THE ZOO

I love the zoo. I can stand in front of the monkeys for hours just watching them goof around, hang from the cage and try to get food. The San Diego Zoo is probably one of my favorites I have been to so far. But both times my friends and I were there, we've gotten lost and went from the the monkeys to the aviary and back to the monkeys, then back to the aviary. 
The first time we went, we saw a mother Jaguar protecting her cubs, growling at the kids that were knocking on the window. 
The is by far my favorite photo of the bunch - a Chinese Snow Leopard, staring straight into my camera. 
  
monkeys are so smart!

baileys white chocolate chip cookies


1 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
8 TBSP Bailey's or other Irish Cream (I used caramel Bailey's)
2 2/3 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. espresso or instant coffee powder
1 1/2 c. white chocolate chips

Directions:
1.  In the bowl of a stand mixture fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Reduce to medium-low and beat in vanilla and eggs, one at a time, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.  Add Bailey's in two additions, scraping down bowl in between.  Return mixer to medium speed and beat 1 minute more.

2.  Meanwhile, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder in a separate medium bowl.  Add into wet mixture in three additions, scraping down sides of bowl with each addition.  Fold in chocolate chips.  Refrigerate at least two hours.

3.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Prepare two baking sheets (so you can alternate them to speed up baking process) with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.  Using a standard-sized cookie scoop or generous tablespoonful, scoop out dough and place on prepared baking sheet.  Bake, one sheet at a time, 7-9 minutes.  Place baking sheet on a wire rack and let cool 5 minutes.  Remove cookies and place directly on the rack, allowing them to cool completely.  Store cookies in airtight container up to one week.

Yields approx. 3 1/2 dozen cookies.

Recipe from appleaday

Sneak Peek

I had yet another amazing time with R1Studios in Rochester. This time, I got to work with a young and talented makeup-artist, a rustic furniture store, some fun and full-out apparel and of course a brilliant photographer. Being acclimated to sunny California of just five months, I had already forgotten how cold New York gets! We were freezing our tushies off while trying to look good in front of the camera. 

While we wait for the prints to come out, here is a sneak peek!
You can check out more of R1Studios' work here!