oysters, dresses, and cameras

This weekend was a blast, but now I find myself needing another weekend to recover. Friday was the night of our engagement party and it was amazing. We were so happy with everyone that came and so thankful to have so many lovely people in our lives. I'll have more photos later, but for now please accept this small phone camera pic. 


Saturday I went dress shopping with the moms and am pleased {and surprised} to say that we found a dress! If only the rest of the wedding planning process could be that easy! 


As for Sunday Sweets, I didn't forget. Last week I made a lovely apple butter in anticipation for this week, since I knew it would be a busy weekend. Unfortunately, I left my camera in Jacob's mom's car and do not have any photos to share. Perhaps I'll wait a few weeks to post it, my apologies. In the meantime, here's a lovely food blog for you to enjoy. Aren't those photos just dreamy? 

the perfect boot

{Frye, Paige Trapunto}

{Sam Edelman, Patrice}

{Steve Madden, Foreway}

{Steve Madden, Miidori}

Allow me to get real for a moment. The search for boots has literally plagued me for about four years now. I have short legs and thick calves, nothing ever looks good. On top of that I'm incredibly picky, as one should be when spending that much money. Is the heel too much? Is it not enough? Does the toe curve the way I want it to? What about the height? With so many questions, it's no wonder I've never bought a pair.

 Every year I think "This is it, this is the year I will choose a boot," and yet every year I pick each candidate apart until I convince myself that I'm just not a boot person. I then purchase another pair of cheap ankle boots that I wear once or twice and then decide do not look good on me. Am I to be plagued like this for the rest of my life? 

Perhaps one of these will do the trick. Something adjustable is probably the way to go, maybe those Sam Edelman's? Hmm, yes, maybe those. 

2012 calendars {leah duncan}

It's that special time of year again, when I go searching for the most beautiful calendar for the upcoming year. I believe I've already chosen my favorite for next year, but that doesn't mean I have to stop looking. Last year I chose one from Leah Duncan, and I've loved it for the past 11 months. Her 2012 calendars are just as lovely and whimsical. I may need one of these too. 

J.Crew Christmas cards

I love receiving Christmas cards, but I've never sent any out. Maybe it's because I get a little lazy, or perhaps because Jacob and I hate taking pictures, whatever the reason, I think I'd like to correct it this year. If for no other reason than to use these J. Crew cards from Minted. I'm kind of in love. It's always exciting to get a Christmas card that's a little bit different {it stands out on the overcrowded refrigerator}, and I would love to get one of these in the mail. Let the picture-taking commence. 

sunday sweets {challah french toast}

 I was not feeling my best this weekend, so I took a bit of a break from any serious baking. Jacob, however, tries very hard to make me feel better when I'm sick, and he knows making breakfast for me definitely helps. We had some Challah bread left over from the Jewish Food Festival last Sunday {for those of you who are unaware, challah is a very special braided, egg bread, usually baked for the Sabbath, it's delicious}, and it literally makes the best french toast ever. Slice it thick and you'll get almost a bread pudding effect. 

• Ingredients:
• 6 extra-large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half or milk
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon good honey
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 large loaf challah or brioche bread
• Unsalted butter
• Vegetable oil

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, orange zest, vanilla, honey, and salt. Slice the challah in 3/4-inch thick slices. Soak as many slices in the egg mixture as possible for 5 minutes, turning once.

Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a very large saute pan over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Place the cooked French toast on a sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven. Fry the remaining soaked bread slices, adding butter and oil as needed, until it's all cooked. Serve hot with maple syrup, raspberry preserves, and/or confectioners' sugar.

Enjoy!

happy weekend!

{matchbookmag tumblr}

This week could have been better, but I'm very thankful for the weekend. I think I was about one workday away from being really sick, even more sick than I am right now. I believe the next two days will be spent in pjs drinking lots of tea and catching up on trash tv, because I really can't be sick this week. Next weekend is our engagement party and I am determined to be well rested.  


I hope you have a warm and healthy weekend! 


Around the web:
1. I NEED THIS.
2. I think I've found our wedding colors.
3. Worry too much?

rifle paper weddings

Here's the thing: yes I am a graphic designer. Yes, I can do invitations on my own. Yes, it makes more sense to put the money towards other things {liquor}, but it's extremely hard to resist hiring someone else to do it. Especially when some of my favorite design studios create such lovely invitations. Seriously, these from Rifle Paper Co. make me weak in the knees. They will be launching their wedding line in 2012, but I can't help swooning over them now. 


Maybe I'll splurge?