Will you be my bridesmaid?

Unlike what you see on the series Bridezillas, being asked to be a bridesmaid is a great honor when your dear friend or sister asks...but it can also be a lot of work, responsibility and cost a little bit of money that you weren't planning on spending.  So in reality...the bridesmaid shouldn't be kissing any bridal booty...the bride should be the one doing the kissing if she wants the support and the pictures she's always dreamed of!  Loved these bridesmaid note cards I found on Paper Source.  What better way to ask your dearest friend to put her life on hold from the moment you said "yes"...to the moment you say "I do"?!

Year Of The Dragon "Fortune Cookies"

It's official, I'm now Peter Callahan's biggest fan.  These Spicy Chicken "fortune cookies" look to die for!  I adore the presentation of course, but most importantly....how can I make them myself?  Oh Peter dear, I am on a new quest to figure that one out.  Meanwhile I'll order a batch from you and crack open a bottle of wine to wash it down with.  Are you celebrating the Chinese New Year?  This might just be the way to ring it in....

Oh and here's the New York Times article talking about these wonderful treats! Yummy.

Jelly Flowers!

MV Florist & Gifts has a way with flowers.  I fell in love with these Jelly beauties as soon as I saw them.  Lining a classic Edgartown, MA street that's already adorned with beautiful white shingled homes overlooking the ocean and a lighthouse... how can you not love these beauties?  A nice twist from your typical Japanese lantern, although I always have a place in my heart for that "typical" Japanese lantern of course.

Pretty Pink Valentine

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I've been contemplating some entertaining ideas for what I call a ladies "Wines and Valentines" get together at my home.  As I start to plan and seek some Cupid inspiration, I happened upon Amy Atlas' Valentine dessert table and fell in love!  Everyone knows that we eat with our eyes first, which is why it's super important to make everything look appealing for your guests.  Not to mention give them something to talk and brag about!  We should take a step back and admire before we go ahead and dig right in.  That's always something I strive to do first when entertaining...and I simply love this little pink table.

For The Love of Goat Cheese!

Sometimes you just find that one thing, on that one particular day, that you simply must have!  Oh for the love of goat cheese!  Toss it in a salad, bread it and fry it or throw it in some quiche.  Doesn't matter much to me, really.  Here, I happened upon an outstanding recipe from Bon Apetit via Epicurious that's bound to make it on to the table of my next soiree!  Enjoy....


Oven Dried Tomato Tart with Goat Cheese & Olives

yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings

Oven-drying the tomatoes before baking the tart concentrates their sweetness and prevents juices from softening the filling.This makes a great summer starter, light lunch, or supper. What to drink: A glass of dry rosé to echo the Provençal flavors of the tart, or a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 6 medium tomatoes or large romas, cored, halved crosswise, seeded
• 2 small garlic cloves, thinly slivered
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh thyme, divided

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry (half of 17.3-ounce package), thawed

• 1 cup coarsely grated whole-milk mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup soft fresh goat cheese (about 4 ounces)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup whipping cream
• 1/3 cup oil-cured black olives, pitted
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Preheat oven to 300°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with foil; brush foil with 1 tablespoon oil. Place tomato halves, cut side up, on baking sheet. Sprinkle garlic and 1 tablespoon thyme over tomatoes; drizzle remaining 1/4 cup oil over. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Bake until tomatoes begin to shrink and are slightly dried but still soft, about 2 hours. Cool tomatoes on sheet. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Store in single layer in covered container in refrigerator.)

Roll out pastry on lightly floured surface to 13-inch square. Transfer pastry to 9-inch-diameter tart pan with removable bottom, pressing pastry firmly onto bottom and sides of pan. Trim overhang to 3/4 inch. Fold overhang in and press, pushing crust 1/4 inch above pan. Pierce crust all over with fork; chill 30 minutes.

Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 375°F. Line pastry with foil; fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until crust is set, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and beans; bake until crust edges are golden, piercing with fork if crust bubbles, about 12 minutes longer. Cool crust 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.

Meanwhile, using fork, mash mozzarella cheese, goat cheese, and remaining 1 tablespoon thyme together in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add eggs and cream and stir until mixture is well blended. Spread cheese filling evenly in crust. Arrange tomato halves in filling, cut side up. Place olives between tomatoes. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese evenly over top. Bake until filling is puffed and set, about 35 minutes. Cool 5 minutes. Push up pan bottom, releasing sides. Serve tart warm.

Keegan Hobson, We Welcome You...

"A picture says a thousand words".  Aaaah, we've heard this many times.

"You don't take a photograph, you ask quietly to borrow it." Author Unknown, but he/she knows who they are.

"Every portrait that is painted with feeling, is the portrait of the artist, not that of the sitter". Oscar Wilde

Art galleries are little gems spread throughout our paths, each hoping we'll stop for a conversation.  Not every one will call or speak out to us, but when we find one that does, it's hard to detach ourselves or to never think of them again.  And if we are lucky enough to own one of the little gems that speaks to us, to hang one up on our wall or give as a gift....we've captured something special.  I'd like to introduce you to Keegan Hobson Photography.  A Martha's Vineyard Wedding and Event Photographer, originally from Falmouth, Mass and traveling from his base in Boston to provide us with these little gems....and he's quite the find himself.

While I welcome and introduce you to Keegan, I'd like to make a small note.  Keegan and I share a love for quality and beautiful stationary....In addition, we are both quite fond of the same business colors we use... AQUA of course!  When you request Keegan's information, whether through Martha's Vineyard Wedding Studio or through his website, he makes a heck of a first impression.  There's no doubt in my mind, you will be impressed from the first exchange in business cards and stationary, through the finished album full of life-long memories he's created for you.  

Enjoy some of his latest work here, a beautiful Falmouth wedding that also included the Vineyard's own/also Studio Member- R&B Entertainment...who provided the DJ and MC services.

Classic Beach Shot...done perfectly.

The beautiful and happy bride and groom.

A timeless photo of the groomsmen...

Father/Daughter dance...

The Dress...

I saved the best for last!  Good Times!

Martha's Vineyard Wedding Studio welcomes you Keegan!

You can find more of Keegan's work on his website at www.keeganhobson.com.

Please Welcome Jessica Maynard Photography...

One of the things I've enjoyed most since I opened the Wedding Studio is the wonderful people I've crossed paths with.  I'd like to introduce you to Jessica Maynard, a Martha's Vineyard Wedding Photographer, global traveler and new member at Martha's Vineyard Wedding Studio.  A warm and inviting woman who is sure to capture every intimate moment of any event.  I'd also like to note her amazing Boudoir Photography!  Ladies, treat yourself to a sexy photo shoot as a gift to yourself...or for that special someone, who's sure to appreciate it!  Jessica will make you comfortable and shine every step of the way.

Jessica tells me, "I'm a photographer, but more of a storyteller.  I try to make time stand still while I'm capturing the moment and developing a story.  My hope is that people are moved by my images and the emotions that exude.  I consider my style to be always close, always tight and always there."

You can see more of Jessica's work at: www.jessica-maynard.com.