Weekly / 08.09.2015

Been a while since I last did this weekly roundup, but I've got some downtime on this gloomy Sunday morning, so here we are.

Music Monday


Thank goodness for Spotify. On this list are songs that I've been listening to non-stop. I've also been super obsessed with Sam Smith's cover of Amy Winehouse's "Tears Dry on Their Own."

Tasty Tuesday
Yummy burgers from Sweet Ecstasy, Karaage and Chahan from Yushoken, and Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (made by moi!)

🙏🏼

A photo posted by Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) on Aug 5, 2015 at 4:55am PDT

🙏🏼

A photo posted by Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) on Aug 5, 2015 at 4:55am PDT

A photo posted by Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) on Aug 8, 2015 at 5:48pm PDT

Wishful Wednesday
Bummed that Passion Pit's concert is canceled. But hope Michael Angelakos gets well soonest so I can get a chance to see them perform live!



Thoughtful Thursday
Got hooked on this new series from Lifetime. The premise: producer on a show much like The Bachelor goes cray at the end of the previous season. Now she's back to manipulate contestants and do whatever it takes to get the best finale ever. Just how far is she going to go? My first job ever was a print researcher of a now-defunct news comedy show. I have to say that lines are really blurred when it comes to job descriptions and responsibilities. I have no regrets, but I can't imagine working in TV production EVER AGAIN. I'm not built for it, but very grateful for everything it taught me in the lone year I stayed in the industry. Might be awesome to watch, but definitely did not enjoy it enough to stay in that job. :P

A photo posted by Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) on Jul 26, 2015 at 3:29pm PDT

Fashion Friday
I've always been comfort over fashion. I tried to do the heels thing, but my toes wouldn't forgive me for it. HAHA! Been living in flats these days with these babies as my current fave. Bought a ticket to the 1989 show in SG on impulse, and I can't wait till then!

A photo posted by Macy Alcaraz (@macysfields) on Jun 29, 2015 at 6:15pm PDT

* weekly-themed post adapted from That's Chic

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.

Made It Myself: Pastel-Colored Roses On Cupcakes

Ever since I learned how to frost cupcakes with my Wilton 1m star tip, I've been making my icing look like roses on top of my cupcakes.

When my friend Marla asked me to make cupcakes for her little sister's 18th birthday, I was wondering how to "dress them up nicely" for the debut. While I was mixing three different bowls of icing into pink, purple, and yellow, I tried to think of a way to achieve a sort of gradient effect on my frosting roses.

I scooped a tablespoon each into my Dessert Decorator Pro (the BEST thing EVER!) and continued until I filled it. When I started piping onto the cupcakes, I got exactly what I wanted! A purple-pink-yellow gradient magically appeared. So so so happy with how it turned out and now I can't wait to experiment more with colored frosting!

And because I hate storing leftover buttercream (and eventually forgetting I kept it in the first place then having to throw it out, anyway), I made just enough frosting for the 18 cupcakes with a few tablespoons left for the remaining 6. I frosted them Iced Gems-style and I have to admit, they still look pretty cute.

If you want to order cupcakes, cookies, or pies (I make an awesome Turtle Pie!), please like my Page on Facebook. (:

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.

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: Order A Dozen

Early Sunday morning baking. A dozen Kahlua Cupcakes topped with Cream Cheese Roses. Like Macy's Fields on Facebook! (:

Baker's Bites: The Inception Cookie

I've been wanting to try this ever since it popped up on my browser on one of my many blog-hopping sessions. A cookie within a cookie. How genius is that? I was kind of disappointed (maybe I was expecting too much?), but topped with a scoop of Vanilla Almond ice cream, it was perfect!

Cool Tip: Cookie dough chilled overnight results in better cookies. Don't have 24 hours? Keep your flour in the fridge. It works the same way. (:

Baker's Bites: Mini Black-Bottom Cupcakes

I attended a surprise bridal shower for one of my good friends and Candy's former fashion editor over the weekend. Since it was potluck, we were thinking of bringing dessert—her favorite Macy's Fields Black-Bottom Cupcakes. I recently bought a mini-muffin pan so I can make miniature versions of my cupcakes. I made 47 perfect little cuppycakes (the 48th one was missing a bottom, haha!) that were worthy of their spot in Margaux's bridal shrine, heh. (: Can't wait to make these again!

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. (:

Baker's Bites: Singapore-Manila Cookies

My friend D-an wanted me to make Chewy Chocolate Cookies with Reese's Peanut Butter Chips for her brother and mom. I was able to make a batch of these late last year thanks to a rogue bag of said chips. I would later find out that they're super hard to find here (to prove the fact: I went to five different groceries and none of them carried the item). So when she headed to Singapore, she brought home a bag with her! Some of the cookies turned out crunchier than chewy since I failed to take them out of the oven right away. D-an and her family enjoyed them, anyway. I'm glad. (:

Like Macy's Fields on Facebook!

Baker's Bites: Red Velvet

I tried to search for a recipe for these cupcakes that were "the best Red Velvet cupcakes ever" according to a friend. I tweaked the recipe I found a bit till I found  just the right mix. If you're curious, head on over to my Facebook Page and order a dozen (or two!). (:

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? (:

Stay Young, Go Dancing

Music Monday

Tasty Tuesday

A slice of chocolate turtle pie to start the year right. Rang in the new year with this pie topped with whipped cream. Here's to a rich 2012!

Wishful Wednesday
I was never big on resolutions. But I did make a few promises that seemed more like challenges to conquer in the coming year. This year, I've thought about what promise I intend to keep and I came up with this: Be ready for anything. I've already experienced a preview of what my year will be like and it won't be an easy feat, but I know for sure that I'll enjoy. Here's hoping I follow through!

Thoughtful Thursday

{via Rifle Paper Co. and Etsy 1, 2 }

Fashion Friday

{ created with Miss Match }

Here's to more writing, baking, and dancing this year. 2012, I'm ready for the adventures. Take me on that ride!

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! (:

Christmas Time Is Here

Music Monday

Tasty Tuesday

Baked cupcakes for my friend Mikko's family. Piped Cream Cheese frosting roses on Red Velvet and Kahlua cupcakes. And topped S'mores cupcakes with Marshmallow frosting. If you're curious about them, hop on over to my Page on Facebook!


Wishful Wednesday

Praying for all those who lost someone this year. Death isnever easy, but I know it's even more difficult to deal with at this time. I pray and hope for peace in your hearts and for love to surround you in all possible ways.


Thoughtful Thursday

I've been using the same planner for the past 2 years and I finally got one for 2012! I  absolutely fell in love with my first Hanna Werning teNeues planner that I've stuck to it for 3 years and counting. Here's to making plans happen in the coming year. I'm so excited for all the adventures!

Fashion Friday

Madewell Spring 2011 {via Nylon}

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. (: