Sunday, January 29, 2012

Black Bean + Butternut Squash Soup


Once this beautiful 80 degree weather decides to go away for a few days, I'm going to try this delicious looking butternut squash and black bean soup from Sprouted Kitchen.

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 small head of cabbage, chopped
3 cups cubed butternut squash (or sweet potato!)
3 cups low sodium vegetable broth
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. cocoa powder
pinch of chipotle or cayenne pepper
2 cups cooked black beans (about 1 can, rinsed and drained)
salt to taste
avocado for garnish
cilantro for garnish
tortilla strips for garnish

happy sunday

Monday, January 23, 2012

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars ::


I made these cookie bars over the weekend and they are absolutely delicious. I adapted this recipe from Bakerella:


2 3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 lb. light brown sugar (I used dark)
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla (I always do a tad more)
12 ounce package milk chocolate chips (I used more and used dark chocolate)
1 cup chopped pecans (Omitted these)

Sift flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.

Beat butter and sugar using a mixer until blended.
Add eggs, one at a time to sugar mixture, mixing on low in between each addition.
Add vanilla and beat.
Add flour and mix until combined.
Stir in chocolate chips and then pecans.

Bake in a 9x13 at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Classic Style ::



Saturday, January 21, 2012

Lauren + David Lauren ::







I know this is old news, but this wedding is simply too beautiful to not blog about. I could sit and stare at Lauren's wedding gown all day long. I really don't think anyone could make a prettier gown. Ever. It is STUNNING. People.com wrote: "The top layer of the dress was made of tulle in antique ivory; nearly 100 craftspeople spent more than 3,000 hours hand-embroidering the tulle with motifs of flowers and Renaissance-era scroll designs in ivory silk and metallic thread, Swarovski Elements crystals and off-white pearl beads."

Ralph Lauren, will you design my wedding gown someday? Also, can I please get married on your ranch?!

images via Vogue, Glamour, People

Monday, January 16, 2012

Carmel ::







I spent this holiday weekend in Carmel with girlfriends and had so much fun! It is such a quaint little town - I had so much fun photographing the beautiful scenery, shops, mission, and cobblestone streets.

I'm a bridesmaid!


I just got this darling handmade box from one of my best high school friends asking me to be her bridesmaid! It was filled with info on her day, my role, her bridesmaids, and our dresses. She also included some fun miniature gifts - perfume, lotion, etc. - and included paint swatches of her colors. I'm also helping her plan her big day. I'm so excited!

Monday, January 9, 2012

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Rustic Elegance ::


Fall fruits, cheeses, natural linen, wood boards


lots and lots of whites + greens


wood tables, fruit & cheeses, wine, white flowers


using fruit as table decor


white roses in rustic vases


white, white, white - this one's a little more elegant, than rustic


wood tables, loaves of fresh bread, linen/burlap runners


green + white flowers, wine barrels as tables, natural colors

fruit as decor, wooden tables

wood plank runner, natural colors

I'm officially helping one of my best friends plan her wedding, so I have been searching to find images that inspire me for her special day (not that I don't search anyway on a daily basis...). While I have found some images for her, I am not quite ready to share them yet! I thought I'd put together a rustic & elegant post because I just love this look so much. These images are natural, clean, and not too rustic for my taste. Plus, this look adds a much more casual effect while still staying very classy and elegant.

sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Friday, January 6, 2012

*Winter Wedding*









I've always imagined a summer affair to be ideal, but I'm warming up to the idea of a winter wonderland-eque wedding. There is something so romantic about the season. Plus, it's a time for celebration, family, friends, and spending time with the ones you love. I'm picturing a winter wedding in my mind and I'm seeing a lot of pinecones, lanterns, Christmas plaid, white flowers, fur, snow, Christmas trees, little white lights, hot cocoa (spiked, of course), tea lights and more tea lights, horses, red berries, nutcrackers, wood fires, champagne, and mistletoe.
Image 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8