Hello and hi friends! Happy December, can you believe we made it?! Welcome to another edition of The Edit. I’m truly so happy and honored to have you here. Hope you enjoy this week’s offering…
BURNING: Candles are kind of my thing. They add a certain je ne sais quoi, especially during the cooler months. Some of my favorite on hand scents include— Peony & Blush Suede, Santal 26, Pomegranate Noir, Roses and Santa Ynez. My one and only rule when it comes to burning: never have a scented candle at the dining table. I wouldn't want the fragrance to seep into any dish—I like to smell my scents not taste them.
COOKING: While planning our weekly dinner menu, I was in search of a recipe to use up some leftover milk from Thanksgiving. And it’s as if the social media gods were listening (which by the way, I think they always are), because lo and behold this recipe by Samantha Seneviratne landed in my feed. Don’t let the unusual pairing of grapes with chicken (think chicken salad here) allow you to shy away, it’s downright delicious.
JOURNALING: Remember last month when I said I was trying to get back into journaling? I’m happy to report that it’s alive and well!!! For the past few weeks I’ve made it a nightly routine— giving myself a one page goal each evening accompanied by a hot cup of tea. Earlier this week, Victoria of SFGirlByBay wrote a lovely piece about “easing into the art of journaling”and now has me rethinking the way I would like to journal. Give it a read, it’s so good!
LAYERING: The temps have officially dipped! We’re talking an average in the 40’s over here, which I know for some isn’t that cold, but you’re talking to a West Coaster here. Not complaining at all, as I’m loving living in my layering dreams.
WATCHING: Bring on all the holiday films! From Love Actually to Home Alone to Miracle on 34th Street, I’m here for all of it! And if you need a little inspo or unsure where to begin, Natalie Catalina put together a fantastic list.
Rose Uniacke is certainly one talented interior designer. I’ve been an admirer of her work for quite some time now— often looking to her designs for inspiration. Her use of muted tones throughout a space captures my attention every time. My most favorite project of hers has to be the Jo Malone Headquarters. Ever since I laid eyes on it, it sparked my creativity and gave me an even greater appreciation of Rose and her unique style.
The home itself is a 17th-century farmhouse, with a grand symmetrical façade added in the 18th century. In true Rose Uniacke fashion, she perfectly pays homage to the historic home while introducing colors, furniture pieces, and different textures to embody present-day living.
The kitchen is what first caught my eye, as the modern-day island is replaced by a kitchen table. And then upon further peep, I found the original bare board floors, textured walls throughout, and the mixture of antiques from all around the world to be truly spectacular. But what really steals the show is the moody library, the perfect place to cozy up with a good read.
Photography | Lucas Allen via House and Garden
With the holidays upon us and winter on its way, it’s officially baking season. Honestly there is truly nothing like a freshly baked good to warm you right up— the oven being on might have something to do with it too. It’s true, I confess I have a slight addiction to anything that’s loaded with butter and baked. It’s my weakness. Croissants barely have a chance to see the light of day if I’m around. Biscuits and scones just the same! And my favorite one of these to bake are scones. I mean, candidly speaking, if I had the patience to make a decent croissant, my waistline would be in major trouble. Biscuits are a BIG deal, especially here in the South and I’m still tinkering with my biscuit recipe to do them any amount of justice. But scones, they are an easy Sunday morning treat, making at-home-brunch better.
I simply delight in all the endless combinations— chocolate hazelnut, cherry almond, apricot pistachio, just to name a few. But my favorite? Lemon ginger. The brightness of the lemon and warm, sweet, yet spicy flavor of the ginger is a winning combination made for the gods. Since I’m still on a coconut sugar craze (regular can be used here as a substitute) you’ve guessed it… it’s made a way into these scones! Now they will naturally turn out more golden, as it is darker in color, but delicious all the same. And remember DO NOT overwork the dough, we want scones not stones.
Lemon and Ginger Scones
*makes 6 scones
what you need
3/4 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing tops
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
2 cups all-purpose flour or 1:1 gluten-free, plus more for work surface
1/4 cup coconut sugar, plus more for sprinkling
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 stick cold unsalted butter, diced into pieces
1/3 cup crystallized ginger, diced into small pieces
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
what you do
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Combine 3/4 cup heavy cream, vanilla extract, and egg in a small bowl; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and sea salt.
Add the cold butter to the flour mixture and work it with your fingertips (pastry blender, or two knives also works well) until it resembles corse meal with some pea-size pieces.
Stir in crystallized ginger and lemon zest.
With a fork, stir in cream mixture until just combined.
Transfer the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and gently knead just until it comes together into a 6-inch circle.
Cut into 6 wedges and transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Brush tops of scones with cream and generously sprinkle with sugar, if desired.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the scones are golden, rotating the sheet in the oven halfway through.
Allow to cool slightly before serving.
xx,
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