Tasty Tuesday {A Visual Feast}

I'm loving the work fo Claudia Pearson, both for their visual and gastronomic appeal. What better way to learn new summer recipes than to have them beautifully drawn out for you!
 





illustrations by claudia pearson via oh joy eats

I'd love to have my favorite recipes framed on my wall to see everyday. You can get the full instructions for Zuchini pasta with blue cheese pesto (yum!), salad with yogurt dressing and grilled peaches here.

If you try one, be sure to let me know how they turn out!

COCKTAILS AT SIX: FROZEN (COCONUT RUM!) LEMONADE

Wool, corduroy & (yikes!) school supplies are filling the retail shelves at a much too rapid pace for my taste. Even if the days are subtly getting shorter, sipping on frozen lemonade will draw out the weekend, and season, until you are truly ready to let it go in lieu of those falling leaves and cardigans. As an added plus, you can have this grown-up take on lemonade stand refreshment ready to go in just a matter of minutes...

Frozen Lemonade (with a dash of!) Coconut Rum

• 9 cups ice cubes, crushed
• 9 oz. frozen lemonade concentrate (roughly 18 Tbsp.)
• 3/4 cup coconut rum
• lime wedges & fresh mint sprigs for garnish

Pour about 1/3 each of ice, lemonade, and rum into a blender. Blend until slushy. Pour into glasses & garnish with lime wedges & a sprig of fresh mint. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Serves 6.

Cheers to another wonderful weekend,

Shelly (of le happy)

*images via sweet additions, an individual, & sara's party perfect

A Pretty Party

With the sun out, the weekend around the corner, and the countdown to the end of summer ticking by so quickly, I'm wanting to revel in every single moment.

Would you join me in donning one of these Sophie Theallet frocks, gather around a fanciful table and celebrate, oh I don't know...what should we celebrate...




art by Janet Hill via oh joy!

...how about we toast to the fun of being a girl! Whos's with me??

A SUMMER STATE OF MIND...

When I woke up yesterday to August, I had a sudden realization that my summer had already begun to slowly slip away...


So this month things might be a little more quiet around here while I take more time for moments spent in the stillness of sunlight, spontaneous weekend getaways, long evenings with friends on the patio, and a little R&R...

All while enjoying the beautiful summer light we've been having... it won't be long before it's gone, so be sure to soak up every moment, luvies! 


*images via dean isidro, sunday suppers, william waldron, johnny miller, james merrell, michael smith

FROM FANTASY TO FÊTE: SWEET AS HONEY

Hi Honeys! Camille from Style Notes here, with the latest edition of our "Fantasy to Fête" series. Today's inspiration board is all about the sweetness: artisanal cheeses & honeycombs ooze with golden nectar; shades of sunshine cast a warm glow over revelers as daylight turns to dusk.

This "fantasy" served as perfect inspiration for the backyard baby shower I recently threw for a dear friend...because after all, what could be sweeter than a new little bambino? Hope you enjoy a few of my favorite bee-themed details, plus recipes and ideas to infuse some honey into any summertime soirée.

Since the last name of the expecting parents begins with the letter "B", it was an easy stretch to invite guests to celebrate with a "bee" motif. These invitations by designer Kelli Hall were perfect!



A thoughtfully-designed drinks station can be a striking decor element and lets guests help themselves to libations. Sparkling mint lemonade & cucumber-peartinis are especially festive when infused with honey, and a beehive-shaped dispenser is a thematic centerpiece. Bold yellow & white striped linens are a modern table-topper: for these, I took the chic-for-cheap route and cut IKEA fabric to fit the table.



Send guests home with individual jars of artisanal honey topped with playful squares of gingham and tied with twine.
 
A party dripping in sweetness needn't be all dessert (although this honey ice cream topped with honey-roasted nuts can't be beat.) Savories can be infused with honey too, like watermelon-arugula salad with honey vinaigrette; triple creme brie with fresh figs & honey; and rosemary flatbread with blue cheese, grapes & honey. Find the full menu with recipes here.

*images via {row one} honey bee favors & beehive cake, martha stewart weddings; fromage blanc & honeycomb, sunday suppers {row 2} custard, cannelle et vanille; flowers, style me pretty; menu card & lanterns, style me pretty {row 3} croquembouche,style me pretty; sauternes & honey bee cookies, martha stewart weddings {row 4} purses, martha stewart weddings; bridal bouquet & petit fours, style me pretty. honey jar favors, cozy memories and snippet & ink. all other photos from camille styles events.

HAPPY WEEKEND...

After a very busy little week I'm craving some quiet days spent in the backyard with the smell of fragrant flowers on a warm breeze wafting through the house... doing nothing but watching the day turn into night...

A cozy little sweater and plenty of candles to fight off the evening chill (this is Seattle, after all) and a setting like this is all I need to keep me happy...

Summer entertaining is always the best, isn't it? Add in good company and plenty of wine, and I'm a happy girl. I hope you find a little bliss this weekend!

xoxo,
cassandra

*images via unknown and miss wallflower

FOODIE FASHIONISTA: SWEET SUMMER TREATS

Something about summer makes me crave simplicity - bright + fresh colors, basic patterns and classic foods (especially dessert!) which is why I was inspired by the simplicity of these seasonal treats to create this equally delicious outfit...

Mmmm.... craving Lemon Bars and Blueberry Pie? Both recipes can be found at Sweetcakes Bakeshop!


*foodtography via Sweetcakes Bakeshop, top by McQ, sandales by Chloe, watch by Lacoste, skirt by Alice and Olivia 

ROOM OF THE WEEK 7.8

I suppose if I had thought about it I would have made yesterday's summery foyer the Room of the Week, but to be completely honest I've been a bit more of a minimalist lately. I think it's the warm weather that brings it out in me. Just like we shed layers in the wardrobe, during the summer all I seem to need is something like this...

An easy linen sofa, freshly striped pillows that remind me of beach blankets and a fantastic piece of art that helps keep the room feeling watery and cool.  Tile floors to beat the heat and those color block drapes certainly don't hurt either. Want to stay the weekend?

How's this sweet little guest room suit you? I'm in love with the headboards alone, and I never thought red could look so refreshing! I also happen to have a totally impractical crush on mosquito netting. Never once in my life have I found it a necessary item, but that never stopped me from having one in my bedroom for a few years! Cutest detail? The fact that the ties for the curtains are also red. Loves it.

Tucking this home away for future inspiration!

*images via mi casa revista

Happy {Fire-Crackin'} Weekend!

Ahhh...a long weekend. Finally. Oh yes, and our nation's birthday - that's fun too.

image via hydrangeas and white daisies

I hope your weekend is filled with BBQs, ice cream, sunshine and fun. I plan to do little else than sit and relax and I am completely thrilled about it. Fingers crossed that the weather cooperates. 

Even if it doesn't, the break will be just divine.  

Happy weekend luvies!

*Mrs. E

ADIOS, DARLINGS...

By the time you read this I should be up up and away, Mexico bound...

Next week you'll be entertained by a week of submissions from those who are seeking to become series contributors here on coco+kelley! I hope you'll stop by every day to weigh in on the posts and pick your favorites!

See you in May!!!

xoxo, cassandra

Afternoon Flowers

Our warm sunny weather has given when to grey drizzle. I'm hoping this isn't the official good-bye to summer. I'd like to ease into fall colors, layering and wearing boots just a little bit. 

Some bright bouquets of flowers are a great way to extend the season.

images via unknown, dress design decor, kim ficaro and laura resen, automatism

I'm going to pick up some dahlias on my way home.

Book Worms Unite

There's nothing better on a long summer afternoon than sitting back with a good book.

Sara Jane of where the sidewalk begins asked some of her favorite bloggers what they're reading this summer (including me!) and the list is full of great page turners. Check it out here. 

Joanna asked the same question yesterday and got over 100 responses! Take a look and let me know if we're missing a must read title.

Sunshine...

I realized today that I sufficiently depressed everyone with my last wintery post... so why don't we all just pretend we're on a tropical island instead...?

The type of place where packing involves a bikini, a dress and some sunscreen...

Where skin gets perfectly bronzed...

And the term 'bundling up' means throwing on a light long sleeved blouse...

Ahhhh yes. A colorful paradise... just what this girl needs.

photography by carter smith

Happy [Summer Lovin'] Weekend

Hoping to have one of these moments this weekend...


Will be back on Monday with a BIIIIG announcement! Get some beach blanket cuddle time if you can, my dears...

Still Holding On...

... to the last rays of sunshine as the days get shorter...

... to sweet summer memories...

... and dreams to keep us warm in the winter...

first two photos, tamara schlesinger, last photo tim walker

Summatime

Sorry, luvies, but I'm completely swamped with work at the moment, so I leave you with only these images to keep you in the summer spirit...




All from the Maurie & Eve lookbook.

PS - I promise to upload all the new boards and resources by this weekend! There are such amazing entries for the contest, I don't know how I'll decide :)

Just Dreaming...

So ethereal...


I'm in love with subtly sheer pieces right now. So am especially into these images taken by photographer Jimmy Backius for Elle.



Quite dreamy and pretty...


I'd like to lounge around in these for the remainder of the summer, please...

Feeling Beachy

The mercury in Seattle is rising (woohoo!) and its got me dreaming about salty breezes and the sound of waves crashing.  I'm still at my desk, but this is taking me at least part way there.

Adorable vintage swimsuit

via refinery 29 blog

Throw on a skirt and go for a little bike ride

via porterpolaroidproject

While lickin' on a Popsicle

photography by julia parris via julia parris blog

and end up staring at the sky!

Have some fun in the sun people!