Snippet & Ink

February Giveaway | Cosmos Bandeaux by Jennifer Behr

Jennifer Behr creates some of the most beautiful bridal accessories out there – . Well, this week of Valentine’s day, one Snippet & Ink reader will win a gorgeous Cosmos Bandeaux from Jennifer Behr! Here she is layered under an ethereal drop veil, plus a few more of my favorite Jennifer Behr pieces (you might remember the pretty crystal piece I wore at my own wedding…). All photos by Belathée.

Credits: Jennifer Behr

Here she is again, that pretty Cosmos, valued at $625. Made by hand in Jennifer Behr‘s New York City workshop with Swarovski crystals, it’s a true heirloom piece that is both timeless and of-the-moment.

So, how to win?! Just leave a comment on this post letting us know how the Cosmos Bandeaux would complete your bridal look (extra points for evocative descriptions).

Contest begins Monday, February 11, 2013 at 10:30AM PST, and ends Thursday, February 14, 2013 at 11:59PM PST. The winner will be selected by Snippet & Ink, and notified by email. Please note: winner must live in the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec).

Official contest rules.

Signature Cocktail | Spiked Hot Chocolate Bar

11Feb 2013 13 comments posted SEE MORE: Inspired Ideas, Signature Cocktails

What better way to warm up a winter wedding than with a decadent, spiked hot chocolate – complete with rich whipped cream and garnishes your guests can serve up themselves. Use your favorite hot chocolate for this recipe (a new personal favorite of mine is Christopher Elbow’s Cocoa Noir Drinking Chocolate - so dark and delicious!).

Recipe by Maggie of Eat Boutique. Photos by White Loft Studio.

Credits: White Loft Studio

Add to the fun by letting guests add the booze and toppings of their choice. Our garnishes here include: toasted sliced almonds, turbinado sugar, coconut, brownie chunks, and chocolate, white chocolate, and butterscotch chips.

Credits: White Loft Studio

Says Maggie: “When the temperatures get frigid, only one type of warmed mug will do. It has to be deep, filled with fine hot chocolate and hand-whipped cream. And sometimes, after a snowy shoveling marathon, I add a shot of something strong and indulgent. I prefer the nutty flavor of Amaretto; it hints at July almond harvests in Sicily, exactly where I want to be in the middle of winter. But experiment with your favorite liqueur – Bourbon, brandy, Kahlua and rum are all lovely options.”

Spiked Hot Chocolate
Serves 2

Ingredients:
• 1 cup of your favorite hot cocoa mix
• ¾ ounce of Amaretto, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• various sweet treats for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Whip cream in a metal bowl with a whisk until soft peaks form. Mix in 1 tablespoon of Amaretto and set in the fridge until ready to use.
2. Prepare your favorite hot cocoa mix according to package directions. Stir in ¾ ounce of Amaretto. Pour evenly between two small cups and top with a dollop of whipped cream.
3. Garnish with anything your heart desires, such as shredded coconut or slivered almonds.

See more pics of this yummy spiked hot chocolate in the gallery.

13 comments posted +add a comment SEE MORE: Inspired Ideas, Signature Cocktails

Sunday Edition #220

10Feb 2013 2 comments posted SEE MORE: Sunday Editions

Credits: Henrikas Kudirka

by Henrikas Kudirka

2 comments posted +add a comment SEE MORE: Sunday Editions

Happy Weekend!

8Feb 2013 2 comments posted SEE MORE: Weekend Round-Ups

Ryan and I don’t have much of a tradition for this holiday – we usually just try to go out to dinner sometime the week of Valentine’s Day, but that’s about it. My personal Valentine tradition is to consume as much chocolate as I like, guilt-free. Do you have any fun or romantic ways to spend February 14th?

1969 Coca-Cola ad.

Chocomap, where have you been all my life? via Ruby PR.

How pretty is the header for Wolf & Wood?

Comic book heroes washing windows, via Paper Tastebuds.

Make your Valentine a winner with this prize ribbon kit from Shanna Murray.

I’d love to have this map of San Francisco.

And these funny little ice cream bowls, via Mint.

Everyday flying objects by Cerise Doucede.

Food gifts to bring to French people from America.

No-Bake Nutella Chocolate Wafer Ice Cream Cake? Yes, please.

Heart dice are a playful DIY Valentine.

If you follow us on facebook then you probably saw this already: Salted Caramel Brownies hello.

Snippet & Ink contributor Eat Boutique has been nominated for Best Food Photography on a Blog by The Kitchn! Hop on over and vote!

Have a happy weekend, everyone!

2 comments posted +add a comment SEE MORE: Weekend Round-Ups

Meet Our Sponsors!

8Feb 2013 1 comments posted SEE MORE: Sponsored Posts

Since many of you subscribe to Snippet & Ink through RSS, you don’t get to see the sponsors on the sidebar – these are some the wonderful vendors who help to support this blog. Without them, there would be no Snippet & Ink! Some of them are longtime sponsors, and others are new, and they’re all wonderful. So I wanted to bring them to your attention, with the hope that you’ll discover a fabulous vendor that was just what you were looking for.