Chateau Dreamer:: Chateau de Primard

One of the things that I am looking forward to the most about our honeymoon is daydreaming outside of chateaux in Provence.  This chateau is actually currently on the market belonging to legendary French actress Catherine Deneuve.  In the back of my mind I have that Under the Tuscan Sun dream to move to the countryside of either France or Italy and take up residence in a magical home.  Here is just a peak into this residence and if you are in the market for a home, you can buy it here.  Sigh...

Artist Spotlight: Jocelyne Beaudoin

I have some visually stunning photography and styling to share with you today from Jocelyne Beaudoin, an incredibly talented prop stylist.  She has an incredible eye for color and for adding just the perfect amount of feminine touch.  Here is just a glimpse into her beautiful world.  

Classic Lemon Meringue Pie

Lemon Meringue Pie is a classic recipe that should be in every devoted bakers/non-bakers recipe arsenal.  It is a fairly easy recipe that can be made in three parts. On a warm summer day or a cool summer night, it is the perfect light dessert that will not weigh you down.  This pie is deliciously tart, but in all of the right ways. The tangy lemon curd sits atop a flaky pastry crust while whipped meringue floats like a cloud on top of the curd.  

Backstage Beauty:: Dior Resort 2015

The Resort shows are some of my favorites, the name alone makes me incredibly happy.  The shows have kicked off pretty much around the globe from Brooklyn, Dubai to Cannes.  I absolutely adore this look at the Dior Resort 2015 show.  The dramatic cat eye was done in two parts, a winged top lid was paired with a partially winged bottom lid.  Complexions took on a matte look while bold brows and a glossy lip finished the look.  

Enchanting Gardens:: Great Dixter, East Essex England

One of my favorite editorials this year thus far has been 'Dream a Little Dream' featuring Georgia May Jagger in February's Vogue UK.  The lace dresses, dreamy landscape, wild flower fields all captured during the 'golden hour' are just magical.  In my research, I came across the beautiful garden where this stunning editorial took place, the Great Dixter Gardens in East Essex, England.  The grounds are home to a large estate situated around a variety of different gardens.  Here is just a glimpse of the beautiful grounds. Do you have a trip to England planned? Here is all of the information you will need to visit the garden.  

A Few Beautiful Things

Well, we are in the home stretch, tomorrow we are getting married!  I am so excited that my family and friends are slowly trickling into Brooklyn.  I have a lot of projects going on for the big day that I cannot wait to share with you when we get back from our honeymoon and I will have a few sneak peaks on Instagram.  I will be here next week posting but following Memorial Day I will be taking a pre-summer break.  I will be back in the first week of June to share with you all of our wedding details and of course our honeymoon!  Until then...

This chocolate cake looks absolutely divine

I have been completely blown away by the One Room Challenge series by Albertina, did you see her living room? It is perfection

My new holy grail, a coffee lovers guide to New York and Brooklyn by neighborhood, get ready to caffeinate yourself through 101 different coffee shops!

I adore floral wallpaper and I love this well-edited roundup

Have you read the newest issue of Lonny? I absolutely adore this San Francisco home

A new website discovery that is dedicated to eating whole foods is now on my list of favorite cooking websites

Image via 

The Hardest Part

Getting married has by far been the best thing to happen so far in my life, with it has brought happiness, excitement and above all love.  I am truly blessed that I am marrying a man that makes me a better person and that loves me unconditionally.

Despite all of this joy, there is one thing that will be one of the hardest things to come to grips with, the fact that my dad will not be there.  My father passed away unexpectedly two days before my college graduation at the young age of 49, leaving behind my mom and seven children.  Our relationship was often a bit rocky, so not being able to say goodbye and get closure haunted me for years.  It has taken years (I mean years) to try to understand why something so awful could happen to my family, honestly I am still unsure.  There are so many things that my father has missed, my younger siblings growing up, birthdays, holidays, engagements, the birth of my nephew and now our wedding.  It is heart-breaking to know that he will not be able to walk me down the aisle, meet my wonderful fiancé and see us live a happy life together.  He will be sorely missed at our wedding, there will undoubtedly be a gaping hole.  I am blessed that I have two amazing brothers to walk me down the aisle, both who I have seen tower over me as the years have passed. I know that my father is looking down and I know that he will be there in spirit, but honestly that is the hardest part.  I miss my dad terribly and even though he is gone, he is not forgotten.

I am a firm believer in signs.  My sister gave me a part of her peace lily from his funeral three years ago after we settled into a place of our it.  It sits in my office, day in and day out not doing much, however one day last April I walked into my office and two flowers had appeared practically over night.  Typically April was a month that I dreaded, it was the month that he passed away, however last April a few happy events occurred,  I got engaged and my sister welcomed my nephew into the world.  The following months it was dormant until two days ago, I saw the beginnings of a new flower.  Just seeing that made me happy, almost at peace. I truly felt his presence and for that I am grateful and I know that he will be with me on my wedding day.  

At the Market:: Rhubarb

Blogging Over Thyme: Rhubarb Meringue Cups 

I am excited to bring you a new column here today called At The Market where I will highlight seasonal fruits and vegetables that are gracing the local fresh markets and delicious recipes to accompany each find.  I will be baking/cooking as well as finding inspiration from some of the best food sites around.  Today I am excited to start out with rhubarb, the pink-tinged vegetable that is especially delicious in a pie or made into a jam.  Rhubarb is now available at farmer's markets and grocery stores.

Adventures in Cooking: Strawberry Rhubarb & Tarragon Tart Tartan

(Apt 2. B Baking: Rhubarb & Gin Sorbet with Rose Cream)

Perfectly Distressed: A Guide to Denim Shorts

It was a wonderful 82 degrees in New York yesterday, it seems like we completely by passed spring! I am not complaining though, the warm weather feels heavenly.  This spring I am currently craving distressed shorts whether they are cut-off at the perfect length or frayed around the pockets or cuff.  I love this look paired with a feminine top or a perfectly worn tee.  Here are some of my favorite picks of the season.  

Cherry Blossom Wonder

I hope that everyone had a great weekend! We had quite an eventful one, if you follow me via Instagram you might have seen we (legally) got married!  Saturday's weather here in New York felt like a hot summer day that brought with it sporadic rain showers, luckily, the rained cleared and the sun came out long enough to say our vows by the Long Island Sound.  It was a very special moment, but I am looking very forward to our actual wedding this Saturday.  

Ever since my first year living in New York (I am dating myself but it has been 13 years) I have been flocking to the same grassy hill in Central Park to take in the cherry blossoms each spring.  With this past winter being so brutal, there were times that I thought these beautiful flowers would never bloom.  I could sit under the light pink petal canopy for hours letting the light filter in and hearing the bird sing.  Here is a glimpse into the grand finale of spring here in New York, I hope you enjoy!

Mother's Day Brunch:: Blueberry Crumble Cake (SELF Magazine Feature)

Are you looking for a delicious and easy recipe to prepare for your Mother's Day brunch Sunday? I recently collaborated with Self.com to create a recipe that was inspired by a recipe my mom used to make growing up, so I settled on a Blueberry Crumble Cake.  This cake is incredibly moist and it has an addictive layer of crumb topping that makes it irresistible when paired with coffee.  You can find the recipe here. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Resort 2015: Bottega Veneta

 Resort season is upon us, my favorite season after spring.  The season kicked off with Christian Dior pulling an Alexander Wang, by venturing from the lofts of Manhattan to Brooklyn's Navy Yard. Here are some of my favorite looks from Bottega Veneta's presentation where feminine florals complimented column dresses and structured oxford shirts.  You can see the full collection here.  

Mother's Day Gift Guide

May is flying by so quickly and I can't believe that Mother's Day is this Sunday. Do you have any special plans with your mom? Unfortunately I will not be able to spend it with my mom (I will see her next weekend at our wedding!), but we will be having my soon to be New York mom over for a nice afternoon brunch.  Looking to spoil your mom with something special? Here are some of my favorite picks for the special lady.  

Santa Maria Novella Body Milk / Aerin Lauder Lilac Path Eau de Toilette / Thé du Hammam, Palais des Thés  / Guerlain Le Rouge Carmin Escarpin / Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Candle / Marchesa by Lenox Spring Lark Tea Cup / Extra Virgin: Recipes & Love From Our Tuscan Kitchen / Repetto Cendrillon Flats / Shiseido Revitalizing Cream / The Plant Recipe Book 

Introducing Hatchery

I have quite the soft spot when it comes to artisanal goods. I equate that to the fact that I live in Brooklyn, a borough is known for handmade, small-batch goodness.  I recently discovered Hatchery, a monthly, highly curated subscription box service that will not only leave you addicted to the samples that you have received, but also a greater appreciation for small businesses and what they offer.  There website also has features a marketplace where you can then shop for the items that you receive, it is as easy as should I say, pie! Here is a peak inside of my tasting box, my favorites are by far Dave's Homemade Dark Chocolate Malted Fudge (the perfect ice cream topper) and the Virtuoso Living Spices which have been incorporated into many dishes.  You can subscribe here!

A Site to Love: Suvi Sur le Vif

The only reason I think I would ever leave New York is to move somewhere where the light is ethereal like Italy or France. Recently a new place has been added to my list and it is Finland all because of a discovery of a new site, Suvi Sur le Vif. I am positively enamored with the photography, styling and the beautiful light incoproated into each post. Here is just a glimpse into this beautiful world.

By the way did you tune into the Met Ball red carpet, what a stunning array of dresses!  My favorites by far were Karolina Kurkova, Katie Holmes, Giovanna Battaglia and Dree Hemingway. What were your favorites? 

Take Me There: Cheval Blanc, Maldives

The Maldives have been on my bucket list for a very long time, even more so now that I discovered Cheval Blanc Randheli, a luxurious resort spread out this wonderful cluster of islands situated off the coast of Africa.  The open floor plan allows you to practically smell the sea breeze floating inside of each of the airy spaces.  This resort is actually owned by luxury conglomerate LVMH so you can believe that your trip will be an ultimate pampering experience from the food to the spa that exclusively uses Guerlain products.  

The Brooklyn Botanical Garden {Early Spring}

Happy Friday everyone! It feels like the past few weeks have been going faster and faster since our wedding is less than two weeks away!  The anticipation leading up to our wedding has been pretty so great that I wish time would slow down just a little bit so that I can fully soak everything in.  This is such a special moment in our lives that I truly want to savor every minute.  I am headed 'somewhere' this weekend I(it is a surprise) to spend a weekend with a few of my sisters

 and my sister-in-law-to-be. It should be fun!  Before I leave you I thought I would share a few photographs from the Brooklyn Botanical Garden (the site where we will be getting married!) that I took a few weekends back when the tulips and magnolias were in full bloom.  I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!

The Costume Exhibit: Charles James - Beyond Fashion

There is no doubt that the Met Ball embodies pure glamour and prestige - remember when Kim Kardashian wasn't even allowed to attend? Apparently Anna Wintour seems to be singing to a different tune since the April cover of Vogue.  The past two exhibits have been pretty spectacular with Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty and Punk: Chaos to Couture.  This year, the Met Gala is dedicated to courtier Charles James who created one of a kind ball gowns carefully devised in sculptural silhouettes using a scientific and mathematical approach.  The exhibit debuts May 8th and runs through August 10th.  I will definitely be attending (not the Ball, but the exhibition) and will report back.  Meanwhile, you can see the red carpet on Vogue.com May 5th. They are saying we are in for some old-world elegance, and as a lover of vintage and history I cannot wait to see what that entails.  In the meantime here is a snapshot of a few of the looks.