Your City: Cupcake A La Mode

Yes, yes my lovelies, I re-named my feature to "Your City" rather than "Your City Thursday".  With wedding season in full swing and me trying to crank out new jewelry on a regular basis my blogging rate has dropped from daily to three times a week.  But don't despair this will certainly be enough to get your fill of emmy-ray. 

This week for "Your City" I wanted to feature Cupcake A La Mode.  I've been hearing all the buzz about this lovely local business, and finally made a point to haul my cookies there this week.  Needless to say I was not disappointed.  I ventured to the West Plaza location at 1209 W. 47th St. and went inside to be greeted by delicious smells and treats of all shapes and sizes.  Aprons, cook books, cupcake jewelry, and other adorable merchandise, plus friendly and helpful customer service.  And let's not forget the most important part, the cupcakes.  I purchased the "Vanilla Creme de Cocoa" and the "ChocoLatte" (my favorite of the two).  Both were delicious and I even managed to share a few bites with my husband. 

Adorable aprons for sale.

Loved the black chandeliers and colorful decor.

Selection of delicious cupcakes.  It's hard to choose just one or two!

Find out more about this local business by visit their website: Cupcake A La Mode Online.  Buy handmade, buy local!

emmy-ray "One Of" Line, first look

Hello loves.  Well after the past few hectic months I've finally got enough new items to start updating my shop and all of you on whats new with emmy-ray.  I've been working hard on creating my new line, and I'm still not finished.  However here's a first look for all of my faithful readers.  Almost all of these new pieces are one of a kind, so once they're gone, they're gone!  As I update my online shop, and distribute pieces to local retailers I'll pass along the deets of where you can buy.  Enjoy...

love,  emily

 

Stay tuned for more updates...

For the love of flowers: And We're Off!

Hello loves.  It's been a crazy weekend, and the next four weeks are booked solid.  Yep, you guessed it, wedding season is finally upon us and that's what I'll be doing for the next three weekends.  April 24th was Lauren and Adam's wedding.  An intimate affair with family and friends.  She couldn't have chosen more beautiful flowers.  And the colors...I die.  More pictures coming weekly as I work, work, work.  Loving all my brides and grooms this year, it should be a good season.

love, emily

See more of my flowers from past wedding at: www.emmy-ray.com

Making a Difference: Home of Hope

Hello loves, I want to take a minute this Wednesday morning to share something with you.  It's a little more "serious" of a topic than I usually delve into, but one that is important with an uplifting message.  Please read this full post. 

I met Sage and Jarrett when I was getting my undergraduate degree in Springfield.  Sage is a printmaker, like me, and is now a teacher at a few of the colleges in Springfield.  Her work is so lovely, and to see it up close there is so much going on, I could look at it for hours. 

 

I was lucky enough to become good friends with both Sage and Jarrett throughout our time in college, and can say that they are one of my favorite pairs of people (I like them separately as well), and I recently got to spend a weekend at their lovely house in Springfield catching up. 

During her time in graduate school Sage traveled to India to work with Project Rescue, an organization that works to stop sex trafficking in India.  More specifically the Home of Hope where Sage worked in 2008 offers a safe place for children of sex trafficking victims to have a clean bed, do homework, eat meals, build community, and begin to have their childhood restored.  They have eleven homes throughout India.

Sage and Jarrett are both planning to travel back to India this summer to do more work with Project Rescue.  They plan to head there in August, and the reason for my post (other than to raise awareness) is to let everyone know that they are having an art auction right her in Kansas City in June to help raise additional fund for their travels.  It will be First Friday, June 4th, in the Crossroads district at the gallery owned by Stacey Schmitz, at 217 W. 19th Terr.  They will be auctioning prints created by the children from the home in Nagpur where Sage stayed in 2008.  Come check out the art, enjoy the community, and hopefully give to a good cause!  Find out more about Sage and Jarrett's trip and Project Rescue on their blog Home of Hope.

What to Wear?: First outfit post

Hello loves.  As a blogger who is obsessed with fashion, it is inevitable that I end up looking at tons and tons of style blogs.  I always check out what other girls are wearing and think about how cute it is.  I decided to go ahead and start doing a few of these posts myself.  This is my very first one, so excuse the poor photography (however it did give me a chance to try out my new tripod and remote).  This outfit came almost completely from a clothing swap I did back in the winter with Jessie from The Concrete Catwalk, and several other fun ladies.  Hope you enjoy!

Tank and skirt, clothing swap. Necklace, emmy-ray. Belt, vintage/thrifted. Sandals, Steve Madden Summer '09.

The Money Pit: Cane pattern madness!

Happy Monday lovelies!

We're getting close to being done with all the painting in our home, and last weeks project was the stairwell and upstairs hallway.  Ambitious little home decorator that I am I decided to paint a cane pattern on the walls.  I masked it off with painters "frog tape", no easy task mind you, and got to work.  I chose a lovely chartreuse green color (one of my favorites so far) and finished it up just in time for the open house we had on Saturday night.  Add a spiffy cane chair from bon bon atelier, and a wool striped rug from World Market, and wah-lah, a totally new look for what could be considered one of the formerly most boring parts of the house. 

love, emily

Hallway before...

During taping...

 

...and the final results

QUIRK the Magazine, Issue 2 and Launch Party

QUIRK just released Issue 2 today, and I'm so excited they let me participate once again with a fun DIY tutorial.  Check it out, plus lots of other great articles, fashion editorials, etc. on the QUIRK website.  

Also tonight is the launch party at NARA.  I just know there's gonna be a ton of great Kansas City ladies and gentlemen there.  Will it include you?  Now if I could just figure out what to wear...

Your City Thursday: Scarlett Garnet Jewelry Spring/Summer 2010

This year I have been lucky enough to become a member of the Kansas City Wedding Hive.  It's a group of local vendors who focus on "outside the box" and indie weddings.  They cater to couples who are searching for a wedding that is designed specifically for them and bring a fine arts feel to the industry.  I've met tons of great local artists and designers through this group, one of which is Scarlett Garnet. 

Owned and operated by jewelry designers Katie Miller and Garnet Griebel, Scarlett Garnet began in 2006.  These two girls have distinctive design aesthetics that also work together to form a cohesive collection.  Through their powers combined the two have been able to build up a nation wide network of boutiques and contacts to help spread the word about their business.  Also they are two super sweet girls who are always open to collaboration and sharing ideas with other fellow artisans (such as myself). 

For their Spring/Summer 2010 collection Scarlett Garnet joined forces with Kelley Photo to create a beautiful "look book".  Find out more about about their new collection on their website, or check out their Facebook page and view the complete album of their beautiful new line.

love, emily

I bought this piece at First Friday.  Love me some spikes!

My friend purchased this one as well.  Needless to say we love Scarlett Garnet.

Have a Kansas City business, artist, or designer you'd like to see on Your City Thursday?  Let us know at emily@emmy-ray.com

DIY Workshop: Making Paper Flowers

If you're like me you're always searching for new things to do.  Everytime I see something cool that someone has made I automatically want to learn how they did it, I guess you could call it creative A.D.D.  This year the Kansas City Wedding Hive, for the first time ever is offering DIY Workshops.  It's a chance for all those do it yourselfers out there to learn from professionals who make a living creating beautiful works of art and craft.  This months workshop is "Making Paper Flowers" hosted by one of Kansas City's most talented floral design businesses, Ornamental Petal.  Instructor Bridget Kelley will teach students how to create beautiful flowers out of recycled papers.  Find out more on the Wedding Hive Website, and e-mail weddinghive@gmail.com to reserve your spot today!

love, emily

One of the advantages...

of having cool friends who do cool things is that they sometimes let you be a part of them.  See my face on The Concrete Catwalk today.  It's always an honor when Jessie asks to take your picture.  It means you have sahweeeet style!  Now if I could just work on not being so awkward in pictures.

See the complete post here: bright flower

Can't handle the anticipation...

Yes loves, it's coming, I promise.  Busy in the studio this week making new treats just for you...

love, emily

Your City Thursday: The Concrete Catwalk and Style & Pepper

Good day lovelies,

Today I want to use Your City Thursday to promote an awesome local business, blog, and all around cute lady (also a new member of our "Sponsor/Homies" sidebar).  Recently seen in the fashion issue of INK Magazine, Jessie Artique is one of our local Kansas City entrepreneurs.  Author, photographer, and creator of the Kansas City street style blog The Concrete Catwalk, Jessie also recently launched her own business Style & Pepper, and is the only person I know who can use the phrase "sweetie pie" and make it sound cool.  Specializing in all things fashion she offers services such as closet consultations, event ensemble, and photo shoot styling.  Check out both her websites now and get inspired by this fashionable Kansas Citian!

love, emily

  

(all images via The Concrete Catwalk)

Spring Has Sprung!

Hello lovelies,

Easter weekend certainly kept us hopping.  Spending time with both families, celebrating the holiday and Matt's birthday (which happened to fall on Easter Sunday this year).  This week has also been full of other events like the Royals home opener, and a beer and pizza dinner party with friends.  I'm still working on the Spring/Summer line, and just got some brand new lovely beads today which I can't wait to use. 

Love,

Emily