happy [holiday] weekend!

Photo via Flickr, found via Mary Ruffle.

Hey there to all, happy Friday! I know most of you are enjoying the extended weekend and busy making holiday plans with friends and family. I am very excited about the festivities taking place this weekend and can only hope that the predicted rain and thunderstorms hold off tomorrow!

Lots of fun things on the agenda this weekend: a parade, firetrucks and flashing lights, tootsie rolls, BBQ, cherry cobbler, sparklers, balloons, late night firework shows...the list goes on. Wherever you are, and whoever you're celebrating with, I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!

tasty thursdays: july 4th round-up

Photo via Getty Images.

Happy, happy Thursday to you all! It's just about time for a lovely 3 day weekend and to prepare for all the fun and festivities that go with it! For today's installment of Tasty Thursdays I wanted to focus on fun party cocktails and desserts that you can easily whip up and serve at your Independence Day cookouts and parties. All of these look absolutely delicious I know I can't wait to make some of my own treats to enjoy this holiday weekend (I've got my eye on #4!)

1. Jennifer Sbranti from Hostess with the Mostess posted about 5 festive-looking holiday drinks and cocktails over at Simply Stated.
2. Martha Stewart's Red, White and Blueberry Trifle.
3. Ina Garten's Flag Cake.
4. Berry Shortcakes from Annie's Eats.
5. Ice Pops, posted by Deborah at Taste and Tell.
6. Key Lime Berry Tarts from Jacque.

the colors of the season

Photo via Martha Stewart.

Hello there and happy Wednesday (and mid-week!) to you all. I hope that everyone is getting as excited as I am for this weekend. As promised yesterday, the rest of this week's post will focus around the Fourth of July. I absolutely adore this point in the summer, as nothing screams Americana quite like a hot afternoon cookout by the pool, fireworks, or a cupcake decorated with white buttercream icing and red and blue sprinkles (my personal favorite way to celebrate the holiday!) Of course, it's only appropriate to dress in red, white and blue as well. Here are some of my favorite festive pieces.

1. Dress, $191.40, Yarnie by Shin Choi.
2. Flats, $98.95, Nordstrom.
3. Wedges, $177, Marc by Marc Jacobs.
4. Clutch, $35, Aldo.
5. Scarf, $57.50, Ron Herman.
6. Top, $17.80, Forever 21.
7. Bracelet, $110, Max & Chloe.

I know it's only Wednesday but I'm excited to hear about your plans-if you happen to live in the States-for the Fourth!

bedazzled

Hello there again! I hope everyone is having a lovely Tuesday so far. I know I am getting excited about the upcoming weekend's festivities: lots of fireworks, parades, and cookouts! The rest of the week will feature Independence Day related posts, and I am especially excited to share with you all this week's installment of Tasty Thursdays in a few days-trust me, you will not be disappointed :) As for this post, I've found myself being drawn into pretty and unique beaded detailing, from tops to shoes to jewelry. And summer seems like the perfect time to enjoy this trend-it just reminds me of a beachy, tropical vacation. I guess we know what I'll be daydreaming of the rest of the day...

1. Tank, $680, Matthew Williamson, available at the Outnet.
2. Sandals, $129.95, Steve Madden.
3. Bikini top, $49.95, and bottom, $79.95, Anthropologie.
4. Earrings, $5.80, Forever21.
5. Pendant, $14, Dorothy Perkins.
6. Clutch, $175, Calypso St. Barth.
7. Headband, $8, Aldo.

Have a lovely Tuesday!

a brief hello...

Photo courtesy of Laura Resen Photography, via Mary Ruffle.

Good morning, happy Tuesday to you all! Things are pretty busy this morning but I will be back later this afternoon with another post. Til then!

have it your way

And no, good grief no, I am not referencing Burger King. This post comes after a late night run to Coldstone Creamery over the weekend. What I love most about Coldstone is that you can add anything you want to come up with your own flavor creation. Or so I thought. As I was waiting to place my order a woman in front of me chose chocolate as her ice cream flavor and added peanut butter as her mix-in...simple enough right? Then she proceeded to request skittles and gummi worms be added in as well. Now I am not one to judge another's ice cream preferences but apparently the teenage boy behind the counter did not agree. He all but refused to make her ice cream for her...in fact, the manager had to come out and finish the job because the boy kept mumurring "that's just not right." I smiled at the lady, who eventually got what she wanted, and seemed to be enjoying it immensely on her way out the door.Immediately my mind began to wander and as soon as I got home I looked up several websites that allow you to create your own ice cream flavor, cereal, granola bar, candybar, etc. It's just something that I find so fun and innovate. A grown-up version of playing with your food, if you will. Hope you exploring these new DIY food options, and have a wonderful Monday!

Create your own ice cream (or gelato!) at eCreamery. You can even customize the packaging design and name your flavor. I chose to blend two ice cream flavors, chocolate mousse and hazelnut, and added in dark chocolate pieces and mini marshmallows. No surprise there, fellow Nutella fans.

Custom create your own cereal or granola mix, from a selection of 50+ ingredients, with the help of Goji.

YouBars gives you 3 options on their website: create your own energy bar (and name it!), design your own protein shake, or mix up your own trail mix. The website also offers nutrition facts based on the bar/shake/mix you create.

Totally Chocolate allows you to design your own edible business cards onto their milk chocolate bars. I kid you not. Talk about getting your name noticed!

a confession + happy weekend!

Photo via Daniel Farmer.

Hello there friends, happy happy Friday + weekend to you all! It just seems like yesterday was Monday, doesn't it? I guess that's the thing about having all this nice weather, it just seems to go by too fast before I have a chance to really enjoy it!

After just getting in from an outing to the grocery store I knew exactly what I would be posting about today. It happens every single time: I'm waiting in the check-out line and as they're bagging my groceries, I pour over all the different magazine covers by the register. Then, without fail, I'll toss one or two into my pile of items. It's something I look forward to while I'm shopping throughout the rest of the store. Mind you, it's never the tabloid magazines (does this earn me a little credit back?) This is a silly habit, borderline obsession of mine since (a.) I already subscribe to several different magazines via the mail and (b.) there are at least 10+ spread around the house that I have yet to read. Of course I plan on getting around to reading them some time, whether at the pool or on vacation, or just during a lazy night at home. So my question to you all is this: do you find yourself compulsively buying magazine after magazine? I'm crossing my fingers I'm not alone in this.

Anyway, here's a small tidbit of what's going on schedule for this weekend: the annual Greek food and entertainment festival, PaneGyri-I plan to gorge myself on greek salad, gyros, and chocolate covered baklava til I can't see straight; an early Saturday morning trip to the farmer's market-I've heard that tomatoes have finally gotten ripe enough around here to start selling them fresh!; a cousin's birthday party; Church + brunch + pool + cookout on Sunday. All in all, I'd say it's going to be a pretty exciting and eventful weekend! Hope you all have a great one in store as well :)

tasty thursdays: nutella

Photo via superbaaaarbs.

My, oh my, is it really Thursday already? Maybe it's all the heat from the summer sun but I feel like the days have just been running together. It's always this way during the June-August stretch for me though-I have difficulty keeping the days straight without a concrete class schedule, due dates, etc. Not that I'm complaining. I've been out of school a little over a month and have enjoyed every minute of it, from the leisure reading to late night blockbuster marathons to trying out new recipes. Speaking of which, it's time for another installment of Tasty Thursdays. I'm actually surprised I didn't think of featuring Nutella before now; it's earned a permanent spot in the kitchen cabinet (and in my heart). I think I've devoted the top of my personal food pyramid to the chocolate/hazelnut bliss. Hopefully you're already a Nutella fan, and if not, these recipes will surely convert you.

• I'm a huge fan of anything that remotely resembles molten chocolate cakes. Nosh & Tell's Nutella Lava Cookies look live they could definitely compete. A cookie with an ooey-gooey middle? I'm sold.
• I've long been a fan of nutella crepes; now perhaps it's on to better things? I'll soon be trying out these Strawberry & Nutella Wontons, recipe courtesy of Life's Ambrosia.
• My sweet tooth soared into overdrive just looking at the photos on Tender Crumb. Get inspired by Linda's Nutella & Heath Toffee Rugelach.
  
• I can think of about a hundred uses for Stephanie's recipe for Nutella Frosting.
• Wanna try making your own Nutella at home? Su Good Sweets has two recipes, one for the traditional spread, and one with a caramel base.

I'll admit, I usually just eat Nutella on a spoon straight from the jar. Now, however, I'm being inspired to broaden my chocolate, hazelnutty horizons...

a dress fit for a princess

I don't know what it is about late June or the onset of Summer but something about this time of year brings one thing to mind: wedding dresses. Last week over the one true breakfast food I crave like a mad girl, Mom and I had a lengthy discussion about our visions of my future wedding. Silly and ridiculous, of course, as I'm nowhere near this stage of my life. Still, it's fun to share in a morning of girly giggles and dreams about the most special of days. The two of us joked that it would be fun to head over to a bridal gown boutique and try on dresses, just for the heck of it. Something tells me we would not have been the first. We decided to settle for scouring online for dresses and I knew the moment I saw some of these I would have to share them with you all.

1. J. Crew 2. Vera Wang 3. Mia Solano

most wanted: on a hot summer day

Photo via Flickr found via Mary Ruffle.

I swear to you, there is simply nothing better than a smiling face with melted chocolate dribbling down the chin. Ah, sweet summer.

cocktail, mocktail

Good morning to everyone, happy Tuesday! I hope that you all have been able to enjoy the first few days of summer, soaking up the sun's rays, grilling dinner outside, or taking a walk in the evening when it's a bit cooler. Today is supposed to be the hottest day yet so I'm equipping myself with a beach towel, the next book on my summer reading list (Oh yes, I realize it's a mindless beach read-that's the point!), and hitting the pool. Enjoy the weather, this cocktail-inspired beauty post, and perhaps whip yourself up one of these tasty drinks along with dinner tonight :) Have a great Tuesday!

1. The Drink: Screwdriver
The Product: Zirh's Cocktail Body Bar, $15, available at Sephora.

2. The Drink: Daiquiri
The Product: Melon Daiquiri Shower Gel, $16, Philosophy.

3. The Drink: Mojito
The Product: Mojito Sugar Scrub, $22, Sweet Beauty Spa.

4. The Drink: Appletini
The Product: Appletini Body Glow, $19, Margarita Bloom.

5. The Drink: Pina Colada
The Product: Coconut Craze Body Mist, $12, Victoria's Secret.

6. The Drink: Strawberry Margarita
The Product: OPI Nail Polish in Strawberry Margarita, $6.95, Beauty Needs.

summer is here!

Good Monday morning to you all, hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and a great time celebrating Father's Day! My weekend was a lot of fun-I saw The Proposal (very good but not as funny as I'd been hoping), discovered a new love at an outdoor festival (gyros!), soaked up some sun at the pool, finished my third book of the summer, baked Dad his favorite cake (he loved it!), and cooked scallops for the first time! So yes, as you can see, it was a pretty productive and exciting weekend! I'm not too sure what this coming week has in store for me but I'm excited to learn that it's not supposed to rain til the end of the week. Tell me, how was your weekend? I always love hearing from you :)

Since yesterday was the first official day of summer I thought today's post should reflect just that-so here are a bunch of fun and flowing summer dresses.

1. Anthropologie 2. Marc by Marc Jacobs 3. Forever21 4. Juicy Couture 5. Arden B. 6. Fred Flare