Entertaining, event planning and design that celebrates life

Brunch Recipes | Flavored Butter

2012-02-24T08:00:00.002-06:00

With brunch season upon us {Easter, Mother's Day and Father's Day}, I wanted to share some of my easy ideas. When serving brunch, I like to offer a combination of sweets and savories. When serving quiche or a casserole, an easy addition is bread and flavored butters.

Crunchy Sugar Butter:

1/2 stick butter softened {do not allow to melt or it will dissolve sugar}

2 Tbsp sugar

Combine with a spoon and refrigerate 1 hour. Using a melon baller for individual servings or an ice cream scoop for sharing, scoop into bowl or bread plate.

Chocolate Butter Spread:

1/2 stick butter, softened

1 Tbsp cocoa powder

1 Tbsp sugar

Combine with a spoon and refrigerate 1 hour. Using a melon baller for individual servings or an ice cream scoop for sharing, scoop into bowl or bread plate.

Preserves Spread:

1/2 stick butter, softened

1 Tbsp strawberry, raspberry or peach preserves

Combine with a spoon and refrigerate 1 hour. Using a melon baller for individual servings or an ice cream scoop for sharing, scoop into bowl or bread plate.

Flavored butters only take a few minutes to make and keep well. Serve with muffins, ciabatta, or a crusty french baguette. I also love honey butter. Click here for the recipe.

Truffle & Gouda Mac & Cheese Recipe

2012-02-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

If you haven't noticed yet, I love to cook pasta. Truffle & Gouda Mac and Cheese is a favorite in our home. Adalyn even eats the peas!

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp butter

½ small shallot

½ clove of garlic

1 cup diced ham

1 cup heavy cream

4 oz. gouda shredded

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp white pepper

½ tsp white truffle oil

½ cup peas

10 oz. dry pasta {I used sea shells} cooked to al dente

½ cup shredded/sliced white cheddar

Directions:

In a large skillet lightly sauté butter, ham, shallots, and garlic.

Add cream and bring to a boil.

Whisk in truffle oil, gouda, salt and pepper. Add pasta and peas.

Stir into oven-proof pan and top with cheddar cheese.

Bake in oven at 375° for 10 minutes.

If you want to reduce fat and calorie content, use light butter and fat free half and half. You won't notice the difference!

On Being a Good Hostess | Artwork for Your Home

2012-02-21T08:00:00.001-06:00

{created to print for a 4x4 mat or frame}

Meringue Recipe

2012-02-17T08:00:00.001-06:00

I'm a huge fan of anything that is sweet, can be made quickly and uses ingredients that I already have in my home. Those are just a few of the many reasons I love meringues.

6 egg whites

1/4 tsp cream of tarter

1 1/2 c sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla {or another flavoring: I recommend almond extract, orange extract or peppermint extract as well}

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and preheat oven to 200 degrees. In a mixing bowl, beat egg whites until foamy and stiff. {If using a KitchenAid, gradually work up to speed 8}. Add cream of tarter. Add sugar 1/2 cup at a time. Add vanilla and desired food coloring. I usually prefer subtle pastels, which require 4 drops. Beat until the whites form a stiff peak. Using a teaspoon, drop onto lined cookie sheets or pipe with an icing bag and tip. I prefer to use larger tips for meringues and disposable icing bags for quick cleanup {both found at craft stores}. Bake approximately 60 minutes. Do not let them brown.

These little treats keep well and make great gifts or favors.

{Yields 80}

Free Printable Labels | St. Patrick's Day

2012-02-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

I enjoy making treats for friends, clients, my daughter's teachers and classmates, but unfortunately, being a working mother of two, I don't have a lot of time. And that's how I missed Valentine's Day! With the supplies already purchased and St. Patrick's Day just weeks away, I designed these little labels to make treat bags just a little sweeter.

I purchased these treat bags at Paper Source, but Paper Mart and craft stores are also great resources.

When using paper treat bags, I like to make something that will not leave an oil residue. Meringues are a favorite of mine because they are quick and easy to make, can be dyed any color, use staples and are lower in calories.

The template is designed for 2.5 inch Paper Source labels, however, Avery now makes them too! You can also purchase sticker paper and use a cricut to cut.

Click here to download the free printable labels. Enjoy!

Click here for my meringue recipe.

Pregnancy Announcement | Gender Reveal | Birth Announcement

2012-02-15T08:00:00.000-06:00

Some people are beyond talented and even more creative! That is why I love Christine of Click Photography. She's always thinking outside of the box and creating memorable images. I love this Bun in the Oven photo series!

You may also remember this little stop motion video she created for us...LOVE!

Summer Intern

2012-02-13T15:09:00.000-06:00

We are again offering an internship program to junior and senior level students! Internship is a great opportunity to work alongside our team to learn the in's and out's of a wedding/event planner's job from an owner perspective. We are excited begin the interview process for Summer and Fall interns.

If you are interested in joining the Coordinately Yours team for Spring or Fall semester, please e-mail your cover letter and resume in PDF format. Please have valid internship paperwork readily available should you be selected for a position. {photo credit: rpm}

Free Printable Valentine's Day Cards

2012-02-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

If you're like me, you waited until the last minute without purchasing a card for your loved ones this year. Fortunately, there are darling free printable options!

I also love this adorable origami love note. Click here for DIY instructions.

Click here to find your perfect card!

These printable Valentine's gift tags are oh so sweet!

Salted Caramel Cupcakes

2012-02-10T16:30:00.003-06:00

I enjoy making sweet treats every now and then. Okay, everyday! In the last couple years, I have been obsessed with everything salted caramel. Salted caramel hot chocolate, chocolates, and ice cream. Today, I decided to make cupcakes. After finding an icing recipe online that flopped {it happens}, I adapted one of my own using concepts from my caramel sauce and favorite icing.

Ready for a little honesty? I didn't make that chocolate cake from scratch. I love Betty Crocker's milk chocolate cake mix.

Salted Caramel Icing Recipe:

On medium high heat, add 2 Tbsp water and 1/4 sugar. Stir and allow to sit 5-6 minutes until it turns amber. Remove from heat and add 1/4 c heavy cream and 1 tsp vanilla, stir and allow to sit until cool {about 15 minutes}.

Mix 1.5 sticks of softened butter and a tsp of salt. Gradually add 3 cups powdered sugar. With a spatula, stir in cooled caramel mixture. Blend and refrigerate a half hour if piping your cupcakes.

Enjoy!

Press: Kim and Dave's Wedding in HERLIFE Magazine

2012-02-09T10:57:00.001-06:00

We had the pleasure of designing and coordinating Kim and Dave's October 7th wedding. We're excited to announce that it has been featured in the February issue of HERLIFE Magazine!

To read the article, click here. For more on their wedding, click here and here!

Congratulations Kim and Dave!

Announcing Aniston

2012-02-06T00:24:00.001-06:00

Aniston was born January 3rd and our world has never been sweeter, nor more tiring! Rachel with RPM Photography patiently and graciously captured our family when we got home from the hospital. Let's face it...we were exhausted and hadn't exactly established a routine yet. I really enjoyed having our family photographed at home, just as we are.

It just took a minute, maybe two, for Aniston to wrap her daddy around her tiny little fingers.

Adalyn couldn't resist the opportunity to be photographed!

Adalyn's favorite pastime is reading.

Our sweet little baby was fussy {and usually is}. Much of our time is spent calming her, just as in the photo below. I love that these moments have been captured.

Adalyn is making sure that daddy spends his time equally.

I am so lucky to have these sweet girls in my life.

Aniston seems to be inquisitive.

How can I resist these sweet little feet?

and then there were 4!

Fresh Herbs

2012-02-03T16:46:00.000-06:00

The good news is, when you kill your herb garden {a newborn baby takes precedent over house plants}...

it's not a complete waste!

Rosemary Mint Sugar Scrub anyone?

It's perfect for cooking too! Every day is filled with silver lining.

Cooking with Kids

2012-02-01T16:11:00.002-06:00

Today's post consists of a couple of iPhone images giving you a glimpse into my everyday life. Lately, I have been struggling with finding enough one on one time for our oldest daughter, Adalyn. Since Aniston's birth, she has been helping me cook dinner. I am not sure who enjoys it more! While it takes a little patience, she is so proud of our meal and is even more interested in eating it!

Last night, Adalyn helped roll out our pre-made pizza dough, crumble goat cheese and spread caramelized onions onto the crust.

We have a lot of fun making dinner and making memories!

Shabby Chic Pinboard

2012-01-30T19:14:00.000-06:00

There are few things that give me greater satisfaction than a project that I a) complete quickly, b) is inexpensive and c) that I couldn't be happier with the final result. I needed one more item to complete Adalyn's wall decor for her bedroom. I decided a pinboard was best because we could add and remove photos, artwork and miscellaneous items frequently and easily.

DIY instructions:

I had a scrap of osnaburg fabric from another project, though I believe I paid about $3/yard for it.

I purchased the above cork board for $40 after a coupon. {Hint: When visiting Michael's or Hobby Lobby, always print a 40% off coupon before you go!}

Using a knife, pull staples ALL THE WAY up so that they are flush with the frame.

Iron your fabric and lay it on a large, flat surface. I would usually use a staple gun for the next part, but if your husband is anything like mine with tools, you'll know why I used pins. I looked everywhere and couldn't locate it. However, I was determined to complete this project asap! Using pins, I pulled the fabric taught over the cork board and pinned it in several locations, pinning corners back as well {10 pins overall}. I inserted the fabric covered cork board into the frame, bent the staples back into place to hold it into place and was done in 15 minutes!

This project is also great to pin seating assignments for weddings and special events!

Room Decor

2012-01-30T10:36:00.000-06:00

When decorating a room, I try my best to repurpose items I already own. Adalyn's room is significant in size with a lot of wall space to cover. I pulled all potential items that I thought may work for the space and put them in her room. Then I considered ways to use them. In a recent Pottery Barn catalog, I saw these beautiful heirloom frames. I just so happened to have heirloom frames of my own...from my Grandmother's!

These frames were originally red and olive green. A few years ago, we painted them white. They have all been utilized in multiple ways over the past few years. Most notably, a coat hook, my maternity photos and a milestone frame.

You may recall from a previous post that I pinned sentimental items into shadow boxes for Aniston's nursery. I had one remaining shadow box. Adalyn wore the cream cashmere sweater below for nearly a year. It was the perfect staple and we both adored it! I could never let this sweater go!

I pinned the sleeve up with a small bow for added detail.

To add a subtle hint of pink to the room, I painted the frame below, found at TJ Maxx for $5.99. I took the pillow sham from her bedding to have the color matched and just purchased a paint sample for $4. I love the ornate details and that I recreated it far less than the Annabelle frame I originally wanted to purchase.

I created this shabby chic inboard to go above her dresser. For easy DIY instructions, click here!

I printed a couple of photos of my mom when she was a small child, on textured card stock to pin. I used double stick tape to adhere Adalyn's newborn hand and footprint. The pink ribbon is a perfect match to Adalyn's bedding - it was wrapped around it upon purchase. I kept it just in case I could utilize it somehow or to later wrap a gift. It was the perfect embellishment for the pin board.

I have just one project left before I'm ready to share Adalyn's big girl room!

Kids' Bathroom

2012-01-25T10:53:00.001-06:00

It's a miracle! I have finished a room of our home! Well, almost. Just a little touch up work {aka getting my painter back}. This room was minimal in cost, but maximum in impact, so it was gratifying.

I took two photo frames I already had and hung one above the other. Unfortunately, the top frame did not have hooks to hang it, so I had to get creative with a piece of ribbon I had from a gift I received. I made prints using my book linen method. For full DIY, click here.

The below rug was inspired the bathroom decor. Nothing is more girly than ruffles, just seems sweet! {Shabby Chic Criss Cross Bath Rug} Doesn't that tile look like new? {Say yes for my husband's sake. He spent a few hours on his hands and knees scrubbing it and using a grout pen}.

And how could I resist this vintage ruffle shower curtain from RH Baby and Child {especially when they were having their friends and family event!}?

The clear glass knobs and pulls, also from Target, updated the large vanity.

Clear glass shower curtain rings complete the look.

We painted the gold framed mirror white to update the look. We paid to have our cabinets painted white, but I'm still convinced that they were painted grey {hence having my painter return}.

I selected bedside lighting rather than standard bathroom lighting because I thought they were more feminine. We hung the towel rack on the back of the door to conceal it and avoid all of those wall drips that drive me crazy! The "remodel" was completed with a new faucet.

The before? Well, that wasn't so pretty {in my opinion}.

Remodel costs:

$30 paint

$70 light fixtures

$4 grout pen

$30 new hardware

Not too shabby for this shabby chic bath remodel!

Cake Toppers

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

Want to make your own birthday cake, but not an icing artist? Not to worry! There are plenty of darling and easy cake topper ideas to dress up your basic cake.

Balloons!

Ribbon flags

Tissue or fabric poms

Bunting and or bows

Statement candles

For more entertaining ideas, see what I've been pinning!

Adalyn's 2nd Birthday | Toddler Birthday Ideas

2012-01-20T08:10:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe, but my baby is 2 today! Last night we had my in-laws over to celebrate. I had Classic Cakes create this simple subtle pink stucco cake. I made little flags to decorate it.

I served Adalyn's favorite foods. I plan to keep the menus from year to year to show her how her tastes change.

I love meringues. They're not only pretty, but they are so delicious too!

Did I mention the flavor is salted caramel? Mmmm!

I hung crepe paper from our light fixture for an illuminated "centerpiece". The room had a beautiful pink glow.

Snuggling our big birthday girl!

This morning, before Adalyn woke up, we decorated her room in balloons and pennants. She was really surprised!

Adalyn enjoyed kicking her balloons around. I think it's going to be tough to get rid of these in a few days!

Happy 2nd Birthday Adalyn!

Baby Bedding | Baby Gift

2012-01-17T00:12:00.000-06:00

When creating a nursery for Aniston, I knew I wanted soft, neutral bedding. I love this linen bedding below and another set from Restoration Hardware Baby and Child. When I told my talented friend Lori what I was going to purchase, she stopped me and offered to make the baby bedding. It doesn't get more special than that!

Using osnaburg fabric, she created the sweet and subtle bumper below.

She also made a quilt and stenciled Aniston's name in one of my favorite fonts, Jane Austen. Isn't it sweet?

and because she has endless energy, she also made this darling pillow to complement the ensemble, complete with Aniston's birthday.

I have been blessed with this beautiful gift and even better, with a beautiful friend! Thanks Lori!

Adalyn's Bedroom Furniture, Refinished

2012-01-16T15:39:00.001-06:00

When we purchased our "new" home, the sellers were kind enough to leave green canopy bed. Right away, I started dreaming of ideas for our little girl's room.

This was the before:

I found this painted antique dresser on Craigslist for just $100! I chose it because the pedestals mimicked those of the canopy bed and the scallop shaped played well off the headboard. When I had my husband pick it up, he wasn't convinced.

After several coats of paint in a soft cream, these two pieces were a dream! I retained the original hardware - it compliments the hardware on the window and the lock on Adalyn's jewelry box.

What a difference a can of paint makes! The room remodel post will be coming soon!

Master Bedroom Remodel | Redesign

2012-01-13T14:52:00.000-06:00

I've been anxious to share some of our home remodel and decor with you. Unfortunately, I have the horrible habit of starting one room, and before completing it, moving on to another. The Master Bedroom is almost complete!

To remodel this space, we removed old wood shutters, painted the windows {but retained the hardware}, caulked and painted the moldings, painted the room and replaced the carpet. We hung heavy woven cotton drapes for privacy.

I know, there is nothing cute about a tv, but it's a must for me to fall asleep. My chest of drawers is home to my jewelry box, a gift from my husband on Valentine's Day the year we married, engraved with my then future initials, JAB.

We are so thankful that both of our nightstands fit in our new home! We survived three years without and it wasn't pretty! Above, Chris' side is home to a Pottery Barn task lamp, a family photo {by RPM}, a piece of coral from a vacation along with one of Chris' medical books.

Proving that you don't have to spend money to redecorate your room, I utilized items I already owned. I switched the matte in the Pottery Barn frames from the original burlap {used in our previous home} to the included white matte. A collection of my favorite books are displayed along with my travel jewelry case for convenience. With a toddler running around, I can no longer risk leaving my rings loose on the nightstand! The jar has been recycled from a bottle of lotion and I dried hydrangea from an old floral arrangement. The jewelry tray has been seen quite a bit on this blog! You never know where it will find a home next!

One of my favorite pieces in the bedroom is the trunk from my Grandma. It holds additional pillows, blankets and a few family keepsakes. Click here for the no sew toss pillow tutorial.

The before? Well, what do you think?

DIY Just Married Sign

2012-01-10T22:23:00.002-06:00

Little details can make a big impact on your wedding day. These adorable clients married at a country club. Their “getaway” car was a golf cart for photos between the ceremony and reception. I created a “Just Married” sign incorporating their wedding colors and the “all that glitters” theme.

To create your own, follow these simple instructions:

1. In Microsoft Word, using a large font {as shown, Arial in all caps} print letters in desired size and cut out.

2. In pencil, draw the letters onto card stock {backwards} and cut.

3. Using a ribbon hole puncher {creates a thin rectangular hole}, punch one to two holes at the top of each letter.

4. Lay your letters out and gently thread ribbon through, leaving plenty of extra ribbon at both ends.

What diy details are you including in your wedding day?

{photo credit: RPM Photography}

Pear and Pecorino Ravioli

2011-12-29T08:20:00.002-06:00

For Christmas, I received a pasta roller attachment and ravioli maker. While these items are certainly not necessary to make great ravioli, they definitely add ease and speed the process. For my first batch, I made Lidia's Fresh Pear and Pecorino Ravioli. It was a huge success!

Filling:

1 bartlett pear

8 ounces Pecorino Romano, freshly grated

1.5 Tbsp mascarpone cheese

Peel and grate pear.

Combine ingredients as shown below.

Using two sheets of pasta, lightly flour countertop or ravioli maker and lay one down. Fill each ravioli with a spoonful of mixture.

Add the second sheet of pasta on top, seal and cut.

Boil pasta over medium heat for 6 minutes, meanwhile, in a large saucepan,

add 4 ounces of butter on medium heat. Add 1/2 c of pasta water. Strain ravioli and add to butter mixture. Stir well.

Top with 4 ounces of grated Romano and fresh ground black pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

Press: Our Family in the Kansas City Star

2011-12-23T13:52:00.000-06:00

Christmas morning, you will see a few familiar faces in the Kansas City Star! Writer Stacy Downs interviewed me on a few of my favorite things for winter. The three day photo shoot took place in our home and included Chris, Adalyn, Dusty, and myself! The newest member of our family has yet to make her arrival.

Above, my favorite throw from Restoration Hardware nestled on a few birch logs from our home.

Natural Potpourri

As you can see, Adalyn was having just as much fun feeding me marshmallows as she was indulging in them herself.

I shared a few of my favorite hot chocolate recipes - nothing creates a cozier winter than hot chocolate and a fire in the fireplace! To read a sneak preview of the article, click here. Be sure to look for us on Christmas Day in the Kansas City Star!

A Few of My Favorite Things for the Holidays

2011-12-20T12:07:00.000-06:00

Enjoy a few of my favorite things for the holidays...

DIY Christmas Flower Arrangement How To from White Table Style

How To Tie the Perfect Bow from Eddie Ross

Peppermint Milk from Coordinately Yours

Homemade Marshmallows

DIY Sugar Scrub with Free Printable Labels from Coordinately Yours

Typographic Gift Tags from Eat, Drink, Chic

Printable Gift Tags from Coordinately Yours

Feel free to share links to your favorite things in the comment section below!