All posts in: DesignLoveFest

Life

03 Jul 2020

Five Favorite Pins: 4th of July

It feels a little bit strange to be celebrating the 4th this year doesn’t it? Our country is kind of in shambles and Americans love their freedom so much that they’re putting those around them at risk. Let’s not pretend that isn’t the truth here. Last year, I had a very quiet 4th of July. I was craving bbq and since I didn’t have a grill myself, Kevin and I got takeout from [4505] so that I could get a rack of ribs. It was a San Francisco summer day with fog and light rain. The last 4th of July experience I remember truly having is one with a BBQ though. We don’t have a party to attend to this year (and honestly, no one should really be doing this,) but if we were hosting, here are some things we’d whip up.

Cocktail

Every good BBQ needs to kick things off with a refreshing and cool drink. Cherry is one of my favorite flavors both in cocktails (my favorite is an Amaretto Sour) and in food. With a prep time of just 15 minutes, how could this be any easier? If you are throwing a party with your college friends then you can still enjoy these delicious drinks by either making is a mocktail or by using a fake ID maker to purchase your own drinks to make this perfect 4th of July cocktail! This cocktail is sure to be the talk of the party and will ensure that you and your friends or family have the best night ever!

[Ginger Beer Cherry Vodka Soda]

Appetizer

Technically, I was looking for a true appetizer for this next course, but we’re going to end up highlighting two kinds of salads. I don’t consider this one to be more traditional because it’s kind of a “little bite.” In the summertime, I’m always finding that my home is stocked with as much fruit as possible. During these months, you kind of have to take advantage of the fruits in season and switch up your Caprese.

[Peach Caprese Salad]

Salad

I am obsessed with any kind of variation of a corn salad in the summer. Not only is it light and refreshing, but it’s the perfect dish to accompany any meal. Corn happens to be my favorite type of vegetable so I’ll eat it on everything despite it being loaded with sugar.

[Mexican Corn Salad]

Entree

I went back and forth on what recipe I wanted to highlight for an entree. It was either going to be something a bit heartier or a form of kebabs. Kebabs were the epitome of a BBQ for me growing up and something we always had around 4th of July, but they are on the lighter side. I also liked them because it was easier to eat without leaving a mess on you. Instead we settled for a [Chipotle Lime Chicken], which I think compliments the rest of the recipes in this post.

Dessert

I know people like to get very festive with dessert around this holiday, but c’mon. Don’t you think a flag cake is a little predictable? If you’re going to do a flag cake, at least make it an ice box. However, if you choose to go with something else, we suggest the [Biscoff Cheesecake] It’s my favorite kind of cookie and cheesecake in itself is an All-American dessert, right?

However, you choose to spend your 4th, I hope it is restful and that you’re keeping yourself and others safe.

Style

16 Dec 2019

Wedding Mondays

It’s the night before I leave for the holidays and I should definitely be packing right now. Instead, we’re taking more than several minutes to share with you my latest and favorit-est wedding video. If you’ve been following Yow Yow! since the beginning then you know I’m one of Bri Emery’s biggest fans. She is the founder behind [designlovefest] and an incredible designer and creator. Bri is one of the original bloggers that I followed when I was first starting out and I continue to be inspired by her still.

Even when I was designing my [graduation project], Bri’s style and creativity made its way into the final product. When I came across her wedding feature on Green Wedding Shoes, I knew without a doubt, that I would love it. Shot by Sharkpig, another one of my favorite videography vendors, the video is 11 minutes of pure love and joy.

I think you all are really going to love this one!

For the entire wedding feature, please click [here] to visit Green Wedding Shoes.

Uncategorized

27 Feb 2017

Design Love Fest x Target Collection

Whenever I learn about some of my favorite bloggers designing and collaborating on collections, my heart gets all warm and tingly. As a part-time blogger with a day job, these are the things that I only dream of. I’ve been following Bri of DesignLoveFest for years though and am constantly inspired by her creativity and how open she is with all of her readers. She’s someone I’ve looked up to. So when I learned that she linked up with Target to put together this fab collection of travel accessories and luggage, I nearly lost it. I’ve done the most traveling I have ever done in my life in the last two years and while I’m not a pro of knowing all the tips and tricks (Ugh, I don’t even have TSA pre-check yet!) I recognize the importance of traveling well and being prepared with all of the necessities. Here are our favorite picks and once you get a peek at the collection, you’ll probably want the entire set. Don’t delay though, one piece is already sold out online!

Life

10 Oct 2015

Five Favorite Pins: Cookie Thyme

Caramel Apple Cookies [Bakers Royale]

Ever since we got back from Milk Jar Cookies in LA last month, all I’ve been thinking about is cookies. I actually have much more of a hankering for desserts during the fall/winter because how great is it when you get to bring your favorite dessert home from a restaurant in a to-go box and you get to eat it on your couch while watching a movie? It’s the best. So anyways, I’m totally craving cookies right now and while I know I could totally bake these myself, I’m most likely not going to end up doing that, but it’s still nice to dream, right? Here are 5 cookies that up the chocolate chip cookie game:

Design

13 Jul 2015

Smilebooth

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A few years ago, I learned about Smilebooth through DesignLoveFest and promised myself that the next time I had the budget for it, I would rent a Smilebooth for an event that I was planning. Really though – my love for photobooths started at the ripe age of 18 when I was introduced to USnaps back in December at my high school graduation all-nighter party. From then on, I brought it to Seattle University and now in California we use Smilebooth. What I love about Smilebooth is how easy it is to use, how you can fit an enormous amount of people into one photo, and how easy it is to share online via email and social media. They’ve really won over my heart – especially that Bay Area team. 😉 I wanted to take some time to share some love because I’ve booked them for two of our company’s events now (and a 3rd one next month!) and they’ve been my favorite to work with. Here are some snaps from our party just a couple of weeks ago!

Five Favorite Pins: Happy National Donut Day!

Happy National Donut Day y’all! More importantly though, why aren’t we celebrating donuts every day? When I was growing up, my parents would always surprise my friends and I with donuts the next day if we had a sleepover at my house and it was the best treat. I’m a huge fan of the generic chocolate and allover sugar donuts, but these days, donuts are starting to look a lot prettier. Almost too pretty to eat… Here are 5 of my favorite looking donuts. I don’t always know what they taste like, but they sure are nice to look at!

Lemon poppy seed donuts w/ vanilla glaze [Comfort of Cooking]

Uncategorized

01 Jun 2014

Dress Your Tech By DesignLoveFest

When Yow Yow! was first created, we had a completely different layout. I changed the header every month representative of how I was feeling, but mostly because I wanted to see how Yow Yow! would look if constantly changed. With every new month and every new header, I would write a post introducing these things and describing what I was most looking forward to (sort of like how I did earlier today!)

Though we’ve stopped doing that on Yow Yow! I still try to keep up with changing my wall papers on my work laptop every once in awhile and I do it for that same reason. It’s nice to look forward to change and when there is change present, we act a little bit differently than we normally would. It throws off our routine in a good way. That’s why I am a huge fan of Dress Your Tech by DesignLoveFest. Every so often, blogger Bri Emery shares with her readers new desktop wallpapers that are highlighted on her website for you to snag yourself. The one pictured above is my current because of its simplicity and because it’s too perfect for summer. As fall approaches, I’m hoping that Bri will have other inspirations to share with us!

Check out the rest of the wallpapers from this series here.