light fixture install / coffee and tea collective

           

            
     


Philip and I recently designed some light fixtures for a new coffee shop that opened here in San Diego called Coffee and Tea Collective. These are some photos from when we were installing them. Actually, I didn't do much. I was mostly there for moral support. ;)

The wood for the chandeliers was from some old pianos. These pianos were salvaged from a shop just a couple doors down. As painful as it was to destroy such beautiful instruments, they were on their way to the dump to rot. The wood was beautiful. Philip even used some pieces that still have the hinges on them. We took the ivory tops off the piano keys to incorporate into it as well.

My cousin Brett was nice enough to come down that afternoon and help Philip with the electrical stuff. Shaun was also there (He's the one with the fancy camera.) We've been working with him on a special project and it has been so much fun. I'm glad that he got to be there.

Coffee and Tea Collective's soft opening was the next day. It is such a gorgeous shop and their coffee is amazing! I'm so glad that they allowed us to design these fixtres for them. If you get a chance, stop by their shop to say hello (you'll be greeted by the friendliest people you've ever met) and to enjoy an incredible cup of coffee.

2911 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, Ca 92104

on the menu / lunch + dessert

I normally don't have dessert with lunch, but today was an exception. Last night I made mocha silk pie and OH. MY. GOODNESS. It is SO delicious!! I followed a recipe from The Pioneer Woman's website. I've had it on my Pinterest board forever, but never thought I could tackle it. Instead of telling myself that I'm not good at baking (like I have for so long) I decided to just practice a little more until I can do it. My family got me a stand up Kitchen Aid mixer for my birthday, so now I have no excuse!

I don't have any pie tins in my house. Instead, I divided the mixture into some ceramic soufflé dishes and tiny ceramic pie dishes that I have. This works out better, because the tiny ones are great servings for just me. I should share the ones in the bigger soufflé dishes with someone else (but honestly, I could totally eat one by myself). If you like coffee flavored dessert, I would definitely give this recipe a try! It will save you the  cost of going out a few times each week when you get a craving for it...oh, is that just me that does that?