Lunch Lady: R.I.P.

Here's the original recipe I got and then I basically screwed the whole thing up and did whatever I wanted. Enjoy!!

SPICY GINGERBREAD COFFINS

COOKIE DOUGH

3/4 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar

1/4 cup soymilk

1/4 molasses and Mike's Hot Honey mixed

(I used about 1 part molasses to 2 parts honey)

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp fresh ground nutmeg

Some cinnamon

Some ground cloves

I wasn't really paying attention because I was watching the Walking Dead and drinking the Guinness Extra Stout that I had initially planned on throwing in here. 

I guess you could say it's a "pinch" of each even though that sounds a little prissy

2 tbsp cocoa powder

2 tsp Aztec Chocolate Bitters

Bought this at Whisk down the block. It tastes really amazing even on it's own. Although, I can't really tell if this adds anything to the flavor of the cookies because I've been taste-testing these cookies for like 8 hours straight. For my own sanity I'm going to say that it does

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 salt

ROYAL ICING

even MORE powdered sugar

some soymilk

some corn syrup.

I made this at my desk and did not measure any of it, sooooo... godspeed.

Just make sure it is the consistency of icing and that it is sickeningly sweet

INSTRUCTIONS

Whisk together oil and sugar in a large bowl

Add molasses, honey and soy milk

(also don't be alarmed if you've never used molasses before- it smells horrible and looks like motor oil and reminds me of that movie Critters for some reason. But it doesn't taste horrible. So, don't worry)

You're supposed to sift in the dry ingredients while mixing the dough, but I had no patience so I threw it all in at once and mixed it with an electric beater and it was perfectly fine. The dough is going to be stiff and kind of like Playdough when it's done.

Wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about an hour. Relax. Do some dishes. After that roll the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. It should be almost 1/4 of an inch thick. Make some cookies.

Preheat oven to 350. Bake for about 8 minutes or so. They look awful when they're burned so keep an eye out.  

Wait til they're cool. Ice them. Eat them. Bring some to your coworkers and your poor friend who has to bartend on Halloween and watch a million Miley Bears stick their tongues out and puke all over the place. 

ALSO, check out these Catbird babes all dressed up as the Spice Girls for Halloween!

I can't even.

<3 Ash

Sending Smoke Signals

This is not the Nag Champa incense of your (or maybe just my) 20s. Blackbird created these elevated, sexy and evocative scents exclusively for us. 

• Russian Caravan, with notes of wood & amber (summon the lost Romanov princess...)
• Violet Hour, with notes of violet & moss (slumber in the moss of the black forest...)
• Nymph’s Woods, with notes of mint & garden (cut sprigs in your English garden...)

$28 each

xo

Rony

What We Love Today: Grey Garden Perfume

For the lady who likes it spicy, mysterious, musky, sexy, decaying, rose-drenched, and a little off. This is for the alley cats, the late-night jazz records listeners, the bad girls in black.

I'm in.

-Leigh

Grey Garden Perfume, $120 in store and online

Let the Light In

Glowing skin and sooty eyes are terribly fetching.

-Leigh

photo: Terry Richardson for Vogue Paris

Trying Not To Be a Halloween Grinch

This would help.

The Blackbeard Cocktail

• 1 oz spiced rum
• 1/2 oz Fernet Branca
• 1 1/2 oz crème de cacao
• 1/8 teaspoon squid ink
• 1/2 oz chocolate stout

Yes please.

From Honestly Yum.

Evening with Ms. Tartt

We've had guests at the Cat Cave this evening, and more in the morning - lemon wafers and coffee will be had, photos will be taken, and 'til then, I'll be in bed with The Goldfinch. And, that, kittens, that is love.

-Leigh

Anna Karina, via Lauren Cerand's Pinterest

Jessica Paré, Violet Grey & Eyelashes

Amongst many of her wonderful qualities - including an electrifying smile and top-notch acting - Jessica Paré's eyelashes are envy-inspiring.
xo
Rony

From the beautiful Violet Grey.

Yoyo Artist!

We received the most delightful postcard from a happy couple this week, one half of whom is Justin Weber - an accomplished yoyo artist!! I encourage you to watch the video above. It is mesmerizing.
xo
Rony

(You can see more customer notes here!)

Observations on Paris

This is a table at the very large St. Ouen flea market - this is how everyone seems to eat lunch there. One of the vendors busts out the table and sets it properly - table cloth, steak knives, wine, bread, etc. I'd love to know - Who brings the food? Do they rotate? Do they email each other about it? (No way, right?) Is there a similar situation in big French offices? 

I really am fond of this mix of casual and formal. 

Ah Serge. If a grave can be sexy, this is it.

 We saw a storm trooper calmly walking down the street.

This was a dessert at a very delicious and upscale Thai place. Those things that look like ice cubes are indeed ice cubes. Trés strange!!

The Eiffel Tower is really pretty.

Some other observations: you rarely see anyone on their phones (neither talking nor texting) while walking around. And no one walks around with coffee either. There aren't even lids at the take out places! 

à bientôt!

Rony

All in the Family

We Catbirds are very fond of borrowing from the closets of the men we love. Why, just today, I am wearing a 1950s Italian nightgown with my husband's oversized black sweater from our neighborhood pals, Oak. My brother's ethical menswear site, Three Leaves, is ripe with clothes you'll want to nick from the men in your life. Added, very important bonus - everything is cruelty free, ethically responsible, and eco friendly.

-Leigh

Orion Organic Cotton Sweater, $99 at Three Leaves

Armchair traveller.

Wes Anderson, take us away!

-Leigh

LR x CATBIRD!

Two things all of the kittens love: jewels and boots! So when Loeffler Randall, the brand behind all of our favorite booties, asked us to style their Frankie Moto Boots while showing them around Catbird we obviously jumped at the opportunity!

I gave the LR team a peek into a day at Catbird which means bouncing around Brooklyn from our storefront to our office on the south side of Williamsburg and everything in between! I was so happy to find out they are the perfect partner for a day of running around. Not only are they comfortable but they layer nicely with almost anything in your fall wardrobe from skinnies to tights or even with a rolled up pair of baggy boyfriend jeans! LR isn't joking around when they say the Frankie's are a go-anywhere, do-anything moto boot!

And an extra special treat from Loeffler Randall, 15% off their amazing shoe selection just for you with the code LRXCATBIRD now through Sunday! Shop Loeffler Randall.

What We Love Today: Lapin Bunny Bag.

Hello, my little love! I waited for you, and waited for you, and now you are here, and every time I see you, I smile. I hope to sling you around a Claire Vivier duffle bag real soon. Or maybe a Mayle leopard bag! It's 5:07 pm - no more decisions today.

-Leigh

Lapin Bunny Bag, $34 in store and online in beige and white

Across years and oceans.

My great grandmother in front of her shop in Berlin at the break of WWI.

Me and some of my gals, at the break of lunchtime on a Tuesday - (from Glamour).

Uncanny, no?

xo

Rony

It's oh so quiet.

Black, starry, oversized, with good structure at the shoulders? You're making me blush.
Have a lovely weekend, kittens...

-Leigh

Vika Gazinskaya dress from Net-a-Porter

Happy Fall Weekend, Kittens!!

I won't be doing this, but you definitely should. Have a wonderful weekend!
xo
Rony

Via the very calming Miss Moss

What We're Listening To: Still Corners

Rainy days in Brooklyn take me back to the few times I've had the chance to cross the pond and galavant around the streets of London. All that gloominess can feel dreamy and the dreariness seem sweet with the right soundtrack. London duo Still Corners, in my humble opinion, encompass all those sentiments perfectly with their soothing dream-pop vibes. Check out their album, Strange Pleasures, below. And you can go ahead and blame me if you end up curling up for a peaceful snooze afterward.

(Image via theguardian.com)

xo

Stephanie

Wild Belle

I already knew I loved Wild Belle but a few enchanting things happened last night on my birdie filled date to the Bowery Ballroom that seriously strengthened our relationship (I swear it's not one sided):
*First and foremost, they had a giant, sparkling disco ball hanging above them.
*Elliot looked like Elliot in his perfectly fitted suit, took center stage and quietly sang the swooning crowd "When It's Over." We definitely made eye contact.
*Natalie excitedly announced that they just released the official video for "Another Girl" that their  baby brother, Bennett Wade, directed. There's nothing quite like a double brother, plus a sister collaboration to tug at your heart strings.
*And then there were the overall soft yet perfectly raspy and a little bit sultry vocals from both Natalie and Elliot that instantly make you want to dance nonstop. Plus each instrument (hi, tambourine) was totally spot on.

Long story short....Wild Belle, I am a forever fan.

Dream Date: Gams, Girls, and Grainy

I feel so very, very strongly about these Tabitha Simmons shoes.

- Leigh

Image from a little known source, aka Alexa Chung's Instagram

What We Love Today: John Derian

Some great new pieces, now in stock.

Behold, the bathroom of my dreams.
But only if I had no stuff. And never needed a mirror.
And liked to imagine I lived in a mental institution, circa 1953.

Those floors. I die.

A cement (?) sink??! A kitchen lamp? Yes please.

And that's what I have to say about John Derian.

♥
Rony

Cats Waiting for Fishermen to Return

I love this. That is all.

xo

Rony

Via This is Colossal

What We Love Today: Small Things in Other Small Things

I have some serious hoarding tendencies. My poor little 5 year old son has inherited this unattractive trait - I noticed it yesterday when he refused to throw out a very ripped, crappy Thomas the Train birthday hat. Oy. Sorry kid. The best I can offer you is to teach you the joy of sweet, little containers in which to contain your treasures. Hoard away.

xo

Rony

Little Bear's Cups, $16 - hand made exclusively for Catbird