Friday, August 31, 2012

Downton Abby Scarf


Since we all know now that I love Downton Abby,
here is a scarf dedicated to Miss Mary and her amazing home.

What are your plans for this three day weekend?
I am happy to say that my plan... is to have no plans at all!
Sometimes you just need a relaxing weekend to do whatever your hearts desire
at whatever moment that may be.

Have a great weekend!


Thursday, August 30, 2012

Current Crush - Disposable Bamboo

1, 2, 3, 4

The outside barn party that I decorated for last week had disposable bamboo cutlery.
It was a "must have" that I insisted on, and I spent a pretty penny on it as well.
But it was totally worth it! I even painted a strip on the handle like the ones pictured above.
There is just something so special about having a party, where every little detail
has been planned to a tee... even down to the cutlery.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Huckleberry Ice Cream



Summer is still holding on strong here in the NW.
So I'm savoring the moment by making lots of Ice Cream. 
 Remember when I blogged about this Cherry Chunk Ice Cream 
because I had way to many cherries to know what to do with?
Well, now I have way to many huckleberries.
Even though you can really never have TOO MANY huckleberries.
 So what did I do? I made Ice Cream. 
Huckleberry Ice Cream.


Huckleberry Ice Cream

1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/8 cup sugar
3 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup huckleberry pancake syrup (my secret ingredient!)
1/4 cup huckleberries

1. With a hand held puree wand (or blender) blend milk, sugar, cream, and syrup until a smooth mixture forms. Add the whole huckleberries and blend a few more seconds.

2. Pour into an electric ice cream maker and make according to the ice cream makers directions.

3. Transfer into a plastic bowl and cover. Freeze an additional 30 minutes.

4. It's that easy. Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Playing Downton Abby





So, a little bit about me... I love Downton Abby. Who doesn't love that show right?!?
But here is my problem, season 3 does not air until January 2013!
That's sooooo far away (said in a whimpering voice).

I guess I'll have to make due with these humorous (and slightly risque)
paper dolls inspired by the characters of Downton Abby.
And yes, that is Mr. Pamuk at the bottom!

via: here

Monday, August 27, 2012

Color Palette - Cactus Bling


Great. After seeing this picture, I now want a cactus.
I don't really know if they grow in Montana. Maybe I can grow it inside.
Either way, I am loving this color combo.
And the broaches they added to it... amazing!

via: Bernd Westphal

Sunday, August 26, 2012

My Week in Instagrams


Wow, that's it! I'm shocked by my lack of instagraming last week,
but I have a good excuse... I was at a work retreat all week, two work retreats to be exact.
I mentioned to you earlier that Monday I decorated for a barn style dinner
(part of the first retreat) and here are a few pictures of the decorations.
I made planter boxed for the tables and filled them with beautiful pansies and petunias,
and I even made fabric chandeliers to hang from the ceiling! 


And then for the second retreat we went camping
with a bunch of people we work with.
We even took Silas, who decided it was a good idea
to jump in the tent and cuddle up with Micah.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Current Crush - Milk Glass & Jadeite




  
My edition of current crush today is not only Milk Glass and Jadeite in an array of colors...
but it is also the store Fishs Eddy.  I am seriously dying to visit that store.
Now I just have to find a way to get to New York City.

Fishs Eddy is basically a glorified restaurant supply store that is also open to the general public,
but instead of your typical plain "ware", Fishs Eddy is filled with
unique, edgy, and vintage-like treasures.
You spend two minutes on that site and you'll see why I love it...
and why I am majorly crushing on these items.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Italian Stuffed Baguette


This recipe is so simple and so good at the same time.
I love baguettes. I also love tomato, basil, and Parmesan cheese.
Put the two together and bake it in the oven... well, it's a perfect combination.

Here's the recipe I used...
you must go try it right now!

Italian Stuffed Baguette

1 baguette loaf
1 tomato sliced
a handful of fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 garlic clove, crushed
kosher salt
pepper

1. Mix the butter, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper together.

2. Slice the baguette so that you have pocket to stuff and they can be easily pulled apart. Spread a little of the garlic butter into each slice.

3. Stuff the tomato and basil leaves into each slice as well. 

4. Sprinkle the top with Parmesan cheese and a bit more kosher salt and pepper.

5. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes or enough time for the flavors to infuse and the bread to crisp up. 

6. Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Summer Endings


Summer is approaching it's final days.
It is getting to be that time of year where, though it is still warm outside,
and your harvesting your produce in the sun, the evenings beckon you to grab your sweater.
Or you have that day, where a tank top and shorts are the last thing you want to wear.
For those days, I long to have a wardrobe filled with
Ruche's Tuscan Sun clothing line.
Aren't these pictures just so dreamy.
Perfect for summer's end.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Color Palette - Ginger Haired

via: Fleur + Dot

Um, all I have to say is...
How cute is this little ginger haired girl?!?!?

I had another big day today.
I decorated for a outdoor barn-ish dinner party.
It turned out great, but unfortunately (as always) I had about zero amount of time
 to actually take pictures before people began to show up.
I swear it always ends up that way.
You might see pictures of it soon, if they turn out presentable.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Sunday Morning Breakfast


Or I should say...

Micah's Sunday Morning
Birthday Breakfast!

I like to call this "the ultimate man breakfast".
Hash browns topped with onions and peppers, topped with bacon,
topped with tater-tots, topped with cheese, and finished with a fried egg.
Yeah, total guys meal... but soooo good!

Happy Birthday Micah.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

My Week in Instagrams




To be honest, this is the past 2 weeks in instagrams.
Last weekend, Micah and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary!
So I was away for the weekend and unable to post.
But what a fun anniversary we had!
We spent the weekend at our traditional spot, The Kandahar Lodge...
we ate at our favorite restaurant...
road the gondola up Big Mountain (the view was amazing)...
and we even spent some time at "Huckleberry Days",
enjoying a scoop of Huckleberry Ice Cream!

Have a great weekend!

Friday, August 17, 2012

And the WINNER is....


I am so excited to announce the winner!!
This giveaway was so fun... so fun I can't wait to do another one.

Cool story...

Maria Nuzzo was actually my roommate 9 years ago in YWAM.
We were DTS roommates right before we both headed overseas to live for a few months
(I headed to England/Northern Ireland and Maria headed to Thailand).

So excited you won Maria... and enjoy your bracelet!!!


Thursday, August 16, 2012

Current Crush - The Loose Blouse

1, 2, 3, 4

Oh man, it is literally taking everything in me
to not jump over to a-thread and buy that fuchsia top!
I am just loving these tops right now.


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Grace Designs


I was staring at my purse today
(okay, technically I was day dreaming during a meeting)
and I noticed that my purse is beginning to look very worn.
Sad, because it is my favorite purse.
Guess I'm going to need a new one pretty soon.

I would love one of these purses from Grace Designs!
Don't you just love the fabric patterns.

P.S. Only 3 more days to enter the giveaway!

Monday, August 13, 2012

Color Palette - Lemonade


There is just something about freshly made lemonade.
When the weather is hot, which it has been here in the Northwest...
all I want to do is relax outside and sip ice cold lemonade.

And I love this beautiful image via eat drink chic.
Doesn't it make you want to grab that cup and start sipping away?!

On another note, my giveaway is still open!
So if you haven't entered to win the It's A Wrap bracelet,
make sure to head on over (here) and enter.

Have a great Monday and try to stay cool in this heat!

Friday, August 10, 2012

4 Years and a Giveaway!


Can you believe I've been blogging 4 years now.
It seems like just yesterday I published my first post.

I am so excited about today...
because I am hosting my very first giveaway!

I wanted to say thank you to all my readers
who have been following my blog over the last years
and those who are recently new followers.
I have so enjoyed getting to know you by your comments and emails.
And the daily encouragement to keep up blogging from friends has kept me going.

SO....

I wanted to giveaway something to a lucky reader!

I am giving away the It's A Wrap bracelet from Premier Designs Jewelry!
Antique matte brass plated, genuine leather, valued at $39...
I have this bracelet myself and seriously wear it all the time.
And since wrap bracelets are still going strong in the fashion trend world...
I would love to give a lucky winner one of their own.

Here is what you do...
You can enter the giveaway by following the raffle generator below
(and for those with no blog, twitter, or pinterest...
simply click on the easy entry for fans of this blog post
and you can enter that way).
You have a chance to enter 6 times!

Best wishes and I'll announce the winner next Friday!

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Current Crush - Friendship Bracelets



And so my obsession with jewelry continues.

I am totally crushing on these friendship bracelets by Astley Clark.
Wouldn't they be so cute worn either just by themselves or stacking a few together!

And speaking of jewelry...
in honor of my 4 year blogging anniversary,
I am hosting my first ever GIVEAWAY right here on Wuthering Iris!

TOMORROW!!

And what am I giving away?
Well, lets just say I'm taking advantage of my jewelry obsession and using it for your benefit!
So you might want to check back with me tomorrow.

Current Crush Thursdays

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream


Remember when I mentioned that I went cherry picking?...
Well, I made something delicious with those cherries!

I am on a huge ice cream kick right now.
So when I had pounds of cherries just sitting in my fridge, waiting to be devoured,
I new I had to create a yummy ice cream recipe with them.

And boy, is it delicious!

Sweet Cherry Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate Chunks....
I'm in heaven with each bowl.

Cherry Chocolate Chunk Ice Cream

1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/8 cup sugar
3 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 tbsp vanilla extract
1 pound cherries
1/4 cup dark chocolate, chopped into pieces

1. Blend milk, sugar, cream, vanilla, and 8 cherries (pitted) until a smooth mixture forms.

2. Pour into an electric ice cream maker and make according to the ice cream makers directions.

3. While ice cream is churning, pit and chop about a cup of cherries.

4. When ice cream is just about done, add the chocolate chunks and cherry chunks. Churn for a few more seconds, so that the chunks are well incorporated.

5. Transfer into a plastic bowl and cover. Freeze an additional 30 minutes.

6. Enjoy!

Monday, August 6, 2012

Color Palette - Summer Poppies


Summer just wouldn't be the same
without the bounty of summer poppies
growing everywhere.
Mine grow beautifully in my garden
(as long as the chickens don't trample them...
I swear, those chickens can do some major damage to my plants).
And in the fall, I take all the leftover poppy pods,
open them up, and scatter the seeds
wherever I can find an open plot of dirt.

I am super inspired by the color of these poppies this week.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

My Week in Instagrams





Guess what I did yesterday!
I was able to cross another "summer to-do" off my list... I went cherry picking!
Each summer the cherries are so abundant here in Montana
that farms let you take a pail and fill it to your hearts desire (and it's only $1 a pound!).
I didn't buy a lot, only 4lbs, but that's enough for us to enjoy as we relax the summer away.

Have a great weekend!

Friday, August 3, 2012

Peacock Plume


Since were on the topic of jewelry and fashion
and everything wonderful about those two things,
I have to ask...

Have you hear of Peacock Plume?

If not, you must go check it out right now!
 Seriously, click on over and see...
I'll wait.

Don't they have the most fun and budget friendly
jewelry and accessories!
These are just a few of my favorites.




Thursday, August 2, 2012

Current Crush - Roaring Statement Necklaces



1, 2, 3, 4, 5

After a few days of camping...
and a few days of recouping after camping,
I am back on the blogging train.
I couldn't miss out on another episode of Current Crush!
(Thanks again Danielle, Kristen, & Jessie)

This week I just can't get enough of the
Roaring Twenties inspired Statement Necklaces...
I am seriously obsessed.
Maybe because it makes me more and more excited
for this movie to be released!
Nevertheless...
I'm loving these necklaces and this trend.