Happy Independence Day!

Happy Fourth, everybody! I'd be jumping, too, if I were wearing the

Catherine Malandrino Flag Dress!

Fashion vs. Furniture: The Poolside Edition

How time gets away from me! I haven't written one of these since February! I'd say it's about time, eh?


This time around, the pool, and the cocktails that surround them, was my inspiration. I've paired an outdoor party theme with a signature drink and added a dash of fashion to bring a little summer to our little blog. Enjoy!


P.S. As you can see, I had a bit of fun with Poladroid. It's awesome!

I know Cinco de Mayo is in the past, but that's no reason not to throw an improptu fiesta en la playa! Serve up some top notch maragaritas and sport a bright patterned suit by Emilio Pucci.

recipe via Food Network

How about a sweet garden party complete with colorful butterflies and chic hats? Serve your guests a twist on a classic with a Peach Julep, and up the sugar factor in a floral maillot by Badgley Mischka.

recipe via Martha Stewart.

You can't not celebrate Independence Day! And just watching the Will Smith flick doesn't count. In addition to burgers and barbeque, whip up a colorful beverage in your star-spangled suit by Michael Kors.

recipe via Food Network.

Everybody's Hawaiian at a Luau! Especially when you're offering Honeyhole Punch in a tropical swimsuit by Jean Paul Gaultier.

recipe via The Knot.

I saved my favorite for last. Nothing beats a wine and cheese party, especially when the wine comes in Sangria form and the cheese is extra smelly! Put on something sophisticated in basic black, from Just Cavalli, with a hint of sparkle to play the perfect hostess.

recipe via Food Network.

Happy (Recession) Valentine's Day

Mmmm... caramels. The dish is really cute, too! I wouldn't mind painting one over at a ceramics studio to go with the gift! But I'm losing focus here. Find the recipe at House Beautiful.

Isn't love lovely? It's also costs an arm and a leg. You've got dinners to pay for, birthday and Christmas gifts, and the greatest money-sucker of all: Valentine's Day. Don't get me wrong! I love the holiday! Any holiday that looks like pink exploded all over the world is A-ok with me. And my mom still gives me yummy heart shaped cookies. (If you're reading this, do I still get them this year even though I'm married?)

I swear I have a point with all of this rambling. My point is, I have vowed not to spend a fortune on a gift for my husband this V-Day. I'm going to use the old tactic of getting to his heart via his stomach with some baked goodies. Apparently, this is a popular idea, because a lot of my favorite magazines and blogs are supplying me with tasty recipes. So throw on your chef's hat and get to baking!

My apologies. The recipe for these delicious looking Chocolate Chunk & Cherry Cookies is not online, but you can get it in this month's issue of Country Living!

What is a holiday without a little Martha? Her Heart-Shaped Meringues with Passion Fruit Curd look refreshingly tasty!


I'm not a big coconut fan, but these won me over. Chocolate-dipped Macaroons via Domino.

I couldn't resist these. The icing looks like a sprinkled cloud! Red Velvet Cupcakes with Fluffy Meringue Icing via Food Network.

Game On!

It all started with this: the Monopoly 1935 edition- the first released by Parker Brothers.

I got a great gift this Christmas: Monopoly. A board game will bring people together better than any video game, TV show, etc. Monopoly had us sitting together, laughing, buying, and selling for over five hours. So sit your family down this weekend with a board game and some snacks. If your family lives a thousand miles away, get your friends together! No one can resist a board game!

I think Monopoly is the ultimate in board gaming, so I took a look at what they've done since the original debuted in 1933, and I found out, they've done quite a bit. Here's a peek at my faves, all available at Amazon...

Who doesn't love the Beatles?
A Christmas Story is a classic, and look- one of the pieces is the leg lamp!

I think it's safe to say that I'm a huge Family Guy fan. Stewie is awesome!

Get your video gaming and board gaming in one with the Nintendo edition.

The latest incarnation: the Here & Now World Edition complete with credit cards. I don't about you, but I like the satisfaction of seeing piles of cashing lying around me!

Of course, there are tons more editions to choose from. Pick your favorite! If your interested in a little Monopoly history, take a look at their timeline. Have fun!

A Holiday Tidbit

Sweet little birds and tiny vintage ornaments on a wiry tabletop tree...

I know it's a bit late for holiday stuff, but I just wanted to share a little something from my Christmas with my family. On Christmas Eve, I went to my parents' house for a pre-Church meal. My mom had, once again, decorated the house simply, but beautifully. One thing in particular caught my eye. She's always puts this little Christmas tree out on a table with some of her smaller ornaments, but this year, she added some gorgeous bird ornaments that I fell in love with! She always does a fresh tree as well, embellished with her huge collection of blown glass ornaments (I love looking at them all!), but the small tree is another burst of color in an otherwise neutral hallway. It's a great idea for small apartment dwellers without room for a large tree, or if you just need a space for tiny ornaments. Well played, Mom! Thanks for passing on your style genes!

The End... of 2008

Image via Grundlepuck at Flickr.

Well, well, well. It's been quite a year, eh? It's been a year of many ups (getting married) and downs (Hurricane Ike) for me, as I'm sure it's been for you. For one night, forget the downs, celebrate the ups, and welcome 2009 with style! Happy New Year everyone! A virtual toast to us all!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like...

via *andrea. on Flickr.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good vacation from work!

Have a great holiday everyone, and please, stay safe! We'll be back after Christmas!

The Year of the 'Stache

via Skogen Blog.

I came across this little jewel on NotCot and couldn't resist sharing. The moustache is not over yet! Now you can decorate your tree in them. Sweet.

Stuff Your Stocking! Part Two

I hope you enjoyed part one of the Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide, but if you didn't, maybe these will win your over! Twenty-five more tiny treasures for someone you love (or at least kind of like). Take a peek...

From top left, by row:

Tarina Tarantino Large Oval Cocktail Ring at Zappos, $92 (duh! Free shipping!)

Viva Terra Organic Chocolate Truffles, $36

Suck Uk Hymn Book iPod Case, available at High Fashion Home, $26

Pluma Feather Headband in Blue at Revolve, $48 (Other colors available and so in style!)

Pottery Barn & SurEvolution Frangipani Server Set, $27

Umbra iPod Nano Bungee in Blue, about $11

Uncommon Goods On/Off Duty Pillowcase Set, $32 (For those new parents!)

Victoria's Secret Pink Cotton Button-front Hipster in All Heart, about $8

White House/Black Market Grey Glass Pearl Starburst Pin, $41

Lutz & Patmos Cable Pillow Cover at West Elm, $39 (Don't forget a pillow insert!)

Benefit "That Gal" Face Brightening Primer at Ulta, $28

Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel at Sephora, $45

Ikea Skimmer 11" Candlestick, $10 (Buy one of each size and mix them!)

Pier 1 Notepads, $6 each

Chef'n Garlic Zoom at Sur la Table, $10

Melissa Joy Manning Chain Wrapped Amethyst Drop Earrings at Shop Bop, about $88

Urban Outfitters Mix Tape Flash Drive, $15 (Add your own personalized mix!)

Williams-Sonoma Olive Wood Salt Keeper, $49

Papyrus Rainbow Swirl with Glitter Thank You Notes, $10

ZGallerie "Not Yours" Luggage Tag, $7

Oneida Set of 4 Cheese Spreaders, $20

Melie Bianco Diagonal Zip Clutch at Piperlime, $59

Restoration Hardware Rubik's Cube, about $10 (Everyone has to have one of these!)

MoMa Mini Sky Umbrella at Target, $35

RabLabs Agate Coaster Set of 4 at High Fashion Home, $59

Merry Christmas!

Stuff Your Stocking! Part One

On the hunt for miniature gifts to put in a loved one's stocking? Look no further! There are only 9 more days until Christmas, and I'm giving you 50 ideas to finish up your shopping. From five dollars to four hundred dollars, I've gotcha covered this holiday! And the best part? All of these things are available online. That means no battling the packed parking lots and insane register lines. That's my Christmas gift to you!

From top right, by row:

American Apparel Opaque Pantyhose in Golden Poppy, $14

Anthropologie Initial Pocket Mirror, $14

Apple 8gb iPod Nano in Yellow, $149 (psst! You can engrave it for FREE!!!)

Banana Republic Men's Deerskin Wool/Cashmere Lined Gloves in Brown, $79

Barnes & Noble Twilight by Stephenie Meyer audio book, $21 (Come on, I had to!)

Rayban Aviator Sunglasses in Silver from Barneys Co-op, $130

Slatkin & Co. Scentportable in Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin at Bath & Body Works, $5 (I have it! Smells Fantastic!)

Garmin Nuvi 265WT Portable GPS Navigator at Bed Bath & Beyond, $350

Sony Cybershot Digital Camera at Best Buy, $400

The Body Shop Invent Your Scent, $15

Noel by Josh Groban at Borders, about $13 (His version of "O Holy Night" makes me melt!)

Brooks Brothers Repp Tie, $75

CB2 Stainless Steel Snack Bowls, $11-20

Claire's Nailpolish Set, $10

Coach Hamptons Signature French Purse, $198

The Container Store "That Laptop is Mine" Organizer, $12

Crate & Barrel Sliding Tea Infuser, $7

Dylan's Candy Bar Gourmet Pretzels, $34 (Big time Yum!)

Forever 21 "Evita" Satin Clutch, $16

Gap White Reindeer Boxers, $9

High Fashion Home Luke Skywalker Mimbot USB Port, $40 (We've also got Hans and Leia!)

James Avery Jingle Bell Charm in Sterling Silver, $33

J. Crew Metallic Foil Skinny Belt, $38

Kate Spade "Jane Street" Debra Organizer, $165

MICHAEL Michael Kors Slouchy Leather Gloves, $170

Stay tuned for another 25 ideas in tomorrow's part two!