5 Unexpected "Tools" Every Pie-Maker Should Own!

You already have a pie plate and a rolling pin but if you want to up your pie-making game this year, here are five essential "tools" (all under $17) you didn't even know you were missing... 

11 Modern Cork Finds For Small Kitchens—Rad Grocery Bag, Included!

Got a small kitchen? Put a cork in it! These neutral accessories are a no-brainer way to add natural frill to your teeny space and—bonus—they're all kind of good for the environment, too. Fact: Cork is inherently sustainable because it's both biodegradable and recyclable (aka greener than the tupperware stash mom sent you) so your shopping spree is kind of, like, a good thing for the planet! Add a few pieces to your countertop this weekend Planeteers...

Petit Cork Vase Set; $83 / Corky Glassware; $55 / Bambino Cork Tray; $27 / "Adjust-a-Bowl" Soft Cork Bowl; $33 / Cork Planters; $50 / Cork Trivet; $27 / Mini Cork Planter; $25 / Par Cork Salt and Pepper Shakers; $62 / Multicolor Tote in Cork; $145 /  Vitra Cork Stool C; $470 / Cork Pads and Coasters; $17 

Hit The Bottle, Ladies: Host a Rosé Wine Tasting with Treats and Friends!

Happy Friday, lovely friends! We made it through the week—amen, right? Not sure what your plans are this weekend but if you're in the mood to play the casual-chic hostess, why not host a last-minute rosé tasting party? It's super easy (and deliciously educational, too)!

Gems Of The Week: 9 Recipes & DIYs To Inspire Your Fabulous Weekend!

We made it to Friday, friends—phewf! What a week—am I right? But I'll tell you something, there were some killer recipes and DIY projects floating around the web the past few days and I'd love to share my favorites. Start with this insanely cute Popsicle Photo Backdrop by Melanie Blodgett of You Are My Fave for Julep. I can only image the photos taken in front of it, probably so fresh and fun!

Obsessing over this DIY Metallic Piñata Makeover by Studio DIY!

This Cherry Gin & Tonic by Jenny of Spoon Fork Bacon (love!) looks super refreshing!

I can't get over how adorable these Banana Split Eclairs are from Bakers Royale!

Wish we had the space in our apartment for me to try this DIY Neon Striped Tablecloth project by my fave, Oh Happy Day!

How have I never made linzer cookies with lemon curd before? Definitely need to try these Lemon Poppy Seed Linzer Cookies by Diva Eats World! Don't they look so tangy and delicate? 

Such an easy way to dress up a plain straw for a special occasion, don't you think? Brilliant work by Style Me Pretty, as usual. 

Sriracha-Spiked Mexican-Style Street Corn by the lovely Camille Styles! I think I could eat that whole tray...

Ooh! And finally (also from Studio DIY) these incredible Edible Pinwheel Cupcakes for July 4th—pure genius!

What's on your agenda this weekend, friends? Fun plans? Dinner parties? I'd love to know!
xox Erin

[ Popsicle Backdrop photo by Julep / Metallic piñata photos by Studio DIY / Cherry gin & tonic photo by Spoon Fork Bacon / Banana Split Eclair photo by Bakers Royale /  Tablecloth photo by Sarah Hebenstreit of Modern Kids Photography for Oh Happy Day / lemon linzer cookie photo by Diva Eats World / Straw charm photo by Heidi Lau Photography via Style Me Pretty / Corn photo by Chelsea Fullerton for Camille Styles / Pinwheel cupcake photo by Studio DIY]

21 Strawberry Desserts That Will Perk Up Your Memorial Day Weekend!

Hello, lovely friends! What are your plans for the holiday weekend? I'd love to know! I'm not sure about you but I'm dying to get my strawberry-eatin' on. I haven't had any local strawberries yet this spring, so I'm planning to raid the farmers' market and cook/bake/snack-on as many as possible. I found these incredible strawberry dessert recipes whilst doing a little research this week. I'd love to share my favorites with you, if you're interested. Oo! Like this Limoncello Ricotta Cake with Strawberry Cream by the brilliant (brilliant!) A Better Happier St. Sebastian! How gorgeous is this whole spread? Oh, what I would do for white-brick walls...

If it were warmer, I'd go right for these Frozen Strawberries and Cream Bars by Everyday Food. I'm leaning towards these super gorgeous Wild Strawberry and Vanilla Creams by Emma of Poires au Chocolat, instead. Love those tiny wild strawberries!

I can't wait to try this Super-Southern Strawberry Cake by Hannah Messinger of Nothing But Delicious! I mean, the recipe name alone has me hooked. Traditional Southern Strawberry Cake is made with tons of sugar, Jell-O mix and frozen strawberries in syrup. Hannah gives it a little twist of her own...

This 3-ingredient Strawberry Ice Cream Cake by Real Simple could not be more simple to make! For something a little fancier, try these Mini Eclair with Strawberries and Cream from Martha Stewart Living.Love the idea of making Strawberry Tiramisu with lady finger, berries and mascarpone—this recipe by Junglefrog Cooking looks awesome! And for something a little less sweet, I'm really into this Strawberry Focaccia by Uno De Dos (it's in Spanish, so just pop the recipe into Google Translate). 

How dramatic do the berries look on this Flourless Chocolate Cake with Strawberries by Billy Law of A Table For Two!?

Whipped cream, strawberries and meringue cookies make this Strawberry Eton Mess by Taste Food Blog the perfect sweet-crunchy treat. I'm also drooling over this Strawberry Pie by StarvingChef.com—obsessed with how easy and rustic it looks!

I'll definitely be making this Buttermilk Pudding with Strawberry Coulis by Bird & Clever very soon (love this blog)!  

Strawberry-Pistachio Tart by Everyday Food makes such a visual statement (and it's frickin' delicious served with unsweetened whipped cream)! Also, these beautiful Strawberry Shortcakes by brilliant Michelle of Foodagraphy—yum!

Oo! This seems unique and incredibly tasty: Whiskey-Spiked Strawberry Tart by Bite These Goodies (LOVE this idea)!

Wish I had a doughnut pan so I could try these Baked Strawberry Doughnuts by Cooking Classy. Also, dainty Strawberry Mousse with Creme Patisserie cups from Cooking Melangery—so elegant!

The no-cook recipe for this Fuss-Free Strawberry Ice Cream by Hummingbird Bakery seems like a keeper!

Another recipe you'll have to pop into Google Translate (this time in Swedish!) for Strawberry Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting by Louise's Spis but it looks worth it! I'm dying to try this Strawberry Coconut Tart by the awesome-sauce blog, Carrol Luna. I love everything she creates, it's a problem...

Finally, for the classicists like me, New York–Style Cheesecake with Fresh Strawberry Topping by Brown Eyed Baker! 
Whatever you end up doing this Memorial Day Weekend, I hope it's wonderful. See you back here next week—let me know if you try any of these recipes xo Erin

[ Limoncello-Strawberry Cake photo by Jillian Guyette of A Better Happier St. Sebastian / Frozen Strawberries and Cream Bars photo by Petrina Tinslay for Everyday Food / Wild Strawberry and Vanilla Creams photo by Emma of Poires au Chocolat / Super-Southern Strawberry Cake photo by Hannah Messinger of Nothing But Delicious / Strawberry Ice Cream Cake photo by Anna Williams for Real Simple / Mini Eclair with Strawberries and Cream photo from Martha Stewart Living / Strawberry Tiramisu photo by Junglefrog Cooking /  Strawberry Focaccia photo by Uno De Dos / Flourless Chocolate Cake with Strawberries by A Table For Two / Strawberry Eton Mess photo by Taste Food Blog / Strawberry Pie photo by StarvingChef.com / Buttermilk Pudding with Strawberry Coulis photo by Bird & Clever / Strawberry-Pistachio Tart photo by Con Poulos for Everyday Food / Strawberry Shortcake photo by Foodagraphy / Whiskey-Strawberry Tart photo by Bite These Goodies / Baked Strawberry Doughnuts photo by Cooking Classy / Strawberry Mousse with Creme Patisserie photo by  Cooking Melangery / Strawberry Ice Cream photo by Hummingbird Bakery / Strawberry Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting photo by Louise's Spis / Strawberry Coconut Tart photo by Carrol Luna / Cheesecake photo by Brown Eyed Baker ]

7 Must-Try Homemade Gelato Recipes From Brilliant Ladies!

I researched my buns off to find the best gelato spots in Italy before our trip—there are at least 2 options per day in my little homemade itinerary! I can't wait to turn some of the flavors we'll try into easy DIY recipes once we're home. In the meantime, here are a few incredible gelato recipes from around the web. Let me know if you try any of 'em! I'd love to know what you think xo Erin

Pineapple Rosemary Gelato by Darla of Bakingdom—Boyfriend's going to love this one!



I can't wait to make ice cream sandwiches with this Caramel Hazelnut Gelato by Lindsay Johnson of Cafe Johnsonia.

Banana Gelato by Dine & Dish. I'd love to put of scoop of this on a pretzel cone and cover it with chocolate sprinkles! 

Homemade Pistachio Gelato by Sarka Babicka of Cook Your Dream. You know how I feel about pistachio anything—love!

Use some local strawberries to make Martha Stewart's Strawberry Gelato, can't wait to try this recipe when we're back!

Peanut Butter Gelato by La Formula del Biscotto looks incredible! Copy and paste the recipe into Google Translate, it looks so worth it!

Super refreshing Meyer Lemon Gelato by Amy of That Winsome Girl!

[gelato trio photo by Karla's Closet/ pineapple gelato photo by Bakingdom / caramel hazelnut gelato photo by Lindsay Johnson / banana gelato photo by Dine & Dish / pistachio gelato photo by Sarka Babicka / strawberry gelato photo by Every Day Food/ lemon gelato photo by That Winsome Girl]

5 Delicious Panini Recipes I'm Dying To Make—Ciao My Lovely Friends!

Welp! Lovely friends, it's time for me to stay goodbye for a few days—boyfriend and I are leaving for Italy tonight! I have some posts scheduled to run when I'm gone but don't be alarmed if things seem a bit quiet here next week. In the meantime, though, I wanted to share with you 5 incredible panini recipes that have been getting me so super psyched for this trip. I wish I had time to make one for the plane ride :) xo Erin 



The Zucchini, Robiola and 'Nduja (a spicy spreadable sausage) Panini recipe on Sweetie's Home sounds absolutely incredible to me! I've never seen 'Nduja, but I'll definitely have my eye out for it now. Select "English" from the language menu on the right side of her blog.

How gorgeous is The Wanderer Sandwich by Giulia Scarpaleggia of Jul's Kitchen!? It's made with cooked ham, homemade mayonnaise and beet chips—mmm!

Use up some spring asparagus in this Asparagus, Fontina and Speck Panini by Sarah of StrawberryPlum! 

Yes! I cannot wait to try this one: Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese and Roasted Grape Panini by Running With Scissors (love)! 

And finally a Blackberry-Nutella Panini recipe by Diethood for dessert.

[First panini photograph by Emiko Davies / Zucchini panini photograph by Sweetie's Home / The Wanderer Sandwich photograph by Giulia Scarpaleggia / Asparagus panini photo by Strawberryplum / Roasted grape panini photos by Sarah of Running With Scissors / Nutella panini photo by Diethood]

3 Spring-Green Tart Recipes I'm Dying To Try: Asparagus, Spinach & Pea!

Good morning! It's finally starting to feel like spring here in New York (thank goodness). Boyfriend and I walked to our favorite dinner spot in Brooklyn—sans jackets!—and ordered a big plate of barely dressed pea shoots with tons of shaved cheese on top. I scraped every last crumb off the plate; it was so fresh and tasty! Anyways, the pea shoots got me thinking about springy green veggies. We're not seeing them in the farmers' markets here yet but they're coming, I just know it :) While I wait, though, I'd love to share 3 fantastic savory tart recipes from around the web that I'm dying to make once the time comes. Here are the spring-green tarts on my list... 

Above, 3-Ingredient Asparagus-Gruyere Tart by the lovely Simple Provision! How fantastic would this be for a quickie brunch or casual dinner party? Love! when something this beautiful is that simple to make.  

Spinach and Three-Cheese Pie by the ever-inspiring Donna Hay. Think of this as deconstructed spanakopita! I may need to let my family in on this one for Greek Easter (it's late this year—May 5th!)

And how beautiful is this one? Pea and Herbed Goat Cheese Tart by Sylvie Shirazi of Gourmande In The Kitchen (bonus: It's gluten-free)! Try this recipe with fresh English peas if you can find them. If not, frozen peas are absolutely fine. As Sylvie says in her post, they're frozen right after picking so the peas keep their famous green sweetness.

What spring vegetable are popping up in your grocery store/famers' market? I'd love to know! Anything, interesting? xo Erin

21 Fabulous Carrot Recipes For Spring—Morning, Noon & Night!

True baby carrots—you know, the ones with beautiful long stems and frilly leaves, not the gnarled bits that come bagged in super markets—are hitting their prime! I cannot wait to grab a bunch (or three!) at the farmers' market. With carrots on the brain, I thought it would be fun to round up the most enticing carrot recipes from around the web. Take a look, get some inspiration and dream up a carrot-cooking strategy for this weekend—that's what I'm going to do :) Your eyes and beautiful skin will thank you for it! xo Erin

Above, Carrot-Lemon Risotto from Martha Stewart Living! (I'm thinking of making boyfriend a special, lazy lunch on Saturday featuring this and a bottle of funky white wine—thoughts?)

Mm! Obsessed with these Carrot Muffins with Coconut Whipped Cream by the brilliant (brilliant!) Jeanie and Jack of Love & Lemons. By the way, you must start following this blog if you aren't already...

Smoky Carrot Hummus by The Year In Food (love)! Such a fabulous, springy alternative to regular hummus, right?

Gorgeous Carrot Tart with Ricotta and Honey by Voyage Gourmande (in French, paste into Google Translate) that teeters between sweet and savory, plus a flavor-packed Carrot-Pineapple Smoothie by Real Simple magazine.

Carrot Cake Doughnuts with Cream Cheese Frosting by Lauren of Lauren's Latest (no eggs needed)!Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bars by Kristy of Sweet Treats and More (super simple recipe that uses carrot cake mix as a bar base)!

Carrot Ginger Dressing from the late Whole Living magazine—I don't know about you but I'm always more inclined to eat salad when there's carrot-ginger dressing on it!

I'm hankering to try this Carrot Pie by Christine of Pies & Aprons (super cute blog)!

For slathering or for gifting, how about Carrot Marmalade by the beautiful Fig & Fauna?

Loving these teeny Carrot Cake Truffles by Kylie of Yeah...Imma Eat That! As well as these Miracle Carrot Muffins by Sunset Magazine!  

I mean, come on! Cheddar-Carrot Macaroni and Cheese by Slender Kitchen (only 5 ingredients)!Carrot Cake Cookies by Sam Henderson of Today's Nest that would be perfect for a picnic! Also, Zesty Lemon Carrot Cake by Zerrin of Give Recipe!Morning Carrot-Orange-Banana Smoothie by Sweet Potato Chronicles, loaded with vitamin A! The recipe for Momofuku's pickled carrots on The Delicious Life blog!Carrot-Parsnip Puree by Civilized Caveman Cooking Creations, yum!I'm so intrigued by this Jamaican Carrot Drink on The Lovely Pantry! It's made with carrots, reduced-fat evaporated milk, sugar, ice and a little nutmeg—sounds amazing! Also this Carrot-Date Bread via Carrol Luna smeared with some salted butter.And last but certainly my all-time favorite, Carrot Layer Cake by the ever-fabulous Melissa of The Faux Martha!

[Carrot-lemon risotto photo from Martha Stewart Living / Carrot Muffin photo by Love and Lemons/ Carrot Hummus photo by The Year In Food / Carrot Tart photo by Voyage Gourmade / Carrot-Pineapple Smoothie photo by Grant Cornett from Real Simple / Carrot Cake Doughnut photo by Lauren's Latest / Carrot Cake Cheesecake Bar photo by Kristy of Sweet Treats and More!/ Carrot Ginger Dressing photo by John Jernick for Whole Living / Carrot Pie photo by Christine of Pies and Aprons / Carrot Marmalade photo by Fig and Fauna / Carrot Cake Truffle photo by Yeah...Imma Eat That! / Miracle Carrot Muffin photo by Annabelle Breakey for Sunset magazine / Carrot Mac and Cheese photo by Slender Kitchen / Carrot Cake Cookies photo by Sam Henderson of Today's Nest /  Zesty Lemon Carrot Cake photo by Give Recipe / Carrot Smoothie photo by Sweet Potato Chronicles / Pickled Carrot photo by The Delicious Life / Carrot Puree photo by Civilized Caveman Cooking Creations / Jamaican Carrot Drink photo by The Lovely Pantry  / Carrot-Date Bread photo by Carrol Luna /  Carrot Cake photo by Melissa of The Faux Martha]