"Poison & Wine" | The Civil Wars | OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO [HD]

Strawberry Bruschetta

Trust me when I say that this Strawberry Bruschetta is just as delicious as it is pretty!

Yellow Cardi

I have to say, I would never imagine wearing my cardigan backwards like Miss Yellow Cardigan seen in the Sartorialist's NYC picture. But, the combo of this with her lady-like polka dot dress and chunky clogs makes me want to give it a thought!

Chicago

I thought I would share a few pictures from a recent girl's weekend trip to Chicago. What a wonderful city and one that I really should visit more often! Sadly, the weather wasn't very kind to us and the chilly rain forced us to bundle up in our winter coats and my $5 Walgreens leopard (I just had to!) umbrella became my best friend. A new rule is now enforced in my book : "Any travel taken during winter months before May will be to a warm sunny climate." Aside from the rain, we had a lovely weekend filled with outstanding food, boutique shopping and an afternoon at the Art Institute. Two highlights would definitely have to be our delicious meal at Girl & the Goat restaurant and also a successful stop at very cute Eskell boutique. Chicago : I hope to see you again soon!


: A gloomy Art Institute :


: Lincoln Park boutique :


: Fig Black Pepper Vanilla Latte from Milk & Honey :


: Exploring Wicker Park : At least the rain made for cute umbrella photos :


: Eskell : I absolutely love this wall! :

Lemon Curd

A few years ago a friend of mine hosted a very elegant tea party. We were required to wear hats and sip from our favorite tea cups. The menu included tiny tea sandwiches, pretty pastries and of course endless tea options. One of the treats that stands out most was her homemade lemon curd and I remember I couldn't get enough of it! For some reason I haven't had lemon curd since, but when I came across a homemade lemon curd ice recipe cream recipe, my mouth watered, and I was certain it would become one of my favorites. What a disappointment! I guess my taste has changed and sadly I didn't have more than a few bites. At least the jar makes for a cute candle holder!

Toro Y Moi "Talamak"

My hot pink sneakers and I are headed out the door to see Toro y Moi!!

Simple Chocolate Cake + Lemon Curd Ice Cream

I am not one to say no to a chocolate craving. So, when I came across this Simple Chocolate Cake recipe video (so cute!) I immediately added the needed ingredients to my shopping list. And the tart Lemon Curd Ice Cream was a perfect combo.

Twenty8Twelve

Driben Bow Shorts


Ava Romper

It's not too much of a surprise to see the always fashionably cool Sienna Miller come out with her own line of clothing (partnered with her sister, Savannah). More than once, I have found inspiration from the outfits she's seen running around the London streets in with Jude (past-tense) around her arm. Here are two of my favorite pieces from her Spring line. I have a major crush on the Ava Romper.

Kings Of Convenience - I'd Rather Dance With You

Art Wall

Emma Armchair : I wish I had one just like it for my bedroom. And it's named after my sister!


French Macarons : Newly discovered treats that are so yummy


Chanel No 5 : My mom's favorite scent

I have a little wall in my house that I plan to dedicate to a wall of random art. I often find art that I fall in love with but wonder, "where could I put this?" Now I don't have to worry about anything matching, but can just find that piece that I connect with and add it to the mix!

Magical Healing Soup

This has been the winter of fun weekend plans interrupted by blizzards and sickness. Yuck! This weekend was very much un-welcomed by the latter of the two. Let's just say, I was not a happy girl to miss out on a night listening to Zoo Animal and a Hudson shopping trip for La Rue Marche's 30% off sale. Alas, I made the best of it with extra Oliver cuddle time, finally finishing my book and enjoying a random mix of movies. I also did my best at doctoring myself up with my favorite Kombucha tea (it does wonders!), my neti pot (ewww, I know) and I made a batch of Alicia's Magical Healing Soup.

ImagineNations

I just caught myself nearly drooling! I have always loved globes because of their endless dreaming that they feed for traveling adventures. However, ImagineNations adds a special touch that makes them even better. A well-loved vintage globe is turned into a piece of art with hand-cut decoupaged images and words. One more thing to add to my wish list!

Inspiration Board

Not only do these pictures give me the bug for bangs, but I really love each of these looks. They have such a pretty European feel that makes me want to hop a plane to the City of Love, eat a chocolate croissant outside a cafe, pick flowers from the street market to carry in my yellow bike's basket all while wearing one of these adorable outfits. Find more pictures of Louise Ebel here.

Bow Tie

My first outfit post! I have to say, I feel a bit silly taking photos of myself. But, perhaps I will get use to this with time.

Outfit details : Shirt : GAP, Skirt : Urban Outfitters, Boots & Belt : Vintage

VV Brown

VV Brown from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

"We gonna sing you a saoong."

I promise you'll be singing this all day. And wondering, "how in the world does she do that with her bangs?"

A Guinness Dinner

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Although I'm not Irish, I woke up this morning feeling very festive and excited to wear my mint green cardigan. As I drove into work listening to Flogging Molly on the radio, I remembered a delicious Irish Stew that my friend Jill introduced me to. It was a bit hearty for this sunny warm day, but the fresh parsley and Guinness ingredients made it so worth it. And because a celebration isn't complete without dessert, I found an amazingly rich Chocolate Guinness Pudding. The best part of the celebration, however, were the final touches ... curling up with P.S. I Love You, the company of two wonderful friends and (of course) finishing it all off with a Guinness.


Bit o Blarney Stew

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 pound lean beef stew meat (bit sized pieces)
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
salt and pepper as needed
1 onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 cups beef broth
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle Irish stout beer
4 cups diced carrots
2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
2-3 diced tomatoes
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (save half for serving).

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Coat beef cubes with flour, salt and pepper, shaking off the excess. Fry beef cubes until browned on all sides. Remove from the pot.

2. Add a little more oil, the onion, garlic and mushrooms to the pot, and cook stirring constantly until onion is tender.

3. Return beef to the pot, and stir in tomato paste, beef broth, and beer.

4. Add potatoes, carrots, tomatoes and half the parsley, cover, and simmer over low heat for at least 1 hour.

5. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Sugar Sugar

".... ahhh honey honey." I have been singing this song since I left the candy shop, this afternoon. Sugar Sugar is truly the cutest old-fashioned candy shop I have stepped foot in. I paid a visit today hoping to find something to brighten up my candy dish and I left with these pretty pink candies. I don't expect them to last long, but to distract myself from eating them I thought it would be wise to pick a few extra treats. I decided on the brightest blue robin's egg caramels (mouth-watering!) and coconut malted milk balls. What more could a girl ask for?

House 8810

Today I discovered House 8810. It's a website that I know will test my self control more than once. I already filled my shopping cart with eight things that would make my kitchen happy. Rather than press the check-out button, I will share some of them with you.

That 70's Denim

Madewell's Widelegger



Imogene + Willie's Elsie Rigid



Emerson Made's Em Original Bluebells

Moms will be proud. I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to my skinny jeans, but I am looking forward to saying hello to the next denim trend. Here are my top favorite wide-leg jeans. Add a flowy and delicate top, wavy hair and perhaps a pair of platform summer sandals ... beautiful.

Lissie, "Everywhere I Go"

Every time I hear this pretty song it ends up on repeat... three maybe four times before I make myself choose another. I just can't seem to get enough of it. It's one of those lovely songs that seems to press pause to whatever I might be doing so I can listen to every word.

Lissie and I could be friends (you know if we lived in the same city and if our paths happened to cross). First, who wouldn't want to be friends with her?! Second, I know this because she told a beautiful story about her love for A Prairie Home Companionand how she often opens every window in her California home, bakes a homemade pie while listening to Garrison. Doesn't that imagery sound like the perfect Saturday summer evening? May this song satisfy your sweet tooth until we're tying on our aprons for summertime baking!

p.s. Oliver & London's very first post! I hope you find it enjoyable along with the many more I hope will come.