Color Me {Pineapple}

It's been a rainy couple of week's here. The rain is normal for Florida in the summer, but recently it seems excessive. The sun shines for a mere couple of hours during the work day, and that appears to be it as of late. So, with a lack of sunshine and happiness outside, I decided to bring a bit of it to the blog today. Pineapples always bring me to a cheery place where I imagine palms hanging above my head, the sand beneath my feet, a large body of water in front of me and the sun shining bright above. The temperatures are warm without being too hot and there is always a tropical drink not to far away. I wish I could be there right now, but instead I will paint the picture in my head and imagine throwing a rainy day bash that's just the same. Serve up pina coladas, teriyaki pineapple chicken skewers, and decorate with a few fake palms while greeting guests with Hawaiian leis. Sounds like the perfect way to get over the rainy day (or month!) blues if you ask me. It's also a great way to imagine I'm sitting on a beach and not behind my desk today....

Have a sunny Monday!

Destination Dream {The Bahamas}

In honor of my last day in paradise, I wanted to give you a little glimpse into how amazing it would to host a soiree on one of the many islands of The Bahamas. Imagine sun filled days relaxing with the sand between your toes. Oh, and throwing the biggest party of your life! I'm not quite sure much could be better. Start the celebration with a parade featuring traditional dancers and music. Follow it up with dining beneath the palms and a dancing in the sand. Keep guests cool with custom straw fans made in the islands and cocktails featuring Bahamian flavors. It sure would be the event of a lifetime!

I will see you all back here on Monday! Until then have a great weekend! 

Color Me {Tropical}

Hi sweets! Hope everyone had a relaxing weekend. I am off this week for a much needed vacation in the Bahamas. Feeling inspired today by my tropical destination, I'm lacing this post with the many shades of the Sea of Abaco. From light turquoise to deep blue to clear shades of green, the color combo is one that instantly relaxes me. While I'm exploring the crystal clear waters and relaxing with drink in hand, I've got some great posts lined up for you like 4th of July style pointers from Lauren at La Petite Fashionista and a yummy dish from Jocelyn at Saucy Jocey's Kitchen as well as a few other posts I know you're going to love. 

Hope you all have a fabulous week and I will see you back here in a week!

xoxo

Lusting After {Pineapples}

Happy Friday babes! With a summertime feel finally upon us, I've been feeling the tropical spirit every morning. The sun shines just a little bit brighter, the sky is just a bit bluer, and everybody seems to be in just a little bit better mood. It's fabulous, right? With warm breezes and sandy beaches on the mind, I've been lusting after tropical details lately. Large flowers, Hawaiian prints, and bright colors call my name from across the room. But, the one detail that has me going crazy is pineapple! This sweet fruit not only tastes good but when left whole makes a great summer centerpiece. It reminds me of the islands and how fresh and fun everything is down there. The colors are also a fantastic soiree inspiration. Shades of golden yellow, green, and brown are reminiscent of a 1960s Palm Beach get together. But don't be fooled, this retro feel is totally modern as well!

Indulge In {Mango Coconut Cake}

One of my favorite foods has always been, and will always be, cake. It's one of the many reasons I love birthdays so much. Once, freshman year of college, I ate four whole cakes by myself. It's not something I'm proud of, but I'm willing to admit it as an example of my true love for cake. Anyways. Now that spring is upon us, I've been eating a lot lighter. I'm sure your thinking that cake doesn't exactly fit the bill for eating lighter, but this cake is moist, fluffy, and the perfect balance of sweetness. With coconut and mango flavors exploding in your mouth on every bite, it's like a tropical vacation in a cake. By only icing between the layers and the top, you loose the heaviness of all the icing. Top with fruit for a refreshing sweetness even the non cake lovers (Trust me. They do exist.) will fall for! Here's the recipe...

:: Cake Ingredients ::
1 box Vanilla Cake Mix (Yes, I cheated this time and used the box. I'm busy and it was good so I have no regrets.)
Ingredients as required by box

:: Cake Directions ::
Mix all ingredients together and split batter between (2) 8" Round baking dishes.
Bake according to box directions.

:: Icing Ingredients ::
1 can Coconut Milk
1 cups Confectioner's Sugar

:: Icing Directions ::
{1} Place coconut milk in refrigerator to get cold. If you can leave it over night, that would be best. Otherwise, 3-4 hours will do.
{2} Remove from fridge, open and drain off oil.
{3} With cold beaters, begin whipping coconut milk slowly adding confectioner's sugar until stiff peaks are formed.

:: Assembly Directions ::
{1} Once cakes have cooled, remove from pans and place on a cake stand.
{2} Ice the top of cake 1 and layer mango slices
{3} Place the second cake on top of the mango slices and ice the top. Layer with additional mangos and serve!

Enjoy!

Lusting After {Palm Fronds}

If you are blessed enough to live in, or be from, the Sunshine State, you can relate to my obsession with palm frond accents. Whether as decor for your home or soiree, their vibrant green hue brings a sense of the tropical outdoors in. Right now I'm lusting after the idea of removing the stem and using the frond as a placemat or charger. This inexpensive, chic table accent is just what my summer loving heart is craving. Another great option is to use them as a bold accent in an oversized vase. I know I've got one turquoise vintage rum carboy that is in need of the bright whisping leaves of a palm. If planning a tropical bash this summer, try using them as an oversized centerpiece on a few tables. It's bold, eye catching and something your guests are sure not to forget. 

I could talk all day about the possibilities for these luscious beauties, but I believe I will just leave the rest up to your creative imagination. No matter indoors or out, palm fronds add the right amount of natural beauty, bright color, and island vibe! 

Take a Seat

Hi there! Happy Tuesday! Fresh off my trip to the beach last week, I'm still dreaming of the sand between my toes and all things tropical. With summer quickly approaching, it's the perfect time to start talking about (and planning) beach side weddings. As always, every aspect of your big day should fit the theme. In this case, beachy details for a sand filled soiree.

An aspect of beach weddings every always seems to forget is the sea glass. After spending years being tumbled around by the waves, sea glass is perfectly frosted and gives off some of the most amazing color you've ever seen. While collecting enough sea glass to decorate with can take years, you can skip the decades of collecting and planning by buying a bag already filled to the brim. For these escort cards, I laid the sea glass out on a platter and used it as a support to keep the shells standing. Like the sea glass, you can spend decades trying to find enough perfect shells to use. Hence why I purchased these along with the glass.

Lastly, get some chalkboard cards (I found these at Hobby Lobby) and write the name of each guest and there table number. Slide into the shell, balance on the sea glass and amaze your guests with the one beach detail they didn't expect to see when attending your wedding. However, I do have one suggestion. Make sure your trays are where you want them before setting up the shells. Trying to move the shells on the tray will only make them all fall over. 

Indulge In {Margarita Cupcakes}

The Drunken Baker has returned! I told you last time I'd be back and I wasn't kidding. This week I was lucky enough to rock out at my 3rd Jimmy Buffet concert. The Tuesday night gathering of Parrot Heads provided the perfect excuse to escape to the beach for a little mini vacay. The relaxing was great, but the best part was that I got a chance to be creative and work without interruptions, oh and engage in my favorite past time, baking. Light and fluffy with a hint of margarita make these the perfect Buffet flavored treat! Like the Hypnotiq Cupcakes, I used my go to white cake, replacing the liquid with margarita.  Ice with a whipped margarita frosting and garnish with lime, these delectable sweets are like a tropical vacation in a cake. Enjoy!

:: Margarita Cake ::

• 1 C white sugar
• 1/2 C butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 C all-purpose flour
• 1 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 C Margarita
• 
  
• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin pan with paper liners.
  2. In a medium bowl, cream together the sugar and butter. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder, add to the creamed mixture and mix well. Finally stir in the milk until batter is smooth. Pour or spoon batter into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes.
  4. Let cool, frost, and garnish!

:: Whipped Margarita Frosting ::

1/4 C Butter, softened

1 7oz Jar Marshmallow Creme

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 16oz package powdered sugar

2 tablespoons Margarita

1. Combine butter, marshmallow cream, and vanilla and beat on medium until combined.
2. Gradually add in the powdered sugar. Mix well after each addition of sugar.
3. Add Margarita and mix until smooth.

Color Me {Tropical}

Happy Monday! Lately there has been a lot of talk about summer going around my house. Sailing trips to tropical locations and lazy days on the water have left me inspired and dreaming of crystal clear turquoise waters and the vibrant hues that surround it. Seeing colorful images of summer days leaves me with an instant sense of relaxation. I'm taken back to when I was younger and used to run around my quaint little beach town in a bathing suit, cover up, sunglasses, and no shoes. Can't wait to get to the beach this summer? Throw a tropical soiree one weekend for you and your friend to relax from the week while imagining you are far away laying by the crystal clear waters of the caribbean. Bright colors, bold patterns, palm frawns, and maybe even a little sand in your back yard. Pull out the lawn chairs, put an umbrella in your drink, and relax!