Glamping : Camping in Luxury

So I will be the first one to admit, I'm not much of a fan when it comes to ''roughing'' it in the wilderness.  Which is ironic to me, because one of my all-time favorite television shows, that I've been watching since I was a freshman in high school, is Survivor. At one point in time, I was going to put together a video & submit it to be a contestant on the show, that's how much of a fan I am. 

For travelers (like myself), who love nature but don't really want to forego their daily luxuries, there's a new concept called "Glamping" (a.k.a. Glamorous Camping). It's sweeping through the nation & becoming a hot new trend.  From exotic to generously plush canvas tents, glamorous campers have choices now all around the globe. 

The last few years especially, opportunities have been springing up all throughout the United States, giving Americans the opportunity to camp in luxury in various locales. 

I'm hopefully going to sweet talk my husband into making this a family vacation sometime in the future. You can sign me up for "Glamping" any day of Spring-Summer-Autumn & I'll be down! 

Here are my top two absolute favorites.  

The first is located in Greenough, Montana at the The Resort at Paws Up.  

The second is located in Dolores, Colorado at the Dunton Hot Springs. 

Darling custom new-parent gift

As I've entered my late-20's it seems that more of my friends are deciding to start their families & have little ones.  Who's up next on-deck? This is such an exciting time (for them & for me)! Gosh, I just gush when holding ittie-bittie little ones... which makes my job as a Newborn Photographer so enjoyable & fulfilling. 

With that being said, I always try to find practical, but thoughtful gifts for close family & friends.  I've found a new favorite product that I'm certain some of the soon-to-be parents in my life will be receiving from The Lawson's as a baby gift! 

It's just too cute & every nursery would look darling with a customized birth print. Contact the artist here & send them the babies birth info & then purchase a frame for the new parents to hang in the nursery :)  

xx,

Colleen 

Love covers on a Tuesday.

I've been listening to some great cover songs, all about 'love' in it's various forms. If you are itching to listen to a new music artist and haven't heard of one listed below, why not check them out? Perhaps you'll find a new 'go-to' favorite cover love-song on your ipod.  

My Top 3: Ellie Goulding (#6), Birdy (#7), & James Vincent McMorrow (#1).

Links can be found below to each song. 

01: higher love - james vincent mcmorrow

02: you belong to me - carla bruni 

03: true colors - ane brun

04: make you feel my love - adele

05: dance me to the end of love - the civil wars

06: your song - ellie goulding

07: skinny love - birdy

08: a case of you - james blake

09: you can close your eyes - brooke fraser & william fitzsimmons

10: addicted to love - florence + the machine

Breckenridge Brewery & Pub

This past Saturday, we decided to take a trip to the mountains and visit the city of Breckenridge.  One of Duane's college friends from University of Florida was in town on a ski trip with friends, so we decided to visit him, so we could all catch up. During our time in Breckenridge, one of the places we visited was the local Brewery & Pub.  If you're ever in the area, try the Vanilla Porter, it's such a refreshing beverage. 

22 more days...

Until a blossoming Spring arrives. Today at the market, I picked up some freshly cut tulips. Tulips are by far one of my favorite flowers to purchase.  Every year in the final months of a bitter cold Winter, while shopping at your grocery store, market, or florist, you'll begin to see large shipments of tulips arriving.  This is how you know that a blossoming Spring is right around the corner and that Winter is finally coming to an end.   How I'm longing for the snow to melt and to slip on a sundress, have a picnic in the park or go for a hike in the mountains.  

Only twenty two more days... let the countdown begin. 

xx,
Colleen

Dark Chocolate Crepes topped with homemade blueberry sauce

Crepes.  Just the word sends me back to when I was 19 and studying abroad in Lecce, a small quaint city nestled in the southern part of Puglia, Italy. As I would be roaming the Italian paved streets full of culture, art and glorious cuisine, I would inevitably find a crepe stand every 10 blocks along the way.  It was a summer filled with daily crepes stuffed with various items from mascarpone cheese, nutella, bananas, lemon curd, to orange marmalade, and I adored every moment of it.

Today, being Valentines Day, I wanted to surprise my husband with breakfast in bed and a 'not-so-traditional' homemade cooked breakfast.  I rarely cook crepes, so I figured this would be the perfect time to prepare them.  Given it's Valentines Day and this is one of the few days out of the year I can actually justify having chocolate for breakfast, I figured I would splurge and make him dark chocolate crepes topped with my homemade blueberry sauce, sprinkled with powder sugar.

This breakfast is one to remember.... I found myself wanting to scrape every last ounce of blueberry sauce and chocolate dripping off my plate.  It's BEYOND delicious.  Definitely surprise your special someone tomorrow or this coming weekend with breakfast in bed.  They will be thanking you for days to come for the 'sweet' surprise.

Happy Valentines Day to all my family, friends & readers!  May today be filled with lots of love for you & yours.

xx,
Colleen

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbs butter, melted
2 tbs dark chocolate spread
powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.

Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.

Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Remove from pan and add a dollop of dark chocolate spread. Fold in half lengthwise, then in half again width wise, to create a wedge shape. Top with blueberry topping.  Dust with powered sugar, serve warm. 

Homemade Blueberry Sauce

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons cornstarch, mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon (about 1 tablespoon)

Directions:

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the blueberries, 1/2 cup of water, sugar and lemon juice. Stir frequently, and bring to a low boil.

2. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water.

3. Slowly stir the corn starch into the blueberries, taking care not to crush the blueberries. Simmer until the homemade blueberry sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon, about 5 minutes.

4. Remove from heat and gently stir in vanilla and lemon zest.

Red Velvet Swirl Brownie

One of my favorite cakes is red velvet and I'm a huge fan of brownies, but let's be honest, who isn't?  Well, this recipe is one that is mouth watering and had me going back for a second brownie last night.  I guess I'll have to hit the gym extra hard today to make up for the extra calories :)  I just couldn't help myself!  Duane agreed, it's one of the best red velvet brownie recipes we've ever tried.  If you're looking for a homemade Valentines Day baked recipe, this is the one you should bake!

Happy Cooking xx
Colleen

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, for pan

Red Velvet Brownie Layer:
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup cocoa powder
Pinch salt
1 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon vinegar
2 eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts


Cream Cheese Layer:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Special equipment: 8 by 8-inch baking pan

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Butter an 8 by 8-inch baking pan, and set aside.

Brownie layer: In a saucepan on medium heat melt the butter. Remove the butter to a large bowl and add the sugar, vanilla, cocoa powder, salt, food coloring, and vinegar, in that order, mixing between additions. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl and stir it into the cocoa mix. Fold in the flour until lightly combined. Stir in the walnuts and pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, saving 1/4 cup of the batter for the top.

Cream cheese layer: Blend together the cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Gently spread the cream cheese layer on top of the brownie batter in the pan. Dollop the remaining brownie batter over the cream cheese layer. Using a skewer or the tip of a knife, drag the tip through the cream cheese mixture to create a swirl pattern. Bake the brownies for 30 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack and allow them to cool completely before cutting.

Everlasting flower.

I love the thought of an everlasting handcrafted flower that will never lose it's beauty over the course of time. Flowers will always remain one of the most romantic gestures, so why not have one that can be passed down through family generations?  This delicate, dainty, authentic beauty would be perfect for any lady paired with a poem or love letter for Valentines Day, a Birthday, or Anniversary gift. 

xx,

Colleen 

Sharpie "His" Mug

Every Valentines Day, I like to get my husband a sentimental part to his gift. Half of the time, this means that I'm making something homemade for him, which I absolutely adore doing. This year his main gift had been purchased, along with a few smaller things I wanted to get him, so my Valentines budget had been met.  So, I did a little brainstorming and came up with this gift idea that he'll be able to use daily and it only cost me $4.00! 

Here's the instructions: All you need is a sharpie (any color will work) and a porcelain dish. I purchased my mug from Crate & Barrel.  The great thing about this gift idea, is you can use it as a party favor or for part of a friend's birthday gift. Just draw on the surface of your mug and bake it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow it to cool completely before washing or using. 

After I made my mug I tried scrubbing it with a kitchen sponge and soap. It held up super well to hand washing and the image didn't scratch or fade at all.  I'm pretty sure that even though it's a permanent marker, it'll fade in the dishwasher (according to what I've read online), so I would advise against it!  Just hand-wash your pretty homemade mug to ensure the writing fully stays intact :)

I hope your mug turns out lovely! 

xx
Colleen