Cupcake Wraparounds: Delightful Find

I opened an email from King Arthur Flour this afternoon and fell in love with these Cupcake Wraparounds. For the people that know me, know that I love cupcakes and this just makes me happy. This is the perfect way to present cupcakes at a shower, graduation party, wedding or even your next corporate event (I am thinking the Black Filagree for this). The best part is King Arthur is offering FREE shipping right now. The thing that I love about ordering from them is you always get a BONUS treat in your order. Right now they are offering FREE French Toast Scone Mix. If you need any baking items at this time I recommend a visit to them. 

Eau De Vodka, a lovely find

I sampled the world's first sparkling liqueur, Nuvo, yesterday and thought this French spirit that is made and bottled in Paris was quite delicious! It is an ultra-premium vodka from France and sparkling French wine infused with natural fruit nectars. . I am crazy about packaging and love that it resembles a fragrance bottle and love the pink color. It is sparkling so only stays bubbly for 7 days - that is the only downside. This is going to make a great signature cocktail for a bridal shower! Below is a delicious recipe from Nuvo.

Nuvo Sparkling Cosmopolitan 

1/2 oz. Chilled Ciroc vodka 

2 oz Nuvo Sparkling Liquer (chilled)

Splash of lime 

Pour chilled Ciroc Vodka into glass. Pour Nuvo on top. Stir and add a splash of lime. 

 

Antique Find

Old Use: Milk Crate 

New Use: Wine Storage 

I went to the Langley Antique Show & Sale last weekend and found a great vintage milk crate that I am now using for wine storage. 

Martini Club

Finlandia Mango & Grapefruit - the featured product

appetizers

The giveaways 

Candy Drink Infusion

I got a really cool drink infuser last week and have been excited to create a tasty infusion for the restaurant. After looking through a ton of recipes, which I am excited to try all of them, I settled on a candy infusion for the first one. 

 Starburst infused vodka 

3 -  750ml bottles Finlandia vodka 

4 bags Starburst candy 

Using a drink infuser or any container with a tight sealing lid combine the Starburst candy and vodka. Seal and let infuse for 2-3 days. Shake the container to mix up the candy once a day. I would recommend straining this before serving. 

I have been serving this as a shot and a drink at the restaurant. People are loving it and cannot believe how easy it is to make.

For a shot pour into a martini shaker filled with ice to chill vodka, strain and pour. 

For a Starburst cocktail - pour 1.75 oz of the infused vodka over ice and top with club soda

recipe  from DrinkNation.com - http://www.drinknation.com/drink/Vodka-Infusion

New Drink Menu & Martini Club prep day

Tomorrow we will be launching our new signature drink menu at Varsity Grill. There are some amazing drinks that we will be featuring including a Summer Mojito Menu! I made the mango puree tonight for the Mango Mojito. It is so tasty and so easy to make. I will be sharing the new drink menu, pictures and a few recipes Friday morning. 

MANGO PUREE 

12 mangos peeled, seeded and cut 

Juice of 1 lemon 

4 Tbsp. sugar 

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine ingredients in a blender. Puree until smooth. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, just until the mixture will puree smoothly. Puree should be thick.

recipe from Emeril Live EM1G27e

The view as we passed under the Ballard Bridge 

I have been busy with events at the restaurant and a fabulous birthday boat party last weekend so have not posted in a few days.  Highlights of the past few days:

~Won a contest! I won a gorgeous stationary set from Dahlia Press that arrived today! I love letterpress and all things paper so this is very exciting. 

~Spent a day with  144 golfers pouring margaritas (in the rain) for the annual Tacoma Pierce County Chamber golf tournament. One of the best tournaments around! 

~Served a picnic lunch (in the sun) to help the Columbia Bank Relay for Life Team 

This is a busy week with the fist Martini Club happening this Thursday. It is also the 1st Downtown Farmers Market & the day we open the patio at the restaurant. I am excited to post pictures from the 1st Martini Club later this week. 

{Organize}

As I was flipping through one of my last issues of Domino magazine I came across some great pencils that were from seejanework.com - I went to the site and fell in love with these vintage organizing pieces and the initial paperweight. I am more motivated to conquer the task of organizing my home office this week. 

all images from seejanework.com

Organic Farm Wedding

image from Farm Kitchen 

I am so excited to for Randee (my boyfriend's sister) & Karl's barn wedding at The Farm Kitchen in Poulsobo this August. I am particularly excited because the wedding is at a barn. I love barns - well am obsessed with barns and got excited when I learned of the location for their wedding. It is an organic farm complete with guest houses - which we are staying in. The Farm Kitchen also offers cooking and baking classes - Adam & I am hoping to go to the Pasta Making class this month. Congrats Randee & Karl ~ 

Relax

I am drawn to this -  image is from the current Anthropologie catalog. I love the bedding among many other things at Anthroplogie. A very inspiring place to shop. 

from the current issue of Western Interiors & Design magazinze-  I would love to come home to this bedroom. I discovered this magazine after the sad departure of Domino magazine. If you have not seen it - you must pick up the current issue. 

Calligraphy & Hand-Lettering

 above calligraphy by Bella Figura 

I have always loved things handwritten & paper goods.  I love a handwritten thank you and especially the art of addressing an envelope. I believe it sets the tone for what is inside. It is not any different than spending time wrapping the perfect present. Presentation is everything. 

I am in search right now of finding a spot to take a calligraphy class - I can't wait to learn! 

Cinco De Mayo

In honor of Cinco De Mayo I would like to introduce you to Rosangel. 

Rosangel is a tequila infused with Mexican Hibiscus flowers that was launched in February 09. 

I am not usually a tequila lover but do LOVE this premium product. 

Rosangel Margarita 

 1 1/2 ounces Rosangel 

1/2 ounce Premium Orange Liqueur

1 tbsp Agave Nectar 

Juice of 1 lime 

1 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice 

1 tssp cranberry juice 

Splash of Ginger Ale 

1 1/2 cups ice 

Garnish idea - sprinkle with dried Mexican Hibiscus flowers or any other edible flower

image and recipe courtesy of  Gran Centenario

Beautiful Things

photo ~ emily-jane site 

Rain earrings by Emily Jane 

Sunken Treasure by Emily Jane 

I was first amazed by Emily Jane's incredible jewelry design about 5 years ago when a family friend was wearing a pair of her earrings. She hand crafts all her jewelry in Portland, Oregon. I own a few pieces but LOVE the Sunken Treasure bracelet and rain earrings pictured above. I want these to wear to my next party! 

Martini Club

Mark your calendars for this month's upcoming Martini Club - May 21st - featuring Finlandia Mango & Graperfruit Vodka. This Martini Club will feature live music from Trop Zone, the only Jimmy Buffet tribute band in Washington State. We will be showcasing new appetizers & drink infusions and a deluxe spa giveaway to Sublime Salon & Spa . We are opening the patio at Varsity Grill this day as well - hope you can join me! 

Chloe's Picks

 

My puppy Chloe is in the pet hospital as I write - she ingested toxic mushrooms today and is having liver tests done and IV treatments in the pet ICU. I cannot stop thinking about her, so thought it would be good to share some of the things she loves. Believe it or not she actually likes getting a bath - and the Cloud Star Lavender-Mint Buddy Wash is our favorite. She also loves the Organic Buddy Biscuits. Chloe is a big fan of her bed - she has the Toile bed from Harry Barker.  This is placed in my bedroom so I made sure to find a cute print. Wishing Chloe a speedy recovery!