current lusts

Source: maxandchloe.com via Lara on Pinterest

Source: catbirdnyc.com via Lara on Pinterest

how snazzy are these two pieces? I'm dying for the rose gold necklace and a few of the letters. monogram necklace catbird alphabet rings

The Hunger Games

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fye5Nwe4qeI&feature=share
Can't wait to see the movie! Hope it's as good as the book was.

Summer Reading

I already finished the first two and just started Picture Perfect. The Happiness Project inspired me and the Glass Castle was a great story. I have a few others I plan to read, but any advice? My current obsession is checking out the book shelves at a thrift shop - I picked up the Glass Castle for fifty cents and a few others. You take a chance but there seem to be some hidden gems.

Clinique Bottom Last Mascara

My sister and I each wanted to have the current gift with purchase at Clinique counters at Nordstrom. I have a well stocked bathroom of every beauty product imaginable and couldn't decide what to buy. I stocked up on a few basics but wasn't at the limit so I picked up the newest mascara. My sister told me it was completely unnecessary, but I still bought it. Sephora says, "A mascara with a brush specifically designed for coating the bottom lashes. This mascara's brush was engineered to grasp even the tiniest of bottom lashes; its expert formula resists pesky smears"
I love it because it's quick, easy and no need to use a q-tip to erase my mistakes. Plus it's cute as can be. I still love my Dior DiorShow Mascara for the top lashes, but this new one can't be beat for the bottom!

Summer Drinks

This Grapefruit Margarita looks perfect for a Summer Afternoon.

Here's the recipe from Confections of a Foodie Bride
Texas Grapefruit Margaritas
2 oz tequila
2 oz orange liqueur
2 oz fresh-squeezed lime juice (~2 limes)
6 oz fresh-squeezed Texas grapefruit juice (1 grapefruit)
Simple syrup, to taste (optional)
Salt, for rim (optional)
Grapefruit wedges, for serving (optional)

Mix tequila, orange liqueur, lime, and grapefruit juices well. If you think you need a little more sweetness, add a splash of simple syrup.

Rub one of the used lime or grapefruit rinds around the rim of two glasses and dip in cocktail salt. Fill each glass with ice and pour in the margarita.

Serves 2


What's your favorite summer cocktail?

Day Dreaming

IMG_0516, a photo by fashionsprite on Flickr.

This past week has been unusually cloudy and cool for Southern California. The mornings are overcast but luckily the sun's out by mid afternoon. But I'm still craving a heat wave. Nothing like warm summer weather. The memories from my recent Hawaii trip are keeping my cravings at ease. I'd do just about anything to be back on the island, floating in the water drinking a mai tai. Sounds like Paradise.

Color Inspiration

{dresses from anthropologie}

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I promised the gals at work I'd bring cookies on Thursday because they are doing everything I need them to do. I was going to experiment with a new recipe but I think I'll stick with the tried and true and make these cookies. So excited to finally have time to bake!

My Most Favorite Time

{"Autumn in the Garden"}

{Joie de Vivre}

{"Autumn Leaves"}

proud parents
Graduation was fantastic. Every moment was perfect, the pictures turned out well, the food was delicious {to be fair, I think most food is delicious, but the food we ate this weekend was really yummy - we went to Sprazzo, had a luncheon at my apartment and dinner at the Stinking Rose}.

roomies and bff

dm friends

We were all a little nervous about our speaker at general commencement {we had James Franco, he backed out, we begged Conan, he refused and so the university bribed Brad Delson to speak} but he was phenomenal. Here's the youtube of the speech. It's long but worth it!!

And here's part dos