Valentine's Day... in a Cookie Way.

This afternoon-

there was a Valentine's Day party.

And let me tell,

it was a good one.

We snacked,

made Valentines, 

& most importantly-

we made cookies.

Lots & lots of cookies.

My friend, Grace, walked us through 

her grandmother's famous recipe...

or as her family calls her "Aunt Sis."

You may also know these cookies as,

Aunt Sis's Strawberry Tarts...

Gourmet Magazine touts it as their best cookie ever-

and it's the cover of their gorgeous cookie book!

I'm a bit skeptical about people's "coveted recipe" for anything,

but this one actually lives up to the hype.

These tiny tarts are the marriage of a cookie & pastry-

with the holy blessing of strawberry jam.

Take a peek at the recipe.

 You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry,

& these gorgeous cookies 

would package up prettily for any of your Valentines!

If Cupid is aiming for me tomorrow,

his target just got a little bigger.

Oxford English Dictionary- VOLUME 2

I'm having a Valetine's Day Party tomorrow,

and am about to make a necessary market run.

After jotting all my "needs"down,

I glanced back at the paper & giggled.

My list has definitely evolved since moving here.

One area of new vocabulary has come entirely from a single source:

the pig.

Who knew?

Not me, 

but now- you'll have a head start.

VOLUME TWO:

Now, this little piggy is off to the market 

before all the good produce is gone!

*images 1, 2, 3, 4

Happy {Half} Birthday.

Today is my half birthday...

which means that more importantly-

it's my mom's birthday.

Oh, my mom.

I do love my mom.

In fact, everyone loves my mom...

including all the guys I've ever dated.

I think they all dated me with hope that someday

I would be as cool as my mom.

I don't blame them. That's what I'm banking on, too.

Mom, I don't have a gift for you. Sorry.

I'll get you one when you visit.

Until then, I'm re-gifting you with some gifts you already have.

image via

Happy Birthday,

I love you!

Giveaway Winner!

Happy Friday!

Congratulations Michelle!

You've scored yourself a copy of 

From Notting Hill with Love... Actually

signed by Ms. Ali McNamara herself!

{and some other cool stuff to boot.}

I loved this giveaway, 

but... I have to tell the truth:

I've already got 2 more planned!

And the next one probably has something to do with

 The Royal Wedding.

Ah! I'm so excited!

{Check in next week for the goods.}

A Crosley Kid

I'll be honest:

I've been half-hearting my blog this week.

To any & all my faithful readers

{hi dad!},

please accept my apologies.

The truth is I've been holed away at Starbucks 

in an attempt to mentally sort myself.

You see, I like to write.

My interior monologue is relentless, 

and I've been told I have a knack for jotting it down.

So while all of you have been contributing talents to the professional world,

extending long hours of rearing your children,

or doing worthwhile things like charity & excercise...

I've been drinking a skinny caramel macchiato,

and reading archived articles of writers I admire 

to get me back into the writing mood.

A bit pathetic, I'll admit...

but I have to tell you- it's pretty great.

But if you, too, like things that are really great,

read some of these articles by my favorite author, Sloane Crosley.

via

Sloane has written some amazing books

{I was told there'd be cake, How did you get this number?},

but it's my personal opinion

that she hits her stride in some of her shorter pieces for the New York Times.

Like this article on tequila,

 this piece on Halloween,

and this essay on cats.

Sloane offers an irreverently honest voice

  spoken from the mouth 

of a functional, well-educated woman.

I will warn you, she's not for everyone.

"I Was Told There'd Be Cake"

 was my selection for book club one month.

I read it, giggled to myself on every page, 

and was busting with anticipation over the wait

to discuss all of her stories in great detail.

I arrived to a table of uninterested, uncharmed girls 

who stared blankly back at my glee.

But I love her.

And if you like my writing, 

I hope that means you'll like hers, too.

Isn't that right, dad?

Morning, lovies!

I'm up early,

and scooting around town

making some Valentine's Day gifts.

{Would you be interested in a peek & tutorial?}

I hope you have success in whatever tasks are ahead of you today,

and remember to start on a full stomach.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,

and it's bonkers delicious, too!

What's your breakfast of champions?

This is how we roll in these parts...

From Notting Hill With Love... Actually.

When you visit Aspiring Kennedy,

what do you expect to see?

Probably something cheesey & lovey...

maybe a tribute to chick-flicks...

all to often, a feature of something British...

& of course, me on my daily quest of getting things for free.

Well friends, 

today's post is no exception. 

In fact, it's the marriage of all of these common elements.

It's my pleasure to give one of you

the adorable new hit book,

From Notting Hill

With Love... Actually.

 

I nearly got whiplash when I first passed this book at the store.

I tossed it in my basket, flew through it on my flight, and I must say:
this is chick-lit at it's finest.


Great plot, relatable characters, gorgeous backdrops
all sprinkled with a heavy dose of pop-culture references.

The book has only been released in the UK, 

but author, Ali McNamara,

is giving one Aspiring Kennedy reader a signed copy...

The winner will also receive these reading companions:

{because Aspiring Kennedy endorses fashionable reading}

Here are six ways ANY FOLLOWER can enter:

{please make a new comment for each completed entry}

1. Become a public follower of Aspiring Kennedy

2. "Like" Aspiring Kennedy on facebook

3. Add Aspiring Kennedy to your blog roll

4. Tweet about this giveaway {@Aspiring Kennedy}

5. Declare your love: Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, or Jude Law.

6. Tell us your favorite chick-flick

*Giveaway is open to all readers of Aspiring Kennedy

**Drawing will be held by random.org on February 11th, 2011

Monday Moods: I feel... Enchanted.

How could I not?
I was sent to explore Southern France last week.

As a result, 

Monday Moods has evolved 
beyond my regular picture series

to a moving picture.

Viola-
my very amateur video 
of my exceptionally first class day 
in Aix-En-Provence.


{This movie is best enjoyed over coffee.}

*ps. forgive the audio edits. some squeaks are leaking through, & have no clue why!