Category Archives: Parties

Sea of Love

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I have a small and beloved collection of antique glass bottles. The bottles were my Grandpa’s and when he passed on I was lucky enough to be able to keep a few of them.The bottles traveled with me to a total of 12 homes (man, I have been around), they are precious treasures that have inspired me tremendously in those 12 different homes. This time the bottles sparked  a wedding inspired photo shoot at the beach. The soft hues of my bottle collection served as my color palate and even inspired a few shots (love message in a bottle).

Also, I took a lot of inspiration from walks on the beach collecting driftwood. The oyster candles and garland were made with the oysters shells leftover from my friend John’s party (thanks John). I will share with you later on this week how I created the oyster and driftwood garland, oyster candles and the sea urchin candle holders.The only element that did not work well for the shoot was the super windy evening. Which meant no lit candles and a cold crew, but Skylar, my lovely model was such a happy trooper.

I hope this serves as inspiration for a wedding or party to you or just something pretty on a Monday.

All items created by The Sunday Sparkle.

Thank you: Richard Shay, Skylar Leiss, and The McKinney Family for all those oyster shells.

Gather West

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I photographed my first wedding in the summer of 2004, it was a favor for a friend, back then I had no interest in being a wedding photographer, it was a lovely La Jolla beach wedding and I did my job, but didn’t get bit by any wedding bug because, at that time, I wanted to focus on journalism and photography for magazines. However, six years ago I saw a shift in weddings. Weddings began to come alive with personality, out went the matching bridesmaid dresses, have your wedding in a barn, and not a drab rec room, less funky chicken and more tasteful, good music, chicken or fish became let’s have wood fire pizza and sit around a fire and make s’mores, and photography became an art and telling a story of the day. A real story.

It is an honor to be a part of two people’s life in such an intimate way, through the years I see former brides and grooms nestle into their role as husband and wife and when I run into them at Home Depot or on the street, it really is still such a joy to hear that honest Thank you.

My role as a wedding photographer has recently evolved into something I am so excited about (smiling from ear to ear). I have recently started a new adventure, teaming up with Laurie Wilson, Laurie is not only a sweet, kind and honest friend, she happens to be a remarkable photographer. Together, we have created Gather West. GW is a photography and art studio that is embracing the new traditions of weddings and honoring the old traditions as well. We love handmade, intimate, and unique weddings and we are booking for 2013 right now. I am just thrilled as can be to enjoy this great role as a wedding photographer with such a dear person in my life. After all life is better together.

 

 

 

Holly Jolly Felt Ball Garland

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Felt balls are so circa 2010, but I do not care, they make me happy and they look fantastic on a Christmas tree.

Contrary to popular belief, I did not make the felt balls myself. Rather, I ordered them from this awesome Etsy shop, 100 of them, strung them on bright blue floss, decorated the Christmas tree and was happy to find that I had enough left over to make a strand for my office and my desktop computer.

Things on strings are my thing. Just like there are people out there that like meats on a stick. Remember that scene from There Is Something About Mary, Ted says to Mary “I say they should put more meats on a stick, you know? They got a lot of sweets on sticks: popsicles, fudgesicles, lollipops – but hardly any meat.” Haha, I love that scene.

I am a fan of strings of trinkets, fabric, lights, and things that sparkle. Now, meat on a string, not so much! The tree will go down but these happy felt balls are going to be hanging around for good.

Okay, I might have had a little elf helper make a strand too!

Happy Holiday friends!

 

I ♥ When You Talk Desserts To Me | Gingerbread Cookie Vanilla Milkshake with candy cane

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Today’s dessert is a creation worthy of its own Ben and Jerry’s pint. I know, the title of the blog states that this is a milkshake, but let me state now that you can create leftovers of this delicious treat and store it in the freezer and you can experience the amazing, sweet taste over and over again.

But, I digress, this is Christmas in a glass (or in our case a mason jar) for ice cream lovers. You can cozy up next to a warm fireplace sipping this drink while watching your favorite holiday movie or sitting by the Christmas tree.

Gingerbread cookies are Stacey’s all time favorite cookie. While she was making them the house had that delicious ginger smell and the sounds of smashing candy canes made it seem like we were in Santa’s workshop.

This milkshake is a great way to relax after a holiday shopping trip, lift your spirits and get into that Christmas mood.

What is your favorite holiday activity?

 

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe:

Need:

  • Vanilla Ice Cream (for milk shake)
  • Candy Canes  (for milk shake)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup dark-brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup molasses

How:

Crushed candy canes and set aside. I crush my candy canes in a Ziploc with a rolling-pin.

For the cookies, whisk  flour, spices, baking soda, and salt in a bowl; set aside. With a mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until smooth. Blend molasses and egg. Slowly, mixer on a low-speed dry ingredients; mix just until a dough forms. Place dough on floured plastic wrap; pat into an 8-inch square. Wrap well; chill until firm, 1 to 2 hours.

Pre heat oven to 350. Lightly flour your surface, roll out dough to a 1/8 thick. Flour cookie cutters and cut out shapes, place on parchment paper or greased cookie sheet. Leaving a half-inch of room around each cookie. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until edges just slightly turn a darker brown.

Milk Shake:

In a blender, scoop out 2-3 scoops of ice creams, add 1 1/2 ginger bread cookies and a 1/2 cup of milk. Mix until slightly smooth. Garnish with your favorite toppings and a candy cane.

* For an adult version, leave the milk out and place with rum, vodka, etc.

 

A Little Holiday Joy

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Are you in the holiday spirit? I have already made a list of things I want to do: Ice skating, li-li lighting cruising (looking at lights in the warmth of your car, listening to Christmas music, in your pajamas while eating popcorn) cookie baking, parties and party dresses, and caroling. Rick and I sang carols at a nursing home when we first met. One of my many favorite memories with him.

In our house we have the tree and a few decorations for the tree thus far, but I also have spent my nights (after the work is done) working on a few projects. The rain, the tree and my love. It is pretty awesome. Last night, I watched A Time to Kill, and I made the time to stitch. Bare with me as my D.I.Y instructions are bleak. If you have any questions you can always leave a comment or email me. I am here to be your little elf helper.

For the deer head:  I hand drew a deer head on red felt, cut the figure out, pinned it on to the fabric. Then started to do a simple stitch. The bright red really brightens up our house, as well as these handmade yarn tree cones.

For the tree cones you will need thick yarn, glue and paper mache cones. Put a little glue at top of the cone, begin wrapping the yarn (tightly) around the cone, as you work your way down continue applying glue and yarn. Be sure to firmly press yarn. That sums it up. Simple. Perfect for leftover yarn (you will use about half a ball of yarn for a large cone)

Lastly, I found these vintage sock warmers at Whimsy Antiques in Carpinteria, one of my favorite antique shops. They screamed Christmas to me. Originally, I had plans to go a bit overboard with decorating them/re-purposing the sock hangers, instead I just tied a pom-pom on the toe and will use them to clothes pin our Christmas card to. Antique and thrift shops are great resource for holiday decorating.

A pom-pom post will be on The Sunday Sparkle next week.

Happy Decorating friends!

xo