When someone asks me what my favorite sweet treat is, my answer is always macarons. French macarons are small round thin meringue-like cookies that are sandwiched together with some kind of filling. The meringue is what makes these cookies unique. They have a smooth, crisp shell and a moist, chewy interior. The fillings can be whatever you dream up from decadent sea salted caramel to buttercream frosting and everything in between.
Macarons are a French staple and if you happen to be in Paris (I\’ve never been, but it’s on my bucket list), you’ll have no trouble finding them at a bakery. Back here in the US, these delicious treats are growing in popularity, and take some searching to find – especially ones that are actually good.
While in New Orleans with my grandparents multiple years ago I tried my first macaron at Sucré. New Orleans is a French city, and Sucré has a pastry chef straight from Paris, therefore these little delicious wonders were as real as real gets. You can imagine it was love at first bite. From then until now I have tried macarons anytime I see them at a bakery, and nothing has come close to comparing. A couple years ago the guy I was dating went to Paris for a work trip and brought me back 12 of the most delicious macarons I have ever tasted. They were just like the ones I remember having when I was in NOLA, and since then that flavor, texture, and amazingness has never left my mind and I have been on the hunt for a real macaron since. Naturally when I heard of a place called “Le Detroit Macaron” I knew I would have to make the trek out to their shop.
Straight from the Le Detroit Macaron website, it says “Anyone who knows their history, knows that Detroit, at its beginning, was French. Le Detroit Macaronby pays homage and respect to that beginning.” The website also states that they use traditional, French macaron method that results in a firm outer-shell with soft insides.
Le Detroit Macaron ONLY sells macarons, and when your specialty is one thing you better know what you’re doing, and guess what – THEY DO. You guys, it was love at first bite – the macarons tasted amazing, and were actually FRESH!! There are a couple of local bakeries that sell macarons with so much potential – however, they freeze theirs which ruins the taste completely. Le Detroit Macarons fulfilled all of my macaron dreams. Hamtramck is about an hour away from me and worth every minute of that drive to get these delicious little treats.
If you want to taste a traditional macaron, and feel like you’re in a dainty little Paris shop for just a moment – I highly recommend going to Le Detroit Macaron.
From their traditional flavors, my favorites are Almond, Lemon Zest, Fruity Pebbles and Creme Brûlée.
Price: $2.75 each
You can also get custom 5 ($12) or 10 ($24) macaron boxes.
Bon Appétit
On March 7th, my best friend Brian lost his battle with cancer and passed away. Brian and I had been friends for twenty plus years, and throughout that time he dealt a lot with my confidence issues. He worked hard to make me see the positives instead of the negatives in life. That being said, you can imagine how much love and light he brought into my life. Now that he\’s gone I am on my own to keep myself from falling into negative self-talk. One thing I have decided to do is write small aspirations on sticky notes and place them on my mirror. Since I look in the mirror first thing in the morning while I am getting ready I have noticed that they have definitely made an impact on how I begin my day. That\’s why I wanted to add some light into your life by sharing 15 small everyday aspirations.
15 Small Aspirations
1. Smile a lot
2. Be happy
3. Step outside of your comfort zone
4. Discover a new workout class
5. Be passionate
6. Show love
7. Value nature
8. Be a goal digger
9. Laugh a lot
10. Compliment others
11. Be happy
12. Find the good
13. Careless about others acceptance
14. Reduce overthinking
15. Think \”Yes I can\”
Where my single ladies at? This one is for you! I started writing this article in December, and was going to throw it at you in January and get all cheesy about how we make resolutions for so many things in our lives, why not resolve in matters of the heart. Then, I decided to step back from that aspect, at least the whole new years resolution cheesy part of it. If 2018 wasn’t your year in the relationship department, maybe 2019 is the time to refocus on you and what your heart needs. Here are seven tips that will help open yourself up to finding love.
1. Start with yourself Write down all the good qualities you have as a mate and all your bad qualities. Pick two good qualities you want to improve that would make you even more attractive to potential mates. Now pick two negative qualities you can reduce or eliminate that will make you more attractive. I will give you two personal examples: my good quality is I am very caring and like to do little things for people that matter to me. My biggest negative quality is I have body image issues and constantly call myself “fat”, and dismiss compliments.
2. Get off the dating apps and sites Relationship sites claim that one in five relationships start online. That means four in five start offline. Follow the offs and get out there. Expanding your social circle, taking new workout classes…etc will increase your chances of finding that special someone.
3. Clean up your living space Prepare your space with the intent that you’re getting it ready to entertain a potential partner. If your space is dirty and cluttered, it conditions your mind to think that your space is not ready for someone and gives you the excuse not to meet potential suiters.
4. Get rid of things that remind you of your ex…. thank you, next! Your ex is an ex for a reason, if reminders are around they will trigger your mind to think about your ex instead of shifting your focus to meeting someone new and wonderful.
5. Know the qualities you want in a potential mate Make a list of things you want and stick to it. Don’t waver your desires or compromise for someone just for the sake of being in a relationship. Wait for Mr. Right and not Mr. Right Now.
6. It’s okay to be single Being hard on yourself because you are single manipulates you into feelings of despair. Forgiving yourself creates hope for what’s to come and eventually feelings of happiness. Positive vibes are far more attractive than negative ones, so be kind to yourself.
7. Read the book The Five Love Languages (singles edition) by Gary Chapman Learn what your love language is so you know what you require in a relationship.
8. Listen Most people love to talk, but few are really good listeners. When you pay close attention, you can learn so much about someone.
Broadway In Detroit today announced the seven remarkable Broadway productions that will share the spotlight in Broadway In Detroit’s 2019-20 Subscription Season – headlined by pop culture phenomenon Dear Evan Hansen, winner of six 2017 Tony® Awards including Best Musical and the 2018 Grammy® Award for Best Musical Theatre Album!
Rodgers + Hammerstein\’s The Sound of Music is coming to the Fox Theatre and I want to hook one lucky winner up with a Family 4-Pack of Tickets! Scroll to enter! This is one show you won\’t want to miss!
The Sound of Music will be in town for three performances from Saturday, April 13 through Sunday, April 14. The spirited, romantic and beloved musical story of Maria and the von Trapp Family will once again thrill audiences with its Tony®, Grammy® and Academy Award® winning Best Score, including “My Favorite Things,” “Do-Re-Mi,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Edelweiss” and the title song.
The Sound of Music features music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse, suggested by “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp.
The Sound of Music enjoyed extraordinary success as the first live television production of a musical in over 50 years when “The Sound of Music Live!” aired on NBC in December, 2013 and was seen by over 44 million people. 2015 marked the 50th anniversary of the film version, which continues to be the most successful movie musical in history.