Snapshot: What I've Been Up To Lately

My niece is growing faster and faster, and I'm just grateful for the few moments we get to spend with her. We took her to Ocean Park on a holiday and while it was actually my dad who got a kick out of the Oceanarium, I was so happy to see this munchkin giggling and walking around the place. I still can't believe she's already walking! Next thing you know, she's talking.

Got to attend the #DesignHerStory conference, where Marla was a speaker. Absolutely loved being able to spend an afternoon with such inspiring women. These gatherings need to happen more often!

Currently in love with my hand embroidered Bensimon sneakers. Thinking of still adding a few more details to it in the future, but for now, I'm quite happy with how my favorite French phrase of the moment (LOL) turned out. Love looking down at my feet and being reminded that "it's always the right time."

One of my favorite things to make is Chocolate Turtle Pie. It's so simple: a graham crust, chocolate caramel cream, and pecans, and yet tastes so rich. Love making it for family and friends!

What about you? What have you been up to lately? Let's catch up.

Ten Things I'm Thankful For

♥ Listening to letters being read out loud.
♥ New Christmas music.
♥ Friends in the office who are just as crazy as I am!
♥ Up Dharma Down's Capacities (Thanks, D-an for letting me copy your CD!)
♥ Receiving very sweet words from my former boss. Here's hoping I really have it in me!
♥ Yummy sangria to end the week.
♥ Gold glitter polish!
♥ Christmas lunch with my college best buds.
♥ A batch of freshly baked cupcakes to give away.
♥ My new favorite person: Mitos ♥ My best friend's most beautiful baby girl.

Baker's Bites: Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting (VIDEO)

I helped out my cousin with her school project yesterday. She's supposed to come up with a baking demo on video for her class. So we made cupcakes! I couldn't resist making my own video. So amateur, I know. Haha! Can't wait how Shannon's video turns out. Hope her teacher likes it.

Don't forget to like Macy's Fields on Facebook!

How Did You Find Me Here?

Music Monday


Tasty Tuesday

Source: theglitterguide.com via Macy on Pinterest

Wishful Wednesday
Who knew I'd ever complete this baking wishlist I did in 2008? I still have a lot of dreams that are bound to come true. And I'm pretty sure they will at the right time. (:

Thoughtful Thursday

Source: designismine.blogspot.com via Macy on Pinterest

Fashion Friday

* weekly-themed post adapted from That's Chic

Baker's Bites: Happy 87th Birthday, Lola!

My dad's mom turned 87 last Saturday. Baked her some chocolate and peanut butter chip cookies to share with everyone for lunch. I love making chocolate chip cookies! They're always a big hit as proven by the crumbs left from the dozen I left for the house. My dad says the box we gave lola was also wiped out. Hooray!

I usually cut up the butter into blocks before creaming so that the mixer doesn't have a hard time whipping it. I also cream the butter a few minutes before adding the sugars. Usually, recipes tell you to mix the white and brown sugar first or cream all three ingredients together. I don't know. This technique just seems to work better for me.

I like that the cookies stay almost the same shape as I scooped them whenever I use a silicone mat. They kind of just flatten a little which results in...

...perfect cookies—all the time!

They were just the right kind of chewy and the chocolate chips and peanut butter chips were ooey gooey. Can't wait to make another batch. What are your favorite cookie recipes? Care to share?

Don't forget to like Macy's Fields on Facebook!

Baker's Bites: The Making of a Wedding Cake

There are a few things on my baking bucket list and one of them is to make a wedding cake. I've actually had a delusion of making my own wedding cake, but after this, I may have to think twice. Haha!

One of my very good friends got married over the weekend and she asked me to make her wedding cake. I told her that I wasn't an experienced cake maker and I could only manage a 3-layer cake. No tiers, no height, no nothing. On the morning of February 25, I set out to do a 3-layer Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting in between the layers. I whipped up some Swiss Meringue Buttercream (since the wedding would be out of town and I wasn't sure if the Cream Cheese Frosting would hold for hours) and piped a very simple "design" with my trusty 1M star tip. After almost 6 hours in the kitchen, I made it in record time, delivering this cake and 20 individually packed cupcakes (for her giveaways) to my friend's condo.

There were so many things I wanted to fix. The uneven layers (the cake tilted ever so slightly to the right), the messy frosting, and the cake board (could have used an extra inch or two!). But I was so happy when my friend texted me, "Cake is soooo pretty, Mace! Galing mo! Thanks so much for everything! Love you!"

And just like that, it was perfect. I made my very first wedding cake. (:

Like Macy's Fields on Facebook!

Baker's Bites: Red Velvet Cupcakes + Cream Cheese Frosting

P600 for a box of 12. Like Macy's Fields on Facebook. (:

Shot Through the Heart and You're to Blame

Music Monday

My brother tweeted a link to this video last week. Hilarious!

Tasty Tuesday

Treats at last week's book launch for One Crazy Summer and Fan Girl, both written by absolutely brilliant people who I'm honored to call my friends (also my bosses, hahaha). Can't wait to try the recipes in the book!

Wishful Wednesday

A dress to wear to a beach wedding in March. Where can I find one?

Thoughtful Thursday

Hair inspiration for short 'dos. I don't know what to do with my hair for my best friend's wedding this weekend!

{ via Once Wed, 100 Layer Cake 1 2, The Glamourai }

Fashion Friday

I haven't been doodling my outfits this year, but I've consistently been Pose-ing. Har har. I don't know what is it with my fascination for chronicling what I wear every day. It's not like my outfits are anything special, haha!

Baker's Bites: Cookie Fail

I've been obsessing about these melt-in-your-mouth brownie cookies for a while. I had some egg whites left over from making the Chocolate Turtle Pie for New Year's so I tried the recipe over the weekend. They came out chewy and too sweet (I didn't have any dark chocolate around so I used semisweet). Next time, I think I will use more egg whites and lessen the chocolate (maybe just 1 cup).

The only missing ingredient in this picture are the egg whites. Yes, these cookies have no flour at all!

They looked puffy when I took them out of the oven, but quickly deflated. I tried leaving them in the oven longer, but the chocolate cooked too much and turned chewy. I promise to try this again with better results!

Baker's Bites: Chocolate Turtle Pie

Ran out of pecans so I put lots of whipped cream on top. I have 5 egg whites in the fridge. Maybe it's time to attempt those melt-in-your-mouth brownie cookies? (:

Baker's Bites: Chocolate Chunk and Pecan Cookies

Had a small block of chocolate left from my cake pop experiment a few months ago (the end product is in the December issue of Candy!), so I decided to chop them into chunks and mix chopped pecans with it into my cookie batter. Delicious chocolate chunks in every bite! Merry Christmas, everyone! (:

Hello

Seems like I've abandoned this blog once again. I'm terribly sorry to my handful of visitors, haha. As of my last blog post, I've been busybusybusy with my brand new oven. A gift that keeps on giving! I'm so happy to be back in the kitchen. If you're a big fan of baked goods, please visit my Page on Facebook! (:

Hope everyone is having an awesome December so far. (:

29

I don't remember when I stopped obsessing about birthdays. When I suddenly didn't mind that there was no party or that I didn't intentionally make plans for the day. When I forgot that I had to blow out a candle. Or that I had to open gifts.

But I remember how my ordinary birthdays always turn out extra special even when I have nothing planned. I should've known today would be no exception.

All I had planned in my head was to get a trim and hang out with my friends after work. I took a leave and spent all morning catching up on TV shows I missed and having lunch with my dad. Little did I know, a plan (in the making for a month or so!) was waiting to be revealed just hours from that moment.

There was nothing extraordinary about my day. Pizza, pasta, and time with friends was enough for me. Imagine my surprise when I got all that and more.

I'm crying again as I type this, because I'm reminded once again how incredible my life truly is. I have friends who know me well and know exactly what makes me happy. I can't even begin to imagine what I've done to deserve such wonderful, gracious family and friends. I don't know what else to say but thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart that's swelling with joy. I'm so lucky to have you in my life.

That said, Kahlua cupcakes for everyone soon!!!

I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you

Music Monday


Tasty Tuesday

I had pie last Saturday and I realized just how much I miss baking. /: I want to make Chocolate Turtle Pie!

Wishful Wednesday

I always want to be on the beach for my birthday, but I know it's not realistic because the weather's always crazy. I do want to go back to Misibis, though.

Thoughtful Thursday

photo by katherinenell

Got a new wallet because one of my friends is moving to a new place and has been clearing out her "junk." Thanks, Tatin! (:

Fashion Friday

Maxi dresses ♥

Homemade is Always Good

I've been thinking of what to make since I had leftover buttercream frosting (vanilla tinted pink and chocolate) from a shoot I did last week. The easy thing to do was make some cupcakes and frost them with the buttercream. But since I saw a link to Smitten Kitchen's homemade Oreos (this is one of my favorite blogs ever!), I figured I'd give it a try. I also got to use my brand new Silpat from my friend Kaich and her mom. I have one from Silicone Zone but I've always wanted this one because I'd always see it on TV. Haha!


So my oven has been acting up. When I turn it on for pre-heating, it lights up and the fan turns on. Then, right when I'm about to put my tray in, it decides to shut itself off! Eep. I think it may be faulty wiring but I'm not sure. Time to send it back to the oven doctor aka electrician. Does anyone use an electric oven here? Has this happened to you?

Ended up with 40 cookies but since my oven was turning itself off and then back on again, the heat was hardly constant. /: The cookies didn't spread out or flatten. They turned out more like crinkles. Haha!


So I could've just dusted them with confectioner's sugar, and they'd be perfect little chocolate crinkles. But I was on a mission to use my leftover frosting.

I got around to buying a cooling rack from Living Well in Podium. Before I did, I was making use of the circular grill that came with our turbo broiler. d:

I still ended up with the tub of chocolate frosting (didn't get to use it) and a bit of pink vanilla buttercream, but these homemade Oreos (baby whoopie pies? crinkle sandwich cookies?) will have to do for now until I get my oven fixed. Don't they look pretty?