Thursday, December 30, 2010

Holiday Dessert | Praline Pumpkin Cake



Praline Pumpkin Cake

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup whipping cream
1 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans
1 box yellow cake mix
1 cup (from 15-oz can) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon Allspice
1/2 teaspoon Cardamon
1 container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy cream cheese frosting
Caramel topping
Additional coarsely chopped pecans, if desired

1. Heat oven to 325°F. In 1-quart heavy saucepan, stir together butter,
whipping cream and brown sugar. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally,
just until butter is melted. Pour into 2 (9- or 8-inch) round cake pans;
sprinkle evenly with 3/4 cup pecans.
2. In large bowl, beat cake mix, pumpkin, milk, oil, eggs and 1 teaspoon of
the pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on low speed until moistened.
Beat 2 minutes on medium speed. Carefully spoon batter over pecan
mixture in each pan.
3. Bake 43 to 45 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly
in center. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool
completely, about 1 hour.
4. Stir remaining 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice into frosting. To assemble
cake, place 1 layer, praline side up, on serving plate. Spread with half of
the frosting. Top with second layer, praline side up; spread remaining
frosting to edge of layer. Drizzle with caramel topping and additional
pecans. Store loosely covered in refrigerator.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Australian Owl Bedding



I don't know why but I just seem to adore Australian bedding. It just seems way cuter than what is available here in the US. This owl bedding is super cute.

I have ordered from this company in the past and my bedding arrived just fine.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Vintage Retro Poker Set from my Etsy Store


I am a collector and seller of vintage. Here is something fun and useful for over the holidays. I love the colors in this set. I had so much fun photographing it. Items like these are available on my Alicia Hanson Etsy store, click on over.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Holiday pictures





I was feeling the Christmas Spirit around the house the other day and clicked off some photos of some of my holiday decor.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Felt acorns



Came across these felt acorns on Etsy today made by Portland seller Green Baboon Designs. I think I want to buy some and make them into earrings.
So wonderful.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Dahlia Placemats


Love these dahlia placemats from Chiasso.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Coastal Modern Living




My girlfriend recently purchased a new house. I put together some fun Coastal Modern Inspiration Images for her house. She is less than a mile from the beach, and her bungalow has some retro flair and great character. I think many of you Southern Californian's might enjoy these images as well.

Tree Bark Orchid - Terrain


I just love this beautiful oncidium orchid which are spotted with chartreuse, yellow and purple. Potted in a hollowed out tree fern trunk. It makes a great rustic look with and edge of modern from Terrain.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Etsy Banners or E-Commerce Identities



I recently completed a menagerie of designs for a client's e-commerce site. Here are a few of the designs that I just adore, that were passed over. I would love to do more of this type of design for clients. These types of banners would work for your etsy store image, or for an online web banner advertising campaign, an even as an online identity for many e-commerce web site templates. Let us know if you are interested. Hi Octane Design offers affordable graphic design rates for clientele in Oceanside, North San Diego County, Orange County or Nationwide.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Pattern Junkie Love


I was screen shopping over at Pip last night and found this fabulous book with an incredible pattern on the cover.
Check out their site if you haven't in a while. It is wonderbar.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Felted Bouquets






I found these felted bouquets on Etsy. The bouquets above are created by a Russian Artist Tatiana. I love the diversity of her felted flowers. She also creates some amazing shrugs.

There are tons of felted bouquets on Etsy. Many with buttons and brooches.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Beach Wedding Inspiration | Alchemy Events



I recently had the pleasure of joining Vanessa from Alchemy Fine Events on location for a photo shoot she was doing. I assisted in the creation of a few things for the shoot including name place tags and weathered wood menu boards.

I had such a wonderful time setting up the pieces on the beach. Shooting on location is not without it's challenges of heat, sand, wind and finding level ground. But we weathered the challenges, enjoyed the beautiful view and made a wonderful day of it.

The shoot was featured in Rivieria Magazine and you can read more about Vanessa's expertise here on her blog.

If you are interested in seeing more images feel free to take a look at my Flickr set here.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Bar things I collect


Bar things I collect
Originally uploaded by aliciadesign
I am selling some of my Barware collections in my Etsy Store http://www.etsy.com/shop/aliciahanson
I like the hunt. I also love staging photos like this. If I purge I can hunt more.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Frank Roop Interiors






I was perusing one of my favorite blogs JennSkiJust had to share these rooms. I love them they are designed by Frank Roop Interiors. Click on over and check out Jennski's post as well.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Fall-a-licious Autumn on Etsy



So I have a new minor obsession, it is making treasuries on Etsy. It is like shopping with out having to buy anything. And it is wonderful to find new fabulous finds. It also feels a bit like collaging and photo styling.

Looking at all the items really gives me a good idea of which type of photographs catch my eye, and how I can take better photos for my own Etsy shops. Also I have a better understanding for what keywords should be including. Now go ahead and check out the Etsy Treasury fun.

My two latest are Fall-a-licious Autumn
And Chevy in the home

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Modular Furniture by Jonathan Adler




I was perusing an article this morning and heard mention of this site and clicked over to check it out and discovered this cool modular furniture by Jonathan Adler. These pieces are interchangeable, giving you options with how you want to set them up. Love the concept and I just fancy the lines of these pieces.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Feather Fluffing Fun is Fabulous




I am loving this feather trend. Saw these on Etsy and decided it's time to bust out some feather fluffing fun. Wildspirit's Etsy store has some great things. My inner Huntress is busting out.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Filigree Spheres




These sphere lights from Terrain are wonderful. They have a Moroccan flair to them. They are created by hand hammering the brass shapes and then silver plating them. I think these would look fabulous in some of our southern California Retail spaces don't you?

Friday, September 10, 2010

Vespa Chairs | Everyone needs one

I love these super cool Vespa chairs. I saw this post on Designboom
Spanish design studio bel&bel has designed the 'vespa seat' which is made of original pieces
upcycled from the famous piaggio scooter. using the front shield of the vespa, they have
developed a limited edition rotating chair. The seat is upholstered in leather and has a strong internal structure and hydraulic piston for height regulation.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

2011 Pantone Spring Colors


Here they are, the spring 2011 Pantone Colors. I think my favorite are Blue Curacao, Regatta and Silver Cloud. I love the names of Beeswax, Russet, Honeysuckle and Peapod. If you are interested in seeing the entire post you can download it here.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Modern Antler Chandeliers A Lighting Trend








Since living in Colorado, I acquired a taste for Antlers. I use to love the simple discovery of finding a shed deer or elk antler on a hike. I still have a few that I just place around my house to remind me of the Colorado outdoors. And how can one resist these fabulous antler chandeliers. The first two are made my long time friends, Niki and Jared Davis of North Rim Glass. The ceramic versions are for sale by Design within Reach. Both are wonderful and would look great in a modern home or an Aspen Lodge. Oh Deer! I can't decide.

Clean Shower

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

W Hotel Atlanta - Spectacular Materials







The new W Hotel in Atlanta has an amazing look. The space is designed by Toronto based Burdifilek. They use amazing materials such as solid walnut walls and bent wood screens. The space has a feel of an underwater experience. And has a 22 ft water feature with ambient trickling of water. The overhead mobiles have kinetic movement. I love the metal art grates in the rooms.


Credit: Ben Rahn/Aframestudio.com

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Medical Devices turned Industrial Modern



I love these two pieces at Get Back Inc.I am pretty sure if I had that handcrank scissor lift table I could figure out something wonderful to do with it. I have retro dental cabinet, mine is celery and black, but I love this metal one.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Resin Light Boxes

Love these multicolor resin box lights that Lexington Design + Fabrication designed for the new Boa Steakhouse in West Hollywood. The Boa Lights also conserve energy, lit internally by hundreds of tiny white LEDs. The restaurant looks amazing.