Happy Halloween...from my house to yours
Mwahhhahahaaa!!!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Touches of...
Black and White...
There is just something very soothing about neutral tones such as black and white this time of year. After all of the bright colors of summer, it is nice to sort of "cleanse the palette" a little.
There is just something very soothing about neutral tones such as black and white this time of year. After all of the bright colors of summer, it is nice to sort of "cleanse the palette" a little.
Lucky Girl...
Words alone cannot tell how incredibly Lucky I feel right now. It has been over 2 years since my family has been a whole unit living in the same house together. Dominic has been commuting back and forth from Seattle to Boise for work. It was the best decision ever to sell our house in Boise and move back to Seattle. There is nothing like being able to have dinner together as a family, and for him to be able to watch Paige grow into the beautiful girl that she is.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Inspired By...
Fall...
I have been a little missing in action due to our big move to Washington, but I just had to post about how beautiful it is here. We decided to land in a fun city outside of Seattle called Issaquah. It is absolutely GORGEOUS here! The whole valley is just surrounded my trees. They are all changing color right now, so it is a party of reds, yellows, oranges, and greens all over the place. It definately inspires me to break out my sweaters and scarves for some long walks.
These spaces below just make me think of Fall, and cozying up inside with my family in our new home.
I have been a little missing in action due to our big move to Washington, but I just had to post about how beautiful it is here. We decided to land in a fun city outside of Seattle called Issaquah. It is absolutely GORGEOUS here! The whole valley is just surrounded my trees. They are all changing color right now, so it is a party of reds, yellows, oranges, and greens all over the place. It definately inspires me to break out my sweaters and scarves for some long walks.
These spaces below just make me think of Fall, and cozying up inside with my family in our new home.
Friday, October 21, 2011
So Good To Be A Kid...
on...HALLOWEEN!!!
If you have a little one, and they are still trying to decide on what to be for Halloween. Here are a few of my favorite little outfits I have stumbled across...and the last one seriously cracks me up!
If you have a little one, and they are still trying to decide on what to be for Halloween. Here are a few of my favorite little outfits I have stumbled across...and the last one seriously cracks me up!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Inspired By...
Chaos!
I have been a little m.i.a. these last couple weeks, and haven't had much free time to think up anything to post, let alone post them. My family and I are in the process of packing up house and moving to Seattle...again. So this picture is inspiring me to keep going in hopes that when we are all there and settled, I might be able to cuddle up in a nice quite little spot with a good book and a glass of wine.
I have been a little m.i.a. these last couple weeks, and haven't had much free time to think up anything to post, let alone post them. My family and I are in the process of packing up house and moving to Seattle...again. So this picture is inspiring me to keep going in hopes that when we are all there and settled, I might be able to cuddle up in a nice quite little spot with a good book and a glass of wine.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
BODIE and FOU...
I am kind of obsessed with this magazine Bodie and Fou! The reason being....how many times do you look through a magazine or see something online and think to yourself "where do I find that awesome item"? Well, they have some of the funnest and beautiful rooms designed, and then they show you where to get each item....LOVE IT!!! Check it out here.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Pretty Packaging...
There is just something wonderful about well done packaging. I don't think I would care what that drink tastes like below, I would drink it just because it is so pretty!
Recipe of the week...
Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes!
My sister Ellie made these last night for my brother in laws Birthday, and they were seriously the BEST cupcakes I have ever had. Even my husband could get over their deliciousness.
Yield: 24 cupcakes
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Bake Time: 17 minutes
For the Cupcakes:
1 cup Guinness stout
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoons salt
2 eggs
2/3 cup sour cream
For the Whiskey Ganache Filling:
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons Irish whiskey
For the Baileys Frosting:
2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream
1. To Make the Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 cupcake cups with liners. Bring the Guinness and butter to a simmer in a heavy, medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.
2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl to combine. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sour cream on medium speed until combined. Add the Guinness-chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and beat just to combine. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour mixture and beat briefly. Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter until completely combined. Divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a thin knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 17 minutes. Cool the cupcakes on a rack.
3. To Make the Whiskey Ganache Filling: Finely chop the chocolate and transfer it to a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream until simmering and pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for one minute and then, using a rubber spatula, stir it from the center outward until smooth. Add the butter and whiskey and stir until combined. Let the ganache cool until thick but still soft enough to be piped.
4. To Fill the Cupcakes: Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter (or the bottom of a large decorating tip), cut the centers out of the cooled cupcakes, going about two-thirds of the way down. Transfer the ganache to a piping back with a wide tip and fill the holes in each cupcake to the top.
5. To Make the Baileys Frosting: Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally. Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually add the powdered sugar until all of it is incorporated. Add the Baileys, increase the speed to medium-high and whip for another 2 to 3 minutes, until it is light and fluffy.
6. Using your favorite decorating tip, or an offset spatula, frost the cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Store the cupcakes in an airtight container.
Recipe via Brown Eyed Baker.
My sister Ellie made these last night for my brother in laws Birthday, and they were seriously the BEST cupcakes I have ever had. Even my husband could get over their deliciousness.
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Bake Time: 17 minutes
For the Cupcakes:
1 cup Guinness stout
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoons salt
2 eggs
2/3 cup sour cream
For the Whiskey Ganache Filling:
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2/3 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons Irish whiskey
For the Baileys Frosting:
2 cups unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 cups powdered sugar
6 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream
1. To Make the Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 24 cupcake cups with liners. Bring the Guinness and butter to a simmer in a heavy, medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Cool slightly.
2. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl to combine. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs and sour cream on medium speed until combined. Add the Guinness-chocolate mixture to the egg mixture and beat just to combine. Reduce the speed to low, add the flour mixture and beat briefly. Using a rubber spatula, fold the batter until completely combined. Divide the batter among the cupcake liners. Bake until a thin knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 17 minutes. Cool the cupcakes on a rack.
3. To Make the Whiskey Ganache Filling: Finely chop the chocolate and transfer it to a heatproof bowl. Heat the cream until simmering and pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for one minute and then, using a rubber spatula, stir it from the center outward until smooth. Add the butter and whiskey and stir until combined. Let the ganache cool until thick but still soft enough to be piped.
4. To Fill the Cupcakes: Using a 1-inch round cookie cutter (or the bottom of a large decorating tip), cut the centers out of the cooled cupcakes, going about two-thirds of the way down. Transfer the ganache to a piping back with a wide tip and fill the holes in each cupcake to the top.
5. To Make the Baileys Frosting: Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl occasionally. Reduce the speed to medium-low and gradually add the powdered sugar until all of it is incorporated. Add the Baileys, increase the speed to medium-high and whip for another 2 to 3 minutes, until it is light and fluffy.
6. Using your favorite decorating tip, or an offset spatula, frost the cupcakes and decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Store the cupcakes in an airtight container.
Recipe via Brown Eyed Baker.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A Place To Call Home...
As you may have noticed, I have been a little "missing in action" this week. That is because I have been to Portland, Seattle and back in a matter of 4 days. My very most important line of duty was to see my dear friend Melissa and celebrate her new baby boy on his way. Then off to Seattle to see the house we will be calling home for at least the next 2 years. I have to say... I LOVE IT! It is perfect for us, and I couldn't be happier.
With all of this said... I have had the most spectacular partner in crime.... Minnie Mouse to be exact. My sweet daughter Paige is very in to dressing up these days, and with the rain in Seattle it is the perfect way to be a child. I spent most of my days hanging out with her.....
With all of this said... I have had the most spectacular partner in crime.... Minnie Mouse to be exact. My sweet daughter Paige is very in to dressing up these days, and with the rain in Seattle it is the perfect way to be a child. I spent most of my days hanging out with her.....
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Seattle Bound...
It is official...we are moving back to Seattle! I am thinking this might be my photo of inspiration. Bring on the rain!!!
Monday, October 3, 2011
GIVEAWAY...
I Am A Diamond in the Rough...
The I AM PROJECT is an amazing printing company that offers some very inspiring and beautiful pieces like this one (which is my personal favorite) below. They have decided to have a little Giveaway. You will now have the opportunity to pick your favorite of their prints to hang in your own home to inspire you everyday. You can enter to win one of their prints by going here and following the instructions. Good Luck!
The I AM PROJECT is an amazing printing company that offers some very inspiring and beautiful pieces like this one (which is my personal favorite) below. They have decided to have a little Giveaway. You will now have the opportunity to pick your favorite of their prints to hang in your own home to inspire you everyday. You can enter to win one of their prints by going here and following the instructions. Good Luck!
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