Fancy Cakes

Speaking of baking... How cool are these edible image transfers for cakes from Ticings? I think I'll order some come payday. These could make for some sweet looking cupcakes.

Yummmmmmmm.

Baking Fest

I was lucky enough to get a new Kitchen Aid mixer (in red) this weekend and all I can think about are the delish things that I am going to bake!

First up on the list is Zucchini Bread and "Healthy" Cookies.

I need to control my caloric intake... so I'm trying to pick semi-healthy recipes.

If you need any ideas, check out 101 Cookbooks. I am obsessed with this recipe blog. I'm making a soup from here tonight and I'm pretty sure it's going to be amazing.

Time for me to get off work and grocery shop! Happy Monday.

Photos from 101 Cookbooks

Thanksgiving Recap

Ten people, 3 dogs, and about 5 pounds of mashed potatoes (among other things)... and everything turned out so great!

I will definitely be making some more pies.. and soon. They were amazing. As was the Butternut Squash Bread Pudding. I wish there was more leftover!

Above are some pictures of the festivities.

Happy Birthday DB

It's my love's birthday today, so I wanted to dedicate a little post to him. I can't wait until next weekend when we go on our birthday surprise adventure. One hint: 5 diamond. That's all I can say for now. ;)

Photo by Cubagallery on Flickr

Happy Thanksgiving!

Almost off work and then it's time to start cooking!

Here's a little list of things I'm thankful for this year:

* My family, friends, and DB
* My wonderful apartment and neighborhood
* The feast that we'll be having tomorrow
* Sunshine
* Jasper!

Spirograph Wedding

Remember Spirographs? These things that I think everyone had when they were kids. At least I know I did...

This wedding used a spirograph theme and I think it's fabulous! Check out that table runner. I think it's embroidered?

Love the invites too.

And the color palette is lovely. Just lovely.

Pictures via Design*Sponge

Fall Table Inspiration

Yikes. Thanksgiving is tomorrow! Busy day coming up. I found this lovely fall table arrangement that I'd like to share with you. If we had persimmons readily available in CO, I would totally use them as decoration. And them eat them. :)

Photos via 100 Layer Cake

Fall Craft: Gourds

I finally got my gourds done Sunday! I love them. They're not as perfect as I would have liked... but I'm telling myself that it's OK because they're earthy and organic they're allowed to have some imperfections. :)

I got the idea from Martha and I thought it would be great since I wanted to do a festive Thanksgiving table.

All the instructions are on her website, but some tips I'd suggest if you do this yourself are...
1. Buy tinted primer. Gourds have lots of imperfections and spots and things so if the primer is gray it makes for better coverage. 2. If you're making bowls, find someone who has a real saw.. like a band saw or an electric saw of some sort. I used a handsaw which was a challenge. 3. Wear latex gloves. I got so many layers of primer and paint on my hands that I had to wash them with gasoline. (Not recommended). 4. An electric sander is helpful. Sooo glad my dad has one. 5. Patience is key. (not one of my best qualities). It takes forever for these guys to dry, so I ended up hanging some from my dad's car and I even hung a big one in a tree.

So here are some pics from start to finish. I will probably post more after Thanksgiving so you can see the little "gourd vignettes" that I created around the living/dining room. I plan to use the small gourds as place cards for the guests.

Overall, it's a fun project. But quite messy and time consuming. I'm actually sore today. Haha.

And we're back...

The trip was way too short! It was still worth it though. Our hotel was incredible.. probably the best hotel I've stayed in. Be sure to check it out if you're in the bay area. The location was prime and the views were amazing! I loved the design of the place too. Lots of special details like dried lavender on all the room number plaques and lots of bamboo. Oh yeah, and best mini bar ever. Usually I'm not even tempted.. but when they put in the organic snacks in the fancy packages it's hard to stay away.

The farmer's market at the Embarcadero is my favorite place! It's very similar to the market my sis took me to in Melbourne. Queen Victoria Market, I think? I would have been happy to sample food all day Saturday. I wanted to buy some of the delish produce.. but I didn't think it would last on the plane.

Above are a few photos and I'll put the rest on facebook. Someday I need to re-sign up for Flickr...

Away we go!

Tomorrow morning we're off to San Francisco for the weekend. Don's company is having a party at this sweet place, Hotel Vitale.

I wish we had time to explore the area a bit, but we're only there one night.

I'd love to go back to Napa. Taste some more wine, eat some cheese (ok. A LOT of cheese)... sounds awesome. I read this blog today about Napa weddings. "There are so many styles and ideas that you can take from a Napa wedding and apply to just about any style…the laid back elegance, the warm color palettes, the intimate ambiance...The Napa Valley vibe is all about effortless elegance."

I'll come back with pictures to share.

Happy weekend!

Graphic Exchange

This website has a great collection of design work on it. I suggest you check it out. :) Just be ready to explore for a while.



Awesome Photo by cubagallery

Interiors from this blog

Pretty Pottery by Gleena Ceramics

1 Week till Thanksgiving

The countdown is officially on. Here is a collection of the recipes I'll be making. (Partially for your enjoyment... partially for me to organize my thoughts so that I don't freak out next week when I realize how much stuff I have to make).

Turkey. Sigh. I have never made one before in my life and I'm slightly grossed out (ok, really grossed out) by these instructions... "Rinse turkey inside and out, then pat dry. Fold neck skin under body. Starting at large cavity end of turkey, gently slide your fingers between skin and flesh of breast and legs to loosen skin, being careful not to tear skin." But, I'm determined to make a turkey for my guests, even though I'll be passing on the eating part. I found this recipe from Gourmet and it looks fabulous. If I did eat turkey, I'd think I'd like this. :)

Chestnut Stuffing. I made it last year and it was a lot of work, but totally worth it. This year I'm determined to do some more research on chestnuts and how to easily peel them. I'll put that on the to-do list. Here is the recipe from my friend Martha.

Butternut Squash Bread Pudding. I'm obsessed with butternut squash lately. I've had this recipe bookmarked since like September, in anticipation for the big day. So excited for the cheesy, buttery goodness. It's supposed to be a vegetarian main dish, but we're using it as a side. Recipe from Bon Apetit. Oh and sister is making it. Thank goodness. One less thing for me to. Thank you, sister. :)

Garlic Mashed Potatoes. These are amazing. This isn't the recipe that I usually use, but I think I will make the gravy that's listed. Yay vegetarian gravy.

Apple Pie. Pecan Pie. Pumpkin Pie. Recipes here. Self Explanatory, I think. Martha makes good pies, so I'm going with her again this year. They will all be made with gluten-free crusts (Thank you, Whole Foods) since we have 2 gluten intolerant guests.

Oh, and we're having a cocktail hour too, with martinis and my famous Spinach/Artichoke dip. And probably shrimp cocktail. And there will be more food for the actual "dinner" part ... I'm just not making it. (Thank you for helping, family).

I'm tired already... and hungry. :)

Delightful DIY

Rumor has it that I'm getting a sewing machine for Christmas... I sure hope I do *hint hint* because I would love to make some of these pillows. I just discovered Etsy's handmade blog, The Storque. The instructions to make this lovely can be found here!

Here Comes the Sun

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun and I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right

Oh, this is such a happy song. I have always loved it, but especially now because my spinning instructor plays it when class is over. It's a celebration because a. class is over and b. I'm still alive. :)




Photo from The Image is Found

Drawings

I'm loving the intricate lines and details in these drawings by Berlin artist Meyoko. Makes me want to do some drawing. But I'd have to have some free time for that, and right now that's not really an option...

Check out her website for the full effect. These small pictures don't do them justice.

Etsy Loves

Here's some of my Etsy favorites for your enjoyment.

KG + AB
Ok. Official favorite. Just look at those "Bears in Love". And there's a porcelain owl on their site as well. :)

Brookyln Rehab
All kinds of sweet stuff.. including custom napkin ring holders and little wooden signs.

The Black Spot Books
Book necklace?! Brilliant.

Santoki Vintage
I have had a leather bomber jacket on the brain for at least a year now, but this vintage hooded jacket is pretty awesome as well.