Make It: Sweet Jam Bites

Posted by Aleah & Nick on February 16, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Oh, it’s Thursday! The weekend is nearly here and we can’t wait! We’re also so excited for a fun day, including co-hosting Daily Grommet’s #PinterestParty Twitter chat this evening {from 7-8pm EST} followed by a client tasting at Hotel Del Coronado. Talk about a magical evening. The Del is one of those places that just radiates old classic romance. Victorian-influenced detailing and a nod to a bygone era. We love that it’s a stone’s throw from where we live and that we get to experience that magic when planning events and weddings for our couples. Today’s post is a little nod to the Victorian tradition of afternoon tea. Because we all need a daily ritual that relaxes…

These jam and cream cheese bites are a snap to make for an afternoon tea. You can prep them hours in advance and pop them in the oven right before your guests arrive. Pair them with assorted teas on hand and you’ve got an instant relaxing afternoon tea.

Add a pot of tea and some scones and crumpets and you’ve got the perfect afternoon.

Photos by Elle G. Photography for Valley & Co.

Jam Bites
You’ll need: puff pastry dough | berry jam | cream cheese
Cut puff pastry dough into 3″ squares and place in a small greased muffin tin, pressing the sides down. Fill with tablespoons of berry jam and 1 tablespoon of cream cheese. Preheat the oven to 350 degees and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the goodies are golden brown.

Delicious, right? Hope to see you on Twitter tonight!

PDF

Category: Uncategorized · Tags:

Pinterest Party Twitter Chat

Posted by Aleah & Nick on February 15, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Happy Wednesday, lovely Lifestyle readers! How was your Valentine’s Day? We’re kind of in awe that this month has whizzed by so quickly but we’re eagerly awaiting spring….we’re also excitedly anticipating tomorrow’s Daily Grommet #PinterestParty Twitter chat that we’re co-hosting with some lovely friends. We’d sure love to have you join in the fun!

When: Thursday, February 16th from 7-8pm EST (4-5pm PST) on Twitter
Hashtag: #PinterestParty
Co-Hosts:

@DailyGrommet
@LaunchHER
@Girlfriendology
@HousewifeBliss
@Steet
@ValleyandCo
Keep watching … even more experts will be joining us for the event

We hope you can join us! Please share with your networks and let’s create a diverse exchange around this exciting topic!
Ways you can invite your network: Share this post on Facebook, Tweet this post, Pin this post to Pinterest.
Please leave your Twitter and/or Pinterest profile link in the comments below so we can be sure to follow you!

PDF

Category: Uncategorized · Tags:

We’re Loving: Plaid + Rustic Picks

Posted by Aleah & Nick on February 13, 2012 · 1 Comment

Monday, Monday. Another week has rolled in, much like the clouds along our coastline. We actually had a really wonderful weekend and we focused on nothing work-related. So often we get caught up in daydreaming for our clients, sketching up ideas and blog posts and working on our events and photo shoots that it’s easy to not slow down and enjoy. We’ve decided that this month {and the next…and the next} should be all about: simplicity. Breathing. Enjoying the little things. While we do strive to enjoy the little things each day it’s easy to get moving so fast we stumble on past. Here are some little things that are just oh-so perfect for the mid-February dead of winter mindset. Think: plaid, fun rustic-inspired picks {and a great read} that actually all happen to be on sale!

1. Bear Canyon boy’s plaid shirt – on sale! J. Crew $29.99
2. Natural tree stump side table – West Elm $159
3. Our rustic apres-ski inspired Valentine’s Day lunch
4. Italian ceramic spice jars from Sur la Table on sale $3.49/each
5. The new issue of Seattle Met nods to the 50th anniversary of the World’s Fair. Plus the inside is brimming with goodness!

So…what are your favorite little things these days?

PDF

Category: Uncategorized · Tags:

An Effortless Apres-Ski Valentine’s Dinner

Posted by Aleah & Nick on February 9, 2012 · 7 Comments

Oh, Valentine’s Day. That holiday that some enjoy immensely, that some despise, or that many are impartial to. We’ve been together for lots and lots of Valentine’s Days and, while we’ll enjoy the day, we like to take it easy. We’ll likely be enjoying some Dungeness crab and watching a new movie and taking Lulu for an early afternoon walk along the beach. It’s all about the little things. What do you have planned?

If you’re still looking for that perfect idea, we just might have one for you! We designed this vignette to have an après-ski feeling. You know, an evening spent in a rustic ski lodge with exposed beams, rustic plaid pillows, antlers, and a warm ambiance. Something that allows you to cozy up next to a roaring crackling fireplace after a day spent in the powdery snow.

Create your own gourmet cheese board with a strong Stilton, rich Triple Cream Brie, assorted nuts and fruit, and pull-apart breads.

Let the effortless food be the star of the show but dress it up with peanut brittle in ornate bowls and vintage trays.

Warm up your table with a deep red and brown plaid runner {we used a valance from a home goods store} and lacy napkins as mats for a classic touch.

Pull in more traditional Valentine’s Day colors like deep blood red, magenta, and shades of pink with unusual elements like protea {source from your local florist}.

Pre-make a hearty soup a day or two prior and top with slices of baguette and cheese and stick under the broiler until the cheese bubbles.

Yum. Pistachio-encrusted goat cheese? Yes, please.

When you combine all of these homey elements the result is something effortless, hearfelt, and quite romantically cozy.

To set the mood…

Photos by Llanes Weddings for Valley & Co.

And…just for you we’ve got two special recipes. Because we love you.

Valley & Co.’s French Onion Soup

Ingredients: 2 quarts of beef broth | 1 tablespoon olive oil | 1 tablespoon butter | 1 large white onion {thinly sliced} | 1 tablespoon white sugar | 1 teaspoon dried thyme | 2 bay leaves | ½ teaspoon salt | ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper | ½ cup of port wine | 1 baguette for slicing | your favorite cheese for topping

In a large stock pot over medium heat add onion, butter, and sugar and cook for 10 minutes, until the onion slices are tender and golden. Add thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper and stir. Cook roughly one minute and add port and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Add broth and bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaves and let cool for 20-30 minutes. Place in fridge overnight and ladle into oven-safe bowls. Top with thin slices of a baguette and place under the broiler until baguette is golden. Sprinkle each with English cheddar, Gruyere, or your favorite cheese and place under the broiler until the cheese bubbles.

Choco Vine Raspberry Kiss Cocktail

Ingredients: Choco Vine {check your local wine market} | whole milk | raspberries | sugar

Pour 6 oz. of Choco Vine into a lowball glass. Top with whole milk. Take raspberries and roll in sugar and skewer onto a cocktail stirrer. Serve as a garnish.

PDF

Category: Uncategorized · Tags:

Mid-Week Boost

Posted by Aleah & Nick on February 8, 2012 · Leave a Comment

It’s Wednesday. Sometimes we all need a little mid-week boost, right? Here’s some Van Morrison fun for you…one of our favorite Van songs sure to make you smile.