A Subtle Revelry

fresh garden berry compote

2013-05-17T08:19:00-07:00

One of the best things about our new home is the garden! We have a small gated garden bed that we have already begun work with (truth be told, I started on the garden before even unpacking the bathroom). I am thrilled to finally be able to grow fresh berries and vegetables. I love serving this easy to make treat when we have weekend guests or for brunches and showers. Fresh garden compote is one of those festive indulgences that makes the day feel special.

Here's how I make my garden berry compote: simmer 1/2 cup of water and stir in 1/2 cup sugar. Whisk until it dissolves. Then add in 2 cups fresh berries + one whole vanilla bean and slowly stir until the water mixture boils down.

Pull the vanilla bean out and serve hot over pancakes, biscuits, waffles or other morning treats.

braided leather headdress

2013-05-16T07:46:00-07:00

Celebrating and having fun is really what summer is all about. Whether you are planning a birthday, a playdate, an art and craft camp, or just an afternoon outdoors in the sun, this braided leather headdress will put everyone in a whimsical and happy mood.

Make the braided leather headdress by first braiding and tying off the leather headband. Next glue festive feathers to a thin strand of leather in varrying lengths, then tie them onto the band.

Posts in this party hat series are styled and photographed by Carly Taylor under the creative direction of Victoria Hudgins for A Subtle Revelry.

how to land a book deal or anything else you want

2013-05-15T13:23:00-07:00

After announcing that I am writing a book this summer many of you emailed and asked great questions about the process. Since we have our first shoot for the book this week, it seems like a great time to answer.

Getting a book deal (just like getting any job you want) may seem like a stroke of luck, but it is really a mixture of hard work and hustle. Here are a few tips for landing your own book deal, perfect job, or really anything you might want in life.

1) Put yourself out there. One of the most important aspects to landing anything is to show what you can do. And we live in this crazy time when you can easily showcase your work for the world to see. Start with an online outlet, do great work, and direct the eyes of everyone you talk to there to see what you have to offer.

2) Get real meetings with real people. Once upon a time I read an article about getting a book published and it directed me to send out letters in the mail to publishers and agents. Do not do that! Before signing our contract we meet with 3 different people, all with real names and job titles. Incase it might help, here is how I did that:

Person number one was a networked contact. I had a friend who wrote a book and was kind enough to hand off her editors information to me. I didn't end up signing with this person, but we chatted on the phone and it was a great start.

Person number two was a coffee date at a blogging conference I attended. Most conferences these days have publishers there and are willing to fill their schedules with meetings. Do you research before going - follow them on Twitter, strike up an online conversation and then set up a meeting before getting to the conference. Bring a proposal, but most importantly, bring a smile and a great 30 second pitch.

Person number three was an email I got from a PR rep for the publisher. I've worked with the publisher before - reviewing books for them - and really liked what they published. I asked my PR contact (who liked me because I normally responded to his emails) if he could get me in touch with someone in the editorial department. That email is what eventually lead to the perfect deal for me.

3) Develop a solid idea. No matter the hustle, nothing replaces a great idea that hasn't been seen before.

4) Know what you are worth. As a first time author signing a book deal is a scary endeavor. Before signing we got a lot of advice from other authors I know and had a lawyer look over everything for us. The best piece of advice I received was to never write a book, if you wouldn't do it for the advance. Many books never recoup beyond the advance, so I was cautioned to not write it unless I would do it for the advance. I plan to write a book that sells, but just incase, I am happy I took this advice.

5) Lastly, have the confidence to act. If you want to write a book, or land a killer promotion, or anything in life, the best way to get there is to just believe that you are that person. Totally believe it, and the entire way you relate to your work and opportunities will change. You might not get what you want immediately, but the change in what you produce will be greatly affected by what you believe your end-game or career cap is. You are awesome - go believe that!

PS. The cute little book I typed in above is from Anthropologie.

concerete cake stands

2013-05-15T07:22:00-07:00

This is one of those projects that after it is done, I think to myself - I'm opening an Etsy shop and selling these for the rest of my life... Then we thought about how much they would be to ship... Oye. Although heavy, these concerete cake stands are a cinch to make. And at at the $3 a bag going rate for concrete, you could make about 300 for under $5, in just an afternoon. These cake stands are perfect for presents, parties, or your own at-home display.

To make the concrete cake stands, start with a small amount of concrete mixed in a bucket according to package directions. Use the mixture to fill a plastic cup and a cake pan. Use tinfoil temporary pie tins for easy removal. If you use regular kitchen tins you will need to coat the bottom first with plastic wrap to remove the dried concrete.

Pour the concrete in and let dry about twenty-four hours. Remove the cup or tins and use a concrete glue bond to attach the upside down cup to the plate to create the simple cake stands. To make the cake stands food safe (important!) be sure to use a light layer of concrete sealer and then a layer of food safe wax on top.

Photography done in collaboration with Jocelyn Noel Photography.

25 free colorful fonts

2013-05-14T06:01:00-07:00

Since it is getting warmer and brighter this time of year, it's the perfect time of to add a dose of color to everything in life - including the fonts we use! Here is a free selection of 25 favorite fonts that look great with a new coat of paint. Download them for free and add in your favorite colors to brighten up invitations, notes and writing this summer.

Download the colorful fonts here:

Graphic created by Alli of Hooray, for A Subtle Revelry.

food color painted paper plates

2013-05-13T07:00:00-07:00

With the weather warming up (and our kitchen packed up) we are eating more meals out on the deck. I've been wracking my brain for a way to make our paper plates more creative and fun, since the store bought versions never seem all that appealing. Then it dawned on me - food coloring! It is non-toxic, so your guests can chow down in confidence, and it's an easy solution for making pretty paper plates with letters, or polka-dots, or elaborate self-portraits if you are so inclined.

To make the food colored paper plates, use a small foam brush and food coloring. For the letters, place the food coloring on a painting palette and use the foam brush to gently paint the letters on white paper. For the polka dots, drop the food coloring directly onto the plates. Let dry for about 48 hours (they take a long time to dry!) and enjoy serving your guests outdoor in style.

Photography done in collaboration with Jocelyn Noel Photography.

a weekend in surprise boxes

2013-05-10T14:58:00-07:00

Everything around our place is in boxes, ready for next week's move. I can't wait to share more about all the plans I have for our new place (and studio!) soon. In the meantime we are looking forward to enjoying our last few days in this small but colorful house and remembering two really fun family traditions we started with our last move.

1) Packing a few "surprise boxes" of balloons and (nonperishable) treats so that we had a bit of fun to look forward to during the dreaded unpacking stage.

2) Inviting all our friends with kids over for a party in the moving truck before we load it. It was one of the twins favorite days that year - and a fun way to host a party, whether you are really moving or not.

And if you are in the mood to read more this weekend...

I've been pinning quite a bit of outdoor inspiration

Alphabet letters on the wall

I bought this print for the kid's bathroom

Perfect bow for sending presents in the mail

These books that are written using your kids names are the sweetest and would make great baby shower presents.

A Mother' Day balloon bouquet

Mother's to follow on Instagram

and here are my posts for spoonful this week:

Gifts to thank preschool teachers

Great ideas for breakfast in bed

Bakeable Mother's Day gifts for the last minute rush.

Have a great one. xoxo

french toast baked in oranges

2013-05-10T08:02:00-07:00

Are you doing anything special to celebrate your mother, or being a mom, this weekend? I am looking forward to enjoying my family and a favorite breakfast of orange French toast, after sleeping in of course (it's the little things these days!). Baked in oranges, this simple breakfast recipe brings a wow factor to a breakfast in bed tray that any mom would love.

To make orange French Toast; Begin by cutting the top off and emptying out 4-6 oranges.

Crack 4 large eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk well. Add 1 cup milk, 1/4 cup orange juice (squeezed from the oranges), 1Tbsp orange zest, 2 tsp granulated sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until well combined.

Dip each piece of crossaint into the egg mixture in the bowl, turning it to coat both sides with the mixture. Transfer the coated slices to the oranges.

Use a cupcake pan lined in foil to bake the oranges. Tie each orange off with kitchen twine and rest in the pan. Cover lightly with aluminum foil and bake at 325 for 28 min.

Makes about 6 oranges.

Photography in collaboration with Erin Holland.

accordion paper wreath

2013-05-09T14:06:00-07:00

You may well know that accordion folded paper is one of my favorite things. The simple folds provide a crazy affordable and easy way to create pretty art. This wreath was crafted with about 50 sheets of white printer paper and it makes a gorgeous statement for a home or a party that is well beyond its pay grade. See the full tutorial over at Julep today.

two-tone balloons

2013-05-09T07:27:00-07:00

A bouquet of balloons is quite possibly the easiest way to make any space feel like a party. Since they've become ever so commonplace, I wanted to bring a bit of a subtle artistic touch to our store bought balloons. Inspired by these balloons I wanted to try out painting the balloons a bright second hue to give them a bit more pop!

To create the pretty two-tone effect I purchased helium balloons and used acrylic paint to loosely cover the tops. I did not measure and was not specific as I wanted each balloon to have it's own whimsical style. They really did make our party feel more thoughtfully decorated. Don't you jut adore them!?!

Photography done in collaboration with Jocelyn Noel Photography.