http://peachesbyplums.tumblr.com

Be sure to come along and update your subscriptions!!

After many long discussions, I have decided to move over to my tumblr blog full time.  It was a very difficult decision but ultimately the direction that I would like to take this blog choose tumblr.

I will still have my wordpress blog up for all archive blog posts.  Feel free to roam around, I’ll still be here checking! You know me, I may be back one day.

Here’s the recipe from foodbeam!

Fanny has a lot of really great tips and tricks for this perfect weekend cake.

In order to create that perfect crack in the cake all you need to do is “pipe a line of butter on the top of your unbaked loaf.  Simply cream a couple of tablespoons of butter, and using a piping bag – or as I do, a paper cornet – pipe a thin line across the length of the cake.”

via foodbeam

via poppytalk

To my darling husband, happy birthday! xxx

Today’s session was spent with Steve Kemble, event and wedding guru learning about trends of the wedding industry.  Once I get back to the “mainland.” I’ll be sure to share them all with you!

See you soon!

via Lonely Planet

Our venue, The Cliff House Hotel has impressed me once again.  We’ve just heard that The Cliff House has been awarded one Michelin Star!  What an amazing accomplishment!

The executive chef, Martijn Kajuiter, is known for his sourcing of local food.  The Cliff House also has its own garden where they harvest most of their produce.

It’s about creating an experience for your guests and I definitely want to tie this into the night. I am so excited to be working with Chef Kajuiter on designing my menu.  A menu that is sustainable, local and most importantly, amazing.

I’m even more excited and more proud to get married at The Cliff House Hotel! Has anyone “politely observed” their venue and got excited when good things have happened? P.S (Yes, I do follow them on twitter…yikes!)

Congratulations to Chef Kajuiter and The Cliff House Hotel to a much deserved award!

via Tartelette

From the recipe book of Tartelette

Hot Chocolate:
6 oz (180gr) semisweet chocolate (chips or chopped)
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
pinch of ground cloves

Place the chocolate in a large bowl. Set aside.
In a large saucepan set over medium heat, bring the milk and cream to a simmer. Remove from the heat and slowly pour the hot liquid over the chocolate. Let the mixture stand for 2 minutes then slowly whisk the mixture until completely smooth. add the spices, stir and serve with the marshmallows.

Vanilla Marshmallows:
1/4 cup (60ml) water
1/4 cup (60ml) light corn syrup
3/4 cup (170 grams) sugar
1 tablespoon powdered gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
2 egg whites, room temperature
1 whole vanilla bean, split open and seeded
cornstarch

Line a 8X8 baking pan with plastic wrap. Spray lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle lightly with some cornstarch, shake the excess off.
In a medium saucepan, combine the water, corn syrup, and sugar, bring to a boil until “soft-ball” stage, or 235 degrees on a candy thermometer. Sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water and let dissolve. Remove the syrup from the heat, add the gelatin, and mix. Whip the whites until soft peaks form and pour the syrup into the whites. Add the vanilla seeds and continue whipping until stiff. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and let set 24 hours at room temperature. Unmold and cut squares with a hot knife.

Enjoy!

via a desert fete

Send Joseph a link to a one to three minute youtube video of you explaining why your wedding will rock.

We will select from top eligible videos (from dates that he is available to shoot on) and post the 10 best videos on his blog.  The video with the most comments will win the free photography from Joseph!

Videos must be submitted by January 29th and voting will start on the blog www.josephpreziosophotos.com/blog on January 30th with the winner be selected on February 5th.

Offer is only valid for photography coverage and does not include an album or digital files.  There are no travel fees for weddings within an hour and half of Boston.  If wedding is out of state or international, all travel fees must be covered by the winner if Joseph is to shoot your wedding.

Please email the link or your youtube video to wed@josephpreziosophotos.com

via Brooklyn Bride

Amber & Joe, you rock!! Congratulations!

via inchmark

The purl bee did an awesome job in creating this colorful garland.  It reminds me of all the good things about growing up; sprinkles, bright colors, playfulness and innocence! Be sure to check out their website for a full tutorial on how to recreate this!

via the purl bee

images from personal collection

To see more of our photos from our reception click here!

This week is all about our reception decor!

The best part about getting married around the holidays is the instantaneous decor. Everything is just so beautiful with the beautiful twinkly lights, fresh pine and glowing bulbs.

Since we were busy moving and preparing all the details for our wedding in Ireland, my mom really took charge in putting everything together for us.  She did such a wonderful job!

I was against favors of any kind so instead, we printed off our engagement photos for guests to take.  This went over really well and everyone loved the idea.

The place cards were just so cool.  They were made out of different types of scrapbooking paper [completely inexpensive yet a big impact!]  We were able to coordinate designs with menu options so the servers would know which entree to serve.

I loved the collection of our old family photos. This was a great conversation piece and meant a lot to us.  We included both of our families. It’s sweet to think that one day we’ll be part of that collection.

Our centerpieces consisted of gold chargers, pillar candles and gold and cream Christmas bulbs and fresh pine.  They were so easy to put together.  I am a huge advocate of candles at weddings.  The best part however was the fresh pine that my dad hand cut the morning of our wedding.

Lastly, my beloved cake! I’m a cake girl, that’s for sure.  More importantly, I’m a “Hermitage Bakery” girl.  Hermitage Bakery is a local bakery with the absolute best cake.  I was a little sad at first when I thought I wouldn’t be able to have Hermitage Bakery cake at my wedding but when we decided to have a reception in Pennsylvania, they were first on our list to call. We used the cake topper that both my mom and grandmother used at their wedding.

When you step back and look at everything, you see that it’s just “stuff.”  But when you really look at it, you see the family connections (my dad picking the pine, my grandmother offering her cake topper, my mom making the place cards…) Those are the moments that “stuff” turns into special somethings.  It gives it meaning.

Next week, more about cake and our family!

via Apartment Therapy

I LOVE Chez Panisse! We first went there when we were living in San Francisco and Ger’s parents came to visit us.

It is the epitome of fresh, local and natural food.

When I found this recipe on Apartment Therapy I was thrilled!