DIY: Cocktail Infusion for 100LC

One of my favorite (and seriously talented) wedding buddies Apryl Ann asked me to collaborate on some foodie DIYs with her for 100 Layer Cake. Our first to hit the blogosphere debuted back in August (ehem, yeah, we are slooooowly catching up on our blogging...)

The subject? Cocktail Infusion! Specifically? Jalepeno-and-Grapefruit-Infused Tequila!

Yes, this is a departure from the world of butter and sugar, but hey, we are still tugging at your vice-filled heart strings, only this time with spice!

{The story behind the DIY}
A couple of years ago I signed up for a cocktail infusion class at Dallas' Oil and Cotton (Have you been there? It's pretty amazing. You should probably go, like, tomorrow.) It was one of those random things that I just saw and signed up for solo without flinching and without much thought. (I guess my instincts really needed a drink!) But man am I happy to have gone. I never hosted the Emily's Cocktailin' Eve of my dreams, (the party where everybody shows up in velvet vests and spectacles, my dining table is turned into a big oak bar with bowls of lemons, and I get to say, "hey, barkeep!" all night to my patient husband, but it was one of those experiences that make you grateful to live in a city, inspired by creative people pursuing eccentric passions, and hours pass experimenting like children and drinking like adults with strangers who become friends by night's end. The class was taught by Ashley North Compton who I'm pretty sure is one of the coolest ladies I've ever met.

Infusion is one of those quirky hobbies I can really get behind. It basically involves seeing the world through "hm, here are some scraps of yummy stuff, what can I make with this?" glasses. It also gives you that fun Chemistry Lab feeling. Not a big drinker? Well, you can use the same process to infuse extracts too and give to all your baking buddies. There are options here. So grab a lab coat/apron and get started making some fun!

The full DIY is up on 100 Layer Cake, so go check them out for our step-by-step guide. Here's some beautiful images from Apryl, who never ceases to amaze me, and our recipe to get you ready for Friday, or Tuesday, if that's your thing!

Infused La Paloma:
- 2 oz. grapefruit + jalapeño infused tequila
- top with club soda
- squeeze of lime
- garnish with grapefruit salt and a slice of jalapeño + lime

How much fun would it be to package these infusions in little bottles and give to bridesmaids, guests, etc. for wedding weekend fun? A fun project for you and your fella to work on together.

Photography: Apryl Ann
Design + Tutorial: Cakewalk Bake Shop
Glass + Coaster: Anthropologie
Bowl + Towel: West Elm
Jars: specialtybottle.com
Fabric: search "vintage fabric squares" on Etsy

Autumnal Inspiration featured on 100 Layer Cake

I've had the great fortune of meeting and collaborating with so many creative women this year, and for this shoot, I worked with some truly fabulous ladies that have completely impressed me with their style, ingenuity, and savvy approach to everything: Lindsey of Lindsey Zamora Wedding Styling + Design and Maxine of The Southern Table. Lindsey concepted, designed and styled this fresh and contemporary autumnal shoot with a yummy plum and espresso color palette in mind. I admit that I have never been too keen on the color purple, but baking has really made me appreciate some of its softer and richer hues; I love the clean smell that working with lavender washes over everything, and the brilliant burst of fuschia when fresh blackberries mix into buttercream is one of those giddy color happenings where you see moments moving through frames. That said, oftentimes requests for purple aren't the kind that come across as natural, and very rarely "autumnal" and "fresh". But Lindsey, with her ah-maze-ing eye pulled it off big time here, pulling together gorgeous woods, unexpected vessels, lush leaves and warm light. I love how The Southern Table incorporated lush magnolia wreathes into all sorts of details from the tablescape, to wrapping the neck of a beautiful horse to adorning the front of our cake. So excited to share these beautiful images from Becca Lea Photography, and proud to have the work featured on 100 Layer Cake this Fall. These concepts have a look that is both timeless and classic, while very fresh, natural and intimate. Can't you just imagine sharing beautiful moments with friends, glasses full of wine, laughing underneath trees strung with lights? I do.

 

Photographer: Becca Lea Photography
Hair Stylist: Savannah King
Floral Designer: The Southern Table
Cinema and Video: Stringer Productions
Cake Designer: Cakewalk Bake Shop
Linens and Coverings: La Tavola Fine Linen Rentals
Equipment Rentals: Ducky-Bob’s Event Specialists
Personal Stylist: Lindsey Zamora Wedding Styling + Design
Bride’s Dress: BCBG
Shoes: Jeffery Campbell
Jewelry: Madison Lane Bridal
Groom’s Suit: H&M
Vintage Pocket Square: Ovadia and Sons

Kate Spade Opening Party

KSNY opened up a new shop in Dallas at Knox Street back in September and to say it is a dream of a place would be 100% absolutely positively true: taxis illustrate windows, color, color EVERYwhere, glittery bangles up and down arms, and bows on everything. It really is one of those places that you fall into, whirled away into a world where color is an experience. We want to wake up in that world every day. Instead we wake up in the wee hours when it's very dark and most everyone we know is cuddled up in bed. But hey, we can dream...and now swing by and shop from time to time!

 We were honored, elated, ecstatic to create treats for the Dallas shop's opening party, hosted by A Piece of Toast. We knew we could get a little (ha!) crazy with color on this one and pulled out the stops on eccentricity. Amanda Marie shared some of her lovely photos from the event with us (see below and check her recap for more peeks at the gorgeous shop!)  I think it is clear that KSNY knows how to party.

It was so fun seeing all the Instagram love from this event too! Thanks to everybody who grammed our treats!

Back to Blogging!

Dear You, our Friend + Blog Cruiser,

We haven't posted anything in AGES! Sincerest apologies to our faithful friends and curious minds who have taken a peek at our dusty blog over the past few months. We got so busy that we couldn't keep up with it. (Feeling so very grateful and fortunate that our business continues to grow!) But with a forced time-out due to the epic ice storm Cleon, we are excited to find a little time to return to the world of blogging about all our cake adventures! Wahoo!! Thanks for sticking around and please come back over the next weeks to read about our journey and see all our sugary creations.

XO and many thanks, sweet readers!

Time to get to typin'!

Emily

Thiebaud! GWS Feature

Excited to share some beautiful images from my favorite shoot ever! In collaboration with some super-talented wedding creatives, we produced a very stylized array of imagery based on the work of artist Wayne Thiebaud (most famous for his series of paintings of cakes and sweets - so you can imagine how much fun this was for me!)  Even more exciting, this shoot was featured on the lovely Green Wedding Shoes blog. All photos by our friend Apryl Ann.

Concept:  Bows and Arrows

Design: Alicia Rico and Emily Allen

Cakes: Cakewalk Bake Shop

Floral: Bows and Arrows

Photography: Apryl Ann

Fashion Styling: Diet Coke Straight Up

Coordination: After Yes Weddings

Venue: 129 Leslie

Bride's Dress: BHLDN