Sarah Hearts

I love print. Maybe it’s because I’m the daughter of a print expert, but I have always had an affinity for paper and ink. With the advent of the Photoshop, many once handmade processes are now simulated on screen. Pugly Pixel has a great Photoshop tutorial on how to create a letterpress look. I still love the feel of imprinted paper however I can’t wait to give this tutorial a try! For those of you who love little letter pressed notecards and gift tags, this may be an affordable alternative.

Happy Memorial day! I hope those of you that have the day off are relaxing in the company of friends and family.

I find today’s color palette to be surprisingly unusual and charming. I haven’t seen this combination of colors used before and I think it would be lovely in a kitchen or dining room. Or perhaps a sunroom? How would you use it?

Photo by Hello Sandwich. Color palette by me.

First, I want to say I apologize for the lack of posts this week. I was in Birmingham helping my very talented brother move to Nashville. Now I’m currently in Baltimore for my sister-in-laws graduation. I will return to my regular blogging schedule when I get back in town next week. Until then, Jaclyn has created an easy, delicious trifle recipe for you!

Hi Everyone!

Can you believe it’s nearly the end of May? Honestly, I have no idea where time is flying off to! I’ve been a busy bee lately, baking up a storm for a charity bake sale, traveling to Atlanta for the BlogHer Food conference last week, and since i’ve returned home, testing recipes like it’s going out of style. whew!

Know what day i’m really looking forward to? Memorial day.

Ahhhh, Memorial day. we all get a day off from work to relax, spend time with friends, and eat plenty of good food. typically heralded as the inaugural barbeque of summer, Memorial day invites us to enjoy the sunshine for the next three months.

Well, in Florida, our summers tend to be a bit longer, hotter and more humid, but i digress.

I certainly hope you’ll be spending Memorial day lazing about, hopefully near a pool or some other large body of water. in the spirit of a day of rest and relaxation, i’m sharing with you what is the simplest of desserts to prepare: a trifle.

Trifles take hardly any effort to assemble. you can bake the cake yourself as i did a day in advance, but it’s definitely not a requirement. same goes for the preserves. if you happen to jar your own, you are amazing. if you’re lazy like me, you’ll use delicious preserves that someone else made! the only thing thing i insist you make is the whipped cream, because freshly whipped cream is beyond compare. if you have a stand mixer, it practically does the work for you!

This trifle is elegant, simple and striking. i chose to make individual trifles because i’m addicted to buying small serving bowls and the like and happened to have mini trifle dishes. you could achieve the same effect by using small drinking glasses, or if you’re going to a picnic or the beach, use clear plastic cups that can easily be disposed of.

This recipe would also yield you a standard-sized trifle, if you happen to have a large trifle glass!

Trifles are a favorite dessert for me because they are endlessly versatile. you can substitute any type of cake or preserves, and also add fresh fruit to make innumerable delicious combinations!

The real beauty of this trifle is that it can be prepared a day or two in advance. i just cover the tops tightly with plastic wrap and allow them to chill out in the fridge until i need them. honestly, i think it makes them a little more delicious! the cream firms up a bit, akin to the texture of ice cream. it’s so delicious!

So in the spirit of laid back camaraderie and enjoying the first days of summer, please make this trifle for your Memorial day get-together, your long weekends at the beach, or for a late-evening backyard dinner with your neighbors. everyone will think you’re a genius!

Sweetly,

Jaclyn
www.foodpluswords.com

{Click the images for the yummy recipe}

Today we have officially owned out home for one year! I We  love our home and have spent the last year painting, plastering, drilling, installing, and cleaning to make it it our own. Our next project is tackling the back yard (I cannot wait to have summer cookouts and get togethers outside). I snaped the photo above shortly after we closed and moved in.

Here’s to many more memories and diy projects!

I’m loving deeply saturated hues. It makes me think of the summer time and dining outside. This color palette motivates me to have a dinner party outside and make a yellow, turquoise and red flag bunting.

Photo by Julia Davila, color palette by me.

I try to save a few bucks every week and take my lunch to work (also know as “the fruit stand”). My lunch usually consists of some type of sandwich, fruit, and grain crackers. I’m getting tired of this combination so I’ve been on the lookout for new lunch ideas. I stumbled across this a recipe for mango, avocado, and goat cheese quesadillas in Everyday Food. I love grilled sandwiches and quesadillas but they are impossible if you’re packing a lunch. So I adapted there recipe into a wrap. It’s delicious!

Here what I put in my wrap. It was so good! The cilantro and onions added a lot of flavor. And the mango and goat cheese was excellent. You should try it!

I was recently thinking about the “right hand ring” trend. The idea that you wear a ring on your right hand, that’s as equally stunning as your engagement or wedding band. I partnered with ShopNBC and found some  lovely diamond rings that would make great right hand rings. I particularly liked the ones that featured colored diamonds. Who knew diamonds came in such an array of colors. I rounded up my favorite picks above. Which one is your favorite? I’m loving the pear-shaped pale pink one.

Today’s Wedding Wednesday and I made a wedding board for Rachel. She’s a reader who asked me if I could make a little inspiration board her. Rachel is getting married in July and is looking for simple, vintage inspired table ideas. Her color palette is sage green, black, and ivory. I just love the color palette and I instantly thought of two photographers who recently captured these wonderful vintage-inspired details at weddings.

The stunning cabinet turned a wedding alter was at our dear friend’s Albert and Bridgette’s wedding in Miami. I love how they incorporated “inside” elements, like furniture, outdoors. Another great idea is using a working vintage typewriter as a guest book. Such a functional, interactive way to add decorative elements.

Images 1 & 4 by Divine Light Photography. Images 2, 3 & 5 by SNS Photography

As you may know by now, I am a huge fan of Japanese washi tape. I was so excited when I stumbled upon Hello Sandwich‘s video of the workshop she taught at the MT office in Japan. Be prepared for some serious creative inspiration! After watching the video, I wanted to use my tape on everything!

I love this color palette. It’s a more modern interpretation of a classical look. I instantly thought of ballet costumes. I think it would be perfect for a simple garden wedding, or for a bedroom. How would you use it?

Photo by One Love Photo. Color palette by me.