Summer Fun | The State Fair!

we are not just talking about any state fair - it is that time of year for the Iowa State Fair! art, food, the midway, anything you could possibly want on a stick, concerts, food, crafts, food, people watching; so much to do and so little time. people wait all year for this and you only have until sunday to get there so get a move on!

this year the fair is from august 7 through the 17 and the weather has been amazing for it. we went this past tuesday and the weather was perfect! if you know the Iowa State Fair then you know that this rarely happens. i have been there on extremely humid days, days with the heat index being close, if not more, than 100 degrees and even during torrential down pours - since it is Iowa, i would not expect anything less - so i definitely cherished the 79 degree high for that day.

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besides the big boar (1,273 lbs this year) other various animals and attractions, people are lying if they say they don't go for the food. come on! it's the fair - it is that one special day where calories don't exist! f.y.i. do not, i repeat, do not ever look at the nutritional value of fair food, just saying.

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some of the newest fair foods include:

smoked brisket mac and cheese | macaroni topped with chunks of smoked brisket and apple wood smoked bacon and tossed in a creamy three cheese sauce

brownie blitz | cream cheese brownie bits, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and coconut

 red velvet flurry | chunks of red velvet cake mixed with vanilla ice cream and cream cheese frosting

pineapple inside out funnel cake

mexican grilled corn on-the-cob | lime chipotle sauce

i tried the mac and cheese - super delicious and well worth it for the price and portion (not kidding here). my plan was also to try the red velvet flurry but sadly i had no room left so i will attempt to make it at home. i did say attempt. or there is always next year!

 yummm red velvet funnel cake  

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some of my other go-to's: 

red velvet funnel cake

cheese curds

grinder (lets be clear: jennie's not gizmos)

corn dog

honey lemonade

fresh milkshake from the dairy

salt water taffy 

peppermint log (at bauder's)

there are obviously more, but i will stop there otherwise you will be reading about food for quite awhile, which is probably actually okay right?

 

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anyways, there is so much to do, which means there is something for everyone. here are just a few - see the art and photography exhibits at the top of the hill, walk through the different buildings full of vendors, visit the barns, see the butter cow of course!, eat, enjoy a ride on the midway, catch a show or concert whether on the main stage or the free stage, stroll along and people watch, eat and eat again, see one of the many daily attractions like the talent show and most importantly enjoy the fair and Des Moines! 

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 by-the-way something new at the fair this year is a 25 foot statue of the couple from Grant Wood's American Gothic! pretty cool if you ask me (and pretty huge). i do not know how long this statue will be in Des Moines so make sure to see it before it moves on to the next place. hint: see it before it's gone!

 

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and of course i cannot leave you without posting a picture of the symbol of the Iowa State Fair: the butter cow. enjoy!

 

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happy fair going!



with love - P

Summer Bridal Bouquet Love

One of my passions is flowers.  Having done flowers for several weddings, one of my favorite things about designing wedding flowers are the bridal bouquets.  There are an abundance of awesome ideas out there.  When planning your bouquet, one thing to consider is what flowers are in season.  Roses are always in season, and therefore make a good addition to your bouquet.  If you are looking for a quick way to expand the size of your bouquet, consider adding a couple hydrangea stems; beautiful hydrangea fill up a bouquet fast and add a ton of wow! Hydrangea are also always in season, however will be smaller in size depending on the time of year.  Here are a couple of beautiful bouquet ideas for summer weddings.  

The purple hydrangea stand out beautifully 

next to the white roses in this bouquet. 

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Peonies, orchids, freesia, roses and dahlias make this 

bouquet pop.  Freesia makes this bouquet smell as 

gorgeous as it looks! 

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Dahlia buds, stock, phlox, tulips, billy balls and red 

gerbera daisies make up this early summer bouquet. 

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The antique green hydrangea are beautiful in this bouquet alongside 

the cabbage roses, celosia, coxcomb, and seeded eucalyptus. 

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The honeysuckle and asclepsia along with the beautiful 

orange roses make this a colorful summer bouquet.

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The sunflowers add a touch of late summer to this bouquet along 

with the succulents throughout the bouquet for a unique touch. 

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 This white and blush rose bouquet with pearls 

throughout is an example of classic beauty!

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 I'm a sucker for calla lilies!  This combo of calla 

lilies and roses and simple and gorgeous!

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This all blue hydrangea bouquet is 

beyond amazing!

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If you are looking for something unique and exotic, 

these orchids are just the right touch.

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I hope this post has given you a few ideas when deciding on your bridal bouquet.  Remember, each bouquet is unique; make it your own!  

-N

weekend getaway | arizona

while arizona isn't the obvious choice for a weekend getaway in july, it does happen to be where the hubby is for military training, so off i went for the holiday!  besides that i was going to be there for the long weekend, we had no plans - deciding it would be more fun to just wing it.  after flying into tucson, we decided to drive up to phoenix, and while on the way, made a hotel reservation from hotwire.  the hotel turned out to be the most colorful, funkiest little place in scottsdale, the saguaro.  (you know it's gonna be fun when your door is bright blue!)

after exploring the area, and of course, some shopping, we decided to go to dinner at petite maison, an adorable little french restaurant.  the food - and french press coffee - was de.licious. 

check out these desserts ... an enormous chocolate whoopie pie, and grilled pineapple ... yum.

 

we did manage to catch the fireworks show in tempe, although sadly, no photographic proof exists.

we started saturday off on our own personal porch, with a view of palm tress (!), and then headed south to the military base.



the southwest really does have a beauty that's all its own.  they just started "monsoon season," so we did run into a few crazy rain storms, but mostly the weather was lovely, albeit hot.

hope you all had a fabulous and safe holiday weekend!

- E

Fabulous Guest Looks For A Summer Wedding

If your refrigerator door looks anything like mine right now, it is filled with wedding invites and save the dates for close family and friends.  Wedding season is in full swing, and that often leaves guests wondering what they should wear for the occasion. 

Perhaps the biggest question to answer when planning your attire to be a guest at a wedding is what is appropriate.  Of all the weddings I have been to, I have seen some amazing ensembles, and I have seen some total flops.

When putting an outfit together for a wedding here are a few things to consider:

1. Consider the venue; are you going to be outdoors or indoors, is the venue formal or informal?   If the wedding is outdoors in the summer, perhaps think of dressing in something sleeveless.  However, if you get cold easily like I do, consider taking a sweater along for the evening when the reception is either inside or the air cools off in the evening for a reception that will be held outside. 

2. What time of day is the wedding; afternoon or evening?  If the wedding is in the early to mid afternoon, chances are the dress code is going to be slightly less formal than if you are attending an evening wedding.  

Here are a few amazing looks for this summers wedding season!

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If skirts are more your thing, here are a couple of options

 

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One final tip when planning your outfit is to mind your footwear.  If you are going to an outdoor wedding, perhaps think twice before wearing sky high stilettos.  I once watched a guest teeter down the aisle to her seat at a golf course all the while trying not to lose her stiletto to the grass.  If you like the look of a heel but are going to an outdoor wedding, perhaps consider a wedge, which will provide you will more stability when walking on uneven ground such as at a golf course. 

I hope this post has provided you with a few ideas for what to wear to your next summer wedding!  Don't forget to check out our fashion board on Pinterest for more gorgeous ideas! 

-N

refreshing

while Emma and Natalie were being productive, i was hanging out by the grill this past weekend. it was perfect grilling weather! i say hanging out because i find the recipes and make my husband do the work - don't let him in on my secret!

lately i have been looking for some refreshing drinks to add some summer flavor to meals or simply just to drink on their own. here are some great ones that are super easy and so colorful that they look like summer in a glass!

 

strawberry basil bellini

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 vanilla pear cava sparkler

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 peach & lavender lemonade

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*also amazing with just mint and blueberries

 

 watermelon soda float

okay okay so i know it's more of a dessert, but doesn't it sound amazing?!

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while you are at it - why not get creative? set the drinks (and even food) up as a small display or add some fun little details? here's a little inspiration to get you going. i am hosting a joint grad party soon for my sister and husband so i definitely might be putting some of these ideas to use!

 

 florals and custom signs - easy and simple

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 or any piece of furniture with drawers. can you imagine a bucket or basket full of glasses or pop bottles?

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 put the drinks on a tray of some kind - instantly makes things fancier

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 colorful straws always add a nice finish and look great just sitting on the table too!

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enjoy!

 

 with love - P