Tuesday, December 29, 2009

I love New Year's Eve. We have an anuual party with friends. This year we will all be bringing our favorite take out for a family style feast. I loved the Spanish custom I read about on Martha Stewart. Eat 12 grapes at midnight for goodluck through the new year.



Friday, December 25, 2009

It's the most wonderful time of the year, your family is gathered around you, and the church is already decorated. Why not have a Christmas wedding? Here are ideas and tips to have a fantastic Christmas wedding with all the trimmings.Via


Christmas weddings or Christmas-themed weddings are wonderful concepts for Wedding. They do not give an auspicious touch to your wedding but also give a festive feel to it. Via

Thursday, December 24, 2009

I love being home for the holidays. Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

vintage

Blogging has and will probably continue to be sparse until after the holidays. I am visiting my family and we have been running all around town. My sister and I went to a vintage consignment store today and found this dress. The picture doesn't do it justice. Gorgeous 1950's dress.

From personal experience, I would highly recommend calling in the professionals when it comes to hair and make up for your 50s style wedding (if only to keep stress levels down!) I've put together some inspiration from the best in the business that I hope will give you some ideas.

1950s style wedding hair

1&2 by Lipstick and Curls. Lipstick and Curls are retro hair and make up specialists Amanda and Natasha who are available for weddings and hen parties amongst other occasions.

3&4 by Beauty Call - a fab team of hair and make up artists on call for retro weddings, receptions and hen parties in England and Wales.

5&6 by Nina's Hair Parlour. Nina's (pictured below) is the UK's first specialist vintage hair and make up parlour and is situated in London. Nina's also welcomes hen parties as well as wedding bookings.

1950s wedding make up

Sunday, December 20, 2009

elegant wedding car decorations
elegant wedding car decorations



wording wedding car decorations
wording wedding car decorations



wedding around car decorations
wedding around car decorations



creative wedding car decorations
creative wedding car decorations



wedding aisle car decorations
wedding aisle car decorations

Friday, December 18, 2009

gift exchange

My sister is looking for ideas for a gift exchange party she is attending. It is kind of a fancy party so here are my fancy ideas.

In the recent issue of Martha Stewart Living, there was a how to demonstration for making your own etched Mercury vases. Tape craft paper on the outside of a clear vase and spray paint the inside. There may have been more, but that was the gist of it. This is Pottery Barn's version.

This star serving bowl would make a beautiful gift. Plus it is on sell.
I think anyone would be glad to receive these napkin rings.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

star wreath


The end of finals is almost here which mean I can almost focus on the holiday season. And after a computer fiasco and getting locked out the house half dressed (it is funny now) it can't come soon enough! Meanwhile I love this star wreath project from Martha.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009


picture via my sister
Two more days of finals! Be back Friday with new posts.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

mustache


My little sister is going to a party where mustaches are encouraged. We found this mustache necklace on Etsy. I can't wait to see it!


I found this stocking advent on Martha Stewart's website. Isn't it fun?

Monday, December 14, 2009

granny


Jonathan Canlas photographed a cousin's wedding recently. I love, love, love this picture he took of my Granny. See his blog here.

kiss cookies


I love hershey kiss cookies. I think I will be making them over the holiday break.

1950s style wedding dress

When Dana from Once Upon a Time sent me pictures of her gorgeous dresses I just knew I had to share them with you!

Dana has many years experience designing and making wedding dresses and offers a personal, bespoke service specialising in vintage and 50s designs. She is currently working on creating gorgeous new vintage prom styles with soft fabrics and cute detailing. For more information visit the Once Upon a Time website.

1950s wedding dress

Friday, December 11, 2009

pedigree

I fell in love with genealogical fan charts when I saw Martha Stewart's template. Unfortunately her template only covers seven generations and I really want a 9 or 10 generation chart. I found some reasonable 9 and 10 generation charts online.

While searching for the charts I came across the Genealogy Fans blog. You can send Hilary your pedigree chart and she will fill in the fan with her beautiful hand writing.

Genealogy Fans uses this Misbach nine generation chart.

This is a ten generation chart, you can get it without the family crests, which would be my personal preference.

I think this is my favorite chart. In the picture that accompanies Martha Stewart's template, she uses a chart like this.

You can also download a free eight generation chart here.


photo via flickr
I found this recipe, from just cook already, for pizza dough a few months ago. It calls for a mere twenty minutes of rising time, which means we can have homemade pizza on work days. Fantastic.

rapid-rise pizza dough recipe:

3- 3 1/2 cups flour
1 tbsp. yeast
3/4 tsp. salt
1 cup very warm water
2 tbsp. olive oil
corn meal

in a large bowl combine 2 cups flour, yeast, and salt. stir very warm water and oil into dry ingredients. stir in enough remaining flour to make soft dought. knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes. cover and lest rest for 10 min (i let mine rest for 20 just because i like it that way). lightly oil round pizza pans. sprinkle with corn meal, roll dough to fit pans, bake 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes. time depends on thickness of crust, size, and toppings.

Thursday, December 10, 2009


I have been trying to figure out co-worker Christmas gifts, one of the most awkward in my mind. What do you give a coworker? I found this homemade hot chocolate recipe at Taste of Home. Perhaps the perfect solution?

lovely


I have a friend who works for Gap. She helps decide what they will sell on Baby Gap online. The big time. Every so often, I like to check out what kind of loveliness she blesses the online world with. This one takes the cake. Perfect for the holidays. If only I had a baby to put it on!


photo found here
I know I live too far north. Every year when the bitter cold hits, I check out North Face and inevitably am drawn to this coat. Maybe it could protect me from the low temperatures. For now, I'll dream of Texas.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Reuters put together 91 photos that they are calling the photos of the decade. There are a lot of heart wrenching pictures. These were some of my favorites.





all photos via reuters

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

finals


Finals are here. I am anxiously anticipating the end of next week! I do have a silver lining, instead of writing a paper comparing two books on Constitutional History, I now get to compare Jane Austen's characters and themes to those of an American equivalent in Coquette. Much more interesting.

Monday, December 7, 2009

grapefruit


photo found here
I have never liked eating grapefruit straight. I like grapefruit based drinks (think Fresca) but grapefruit juice and grapefruit in general have always been on my dislike list. I used half a grapefruit last night while making more cranberry sauce (I love cranberry sauce on my turkey sandwiches, so much better!) I used half a grapefruit. I had half left over and decided to give it another go, I doused it sugar and dug it. Grapefruit and I have made up.

P.S. the Cranberry sauce salad was a hit! I added about 1/4 cup of sugar to the dressing though.

elegant cupcake cnterpieces
elegant cupcake cnterpieces



cupcake cnterpieces decoration design
cupcake cnterpieces decoration design



simple cupcake candle cnterpieces
simple cupcake candle cnterpieces

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Researching for this post made my mouth water, there are so many scrumptious looking cakes out there to compliment a 50s wedding theme. The fab polkadot wedding cake below was made by Caketasia, I just love the big bow on top!

50s style wedding cakes

For something a bit more quirky, how about a cupcake tower especially made to match your scheme? If you don't fancy decorating them yourself (as I did), then Crumbs and Doilies can make them for you in an array of gorgeous designs!

And if you love cupcakes, you will love the giant cupcake that our featured couple Debbie and Rob had made for their 50s style wedding. You can buy a giant cupcake tin online from Amazon.

Presenting your cake on a vintage style stand is another way to give your cake the 50s factor. Check out Clara French for some of the most beautiful cake stands you're ever likely to see.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

I am taking a salad to a Christmas party tonight. I searched various blogs looking for a new and interesting recipe. This one from Cookbook Junkies wins, I can't wait to try it. Now back to studying!

Green Salad with Cranberry Dressing

1 cup sliced almonds
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh cranberries
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons water

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
1 pound mixed salad greens

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Arrange almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast in oven for 5 minutes, or until nuts begin to brown.
2. In a blender or food processor, combine the vinegar, oil, cranberries, mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, and water. Process until smooth.
3. In a large bowl, toss the almonds, onion, blue cheese, and greens with the vinegar mixture until evenly coated.

Friday, December 4, 2009

50% off


Williams Sonoma has marked their ebelskiver pans 50% off, but only for today!!!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

masking tape


Who needs ribbon when you have fun masking tape?

tips


photo found here
calligraphy tips for beginners? yes please!
See Jordan Ferney's tips here.