10.12.2010

Do you wanna be a winner?




Would you like to win a print or postcard set like the ones above??? I do! Then hop on over to Living the Swell Life for a chance to win her weekly giveaway for Meet the Makers. For those of you who don't know- every Monday Jessica posts either a guest post or interview with other DIY mavens and offers a giveaway.

So sweeten' up your chances for winning by leaving a comment or linking back to Living the Swell Life! Plus check out some of her other posts. She has great photos, DIY ideas, and recipes. Definitely a great way to spend a cozy fall afternoon.

10.11.2010

Chenille oh how I love thee...

This weekend we spent 3 blissful days in Saugatuck, Michigan. My whole family packed up and headed north for my brother's 21st birthday. I love how I have a brother who wants to spend his 21st with his family. We stayed in a cozy cabin right on Lake Michigan but more about that in a coming post.

We did some serious antiquing on Sunday. I know Ryan is my soulmate because despite being a total guy's guy he loves a good antique store. He travels a lot for work and will even stop by himself if he sees an interesting one from the road {too cute}.



This chenille blanket was $28! That's it! I felt like I was stealing. Where I live you can't get a chenille blanket in mint condition for under $60. Ones with giant stains aren't even $28. I wanted to buy every chenille blanket within sight. But I settled for this pretty little lady who will now sleep in the spare bedroom. I love the cheery colors and the possibilities of it being on my little girl's bed someday.



This nursery rhyme book is the same one that my grandma read to me when I was a little girl. I have been searching for years for a copy and finally found it. Serendipity? I think so. I loved the stories and pictures when I was little and I am so excited to have it in our nursery someday.





What are some of your favorite treasures you have found lately?

Wedding Day with Brad Hart Photography












Images from Brad Hart Photography

10.07.2010

DIY Madelaines...

When I lived in Germany almost every afternoon we would have cake and coffee. Sometimes with friends, some times it was just me and the little girls I watched, but it was always a warm and cozy standing appointment. One that I miss dearly now having been back almost 5 years now!? When did it get to be that long?



Today I wanted to share with you what you need to have your own cozy tradition. I like to make these Honey-Vanilla Madelaines, sweet little shell cookies that are almost like individual pound cakes. These would be great to serve at a bridesmaid luncheon or shower or you could package them up all fancy and give them away as favors. Wanna make some??? Good, because I have a whole tutorial just for you! So brew a cup of your favorite coffee, put on a Robbie Williams playlist, and come away to Europe with me.

French Honey-Vanilla Madelaines

ingredients :1. 1 cup yellow cake mix, 2. 2 egg whites, 3. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 4. 3 tablespoons honey, 5. zest of one lemon 6. 3 tablespoons of butter, and 2 tablespoons water



preheat oven to 325 degrees

step one- separate your egg whites, put in a bowl, and put aside until they become room temperature




in a separate bowl combine cake mix, vanilla, honey, and melted butter



zest the lemon



then beat egg whites till they are nice and foamy.



combine egg whites with the rest of ingrediants



beat at a low speed for 30 seconds, then speed up to a higher speed for 2 minutes



i like how you can see the bits of lemon zest in the batter! yum, next you are going to butter and flour your madelaine pan. you need the pan because otherwise they will just look like little pancakes. i got my sheet pan at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. it was only $14.



then just fill the little shells with a nice even spoonful, make sure not to over fill as the cakes will rise a little



bake for 12-14 minutes, let cool for 5 minutes, then remove from pan gently placing them shell side up



let them continue to cool for 10 minutes, then eat with coffee and a french accent!

10.06.2010

The engagement Session with Brad Hart Photography {part 2} finale...























This is the last of the engagement photos. Sorry there are so many but I loved them all and couldn't leave any out! Coming up next wedding photos, shower games and ideas, and how to plan your own engagement picture outfits.

10.03.2010

The Engagement Session {part 2}

We had BEAUTIFUL weather for our second engagement session! No rain on this parade! And with the extra time, I even had a chance to tweak some things. Like my dress- which I got from a second hand store for $13. It looks like it is from the racks of a chic vintage store! I absolutely love it. I actually bought it for my bachelorette party and loved it so much I used the look for our engagement pics.

I also love, love, love Ryan's look. It's a little vintage but it's also modern. He wore the same outfit on our honeymoon. We got some good pictures of it at the flea markets in Paris. I hope you enjoy the pictures! If you are interested in contacting the photographer just shoot me and email! I can get you his contact information.

Brad Hart Photography was amazing and by far the best decision I made when planning our wedding. He and his wife Katie are the perfect husband and wife team. They were both awesome and very super to work with. They work together so well! Katie knows when to help Brad and when to just step back and let him do his creative thing! You should totally check out their blog. I highly recommend it.

I also plan on having more posts on styling your wedding and engagement pictures-so if you have questions or would like help with your own leave a comment or send me an email at eastchic906 at yahoo.! I would love to help and I offer my services totally free! Don't you just love a good bargain?









9.30.2010

there is life after a wedding...



I am back! After an amazing and relaxing honeymoon in Paris, I feel refreshed and ready to start some new projects. I have been cooking a lot. We had some amazing food while in France and we haven't stopped just because we are back in the good ol' USA. We have been getting in touch with our inner Julia Child and bringing Paris to us!



We had some amazing onion soup on the last night of our trip. This Sunday I am going to try my hand at making my own and see how it compares. If you want to try to make some too {since this is the perfect time of year for yummy soup and crusty bread} you can go here for the recipe.

I have lots of pictures to share with you all! Look for more posts to come soon!

8.08.2010

DIY Love Bird Photo Background







It's finally finished! Our photo background is done and ready for it's close up. The grand total cost for this project? Twenty dollars. Fourteen of which was spent on the flower hole punch and the other six on wall paper from Restore. I cannot wait to see how the pictures from the wedding turn out. This is definitely a vision that became reality.

Bliss

8.05.2010

My Hairpiece!!!



Today I had my hair trial! It went so well. It came out exactly how I wanted. I have a very short modern bob and a very vintage inspired veal and hairpiece so I think it is a very nice combo! I couldn't decide if I wanted to share pictures of it before the wedding so I am going to show you just the back...hope you like it!

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