Pretty Things

Inslee and Caitlin McGauley pieces are so pretty I can't take it. I have my eye on the 2012 Inslee calendar for my office, and I'd love to include this McGauley piece somewhere in my home. Maybe it could provide juxtaposition alongside a framed Nirvana concert poster?

-A

images via inslee and la belle vie

Lust.

One thing about moving in with JECIV is that he won't let me make it a girl apartment. Everything is balanced. Objectively speaking that is a nice thing for a couple, but when it comes to choosing an accent chair it's the absolute worst. Accent chairs are so much better when they're girly! I have fallen madly in love with this chair from Ballard Designs. Now begins the search for an affordable version. And then begins the explaining why it's not too feminine.

-A

image via ballard designs

You Make Me Wanna Leave the One I'm With...

BBM is dead. I'm riding out this Blackberry and switching to something more exciting as soon as possible. These cases from Dani Notes make me want an iPhone bad. My favorite is pictured here, but there are about a billion options.

-A

image via Dani Notes

Rainy Weekend

Hurricane Irene is coming everyone. Basically I'm using the rainy forecast as an excuse to do nothing but lounge with my sister, drink wine, and bake. Some quality family time and relaxation is exactly what this girl needs. I hope you get to enjoy the same.

-A

images via allthingselegant and pretty stuff

Fall is Coming

It breaks my heart a little because this summer has been wonderful, but fall is coming. Fall will be great. It will be full of new things and I feel very optimistic, but right now this moment I'm very excited to wear camel and gold. Kors is life.

-A

image via Love.J'adore.Fashion

Bag Lady

Bags are one of my vices. This plaited shopper by Zara is on my list of things to buy. I really do have a list like that. Two actually. One hard copy and one in a folder on my laptop. I lost my mind a long time ago. Anyway Zara makes beautiful pieces at a low-ish price point. And Olivia Palermo shops there apparently. I'm not a fan of her attitude, but she wears cute outfits basically all the time.

-A

image via zara and thechicfactory

Fancy Hoedown

What kind of party do I need to have so I can wear this? A Tex-Mex Black Tie Gala? Done.

-A

image via modelcentric tumblr

Maintenance

Sometimes I don't prioritize my hair, and it almost immediately freaks out on me and shows signs of my neglect. I have needy hair. Fortunately, Kristin Ess wants me to have nice well-adjusted hair. This post on thebeautydepartment is going to make my life better. Seriously, it's an extensive hair boot camp post for all hair types. I'm going to mix up potions and sit all day looking silly and it's all going to be ok. Also, I'll schedule a hair cut.

-A

image via le petit francais

SPOTS!

I need these shoes for fall. That's really all there is to say about them. They're beautiful and they will be mine.

-A

image via Piperlime

Sometimes You Want Cute Wine.

Buy this wine from Francis Ford Coppola Winery and drink it. Go on now. Not only is it named after Sofia, but it's a great sparkling wine, annnnnnd it comes in the cutest 4 pack with precious little straws. On a personal note, it made for excellent pre-dinner drinks on a recent weekend in Maine.

-A

image via Real Simple

Bathroom Blues

I think I want this color for my new bathroom. JECIV is actually going to put me in an institution because all I can focus on right now is shower curtains. I'm pretty sure we can't wallpaper the new place, so my situation would be reversed. White walls. Jazzy shower curtain. I think it could be really cute. But a beachy blue in a bathroom does feel like a derivative choice. Enough. Enough now.

-A

image via la belle vie

Whateva Whateva

Just stop taking pictures.

No one is going to take one that's better than this. I love how Naomi is hollering at someone. And her purple eye shadow. And the slip dresses.

Image via Dimes In My Loafers

Sour Cream Chocolate Cake with Ganache and Cream Cheese Frosting

You guys, this is a terrible picture. But this cake... it is so not terrible. I can't handle this cake at all. I made it for my aforementioned almost-married coworker. For the amount of attendees at her party, we should have had leftover cake. That's all I need to say about it. So here's how it went down.

There is no better chocolate cake recipe than this one right here. In fact that whole recipe is amazing. The whole site is amazing. I learn a lot from Deb. But I had plans you see.

Ganache Recipe
2 cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Heavy Cream
2 tsp Light Corn Syrup*

Heat the cream until it is about to boil. Pour cream over chocolate chips and corn syrup. Let sit for a few minutes, then stir that mother.**

*Sometimes I feel like I shouldn't eat corn syrup and on those days I don't add it. But it does seem to help ganache smooth out and be shiny.
**Sometimes I need to add more cream, sometimes I need to whip out an electric beater. Ganache is a fickle mistress. Basically my point is don't start over unless you really feel like it is fully unacceptable.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 Stick Butter, unsalted and room temperature
8 oz. Cream Cheese
5 Cups of Confectioner's Sugar

Cream the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer. Add confectioner's sugar one cup at a time. Mix for 2-5 minutes. If it's grainy, mix it longer, this isn't that hard.


Now it gets good. Take that cake you made earlier and fill it with ganache. Frost it with cream cheese frosting. Go share it with other people and be awesome.

-A

You can buy anything on etsy.

Every day I find something new to obsess about and it almost always has to do with moving. Today I've been trolling etsy for art. Did you know you could buy banksy reproductions? This is one of my favorite pieces and I know JECIV will go for it too.

-A

image via iCanvasART on etsy

Shrimp Toast!

So this Saturday night I went to a lovely birthday dinner and a raging house party. The result of this fun time was that Sunday all I did was sleep and eat (and watch the Arthur remake, which was just ok.)

So anyway I get extremely specific cravings and being hungover magnifies this trait. All I wanted was shrimp toast, but not the dim sum kind, the southern cocktail party kind. Here is what I came up with for my immediate consumption. I love when you can have exactly what you want and it takes two minutes to put together.

Shrimp Toast
4 English Muffins, split
6 oz Cooked Shrimp, chopped
5.2 oz Boursin Garlic & Herb Cheese
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
1 Tablespoon Butter
Black Pepper
Parsley

Mix shrimp, boursin, spices, mayonnaise, and butter in a small bowl. Spread mixture over English muffins. Top with fresh parsley and black pepper. Broil for 10 minutes or until golden.

-A

Watch out Blake Lively

Emma Stone is looking so ridiculously chic in Chanel! Who styles this girl??? I mean honestly, she is wearing some amazing pieces lately. I love her.

-A

image via InStyle

If Lizzie McGuire can have one...

My coworker is getting married in ten days. She's not doing a garter toss, so I pushed really hard for her to buy this beautiful glitterati silk tulle garter from florriemitton's etsy shop. Isn't it the prettiest garter? I know she's excited to wear it, and to have it as a keepsake. Also, Hilary Duff wore one on her wedding day. I'm not sure if that was a pro or a con in the decision making process.

-A

image via florriemitton

I Want That.

I probably like monograms a little more than I should. If someone would like to purchase this West Avenue Jewelry necklace for me (in rose gold) I wouldn't mind it one bit.

-A

image via Max & Chloe

Zhush (via Some Pink Salt)

I'm about to move in with JECIV and I can't stop browsing online shops for decor. Big items can seem really overwhelming sometimes, but little touches make a space special and I am in love with these Mint Julep cups from Zhush. They're so chic. I need them right meow.

-A

images via Zhush

Oh, hi!

Listen you guys it took a lot of agonizing to make a blog, but I did it. So let's see what happens. I'm sure it will involve plenty of salt, recipes, decor, cocktails, accessories, cured meats, coffees, shiny things and other necessities for a happy life.

-A