My Favorites this week + zucchini bread with a raw sugar crust that’s to die for!

It’s Sunday again if you can believe it! I’m joining my dear friends Mary Ann of  Classic Casual Home and Cindy of Rough Luxe to share our favorite finds of the week. My favorites typically include a recipe and this week since it’s mid-summer, it’s a recipe for a zucchini bread where you don’t need to wring out the zucchini (I used to avoid making zucchini bread because of this step) and it has a raw sugar crust that will leave you wondering why you haven’t always made it this way!

Yanyula Macrame & More

One of my favorite Etsy shops just reopened her shop after taking a short break! She’s back with gorgeous new macrame plant hangers in many sizes and other items like key chains and wall hangings. Yanyula’s work is beautiful and I love every piece I have received from her. The package arrives quickly from Poland! You can see her work in this post.

Mary Ann told me about this fun new app to use in Instagram stories. She found out about it from Melaine of My Sweet Savannah.

Garnet Hill Relaxed-Linen Tablecloth Collection

I’ve been using Garnet Hill’s linen sheets for years and only this year have I found out how beautiful their relaxed-linen table linens are and I’ve been mixing and matching all summer. You can see more in this post, this one and my latest one that looks like I’m easing on into fall!

A mood board for Madeline’s new bedroom

La Jolla Baskets and dip-dyed stool from Serena & Lily // Headboard, table lamp and pink chair from Urban Outfitters // Linen sheets from Garnet Hill // Paso Lumbar Pillow from Citizenry // Salt Lamp // M from Plyt from our trip to Copenhagen//Removable Wallpaper from Livette – Pink Moroccan Tile // Desk from Ikea

Madeline recently moved to a new apartment in Brooklyn. When I say new, of course, I mean new to her. The building was built in 1920, the same year as our house! We used many items from her former apartment in the living room and her bedroom, but because her bed no longer touches three walls, she has a little extra space for a desk. This is a big deal since she still has a roommate, they each work in their rooms. Who knows when they will return to work in the office. We found this petite desk at Ikea for around $60! We positioned the desk so that when she is on Zoom calls, her bed is not what is behind her in view. An exterior door (because her window does not have a fire escape) is opposite her desk. We decided to cover it in removable wallpaper from Livette. Madeline chose the Pink Moroccan Tile Pattern. It makes for a perfect backdrop that’s never crooked on the wall like a piece of art! (or is that just me that wants to fix everyone’s art when I walk into a room or see it in the background on a zoom call)!?

Dinner in French

I just got this book for my husband for our anniversary. Most of us wish we were able to travel again and France has been our favorite place to visit with our kids for the past few summers. We spend only a couple of days in Paris and most of the trip we spend in Biarritz. Nothing takes the place of actual travel, but food can come pretty close to feeling like you’re there, even just for a meal.  New York Times food writer Melissa Clark’s newest release shares contemporary takes on the classics. I can’t wait to see what Brent makes first!

The most delicious zucchini bread has a raw sugar crust

Zucchini Bread

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This recipe is adapted from Smitten Kitchen. The minute I read that you do not need to wring out the zucchini, I was on board! The addition of the turbinado sugar on top makes this moist cake even more delicious and memorable.

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups grated, packed zucchini, not wrung out, grated on the large holes of a box grater
• 2 large eggs
• 2/3 cup  melted unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, plus 1-3 drops Cinnamon Bark Essential oil (optional)
• 1/8 teaspoon ground or freshly grated nutmeg
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup turbinado sugar

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350º
2. Lightly coat a 9×5-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray. I also line it with parchment paper and then spray the parchment paper.
3. Place grated zucchini in a large bowl and add oil, eggs, sugars, vanilla, and salt. Mix together using a fork until combined. Sprinkle cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and baking powder over the batter and mix again.
4. Add flour and mix until just combined. Pour into prepared loaf pan and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar on top and be generous, it’s delicious!
5. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until a cake tester inserted into the middle, comes out clean.

Notes

When you think bread, you think crust. The raw or turbinado sugar on top makes the most delicious crust. Next I’m going to try muffins with a sugary top!

Make sure to stop by Classic Casual Home and Rough Luxe to see Mary Ann and Cindy’s five favorites today!