Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Antique and Vintage



Robbin's Egg Bleu's mission is all about fluffing the nest. It is their passionate belief that our homes are personal sanctuaries where we can express our individualism and have fun! It's owner operator, Carol Castle has been in the antiques and collectibles trade for about 20 years in Vermont. Some of the offerings are upcycled altered vintage and some are not. From housewares to lighting to linens and more.
 Check out Robbin's Egg Bleu On Etsy
Dreamy Vintage Aqua and Opal Czech Glass Chandelier

Monday, March 28, 2011

Monday's Marvellous Find

Shabby Apple

Clothing - Jewelry - Accessories


Shabby Baby Dresses
Vintage and Jazz Inspired Collections for the young and older......

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Earth Hour 2011

Saturday, March 26th, 2011 at 830pm.
Lights in homes and businesses around the world will be turning out the lights for one hour in support of global climate change. Earth Hour started in Sydney, Australia in 2007 when 2.2 million people and 2000 businesses turned off their lights for one hour to stand for climate change. By 2010, 188 countries and territories participated in 
Earth Hour. 

Create a virtual lantern to show your support and on going commitment to a sustainable future.

Friday, March 25, 2011

DIY Centrepiece Inspiration

Mirrors - Candles - Vases - 
- Glass Pebbles -
Flowers (or the Bridesmaid Bouquets) 
Simple & Elegant
Find Everything You Need At Your Local Craft Store

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Orchids! Orchids! Orchids!

Every store front you walk past this time of year seems to be filled with Orchids. Their simplistic, elegant beauty is breathtaking. Orchids are a great centrepiece idea for any celebration; and can double as favours for your guests. All you need to do is purchase a few terra cotta pots in your colour of choice (white pots do make their green leaves POP) and voila!
White Favors: Potted Orchids

Monday, March 21, 2011

Monday's Marvellous Find!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/evapaul
Eva & Paul are a husband and wife design duo committed to bringing fresh, modern ideas to Save-the-Date Cards and invitations,
at a budget friendly price.
Customers are able to order a package of printed samples as well as contact Evapaul with questions regarding custom orders. 

Saturday, March 19, 2011

A Toast To Brunch.......

Present Opening Brunch.......Sunday Brunch........Easter Brunch.......Bridal Shower Brunch......Father's Day Brunch.....they're even better with a cocktail right!?!? Here are 5 cocktail recipes to add a kick to your brunch.

Bellini
2 oz peach juice or puree
4 oz champagne
peach slices for garnish (optional)

Pour the peach juice or puree into a Champagne flute. Slowly top with Champagne. Garnish and serve.

Bloody Mary
2 oz vodka
1/2 cup tomato juice
2 tsp lemon juice
Worchestershire sauce
Tabasco
Celery stick and/or lemon wedge for a garnish

Add dashes of Worchestershire sauce, Tabasco and salt & pepper into a glass. Pour vodka, tomato juice and lemon juice over ice. Stir gently, garnish and serve. 

Screwdriver
2 oz vodka
5 oz orange juice

Pour over ice, stir gently, garnish with an orange slice and serve.

Mimosa
1/2 oz Triple Sec 
2 oz orange juice
4 oz chilled Champagne

Pour orange juice and Triple Sec into a champagne flute. Top with Champagne. Garnish with an orange slice and serve.

Champagne Punch
12 oz frozen fruit punch, partially thawed
10 oz frozen strawberries
2/3 cup orange juice
2 tbsp lemon juice
24 oz ginger ale
1 bottle of Champagne
3 cups water

Place a frozen ice ring in a punch bowl. Add punch, water, strawberries and juices. Stir well. Add ginger ale and Champagne. Stir and serve.

ENJOY!!!!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!


Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig) is a religious holiday in Ireland named after Saint Patrick the most commonly recognized of the Irish patron saints. Saint Patrick's Day originated as a Catholic holiday and became an official day of feast in the early 17th Century. Today it is recognized as a celebration of Irish culture around the world. 
Did you know that blue was the original colour associated with Saint Patrick? Over the years the colour green and its association with Saint Patrick's Day has grown, as it has been said, that he used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish. Which in turn led to the wearing and display of shamrocks a ubiquitous feature of the day since 
the early 17th Century. 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

A Recipe For St Patrick's Day!

Bailey's Pudding Parfaits - 
With Oatmeal Walnut Crunch
Crunch Ingredients & Directions

Ingredients
  • 1 cup oats
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup golden brown sugar
  • 2 tsp instant coffee crystals (Starbucks Via)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1/2 cup chilled unsalted butter (cut into 1/2 inch pieces)
  • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 350F
  2. Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Add butter and rub in with fingertips until mixture forms moist clump. Mix in walnuts.
  3. Sprinkle mixture onto rimmed baking sheet and bake until golden brown and crisp. Occasionally stirring gently and leaving mixture in clumps. Cook time is about 35 minutes.
  4. Cool and store in an airtight container.

Pudding Ingredients & Directions

Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 cups chilled whipping cream
  • 12 tbsp Bailey's Original Irish Cream
  • 3/4 cup golden brown sugar
  • 6 large egg yolks
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 12 tbsp of dried currants
Directions
  1. Combine 3/4 cup of cream, sugar, egg yolks nutmeg and only 6 tbsp of Bailey's in a large metal bowl and place over a sauce pan of simmering water (do not allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water).
  2. Using an electric mixer beat until custard thickens and thermometer reads 160F.
  3. Remove from over heat and beat until cool.
  4. Mix in remaining 6 tbsp of liqueur.
  5. Beat remaining 1/2 cup cream in medium bowl to medium peaks. Fold into custard.
  6. Cover and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  7. Layer 1/4 cup pudding, 1 tbsp of currants and 3 tbsp of crunch in each of six 12ounce goblets. Repeat layering one more time. Serve immediately!
Bon Appetit!
Baileys Pudding Parfaits with Oatmeal-Walnut Crunch

Monday, March 14, 2011

Monday's Marvellous Find

Percy Handmade are handcrafted custom vintage-inspried wedding accessories for the bride and her bridesmaids. Shop their catalogue or contact them to have something custom made. 

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Sunday Brunch!

Pumpkin Waffles & Cranberry Syrup
Ingredients
  • 1 cup All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 tbsp Brown Sugar
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1 Egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/4 cup of Milk
  • 2/3 cup Canned Pumpkin
  • 4 1/2 tsp of Melted Butter
  • 1/3 cup Chopped Pecans

Directions

  1. In a large bowl combine all of the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl whisk together egg, milk, butter and pumpkin. Combine with dry ingredients. And then fold in chopped pecans. 
  2. Bake in a preheated waffle iron.

Cranberry Syrup 

Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup Honey
  • 1/4 cup Cranberry Juice
  • 1 cup of fresh or frozen Cranberries

Directions

  1. In a medium sized sauce pan bring honey and cranberry juice to a boil over medium heat. Add 3/4 cup of the cranberries and cook for 5 minutes or until cranberries pop. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup. Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes and serve (Makes 1 cup). 
Bon Appetit!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Eco-Friendly Wedding Favours

www.weddingfavors.org
From Bio-degradable wedding confetti to bees-wax candles to wild flower seed packets to bamboo salad sets there is no better green statement to have at your wedding than eco-friendly favours. These trendy favors will not only unite and inspire your friends, but they will also enhance your reception décor and raise awareness for an environmentally conscious lifestyle. 
Natural Selections Collection Bamboo Wood Salad Sets wedding favors
Pure Beeswax Candles wedding favors

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Gracefully Simplify Your Dinner Party Table

Here are 5 Simple ways to facelift a simple glass vase to add a simple yet elegant touch to your dinner table.

  1. Fill a large vase halfway with water. Add a few drops of blue food colouring to the water and float a few white roses, tulips or orchids. 
  2. Garnish Apples with egg white and sugar - dip the bottom of an apple in egg white and then in sugar, let dry then place in a glass vase or bowl. 
  3. Fill any clear glass vase half full with river rocks and add a white pillar candle on top. Or fill with water and float a tea light.
  4. Collect wine corks from all of your favourite bottles and fill a vase full of them with dried rose petals intermixed. 
  5. Fill a glass vase with ornaments and voila decor.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Bouquet Greenery of the Year?

Myrtle is an herb described as the herb of love. This little green sprig has been used in Royal bridal bouquets for years. From Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840 to Queen Elizabeth II to Princess Diana and now Kate Middleton's bouquet will also include the herb of love. Myrtle is the PERFECT hint of greenery for any spring or summer bouquet.
slideshow image


Friday, March 4, 2011

Curated Vintage Housewares!

Antiquaria

Antiquaria is a Vintage Home Merchandise shop and gift registry. Their products have already had a life however, as a company they are incredibly conscientious about having the highest quality merchandise.
Some products will have an aged patina that adds to the beauty of the overall product. All the products at Antiquaria are in good vintage condition and do not contain cracks or large chips. They make every effort to make their clients aware of any surface blemishes or fading. Antiquaria guarantees that anything they sell they would happily use in their own kitchens. 
Image of Blue Starburst Dinner Plates, Set of 6Image of Purple Fenton Glass BowlImage of "Berkshire" Coasters, Set of 4

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Lo Boheme

We are in love with this companies style!!!! Lo Boheme draws inspiration from the French Bohemianism of the early 1900’s, the detailed lines of the Art Nouveau movement and the glamor of Old Hollywood coupled with a modern eye which makes them a statement piece for all occasions. From garters to veils to vintage jewelry every 
piece is breathtaking.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Champagne & Dessert

fruit salad in a dish with sparkling wine in glassses in background.

CHAMPAGNE AND DESSERT FOR EIGHT



iNGREDIENTS

  • 1 Lemon
  • 3 Oranges
  • 3/4 Cup water
  • 1/2 Cup sugar
  • 1/2 of a Vanilla Bean
  • 2 tbsp orange liqueur
  • 2 Kiwi
  • 2 Pears
  • 2 Gala Apples
  • 2 Cups of red or green grapes cut in half
  • 2 Grapefruit
  • 1/2 of a Canteloupe
  • 1/2 Honeydew Melon
  • 2 cups of plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1 Mint Leaf
DIRECTIONS
  1. To make syrup, squeeze juice from lemon and one orange into a small saucepan. Add water and sugar, stir over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil, add vanilla bean and simmer 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat and cool. Stir in liqueur.
  2. Segment remaining oranges and grapefruit by cutting away the peel and pith. Place fruit over a large non-aluminum bowl and cut the segments from between each connecting membrane. When done cutting all the segments squeeze remaining membrane to extract juice.
  3. Add sliced kiwi fruit, unpeeled pears and apples and halved grapes. Remove skin and seeds from melon halves. Cut flesh into bite-sized pieces and add to rest of fruit. Pour syrup over top of fruit, gently tossing to mix. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight, tossing once or twice.
  4. When ready to serve, divide fruit among serving bowls using a slotted spoon to drain off some syrup. Top with yogurt, drizzle with some of remaining syrup and garnish with mint if desired. 
  5. And serve with your favourite champagne!

Bon Appetit!