Homemade Halloweens

I am feeling compelled to post a costume from my past for Halloween evening! There are way less trick or treaters in our neighborhood than I thought so here I am with candy and wine and cats. So I figured, let me post photos of my brother and I's first two Halloweens together. I was at first a pumpkin, him a cowboy. The next year we had two homemade costumes that my grandmother stitched for us: Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, and  a Tyrannosaurus Rex! Kind of amazing, huh?

And here are photos from my attempt to dress up my brothers kitties for Halloween. The black cat, Kai, was supposed to be a bat for Halloween! But he was having none of that costume. I'd much rather cuddle with him than have him run away from me! 

Here is Bonsai, the girl kitty who is a cowgirl for Halloween. She is so very calm, cool, and collected so she allowed me to put her hat on, for a photo only. She posed, fussed, then asked to be paid for this modeling shoot.

The two kitties, who I have grown to adore as my own. I love that when I come home from work, they both stretch out on the floor waiting to be pet. I also adore that I found a new toy for them. I was completing a DIY fall decor piece that included twine and the both of them wanted to play with it! So instead, I found an old ball of yarn, humored them for a little, and left to find that they are able to play with each other with this yarn! It seems so classic. Halloween, a black cat, and a ball of yarn. What other cliches will I encounter tonight?

Here's a portrait of the black cat, Kai for everyone to enjoy tonight! Does this mean we're all cursed? Oops! 

Lastly, I created a Facebook page for Yelle Events. Not sure how many bloggers out there use Facebook as a way to track blog posts, but I know I used to before I had my own blog! Check it out + happy Halloween!

Salut, Yelle

Homemade Halloweens

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!

Only 364 more days until next year's Halloween! Here are some wonderful photos that I took at a local antique shop all decorated for October festivities! I adore the spooky banner, black painted wall, and handmade cloth pumpkins and gourds!

I've got two new wonderful ad swaps! Christie from Bedsidesign, and Jane from Ddalkijane! Christie is into interior design and is an avid coffee lover, just like me. Jane's nickname is Ddalki, which means strawberry in Korean. Be sure to check both of their blogs out and say hi!

Another thing that really made my week is winning a giveaway! It was my first giveaway that I've ever won, hosted by the lovely Elizabeth from Delightfully Tacky. Not only was the host one of the best, but the winning product is absolutely amazing! I won a $100 gift card for Mokkafiveoclock, an Etsy shop with custom made + vintage inspired dresses! Right now on their Facebook they have a 15% discount code for the shop. Be sure to check out how cute all of the dresses are. It's going to be hard making a final decision.

Did anyone notice the latest change besides my constantly changing graphics? I'm now www.yelleevents.com instead of .blogspot.com! I am so very excited to have my very own domain name. I truly haven't been able to stop myself from tweaking the blog design here and there! I think that because I am quite an amateur when it comes to blog design, I don't think of the perfect combinations in one sitting when I sit down to edit my blog. It takes days of me constantly looking at my blog with fresh eyes to see what details would make it the best it can be. This time, I really am going to try to stop editing here and there and wait for a complete blog revamp sometime next year by my friends @ Octothorpe Creative.
Did anyone dress up in costume this year? What were/are you? 

Salut, Yelle

Happy Halloween!

Hollow's Eve

With Halloween creeping upon us, I must show you the inspiration I found via Pinterest that has been keeping my spirits high all month for this holiday! How lovely are these whimsical gourds on display in the window?

Chevron has been huge this year as a pattern. It's a cutesy + contemporary twist to such a traditional fall decor item like a pumpkin!

Lastly, can you imagine how wonderful this candle surrounding by cinnamon sticks tied with twine must smell? The warming cinnamon sticks would warm up any home with the smell of autumn!

Wishing a wonderful + safe Halloween to all!

Salut, Yelle

Hollow's Eve

Monday, October 29, 2012

Guest Post @ Beauty and the Budget

source

Head's up to all of you! I recently did a guest post for Jacqueline over at Beauty and the Budget about the top three things that people over look when planing an event. You can see the post here.
I hope you're ready for Halloween! If you're not, I've got you covered. I've have my eye on some absolutely lovely Halloween and decor and entertaining items that can even carry over to November!  I'm off to spend the rest of the day with my brother and his girlfriend that are visiting! Until then...
Salut, Yelle

Guest Post @ Beauty and the Budget

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Party with... Rooney Mara

Who better to host a grown up Halloween party than Girl With The Dragon Tattoo's Rooney Mara? A little dark, a little pale, and a lot of fierce. Costumes would definitely be welcome at a grown up, yet noir Halloween party.

Incorporating classically mysterious trench coats in black would be perfectly acceptable. Although, this amazing couture dress would be perfect for a dark day like October 31st. A gothic dress with lace and bones would be a stunning costume, without really playing into costumes.

Of all the drinks to be served, absinthe would play nicely with the mysterious and dark feel. Absinthe makes me think of enigmatic men and women with refined personalities, and a dark side. 

The best desserts are French macarons. They are sophisticated and sweet, but add black food coloring and licorice extract, and you've got one very bad ass macaron. 

In Paris, there is a restaurant called Dans le Noir, meaning, In the Dark, in which you dine in complete darkness. Servers guide you to your seat, help you feel where you glassware is, inform you on how to call their attention, all because your sense of taste and smell becomes heightened when you lose your sense of sight. Of course, for Halloween, dining in the dark is perfect. For an adult Halloween party, turn out the lights, fire up some candles (for those afraid of the dark), and indulge in some treats.

Salut, Yelle

Party with... Rooney Mara

Saturday, October 27, 2012

A Tradition + A Wedding

Alas, we crossed one tradition off of our "Things to do this fall" list! We went to a pumpkin patch to pick out a pumpkin. I had all of these ideas of collecting various sizes and shapes and painting them in a bold and modern way. And then I found a gorgeous mint pumpkin!

 

As much as I love mini-gourds and to have those odd shapes in a cornucopia on my dining room table, I fell in love with this minty pumpkin and had to bring it home! 

The mint pumpkin has a home outside on my balcony along with the terrariums from a recent wedding that I worked. 

This particular wedding that I worked was quite a pleasure. The bride and groom chose the museum because they are both geologists/paleontologists! Their ceremony was in our dinosaur bones exhibit, and they got married between a T-Rex and a Triceratops. Their decor was simple, they let the terrariums speak for themselves. 

There were small terrariums with succulents and one dinosaur skeleton for the cocktail tables during cocktail hour. For the reception, each table had a large terrarium with an assortment of succulents and a few dinosaur skeleton toys in them. Each table had a different dinosaur species, which was the name of the table. The escort cards read the guests name, followed by their table name such as "Pachyrhinosaurus". 

I let the brides brother know how much I absolutely adored them (succulents + dinos all in one? Heaven for an event planner that works at a science museum!) and he said that the bride would want me to have one. So now they sit on my balcony, getting sun they need to dry the soil during the day, and getting the cool breeze they strive on at night. I had to leave the dinosaur toys in the terrariums, it's like my own  little ecosystem!
Also, you may have seen that I've changed my header and my buttons for the third (yes, third) time. I  feel that I am still finding my style, and owning a photoshop program is not helping my recent indulgences in typography and graphic design. But I promise, I'm really going to try to not make any more changes. At least for a while. Consistency is important to me! Have a great weekend!

Salut, Yelle

A Tradition + A Wedding

Friday, October 26, 2012

Working Girl: Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Another quick meal, doctored up easily for an after work + after dinner treat! Pumpkin coffee cake is so delicious, I will definitely be indulging in some for breakfast too.

This working-girl recipe was so easy, my ingredients included:

• a box of coffee cake mix (my brand was Krusteaz)
• one 15 ounce can or pumpkin

As Ina Garten from Barefoot Contessa would say, "How easy is that?"

 

I layered half of the pumpkin cake batter, then cinnamon sugar, more pumpkin cake batter, topped with cinnamon sugar. I then swirled the cinnamon sugar into the batter a bit with a knife to make sure every bite was full of pumpkin + cinnamon deliciousness. 

Check out my latest sponsor swap, Jacqueline from Beauty and the Budget. She's from Colorado and is a bargain shopper and posts about good deals, DIY projects, home decor, and beauty products! Go on over to her blog and say hi!

Salut, Yelle

Working Girl: Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Liebster Blog Award

I'm really excited! Not only is my brother and his girlfriend coming into town for a visit this weekend and for two weekends in a row, but the lovely Jessica from The Lyons Den nominated me for the Liebster Award!

This is how it works...

The Rules:
- Post 11 random facts about yourself.
- Answer the questions your nominator asked.
- Create 11 new questions for your 11 nominees.
- Link your nominees to your post & obviously tell them.
- No tag backs.

11 random facts you probably don't care to know about me:
1. I was an International Relations major before I was an Event Management major.
2. I studied French for 6 years in high school and in college.
3. I collect taxidermy insects (moths, butterflies, beetles, etc).
4. I love cheese! I would be happy trying a new kind of cheese everyday.
5. I don't like grape juice, but I love the taste of wine.
6. I love the smell of old books, flowers, and coffee.
7. I have an extensive collection of vinyl records, as well as my father's and uncle's collection in my possession.
8. I love being up early, when there's still a morning chill, and you can't hear a car on the road.
9. I am in love with Paris. I believe there is something there for everyone.
10. I've been with S for 5 and a half years now!
11. I love subscribing to magazines; for me they are the paper version of blogs!

Jessica's questions for me:

1. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

I would change how much I let things affect me. Every wedding I work that something doesn't go as planned (and never is an event flawless!) I take it to heart and feel immense guilt for it. I wish I didn't because there are often times when there is just nothing that I can do.

2. What would you do with a million dollars?

Travel, without a doubt. I would visit places I have visited already like Paris and Brazil, as well as visit new places. And of course, I would spend the money bringing my loved ones with me!

3. What is your favorite hobby?

I love cooking. There is something so therapeutic about a jazz record, julienne-ing carrots, and a glass of red wine. 

4. What is your favorite thing about your significant other?

I love his creativity! Not to mention his wit, his smile, and his ability to make me smile. But I love most that he is so inspiring with his work. He is a concept artist for video games, so he comes up with some very unique things.

5. What is your dream job?

Event Director, which is only a few years away! I'm an Event Coordinator right now, the next step is usually Event Manager, and then Event Director would be after that. 

6. If you could visit any place in the world where would you go?

Somewhere new? Sweden. Somewhere I've already been? Paris. I left half of my heart there.

7. Most embarrassing moment?

Most recently I was at the bank drive through, and when I finished I sent the empty canister back - not a huge deal, but it's the only embarrassment that comes to mind!

8. What is your major?

Event Management. 

9. How many kids do you want?

Three: two boys and a girl. But I would be happy with any!

10. What is your biggest strength & biggest weakness?

My biggest strength is my loyalty. I am such a loyal person, from my hair to my restaurants. My biggest weakness would be my heart. I am so open, I often find myself getting hurt.

11. What is your favorite blog?

I adore Elsie + Emma from A Beautiful Mess and their crafts. Not only do they post great content, but they give a little bit of themselves and their story to their readers. I love that. 

My nominees (fellow bloggers I've gotten to know and would love to know more about!):

Christine from The Plumed Nest

Sil from Love n Lavish already nominated!

Ashlee from Ashlee Nikol

Jamie from Jamie Brooke

Jacqueline from Beauty and the Budget

Erin from Like Want Need

Milynn from Love and Whimsy

Brooke from S + B

Santa from HomeStilo

Miranti from Pen and Peplum

Eline from Eline S

Questions for my nominees:
1. What is one of your earliest memories?
2. If you could have a dinner party, who would you invite (alive or dead)?
3. What is  your job?
4. What is your favorite thing about your job?
5. What are you most proud of in your life?
6. What would you say is a characteristic of yourself?
7. What makes you the most happy?
8. What is one of your favorite quotes?
9. What is your guilty pleasure?
10. What is your favorite holiday and why?
11. Are you a night owl or a morning lark?
Salut, Yelle

Liebster Blog Award

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

My Decor Style

I've heard the term organized chaos used before to describe a sense of style, although I never imagined that it would be the perfect word combo to describe my apartment. What I love is my sense of change and how I'm not afraid to move my furniture, completely flip my living room, or give my objects a whole new purpose. 

I love museums so much (I work events at one!) I even call my office/S's art studio our "studio" and our living room is even a "gallery" for our beloved treasures. My favorite wall in my apartment is my purple basil painted wall, with an old Ouija board from my grandmother's house, our first collection of insects, postcards from Italy (a play on a song title from our favorite band, Beirut), and of course, a bouquet of dried lavender in a gorgeous white Lenox vase.

The wall above our bed (an "exhibit" maybe) is another favorite; the paint on the wall is a custom mixed paint that we paid a fraction of the price for because we found it on the oops shelf. I learned about the oops shelf, where custom and returned paint gallons go, from my dad who took me there to shop for paint for our faux-Pollock painting that hangs proudly in my living room. A few of my favorite things on this wall include my lantern fly, a rat skull, oil paintings done by S's older brother, and thrift store treasures. 

You can see why I adore the stylist, Sibella Court. My sense of displaying the treasures that I love and collect over time is seen throughout our apartment. To me, our apartment is a giant and interactive exhibit full of wonders from past travels, adventures, and our favorite stories. 

Salut, Yelle

My Decor Style

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Bourbon Cocktail

Recently we went to our favorite restaurant, called Prato. I must describe this amazing cocktail that I had there. I am not usually a cocktail girl; my usuals include red wines like Malbecs, whiskey and ginger ale, and a Belgian white ale beer. This, however, was something that caught my attention, and I needed to at least try it. It was

• house-infused pumpkin spice bourbon (aged for one year!) 
• house-maded vermouth
• cointreau (sucker for this ever since my friend and I purchased it for a French themed dinner party)
• vanilla simple syrup
• garnished with an orange peel

Sounds killer, right? It was. The spiciness was so savory, and deep. This cocktail's flavor lingered on your palate, unlike other cocktails in which the well-whiskey lingers unwanted. This was a hit. They said that they were almost out of this one barrel treat, so I ordered two. 

Salut, Yelle

Bourbon Cocktail

Friday, October 19, 2012

Working Girl: Butternut Squash Pasta

 

I'm sure I'm not the only Working-Girl out there on the blogosphere. I am an event coordinator for a museum, so I work office hours as well as set up for events on weekends. All this, while I obtain my degree in Event Management. Thus, there are days in which I just do not want to spend hours cooking, but I want a healthy and seasonal meal! So I have a solution - doctored up dinners!

This week, I made a butternut squash sauce for my whole grain pasta. My ingredients:

• butternut squash soup from a box
• whole grain pasta
• peccorino romano
• rubbed sage

You can even substitute what ever cheese or spice you have on hand! It was so quick + easy, delicious, and healthy. After the 9-5, it was so easy and so seasonal. It got me into the season's spirit, even after sitting in some traffic!

Salut, Yelle

Working Girl: Butternut Squash Pasta

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Weddings + incorporating books

 

I recently worked a wedding in which there were a lot of book decor incorporated. Being a lover of books, I loved this too! I could tell that the bride had put a lot of time and DIY-ing into her book + decor pieces. Not only was this quite a heavy-setup being that there were so many details, but it also rained that day so we had to plan for the rain backup. 

I loved the edges of the book pages that read programs, as well as the cocktail tables simple centerpieces, photo at the bottom, of what I can best describe as book art. 

 

 And even though there are times when:

• last minute adjustments have to be made such as swapping ceremony + reception chairs in order to accommodate decor 
• you must drive an hour in traffic to get to the warehouse to pick up extra chairs when an order wasn't put in for them
• you set up the ceremony outside thinking you'll just miss the rain but then it starts to pour + you have to re-set all of the chairs inside, two floors down, quickly

Despite all of the moments like those, I still love what I do. I still get excited to see a bride and grooms decor choices, dance song selections, and the type of food they pick + how all of these details reflect themselves and their lives together.

Salut, Yelle

Weddings + incorporating books

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Social media + events

Earlier this semester, in my event promotions class, we had a guest speaker, Paula from Posh Able Events.  She has a wonderful structure to her company, blending events, PR/ marketing/ branding, as well as even a charitable non-profit. It was so great to get some great insight to the events industry and marketing and how they often go hand in hand. Of course, all of her tips I was able to apply to my class project, my work as an event coordinator for a museum, as well as even my blog!

Some tips that we learned that I promptly starred in my notes:

• You can bring the social media, website design, and public relations in house for your company or blog for more control
• A social media press release is simply one link that links to the main website where all of the most up to date information will be - this ensures that there is never outdated information out there on the web
• Look up to larger companies to see how they are using their social media like Pinterest, and mimic on your budget and time resources
• Lastly, something that she said will stick with me will be, "Some things you do for show, and some things you do for dough." Sometimes, you have to work for free in order to get the business. But, you must decide how much you're willing to work for free beforehand. 

It was so insightful to have her come in and talk to us. It's great when you come away from something feeling so fulfilled and able to apply what you just learned to every aspect of your life: your job, your blog, + your assignments. 

I have another wonderful new sponsor, her name is Ashlee and she blogs at AshleeNikol.com. She lives in Kentuky and she sews, crochets, and like me, tries to be somewhat of a chef! Definitely go say hi!

Salut, Yelle

Social media + events

Sunday, October 14, 2012

The Essence of Vanilla

One of my favorite DIYs that I've done is homemade vanilla extract. A few years ago, I gave them out as Christmas gifts because it was so easy to make them in bulk, and fun for friends and family to wait until a certain date to first use their homemade extract! Something to look forward to! It takes two months to mature, so if you get started now, they will be ready in time for Christmas gifts and holiday baking!

Day two + two months:

 

I still use mine to this day, recycling vanilla beans and topping it off with vodka as it gets low. Mine currently has the most wonderful deep, rich color from being maintained and refilled. One of my favorite reasons to make homemade vanilla extract is the fact that I get to ever-so-delicately slice vanilla beans and scrape out the seeds. I love having the little black specs on my fingers and leave my hands fragrant like a perfume. If only I could keep the seeds on my hands without looking like there's soot every where.

I quickly want to say hi to a new sponsor, Sil of Love n Lavish! She's from Toronto, Canada and she blogs about books, fashion, art, home decor, pretty much something for everyone! So click over and check out her blog!
Salut, Yelle

The Essence of Vanilla

Friday, October 12, 2012

Fall Decor

 

Every fall, I bring out my seasonal decor. Seeing these items around our apartment make me feel that much more festive for the season. Some favorites are pine cones, cinnamon sticks, and coffee beans. Below you can see a stack of my treasured books, a French edition Vermeer collection, Nomad and Stylist's Guide to NYC by Sibella Court. Our coffee table also includes a block of wood with my grandfather's initials, VR, burned with an iron spoke from his cattle brander used on his farm in Brazil. A little piece of our family history.

 

As seen in the photos, I adore incorporating my deer antlers in to my year round decor, as well as my seasonal decor. Instead of fresh flowers like in summer and spring, we put in dried and richly colored buds for fall in the dining room table centerpiece flanked with two antlers. On our miniature piano, we have a bowl of most of our antlers, joined but some lovely textured twine decor.

 

The only thing that would make the house complete is the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg in some mulled wine on the stovetop. Warm and aromatic, the house would look, smell, and feel like fall.

Salut, Yelle

Fall Decor

Wednesday, October 10, 2012