Pinterest has kept me busy!

I have hardly been blogging lately and it has been breaking my heart. A few months ago I discovered {Pinterest} and have been hooked! Rather than blogging about the awesome things I find out there, I have been "pinning" them like crazy! In a short period of time, I have created 50+ boards and over 1600 pins!

If you have not heard of Pinterest, it is essentially a place catalog and share visual bookmarks. Rather than keeping a list of URLs to cool things you want to refer back to, taking screenshots or saving images to your desktop, Pinterest allows you to not only save of the images, but it also keeps the link to the original site from which you found it should you need to refer back as needed. The best part is the ability to categorize and organize the pins into different "boards" that are labeled (ie. For the Home or Wedding Ideas). You can connect with your friends who are using Pinterest and that has been the most fun, learning so much about someone from seeing the things they love! If you have not already done so, sign up and start pinning!

If you are interested in seeing the things I love, check out my boards {here}.

The coolest part has been seeing how many things people have actually pinned straight off of my blog! Check that out {here}.

Pin·terest (pĭn'trĭst): n. a social catalog to collect and share things you love

Pin·board (pĭn·bôrd): n. a visual collection of things you love

Pin (pĭn): n. an item you post to a pinboard

Re·Pin (rē·pĭn): v. to post another person's pin to your own pinboard

XOXO Workshop!

Today, while checking out my one of my favorite blogs, {Sweet Tooth: Dessert Meets Design}, I came across the XOXO Workshop photoshoot. This gorgeous and beautifully coordinated event was set up as a collaborative project with several vendors for {Emily Steffen} photography workshop. I love it all - it is a perfect balance of rustic and contemporary. My favorite part is the hanging Xs and Os and photos from the old wooden ladder. It all ties together so wonderfully from invitations to décor and desserts!

Cupcake Topping Bar via {Green Wedding Shoes}

One of my favorite blogs, {Green Wedding Shoes}, posted an awesome idea! A cupcake topping bar! I have seen ice cream/frozen yogurt bars and cupcakes have become such a hit lately that I think this is a great twist on that to make it unique. Nicely done {Enjoy Cupcakes}! Check out all of their impressive 129 flavors!

3-Ring Circus Baby Shower

I have definitely seen a lot of beautiful and creative baby shower ideas, but this one is just something else! Such a fun theme, so creative, and well done...down to every small detail! The concept of a {3-Ring Circus} with this adorable couple expecting a baby is too perfect :)

EAT DRINK PRETTY Dessert Table

Ok, so clearly I absolutely LOVE dessert tables as you can tell. Here is yet another beautiful spread by {Eat Drink Pretty} found at {Style Me Pretty}. From the plates, cake stands and vases to the the desserts and the use of flowers...it is so elegant. I love the vintage touch :) This table was done in celebration of Eat Drink Pretty's blogiversary!

Bridal Shower Dessert Table!

I had the pleasure of designing Bridal Shower invitations, design elements throughout the shower, and of course my favorite part...baking for and putting together the Dessert Table :) This was a great experience, a first for me, doing much more than just cupcakes. It was a lot of work...I think I am still recovering and trying to catch up on rest...but it was well worth it. Congrats Kristina! Can't wait for the wedding!

The New Mr. & Mrs. McElveny

A few weeks ago I wrote about the {dessert table} I did for my good friends Natalie & Garret's wedding on the beautiful Central Coast. These GORGEOUS amazing photos were taken by {Jake}, Necia and Steven of {Mike Larson Photography}. Jake and Necia also shot their {engagement pictures} a while back. Natalie and Garret's eye for beautiful design and talent was evident throughout. From the arch at the ceremony that was designed and built by Garret himself, to all the awesome DIY aspects of the reception. Their style and their love came through crystal clear that day :) It was one AWESOME party as usual guys!

Anyone who just got engaged, getting married, or want pictures taken for any other reason...I would highly recommend them...however my recommendation is not really as important as what the photos themselves say about their skill and talent! Yet another beautiful wedding captured guys :)

Natalie & Garret's Wedding Dessert Table :)

So this was my first time doing a dessert table set-up for a wedding :) What better than doing it for the wedding of a close friend!

With beautiful table runners made by the bride's mother, awesome DIY cake stands and framed chalkboards made by the bride herself, San Luis Obispo's Cowboy Cookies, a delicious chocolate cake from Claim Jumper that I decorated with flowers, and 188 cupcakes I made and decorated myself...it all came together nicely in the end :) I had so much fun baking and decorating all of them then finding a way to arrange the whole table to make it all work together. Made me really want to do this for a living...ah...someday :)

The beautiful photographs were taken by {Jake and Necia Odening} from {Mike Larson Photography}. They do incredible work - check back in a few days for some gorgeous photos taken from the whole wedding!

Frosting Practice for Wedding Cupcakes!

A close friend of mine is getting married at the end of the month and I am so excited! Obviously I am excited for them to be embarking on their lifelong journey together, but I am also excited to be making the cupcakes for the reception! The cupcake recipe was set and we were discussing the frosting, both of us agreeing that regular buttercream frosting is pretty sub-par. After some research, she came across a recipe for {Swiss Buttercream} on one of my favorite blogs {Smitten Kitchen}. Though we are going to experiment with adding some flavor, I made my first attempt at making Swiss Buttercream and it was a success! Mmmmm buttery goodness :)

DIY Cake Stands

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that I found this {tutorial} linked off of {Design*Sponge} I can't wait to actually do this. I went out today and found some cool glasses to use for the base, now I need to find the perfect plates to top them with. My friend Natalie and I also hit up the San Luis Obispo Swap Meet this morning and here is what I was excited to find:

Stay tuned to see what I decided to do with this old window frame. So cool!

Persimmon Cookies

A few weeks ago I made these cookies to take to work and they seemed to be a real success. For those who were asking for the recipe...here it is:

Persimmon Cookies
1 cup Persimmon pulp
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup raisins (optional)
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and mix with the persimmon pulp and add it to the butter and sugar mixture. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and spices together and sift into the batter. Add nuts (and optional raisins). Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

My New Baby & Holiday Baking!

Here is my new baby! I am now the proud owner of a brand new "green apple" KitchenAid stand mixer! Here is the start of our journey together ~ a little holiday baking.

Baby Shower! Cupcakes! Decorations! Sewing!

So, last weekend was my friend's baby shower - it was amazing! This was also my friend {Natalie} and my first attempt at doing a dessert spread - A few different kinds of beautifully decorated cupcakes, brownie pops, and fruit skewers. Many props go to our friend Tabitha, for her amazing decorating skills - it looked wonderful down to every little detail: the hanging onesies, the cute drink buckets, the appetizer table, the chalkboard, the small vases wrapped with beautiful ribbon, the stylish paper chains, the adorable "about to hatch" egg timer favors for everyone, and much, much more! Check out the handmade elephant stuffed animal and handmade flannel burp clothes made by our friend {Tricia}.

Below is the gift I sewed for the guest of honor ~ a nursing cover!

Amy Atlas Events!

I am completely inspired by the work of {Amy Atlas Events}. As more and more people are moving away from traditionally 3-tier wedding cakes and individual favors, candy/dessert tables are becoming very popular. Amy Atlas Events definitely takes the *cake* on this - she does it all from weddings to themed parties. They believe that a party should be an expression of you - so they get to know their clients before planning a party perfect for them. Though they are known for their dessert tables, they are able to create the overall aesthetic for a party and will plan your special event from beginning to end! They believe that the one hosting the party should get to enjoy it as well, which is why they strive to make the process effortless for the client. They have a wonderful sense of style and attention to detail that I always look for. It is all of this that has given them the reputation as being the most sought after event planning company in New York City.

Gatnabour a.k.a. Milk/Rice Pudding

This is one of my favorite Armenian desserts! Gatnabour is our version of a milk and rice pudding. It is absolutely delicious and worth a try even if you are unsure...

Ingredients:
4 cups milk
2 cups water
1 cup Calrose, short grain rice
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons orange blossom water

Garnish: Finely chopped or ground pistachios

Directions:
In a pot, combine the milk and water and bring to a boil. Rinse the rice and add it to the milk and water mixture. Reduce the heat, stirring frequently until the rice is thoroughly cooked and the mixture has thickened. It is important to keep stirring in order to prevent the mixture from clumping or sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Add sugar, vanilla, lemon zest, and orange blossom water. Mix thoroughly, remove from the heat and immediately pour into individual cups or one large bowl.

Sprinkle the surface with ground pistachios.

Tip: Ground cinnamon can be added to the gatnabour for an added kick.

MMM...Banana-Walnut Bread!

Here is another family favorite - my mom's delicious recipe for banana-walnut bread.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup walnuts, chopped (plus some to top)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cup ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 tablespoons milk
1 egg

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9"x5" loaf pan.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, chopped walnuts, baking soda, salt, and mix well.

In a separate bowl, combine mashed bananas, butter, egg, milk, and mix well.

Add the banana mixture tot he dry ingredients and mix well. Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan. Sprinkle chopped walnuts on the surface of the batter and bake for 45 minutes or until the tester is inserted into the loaf and comes out clean.

Transfer loaf to a rack and cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Enjoy!

Tip: This recipe can also make 12 large muffins that are baked for 25 minutes or until the tester is inserted into the muffin and comes out clean.

Cheryl Kleinman Cakes

The chocolate cake, iced with ganache and decorated with rolled chocolate and marzipan fruit, is a perfect complement to an orange color scheme - $500 and serves 50! Must be good at $10 a slice :). Also, a few other cake designs by Cheryl Kleinman from Brooklyn, NY as well. I couldn't find a site for her, but she can be contacted at 718-237-2271

Why didn't I think of this?

This very well could be one of the most exciting developments in the bakeware department and I am not quite sure why I didn't think of this a long time ago. I am personally a fan of the crispy edges of a brownie and so are many of the people I bake them for. This is a pretty smart way to solve the problem of being left with a pan of just the middle part left. This {Baker’s Edge Brownie Pan} can be found at {Sur la table} - one of my top favorite housewares/kitchen stores.

Orange Jello Slices

The gorgeous weather this week has gotten me feeling like it is almost summer time :) It reminded me of one of my favorite summer afternoon treats: Orange JELLO slices - so delicious - and even kinda healthy!

Ingredients:

4 large oranges
3 oz. pack of orange JELLO
2 cups boiling water
2 cups fresh squeezed orange juice

Directions:

Cut all the oranges in half, from top to bottom. Juice them all and set the juice aside to be used later. Using a spoon, carve out the insides of the oranges. You will end up with 8 orange peel cups :)

Add the orange JELLO to a bowl of boiling water, mix thoroughly until the JELLO is completely dissolved. Add the fresh squeezed orange juice and mix well.

Pour the orange JELLO and fresh juice mixture into the orange peel cups. Refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours, until completely gelled. I recommend resting them on muffin tins or else they might roll around and spill.

Slice the JELLO-filled orange peel cups as you would oranges and serve cold.

This can also be done with lemons and lemon JELLO as well!

Pistacia Vera / Dean & Deluca

Considering the fact that my very extensive package design project during my last year of college was for a boutique bakery of my dreams, when I saw a post about this bakery, {Pistacia Vera}, on {Paper&Inkling}'s blog - I was immediately drawn to it. The packaging soooo beautifully done and so elegant - but that is not all - the building from the outside, the interior design, the dessert displays, the way coffee/desserts are served - everything is down to an art and a gorgeous one at that. Although Ohio might be a bit far for me to travel to go to a pretty bakery (which I am sure serves delicious sweets as well), but this is just what I think all bakeries should be like.

Pistacia Vera - in a way - reminded me a lot of {Dean&Deluca}, another boutique bakery and also market, that carries out wonderful design from their packaging, displays, store decor - interior/exterior design - their website...not so much :(.