Could I Ask You a Favor?

With Christmas only six days away, it is beginning to finally feel like Christmas. I have finished buying, making and wrapping my gifts; I have redesigned my blog and seen one children's pageant; and I am home.

In the spirit of Christmas, I have a favor to ask of you lovely readers. I have recently entered the beau and I in a little contest, where the winner receives a free photo shoot. I would be forever grateful if you took one minute of your time to go vote for us. The contest closes on Christmas Eve, and "The Cutest Couple" will be announced on Christmas!

You can vote once a day, so feel free to vote every day this week, and share with your friends via Twitter and Facebook. Here is the full link to share: http://loveandluxephoto.blogspot.com/2011/12/love-luxes-cutest-couple-contest-vote.html. If you need more convincing, here is a video documenting our five year relationship. Enjoy!




Thank you for all of your help and support!

Merry Christmas!

-Beth Pin It

Askinosie Chocolate Meringue Pie

Over Thanksgiving, I made one of my favorite desserts with a new twist.

I made chocolate meringue pie with an Askinosie single origin chocolate bar from Ecuador. 

It. Was. De-li-cious!

And super simple...

Pie Crust Recipe from Fanny Farmer Cookbook

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups of unbleached flour
• 3/4 cup of butter
• 1/2 teaspoon of Kosher salt
• 6-7 Tablespoons of water

Directions:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients.
2. Cut in the fat. (A pastry cutter works lovely!)
3. Add the water one Tablespoon at a time so that it just sticky as a ball.
4. Roll the dough out into a thin circle.
5. Place the dough in the pie pan and flute the edges.
6. Bake in the oven for 17 minutes at 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Recipe for the Chocolate Custard from Green & Black


Ingredients:

• 4 large free-range egg yolks
• 45 g of sugar
• 20 g plain flour
• 350 mL of milk
• 70 g of Askinosie chocolate bar (save the left over for the top)

Directions:

1. Whisk together the egg yolks & sugar.
2. Sift in the flour & whisk that in.
3. Heat milk to boiling point.
4. Pour onto the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
5. Return the mixture to the saucepan & bring to a boil over LOW heat. You want it to be thick and smooth.
6. Remove from heat and add the chocolate until fully mixed.

Recipe for the Meringue TexasCooking.com

Ingredients:

• 3 egg whites from large eggs
• 6 Tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions:

1. Beat the egg whites at high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
2. With mixer running, add the cream of tartar.
3. Then gradually add the sugar, a Tablespoon at a time, and beat until stiff peaks form.
4. Beat in the vanilla.
5. Pie atop pie and seal the edges to the crust.
6. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Let your pie cool before you put into the fridge to keep it from dewing. 

And enjoy!

-Beth

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The PR Belle

So I have a new blog...

Coffee, Culture and Community is NOT going anywhere, though. I started The PR Belle for my public relations social media class earlier this semester, and for now, I am going to keep maintaining both of my blogs.

The PR Belle focuses solely on social media, public relations, marketing, the job hunt, etc. In other words, I will no longer be blogging about public relations or my career on this blog. Over the next couple of months, I may be changing some things up a bit, but I want this blog to focus on my passions: traveling, culture, coffee and non-profit organizations I care about with a little dash of personal stuff thrown in.

If you are following this blog for PR and social media tips, feel free to check out The PR Belle. Otherwise, thank you for stopping by and supporting me! We will continue our journey through the coffee world, traveling chums.

-Beth

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The Trevor Wedding

Looking back at some previous posts, I realized I never got around to sharing Lizzy's wedding with you, and I apologize greatly because it was a beautiful occasion. I was so honored to be a part of this lovely couple's special day.

I went up to St. Louis about once a month helping Lizzy with wedding details, so even though I did not spend a whole week with her, I was there a lot. Lizzy's friends became my friends. I realized how incredible weddings are because they bring so many different people together who all love the same couple.

Lizzy's wedding was vintage inspired. If anyone knows Lizzy, you know that she was born in the wrong time period. She does not have Facebook, she just broke down to get a cell phone, she does not have a TV, etc. 

She looked like an old photograph coming to life.

Gorgeous. Glamorous. Poised.

All of the bridesmaids wore navy dresses they picked out themselves with Lizzy's approval. She wanted them all to have a vintage, unique feel. I bought my simple, lace-backed dress in mall in Quito, and some amazing, vintage-laced heels in a local shop in St. Louis. My pearl cluster necklace was my bridesmaid's gift from Lizzy, which perfectly matched my pearl earrings from a tiny coastal shop in Puerto Lopez. I bought my gorgeous vintage clutch (not pictured here) at Vintage Vice in Springfield. 

My beau was such a huge help, and I loved having him there. 

Right before the ceremony, it began to rain.  It was emotional and heart-breaking, but everyone came together in a beautiful way to save all the decorations with tarps. When the rain passed about 15 minutes later, we reset like it never happened, and the ceremony was perfect.

I loved the little boys carrying the "Here Comes the Bride" sign, such a precious idea!

It was great to be a part of the wedding party. I had never been in a wedding of such a close friend up close in the action. I bawled like a little baby and had goosebumps all over because there was something about that moment that was

magical.

I wish them best the best! And I will treasure these memories forever.

-Beth

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Brighter than the Sun

So over Thanksgiving break, my friend, Suzie, and I made a music video to Colbie Caillat's "Brighter Than the Sun."

Why you ask?

Because that is what every 20 something girl does when she visits high school friends.

Well, maybe not,

but that's what my friends do.

I thought I would share my silly side with your all:

P.S. I am loving the new YouTube look! 

-Beth

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