photo inspiration

I'm getting ready to shoot my brother's band (www.endlessroadrock.com) in a few weeks, (well, hopefully, if I can get them all together at once!) Here are some images I'm looking at for inspiration in photographing the whole crew!

intermix finds

be sure to use the $50 Off Promo Code ( 50GIFT ) which can be used to purchase ANYTHING on their site!



grapevine pom scarf from intermix: $48

empire crystal bustier dress from intermix: $625

at-home-frappaccino

Ingredients:

1.5 cups of crushed iced

2-1 ounce shots of espresso *read below using coffee as a substitute

3/4 cup of milk

3 tbl. of sugar (more or less depending on preference)

*optional whipped cream in a can or freshly made and chocolate syrup

*If you don’t have an espresso machine, use 3/4 cup of double strength (strong) coffee mixed with 1/2 cup of milk and increased crushed iced amount by 1/4 cup.

Directions:

Blend all the ingredients except the whipped cream in a blender for 30-45 seconds. Pour into a tall glass and top off with whipped cream and garnish with chocolate syrup. Best served with a straw. Enjoy!

*Prepare everything the same as a regular Frappuccino (recipe above) except reduce sugar to 2 tbl. and add 2 tbl. of chocolate syrup. Enjoy!

**Other Variations**
*Use splenda, flavored coffee syrups, or flavored coffee creamers for a portion of the milk. For a richer beverage, use half and half, or heavy cream for a portion of the milk.

(via savorysweetlife.com)

baked crab cakes w/ cucumber/taragon emulsion

Baked Crab Cakes
1/4 Cup Bread Crumbs
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Freshly Chopped Parsley
1 Teaspoon Mustard Powder
1/8 Teaspoon Black Pepper
3 Teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons Melted Butter
1 Teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
1 Egg
1 Pound Fresh Lump Blue Crab
•DIRECTIONS:
1.Preheat oven to 375 Degrees F. Grease a baking sheet or line with foil.
2.Combine bread crumbs, baking powder, parsley, mustard powder, pepper and Old Bay Seasoning; set aside.
3.Stir together mayonnaise, butter, Worcestershire Sauce and egg until smooth.
4.Gently fold in crab meat, then gently fold in bread crumb mixture until well blended.
5.Shape mixture into 12 loose, heaping crab cakes and place onto prepared baking sheet.
6.Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes per side until golden brown.

Cucumber & Tarragon Sauce:
2 sprigs fresh tarragon, use leaves only, discard stems.
2 tbs. fruity olive oil (Spanish, Greek and Turkish Olive Oil)
1/2 c. cucumber water:
•1 English Cucumber, skin on, 1/2 tsp. salt, & Juice of one half lime
•Rough chop cucumber.
•Place in food processor with salt and lime juice.
•Pulse till cucumber bits are the size of rice grains
•Pour pulsed cucumber into a fine strainer positioned over a bowl. Let drain in
refrigerator 3-5 minutes.
•Retain strained water
--Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and mix till an emulsion forms
(Note: In a blender this will happen in a few seconds; in a processor it might take a few
minutes.)

personalized stationary DIY

What could be more personal than creating custom stationery for a special friend? By choosing specific paper colors, embellishments, and adding their name you are honoring their personality and creating a one-of-a-kind gift. A stationery set can be as simple as a collection of note cards and envelopes, but by adding other letter writing components like labels and pens, or personalizing the stationery with rubber stamps, you create something truly unique.

To take it over the top include a custom return address embosser plate – an easy and elegant way to add a return address to envelopes. Finally, be creative in your presentation – put all of your stationery items into an adorable suitcase, or organize them inside a linen folio.

Here are some things you might need:
• Flat cards & folded cards
• Envelopes
• 8.5″ x 11″ text paper
• Labels
• Stickers
• Pens
• Return address embosser plate
• Rubber stamps – try alphabet rubber stamps to add a name or monogram

Paper Source colors: chartreuse & pool

via the Paper Source blog

finds o' the day

link to gift tags via etsy

link to card via etsy

dessert....mmmmm

bake it pretty winter wonderland dessert table


babycakes cookbook

etsy finds

some fab handmade finds from etsy.com

“Amour D’arbre"

cashmere cape

Also, check out the Custom Portraits By EmmieBean

Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy, and celebration. the hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is the sweetest creation

check it: my etsy shop!!!!

sierra PRINT: Custom Printing & Design, specializing in Wedding and Event Invitations and Collateral

urban art Berlin-style

El Bocho - urban street artist from Berlin, Germany

check it: the Avett Bros.

If you don't know the Avett Bros., get to know them!!!!

Check the hootenanny section at the end, a kind of total freakout, in a good way!

yellow luv

diggin' on this dresser makeover from design*sponge:

poolside dessert table

I adore this Hamptons birthday dessert table form Amy Atlas (whose blog I recently discovered & absolutely luv!)

See more here

Cinnamon Pistachio Meringues

Cinnamon Pistachio Meringue (via Amy Atlas Designs)

4 large egg whites
1 cup sugar
1 pinch of cream of tartar
1 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
1 cup pistachio (chopped)


Preheat oven 175F

Over double boiler stir together egg whites, sugar and cream of tartar with a whisk until all the sugar granules are dissolved.

With an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, whip egg white mixture until stiff peaks form.

Fold in cinnamon powder with a rubber spatula.

Using a piping bag, pipe meringue mixture onto parchment lined baking sheets. Sprinkle chopped pistachio over meringue and put in oven at 175F for 40 to 45 minutes.

Peel baked meringue from parchment paper and store in airtight container or serve immediately!

Enjoy!
From Amy Atlas Designs: I can honestly say that these are the best meringues I have ever had. Let me just be clear, I have tasted a LOT of meringues! The recipe is really easy to follow with few ingredients and little preparation so even the novice baker will not be intimidated. If you need a simple recipe for baking and entertaining, this recipe should definitely be added to the recipe box!

tuesday faves

ae suede clutch

jcrew top (*check their whole site for some amazing fall finds: jcrew.com!)

calvin klein peep toe pump

Marc Jacobs clutch

Marc Jacobs Dr. Q_Remy bag

urban outfitter earing

free people flower headband