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June 30, 2016

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Wordsmith Wednesday: Ebullience

June 29, 2016

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.



Friday Favorites

June 24, 2016

It's been ridiculously hot in Palm Springs, with temperatures soaring as high as 122 degrees this week.  Needless to say it's been quite a lazy few days, with very little cooking, playing outside, or anything else really (we did manage to squeeze in one pool play date). Since we've no out-of-town plans or obligations this weekend, we will definitely be taking a break from packing to take the girls to see Finding Dory--it's a Disney film, so I've already prepared myself for the fact that I will be crying at some point. Have a lovely weekend, and God bless!


A sweet little office space and the cutest pillow ever.


This festive 4th of July sugar cookie cake.


A DIY giant balloon number to celebrate the birthday kid. My baby will be three next month and I know she would love this!


Na Pali Coast sea cave in Kauai. So wish I was back on the island!


A gold peacock feather that is now the object of my obsession. I'm thinking it might make a cool print for my desk.

Summer Bucket List

June 22, 2016

We're moving in a couple of weeks, which is a big deal and a lot of work, but also incredibly exciting.  And even though I'd love to stay holed up all season working on the house, I've got two little ones and a husband who will want to venture out at some point. Besides painting and decorating and creating a beautiful space for my family to call home, here are a few things I'd like to tick off of my bucket list this summer. 

1. Have friends over for a crab boil.

2. Explore our new neighborhood and try as many local restaurants as possible.
3. Plan a proper family photo shoot. (We haven't had a professional shoot in years, and sadly, have no portraits with my youngest.)
4. Take my daughters horseback riding and to ride the train at Griffith Park.
5. Have more picnics with my little girls.
6. Take my six-year old up to the Hollywood sign. We had an awesome view of it from our place in L.A. when she was little and she was obsessed with it.
7. Wake up extra early to make cinnamon rolls and coffee for a sunrise breakfast on the beach with my family.
8. Take my husband wine tasting (he's never been).
9. Track down a full set of vintage champagne coupes (for serving pretty summer cocktails).
10. Let my girls get messy and creative at Duff's Cake Mix.


image via

Wordsmith Wednesday: Onomatopoeia

June 22, 2016

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.

7 Rosé Cocktails for Summer Entertaining

June 21, 2016

Summer is officially here and I'm ready to do some entertaining. Instead of the usual white wine spritzers and cold Rolling Rocks, I want to sip on something pretty this season. These rosé cocktails look as refreshing as they are lovely--they'd be perfect for a brunch with girlfriends or a light supper served al fresco.

La Rosette
Key ingredients: St. Germain liqueur


RosĂ© Royal  
Key ingredients: grapefruit juice; good champagne


RosĂ© Blood Orange Lemonade  
Key ingredients: blood orange juice


Strawberry RosĂ© Sangria  
Key ingredients: fresh strawberries


RosĂ©-ito 
Key ingredients: fresh lime juice and fresh mint


Rosé Slushy
Key ingredients: Belvoir Elderflower and Rose lemonade


Ginger and Jasmine RosĂ© Cocktail 
Key ingredients: fresh ginger and lemon; jasmine tea

Summer's Here!

June 20, 2016

Glamping 101: Essentials for a Girly-Glam Camping Trip

June 20, 2016

I am, by no means, an outdoorsy person, and with just a few exceptions (e.g. poolside under a canopy, or relaxing in the shade of a palm tree on the beach) I much prefer indoor activities. The last time I went camping I was pregnant with my 6-year old and ended up sleeping at a hotel; before that, I was a kid at my family's annual Yosemite camping trip, and I always opted to sleep in our minivan rather than the tent. But since then, camping has gone full-on glamorous, from tents with chandeliers and luxe bedding to gourmet s'mores and catered meals. I love the idea of a fun glamping trip with my closest girlfriends so I've put together a few ideas for the girls-only glamping trip of my dreams. 



Instead of cans of sodas, the ice chests will be filled with champs. These pink cans are so girly and cute, and sipping on champagne, even when you're "roughing it," is the fastest way to elevate any occasion.


I'm a firm believer that good food should be a part of any fun experience, so I'm not roasting any weinies on my glamping trip. I want to eat warm brie and fresh fruit, fire-grilled pizzettes, gourmet desserts, and of course s'mores. 


I've never started a fire in my life, but I imagine it would be much easier with the help of these terribly adorable pinecone fire starters (so much more chic than the twisted paper towels or toilet paper rolls I've seen other people use).



We'll pass on the paper and styrofoam cups, thank you. Like true ladies of leisure, we'll take our coffee in the morning (and spiked hot chocolate at night) in real mugs, preferably dipped in gold or sparkling with glitter. 



To make our dining table (i.e. the wooden benches provided by the campgrounds) look extra pretty, we'll pick wildflowers and place them in mason jars for a simple and rustic yet chic tablescape.


A restored vintage Airstream is the perfect place to chill out in the day and lay our heads at night.


(But I'm not at all opposed to this setup. I mean...)

Shop my favorite glamping essentials like faux fur throws, swanky coffee mugs, designer sunglasses and even a portable hot tub for the most epic and stylish glamping trip ever!

Shop My Mavatar Cart


images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Monday

June 20, 2016



image via Instagram 

Friday Favorites

June 17, 2016

The first week of summer break was wildly successful, and it looks like it's only going to get better. We've got fun plans over the next few weeks, including another week at vacation Bible school for my big girl, pool play dates with close friends, and of course, our big move into our new home (we're trying to spend as much time with our Palm Springs friends as we can before we move back to L.A. and cooler temps). This weekend, my hubby and my girls are going to a father/daughter luncheon, which means I'll have three and a half glorious hours to myself. What's a SAHM/WAHM to do? I'm thinking mani/pedi, followed by a peaceful lunch at a grown-up restaurant, and if there's time, maybe a nap. Enjoy your weekend, and God bless!


Rosé and white peach sangria.


This lovely DIY floral and wire wall accent.


Colorful houses in Burano, Italy


Galaxy donuts that would be perfect for an outer space party or a night of stargazing. 


This beautiful and cozy minimalist bedroom.

Wordsmith Wednesday: BĂȘte Noire

June 15, 2016

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.

Peanut Butter and M&Ms Rice Crispy Squares

June 14, 2016

There are certain foods that instantly take me back to my childhood, and rice crispy treats is definitely one of them (I have fond memories of coming home from school and diving into a plate of them with my best friends). These cereal squares start out with the traditional ingredients--butter and marshmallows, melted together until they're nice and gooey--but the addition of creamy peanut butter and M&Ms almost transforms them into a crispy, chocolatey candy bar (like a cross between a peanut butter cup and a Whatchamacallit). I had a batch waiting for my daughter when we came home on Friday, and I'm hoping that eating them with her mommy and baby sister on the last day of first grade will be as fond a memory for her as it was for me.

Peanut Butter and M&Ms Rice Crispy Squares

5 tablespoons salted butter
6 cups mini marshmallows
¼ cup creamy peanut butter, divided
6 cups crispy rice cereal
1 cup plain M&Ms candies, plus more for garnishing
¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Butter a 9x13 baking pan and set aside. 
- In a large pan, melt butter on medium heat; add marshmallows and stir constantly until smooth and melted. Remove from heat and add ½ cup of the peanut butter, stirring until well combined. 
- Add cereal and M&Ms and gently fold until incorporated. Press cereal mixture into prepared pan, using wax paper or a rubber spatula to press evenly. 
- Microwave chocolate chips and ¾ cup peanut butter in 30-second intervals until melted and smooth, stirring after each interval. Pour over the cereal and use the back of a spoon to spread it evenly over the entire pan of bars. 
- Garnish with additional M&Ms candies (I coarsely chopped a small handful and sprinkled them over the top, along with 7 or 8 whole candies). 
- Refrigerate for an hour, or until the chocolate is set, before cutting into squares.

Friday Favorites

June 10, 2016

Today is the last day of school, the last day of first grade, and I'm a ball of emotions. Just a few months ago I couldn't wait for school to end, but now that the day has finally arrived, it's more bittersweet than I'd expected. It's not just that my big girl is going to the second grade (which is heartbreaking enough), but also that we're moving and leaving behind the first school she ever attended. I'm incredibly sentimental, so I will be taking my camera with me today at drop-off and pick-up so I can get as many pictures as possible to put inside the pages of her little yearbook. On the other hand, I'm super excited about summer break and the chance to spend more time with both of my girls. I'm also ridiculously excited about moving, especially since we'll be so close to the beach. It's going to be a cool summer! Enjoy your weekend/summer, and God bless!

Salted pretzel Nutella cookie ice cream sammies. I mean, come on.


This gorgeous, modern bathroom


All the pretty peaches and purples in this gemstone garden.


These super pretty pink lemonade jello shots


A flamingo print dress.

Wordsmith Wednesday: Denigrate

June 8, 2016

Here's where I share my favorite words with you. Because savvy girls have impressive vocabularies.

Friday Favorites

June 3, 2016

Even though it was a short week, we had a lot going on. The highlight was without a doubt my daughter's performance in her school talent show! All the kids were wonderful and we were thoroughly entertained, but seeing our baby on that stage singing her little heart out was enough to bring me and my husband to tears (she and her two BFFS performed "Try Everything" from the movie Zootopia). We've got one more week of school left and then I'll be busy trying to find classes and camps to keep both of my little ones busy until we move into our new house. (YAY!!!) It's going to be a scorcher this weekend (116 degrees tomorrow!), so my plan is to move as little as possible so I don't break a sweat. That, and fro-yo. Enjoy your weekend, friends, and God bless!


A different kind of rainbow.


Injectable donut holes


This sweet little girl's room. I'm wondering if my husband can build a facade like that for our girls. 


A favorite Audrey Hepburn quote.


Ibiza.
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