The Late Afternoon

I’ve been mentioning carrot cake a lot around here lately. I made one for Father’s Day and made more out of leftover carrots for our wine country picnic. Let’s just say, I’ve become quite the expert at quickly grating carrots.

My carrot cake recipe is from my mom and it is sooo delicious. There was a point in my life when every birthday cake for my sisters or myself was a homemade carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. This carrot cake always comes out super moist and is the perfect sweetness when paired with cream cheese frosting. I don’t think there is any way to mess this recipe up. Its like magic.  Please note that this recipe also calls for 1 teaspoon of salt! Thanks to Jillian for actually trying out my recipe and realizing it was missing!

I’ve come to realize that when it comes to decorating, I am the most indecisive person. ever. You may have already realized this, based on the numerous posts I’ve had regarding artwork and prints. While I still haven’t settle, we figured that we couldn’t handle these blank walls any longer and should at least attempt to put something up. We spent Sunday night hanging these frames in the bedroom, above a bookshelf. I would show you the bookshelf too, but I haven’t decided what to do with that piece yet.

The artwork is almost all semi-handmade, except for the colorful print in the large wooden frame (#5) – one day this temporary catalogue page will be replaced for something prettier, although I do like the colors. Additionally, many of these pieces have also already made appearances here at The Late Afternoon.

1. This is a photograph of the Golden Gate Bridge taken on the Fourth of July years ago (in high school). The picture was taken using a cellphone, which obviously didn’t have the same quality as today’s cellphones, though I like it this way. The colors are muted and the image grainy.

2. I painted this sometime in college. The “IS” is an inside joke that I have with my friend. I painted her the same picture, except with blue flowers and a magenta border. This has hung in every single one of my apartments to date.

3. I made this after being inspired by Polaroid collages by Juan Felipe Rubio. See it here.

4. These scribbled drawings were also featured on The Late Afternoon awhile back. They are Italian restaurant table cloth drawings by the ever so talented boyfriend. See it here.

5. As mentioned, this is a temporary placeholder for, hopefully, something different. I’m liking the colors though and love this frame.

Also, why is it impossible to take a good picture of frames without getting the glare and reflection? I would love tips, if you have any.

Happy Monday, readers! I return this week relaxed, sun-kissed, and content. As planned, we spent Saturday in the Wine Country (Napa, CA) picnicking, wine-tasting, and having way too much fun. The weather was a perfect 85 degrees and the entire place was green and vibrant.

We quickly stopped off at a deli and Trader Joe’s to stock up on snacks and sandwiches before heading up to Napa. I also packed my Friday night, “I had leftover carrots” carrot cake cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for our lunch. Luckily, we didn’t forget the corkscrew and picnic blanket!

St. Clement Winery in St. Helena, CA. This old Victorian house, built in the 1700s,  was perched on a hill and surrounded by vineyards and greenery. The inside was cute as well, featuring two living rooms that had been converted into tasting rooms.

Picnic at V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena + sipping wine at three wineries + water fights (?!) + gorgeous weather & good company = the best way to kick-off our summer weekends.

A bit early, but I cannot describe how excited I am that the weekend is here! Finally. This weekend, we’re escaping to Napa, CA for some wine-ing, dining, and maybe getting lost in an (obviously) beautiful place.  I’m excited for all of it.

This print is by designer Shaun Sundholm and I was immediately drawn to its incredible fonts. The message is inspiring as well. Nothing says summer more than exploring and playing in the outdoors. Check out more here.

Cake stands just make desserts look more elegant. There is nothing more enticing than a slice of leftover cake (carrot…we’re still working on finishing it) left sitting on a cake stand. I have my one trusty cake stand that my sister gave me for Christmas. Its white with a ruffled rim and rectangular cut-outs around the edge. Its made quite a few appearances on The Late Afternoon.

There’s this scene in the movie, It’s Complicated (yes, i know, an old person movie, but so hilarious), where the main character is running through her bakery serving customers the tastiest looking desserts and pastries from a cake stand lined counter. I seriously watched the movie again to observe the down-to-earth interior styling of the movie set. Luckily, I was able to find a shot of the bakery lined counter from It’s Complicated (above). See what i’m talking about?!! I want that.

This wooden cake stand is from Herriott Grace. The wooden stand plus the cute cake with homemade pastel flags look so rustic and pretty against the linen table cloth.

I love these pop art infused, ultra girly mini cake (or cupcake!) stands from Netherland’s based designer Lenneke Wispelway. I love the mix of gaudy (in a good way) golds and popping pinks. How cute is the covering too? It so perfectly hides away a cupcake. By the way, Lenneke Wispelway’s site also features the coolest vases, jugs, and dishes.

There is nothing like the traditional cake stand, especially when it comes in an array of pastel colors. Go get yourself one! It will make your desserts look even better than they taste!

Photo credits: Lenneke Wispelway, Myself, Forty Sixth at Grace, 100 Layer Cake

Summer Solstice. Whether or not it starts off the most carefree season of all, it just sounds pretty rolling off your tongue. We celebrated the start of summer with a spontaneous picnic at the park and watched the sunset amongst a pot of peanut buttery noodles, a tupperware of sliced watermelon, and a huge leftover slice of carrot cake.

A bit of an off-topic post, but I love outdoor “parties” – casual, spontaneous, or perfectly planned (like these) so I couldn’t help myself.

We had our mini picnic on top of an empty hill. It was a perfect 77 degrees (according to my car) at 7 PM. 

This, by the way, is the boyfriend, aka The Late Afternoon’s very own system administrator/techy guy extraordinaire. He does things like upgrade my WordPress account, adds my BlogLovin’ link (add me!!!), and lets me take photos of him when he isn’t looking. Haha.

Going with my fascination with abandon old barns, this empty ropes course training site kind of has the same feeling, especially with the sunset in the background. A lovely way to end a Monday.

I am so content. Happy summer!

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