Weekend Wrap-Up

This past weekend was a bell curve. It stared slowly, built up momentum, and then coasted into Monday morning.

Friday night the hubs and I were both beat from our respective busy work weeks, so we ordered in and watched this movie (which I actually thought was pretty entertaining). Saturday morning I ran errands and wandered around the City enjoying the sun, then spent the afternoon drinking mimosas on the roof with the hubs before going out for birthday date night. The hubs surprised me with reservations here (awesome food, amazing desserts, fabo wine list) and a night out and about in the mission. Unfortunately, I don't have photos - the hubs thinks that it's super embarrassing for me to take photos in restaurants. Especially of food. Silly boy.

He had to work on Sunday (poopy), so I went for another looong walk. I ended up in the Marina and passed the time sitting in the sun watching the boats. Not a bad way to round out the weekend if you ask me.

How about you dears? What did you do?

Image via yours truly. 

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

I'm loving this fun twist on a cat eye for spring and summer. Simply draw a thin line with black liquid liner close to the lash line, over shoot the outer corner of your eye, and wig the line out lightly. When you close your eyes the lines should look like little crescents. Then take while liquid liner and draw a thin line on top of the black one. Except this time, go straight across the curve. It should be subtle - just enough to add a pop of interest. Fresh, no?

Pair with a minimal glowing face and finish with a TON of mascara.

Image via.  

It's not a birthday without cake

Classic Lemon Cheese Cake 

Crust:

• 1 cup (150g) plain (all-purpose) flour
• ¼ cup (55g) caster (superfine) sugar
• 100g unsalted butter, chopped

• Filling: 

• 330g cream cheese, softened
• 500g ricotta
• 4 eggs
• 1⅓ cups (295g) caster (superfine) sugar
• ¼ cup (60ml) lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon rind
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1½ tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
• 1½ tablespoons water
• 1 cup (250ml) single (pouring) cream, whipped

Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F). Place the flour, sugar and butter in a bowl and rub with your fingertips to form a rough dough. Press the mixture into the base of a lightly greased 20cm round springform tin lined with non-stick baking paper using a spoon. Bake the crust for 30 minutes or until golden and just cooked. Set aside. 

To make the filling, place the cream cheese, ricotta, eggs, sugar, lemon juice and rind, and vanilla in a food processor and blend until smooth. Place the cornflour and water in bowl and mix until smooth. Add the cornflour mixture to the cheese mixture and combine. Pour over the cooked base and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until light golden and just set. Turn the oven off and allow to cool in the oven with the door closed. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until cold. Top with the cream to serve. 

Enjoy! 

Image and recipe via. 

It's My Birthday!

Hi dolls. So if you haven't guessed, today's my birthday! It's also my baby sister's birthday. 29 and 25 respectively. I think our parents are scratching their heads and wondering where the time went. I must admit, I am as well. I already did some reflecting, and am now just looking forward to the year ahead. My dad always says to be what you are when you are - so right now I'm excited to be 29, whatever that means.

Image via. 

Monday's Mantra

Too true! This is my motto for 29 - here's to a year of abundant love and laughter.

Image via. 

Happy Weekend!

This is the first of my two birthday weekends, but I have a feeling it will be pretty low key. Well, the hubs is taking me to dinner at a surprise location on Saturday, but aside from that it will be pretty low key. :-)

What do you all have planned? I'd love to hear.

Meet me here on Monday? Yay! It's a date - xo!

Jamie Oliver's eye opening TED talk.

In N Out's secret menu, some of these were even new to me.

Smart girls ask Amy. Indeed!

Oh Ryan Lochte, thank goodness you're so cute (and an Olympian).

Pictures of hipsters taking pictures of food.

What does it mean to be a girl?

Secrets, hilarious and heartbreaking.

Jenna's taking over.

What the Hills taught me.

Viva la France!

What a four year old can teach you about beauty.

A real modern family.

Live a longer happier life.

Image via. 

Cheers!

It's Friday - thank goodness. It has been a week, a good week, but a loong week none the less. I'm looking forward to a rosie peaceful weekend. In that vein, how about a pink cocktail named after a dove?

Thyme Paloma Cocktail

• 4-6 sprigs fresh thyme 
• 1 teaspoon sugar, superfine if possible
• 1 shot tequila
• 1 shot fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice
• Juice of 1/2 a lime
• Club soda

Muddle the thyme with the sugar in a cocktail shaker, pour in tequila and juices and stir until sugar is dissolved.  Strain into an ice-filled 6-ounce glass, then top off with club soda.  Makes 1. 

Yum!

Image etc via. 

Friday's Find

Like most little girls growing up in suburban America, I took ballet lessons. The result, aside from an (ahem) natural grace, was that I lived in my ballet slippers. I wore them to school, to the store, basically on any occasion that required shoes and not rain boots. Eventually, I gave up ballet in favor of Tae Kwon Do, and slowly out grew my ballet slippers. Sad face.

But don't worry, there's a happy ending. Two weekends ago I was out on my usual walk about and passed a store selling tutus, leotards, and yes ballet slippers. I looked in the window feeling nostalgic, so I walked in and bought myself a pair. And ...

I love them! I wouldn't wear them out or to work, but they are the perfect thing to wear at home. They're pretty, comfy, breathable, warm, and just slightly more chic than my old ratty slippers -- just the thing to pull my at home lounging "outfits" together.

Image via yours truly. 

Thursday's Tidbit

Progress. 

When the hubs (who was just the "boy" at the time) and I first moved to San Francisco, we were barely into our twenties, broke, and armed only with hope. For a short period of time after we first moved I was working two jobs to make ends meet. Monday through Friday I was at a small advertising and marketing agency, and then on the weekends the "boy" and I worked as servers/busers with a catering company. Ugh. That was a tough time.

One of the first catering events I worked was a large fancy pants holiday party at City Hall. It was a beautiful extravagant event; however working a beautiful extravagant event is a far cry from attending one. It's hard not to feel like an outsider in that situation, at least for me. Fast-forward a year or two, and I was invited to one of these beautiful City Hall events as a guest - it was lovely and I made sure to be extra nice to the caterers. :-) Fast-forward a few more years, to yesterday, and I was wrapping up the latest big beautiful City Hall event that I had planned and coordinated.

It's been an interesting journey, fo sho, and mirrors the larger journey that has been my twenties.  Next week I start my last journey around the sun as a twenty-something. I'm turning 29 and have been doing a little reflecting on this past decade. For the most part we enter our twenties without means and without a solid plan; yet somewhere along the way we find our footing and our direction.

My twenties have been a ride. In this past decade I've graduated, left home, lived abroad twice, broken a few hearts, had my heart broken, formed some beautiful friendships, fell in love, moved to San Francisco, started a career, got married, and created a foundation for a life that makes me happy. I'm proud of myself; which is a nice realization. It's hasn't all been easy, nice, or even pretty, but I wouldn't have done it any other way. I don't know what this next year, or the decade to follow, will bring but I'm excited to find out. I ardently believe that the best is yet to come.

Image via. 

Caprese Chicken Salad Wraps

I don't know about you, but I love a nice caprese salad, indulgent and nutritious at once. So why not wrap it up and make a great lunch for on-the-go days.

Caprese Chicken Salad Wraps

The goods:

• chicken breast cooked and cut into strips
• flat bread, or tortillas 
• 6 ounces fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes - halved
• 1 ball fresh mozzarella - sliced
• 6 stems fresh basil
• balsamic vinegar
• olive oil
• salt & pepper

To assemble wraps: 

Top each piece of flat bread or tortilla with equal amounts of: chicken, spinach, tomatoes, mozzarella, basil.

Drizzle with balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, salt & pepper to taste. Roll ends to create wrap.

Enjoy!

Image etc via. 

Bouquet

I'm calling this one love in the afternoon. Just some beautiful white and purple amaryllis in the late afternoon light. Such a fun spring statement to come home too.

Image via yours truly. 

Off the Shoulder

Pink nails pair so perfectly with the longer, warmer, lingering days of late spring, don't you think? Essie's "off the shoulder" just might be the perfect shade for the season. It's bright and poppy, wild with just enough restraint.

Image via. 

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

It's spring! What better way to celebrate than by incorporating delicious (and nutritious) seasonal spring veggies into your diet by the bucket load? I couldn't think of a better way either. Check it out... 

Image via.  

Happy Earth Day

Happy Earth Day kids! And what an amazing planet it is. 

In my opinion everyday should be Earth Day, but hey, I'll take what I can get. :-) In honor of the day, I thought I'd share some of my favorite tips for greening your life (relatively painlessly). We've only got one planet people, one home, let's not trash it.  Deal? Cool.

Tips for greening your home, plus even more tips (some of my favorites).

ut don't stop at just greening your environment make sure the products you're using on your body and in your home are healthy too, plus check out these green beauty products.

Small steps, and a united effort, can really make a big difference. Cheesy but true. Now go spread the word!

Images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6

Monday's Mantra

It's a big week for me professionally - my organization's largest event of the year (that I plan) is this week. Simultaneous yay! and yikes!

So cheers to a new week, and to remembering that it's all possible (with a little elbow grease) - let's go get 'em tigers!

Image. 

Happy Weekend!

This is gonna be a rockin' weekend, lemme tell ya. I will be spending the better part of Saturday dressed up as a mermaid, painting faces at a birthday party for two of my favorite girls. My friend Katie's daughters (who happen to be my dear Di's nieces) are having a joint birthday party, and I really couldn't be more excited. No, I'm being serious. Spending a day with some of my favorite kiddos, and dressing like a mermaid - boom, count me in. every. time.

Aside from that, we'll see where the wind blows. What do you all have planned?

See you Monday, enjoy the link love until then. xo!

Barbie in real life - not so healthy.

This is the hubs' new favorite thing.

Could this be the secret to happiness.

We're all our own worst critics.

Now let's get the men's take ...

OhMyGod. They're back.

You are not a lottery ticket.

Living and longevity.

What 2000 calories looks like. Yikes.

Happy foods.

A natural home.

Image via. 

Cheers!

it's Friday! Y'all know what that means, it's sangria time, so let's whip some up.

You need:
2 cups Riesling (or other sweet white wine)
2 cups grapefruit juice1/2 cup orange liquor2 cups champagneFresh citrus slices such as lemons, oranges, grapefruit, clementineFresh mint for garnish

Then you:
Mix the wine, grapefruit juice, orange liquor and citrus slices.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Then when you're ready to serve, mix in champagne and stir.  Pour and garnish with fresh citrus slice and a sprig of mint. Enjoy! 

Via. 

Friday's Finds

The Hubs is staunchly against heat shaped sunnies, while I secretly pine for a pair. These babies are just subtle enough that they might slip under his radar. Rad.

Thursday's Tidbit

Perspective. You know when you get a little bit too inside your own head? When you start second guessing, and maybe being a little bit too hard on yourself? When things feel overwhelming, and maybe bigger than they actually are? And you just feel negative? Yeah, we've all be there.

April is Earth Month, a pretty big deal in my field. Needless to say, work has been crazy and stress-a-ful.  Times like these it's easy to self indulge in a little wallowing. Then something happens that knocks you back on your ass, and puts everything back into perspective. There are people out there who have real reasons to feel bad. My heart just breaks for the people involved in both this week's tradegies, and for their families. The first was so so senseless, an act of terror I literally can't wrap my head around, and the second a terrible terrible accident. Both so sad.

My loved ones are safe, and so am I - so really what on Earth do I have to feel negative about? Nothing.

Sending love and healing thoughts to both Boston and Texas ...

Image via. 

Bold Moves

How lovely is this print? It's energy and summer embodied.

Via. 

Wed Day

I know, this is a SATC quote, but hey, there's a lot of truth to it. How can we every expect someone else to recognize our value if we can't see it for ourselves? My mom always reminded me to remember my own worth, while my father told me to never chase a boy - similar words of wisdom. I think it's important to always remember that no matter how special your love is, you are special too; no matter how lucky you are to have them, they are lucky to have you as well.

It's not conceited, it's healthy. In my opinion at least. :-)

Image via. 

Weekend Wrap-up

How were all of your weekends dearies?

Ours got off to a slow start. Friday and Saturday nights we rented these movies, Saturday we grabbed coffee and breakfast at this sweet new neighborhood spot, went on a walk and ran errands. Then it was Sunday - oh Sunday funday, I love you so -  and it was time to celebrate our dear Ash's 30th.  We hoped on a bus and headed up to wine country for    a day of bocce ball, corn hole, and yes, vino - all while dressed as flower children. Such fun silly times.

Image via yours truly. 

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

Highlighting and contouring, sounds intimidating, no? Just thinking of it conjures crazy photos of a Kim Kardashian make-up tutorial. But it doesn't have to be that way!

I know this still looks intimidating, but hear me out. To contour and highlight you actually don't need to wear more make-up, it's about being strategic about where and how you apply it. You also don't need all kinds of crazy contouring creams, you really just need a good bronzer, and good concealer, and a nice highlighter. Start with your primer and tinted moisturizer or foundation as usual, now it's concealer time. Apply concealer under the eyes, along the outside of your nose, in the center of the forehead, and chin. Dust on a little translucent powder to set everything in place.

At this point I like to add a little blush to keep things from looking too harsh. Now for the bronzer, sweep some down the hollows of your cheeks, along the hair and jaw lines, you can even go as far as to dust your neck and outline your collarbone. Take a thin brush and draw a thin line down the sides of your nose. Now take a big fluffy brush and blend everything well, you don't want any visible lines. Finish with highlighter, a little bit of shimmer on the bridge of your nose, in the corners of your eyes, on you cupid's bow, and along your cheek bones will do wonders.  Do your eyes and brows as usual.

Boom! That wasn't so hard, now was it?

Images 1 / 2 

Overall after-all

Overalls, what are your feelings on this controversial article? I used to be 100% "anti," but lately I may be coming around to the other side. Paired with something flirty and sheer, I feel they can be sexy and modern in an I-don't-even-care-to-try kind of way.

Thoughts?

Image via. 

Monday's Mantra

Me too - hope your week is full of both. xo!

Via. 

Happy Weekend!

Oh weekend, weekend, my weekend - I'm so happy you're here. What do you all have planed loves? We will be celebrating yet another 30th birthday! In wine country, in costume - I never knew it'd be so much fun when all my friends crossed over into the next decade. Hopefully I'll snap a few good pics to share.

I hope you all have cause for some silliness this weekend too. See you monday - xo!

Maintain mindfulness.

Holy shit, this woman is cool - I want to be like her when I grow up.

PSY's new song, you curious?

Spelling bee's, silly.

Why you should talk to your baby.

Late 20's vs. early 20's.

I love Anne Hathaway, hater's gonna hate I guess.

I told my dad I was worried, he sent me this.

Would you try facial yoga?

The distance to Mars.

Beautiful photographs.

Image via. 

Cheers ...

it's Friday! Anyone feel like a slushy margarita? Good, me too. 

Pink Grapefruit Margaritas

From: Barefoot Contessa’s  How Easy Is That

• 1 cup ruby red grapefruit juice

• 1/2  cup fresh squeezed lime juice (about 4 limes)

• 1 cup triple sec orange liqueur

• 3 cups ice

• 1 cup silver tequila

• 1 lime cut in wedges, optional Kosher salt.

If you prefer to rim the glasses take a lime wedge and rim, then dip in salt, if you're not a salted rim person, sprinkle a touch of salt in each glass (the salt really brings out the flavor).

Combine the grapefruit juice, lime juice, triple sec and ice in a blender. Pour into a large pitcher (or just keep it in the blender) and pour in the tequila, stir.

Makes 4 drinks. Enjoy! 

Via. 

Friday's Find

These are the worlds most expensive shoes. They were made by Kathryn Wilson, who was commissioned to make a custom pair of shoes for a Ronald McDonald House charity auction. They sold for the equivalent of $418,450 - holy moly! The shoes are covered in 21.18 carats of diamonds, and took Wilson 50 over hours to make by hand. What's more, before the sale, they commanded a full-scale security detail. Crazy? Yes! 

Via.   

Thursday's Tidbit

This is something I've thought about a lot over the course of my twenty-some years. People will come and go from your life - but I don't think this is necessarily a bad thing. We flow into one another's story, and then drift out after we've filled our purpose and have learned what we need to from each other. We stick to those we're meant to. It can be sad when two people drift apart, but I don't feel like it needs to be negative. It's just part of the process of growing up. What are your thoughts?

Image via. 

Bouquet

This arrangement of white hydrangeas and golden ranunculus feels like spring to me, hinting at summer   soon to come. (I think Rico agrees.)

Image via your truly. 

WED Day

Oh, just a little wedding inspiration for your wednesday. I love the idea of pairing a clean minimalistic dress in an airy fabric with heavier organic jewelry. Something about the fabric really feels at home with more natural elements - it almost mirrors the petals of the peonies - making the classic feel fresh. A table and cake adorned with succulents feels both modern and earthy. 

This just screams "spring wedding," don't you think? 

Images 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 

Cozy Chic

Mmm. I love everything about this. The neutral color pallet, the warm wood, the inviting floor seating, the oversized jug, and the casual gallery wall. The best part, is that for as stunning as this is, it's completely attainable. Guess who's officially inspired - me that's who.

Image via. 

Tuesday's Tips & Tricks

Why not try a black & tan mani? 

Is it just me or does a traditional pink & white french mani seem dated and a bit stuffy? Just me? Maybe someday I'll come back around (trends always do) but for the moment, I'm loving the edgier and so much fresher black & tan version. 

You could easily have this done at a solan, but for the look above I tried a Sally Hansen Salon Effects kit. Have you tried a kit like this before? The polish goes on like a sticker and you simply file away any excess. It's relatively idiot proof (no smudging!), but surprisingly time consuming.  I was pretty happy with the result, and rather smug at my nail art "abilities;" unfortunately the finished product didn't last as long as I would have hoped - I guess you can't have everything you want. :-)

If you've tried stick-on polish before, what did you think? 

Image via yours truly. 

Weekend Wrap-up

How were all your weekends my sweets? Mine was just what I'd hoped for - a good mix of calm and activity. We spent raucous evenings with dear friends Friday and Saturday, paired with lazy days, filled by long walks, lattes, and stolen sunshine.

Image via yours truly. 

Monday's Mantra

Yes, and even the little things can become great.

Image via. 

Happy Weekend!

What do you all have planned this weekend dolls? I'm looking forward to some downtime at home and some quality time with the hubs and friends. We have another 30th birthday to celebrate on Saturday - so there will definitely be plenty of excuses for the latter. Fingers crossed for not rain.

See you monday -xo!

Hey, maybe nice guys (and girls) do finish first.

CHICKS a GIRLS parody.

What your Instagram filter of choice says about you.

Need a job? Invent it.

Astounding.

Teaching teens to breathe.

How do you feel about the MRS degree?
Dated advice if you ask me.

What does marriage mean to you?

Who's excited for this? Me, that's who!

Science of sleep.

Crazy optical illusion.

Real life is hard!

Brilliant at any age.

Image. 

Cheers...

It's Friday! We made it, lets have a toddy. 

Smokin’ Hot
Yield: 2 cocktails

4 slices of fresh ginger
1 teaspoon agave nectar
4 oz (60ml) Mezcal
4 oz (60ml) Canton, ginger liquor
2 oz (60ml) grapefruit juice, freshly squeezed
2 teaspoons lime juice

Instructions

Add ginger and agave nectar into a shaker, press the ginger several times with the muddler until slightly smashed and juices are released. Add the remaining ingredients and ice cubes. Cap the shaker, and shake vigorously until well combined.

Fill two lowball glasses with a few ice cubes and divide mixture evenly into glasses; drink chilled.

If you like more heat in your cocktail, increase the amount of ginger.

Bottoms up! 

Image etc via. 

Friday's Finds

Have you guys heard about the #mightylove project? It's kind of amazing. Natalie began the project with a vision to flood the interwebs with a little lady love, and to raise money for battered women in the process. Here's how it works: post something nice and sincere about the women in your life that inspire you and tag it #mightlove. Every post across social media taged #mightlove counts as a "compliment," for every 500 compliments tagged, $500 will be donated to a women's shelter.

Pretty nifty right? In an age where we're much more likely to see women fighting on TV than being nice to each other, it's nice to focus on supporting one another and putting a little love out there instead. So here goes ...

These are my ladies. I am so blessed to have each and everyone of them in my life - they are smart, strong and truly beautiful people inside and out. Di, I am so grateful for you in so many ways, thank you for always being there for me. Christine, you are a kindred spirit and one of the kindest people I know. Jules and Shan I am so proud of you both, you influence and inspire me in so many ways. K, thank you for always making me think, and Mer thank you for always making me laugh - you both are such fierce and inspiring individuals. Ash, you are such a thoughtful person, truly blazing your own path. Julia, you are such a joy, I can't tell you how happy I am to be your sister in-law. Val, you are a light, so independent, warm, and open - we were ment to be. Sarah, my sister, you constantly amaze me - I am so proud of the women you have grown into, am constantly learning from you, and can't tell you how much I love you.

Not Pictured: Beverly, I am so thankful that you and my dad found each other, and that you welcomed us so completely into your family. Nat, we may be step-sisters on paper, but you've always felt like family, and you're an amazing mama! Mags, you are such a courageous and free spirit. T-Girl, you are a warm and caring soul. Deborah, you are the best mother in-law I ever could have hoped for, I felt like a family the moment I met you. Last but not least: Mama, where do I even start? I've learned so much from you - you taught me to always remember my own worth, and for that I will always be grateful. I love you so much!

BOOM! How's that for some #mightylove? Will you all be participating as well? 

Images via. 

Thursday's Tidbit

So, I'm going to have to apologize in advance, prepare yourself for some gratuitous photos of my kitties...

... because guess who turns four today? The twins, you guessed it! It's silly how much I love these little buggers, and how happy I am that we have them in our lives. Four yeas ago we rescued these two through the SF SPCA. They were four weeks when we got them (that's how we know their birthday); I bottle fed them both. They were so small, with such big personalities. Needless to say, we bonded.

Now they're bigger with big personalities. Sophie is the brains, and Rico Chainsaw is just silliness and braun. They greet me at the door when I get home, and follow me around like puppies. They snuggle and purr by night and are endlessly entertaining by day.

Like I said, it's silly how much I love these two little lives I am so thankful to have been entrusted with. Happy birthday little ones!

Images via yours truly.