dinner party!

remember a while back i told you about an incredible dinner party/photo shoot with rue magazine? well here it is!

where: my darling (and beautiful) friend annette's gobsmacking home

what: dinner party featured in rue's issue 3 pg. 118 for whole story

photography: the amazing our labor of love

i felt so honored that sam and i were invited to this fancy fete. look our hostess gift even made the cut! sam looked so dapper and we had such a great night meeting new friends like julie and her husband and i always love spending time with annette's girls: ginny and natalie. they are some of the nicest girls you'll ever meet. we laughed all through dinner because annette has funny/awesome friends. the uber talented ashley meaders was on hand and cute as a button, as was the ultra-chic anne sage. anne is lovely, driven, and her creativity and enthusiasm is contagious. it was a fabulous evening with incredible food (can you tell i enjoyed my salad?!)and i would expect nothing less from these super stars. go check out rue's latest issue here!

friday feature: the world in your teacup

my talented friend annette asked me if i would like to be a part of this clever book last year.



the book travels the world and offers delicious recipes from each destination. i was lucky enough to travel to france. ok, no i didn't really go to france literally. let's pretend! the author lisa boalt richardson is a lovely and super knoweledgable tea lady. she generously sent over a recipe for madeleines for me to share with you!



Orange Madeleines taken from the world in your teacup

These small shell-shaped sponge cakes are perfect for teatime. You will need a madeleine pan, which can be purchased at any kitchen store, to bake them.

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt,
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup sugar
4 teaspoon orange zest
3/4 cup salted butter, melted and cooled
2 tablespoons butter, melted (to grease the molds)
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush madeleine pan with melted butter. Combine flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl and set aside. In another bowl, beat the eggs light yellow. Add vanilla extract. Slowly add the sugar. Continue beating until the volume has increased to about 4 times the original size. Gently fold in the orange zest and then the flour mixture. Stir in the melted and cooled butter. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each shell, filling the mold about 3/4 of the way full. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Remove madeleines from the mold and place on a cooking sheet. Dust powdered sugar over the tops. Makes about 3 dozen.

all photos taken by photographer extraordinaire, lauren rubenstein.

i'll leave you with this behind the scenes shot:


natalie, lauren, annette, me, and matilda

see more here.

wouldn't this make a perfect mother's day gift?


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thanksgiving planning

my lovely stylist friend annette is giving away her delicious secrets...her entire thanksgiving menu! she is an inspiring lady. you'll love her beautiful blog. enjoy!







{sweet potato casserole}


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Tea Cookbook Photoshoot

My lovely stylist friend Annette, asked me if Matilda and I wanted to participate in a photo shoot for an International Tea Cookbook written by Lisa Boalt Richardson. I hesitantly agreed because these sorts of things tend to make me a wee bit nervous. Once I arrived at the beautiful house where the shoot was taking place I was even more intimidated, but as soon as I walked through the door I was greeted by the nicest group of creative people who instantly put me at ease! I actually had so much fun. Thanks again Annette, Natalie, Lisa, Lauren, and Jay!









Jessica was on hand to take the behind-the-scenes shots. It was so great having her there and she actually knew Jay, Lauren's assistant. Small world folks. I'll let you know when I get some more info on the book, but look for Tea With a Twist this June.




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