Such Pretty Things

Pretty Edible Flowers

If you've been following me for a while, then you know that it's no secret that I love flowers.  My home is brimming with them - fresh flowers, paintings of flowers, floral china, fabrics covered in flowers, etc....  The list it infinite.  So, of course, I love my food covered in flowers as well!  This delicious coconut cake is a good example...

Edible flowers are such an easy, but beautiful way to decorate your cakes or cupcakes.  If you don't have the time or desire to bake, buy a simple iced cake from your favorite bakery and just add some pretty blooms.

In order to ensure that they are truly edible, you will want to buy pesticide-free flowers.  Some specialty grocers sell them or you can order them from my favorite grower, Gourmet Sweet Botanicals.  They have an incredible selection and their flowers are gorgeous!

For my cake, I baked Ina Garten's famous coconut cake and decorated it with Pansies and Dianthus in shades of pink, white and lavender.

So simple and so pretty! And it would be so lovely for a wedding or shower...or any occasion that calls for flowers!

:-)

Jessica

Pretty Paper Flower Easter Eggs

A number of years ago I published a paper flower Easter egg tutorial, but I thought I would do another version for 2019!

This eggs are even simpler to make!  You will need some faux eggs( I chose wood ones from Target, but you could use plastic, foam, etc...), mini paper flowers (easily found on Etsy, Ebay or at your local craft shop), a scissors, and a glue gun.

You will need to cut off the flower heads in order to glue them to your eggs. Leave a bit if the stem so that the flower head can be securely attached.

Continue until the entire egg is covered with flowers...

I just love these - they are so easy to make and would look so pretty in a centerpiece or a very special Easter basket!

Happy Crafting!

xo

Jessica

 

Pretty Entertaining: Easy Easter Centerpieces

Here is a super easy Easter centerpiece idea!

Here's all you need:  Mini cupcakes (make your own or buy plain iced ones from your favorite bakery), pastel sprinkles, pretty Easter candies. easter grass or paper shred, and a cake pedestal!  I found the pretty sprinkle mix and cake pedestal at my local Homegoods. 

Just place your cupcake on top of the Easter grass and fill in with the candies!  So simple, but it makes quite an impact on your Easter table!

Happy Saturday!

xo

Jessica

Pretty Shopping: Lolli and Pops

What's not to love about a pastel-colored candy shop?  Lolli and Pops is the prettiest sweet shop!

They have locations all over the U.S. and we are super lucky to have several shops near us.

I can't seem to hit the mall without stopping in!  It's pretty dangerous territory - packed with yummy candies and chocolates from all over the world.  And their packaging is so beautiful!  Their pale pink, aqua and green boxes are as pretty as the candy!

Lots of cute decor touches, too...love the tiled entrance!

And so many pastel candies to choose from!  Definitely worth a visit!

Have a sweet day!  

;-)

Jessica

I'm Back!!!!

Hello!!!  Yes, I know, it's been a while - a very long while. I honestly didn't mean for it to be so long, but sometimes life gets in the way.

So, where have I been all this time???  Well, really just busy with design work, home projects and, of course, my family. 

But I missed all of you so much and I am very excited to get back to business!  I have lots of new things planned - including a re-vamp of this blog!  While I am working on that, be sure to follow me over on Instagram

 So, if you are still out there, thank you for sticking with me! :-)

xoxo

Jessica

Pretty Books: The French Inspired Home

I am so delighted to give you a glimpse inside Carolyn Westbrook's lovely book, The French Inspired Home, today.  As someone who adores French style and loves nothing more than an afternoon perusing the Paris flea markets, this book is about everything I love.

Carolyn, a designer and decorator, creates gorgeous, timeless interiors with a strong French influence.  Her romantic designs incorporate sparkling chandeliers, luxurious floral fabrics, and fine French antiques.

Her selection of gilded vintage mirrors, furniture with time-worn patinas, and pastel colors come together to make the prettiest of rooms.

The French Inspired Home showcases a wide variety of interiors -  from a warm and inviting French country house to a sophisticated modern home.

Every little detail is exquisite.

Such a wonderful addition to your design library!

The French-Inspired Home by Carolyn Westbrook is published by CICO Books. The beautiful photography is by the talented, Keith Scott Morton.  You can find your very own copy here .

:-)

Jessica

Selina Lake's Winter Living

Selina Lake's newest book (her sixth!), Winter Living, is truly magical.

If your vision of winter conjures up cozy rooms filled with faded floral fabrics, flea market finds, and plush sofas covered with piles of pillows, then you are going to adore this book. The pages are filled with tons of helpful advice for styling and decorating your home for the coldest of months. 

Once again, Selina uses her signature romantic, vintage style to create rooms so warm and appealing that you will literally want to climb into the pages...

The book begins with Selina sharing some of her favorite wintertime activities (from toasting marshmallows to decorating for the holidays) and some basic styling tips for creating a beautiful winter abode. The bulk of the book is devoted to more specific design styles. For example, my absolute favorite chapter, Faded Grandeur, captures the time-worn elegance achieved by juxtaposing the glamorous with the old and tattered. Here, a tole chandelier, plaster walls, and chippy painted table make for a stunning combination...

In another chapter, Homespun Charm, Selina puts together inviting rooms that pop with color.  Her combined use of eclectic vintage furnishings, hand-knit textiles, and yummy prints work so well together.  A vibrant, welcoming room like this is the perfect foil for the winter blues.

In addition to being a practical styling guide, Winter Living is such a pretty book! I just love all the gorgeous little details...

Congratulations on Winter Living, Selina! I can't wait for book number seven! ;-)

All images Taken from Winter Living by Selina Lake, photography by Debi Treloar, published by Ryland Peters & Small http://www.rylandpeters.com/winter-living.

Pretty Books: Maker Spaces by Emily Quinton

 

Oh my goodness, do I LOVE Emily Quinton's new book, Maker Spaces!!!

This beautiful and completely fascinating book takes you inside the homes, studios and work spaces of a number of today's very talented and creative "makers".

Like Emily, I have always been intrigued by the ways in which people incorporate their creativity into their everyday lives and homes.  Maker Spaces gives the reader an up-close and personal look into the lives of people who have truly melded their creative talents with their work and living environments.

In addition to showing us lots of lovely spaces (gorgeous photographs by Helen Cathcart), Emily also shares each makers' personal story - delving into how they discovered their careers, found their homes, and transformed their spaces to reflect their creative needs.

I especially loved seeing how the different makers designed their craft and work spaces to fit their own unique needs...how they designed them, furnished them, and organized them.

The book also showcases a variety of design styles - from rustic and floral (my fav!) to eclectic and colorful. It's such fun to see so many pretty, yet very different spaces - each such a true reflection of the maker who inhabits it. 

A consistent message throughout the book is that each maker clearly values the importance of surrounding one's self with the things that inspire them and feed their creativity - the things that give them joy.

As a creative person myself, this really resonated with me.  My home and work spaces are filled with the things that I love and that make me happy just to look at them.  My collections, flowers and pastel colors are everywhere! For example, here's a peek at what my desk top currently looks like...

Yes, it's filled with the practical and the utilitarian (staplers, tapes, etc...), but it is also a reflection of all that inspires me...like pretty vintage tins and tiny millinery flowers. So, whether I am paying bills, editing photos, or designing a new floral fabric, I am surrounded by the things that make me smile. :-)

All Images are taken from Maker Spaces by Emily Quinton, photography by Helen Cathcart, published by Ryland Peters & Small rrp £19.99.  You can find a copy of your very own right here and here!

Happy reading!

Jessica

Eton Mess with Pastel Meringues

I have literally been meaning to share this recipe since last August! When we returned home from vacation in Italy last summer, I discovered that the beautiful pastel meringues I had brought back with me did not survive the journey. They were a sad, crumbly mess and I felt just terrible.

What to do?  Well, when life hands you smashed meringues, you make Eton Mess! If you are not familiar with it, Eton Mess is a classic British dessert that typically consists of a delicious combination of fruit, whipped cream, and meringue. I decided it would be the perfect (and pretty) solution to my crushed meringue debacle. :-)

Ingredients:

- 1 pint Heavy whipping cream

- 1 tsp. Vanilla extract

- 2 T. Confectioner's sugar

- Meringues (homemade or store bought)

- Fruit of your choice (I used strawberries)

 Directions:

Begin by making the whipped cream. Please don't use anything from a can or tub for this, real whipped cream is so simple to make and it tastes sooo much better!  Just place your cold heavy cream in the mixer. I like to add a little sugar and vanilla to mine, but this is totally optional. Whip on high speed until fairly thick - just be careful not to over-whip it or you will end up with butter! Next, crumble your meringues into small pieces (I was obviously able to skip this step!). Just place them in a plastic bag and crush them lightly with a rolling pin.

Now, wash and prepare your fruit.  I used strawberries because I really like them and they looked good, but you can use any fruit you like.

I just sliced them into bite-sized pieces.  Now, the fun part!  Mix it all together.  Yes, it will be a real "mess", but that's totally OK!

I like to serve Eton Mess in individual clear martini glasses because the ingredients look so pretty, but you can use any type of serving vessel (I've even made this as one large dessert in a trifle bowl).

As a finishing touch, I topped mine off with more meringue bits.

Eton Mess makes a really lovely - and surprisingly light - spring or summer dessert.  Perfect for Easter or Mother's Day!

XOXO

Jessica

Vintage Beaded Easter Baskets

Easter is this Sunday and I always think it's fun to come up with interesting and novel Easter basket ideas.  When I found these kitchy, vintage beaded, safety pin baskets, I knew I absolutely had to use them for Easter baskets this year...

Aren't they fabulous?  I just adore the candy colored beads!

These baskets are likely from the 1950's or 60's and were evidently a very popular craft to make back then. They look super complicated to me! :-)

I filled these beauties with some "ribbon" grass and LOTS of pastel foil-wrapped chocolate eggs.

The best thing about these baskets is that long after the candy is gone, the baskets will still make a a pretty and colorful addition to your home!

XOXO

Jessica