We Have a Winner! June 14th, 2010 By

Congratulations Nancy Frazier - Winner of the Beso Bake Up Summer Sweets Contest!

 

When I read Nancy’s entry, I was not only intrigued by her French Coconut Pie, but also moved because of why it’s her favorite recipe.  Food is so often tied with such visceral memories, and I love that this pie makes her think of her late great-grandmother.  I made the pie on a warm afternoon and the flavors were, just like she said, “so dreamy.”  Like Nancy, I usually tend to pick chocolate desserts, but the best thing about her French Coconut Pie was that it took mere minutes to whip up, but tasted like I had spent the entire day slaving away in the kitchen.

Emily

French Coconut Pie

OVEN:
375° – 10 minutes
300° – 35 to 40 minutes

• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 6 tbsp. butter
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 3 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups angel flake coconut
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 unbaked pie shell

Cream sugar and butter.  Add buttermilk to the sugar and butter.  Beat eggs lightly and add to sugar and butter, stirring lightly.  Add coconut and vanilla.  Pour into the unbaked pie shell.  Cook 10 minutes at 375°.  Lower heat to 300° and cook until done, approximately 35 to 40 minutes.

Check out our next contest on Chictopia!

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Monthly Inspiration: June 2010 June 1st, 2010 By

This past Memorial Day weekend was truly a memorable one.  One of my best girlfriends flew in from Chicago, and we had a full-blown girls weekend at Shutters on the Beach.  I love the seaside decor in this small boutique hotel   The charming gingham chairs and personal details make each room seem like home.  I actually left feeling inspired to add some maritime touches to my own home, like this sea turtle pillow from Anthropologie and this shell button pillow from Target.

Sea Turtle and Shell Pillows

We spent the days lounging poolside and catching up.  I sported my new Victoria’s Secret neon pink bandeau bikini - which, by the way, is only $35 for the set.  Now I’m feeling refreshed and ready to get back to work and kick off the summer!

Victoria's Secret Bikini, Shutters Pool

We have a lot of exciting news coming up this month.  First, we will be announcing the winner of Emily’s Bake Up Summer Sweets Contest.  We had over 730 entries, and I’m excited to what the winning recipe will be!  We will also be releasing a video we shot last week at the Skechers flagship store in Manhattan Beach.  They have a whole new collection of runway-inspired shoes for summer that I can’t wait to share with you.

If you haven’t already done so, please remember to sign up for Beso E-Mails.  You’ll receive customized sale alerts from all of your favorite brands and stores.

How do you beso lucky?  With beso.com!

Happy Shopping,

Mara

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Monthly Inspiration: May 2010 May 1st, 2010 By

Enough of April showers, are you ready for May flowers?  We certainly are, and we’re loving the new spring floral trends.  We can’t get enough of the darling prints that keep coming out on the latest shorts, rompers, and mini skirts.

In other news, we’ve had an exciting past few weeks at beso.  We announced the winners of our Hunter Boots contest.  Our Style Director had a wonderful time reading all of the creative entries.  Thank you to each and every one of you who shared your stories.  You really loved this contest! 

Next up: Bake Up Summer Sweets Contest.  This is to celebrate the launch of our fabulous home section (complete with kitchen gadgets) on the site, so be sure to check it out.  Don’t forget to share your favorite summer sweets recipe for a chance to win a fabulous KitchenAid mixer!

Bake Up Summer Sweets Contest

How do you beso lucky?  With beso.com!

Happy Shopping,

Mara

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