Update: this giveaway is now closed. Thanks to all who entered – and congrats to our winner, Laura P.! Few people know this, but my relationship with Chris started with a night of dancing. A pair of silver pumps.
And a girl named Ashley.
Ashley and I shared mutual friends throughout college, so our run-ins were not infrequent. She roomed with one of my high school classmates in the dorms. Was heavily crushed upon by my own roommates in the years following (sorry guys, the cat’s out!). And we were both, I can now freely admit with only the faintest hint of shame, groupies of the local bike shop, where my best friends — and Chris — earned their keep three days a week.
One particularly slow Saturday, I was sitting with Chris at the register (yeah, no — I wasn’t getting paid to be there; college girls do stupid things around attractive boys), smothering any subtlety with too much hair twirling and short skirtedness (college girls do stupid things around attractive boys) when Ashley suggested the three of us go out that evening.
Bless her little wingman heart.
And so it was that three of us ended up in the queue for a downtown bar. Into which Chris paid my cover.
After which Ashley promptly disappeared down to the creek.
Literally. Down to the creek. Like, she club-yelled to me: “Sorry! I have to meet someone down at the creek! Byeguys!”
Seriously, WTF. Baby’s butts don’t come smoother than that.
But — spoiler alert — it worked.
We danced for far too long and far too closely and had the best time learning all about the Sugar on Trick Daddy’s Tongue (that’s a song reference, mom) while Ashley hung out down by the creek patiently doing God knows what until the wee hours.
Clearly, homegirl knew what she was doing. And I’ve got a pretty rad marriage to prove it. 🙂
Ashley also knew what she doing when it came down to her family’s secret Sherry Wine Cake, which she famously contributed to dinner parties, barbecues and all the shop-groupie ragers. A tender, spongy cake with a faintly boozy aroma, just a hint of spice and a crisp, sugary top, I chubby-bunnied loaves of the stuff over the course a school year. Time and again, I’d ask her for the recipe.
And time and again, she’d deny me.
“It’s a family secret!” she’d coyly proclaim, while I calmly invited her to die in a fire under my breath. *
Today, however, thanks to a slick move of my own that can only be described as bribery, everything has changed.
Last year, Ashley launched The Lettered Bride, a calligraphy and illustration business that turns everything from party invitations to wedding programs into inspired little works of art. While Ashley takes orders for custom calligraphy projects, the highlight of her offerings is The Lettered Bride DIY Calligraphy Kit — which includes all the goodies you need to create modern script calligraphy of your own: templates and step-by-step instructions, a pen holder, nibs, high-quality ink that’s been tested on a wide variety of paper stocks commonly used for formal invitations — everything. It’s one-stop shopping for the creative bride-to-be — or anyone looking to up their Pinterest game, really. It’s stupid charming and, unsurprisingly, super popular! She’s kinda killin’ the game.
See that cute caption on the header image? That’s alllll Ashley.
SO. Since Ashley is basically the reason I became the bride to Chris’ groom, it seemed only too apropos to host a The Lettered Bride giveaway here on the blog.
Complemented, of course, by a certain Sherry Wine Cake recipe, muahahahaha.
Today, I’m so excited to share with you Ashley’s previously unattainable family recipe for a cake that will — without exaggeration — change your life. It’s so sooo simple (one bowl!), light (you beat the crap out of it for five minutes!) — and refreshingly full of life’s most delicious indulgences. Like gluten. Refined sugar. Pudding mix. (I licked the beaters. And the bowl.)
But first — the GIVEAWAY!!!
One (1) P&Q reader will win their choice of either Ashley’s signature The Lettered Bride DIY Calligraphy Kit OR a Custom Calligraphy Return Address Rubber Stamp, hand-designed by Ashley, herself.
Here’s How to Enter (required):
- Follow The Lettered Bride on Pinterest and
- Sign up for The Lettered Bride newsletter. You’ll receive semi-monthly calligraphy inspiration, updates and more. Yay!
For Bonus Entries, do any/all of the following:
(comment on this post to let us know which bonus entries you’ve made so we can increase your odds in the drawing)
- Repin an image from The Lettered Bride Pinterest board
- Follow The Pig & Quill on Pinterest
- Follow The Pig & Quill on Facebook
- Tweet about the giveaway — maybe something along the lines of “@ThePigandQuill is giving away a #DIY Calligraphy Kit from #TheLetteredBride! Enter through 5/30 11:59pm Pacific: http://wp.me/p2HC7J-19K”
Official Rules:
- Contest deadline is Friday, May 30, 2014 at 11:59PM Pacific.
- One (1) winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize before an alternate is selected.
- Prize will ship via USPS First Class Mail on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 (barring any logistical hangups).
Best of luck, all you sassy piggies! And enjoy the heck out of this lovely Sherry Wine Cake. Feel free to pass it off as a ‘secret family recipe’ of your own, even. My lips are sealed. 😉
* Yes, I now realize that, according to Google, the secret is out. Apparently it never crossed my mind to check the interwebs at the time. (College girls do stupid things around attractive boys.)
Sherry Wine Cake
Courtesy of Ashley Lurcott
Cook time: 1 hour | Makes two 9″ x 5″ loaf cakes
This cake is light, spongy and ever so faintly kissed with a warm, sherry aroma. Ashley recommends serving it with vanilla ice cream. Sounds good to me!
Ingredients:
- 1 box yellow cake mix (recommended: Duncan Hines)
- 1 small box vanilla instant Jell-o pudding
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 c. sherry wine
- 3/4 c. vegetable oil
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350F. Mix dry ingredients together. Add eggs, sherry and oil and mix by hand to combine, then beat with a hand blender at medium speed for 5 minutes.
Bake in two (2) ungreased and unfloured 9″ x 5″ x 3″ (or similar) loaf pans for 40-50 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. (I began checking at 35 mins and removed the cakes after 40 mins.)
Cool on wire racks before loosening cakes and releasing from pan. Enjoy alone, lightly toasted with butter or — gasp — topped with vanilla ice cream and macerated fruit. Yum!
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Like whatcha see here — or have a question, feedback, or recipe hack to share? Join The Pig & Quill convo by commenting below (I love, luv, lurve comments) and hang out with me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram andPinterest. And don’t forget to subscribe to P&Q emails (see that nifty box up there in the sidebar?) so you never miss a post. x’s & o’s!
51 Comments on “The Lettered Bride GIVEAWAY — and (shhh!) Secret Sherry Wine Cake”
I hear you have extra cake you’re trying to unload. May I suggest dropping it off at the ol’ office? 😉 Can’t
I did, I totally did. Unfortunately, yesterday the spare loaf (yes, we have one whole untouched loaf!) went into the freezer — but perhaps I’ll be in a sharing mood when it comes back down next week. 🙂
What a great giveaway! I was already following you on FB & Pinterest, so I went ahead and retweeted & re-pinned one of Ashley’s pins! 🙂
That’s perfect, Elaina! Be sure you sign up for Ashley’s email newsletter, as well. She shares some fun, creative content!
Awesome giveaway and recipe! Entered via all methods 🙂 Hope to win!!
Lovely! Best of luck to you, Sarah! I’ll throw your name in the ring for all the bonus entries. Thanks!
Thanks for the giveaway. I’ve entered via all methods: Repin an image, Follow The Pig & Quill on Pinterest (which I was surprised that I hadn’t done before), Follow The Pig & Quill on Facebook, & Tweet. Thanks again! Grandma’s hoping I win! 😉
Thanks Debi! Make sure you’re signed up for Ashley’s emails, as well She only sends them a couple of times a month and they’re full of great inspiration! 🙂
I WANT THAT STAMP. So I did all the extra stuff. If I don’t win I’ll just have to take it – with fire and blood.
Should I be scared? I’m a little scared.
Great giveaway! ! hope I win! I signed up for the newsletter and followed on pinterest, and did all the extras as well!
Lovely – best of luck to you! 🙂
I repinned an image and followed you on Pinterest! I love the story of how you and Christ got together – you tell it so wonderfully!
Awh, thanks so much! It’s a fun story to relive every now and again. He really is such a catch! 😉 Be sure to sign up for Ashley’s newsletter, as well. Hope you win!
Oops, forgot to mention that I did that too! (followed both of you on Pinterest, signed up for the newsletter, and repinned)
Perfecto! Thanks!
This is right up my alley! Love it! I’ve followed her on pinterest, signed up for her newsletter. I already follow you on pinterest and Facebook:). And I have repinned one of her pins. Now to spread the news on Facebook…
Thanks Bethany! I thought of you when putting this one together. Such a fun kit! Best of luck. 🙂
Zing! Gimme Gimme! Whatup A-Westman?!! Hook me up with cakes n calligs n thangs!
What’s up Miriam! Long time no chat, hope all is well witchcou!
I did all of the above and I’m feelin’ pretty lucky 🙂
Third times a charm? 😉
Hi there! Would love to have my own DIY calligraphy kit. Oooo the things I could do with it! I followed on Pinterest and signed up for the newsletter.
Thanks for entering, Sandra!
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/sandyroohoo/status/470610803713130496
I can’t wait to make this wine cake tonight! 🙂 Also- I entered the contest in all ways possible! I would looooove this kit and love to use it on everything for my upcoming wedding! 🙂
Yeeeeeaaaaah buddy, I’d love to hear what you think of the cake! Best of luck in the giveaway — and best wishes on your upcoming nuptials. 🙂 Super exciting!
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I entered the contest! Following the Lettered Bride and repinned an image, singed up for the newsletter, also following the Pig and Quill on Pinterest! The DIY Calligraphy Kit would be perfect for my wedding, it’s rustic/elegant. Everything is beautiful!!
Thanks for entering, Laura! I love the sound of a rustic/elegant wedding. 🙂 Good luck!
I pinned, I followed, I liked – I did all but retweet!
I love Ashley’s stuff and have always wanted to try the DIY calligraphy kit!!
-Linsey
Isn’t Ashley a clever lass? Her style is too cute. Good luck to you!
Awesome giveaway! Entered all bonus methods.
Thanks, gotcha noted!
I entered the mandatory plus facebook, pinned, and followed.
Thanks!
Thank YOU Manda!
Hi ladies – I love this giveaway! I just started practicing my calligraphy but feel like I have all the wrong tools! I entered in all the bonus ways as possible! Cheers 🙂
Sounds like this could be just the ticket! Good luck, Leah – and thanks for entering!
Awesome giveaway! I did everything except tweet it 🙂
Lovely!
I did the two required and also repinned an image, followed you on FB and Pinterest and sent out a tweet. Thanks for the giveaway!
Great, thank you! (Side note: I checked out your blog and was hoping to see the review for Code Name Verity! It’s sitting on my side table as we speak!)
Oh I forgot to finish that (and a whole load of other books since then!) I enjoyed the book! I hope you do too!!!
Your cake is gorgeous and I entered on all accts! Nettie <3
Woohoo, thanks Nettie!!
Hi, my pinterest name is mathkidmathkid and I did the following extra things:
Repin an image from The Lettered Bride Pinterest board
Follow The Pig & Quill on Pinterest
Follow The Pig & Quill on Facebook
Yay!
Woohoo! Thanks lady, gotcha!
That is such a lovely story. And I like the look of that cake too 😉
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