Trick or Treat

Happy Friday all I hope you have fun plans for the weekend. D and I are going as Bert and Mary Poppins for a party we have on Saturday {I'm pretty excited}. Have a safe and happy Halloween. 

print via Etsy

Kwiat Illustrations

I am loving the Kwiat add campaign right now with the photo incorporated illustrations. I like that they wend an unusual rout and wish more would do the same. I love how they incorporated the product.

Must Make

Chocolate Caramel Tarts
I came across this recipe on My Baking Addiction and I MUST try it. It looks mouthwateringly good and I think it would be an impressive addition to a dinner party.

Crust:
1 1⁄2 cups flour
1⁄4 cup plus 1 tablespoon dutch-process unsweetened
cocoa powder
1⁄4 teaspoon. kosher salt
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed and softened
1⁄2 cup plus 2 tablespoons. confectioners' sugar
2 egg yolks, room temperature
1⁄2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Caramel:

1 1⁄2 cups sugar
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt
6 tablespoons water
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon sour cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Ganache:
1⁄2 cup heavy cream
4 oz. Scharffen Berger Bittersweet Chocolate, finely chopped
Vanilla Fleur de Sel for garnish (optional)

1. Prepare the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, and salt; set aside. Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a electric hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy; mix in yolks and vanilla. Add in dry ingredients. Divide dough into 6 equal portions. Evenly press each portion into the bottoms and sides of 6 3.5-inch tartlet pan with removeable bottoms. Refrigerate tartlet shells for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F, prick the tart shells all over with a fork. Bake in preheated oven until cooked through, about 13-15 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool.

2. Prepare the Caramel: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together sugar, corn syrup, salt, and 6 tbsp. water and bring to a boil. Cook, without stirring, until a candy thermometer inserted into the syrup reads 340°. Remove pan from heat and whisk in butter, cream, sour cream and vanilla (the mixture will bubble up) until smooth. Pour caramel into cooled tartlet shells and let cool slightly; refrigerate until firm, about 3-4 hours.

3. Prepare the Ganache: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring cream to a boil. Put chocolate into a medium bowl and pour in hot cream; let sit for 1 minute, then stir slowly with a rubber spatula until smooth. Spoon ganache evenly over tartlets and refrigerate until set, 3-4 hours. If desired, sprinkle tart with sea salt and slice. Serve cold.

The Fashion Influence

I think the clothes we wear reflect a lot about the taste we have in our furnishings. The colors we put on to make us feel good, and its the same thing in our homes. I found this look on Pinterest, loved it, and translated that into a style.

Classic Combinations

Black, white, and cream, a timeless look made effortless by incorporating different textures and finishes. The classic look is set off by perfectly tailored furniture, a pop of orange, and a city of color out the window.

   Images via escaped

Lisa Golightly

Lisa Golightly is an artist illustrator on Etsy with lovely paintings and illustrations. She used her own children and family as inspiration and tries to keep the spirit of childhood imagination with her at all times in her Portland, Oregon studio.

Style Inspiration: Bookshelves

images via pinterist

I love the idea of having a library full of books and treasures. I am not personally a big fan of the color coordinated organization method, but I think books always make a home feel lived in. As it is now I only have enough books and treasures to fill a bookcase, but I am well on my way I think.

Fall Transition

Happy Friday

Hope you all have a lovely weekend planned. My friend is having a fall party this weekend and we will be carving pumpkins and hanging out.... it'll be fun. 

Kate Spade NY

Kate Spade just gets to me for whatever reason. Its like the clothes {and more importantly shoes} were created just to suit my fancy. How fabulous is their NY location with all its color!!

images from Adore Home

Pauline Sofa

I did this rendering of a sofa I have been coveting from Z Gallerie forever it seems.  I love the blue microfiber and nailhead trim and with the contrasting dark wood. It just speaks to me. That and their lighting and accessories.

A Little Cupcake Love

These are the amazing cupcakes I made for my mom's birthday (you know, if I do say so myself). I wanted to make something light, because we were going to dinner first, and angel food sounded perfect.

Angel Food Cupcake with Blueberry Buttercream:

1 box angel food cake mix ( I know shame shame)
1 stick butter or margarine
3/4 cup confectioners sugar
1tsp venilla
small bag frozen blueberries

Mix the cake mix as directed and portion out in a muffin pan. Bake for 15-20 min at 350 making sure to watch carefully because they will brown fast. Next cook down the berries on the stove. In the meantime with a hand mixer blend together one stick of butter with about 3/4 cup powdered sugar. I did the, when it looks and tastes right method of measurement, so play this one by ear. Once it was the right consistency I added the vanilla and a Tbs of the blueberries and blended those in.  Once the cupcakes are cool pipe the frosting on and spoon some of the blueberry on top.

It sounds like it would just be over the top rich but the tartness of the blueberry and the lightness of the cake make this work so well. I know I will do it again.

Masterpiece pattern sheet

Have you seen these? I think this is a clever idea... till you have to move and fill all of those holes. The pattern by mo man tai includes several masterpieces for you to chose from.

Today I'm Feeling.....

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Adore Home

Adore got a peek in Cameo Public Relations newly renovated Manhattan office and I must say it is quite nice. I am loving the over the top uber glam, its girly but in a grown up way.

Lunch

I want this for lunch today:

Avocado Fries

 Pesto Grilled Cheese

Avocado Fries

Canola oil for frying
1/4 cup flour

1 tsp kosher salt
About 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 large eggs, beaten to blend
1 1/4 cups panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
2 firm-ripe medium avocados, pitted, peeled, and sliced into 1/2-in. wedges
Grated parmesan for serving (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 200°. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 1/2 in. oil until it registers 375° on a deep-fry thermometer.

2. Meanwhile, mix flour with 1/2 tsp. salt in a shallow plate. Put eggs and panko in separate shallow plates.

3. Sprinkle the avocado slices with the remaining ½ tsp salt.  Dip each slice in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg, then panko to coat. Set on 2 plates in a single layer.

4. Fry a quarter of avocado slices at a time until deep golden, 30 to 60 seconds. Transfer slices to a plate lined with paper towels. Keep warm in oven while cooking remaining avocados. Sprinkle with salt and a little grated parmesan.  Serve warm or room temperature.

Rifle Paper Co.

Rifle Paper Co. is a boutique stationery brand and design studio based in Winter Park, Florida created by Anna Bond together with her husband Nathan. Their products feature Anna's whimsical designs which often include hand-painted illustrations and lettering. They specialize in cards, miscellaneous paper goods, invitation templates, children's goods, and art prints.

I love the Anatomy of Love print and I think the Better Days... print set is so cute. 

Fall is Here... With Cozy Things

With fall finally upon us nothing sounds better than curling up with a warm drink and a blanket, someplace cozy, to google till my hearts content.
Crate&Barrel and West elm can make all this a reality with their warm blankets, cozy pillows, and felt rugs.  I am loving the crazy textures and amazing braided rug (C&B) for fall.

Shoes

My obsession with shoes continues with a random illustration I did wishing I lived someplace with a Zara! I don't normally do fashion related illustrations but I found this image on Pinterest and thought I would give it a go.

Styling + Concept + Illustration

 

I am blown away by the genius of this food photography. Hamburg based visual designer and prop-stylist Dietland Wolf created the loveliest food arrangements. I think the incorporation of the watercolor illustration was so clever. Love it.

Home Office Ideas

I have a very small space that I work in (otherwise known as my bedroom). It has the task of accommodating seating, bedroom furniture, books, and my desk; a feat not easily done. My current set-up doesn't really work for me but it is only temporary as I plan to move relatively soon. I am looking for office inspiration for when I do and here is what I have found so far:

Happy Friday

Angel food Cupcakes

Happy friday all, it was an early morning for D and I as we waited in line for hours to get the new iphone 4s.  At least I have a happy boyfriend. I hope all of you have a nice weekend, its my mom's birthday so I will be celebrating over dinner and cake.  

Mini Masterpiece Favors

How cute are these! I think this is such a clever idea for a party or reception. I have seen these miniature easel and canvases at several art supply stores but never had any idea of what to do with any thing that teensy. Thank goodness for crafty people.