Pretty In Pink

Style trends: Pretty in Pink

A Chocolate Indulgence

I came across these brownies on a lovely blog called Tecnicolor Kitchen. How great would they be at a desert party or just for an after work snack :)

Here's the recipe for you to enjoy!

10 tablespoons (140g/1 ¼ sticks) unsalted butter

1 ¼ (250g) cups sugar - I used vanilla sugar

¾ cup + 2 tablespoons (80g) unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)

¼ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 cold large eggs

½ cup (70g) all-purpose flour

2/3 cup (74g) walnut or pecan pieces (optional)

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat the oven to 160°C/325°F. Line the bottom and sides of a 20cm (8in) square baking pan with foil, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides. Butter the foil.

In a medium heatproof bowl, add the butter and set on top of a large sauce pan with barely simmering water. Melt the butter, then add sugar and salt, and stir until well combined. Next add the cocoa powder and stir until mixture is smooth and hot enough that you want to remove your finger fairly quickly after dipping it in to test. Remove the bowl from the skillet and set aside briefly until the mixture is only warm, not hot.
Stir in the vanilla with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one. When the batter looks thick, shiny, and well blended, add the flour and stir until you cannot see it any longer, then beat vigorously for 40 strokes with the wooden spoon or a rubber spatula. Stir in the nuts, if using. Spread evenly in the lined pan.
Bake until a toothpick plunged into the center emerges slightly moist with batter, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool completely on a rack.
Lift up the ends of the parchment or foil liner, and transfer the brownies to a cutting board. Cut into 16 or 25 squares.

Chuck’s note on chocolate: any unsweetened natural or Dutch-process cocoa powder works well here. Natural cocoa produces brownies with more flavor complexity and lots of tart, fruity notes, which maybe more exciting for you. Dutch-process cocoa results in a darker brownie with a mellower, old-fashioned chocolate pudding flavor, pleasantly reminiscent of childhood.

Makes 16 large or 25 smaller brownies

Sun Essentials

H and M is at it again and this time with a new Summer Campaign featuring models Daria Werbowy, Erin Wasson, Sasha Pivovarova, Julia Stegner and Lara Stone.

I found these great Ikea Towels and they're only $3.50 each! They would compliment any bright swimsuit perfectly

And I'm loving the idea of using Mason Jars as mugs. Such a casual and fun way to drink your summer drinks outdoors!
Pottery Barn Mason Jar Mug, Set of six for $24.00
(Only available online)

So now you've got your swimsuit, towels, and drinks! (Pretty much everything you need for a pool party)

xoxo

Playing With Fire

Now that it's warm outside, why not throw yourself a Bon Fire? If you're anything like me and you live in a city, gathering logs from a forest and throwing them into a large pit might not be the easiest thing to do...but, you have other options! Why not use an outdoor fireplace? These days, there are so many styles, but ones that have caught my eye come from a Dutch company called Conmoto Design, known best for their modern outdoor furniture and accessories.
The coolest new product I found are portable 'hot-pots'. They look great on tables and can be used for Fondue and S'mores . The best part of all is that they're small enough to move from place to place; depending on where the night takes you.

Here are some other images from Conmoto Designs outdoor furniture:

There is nothing more delicious then having smores in the summertime. Here are some pics for your enjoyment. Sorry in advance for making you hungry :)

Smore kisses

Smore bars

Have yourself a Smore Dessert Bar

Smore pops

They look good don't they!?

Happy Weekend

I hope you all have a fun weekend filled with friends, good food and nice weather! In a few hours I'll be in nyc...Words on the street is that it's going to be a really warm weekend! Finally.
I can't wait for:
Topshop
Lunch at Freds
The best frozen yogurt
Drinks at the Gansevoort

Magnolia's bakery is famous for their cupcakes (yes, carrie bradshaw loves them to) but my favourite thing their is the Banana Pudding. Seriously, its the BEST thing ever. I didn't even think I liked banana bread pudding until I had it from there!! You must try it next time you're in New York.

And for those of you who aren't in New York this weekend, why not make your own banana bread pudding?

Try this recipe- it looks amazing.

Easy Banana Bread Pudding Recipe

A Navy Tea

Why not have a whimsical tea party outside this Spring? Start off by finding a large navy blue table linen. If you can't find one, you could go to a fabric store and have them cut you a piece large enough to touch the ground on all four sides.

Next,  find yourself some wooden chairs..Head over to flea markets, vintage stores or garage sales. Having a mix of different styles (in the same finish) would also look great!

And to finish off the look we need umbrellas! Any pattern would work, just make sure to stick with one pattern!

Have fun with accessories! I love the idea of gathering a bunch of tin buckets and lining them up in a row along the middle of the table (each about four inches from the next). Fill them with blue berries or flowers to complete the look!

                                

Give each guest a hemp tea bag with loose leaf tea. Place each bag beside the teacups

Tate's Bakeshop makes the most delicious cookies and the packaging looks great too. You can buy them in a package of 6 and give them to each of your guests when they leave.

For more information on ordering from Tate's Bakeshop or to find out where to buy please click here

One Fine Day

Everyone loves a party. I know I do. When I was in New York City, I was fortunate enough to work alongside some of todays top talents. Because I was doing an internship during the summer, most of our celebrations were weddings (although, we did throw a botox themed party for a new york socialite). When Spring comes along, I think about outdoor parties. I love the idea of gathering all of your friends for an afternoon lunch or late-night cocktail. How gorgeous would it be to throw a nautical themed party on the beach? All you Hamptoners out there, I envy your location!! I'm thinking everything would be deep navy blue and white; crisp, beachy and sophisticated.

I'd like to think of this as a party inspired by the fashion spreads of Ralph Lauren:

Invitations

Escort Cards

Here's an idea: Instead of plain table cards, why not use cork to write the table numbers (or you could use them as escort cards)

Have all eyes on you in this classy Ralph Lauren piece

Use deep blue and white striped pillows to keep your guests comfortable

Need I say more?

Having one long table makes for a more casual party. Its nice having everyone gathered around one table (and better for sharing those family style platters)

A great way to come up with a theme or get inspired is to look at fashion or design pieces. Start thinking about a color palette and work from there!

What parties will you be throwing this Spring?