Wanderlust 2012

I have a serious case of wanderlust. Travel factors into practically every decision I make. This year is slipping by so I've decided to get a grip by re-visiting my 2012 agenda or as regular people say resolutions. A big part of said agenda is travel. Yes, I actually made various travel-related resolutions. My list may be a little lofty but if I even manage to get through half that'll be something.

1. Washington D.C. A visit to the besty is long overdue, preferably when cherry blossoms are present.

2. Vegas It's for work, with my parents. Which means I'll finally learn to gamble!

3. Portland + Seattle This is something the boyfriend and I have had on the back burner for a while.

4. New York Another possible boyfriend trip. Who can say no to the city?

5. Hawaii I take a yearly beach vacation to Mexico with my family. Moving the locale has been in the talks.

6. Caribbean My recent trip to to The Bahamas has only made my beach lust worse. We could move the family vacay here instead! Anywhere but Aruba. My mom refuses to patronize a country where two American women have gone missing.

7. London Yes it has been calling. And I always want to get another stamp in my passport. #prioritiespeople

8. Greece Debt crisis be damned! I want to eat goat cheese and take pictures in front of blue doors.     

Red Carpet Review {Academy Awards 2012}

{Milla Jovovich looking stunning as usual in Elie Saab}

Why is it that no one shows up to the Academy Awards looking like a milk maid anymore? To be quite honest I miss those days. Lately it seems like every celebrity just plays it safe and that is oh so dull! The last time I was genuinely excited about a dress was in 2010 when Zoe Saldana wore Givenchy. Almost every look I liked this year was beige. Here a few of my favorites this year.

{Jessica Chastain in uniquely embroidered McQueen}

{I'm always happy to see something that isn't strapless. Giuliana Rancic in Tony Ward.}

{Jennifer Lopez's Zuhair Murad gown is perhaps my fave}

{Finally a color! I'm loving the unique bust line of Viola Davis' Vera Wang.}

{Rooney Mara looked modern yet ethereal in Givenchy Couture}

{Images via Harper's Bazaar and People}

NYFW F/W 2012 {Street Style}

{This photograph epitomizes Fashion Week— the walking, Chanel, the rain, and an unexpected element like the hat}

Between Instagram and my RSS feeds I was slightly overwhelmed with New York Fashion Week madness. Now that it is all over I can happily sift through the chaos at my own pace. These are a few of my favorite street style moments. Isn't it amazing that what goes on outside the tents causes almost as much of a frenzy at what goes on inside?

{Fur hooded vest and those sunnies. Brilliant.}

{Caroline Sieber's ultra sheer tights suddenly seem so fresh now that matte black ones are so commonplace}

{Floral on floral. These printed pants aren't going anywhere. And how adorable is her curled bob?}

{Liz Cherkasova of Late Afternoon's contrasting top knot is making me want to ombré my hair}

{Julia Restoin-Roitfeld's boots remind me of this Anna Dello Russo moment}

{Lauren Remington Platt makes her spring dress cold-weather appropriate by adding textured tights, a collared blouse, and a bright jacket}

{Bright yellow trousers and that scarf! Linda Fargo knows what she is doing.}

{I'm loving Joanna Hillman's varying shades of blue and bright lip}

{Jewel tone Celine trousers}

{Yellow + coral + turquoise}

{Tweed paired with a graphic print}

{Navy lace with a white blazer and a dash of leopard}

{Images via Elle, Harper's Bazaar, and Jak & Jil}

Valentine's Day 2012

{Stunning pale pink roses}

This was the first Valentine's Day since high school that I've spent with my family. I was out of town for work and luckily I was within driving distance of my hometown so I was able to go spend the evening at home. When I lived at home my Mum would always buy my baby sister and me flowers and a gift for Valentine's. I think that she is the reason why I love the holiday so much regardless of my relationship status. I grew up thinking it was a day dedicated to love and as we all know love isn't just the romantic kind. Enough sappiness let's check out the day's snaps!

{Grilled lamb chops + sautéed spinach + risotto}

  {Matching necklaces for the baby sister and I from our parents (Neha Joyas)}

{Even our youngest family member was festive in head to toe pink}

 {Not a red rose in sight}

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day darlings! Isn't this the best valentine? Thank you all for your support. I have a special place for each and every one of you in mon coeur. Are you celebrating today or did you already celebrate this weekend? I am out of town for work so the boyfriend and I will be celebrating late. This evening I'll be with my family oddly enough and will celebrate with them for the first time in ages! I know everyone focuses on this being a celebration of romance but I think it's a celebration of love in all forms. So grab a loved one and celebrate a little! xx 

{Image via Refinery 29}

Floral Inspiration {Valentine's Day}

Valentine's Day for me would never feel complete without fresh flowers. This year I urge you to look past the clichés and think outside the box aka the red rose rut. A good starting point is finding out the recipient's favorite flower. Peonies are mine. Hydrangeas and tulips are both lovely options and won't feel overdone. I have yet to meet someone whose favorite bloom is a rose, but maybe that's just me. Feeling even more daring? How about an option that will last longer than a week? Any decorista worth her lucite would delight in a classic orchid planter or the oh so on trend fiddle leaf tree, my personal fave. If you really can't part from the roses at least go for a deep red interjected with unexpected green orchids or try a clean and modern option with some purple thrown in for good measure such as this one.

{Images via Habitually Chic, Pinterest, Teleflora, and The Woods Exquisite Flowers}      

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Valentine's day is just around the corner and I am sure you're scrambling all prepared. In case you've been "too busy with work" or whatever else you tell yourself I am going to give you something so easy you have no excuse not to knock someone's socks off with your thoughtfulness and culinary abilities. Seriously, everyone loves these so make a big batch and bring them to the office, your man-hating girls happy hour, or simply make them for your boyfriend (this is my personal fave because then you get to eat them, all while doing a good deed).

Ingredients: Strawberries + Milk Chocolate + White Chocolate (optional)

Kitchen Equipment: Medium-sized Pot, Small Metal Mixing Bowl, Wax Paper, and Baking Sheets

1) First we are going to assemble our double boiler. Don't run for the hills! This is as complicated as it gets. Fill your pot with water, place your metal mixing bowl over it. Pick up the mixing bowl and inspect the bottom. If it's wet you've added too much water. The steam is what will melt the chocolate, you don't want the bottom of your bowl to come in direct contact with boiling water. This is what your double boiler should look like:

2) Set your stove to the lowest setting. Break up your chocolate into pieces and watch it melt. Stir occasionally.

3) Once you're chocolate is all melted. You are ready to start making your strawberries. Dip your strawberry in the chocolate. Place the finished product on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

4) Refrigerate until the chocolate is nice and hard.

*I like to use both milk and white chocolate and have a little fun. My favorite is the half and half.

Favorites {January}

{Buttermilk Chess Pie at Eastside Cafe}

January came and went without me realizing mainly because I was preoccupied with preparing for my Mum and the Baby Sister's visit this past weekend. This year I have decided to tackle the new year differently. In lieu of the traditional 'resolutions' I always make and never keep, this year I decided to make myself a very long to do list. I started off with general categories and then made specific goals. I promised myself I would tackle a few items a month, thus keeping the good intentions I daydream of going all year-long. At the end of each month I resolved to reflect on the month that had just passed. So as I (belatedly) reflect on what I've started, here are a few of my favorites from the first month of 2012. As I check off items on my to do list I will be sharing them with you of course.

{The Baby Sister and Mum's delicate necklaces (Tiffany and Barney's)}

{My first attempt at a disheveled top knot}

{Perhaps my favorite Christmas gift which I gets tons of use of due to my work travels}

{A happy reminder that spring is just around the corner here in Texas}

Roasted Salmon with Green Herbs

Typically I gravitate towards recipes that are easy simple enough that they require one hour from start to finish max while still tasting delicious. Presentation is usually the least of my concerns. This dish is not your average dinner dish. It's more of an 'impress dinner company' dish. We all need at least one in our arsenal and I am sharing mine with you (recipe here). Not only is it impressive it is very easy to make. So please wipe the smirk off your face when the aforementioned company is ooh-ing and aah-ing at your culinary skills, it is just not polite.