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Check out the current issue of Weddings Unveiled magazine and turn to page 136 to see Susan & Thad's gorgeous wedding at the Clifton Inn.
Happy Wednesday!
Jennifer
Just in time for Valentine's Day - I'm offering you a chance to win a set of my Jennifer Carroll Designs Zebra Heart cards! These cards are ideal for a romantic note to your sweetheart, an invitation for a Valentine's Day Party, gift tag, or a gift all on their own!
Like all of my cards, they are compatible with most home printers so you can print a memorable message. The motif on the card is a heart shaped locket with a key so on my personal card (shown in the top photo) I've printed:
You hold the key to my heart
Happy Valentine's Day
The cards come blank in a set of 10 cards and 10 envelopes. I think they are great gifts for teachers, girlfriends, moms, sisters - anyone who -hearts- Valentine's day!! Who do you know who would like to receive a card or whole set?
Please leave a comment below with your name and email address. Also, I'd love to know who you plan to send these notes to if you win (even if it's keeping them all to yourself! Although there are 10 - plenty to share :-)
The deadline for entries is Wednesday, February 3rd. A winner will be randomly selected and announced Thursday, February 4th.
Good Luck and Happy Tuesday!
Jennifer
How about a tasty treat to start the week? I love, love, love cheese and bread so I got VERY excited when I found this recipe for Cheddar Puffs on the Pioneer Woman's website! If you're not familiar with Ree a.k.a. the Pioneer Woman -please head on over to her site. It's filled with all kinds of goodies!
This recipe has to be one of my favorites though. It's similar to a recipe that a local caterer uses for onion puffs and I can tell you that those puffs are a huge hit at weddings! I've literally seen guests stand at the kitchen doors waiting for the onion puff trays to come out.... Those were made with Parmesan though and I'm going to do a little testing to see about altering this recipe by substituting other cheeses - I'll let you know how my research goes...
Ree's step-by-step instructions with photos make this recipe even easier so be sure to visit her site. But if you just can't wait - here's the recipe below!
The Pioneer Woman's Cheddar Puffs:
Click here for a printable version from her website (scroll down it's near the bottom).
Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes Difficulty: Easy Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 loaf Crusty French Bread, Cut Into 1-inch Cubes
½ sticks Butter
3 cloves Garlic, Minced
1 whole Shallot, Minced
1-½ teaspoon Dijon Mustard
8 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, Sliced
1-½ cup Grated Cheddar Cheese
Salt And Freshly Ground Black Pepper, To Taste
2 whole Egg Whites, Beaten
Preparation Instructions
Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots and saute for 1 minute. Add Dijon and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low.
Add cream cheese and stir until melted. Add grated cheddar and stir until melted. Turn off heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. Fold in egg whites.
Dunk bread cubes in cheese, coating thoroughly. Place on a nonstick baking mat or sheet of waxed paper and freeze for 20 minutes, uncovered. Remove frozen chunks from tray and place into a Ziploc bag. Store in the freezer.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place frozen cheese puffs on a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper, and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately or at room temperature.
Please let me (and Ree!) know how you like them and what event you make them for. A cocktail party, shower, special dinner or just because it's Monday (that'd be my excuse!).
Happy Monday!
Jennifer
I saw this post on OneWed and wanted to share it with you. I love DIY projects especially ones that are easy and beautiful like this! I think these would be charming hanging almost anywhere at a wedding... along the aisle, on an arbor, dangling over tables at the reception, even on church doors!
It could also be a fun project to do with your girlfriends during a bridal shower. The instructions are very simple and can be found here. Remember you could make this out of paper or wide ribbon too!
Not getting married but still want the look? I think these would be lovely for decor at anytime of year - a Valentine's Day dinner, Birthday Party, Baby Shower or Holiday Party - simply by changing the colors you could adapt this to almost any celebration.
Happy Friday!
Jennifer
I get asked all the time for fun, creative ideas for Bridal Showers and I have just found a new one that I had to share with you! It's a game called "High Cotton" and it looks like a hoot! With its Southern flair this game will have everyone laughing 'til they cry all the while trying to win the crown of "Miss High Cotton!" {For non-southerns the phrase High Cotton implies that you are very wealthy and admired - like a celebrity.} The game itself is similar to Bunco with its chips and cards.
It was developed by Jill Higgins (a wonderful wedding photographer - click here to see her work) and her mom Dara. I had the pleasure of meeting them both in Atlanta and was instantly charmed by their sweet personalities and super creative game! Here's a photo of them below - aren't they adorable?!
Now this isn't strictly for bridal showers - no, no, no! It's for anytime you and your girlfriends are getting together and want to cut loose and have fun! And we all need those times - don't we?!
So, do you want to get in on the fun? Click here to visit their website Peach and Love (how cute is that name!) to learn more and order yours today.
Want to get in on the fun right now? Then hightail it over to their blog because there is a contest going on to select "Miss High Cotton U.S.A." Click here to vote for your favorite!
Happy Thursday!
Jennifer
My final fab photo opp in Atlanta was with Mr. "Good Eats" himself - Alton Brown! Let me tell you, I wasn't the only one clamoring to talk turkey with the Food Network star... the demonstration kitchen was filled to practically bursting. But determined gal that I am, I did find a quite moment to chat with the chef before he went out to dazzle the awaiting masses. I was particularly excited to meet him because my literary agent was his agent before she moved to her new post at Foundry Media. It was so fun to meet Alton - he is just as quirky and charming in real life as he is on tv. He definitely didn't disappoint in the kitchen!
An extra fun bonus was that he gave away 100 signed copies of his new book Good Eats: The Early Years. Sadly, I arrived too late to receive a copy but did have a chance to get a quick pic with the food guru - awesome!
Happy Wednesday!
Jennifer
As you probably have guessed by now, I adore paper and I consider Anna Griffin to be the Queen of Paper! So, while in Atlanta I had to pay a visit to her gorgeous new permanent showroom - and let me tell you it didn't disappoint! Filled with gorgeous antiques and brimming with her beautiful designs I was in paper heaven!!
I got to see some of the new designs for Spring - WOW! She has a new line of handbags too and I was totally crushing on them. The good news is that even if you don't live near a store that carries her line you can buy them online! Here's the link to all things Anna online. She also has a new line on HSN - check it out here.
If like me you can't get enough Anna - be sure to check out her blog. Photos like the one above and more can be found there. She doesn't write all the time but it's a treat when she does!
But the best part of being in her showroom was getting to chat with her myself!!! She was so gracious and kind!! I even showed her my brochure of papers (aren't I too much!) and she kindly offered to give me advice if I need it - how awesome is that!? I love when people who have achieved success are willing to reach a hand out to help others. That's what it should be all about in my opinion! It makes me love her all the more! :-)
Happy Tuesday!
Jennifer
I am a huge fan of Celtic Woman and was quite giddy when I found out that Orla Fallon was going to be in Atlanta at the Gift Show while I was there!
She has just released a new solo album Distant Shore and was there promoting it in the Green Hills Music booth. They were giving away copies of the cd for free and I was so lucky to have her autograph mine! The album is beautiful - her voice is truly heavenly! Click here to hear samples from the cd. She was also playing her harp in the booth - so beautiful and fun!
She is a truly sweet soul, it was an honor to meet her! Her songs are encouraging and lovely. Check it out!
Happy Monday!
Jennifer
Today we had a little downtime before the show officially opens tomorrow so Jenny and I decided to do a little exploring. Lucky us! We happened upon the gourmet demonstration kitchen just as Virginia Willis was about to prepare some recipes from her book Bon Appetit, Y'all. I'm a BIG fan of hers and was thrilled to get to see her prepare some dishes designed as a tribute to the Queen of French Cooking, Mrs. Julia Child. She made the classic beouf bourguignonne and tiny chocolate pots de creme. I love the beouf dish and Jenny said the Chocolate was divine (I'm allergic to chocolate so I'll take her word for it!) Virginia shared some sweet memories of her times cooking with Mrs. Child and her own time in France. It was such a treat!
After the demonstration she signed copies of her books and took photos with frenzied fans like me!! She was charming and extremely friendly - it was a real pleasure to meet this talented chef. If you'd like to get to know Virginia better be sure to visit her blog - she shares heartfelt stories and recipes too!
Happy Thursday!
Jennifer
Hello from Atlanta! Despite the chilly temps we've gotten the booth setup for my big Jennifer Carroll Designs debut at the Atlanta International Gift Show!! After we unloaded the van at the loading dock, this was what our booth looked like when we got there - a big pile that was going to require a lot of sorting out!
After a few hours and a million butterflies fluttering away in my tummy, this is what Jenny and I created...
Tah-dah!! The linen looks a little wrinkly (is that a word?) I think it's just the flash- it looks nice in real life...promise!
Here's my "Paper Tree":
These boards highlight the baby & Christmas designs:
The hutch holds every design in the line:
We created a little sitting area for clients - we'll see how that works when the show opens!
Thanks for your prayers and support! And a shout out to Pat's Floral Designs & Festive Fare for their loans to dress up the booth! Thanks y'all!! :-)
Happy Wednesday!
Jennifer
