Date Night

Last week the hubby and I spent an evening at the Lexington fair. Having never been to a fair, I had a My Girl-esque image in my head of what to expect: bumper car rides, corn dogs, and winning goldfish. While the hubby and I spent an entire evening at the fair without riding anything (I have a tendency to get bad headaches from most rides and the $10 it would have cost us to ride the Ferris wheel seemed a bit much), we had quite the time.

Smiling lovebirds on the way to the fair.

We shared an orange cream custard in a waffle cone, a funnel cake, and a cheese steak.
Fair food is delicious, definitely an integral part of the experience.

I fell in love with the lights.

One last photo to remember the fair by as we were leaving.

My first fair experience came and went. I have to admit I was a little disappointed in the modern take on the fair. Rides were outrageously expensive, and every game cost $10 to $20-the sweet goldfish prize had been replaced with gas cards and PS3's.

I was tickled at the hubby who took every opportunity to use the word "carnie" in his sentences. Adorable.

A Girl and Her Pearls: A Love Story

When the hubby and I started to make plans for our wedding, I knew right away that I wanted to design the bridal jewelry. And I knew that I had to work in pearls. Rich. Luxurious. Pearls.

Until then I had kept all my designs in the casual realm. I had never worked in sterling or gold-fill and I had not yet explored the beauty of freshwater pearls. I soon fell in love with their luster and their organic shape (none of those perfectly round faux pearls for this girl, thanks). I received my first pearl order and there began the love story.

I adore teeny tiny potato pearls, elegant rice pearls, and the blossom-shaped keishi. I really haven't met a pearl I did not love. I can't resist a lovely cluster of pearls or a simple pearl accent on a delicate chain. They are always timeless and stunning.

This necklace was one of my first fine designs. The vintage celluloid rose is a rare stunner, hanging by a cute gold vermeil leaf on a 14k gold-fill chain, accented by freshwater pearls of course. Delicate yet substantial. Classic yet unexpected. Don't you think?

Dinner for Two

I spent part of yesterday in the kitchen, listening to the new Maria Taylor (with Andy LeMaster) and baking. I made Emily's Rosemary and Olive Oil Bread, which I absolutely adore and have made on a number of ocassions, the hubby's favorite chicken casserole and crème brûlée.

I didn't take any photos of the crème brûlée. I attempted to use my really cheap butane torch that I typically use only for making head pins, which was only partially successful. I work in the bakery at Fresh Market and my torch apparently doesn't get nearly as hot as the bakery's. I had the most difficult time getting the sugar to crystalize. I made some whipped cream and sprinkled some fresh raspberries on top of mine. The recipe I used only called for a bit of sugar and a hint of vanilla, which I was worried about. Rightly so, because the dessert ended up tasting pretty much entirely of egg with no apparent sweet vanilla flavor. Not too much of a disappointment, I had fun with the experiment and we had everything but heavy cream already in the house.

Has anyone successfully made crème brûlée at home before? Any recipes or tips?

For the Kitchen

I can't get the beautiful items at Beehive Kitchenware off my mind.

Doily Coasters


Bird Candlesticks


Bird Measuring Spoons


The Doily Coaster Set is enameled brass perfection!
I use a lot of vintage enameled findings in my designs
and those coasters just bestill my heart.