The most inspirational Monday of the year

Happy Monday! We wanted to pass along a little inspiration to start the week off right. You see, today is Marathon Monday in Boston... the day of the legendary Boston Marathon. Of all the things in our book that are distinctly inspirational, seeing people achieve their goals takes the cake. undefined

The city has been hopping with tourists- both runners and supporters- all weekend. And a little later today, we will be there {with thousands of others} cheering on those athletes who have worked so hard to even qualify to participate in the worlds OLDEST annual marathon. A runner must have completed a qualifying marathon within the last year and a half , and they have to have one of the below qualifying times in order to be considered:

Age Men Women
18-34 3:10 3:40
35-39 3:15 3:45
40-44 3:20 3:50
45-49 3:30 4:00
50-54 3:35 4:05
55-59 3:45 4:15
60-64 4:00 4:30
65-69 4:15 4:45
70-74 4:30 5:00
75-79 4:45 5:15
80+ 5:00 5:30

 

Here is the route they'll be running... all 26.22 miles. So intimidating, yet SO inspiring!!

We'll be cheering at the finish line... with a latte in one hand and a tissue in the other! Happy Marathon Monday, everyone!

undefined

*Photos courtesy of Boston Athletic Association

Let's get Cheesy

You may have heard that April is National Grilled Cheese month. If you were "out of the loop", don't fret, it's not too late to pay tribute to that childhood classic. Why not host a tasting party {as if we need another reason to throw a party} and feature some of the gourmet combinations that have revitalized this comfort food. Perhaps a wine pairing is in order?? Mmmm :)  

Goat Cheese and Strawberry Grilled Cheese

{via}

Spread 1 (4-oz.) goat cheese log, softened, on 1 side of 3 whole grain bread slices. Spread 4 1/2 tsp. red pepper jelly on 1 side of 3 whole grain bread slices; layer with 3/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries, 6 large basil leaves, and 1 1/2 cups fresh watercress or arugula. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Top with remaining bread, goat cheese sides down. Cook sandwiches in a large, lightly greased nonstick skillet over medium heat 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

 

Smoked Salmon and Gruyere Grilled Cheese

{via}

Lay out 4 slices of French bread. On top of them layer slices of smoked salmon (4 ounces total), Gruyere cheese (4 ounces sliced or shredded) and chives (1 tablespoon). Use a fork to lift the lemon slices out of the pan and add one large lemon slice to each sandwich. Butter the top slices of bread and let cook on medium heat until both the top and bottom are well toasted. If the cheese isn't melting, turn the heat to low, cover the pan and let cook for a few minutes more.

 

Sauteed Jalapeno and Aged Jack Grilled Cheese

{via}

Heat a large frying pan over medium heat. When it’s heated, add oil and 2 jalapeños, seeded & thinly sliced lengthwise. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper; sauté peppers until tender, about 5 minutes. Set jalapeños aside and let cool slightly. Combine 1.5 ounces of grated aged Monterey Jack cheese and jalapeños in a small bowl. Spread butter on 1 side of each slice of bread. Return the pan to medium-low heat. Once the pan is warm, add 1 slice of bread (buttered side down), top with cheese mixture, then close sandwich with second bread slice (buttered side up). Cook until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes per side.

 

BLT Grilled Cheese

{via}

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add 1 cup onion and garlic; cook for 10 minutes or until tender and golden brown, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons shredded reduced-fat sharp white cheddar cheese over each of 4 bread slices. Top each slice with 1/2 cup spinach, 2 tomato slices, 2 tablespoons onion mixture, and 1 1/2 bacon slices. Sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons cheese; top with the remaining 4 bread slices. Heat skillet over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Place sandwiches in pan, and cook for 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cheese melts.

 

Well even if you dont feel so ambitious to have a tasting party, one of these recipes is sure to spice up your weekend! Happy cooking!!

xo

 

*Photos from respective sites

Hello, Spring!

With spring on the way and Easter around the corner {count 'em: 13 days!} we can't resist all things that represent the season. Pastel colors, sun dresses, Easter eggs, festively shaped chocolates and baked goods! Not only are these a few of our favorite things, but there is something so inspiring, hopeful and redeeming about this time of year! Here are some ways to add a little springtime flare into your home...

 

{via Anthropologie}

 

undefined

{via Williams Sonoma}

{via Crate and Barrel}

{via Anthropologie}

{via Crate and Barrel}

 

{via Anthropologie}

 

 

Happy Spring!!!

Dance, dance!

Congratulations! We made it though another week. Who is doing something fun this weekend?

We feel a little bit giddy about having a few days to relax, so giddy that we could bust a move.... or even try making a fabulous new drink recipe? Perhaps replicating the Cucumber Martini we tried earlier this week? Sounds refreshing and perfect for a Spring weekend.

Happy Friday!

xo

*Photo courtesy of Pink Wallpaper

tgif

Thank goodness its FRIDAY!!! We've been waiting patiently for this day... and so have you. Well congratulations friends, we made it through to the weekend. What fun adventures do you have planned??

We're already dreaming of brunch tomorrow, where yet again we will battle the dilemma of going with something sweet or something savory. OH the difficult decisions that weekends hold!!!

*Photo courtesy of Letter Happy

Happy birthday George!

We all love presidents day, for obvious reasons: NO WORK! YAY! What's not to love? Well in the spirit of this fabulous holiday, let us not forget why we've been gifted this day to celebrate. Yes, that's right: George Washington's birthday {which is actually on February 22nd}. In light of this day, we thought it was only appropriate to share a recipe for Hoecakes, a common breakfast food for Mr. Washington himself. They look and sound delicious to us... perhaps after sleeping in, we'll give them a shot!

Hoecakes

1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

2 large eggs

5 tablespoons corn oil, plus more if needed

Unsalted butter, for serving

Honey, for serving

Directions

  • Stir together cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda in a medium bowl. Add buttermilk, eggs, and 4 tablespoons oil; whisk until smooth.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Add remaining tablespoon oil; swirl to coat, and heat until a drop of batter sizzles upon contact. Working in batches, pour 1/3 cup batter per cake into skillet. Cook, turning once, until golden and cooked through, about 4 minutes.
  • Repeat with remaining batter (add more oil if needed, and reduce heat if sides brown too quickly). Serve immediately, topped with butter and honey.

    • *Photo and recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart

    And the Winner is....

    Thank you all who left us some love on the blog and inspired a few chick flick viewings this weekend! We are thrilled to announce the winner of this gorgeous necklace to Miss Lyndsey Aston! Neallie from Vatne Designs will email you shortly to arrange your special delivery. CONGRATULATIONS! We truly appreciate all of our readers and hope to bring you lots more giveaway goodies in the future. Happy V-day!

    Happy Love Day!

    Happy Valentines day! Regardless of how you feel about February 14th {lover or hater}, please take a moment to remind yourself that love isn't only romantic. Let this day be about love, not romance! On this day, celebrate all of the wonderful people in your life who cheer you on and unconditionally adore you. THAT is what makes Valentines Day truly special. RIGHT?? Right!

    Stay tuned & check back at 3pm EST when we announce the winner of our Valentines Day Necklace Giveaway from Vatne Designs!

    *Photo courtesy of Tumblr

    Baby it's Cold Outside

    New England is pretty chilly these days and the weather couldn't be more perfect for a cozy festive beverage. We were so excited to stumble upon this divine recipe from celebrity chef, Kathy Casey. Hot Buttered Eggnog... even the name makes us melt... mmmm...

    BUTTERED EGGNOG MIX

    1/2 pound salted butter (2 sticks), softened

    1 Tbsp. finely minced orange zest

    1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar

    1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

    1 pint very high-quality vanilla ice cream

    1 cup high-quality eggnog

    1 Tbsp. real vanilla extract

    1 Tbsp. ground nutmeg

    1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

    1 teaspoon rum extract {if desired}

    1 – 1 1/2 oz rum {if desired}

    4 – 5 oz boiling water

    Directions:

    Be sure butter is softened

    With an electric mixer; cream butter, orange zest and sugars together in a mixing bowl until totally smooth. Add remaining ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined. Store refrigerated for up to 1 week, or frozen for up to 1 month. Place Buttered Eggnog Mix {and rum} in coffee glass or mug. Stir in boiling water until batter is dissolved. Grate fresh nutmeg over the top. Garnish with orange zest.

    *Photo Courtesy of Lara Ferroni

    Happy 100!

    Bet you didn’t know that the very words you are reading mark our 100th post! This calls for a celebration!

    These last few months have blown us away. We are so humbled and honored to have a faithful following - those of you who share our love for paper, design, events and etiquette, well, we “speak the same language”. ;) In honor of our own little celebration in blog world, we'd like to offer a 15% discount on all holiday cards! Be sure to email this promo code with your order: happy100. Offer ends Friday, 12.03.10.

    Please share with us some of your favorite posts and {most importantly!} what you'd like to see more of. Don't be shy ~ we blog for you! For those of you that do leave us your comments, we will draw a name at random tomorrow 10am EST and send you a little something. Happy 100 from us to you!

    For our aspiring Betty Crockers, get your kitchen ready because we have passed on the tutorial for this gorgeous cake.

    *Photo courtesy of Ruffled

    Top this!

    Wedding cake toppers. When we used to think of cake toppers, it was not a positive thing. The reason being that we had a very limited awareness of the possibilities of this... art medium. Until this creation popped on the screen while doing some Etsy surfing:

    {Concarta on Etsy}

    This topper was so impressive that after staring at it for weeks, we decided that it might be worth peeking around at some other creations. So, here are some favorites:

    {Bragging Bags on Etsy}

    {Milk Tea on Etsy}

    For the love birds out there... {yeah, pun intended}

    {Red Light Studio on Etsy}

    {Button Eyed Teddy Bear on Etsy}

    Thank you, Etsy for showing us that there are such fun, funky and elaborate wedding cake toppers!

    Kitchen Goodies = Hostess Gifts

    We're launching into prime party season and hostess gifts are a necessity. Since your time is probably devoted to juggling the already busy holiday schedule of shopping, baking and traveling, we pulled together some unique, funky kitchen and food related ideas for the host.... or perhaps yourself? :)

    1.  The Savoy Cocktail Book $20

    Originally published in 1930 with yummy cocktail recipes {from a celebrity bartender at the Savoy Hotel in London} and fabulous vintage illustrations.

    2. Momofuku Cookies $10

    You can finally buy treats from the infamous East Village eatery and bakery! Favorites such as Compost Cookies and Crack Pie are so hard to resist.

    3. Dish Towels $24

    One can never own too many dish towels - especially when they're so pretty AND machine washable!

    4. Hors d'oeuvre Jellies $6

    Flavors like Cherry-Brandy, Peach-Amaretto, Mimosa and Jalapeño are even peaking our interest... and we generally don't like jellies and jam.

    5. Cork Screw $36

    A fancy, vintage twist {pun intended} for the wine lover.

    6. Bacon Burbon Caramel Corn $34

    Sweetness and savory flavors... for a risque combination! Yes please!

    We love those ABCs

    We were flooded with positive feedback about the canvas bags that Paper Moss designed for the Shaughnessy- Capalbo wedding and it just so happens that we also love canvas bags too! Take a look at these Alphabet Bags created by a precious British couple. Don't be fooled-their designs don't stop at the letter bags and coin purses {shown here} but they offer cute designs, sayings and posters too.

    Okay but really, how could we NOT spell out our namesake? We thought it was appropriate for you to see a variety of the letters they had to offer ;) Now if only the exchange rate would improve...

    *Photos provided by Alphabet Bags

    Contest Winner Announced

    Well friends, October is over which brings our Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign to an end. Because of your enthusiasm and support, Paper Moss has made a donation to the American Cancer Society to help fund research projects. Now for the fun part... the winner of our contest! Congratulations to Erin from Sparkle and Hay, one of our many supporters who helped to spread the word. Check out her adorable blog and if you tweet, follow her on Twitter {sparkleandhay}! Erin, you have some special presents from Paper Moss that are headed your way! Thank you to everyone for your help!!!

    To make your own donation in the fight against Breast Cancer, visit the Susan G. Komen Founation or the American Cancer Society.

    Meet Mr. & Mrs. C

    Over the summer, we blogged about a fabulous wedding we went to in Watch Hill, RI. Since then, we've been waiting in anticipation for the day that we can share more about this chic affair at The Ocean House... and today is that! Ms. Abby Shaughnessy {of Life in the Superburbs} married the man of her dreams, Andrew Capalbo after meeting him 6 years prior at the very venue where they tied the knot. This couple is stunning - inside and out - and we were so happy to be a part of making their day as magnificent as it was!

    To lure you over to the full feature on Style Me Pretty, we are only giving you a glance at some of the gorgeous stationery and other goodies that Paper Moss created to help "brand" the wedding.

    The guests were invited with stationery letter pressed in the vibrant blue and yellow that was throughout the wedding. What a perfect way to set the scene for nuptials and an elegant party to follow, in a beach mansion.

    Out of town guests each received a custom made welcome tote {with Abby & Andrew’s monogram} filled with lots of goodies, one of which was a beach pass for the weekend!

    You MUST see the other pictures of this wedding! Seriously, we are requiring it. NOW! But after you're done, come back and tell us your thoughts.

    Photos courtesy of Olive Juice Photography via Style Me Pretty