Valentine's Day wishes...

Roses filled the room,

soft lingerie hung nearby

sweets sealed the seduction, 

while red marked the spot for the love that filled the air!!!

While I have been a bit more occupied than usual, I couldn't go without wishing you an endless day of romance!!!

Photo #1 via: the coveteur, Photo #2 via: bardot in blue, Photo #3 via: jason + anna photography, Photo #4 via: all the pretty birds 

Food Obsession: Layered Cakes...

I heart a good cake, done right... layers of decadent, fluffy cake... frosted to perfection...

It doesn't matter how beautiful a cake looks if it doesn't taste as good... here's a wonderful {receipe} for single servings of layered cake as pictured here... enjoy!!!

Photo #1 via: call me cupcake, Photo #2 via: lg weddings, Photo #3 via: rock ur party

Gobble... Gobble...

The list is long as I am set to host an intimate Thanksgiving for me and my fiance... have a wonderful holiday... see you next week...

Photo via: apartment therapy

View inspired styling...

As the rain poured around us on Sunday evening, we enjoyed tapas and cocktails on the porch of the inn where we were staying... pretty soon the rain stopped, and the most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen appeared before us... 

The colors were so intense and vivid, bands of colors running seamlessly across the sky... a view inspiring styling from it's beautiful hues... until Monday, enjoy!!!

Photo #1 & #2 via: An Obsession with Style, Photo #3 & #5 via: wayne tippetts, Photo #4 & #6 via: the coveteur 

Food Obsession: Birthday Cake...

Ask anyone that knows me well and they will tell you I loveeeeeeeeee anything that involves the ever so yummy birthday cake!!! I was extra excited when I saw this fab creation... 

I can't wait to try this {receipe}... enjoy!!!

Photos & receipe via: thekitchn

How do you do: Mini salt and pepper shakers...

This a special DIY for the small space dweller, for the person who likes small things and a sweet decorative touch for any celebration... 

The next time you have an opportunity to swipe ... oops, I mean come across... some little jam jars, make them your own... 

With a hammer and some thin nails, pound some holes into the lids... pour in your salt or pepper, and it's that easy... have a wonderful weekend!!!

DIY and Photos via: sweet paul

Happy Vogue Easter!!!

Quite a busy week, but back for a Friday finale...

wishing everyone a hopping weekend; photos courtesy of Vogue's commission of custom bunnies... 

Finally made it there: Laduree...

I was very, very excited this past year to hear that Laduree was coming stateside as mentioned {here}... but getting there wasn't that easy... I would pass the shop at different times and there was always a line wrapped around the corner... not that I expected anything other than this, but I thought eventually I would hit the mark and gain a smooth entry... and eventually, I DID!!!

My wait was worth it as the macaroons were as always OUT OF THIS WORLD... happy Monday!!!

Photos via: nymag

Old treats with new tricks...

I have an expanding folder of recipes... there are recipes that are elaborate and require time... there also some that are quick and easy, yet elegantly done...  I plan to cheat a little on dessert this Thanksgiving with a great tip I collected from {Martha Stewart}...

DIY: Turn a half-gallon tub of Neapolitan ice cream into a decadent bombe by dripping plenty of dark chocolate over it. 

First, cut the carton off the ice cream. Refreeze it until it hardens, and then pour slightly cooled melted semisweet chocolate over the top, and let it drip down the sides; refreeze once more. When the topping is set, arrange the bombe on a fancy serving platter and scatter chunky chocolate bits on top and around it for an added flourish.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!

Photo and DIY via: Martha Stewart

Fall beckons baking...

With the rain and chill in the air, one can't help but want to stay indoors... not quite ready to unpack the cold weather clothes and bid farewell to the slight hint of summer, I think baking is the perfect thing to keep a girl busy... 

Whether you're baking or faking; with a little help from the cute shop around the block, keep it sweet and enjoy!!! Happy Monday... 

Photo #1 & #2 via: Brooke Boling, Photo #2 via: nessa photography

Obsession: Unexpected touches of black lace...

On the runway, unexpected touches of black lace trim shoulders for fall...  add some unexpected black lace to mix things up... 

Give your usual scarf a break with an unexpected touch of black lace... 

add a grown up feel to a pair of balloons by attaching them to an unexpected touch of black lace... 

freshen up your drinkware by wrapping them with an unexpected touch of black lace... happy Wednesday!!! 

Photo #1 via: Jason Wu, Photo #2 via: Vanessa Jackman, Photo #3 via: Amanda Wilcher, Photo #4 via: Principal Wedding Planner & Events

I HEART PB & J...

A great memory of mine growing up is the joy of opening my lunch box and finding a peanut butter and jelly sandwich inside... every now and then, I relive this memory and have a PB & J sandwich for lunch... 


What better way to show someone your love then by giving them a heart shaped PB & J surprise... move over chocolate... enjoy!!! 

Photo via: Bon Appetit

Summer Cocktail Style...

With a wave of heat in the air, a refreshing beverage is a necessity if you're going to be out and about...

Dressed to kill but yet cool enough for the hot weather,  enjoy your cocktail of choice!!! 

Photo #1 via: Mr. Newton, Photo #2 via: Beau Arts Photographie, Photo #3 via: Meg Smith, Photo #4 via: NYT

Friday's celebration...

I headed to the beach for a short get away this week and woke up sick the last day of my trip... Recuperating has been a priority as I am set to attend a celebration in my honor tonight... 

With the sun shining, I'm off... cheers to a wonderful weekend!!! 


Photo #1 via: Koray Birand, Photo #2 via:  Marianne Wilson Photography, Photo #3 via: Anouska Hempel design

Red... White... and Blue... Memorial Day inspiration: 2011 edition...

 

Let the holiday inspire a creative edge to your look this weekend... 

cheers to a spectacular celebration!!!

Photo #1 & #3 via: Easy Fashion, Photo #2 via: The Coveteur, Photo #4 via: jak & jil blog, Photo #5 via: Versace, Photo #6 via: jubilee events