Our Newest P+P x Hunter Blake Earrings!

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Happy Wednesday, y’all! We’ve had so much fun collaborating with the talented ladies at Hunter Blake to create pieces that we hope will become a treasured part of your jewelry collection! In addition to our coordinating gold fish earrings + ocean bangles, we wanted to come up with a versatile statement earring that matches everything to become an easy-to-wear, staple style.

We love to complete our outfits with a touch of texture, and this carved wood design is such an effortless way to add that bit of contrast! Plus, the neutral tone is sure to coordinate with all of the happy colors in your wardrobe! Getting ready for a getaway? Our collab collection is the perfect way to streamline your accessories on the go while still having lots of fun with resort wear whimsy!

We’re sharing lots of our latest warm weather fashion finds for spring and summer below…happy shopping!

Photography by Jessica Amerson

Colorful Springs Finds!

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Happy Monday, y’all! We’re feeling extra inspired by this glimpse of the new Tory Burch collection…so many of our favorite colors and patterns are at play here! We’ve rounded up more of our latest fashion finds for spring below!

Shopbop just kicked off a great spend more, save more sale, and we’re swooning over all of the pretty warm-weather dresses like this darling white ruffled one, or this striped tiered midi that is perfect for a special celebration! Right now at Saks you can take $50 off every $200 you spend and 15% off beauty, and don’t miss the promotions going on today at Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus! At J.Crew you can take up to 40% off sitewide, and be sure to check out further-discounted categories like women’s dresses + swimwear!

Rug updates are such an easy way to transform + add a layer of coziness to any room in your home, and until the end of the end day all rugs are 30% off at Serena & Lily! For a limited time Ballard Designs is offering up to 20% off their favorite products, including our go-to bamboo dining chair and this classic garden stool. Happy shopping!

Main image via Tory Burch

Current Crushes!

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Howdy, y’all! We’re excited to share our latest fashion, home and beauty favorites! To shop our interactive collage, just click or tap on each individual item above and it links directly to the details, or you can click on the product images in the gallery below!

There’s a ‘flash sale’ going on at Mytheresa, where already-marked-down styles are up to an extra 40% off at checkout, and be sure to browse all of the great deals in the Saks designer sale! Right now J.Crew is offering 30% off almost everything sitewide, and 50% off select women’s dresses and accessories like this happy yellow tiered dress, these go-to sandals and this super-versatile white button-front dress! Today at Ann Taylor you can take 25-40% off full-price styles, and we’ve been spotting so many fun finds in our favorite red like these block heel slingback pumps, this perfect-for-spring trench and this striped tie waist midi dress! If you’ve been meaning to refresh a rug or two in your home, then look no further than 30% off all rugs at Serena & Lily…we love this textured blue and white style and this diamond patterned jute rug! There’s still time to enjoy 20% off one item at Ballard Designs…this darling little blue + white cachepot is under $40 today (just add a grocery store orchid for a super-charming gift!).

We’ve just announced the latest Happy Mail Box over on the P+P Creative Club site, and you don’t want to miss out on this month’s amazing treats! Take a peek at the goodies here, and get your name on the list here!

Looking for more of our recent favorites? Check out our new roundup of stylish tennis finds here, a recipe for coconut cake + colorful tabletop picks here, and don’t forget to visit our Shop Favorites page where you can find our vintage wishlist, Amazon favorites and more! Happy shopping!

P.S. Are you following Pencil & Paper Co. on the LikeToKnow.it app yet? If not, this is an easy way to shop all of our favorite finds, including additional app-exclusive content just for subscribers! Just sign up on your phone and you can get started right away!

Stylish Tennis Finds!

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We’ve been spotting so many darling finds since our last tennis roundup, and we just couldn’t resist sharing our latest picks today! The charm of classic tennis attire will always have a special place in our hearts at P+P, and right now we’re especially loving how these versatile pieces can adapt for a variety of outdoor spring activities! You can browse everything we’re eyeing in the gallery below!

For just 24 hours J.Crew is offering an extra 50% off sale styles, great deals on women’s swim and 30-50% off recent arrivals like this floral puff sleeve smocked dress, this square-neck linen dress in our go-to orangey-red and this pretty patchwork dress! Right now at Saks enjoy up to 75% off designer pieces during their ‘fashion flash’ sale, and there’s a great promotional gift card event going on at Neiman Marcus (beauty is included!). Today at Madewell you can take up to 40% off select styles; don’t miss out on their amazing jeans! For a limited time you can enjoy up to 30% off all rugs at Serena & Lily…we adore this woven denim one, this jute rug with a chic border and this charming gingham one! Until the end of the day tomorrow, you can take 20% off one item at Ballard Designs…we’re smitten with these scalloped nesting baskets, this block printed pleated lampshade and this Parsons-inspired upholstered side table (so many pretty fabric options!). Happy shopping!

Main Image via Tory Burch

Coconut Cake Recipe + Entertaining Favorites!

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Hello, Sophia here from the P+P team! I have a penchant for pretty, colorful things, and no area of my life is exempt from a little styling, especially food! I come from a long line of great cooks and collectors...growing up I spent a lot of time making a mess with my mom in the kitchen, or trailing her through an antiques market. My love for creativity (and the allure of never again facing a math problem) brought me to the Savannah College of Art and Design where I studied writing and drawing. I've since stuck around town (our local restaurant and thrifting scene might have something to do with my extended stay!). I just adore setting a table with eclectic pieces to enjoy yummy treats (whether it's dinner for 12 or breakfast for one!), and couldn't be more thrilled to share some of those inspired moments with our community!

We all happen to have a sweet tooth here at P+P, and we’re so excited to kick off a new entertaining series with our go-to coconut cake recipe, adapted from the legendary Silver Palate Cookbook! This classic confection gets a fresh boost of flavor thanks to Daysie’s Coconut Almond syrup, a delicious new ‘not-so-simple-syrup’ brand founded by our friend Tara Pate! We had the pleasure of meeting Tara at our Creative Club weekend in Charleston last summer just before she launched the company, and now we’re delighted to have Daysie in our own kitchens! Each of the syrups are amazing in coffees + cocktails, and we’ve also been using them as a low-fuss, highly-delicious alternative for homemade cake soaking syrup! Soaks are a bakery secret for infusing cakes with extra flavor and locking in moisture. I used to whip up my own scented syrups, but these days I’m happy to streamline the process and leave it to the experts at Daysie! This cake would be the perfect centerpiece at upcoming birthday celebrations, a spring picnic or your Easter table! Love to set a beautiful table but can’t be bothered to bake? Channel your creativity into your tablescape and then snap up a treat from your favorite local bakery or simply have one delivered right to your door (we’re eyeing this 7-layer caramel cake and this carrot marshmallow crackle cake!).

Coconut Cake recipe

(adapted from the Silver Palate Cookbook)

For the cake:

2 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

1 cup vegetable oil, olive oil or melted coconut oil

1 cup dry white wine

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoons salt

2 1/4 teaspoons of baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting and assembly:

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

3 cups confectioner’s (powdered) sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-4 cups unsweetened coconut flakes

1 tablespoon + 1/4 cup Daysie Coconut Almond Syrup, divided

(Special equipment needed: pastry brush + offset spatula)

Bake the cake:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour (or grease + parchment line) two 9-inch round layer cake pans.

  • Beat sugar and eggs together, using an electric mixer, for 30 seconds on medium speed. Add oil, wine, flour, salt, baking power and vanilla; beat for 1 minute.

  • Pour batter into the prepared pans. Set on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until cake has pulled away from the sides of the pan and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Be sure to rotate the pans after 15 minutes in the oven to ensure even baking.

  • After removing from the oven, let cakes cool in pans for 5 minutes. Then, turn them out onto a wire rack and let cool at room temperature for at least two hours before frosting.

Make the frosting and assemble:

  • Once the cake layers have fully cooled, cream together cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until fully combined, light and fluffy.

  • Slowly sift in powdered sugar and continue beating until fully incorporated. Mixture should be free of lumps.

  • Mix in vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of Daysie Coconut Almond Syrup. (The other 1/4 cup of syrup will be used for the soak!).

  • Place a generous spoonful of frosting on to your cake stand or plate (this will help anchor the cake and make frosting easier!), and then place one cake layer on top, lightly pressing down to secure it to the frosting.

  • Pour 1/4 cup Daysie Coconut Almond syrup into a small liquid measuring cup or ramekin, and use the pastry brush to apply about ~2 tablespoons of syrup to the top of the cake layer.

  • Using an offset spatula, spread a generous ~1/2 cup of frosting over the cake, making sure the frosting covers evenly edge to edge (it can even peek over!).

  • Place the second cake layer on top and brush with the remaining syrup.

  • Continue using the offset spatula to frost the top and sides of the cake (no need for perfectly smooth frosting here, as the whole cake will be covered with coconut flakes!).

  • Sprinkle an even layer of coconut flakes over the top of the cake, and then cover the sides. (I like to hover one hand at the side of the cake and sprinkle flakes downward with my other, using that same hovering hand to gently press flakes onto the side. If you’re a messy baker like me, your work surface will like get a shower of excess coconut, that’s okay!).

  • Run a folded paper towel along the edge of the cake plate or stand to wipe up any stray coconut flakes or frosting.

  • Chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving (allowing extra time for the flavors to meld, this cake happens to be really delicious cold!)

  • Leftovers (if you can manage not to demolish in one go!) will keep chilled in the fridge for a few days. Try a slice paired with coffee for a lovely afternoon pick-me-up!

Photography by Jessica Amerson