Friday, January 31, 2014

this week's favorites...





I definitely need to make hiking more routine, oh my California mountains how I love you!! 
What are you up too this weekend? 

(images taken for Sit and Stay A While)

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

A Little Comfort Food Please

Alright so it's been almost of month of eating really healthy and exercising. May be you've broken your habit of eating bad for you food, but there isn't a little voice inside telling you to go ahead and indulge in even one slice of pizza? Here's a healthier recipe of some yummy pizza. 

Ingredients: 

  • (10-ounce) Italian cheese-flavored thin pizza crust (such as Boboli)
  • 1 teaspoon cornmeal
  • Cooking spray
  • 3 tablespoons refrigerated pesto with basil (such as Buitoni)
  • 1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
  • 1/2 cup sliced small tomatoes (such as Campari tomatoes)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup small basil leaves
  • Crushed red pepper (optional)
Instructions: 

  1. 1. Preheat broiler to high.
  2. 2. Place a baking sheet in oven; heat for 10 minutes.
  3. 3. While baking sheet heats, place crust on another baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Lightly coat crust with cooking spray. Spread pesto evenly over crust, leaving a 1-inch border; sprinkle mozzarella evenly over pesto. Dollop ricotta, by teaspoonfuls, evenly over mozzarella. Slide crust onto preheated baking sheet, using a spatula as a guide. Broil 5 inches from heat for 5 minutes or until cheese begins to melt. Remove from oven; top evenly with tomatoes, black pepper, and basil. Sprinkle with red pepper, if desired. Cut into 8 slices.
(image and content via my recipes)

Monday, January 27, 2014

Weekend Wrap Up

 indulging in pretty blush delicate sweaters and 
favorite necklaces.
 obsessed with my new and perfect tea pot.
 friday night date with semester's reading material
includes 'tween' books and bridget jones. 
 getting cozy in bed with a few favorite classics. 
 hanging out with this little guy. 
fresh squeezed lemonade and best sandwiches
in town. 

(images via instagram)

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Get to Know Your Town

People fall into the habit of eating at chain restaurants, sleeping at well established hotels and shopping big retail companies for the comfort of knowing what to expect from the brand. But the beauty of a town is there are places that run on a more intimate level; they are more familial, comforting and friendly to their patrons. I've always been an advocate of shopping organically and locally and when the Small Business Saturday movement was recognized this past November, I made more of an effort to do just that, shop locally more often. Palm Springs, California thrives on many things from the golf courses, country clubs, the tennis gardens, modernism week, the film festival as well as the many boutique hotels that the small town is made up of. Every year in the winter, Palm Springs hosts the Walk of the Inns, and every year I forget to add it to my calendar of events. This time around I won't forget. Walking from Inn to Inn, is a piece of local history and I'm particularly excited because I will NOT forget about it this year. even if it's an entire year away. 

(image via foursquare)

Monday, January 20, 2014

Weekend Wrap Up

 kick back kind of weekend with long sweaters
and polka dot leggings.
 enjoying a beautiful weekend in the desert.
 get your dance on. 
 my new routine includes arm toning and ab work.
 getting to meet some awesome writers and work
our first ever writers festival. 
been craving hot and sour soup all week. 

(images via instagram)

Friday, January 17, 2014

this week's favorites...

 Rancho Mirage Public Library-Rancho Mirage, CA
 Detroit Public Library-Detroit, MI
 The Community Library-Ketchum, ID
 Chapel Hill Public Library-Chapel Hill, NC
The Lithgow Library-Augusta, ME

My brother got me the coolest book (and maybe even my favorite Christmas gift this year) about the most beautiful libraries around the world. While it focuses on libraries primarily in Europe I couldn't help but think of the public libraries here in our own country. Do you visit your local branch, whats the best library you've been in lately? 
(12345)

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Pajamas All Day



Are you guilty of wearing an old over-sized college tee with your favorite boxers from high school when getting ready to hit the sheets? I'm just now starting to invest in more quality, colorful and pretty pajamas. I've been wearing the same thing for the last six or seven years and I've finally said enough, out with the old and in with silkiness. I stumbled upon Tink and Tiger a little less than a year ago and I'm definitely a fan of Amanda Greeley's work. Head on over and check out her shop. 

(image via tink and tiger)

Monday, January 13, 2014

Weekend Wrap Up


 pajamas for days.
 a movie isn't complete without the perfect snack.
 the weekend reading list includes tips on blogging,
learning to knit and other domestic chores and my
latest find, rivers of london!!!
 something simple like spaghetti sounded just right. 
a special treat to see the Anaheim Ducks game thanks  
to this guys parents :)
the perfect day for a swim and enjoying the sun.

(images via instagram)


Friday, January 10, 2014

this week's favorites





Spend more one on one time with myself or with the girls in quaint cafe corners, expand my drink beyond a gin and tonic, wear red (or other bold colors) more often, spend more time learning about gardening and flower species and get in the habit of reading a little poetry before bedtime. What are you up too this weekend?

(12345)

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Your Very Own

To kick off this year's 31 Day Challenge, let's talk about YOUR space in your home. Living in a house with somebody whether a spouse or a roommate, you learn to share everything, every room is open to each individual in the house. So by the end of the day you unwind by taking a shower and retreat to your bedroom to tinker, clean and tidy up or strictly get into bed to watch t.v. or read a book. May be for dreaming purpose only what if you had a separate room all to yourself? What would you collect, display and keep in your very own space? Would you use that space for your leisure time? Mine would be a very cozy library filled with books, collectible antique pieces (like globes, large ampersands and book ends), a ladder on wheels, film and music (everything from cd to vinyl). And obviously the most comfortable arm chair you could imagine, one of those you can just sink into and fall fast asleep in. Consider making your own space exactly as you'd like it in your home, even if that only means a corner in the living room or office. Happy Monday. 

(image via houzz)

Monday, January 6, 2014

Weekend Wrap Up

 bundled up and ready to check out the 
palm springs film festival. 
 new digital magazines and new subscriptions.
 doesn't get much better than enjoying some cajun 
and creole food for date night. 
 dessert includes chocolate cups filled to
the brim with pomegranate seeds.
unfortunately it's time to put christmas away...
excellent weather calls for a light swim and 
a little tanning, i love palm springs. 

(images via instagram)



Friday, January 3, 2014

this week's favorites...





A new year means new and pretty dos, more girl time, healthy choices for making meals and keeping the place clean and organized. What are you up to this weekend?

(12345)





Leading Ladies

Five Things to Know About Bernadette Marie: 1. Trained and completed two degrees, an AAS in Communication Design and BFA in Textile S...