Happy Monday, friends! Sometimes it’s nice to start the workweek with a hefty dose of pure prettiness, isn’t it? Lately I’ve been loving the contrast of humble kraft paper with sleek black, especially when it’s tied up into a classic, feminine bow. Trés chic, non? It definitely speaks to the francophile in me (see bottom […]
Happy weekend, friends! Hope yours are starting off happy and healthy…and that you’re all managing to avoid this dreaded flu! (you’ve all gotten your vaccines, right?) We had a low-key Friday night at home, drinking wine while we made our favorite curried chicken sandwiches (sharing the recipe this Tuesday), then watched Sleepwalk With Me, which […]
I really want to go to a party at Tracey Overbeck and Ethan Stead’s house. Aside from being smart, stylish and incredibly creative, this couple approaches entertaining with such an attitude of joie de vivre that the guests at their legendary dinner parties couldn’t help but have the time of their lives. As you enter […]
Did anyone else resolve to read more books this year? I committed to, at the very minimum, consistently finish my book club’s selections. They’re always great, I just sometimes don’t manage to quite get to the last page before we meet. Anyway, reading is such an incredible way to feed the mind and soul, and […]
Last week, I took advantage of the last few days of a semi-holiday schedule by inviting a couple of my best gal pals over for lunch with Phoebe and me. I was so ready for clean, nutritious eating and figured that I probably wouldn’t be the only one, so I put together this Quinoa Harvest Salad […]
Morning darlings… has everyone’s week gotten off to a good start? We had a fun weekend with lots of stops at some of my favorites around town. I’d planned to stay in and cook lots of cozy, healthy meals, but it turned out to be too pretty and sunny outside for that! Friday night was […]
Even though it was a short week, didn’t it feel a little intense to dive back into things after the holiday? I’ve got to admit that I’m glad the weekend has come back around again and we have a couple of low-key days ahead. My friend Bri is visiting from LA this weekend, and we’re […]
Now I know what you’re thinking: I thought January was going to be all about health and wellness, and now you’re posting tantalizing recipes to tempt me off the bandwagon? However, an important part of this month’s challenge to embrace our best selves is learning to celebrate and enjoy life’s greatest pleasures…and trust me when I say: this […]
What’s not to love about a gorgeous blonde who also just so happens to be the brains behind one of our favorite sites? As founder & creative director of the ever-inspiring Glitter Guide, Taylor Sterling has soared to the top of our list as the go-to source for a healthy dose of sparkle. So when […]
As much as I’ve loved these last few months of holiday revelry on the blog, decking the halls and indulging in comfort food faves… I am so ready to shake it all off and welcome in the NEW this month! (who’s with me?) January really is a time for clean slates and fresh starts, and as […]
This card by Emily McDowell made me laugh… isn’t it true how we can mess up our well-intended New Year’s resolutions seemingly before we can even make them? The last few years, I’ve come up with “words” that define my goals for the coming year. Though the tradition has served me well, this year I’ve […]
It’s been awhile since I’ve done a post that’s pure eye candy – a handful of images that are just so lovely I can’t get them off my mind. This Napa Valley wedding is just such an event, oozing effortless glamour and a carefree vibe that’s making me crave spring’s arrival. It’s beautifully styled without seeming […]
Anyone else a little freaked out by the fact that this is the last Weekend Notes of 2012? Christmas has come and gone, and we have one more night of revelry ahead before it’s time to buckle down and conquer New Year’s resolutions, get our butts in gear with January fitness goals and detox from too […]
I always feel a little blue right after Christmas, packing away the decorations until next December and marveling at how quickly the season passed by. But then I remember: New Year’s Eve! And all the sparkle, glitz, fun and decadence that awaits on this one last chance of the year to party! I’ll never forget my favorite […]
Christmas Eve has always been my favorite day of the year. The magic of old traditions, gathering with family for great food (and way too many sweets) and the anticipation of Christmas morning building hour by hour…I’ve loved it all since I was a little girl, and having our baby girl this year makes it […]
Happy holiday week, lovelies! I realized today that if don’t seize these moments to really kick back and savor the season, it’s about to pass me by…so I’m wrapping up some great posts we have planned for the rest of the week, and then powering down and having some fun! Have y’all finished your Christmas […]
Doesn’t matter how old I get, unwrapping presents on Christmas morning never loses its sense of fun. But these days, I find that wrapping gifts is as fun as ripping them apart, and this year, I’m breaking out of my paper and ribbon rut in favor of a more creative gift-wrap solution. We’ve rounded up […]
Ever since I met Top Chef season 9 champ Paul Qui and his fashionista publicist and fiancé Deana Saukam at a runway show earlier this year, I’ve been dying to see how these two food-industry powerhouses entertain in their off-hours. In a testament to Paul’s total lack of “media star” behavior and endearing modesty, they […]
Next up in our 12 Tastes of Christmas series is a gorgeous holiday first-course from Béatrice Peltre, the culinary creative behind La Tartine Gourmande. I’m continually wow’d by Béa’s beautiful photography and the drool-worthy recipes I’m dying to sample, and I’m so thrilled that she popped in with this salad stunner that’s perfect for kicking off […]
Did you guys catch this morning’s Christmas Brunch we hosted with kate spade new york? It’s full of all my favorite things: tiny pancakes, pretty presents and lots of sparkles and champagne. Can’t wait you to see it come to life – and yes, it really was as fun and delicious as it looks. Hope you enjoy, […]
Some of my most vivid childhood memories are of Christmas morning: waking up at the crack of dawn, reaching deep into the bottom of my stocking for every last treasure and devouring thick, warm slices of my mom’s famous almond kringle with mugs of hot cocoa. Now that I have a daughter of my own, […]
How are your holiday preparations going? With less than two weeks to my favorite day of the year, I’m in peak Christmas-planning mode. With parties to attend, travel plans to finalize, and friends and family to shop for, this is year I’m bypassing the mall masses and getting crafty with my gift giving. We’ve all […]
Okay guys, if you’re one of those last-minute kind of shoppers, this giveaway is for you. Timex is giving a $500 gift card to one of our readers, and since their super cute watches are also super affordable, that really does equal an awesome gift for everyone on your list. Entering takes about two minutes: […]
It’s not unusual that my home is decked out with as many fresh flowers as possible, but when the holidays roll around it’s a whole different ball game. For this week’s floral trimmings project, Ash is back with a gorgeous holiday-inspired arrangement that boasts her signature wild and organic style, chock full of seasonal blooms […]
It’s a funny thing about the business I’m in: the holidays literally start in May, and by the time August rolls around, I might be found cooking a turkey for a Thanksgiving photo shoot or setting the table for Christmas feast inspiration. So when December actually hits and the rest of the country is entering the frenzy […]
