(Our first lemon harvest - they only took six months to ripen!)
(A table setting from the long weekend that I incorporated gold and coral elements)
Friday, May 31, 2013
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Lounge Here, Wear This:: Shelter Island, NY
Have you been bitten by the summer bug? Alluringly high temperatures here in New York (it is supposed to get up to 90 degrees today!) have made me eager to pack up my belongings and head to a local beach. We typically head to Fire Island for the seclusion factor, but I have always wanted to visit Shelter Island off Long Island. This Shelter Island home, belonging to the Knoll CEO has a pool and dining space with a view that is quite spectacular. If I were so lucky to hang out poolside this is what I would be wearing. Are you all set to head to the beach?
Image via Architectural Digest
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Homemade Ricotta Cheese & Apricot and Ricotta 'Crostini'
There are some foods in life that are just better homemade - pie crust, your trustee chocolate chip cookies and ricotta cheese. When I first conjured up the idea to make my own, I was initially a little unsure that I (someone with zero Italian in me) could make the silky and creamy cheese that the family-owned Italian specialty store around the corner churns out each day. But I am dubbing ricotta cheese as the lazy man's recipe - it only uses three ingredients - milk, cream and lemon juice and the majority of its 'cooking' time is letting it drain in a cool place for up to two hours. Once all of the draining was complete, I was left with the same quality of cheese that Italian grandmothers have been making for years - it was light and silky perfect for layering slathering on a piece of crusty bread or on apricots like I did here. Continue for more...
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Resort 2014:: Tory Burch
The Resort 2014 presentations are underway and from what I have seen the collections are just impossibly pretty. I loved Gucci's bronzed and glistening fabrics, Clover Canyon's Cuban inspired prints and then there was Tory Burch. Her Resort collection is just dream-like, beautiful floral prints, lady-like pleats and embroidered lace details - simply stunning.
I Love This Look: The White Skirt
I hope that everyone had a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend! The beginning of the weekend we were greeted here in New York by cold weather, I can't believe I am saying this but I was wearing my winter jacket on Friday night sitting out on our porch - it was that cold. The rest of the weekend progressively got nicer so we hosted our first barbecue on our porch, which felt long over due. We spent Memorial Day just outside New York City where my husband-to-be's father, Commander of the American Legion marched in the parade. The ceremony that followed was emotional and eye-opening to all of the sacrifices and bravery that soldiers and their families go through to protect our country.
Remember when wearing white before Memorial Day and after Labor Day was considered fashion taboo? Well luckily we have moved passed this, whew. Adding white to a wardrobe makes for a crisp and clean look, not to mention chic, which is just one of the reasons why I love this look, in addition to combining white with brightly colored prints. I hope that everyone has a great week and cheers to shorter work week!
Image via Vanessa Jackman
Friday, May 24, 2013
Vintage&Modern: The Maillot
Are you all set to unofficially kick off summer? Well, I most certainly am, more than ready actually - I have been biting at the bit to start barbecuing, planting and enjoying limitless sunny hours outside. To kick off the holiday weekend, I thought I would start out with a new series Vintage&Modern, in which I pair my love for vintage fashion to items that you can find in store today. I am starting the series off with the maillot, otherwise known as chic and sophisticated swimwear. I hope that everyone has a safe and fun holiday here in the U.S, I will be back here Tuesday!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Creating the Perfect {Golden} Bar Cart
I am very excited because I have just inherited my mother-in-law to be's amazing brass bar cart. Every time I would go over to their house, I would think about how much I needed something exactly like it in our home, well, she was just so nice to give it to us because they are moving and it will not fit into their new home. I have slowly started to add my favorite white and gold pieces to it, however I couldn't help looking at some inspiration. Here are some key pieces that I would love to add. I think that every hostess should have one, it adds a glamorous touch to any get together, don't you think?
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Petal by Petal: German Iris
If there is one flower that has really stolen my heart this spring it would be the German Iris. It has a beauty that is dimensional, colorful and seeing it bloom is like watching something absolutely beautiful unfold in front of your eyes. This spring flower is in full bloom in the New York area, many brownstones in my neighborhood have front yards filled with these tall blooming beauties in a variety of purple, blues and pinks. I picked up this bunch at the Union Square Market over the weekend. I was intrigued by their vibrant color in addition to their soft powdery aroma that is laced with a bit of pepper. If you are looking for a bloom to incorporate on your coffee table, night stand or table setting definitely consider the German Iris, I can guarantee you will be just as enamored.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Strawberry Balsamic Jam
Strawberries and balsamic vinegar, who would have thought that this is a match made in culinary heaven? I think that I might be coming late to the game on this duo, but let me tell you if you haven't tried this combination, I urge you to. My husband-to-be and I recently went to our favorite pie shop here in Brooklyn, Four and Twenty Blackbirds. I decided upon their Strawberry Balsamic pie and I was completely floored at how amazing this combination tasted - it was slightly sweet due to the fresh strawberries while the balsamic added a depth that a strawberry couldn't impart by itself. I had picked up some strawberries at the Union Square Market over the weekend and decided to give a round of Strawberry Balsamic jam a try - it was delicious I enjoyed it dolloped on some peanut butter toast for breakfast and it brought the idea of jam to a whole new level. Stay tuned for a delicious recipe next week that incorporates this amazing jam. Continue for more...
Monday, May 20, 2013
I Love This Look: A Statement Floral Dress
I hope that everyone had a great weekend! I had a productive one, after being away or really busy the past few weekends it was nice to stay at home in Brooklyn, even though it rained both days. I did manage to take a trip to the Union Square Market, plant some flowers in our 'garden' and do a little baking. This spring season has been very strange in the New York area - I still feel like I can't trust the weather, it's up, it's down I really don't know how to dress. Regardless, my eye and style has been gravitating towards watercolor florals and soft pastel prints that induce a spring-like state of mind. I am loving this look above, it has a 40's vintage feel - I love how it hits mid-calf. I hope that everyone has a great week!
Image via Stockholm Streetstyle
Friday, May 17, 2013
Little Bits of Happiness
(For Mother's Day brunch my sister and I whipped up a delicious batch of Strawberry Scones)
(I had the amazing opportunity to meet the lovely and talented floral designer Amy Merrick)
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Jonathan Adler's Happy Chic
Have you seen the great things that JCPenny has been doing? First it was Pearl by Georgina Chapman of Marchesa now Jonathan Adler also has a collection called Happy Chic. This collection is signature Adler, bright colors, Greek keys and bulbous vases and lamps. I currently have my eye on that rug (it comes in a variety of colors) and that dresser. You should head on over and check it out!
Image via
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Pinterest Food Cravings
Are you like me in that if you open Pinterest before you know it hours have passed and you have pinned yourself into an oblivion? I am definitely guilty of this - I honestly can't remember where I went to feed my inspirational habit before that site was created. I find myself pinning delicious food styling, flowers, gardens, fashion and interiors for more hours out of a day than I would like to admit. Today, I thought I would share with you some amazing recipes that are making my mouth water. If you would like to see what my Pinterest habit has created, you can follow me here!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Welcoming the Cherry Blossoms
I hope that everyone had a great weekend. I spent an extra day away to spend time with my family in Boston. I finally got to meet my nephew and let me tell you, he is the sweetest little man - it is times like this that I wish I lived closer to my family. I also got to spend Mother's Day with my mom which was very nice, we enjoyed a nice brunch full of pancakes and strawberry scones. We also had wonderful weather, everything in Boston is in full bloom, just like it is here in New York. I snapped these photographs at my favorite cherry blossom location in Central Park. These blooms just make me happy - I wait for their arrival every year. Is there a particular flower that you wait for all year?
Friday, May 10, 2013
An Ethereal Glow
Happy Friday! I have been looking forward to this day all week. We are headed up to Boston to spend Mother's Day weekend with my mom and sisters. I haven't spent a Mother's Day with my mom in far too long, and I am also excited to meet my new nephew! I recently came across this fashion spread and was immediately captivated by the ethereal light and the gorgeous flowers creating a dream-like setting. I hope that everyone has a fantastic weekend!
Thursday, May 9, 2013
What I Want Now: Floral + Lace
I think that I am having a girly moment, because all I can think about when it comes to clothes is floral prints and lace. I know that I posted about it on Monday, but every where I look, I want to buy everything that I see - bottom line, the clothes in store right now are impossibly pretty. Here are just a few of the items that are catching my eye right now. Maybe it is the warmer weather perhaps? What are you being drawn to right now?
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
A Mother's Day Brunch & Mastering the Pancake
Are you looking for the perfect brunch item to serve for your Mother's Day brunch? Well look no further than these pancakes right here - they are delightfully light and the best part is that they do not come from a yellow box. I found that they key to making a great pancake is what you do with the eggs. One of my favorite brunch spots in Brooklyn is the Buttermilk Channel - if you are ever in the area I urge you to go, their brunch menu is out of this world. I typically get an omelette but one particular day, I managed to convince my sister to let me try her pancakes and they were knee-buckling good - they were fluffy and had a hint of richness that I couldn't put my finger on - I honestly still don't know the ingredient, but it tasted like vanilla laced bourbon. These pancakes are very similar in texture since instead of adding the entire egg, you separate it and whip the egg whites into stiff peaks which is then later added into the batter. This creates for an amazingly light and fluffy pancake that would be an amazing star at your next brunch. Continue for more...
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
A Rustic & Elegant Tablescape
If I had to pick one of my favorite meals, it would consist of a variety of good cheeses, crusty bread, buttery olive oil and a mixture of olives, perhaps it is the side of me that so badly wishes I was Tuscan. I came across this delectable tablescape created by prop stylist Kim Ficaro (of Domino Magazine fame) for Athena Calderone - a fabulous interior designer that has a serious penchant for delicious food. This table setting is rustic, yet incredibly elegant at the same time. Continue for my take on creating the same type of meal!
Monday, May 6, 2013
I Love This Look: Flowers & Embroidery
I hope that everyone had a great weekend! I had a busy weekend, first on Saturday I celebrated my honeys birthday with an amazing chocolate chip pancake breakfast (recipe to come), followed by a Yankee game (they won, go Yanks!). Then on Sunday, I got to spend the day with one of my dearest friends Christi, who was in town from Charleston, South Carolina. We spent the day exploring Brooklyn with a must-stop at the Smorgasburg which was amazing as always. Spring is still slowly making it's way into the area and I have been back and forth with wearing a jacket to going without. One item that I can't live without is my leather jacket - which is just one of the reasons that I love this outfit here. I love how the toughness of the leather is paired with two ultra-feminine pieces like floral prints and white, delicate embroidery. I also love how her brows are super defined and how her cheeks are rosy, just a sunny look. I hope that everyone has a great week!
Josie Maran Coconut Watercolor Cheek Gelé in Pink Escape
Image via Stockholm Streetstyle
Friday, May 3, 2013
Little Bits of Happiness
(Bite Lipticks and spring flowers from this post)
(A springtime floral bouquet arranged in various vessels)
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Decorating with Branches
It is officially branch season! We started off with quince blossoms and have now moved into magnolias and fluffy white apple and pink cherry blossoms (this is my favorite time of year) . I have long been a fan of adding branches to decorate a room - they add a wonderful element of texture and height to any setting in addition to elegant and petite blooms. Here are a few wonderful images that are inspiring me right now for the big bunch of cherry blossoms that I plan on picking up at the flower market this week. Does anyone else love branches as much as me?
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Vintage Inspired Beauty
I am a lover of all things vintage from fashion to home and beauty. As I might have mentioned before, I collect vintage makeup compacts from the 40s, because I adore how they are adorned in gold and have inlays of mother of pearl or other luxurious details. I find today that is just what is missing in the beauty market - I feel like everything looks the same - lipstick in black plastic tubes and eye shadow and blush in plastic disposable compacts. Where did the beauty go that is supposed to go with beauty? Luckily, there are many brands out there that feel there is a major void in the market, like I do. I am a sucker for beauty products but even more so if the packaging is beautiful. I have rounded up some of my favorite vintage inspired items that will make you want to display them because they are that pretty.
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