Baked | Carrot Cupcakes w/ Browned Butter + Cream Cheese Frosting

Easter without carrot cake would be like Christmas with no egg nog. It's just not right! Everyone in my family loves Carrot Cake, so this year I decided to make these Carrot Cupcakes for my family's feast as they're easy to transport and look so pretty! I'm pretty picky when it comes to my favorite spring dessert - a lot of nuts, no pineapple and definitely no raisins! I tried my very best to frost the cupcakes like they do a Sprinkles...the key is to start with waayy too much frosting on top then wet an offset spatula with warm water to get a smooth dome shape.  I know it may be too late to make this recipe for Easter but I can guarantee these cupcakes will be a hit at any Spring celebration! Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:
Cake
1 pound carrots, finely grated
3 large eggs (room temperature)
2 c. sugar
1 1/2 c. canola oil
1/3 c. buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1-2 c. chopped walnuts

Frosting
2 sticks of unsalted butter (room temperature)
16 oz. cream cheese (room temperature)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
dash of sea salt
3-4 c. powdered sugar

Garnish
chopped walnuts

INSTRUCTIONS:
Cake. Preheat oven to 350°. Line cupcake pans with parchment paper. Whisk together carrots, eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk, and vanilla extract. (To grate carrots, use grater or food processor.)
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Stir flour mixture into carrot mixture until well combined.

Distribute batter evenly between the cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely before icing.

Frosting. Place one stick of butter in a small saucepan. Cook on medium-high heat until butter is browned, about 5 minutes. Pour into small bowl and refrigerate for 15 minutes to cool.

Once cooled, cream together browned butter, regular butter, and cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla extract and salt. Mix. Add powdered sugar one cup at a time. Mix well between each addition. After 3 cups, taste to see if additional sugar is necessary.

Assembly. Make sure cakes are completely cooled before frosting. For the perfect Sprinkles 'dome' place a large scoop of frosting on the center of the cupcake, run an offset spatula under warm water to heat it up then twist the cupcake in your hand using a little pressure to push the frosting to the sides. Continue to rewet the spatula until you get a nice, smooth layer. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts if desired.

Refrigerate. Serve cake at room temperature.

photography and styling by kristin kerr luber for simply smitten / recipe modified from faux martha

Family Photographs

My sister and I have had the "where to display family photographs"debate several times so I thought I would get my dear readers opinions.  I have no problem displaying a picture of my grandmother on my bedroom dresser and for some reason my sister thinks that it's beyond weird.  So I must ask, do you display your family photos and memories through out your home or do you keep them tucked away in an album?

I know I just posted about my love/hate relationship with salon walls but when I saw this photograph of magazine editor Darcy Miller Nussbaum's breakfast nook in Architectural Digest I was quite taken with the gallery arrangement of family photographs.  What I think I really like is that the photos are hung in an area where the family probably gathers daily for meals so they can really enjoy the pictures and be surrounded by memories why making new ones.  I also like that all of the black and white images are displayed in simple box frames because it's a great juxtaposition to that stunning light fixture!   This photo actually has me thinking maybe I should take the family photos out of my bedroom and arrange a cluster of them in a more neutral territory.  Thoughts?

Right Round, Baby

Clarendon mirror $249 | White Mosaic Mirror $595 | Palazzo Antiqued-Glass Mirror $519 | Bistro Antiqued Brass Mirror $500 | Tork Brass Dripped Mirror $229

So to follow up to yesterday's post, today I bring you a wee little sneak peek at my bedroom. For as long as I can remember I have wanted my very own vanity so since my bedroom is very long and narrow I decided to forgo matching nightstands and set up my own little makeup station using an Ikea Malm console which I painted high-gloss gray, a stool topped with homemade fur cushion and a lovely round brass mirror from CB2.  I was attempting to channel the look and feel of lovely vanity in the second picture above.  I already had the console, stool, and vintage lamps but it took me forever to source an affordable large round mirror.  Big round mirrors are tricky to find, but as luck would have it, I stumbled across the perfect piece in the most recent CB2 catalog.  I had tried using a rectangular mirror that I already owned in the space but the images above convinced me that round was the way to go! So in case you too are on the hunt for a round mirror, above is my round-up (catch that?) of reasonably priced large round mirrors. Which one is your favorite?

Images: one kristin kerr interiors / two / three / four / five / six / seven

Decorating with Texture

My bedroom is finally complete and I can't wait to share it with everyone!  I was trying to describe the design to one of my friends and as the words monochromatic, gray, tan, and white came out of my mouth I thought, wow that seems kind of boring and flat.  But the more I though about it and looked at the space I realized that the layers of textures are what make the room interesting.  Instead of accent colors or patterns I used textures and surfaces to add depth; a natural jute rug, silk curtains, fur pillows, linen bedding, shiny vintage mercury glass lamps, a high gloss vanity and warm wood dresser.  It's all about striking the perfect balance with texture and I think the rooms pictured above do just that.  Below are my tips and tricks for decorating with texture:

+ Flooring A textured natural fiber rug, like this jute boucle one from West Elm, will ground a space and makes the perfect base for layering a smaller vintage kilim or Flokati rug.  

+Walls Vertical surfaces and ceilings are a great places to play up texture. If you want a cozy look try  grasscloth, raffia or leather.  If you're more of a modernist try high-gloss paint or a lacquered wallcovering for an ultra sleek look. 

+ Furniture I think every room needs at least one piece of textured furniture.  Tweed, boucle, linen and velvet can all be mixed and matched to add depth and interest. Let this fantastic pair of vintage Italian chairs newly upholstered in creamy white wool boucle fabric serve as inspiration for your next thrift store furniture find.

+ Pillows No need to rely on trendy prints, add interest to your sofa with textured pillows.  I made a pillow for my bedroom using a vintage fur shawl but this nubby handwoven llama wool pillow from Jayson Home or black fringe pillow from Belkina would've also done the trick!

+ Accessories Mix objects found in nature like geodes, coral, horns and feathers with shiny brass figures and vintage pottery.

images one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight

Hats Off

Why don't you pull your hats out of your closet and stack them on a bust or hang them on your wall so they act as art when not in use?  In my home closet space is at a premium so I'm always on the lookout for clever ways to clear up space and artfully display my collections.  I hate clutter but in this case it doesn't hurt that hats themselves are so beautiful.  I haven't quite decided how I'm going to display my evergrowing collection but I do plan to look at the above examples for inspiration.

images one-five / seven

Cooked | Crock Pot Sesame Honey Chicken

It's official, going forward, every Sunday in my house will be considered Slow Cooker Sunday! I borrowed my sister's crock pot last weekend to make this sesame honey chicken and let me tell you, this recipe is seriously delicious and almost as easy as picking up the phone and ordering take out. Sweet, savory and a little spicy, this simple Asian inspired dish tastes great over a bowl of rice or served over bibb lettuce.  I'm absolutely obsessed with just how easy this was to make...so I guess it's time to invest in a crock pot.  Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
black pepper, to taste
1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp water
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp sriracha hot chili sauce, or more to taste
1 heaping tbsp cornstarch
1/4 cup water
1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
2 medium scallions, chopped for garnish

DIRECTIONS:
Place the chicken in the slow cooker and season with black pepper. In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, honey, tomato paste, vinegar, garlic, 1 tbsp water, sesame oil, onion powder and sriracha hot chili sauce. Pour over chicken and cook on LOW 3-4 hours.

Remove chicken, leaving the sauce in the slow cooker. Shred chicken with two forks; set aside.

In a small bowl, dissolve cornstarch in remaining 1/4 cup water; add to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cover and cook on HIGH until slightly thickened, about 15 to 20 minutes; return chicken to the slow cooker and mix well.

Serve chicken and sauce over rice or bibb lettuce and top with sesame seeds and chopped scallions for garnish.

photography and styling by kristin kerr luber

Life | Recently

Client's vintage Master Craft mirror

My new headboard and fur pillow!

Vintage brass table by Broncz

Suede and brass vintage buffet

Studded trestle table

Ebonized Vintage French Louis XVI Table w/ Tooled Leather Top (on hold for Darryl Carter)

Wow, what a week!  I was so busy running around town that I had zero time to blog.  Well that's a lie, I did have some free time but that was spent catching up on emails, hanging out with friends, going to yoga (I'm officially obsessed) and watching both seasons of Homeland in less than a week!  Am I the only one that thinks Brody is a babe?  

Anywho, pictured above are some of the lovely things I came across this week; a vintage brass Master Craft mirror hung in a client's entry, my new tufted headboard and vintage fur pillow, lots of vintage goodies at Old Plank including a French brass table with pyramid fasteners by Broncz, a fabulous black suede and brass 1960s French buffet,  a gorgeous studded trestle table that I would give my left arm for, and an ebonized vintage French Louis VXI table.  While I may not be able to afford any of these pieces they will definitely serve as inspiration for future projects.  Inspiration is everywhere so keep your eyes peeled this weekend!  See you Monday.

images by kristin kerr luber

Lean Back

To hang or not to hang, that is the question: I personally got sick of the whole gallery wall trend pretty much as soon as I had the last picture hung above my sofa.  So, with that said, I quickly dissembled it and found myself with a surplus of art.  Instead randomly hanging it else where in my apartment I decided to take my deconstructed gallery wall and create an overlapping and leaning group on the floor in my office.  I liked the look so much that when it came time to decorate the area over my credenza I decided to go nail-free and just layer a few of my favorite pieces.

Some notes for creating this laid-back chic look...well it's all about the mix.  Mix mediums, frames and heights - place taller pieces in the back then lean smaller pieces in front.  And if you don't have a large art collection don't fret...you can get the same low-key look with a single piece.  Whether displayed along the floor, on a mantle or atop a dresser or credenza, this effortless look is perfect for commitment-phobes renters and makes switching things around easy peasy!

images one / two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven

Smitten | Cathy Bruni Norris

I love the idea of supporting local artists so I was thrilled when my client fell in love with the work of Chicago artist Cathy Bruni Norris.  We stopped by Cathy's Bucktown studio last weekend to see some of her current work and let me tell you, it was love at first sight!  Pictured above are the two pieces we were looking into purchasing.  Stunning, right? Cathy creates these cosmic-like pieces by layering acrylic paint on the reverse side of a clear piece of plexi glass then mounts the finished product to a piece of wood so the depth of colors really pop. If we had space in the room I would have tried to convince my client to purchase both pieces but in the end we ended up going with the painting on the right.  Pictured above is the inspiration board I put together for my client-I can't wait to share pictures once everything is installed!

You can see more of Cathy's work, including the Blue Orb painting we didn't purchase, on Flickr.  And if the real deal isn't in your budget, you're in luck...Cathy paintings have been printed onto the most beautiful beaded fabric and made into clutches and wallets - if you live in Chicago be sure to stop by Laudi Vidni on Armitage and check out the entire line!

Office Envy | J.Crew

I came across some images of the recently remodeled J.Crew corporate office on Instagram and I haven't been able to stop stalking looking at the stunning interiors since.  I have a serious case of office envy!  Serge Mouille lighting, vintage Beni Ouarain Moroccan rugs, Milo Baughman chairs, herringbone raw oak floors, and a striking hot pink sofa...I mean I don't think it gets much better than this!  I would have no problem working around the clock in this space because it feels more like a home than an office. I put together an inspiration board based on some of the photos I found on Instagram and it has be contemplating redecorating my entire apartment! So inspiring!

Beni Ouarain rug / Siena sofa by Organic Modernism /  Major brass chair by MGBW / Leila Jeffreys' Vincent photograph / Metal alcove wall shelf from CB2 / Praying mantis floor lamp / Fritz low bookcase by MGBW / Black gallery frames from West Elm

images nettysetgo, jolalangford, dwittybunny, jack_oc