How Our Garden Grows

(A fragrant yellow rose)

I feel very fortunate that we have a little place carved out for us in this thriving metropolis to grow a garden of our very own. This is our second summer in our apartment so things have settled in quite nicely, which is why I wanted to show you what we have been flourishing over the past few months.  I love our garden for many reasons, first being the fragrant side of things - I have roses of my very own (they are fragrant and just beautiful) and jasmine that seems to blossom every night lending a heavenly aroma to the air.  Secondly, I finally have an herb garden! I have wanted to grow a hefty dose of herbs for as long as I can remember. We are currently growing basil, thyme, rosemary, sage, chives, mint and oregano which have been used without abandon for many summer dishes. Finally, I love our garden because we actually are fruiting! We currently have concord grapes (this has been my boyfriend's pride and joy over the past year) and lemons, two to be exact that should be ripening to the shade of yellow in the next month or so.  

 (Lavender buds)

(Fragrant and heady jasmine)

(Our very own bunch of concord grapes ripening)

(One of two Italian dwarf lemons that are quickly growing in size)

(Thyme)

(Mint - one of my favorites that is always added to my ice water)

(Basil - just perfect when paired with tomatoes and mozzarella)

*All photographs by Alison

Handmade Gilded Cakestand

I must admit that I really love cake stands or really anything for that matter that allows you to display food in a beautiful way.  I have been eyeing several from Fish Eddy's (this one and this one) but really didn't want to fork over that much for a cake stand.  However, one day a while back, I was flipping through and old Martha Stewart Living and saw the genius idea of taking a ceramic pot and saucer and turning it into a display piece.  This project is incredibly easy, not to mention inexpensive and the results will definitely impress.   I decided to make two of the same size so that they could be stacked one on top of the other. I also plan on making a larger stand to create a three-tiered effect.  My cake stands made their official debut at the bridal shower and were perfect for holding cupcakes and macaroons.  

 (The four essentials - a small pot, a larger saucer, super glue and spray paint)

(Apply a generous dose of super glue to the base of the small pot)

(Allow it to dry then spray paint with the color of your choice)

A Few Things: If you decide to spray paint the pottery, I recommend that if serving food you  add a doily or parchment paper, just prevent the stand from having to be washed.  

*All photographs by Alison

Paris in the Fall

Paris is absolutely magical in the fall and when you combine this fact with show-stopping fall fashion, it is almost too good to be true. The looks here modeled by Oliva Palermo are making me actually look forward to adding on another layer come fall.  

All images from here