FRESH RICOTTA CROSTINI

Last weekend I made Fresh Ricotta! I never thought I would utter those words...

It was surprisingly easy and inspired by this post on Honestly Yum- which is quickly becoming my favorite site for great recipes. I cannot rave enough about how delicious this fresh ricotta is- try it  and you will become a believer!

                                                           Ricotta ready for spreading!

 

Fresh radishes, dill , smoked salmon and English cucumber

 



Crostini: We made our own with toasted asiago baguette

 

Blueberries w/ Orange Blossom Honey, Radishes w/ Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper,

Smoked Salmon w/ Fresh Dill,

English Cucumber w/ Sea Salt, Cracked Pepper and Fresh Dill , and

Olive Oil w/ Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper

 

Have any of you ever made Fresh Ricotta and experienced the heaven that it is?

HOLIDAY WEEKEND

I hope that everyone had a lovely Memorial Day Weekend! A big *HUG* goes out to all the men and women in are Armed Forces- especially my brother who serves in the Army. I am very proud to be an American! Here is a sampling of what I did- it was a super relaxing weekend spent with my family in San Diego.

 

 Colorful Pesto Pasta Salad

Rusted Horse Sculpture at Galleta Meadows in Borrego Springs

 

Vintage Motel Sign in Borrego Springs

 

Champagne + Sunset=Perfection

 

New Discovery! Mustela Baby Lotion: My new favorite light lotion for summer.

It smells wonderful and is even paraben free!

 

FABULOUS FRIEND FRIDAY #2 EDGY PRETTY

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It's GLOW TIME!

The search for the ultimate luminizer/ highlighter is a tricky one in my opinion. People have different qualifiers, but mine are as simple as this: it must look as if your skin is glowing from within and have a dewy sheen. I have discovered it is difficult to achieve that " lit from within" look with pink or yellow based highlighters- which give me a frosty, obvious look.

I was drawn to Josie Maran Argan Luminizer because of the natural , light amber color, light sheen and fluid texture.

 

This is how the product looks in the sunlight- as you can see a little goes a long way!

 I usually just need one pump for one application- and then pat lightly with my fingertips to apply on the tops of my cheekbones, down the bridge of my nose and in my cupid's bow

 

      This is a picture of me wearing the Luminizer, as you can see it photographs

       very well and looks dewy but not greasy or overdone

 

What are your favorite highlighters/luminizers?

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

For the past 2 years, my company has been a beauty sponsor for an amazing event

called The Gracie Awards. The Gracies strive to encourage the realistic and faceted portrayal of women in entertainment, commercials, news, features and other programs.

The Alliance for Women In Media (AWRT) work to celebrate and honor programming

for women by women.  I always walk out feeling so inspired and invigorated.

I chose to wear a dress I just purchased that reminds me of an updated take on

Alice in Wonderland paired with a bright red lip.

Dress: TopShop

Shoes: Zara

 

Lips: MAC 'Ruby Woo' & Cherry Lip Liner

Eyes: Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner

Cheeks: MAC 'Soft & Gentle' Mineralize Skinfinish

 

 

 

Hair:

I created these loose waves with my hot roller set & a spritz of Soy Touchable Hairspray

Photo Credit: Gina Huff

SOUTH BEACH DREAMIN'

When I saw these flirty little shorts, I grabbed them without thinking and had to go back and get my correct size! Like a moth to a flame, I was drawn to these whimsical "pink birdy shorts". I adored the vintage print, high waisted silhouette and casual cotton fabrication. I think I will get much more wear out of these once Summer starts. My boyfriend said my look was very "South Beach" and I have to say I agree...

Forever 21 shorts, Target wedges & T-shirt, Guess denim jacket, Gucci sunglasses

 

 

 

 

Photos by Charles Sewell

THIS WEEKEND

This weekend was focused on truly embracing Spring - spending as much as possible outside, eating the delicious fruit coming into season, and arranging gorgeous Spring blooms!Who else is as excited for the transition into Summer?

    The best Chai Latte ever and catch up with my ladies at Jones Coffee, Pasadena.

     Oh - and a little Game of Thrones Book #4 never hurt anyone!

    Life is just a bowl of cherries! Fresh cherry season - YUM!

 

I never get tired of taking long walks around my neighborhood with these beautiful trees!

 

 

Peony season is the best season! I arranged mine this time in a vintage carafe acquired at the flea market.

 

 

FABULOUS FRIEND FRIDAY #1 FRUIT LOOP

This will be the first segment of Fabulous. Friend. Friday. I feel so lucky to have so many beautiful, inspirational friends in my life. Every Friday, I will be doing a segment on a fabulous fashion ,make-up or hair style with one of my friends. This week it with Lindsay, my gorgeous friend who works in the ECommerce Dept. at my place of work. I LOVED the super bright colors she used on her eyes and lips and thought they looked beautiful with her skin tone. I also really liked the fact that the whole look was polished and fun with color without being overdone. It really inspired me and gave me courage to add more color into my make up look for Spring!

 

A POP of Spring color on the nails too!

 

 

Tropical Fruit Loop Look

Products Used:

Foundation- Tient Idole Ultra, Lancome

Blush- Desert Rose, NYX

Lipstick- Girl About Town, MAC

Lip liner- Magenta, MAC

Eyeliner- Prescriptives Lucky Stroke

Eyeshadow-  Lavender Shadow/ No name

Nails- Gel Polish in Lilac

 

INSTA-SNAPS!

Spring Blooms & Sunshine= Heaven!

My fave Audrey Hepburn on Vanity Fair! I had to scoop this up!

The AMAZING Xx show - one of the best shows EVER!

Lazy mornings with Digby- we don't wanna wake up!

Henri and I love our long walks in this gorgeous warm weather!

 

Loving my shorter bangs!

 

SPRING FLING

I can never get enough of the "Little White Dress" for Spring! I have several versions- but this look is what I like to call my  Taylor Swift Look. I bought this dress after seeing it on a coworker, but I am wearing it in a completely different way. I chose to wear it without the belt, and with boots while she wore it with heels, the belt and pearls. I love taking the same piece of clothing and making it your own in a completely different way.

Forever 21 dress, Guess by Marciano boots

 

 

 

Orly "Kiss the Bride" gel polish

Photos by Erika Themaras

 

AU NATURAL

I used to be the person who thought "natural" beauty products and remedies didn't work.  Honestly, a couple of years ago I really couldn't find any natural beauty products that worked as well as my synthetic ones did! Fast forward a couple of years , and now with the Organic / Natural craze there are so many effective natural products out there that I think work even better than their synthetic counterparts. I find that often are more gentle on my sensitive skin, smell better and are toxin free

I have become a believer!

Here are a few of my favorites...

 

(Counter Clockwise):NYX Green Tea Blotting Paper, LUSH Sweet Lips Lip Scrub, Dr Haushka Lip Care Stick, Source Naturals Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Capsules, REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask 

 

 

1. NYX Green Tea Blotting Paper: My skin gets really shiny in the T Zone during the day and it is beyond crucial that I have these papers to "de- grease" my skin! I love these because they are a super absorbent and light paper, but only contain soothing green tea powder not mineral oil which so many of these blotting papers tend to have as an ingredient.

 

2. LUSH Sweet Lips Lip Scrub: Chocolatey and delicious AND it scrubs away flakes and plumps up lips! This is like a homemade lip scrub only better with jojoba and vanilla extract. This scrub also comes in a bubblegum and minty flavor, but in my opinion the chocolate is by far the best!

 

3. Dr Haushka Lip Care Stick: My favorite lip balm of all time. This is the only balm that truly heals my painfully chapped lips. I have tried every balm under the sun and this silky rose scented balm is the one I always come back to. I usually only need one silky swipe per day and do not need to constantly re-apply.

 

4. Source Naturals Extra Virgin Coconut Oil Capsules: My mom and I both now take these Coconut Oil capsules and our hair has never been shinier! The gel capsules are large but are fine when taken with a meal. They make a HUGE difference.

 

5. REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask: This delicious apricot scented mask had me receiving compliments on my skin's even tone and glow after only using it twice! It really exfoliates and improves skin texture with fruit acids while still being uber gentle. It says that it is not suitable for sensitive skin , but I find this product incredibly gentle. No parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes or fragrances. I am dying to try more of the REN line

 

 

Do guys have any natural products you love? 

TRAYS GALORE

I noticed the other day, that I really incorporate a lot of trays into the decor around my apartment. It is because I think they are a great way to make any assortment of pretty things look pulled together , "organized" and displayed in a cohesive manner. Here are a few trays I have displayed around my house. Do you guys love using trays too?

 Coffee Table

Gift from my Boyfriend's Mom

(Left to right) Target candle, vintage perfume bottle, vase - gift from friend,

golden pear- Pier One Imports

 

Table by Door

From Container Store

(Top to Bottom): Vintage Gucci Sunglasses, Aerin Rose Lip Conditioner, keys

 

Vanity Table

Rose Bowl Flea Market

(Left to Right): Serge Lutens Bois Vanille, Serge Lutens Fleurs D'Oranger,

L'Artisan Perfumeur L'Ete en Douce, Keiko Mecheri Tarifa ,  Chanel nailpolishes,

Grandma's old perfume bottle and Caron Fleurs de Rocaille, Frederic Malle Carnal Flower and assorted lipsticks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bathroom

From Rosebowl Flea Market

(Left to right) Korres Jasmine Body Butter, Healthy Sexy Hair Tri Wheat Leave In Conditioner, Monoi Tiki Tahiti Tiare Gardenia Oil, Skin Trip Coconut Lotion

 

 

IN- BETWEENER

The weather in Los Angeles is just plain schizophrenic right now as it make it's transition from Winter to Spring.
From waking up to sun and then ending day in a sprinkle of rain - it makes it challenging to be comfortable and pulled together at the same time!
My answer to the "I Can't Wait for Spring Blues" is layering my light mini trench over a tee with skinny jeans and my trusty ballet flats. My current favorite hairstyle: "Heidi" braids! They keeps my hair out of my face, are super easy to create and look cute at the same time!

Gucci Sunglasses, Zara Trench Target tee, Guess Jeans, JCrew ballet flats

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Monte Carlo

 

 

Bobby pins and rubber bands are really not as visible on top of the head lol
Amber teardrop earrings are a purchase from a vacation to Prague- which is the BEST place to get amber jewelry if you love it like I do

GIRL CRUSH: JESSICA CHASTAIN

I have to say I have a little bit of a girl crush on Jessica Chastein after seeing her AMAZING performance in Zero Dark Thirty. She is the epitome of talent, class, grace and fresh beauty... Her perfect smile makes me want to run out and get Invisalign and her alabaster skin keeps me inspired to keep slathering on my SPF!
Her wardrobe choices are always classic Hollywood glamour;super sophistication with a hint of sexiness.

 

2013 Oscars: My favorite look thus far!

 

The perfect dark red lip!

 

Old Hollywood Glamour at it's best!

Love the pale, pale blue color of the dress and the retro- inspired hair

 

I want to copy this whole look: winged liner, nude lips and Brigette Bardot inspired hair