{good eats} unfrosted wedding cakes

Back in 2010, I first posted this tasty "naked cake" and I'm blown away by how unfrosted wedding cakes are becoming one of 2013 biggest trends.  Regardless if they are adorned with fruit or flowers these cakes will sure make everyone excited for the dessert course. 

photos | {tyler branch photo} {kelly braman photography} {michelle march photography} {jodi miller photography} {marion heurteboust photography} {daniel cruz photography} {christine chang photography} {sarah kate photo} {alixann loosle photography} 

{good eats} taco bar

 

Can someone please invite me to a wedding where there's a taco bar!! How fabulous is this idea.  What a great way to have your guests personalize their meal and not to mention its a pretty afford option of couples who want to save a few bucks too...let's not forget a taco bar also makes for a pretty cool midnight snack to fuel all the party animals that are dancing the night away.  

 

photos | ryan bernal photography

{good eats} pies

 

{megan w} 

{katie stoops} {tara guegard}

 I'm craving some good ol' fashion pie. Who's with me? You know the ones with the nice flaky crust and gooey filling...yeah those! And there is nothing I heart more than to see make an appearance in autumn weddings {or on my Thanksgiving table}. Perfectly presented in tiers or simply tied with bakers twine for the perfect take home snack for guests. 

What's your favorite pie flavor?  Will you be serving pie at your wedding?

{good eats} bundt cakes

This is another great example on how couple's are thinking outside the box when it comes to their wedding cake.  Skip all the fondant and buttercream and go for a bundt cake instead.  These cakes come in different designs and are simply beautiful with just a light drizzle of glaze or dusting of powder sugar. Either way they can be stacked on a pretty tower or sitting on a simple cake plate making for one gorgeous and unexpected wedding cake alternative. 

{martha stewart wedding} {our labor of love}

{steep street}

{ali degraff photography}

 

{friday faves} ice cream sandwiches

Happy Friday friends!! 

I love it when all it takes to create a post is ONE photo. I was browsing through Pinterest the other day and came across a chocolate chip ice cream sandwich photo and fell in love. It's sad but true!  Can anything be better than creamy ice cream sandwiched between two equally delicious cookies? There are so many ice cream/cookie combinations that it's mind boggling but have no fear I rallied up a few of my faves that you can package up in pretty glassine bags and serve to your guests at your next big event.   

Warning: The following photos will make your mouth water. There is a good chance you will abandon your work to run out and eat one of these delicious summer time treats.  Don't say I didn't warn you. 

1  2

34.

5

67

89

 1. {vanilla bean chocolate ice cream sandwiches via tartelette}  

2. {“baklava” ice cream sandwiches via souvlaki for the soul}  

3. {ice cream sandwich via the kitchn}

4. {raspberry ice cream sandwich via wolf & willow}  

5. {skinny cow ice cream sandwich via creature comforts} 

6. - 9. {brownie-and-peanut-butter ice cream sandwiches, coconut and almond ice cream sandwiches, ginger cookie-sorbet sandwiches , mini chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches via martha stewart}

{good eats} in a jar

This has to be my favorite post for {Picnic Week} and yes it's about food!!!  

Of course I love desserts in a jar but I'm also loving  bbq, chili or salad in a jar too! Isn't this such a great idea for picnics? 

Would your jar be filled with something sweet or savory?

double chocolate mouse trifle in a jar {gabriel ryan photography via my sweet & saucy} 

cupcake in a jar {cakies}   bbq & chili in a jar {giver's blog}   salad in a jar {donna hay}

corn salad in a jar {the kitchn}

{mardi gras}

 did you see those amazing masks used in the faux-to booth in today's new orleans wedding? 

if not you can check them out {here} ...pretty cool right? so that had me thinking of other mardi gras "staples" that can be remixed/reused/DIY for your own wedding. 

beads

turn mardi gras bead necklaces into a chandelier...wouldn't they look amazing hanging on trees for an outdoor wedding?

 

beads {party city} | diy chandelier {dollar store crafts}

beignets - in any shape or form

fried dough sprinkled with powdered sugar ...enough said!

 {epicurious} | {hank + hunt via the sweetest occasion} |  {style at home}  

cocktails

whether it be the big easy's "first" cocktail the sazerac or the ever popular hurricane that was first served back in 40s in a hurricane lamp glass, new orleans has amazing cocktails that would make for some equally amazing signature drinks.

  

sazerac cocktail recipe {southern living} | hurricane cocktail recipe {babble}

{shoot} cozy autumn table

my lovely friends aleah + nick from {valley & co.} sent over this cozy autumn shoot perfect for the upcoming holiday season. it's full of wonderful ideas and inspiration...so take notes.

here is what aleah had to say about the shoot: 

"for this photo shoot we wanted to showcase ideas perfect for an intimate holiday dinner that has a unique and charming character and warm ambiance. our overall look was rustic-inspired and vibrant green apples and assorted pods brought in unexpected texture and flags bursting "cheers!" lent a touch of whimsy. anchored with succulents in copper vessels, any group of guest would enjoy our table and this industrial space in downtown seattle with its oversized single-pane windows and exposed brick walls. tom douglas served up chanterelle tarts and après-dinner coffee liquor drinks, perfect for a late night of enjoyment."

"when dreaming your holiday dinner, think about all of the details to really make your guests feel welcomed and know that you put thought into the celebration. print up menus and place cards and think about a theme that is comfortable, gorgeous, and will encourage your guests to stay and visit for hours."

design: aleah + nick valley {valley & co.}  | floral: anne bradfield, {floressence}  

photography: {jeremy leffel}  | venue, food, and drinks: palace ballroom by {tom douglas}
linens: {choice linens}  | stationery: {izzy girl}  | chairs: {aa party rentals}
glass vessels: {glassybaby}   | vintage bobbins: aleah's family pieces

{irish coffee}

2 1/2 oz strong, hot coffee

1 1/2 oz irish whiskey

1 tsp brown sugar

1 oz whipping cream

hot caramel for the rim

pour hot caramel into a low, open bowl and roll the rim of an Irish coffee mug in the caramel. pour the coffee, Irish whiskey and brown sugar into the mug and stir. float the whipping cream on top and enjoy!

{friday faves} autumn flavors

happy friday!!

this has to be my ultimate fave - autumn flavors! 

pumpkin, apples & spices such as cinnamon and ginger make my stomach heart flutter. every year for thanksgiving, i bake regular ol' pumpkin bread {don't get me wrong, pumpkin bread is still delicious} but i wanted something different this year so i went on a hunt and gathered up and printed a few of my favorite recipes. can you imagine a dessert buffet with all these pretties? ...oh my waist! bon appetit! 

1. pumpkin whoopie pies | 2. mini pumpkin pies | 3. pumpkin semifreddo | 4. pumpkin seed brittle 

1. cinnamon sugar biscotti | 2. gingerbread cheesecake | 3. molasses drops | 4. cinnamon ice cream

1. roasted apples | 2. caramel apples | 3. apple donuts | 4. apple galette

{blog around the world} elegant decay #7

i cannot stress enough how much i adore my blogging community and today’s post just proves it. i want to introduce you to the first {blog around the world} feature organized by my friends aleah + nick over at {valley & co.}. they put together this elegant decay shoot and decided to have each one of us showcase it and take you on a scavenger hunt throughout some amazing blogs for inspiration, tips and much more.  here is what aleah + nick had to say about the shoot:

we're  aleah + nick valley of Valley & Co. and we're so excited to partner with some of our most favorite blogosphere friends for this blog around the world: elegant decay post! today you're invited to a worldwide scavenger hunt on these awesome blogs where you'll find snippets of our elegant decay photo shoot, designed to show off the after effects of a celebration: fun! we all spend so long putting together amazing designs and table scapes for our couples, and this shows off the end result {and the most important element}: enjoyment. we hope you enjoy this - thank you to all of our friends for participating and be sure to visit these other fabulous blogs for more photos, ideas, tips, and fun!

design + styling and joy cards: aleah + nick valley of valley & co. www.valleyandco.com
photography: jeremy leffel: www.jeremyleffel.com
floral design: anne bradfield of floressence: www.floressencedesign.com
crystal and marble decorative candle accents: vintage pieces from nick's mom
venue, dessert, and drinks: palace ballroom by tom douglas: www.tomdouglas.com
linens: choice linens: www.choicelinens.com
chairs, silverware, and china: aa party rentals: www.aapartyrents.com 

{my inspiration}

at my dinner parties no table is complete without a refreshing pitcher of sangria. my father is famous for his, but unfortunately he doesn't like to share the recipe with anyone. after many years of my sister and i secretly observing from a distance we think that we figured it out. 

 to serve this delicious wine punch i suggest a terra cotta pitcher.  i can't explain it but it just taste better or maybe its because practically every portuguese family owns one or ten, a wooden spoon and some gorgeous glassware.

glasses {ikea} wooden spoon {crate & barrel} pitcher {crate & barrel}

{sangria portuguesa}

 1 bottle of red wine

2 cups of orange juice

1 cup of lemon lime soda

2 shots of peach schnapps

3 shot of brandy

1 shot of triple sec

1 shot of port wine

2 tablespoons of sugar

1 apple, cubed

1 orange, cubed

2 cups of ice

In a large pitcher, add all the ingredients and stir. 

enjoy and don’t forget to make refills.

{p.s} don't tell my dad.

continue the hunt with...
Bubble Rock  @stephbubble | Magnolia Rouge  @rubyandwillow |  Cap Classique  @capclassique
 Brancoprata @brancoprata |  The Demoiselle @The_Demoiselle |  Engaged + Inspired @EngagedInspired
 Postcards and Pretties  @postcrdsprettie |  Paper Garland @papergarland |  Sparkle and Hay  @sparkleandhay 
 Superburbs @superburbs |  Every Last Detail  @ELD_Lauren | Brenda's Wedding Blog @weddingsites
 Niche White @NicheWhite |  Simply and Forever KatieSaeger |  Bride Goggles @BrideGoggles
 Landlocked Bride @LandlockedBride |  Forget Me Knot Weddings  @forgetmeknotwed
 Fabulously Wed  @fabulouslywed |  The Bride Suite @thebridesuite 
 Enchanted Dreams Wedding & Affairs @NaomiVGoodman |  Marry You Me  @MarryYouMe
 Luna and Chloe Weddings @lunaandchloe |  La Petite Coquin @lapetitecoquin
 Glamour and Grace Weddings @GlamandGraceWed

you can also find us on twitter under the #ElegantDecay hash-tag