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Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Urban Legend Jewelry
These baubles by urban legend look so scrumptious, I could eat them. They're made from vintage lucite beads, and at only $25 a pop, they'd make perfect Christmas gifts! (hint, hint!)
Monday, November 28, 2011
Thanksgiving Glimpse
I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving! We certainly enjoyed ours. For the first time ever, we didn't have to travel for a major holiday, and that was wonderful. Cory and I hosted a small dinner at our house for my parents, Annie, Chris, and Marshall.
For the table design, I wanted to avoid the traditional colors of the season, they've never been my favorite. I decided to go with a muted palette of dark charcoal gray, gold, eggplant, red, and light blue. The produce section at my grocery store inspired the centerpiece, and I got the idea for the cornucopia napkins and the turnip root candles from Martha Stewart.
Here's a look at the table!
Source list:
Centerpiece: purple cabbage, radicchio, pomegranates, turnip root, cranberries, and radishes
Gold leaves: floral pick from Michael's
Tablecloth: TJMaxx
Clear blue goblets: Pier One
Light blue goblets: vintage
White dinner plates: Pottery Barn
Bronze flatware: vintage
Ribbon: Martha Stewart
Ombre napkins: Heart of Light's wedding sale, purchased here
And we mustn't forget about the food! We kept the meal pretty simple and divided up the dishes. I made the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and roasted vegetables. Annie made the stuffing, cranberry sauce, and squash. My mom made the rolls and dessert (a fabulous raspberry pie).
I was thrilled to get almost everything I needed for my portion from our local organic grocer, Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery, including a turkey from a nearby farm! I prepared the turkey according to Martha Stewart's instructions, and it turned out perfect, moist and flavorful. The roasted vegetables might have been my favorite dish... just check out those gorgeous carrots! They were the carrots of my dreams... yellow, red, and purple, young and tender, and as sweet as candy.
For the table design, I wanted to avoid the traditional colors of the season, they've never been my favorite. I decided to go with a muted palette of dark charcoal gray, gold, eggplant, red, and light blue. The produce section at my grocery store inspired the centerpiece, and I got the idea for the cornucopia napkins and the turnip root candles from Martha Stewart.
Here's a look at the table!
Centerpiece: purple cabbage, radicchio, pomegranates, turnip root, cranberries, and radishes
Gold leaves: floral pick from Michael's
Tablecloth: TJMaxx
Clear blue goblets: Pier One
Light blue goblets: vintage
White dinner plates: Pottery Barn
Bronze flatware: vintage
Ribbon: Martha Stewart
Ombre napkins: Heart of Light's wedding sale, purchased here
And we mustn't forget about the food! We kept the meal pretty simple and divided up the dishes. I made the turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and roasted vegetables. Annie made the stuffing, cranberry sauce, and squash. My mom made the rolls and dessert (a fabulous raspberry pie).
I was thrilled to get almost everything I needed for my portion from our local organic grocer, Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery, including a turkey from a nearby farm! I prepared the turkey according to Martha Stewart's instructions, and it turned out perfect, moist and flavorful. The roasted vegetables might have been my favorite dish... just check out those gorgeous carrots! They were the carrots of my dreams... yellow, red, and purple, young and tender, and as sweet as candy.
Annie's lovely Ginger-Pear Cranberry Sauce, recipe here.
Mom's scrumptious crescent rolls, recipe here.
And the day was made complete by the sounds of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the soothing voice of John O'Hurely, commenting on fastidiously prancing purebreds.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Wedding Weekend
Sorry for the lack of posting this week... I have a good excuse, though! My little sister is getting married this Saturday, and it is a major DIY wedding. Which means that as you read this, I will be slicing meat. And frosting the wedding cakes. And hanging every type of decorative orb ever made from the rafters.
While I do that, here's some of our inspiration photos. I'll be back on Monday with a recap! If I survive, that is.
While I do that, here's some of our inspiration photos. I'll be back on Monday with a recap! If I survive, that is.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Weekend Glimpse
This is actually from the weekend before last... I do much better posting regularly when I'm gone and have to write them in advance. ;-D
We were in Baltimore for a convention for Cory, the wild and wonderful FaerieCon. We'd never been before, so we didn't know what to expect, but we ended up having a fabulous time. It ended up being quite a success; we had boatloads of fun and made lots of new friends.
We were in Baltimore for a convention for Cory, the wild and wonderful FaerieCon. We'd never been before, so we didn't know what to expect, but we ended up having a fabulous time. It ended up being quite a success; we had boatloads of fun and made lots of new friends.
I got into the spirit and had my face painted for one of the masquerade balls. I also got copper tinsel woven in my hair, which is my new obsession (that's not it pictured above, just some crazy long gold earrings).
Though my attempt at dressing up paled in comparison to the rest of the attendees, who went out all out. While there were certainly plenty of girls wearing corsets who shouldn't have, most of the costumes were lovely and tasteful, like the ice queen above.
Concerts every night, with my favorite band being Dehli 2 Dublin. They were off the hook amazing and so much fun. Unfortunately their recorded tracks don't compare to the live performance, but at least we have the memory.
After the convention, we visited with Cory's awesome great aunt and uncle, who live in the area. They showed us a fantastic time, and we miss them already!
Sunset on the north Chesapeake Bay.
Metallic gold loafers and cobblestones, at the amazing Brandywine Museum.
Last but not least, Cory on a gigantic chair. Why not!
Not pictured:
- Wegmans! All other grocery stores fail to compare.
- room service
- miles and miles of driving
- N.C. Wyeth's studio
- relaxing
- butterfly wings
- cats happy to see us home
- a friend's wedding!
- early morning wedding flowers
- long bike ride into the dusk
- Thanksgiving scheming
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Autumn Place Settings
I can't believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner! I'll be hosting a small dinner this year, and have been planning my tablescape. I haven't nailed down the place settings yet, but here's some lovely examples I've been inspired by...
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Lost Type Fonts
Even though I'm not a graphic designer, I've become quite interested in fonts and have started a little collection just for my personal use. Thanks to a head's up from How About Orange, I've been enjoying the lovely fonts of Lost Type. They put out beautiful high-quality fonts with a pay-what-you-want model. HINT: type a "0" in the amount box to get the font for free (since they state this helpful hint on the checkout, I guess it's ok. ;-D)
Take a look at Lost Type's lovely offerings, here are a few of my favorites...
Take a look at Lost Type's lovely offerings, here are a few of my favorites...
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Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Pumpkin Cake Bars
Pumpkin Cake Bars
adapted from Paula Deen's recipe
Bars:
4 eggs
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
15 oz. can pumpkin
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
Frosting:
8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. butter, softened
3 - 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
Beat together the eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt and baking soda. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix at low speed until thoroughly combined and the batter is smooth. Spread the batter into a greased 13x10 inch pan (for thick bars) or in a greased jelly roll pan (for thin bars). Bake for 18 (thin bars) to 30 minutes (thick bars). Let cool completely before frosting.
Whip the cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, mix in vanilla. Add the confectioner's sugar 1 cup at a time, and mixing at low speed, until the desired consistency is reached. Spread on cooled pumpkin bars. Enjoy!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Collections: Indoor Forts
When I was a kid, I just adored making a fort inside. There was nothing better than snuggling up with a good book in a warm little cave. This chilly weather has led me to rekindle my love for indoor forts... I'm not too old to stack the couch cushions up and throw a blanket over top.
