Sterling Engagements Wishes: Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's  Day!  As most of you know or are about to learn... I'm a hopeless romantic, so of course Valentine's Day is always a favorite of mine...

 Photo courtesy of deviantArt

I'm always inspired by love, affection and passion between people.  It's part of our business to be as wedding planners but also I am just as an individual.  Today as I sat down to write this post, I was inspired by so many things but here are a few of my favorites that I came across...

Love is....

 

Photo courtesy of deviantArt

 This one's amazing... 

Photo courtesy of  Speaking Beauty

Sweetness...

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

 So hot!

Photo courtesy of  Junebug Weddings

Just precious...

Photo courtesy of Twitter

And of course... my all time favorite!

Photo courtesy of Tumblr   

Have a happy day and wonderful evening however you celebrate! 

Star's Favorite Sweets: Dark Chocolate Love Cookies

Today I am sharing with you one of my new favorite cookie recipes: The Perfect Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookie.  This recipe comes courtesy of Rosie who is the author of one of my favorite blogs, Sweetapolita.  This blog is constantly inspiring me to bake.  My mouth waters just looking at the pictures of her amazing sweet concoctions!  The Perfect Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookie recipe was posted just before the Holidays and I knew I had to try it.  Adding chocolate to anything, even a traditional sugar cookie recipe, is bound to produce delicious results, right?  Let me tell you, it did!  These cookies were such a hit at my annual holiday cookie exchange party that I decided to make them again for Valentine's Day.  My husband loves having home baked cookies out on the counter so I thought I'd surprise him with these love cookies for Valentine's Day.

I must admit, this recipe is quite tedious as it has various steps involving chilling dough, rolling it out, re chilling, cutting shapes, re chilling, etc. but let me tell you, it is well worth it and all of the steps really do matter!  If the steps are followed correctly, this recipe produces the most amazing dark chocolate sugar cookie (which must be why Rosie named them "The Perfect Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookie").  These cookies keep their shape and are an awesome blank canvas for decorating!  They are firm enough to hold together nicely when you pick them up but have a bit of chewiness when you bite into them.  You'll thank me for this one!

Ingredients

      6 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
      1-1/4 cups dark cocoa powder
      1 teaspoon salt
      2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
      2 cups granulated sugar
      1 cup light brown sugar
      3 eggs, cold
      2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. 1. In large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
2. 2. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars until fluffy and pale, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs until just combined.
3. 3. Add flour mixture and mix on low speed until thoroughly combined. Add vanilla and blend.
4. 4. Remove 1/2 of dough from bowl, make a ball, and place on a large piece of plastic wrap on counter.Wrap the sides of wrap over the ball, then press down with the palm of your hand and make a disc about 2" thick. Finish wrapping the disc with the plastic wrap. Repeat with 2nd half of dough. Chill both discs of dough for about 45 minutes.
5. 5. Remove one disc and remove plastic wrap. Place on top of a large piece of parchment paper (I use a silicone rolling mat underneath to ensure it doesn't slip while rolling, but you can even dampen counter so the parchment sticks a bit.), then place two 1/4" wooden dowels on either side of your dough, then another sheet of parchment paper.
6. 6. Roll dough (this will require a bit of elbow grease for the first few minutes until it softens up a bit) so it's flush with dowels--they will ensure that your dough is even thickness.
7. 7. Preheat your oven to 325° F. Slide your parchment paper and dough onto a board, then place in refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
8. 8. Remove from fridge, and cut your shapes using the cutters of your choice, placing them on a baker's half sheet lined with a silicone baking mat (or parchment), with 2" clearance around each one and the edge of sheet. Place sheet with cookies into freezer for 15 minutes before baking. Bake until cookie edges are just crisp, about 16 minutes.
9. 9. Cool sheets on wire racks for 10 minutes, then gently remove cookies and place on wire racks to finish cooling.

Photos courtesy of Sweetapolita

Happy Baking!

-Star

Star's Inspirations: The Perfect Valentine's Day Card

Valentine's Day is right around the corner which means I am on the hunt for the perfect card for my  dear husband.  Cards have always meant a lot to me, even back when I used to adorn them with macaroni.  I enjoy perusing the card isle of my favorite stationary shops and choosing the perfect card for the perfect person on the perfect occasion.  From time to time I even enjoy making my own cards.  

According to History.com, Valentine's Day has been celebrated for centuries in various countries throughout the world.  By the mid 18th century, friends and lovers of all social classes exchanged handwritten notes or small tokens of affection in the name of St. Valentine.  "According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are sent each year... Women purchase approximately 85% of all valentines" - History.com.  Although Valentine's Day can often seem like a cheesy holiday, I must admit, I love it!  I like the idea of taking one day in the middle of cold, gloomy February to express your love for others and feel loved as well.  It's also a good excuse to get a mani-pedi, wear a sexy red dress and if your lucky, get flowers and chocolates!

In previous years, my husband and I exchanged cards for every major event: birthdays, holidays, graduations, promotions, anniversaries, etc.  My hubby always chose a nice card and wrote a thoughtful message in it and I did the same until a few years ago when he suggested that we stop giving each other cards.  He felt that since we'd been together for a number of years, that a card for every occasion was unnecessary.  At first I was disappointed and a little sad, but when I really thought about it, I understood and actually kind of agreed; however, I wasn't ready to say goodbye to exchanging cards forever!  We compromised and decided on two cards a year: One for Valentine's Day and one for our Anniversary (the occasional love note is ok too :).  I kind of enjoy this new tradition because it makes these two cards mean so much more.  Now that we have a little one, I know I may not have the time to peruse the card isle like I used to, so I am shopping online.  I've found so many I love but I've narrowed it down to the following:

I'm slightly obsessed with Paper Source products, and their cards are no exception.  Love these! 

How fun is this check box/fill in the blank card?!

Photos courtesy of Paper Source

Papyrus' cards are always stunning.  They are so detailed and intricate that the recipient of the card can't help but feel special!

Photo courtesy of Papyrus 

Etsy is a great place to find super unique cards.  A few of these are sweet and a few are silly. Love them all!

Photos courtesy of (1) Etsy Shop PABD Elegance, (2) Etsy Shop jdeluce, 

(3) Etsy Shop StrangerDays, (4) Etsy Shop PABD Elegance

Whether you are single, in a relationship, engaged, or married, I hope you'll enjoy choosing the perfect card for a special someone.

XOXO,

Star

Sterling Engagements Wishes: Happy Valentine's Day!

Photo courtesy of Pinterest 

Happy Valentine's Day!  Hope you have a wonderful day however you choose to celebrate.  So whether your staying home and cooking for you and your special one, dining out, drinking cocktails with the girls or even spending the day or night with the newest addition to your family, the entire Sterling team wishes you the best! 

 Photo courtesy of Funny Pictures

Typically I always combine our wish messages with a fabulous image.  Well this year, thanks to the ever so amazing Pinterest, I just cannot decide.  So, here are a few of my favorites I've come across today!

 Photo courtesy of Pinterest

 Photo courtesy of Flights of Fancy

 Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Photo courtesy of Pinterest

Also our newest fashion blogger Jocelyn recently did a red themed photo shoot on love and how Valentine's Day isn't just about love in relationships but also loving everyone around you.  I just love this!  Check it out on Darling Magazine!

Have a very happy day!

DIY With Star: Paper Hearts

I originally learned to make these paper hearts while studying abroad in Denmark almost ten years ago.  I haven't made them in a really long time but thought I would make some to decorate for Valentine's Day.  They are perfect for Valentine's Day, but would also be lovely at a wedding, bridal shower, or birthday party!
This is truly a simple project.  All you need are strips of paper and a stapler!  I used pale pink and cream paper but any color combination would work.  Below is the tutorial to make five paper hearts:

Step 1 - Cut thin strips of paper in the four sizes listed below.  Each paper heart will use one of the longest strips and two of each of the other size strips.

• Five 11inch strips (shown in pink)
• Ten 8 1/2 inch strips (shown in cream)
• Ten 7 1/2 inch strips (show in pink)
• Ten 6 1/2 inch strips (shown in cream)

Step 2 - To make your first heart, fold one of the longest strips in half and place in the middle. Line the strips longest to shortest on either side of the folded strip.

Step 3 - With the fold of the folded strip facing up, add the two longest strips on either side, leaving about an inch or two of the fold sticking out the top.  Continue with the next two sizes on either side.












Continue with the next two sizes on either side.














Staple all of the pieces together at the base.













Step 4 - Starting with the outside strips (the shortest strips), bring each strip down to the lower part of the folded strip.  Once both sides are brought down you will have your first heart shape.  

Continue with the next two sizes.  Staple at the base.



Step 5 - Cut the extra paper off the bottom of the folded piece.

Ta da, your first heart is complete!

Repeat by making four more hearts.  You can then thread ribbon or string through the loop at the top.

I used white twine to string them together and hung them above my kitchen window.  Love them!

I've found these available for sale all over Etsy.  Some sellers have gotten really creative, using bold colors, sheet music and maps... but why buy them when you can make your own?!  Try making your own paper hearts with different types of paper.  Check out some of these ideas.

Photo courtesy of Etsy

Photo courtesy of Etsy

Photo courtesy of Etsy

Happy crafting!

-Star

Happy Valentine's Day

We wish you a love filled day!

Photo Courtesy of Larkie at Large

"I love you. I am who I am because of you. You are every reason, every hope, and every dream I've ever had, and no matter what happens to us in the future, everyday we are together is the greatest day of my life. I will always be yours. "
— Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook)

Happy Early Valentine's Day!

This Saturday is Valentine's Day, one of my most favorite holidays all year round. Since I am a wedding planner, I'd admit it's safe to assume I'm a hopeless romantic to the utmost extent.

With that being said... I have a wedding this Saturday and will be pretty busy over the next few days prepping. So, I hope you all have a wonderful day and feel extra loved all weekend long!