Being Bridget

My family and I have always loved playing games. Everything from Bananagrams to What Do Meme and of course, my beloved Rummikube keeps us entertained and laughing together often. During these last few months of quarantine, when we haven’t been able to do the social things we normally do like go to restaurants or mingle with friends, we have all been grateful to have a game {or two} to play together to take our minds off what’s going on around us. Enter in these precious playing cards from Fort 52. These cards feature custom watercolor images specific to each decks locale – being from New Orleans I obviously love the New Orleans and Louisiana packs, but find the Texas and Dallas decks so special and sweet too!

Wouldn’t these make an amazing stocking stuffer? Or hostess gift? Or perhaps even something to give your bridesmaids or wedding party? The options are endless really! I love how personal and unique they are.

The girls at Fort 52 were kind enough to give Being Bridget readers a discount code! Use code BB15 for 15% off now through the end of November.

available here

I’ve had trouble finding pants that fit me properly my entire life. At 13 I was inches above the rest of my class and felt very alone in my struggle. There wasn’t a single kids store that offered any jeans or pants with a ‘long’ inseam. In some cases, if you were lucky, you may be able to find something ‘petite’ but even that was rare. Luckily I went to a school with a uniform so I didn’t have to worry too terribly much about finding a pair that fit because I rarely wore play clothes except for on the weekends. With 4 brothers, I was into sports and a bit of a tomboy, so didn’t mind wearing soccer shorts and leggings. Anyway, it wasn’t really until college when I found a pair of jeans that really worked for me. They were from a collaboration the supermodel Karlie Kloss did with Frame denim and the inseams were all crazy long! Even for me! I remember saving up all my money to buy a pair of the flares {which I still own to this day!} It sounds so trivial, but to finally find a pair of pants that fit properly after so many years felt really amazing. It was such a confidence booster for me.

Since then, the fashion industry has come a long way and brands have started realizing that we women aren’t all built the same. There are options now for tall, short, curvy, petite. You name it, there is a jean somewhere out there for you. Finding jeans and pants that fit me has become so much easier! My favorite brands? Mother, J.Brand, and AG for sure. Madewell also has an entire section on their site devoted to ‘tall‘ and ‘taller‘ women’s denim!

While I finally lucked out in the jean department, ski pants on the other hand was a whoooole other story. For years I wore a baggy pair of mens ski pants because they were the only thing I could find that were long enough. It was only last year that I stumbled upon this pair from Obermeyer. They are perfection. Slim in the leg, but with a long inseam, I had finally found ski pants that fit like a dream! If you are tall like me, these ski pants are the answer to your long awaited ski pant prayers. The only small catch is that they run small, so size up! I am wearing the 4LONG. Oh – and if you aren’t as tall as me, these ski pants also come in a short and regular inseam too! They’re so flattering, so I recommend them no matter your height!

A few years ago, I visited my sister in California and she had these cookies sitting on a plate on her counter. I’m not typically much of a cookie person, but something about these cookies looked absolutely irresistible. As it turns out, they did not disappoint and I soon found out they were actually dropped off by my sister’s good friend Nicky. Apparently Nicky’s mom, Barbara {hence the name!} has made them for years – often for when friends and family members get married.

Fast forward 5 years, and I’ve now made these cookies countless of times – often for when friends get married or have babies. I love that they are so often enjoyed when celebrating something so special. They’re a cookie worthy of it!

Anyway, I’m so grateful that Barbara and Nicky have graciously allowed us to share this cookie recipe with you all – it deserves all the love and attention it can get! My only request is that when you print or bookmark this recipe, please save it as ‘Barbara’s Gingersnaps ‘ 🙂 Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter (room temperature)
• 1 cup sugar, plus more for rolling
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg (unbeaten)
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1.5 tsp ground ginger

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Combine flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger in a small bowl
3. Cream butter and sugar in an electric mixer until light and fluffy
4. Add egg and beat until mixed
5. Add molasses and beat until mixed
6. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until combined
7. You can chill the dough here if you want, but I never do – too impatient! 
8. I use a medium cookie scoop (probably about two tablespoons) and make a ball of dough and roll in white sugar
9. I bake on silpat {this one is also awesome!} or parchment lined cookie sheets for 12 minutes (original range given 10 – 15 minutes depending on oven).  I like mine to be crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. 
10. Cool on a wire rack