Author Archives: cocoa & lace

Sweet Things: Vanilla Almond Stadium Pound Cake

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In honor of my alma mater’s upcoming appearance at the BCS National Championship, I whipped up this special stadium cake that’s deceptively simple to make.

photo(58)

Ingredients:

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 6 eggs
  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp. almond extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup ground almonds
  • 1/4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Grease pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Combine butter (at room temperature – not completely melted) with sugars.
  • Add eggs, one at a time, to sugar/butter mixture.
  • Add vanilla and almond extracts to sugar/butter/egg mixture.
  • In a separate mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
  • Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour butter mixture into center of well and whisk together.
  • Add Greek yogurt to batter.
  • Pour batter into pan. Bake for approximately 1 hour (should be golden brown – toothpick inserted into center should come out clean).

Go Irish!

xx Cocoa & Lace

Onward to 2013!

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Hard to believe 2012 is coming to a close, isn’t it? For me personally, this past year feels both like a blink and an eternity all at once. I can’t believe that just a year ago, I was about to embark on my last semester of college. My classmates and I headed back to campus in January with an infinite amount of excitement en tow – it was almost electric. We were ready to enjoy a series of lasts without fully realizing the finality of graduation. With #YOLO leading the way, we charged through spring managing to balance academics with plenty (and I do mean plenty) of fun. From cruising off to the Bahamas for Spring Break to singing the alma matter with a degree in hand, this has been one heck of a year. And did I mention that life in the “Real World” also commenced? It’s certainly a change from college life, but parallels do exist. It’s about squeezing in just enough fun to make the tough days bearable, and remembering that no matter what, it’s the people that make every chapter of life worth living.

Here’s to a fabulous, prosperous, and healthy new year – live the life you’ve always dreamed of!

xx Cocoa & Lace

CL 12 29 12 New Year

  • The Toast: The Flirtini (marie claire)
  • The Dress: Morris Sequined Dress (BCBG)
  • The Party: Anywhere, USA (snapshot via Cocoa & Lace)

Be Merry. Be Bright.

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Hello all!

Hope you’ve had an absolutely magical holiday season and are gearing up for a fabulous New Year’s celebration! I’ll be ringing in 2013 in sunny Florida, enjoying a break from the Windy City. But rest assured that between my holiday festivities and beach days I’ve been baking up a storm and scouting out the latest trends from the Gulf – and can’t wait to share it all with you!

Cheers to a healthy, prosperous, and wonderful New Year!

xx Cocoa & Lace

CL 12 28 12 Collage

Work Week Wardrobe

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Hello all! Hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday and are off to a productive week. After a good deal of baking and catching up on sleep, I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things myself — Cocoa & Lace being top on my list.

This week’s office-approved look is simple and sharp. Pair a bright blouse with a classic pencil skirt, some killer heels, and a great bag and you’ll power your way to the weekend in no time. 🙂

Get the look:

  • Sequined peplum buttondown by Maeve (Anthropologie)
  • Collection sequin tweed pencil skirt by J. Crew (J. Crew)
  • Brynn pump by Ivanka Trump (Nordstrom)
  • Black nylon jeweled large tote by Prada (Bluefly)
  • Allover “T” jacquard scarf by Tory Burch (Tory Burch)
  • Beyond cozy nail polish by essie (essie)

Have a great day!

xx Cocoa & Lace