TrendSpotting:: The Modern Cape

Happy Monday everyone! Did you have a nice weekend?  It was a rainy weekend here in New York but luckily the temperatures felt more like spring.  Last week I shared some of my favorite picks for spring jackets, but I over-looked one key piece that was trending off the runway during Fall 2014 fashion week - the modern cape.  This easy piece can serve as a great transition piece until you can bid adieu to a jacket for good. Here are some of my favorite picks. I hope that everyone has a great week!

Among Flowers & Pretty Links

I love when editorials stop me in my tracks, such is the case with the Spring 2014 Dior Magazine starring Elizabeth Erm photographed by Camilla Akrans. The garden roses, the petal pink lips, the amethyst eyes, just beauty at it's finest.   I am thoroughly looking forward to this weekend, I am finally back to normal and have been seriously missing both my camera and my kitchen.  I cannot wait to spend some much needed time together and to finally catch up on this space.  I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend! I leave you with some pretty links below. 

{Artist Spotlight} Kate S. Jordan Prop Styling

As I continue to blog, I find it amazing how much more stimulated I am visually, from photography to styling.  I love discovering new stylists and photographers from whose talent I really study, all hoping to improve my own work.  Kate S. Jordan is a prop stylist based in New York that specializes in styling still life, interiors, food and soft goods. Here is just an example of her beautiful work, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

A Sweet Introduction:: The Caprice

One of my favorite things about New York and Brooklyn is discovering new bakeries where owners pour their heart and soul into their confections, Caprices by Sophie is no exception. Situated on Williamsburg's bustling North 6th Street, this bakery is a jewel of a shop that specializes in the Caprice, a relatively new French dessert that has made it's way to New York.   The caprice is made of pâte à choux, otherwise known as a cream puff and is filled with pastry cream and topped with the appropriate corresponding flavor, whether it be salted caramel, pecan or lemon.  They are two bite beauties that will satisfy any sweet tooth.  

Petal by Petal:: Icelandic Poppy

If there was every the tale of a flower that completely mesmerized me it would be that of the Icelandic Poppy.  After trying for weeks on end to find them in the flower market,  I finally struck gold on a recent Thursday.  Imported from Italy, I find it fascinating that these beauties were once swaying in the wide-open fields of the Italian countryside.  I reveled in their beauty spending hours photographing them, being patient as the light began to change and slowly illuminate their beautiful crepe-de-chine petals.  I adore how they twist and turn and look as if they are destined to be in a still life setting.  The Icelandic Poppy begins as a fairly large fuzzy bud where eventually the petals slowly making their way from the pouch, uncurling into a striking flower in a variety of shades.  Aren't these flowers just beautiful?

Spring Forward: A Guide to Spring's Best Jackets

Happy Monday! I'm coming off from such a wonderful weekend, I truly felt like a bride to be! For some reason our wedding has felt like a dream but now feels so real and I cannot wait. Thank you for all of your sweet words!

I have never been more eager to tuck my winter jackets far away, deep into my closet and forget about them until next winter.  I wouldn't be lying either if I said that I would like to forget about jackets all together, but alas I am ready to lighten it up whether it be with a vintage-inspired denim jacket, a buttery leather bomber or a relaxed military style coat.   Here are some of my favorite picks for the season so far.  What is your key transition layer?

Little Bits of Happiness

(Glorious 'Juliet' from this post)

Happy Friday everyone! I am so glad I made it through the week, I am definitely still in recovery mode and a heavy dose of medication left me in a bit of a fog this week.  Thank you again for all of your thoughts and prayers.  This weekend I am off to Ohio where my mom is having a family bridal shower in my honor. I am so excited to see my family and see family friends I haven't seen in years.   I am leaving you with some photographs that I have recently shared on Instagram, be sure to follow me here!  Have a great weekend!

(My new favorite local coffee shop, Henry's Local Cafe)

Currently Inspiring:: Pinterest Picks

Happy first day of spring! Just saying that makes me happy.  I may have fallen a bit behind in my posts (food, projects, etc) so bear with me, but never with Pinterest!  While laying down for so long, I was able to keep inspired by just the pure beauty floating around that joyous site.  Here are some of my favorite pins as of late. You can follow me here!

New Foodie Crush: Hortus Natural Cooking

I have a feast for both your eyes and your mouth today with a recent food blog discovery too beautiful not to share.  I recently stumbled across Hortus Natural Cooking by way of Pinterest and was immediately drawn to the stunning photography. Valentina, the creative force behind this site does to Italy what Mimi Thorrison does to France, combines the freshest local ingredients and photographs them in the dreamy light that only the countryside of Provence or Italy could inspire.   If you are looking for inspiration for what to cook for dinner or just looking to be inspired by amazing photography, definitely check this site out.  

(Braised Crumbed Artichokes)

Petal by Petal:: Tulip

The tulip is one of those flowers that you cannot help but be drawn to for their twisting and turning stems that play out like some sort of dance in front of your eyes.  Their arrival means that spring really is right around the corner and for that I could not be happier. With their myriad of colors and different varieties (a favorite from last year is the fringed tulip) they are beautiful arranged alone or mixed with other blooms like poppies and ranunculus.  If you are looking for a little tip to make the tulips stand up, drop a penny in the bottom of the vase, this will make them stand up right.  Continue for more...

A (Huge) Thank You

First off I just want to say thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for your thoughts and wishes, I definitely did not think that last Friday I would be going to the emergency room let alone staying for five long days.  I am feeling a bit behind here, so just bare with me as I get back into the swing of things! I have been blessed to never have been hospitalized for anything, ever, so it was definitely an emotional experience for me - I saw and heard a lot that was really upsetting.  As of now I am still waiting in limbo to exactly what caused my spine to become inflamed and to make my entire right side numb. My current fear is that it will happen again and might elude to a larger problem, but for now I am savoring the simple moments when I can feel the sun shine on my face and breathe in fresh air, simple things in life that make me the happiest.  

Easing back into the week, I thought I would share an editorial from Muse #37 photographed by Erik Madigan featuring Guinevere Van Seenus. The use of contrast and light is just impeccable. I hope that everyone has a wonderful Saint Patrick's Day and thank you again for your support, you guys are the best.  Seriously :)

A Little Update

Hi everyone, well what a week it's been...I'm writing to you from my hospital room. I am on the mend from some sort of spinal inflammation that has made the right side of my body numb. I am okay just a bit scared.  Currently hooked up to an IV that is giving me my energy back.   I will be back to posting hopefully by the end of the week.  See you soon!

The Ingenue

 My jaw nearly dropped when I came across this editorial from Porter #1 - the dreamy light, the barely there pink roses and the delicate lace are honestly perfection, shot by Camilla Akrans.   Don't you just want to be transported to a magical garden that this ethereal light quality? And with this I leave you, have a wonderful weekend!

{Beauty Profile} Ultraluxe Enzyme Peeling Cream

Our wedding day is quickly approaching (about 2 months away!) and I have been diligent about keeping up with my skincare regime in order to have a 'bridal glow' come May.  In order to have a polished and luminous complexion it is important to slough-off dead skin cells either with a physical scrub (one that is infused with micro-granuals, salt or sugar) or a chemical scrub (one that has fruit enzymes or alpha hydroxy acids).  I like to incorporate both forms into my skincare routine and recently I have been using the Ultraluxe Enzyme Peeling Cream to keep my skin fresh.  This rinse-off cream is laced with pumpkin enzymes which acts as a natural 'chemical' exfoliator, in addition to cardamom and Beta Carotene extracts that help to eliminate blackheads, dead skin and unnecessary oils that can cause break outs.  After one use, my skin was incredibly supple and soft and considering the arctic temperatures that my complexion has been subjected to that was no easy task.  Using this Peeling Cream once or twice a week will allow for your moisturizer to work better and retain moisture.  If you are looking to incorporate a scrub that is less abrasive than physical scrubs I definitely recommend going this route.

Enzyme Peeling Cream c/o

{Trend Spotting} Paris Fall 2014

Out of all of fashion month, Paris is by far my favorite.  Perhaps it is because that city captivates me like no other and the fashion that is born there is just incredibly inspiring.  If there is one key trend that has been spread out across all cities it is the heavy dose of florals - either feminine in pastels as seen at Nina Ricci and Giambattista Valli or punchy and bold prints at Dries Van Noten.  In contrast to the more dramatic leather and studded pieces, there was a softer side revealed where mauve took the stage as a clear color of the season in the form of luxurious outerwear at Nina Ricci and Elie Saab or in a loose fitting dress at Valentino.  Fashion also took a riskier turn leaving little to the imagination with sheer tops paired with leather details or ornate floral embroidery as seen at Alexis Mabille and Emanual Ungaro. Fabrics with a high-shine finish were were paired with either bold prints and solids all humming to the tune of a galactic influence at Saint Laurent, Rochas and Dries Van Noten.  There was also a clear influence from designers for the fauna that surrounds us, whether it was butterflies, a common motif at designers like Valentino, to the serpent where snake inspired patterns were used in abundance from free-flowing chiffon dresses to structured jackets.  What were your favorite Paris shows? Valentino, Nina Ricci and Giambattista Valli were by far my favorites.  Continue for more...

Upside-Down Pear Cake

Growing up, I was very lucky because my mom decided to stay at home to raise her growing brood (I am one of seven children).  One fond memory that I have is when she would get together for coffee with her friends there would always be a delicious assortment of breakfast pastries and coffee cake piled high with crumb topping, this cake is a homage to those memories.  This cake is a hybrid though really, it combines a wonderfully moist white cake that is topped with Bosc pears that have been smothered in caramelized brown sugar.This cake is the perfect answer for either a delicious pastry to serve along brunch or for dessert, just add a dollop of whipped cream.  

Scenting the Home with Rewined Candles

Among the swaying Spanish moss, candy-colored homes and salty air in the southern town of Charleston, South Carolina exists a boutique candle company that has both heart and soul.  I love discovering brands that from start to finish create products that emulate luxury.  Rewined Candles does just that by crafting gorgeous candles that have scents inspired by fine wine.  Not only are these natural soy candles housed in repurposed wine bottles, you can see the process here, but they are handmade and hand-poured in Charleston. The Mimosa candle radiates like a burst of sunshine.  Inspired by the beloved brunch drink, this fragrance includes a sparkling champagne note blended with freshly squeezed orange creating an uplifting aroma. This brunch staple is of course inspired by the fragrant mimosa that is currently blooming in the South of France (I was lucky enough to pick up at the flower market).   The Pinot Noir candle eludes to a bit of mystery and omits an intriguing aroma of fig and cranberry that mixes with violet and leathery undertones just like that of the wine itself.  If you are looking for a new candle range, I definitely recommend Rewined.  

Pretty Spring Makeup

Happy Monday everyone! I hope you had a great weekend, did you tune into the Oscars and come away with any favorite looks? My favorites were Kate Blanchett and Lupita Nyongo'o.  Speaking of beauty, spring is about lightening up the palette and right now I am craving light as air pinks, shimmering finishes and petal pink hues on the lips and cheeks.  Here are just some of my picks for the best of spring beauty.