Monday, March 29, 2010


Cool Gal at It's the World I Know is giving away this great Meyer's gift pack. I LOVE the Meyer's packaging and it gets me every time I see it in the store!! Note: the geranium scent has the prettiest color but is NOT the best one. Go for he verbena scent...way better! So go check it out, I just started following but I read back several posts and am so excited to continue reading Cool Gal's blog!

Thursday, March 25, 2010


Tonight I am just hanging around the house in this cute and comfy little number that finally came in from Targets Liberty line today.

I also got this storage bin the the Sixty pattern. I think it was $8 so I was not sure about the quality or size it would actually be but I am really impressed. It is fabric covered and is the perfect size to hold all the random living room stuff in one place.
For dinner I tried out a recipe that I found over at one of my favorite blogs:
The only adjustments I made were that I did not use cutlets because I went to the store that does not usually sell them and I was to lazy to drive to the one that does, and I used turkey bacon to cut back on some calories and fat. I also had some asparagus to use so I wrapped 2 spears in each chicken breast. It came out really good, the only thing I would change was that I used 2 slices of bacon on each but I would cut it back to 1. I ended up pulling most if it off before I got to the end. It was really bacony. I ate it with a green salad and a Pyramid hefeweisen.
It was a delicious dinner! Thanks for the recipe!

4 chicken cutlets
chive and onion cream cheese
bacon
salt and pepper

Pound out the chicken cutlets. I did not have cutlets so I really had to pound them out.
Season with salt and pepper. Smear your desired amount of cream cheese on each chicken breast and roll them up.
Wrap a slice of bacon around each chicken breast. You can secure it with a toothpick if you think it's necessary.
It's up to you what pan to bake it on- if you use a baking dish, it'll keep the chicken more moist because the juices will stay with the chicken. The downside is that the bacon on the bottom will not be crispy. If you cook it on a broiler pan you will have crispier bacon all around but you risk your chicken being drier if you over cook. Do what you want!
Personally I used a broiler pan because I like my bacon extra crispy, the chicken cooked perfectly and did not dry out.
Bake 35 minute at 400 and broil for another 5 to get the bacon crispy.






Saturday, March 20, 2010

Spring Breaker

If you are a traveler, you need to go to See Jane Fly and print this form! I am a planner...like a CRAZY planner. It does not even bother me when I do not stick to said plans, I just like to make them! This worksheet is must have anytime you are leaving home for a trip.

See Jane Fly is an awesome website where you will find tons of information to help you plan your next jaunt!


Monogrammed houndstooth luggage available at




Friday, March 19, 2010

Some of my all time favorite wedding inspiration

Adam and Halli's wedding still makes me happy every single time I see it. Everything is so fun and creative. Her dress and the kissing booth are definitely filed away in my dream wedding folder.

Photography by Josh Goleman






The best part of this wedding is how many friends and family pitched in to make it happen. I just love everything about it and congrats to Adam and Halli who are coming up on their 1 year anniversary!

Check out Josh's website to see their engagement shoot which is equally as amazing.
And this post on Southern Weddings for more details

My new toy


Will be here in a couple days!! I am soooo excited!!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Lovely Spring Dresses from Lilly






I LOVE shopping for my Easter dress every year and of course Lilly always has the best choices. This year is the first time I will be spending Easter in Illinois though so I don't even know if it will be warm enough yet for sandals...{gasp}
I'll work it out. I am sure it will be fine, if not I may just have to have chilly toes.

Preppy Princess Givaway

Preppy Princess is giving away 5 fabulous items!! I am simply crazy about the Jet Set duffel with the anchor print! Head over to the Preppy Princess blog to check it all out and enter yourself! Also take a look through the website that is FILLED with darling products you wont be able to live without!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Rock me mama like a wagon wheel..

One of those songs I can listen to on repeat... I love this song and the video so much!! Also one of my favorite songs to dance to.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Dreaming in Color

I have been eyeing this for quite a while now and am still facing an internal debate on whether I need this or not.
Behold the Fellisimo 500 Colored Pencils!!!!

So here is how it works, you pay $33 per month and you will receive a monthly package of 25 colored pencils spanning the entire spectrum for 20 months. Each color is given an inventive name (Mermaid's Gown, Georgia Peach, Julep, Irish Hillside, and Lemon Drop to name a few). They also offer several different specially designed display options to show off your investment. My personal favorite is the "orchestra". The finished product is absolutely beautiful:

I want it!

And then the realist in me kicks in...
20 months at $33 = $660

Orchestra Display Units are $41.50...

and I am sure there is tax and shipping...

The internal debate rages on:

I hardly even color...but I would if I had these...if I used them it would ruin the aesthetic...no, it would it add to the charm... $700 is a lot to spent on artistic media...but not so much for an amazing wall installation...

Color me Wishful!








SXSW 2010 Part 1

Well the music portion of SXSW officially starts Thursday (or is is Wednesday night...hard to differentiate).

I LOVE SXSW!!! Austin has 2 amazing music festivals each year, below are my reasons why I love SXSW sooooo much more than ACL:

disclaimer: I do love both and love what they bring to Austin...I have been to ACL every year since 2003 and had some great times there. (there is nothing more amazing than seeing the bike rack at ACL in person). But if I had to choose, I am definitely a SXSW girl.

ACL vs. SXSW

Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL)
Annual three-day music festival at Zilker Perk. The Festival brings together more than 130 bands on eight stages, including rock, country, folk, indie, Americana, hip-hop, reggae, and bluegrass, and attracts a crowd of more than 65,000 visitors each day.

South by Southwest (SXSW)
One of the largest music festivals in the country, with more than 1,400 performers playing in more than 80 venues around Austin over four days in March. SXSW is the highest revenue-producing special event for the Austin economy, with an estimated economic impact of at least $110 million in 2008.

Why I prefer SXSW:

1) You can pick and choose anywhere you want to go in the whole city and not be stuck in one HOT, DIRTY park all day.
2) ACL seems very rushed to me...maybe it is the September heat, but I just don't like hauling ass from stage to stage in 100+ degree weather, drinking $5 beers and pouring ice water over my face just to stay cool and hydrated. (dirt + water = mud...not cute)
3) You're not going to find a free party at ACL unless you know someone. (Thank God for Gils stepmom Karen who helped get me by the past years!) Meanwhile, during SXSW, the unofficial parties are everywhere!!
4) At SXSW you can actually look cute and don't have to dress like a freakin' hippie and come home dirtier than Lindsay Lohan and Matthew McConaughey's love child. (flashback to the dust storm of 2005... I got to see Oasis...but there was seriously MUD coming off of me when I got in the shower...dirtiest I have ever been {disgusting I know, but I still wouldn't take it back}).

Be back tomorrow with the lowdown on some awesome SXSW events.



Saturday, March 13, 2010

Fab finds at Pop Deluxe!

My super fun aunt sent me a link to Pop Deluxe to check out these awesome Pantone mugs:

I am all about the 179c, process yellow c, 388c, and 3272c!

While I was over there I browsed around a found some other fun stuff I need!

My Lunch Box offers exciting new possibilities for packed lunches. These 50 simple recipes feature inventive sandwiches, tasty salads, healthy treats, and more. I just LOVE the packaging! Created by a chef from New York and an illustrator from Maryland, this is more for parents than single twenty somethings, but I am pretty sure I still need it.



{art-o-mat}

I had originally heard about this at Kate Spade and thought it was such a genius idea. Art-O-Mat is a national program created by artist Clark Whittington out of Winston Salem, North Carolina. He converts old cigarette machines into art dispensing devices and chocks them full of awesome cigarette pack sized work from over 400 artists around the world. You can own an original piece of art for only $5! It's great for unknown artists to get their work out there, it's affordable art for the people and a portion of every sale goes to charity. Go to www.artomat.org to find a machine near you or can order on Pop Deluxe. In Austin you can go to Mercury Design Studio on 2nd Street to check it out.


Hoot Hoot! You could use this darling little owl pitcher for cream, syrup or milk. But it would also look precious will a flower arrangement inside!



Friday, March 12, 2010

Liberty of London at Target



Just a couple more days! Target's Liberty of London line hits shelves on Sunday! There is soooo much hype surrounding this that I am sure everything will FLY off the shelves and I have to wait until Monday to shop! Not much has been disclosed but here is a sampling of what is to come:





Number on one my list is the teapot in the Mrs. Robinson pattern (spring floral). I would also love the lamp, canisters, chanclas, umbrella, a couple pillows, cupcake server, maybe some candles and other serving wear....okay I want one of everything....

Virtual Vacation : LONDON Part 5


Before heading to London, every girl should pick up this book:

Available at Anthropologie I want this and all the other Taschen books. I am going to order this one and when I finish it will probably be back with a whole new week of things to do in London!! Happy travels lovelies!!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Virtual Vacation : LONDON Part 4

Other than shopping and getting wasted, London has plenty of great attractions to keep you busy.


{Everyman Theater - Hampstead}

There are 8 locations but I am going to the original one in Hampstead. This is the London equivalent to Alamo Drafthouse. Hell, maybe this is where Alamo got the idea. Either way, it looks like a more upscale version of Alamo. So instead of nachos and beer, you get tapas and champers.


{London Eye at Night}

I LOVE ferris wheels and this one is no exception! Each cart is actually an enclosed capsule. The full rotation takes about 30 minutes. It gives you amazing views of London including Big Ben and Buckingham Palace (Is the queen home? You will see the flag flying if she is!). What I really want is the Champagne flight which includes a bottle of Pommery Brut Royal. SOOO romantic!!! This would be a movie-like proposal spot.


{London Eye Capsule}



Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament (sense 1877) in the world and widely regarded as the most prestigious. I absolutely love tennis and not just for the cute outfits and boys. Wimbledon takes place every summer and they play on tennis' original surface of grass. Tickets are not easy to come by and you have to apply the year before you want to go. Wimbledon 2011 public ballot applications are accepted starting this August. However, you can show up at the grounds the day you would like to go, queue up and HOPE to get in.


Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Virtual Vacation : LONDON Part 3


Any vacation I go on must include a significant amount of partying. Get ready to drink up!


Imagine partying on THIS rooftop deck!

Owned by Sir Richard Branson, this is Europe's largest rooftop garden. There are actually several parts to this place. First is the outdoor gardens - there are 3, Spanish, English and Tudor. Here you will see everything from plants to flamingos...

{spanish garden}


{Flamingos at Rooftop Gardens}

After touring the gardens head inside to Babylon for a delicious dinner.

{interior of Babylon}

{scallops at Babylon}

After dinner, go upstails and join the party scene with a sexy crowd and dance to a mix of twisted house, hip-hop and pop.

{Rooftop Gardens VIP Lounge}


{the pedibus}

I saw this on travel channel and it looks like a blast!! Kinda like a booze cruise but with exercise! It is a mobile bar that you and 9 other passengers pedal from bar to bar along the streets of London. According to their website it takes hardly any effort at all. There is a bartender to make you drinks or you can bring along the ones you pick up at the bar! You choose the route but there is a driver that can offer suggestions and of course navigate the thing.


This is a super technologically advanced club where you can "hire" a booth for the night (Euro speak for getting bottle service) and then control what you see on the iWalls around you. Think...rainstorm, desert, underwater, etc. You can also change the color of your tabletop to alert your waiter if you need anything. LOVE IT!!!!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Virtual Vacation : LONDON Part 2




While visiting London, one cannot miss the world famous
Harrod's Department Store.

A brief history:

Harrod's was established in 1834 by Charles Henry Harrod when he set up a grocery shop specializing in tea. The store was moved to its current location in Knightsbridge in 1849. It started as a single room shop with only 3 employees but quickly grew into a thriving retail operation and by 1880 had over 100 employees. In December 1883 however, a fire broke out and the store was burnt to the ground. This gave the family opportunity to rebuild on a grander scale and they did so in the same location. Today, Harrod's occupies a 4.5 acre site and has over one million square feet of retail space and 330 departments.

Harrod's is much more than just a department store but an entire experience, and a place you could surly spend an entire day and ALOT of money!

The Egyptian Escalator

The Magnum Opus of Harrods, this escalator ascends 7 floors! The escalator takes you on a journey through 18th dynasty Egypt. There are statues of Rameses I and sphinxes, and as you ascend, the walls are covered with historically accurate hieroglyphics depicting the merchandise on each level. The experience culminates with the breathtaking ceiling relief set in gold.

The International Room of Luxury

Showcasing the most luxurious brands from the worlds leading design houses. This is where you can pick up an iconic Hermes scarf and Birkin Bag, a pair of Dior shades, and the newest Louis Vuitton. Gucci, Burberry, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs and more.. This is where fashion fantasy becomes reality.

Roja Dove Haute Parfumarie

Roja Dove is the worlds most respected fragrance expert. If you are a perfume lover, this Parfumarie is something of a mecca that should be visited at least once in a lifetime. A small space filled with the tiny works of art that are perfume bottles, I think I could spend hours in here! For 200 pounds you can book a consultation with Roja himself to discover your signature scent.

Harrods Pet Department

It only makes sense that they would sell pets there too! Pick up a furry puppy and then outfit him with the finest doggie couture. They even have "Dressing Grooms" where your new best friend can try on his new duds before purchasing.

Wining and Dining

While Harrods's houses over 20 restaurants, there are 2 in particular that I will be visiting during my day at Harrods.

Vueve Clicquot Champagne Bar and Restaurant

enough said.

Laduree

Until I make it to Paris, I will the eat iconic macaroons here with a cup of afternoon tea.
I plan on doing another post someday devoted entirely to
Laduree Paris.

Come back tomorrow when we will have some more fun partying on the streets of London!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Virtual Vacation : LONDON Part 1

Each day this week I am treating you to a look in to my next dream vacation that I am planning: London! The first aspect of my vacation that I will address is the hotel will be staying in:

Located on Park Lane, the rooms at The Metropolitan offer views of Hyde Park (London's equivalent to Central Park).





The Park Suite (shown above) has king size bed, sitting area and a small balcony overlooking the park where I will sit and have my morning tea. The room amenities also offer bottled water at turn-down, iPod docking station, an electronic "Do Not Disturb" sign (not sure what that is exactly, but I like the sound of it!), 300 count egyptian cotton linens, fine goose down comforter, a minibar, umbrella, yoga mat and more.
The Park Suite is 720 pounds/night ($1,090 USD).



One thing the hotel offers that I am particularly excited about is called "Afternoon De-Light". The Metropolitan has taken the quintessentially British afternoon tea and added a touch of avant-garde, waist-friendly chic.

"The delicious selection of sweet and savoury cupcakes, fruit scones, and ‘no-bread sandwiches’ are made using healthful alternatives including flour substitutes, and low fat crème fraîche.

Fresh fruit purées replace unrefined sugars. Olive oil is instead of butter, as well as natural, organic and locally sourced produce wherever possible.

The menu is accompanied by a selection of fruit infusions and an ‘Ultimate Iced Tea’ as well as a seasonal selection of ‘Eco-Tini’s’ to choose from." via The Metropolitan website

Sounds AMAZING!!

The Met Bar is a members only bar that hotel guest receive honorary membership to during their stay. You will be able to find me here sipping cocktails with Kate Middleton and the like.

CHEERS!

Stay tuned tommorrow as we visit a little place where dreams are made of that is in walking distance from the hotel: HARRODS!