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sweet on berry scones and honey chai tea

By on April 23, 2012 in without an apron

The first time I visited New York City was with my grandparents when I was 12-years-old and my grandmother took me to the Plaza Hotel for high tea. I felt like a princess. What is it about little girls and tea time? Some things never change. My love for tea grew during the year I lived in England and it has become a sort of comfort for me. Sitting in a cozy chair with a book or watching a favorite TV show while sipping a hot cup of lavender earl gray or chai with milk and honey is the equivalent to a long brunch with a best friend – it just feels right. So naturally I’ve been spending a lot of time at Alice’s Tea Cup, a cozy little tea house three blocks from me on the Upper West Side started by two sisters with a love for all things tea. I’m embarrassed to admit that purchasing their delicious mixed berry scones and chai tea with milk and honey has become a weekend habit. In an effort to save a little money and a few blocks of walking – I’ve recreated this experience. Let’s have tea and scones together. :)

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zesty homemade pancakes

By on February 29, 2012 in diy projects, without an apron

I have a confession to make, well several confessions actually… 1. I am a grown woman who sometimes sleeps in until noon on a weekend morning. And I think that is fine. / 2. Since moving to New York I have severely neglected cooking for a variety of reasons {hence a lack of posts from Without An Apron – SORRY!} / 3. I am obsessed with breakfast – all of it – eggs, bacon, English muffins, pancakes, waffles, toast, bagels, bottomless cups of coffee. I think you get the picture. / 4. I’m not that great at flipping things – pancakes, omelets, etc. – as I think you’ll see below. / 5. I have always made pancakes using Bisquick until this weekend. I’m not sure I’ll ever make pancakes from Bisquick again. What a joke!

I think that’s it for now. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest, it is Lent after all. Well let’s get on with it. The truth is I slept in way late this weekend and was reading in bed until noon and then decided I wanted – no needed – pancakes, but I was too lazy to walk to the store. Instead, I decided to go the from-scratch route.

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gimme delicious

By on December 20, 2011 in collective efforts, shop talk, without an apron



Buying holidays gifts stresses me out. Fortunately, I’ve found that pretty much everyone loves fun stuff for the kitchen. Keeping that in mind, I’ve picked a few items that aren’t really staples, and therefore make wonderful gifts because you might not purchase them for yourself. It’s that kitchen accessory someone doesn’t even know they want, but they will. Happy gifting!

1// Eat Seasonal Print Set {“Summer” print shown above}
2// Modern Candelabra
3// Graphic Paper Placemats
4// Cheese Board / Cheese Markers / Cheese Knife Set
5// Tea Lovers Tea Kettle Continue Reading →

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quick thanksgiving sides by way of nyc

By on November 23, 2011 in diy projects, without an apron




Thanksgiving is peeking around the corner with beady turkey eyes, and if you’re a procrastinator like me you are very possibly still waiting on inspiration for side dishes. Or, perhaps you are still living with your friend in New York City in Harlem and are short on cash, hate walking a million blocks to the grocery store, are basically a vegetarian, and only have a sweet potato, green beans and a lemon to use to make dinner {hypothetically speaking, of course}. These next two recipes will solve either problem. Continue Reading →

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wine, pizza & the big apple

By on August 24, 2011 in around town, without an apron






Abby recently accepted a new job in New York City, so last night we decided to celebrate her upcoming move with one last hurrah at our favorite Dallas wine bar, Times Ten Cellars. After all, nothing says “Congrats and Good Luck!” quite like a bottle {or two} of Pinot Grigio and Scalini’s Pizza. But then again, that’s how we like to celebrate pretty much any and every occasion. If it ain’t broke…

Congratulations Abby!! We will miss you hugely, but can’t wait to see what’s in store for you and without an apron in NYC!

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mint grapefruit sorbet

By on July 22, 2011 in diy projects, without an apron




My father is really the cook in the Wambaugh household. He stores lists of ingredients in his head, adjusts and invents recipes like he’s breathing, and multitasks in the kitchen like a boss. So it should have come as no surprise to me when I called him up asking for his grapefruit sorbet recipe and he rattled it off to me like he just made it yesterday and not years ago. But, surprise! He got me again. Now without further ado, I present my dad’s recipe for grapefruit sorbet with refreshing mint infused in every bite. It’s a summer explosion in your mouth. Boom! Continue Reading →

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summer strawberry lime pie

By on June 7, 2011 in diy projects, without an apron




So here’s the thing – I live in Texas. Summers are hot as hell and Key Lime Pie is both refreshing and a crowd pleaser, but I’m a little over the graham cracker crust with cool whip topping so I decided to shake things up. The result is an inspiration from a Cherry Limeade dessert I once ate {where the filling was cherry and lime with a standard graham cracker crust} and my personal obsession with strawberry cake. This ain’t your mamma’s key lime pie or some cheap frozen alternative, both of which I have linked to should they be your preference, but it is easy, delicious and beautiful! Take it to your friend’s outdoor dinner party and please, have a glass of sangria for me. Continue Reading →

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the stand by

By on April 18, 2011 in without an apron

Everyone has {or should have} *that* recipe. You  know, the one that tastes delicious, isn’t too difficult to make and is infinitely adaptable? I have a few, but this one is at the top of the list. I don’t really have a name for it, but if you twisted my arm I’d say something like “Creamy Pasta with Peas,” because I almost always throw in some peas and it’s always got cream. So here we go. Continue Reading →

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a food flop fable

By on March 10, 2011 in without an apron


I’d like to tell you a story. One that begins with hand-shelling a cup of pistachios until my fingers ached, and ends with a crumbed mound of chocolate and pistachios.

Once upon a time, there was a bag of pistachios in my pantry calling my name, just begging to be a staple in a recipe. So I found what *appeared* to be a lovely and delicious recipe for chocolate pistachio biscotti. I had wanted to make biscotti for some time, and the picture of the green contrasted against the chocolate looked decadent. Continue Reading →

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a veggie shepherd’s pie that’s yummy

By on February 1, 2011 in without an apron

About a year ago I went in search for the perfect shepherd’s pie recipe, instead I got fed up with the recipes out there. The ones with meat were too meaty and bland. The vegetable ones I found always seemed to be lacking something or had a weird flavor. So I decided, for the first time, to make a recipe up on my own completely from scratch. I didn’t look at any other recipes. I just used what I wanted in my ideal shepherd’s pie, flavors I knew went well together, and knowledge from the failed recipes. What I came up with, if I do say so myself, was very tasty. Not bland, not traditional, but tasty. This is also a pretty healthy recipe for those of you with weight loss resolutions, and it’s a hearty vegetarian recipe. It can also easily be converted to gluten free if you use vegetable stock in the potatoes. Continue Reading →

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