Peonies

Head on over to HouseMartin today to see some incredibly peony arrangements. These are pure heaven!

Lobster heaven

Greetings from Cape Cod land. We're stuffing our faces with seafood and are enjoying a little R&R.

My husband and I are coming up on our 1-year anniversary, so we're celebrating a little bit on this trip. I'm wondering, what are the 1-year anniversary traditions? Did any of you do something special to commemorate your first anniversary? We talked about going back to Mexico, where we honeymooned, but we decided instead to come to the place where we really fell in love.

Bon voyage!

We're leaving VERY early tomorrow morning for a week in Cape Cod, puppy in tow. I'll be posting a few times while on vacay ... probably pics of me chowing on lobster!!

Love this

Cleaning out my computer files this morning and I found this picture. Forgive me for forgetting the source, but I just love this idea. Seating cards for a small wedding?

For the dog who has everything...

I just couldn't resist posting this. Seriously!? I mean, it's cute and all, but I have to spend too much $$ on gas these days to be able to afford this (even if Winnie would look amazing lying there.)

On sale at Pottery Barn for $250.

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program...

So ... first and foremost, thanks for all the fabulous comments to the last post. And alas, I must warn you of a slight delay! My birthday is today, and all of my wonderful friends and family have tried VERY hard to distract me the past few days ... and they have succeeded! My list of things to do is twice as long as it should be, mainly because I didn't get anything checked off this weekend. So - stay tuned ... I'm gonna get this thing rollin' if it kills me :)

(Birthday flowers at work from my parents!)

Anniversary!

Wow. I can hardly believe it, but this week marks the one-year anniversary of this blog! (And I say "this week" because technically it was Monday, but I've been kinda lazy about things this week, and I'm just getting to this now. What else is new, right?)

It might seem like an odd name for a blog, Chere Amie, but it's actually multi-faceted. 1) It's french, meaning "dear friend" and 2) It's my last name. Well, the bastardized Cajun version of it, Cheramie. Since I work in PR and event planning, it's kind of the perfect. (And, as many of you know, I love my name SO much that I made my husband take it too!)

But, you know what? In spite of lovin' this blog, I think it could use a little more fabulosity. It's getting a little dusty to me. So, to celebrate and commence year 2, I'm going to revamp a bit this weekend. Be on the lookout for some fun new weekly features, a few new graphics and maybe the start of a contest next week!

MWAH to all my readers. I'd love to know who you are so that I can frequent your blogs as well, or just send some good karma your way, so please leave a message if you have some time!

An update

Thanks to fab Mary for pointing this out! An update on Tastespotting:

UPDATE 6.19.08:In trying to resolve this situation, TasteSpotting.com is in the process of having a new owner. She would like you to know that "we're just marinating a bit longer, but tastespotting will be back shortly..."

Good news all around this sunny a.m.!

The worst news...

Tastespotting is no more.

Cake Toppers

A long time ago I bookmarked Rainsend's Etsy site.

I just love the cake toppers. Birds are all the rage right now, but there are other fabulous creatures as well. Look at those roosters!

Wouldn't this make the cutest placecard holder?

EasterYu

I am LOVING this orange mini boutonniere found on EasterYu today.

Buff n' shine

My husband rocks! In addition to treating me to the world's best gelato today (seriously, click the link, you won't regret it), he had my rings cleaned. I'm ashamed to say that this is the first time since the wedding that I've had them cleaned. But, I've learned my lesson! They look so perfect and sparkly that I think I might pop in to our jewelers every month. (Technically, you are supposed to have your ring steam cleaned and polished every six months.)

Did you know I love pockets?

LOVING this Anne Barge!!

Pounced

I haven't "pounced" in a while, and I've missed it. Check out today's great finds:

Enamel earrings with fire torched blue flowers by Wildflower Designs.

Go Green plate by Handgrown Pottery.

Wicked cute dog collar by Lucky Fiona (hmm...love the name Fiona...)

Beautiful earrings by Judie Garland Jewelry.

And I know he's not for sale, but I would love to have this cutie please!

What we made with 10 lbs of strawberries (Part I)

This one is a work in progress because there are SO many strawberries. I used Martha's handy strawberry-cutting trick: The egg slicer! It was a brilliant and efficient way to attack the pile.

A large bag was frozen for strawberry smoothies and ice cream, which we plan on making in the coming week. I enjoyed a little strawberry shortcake - with chocolate whip cream - and oh my was it delicious!

Tonight I am making an arugula salad with strawberries and hazelnuts for dinning al fresco.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup hazelnuts (3 oz)
• 1 tablespoon Sherry vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon minced shallot1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 2 teaspoons hazelnut oil
• 3/4 lb arugula (9 cups), tough stems discarded
• 1/2 lb strawberries (1 1/2 cups), trimmed and quartered lengthwise
• 1/2 cup mild fresh goat cheese (2 oz), crumbled

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Roast nuts in a shallow baking pan in middle of oven until golden, 10 to 15 minutes. Rub warm nuts in a kitchen towel to remove skins (don't worry if some skins don't come off). Cool nuts, then coarsely chop.

Whisk together vinegar, lemon juice, shallot, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Add oils in a slow stream, whisking until combined well.

Toss together arugula, strawberries, hazelnuts, and dressing. Divide salad among plates and dot with goat cheese.

And tomorrow, I think I'll make Martha's strawberry galette... if I haven't had my fill.

Flag day

I played hookie today with my husband - who was off for Flag Day (yes, Flag Day) - and he indulged me by taking me strawberry picking. We drove about an hour north to a beautiful little farm on a rambling brook, and we enjoyed the warm sun while picking sweet, oh so sweet, berries.

It was really a lovely day of picking, and then we had a picnic. Tuna sandwiches, pasta salad, pickles and fig newtons. It made sound like an off mix, but it's my idea of heaven.

When we got home, I just had to take a picture of our bounty. What, oh what, will I make!? Stay tuned...

That's my dress!

Imagine my surprise today when, while poking around the internet waiting for my husband to wake up from his nap, I stumbled upon the blog of fabulous photog Kellie Kano. I'm scrolling quickly down the page, enjoying the frosty images, when - wait! What's that pink sash!? Oh my! And those buttons!!! Yep, that's MY dress ... MY Paloma Blanca! I'm never seen another bride in it and clearly I'm quite excited!

Insert excited screech here!

Did you all hear that Laura's - of Wren Handmade - wedding is going to be featured in the next issue of Martha Stewart Weddings? I truly can not wait to see this one. I'm sure it will be a plethora of unique and beautiful details. Just look at this wicked cool felted sushi that she recently made at an artists' workshop:

Erica O'Brien

Found on Kirtsy today! I can't get enough of these cakes ... I just adore them. If you're in Long Beach, CA, be sure to check her out.

Is your mouth watering from this last one the way mine is?

Absence

I apologize for my absence this week. My beloved maternal grandmother died yesterday, and my mind has been cluttered with thoughts. Things have been quite hectic too. I promise some fun posts both today and tomorrow - and I'll also be making up for lost time this weekend! So, when you sign online on Sunday and frown because you remember no one posts on the weekend, think of me! I'll be here.

Progress

I spotted this poster today on The Scoop. I just think it's beautiful. And, regardless of whether or not you're for Barack, I hope you'll check out artist Scott Hansen's webpage for all of his designs, which are colorful, retro and unique. I'm also lovin' the music that's playing on the homepage.

Buy this limited edition poster here and support the campaign.

100 degree heat and the Day of Coordinator

That's me! Yesterday's heat was disgusting, and I'm pooped today as a result of the 12 + hour day in the sticky outdoors. But, Gene and Lindsay's wedding was an enormous success by all accounts. Oh yeah, there was one HUGE issue: the bride's mother had to have an emergency appendectomy in the middle of the night and was therefore in the hospital yesterday and unable to attend her daughter's wedding. The Bride was a true trooper thought, and seriously deserves a medal for the stiff upper lip. Here are some preview shots to setting up, with more to come this week - and professional shots before you know it!

My gear: Emergency kit - check. Scissors, tape, glue dots - check. COOL linen clothing - check.

Back brace, just in case - check. And the most important - COMFY SHOES!

Placecard table and incredible floral display (by Robertson's flowers).

Centerpiece 1. (Tall centerpieces filled with white orchids were on all of the 132 rounds. There were also three tall white pillar candles, and six small globed votives, all rented from Robertsons. The table number was also rented from Robertsons - a beautiful gold and engraved mirrored frame.)

Centerpiece 2. (Orchids, the most luscious smelling peonies, and greens filled round glass vases. Three white floating candles and six votives, plus the table numbers finished out the centerpiece.)

Stay tuned for pics of the outdoor venue, cake, etc.!

Super snazzy invitations

I saw these invitations over at Darling Dexter this week and just had to post about them. I love that they combine all the latest invitation trends: stitching, wood veneer and gocco. Wouldn't you just die if you opened your mailbox and this little treat was in it!? (Invitation from Amy.)

Wedding eye candy

Two awesome weddings today to feature:

I love this in-home wedding. All of the pictures pop because of the color on the walls. It looks wonderfully intimate and fun. Also - as a side note, I'm addicted to Our Labor or Love.

And number 2: Check out this bride's Live Journal entry on her wedding, which was held at a theater - ceremony on stage. I LOVE her tulle and short dress. So daring and wonderful!