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.

It's a Wrap!

This past weekend I completed my holiday shopping (in two days thank you very much). And I was so elated that I knew the standard bow from a bag wasn't going to cut it this year. One of my family's holiday traditions is that we each purchase a distinct wrapping paper so the giver can easily identify their gifts under the tree come Christmas morning. This year I chose a high-shine silver and I used interwoven ribbons in lieu of the standard bow (inspiration here). It was a little more involved but as long as you have time and patience on your hands the results can be rather spectacular.

 

Deck the Halls

{A living room regular gets the holiday treatment with starburst ornaments and peacocks}

This past weekend I went home for a few days and participated in decorating my family home for the season. By the time I make it home for Christmas the house is always already decked out. However, this year a variety of factors contributed to decorating getting a late start and I was able to partake for the first time in years. The ritual was made all the more special by my grandmother being in town. We usually spend Christmas in Mexico with my extended family but this year we have opted to stay home so I was happy to see her and enjoyed decorating the tree with her. Here are some snapshots of my long weekend and the holiday tidbits I enjoyed.

{Making Mexican Hot Chocolate (OPI Got the Blues for Red nailpolish)}

{A favorite Missoni-inspired ornament (similar here)}

{Using my sister as my Barbie and giving her Heidi braids for a holiday party}

{Old friends dropping by with unexpected treats}

Santa Baby 2011

Today I purchased my very first Christmas gift of the season! Some might feel that it is reckless to wait so long; Christmas is only thirteen days away. Two words people: online shopping. Never step foot inside the mall again right? I like to make things as easy as possible for my loved ones to ensure that that I get what I want so I make a list (with links) and send it to the appropriate parties. So here are ten things that I am wishing to find underneath my Christmas tree.

1. A coffee table book that is both pretty and a conversation starter. Yes, these conversations will mostly be with girls. ("100 Unforgettable Dresses" by Hal Rubenstein Amazon $23)

2. A fun and new kitchen experiment that is practically guaranteed to yield good results. (DIY Goat Cheese Kit Etsy $30ish. They are currently sold out but I will gladly take a rain check.)

3. Because every iPhone needs a case or else it's just naked. (Tortoise Snap Case Incase $35)

4. An alternate to my usual pearl studs (Tavi Earrings in Chalcedony Kendra Scott $50) 

*15% off with promo code "TISTHESEASON15" until 12/15 at midnight.

5. Arm candy for men= women. Arm candy for women= jewelry. I'd like mine in gold with the script monogram. (Ella Bangles Sarah Chloe $88)

6. A whimsical clutch to get me through the New Year's Eve festivities and beyond. (Sparkler Gia Kate Spade $95)

7. Decadent yet somewhat practical shoes. (Adena Flat Sam Edelman $150)

8. A sweet necklace that is sure to become a staple. (Mini Heart Necklace Ariel Gordon $275)

*30% off with promo code "holidaze" until 12/14.

9. A stand mixer for kitchen experiments that are not guaranteed the aforementioned good results. (Pro 500 Series 5 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer in Silver Metallic KitchenAid $300)

10. A fancy pants camera that was deemed 'Best dSLR Under $1,000' by CNET. (EOS Rebel T3i (with 18-55mm IS II lens) Canon $713)