hello + pretty things...

Hello and good day to you... The heavy haze of humidity has settled in so thick you would swear it was raining. And so, appropriately, I'm currently enjoying a mid-afternoon cappuccino and chocolate chip shortbread. There's a sweet  pup curled up at my feet and a quiet stillness hanging in the air. It's almost enough to trick me into thinking that morning has barely broken and there's nothing on my agenda for today but to sit and sip, mindfully present and grateful. But alas, real life beckons and I'm swept away in a flurry, still questioning where the hours went...

 

by Caitlin McGauley

by Caitlin McGauley

by Samantha Hahn

 by Inslee Haynes

By Inslee Haynes

[I've been feeling endlessly inspired by watercolors and fashion illustrations lately. These are just a few of the gems I have spotted. What beautiful things are making your day?]

croque madame meets steak & eggs

There are two ways one can approach the kitchen. Some see it as something to be conquered, a battle to be won. They arm themselves with the appropriate tools and ingredients, consulting recipes and cookbooks to develop a proper course of action. This method, at times, works. It is foolproof, predictable. But there is no adventure, no thrill, no surprises. When you approach the kitchen like an old friend, a beautiful transformation takes place. Suddenly, you begin to overlook the flaws and shortcomings and see her for what she is capable of. Stale bread becomes French toast, ripe bananas are turned to banana bread.


Last week I wanted something hearty for breakfast, but we didn't have any bacon. I decided to improvise, and made this sandwich using thinly sliced roast beef and leftover ciabatta bread. An egg (cooked over-easy) and cheddar cheese were the perfect finishing touches. I've decided, it doesn't have to be difficult to be utterly delicious.

 [croque madame meets steak and eggs]

"Learn to cook-- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all, have fun!" 

-Julia Child

Channeling...

...1950s Italian movie star on holiday in Capri

When I get dressed I often imagine some sort of story behind my sartorial selections. Sometimes I'm channeling "this is the exact same outfit I wore yesterday... and the day before," but usually the details are more juicy, like "Swedish botanist on safari in Kenya." Between the Clubmasters, the dainty lace skirt, and the cheery pink scarf, yesterday I was feeling very Sophia Loren circa 1954. 

[details, details]

Clubmasters- Ray Ban

Scarf- gift from Easter bunny

Tank- J. Crew 

Skirt- J. Crew (gift from TBT!) 

Purse- Steven by Steve Madden

Watch- vintage Timex

Ring- vintage (stolen from momma)

Shoes- Report

In my cart...**

When I'm home I don't do much grocery shopping, mainly because my mom does it for me. (Be sure to check me out on MTV's True Life: I'm a 21 year old college graduate living off my parents. Win. Kidding, I'm really not as pathetic as I may seem, promise) 


Here are a few things that I do, however, make sure we have on hand.
Greek Yogurt

Umm... packed with protein and delicious. Seriously, why did I wait so long to try this stuff? (My favorite brand so far is Chobani.)


Talenti Gelato

I had tried the Double Dark Chocolate before (delicious) but Sunday I picked up a pint of Sea Salt Caramel and it is beyond amazing. It's the perfect alternative to driving all the way to Charlottesville for Splendora's. 


**This post could also be titled "Things you can eat if you recently had oral surgery." Not that I did, I've just been eating like it I guess. Whatevs.

Listening to...

Gloomy weather today in coastal Carolina, and even though a formidable forecast seems to beckon one back to bed, life continues to forge along, full speed ahead. As much as I would love to curl up with a book and listen to this song on repeat all day, the are jobs to be done, appointments to be kept, and projects to be started. So for now, I will finish the last few sips of my latte, listen to the pitter-patter of tiny raindrops on the window, and be grateful for peaceful mornings and the calm before the storm. Stay dry, mes amours...

rise and shine

When I'm not making blueberry muffins from scratch or whipping up a delicious breakfast pizza, I typically enjoy cereal for breakfast. And always a latte. Or three. With the juiciest peaches of the season, I stumbled upon what is, quite possibly, the most delicious combination yet:

MultiGrain Cheerios, Cinnamon Life cereal and fresh peaches. If you close your eyes you just might think you're eating peach cobbler for breakfast, which, I assure you, is a good thing. 

Guilt-free Friday!

Happy Friday! Ok, so I'll admit it. I've been a little off on the guilt-frees, but I'm never without a good excuse explanation. You see, what had happen wuz... Guilt-free Friday typically signifies the start of the weekend. But now my weekend starts on Sunday. So Friday is kind of like Thursday, and I still have my two busiest days left before I get to kick up my feet for a little r&r. So, I've come up with a solution. From now on, I will schedule all spa/salon services for Friday afternoons, that way I can get in the guilt-free mindset. Perfect, rrright? Kicking things off with a mani/pedi today, and I'll be darned if I see a single chip before Sunday. Hope you have a pampered weekend too, dahlings...


Hey! It's ok...


if a triple-digit heat index justifies a Teen Mom marathon


to drop $250 on a handbag without batting an eye, but to feel physical pain when it costs more than $50 to fill up your tank. Foreign leather goods? Yes. Foreign oil? No. 


if 97% of your pop culture references are outdated. And you're not even old enough to rent a car. When did 21 become so old?

[polish of choice for today is tart deco by essie. 

if you like it you should check out jordan's blog and win it. holler]