Happy Memorial Day!

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Memorial Day! I hope that everyone was able to enjoy time this past weekend with family and friends in honor of our fallen soldiers.

Image from My Little Scraps

2010 National Stationery Show {New York City, New York}

A few weekends ago, Ilario and I took a trip to New York City for the 2010 National Stationery Show. It was such an incredible and inspiring experience!! The stationery show is in it's 65th year and exhibits 900 companies featuring more than 10,000 lines. Here are a few of my favorite finds at the conference:

Quirky Cards by Haute Papier - I love greeting cards that make you laugh!

Bright Souls Collection by Wild Pulp - Educational, eco-friendly cards

Beautiful Thank You Notes by Anna Griffin

Quite possibly the cutest things ever - Little Envelopes Collection by Studio T

And hands down the best favor I came across - "Write from My Heart" Eco-friendly Notepad and Pencil by Kate Aspen

Another wonderful aspect of the stationery show is the opportunity to network and meet so many talented designers and vendors. I was lucky enough to meet Agnes from Blossom Accents, a handmade wedding invitation and stationery design shop located right here in Cleveland. All art and photography is done by Agnes herself - her talent is unremarkable, see her beautiful Gerbera Daisy Flirt Invitation below!

I was also lucky to run into the sweet and southern Allison from Allison R. Banks Designs - the two of us just so happened to be interested in the same letterpress vendor (yes, Ladies, affordable custom letterpress is coming to baci soon!!!!) at the conference and once we got to talking there was no shutting us up, we had so much in common! Allison offers couture hand-designed monograms and calligraphy design. Below are just two examples of her outstanding work!

Allison blessed me with the pleasure of meeting Miss Ginny, owner of The Scribbler, a stationery and gift shop offering custom invitations and stationery located in Alabama. She, too, is sweet and southern, just a joy to be around. These women made my time in the city memorable - it's so nice to sit and gab with people who have the same interests as you! I look forward to working with each of them in the future!!

Wedding Wednesday | 100 Layer Cake Real Wedding

I couldn't help but create an inspiration board from this real wedding I found on 100 Layer Cake. Kellie and Chris' big day came to 100 Layer Cake via Erin Hearts Court and man, oh, man is it lovely! For more images from their intensely beautiful day, hop on over to the Erin Hearts Court blog. There are so many amazing images that I had to allow myself only to use to ones from 100 Layer Cake - otherwise I would have ended up making 5 more boards :)

Now for the obviously talented vendors:

Church: Annunciation Byzantine Catholic Church, Anaheim CA

Reception location: Redondo Beach Historic library, Redondo Beach CA

Hotel: Hotel Maya, Long Beach CA

Photography: Courtney and Erin of Erin Hearts Court

Flowers/Coordination: Megan Fickling of La Partie Events

Invitations and Programs: Courtney of Flush Designs (and Erin Hearts Court) (Invitation artwork: Christopher Baier (the groom))

Dress: Birnbaum and Bullock

Tailoring: Mahtab, Laguna Niguel CA Bride’s

Shoes: Jcrew & shoe clips: b Poetic, Etsy

Bride’s necklace: Jcrew

Bride’s shrug: handmade from an Etsy seller

Bridesmaid’s gowns: LOVE collection by Enzoani

Makeup and Hair: Dana and Lauren of Design Visage, Laguna Beach CA

Groom’s and groomsmen’s tuxes: Rentals

Groom’s tie: Burberry

Catering: Spectrum Catering

Cake: Kings Hawaiian Bakery, Torrance CA

baci's baking - Vegan Chili

I love a great vegan recipe that you can make for people who would never purposely eat vegan - a recipe so tasty they'd never even know they were eating vegan! This chili is just that recipe, try it with meatless ground beef first if you're nervous (or your guests will be) about the tofu. Bonus - it is seriously simple!

Vegan Chili

(Recipe Adapted from MayoClinic.com)

1 T. olive oil

1 small yellow onion, chopped

12 oz. extra-firm tofu, cut into small pieces OR 12 oz. Meatless Ground Beef

2 (14 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with no added salt

1 (14 oz.) can chili beans, rinsed and drained

1 (14 oz.) can black beans, rinsed and drained

½ cup water

3 T. chili powder

1 T. oregano

1) In a soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until soft and translucent, about 6 minutes.

2) Add tofu or meatless ground beef, tomatoes, beans, water, chili powder and oregano.

3) Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes.

Handpicked - Jewelry Under $20

Continuing with week four of "Fabulous Finds Under $20" - Jewelry. And technically, all of these awesome pieces are Under $10!!

1) Flower Filigree Ring from Charlotte Russe - $4.00 2) Peach and Gold Fancy Filigree Earrings from Forever 21 - $7.80 3) Burnished Gold Wrap Leaf Rhinestone Ring from Wet Seal - $6.00 4) Gold Linked Mixed Bangle Set from Forever 21 - $5.80 5) Minicci by Payless Stud Button Earrings - $5.99 6 & 7) At Forever 21: Rose Embossed Bangle and Antique Charm Necklace, both $5.80 8) Owl Pendant Necklace from Charlotte Russe - $5.99 9) Vintage Inspired Chains from Forever 21 - $9.80

One-piece Swim Suits - My Current Wish List

I've been thinking about buying a fun, slightly retro one-piece bathing suit for the past few summers now. I'm thinking of finally taking the "plunge" (oh my goodness, I'm so lame) this summer. I found four to choose from - what do you all think?

1 & 2) I adore the retroness of these first two - Jersey Lomellina Retro Bandeau Tank from J. Crew and Carmen Marc Valvo Retro One-piece from Victoria's Secret. 3) Eggplant? Seriously, my favorite color ever - Magicsuit Control Push-up One-piece Swimdress. 4) The color, as well as the way it connects in the back is great on the J. Crew Solid Ruched Femme Tank.

Handpicked - Bottoms Under $20

Thought that I forgot about the "Finds Under $20 Post Extravaganza"? Nope, I was just busy attending the National Stationery Show in New York! More on that later though (in short, it was INCREDIBLY INSPIRING!!), now to make up for Monday's missed post with Bottoms Under $20. Sorry it's so Forever 21-oriented, but they have SO many cute bottoms under $20 that I just couldn't help it.

1) Pleated Business Shorts in Dark Grey from Forever 21 - $19.80 2) Susie Rose Juniors Zippered Skinny Pants with Chain Belt in Black from Walmart - $6.00 3) Classic Tonal Jeans from Forever 21 in Dark Denim - $15.80 4) Also from Forever 21, Matelot Denim Shorts in Black - $18.90 5) Again at Forever 21, Pink Metallic Flower Print Skirt - $17.80 6) Every girls needs a Pencil Skirt and this one from Charlotte Russe is fabulous and affordable - $16.99 7) Stitch Accent Sheen Skirt from Forever 21 in Mustard - $19.80 8) Forever 21's Bermuda Denim Short in Dark Denim - $17.80 9) Women's Linen-Blend Whirly Skirt (the name needs a little work, but it's still cute) in Bright White from Old Navy - On Sale for $17.99

baci's baking - Potato Pops

I'm going to take a quick jaunt away from the ridiculously simple and share this tasty, labor-intensive recipe I adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe. The final product is incredibly delicious, so if you can bear with the multi-step process you'll be delighted! Martha calls her version Baked Stuffed Potatoes with Roasted Garlic. . . that is exhausting, so when I took these to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday we took to calling them Potato Pops and it stuck :)

Potato Pops

(recipe adapted from Martha Stewart)

1 head garlic, ½ inch cut off top

coarse salt

freshly ground pepper

1 T., plus 2 t. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1½ lb. baby Yukon Gold potatoes

⅓ c. sour cream

1 t. finely chopped fresh thyme

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2) Place garlic on parchment-lined foil. Season with salt and pepper, generously drizzle with oil and wrap. Roast until fragrant and soft, about 1 hour. Leave oven on.

3) Cover potatoes with salted water in a large pot. Bring to a boil and cook until fork tender, about 20 minutes.

4) Drain, and return to hot pan. Let stand for 5 minutes to dry.

5) Halve potatoes crosswise. Trim rounded ends of each half slightly, so potatoes sit flat with cut sides up.

6) Scoop out flesh using a ½ t. (it works great since it’s small), leaving a thin layer on the bottom and sides. Transfer flesh to a bowl.

7) Stir in oil, sour cream and thyme. Squeeze garlic cloves from skins into potato mixture. Blend with hand blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

8) Fill each potato half with about 1¼ t. potato mixture, mounding slightly.

9) Place potatoes 1 inch apart on sheet and lightly drizzle with oil. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.

*Note: If making for dinner instead of as an appetizer, use regular sized Yukon Gold Potatoes instead of the baby ones.

(Photo from Martha Stewart)

Ruffles from Express - My Current Wish List

I'm a sucker for e-mail subjects. I know it's lame, but a good one really gets me excited to see what's inside. On Monday, I got an e-mail from Express with the subject line: "Prints. Ruffles. Frills." and being the self-described girly-girl that I am, I started drooling. Once inside it read "Sweetly Ruffled. All-out Sexy." so today I bring you my Express Ruffles Wish List because you know that the second I "clicked to shop" I found things I just had to have!

1) Pretty, oh so pretty!! Are you kidding me with the serious girlieness the Ruffled-Bust Chiffon Cami has? 2) I own a pretty white ruffly shirt very similar to the Pin Dot Essential Stretch Ruffled-front Top and I love, so I know I'd love this :) 3) You can dress the Metallic Ruffled-Front Sleeveless Top down with shorts like in the photo or up with slacks - gorgeous and multi-tasking!! 4) I am so in love with the deep hue of the Ruffled Cotton Voile Dress in Currant and it would be perfect for any summer gathering.

Wedding Wednesday | Save the Date Sneak Peek

Remember the Fall Wedding I wrote about in April? Well here's a sneak peek into the goodness that is their Save the Date. . .

. . . isn't it gorgeous? It's not only designed by baci, but it's printed by baci, too - a new venture we're taking on here :) I absolutely can not wait for their big day!

baci's baking - Bisquick Sausage Balls

My good friend Katie gave me this incredibly delicious recipe last year and so I tried them out for our annual New Year's Eve Party. They are so simple and tasty that it should be illegal.

See, they're so easy that even my baby sister can make them! Lol :)

The finished product right in the front of the NYE Spread.

Bisquick Sausage Balls

3 cups Bisquick Mix

1 lb. mild Bob Evan Sausage

2/3 cup water

1 lb. shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2) Fry sausage, drain, mix well with all ingredients. Roll mixture into one-inch balls. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until puffy.

It really doesn't get much easier than four ingredients and two steps :) Enjoy!!

Handpicked - Tops Under $20

Sorry I skipped last week's "Finds Under $20", but I'm back in full effect here with Tops Under $20 and boy have I found some super cute ones!!

1) Xhilaration Juniors Sleeveless Ruffle Top in Snake Skin from Target - $17.99 2) Friends Short Sleeved Top with Rosettes from Kmart - $12.99 3) Rosette Scoop Neck Tee in Light Grey from Charlotte Russe - $14.00 4) Forever 21 Striped Woven Sleeveless Top - $17.80 5) Slvls Dandelion Top from Forever 21 - $19.80 6) Forever 21 Pintucked Woven Top in Grey - $17.80 7) Ruffled Neck Chiffon Blouse in Midnight from Charlotte Russe - $18.00 8) Boatneck Striped Top from Forever 21 in White and Navy - $10.50 9) Drape Neck Tee in Midnight from Charlotte Russe - $17.00

VOTE BACI!!

Don't forget that voting ends tonight at midnight for the Fox 8 Akron-Canton HOT LIST - vote for baci - designer stationery & events here!

Thank you all for your help!!

baci's baking - Parmesan Knots

Oh, how I love bread and cheese, so combining them in this seriously delicious recipe makes my tummy oh so happy! Enjoy!!

Parmesan Knots

(Recipe from Taste of Home)

1 - 12 ounce tube of refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

1/4 cup canola oil

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon garlic oregano

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2) Cut each biscuit into thirds. Roll each piece into a three-inch rope and tie into a knot; tuck ends under. Place two-inches apart on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes or until golden brown.

3) In a large bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; add the warm knots and gently toss to coat. Serve warm.