{c'est délicieux}

Lately I've been obsessed with all things French. I'm not sure from where it stems except maybe it's the budding of Spring. It makes me want to jump on the Concorde (if the Concorde still existed) and jet away to trés jolie Paris! If I can't do that, then at least I'd like to lie in bed dressed in an emerald colored bohemian long fringed dressing gown and munch on macarons all day. And not just your typical French macarons (although lovely) made with a merengue type pastel cookie sandwiching a say pistachio or vanilla ganache--but a macaron with an American twist. Where is such a place? Ici mon petit tete de chou...

Macaron Parlour Patisserie

Google images

This New York City bakery sells delicate crisp French style macarons with fillings made for the American palate. Got a hankering for a breakfast treat? Try a Candied Bacon with Cream Cheese Filling variety.

www.macaronparlour.com

Going camping? Forgo the campfire and pack along a few S'mores macarons: Brown sugar & honey cookie with dark chocolate and marshmallow creme filling. 

www.macaronparlour.com

Or taking a road trip to Graceland? What could be a better tribute to the king than the Elvis: Peanut Butter & Caramelized bananas with chocolate ganache filling.

Finally! The ultimate PMS cure: A Cheetos macaron! Cheetos infused cookie with white chocolate ganache filling.

And you need not be in NYC to enjoy these special treats. Macaron Parlour Patisserie ships throughout the USA. Never has there been such a Franco/American collaboration since the advent of the French Fry n'est-ce pas?

www.macaronparlour.com

{Butter's Hip-Hop Gift Giving Guide}

By request:
Butter's Hip-Hop Gift Giving Guide
(For the one in your life who likes to swag it out)...

no. 1
Jay-Z DECODED
The compelling auto-biography and memoir by the undisputed Boss of hip-hop.

www.amazon.com

no. 2

DOPE Swimsuit

For chillin in the 300 ft. infinity pool at the Viceroy Miami.

www.stampdla.com

no. 3

Louis Vuitton household items

For the Shot-Caller who likes to keep it clean...

Google images

Google images

no. 4
For your clique

www.etsy.com

no. 5 

For the illest mobile mc

www..store.yankodesign.com/

no. 6
Don't got a pocket full of big faces?
Show how you feel instead with this guy from Fancy.

www.thefancy.com

{Valentine DIY}

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Attention anyone reading: I would like a new LV 4-key holder in a pink or purple hued vernis or an LV Cles in the discontinued color of Violette vernis. If those are not possible than a bespoke box from Chocolatier Blue would be very good. If none of those come to fruition there is always a gift from the heart. In other words, DIY. And even better...DIY foodstuff.

Here are some DIY Valentine's Day foodstuff ideas for your {hungry} sweetheart.

no. 1
Heart shaped Bacon
Who doesn't love it?

madeinpretoria.wordpress.com

madeinpretoria.wordpress.com

no. 2
Pizza Heart
Use extra pepperoni to show your love and make the heart really red.

blogs.dallasobserver.com

no. 3
Pancake Hearts
Keeping up wit the breakfast theme.

 

 

 

 

more4kids.info

 

 

 

no. 4
Sushi Love
For the raw fish lover...

newlywedcooking.blogspot.com

no. 5
Sweetheart Steak
Not exactly DIY but...you still have to cook it right? For my man...nothing would show my true devotion more than a Natural Prime Dry-Aged Sweetheart Steak from Lobel's of New York.

www.lobels.com

Here's hoping St. Valentine spears your heart this February 14..

{The other First Family}

If Butter had a First Family it would surely be the Carter's.
How great did they look at the Inauguration?

Bey wore a floor length black dress by Pucci and a long black ultra-luxe Christian Dior coat. Jay looked the height of cool in a sharply tailored gray Tom Ford suit and a pair of stunna sunglasses. Now we are just anxiously awaiting the sure to be fly tot-fashion of Blue Ivy. Here's to the next four years!

{FLOTUS Fashionista}

Trend Alert
Breaking style news...First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama BANGS are the new Michelle Obama ARMS.

Having debuted her new shoulder length edgy bob with long and fresh bangs only days before her husband's second inauguration, the First Lady has set the internet and Twitter world afire. Whereas guests of the previous inauguration ceremonies were abuzz over her revealed toned (buffed) deltoids and triceps, this year the talk is focused on her new haircut, specifically the bangs. It seems like everyone is talking including the President..."To address the most significant event of the weekend, I love her bangs." 

photo Getty Images

Michelle looked sophisticated and beautiful while walking down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House. Sporting her trademark 'high/low' fashion sensibility she wore an A-line navy and grey checkered silk coat created by American designer Thom Browne, a sparkly J.Crew belt, navy suede Reed Krakoff boots and eggplant leather J.Crew gloves (according to the J.Crew website the belt is from their bridal collection and the gloves were marked down from the holidays--both have already sold-out.)

Photo Google Images

Hey Michelle! Butter loves you...'Just say NO to Reagan Red and Barbara Bush single strands of pearls!'

{Sneaker Envy}

Trend Alert!

The Wedge Sneaker

I haven't seen a footwear trend this polarizing since the gladiator sandal boot or gem encrusted Crocs.
Isabel Marant is credited with debuting them during her show last year and since then they have been seen all over Paris sidewalks and on the feet of supermodels dashing through airports.

photo Google images

For Wedge Sneaker detractors like Tory Hoen, they say the trend is the worst of both worlds: '...the sloppy look of a sneaker and the discomfort of a high heel...'  But for those (like myself) embracing the look they are just the ticket. A 3-inch hidden wedge packing a boost of height combined with an easy to maneuver-in athletic shoe. Usually hit with funky pops of color and manufactured from luxurious suedes and calfskin leathers they scream to be worn with skinny jeans or leggings. Add it all up and what's not to love? Sure they may be one of those items in your closet you look back on in 10 years and cringe at the thought of ever having worn but who cares? 

I love the Ash Wedge Bowie in Fuxia suede.

 The Wedge Sneaker: A Butter approved fresh find.

www.smackwatermusic.com

Shop the look: 1. SEE by Chloe, 2. TopShop, 3. Giuseppe Zanotti, 4. Jeffery Campbell, 5.SEE by Chloe, 6. Ash, 7. Isabel Marant, 8. Marc by Marc Jacobs, 9. Steve Madden, 10. TopShop

{Sugar Rush}

Did you hear the news?

Donuts are the new cupcakes.

And even better...healthy donuts at that.

One shop offering original flavors and organic ingredients with no preservatives is the San Francisco based, Dynamo donut + coffee.

Having just recently opened their 2nd location in the city, the kiosk at Little Marina Green, donut lovers can pick-up their favorite flavor accompanied by a cup of Fourbarrel coffee six days a week. Flavors are thoughtfully created daily by a crew of bakers and founder Sara Spearin. A formally trained pastry chef, Sara's vision was to build a neighborhood bakery which only used the best ingredients and most unique flavor combinations. No French Cruller's or Boston Creme's here. Instead loyal customers flock to Dynamo for the Banana de Leche, Bacon Maple Apple, and a flavor I'm sure my favorite foodie friend Reagan will covet...the Monte Cristo: A donut filled with ham, Gruyere and house made jam. Ooh la la...!

Dynamo donut + coffee

Dynamo donut + coffee Bacon, Maple, Apple

Dynamo donut + coffee

Dynamo donut + coffee

{Happy New Year!}

I'm a little late for the party I know...

www.jannapatterson.com

{Tea time?}

Do the holidays compel anyone else to fix this type of tea?

whatdoeswebstersayaboutsoul.tumblr.com

{You'll Shoot yer Eye Out}

Holiday Traditions.
Some people love them--some hate. For my part, I love hearing about what other folks do, give and receive. Here are a few I remember growing up. What were some of yours?

The Radio City Rockettes
Apart from the drag queens I first saw in Provincetown, when I was little I thought these dancers were the most glamourous creatures on Earth.

Busche de Noel
My mother actually made this every year with the knot on top and all. Unbelievable!

Rudolph

(still love a red shiny nose)

NEW Christmas PJ's 
(Though I don't think I looked exactly like this)

A stocking well stuffed...

My Grandmother gave little roll-ups like these...

NYC Department Store Windows

When I was little I loved going up to the city and seeing the Christmas windows. Macy's was a favorite then but when I got older it changed to Barney's for the avant garde and Bergdorf's for the glamour.

A 1lb. box of Chocolate Turtles from Strawbridge & Clothiers
For some unknown reason my Grandmother gave these to all her grandkids. I don't have any idea where the tradition started. My sister once polished off her entire box by the end of Christmas day.

Droste Chocolate Apple
Sometimes we got these in our stockings. You crack them hard on a table and all the little chocolate apple slices are perfectly presented.

Have a Merry Christmas!

{A Sugarbear Holiday Photo Album}

Sugarbear Christmas 2009

Sugarbear Christmas 2010

Sugarbear Christmas 2011

Sugarbear Christmas 2012

{Christmas Countdown}

Rob Lang copyright 2012/ Roblangimages.com

{Butter's Holiday Gift Giving Guide}

What's the best kind of present? For me it's something pretty and indulgent. Something I wouldn't ordinarily buy myself but something I just love. Here are some ideas for Butter readers...

Butter's annual Gift Giving Guide

I was first introduced to these special delicious chocolate when a friend gave me the glamorous pink box for my birthday one year. They are the ultimate for lying around in a bed jacket and living life eating bon bons all day. Thanks Teens!

This is the most sophisticated, smooth running and lovely little bike.

What could be more tranquil than a jellyfish tank??

The iconic Baggu in luxe gold leather.

Just pretty.

Always a welcome gift

Rest like Holly Golightly

Cashmere anything is made for gift giving.

The best present I ever bought myself. A pet adoption from the Oakland Animal Services, Sugarbear.

Shop these items: 1. Charbonnel et Walker Truffles/ Neiman Marcus, 2. Public Bicycles/www.publicbikes.com, 3. Mac Lipstick www.maccosmetics.com
4. Desktop Jellyfish tank/ www.jellyfishart.com 5. Baggu in gold leather www.baggubag.com,
6. Diamond Tear edge on headphones/ www.monstercable.com 7. Scratchers/ California Lottery
8. Holly GoNightly sleepmask/www.fredflare.com 9. Raspberry 100% cashmere gloves/ Barneys New York 10. Sugarbear Oakland Animal Services www.petfinders.com