Elegant Italy Wedding by Jose Villa::

I love the simplicity of this wedding in Italy.  It is the perfect combination of rustic and elegant - ideal for an outdoor Italian affair.  Also ideal that Jose Villa was the one to capture this gorgeous day - his photographs are stunning.

Jose Villa Photography

Pool Crushes ::

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Dark Chocolate Ice Cream ::

Ice Cream Base:

2 cups milk

4 tsp. cornstarch

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup sugar

2 tbsp. light corn syrup

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

3 tbsp. cream cheese, softened

Chocolate Sauce:

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa

1/2 cup brewed coffee 

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 oz. bittersweet chocolate 

Instructions:

1. Make the ice cream: In a bowl, stir together 1/4 cup milk and the cornstarch; set slurry aside. In a 4-qt. saucepan, whisk together remaining milk and the cream, sugar, syrup, and salt; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 4 minutes; stir in slurry. 

Return to a boil and cook, stirring, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Place cream cheese in a bowl and pour in 1/4 cup hot milk mixture; whisk until smooth. Whisk in remaining milk mixture.

2. Make the chocolate sauce: Bring cocoa, brewed coffee, and sugar to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan over high heat; cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate. 

3. Stir sauce into ice cream base. Pour mixture into a plastic bag; seal, and submerge in a bowl of ice water until chilled. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker; process according to manufacturer's instructions. Transfer ice cream to a storage container and freeze until set.


via Saveur 

Organic Garden Wedding ::

simple & organic

sealed 

 simple & low centerpieces 

white & green flowers with splashes of purple

lights 

soft 

soft, garden blooms 

 simple bride and groom chair decor 

strung lights & a kiss!

Sarasota Wedding by Simply Bloom Photography via Style Me Pretty

Reminiscing about Paris ::

Luxembourg Gardens 

Architecture Class

Crepe Stand 

Turning 21...

Versailles 

Luxembourg

Color Me Pretty :: Coral

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Happy Hour :: Lemon-Thyme Cocktail

Lemon-Thyme Cocktail 

Lemon-Thyme Simple Syrup:

1 1/2 cups water

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

3/4 ounce lemon thyme sprigs

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

In a medium saucepan, combine the water and sugar and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar.   Add the thyme, cover and let stand for at least 2 hours.  Add the lemon juice and strain the syrup.

To make the cocktail:

1 tablespoon sugar

Ice

3 lemon wedges

1/4 cup lemon-thyme syrup (above)

1/4 cup vodka

splash of club soda

1 thyme sprig

Spread the sugar in a shallow dish.  Moisten the rim of a glass and dip the rim into the sugar to coat.  Fill the glass with ice.  In a cocktail shaker, muddle lemon wedges with the lemon-thyme syrup.  

Add 1 cup of ice and the vodka - shake well.  Strain the vodka mixture into the glass and 

top with club soda.  Garnish with thyme sprigs and enjoy!

image via (a tequila version) // recipe via