Etsy Love | Entertaining Part I

1. Bunting Flags /// 2. Serving Spoons /// 3. Mini Planters /// 4. Coasters

Loving these goodies for a fun-filled get together!

Etsy Love | Peachy Keen

1. Peach & Black Geometric Mouse Pad /// 2. Stoneware Coffe Cups in Pink & Ecru /// 3. Geometric Wool Pillow in Rose/Black/White /// 4. Horizon Tea Towel by Leah Duncan

What we're loving: navajo patterns in ballet pink, peach and black.

Esty Love | At Home + Out & About

1. Succulent Glass Terrarium /// 2. Color Block iPhone Case /// 3. Painted Wood Vases ///

4. Blood Orange Lip Butter

What we're loving: Geometric color clocking in peachy & pastel hues.

Mrs. E & Mrs. B | Poolside & Beachside Essentials

1. J.Crew /// 2. Madewell /// 3. SunBum /// 4. Milly /// 5. Sunglasses /// 6. Zimmermann

1. hat /// 2. dress /// 3. swimsuit /// 4. Sunscreen /// 5. sandals

With my (very belated) honeymoon to Hawaii coming up in just a couple of weeks and Emma, currently battling the Texas heat, we've both been dying to add some new piece to our wardrobes before the season ends.

xoxo

Mrs.E & Mrs. B

Mrs. E at Home | Sydney at 2 Months

 I still can't believe that Sydney is already two months old. These past weeks have just flown by! 

I'm slowly adjusting to life with less sleep and it's true what they say - the payoff is totally worth it. Every second with Sydney is precious - she is such a sweet baby.

I'm starting to look foward to being back in the studio (as of September). Bailey and I have some really exciting plans for Antiquaria that I can't wait to get started on!

In the meantime, here are a couple of snap shots from the past week. 

xoxo Emma

Photography by Kelly Lynn James

Wet Your Whistle | 3 Baby Shower Drink Ideas

One of our favorite parts of planning Emma's baby shower (which was featured on Camille Styles last month if you haven't seen all the fun details) was coming up with delicious but virgin mock-tails to serve to all of the guests. After perusing Pinterest and some of our favorite blogs we came up with 3 refreshing ways to quench their thirst!

This Cucumber Rosemary Chiller is the perfect thing to pair with tea sandwiches. The herbal, citrusy & crisp combo of cucumber, rosemary and lemon is refreshing & unusual.

*We juiced the cucumber and rosemary in a juicer instead of muddling. This way, it yields more juice and you retain a bright green color.*

Talk about a burst of flavor! This Ginger-Basil Spritzer is zingy and perfect for a hot day (and we've had a lot of those lately)!

*We used Maine Root Ginger Beer for it's bright, gingery flavor.*

A gorgeous dispenser of flavored water is essential at any party. This one is flavored with citrus (lemons and limes), mint and cucumber. For a fun touch, freeze baby roses in ice cubes the night before the party to dress up your water glasses!

A big thank you to Kelly Lynn James for the gorgeous photos & documenting such a special day.

Mrs. E & Mrs.B | Summer Frocks & Beachy Totes

1. Zimmerman Dress /// 2. Alice+Olivia /// 3. Maiyet /// 4. Thakoon Addition

1. Sensi Studio /// 2. FEED tote /// 3. Los Angeles Market Bag /// 4. Joie

Sometimes a good floral dress and the perfect beach tote can be hard to find.

xo

Mrs. E & Mrs. B

Announcing Miss Sydney Perle

On June 20, 2013 we welcome little Syndey Perle into our Antiquaria family. She's the daughter of Antiquaria partner and designer extraordinare Emma James and her husband Chris.

She is tiny, gorgeous and perfect! Welcome to the world sweet girl.

Birth announcements designed by Emma James for Antiquaria. For more information about our custom design services, please email us at info@shopantiquaria.com or call 512 789-4479 to speak with us directly.

Photography by Kelly Lynn James

©antiquaria 2013

Food Crave | Lemon Bars

The other day, I stumbled across an old journal entry of mine about lemon bars. I really hadn't given the dessert a second thought for the longest time...but as soon as I read about how I'd made them and how tart and delicious they were, my mouth was watering. I wanted one right then and there.

I referred to a few notes that I jotted down back in the day. They read as follows:

"The key is to pat the shortbread crust out evenly and then work the dough up the sides with damp fingers. Also with damp fingers, even out the bottom. This will make the crust perfect every time."

and

"You must mix the custard by hand. In my experience, a electric mixer incorporates too much air into the mixture and ends up making unfortunate bubbles when baking."

I also noted to "drop the pan on the counter a couple of times to get the bubbles to the surface before baking.

 Did I follow my own advice? For the most part.

I tried but I didn't pay enough attention to coaxing the crust up the sides of the pan. While it wasn't too difficult to get the edge pieces out, they were a bit less than perfect looking. Plus...the pan was a pain and a half to clean! Make certain your shortbread goes up the side as far us as the filling is going to go to avoid this! 

Trust me. Lesson learned (again).

Another Note: Lemon bars need a thick crust. I mean...can you really have too much shortbread? Nope. 

So I doubled it.

Lemon Bars

with Rose Scented Shortbread Crust

Makes 16 squares

the Ingredients

Crust (already doubled):
2 cups butter
1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
2 tsp Lemon Zest
1/2 tsp rosewater
2 cups All Purpose Flour
pinch of Salt

Topping:

4 Eggs
2 cup Sugar
4 TBSP Flour
6 TBSP Fresh Lemon Juice (1-2 lemons)

the Method

Preheat over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Get out a 8"x8" baking pan.

To make the crust, beat the butter and sugar together in a stand mixer until creamy. Add the lemon zest,  rose water, flour and salt and mix completely. Dump the mixture out into the pan and press with your fingers until it covers bottom and goes a ways up the side. You can wet your fingers to make this easier, if needed.

Bake the crust until golden brown ~ 25 minutes. Remove and cool on a rack.

Meanwhile, make the filling. Beat the eggs, sugar, flour, lemon juice and zest until blended completely. Pour this over the cooled crust. Gently drop the pan to remove any bubbles in the filling before putting it into the oven.

Bake for ~25 or until the top is dry and slightly browned (not much at all). The filling will still be soft and gooey in the center.  Cool again and cut once completely cooled. It helps to wipe the knife off after each pass to keep the bars pretty crumb-free!

If you want, you can top with a dusting of powdered sugar right before serving...although they're so good it's not really needed!

*Recipe adapted slightly from The Fannie Farmer Baking Book--my favorite resource for baking recipes!

Wet Your Whistle | Watermelon Smash

Last week, I got the most adorable watermelon. It was about 1/8th the size of a normal sized one so it was absolutely perfect for 2 people. Instead of eating it, we decided to make cocktails to cool of since the weather was sweltering. This drink is so delicious...it's hard to just have one!

Watermelon Smash

serves one

the Ingredients

 1/4 cup cubed watermelon

1TBSP Mint, torn

1 TBSP Simple Syrup (I used this Lemon Verbena SS)

2 oz. Tequila
Juice from 1/2 Lime

Sparkling Water or Club Soda

Ice Cubes

the Method

In a low ball glass, muddle together the watermelon, mint and simple syrup. Add tequila and ice cubes. Top with the lime juice and sparkling water or soda, to taste.

This drink is so refreshing on a hot day!

Let the Celebrations Begin!

Wishing you all a wonderful and safe Fourth of July! 

The studio will be closed the 4th and 5th for the holiday so that we can spend some quality time with friends and family. 

Have questions while we're gone? Shoot us an email and we'll get back with you as soon as we return on Monday. Any orders placed over the long weekend will be processed then as well.

Cheers!

Bailey & Emma

SPOTTED | Emma's Baby Shower

We were so excited when we spied our very own Emma James' gorgeous baby shower over on Camille Styles yesterday! Pop over to her post to view all of the adorable details.

photos by Kelly Lynn James

Thanks Camille!

Farmers Market Find | Apricot Cream Cheese Tart

I (Bailey) am so excited to share a another brand new food series to the blog, Farmer's Market Find! 

After relocating to sunny California a year and a half ago, I've been spoiled by the wealth of fabulous produce that can be found at my local Farmers Market. I've gotten into the habit of religiously going early every Saturday morning to stock up on fruits, vegetables, eggs and meat for the week. 

In this series, I will feature one seasonal fruit or vegetable that I found at the market and share a delicious, fresh & easy way to use it. First up...Apricot Cream Cheese Tart!

Apricot Cream Cheese Tart

Serves 8

the Ingredients

Tart Dough (makes 2 shells)

3 cups Flour

1/3 cup Powdered Sugar

1 1/2 cups Unsalted Butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes and chilled

1/3 cup Ice Water

Topping

8 oz. Cream Cheese, at room temperature

1 cup Heavy Cream

1/3 cup Powdered Sugar

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Zest of 1 Lemon

8 Ripe Apricots, pitted and cut into 1/4 inch slices

the Method

First, you will make your tart dough. Pour your flour & sugar into a large mixing bowl.  Then, add the chilled butter cubes. Using you fingertips, combine the butter into the flour mixture until is resembles coarse sand.*

Add the ice water 1 tsp at a time, stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture begins sticking together (it may take a bit more or less than the 1/3 cup called for). Divide the mix into 2 disks and wrap with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator to chill for an hour (or the freezer if you do not plan on using it within the next day or so).

Once the dough has chilled and is firm, place the disk on a floured board. Roll the dough out into a circle large enough to accommodate your tart pan (mine was an 11"). Place the dough in the pan and press of the excess on the top edge. Make sure that you have sturdy sides, reinforcing them if needed. Prick the bottom with a fork to avoid the crust puffing up in the oven. Place the crust in the freezer for 5 minutes.

Bake the tart shell in a preheated oven (425 degrees F) for 15-18 minutes or until light golden brown in color.

While the crust is in the oven, you will make your filling.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add your room temperature cream cheese. Beat on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Then add in the heavy cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, vanilla and lemon zest. Beat on medium until a smooth consistency has formed. 

Once the crust is out of the oven and cooled, spread your cream cheese filling evenly into the bottom. Cover and chill the tart for at least one hour. When you're ready to serve the dessert, top the tart with your slices of apricot, starting on the outer rim and filling inward in concentric circles. Overlap the slices so that the filling doesn't show through. 

---------------

*This can be done in a food processor, although, I've never really had success using this method. I find that truly hand-made dough is the best & most flakey. It may take a bit longer (~5 min.) but the results are totally worth the effort.

With the extra bits of crust & filling, I made these mini tarts! Aren't they so cute?

For all the Dads...

Wishing all of the dads out there a wonderful & special day!

xoxo

Bailey & Emma

5 Ingredients...or Less | Sesame Mixed Greens

I (Bailey) really love to cook and to eat. Sometimes, though, when you're tired, it's hot, the kitchen's dirty (insert any other potential reason here)...I have a really hard time feeling inspired to prepare something for my family. 

I'm really lucky because many years ago (before starting Antiquaria with Emma), I was a part time cook for a family of 4. I absolutely loved researching recipes and grocery shopping for my by-weekly trips to their house. Once there, I would prepare one meal for them to eat fresh that evening and then prep a meal for them to cook the next day when I wasn't there. 

The experience was amazing and it really helped define the way that I cook today. In my new column, 5 Ingredients...or Less, I will share simple (very simple) recipes that you can use/adapt/substitute to your heart's content. It's upon these nuts and bolts basics that I build almost every meal that I make...swapping an ingredient here, adding an in-season pick there, until you have something totally different and wonderful!

This first recipe is so delicious. It's a very basic salad that has exceptional flavor. The sesame oil and balsamic vinegar play well with each other and highlight basically anything you put with them. With just 5 ingredients, you have a wonderful side salad or starter course. Add in a protein, maybe some chicken or chickpeas and you have the perfect light summer supper! This is just for one large serving but simply multiply the ratios accordingly to serve 4 (or 20) people!

Sesame Mixed Greens

Serves One

the Ingredients

1 tsp Balsamic Vinegar

1 tsp Sesame Oil

1 tsp Olive Oil, preferably extra virgin

2-3 handfuls baby lettuce

Salt & Pepper (pinch each)

EXTRAS:

1 orange, segmented

1/2 cup mint leaves, or to taste

the Method

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the first 3 ingredients.
Add the salt and pepper (a pinch of each) and whisk once more. Taste and adjust as needed.
Gather handfuls of chilled, crisp lettuce leave (mine were from the garden) and toss them in the dressing.

Plate the greens and add in your orange segments & mint leaves (also from my garden), if desired.

Inspired Bridal Registry | Santorini Modern

Need a vacation but can't take the time? Bring home the colors of a far-away beach destination with our Santorini Collections.  Sit back, relax and let the aqua's, whites and gold take you to paradise.

Santorini  Vintage Place Setting x 6

Napkins

Wine Glasses

Cordial Glasses

Lowball Glasses

Leaf Serving Dish

{Photo Credits: Antiquaria & Kelly Lynn James}

If you are interest in creating a custom vintage registry with us, please email info@shopantiquaria.com. We will send you the information and forms needed to start the process!

Mrs.E & Mrs.B | Things we love that Spakle and Shine

In preparation for holiday outfitting, we picked a few of our favorite sparklies to share this week.

Enjoy! 

xoxo Emma 

1. Stonecut Necklace // 2. Flag Form Necklace // 3. Mociun Earrings // 4. Mociun earrings // 5. Catbird Ring // 6. Mociun Ring

1. Ariel Gordon Monogram Ring // 2. Satomi Kawakita Ring // 3. Wax Seal Necklace  // 4. Vintage Pearl Ring // 5. Vintage Denio Necklace // 6. Vintage Ring // 7. Catbird Earrings // 8. 1920s Austrian Bracelet

Mrs.E & Mrs.B | We Heart Art

This week we've been working on artwork for the holiday magazine and thought it would be fun to share some artwork that inspires us (and that we'd love to hang on our walls). 

Enjoy!

Emma

1. Gemma Correll // 2. vintage Batik Sarong // 3. Matthew Korbel-Bowers // 4. Speakerine

1. Ashley Goldberg  // 2. Luli Wallace // 3. Kristen Stolle  // 4. Luli Wallace

Mrs.E & Mrs.B | Nesting

This week was a busy one for Bailey. Her parents drove a 16" truck out from Austin filled with her long-collected treasures. As the week unfolded, we found ourselves having many conversations about what we love in our homes. Although most of our home decor is vintage, here are a few new items that we especially love. 

enjoy, Emma

1. Merseille Coverlett / 2. Cat Bookends / 3. Lamp / 4. Breadboard / 5. Crewel Rug

1. Turkish Pillow / 2. Jonathan Adler tray / 3. Cowhide Rug / 4. Papa Bear Chair / 5. New York City Print / 6. Heath Ceramics Container Set

Mrs.E & Mrs.B | Cozy & Carry

This week I've been praying for it to feel like Fall. We have had a true Indian Summer here in Los Angeles and much as I appreciate these lovely warm days we've been having, I'm yearning to get out my sweaters and boots and cozy up for autumn.  This week Bailey and I picked our favorite sweaters and bags to cozy-in and carry-all. 

enjoy, Emma

1. Chloe Bag / 2. Sonia Rykiel Sweater / 3. The Camden Bag / 4. Aubin&Wills Sweater / 5. J.Crew Bag / 6. Isabel Marant Sweater

1. The Lovelock Clutch / 2. Collette Sweater / 3. Vintage Liz Claiborne Bag / 4. Madewell Cardigan / 5. Loeffler Randall Tote  / 6. Chinti & Parker Sweater

photo sources clockwise from top left: 1. via Willow Frank / 2. via lyla&blu / 3. via Picship / 4. from here / 5. via cascata