Mark Your Calendar

July 30, 2014



image via Instagram

Must Have: Crystal Flower Drape Hair Combs

July 30, 2014


Lately I've been living in straw fedoras--they keep the sun out of my photosensitive eyes, but mostly because, in this heat, I simply can't be bothered to do anything that remotely resembles an actual hairstyle. To remedy this, I've been searching for cute hair accessories that can replace the hat and make me look like I've at least made an effort. With these hair combs I can still throw my hair back into a bun, but I'll look a little more polished. 

7 Reasons to Visit a Street Fair This Summer

July 28, 2014

Going to a street fair is the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon or evening. Besides the opportunity to get some fresh air, and do it for free, here are seven reasons to head to your local street fair (or farmer's market) this summer.

Live entertainment
It's always fun to listen to live music, and at street fairs you may be able to catch a number of acts in one evening. 


Handmade soaps and bath products
Even if you don't buy, sniff testing fragrances like sandalwood, grapefruit, lavender, and inventive combinations like Orange Vanilla Lemon Cream.

 
Crazy cool art
There is so much talent to be discovered at a street fair. We couldn't get over how local artist Elena Bulatova painted tiny people to create these images of Audrey and Marilyn.


Cute animals
There are always a ton of cute pups on leashes, and some even in strollers, and your local street fair may even have a petting zoo with small animals. We spotted these rescued horses and couldn't resist feeding them carrots.

 
Foods you wouldn't normally cook for yourself at home
Even on your best night, you probably won't whip up a homemade paella for your family, or throw a tri-tip on the grill and slice it up so thin it practically melts in your mouth. But at a street fair you can eat like you wouldn't eat at home.  


Handmade jewelry and other cool bits
One of the best things about a street fair is scoring a one-of-a-kind pair of earrings or a handmade leather bracelet. Plus, there are usually other talented vendors offering unique wares. We spotted a woman using a hand torch to craft candle holders and lanterns out of tin cans.


People watching
There are so many things to see and do and eat at a street fair, but if you're not looking to spend any money, people watching is always free.


Friday Favorites

July 25, 2014

After a very productive week, I'm ready to get the weekend started. There are a couple of movies I'd like to see, and a few recipes I want to try out. Plus, I've got tons of little details to finish up for my baby's first birthday party next weekend. I hope you have an awesome weekend planned. Enjoy, and God bless!


The cutest thank you cards ever.


DIY origami picnic boxes.

 
This gorgeous white peach and rose lemonade.

 
Cute heels from Kate Spade Saturday.


The L.A. skyline in the dreamiest shade of pink. 

9 Ways to Decorate with Sequins

July 24, 2014

I love the idea of using sequins to inject a room with an unexpected dose of glamour.  Sequined pillows are readily available and a great way to zhoozh up an otherwise sparkle-less space, but lately I'm also seeing curtains, tablecloths, and even walls that are decked out in dazzling paillettes.  The look is anything but subtle, in the most alluring and almost magical way.


A sequined wall that looks like diamonds.  


Gold sequins lend a disco vibe to a dark living space. 


An impossibly simple DIY sequin throw.


Giant paillettes make a girly table setting even more charming.


Tossed on a chair to make a home office feel more special.


Simply framed to create a custom art piece.


Pale sequins add a touch of sparkle to a neutral space.


Sequined bedding makes a room feel more luxe.


Dramatically draped sequins act as a curtain and room divider.


all images via Pinterest

Must Have: Black Heart Bowl

July 23, 2014


Black hearts as an adjective or Marvel comic villain are never a good thing, but black hearts as a thing, as in this diminutive heart bowl, are great. Its slight imperfections give it an organic, earthy feel (it's made from natural soapstone) and the rich, inky color is all at once chic and understated. A black heart might seem an awkward place to house a wedding ring, something that is the ultimate symbol of love, but this little bowl is so unique and fabulous I think it's exactly the right place to store my wedding ring when I take it off at night.

Positive Prints That Inspire & Uplift

July 22, 2014

It's amazing how much power our words hold, both written and spoken. I love these prints because their positive affirmations can help turn a crummy day around. Keep one framed at your desk or on your nightstand, hanging near your closet, or anywhere else you're guaranteed to see it every morning.









5 Ways to Be a More Positive Person

July 22, 2014

Having a positive attitude isn't always easy, and keeping a positive attitude when things aren't going our way is probably among one of life's hardest tasks. But, while we all have bad days (or weeks or months), life itself isn't all bad, and in fact it's pretty fantastic if you try to keep a positive outlook on things. 

Surround yourself with other positive thinkers.
If you hang with a bunch of belly-achers, you'll never feel good about anything because they never have anything good to say. Of course sometimes it's unavoidable (like if your sister is a total Debbie Downer), so when you're forced to be around negative people, counter their every negative comment with a positive one.

Listen to uplifting music. 
For me, this can be anything from gospel to 80s hits to the Frozen soundtrack (my daughter sings along and melts my heart, and consequently, any yuckiness I may be feeling). Find a song, a playlist, a genre that chases your blues away and makes you feel like a rock star, like you can conquer the world. And if a mini dance party ensues, well, all the better!

Speak (or write) it into existence.
Remember when you were a kid and you thought there were no limits to what you could do? It's because your parents, teachers, and other adults in your life told you that you could do/be anything, and you believed it. That same reinforcement is needed in our adult lives. Speak positive things into your life; write down positive affirmations that you can read daily--eventually it will become easier to actually believe what you're speaking and writing. 

Smile.
Smiling releases endorphins, serotonin, and natural pain killers, all of which help make you feel good. Plus, smiling actually tricks your mind into changing your funky mood into a good one. And if that's not reason enough, smiling instantly makes you look younger and more attractive.  

Change your perspective.
A bad morning can result in an entire day of the blahs, but only if we let it. When we're having a bad day, we tend to forget about all the good in our lives and focus instead on the one little thing that went wrong. So you woke up late, or hit traffic, or got stuck behind twelve people in line at Starbucks--but hey, you've still got a job to go to when so many others don't, and you can even afford little indulgences like Starbucks every morning. Changing the way you look at life can actually change your life.

image via

Friday Favorites

July 18, 2014

One of the greatest bits of advice I received before getting married was to have date nights with my husband. "When the children grow up and leave the nest," I was told. "You're left with your husband, and you don't want him to be a complete stranger. Have date nights so you can continue to get to know him." With the move back to SoCal, planning my little one's first birthday, and preparing my big girl for kindergarten over the past few weeks, my husband and I have had a lot of opportunities to really work together as a team, but no time for dating. This weekend, though, we're leaving the girls with my mom so we can enjoy some dinner, drinks, and live music together. I hope your weekend plans are just as much fun! God bless!

A brilliant suggestion from Marc Jacobs. 


Extraordinary hotel pools. (Just looking at them is enough to cool you off!)


Discovering new recipes on Yummly


A DIY pineapple cutting/cheese board.


Tips for avoiding getting sucked into the comparison game.

Cute Travel Accessories

July 16, 2014

Passport Holders (l-r): ASOS Neoprene Watermelon Printed Passport CoverFlight 001 Traveling To For Pleasure Passport CoverWhiting & Davis Passport Cover
Luggage Tags (l-r): Flight 001 Talking Dots Luggage Tag SetH&M Luggage TagTory Burch Robinson Luggage Tag
Weekenders (l-r): Cleobella Harlow Weekender BagDeux Lux Anais Weekend SatchelKate Spade Saturday The Weekender Bag

So your flight was delayed, your seatmate smells like onion, the seat in front of you is literally resting on your knees, and you just learned there are torrential rains waiting for you at your destination--with all the things that can go wrong when you travel, at least your travel accessories should be cute!

Must Have: Sugar Paper Recipe Binder

July 16, 2014


In an effort to remain on top of my organization (see this must-have from a couple of weeks ago), I'm thinking it's time to get all my recipes--handwritten, printed, and clipped from countless food magazines--in order. This binder is exactly what I need to do just that. Inside, it's categorized by breakfast, lunch, appetizers, salad, entrees, pastas, and desserts, and has 35 clear sheets to neatly house all my magazine clippings. Plus, it's lined with Sugar Paper's signature gold polka dots--how cute is that?

Save Your Eyes with Sunnies

July 15, 2014

Years ago I worked as an assistant to an optometrist, a job which gave me quite an extensive knowledge of the eyeball (for the layperson anyway). One important thing I took away was that sunglasses should be worn for the sake of protecting your peepers, looking cool is just the bonus. Here, three potential eye health hazards you can avoid by wearing you sunnies every day:

1. Sunburn
The medical term is photokeratitis, but it's a sunburn nonetheless, and can be just as painful. Photokeratitis is temporary, but it can leave you with blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and discomfort (sort of like you've got something in your eye and you can't get it out) for a few days.

2. Surfer's Eye & Other Yuckiness
Pterygium, or surfer's eye, is when a noncancerous growth occurs on the sclera (the white part of the eye) and invades the cornea (the colored part of the eye). It has a cloudy, pinkish hue and can sometimes leave scar tissue on the eyeball. Another condition, called pinguecula, happens when the conjunctiva, the clear membrane that covers the sclera, gets thick, yellowish, raised growths on it (again, benign). Both pterygium and pinguecula occur between the eyelids, where the eyeball is exposed, so they're definitely visible to others, but both can be treated.

3. Cancer
Your eyelids have skin on them, and are therefore subject to developing skin cancers. It's not the most common place, but it can and does happen.


image via

French Twists

July 14, 2014

In honor of Bastille Day today, here are a few French-inspired bits and pieces.

The quintessential French girl shirt.
A mini Eiffel Tower that offers a daily dose of Paris from a desk or kitchen counter.
Lovely French macarons--always a good idea.
A kitchen towel that could possibly double as wall art. 
Sweet flats reminiscent of something Catherine Deneuve would have worn in The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.
A cute phone case by the ever stylish Garance Doré.
The ultimate French-chic lip color.

Friday Favorites

July 11, 2014

Family is extremely important to me, and I feel incredibly blessed to have a close-knit group of aunts, uncles, cousins (second, third, and fourth), and even friends that I call family. This weekend we're having a big family gathering where several people will be meeting my baby for the first time. I can't wait to catch up with cousins I haven't seen in awhile and watch my little girls play with a few distant but loved relatives. I hope you have a safe and fun weekend. God bless!


A tasty-looking quinoa caprese salad that could be the perfect summer dish. 


A cute T-shirt I've got my eye on.  


Ice cream that looks too pretty to eat. 


A cool way to make marbled votives using nail polish


Gorgeous pops of color.

image via Pinterest

Not Enough Hours

July 11, 2014

Ladies, please tell me I'm not alone here.  

image via Pinterest

4 Ways to Keep Kids Entertained During a Move

July 9, 2014

Whether it's across town or across the country, a move is always an adventure, and if you've got little ones, it can also be an exercise in patience. Bless their hearts--they want to help, they want to be held, they want to play, they want food, or a host of other wants and needs. Having moved from California to Phoenix, and back again in the past year, I've learned a few tricks that help make moving a bit easier for the little ones.

Have them color or paint pictures to hang in the new house.
It's something they love to do anyway, and it'll keep them out of your hair for a few precious minutes while you pack. Plus, the pictures will always be a reminder of the adventure.

Let them help.
Surprisingly, your little ones can be a big help, and they enjoy doing it, so let them pitch in with the packing efforts. They can pack up the toys in their room, or if they have their own sets of plates, bowls, and cups they can pack up their dishes, along with any Tupperware or plastics you may have.

Set up a movie station.
A portable DVD player or laptop will become your best friend during a move. Place pillows in a corner to make it extra cozy, and keep three or four of their favorite movies on hand. This could also be a reading station. 

Take play breaks.
This is as important to you as it is to them. You need (and deserve) a break and they're dying for some attention, so put down the boxes and play a quick game of hide-and-seek, sing Wheels on the Bus, or color with them for awhile.

image via

Must Have: Wilton 5-Layer Cake Pan Set

July 9, 2014


My mom is turning 60 tomorrow and I promised I'd bake her a cake, so today I'm headed out to buy this cake pan set. I'm thinking of making a naked cake--the sides don't get frosted, resulting in a beautiful cake with alternating layers of visible cake and icing. Or maybe I'll do an ombre cake in shades of purple, her favorite color. Either way, I'm going to have a lot of fun trying these out.

Summer Bucket List

July 4, 2014

I've never made a summer bucket list, but now that I'm married with little ones I'm eager to make every moment as memorable as possible. In an effort to maximize my family's merriment this season I came up with a few fun activities I'd like to experience with them. What's on your summer bucket list? I'd love to hear your ideas!

Have more beach days.
After living in Phoenix for a year I want to take full advantage of California's beautiful beaches. 

Make ice cream.
I've got a ton of ice cream recipes and homemade toppings that I want to try out. Luckily, I promised my little girl that she could help and she's holding me to it. Consider this one checked off my list.

Stay at a bed and breakfast.
I love staying at hotels, but I've never stayed at a bed and breakfast. People use words like "sweet," "cute," and "cozy" to describe them, so I'm all about making this happen. 

Try out five new recipes.
With all of summer's gorgeous produce, it'll be easy to pull this one off. 

Go to the zoo.
This should be a must for every summer. 

Have a proper picnic.
Actually, two proper picnics: one with my whole family, and a romantic cheese and wine spread for just my hubby and me. 

Take a roadtrip up the coast.
I'd love to take a trip from L.A. all the way up to San Francisco, but with two little ones, I'll settle for Santa Barbara. 

Go wine tasting.
It's been years since I had a weekend of wine tasting in California's Central Coast with girlfriends. I'd love to go back with my husband.

Make s'mores
This is one of my favorite desserts and I have to make them every summer.

image via

Friday Favorites

July 4, 2014

We survived our move from Arizona back to Cali, and just in time for a big 4th of July party with family. I can't wait to see how my little girls react to the fireworks--my four-year old always gets so excited she's ready to burst, and it will be the first time my tiny girl has seen them. I hope you have an awesome weekend. Happy 4th of July! God bless!

Clever new ways to serve ice cream bars


This


A picnic perfect skirt...


...and a picnic perfect bag


Cake toppers that make me smile.
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