Vera Wang Love

One of the most sought after wedding dress designers has added a new line of goodies to her wedding brand.  Vera Wang Love, engagements rings, exclusively for Zales launched just in time for the beginning of engagement season at the end of 2011.  Let's "ooohh and aahhh" together as we take a look at these beauties, pictures courtesy of Zales.

Princess Cut Engagement Ring

Round and Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring

Diamond Frame Engagement Ring

Diamond and Sapphire Three Stoned Engagement Ring

Homemade Ranch Dressing

I am one of the few people in this world who do not like ranch dressing.  My boyfriend, however, enjoys enough for the both of us.  One night after preparing salads with dinner, we found ourselves in a bind.  There was no ranch dressing!!!!  Luckily, with some quick thinking, a google search and a prayer for most of the ingredients to be on hand, I found the perfect recipe.

To adjust the quantity sizes visit this website. 

Ingredients
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons sour cream
1/8 teaspoon dried chives
1/8 teaspoon dried parsley
1/8 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, parsley, dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

***Serves 4

Personal Photo

Personal Photo

State of the Union

Today I am re-posting a very interesting notion I first saw from Katie, the author of Marriage Confessions blog via Southern Weddings blog.  When I saw Katie's post on her and her hubby's twist on New Year's Resolutions I instantly knew I would share it.  Any relationship, especially marriage takes work and need nourisment.  I admire her and her husband's tradition of having a "State of the Union" conversation yearly to reflect on their marriage.  Take a look at her original post and let me know what you think!

Picture from Alexa's Photography

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Pineapple is one of my favorite fruits. As you can imagine it's hard for me to resist any dessert with pineapple in it. Though i've never attepmted to make a Pineapple Upside-Down cake, this recipe from Eva Longoria's cookbook via the new show The Chew seems easy enough.

Purchase Eva's Kitchen here.

Picture from The Chew website

  

2/3 cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature)

1/2 cup Packed Light Brown Sugar

7 Pineapple slices

7 Maraschino Cherries (optional)

1 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour (or cake flour)

1 cup Sugar

2 teaspoons Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon Salt

2/3 cup Milk

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1 Egg

Preheat oven to 350F. In a flameproof 9-inch cake pan, melt 1/3 cup of the butter over low heat. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the butter and cook, stirring, until the sugar and butter are blended and there are no pools of melted batter, 2 to 4 minutes.

Arrange the pineapple on top of the caramel. Decorate with cherries if desired, placing them in the center of each pineapple slice. Set the pan aside.

In the work bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl with a handheld mixer, place the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt and mix on low speed until well combined. NOTE: Eva likes to use cake flour. Add the remaining 1/3 cup of butter along with the milk and vanilla. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the egg and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour the batter over the pineapple.

Bake until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and carefully tilt it in all directions to release the cake from the sides of the pan. Let cool in the pan for about 3 minutes. Turn the pan over onto a serving plate and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully lift the pan off the cake. Use a spatula to remove any fruit that is stuck to the pan and place it on the cake. Serve warm or at room temperature.

COLOR INSPIRATION: Purple & Red

We have a few more months until the spring wedding season arrives, until then, we are still totally in love with the deep rich tones of the winter weddings.  Purple & Red are two colors that are right next to each other on the color wheel and complement each other wonderfully.  Have a look at the color inspiration for bouquet, ceremony, cocktail hour, cake and reception below.

Picture from The Knot

Picture from Sprout-Flowers

Picture from The Knot

Picture from Studio Stems

Picture from Wedding by Color

Shake 'N Shimmy Chops

This hearty meal is a delicious entree selection from the Down Home with the Neely's.  Once I saw them making it on their show I couldn't wait to try it at home. 

Personal Photo

Brine:

2 quarts water

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons sugar

1 tablespoon brown sugar

4 (1-inch thick) pork chops

Chops:

2 cups panko bread crumbs

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan

2 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 large eggs, beaten

Vegetable oil, for grill grates 

Brine: Add all of the ingredients to a large pot, and put the pork chops into the brine, allowing them to soak for 1 hour.


Preheat a grill to medium heat.

Add the panko, cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper, to taste, to a large heavy duty resealable plastic bag. Add the beaten eggs to a casserole dish. Remove the pork chops from brine. Dredge the chops through the eggs and shake them, 1 at a time, in the bread crumb mixture.

Oil the grill grates with a clean tea towel dipped in vegetable oil. Put the chops on the grill and cook for 10 minutes with the lid shut. Flip the pork chops and cook, covered, for another 10 minutes. Transfer the chops to a serving platter and serve.

Holiday Wedding - The Big Day

On December 10, 2011, I had the pleasure of witnessing all of the planning and coordination of a holiday wedding come together. 

Decorated with fresh greens and deep rich holiday reds and metallic's, the holiday spirit was certainly present.  The couple's love was celebrated by their closest friends and family who witnessed the personal ceremony, rang bells as they couple was pronounced husband and wife, cheered with sparklers as they exited and ate, drank and were merry!  Congratulations Em & Mike!!!!!

View Previous Post

Venue: Greensboro College
Photography: The Nixon's Photography
Cake: Simply Scrumptious Bake Shop
Stationary Suite: Bride
DJ: Wally West
Florist: The Farmer's Wife
Rentals: Save the Date Event Rentals
Coordination: Memorable Milestones, LLC

Personal Photo

Personal Photo

Personal Photo

Personal Photo

Courtesy of the Bride

Elmo's Chicken Pot Pie

That's right, you read the title correctly.  Today we are sampling a recipe from none other than Elmo, everyone's childhood favorite from Sesame Street.  Elmo stopped by the Nate Berkus show, a fabulous show if you've never checked it out, to show him how to make this comfort food favorite.

Picture from Nate Berkus Show website

New Year's Party Ideas for Any Occasion

Happy New Years!!!!  I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed holiday season!

While enjoying a little time off I was able to catch up on a few of my favorite shows and just knew I had to share this segment from the Rachael Ray Show with you all!  Even though David Tutera and Rach are sharing idea's for New Year's Eve Celebrations, these ideas can easily be used for any celebration from dinner parties to bridal showers.

Picture from Rachael Ray Show Website