Happy Birthday!

I love this idea for a birthday cake. How great are those candles? So unexpected!

For more of these french birthday images by Elizabeth Messina, go here!

Lemon Tartlettes

My interns, Heather and Lauren, came over last weekend to shoot and style the desserts for our Mother’s Day Picnic, which you can see here, today on Grey Likes Weddings. They did an incredible job styling and photographing our details. The tartlettes were adapted from this Lemon Chess Pie recipe. Obviously we didn’t make the blackberry compote, per it’s inability to travel well. And I cheated on the crust…I totally bought store made pie dough. BUT, the filling was legit, so I totally recommend whipping some up this weekend. They were actually super easy to make!

Everyday Pretty

Lately I’ve been working on incorporating some of these beautiful and inspiring ideas I see all over the blogosphere into my actual life. Sometimes it’s easy to just get my fill of pretty things in the virtual world, rather than pursuing infusing my own life with beauty on a daily basis. It’s sort of a practice what you preach kind of thing.

Anyhow, this inspiration board has a few ideas that I really love, each which represent something fairly easy that you could do to touch up your space. First up, I love the ice tea display from Sweet Paul. What I love most is the mint, all bunched up together. Mint is so refreshing and a nice addition to your iced tea. It takes only an extra dollar or two to buy a bunch, and with all the leftover leaves, bundle them together with a piece of twine for an instant centerpiece on your summer table.

The next image from 100 Layer Cake is a table with a plank running down the center. What a creative idea, if you’ve got something like that laying around your backyard or your garage! Also, note the branches in the vase at the bottom left from Apartment Therapy. An eye catching centerpiece is usually as easy as running out to your front yard with a pair of clippers and an eye for a few small tree branches! The last picture from Green Wedding Shoes is a little more high maintenance, but I do adore old letterpress blocks. Whenever I’m at the flea market, I’m on the hunt for more. What a fun sweet little addition to your home!

Weekend Treats

Here are a few recipes that you ought to make this weekend…

…Mint and Lime Iced Green Tea from One Ordinary Day

…Smoked Pork with Rosemary and Brown Sugar Rug from Chase Blackwell

…perhaps serve the pork sandwiches with a side of Quinoa Tabbouleh with Arugula and Saffron from A Table

…and for dessert, these bright yellow Macaroons from Delectable Deliciousness

White Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

Amy Boyd, one of my lovely and uber talented gals from Grey’s Style Circle came over this week for some baking. I just picked up some lovely pink vintage dishes from the flea market last weekend, so I felt the new bowls ought to be worn in (much like a new outfit, no?). The occasion called for the bright summery strawberry hues, and because the clouds have persisted this week, I felt the dessert was a nice little pick me up.

I hope you try out our little creation. We certainly enjoyed eating them! Check out the complete recipe, which was adapted from (here and here) below the post.

Styling by Summer Watkins and Amy Boyd. Photography by Summer Watkins.

White Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:
·      2 cups all-purpose flour
·      1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
·      1/2 cup white chocolate chips
·      1 Tbsp. baking powder
·      1/4 tsp. salt
·      4 Tbsp. cold butter, cut into chunks
·      1 large egg
·      2/3 cup half and half or heavy cream
·      1 quart fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
·      1/4 cup powdered sugar

For the whipped cream:
·      3/4 cup heavy cream, well chilled
·      2 Tbs. sugar
·      1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation:
1.     Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2.     In a large bowl, mix flour, white chocolate chips, sugar, baking powder and salt.
3.     With a pastry blender or two forks, cut in butter until crumbly.
4.     In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and cream.
5.     Pour cream mixture into the flour mixture, and mix with a fork until the dough just comes together. It will be sticky.
6.     Grease a cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.
7.     Spoon dough onto prepared cookie sheet. Flatten with your fingers to about 3/4-inch thick.
8.     Bake 12-15 minutes.
9.     Meanwhile, stir together strawberries and powdered sugar.
10. To make the whipped cream, in a deep bowl, combine the cream, sugar and vanilla.
11. Using an electric mixer, beat on medium-high speed until soft peaks form and the cream is billowy, about 2 minutes.
12. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve or for up to 2 hours.
13. To make shortcakes, place on biscuit, flat side up on a plate. Top with strawberries and whipped cream.

Susy Homemaker

I love this cake. So if you have a friend whose birthday is coming up, this ought to be your next homemade delicacy…because it is just that cute. Image and recipe via Marry Me.