Little Bits of Happiness

(Central Park after the rain, so green, lush and serene)

(Another Central Park shot, the shade of green was unreal)

Kinfolk {Digital Edition}

Have you noticed the slew of new magazines hitting shelves like Cherrybombe, Cereal and Gather, just to name a few? Well, I am very excited that one of my favorite magazines, Kinfolk,  has finally opened a digital outpost that features a stunning gallery of amazing photographers in addition to content that is exclusive to their site. I adore the stunning photography and the simple rustic nostalgia that each issue brings forth.  Here are just a few examples on why I love this magazine.  

(Image 1 & 2 Photograph by Parker Fitzgerald)

Hand-crafted:: Chamomile Tea

I must make a confession, I have thoroughly fallen in love with my camera.  It has taken a little while to really know how to use it, but when you do there is no going back.  That being said, I have really been doing some heavy experimentation lately, where I have spent hours (I mean hours) playing around with different lighting and making photographs either bright and vibrant or dark and moody.  A quick story first though- when I was in high school I inherited my grandfather's manual Nikon from the 1970s.  It is a beautiful camera, I still have it.  I used his camera for photography lessons and back then I just did it because I needed to fulfill an elective.  I thoroughly enjoyed it but my teacher said I didn't have a 'knack' for photography, yes, a teacher told that to a student, so after that class I actually believed him and didn't pick up a camera again until last May.  Since then, photography has been an amazing creative outlet for me and I am glad that I stopped believing him and in turn, I believed in myself.  

Anyways, I decided to dry the chamomile leaves from yesterday's post and make tea.  I made homemade tea once before here and was blown away at how easy it is to make yourself.  Chamomile tea has a subtle floral notes and I love to sip it with just a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.  Continue for more...

Petal by Petal: Chamomile

Chamomile is one of those flowers that is just daintily pretty.  It has an innocent and sweet presence thanks to it's tiny white petals and vibrant yellow center, but chamomile is not a sleeper flower, this bloom has many medicinal properties that have been used for centuries.  While I am not much of tea drinker, there are times that only a cup of tea will do and I tend to lean towards the herbal variety.  By drinking chamomile tea, it is said that these blooms can ease indigestion and relieve tension and stress and for that I say amen! Stay-tuned tomorrow for a recipe incorporating this flower.  Continue for more...

I Love This Look: The Denim Vest

I hope that everyone had a great weekend, this weekend flew by way too fast, don't you think?  I guess because it was busy and so summery and beautiful here in New York.  The weekend was pretty eventful, my fiance and I celebrated four years together this weekend (yeah!), I celebrated one of my dear friends birthday at River Styx in Greenpoint (amazing!) and ended the weekend with a lot of fun projects for the blog (stay-tuned!). I absolutely adore this look here that combines a denim vest and a sweet eyelet dress, as seen on one of my favorite fashion bloggers, Hedvig from Northern Light.  It is effortless and chic and the feminine dress lends a softer feel to a denim vest that might seem a little rough around the edges.  I, of course, finished this look off with a matte red lip, because in red lipstick, in my opinion is always necessary! I hope everyone has a great week!

All Saints Denim Vestv/Lover Broderie Eyelet Dress

Zara Strappy Heels / Mulberry Willow Leather Tote

Topshop Festival Brow Sunglasses

Illmasqua Lipstick in Drench 

Image via here

Vintage&Modern:: The Playsuit

Happy first day of summer! I couldn't be happier that we are finally entering one of my favorite seasons, but on the other hand, can you believe June is almost over? Time seems to be flying by.  Summer months are all about freedom, endless hours spent outside either at the beach time or by the lake and when it comes to style it should be effortless and easy, enter the playsuit. This look translates well from a day at the beach to a day in the city.  Here are some of my picks. I hope you have a great weekend!

Vanessa Bruno Athé Playsuit / Alice Temperly Poppy Print Playsuit

Topshop Floral Bandeau Playsuit / Topshop Organza Playsuit

Topshop Floral Print Laceback Playsuit / Zimmerman Oasis Floral Print Playsuit

Image from My Vintage Vogue

Inspiring Interiors:: Touches of Pink

 I recently came across this home and I am pretty sure that I am in love.  I adore the soft pink accents, gold details and that mirrored wall is almost too pretty.  As I continue to blog I feel that my taste continues to evolve, sometimes I find myself gravitating towards a more rustic interiors, but regardless, I always find my way back to a room that resembles a French salon.  

Resort 2014: Marchesa

A few months have passed since our engagement and I have started to gather ideas and inspiration for what I would dream for my wedding dress to look like.  I think that I might be getting close after seeing these Marchesa beauties from the Resort collection.  Is it me or can Marchesa do no wrong? Here are some of my favorites from the collection. 

Healthy Chicken Salad

There are many foods in life that are well-worth the indulgence like a rich, velvety chocolate layer cake, truffled french fries and lobster macaroni and cheese and must never be deviated from, but then there are those dishes that you can play with and make lighter and healthier. One of my favorite recipes to transform is homemade chicken salad that is equal parts delicious and creamy but without the added fat.  In this recipe, I swapped out mayonnaise and added tangy non-fat Greek yogurt.  Initially, I was unsure if poultry would mix with yogurt, but it does, it does and has left me preferring this variety over the other.  I also added a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to make it a bit richer and added some chopped shallots and celery, which I then served atop a bed of red leaf lettuce. 

Summer Cravings:: Ice Cream

The official start of summer is nearly upon us and that means one thing - ice cream.  When it comes to this cold treat, the sky is the limit with flavors and textures.  I have yet to invest in an ice cream machine, but I am nearly about to cave after seeing these delicious recipes that I have been collecting on my Pinterest page.  I also gathered a few of my picks for creating some of these delicious recipes!  Continue for more...

Resort 2014: Stella McCartney

The Stella McCartney Resort collection has given me a new love - combining floral and python. I am also loving her take on a more relaxed peplum, a silhouette that does not seem to be going anywhere, which I am very happy about. Here are a few of my favorites from the presentation.   

I Love This Look: Blouse + Mini

I hope that everyone had a great weekend! It was a nice weekend here that started with spending time with family that was from out of town and was finished with a long sun-drenched brunch to celebrate Father's Day.  If I were to put together the quintessential summer office look it would be this, a button-up blouse with a cute skirt and a chunky heeled sandal - it is effortless and chic and I would pair it with rosy cheeks. This brings me to a collaboration that looks amazing, Pierre Hardy for NARS. I currently have my eye on this rosy blush with gold flecks, isn't it just impossibly pretty?

Tory Burch Brigitte Blouse / Topshop Skirt

Zara Block Heel Sandal / Annabel Ingall Jojo Cross Body Bag

NARS Pierre Hardy Blush

Image via here

Little Bits of Happiness

(Having some fun with my new favorite love/hobby, photography)

 (Enjoying a frothy cappuccino at the new Stumptown Coffee, this place must be visited)

Resort 2014: Chloé

Oh how Chloé just tugs at my heart strings. I am loving the Resort 2014 collection brimming with lace details, rich navy and boxy heels that I am dreaming about. Here are a few of my favorite looks.  

Inspiring Gardens

        With the change of the seasons, I usually find myself wanting to be outside as much as       possible.  There is nothing like spending a day surrounded by green grass, shady trees and   blooming flowers. Lately, I have found my Garden pinterest page growing at rapid speed. I have been pinning to give me inspiration on what types of plants I should include in our 'garden' or the garden that I dream to have one day.  I hope I inspire you too!

(An alley of alliums)

Garlicky Kale and Wheat Berry Salad

I love going to the fresh market this time of year, because it is over flowing with so many different varieties of fruits and vegetables, some that only stick around for a short while.  One of my favorites is spring garlic, a milder version of the variety that you can find at the store.  I was recently craving a healthy salad for lunch so I decided to combine spring garlic with kale and wheat berries for a nutrient packed lunch. I bet you wouldn't know it since I have a strong love, okay obsession, with baking and baked goods but I usually eat very healthy.  I love incorporating fresh vegetables into my diet as much as possible. Continue for more...

Petal by Petal: Coral Supreme Peony

Oh the peony, the sweet peony one of my favorite flowers just for their endless soft layers of petals.  This bloom comes in a variety of vibrant shades and even textures, but I have to say that Coral Supreme might be my favorite. It has layer upon layer of coral petals with a golden center.  I purchased this bunch at the Union Square fresh market and was stunned when they blossomed into eight inch flowers, just unbelievable! Continue for more...

Guest Post MadeByGirl: Lemon, Ricotta and Almond Cake

Head on over to check out my guest post this month for MadeByGirl! I am sharing a recipe for a Lemon, Ricotta and Almond Flourless Cake.  I am on somewhat of a lemon kick and I am hoping to inspire you to include this wonderful fruit into your next dessert.  

I Love This Look: White & Peach

Happy Monday! I hope that everyone had a great weekend. I finally started feeling better, I was feeling very under the weather last week.  The weather was glorious, the rain finally stopped and we could enjoy time outside.  One of my favorite color combinations of all-time, but especially spring is white and peach, which is why I love this look - it is just so pretty, don't you think?  

Zara Trousers with Faux Leather  / Zara White Heels

T by Alexander Wang / Roberto Cavalli Peach Blazer

Miu Miu Leather Clutch / Topshop Sunglasses

Image via here

Vintage&Modern: The Pinafore Dress

If there is one vintage dress silhouette that I can't get enough of is the pinafore dress for it's ultra-feminine look.  As the weather slowly begins to heat up, there is one article of clothing that creeps into my rotation and does not leave until fall, it is the sundress. Below are some picks below inspired by the vintage look above.  I hope that everyone has a nice and relaxing weekend!

Pom Pom Flippy Dress / Ikat Printed Pinafore Dress

Tibi Sleeveless Dress / Carven Two-Tone Dress

Topshop Eggplant Dress / Topshop Embellished Dress

Image via My Vintage Vogue

Resort 2014: Zac Posen

 The dresses at Zac Posen's Resort 2014 presentation were draw-droppingly beautiful, they almost looked like couture.  My favorite is the first look that features a cascade of feminine ruffles.  Which is your favorite?

Trending Beauty:: Christian Dior Resort 2014

The backstage beauty at the Christian Dior Resort 2014 collection made me gasp - bright fuchsia lips paired with soft lavender eye shadow and finished with an ultra-sleek pony, could it be anymore effortless or pretty? Here are some picks to help achieve this look.  

Lemon and Strawberry Balsamic Sandwich Cookies & A Lemon Harvest

 I am about to make a very big statement here - these Lemon and Strawberry Balsamic Jam Sandwich Cookies are the best cookies I have ever tasted, yes, I said it.  What makes these cookies so good you might ask? Well, not only do they incorporate lemons that we have been growing for over a year (I also mentioned them here), but they infuse a variety of flavors and textures that harmonize so well together like almond flour, lemon zest and strawberry balsamic jam.  The shortbread cookies practically melt in your mouth while the jam provides a sweet and almost savory-like flavor.  You can find the recipe for the Strawberry Balsamic Jam here.  Continue for more...

Petal by Petal: Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley, also known as muguet, is one of those precious flowers with a heavenly scent that blooms each May.  This flower has tiny bell-shaped blooms that create a powerful powdery floral fragrance, which makes this flower perfect for those wanting a  strong aroma.  Lily of the Valley can be purchased as a plant or as a bouquet at various flower shops.  I picked this bunch up at the flower market in Chelsea.  If you are looking for something with lasting power then definitely purchase the plant version since it will bloom year after year.  Continue for more...