The Clothes that Got Away

I still think about a black cropped jumpsuit I tried on early last year. I was at a Macy's in Los Angeles looking for an outfit to wear for a TV shoot I had scheduled the next day, when I spotted this on the rack and decided to try it on, too. It was definitely not something I could wear for the TV thing, but it caught my eye and I figured it couldn't hurt to see what it would look like on me.

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3 Must-Try Recipes for 2018 (+1 to Avoid)

I've never been much for major resolutions, but I do love setting small and frequent challenges for myself. I find that those little goals are not only more immediately attainable, but they often have a way of adding up and leading to much bigger accomplishments, one small step at a time. Even more importantly, it's often the act of trying one simple thing that can teach you lessons to help you in other aspects of your life.

With that in mind, I've put together a brief list of 3 easy recipes you should try to add to your culinary repertoire this year (plus one you should eliminate completely). Whether you're looking to entertain more, save money, or eat more quality meals at home, the following recipes will help you approach 2018 on the right foot.

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Basically a Brownie Cake

This one-pot deep dark chocolate cake is my favorite kind of cake. Simple. Elegant. Easy and unfussy, yet somehow dramatic, memorable, craveable. The recipe is essentially a brownie recipe (hence the name), though the results are a little more delicate than a proper brownie. Think of it as the ultimate, fudgiest brownie that is better eaten with a fork than straight out of your hand.

I think of this one as a perfect dinner party cake because it hits my three dinner party dessert requirements:

1. It's best made a day or two in advance (though you can certainly eat it a few hours after baking, too!).

2. It's unfussy to make, but incredibly easy to dress up into an elegantly impressive celebration dessert. Dust the top with some powdered sugar and sprinkle of edible flowers. Or add a sweep of creme fraiche and a mountain of fresh berries. If you really want a showstopper, bake two then layer with whipped ganache frosting.

3. And finally, it is rich in flavor, but still light enough to not overwhelm after a big meal.

What more could you ask for? 

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