DIY photo lantern

photo lantern

One of my fave DIY projects has made an appearance several times on this blog…diy photo lanterns. I’ve made them for a several parties, and people continue to make comments about how much they love them. So, I’m going to keep a good thing going and attempt to share my how-to instructions to make this easy, affordable DIY project that will impress your guests with their personal touch and warm, soft glow…and have you looking like a little Ms. Martha Stewart.

You’ll Need:
black and white vertical photos
vellum paper
lanterns {I bought mine from Pier 1, but have seen adorable lanterns at Pottery Barn Home Décor too}
double-sided tape
scissors
candle {real or fake will work}

How To:
Measure the openings on the lantern where the photos will be placed
Edit black and white photos on a computer program to the exact size of the lantern openings {I just used Microsoft Word to adjust the size accordingly}
Print the photos on vellum paper on a laserjet printer
NOTE: An ink jet printer does not work as well because the ink is too wet once printed on the vellum
If needed, cut the photos and adjust them accordingly
Place a small piece of double-sided tape on the corners of the lantern opening
Place the photo on the glass and press gently on all sides and corners
Put a candle inside the lantern and light it before party guests arrive
voila

photo lantern with candle

{p.s. this makes a great gift for your mother or mother-in-law with photos of the grandkids, or a bride with engagement photos}

photo lantern with candle inside

give us some more s’mores, please

 Toasted, gooey marshmallow goodness combined with rich, decadent chocolate squished between two, crisp honey graham crackers. Yummy. My mouth is watering for a s’more as I type!

The summer-time favorite  can be prepared and styled so many different ways –  whether your hosting a fancy wedding or a backyard BBQ, you can never go wrong with a s’more. Your guests will be saying, “give us some more s’mores please!”

S’more Favors

S’more Cupcakes
{recipe by Pizzazzerie}

Ingredients
Crumbs
6 graham cracker boards (oblongs)
2 Tbsp each sugar and melted butter
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cupcakes
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
1/2 cup each canola oil and water
1 Tbsp vanilla extract

Frosting
8 large egg whites
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.

Crumbs: Process graham crackers in food processor until fine crumbs. Add sugar and butter; pulse until blended. Spoon about 2 tsp into each muffin cup. Top with 1 tsp mini chocolate chips.

Cupcakes: In large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt until blended. In medium bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, oil, water and vanilla until blended; whisk into flour mixture until smooth.

Spoon about 1/4 cup batter into each muffin cup. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Place egg whites, sugar, and cream of tartar in the heat-proof bowl of an electric mixer. Set over a saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch, 3 to 4 minutes.

Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high, until stiff, glossy peaks form, 5 to 7 minutes. Add vanilla, and mix until combined. Use immediately.

Top cupcakes with marshmallow frosting and garnish with chocolate bar and extra graham cracker crumbs!

S’more Cake
{by The Birthday Blog}

S’more Dessert Bar
{
check out the rest of the adorable camp party with the s’more dessert bar by Moore Minutes}

{Postcards and Pretties dessert buffet}

{Amy Atlas s’more food station}

Wash it all down with a
S’more Martini
{recipe by The Daily Find}

 2 Ounces Chocolate Vodka
2 Ounces Bailey’s Irish Cream
2 Ounces Cream de Cacao
2 Ounces Vanilla Vodka
2 Ounces Heavy Cream
Graham Crackers, Crushed
Chocolate Syrup
12 toasted mini marshmallows or 4 large marshmallows

Dip the rim of 4 martini glasses in the chocolate syrup and then into the crushed graham crackers. Chill glasses in the freezer. Pour all the remaining ingredients except the marshmallows into a martini shaker filled with ice and shake until well blended. Skewer your marshmallows on a cocktail stick and place in the chilled glasses. Strain the drinks into the 4 glasses.

{images via: s’more party favors: pinterest, once wed, elizabeth anne designs, pinterest, salt harbor blog. s’more cupcakes: pizzazzerie. s’more cake: the birthday blog. dessert bar: moore minutes, post cards and pretties, amy atlas. martini: the daily find. marshmallows: bakerella

googoo gaga balenciaga

Fashion Fridays! Check our blog every Friday for fabulous fashionista tips …

After shopping in New York recently, I fell in love with gorgeous leather Balenciaga bags at all the fabulous NY stores – so sheek, so colorful, so fresh, and so under-appreciated. I never see anyone carry Balenciaga bags around town – they are very rare amongst the sea of many other designer handbags I see on our shoulders and arms every day. These bags can be classic and understated to complement your outfit, or stand out as your outfit’s pop of color. They are comfortable to wear on your shoulder or stylishly on your forearm. I love that they are simple, yet eye-catching, and don’t have a dominant brand logo anywhere. I think the gold plated spokes are just fabulous too!

You can purchase oringinal Balenciaga bags at select retailers around the country, but I suggest Balenciaga directly on their website or Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan. Of course I love the original from the designer (shown as the top 2 bags) which start at around $1800, but if that is not in your budget, you can find a perfect look-a-like at Fleur de Lis (shown as the bottom 3 bags) for $62.

20110520-125632.jpg

{images via Fleur de lis, balenciaga.com, shoppingandinfo.com, pursepage.com}

egg-cellent breakfast

I LOVE breakfast. I wake up everyday too early with my 10 month old baby girl, and after a cup of coffee for some energy, I look forward to grubbing. Unlike Julia Roberts character in Runaway Bride who can’t decide if she likes eggs over-easy, scrambled, etc, I know what style of eggs I like…scrambled. Add some spinach, cheese and a slice of toast with butter spread on top. Yum. That’s my fave. But, I’ve found two other breakfasts made with eggs that are so delicious – I’m obsessed and can’t wait to wake up and eat them.

The first one is from the fabulous Lisa of With Style & Grace. She is 3 for 3 in my house.

mushroom and walnut quinoa

Mushroom and Walnut Quinoa + Fried Egg
{slightly adapted from with style and grace}
NOTE: I omitted 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley and 1 tablespoon of chives because I didn’t have the morning I decided to try the recipe…and just learned the original recipe was made with 1 tablespoon marscapone, which I love, so I’m definitely going to have to try it

Ingredients
2 Tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup white mushrooms
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon walnuts, chopped
salt + pepper
Eggs

Directions
In a medium pan, heat the olive oil and saute the garlic and mushrooms on medium heat for approximately 3-4 minutes. Add in the quinoa and stir for about a minute before adding the chicken stock. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat – simmer and cover for about 15 minutes.

Remove your pan from the heat and add walnuts (this is where Lisa added the parsley and chives, and a tablespoon of marscapone).

For the egg, cook on a pan with a little bit of butter, add salt and pepper, and then serve on top of the quinoa.

My next favorite egg recipe {that my kids love too} is Oatmeal Egg-White Pancakes from my mother-in-law, which I believe she received from a nutritionist/personal trainer.

oatmeal and egg white pancakes

Oatmeal Egg-White Pancakes
NOTE: the following recipe will make about 5-6 pancakes. the ingredients in this recipe are equally proportional to one another. So, if I were to make 2 pancakes for myself, the ratio of ingredients would be 1:1:1 and if I were to make for my family in need of 7-8 pancakes, the ratio of ingredients is 4:4:4.

Ingredients
quaker old-fashioned oats
eggs for egg whites
cottage cheese

Directions
Heat a griddle (or a pan…whatever you use to make pancakes) to 275 degrees. Melt butter or olive oil (I prefer butter) over the top of the griddle. In a magic bullet (or blender), blend 3 egg whites, 3 tablespoons cottage cheese and 3 tablespoons Quaker old-fashioned oats. Blend ingredients well together. When the griddle is hot enough, pour “pancake” batter onto it. When tiny bubbles appear, flip the pancake and cook on the other side for a minute or so.

Serve with peanut butter and jelly or agave nectar, fruit or almond butter…or, however you prefer to decorate your pancakes in the morning.

Enjoy!

 {images via With Style and Grace and Tutto Bella Blog}

a day of remembrance

Memorial-Day

I adore the red, white and blue decor people put out in honor of today’s national holiday, preparing the grill for a BBQ with family and friends, and having my hubby home from work to spend the day playing with us…but all too often we forget (myself included) about the true meaning of today.

So, today’s post is simply a reminder to pause, pray for and remember the men and women who have died in our nation’s service, and to thank the men and women who served our country in the past and those who continue to serve our country today, tomorrow and everyday after to protect our freedom.

Wars are being fought right now by America’s finest, thousands of miles away. The brave soldiers are just like you and me – they are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends, neighbors, spouses and daughters and sons. Their families back at home are praying for their safe return. May God bless them and their families today and always. Their commitment and unwavering sacrifice to keep our lives safe is honorable, noble and will never be forgotten.

To those lives who were lost that we remember and honor today, we are forever grateful for your ultimate sacrifice and we will continue to proudly wave the red, white and blue.

Happy Memorial Day.

{image via The Washington Post}