NOVA Trunk Show Recap

Last Sunday, my friends Julie and Jenn hosted a Love Elaine trunk show in Northern Virginia for all of my friends, family and fans of Love Elaine! It was so great to see everyone and catch up with friends I don't get to see that often.  It was my best show yet! A FABULOUS time was had by all - the food was wonderful (although I didn't get to eat any until everyone was gone!) but the company was the best!

 Totes, bags and clutches on display at Julie's Mom's gorgeous home!

Choosing fabric for custom orders! (Don't mind Jenn pulling an eyelash out of her eye!)

Me & my LOVE BUG Miss Sophia! She clearly stole the show, how cute is she?! I get zero credit as she's Julie and Min's daughter, and has the sweetest personality! She's getting SO BIG and I'm just so proud to be "Auntie Christen!" She's going to be one SPOILED little girl, because I have so many things I want to make her! Who could resist those cheeks?

Everyone loves CUPCAKES! Jenn made these amazing confections - do you notice they are in my branding colors?! What could be better than PURPLE frosting?! I was blown away by the cupcakes and the wonderful dips and munchies Julie made! They went all out! Psst - If you are in Northern Virginia, Jenn is starting "Girl Next Door" bakery and her cupcakes are totally amazing.  I even hooked her up with the fabulous Carter (another regular on this blog) for a good ol' fashioned services swap! Jenn made cupcakes for Carter's wedding reception in Richmond in exchange for Carter designing her a logo for the business.  Check out Away We Go Studios on Facebook - I think the logo looks just as delicious as Jenn's cupcakes!

So, I'll use this time to say a huge, heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who came and placed orders! Special thank yous to Julie and Jenn for hosting and to Julie's Mom, Carol Jo for opening up her home.  And, thanks to all my friends and family (and Mom who drove from Jersey to be there) who came to support me - I'm so blessed to have all of you in my life! I couldn't do it without all of you!

Fall Fabric Wreath and Pumpkin Crisp

Thought I would take a bit of a mental break from all of the Christmas thoughts in my mind to bring you a little bit of Fall.

Fall Fabric Wreath by Love Elaine

I just love this new fall fabric wreath - its bold and bright yet subdued, just like the season itself. You can't go wrong with bright orange, deep brown and sage green.

With the change of season and the onset of cooler weather, I've been in the mood to cook and bake wholesome, hearty meals! I thought I'd share a new recipe for a dessert that is sure to be a new favorite in my family - it is boyfriend tested and approved, so enjoy!

Pumpkin Crisp

Prep: 15 min.

Bake: 1 hr., 5 min.

Stand: 10 min.

Yield:  Makes 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients:

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin

1 cup evaporated milk

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 (18.25-ounce) package butter-flavored yellow cake mix

1 cup chopped pecans (I used walnuts because of a food allergy. These can be optional if you don't like nuts or have other food allergies)

1 cup butter, melted

Ice Cream or Whipped Cream (optional)

Ground nutmeg (optional)

Stir together first 5 ingredients. Pour into a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over pumpkin mixture; sprinkle evenly with pecans. Drizzle butter evenly over pecans.

Bake at 350° for 1 hour to 1 hour and 5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven, and let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature with Ice Cream or Whipped Cream, if desired. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

This dessert went together in no time - it is super easy and makes many servings! Perfect for a family gathering or leftovers for those with a sweet tooth! What new recipes are you trying with the change of season?

Fabric Wreaths for Everyone!

So here it is folks - my first giveaway here on Love Elaine! And, it just so happens to be on the heels of my first giveaway on Young House Love. For those of you not familiar, go check it out now - but don't say I didn't warn you that you will soon be hooked. John and Sherry are fellow Richmonders who share their DIY tales of fixing up their second home and raising a family. Seriously, one of my favorite blogs EVER! So, RUN, do not walk through the interwebs to sign up for the chance to win one of the three giveaway prizes - yup, each person who wins gets their own custom fabric wreath!

Fabric wreaths are a hot commodity right now in my etsy shop! They can be made in any color combination and in sizes from 6 inches to 18 inches, with a bow or without.

So, since I'm in the giving mood, I thought I would add one more wreath to the pot for a Love Elaine reader! Here are the three ways to enter:

• Leave a comment below with your favorite color combination for Spring/Summer
• Follow the Love Elaine blog and post a comment to this post that you did
• "Like" Love Elaine on Facebook and post a comment to this post that you did

The winner will be announced on Monday, May 9! Good Luck!

Sophia's Nursery

Julie has Sophia's Nursery all set up - all she needs now is the baby! I wanted to share photos so you can see the letters in place and how amazing everything came together without being too "matchy matchy" which I know is what Julie was hoping would happen! Didn't she do an amazing job?! I just LOVE it all :)




Does that fabric wreath look familiar? It should - because I made that too! Its here in the shop! So, if you want help with your nursery, I'm all set with letters, fabric wreaths, baby bags, curtains and more! Just ask!

Thanks Julie for letting me be apart of such a special time for you and Sophia - can't wait until she gets here!