): this one took me a long time to fall into…but about 150 pages in, the author finally hooked me, and i flew through the rest.  it’s the story of a pair of sisters and the way they each navigate very different lives, intertwined with some pre- and post-9/11 fallout and an interesting side story about, shockingly, a cookbook collector.  it is well written, though i felt like the author was trying a little too hard sometimes.  so, not as high on my list as it was on some others (this was *the* fall book to read according to several different magazines), but it was a good read.

the great man (kate christensen):  i actually picked this book up over a year ago, and it’s been languishing on my bookshelf ever since.  but now that i’ve finished it, i can’t believe it took me so long.  it’s the story of a (fictional) famous painter who’s died, and the stories the women in his life have to tell about him.  it’s beautifully written, and the character development is absolutely perfect.  if you’re into character dramas, this is one of the best i’ve read in a while.

next, i’m still working through barbara kingsolver’s latest, the lacuna, a new title from julia glass, who i love, and a whole pile of anne lamott books i can’t wait to dive into.

what have you been reading lately?