Wednesday, August 31, 2011

A few bite-sized delights

Another little hiatus from blogging thanks to my friend, McKinney.

BUT I have managed to find time to do a little cooking.

I made it to supper club last week and decided to put some of my fig preserves to use.  This "recipe" only needed the above 3 ingredients and about 10 minutes. 

Fill fillo shells with brie and bake for 8 or so minutes until brie has melted.

Then top with a little jelly (any kind would work).  Ta-da -- delicious little bite-sized app. It would be prettier to pipe the jelly on instead of spreading like the picture below.

Now - for my favorite.  We had a baby shower for one of my sweet friends at work this week and I wanted to make something bite-size again.  I got some inspiration from Pinterest and developed these little treasures -- Funfetti cake balls.

Bake a cake according to directions in a 9x13 pan (of course, I used Funfetti).  Once it's cooled crumble into bowl.  Add 1 tub of icing (I used cream cheese icing).  Stir together until well blended -- it will begin to resemble a slightly thicker version of cake batter again.

Roll into balls about the size of a ping pong ball.  Place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper.  Put in freezer for 15 minutes to harden.

Melt white chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl.  Roll ball in melted chocolate, shaking off excess.  Then top with sprinkles.  Although my balls didn't turn out as perfectly round as I hoped...I still they they are adorable.  And I think they were a hit -- although people seem to eat anything at work!

Speaking of Pinterest (if you aren't a member, sign up now -- I am obsessed) -- I also went there to look for a little baby shower decoration inspiration. 

I bought the supplies and then had to leave it to my awesome co-workers to execute and art direct thanks to a few firedrills at work.  Turned out pretty darn cute (the raindrops were blue - flash made them all look white).  Thank you team (Aubrey, Kim, Ginna, Tom)!

Now for a few fun family photos.  Bailey and Lee came over for an app (served baked brie bites) and drinks on Saturday night before dinner.  They were off to celebrate their FIVE year anniversary.  I am ready for them to get married -- that's right Bailey -- I said it!

Olivia looks like a crazy!

Little family love (notice Josh holding O's paw...ha).


XO,
Whit

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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Lauren + Chris - Charlotte Wedding Weekend

Last weekend I headed to Charlotte to celebrate one of my oldest friend's getting hitched.  Lauren and I were in kindergarten together and have stayed close friends ever since.  Lucky for me, her new hubby owns a home in Durham, so they will be living in the Triangle soon.

Myers Park girls - L to R - Ashley, me, Lauren, Caroline, Amanda

I was getting sick, so excuse my lazy eye!


I love sweet Ren!!  She taught me how to sew in high school -- the pillows in my laundry room are courtesy of "Camp Ren." :)




How cute are Caroline and Heath??  AND I finally picked up my kelly green skirt from Anthro mentioned in previous "green" post.  It has become my new uniform!




























Lauren was inspired by Barbara via The Pink Elephant and left in a cut off version of her mom's wedding dress!! Ren, her mom, teaches fashion design, so this was an easy task for her.

It was another gorgeous wedding celebrating a very happy couple.  The only thing that would have made it more perfect is if Josh had been in attendance (he was in Chicago at a bachelor party).

Can't wait to have a dinner party with the MP crew in Raleigh (Lauren, Amanda, Kathryn & Rachel -- get ready!).

XO,
Whit

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Solo Sunday Night

I am now the very proud owner of not one, but TWO coffee tables.  These were a steal (less than the one at Pier 1 and no retouching needed) from The Fort in Raleigh.  I still need to figure out how I want to style them, but tonight I grabbed a few items from other spots to start.



I brought back some paints from my dad's collection to try and get back into doing some artwork.  My current project is looking a little too juvenile, but I'll keep working on it.

This was a duo of paintings that I admired at National Art & Interiors (now out of biz...) -- I used the one on the left as my inspiration.


In it's current state....


I don't completely hate it, but I certainly am not loving it either...if it was framed maybe it could look a little better?  I need something cheap & cheerful for the kitchen.  I am at least liking the colors. :)


  I have to keep myself awake another hour before it's time to pick up Josh from the airport!

XO,
Whit

PS- Waiting on Caroline to send me some of her pics from the wedding weekend and then I'll post!!  It was another perfect wedding weekend -- just wish Josh had been with me!!