Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts

08 November 2011

Monochromatic Note cards



I can't stress enough the importance of editing. In design and in life, less is more. So when Caitlin approached me to create personalized note cards, I was thrilled that she shares my love for simplicity. Caitlin and her boyfriend, David, recently moved from Virginia to San Francisco. They've fallen in love with the city and wanted note cards to reflect their new lifestyle. Since the pair love all things outdoors--hiking, biking, concerts, etc.--the bicycle-built-for-two seemed like the perfect fit.


Working on this project inspired another design project - so stay tuned for that in the coming weeks!


13 October 2011

DS Kitchen // Cake Pops


A couple weeks ago I made some cake pops for my best friend's baby shower. She's having a little boy, and I wanted to make some cute treats to share. The ingredients are simple, you just need to give yourself enough time to complete each step and allow for the cake pops to set.

What you'll need:

1. Your choice of cake mix - I chose a simple, white cake.
2. Your choice of frosting - I went with vanilla.
3. Lollipop sticks - You can purchase these at a craft store, like Michael's.
4. Mini cupcake papers 
5. Melting chocolate - I chose baby boy blue and dark chocolate.
5. Sprinkles - this is optional. Feel free to decorate however you choose.
6. A large bowl to mix your ingredients, and later to mix cake + icing.
7. Wax paper
8. A sheet cake pan and a baking sheet.
9. Styrofoam block

Instructions:

Prepare your cake mix following the instructions on the box, and bake. Once your cake has finished baking and cooling, crumble the cake into a large mixing bowl. You want to crumble the cake into a very fine texture. I recommend slicing the top 'crust' off the top of the cake, and using only the inside of the cake. The outer crust is very hard to crumble down, and leaves chunks in your cake pop.

Next, mix in spoonfuls of icing into your bowl of crumbled cake. You're looking to create a Playdoh-like texture. There is no need to use the entire jar of icing, you need just enough to be able to roll the cake mixture into balls. These treats are very, very sweet, so I recommend that you use the icing sparingly.

Next, line your baking sheet with wax paper. Roll the cake mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball. Once all your cake balls are formed, you'll need to chill them so the mixture can set. I usually keep them in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.


Once your mixture has set, warm up a portion of your melting chocolate in a microwavable dish. Then take a lollipop stick, dip the end in the melting chocolate, and insert the stick about half way through each pop. Repeat the chilling process until the melted chocolate has hardened and the stick feels secure. I usually put them back in the freezer for another 15 minutes.

Once the melted chocolate has hardened enough to support the pop, you can begin melting the remaining chocolate in your microwavable dish. Then coat each cake pop with the melted chocolate, using a spoon or knife to smooth off the excess. After this step add sprinkles while the chocolate coating is still soft. When your pop is fully coated, secure the lollipop stick into the Styrofoam block. This block is really important because it will allow the chocolate to harden and maintain the shape of the cake pop. 

Place the Styrofoam block of cake pops back in the freezer for 20 minutes. When the chocolate has hardened, place each pop in a mini cupcake paper and arrange on a tray for serving.



 I wanted to personalize these pops, so I printed up some tags on sticker paper and added them on at the end. Enjoy!

06 October 2011

New Series: A Look into My Google Reader



flickr: kim klassen
If you're on twitter, you know the hash tag #ff. It stands for Follow Friday, and across the twitterverse, users share their recommendations for who you should be following. I thought I'd bring the spirit of #ff over to the blog and let you in on which blogs I follow. I'd love for you to comment below on some of your favorite blogs!

When it comes to my RSS feeds, I'd like to think of myself as an equal opportunity subscriber. I follow everything from graphic design blogs (duh), to fashion, food, home & lifestyle, humor, news & politics, satire, and a random single topic tumblr or two.

Stay tuned tomorrow for the start of my Follow Friday series. I hope you enjoy it and pick up a few new subscriptions along the way!

// Worth noting: A majority of my single topic tumblr feeds are LOST related, thanks to a certain family member of mine. Have you seen jackimals? Terrible photoshopping + random animals + Jack from LOST = a beautiful thing. //




04 October 2011

Bundle Up!



{ photo from pinterest }
Fall officially began a little over a week ago, but here in Virginia we had yet to feel a Fall-weather day. Until this past weekend. The cold weather finally crept in, and while I'm sad to say goodbye to summer, I will not miss the heat and humidity. Plus it's time to start wearing my favorite season's clothing - warm sweaters, boots and scarves! I wear lighter, more gauzy scarves in the summer, but my my favorite ones are the cozy, heavy scarves for fall/winter.

This brings me to sharing with you one of my FAVORITE fashion blogs, - Wendy's Lookbook, shared to me by my sister-in-law.  Not only is Wendy Nguyen an amazing fashion blogger, but she has a remarkable story. I love her fashion videos because you really get a sense of what a fun, kind person she is. 

Long story short, Wendy recently put out a video tutorial on 25 ways to wear a scarf. It's a great video, and I am looking forward to trying these different styles with my fall scarves!


 

{ See More from Wendy's Lookbook by visiting her channel: HERE




30 September 2011

Like Delighted Studio on Facebook!



Delighted Studio is officially on Facebook! It has been a long time coming, and I am so happy to finally have a page up and running. I would love your support, so stop by and "like" us.

Visit www.facebook.com/delightedstudio to like us! Here are a few great reasons why:

>> You'll stay up to date with the latest news,  projects and promotions from Delighted Studio.
>> It's a direct links to blog posts and announcements.
>> Liking us qualifies you for exclusive giveaways.
>> I'll share links to some of my favorite blogs in the design world.

Thanks guys! -Danielle

Christmas Card Giveaway



Delighted Studio is featured in a special giveaway today on on Fabulous Friday Freebies! I am teaming up with Mandy Smith Studio to give away a two part package. Mandy is offering a Family Christmas Photography Mini-Session, and I will be working with the winner to design 25 flat, Holiday photo cards with an image from the shoot.




 If you live in Columbia, SC and would love a chance to win this giveaway (valued at $140.00) be sure to visit her blog at http://fabulousfridayfreebies.blogspot.com/

Don't forget to visit Mandy Smith Studio on Facebook to see her work.


The lucky winner will get custom designed Holiday cards, like these:



Good Luck!!



08 September 2011

FNO with Olivia Palermo



I must admit, I was not a big fan of Olivia Palermo after seeing her on a few episodes of The City. And although she lacks a friendly disposition she more than makes up for it with impeccable taste in clothing and accessories. Since tonight is Fashion's Night Out, I decided to highlight Olivia's Picks as a Guest Editor on Piperlime.com.

The girl certainly has an eye. I love it all. I know Olivia has a disposable income for fashion, so I have to give her credit for the affordable picks. 

FNO with Olivia Palermo









Here is a breakdown of the items above, all available on Piperlime:

Lace blouse
$44 - piperlime.gap.com

Jack BB Dakota blazer
$69 - piperlime.gap.com

Blank Denim skinny jeans
$78 - piperlime.gap.com

Vera Wang Lavender ballerina flat
$295 - piperlime.gap.com

BCBGeneration cross body handbag
$98 - piperlime.gap.com

Timex watch
$60 - piperlime.gap.com

Tinley Road gold ring
$22 - piperlime.gap.com

To view all of Olivia's picks, visit Piperlime.com.

02 September 2011

A Hairstyle that is On Pointe.



Lately I have been breaking the cardinal rule of Regina George and The Plastics. I have been wearing my hair up more than one day a week. Maybe it's because I am trying to grow out my hair**. It has reached that in-between point where it's better to pin it up than style it down. Or maybe it's because I secretly envy the effortless style of ballet dancers.

I'd say both are true.

I've been seeing the ballet bun as a hairstyle trend for quite a while now, and figure I'm overdue for a homage to a classic (albeit lifesaving) hairstyle.


{ images from this is glamorous; beautydept.; pinterest: whitney frylauren webb }

The folks over a The Beauty Deparment break down this 'do with a step-by-step video tutorial. Check it out:



The ballet culture and ballerina lifestyle fascinates me, and I think this is a great video from the NYC ballet about the importance of a proper fitting pointe shoe:





** Don't miss my {hair envy} board on Pinterest, where you can see my hair hopes and aspirations.


25 August 2011

Latest obsession: Pinterest!



credit: theladybird on pinterest
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the site, Pinterest is a virtual pinboard that lets you organize
and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people,
and find inspiration for home decor, fashion, weddings, recipes - you name it! I have been enjoying the
eye candy on Pinterest for quite some time now,
but finally decided to join in on the fun and make my
own boards!

I must warn you, once you visit this site, you will
find it hard to walk away! You can follow me and
visit my boards here: 


Happy pinning!  xo, Danielle




15 June 2011

A fun, family-filled weekend!

This past Saturday I got to spend some time with my parent and my sweet nephew, Teddy. My Mom and Dad were having their first Grandparents sleepover, while brother and his wife attended an out-of-town wedding. It was a blast spending the day with this little guy. I love each and every cute face he makes. Teddy is such a happy baby!


08 June 2011

Chevrons and Flags



If there is one trend I see consistently among stationery, design and home decor blogs it's chevrons and flags. This combo is used on everything from note cards, invitations, party favors to home decor, paintings, and in web design. I've used both in stationery design, and used elements in my web design because I love the combo so much. It's been around for a while, and I certainly don't see this trend fading any time soon.

Here are just a few of the many inspiring designs I've found along the way:

Chevron Paintings from Make Under My Life
FIG. 2 Design Studio
Chevron Wallpaper:  Design Sponge/Kimberly Lewis
Gift Tags: Sweetbeaker

Simple Flag Cards: Satsuma Press
Chevron Waves Stationery: Minted

Flag Save the Dates: Minted

See what I mean? There are so, so many more amazing chevron + flag designs out there!

11 November 2009

All you need is love.



One of my best friends got married this weekend, and I'm still feeling the love from that wedding.

I love a few of these love-inspired note cards from Modern Emotive Stationery & Paper Goods.





 ....Congratulations to Erin and Nate!