Wednesday Favorites and Food Jewelry Giveaway!

Hi everyone! I know it seems like I dropped off the face of the (blogger) world, but don't worry I'm fine! Better than fine, in fact. I started a new full-time job last week and I'm loving the people and being back at work. The only slight downside is the 1 to 1 1/2-hour commute, but even that gives me time to flip through the latest Gourmet Traveller or to dance (inwardly) to my favorite music. My coworkers been really welcoming and, perhaps best of all, it's a very food-friendly group so I know my baked treats will be welcomed =D.

I am planning to get back into the groove of regularly posting my original recipes, photos, and other content. But in the meantime, I thought I'd jump back into blogging by sharing some back-logged food photography favorites and a super fun giveaway of some sushi-shaped earrings! I have to be honest...this might have been a product review rather than a giveaway if I had pierced ears. But my loss is your gain, so I hope you'll take advantage of all the many ways to enter!

These earrings and other adorable food jewelry are hand-sculpted from polymer clay by the talented Amelia of The Frippery Factory. Her work has been featured at the Walker Art Center's (one of the "top 5" modern art museums in the US) gift shop, and it's my delight to share her charming work here. If you like these earrings, be sure to check out her site for other interesting designs based on foods including linguine frutti di mare and French macarons. To enter, do as many of the following as you want and leave a separate comment for each thing you do! Please also make sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you win. The giveaway is limited to mailing addresses in the US and will close on July 4 at midnight; the winner will then be announced shortly thereafter.

• Leave a comment that you'd like to win these earrings.
• Like 6 Bittersweets on Facebook, then leave a comment telling me you did or already do.
• Like The Frippery Factory on Facebook, then leave a comment telling me you did or already do.
• Subscribe to this blog, then leave a comment telling me you did or already do.
• Follow 6 Bittersweets on Twitter, then leave a comment telling me you did or already do so, including your Twitter name.
• Follow The Frippery Factory on Twitter, then leave a comment telling me you did or already do so, including your Twitter name.
• Tweet about this giveaway, tagging me @6bittersweets, then leave a comment telling me including a link to the post.

Noodle Soup with Poached Egg Photograph by Aya Brackett

Ruffled Wedding Cake by City View Bakehouse

Baked Bread and Butter Pudding Photograph from Painting With Food

Momofuku Ooey Gooey Butter Cake Bars with Blueberries from Bakers Royale

Broccoli and Pumpkin Tempura with Soy and Mirin from BBC Good Food

Saturday Favorites and Some Thoughts on Life and Loss

This has been a week of shocking news. I've learned of the unexpected deaths of 2 spirited young ladies I knew, K and E. One was a high school friend I'd fallen out of touch with, the other, the wife of a friend. Though I did not know either of them closely at the time of their passing, I'm still heartbroken at the loss of such young, bright individuals. Being in my mid-20s only, I suppose the very reality of death, its unflinching finality and often invisible approach, still comes as a shock to me. It absolutely boggles my mind that I'll never again see E's face light up in laughter as it so frequently did. Completely by coincidence, on the same day I learned of E's death I discovered the most beautiful dance video I'd ever seen (above). These performers speak volumes with just their bodies -- a moving story about the loss of a loved one. As I watched it I couldn't help but think of E's husband of only a few years and what he must be feeling right now.

Though I was merely on the fringes of K and E's lives, I feel the space they've left and am keeping their loved ones in my thoughts. And as trite as it may sound, these tragedies have reminded me of how precious and fragile all our lives are. Especially while we're young, we tend to put off doing important things until "tomorrow" as if the next moment or day or year is guaranteed when it's really not. Of course I don't think we should spend our lives in fear of what bad things may befall us. I simply want to remind my readers and myself to not take things for granted and appreciate the beauty around and inside each person; to be kind to loved ones and tell them how you really feel; and to generally live life to the fullest while we're here on this earth.

Sesame Pea Shoot Salad from Westervin

Mini Jelly Domes Photograph from Kim Morphew (Food Stylist)

Vanilla Poached Pears with Hazelnut Praline Ice Cream Parfait from BBC Good Food

Sweet Potato Pie from The Food Dept.

Tomato Olive Pasta and Tortellini Soup Photographs from Maja Smend (Photographer)