2.26.2010

J. Crew Final Sale, My Current Wish List

So, I love J. Crew, but sometimes it's just a little out of my price range. However, through March 1st you can take an EXTRA 30% OFF (code: EXTRA30) all final sale items!! All I have to say about that is WOOT :) Check out these four things that I just love, love, love!


1) The acrylic crystals and soft pearls of the Pearl-and-crystal Avalanche Necklace are so elegant and incredible. 2) I've been thinking about purchasing a one-piece bathing suit for awhile now so when I saw this Dark Fog Jersey Lomellina Retro Bandeau Tank I knew I'd found the one :) 3) I want the Cotton-pleated Dress in Fawn to wear this summer so badly!! 4) The beautiful yellow of this Dijon Mustard Silk Streamers Cami is so pretty.

2.24.2010

Wedding Wednesday | Brown Sugar Design Real Wedding

Brown Sugar Design offers gorgeous custom stationery and I've been following their blog forever - they constantly inspire me. Last summer they posted this gorgeous sneak peek of these yellow & gray invitations:

Photo from BSD Blog

So I was super pumped when they posted photos from the entire yellow & gray wedding! All images were captured by Laurel Mconnell Photography. Here's an inspiration board I created from the incredible images:


Other vendors involved in Caitlin and Dan's Big Day:
Event Coordination: Sublime Events
Floral Design: Elements in Bloom

2.23.2010

baci's baking - Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches

These little tea sandwiches are tasty and so cute!! They're the perfect appetizer for bridal and baby showers :)

Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwiches
Sandwiches
24 slices thin white bread
4 ounces ginger-cilantro lime butter, recipe follows
8 ounces thinly slices smoked salmon

Ginger-Cilantro Lime Butter
8 T. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 ounces (¼ cup) cream cheese, at room temperature
1 T. grated fresh ginger
1 T. fresh lime juice
3 T. chopped fresh cilantro
1 t. salt

Sandwiches
  • Spread all of the bread slices generously with the ginger butter. Place slices of smoked salmon in an even layer on half of the bread slices. Top with remaining bread slices.

Ginger-Cilantro Lime Butter
  • Place butter, cream cheese, ginger, lime juice, cilantro and salt in a bowl of a food processor. Pulse just until ingredients are combined, about 30 seconds. Transfer mixture to a sheet of parchment or waxed paper. Roll into a 1½-inch wide log. Refrigerate until ready to use.

2.22.2010

Handpicked - Shades of Purple

Purple has always been my favorite color, but my wardrobe has never really reflected that. . . until recently - shades of purple seem to be popping up all over the place and I have rather quickly pumped up the hue in my wardrobe! Here are some gorgeous pieces I found to share with you all.

2.19.2010

New Finds - My Current Wish List

This week I came across a few gorgeous things I just had to share with you!!


1) I have a shirt very similar to this Fan-Pleat Poplin Top from White House | Black Market and I LOVE it, so why not add another?!?! 2) & 3) Love, love, love these two purses - Pearl Dust Ruffle Wristlet from White House | Black Market and Grommet Parlour Hobo from J. Crew. 4) My favorite jeans are from White House | Black Market so I'd be more than happy to recommend (and have another pair) of the Blanc Multi-stitch Slim Jeans!!

2.16.2010

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Instead of the traditional Tuesday baci's baking, I thought I'd share three sites that have collected some seriously tasty Mardi Gras treats!

Taste of Home has a TON of incredible recipes - including how to make this gorgeous King Cake!

My favorite New Orleans-style meal is Jambalaya - to see how to make the one below and many other Cajun recipes check out MarthaStewart.com. Our friend, Beth, made a DELICIOUS Jambalaya by using a Luzianne Kit and adding shrimp for the Super Bowl a few weeks ago.

Another Fat Tuesday Tradition is Gumbo - visit Bhg.com for the recipe below and 23 other yummy meals!

2.14.2010

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!!


I hope that you're having a fabulous day with your Sweetheart!

Image from Bhg.com

2.12.2010

Birthday - My Current Wish List

My birthday is literally right around the corner (it's the 16th - HOORAY!) so why not make a wish list of things I've been fawning over - too bad two out of the four items are currently unavailable online - boo!!!


1) When Christian Siriano started designing for Payless, I signed up for their regular e-mail notifications. I was super pumped the other day when I got a note saying that the new Spring 2010 Designer Collections were available!! I must say that Christian's designs were lovely, but I just have to have these Hampton Woven Bow Pumps by Lela Rose - I LOVE THEM!! 2) Ilario got a Wii for his birthday in December so ever since we've been on the hunt for a Wii Fit Plus with the Balance Board, but I swear they no longer exist (I was told by a GameStop employee that Nintendo even ran out). So, seriously, if anyone finds one (at or below the normal price of $99 - I've seen some on sale for as much as $350 and that is just absolutely ridiculous) please let me know where it is. I even went to Buybacks yesterday and the lady said she hadn't seen one since before Christmas! 3) When I saw Annette Thurman's desk (of Chaviano Couture) with one of these bad boys on it, I just new I had to find one! Once again though, this lovely Mirrored Jewelry Box with Three Drawers is not available online. I did, however, see one in Target yesterday and I got SO excited. . . until I realized that the bottom drawer wouldn't open. Ugh! 4) Last, but not least, I've been looking for some new salad plates (we are down to only two - they just keep randomly breaking) and I think these Artichoke Salad Plates from Pottery Barn would be fabulous - so simple and elegant - LOVE IT!!

2.10.2010

Happy Birthday, Sister!!

My baby sister is 23 today and I hope that she's having the happiest birthday ever!!

Jami, since I can't be with you today, here are two of my favorite shots of us :) I love you so much - you are my best friend in the whole wide world and I honestly would be lost without you. Thanks for being such a beautiful person inside and out!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAMI LEE!!



Bottom photo by Brandy J Photography

Wedding Wednesday | Valentine's Day Wedding Stationery {Defiance, Ohio}

Remember Casey and Josh's Valentine's Day Wedding from last year? Well, I just realized that I never shared the gorgeous stationery we created for their big day. So, in honor of this weekend's upcoming Valentine's Day (and Casey and Josh's One-year Anniversary!!) I thought I'd display their invitations and thank you cards. I just love the simplicity in the design - so pretty!!




Photos by baci

2.09.2010

baci's baking - Mexican Cornbread

A super simple and delicious side - Mexican Cornbread is the perfect dish to accompany any South of the Border meal :)

Mexican Cornbread

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup flour
2 T. sugar
4 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 large egg
1 cup whole milk or buttermilk
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 T. chopped jalepenos, or to taste

1) Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square pan, cast iron skillet or cornbread mold.
2) In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
3) In a separate bowl, combine egg, milk, sour cream, oil and jalepenos. Add to dry mixture and mix until smooth.
4) Pour into prepared dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.

2.08.2010

Handpicked - Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day on it's way, I thought it would be perfect to pick out what I think is the perfect date outfit - a little twist on the usual Handpicked (I think I might try this more often - it was SO much fun)!!


1) The Ruffled-front Rosette Blouse from Express (which by the way has a ton of cute Valentine's Day colored attire right now!) would be so flirty over a simple camisole - $49.50 2) I've been against black jeans my whole life - I mean, like AGAINST them - however I think these Blanc Pleat Pocket Jeans from White House|Black Market are a whole new generation of black jeans that are awesome - $84.00 3) The perfect date outfit is all about sex appeal so to "top" off the super skinny jeans give these ruffly Segar pumps by Michael Antonio from Piperlime a try - major bonus - they're only $34.99 4) Now onto the beautiful J. Crew accessories! I love the impact these Crystal Fireworks Earrings have without being over-powering - $55.00 5) I love the shiny gold touch on this Patent-leather Oval-buckle Belt - yet another bonus - it's only $29.50 6) Continuing with the gorgeous antiqued gold accessory-theme this Crystal Abacus Bracelet is the perfect finishing touch - $65.00

2.05.2010

Anthropologie February 2010 Catalog, My Current Wish List


Remember when I Handpicked Anthropologie New Arrivals last November? Well, I couldn't resist putting together a little Friday Wish List when I got Anthropologie's February Catalog in the mail this week! Check out what I've found. . .


1) I have a two shirts from the sadly-gone Bitten line by Sarah Jessica Parker that have a very similar look to the Thoroughfare Shell so I'd be super happy to call it my own. 2) You can never have too many cardigans and this Unwinding Cardigan would be a great addition to my wardrobe! 3) & 4) I might actually have to own these two dresses before Spring arrives - Slate Strips Shift and Leading Role Dress - they are GORGEOUS!!!

Shop the entire catalog here! At least go check out the fun circus theme they have going on this month :)

2.04.2010

baci loves. . . JL Designs

Yesterday I shared JL Designs founder, Carissa Jones' Malibu wedding and I just had to continue sharing some of my other favorite JL Designs creations because I seriously love everything they lay their hands on!




These tablescapes are incredible!!



And now on to the amazing bouquets. . .




2.03.2010

Wedding Wednesday | Carissa and Brian's Malibu Wedding

JL Designs is one of my absolute favorite floral and event design companies - so many of my inspiration boards seem to start with something fabulous created by them. I recently started following the JL Designs Blog and I came across founder Carissa Jones' Malibu wedding to her now-husband, Brian. I was floored - not only with the gorgeous flowers, but the colors, the cake, pretty much the everything. . . I had to create a board full of the images captured by Jasmine Star Photography.


For more photos from their splendid day, as well as a full list of vendors and plenty of details explained by Carissa, check out the full post.

2.02.2010

baci's baking - Jane's Baby Ruth Bars

My mom, Jane, has been making these super sweet and yummy Baby Ruth Bars for years. They really do taste similar to the candy bar with the same name, but personally I think these are way better! An extra added bonus? They're so simple to make!


Jane's Baby Ruth Bars

1/2 cup Karo light syrup
1/2 cup Karo dark syrup
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup peanut butter (I always use smooth, but crunchy works, too!)
6 cups corn flakes
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
6 ounces butterscotch chips

1) Combine syrups and sugars in a large sauce pan. Bring to a boil and remove from heat.
2) Add peanut butter and corn flakes, mix until well blended.
3) Press into the bottom of a 9x13-inch pan.
4) Melt chips together and pout on top of mixture. Let cool before cutting. Enjoy!

2.01.2010

Handpicked - The Limited

A friend and I went shopping last week and we hit up The Limited - it had been FOREVER since I'd ventured into the store and I was pleasantly reminded that it rocks :) Check out just a few of my favorites from their current line.


1) I'm a sucker for a great dress and this Switchback Sheath in Black and White is GORGEOUS - $89.50 2) Complete comfort in a t-shirt with a bit of glam going on with the addition of chiffon rosettes - Embellished Tee - $34.50 3) Everyone knows by now that purple is my favorite color so when I saw it combined with my new favorite trend of ruffles I fell in love - Wavy Ruffle Shirtdress in Purple - $79.50 4) Gold is back in a brushed form and this Brushed Discs Necklace is a perfect first piece to add to any wardrobe - $29.50 5) I LOVE Infinity Scarves and this one in a Grey Soft Jersey is awesome - $24.50 6) The soft details of the Vintage Lace Filigree Earrings are so beautiful - $16.50 7) A side zip and an elastic smocking inset in the Mazed Ruffle Popover in Black and Grey makes it have the perfect feminine fit - $44.50 8) Dark Teal is a new obsession of mine and the Delicate Ruffle Shell in just that color is fabulous - $44.50 9) All I have to say about the Folded Neckline Top in Black is: SO PRETTY - $34.50