Thursday, May 29, 2014

Do It Yourself Rope Rug





I've been wanting to learn to sew for awhile now but haven't had the time to dedicate hours to the beautiful art that sewing is. My sister started making a few of her own clothing creations that I seriously loved, my grandmother was a master at it and this here little rope rug kick started my fascination with it. I don't why, but I think it's classic, girly and super fun. So after I've learned how to actually use a machine, I can't wait to try recreating this gem and call it my very own.  

(images and instructions via a beautiful mess)

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Superga Sneakers





There's nothing more summery than a nice pair of sneakers. I grew up wearing Converse and Keds and clearly remember thinking I was the epitome of cool in my short faded overalls and pink Keds going into the last month of school. Now as a twenty something girl, I'm still a fan of my favorite white and grey chucks. I've even considered getting myself a basic pair of navy Keds, as reminder of my youth and my love for blue. With Superga back in style, I'm instantly reminded of my mother's love with the brand, she had them in red, white and blue and she wore them to death.  I'm having fun looking through all the colors and patterns, check them out over at the site or at Nordstrom :)

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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

P.S. Book Clutches



When Kate Spade first started making their book clutches I wanted to buy up all of them, they were perfect and well fitting for me since I'm, you know working on becoming a librarian. Which by the way I'll be graduating next May, seriously where has the time gone, I feel like I started yesterday!!! Anyways, then I came across these over at P.S. Besitos, the most adorable site I've visited in a while. Treat yourself to something fun and girly today, you deserve it :)

(images via p.s. besitos)

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Right Around the Corner

With summer just around the corner and the temperature rising, I'm already grabbing my favorite white frayed shorts, the neon nail polish and indulging in popsicles as afternoon treats. The snowbirds are gone which means quiet afternoons and hotel pools all to myself. With a book in hand and a swim suit underneath my clothes, I'm ready to relax and enjoy the longer days. I have a few do-it-yourself projects set aside to tend to over the next three months and get in some serious laps. What are your plans as we enter June?!

(image via moonshine and wool)

Friday, May 23, 2014

this week's favorite...





Being the paper source queen that I am, my desk is currently filled to the brim with stationary, an assortment of pens, markers and pencils and plenty of notepads and personalized stationary sets. But I have to say, nothing comes close to Anna Bond's creations, the founder of Rifle Paper Co. Enjoy perusing her site and have a great weekend. 

(image via rifle paper co) 

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Sarah Loves Her Sweets

When it comes to sweets I bypass chocolates and candy and go straight for sorbet and popsicles. I found this recipe for Lime and Raspberry Sangria Popsicles and had to share it with you. Doesn't this sound absolutely perfect and a tasty summery treat?! 

Ingredients:
  • 6 Ounces Raspberries
  • 2 Limes
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 1 ⅓ Cups Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc

Instructions:
Add the 6 ounces of raspberries to a small sauce pan, sneaking a few. I mean, raspberries are freaking in season and these organic berries are delicious. Okay, mash them quickly before you eat them all!

Add 1/2 cup of the sugar to the raspberries (eating one more ain’t gonna hurt nobody!) and then warm the mixture over a medium-low heat, until it just begins to bubble. This helps combine the sugar with the raspberries. Now remove them from thestove and let them cool. DON’T EAT ANYMORE! That was really more for me than you.

In a large measuring cup (one that at least holds 4 cups), juice the two limes. Notice my restraint on not eating the limes? Not the same as raspberries, lovely lovely raspberries.

Add the remaining half cup of sugar and let it sit for about 5 minutes, to dissolve. Don’t just stand there and watch. Maybe put on Call Me Maybe and dance around for a few minutes, take a few shots of tequila and then drunk dial an ex? Just a suggestion.

Now that the sugar has dissolved into the lime juice, you should have about 1 cup of liquid. No biggie if you do not. Pop open that Fumé Blanc and add enough of the white wine so that you have 2 1/3 cups.

So mix together the wine and lime mixture, and set aside about 1/2 cup of it. Take another lime, halving it length-wise and then slice it VERY thinly.
   Add the raspberry compote to your lime and wine mix, mixing it well and divide it amongst the popsicle molds. Make sure to divide the chunky pieces of raspberries so that everybody gets some.
   Now place them in the freezer.
  If you are doing the food porn thing, you will notice that the pops did not fill up all the way. So, only freeze your pops for about an hour. Just enough so they mix is slushy like. Now add a lime slice to each pop and top it off with the remaining lime mixture. Pop them back in the freezer for about 10 hours.

(image and content via cooking stoned)

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

The Daily Escape

One of my favorite places in New York City is Bryant Park. It was in this park where I decided what my career was going to be and it was the first place where I really saw the beauty of the city. There were many mornings and afternoons where wandered the famed New York Public Library and enjoyed my favorite Tomato Basil Soup from across the street at Hale and Hearty and just sat and watched the New York City folk. The next time your in the city, take a few minutes of your stay and enjoy one of my favorite spots in all New York. 

(image via dust and rust) 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Something Old Into Something New



As much as I'd like to admit to being a clean and organized person, my closet can get a little out of control. With my collection of outfits and favorite pieces, shoes galore and purses that need their own closet space, I clean out my closet like every two weeks. Many times, when I'm in the cleaning process I'll come across something I haven't worn in a while and am reminded how awesome a top or dress is. I bought this Topshop peplum a few years ago and I still love it. It's time to haul it out and get snazzy. What's one of your favorite pieces that you'll never part with.

(images taken for sit and stay a while)

Monday, May 19, 2014

Weekend Wrap Up

 packing for my trip to the big apple this week...
 working on a project for the summer reading club.
 a friday night at home sounds just about right.
 fresh from the fields cantaloupe. 
 give me pho tom all day and i'll be a happy camper.
spoiling this guy a little too much after his brother's 
passing a few weeks ago. 

(images via instagram)

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Sunday Movies

Every year around the beginning of summer, I retreat to watching my favorite episodes of Samantha Brown's Passport to Europe. Being in the history (and anthropology) mood I've been in the last week and half, The Mummy just sounded so spot on (I also consider it a top twenty favorite). What are you watching this weekend? 

Friday, May 16, 2014

this week's favorites...





With my trip to NYC coming up this week, travel is on the mind. I have a few short road trips planned and a some time to visit friends along the coast. What about you, have any summer vacations in the works?!

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Thursday, May 15, 2014

What's In Your Bag

Kristina Hultkrantz is one fantastic and beyond talented artist. I first noticed her work when she teamed up with Matchbook Magazine back in 2011, where she featured famous actors, literary characters and socialites and what she imagined were stowed in their handbags. As soon as I finished the first issue, I immediately found her Blog and Etsy shop and started creating a wishlist of all the artwork I wanted to collect. You may even remember, I've written about her work here back when I started my blog. A few years later and I became one of the girls featured in her What's In Your Bag Series :)

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Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Morning Routines



If there was one thing I could put more time and effort into it would be my skincare and makeup routines. When it comes to applying makeup, I'm a little impatient, I don't want to spend more than fifteen minutes putting everything on. I stick to a very basic practice-foundation, mascara, one eye palette, lipstick and blush. I didn't start using primers, toners, illuminators and other things until I noticed how healthy my sister's skin looked. Whenever we visit, it seems like she's got me following a strict schedule of cremes and toners in the evening and then a full on makeup tutorial the next morning. I finally caved in and after a few weeks of using all her recommended products, my skin looks and feels so much better. What's your skin situation? Are you a makeup queen or high maintenance when it comes to skin and makeup? 

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Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Cafe Lalo





If I had more time to just enjoy the city, I would spend it walking from one cafe to another. The atmosphere, the history, the details and personality make all the difference to me, Cafe Lalo has charm and plenty of character. This is one of favorite spots in New York, it's quaint and intimate and packed nonstop. You may know Cafe Lalo from the classic rom-com You've Got Mail but it's my sister's main hangout and it will certainly become a staple each time I visit. Visit, enjoy yourself and order the lemon blueberry cake, it's fantastic.

(images taken for sit and stay a while)

Monday, May 12, 2014

Weekend Wrap Up

 leather sleeves and books for clutches.
 i'm happiest when my bathroom is fully stocked with
wonderful smelling and pretty lush products. 
 be an elegant thinker...
 stocking up on my summer reading list. 
 tapas date night and sangria time.
sunday evenings by the pool. 

(images via instagram)

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...