Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Chocolate Ganache and Pearls Don't Mix!

I can see that we did not photograph this close enough...here I am holding the chocolate ganache cupcakes and my long pearl necklace! After spending the time to neatly press this pink blouse, I dangled my pearl necklace in the ganache while loading them into the car...not realizing that the chain then rested on my blouse, skirt and layered T all the way into Yardley, making this "chocolate leopard" print on my clothing. Oh dear! My classmates were kind enough to overlook this! As the setting for these ideas, I purchased several yards of a light creamy burlap for only a few dollars a yard for the tablecloth. I used handy tablecloth weights that clip on to the corners of the tablecloth to keep it from blowing up when outdoors on the burlap tablecloth. We had a great time and plenty of good conversation to go along with our shopping, all at a discount for the evening!

Thanks to my cute, stylish friend Lisa, here is a snapshot of our last Black-eyed Susan event, "Inspirations guaranteed not to break the bank"! We spent the evening discussing and demonstrating using items that most of us have at home and use in our everyday living.


For example, goblets filled with dried split peas as a buffer for votive candles. The peas are such a fresh color for summer entertaining, and at only $.80 per bag, oh so affordable!

Hosta leaf cuttings in tinted water.


Fresh hosta leaves from the garden make beautiful (and very stylish) individual place setting accents. I used one drop of green food coloring and several drops of yellow to come up with this lime green water to compliment the color of the hosta leaves.

Scatter some of the dried peas around like confetti!

Lemonade bottles were shown recycled as floral containers for individual gerbera daisies in bright summer colors.

Everyday drinking glasses become pretty individual vases for garden cuttings.
I can see that we did not photograph this close enough...here I am holding the chocolate ganache cupcakes and my long pearl necklace! After spending the time to neatly press this pink blouse, I dangled my pearl necklace in the ganache while loading them into the car...not realizing that the chain then rested on my blouse, skirt and layered T all the way into Yardley, making this "chocolate leopard" print on my clothing. Oh dear! My classmates were kind enough to overlook this!

As the setting for these ideas, I purchased several yards of a light creamy burlap for only a few dollars a yard for the tablecloth. I used handy tablecloth weights that clip on to the corners of the tablecloth to keep it from blowing up when outdoors on the burlap tablecloth.

We had a great time and plenty of good conversation to go along with our shopping, all at a discount for the evening!

There are several more events planned in the next few weeks. Just call the retail store to register. Our next event: "Plates! They're not just for eating anymore!" I love plates and use them as art in the most unexpected places. Traditional, modern, cottage...there is always room for plates in the mix.

Give me a call if you are interested in this evening and be watching for the post of our Fall/Holiday event schedule. Believe it or not, it's coming soon!

Come see the magic.

5 comments:

michelle said...

Those cupcakes look divine! Too bad about the chocolate leopard print, though. Oh well, it's all good blog fodder, right?

Denise said...

As usual, your ideas are original, inspiring, and beautiful.

Maybe you could start a new trend with chocolate leopard print! Tasty AND trendy.

Charlotte said...

Ha too bad about the ganache pearls! I love the decor ideas--stylish as always!

Lee said...

You still looked beautiful even covered in chocolate. Hee Hee. I loved that night, it was so much fun. I learned so much and I bought alot too. I love BES.
Lee

Suzanne said...

I'm so bummed that I missed that class! (AND with all the excitement over the contest post ;-), I almost missed this post!) I was lucky enough to taste a leftover cupcake, though. Divine! Thanks, Susan, for giving me a quick recap of the night the following day. Love the peas and colored water & hostas ideas.