Thank you, Paris Pastry!

We're leaving for Vashon soon, but I saw this lovely email in my inbox and had to share quickly. 

 "The lucky person who has won this heart-shaped springform pan is ...

Emily!"

Please check out Danielle's lovely blogs. She describes herself as "A girl with two blogs. My food blog is Paris Pastry. My fashion & furniture blog is French Mademoiselle."

Relaxation...

by Corrie Bond 

This photo captures how our anniversary weekend will be on Vashon Island. We plan on relaxing all day with no plans except to eat and enjoy the scenery.

I also love this print by the Australian photographer. The dress color is simply stunning. I think that shade of pink is refreshing, like a vacation!

How are you planning on relaxing this weekend?

Two years ago...the bachelorette party and rehearsal

Two years ago, my awesome Matron of Honor threw a Cowgirl themed bachelorette party for me!She had sunflowers, red handkerchiefs and blue jean coasters, along with hand made WANTED signs. The night before the wedding, we had the rehearsal at Shilshole Bay Beach Club. My flower girls and second cousins were absolutely adorable.Although the ring bearer was pretty cute too! He found several large crabs on the beach below, while we were rehearsing!

Almost anniversary...

Two years ago, I was attending my lovely bridal shower.  It was hosted by Grandmother, Tootie, and it was spa themed! (If you can't tell from this next photo, our wedding had a honey bee theme!)  After the shower, my dad and I practiced our father/daughter dance to "Unforgettable" sung by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole.

Two years ago, I had my trial wedding hair and make up session, a few days before the wedding. I may be smiling for the photo but I was totally freaked out by the white foundation and lavender eyeshadow...yeesh! I totally pulled a bridezilla and asked for a different makeup artist on the day of the wedding. Two years ago today, my sister dropped off an early wedding present, Lily Thomas, the kitten!  (Please excuse my Casper the ghost makeup, I have still not washed it off from the salon!) Isn't she adorable? I'm thinking of posting some rehearsal photos tomorrow and may be some wedding photos this weekend. Since we'll out of town for our actual anniversary on Monday, I'll post in advance!!

Efeste fete and more wine tasting on Sunday

Efeste Wines had a wonderful pizza and wine tasting party, on Sunday. There was a live jazz band and barrel tasting too! We were lucky enough to taste the 2009 Jolie Bouche Syrah before it was bottled!I thought all the wine glasses, lined up on the table, looked so pretty!My husband kept quoting I Love You, Man by saying, "slappin' the bass" every time I said I wanted a picture of the band. 

Our next stop was Isenhower Cellars.  The Purple Paintbrush (a delicious Cabernet Franc blend) was my favorite wine. Next door to the Isenhower tasting room is the Elsom/Celaeno Winery.I adore their winery dog, Krista. Krista was so friendly, fluffy and cuddly that she made me want to get a dog!

Happy, lucky Monday! I've won TWO giveaways!

Wow, today is super busy but I just had to post on my lunch break! I've won two giveaways!! My first email of the day was from the Rikrak Studio. I was the lucky #368 comment to win a $25 gift certificate from the Rikrak Studio sponsor of my choice! I choose Sara Thomas on Etsy and her amazing organic silver stackers!

"Created by fusing 100% recycled fine silver then hammering for strength and texture, these stacker rings are tumbled to a sparkly finish!"

If this wasn't exciting enough,  I ALSO WON an Anthropologie Gift Card from Effortless Anthropologie!!!!
The Vagabond Dress has been in my cart for awhile and so has the Flamente Dress. I think they both could be fun for Prague!
I'm so thrilled! Thank you to the Rikrak Studio and to Effortless Anthropologie!!!

Steven's Winery, a new favorite!

Mr. F and I will be celebrating our two year wedding anniversary next weekend! We had so much fun wine tasting today, it was like a mini tribute. 

We first stopped at Steven's Winery. A few days ago, we picked up a bottle of Steven's "Another Thought" Sauvignon Blanc at Full Pull wines. 

[Label from Steven's Winery]

After drinking it last night, we really wanted to try more wines from Steven's Winery. We had a phenomenal experience at the winery! The tasting room had a homey, Seattle vibe, authentic and not stuffy, or snobby. (This is an added bonus since you can experience stuffiness and snobbery at some of the Eastside wineries with some of their patrons.)  It's an emerging Washington winery that's a red and wine wine superstar. Plus, the wines are very reasonably priced, especially for their quality.

We were also lucky enough to meet the charming winemakers, Paige and Tim Stevens. Interesting fact: Tim made all the artwork around the winery, including these intriguing tiki faces, which were made out of two wine barrels.

We have found a new favorite winery and can't wait for their next release in 3 weeks.

Tomorrow, I'll write about Efeste and a couple other wineries that we toured today!

Katie's Rhubarb Tart

Katie's Rhubarb Tart
Originally uploaded by katiequinndavies

Wow, this food photography blog makes me drool! How great does this Rhubarb Tart look? She even provides the recipe on her blog! (http://www.whatkatieate.blogspot.com/)

For the filling you'll need:

1 x bunch rhubarb
1 x tbsp sour cream
1 x tsp caster sugar
Extra caster sugar for sprinkling

To assemble the pie:

1. Cut the rhubarb into 1cm pieces on an angle.
2. Combine sour cream and sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Spread a thin layer of the cream/sugar mixture over the base of the pie case. Then on top, arrange the rhubarb pieces in a circular pattern over-lapping slightly as you go. Repeat until you reach the centre. When finished, sprinkle with a tsp of caster sugar.
4. Bake in the oven at 180˚C/350˚F for approx. 30-40 minutes.

If you think this recipe looks and sounds great, check out Katie's blog, for other awesome ideas, like Wine Stewed Rhubarb Tartlets!

Cutest Totoro Cake!

CATBUS! cake!
Originally uploaded by *coco cake cupcakes* -- vancouver, bc

I had to post this adorable cake! I love the movie, My Neighbor Totoro and this makes my heart sing!

In a cupcake mood...

raspberry jam filled vanilla buttermilk cupcakes, vanilla buttercream
Originally uploaded by *coco cake cupcakes* -- vancouver, bc

Wow, how amazing are these raspberry jam filled vanilla buttermilk cupcakes, with vanilla buttercream! They are so pretty and cute and tasty looking! Do you have a favorite cupcake or cupcake picture?

49 days until Prague

Прага-город искусства
Originally uploaded by 瑞士大龙

I'm collecting ideas, writing down important phrases, and counting the days until our vacation in Prague. I can't wait to wander these romantic cobblestone streets and find castles all day!

Only 50 days until Prague...

 I can't wait to start packing! I've updated our passports, found our money belts, yay!

A new kind of cupcake?!

I saw this post on Cupcakes Take the Cake, "Booze Cakes: Confections Spiked with Sprits, Wine, and Beer by Krystina Castella (who many of you know as the author of Crazy About Cupcakes) and Terry Lee Stone." OMG I want this cupcake. 

 

You can find the recipe for these delicious chocolate devils on the publisher's website! These peachy keen cupcakes look pretty tasty too.

Tuesday's song

I'm decompressing after work with a nice, long five mile run and television. We just watched the awesome action packed movie, From Paris with Love. I didn't have high expectations and was blown out of my seat with the amazing fight scenes. I rented it because Luc Besson wrote the script. He's the genius who wrote the Fifth Element and Leon, the Professional. [source]

[source]

In the movie, John Travolta has sweet choreography even if he's dancing with bad guys and he's wielding a rocket propelled grenade. 

[source]

I'm loving this song by Feist today. It came up on my Ingrid Michaelson station and it made me smile.

"Past In Present"

The scarlet letter isn't black
Gotta know who's got your back
Because they're right in front of you
Because they're telling you the truth

So much present inside my present
Inside my present so...so much past
Inside my present inside my past
Inside my present
So, so

Feeling it from dark to bright
When a wrong becomes a right
When a mountain fills with light
It's a volcano, it's a volcano
It's a volcano, it's a volcano

So much present, inside my present
Inside my present
So, so much past

Inside my present, inside my present
Inside my present
So, so much past

Inside my present
Inside my present...
So, so much past