Life in Pictures.

Red, White and Blue... some inspiration

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great 4th!

-t

More fun 4th of July Crafts and Party Ideas

I was checking out one of my favorite blogs--twig and thistle and ran across these SUPER cute sparkler covers and matchbook covers.  What a great idea for your guests and they're super easy to make so you can whip them up easily before Saturday!!   There's even a template to print out to make it extra simple!

 

 

 

 

Check out the post here for all the instructions and templates. :)

Have a great day!

-t 

The Perfect Picnic

I'm busy crafting today...I'll have a few things to share in the next few days, but until then...On a warm sunny day like today this looks even more inviting...wouldn't you like to be a guest at this perfect brunch???

 

have a great summer afternoon!

-t

Let's Party: 4th of July Crafts and Party Ideas

I LOVE the 4th of July!!!  It's right up there with Christmas and Halloween as far as I'm concerned.  Something about all that red, white and blue just makes me happy.  What can be better than fireworks, the warm summer night, amazing food and celebrating our beautiful and awe inspiring country.  I thought I'd get you started thinking in that direction since we only have a week left to prepare!!  Here are some fun images and ideas for you...

They sell these fun beverage containers everywhere these days.  Homegoods, Costco, Crate and Barrel, you name it.  Fill them with Fruit Punch, Sprite and Blue Kool Aid and you automatically have a fun and festive and practical centerpiece!

 

I'll do a little tutorial on how to make something similar to these fun decorations later this week.  SO easy!!!

 

You can find this great table runner at Social Couture. 

** Money saving tip**  Think of what you have around the house...do you have a fun red, white and blue quilt that can substitute as a table cloth for the day??   

 

a couple more fun table ideas rom social couture...you can find the red and white striped popcorn bags and boxes at your local Cost Plus World Market.  Love the simple idea of strawberries in white buckets with ribbon tied around. 

**Money Saving Tip** Make your own "white buckets" with some inexpensive terra cotta pots that you paint white with a 99cent bottle of acrylic paint.

 

This banner is SO cute!!!  Check out how to make it and a bunch of other great crafts with this 4th of July Crafts Tutorial from Country Living. 

 

another super cute placecard idea from Country Living

 

and finally Martha.  We must remember our party favors!  Keep your guests cool on the warm summer night with these adorable DIY patriotic fans...

 

Here's the fan tutorial.

Hope this gets your creative juices flowing!!  I'll be back with more fun ideas for the 4th later in the week!!  

Have a great Monday!!

-t 

Friday Favorites: Crown and Crumpet

I thought I had died and gone to party planning heaven when I set eyes on this little gem last week while walking through Ghiradelli Square.  If I had a cute little boutique tea shoppe this is EXACTLY what I would imagine it looking like.  ;)  I only wish it was closer for my sweet little girl's sake. 

The perfect mix of whimsy and whit not only is Crown and Crumpet a feast for the eyes, but talented Pastry Chef Caroline Romanski will make sure your tummy is happy too. 

Next time you're in the area stop by Crown and Crumpet.  You won't be disappointed! 

 

 

 

have a great day!
-t

Let's Celebrate: Host a Mother's Day Brunch

It's that time of year...time to celebrate all of our wonderful mothers!  I thought I'd share a few ideas I've been putting together for a brunch for mom this year.  I't super easy and looks great so maybe you can throw one together for your mom too! :) 

I've been in the gardening mood lately.  We're growing tomatoes, herbs, and strawberries in our backyard in pots this year..in OC we can't get away with much more than that!  I'm in the mood for springy, gardening type things and it is kind of influencing my mother's day plans. :) i LOVE this idea from MS for table numbers/namecards.  Head to your local Home Depot and pick up a few seed packets and turn thm into something beautiful.  Mixed in with glassware and white china...how pretty!  In keeping with the theme how about berries and spring veggies?

I also love this idea of silverware in white linen napkins tied with raffia and antique button cards...but, in keeping with our theme, why not do your own take on this idea and tie them up with raffia and a garden marker which can double as a placecard when you write their name on it.

 

Fresh flowers placed in farmer's market tins are super pretty and easy.  You can find the tins at your local craft store and they are great to have around for all kinds of occassions. 

 

I have been saving this idea to use for a LONG time and I think this might just be the occassion... isn't it so pretty??? (courtesy of cottage living)

 I think it was really the antique blue glasses combined with the lemonade and coral accents that really got me.  So, I've been hunting and look what I scored just yesterday at my decorating/party planning mecca...

 

My very own beautiful blue glasses...and for only 2.00 a pop!  Not bad if you ask me! :)

For a little favor for mom how about these cute little baskets of scones and strawberries at every place setting?

 

These fun country touches combined with your elegant (and easy) gourmet menu...here's a fave recipe...will make for a memorable day for mom!

Stuffed French Toast

• 1 Large Ripe Peach, peeled and pit removed
• 1 Pint Strawberries, stem removed and diced small
• 4 Ounces Cream Cheese, soft
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar

• 1 Loaf of Brioche, Challah, or White Bread, unsliced
• 3 Large Eggs
• 1 1/4 Cups Milk
• 1 Tablespoon Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
• 1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• Butter and Vegetable Oil for frying
• Maple Syrup

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Filling Cut one half of the peach into 1/4 inch slices and set aside for topping later. Dice the other half of the peach into small cubes (about 1/4"). Mash together with a fork or mixer the diced peach and strawberries, 1 Tbl sugar, and cream cheese.  Cut the bread into 1 inch slices. Using a serrated knife, cut a pocket in the side of each slice of bread. Try to make the pocket as deep as possible without cutting through the other side.
Place 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into each pocket.

Batter In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and 1 Tbl sugar.

Heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Place two or three slices of bread in the batter and let soak for 5 seconds. Flip over and soak again for 5 seconds. Remove the bread from the batter and place on a plate. Let the bread stand for 1 minute so the batter can soak in. Add a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan.
Place the soaked bread into the hot pan. When you have all the slices in the pan, start soaking the next three pieces as described before.
Cook each side until a light golden brown. Place on a cookie sheet or wire rack. When all the pieces have been fried, place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and top each serving with sliced peaches. Serve with maple syrup.

 

Have a great day!!

-t

Photographer for Hire: Not your ordinary event photography Orange County and San Diego Photographer

I've been mulling over ths idea for a while now and finally decided to take the plunge. :)  Over the last few years I've been asked to photograph many events.  My absolute favorite have been children's parties and events.  I often get emails or people telling me how "I wish I had pictures like that of my kids at Chuck E Cheese" or "I always forget to take pictures of the cake and the details!"   Believe me, I know that feeling!!  Whenever I am hosting something I actually try and finish everything a half hour early to allow myself some time to break out the camera.  It is a tough job hosting AND being the photog! 

So, I'm going to try something new and see how it works.  I'm going to offer event photography for those kind of events in your life.  If you're having a party and want to capture some killer images of all your hard work and the fun that results-- invite me!! :)  If you are taking a family trip to chuck e cheese and want some pictures...I'll come along!   Is your son pitching his first game and you want to document it with some awesome pics?  Take me out to the ballpark! :)  Beach Day?  Let's hit the waves!  You get the idea. :)

**Another idea that I thought was GREAT--Over the years I've had a few people get me as a gift for friends and family members...if you can't find the perfect gift for the party-- bring me! :) **

Rates are hourly-- $225 an hour for locations in South Orange County.  North Orange County and San Diego rates will be $275 an hour to allow for extended travel time.  These rates do NOT include images.  Image files will be available on CD for $15 per file. 

I am going to open up Saturday's ONLY right now.  If you are interested in booking please contact me at [email protected] to set up a day/time.  In order to insure you get the date you want please remember to book early. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great day!

-t

Let's Party: How to Make a Strawberry Topiary

I saw these in a book a while ago and HAD to make one for Easter.  I thought they were too cool!  The best part is they are EASY.  In a matter of 20 minutes I was able to create something that looked really fun and unique.  If you are hosting a mother's day brunch, wedding or baby shower, or anything else for that matter...try one of these as a centerpeice or in your buffet line.  Yummy!  I'll include an easy dip recipe that you can serve with it for even more yumminess! :)

Supplies you'll need:

A craft topiary form.  I used one with two foam balls.  You could do one or three if you choose...depending on how big you want it to be. 

A base/pot for the topiary

a glue gun

some floral moss

toothpicks

strawberries (I needed about 4lbs for this one)

Wash and dry your strawberries.  Leave the stems ON.  This is what keeps them from falling off the toothpicks!

Glue your topiary base and form into your pot.  Secure it REALLY well.  The topiary will be REALLY top heavy so you want your base to be secure.

I started out sticking toothpicks into my topiary like this..

 

 

As you go you may have to move things around a little and fill in here and there, but it gives you a good place to start.

Stick your srawberries on the toothpicks through the stem to give the toothpicks something to grab a hold of.

Continue to fill in around the foam topiary forms until you have this..

 

 

Isn't that cool???  I think it would be cute with little fruit kabobs on it too! :)

Here's the dreamy dip to serve with this or ANY fruit:

1 package (8oz) of cream cheese, softened

1 jar of marshmallow creme

zest of 1 orange

a little bit of orange juice squeezed from the orange you zest

combine all ingredients and mix until smooth and creamy. 

What do you think?  Pretty easy for a lot of WOW! factor, huh? 

Have a great day!

-t

Let's Party: 80's Karaoke Party Ideas

Last week John and I had the chance to go to a birthday party for a friend.  I have to say it was one of the most fun things I've done in a while.  It wasn't your typical stand around a chat kind of party.  It was an 80's karaoke party held at one of the most interesting places I've been in a long time.  Aparently karaoke houses (i can't think of a better name for them) are quite popular in Asian countries.   People were lined up in the lobby when we left just waiting to rent a room for an hour of entertainment.  It was very unassuming, located in a strip mall next to a Sushi place.  We entered the small lobby (feeling a little self conscious dressed in full 80's garb) and were led down a long hallway full of small rooms with single french doors.  Behind each door was a room with a comfy multi colored vinyl bench seat, a table in the middle, a disco ball on the ceiling, two microphones mounted on the wall, a high end flat screen TV and the most complicated piece of audio visual equipment I have ever seen with a giant remote control with ALL buttons and instructions in Korean.  Large catalogs of songs were stacked on top of the machine.  I knew we were in for a good time. 

Need I say more???

 

   

 

It was absolutely hillarious!!  Once the guest of honor arrived we launched into hours of side splitting performances.  My face hasn't hurt that much in a LONG time from laughing so much. 

Our cute hostess thought of everything.  She even ordered these fun boxes of 80's treats...

 

If you are ever looking for old school treats you can find your own here at Hometown Favorites.  You can order boxes of candy by decade.  How cool is that???

 After classic hits like You give Love a bad Name, Endless Love, and Sister Christian

 

 

 

It was time for some yummy cupcakes

 

and a final song to send us on our way.  Serioulsy you have GOT to hear this guy's rendition of Sister Christian.   Definitely a crowd pleaser! ;)  We are still laughing Dave!!! :)

 

If you are looking for a good time with a group of friends this will NO DOUBT be one of the most memorable experiences.  If you are in the OC area check out JJ's Music In Tustin.  They don't have a website, but google it and you'll find it!  It was a GREAT idea for a party!

For all my karaoke friends a few words to bring a smile to your face today....

"I will always love you...."

have a great day!

-t

Let's Party: March Madness Party Ideas

It's that time of year when brackets are being filled in and people are huddled around the tv watching college hoops around the clock.  I have to admit, even though I'm not a huge basketball fan, I do like to participate in the festivities.  Let's face it, I'll never give up a chance to throw a party! ;)

Here are a few ideas to get your party started...

Invites don't get much cheaper and easier than an "evite."  I love the idea of inviting your guests to wear their favorite teams colors or jerseys.  I think it adds to the spirit of the party.  So, when I saw this evite I thought it was perfect!  If you want to remain neutral since you're the party host..throw on a referee jersey! :)

 

Watching the game can get a little long for some of your guests so why not introduce a little competition of your own.  If you own a wii or xbox, why not host your own tournament.  Set up a bracket on a large piece of poster board.  Have guests enter as a team and then have them play eachother on the wii until someone wins the championship.

Serve "stadium food."  Not only is it easier for you to make, but it's easy for your guests to munch on finger foods while standing around watching the game.  Chips and dip, cold sodas, hot dogs, pizza and sweets will keep your guests happy and full.  Even though it's stadium food you can always dress it up if you want to add more of a gourmet touch.  Do fancy pizzas and dips!  One of my favorite dips that is ALWAYS a crowd favorite is SUPER easy to make (but not fancy!) is:

1 can of chili

1 8oz brick of cream cheese

8oz of cheddar cheese shredded

melt together in a crock pot and serve warm with fritos for dipping.  YUM!!

Here's another yummy treat courtesy of epicurious.com

 

Chocolate Whoppie Pies

Decorations can include basketball balloons and team pennants.  Whistles would make fun favors and so would a little celophane bag with a few of these in it..

 

the basketballs of course!!  just make some simple sugar cookies, ice them with orange icing and lay down a few black stripes! :)  Cute favors in a flash!

I hope this gives you a few fun ideas and inspires you to throw a little March Madness get together this week! :)

Have a great day!

-t

Have a great day