DIY :: Apple Candle Holder

So what do you do with all those apples from the farm? Maybe you went a little crazy on the apple picking and came home with 3 bags of apples. It happens to the best of us. Well after the three apple pies and supposed generosity at the office as you try to pass off apples as gifts..... it's hard to figure out what to do with the other dozen you still have left. My solution: we hosted a dinner party this past Saturday and the apples came in handy with this simple DIY addition to the tablescape as candle holders. Plus, it's perfect for fall!



1) Instead of worrying about if all my apples have flat bottoms, I usually just cut off a little to even out the bottom so the apple sits steady. No bigger hosting faux pas than a flaming apple rolling into a guests lap and a napkin catching on fire. Whoopsie.

2) Place the candle on top of the apple to help get an idea how big of a circle you need to cut. Then cut straight down and turn the apple as you cut to make a circle.

3) I use a spoon to help scoop out any extra so the candle can be cozy and sit flat inside. If using a larger candle, I also think it looks cool if the top of the candle sticks up out of the apple a little. So it's ok if it doesn't fit perfectly inside the apple.

4) Place candle in your apple and enjoy on your table or around the house!

These are so easy and work perfectly for any gathering or just for fun during the fall season. Couple of tips, wait until the final minutes to do these so the apples aren’t brown when your guests arrive, and also, if you’re the proud owner of an apple candle carver (no joke, it exists) or an apple core remover…. this would be the glorious time to use it!

We are off to Mexico today for some much needed vacation and 1 year anniversary celebration! Beach, Corona, ceviche, quacamole.... here I come. Be back on Sunday! xx

Hurds Family Farm :: Apple Picking

This is going to be a week of posts about all things fall, so I hope you're as much in the fall spirit as I am!

Apple picking is a yearly tradition with our friends… it's basically our version of welcoming fall to the city. We all pile into cars and make our way upstate. The drive alone makes the trip... getting to see all the trees changing colors and rolling down the windows to just bask in the fresh air. The first stop is in New Paltz at Mexicali Blue for lunch. Mexicali’s claim to fame is that Anthony Bourdain named them the best tacos on the East Coast. Then the adventure continues to Hurd’s Family Farm. Some people come for the apple picking, some come for the pumpkin patch, horse back riding, petting farm or corn maze….. but E goes just for the apple cider donuts and has no shame in admitting his motives! There's usually an hour wait for the donuts since they are made fresh on the spot..... I'm not one for donuts much, but if I could package the smell they create as they are baking and then make a candle out of it..... that would be divine! You know what else is divine.... the taste of a fresh, crisp apple straight from the tree. There is such a difference between the apples from the farm and the ones we buy at the store. Big difference. And you get to support your local farmers.

Need some fashion tips for extra apples laying around your house? Well, you should take note from Becky Shim (soon to be Becky Paguia!) and just use it as a hair adornment. Isn't it adorable?! Of course Becky might be the only person I know who can pull off an apple as a hair piece, and look absolutely normal and fashionable doing it!

The day ended with dinner in Cold Spring and a walk down by the Hudson. If you ask me, it was the perfect fall day!

Fall Themed + Week(end) Roll Call

 

We are hosting a few friends over for a dinner party tonight. I'm officially on a fall decoration kick.... there will be apples, pumpkins and pine cones galore on my tablescape, along with, a very fall themed dinner menu. And don't fret, apple picking pictures are coming soon to continue the fall posts!

This week went a little like this ::  

- Warby Parker launched their 'Do Good' website. Be sure to check out the video, plus some photos by the amazing Esther Havens. 

- Had the pleasure of attending the Art Director's Club - Young Guns 9 Award Ceremony on Thursday night to support our friend Dana Tanamachi. Her custom chalk work is gorgeous and dominated the gallery space! It's a super big deal to be a part of the Young Guns list and we are thrilled for Dana!

- This post on Blog Brunch about 'How To Choose A Name' this week was so encouraging. I can't tell you how long of a process it was for me to decide on a name for this little blog and shop here. I kept scraps of paper around so I could jot down any words or thoughts that came to me. I would email a few girlfriends ideas and key words and ask their thoughts. It finally came down to something personal and unique. If you have a blog or shop, what was your process on deciding a name? 

- Countdown till our Mexico trip is now at 4 days. Sunshine, pools and guacamole.... we are so close! 

- Got myself some new fur (faux) for the fall! Now that it's getting chilly, be prepared to see a lot of fur in my outfits.... it's just so soft! This stole will be great for more casual outfits. 

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! 

Photos: here, here, here

365 Days as a Mrs.

On Sunday Oct. 9th, my husband and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary. We were lucky enough to be upstate along the Hudson on Saturday to go apple picking so we got to swing through our darling Cold Spring, walk down by the water and eat dinner with dear friends.

Cold Spring started as the town where we escaped the city to spend quality time making memories with friends and to get our antique shopping fix, then it was the town where E proposed and then it became the town where we would say 'I Do' in the little church on the hill. Now, it is the town we will forever visit and will have a place in our hearts for the rest of our lives. Our video and pictures still make me tear up!

Thinking back on that day, it might honestly have been the best day I could've ever imagined. The night before, I stayed at a stunning revolutionary era bed and breakfast and that is where all the girls gathered to get ready in the morning. We are so blessed to have such talented friends who wanted to help us make the day perfect. My friend Candice did my hair, Gretchen did makeup, we had no less than 10 professional photographers present along with our official ones, Josh and Murphy set up an old school Polaroid photobooth, our pastor Jon Tyson did the ceremony, Zach Williams and Caitlyn sang worship songs, Nate was our DJ, Adam shot video,  Josh (one of my bridesmen) and Papa Ice (with a harmonica!) performed our first dance song, my sister-in-law made our wedding cake, Dana helped design the chalk boards, Mo made our DIY cake topper, Kathleen and my girlfriends baked homemade cookies, pies and carmel apples for our desert table.... our community was really the hands and feet of our wedding day. And even today, I'm not sure we'll ever know how to fully express our gratitude. It's true when they say 'it takes a village'. And I guess in our case, it takes a whole borough. 

So what has the first year been like?

Marriage is so much more than you can ever expect. First off, to be honest, another human being on this earth has voluntarily chosen to spend the rest of their life with you. Just you. Weird, right? I'm not even sure I always think I'm that cool. Unconditional love is the bottom line. Second, you've got two people living under one roof and doing life together.... news flash, you can't hide any of your freak flag moments anymore, you can't be selfish and you can't expect anything to be resolved - from 'whats for dinner' moments to 'who's family do we spend the holidays with' this year- if you don't learn to communicate. Third, you will learn that changing your name in NYC is harder than being a contestant on Amazing Race. And last, but not least, you will learn how much of a gift it truly is to get to spend the rest of your life with your best friend. This is just the beginning, we've got decades of learning ahead of us.

Got marriage advice? Do share below! Would love other people's first year of marriage stories and ten or twenty year marriage stories.

Dress: Vera Wang

Get Away Dress: BCBG Max Azaria

Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Clutch: Judith Leiber

Hairpiece: Becky Shim

Fur Stole: Vintage (gift from my girlfriends before the wedding!)

Photos ::  Josh Goleman, Kelsey Foster, Nate Poekert, Andrew Shepherd, Divine Light Photography

Video :: Eric & Amy - "Dancing Shoes" by GRO from Loose Luggage on Vimeo.

Kelly Wearstler + Week(end) Roll Call

Feast your eyes upon Kelly Wearstler's Fall 2011. Besides maaaaybe that velour pant suit [it's not flattering on anyone, nope, don't care if you're Minka Kelly], my fall attire is inspired by every outfit in this layout.  Kelly is an American designer known for her great interior design skills, which are often described as "Hollywood Regency" and "Maximalism". In 2011, Kelly branched off into the world of fashion. Smart move from the looks of it. This 2011 collection was four years in the making and reflects the same luxury style as her interior designs often do. Check out the scarves, midi skirts, strips, mixed patterns.... it's all so pretty!

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Happy first official week of Fall:

- And my family continues to be amazing, check out the new pub/coffee shop, Brewed, in Fort Worth that  Jamey and Mel helped launch. The pub has a beautiful mission to seek to serve the community at large. 

- Can't wait to usher in some fall recipes..... starting with this Butternut Squash Soup with Pear, Cider & Vanilla Bean. 

- Stop it, this is too adorable, and frankly..... I don't even know what a 'needle felting kit' is. Do you?! But this makes me want one.

- October is the official 'Breast Cancer Awareness Month'. In college, [confession coming] I was in a sorority, our philanthropy is Susan G. Komen and we supported the heck out of it. Check out the amazing support from survivor Betsy Johnson in all of her fabulousness, and I invite you to also support in any way you know possible.

We are off on our annual apple picking adventure tomorrow. Can.Not.Wait! It's one of the most anticipated days of the year. We rent a bunch of vans/cars, pile in and drive upstate to an apple and pumpkin farm for some good old-fashioned apple picking. The drive alone is magical. All the leaves turning colors, the antique shops, the cute farm houses..... love it all. Then we usually come home and immediately bake something with the apples. So, expect a photo montage of the events next week!

Have a wonderful weekend!

 photo: via Beckerman Bite Plate