houndstooth

I've always been a fan of black and white patterns, especially the classics . . . like houndstooth.  Unfortunately, we don't see enough of this classic black and white pattern in design anymore. 

Also called four-in-four check, guncheck or sometimes dogstooth, houndstooth originated in Scotland at an unrecorded date. Looking back on fashion and design history, houndstooth seems to reinvent itself every 20 to 30 years.

Its traditional colors are black and white, though modern versions use more colorful substitutions like brown & white, pink & white, blue & white, and green & white. I've seen these brighter colors incorporated in

~ charming nursery room designs

~ small details of bridal and baby showers

~ home decor . . . throw blankets and accent pillows, curtains, 

    and rugs

~ beautiful petit coats and stylish shoes, even bracelets and          

    earrings

~ invitations and beautiful silk ribbons

In time, the current slew of bright, bold designs will pass and be replaced by "the next big thing;" and then in a decade or so, a designer will bring it back, and repeat the cycle of houndstooth in the fashion & design industry as a whole.  

As for me . . . I can't wait to see it reinvented again!

a tribute to classic houndstooth .  .  .

 

~ apron ~

jessie steele

~ houndstooth ottoman & accent pillows ~

osbourne and little

~ prescott houndstooth chair ~

 prescott

~ Valentino houndstooth fleur bag ~

 Valentino

~ houndstooth decanter ~

Eddie Ross

~ houndstooth pillow and curtain ~

 southern livng

~ houndstooth accent ~

 stylin home

~ houndstooth neck pillow ~

SimplySuzannes etsy shoppe

~ houndstooth checked rug ~

William Sonoma Home 

~ cupcake liners ~

all things cupcake

~ over-sized houndstooth print chairs ~

~ houndstooth invitation ~

meri meri

~houndstooth chair ~

whetstone

~ houndstooth themed monogrammed cookies ~

the celebration shoppe

~ houndstooth storage ~

style bakery

~ Moschino houndstooth heels with corsage ~

 
Moschino

orange glazed cake

orange and chocolate . . . a perfect pair

One of my favorite treats growing up was chocolate dipped orange candy sticks. Although the featured recipe isn't quite the same as this past-time treat . . . it's sure reminiscent of sweet days.

I present you with two versions of this lovely orange cake . . . a traditional orange glazed cake and a rich chocolate ganache glazed orange cake.

Indulge your senses with this aromatic and moist dessert. Infused with orange zest . . . and then dressed up with a delicious glaze ~ this golden cake is simply . . . divine.

Bon Appetit!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature

4 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream

2 teaspoons pure orange extract

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

orange glaze

1 cup confectioners' sugar

2 Tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13x9x2-inch pan.

Stir together flour, granulated sugar, and salt in bowl; add butter, eggs, extract, and zest.

Using a hand-held electric mixer, beat until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25 minutes, or until golden blond and set.

Remove from oven and pierce entire cake with fork or a toothpick.
 

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preparation of  orange glaze

Mix confectioners' sugar, orange juice, and orange zest together until smooth. Pour glaze over cake. Cool and cut into squares. For an extra special treat, save a small amount of orange glaze to drizzle on top of individually cut pieces.

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preparation of  satiny chocolate ganache glaze

3/4 cup (6 ounces), high quality semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped

3/4 cup heavy cream

1 Tablespoon light corn syrup

Place the chocolate in a bowl. Pour light corn syrup over chocolate. Set aside. Scald the cream. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and gently stir to melt all the chocolate.

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