al fresco {the basics}

Al fresco season is officially here and I have been pulling out all my essentials for a lovely outdoor feast. If you are starting your al fresco arsenal from scratch here are a few basics that will surely make your party the talk of the town...and yes a conversation piece bottle opener, like this horseshoe really is essential.

(kim seybert napkin rings, burlap wrapped vases, horse shoe bottle opener, nickel lantern, round rush placements and wicker acrylic tray)

4:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

sweet tooth {zig + zag}

Just a little sweet send off to the weekend. If you love chevron I am pretty sure that your jaw will drop over this amazing wedding cake by Sweet and Saucy...

11:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {playful + fresh}

Today is my little brothers wedding day and I thought it only appropriate to share an event inspiration board. This particular one embraces a playful, fresh and whimsical style--perfect for a casual summer wedding!

(invitation via green wedding shoes, thread social dress, flowers by a.hana design, table via jose villa and cake via elizabeth messina)

4:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

A MOTHER'S DAY FEAST

Are you all ready for Mother's Day?  These recipes are wonderful and very SIMPLE!  I hope you are able to use them for Sunday or, in the very near future! 

PHOTO AND RECIPE CREDIT: BON APPETIT.

Ham With Bourbon-Molasses and Pecan Glaze 


  1/2 cup apple juice (preferably fresh unfiltered)
  1/4 cup bourbon
  1 3/4 cups (packed) dark brown sugar
  1 cup pecans, toasted, cooled, finely ground
  1/4 cup mild-flavored (light) molasses
  3 tablespoons dry mustard

1 whole bone-in 16- to 18-pound ham

Boil juice and bourbon in small saucepan until reduced to scant 1/3 cup, about 6 minutes. Combine sugar, pecans, molasses, and mustard in bowl. Add bourbon mixture; stir to form thick paste. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before using.)

Position rack in bottom third of oven and preheat to 325°F. Line large roasting pan with heavy-duty foil, leaving overhang on all sides. Trim off skin and all but 1/4 inch fat from ham. Place ham, fat side up, in prepared pan. Roast ham until thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 130°F to 135°F, about 10 minutes per pound or 2 hours 40 minutes for 16-pound ham.

Remove ham from oven; increase oven temperature to 425°F. Lightly score fat on ham in diamond pattern. Rub glaze thickly over top and sides of ham. Return ham to oven and roast until glaze is deep brown and bubbling, about 25 minutes. Let ham stand at least 20 minutes and up to 45 minutes.

PICTURE AND RECIPE CREDIT:  ALL RECIPES

• Strawberry and Feta Salad 
• 
  
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup raspberry vinegar
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 head romaine lettuce, torn
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Directions

In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the almonds, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and set aside. In a bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together the garlic, honey, Dijon mustard, raspberry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil.  In a large bowl, toss together the toasted almonds, romaine lettuce, strawberries, and feta cheese. Cover with the dressing mixture, and toss to serve.

PHOTO CREDIT: ALL RECIPES

Green Bean Bundles

• 3 cans whole green beans, drained
• 1 pound bacon, cut in half
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Wrap 7 green beans with bacon and place in prepared dish. Repeat, using all the green beans and bacon.  Combine butter with brown sugar. Pour over green bean bundles and sprinkle with garlic salt.  Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

PHOTO AND RECIPE CREDIT:  FOOD.

• Easy Hot Rolls 
• 1 cup hot water 
• 2 packages yeast (Do not use the quick rising in this recipe)
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 1/4 cups flour
Combine water and yeast in lg bowl; let stand for 5 minutes.

1. With wooden spoon, stir in butter, sugar, eggs and salt.
2. Add flour, 1 cup at a time and beat in as much as you can.
3. (you will probably be able to use all the flour) Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to 3 days.  Grease a 13x9 baking pan.
4. Turn dough out onto floured surface.  Divide into 24 equal pieces.
5. Roll each piece into a smooth round ball.  Place in rows in prepared pan.
6. Cover and let rise for 1 hour; until doubled.  Heat oven to 375*.
7. Bake until golden brown, about 17 minutes.

      

            RECIPE AND PHOTO CREDIT:  Kraft 

Classic Coconut Cake 

1 pkg. yellow cake mix
1 pkg.  (7 oz.) BAKER'S ANGEL FLAKE Coconut, divided
1 cup cold milk
1 pkg. JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding (larger box)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tub COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed

PREPARE cake batter as directed on package; stir in 2/3 cup coconut. Pour evenly into two 9-inch round baking pans. Bake as directed on package. Cool in pans 10 min.; remove to wire racks. Cool cakes completely.

POUR milk into medium bowl. Add dry pudding mix and sugar. Beat with whisk 2 min. or until well blended. (Mixture will be thick.) Gently stir in COOL WHIP. Refrigerate 15 min.

PLACE one cake layer on serving plate; spread top with 1 cup of the pudding mixture. Sprinkle with 3/4 cup coconut; cover with second cake layer. Spread top and side with remaining pudding mixture; press remaining coconut into pudding mixture. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

I truly hope you have a WONDERFUL Mother's Day!  Whether you are a Mom, a Grandmother or single and, honoring your Mom this Sunday, go ahead and, make it a FLAIR-TASTIC lunch and event in HONOR of your Mother!!!  ENJOY! 

5:34 PM by beemagnet · 0

Salisbury Festival

Don’t Miss the fun this WEEKEND!

Friday, April 29th (1 PM – 11 PM)

Saturday, April 30th (10 AM – 10 PM)

Sunday, (12 Noon – 5 PM)

Admission is FREE!

Free Parking in the Downtown Parking Garage all weekend!

9:52 AM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {simple + subdued}

Many people don't know where to start when creating a theme or palette for an event and my advice to them would be to start simple or choose one element you love--from there everything will begin to unfold. In this case, I was inspired by the muted tones of a loose floral arrangement by Saipua. I then pulled the warm and cool tones (that seems to be a theme this week) from the flowers into the other elements.

(invitation via green wedding shoes, heart pie via sweet and saucy, favor bags via 100 layer cake, napkins via elizabeth messina and dress via j. mendel)

6:48 AM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {bold color + romantic style}

I love the this table setting by Eddie Ross--from the lovely Quadrille fabric to its perfect blend of color and whimsy. It was my inspiration for a bold yet romantic affair...

(via eddie ross, bhldn, alison events, pistachio press, jose villa and carter and cook)

7:24 PM by beemagnet · 0

outdoor envy {wendi young}

Usually when I browse through a designers portfolio it is the interior spaces where I find inspiration. However Wendi Young's portfolio reminded me that the design of the outdoor space is just as important. I especially love the multiple outdoor spaces she designed for this Newport Beach home. They are all unique and allow the homeowners to host everything from an intimate evening of cocktails to a swanky soiree.

12:00 PM by beemagnet · 0

thanksgiving {in cranberry and pumpkin}

I have always put so much effort into coming up with a unique Thanksgiving palette but I forgot how lovely the traditional colors of the holiday can be. I am currently enamored with the combination of deep rich cranberry with golden pumpkin.

(via 100 layer cake, petrina tinsley, j. mendel, bird and banner and lonny)

5:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {crisp citrus}

Ok, so I am continuing on my orange kick. I just think that crisp white and bold citrus orange are such a lovely combination, especially for an early fall affair. I especially love the use of flowers in a rustic willow wreath--just lovely.

(images via once wed, roland bello, j. mendel, maggie austin cake and style me pretty)

7:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {cranberry bliss}

Just a little mid week wedding inspiration inspired by the upcoming season of tart cranberry concoctions.

(via 100 layer cake, chewing the cud, jose villa, marc jacobs, sunday suppers)

7:31 PM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {autumn affair}

I keep hearing that wedding season is now over. I have to disagree, as I adore fall weddings. There is a glamour and richness of autumn colors incorporated in to an event that no other season can compare to. I especially love the use of ocher as one of the base colors in fall event palettes.

( j. mendel, 1oo layer cake, elizabeth messina, 100 layer cake, studio choo and canelle et vanille)

7:38 PM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {kraft + cream}

Love is such a simple and pure emotion. It only makes sense that the celebration of it reflects that and this casual palette inspired by kraft paper isthe perfect way to do just that.

(via jose villa, 100 layer cake, sunday suppers/karen moredachi, jose villa and badgley mischka resort 2011)
Hope you all have a simple and lovely weekend!

6:50 AM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {hot+cold}

As many of you may have realized I love the combination of warm and cool color palettes in interiors. However, I had never applied that same look to an event board, soooo.....

(images via tec petaja, j. mendel, stephanie williams, tec pectaja and once wed)
And not surprisingly I love it! Best part, it works year round.

7:04 PM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {refined rustic}

Living in a mountain town I constantly find myself trying to steer clear of rustic style but to be honest when comes to events it is my favorite theme. When refined and simple it creates the perfect party atmosphere. Think horseshoes, barns and bonfires...

(via gws, southern weddings, a hana designs, erica obrien, lonny, 100 layer cake)
Sounds like a fun party, right?

7:11 PM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {bits of midnight blue}

If you are hosting a party this spring or summer don't be scared to incorporate dark and moody colors into the palette. Although they may seem inappropriate they are actually the perfect backdrop for the brighter colors of the seasons. My current favorite is deep midnight blue--I especially love the way that pinks and yellows pop against it.

(via dvf, jesse leake, rifle design and green wedding shoes)

4:00 AM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {seaglass + gold}

Sorry to pop in so briefly but it has been a very busy week! I did have just enough time to put together a board for one of my new favorite spring wedding palettes--gold and seaglass! There is such a romantic but understated quality to this combination that make it perfect for both backyard and black tie affairs.

(via canelle et vanille, elie saab, 100 layer cake, erica o'brien cake design and a hana)

9:55 PM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {bold in black + red}

Looking to create a moody and elegant event ? My new favorite way to create this look is with a black and red color palette softened with whimsical and playful elements.

(via jose villa, style me pretty, oh darling, style me pretty, chewing the cud, simplesong, ink wellsmartha stewart) and

7:00 PM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {modern whimsy}

When I think of pink and green I think of lilly pulitzer prep but when I saw this bouquet (my new favorite!) with a hint of pink on the succulents it became apparent the combination can also be modern and whimsical.

(via parrott design studio, jose villa, sweet and saucy shop, saipua and cake girls)
Looking for more wedding and event inspiration--check of my previous boards. And if you are looking for something custom please e-mail me at beemagnet77@gmail.com and I would more than happy help!

8:15 PM by beemagnet · 0

event inspiration {by room}

I spent my day off making homemade ravioli and then cleaning up all the flour I covered the kitchen in. It is about time for me to start making the brown butter sauce and play hostess but wanted to pop in real quickly. I have been completely enamored by this image from lonny and when attempting to clean up my desktop of 800 images I came across it again and decided that it was the perfect inspiration for a spring backyard affair.

Do you agree?

(via studio choo, haltson, anna kern, sunday suppers, bonnie tsang,and avie designs)
And I am off! Hope you all have a great evening.

4:48 PM by beemagnet · 0