About Me

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I try to be superwoman. I like iced cappuccinos, photography, design and being neat and tidy. My husband and I are homebodys - even though we've been together for 10 years, (married for three) our life is never boring. We have an almost two year old daughter who is the center of our world. Join us as we make our house a home and juggle parenthood for the first time.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

It's a New Year...

So I better keep up with this blog!

So I think I am in purple curtain hell right now. I keep going back and forth on what curtains would work well in my new office. We just finished painting the room Gentle Rain by Behr and it has a little beige undertone, so my original plan for curtains, (see here) I don't think matches too well. It's a little magenta for that room.






Source: google.com via Amy on Pinterest



Now,I am LOVING this purple/plum color right now:



But of course they don't carry anything like that for a window treatment. I wish these weren't discontinued too:


I have to be the pickiest person on the planet sometimes when it comes to accessories. I would prefer no grommets, but I think I need to look past that point now. Sigh......

At least I purchased my "must-have" lamp for my new office!



Feel free to follow me on Pinterest! I love to share ideas!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

I am now mobile!

So since I last posted a lot has changed! Not only am I my own boss and wedding season is in full swing, I got an iPhone, which has made my life simpler and now I get to share things in real time. I am going to try and blog more, I miss it! I have made a decision to not take as many weddings as this year, so hopefully I can have a life again!

In honor of me coming back to blogging, I will share my most recent must try recipe - Pumpkin cupcakes with salted carmel buttercream. Omg. These are to die for!

for the pumpkin cupcakes:
ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree

directions:

preheat oven to 350 degrees. line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside. in a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, + allspice; set aside.

in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine brown sugar, granulated sugar, butter, + eggs. beat on medium speed until well combined. add dry ingredients + mix on low until smooth. fold in pumpkin puree.

divide batter evenly among liners, filling each about halfway. bake until tops spring back when touched, + a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 – 25 minutes, rotating pans once if needed. transfer to a wire rack + let cool completely.

for the salted caramel buttercream

ingredients
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 stick salted butter
1 stick unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 cups powdered sugar

directions
in a saucepan, stir together granulated sugar + water. bring to a boil over medium high heat. cook without stirring until mixture turns a deep amber color. remove from heat + slowly add in cream + vanilla, stirring until very smooth. let caramel cool for about 20 minutes, until it is just barely warm, but still pourable.

in a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter + salt together until lightened + fluffy. reduce speed to low + add powdered sugar. mix until thoroughly combined.

scrape down the side of the bowl + add the caramel. beat on medium high speed until light + airy, + completely mixed (about 2 minutes). mixture should be ready to use without refrigeration. if your caramel was too hot when added, it will cause your icing to be runny – if this happens refrigerate for 15-20 minutes.

They are a little labor intensive, but oh so worth it! Happy Fall!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

3 Month Hiatus!

I'm so sorry I've been gone for 3 months. SO MUCH has happened since then. I've quit my job and now photograph full time! I am so excited I am able to do that and stay home with Sophie. So much has been jam packed into the time I have been "gone." With wedding season in full swing, I've been working nonstop. The house also calls to us. We've renovated and painted our kitchen cabinets. I can not wait to share the transformation with you - it is like night and day. We still have to paint the walls, but we hope to get that done very soon.

I will try to catch you up on the last 3 months very soon, but for now here's an amazing wreath I made, from The Pretty Poppy.


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Sophie's 1st Birthday!

Good morning Sophie! Happy 1st Birthday!


We got the decorations ready...


The cakes were AMAZING!

The little one is all dressed and ready for guests!


We open presents first...


Ready and awaiting cake time!

"Happy Birthday, dear Sophie..."


Let's see..what's the best way to do this...

Mmmm....I like!

This is pretty awesome!


Ah, screw it! I am all hands on!


A quick bath and outfit change...

Buh-bye! Thanks for taking a peek at my party!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Sophie's Birthday Sneak Peek - - Invitations




Here are my handmade invites! I came across this idea on etsy and knew I immediately had to make these. I traced a formula can for the body and the head was half of a travel coffee cup. Made the black body/head first and then made a template for the wings. I bought a special hole punch for the spots on the wings and added a brad to make the wings open and close. I am really glad I made these instead of just buying a regular invite. They are exactly what I wanted! :)

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Happy 11 months Sophie!

Yes, just one more month until you are officially a toddler. You will always be my baby and I'm so thankful for that. Let's see what you've been up to this month...

You continue to be walking and are able to go further each day. Your record is 8-10 steps. You seem to crawl and walk about evenly now. The coffee table is your home base to help you stand up with guidance. You have also learned to dance while standing. It is so cute to see you shake your booty!

Feeding time is more difficult now and want what's on our plates! We have to finish some baby food we already bought, but then it will be big girl food. So far you like mac & cheese and chicken.

You are still in size 3 diapers, and 12 month clothing fits you the best. You may go to size 4 diapers soon, probably not next month but in a couple...You are still eating 5 oz. every 3 hours and have a nap an hour after each bottle. You take 4 naps a day and still sleep through the night. We always try to keep you on schedule for naps, Sophie. You like your sleep and can be grouchy when you miss the pivotal morning or afternoon nap.

You like when the freezer is open so you can put your mouth on the cool hinges and play with the frozen food. You don't like when we close it. Same thing with the dishwasher and cabinets. You have also figured out how to take the cap off of pens and markers. Mommy found you with purple marker on your mouth one day! You like to nod your head 'yes' and 'no' and wave to everyone. You are not a shy baby and love attention and people and are so interested and inquisitive about the world around you. Grammie likes to say you're a little dickens when you are rambunctious. Mommy says you're silly!

Every day is better than the last, little one. You are sooooooooooooo smart I can't believe it sometimes. We can't (can) wait for the next stage: toddlerhood!


Photobucket

My 100th post!

For my 100th post I will give you all a sneak peek of the stairwell. We had to use scaffolding to get into the corners, and let me tell you, scaffolding + a ladder on top = freaked out Amy. My husband did most of it but I helped hang our new chandelier! I really love the way it looks.


Please excuse the horrible cell phone image - I took this in the morning when it was still dark out and did not line it up very well either.

Some may say it's too dark for that hallway or that little of a space, but I like how it goes so well with the fixture. We needed to give it more depth for that space and I can't wait to finish it and add my photo wall.

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