Happy weekend!

Happy loong weekend loves! Got any plans? We got nothing on the to-do list over here aside from a bit of sprucing-up in the appartment and brunch (duh). I'm looking forward to some lazy time. See you next week, here are some links to hold you over. xo!

If Dr. Seuss book were titled by their sub texts.

What night owls might know. I'm a total night owl myself.

How-to perfectly frost a "messy" cake.

Organizing our closet is on my to-do list fo sho.

A few fall make-up trends to try mastering now.

Why am I like this?

Once in a blue moon ...

Celine!

A sweet little painter.

Image via. 

It's almost the weekend ...

have a drink - you deserve it!

Pom Flower 
An antioxidant double-whammy

2 ounces POM pomegranate juice
1.5 ounces hibiscus cordial*
1 ounce lime juice
2 ounces Belvedere vodka

Pour all ingredients into an ice-filled shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass or champagne coupe. Garnish with a lime wheel or fresh hibiscus flower, if you’ve got one handy. 

*Note: For the hibiscus cordial combine 1 cup sugar, .5 cup water, and .25 cup loose hibiscus tea in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar, let cool, and strain into a squeeze bottle. 

via. 

Friday's Finds

How sweet and snazzy are these packaging stamps? I could see these being fantastic for addressing wedding invitations and reply cards, and equally as lovely and functional for a small business owner, or ... oooh ... wouldn't these make thoughtful house warming presents? Consider this one officially smitten.

Via Wit & Whistle. 

Low key sparkle

Now that we are moving into September, it's finally shorts weather in San Francisco. I am loving this look, a pair of fancy shorts, a simple T, and a matchy clutch with a hint of sparkle. Dressy casual with a touch of glitz? Sign me up!

ZARA Tee & Sequin Clutch PINKYOTTO shorts, image via. 

Thursday's Tidbit

Love marquee letters? Mee too! Here is a simple way to actually DIY one - for serious. 

You just need: Large cardboard letter, X-acto Knife, String Lights, Pencil, Paint 

In a nut shell, you cut out your letter, paint it white (or whatever color is your preference), score the cardboard where you'd like the lights placed, pop your lights through, and voila! Easy as pie. See more detailed instructions here. 

Via. 

Big Sur Get Away

Like I said, Big Sur is a truly magical place. I couldn't have imagined a better place for an anniversary get-away weekend. Secluded, picturesque, romantic, with plenty (or nothing, if that's what you want) to do. We stayed in a yurt at Tree Bones Resort - on both of our travel bucket lists fo sho and an awesome experience to boot. Falling asleep while listening to the surf and the barking of the elephant seals is hard to beat.

Here are some other highlights, according to my iPhone:

It was a fantastic trip - I highly recommend a visit if you've never been. I love California, and Big Sur only reinforced my infatuation. 

Wed Day

The hubs and I just celebrated our 1st anniversary (whaa? you hadn't heard?), leading up to this I've reflected on what it means to be a newlywed, discussed our first year of marriage, and shared a bit on our weekend get-away plan, so here's what we did the evening of our actual anniversary...

We went to dinner at La Mar, where we held our rehearsal dinner the year before. It was the perfect ending to a really special weekend, celebrating a really special year.

I still feel that the best is yet to come, cheers to what's next!

Big Sur get away photos coming up - stay tuned. xo!

Homemade Marshmallow Creme

Homemade Marshmallow Creme

Makes: About 3 Cups

¾ cups Sugar

½ cup Light Corn Syrup

¼ cup Water

Pinch Salt

2 large Egg Whites

¼ teaspoon Cream of Tartar

1 ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

In a small saucepan, stir together the sugar, light corn syrup, water, and salt.  Place the pan over medium-high heat and attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan.  Heat the mixture until it reaches exactly 240 degrees.

While the sugar mixture is heating up, place the egg whites and the cream of tartar in the bowl of a stand mixer.  Whisk until the soft peaks form, and then reduce the speed to low.

Once the sugar mixture reaches exactly 240 degrees, remove the pan from the heat and slowly pour the mixture down the side of the mixer, with the mixer running on low speed.  Once you had added all the sugar, increase the speed to medium-high and whip until hard peaks form and the mixture is thick, glossy, and white – It will take about 5-7 minutes.  Add the vanilla and beat a couple more minutes.

Use immediately or place in a sealed container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Image and recipe via. 

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

 Ashley Olsen's beachy waves - major hair envy.

There's nothing like a weekend of glamping on the coast to make you really appreciate beachy waves, and those who achieve this look so effortlessly. The pros sugest air dyring, using a bit of product to enhance the wave you may already have, and then touching up with a curling iron if you have time. See a more in-depth tutorial on the Glitter Guide.

From the weekend

Oh man, Big Sur is a magical place - a perfect place for a long get away anniversary weekend. We stayed in a yurt, hiked, had breakfast in bed, and walked on the beach. It was just ... nice, really nice. :-)

Big Sur is such a stunning place, I took a ton of photos and will definitely be sharing them with a more complete recap later this week. Right now I'm still backing in the anniversary glow. I hope you all had an amazing weekend too, loves! xo.

Monday's Mantra

The best is yet to come - happy anniversary to the most amazing man I know. You're my favorite, always. 

Photo of our wedding by Lisa Fitts. 

Happy weekend!

What are you lovies up to this weekend? By now, the hubs and I are already glamping it up - I can't wait to share photos when I'm back in full force next week. Met me back here then? I hope you all have a lovely time, no matter what you do - have fun with these links til then. xo!

Love lippies? Make your own!

Architectural Movements 101. An illustrated guide.

Everything you need for a sophisticated field day.

Put a pom-pom on it!

Eve Ensler is my hero and a total bad ass.

Another great article by another female bad ass.

Rainbow street art, or do you think it's vandalism?

Icon: Zelda Fitzgerald.

Photo by Jose Villa. 

Since it's almost the weekend ...

have a drink! 

How about a Blood Orange Margarita? 

INGREDIENTS

1 cup (8 oz.) freshly squeezed blood orange juice (about 7-8 oranges)
½ cup (4 oz.) freshly squeezed lime juice
¾ cup (6 oz.) tequila
½ cup (4 oz.) orange liqueur
¼ cup (2 oz.) simple syrup
Blood orange slices, for garnish

Combine all ingredients in a pitcher and stir well to combine.  Pour into chilled glasses over ice.  Garnish with a slice of blood orange, if desired.  Serve.

Enjoy - easy, no?

Image and recipe via. 

Friday's Find

I am loving this rose gold Marc by Marc Jacobs watch - so gorge. This hue feels fresh for summer, but is still "warm" enough to carry you into fall ... wish-listed! :-)

Just because

How amazingly beautiful is this raw opal? Nature really is the best artist.

Thursday's Tidbit

So for our one year wedding anniversary, the hubs and I are (drum roll) going glamping!

"Glamping" is glamorous camping, get it? Glamping! This is a true compromise. The hubs is a total nature boy and LOVES camping. I actually really like it too, but for our anniversary celebration I wanted a few more amenities. Since glamping is oh-so-hot-right-now, I thought what better time to try it out? Luckily, the hubs was game. So today we are packing up our rental car and heading down the California coast for a peaceful, secluded, romantic get-away for two. I'm pretty excited, if you haven't gathered. I've queued up some fun posts and will be back next week with a full glamping report.

Cheers until then - xo!

Spike mee

I love this ring! Someone could rock the crap outta this as an engagement ring, or you know, on a Tuesday.

Wed Day {year one}

These are a few of our wedding photos, taken almost a year ago now. I could go on and on about the details that made the day special, or how I chose my dress (Christos btw) & the bridesmaids dresses (Vera Wang, of course) - but this post isn't about that. It's about the year that came after this special day. 

The hubs and I met in college, when we were 19 or so, got together our 4th year when we were 21, and eventually wed when we were both 27. In the years leading up to the wedding day we graduated college, I left for South Africa (and came back - almost harder than leaving in the first place), He picked me up from the airport, we moved in with my mother, then we moved in with his parents, we moved to San Francisco (into a studio), he went back to school, we were robed, I entered the work force at the beginning of the global financial melt down (yay), Obama took office, he left to study in Germany, I went to vist, we came back together, I got a better job, we moved into a nicer studio, he graduated, he got a job, we adopted cats, we got engaged, I got a better job, we moved into a one bedroom (finally!), and we planed a wedding. There were six years of history there before the wedding, six very formative years. We didn't grow-up together, but we did go from kids to adults together. 

We have lived with each other's families, fought, been the best and worst versions of ourselves, and somehow we made it through (even when I didn't think we would). So for me, this first year of marriage felt like the next chapter in a long story, not like a huge paradigm shift. We had already built a life together, we were already fully committed. We both knew that this relationship would continue to be work, but it would also continue to be worth it. The hubs once siad "we're not perfect, but we're perfect for each other." I think that sums it up so well. 

Although, after the wedding I was also pleased to find a new sense of peace, of permanence, the promise of a family. Things I had imagined, but that now seem possible. The reality of making a life and growing old with the love of your life. Not too shabby. 

I know there will be tears, there will be fights, but there will also be laughter (lots of it), there will be Louis CK marathons, there will be long dinners in dark restaurants, there will long late night talks, there will be waking up next to a person who sees and understands me, who loves me for all my faults - and all the work will be worth it. 

Our wedding photos by Lisa Fitts. 

Room with a view

I can't get enough of this room from the Wythe Hotel, in Williamsburg. First of all, the view is stunning, but what wouldn't look good framed by those windows? I'm a total sucker for crisp white bedding, and I love the play of the industrial architectural elements against the soft pattern of the wall paper. Mmm - maybe someday I'll make my own version of this. Until then, dare to dream. 

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

Side Fishtail Braid

This braid needs a bit of texture for hold. Gather hair to one side in a low ponytail. To create the braid: Separate the ponytail into two sections. Hold one section; with your other hand, take a narrow strip of hair from the outside of the other section and bring it over to the one in your hand. Repeat on the other side, and then the next, until you run out of hair. For a more boho look, gently pull the braid apart with your fingers. Simple, no? Well, actually, you might need to practice this once or twice to get the hang of it. :-) 

Via.  

Meyer Lemon Curd Bread Puddin'

Meyer Lemon Curd Bread Puddin'

Mmm - so bright and delicious! The first step of this recipe is to make the Meyer lemon curd, this should be done ahead, so it is ready and waiting when you assemble the pudding, or you could cheat and buy it. Trader Joe's carries a great lemon curd. 

The basic ingredients are a French baguette, milk, lemons, sugar and eggs. Place bread slices in a baking pan, spread with the Meyer lemon curd cover with a milk-egg-lemon mixture, let rest and allow the bread to absorb the milk mixture. 

Bake the pudding for 30 minutes covered and 30 minutes uncovered, it should puff and bake to a golden brown. Serve with a sprinkling of powdered sugar , or (go crazy) and add some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Dig in via. 

Monday's Mantra

The hubs and I are celebrating our 1st wedding anniversary this weekend, and this is exactly what we plan to do! Cheers to another week - xo!

Happy weekend!

Compared to last weekend, this weekend is super mellow. We have no plans, aside from a fun dinner date night tonight. Other than that, we'll see where the wind takes us. I wouldn't say no to brunch or a glass of rose on the roof ... hmm, maybe we do have more plans.

What are you all up to? I'd love to hear.

Soak up one of the last weekends of Summer, enjoy these links, and I'll see you monday - xo!

Speaking of, how do you feel about date night?

New season, new rules.

The original fun, fearless female - RIP.

These patterns are super adorbs.

Would you go gluten free?

10 things to remind yourself daily.

Photos of famous people, by other famous people.

Since it's almost the weekend ...

have a dink - it's been a loong week! 

Peachy 'Pino

Ingredients: 
2 scoops white peach sorbet
1 ounce Reyka Icelandic vodka
Prosecco

Place two scoops of sorbet in a champagne flute. Pour vodka and schnapps, if using, over the sorbet. Top off with chilled prosecco. 

Boom - enjoy the goodness. 

Image and recipe via.

Friday's Finds

I'm a sucker for note cards and stationary - so I got a nice little warm fuzzy when I saw these thank you notes. So perfect for so many occasions - they are glitzy enough for holidays and fancy occasions, but maintain an everyday cool factor. Plus they're gold and geometric, and I love things that are gold and geometric.

Last weekend

Ack, I'm so late on this, sorry guys! Last weekend was a wonderful blur. It was a weekend of kicked off with a long dinner with good friends. Saturday was a yoga pants, mani-pedi, grab coffee and go on a walk with the girls kinda day. Then Sunday was Outside Lands! Oh, Stevie, so good!

Here are a few highlights:

Top row: La Renza (vodka, elderflower & pear liqueur, maraschino, lemon, peychaud's bitters) at Gitane - I highly recommend it, on of San Francisco's many back alleys, Val and I at Outside Lands. Bottom row: the Hubs and I at Outside Lands, Stevie (!), Outside Lands (ovbi). Did I mention I went to Outside Lands on Sunday? Ha!

Thursday's Tidbit

             

Mmm ... there's a Ryan Gosling coloring book now, so ... I mean, do I really need to expand on that?

There's a freakin' RYAN GOSLING COLORING BOOK! Just let it sink in, it'll hit you in a sec.

Bouquet

It's been a while since I shared a bouquet, but this baby was just too sweet. There's something completely darling about an arrangement of late summer spray roses, don't you think?

Just because

Rolled boyfriend jeans and heels - such a sexy combo.

Image via. 

Wed Day

Are any of you out there newlywed? The Hubs and I are coming up on our 1 year anniversary (!) so I've started reflecting a bit on what that means, what (if anything) has changed, and on what's to come.

I recently read this post, also reflecting on the newlywed years. What really struck a chord with me was the mention of the lack of community for newlyweds. I only have two other close friends who are married as well. I don't find this lonely, so much as I find it interesting - is this a City thing, a generational thing, a cultural thing? Or maybe it's just a coincidence thing. :-)

Whatever the "thing" is, I think it would be interesting if there was a larger community out there discussing the trials and joys of the first years of a young marriage. Much of the discussion (at least that I've seen) seems to focus on the wedding, and then on nesting (primarily shopping, decorating, and cooking - all of which I love), and then on babies. What about everything else? Doest it even matter? Is everything else too personal? 

I'm still formulating my thoughts on this, as well as my reflections on the first year of our marriage. In the meantime, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Maybe we can get out own mini-discussion going.

Image via & via. 

Sofie girl

Well, Sofie saw this post and was very upset. You know how it is with twins, you have to keep things very equal, so I said she could swing by and say "meow" to y'all today. Aw, just look at the sweet girl, how could I resist?

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

Here's another goodie from The Beauty Department: get clump free lashes in one easy step. Yes, one step. Just wipe you mascara wand on a tissue to remove the extra mascara before swiping your lashes. Simple, no? I've tried this and it totally works.

Image and original post via. 

My girls!

This photo is from last friday night. Like I said, one of our closest gal pals, K, was in town for a belated birthday celebration - a few of us gathered on the earlier side, and then we all met up for one of those long leisurely dinners. The kind that lasts several hours and takes place in a dark restaurant, tucked away in an alley, and then is followed up by drinks in an equally tucked away bar.

These ladies have been such an important and special part of my life here in San Francisco - from the left: me (aka Lo), K, Di, Mer, Val, Ash. Yes, we all have one syllable nick-names. Just go with it.

So it was a great start to a great weekend - I'll share more highlights soon, for now I am resting up. It seems that traveling, busy weeks, and busier weekends have caught up with me.

See you tomorrow - xo!

Monday's Mantra

Yes, let's! Cheers to another week. xo!

Happy Weekend

I've been really excited for this weekend for a while now. One of our best out-of-town gals is in town for a belated birthday celebration at this swanky spot. (I know, another amazing lady). So it will be some much needed San Francisco gal pal time followed by ... Outside Lands! We're gonna see Stevie baby! We played a lot of Stevie at our wedding, so it will be really neat to see him live. 

I have high hopes. What are all you lovies up to? 

I hope you all have an amazing time no matter what you do, meet me back here Monday? Please do, and enjoy these links 'til then. xo!

That's a man baby!

In case you were wondering, women are not the new men

Olympians in their golden years.

A totally inspiring Home Tour.

A beautiful freckle face.

Avoid these beauty blunders.

Actively trying to convince the hubs we need portraits done like these.

There's still enough Summer left to fit in one or two of these.

Curiosity!

Image via. 

Since it's almost the weekend ...

Have a drink!

Pear, Rosemary & Lemongrass Cocktail
4 glasses 

5 pears (medium size)

1/3 fennel3 sprigs rosemary1 inch fresh ginger, more or less according to taste1 stalk lemongrass, chopped and crusheda pinch nutmeg, ground
2 pinches ground vanilla1/2 – 1 cup sparkling water or soda (start with 1/2 cup, add more to taste)

Run pears, fennel, 2 sprigs rosemary and ginger in a juicer.
Pour the juice into a small saucepan over medium heat, add lemongrass, nutmeg and vanilla. Bring to boil, turn down the heat and let simmer for 15 minutes, or until thickened. Allow to cool completely before straining. Pass through a fine sieve.
Crush the ice in a high speed blender.
Place the thickened juice in a pitcher or (cocktail) shaker, add soda water and stir to combine.
Fill the cocktail glasses with ice and pour over the juice and soda mixture. Garnish with sliced pears and fresh rosemary. Enjoy!

(If you'd like a more grown-up version, replace the soda with sparkling wine, or add a splash of light rum)  

Image and recipe via. 

Friday's Finds

Beauty finds! While I am very committed to consistency in my beauty routine (cleanse, tone, treat, eyes, protect - as seen here & here), I still think that mixing up some of the elements every now and then is a fun "do.". So here are a few of my recent finds.

This is a classic, but I had never tried it - it's light weight, silky, de-puffs and helps with fine lines. Sold. 

A serum to keep you young and beautiful, this may not be suited for all skin types, but I found it to be light weight and effective. 

FRESH Brown Sugar Body Polish - this moisturizes and gets your skin all smooth and glowly for your fave pair of shorts the beach. 

What about you lovlies? Any new fabulous finds to share?