Wow

Oh. My. How amazing is this tiled doorway and stair case? Anyone wanna tell me where this is so I can go to there immediately?

Image via. 

Yangyang Pan

I am loveing these soothing and playful works of Yangyang Pan. These landscapes are like candy! I think they would be fantastic in a bedroom. 

Via the Jealous Curator. 

Thursday's Tidbit

Have you guys heard about this total badass Saudi woman? She publicly defied the country's ultra-strict religious police, the mutaween, to stand by her decision to ... wear nail polish. Yep. Badass. Read more and watch the video here. 


Image via. 

A summer trifle

Bing cherry, saturn peach, vanilla custard, and lemon cake trifles: this is definitely an all afternoon affair, but I think it would be a rewarding one for sure. 

Lemon sponge cake 
3 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup (100 g) natural cane sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 tablespoons (25 g) unsalted butter, melted
1/3 cup (45 g) millet flour
1/3 cup (35 g) almond flour

Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Line a 9-inch cake pan with parchment and grease the sides with a bit of melted butter.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest. Whip the egg yolk mixture in high speed until they are thick and pale, about 5 minutes.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg whites with the sea salt. When the egg whites are whipped and start forming peaks, gradually add in the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar in three batches.

Fold a third of the egg whites into the egg yolk batter until they are well mixed. Fold in the rest of the egg whites being very careful not to deflate the batter. Fold in the melted butter and the millet and almond flour carefully not to deflate too much. Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until top is golden and springy.

Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert it onto a plate, and let it cool completely. Cut it into 1/2-inch cubes and reserve.

Vanilla Custard
2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
1/2 cup (100 g) natural cane sugar
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
6 egg yolks
1 cup (250 ml) unsweetened coconut milk
4 teaspoons cornstarch

In a medium saucepan, heat the whole milk, half of the sugar, and vanilla bean over medium high heat until it simmers.

Meanwhile, whisk together the egg yolks, rest of sugar, and cornstarch until smooth. Add the coconut milk and whisk.

Add a bit of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture while whisking. Add all the milk and whisk. Return the custard base to the saucepan and cook until it thickens while whisking constantly. Remove from heat and pour into clean bowl to cool slightly. You can serve the custard while still a bit warm, or you can refrigerate it at this point. make sure you cover it with plastic wrap, let the plastic must touch the custard so it doesn't form a skin.

Assemble the trifle
8 ounces raspberries
2 saturn peaches, sliced
1 cup heavy cream, whipped
2 cups vanilla custard
2 cups diced lemon sponge cake

Layer the ingredients amongst 4 glasses and serve immediately.
Enjoy!


Image and recipe via. 

Moody blues

I am so attracted to the deep blues and jewel tones of this room - not to mention the oversized art.

Image via. 

Wed Day

So, I may have posted about this before, but I think it's worth repeating. Here are 15 ways to stay married for (at least) 15 years.  Numbers 2, 4, 5, 11, and 15 especially spoke to me. What do you think dear readers? Did any of these pieces of advice resonate with you as well? Any other pearls of wisdom to share form your own experience?

From the weekend {part 2}

Since Monday was a holiday, the Hubs and I took full advantage -- we spent the day hiking around Muir Woods with some friends. It's hard not to get a good shot wandering around this amazing park, here are a few of my favorites.

A well deserved chardonay at the end of a long hike.

From the weekend {part 1}

On Sunday the Hubs and I grabbed a Zip Car and took a quick day trip down the coast to Half Moon Bay. Our first stop was to wander around city's super cute downtown. We caught the tail end of the local Memorial Day Parade and stumbled upon a small carnival - hard to believe we were only 45 minutes outside of the City. 

After exploring the town, we spent the rest of the afternoon driving down Highway 1 and stoping off at the different sections of the Half Moon Bay State Beach. We spent hours wandering up and down the coast, bare sandy feet, talking. It was some private, contemplative time that we really needed together, it ended up being a really positive time. Eventually, we ended up at the historic Moss Beach Distillery and had a drink on the spectacular patio before making our way to Sam's Chowder House (a local favorite) for dinner. We split the chowder and a crab cocktail, the Hubs has the infamous lobster roll for dinner, while I had the lobster ceviche.  

Not bad for a Sunday ...

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

Why not add a subtle bit of glitz to your summer make-up routine with a bit of neutral shimmer on the eye?

Image from Anna Sui Spring 2011 rtw. 

Monday's Mantra

For the road ahead.

Happy weekend!

Happy loooog weekend friends! What do you all have planned? The hubs and I will be taking a staycation with a day trip, a brunch (or two), and maybe a movie sprinkled in. Whatever you do, have an amazing time -- enjoy these links, and I'll see you next week. xo!

Gatsby!

Something(s) about me.

Your summer wardrobe checklist.

Find your perfect swimsuit.

Would you shop here?

Oh Obama.

We really are living in a digital age.

Image via.

Color blocked hair

Being born with naturally {very} dark hair - I didn't think I'd be able to jump aboard this color blocked hair trend, but this photo made me think again. If you're not ready to commit to a permanent option, check out this great temporary trick, via Cup of Joe.

Image via. 

Friday's Find

50 Shades of Grey - I may be one of the last women in my demographic to read this book. Most of my friends have already read it, while my friend Val and I are just beginning it. In case you've been under a rock, the story is about a young woman and a business man who fall in, er, love. From what I understand, it's basically main stream erotica - I don't know about you, but I am certainly curious. So have you read it? Are you planning to? Or are you in the opposition?

If you're still doing your research, here's a clip of Ellen reading 50 Shades of Grey aloud.

Image via. 

Three Day Weekend

There's a long weekend approaching, and it has me itching for an adventure. What do you kids have panned?

Image via. 

nice is nice

There is a homeless man in my neighborhood who says: "you look nice today," every time he sees me. Heart warming and heartbreaking at the same time. If I go an unusually long time without seeing him I begin to worry.

Sometimes smiles are found in the most unlikely of places.

Image via. 

Thursday's Tidbit

So I (like everyone else) am loving the cap toe trend of late - proper and modern at once, especially in a metallic. But if you're not ready to commit to buying a new pair, why don't you DIY to hop aboard this trend? Interested? Check out a great tutorial here. 

Arugula Mango Summer Salad

Ingredients 

1 large mango, cubed
1 avocado, diced
3/4 cup macadamia nuts, roasted/salted
5 cups fresh arugula
optional: sweet onions and/or diced apple

Dressing
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp agave syrup
pepper
dash garlic powder

Directions
1. Whisk together dressing ingerdiants and toss with the salad ingredients - except the arugula
2. Pour ingredients and dressing right over the greens
3. Top with fresh black pepper and serve!


Original recipe and image via. 

First kiss

Similar to the first kiss with the hubs. How was your first kiss with your love?

Via. 

Wed Day - Registry Ideas

There are lots and lots of creative registry ideas out there - from honeymoon registries to charity donations - but I still think it's nice to register for a few of the traditional items you'll cherish forever. The hubs and I registered at Bloomingdales and Target, below are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing. 

1. Jonathan Adler Pillows, 2. Kate Spade Flatware, 3. Vera Wang Vase, 4. Le Creuset Dutch Oven, 5. Kate Spade dessert plate, 6. Jonathan Adler salt & pepper shakers, 7. Calphalon pans, 8. Kitchen Aid Mixer (the gold standard), 9. Dyson vacuum (this baby changed my life), 10. Le Creuset jar

Eclipse

How awesome is this shot of last week's west-coast solar eclipse? This timelapse photo was taken May 20 2012 near Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach, CA - composition of "phases" of the eclipse during the approximate 2 hour duration.


Awesome in the truest sense, via.  

Do it yo-self

How is this for a DIY? Indulge your handy side and make this modern lamp (out of a vase) your own.

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

Courtesy of Refinary29, here are a few of the best fashion instagrams to follow:

@marcjacobsintl

@theglamourai

@tuulavintage

See the full round-up here. Follow me on instagram @LaurenAsh29

Bouquet

Bouquets - is there anything prettier than a bouquet of roses?

\

From the weekend

This is my favorite shot from the weekend: my dear friend Val, myself, and my dear friend Mer after the Paso Robles Wine Fest, mid-BBQ. I do love the long lazy weekend days of summer ... how were your weekends lovies?

Monday's Mantra

Oh yes it is.

Happy Weekend!

Have a beautiful weekend ...

What are you crazy kids up to this weekend? I am heading down to the Paso Robles Wine Festival with a few gal pals. One of our comrades moved from the City to Paso a few years ago, so this is the perfect opportunity for a visit. Hopefully I snap a few fun pic to share. I hope you'll meet me back here monday, enjoy these until then. xo!

Summer fashion.

The Starbucks secret menue.

Passive agressive post date text.

How much do look affect your politics?

Wedding photo gifts and labels for your shindig.

Another show I'm really excited about.

WAH Nails take over.

Are you an Everygirl?

Since it's practically the weekend

Have a cocktail! How about this baby?

Champs Cocktail with Mint Sorbet

2 fresh mint leaves, muddled or finely chopped

2 large scoops lemon sorbet
1/3 c vodka
3/4 c champagne or sparkling wine

In a tall glass, place a pinch of mint. Add one scoop lemon sorbet, another pinch mint and the other scoop sorbet. Pour in vodka, then top with champagne and the rest of the mint. Garnish with a mint sprig.

See the original here. 

a vintage find

Here's another fun find. I came across this bad boy at a local vintage shop. I love those moments when you are having a totally ordinary day and suddenly ... can it be? oh yes, a treasure.

Friday finds

So, by now we all know that mint is kinda a big deal this season - still I couldn't resist sharing my own take on the trend.

For a color pallet, I was inspired by this outfit (via) - also loving the gold jewelry and bright nails btw - below are little finds to add a pop of fresh or mint and blue to your already stylin' wardrobe.

Mint CHANEL? I die. 

How about this light turquoise NIXON watch?

The perfect low-key classic for summer weekends running around the city? Methinks so.

I've posted about light blue polish before, what can I say - I like what I like. This ESSIE shade is perfect, as is this one. 

Okay, one more watch for good mesure. 

What do you think loves, are you digin' on this tend too?

An app for that

I'm always on the look out for a nifty new app - Daily Candy has a great round-up here. How about you dolls - what are your favorite apps?

Picnic time

How neat is this collection of vintage picnic photos spanning nearly 100 years? The photos range from the turn of the century through the 50s, 60s and 70s. These photos are so stylish - I'm completely captivated. Though, to be fair, I do love a picnic - would be the perfect opportunity to try one of these recipes: 1, 2, or 3. 

Images via.