Thursday, February 27, 2014

Wine Tasting Party


To celebrate my new apartment I decided to have a Wine Tasting / Housewarming Shindig! It went splendidly - We had so much fun using the wine tasting sheets and rating the wine. Here are a few shots from the party.



I greeted my guests with prosecco (a great palate cleanser!) and then I chose 5 bottles of wine - two white and 3 red - all different prices, regions and varietals. 







I will be posting the recipe for this Fig Mascarpone Crostini tomorrow! 


Wasabi Almonds, Pecans, Granny Smith Apples and Proscuitto wrapped Melon Balls! 


Any questions feel free to message me!


xo




H

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

I've Got My Eye On You!





1. St Mortiz Self Tanner - I got mine on Ebay for under $20 - it's suppose to work as well as St. Tropez - but half the price! Will do a review once mine has arrived!


2. 'ZENOBIA' Steve Madden Booties - adorbs! find them here: Amazon



3. Oh how spring these little babies are! I ordered something similar yesterday from shoedazzle - these are from LuLu's!


4.  Oh these will be mine! Mint J.Crew Shorts


5. Minty fresh Nike Running Shoes - Can you see a trend here?


6. My favorite color in my favorite watch designer - Michael Kors


7.  This was found on Etsy via one of my fav blogs, Kiki's List! There are tons of designs to choose from - and very affordable =) 


xo



H

Monday, February 24, 2014

(Partial) House Tour!


Hello! Welcome to my (partial) Home Tour! I just moved 5 weeks ago so it's not completely finished but here is what I have so far! Living Room & Kitchen: 


So I went with Teal as my accent walls - I know that is very loud but it came out great. Since it's an apartment - I feel I am not married to the color (not that you are in a house) but at least I have a lease that is up and if I am sick of teal by then, I can start over with a new palette at the next place.



Please know that the pictures are horrible! I took them with my phone - which usually turns out fine, but the coloring is all weird and some are rather blurry. Brownie points to anyone that can identify what I am watching on Tv! 



My most recent (as of last week) project is this coffee table decor that I so adore! Everything shown is from Target and TJMaxx and Crate & Barrel - with the exception of the books, which were gifts! 


The Tray itself is from TJMaxx/Homegoods - it was $22 and its BIG - mirrored with this beautiful map sketch type design - it right brightens up the wood coffee table.


This is hung above the TV - its artwork I bought from IKEA! Its picasso sketches - one of my favorite things in the house ($30) 


Another recent purchase - I got a wild hair one night a ran to Target because I decided I need an accent chair immediately! This guy was $160 at Target - and the metal table next to it was only $40! I love the color and design. 


Another grainy photo =( This is my sofa table behind my gray IKEA couch  - Just wanted to feature this for my lovely little golden puppy (favorite things) and my glass base with burlap shade lamp - both Homegoods finds! 



...and now onto the Kitchen! The teal carries over- and that big wine framed photo is from Kirklands - litterally, $18 bucks! - and its HUGE! 


Here's the other side of Kitchen - If you follow me on instagram, you will notice (another fav) my framed art above the sink 'The Morning has broken and the Coffee has Spoken!" love it - Another cheapy from Kirklands. 


More to come! 


xo 



H






Thursday, February 20, 2014

Favorite Foodie Pins I Have Tried


Okay so we all pin a million and one things onto our Pinterest board and then we hardly ever look back at them! I have selected a few recipes that I have actually TRIED and LIKED! 

Here is my review:


Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Peppers
I made these recently, I wanted to make Patrick Philly Cheese Steaks for dinner one night but I wanted to make myself a healthy version. They were delicious. Only thing is, the pepper took a while to warm - I put the steak, onion and cheese mixture and put into the pepper, then popped the whole thing into the oven - by the time the cheese was melted - the pepper was still mildly cool and I wanted it piping hot! So I would probably warm that puppy up in the oven before hand so you are not gnawing on raw pepper with your cheesesteak.
Rating: 3 out of 5



Cajun Shrimp Avocado Cracker
This is phenomenal - I've made this twice and both times were big hits. However, the most recent time I made it, it was for a evening party - and I made it mid-day - well, you guessed it, avocado was brown by the time it was served, and although delicious - it was just a bit unappealing looking.
Rating: 4 out of 5



Golf Course Cupcakes
I made this for Patricks Birthday last year - and it was a great success! A lot of work - but fun work! You can choose whichever cupcake flavor you'd like - I chose Funfetti because thats Patricks favorite... his second favorite being Red Velvet, which would look like a pretty weird golf course.
Rating 5 out of 5



Apple Peanut Coconut Chip Snack
These are a nice little snack when you are craving something sweet. Apple, Peanut Butter, Sweetened Coconut Flakes, Pecans, Chocolate Chips and Peanut Butter Chips (optional) 
So Delicious and Easy!
Rating 4 out of 5


Apricot Brie Stuffed Crescent 
YUM! So good as well - I severed it with crackers and apples and grapes - the crackers were easiest to eat with but they were really unneeded due the the crescent roll wrapping. Only tip, it takes longer than you think to cook the dough all the way through when there is cheese inside - and do not expect it to come out as pretty as that picture ^ 
Rating 3 out of 5 


Honey Dijon Pretzel Crusted Chicken
This was my most recent adventure - and frankly it was pretty simple - and not too many ingredients to deal with! It was heavy and filling  - something to make rare...also, probably something 5-10 yr olds would like. Yummy but definitely not going to make too often. Also, instead of making the dipping sauce on the side - I coated the chicken in a dijon mustard and honey mix, then rolled it into crushed Pretzels. 
Rating 3 out of 5



Cucumber Crab Cups
I made these for a party - mistake #1 - trying to make my own crab dip instead of using store bought. It was hard to find good crab meat so I ended up with imitation crab = yuck! It just was a weird consistency. Next time I make this, and there will be a next time, I will buy store-made tuna salad or chicken salad and plop it in there - add my own paprika and green onions on top - and call it a day!



Easy Healthy Whole Wheat Pasta
So this is Whole Wheat Pasta with breadcrumbs, lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Can I just say its awesome? Its so delicious! and not a fattening creamy sauce. I have made this several times. 




Please feel free to email me any questions you may have - or if you would like the recipe! 

xo



H

Monday, February 17, 2014

The Zara Shoe Love Fest


So Zara just knows how to work it. I have had a love obsession with their shoes for quite some time now - Although, I don't own nearly enough of them! [ Thank goodness I have a birthday coming up] They are always coming out with the sleekest designs and newest styles.  I figured I would share some of the current beauties that are available online now! Shop Away! 


 
Pink Pastel Bootie? Yes Please! 

Love this color for spring - oh, and love a chunky heel! 

A new take on the metallic pump trend

Mules are all the rage right now - this platform will take you to serious heights - and who can resist the tassel? 

My favorite color - I can never turn away from a green high heel - and this one is so classy! 

MUST HAVE - wear to work, to play, to anywhere - nude matches with everything and the gold accents is so right now. 


Another great mule - Notice the already broken look they are going for with the folded down back? That was done purposely to avoid the heel blister we all know too well. 

Caged heels in cognac! I love! 

What a classic heel - great for dates or girls night out. 



Go check them out at Zara.com Now! All shoes under $200 =) Yay! 

Which is your favorite? 


xo




H 

Sunday, February 16, 2014

The Insta-Outfit

Shirt   |  Shirt  |  Mules  |  Pumps  |  Faux Leather  |  Skinnies


Hey Guys! So this is my go-to look when I just don't feel like trying [don't deny it....we all have those days] A Chambray top paired with black skinny jeans - or pleather, if you are feeling sassy...and leopard pumps is perfect for dates, running errands, or even work - depending where you work.

Throw on a eye-catching necklace and grab your favorite tote and you are out the door! 


xo


H

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Mirrored Everything!


Mirrored Furniture is making a comeback - In a big way! This retro trend is seen all over stores now! I personally think its great - The trick is to mix this trend with modern pieces to create an eclectic look.



Coffee Tables tend to be my favorite piece - Target has a great one for $160! - and here is a higher-end one from ZGallerie. 



A Mirrored Console Table also a great, inviting way to great guests as they enter your ever-so-chic home! Check this one out - or here is the one above ^



This ^ is from ZGallerie (don't they have the best stuff?) Find it here!



This little guy is from Target again - and hello! It's under $100!! 



Mirrored Lamps would be the perfect way to test the waters on this trend - not too big of commitment (if you can find an affordable one) See - this or this



CAN YOU EVEN??!!?!?! Here!




...and now to thank homegoods for taking this trend under their wing and making it affordable to all! 






xo



H


Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Skulls & Pineapples




Pineapples in the home are a sign of hospitality and welcomeness. They are also freakin' adorable! Here is some great examples of Pineapples being used in home decor:



Pineapple Lamps: similar here, and here.


Golden Pineapples: Hard to find! Try this or that ?
I know Nate Burkus for Target use to have a great gold pineapple - don't know if still available! 


Pineapple Wallpaper! (and its Pink!) Try Spoonflower.com - they're Ah-Mah-Zing!



And who could live without the classic white porcelain pineapple? 

Great for any room in the house - 
oh, and this is fabulous as well!



And for this Beaut - buy here!! I am sure you can find cheaper if you put a little effort into the search =)



Chic Skulls


Ugh I love this! I think my fiance would go insane if I were ever to do such a thing!


Little Golden Skull on a Coffee Table


Sugar Skull Pillow: You can get this sucker in many colors here - This is one skull decor that I could see myself bringing into the house.




Golden Skulls tend to be the most popular ZGallerie has a great one (also comes in silver) Try to not let this be apart of your Halloween decor anymore! Chic Skulls are all over the place! 


xo


*would love your comments on how you feel about these outlandish items in a home! 



H