A Labor of Love

Today was labor day and we celebrated Missy's birthday. It was a lovely day filled with presents, Beckham and a delicious low country shrimp boil made by my big brother Scott,"the richest man in town". What a beautiful labor day, I had the top off my Jeep all weekend, ate fantastic food and was surrounded by friends and family.






Happy Birthday Mis! xoxo

Do your worst!

Have you seen the Count of Monte Cristo?

I love love love this movie. Here is one of my favorite quotes from it.

"Life is a storm, my young friend. You will bask in the sunlight one moment, be shattered on the rocks the next. What makes you a man is what you do when that storm comes. You must look into that storm and shout as you did in Rome. Do your worst, for I will do mine! Then the fates will know you as we know you: as Albert Mondego, the man! - the count of Monte Cristo

Shopping & Snellville

"Everybody's somebody in Snellville" -unknown

Every time I go to see my parents in Snellville I pass by two landmarks that insure me that I am 15 minutes from home. The first is the entry sign to Snellville with a sign that reads "Welcome to Snellville, Where everybody is Somebody". The second is the State Farm Insurance Sign that every week has a new quote on it. Today it was "A smile precedes happiness." To whom ever changes this sign weekly I thank you, its nice to read something different every time I come home.

So today when I got to the parents house, I had time for a quick hello before my mom, Brandon and I went to the mall. I think I overdid it a little. In an effort to get birthday gifts, wedding shower gifts and baby shower gifts...I instead bought a necklace, a Christmas ornament, earrings and a game. All I am sad to say .. for ME!

It was as is always a lovely day in Snellville. Snellville in my opinion will always be the "Stars Hollow" of Georgia. (If you've never watched Gilmore Girls that you wont know what I'm talking about).

So now I'm home to a clean house and ready for Sunday!

Ready for the Weekend

"its Friday night.. and the mood is right.. gonna have some fun..show you how its done.. TGIF"

Friday is finally over and now my weekend can start. I love labor day, and this year I actually have a 3 day weekend.

Today my day started out kind of interesting. My assistant was in need of a monkey cake for a party she is going to this weekend so we set out to make a quick monkey. Then I decorated what seemed like a million wedding cake cookies. So now after setting up the chocolate fountain, and rolling all the bread for the weekend. I am off. Free to enjoy what is going to be a lovely weekend, filled with family, friends and me sleeping in.

Fall is in the Air

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies."- You've Got Mail

Fall...Oh how I love thee. I walked outside this afternoon and something was different, the air I was breathing in wasn't hot and humid, it was cool and crisp. Perfect weather for taking the top off my car. It was a lovely 78 degrees outside.

I should probably bite my tongue for saying this but I am ready for summer to be over. I'm ready for all the great things that come along with fall. The trees will change colors and fall fashion will ensue. Today I went to the mall to check out what the stores have to offer for this season. So tell me ...I found these cute BCBG Cowboy boots at Macy's .. Yay or Nay. I think they are so cute but what would I wear them with. Maybe a ruffled flannel shirt? I could take the western chic route.



What are you wearing this fall? What trends should I be involved in? In other news have you checked out the accessories at urban outfitters lately. I swear if I could own everything in this store I would, but I especially love their earrings and necklaces. Since birds are the new black this season check out these adorable bird stud earrings. As soon as I can make my way to Lenox mall these bad boys are going to be mine.



Well until next time, Happy Fall Shopping.

Its Wednesday... you know what that means

Wow. I can't believe its already Wednesday again. I look forward to Wednesdays if only for the sheer joy that is Top Chef. After watching repeats of this past episode of Top Chef I can't help but be more and more in favor of "the brothers Volt". I mean seriously could they BE any cuter?!? Bryan has the most adorable brown eyes and his brother Michael with those arm tattoos. YUM! *Sexy Alert*. Well that's enough gushing until I get to Michael Isabella later in the show.

Quickfire Challenge! Secret Ingredient: the infamous Potato. What will these chefs make.. if it was me I gotta say I would probably want to work with the Yukon Gold Potatoes...my favorite.. the God of all Potatoes. YUM! Jesse was heavy handed with her cayenne pepper in her soup, Ashley with all her water drama makes a gnocci that looked great, "The Brothers Volt" both have pretty solid dishes, Jen makes steamed mussels with blue potato and lemongrass potato sauce (looked delish). My sexy friend Mr. Isabella stands in all his sexyness next to a "middle of the road dish". The winner of the quickfire who earns the right not to be eliminated...JEN...AGAIN! Go Girl... Girl Power.

Next on to Nellis Air Force base to cook for the men and women who put their lives on the line for America every day. Really a very touching challenge. Everyone has great attitudes as they try to cook for the masses. The contestants all pair off in the smaller teams. Michael of "the brothers volt" makes a delicious pork belly on a crispy romaine heart. Looks lovely and I'm sure tastes lovely as well. Bryan makes a delicious NY strip with demi while the Atlanta boys (Eli and Kevin) make a tribute to the South with a great looking potato salad served beneath pulled pork. A dish I would LOVE to sample. In my opinion the people who will most likely be on the bottom, the makers of the corn chowder (jesse and the Hatian), and Preeti with her farfalle pasta salad. The pasta salad looks like something my dog could make (and I don't have a dog). Obviously its a challenge to cook in this kitchen without proper room to work and equipment, but C'est la TOP CHEF! Jen with her immunity takes charge of the kitchen keeping everyone on track and I think she did a great job. She's one to look out for.

The chef's set up the buffet and serve the 300+ members of the Air Force.

Winner of the challenge............Michael Voltaggio. B-E-A-UTIFUL!!!!!!!!!! In another twist.. Cocky McHottie Mr. Isabella is in the top 4 and the bottom 4 (that will teach you to not go the extra mile and make a 2nd dish( but that's ok .. Still Sexy). AHHH!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously I am cowering in my living room at the thought of him going home. This competition needs him. AHHH!!!!! Please don't send him home. Also in the bottom, the makers of the Pasta salad.. I'd love to see Preeti go home.

The verdict is in...going home tonight..Preeti!! Yeah thank you judges.

Another great episode of Top Chef.. I am satisfied...until next Wednesday.

Sucre avec Stephane Treand MOF

The past two evenings I attended a pastry demo at The Art Institute of Atlanta. This particular demo was Stephane Treand MOF teaching different sugar casting techniques and airbrushing. It was insane. I have never seen anyone airbrush faces, and cats so realistically. Its nice to go to these demos, to see the people you've worked with over the years, learn something new and be inspired again. Chef Treand showed us how to make a puzzle out of pastillage and then cover it in sugar to use in a showpiece. We learned how to make flowers and airbrush a pastillage mask. For those of you who don't know, Pastillage is a sugar dough made with gelatin and powdered sugar, used to make showpieces as it dries very hard. His work was flawless and exciting to watch. Here are some pictures from the demo.





You can click on the pictures to see them in their true splendor.

Stay tuned in next month when I attempt to mimic what I saw Monsieur Treand create.