Tammy Mitchell Photography» summer

Pinterest Inspiration: Summer Lovin’

Tammy — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 04:13:59 +0000

I’ve been busy this week with summer activities, so I wanted to give you a little summer inspiration too!!

hope you’re staying cool!
have a great day!
tammy

Campfire

Tammy — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:25:47 +0000

Who knew that $89 at Home Depot would be money SO well spent. These warm summer nights have suddenly become a lot more exciting…even in our sorry excuse for a backyard. I’m seeing many nights sitting on the back porch in my future….

Playing with my ISO here..I think the grain is kinda cool…

this could be dangerous…

Have a great day!

-t

Party Idea: The Ice Cream Man

Tammy — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:43:30 +0000

Guess who likes to stop by our house every day around dinner time???

Yup, you guessed it. He must have our street mapped out for between 4:30 and 6pm everyday…knowing that the entire neighborhood is out enjoying the cooler afternoon air. Mom’s worst nightmare!!

decisions, decisions….

such a big girl!

Did you know that you can actually RENT a good humor truck and ice cream man with the bow tie and everything for your next event??? Would your kidbe the talk of the town if they had an ice cream truck instead of a bounce house next year??? How cool would that be?? On the east coast?? Check out Gold Coast Ice Cream Truck Co. west coaster’s have a look at Ice Cream Truck Rental

Have a great summer afternoon!

-t

Dog Days of Summer

Tammy — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:44:41 +0000

As a photographer I have a hard time looking through catalogs, namely children’s catalogs (pottery barn kids comes to mind) without wishing I could create those perfect picture taking scenarios. You know, the ones where the kids are all at some super cute get-together, or in are in a gorgeous room styled just perfectly for the shoot. Well, I am not above that!! My party planning disease and passion for supre cute pictures are a dangerous combination!! So, the other day I threw together a little “splash party” for the neighborhood kids. A few borrowed sprinklers, a custom made fabric pennant banner (yes, I am that pathetic!!) and a few popsicles and a party was born! Here’s to being a kid again and enjoying the dog days of summer…

Hope you’re having a beautiful summer day!!

-t

Buy One Get One Free Jamba Juice Coupon

Tammy — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:56:32 +0000

Here’s a little something sweet for this hot summer day!! Enjoy!!

Expires August 9th!! Just print to use.

Have a great day!

-t

Party Idea: Host an Old Fashioned Soda Bar

Tammy — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:51:20 +0000

I was looking around a few of my favorite blogs last night and stumbled upon this little gem of an idea over at Project Wedding. Didn’t I tell you I love wedding sites???

If you’ve ever been to a little party of mine you know that I LOVE retro soda. It’s way expensive a lot of times and totally frivilous but I LOVE the glass bottles, bright colors, and vintage labels. YUM!!! I definitely consider it a decoration. Around the holidays many of my favorite soda and juice makers (Jones, Boyer and Izze) create special flavors and colors just for that particular holiday. Jones make a candy corn for halloween and gingerbread for Christmas, Izze has special blackberry just for hallowen. So fun!!! So you can imagine my pure delight when I saw these images….

Yes, my heart did just skip a beat. lol!

Imagine pairing them with these beauties…

you can find them here.

A couple of my favorite places to find sodas are Costco (cases of Izze bottles for reasonble prices), Cost Plus World Market (their selection varies by store), Target (great selection of Jones) and BevMo. They have a GREAT selection of TONS of sodas by the bottle or case in the back along one ofthe walls. It’s great if you want a large variety because you can by them by the bottle. If you’re looking for even more you can find a bunch at Beverages Direct This one is my favorite at BevMo:

It’s hard to find, but if you love all things pineapple like I do, it is a MUST try. Waialua Soda Works definitely knows what they’re doing when it comes to soda!! I just wish they were closer and I could try them all! Good news though, you can order them directly through their site linked above!

I think I feel a photo shoot coming with these fun colored sodas…hmmm…

Hope you’re feeling inspired!!

Have a great day!
-t

Summer Party Idea: Turqouise and Lemon Drop Wedding

Tammy — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:10:07 +0000

I am feeling inspired. It’s been a while since I threw a little shindig and I’m kind of getting the hankering for one now…especially after seeing this over at Amorology Weddings. I secretly want to be a wedding/party planner when I grow up. I LOVE looking at wedding blogs for inspiration. So many of the ideas can be transformed to everyday use– it’s great! Check out the photos from this turquoise and lemon drop inspired wedding and tell me you aren’t in the mood to host a little garden party…

The color pallette was AMAZING!!!!

Love, love love the idea of the lemon drops holding up the place cards…SO cute!!!

Remember when I found these yummy vintage blue glasses at HG a few months ago??? Well, I’m thinking those combined with the millions of lemons from my parents backyard and we’ve got a party!!

Thanks for the inspiration Heather! If you’re looking for some more great paty ideas check out Amorology Weddings.

Have a great day!

-t

Craft and Party Ideas: Host a 4th of July Party

Tammy — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:02:28 +0000

I was checking out one of my favorite blogs–twig and thistle and ran across these SUPER cute sparkler covers and matchbook covers. What a great idea for your guests and they’re super easy to make so you can whip them up easily before Saturday!! There’s even a template to print out to make it extra simple!

Check out the post here for all the instructions and templates.

Have a great day!

-t

Design Inspiration: A Cottage Beach House in your own backyard

Tammy — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:12:58 +0000

In Orange County we aren’t allowed to have backyards but a girl can dream, right?

Does it get any cuter than that? I love the simplicity of it. Rattan mats for wall coverings, tree trunks for bedside tables, a couple of old palettes painted n a yummy shade of blue for the base of the daybed…all very DIY friendly. I love the idea that you can take a build it yourself shed from Lowe’s or Home Depot and turn it in to something so beautiful. Who wouldn’t want to come stay at you house??

Hope you’re feeling inspired!

Have a great day!

-t

Let’s Party: How to Host a Mother’s Day Brunch — Recipes Included!

Tammy — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:04:16 +0000

It’s that time of year…time to celebrate all of our wonderful mothers! I thought I’d share a few ideas I’ve been putting together for a brunch for mom this year. I’t super easy and looks great so maybe you can throw one together for your mom too!

I’ve been in the gardening mood lately. We’re growing tomatoes, herbs, and strawberries in our backyard in pots this year..in OC we can’t get away with much more than that! I’m in the mood for springy, gardening type things and it is kind of influencing my mother’s day plans. :) i LOVE this idea from MS for table numbers/namecards. Head to your local Home Depot and pick up a few seed packets and turn thm into something beautiful. Mixed in with glassware and white china…how pretty! In keeping with the theme how about berries and spring veggies?

I also love this idea of silverware in white linen napkins tied with raffia and antique button cards…but, in keeping with our theme, why not do your own take on this idea and tie them up with raffia and a garden marker which can double as a placecard when you write their name on it.

Fresh flowers placed in farmer’s market tins are super pretty and easy. You can find the tins at your local craft store and they are great to have around for all kinds of occassions.

I have been saving this idea to use for a LONG time and I think this might just be the occassion… isn’t it so pretty??? (courtesy of cottage living)

I think it was really the antique blue glasses combined with the lemonade and coral accents that really got me. So, I’ve been hunting and look what I scored just yesterday at my decorating/party planning mecca…

My very own beautiful blue glasses…and for only 2.00 a pop! Not bad if you ask me!

For a little favor for mom how about these cute little baskets of scones and strawberries at every place setting?

These fun country touches combined with your elegant (and easy) gourmet menu…here’s a fave recipe…will make for a memorable day for mom!

Stuffed French Toast

1 Large Ripe Peach, peeled and pit removed
1 Pint Strawberries, stem removed and diced small
4 Ounces Cream Cheese, soft
1 Tablespoon Sugar

1 Loaf of Brioche, Challah, or White Bread, unsliced
3 Large Eggs
1 1/4 Cups Milk
1 Tablespoon Sugar
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1/4 Teaspoon Cinnamon
Butter and Vegetable Oil for frying
Maple Syrup

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Filling Cut one half of the peach into 1/4 inch slices and set aside for topping later. Dice the other half of the peach into small cubes (about 1/4″). Mash together with a fork or mixer the diced peach and strawberries, 1 Tbl sugar, and cream cheese. Cut the bread into 1 inch slices. Using a serrated knife, cut a pocket in the side of each slice of bread. Try to make the pocket as deep as possible without cutting through the other side.
Place 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture into each pocket.

Batter In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and 1 Tbl sugar.

Heat up a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Place two or three slices of bread in the batter and let soak for 5 seconds. Flip over and soak again for 5 seconds. Remove the bread from the batter and place on a plate. Let the bread stand for 1 minute so the batter can soak in. Add a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the pan.
Place the soaked bread into the hot pan. When you have all the slices in the pan, start soaking the next three pieces as described before.
Cook each side until a light golden brown. Place on a cookie sheet or wire rack. When all the pieces have been fried, place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and top each serving with sliced peaches. Serve with maple syrup.

Have a great day!!

-t