Best Laid Plans

I find that my most memorable weekends are the ones that didn't involve any itinerary at all.  Between a wedding out of town, and a to-do list that would rival any tween-best-selling novel, I didn't have any chance to plan a weekend party.

This led to a fly by the seat-of-your-pants weekend.  Starting my weekend with a Mint Cantaloupe Champagne Spritzer (might be the best breakfast ever). 

Perfectly seasoned cheeseburgers on the balcony.  A super citrus-y pale ale and oven-baked french fries put this barbecue towards the top of my all-time favorites list.

Cheaply turning fancy lemonade into adult beverages by adding sweet-tea flavored vodka.  Really awesome, and equally dangerous when sitting on the beach or wandering around the boardwalk.  Hope your weekend was just as memorable.

...What is it Good For?

Regardless of how patriotic you may be, please take the time today to remember what your three-day weekend is all about.  Memorial Day is a time to thank all the dads, grandpas, brothers and friends who thought of more than themselves.

So, call them up.  Or text them feverishly.  Or simply buy them a drink if you're out celebrating, yourself.  But be sure to thank them, nonetheless.

*top photo: Jak&Jil.com

Tequila Cupcakes

I have never considered putting alcohol in desserts.  I just never thought past fruit, sugar and chocolate, really.  But I was at the thrift store last weekend, and found an old cookbook for a mere dollar.  I skimmed the pages and decided it was worth my hard-earned stack of quarters (seriously, I paid in quarters). 

First, how did I live so long without knowing who Joanne Weir was?  Her cookbook is amazing!  Granted, this is the first recipe I tried...but the reviews are positive.  Second, I was excited to debut my new discovery of unbleached, chlorine-free cupcake liners.

 So, Tequila Coconut Cupcakes.  Worth the time, worth the 1/4 cup of tequila, worthy of the accolades you will receive if brought to any barbecue this weekend.  (seriously...consider it...you will make new friends)

And, lastly: who invented cream cheese frosting?!  Tell me where to send the thank-you card.  If you would like to try this recipe (also found on Joanne Weir's website, here.), please send me a list of all the new besties you have since made.

Like Linen...

Picking a new nail color is exciting.  Few lil' things in life get me as amped for a weekend trip.  This is one of those simple pleasures only a girl could understand.  So, while my new nail colors (first seen, here) haven't come in the mail yet, I still get the joy of picking one of the cheapest accessories in girl-dom.  Now the tough bit; Tangerine, Jazz, or Rose Bowl?

Bank on It

My girlfriend, Jess is amazing at saving money.  When she sets her mind to save towards a specific goal, she follows her plan so diligently.  Her entryway is sprinkled with brightly decorated boxes that she labels for her wedding fund, her vacation fund, and any other goal she's working towards.

I, on the other hand, do not do this.  After putting myself through school, coupled with living in a very expensive city, my personal debt is poising itself for a swift mutiny of my finances.  Hey!  Not so fast!

I have taken a lil' lesson from Jess...while I may not be able to save as aggressively, I have found that the physical act of shoving dollar bills and change into a piggy bank is rewarding enough to keep doing it.  Online banking may have lost me for a few months. 

However, I think it's a little ridiculous to spend money on a coin bank.  Like people who buy new, coordinated outfits to inspire themselves to (finally!) hit the gym.  It's lame.

So, I rummaged through my cabinets to find a way to spruce up some containers I currently have.  Juice jars, applesauce and jelly be damned!  A little flat-white primer and old holiday gift tags...voila!  They almost look like ceramics at this point.  And if I actually get to the purchasing of these un-necessities, I can always use them as vases.

Coming Home

I've gotten a few requests for photos of my own apartment.  Whether it's my interest in interior design, or my love of do-it-yourself projects, I wave a huge flag in the camp of "design can make all the difference".  My apartment is nothing spectacular, and it's located in a small building in a less-than-desirable part of town.

But...the bones were great!  Lots of natural light, super high ceilings and large, uninterrupted walls.  Two bathrooms and a rooftop deck don't hurt either.

My sewn-in-the-middle-of-the-night curtains (19 feet long!).  My dream rug, found online for one-third of the price.  And a row of cheap-y plants from IKEA.

Twenty-plus-foot ceilings left some struggles when trying to add color.  I opted, instead for an accent wall, and gave it a 9-foot snap line to draw some warmth and coziness to the reading corner.

Perhaps the worlds' smallest bathroom.  My girlie nonsense can't ever be as spread out as I would like, but I think the cabinet doors would tell a different story, altogether.

Amazing what crisp, white sheets can do to freshen a room.  Plus (not that you could tell), I used a blue-toned white for the main wall to tie together all the cooler tones and add some calm to the bedroom.

Seafoam Green Fiend

I want to be a mermaid.  The shimmering tail, the bronze skin, the forced beach-side abode, the constant beachy-waves in the mane.  While mermaid-dom may take more effort than I can muster, I can achieve one step closer; an Anthropologie wood-bead necklace, Essie nail polish, Ann Sacks shower tiles.  Don't I get to marry some prince, too?  Yeah.  That feels right.

*photos: crushCuldeSac.tumblr, houseofTurquoise.com, google.com

Areaware, Everywhere

I like ingenious design.  I also like when brilliant design is priced for everyone. From Brendan Ravenhill's super rad bottle opener, to Jonas Damon's beechwood alarm clock and Paul Koh's lightswitch plate that stores your mail and keys...I can deal with under $40 a piece.  Nice job, Areaware.  Nice job.

Get your shop on, here.

Chambray, My Way

Chambray always wins.  Take note.

 * photos: stockholmStreetstyle.com, prettystuff.tumblr, google.com

Just Add Water(proof ink)

Todd St.John, Wave Fade Print $165 found here.

Surf art tends to be derivative.  I don't like that.  While this is only one opinion, it's mine, so it's a really good one.  I feel the least I can do is offer a sound argument to win you over.  Consider the following five images my own personal bullhorn.  Kay?  Thanks.

Shane Blackbourn, Exclusive View $100, here.

Serena Mitnik-Miller, Watercolor seen, here.

Andy Davis, Summer Love Print $250 here.

Surfpainter, Already Gone Print $35 found here.

Kindergarten Cookies

Remember the snackies you used to make in preschool?  Or kindergarten?  Yeah. It was more like playing with your food than cooking.  Pretty sure that was kinda' the point.  So when I stumbled upon this blog, I couldn't resist putting my own spin on her recipe.  I'm also pretty sure I hurt my brain.  How did I live this long without these cookies in my arsenal?

I warn you...they are amazing.  

Just a Bit, Just a Bit

Perhaps the image that started my bedroom, found here.

 

I prefer a subtle approach to most things in life.  Interior design schemes are no exception.  While I will argue to the death that white is a color, I do like bright colors in home design situations.  In small doses.  Strategically.  Here are a few done well.

*photos: apartmentTherapy.com, archived article from LuckyMag.com

Big Kids

Bandages available, here.

In case your weekend won't be as spectacular as you would like (less travel, less cash, less adventure, less whatever)....I thought I would post a few fun big-kid notions to get you through your Friday and get you geared up for whimsical, free-spirited weekend shenanigans.  Enjoy!

Superhero shoes available, here.

Ikea magnetic knife racks, re-purposed.

Best way to drink beer & laugh while sober, here.

...(Cat Sound)

I am hopeless.  I was supposed to be finding inspiration for an outfit to wear to an outdoor wedding.  I failed. I got completely distracted with the notion of accessorizing.  I was intrigued by how these lovelies were wearing leopard in the spring.  And so well, I might add.  

Is it possible to wear leopard to a wedding?  Just say 'yes'.  Cuz' I might...

 * photos: tumblr.com, diary.ru, google.com