COLOR INSPIRATION: Silver & Gold

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving and is anticipating the upcoming holiday season as much as I am!  In the spirit of the holidays, here is a little color inspiration for you all about a metallic's.  Enjoy!

Invitations set the tone for any event.  Find these on the Wedding Channel Website.

Don't we love a man in a Silver/Gray Suit, its all the rage lately!  Find it at Men's Warehouse.

This beautiful table scape was created by none other than Martha Stewart.

This alternating color scheme is gorgeous!  See more beautiful work from Cupcake Sisters.

This would be a beautiful gift for your ladies, metallic's + monogram, what's not to love.  Shop.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday giving thanks with thier loved ones!

Photo Credit: Country Living

Holiday Wedding - Planning

Thanksgiving through New Years is the most festive time of year, so why not add a wedding to the mix!  I have been working with a bride and her mother planning her December nuptials, and boy has it been a blast.  We spent a day touring her venue, meeting with the caterer and picking out linens and decor for her big day.

We started the day at Greensboro College where the ceremony and reception will take place.  This adorable chapel is definitely a hidden gem in Greensboro.

Next we headed to the Lea Center where the reception will be held. The antiques in the space are so beautiful and have the perfect color pallet for the wedding decor the bride picked out.

To end our day we took a trip to Happy Rentz to talk linens and place settings. After playing with a few ideas, here's a look at what the bride chose.

Stay tuned to see it all come together on the wedding day!

Turkey Tetrazzini

For those of you who want to switch up your typical casserole, this is the recipe for you!  I had this dish at an event, and then saw it in Rachael Ray's October 2011 Magazine.  It was so delicious I had to try it myself and share with you!  I did have to make some substitutions due to preference and not being able to find turkey breast in my local grocery store.  You can find the recipe here, dress it up any way you like! 

Cake Inspiration

I came across this cake and could not take my eyes off of it!  It is one of the most beautiful modern cakes I have seen and I just had to share it.  What do you think??? 

You can find more impeccable work by the talented Amanda Oakleaf on her website, ENJOY!

Lula's Chili

Fall and winter is the best time for comfort foods.  As soon as the weather got cool I could not wait to make this recipe that was given to me by my grandmother.  It is my ABSOLUTE favorite thing to make as soon as summer is over.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

YUMMY!

Don't forget the cornbread!

CHILI

1lb of ground beef

1 can of light red kidney beans (15.5oz)

1 can of pinto beans (15.5 oz)

1 can of tomato soup

2 cans of diced tomatoes with green peppers & onions

1 can of tomato sauce

1 teaspoon of diced garlic

¼ cup of chili powder

1 tablespoon of Onion Salt

1 tablespoon of garlic powder

Salt & Pepper

Season ground beef with salt & pepper.  Brown and drain, and put in a large pot.  Drain cans of beans and one can of diced tomatoes.  Add all three cans, plus un-drained can of diced tomatoes and tomato sauce and soup to large pot.  Season with onion salt, garlic powder, chili powder and diced garlic to chili.  Let simmer, covered, until chili is completely warmed through.  Add sour cream and cheese for additional toppings. 

Intimate Military Wedding

This wedding was for a sweet sweet young couple that came together beautifully.  The groom is a soldier who is about to get deployed so the engagement and wedding happened in about a months time.  This beautiful couple celebrated with their closest friends and family, with the most spiritual and emotional wedding I have witnessed in a while. 

Their color pallet was shades of green, in honor of the grooms military service and accented with yellow.  All of the details were carefully selected and designed by the couple.  I wish them the best of luck and thank them for their families sacrifice for our country!

Berry Cakes with Cinnamon Whipped Cream

This recipe came from one of Rachael Ray's fourth of July issues a few years ago. Ever since I baked my first batch of these muffins I can't get enough of them. They are very simple, just the right among of sweetness and can be baked with 1 kind of berry or multiple berries. Take a look at my latest batch of blueberry muffins!

1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

2 large eggs, at room temperature

2 tablespoons plus 1 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup flour

1 cup mixed fresh berries, plus more for garnish

2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly grease a muffin pan. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and 3/4 cup granulated sugar until pale, about 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add the eggs and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons cream, the vanilla and the salt and mix until combined, scraping as necessary. Beat in the flour until incorporated. Using a spatula, gently stir in the berries.

Spoon the batter into each muffin cup, about three-quarters full. Top each cake with a few berries and sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon granulated sugar over the cakes. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only a few crumbs, 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in the pan, then run a knife around the edges and remove.

In a small bowl, whip the remaining 1 cup cream with the confectioners' sugar and cinnamon until soft peaks form. Serve with the cakes.

Adventures in a Pumpkin Patch

This weekend my friends and I took the little ones to the pumpking patch/hay ride at Tanglewood Park.  It was quite an adventure I must say and everyone had so much fun!