Sweet & Simple.

As my birthday rapidly approaches I find myself less inclined to have a big celebration and look forward to a weekend filled of friends, food, sunshine and wine. The older I get, the more I realize it's the relationships built that matter the most. Happy weekend xo

Jacquard Print.

Zara mini

Yes, please. Zara is doing everything so right at the moment.

Mirror Mirror.

Ray-Ban green sunglasses / Wildfox Couture / Le Specs / Hipster eyewear / Revo eyewear / Mirrored wayfarer sunglasses

I'm loving mirrored sunglasses right now - so fun and they scream Summer. Love.

Three Things.

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of Summer (with the following days counting down to my birthday!). Feeling the sun on your skin, warm wind in your hair and the sand underneath your feet. I just love it all.

1. To those who have served our country, thank you.

2. Time spent with my mom (in general)

3. An afternoon on the Team O'Neill catamaran - Simply amazing

Heart of the Matter.

Everlane blouse // Gap jeans // Tahari shoes // Rebecca Minkoff clutch // Prada sunglasses

When natural disasters happen like the tornadoes that recently touched down in the Midwest, I think to myself what if I lost all of my possessions? While my closet is important to me, the reality is - it's just stuff. My clothing doesn't define me, but does allow me to express who I am. What really matters are the people in your life, lasting relationships built and memories collected along the way. Those are truly priceless. Happy weekend and enjoy the ones your with. xo

Black + Caged.

Givenchy platform sandals / Givenchy wedge booties / Jimmy Choo cage shoes / Pierre Hardy velcro shoes / MICHAEL Michael Kors cage shoes / Alexander McQueen platform sandals / Alexander McQueen studded heels / Gucci platform sandals / Camilla Skovgaard , $615

Hot. Hot. Hot.

Silky Smooth.

Want to know something that makes me happy (and should make you happy too)? A gorgeous, two-toned silk blouses from Everlane and an incredible price. Enough to make any bad day better. right?

Roasted Balsamic Brussels Sprouts.

As a child, I could not stand brussels sprouts. The smell, the taste - both disgusted me. Who knew a little balsamic could have changed all of that?! It's a little ridiculous just how easy this recipe is and sooo tasty! 

Ingredients:
2-3 cups brussels sprouts, cut in half
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp olive oil
salt & pepper, to taste

Directions: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together balsamic vinegar and salt & pepper together in a small bowl. Slowly incorporate the olive oil until a dressing is formed. Place the brussels sprouts in a single layer on a baking sheet and drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing over the top, tossing gently to coat. Bake for 25 minutes, turn once. Sprouts are done when they are lightly browned.

Enjoy!

3 Things.

Well, that was a happy, yet brief time out from last week's hectic schedule with only more chaos anticipated ahead this week. With Memorial Day weekend just a few days away, the thought of spending time with friends and family is what's currently carrying me through.

1. Falling in love with new lip color, Le Fuchsia from YSL. Now, if I could only find a store not sold out....

2. Only good things happening at The Crepe House. Simply, to die for.

3. There's nothing like starting the day off with a slice of homemade banana bread I made over the weekend from my great grandmother's recipe - delicious!

At Play.

Walter Baker skirt // Gap shirt // Elie Tahari shoes // VonZipper sunglasses

What a week. Although nothing that a mani, a little volunteer work and a long walk with Ziggy can't take care of to cleanse this little jaded soul. Much. Needed.

Snap Peas, Fava Beans & Mozzarella.

Another successful trip to the Farmer's Market. I have to admit, it's nice to have someone around to try out all of my recipes - this one got rave reviews.

Ingredients:
5 oz shelled snap peas
9 oz shelled fava beans
fresh mint leaves
grated Parmesan cheese
1 lemon
3 tbsp of olive oil
ciabatta bread
mozzarella
salt, to taste

Directions: Add peas, fava beans, mint and lemon juice to a food processor. Blend until the peas and beans are small bits, then add Parmesan and 1 tbsp of olive oil. Continue to blend until you have smooth texture (adding olive oil to achieve this) - the mix should be spreadable yet still grainy. To serve, spread on bread and tear off some fresh mozzarella to top. Garnish with fava beans.

Enjoy!

Baroque.

Simply in love with this early birthday present from my mom. Swoon.

Almost Paradise.

Phase Eight , $135 / Scotch & Soda crew neck t shirt, $91 / Joie linen blazer / MICHAEL Michael Kors denim skinny jeans / Minuet Petite floor length skirt, $105 / Innocence black romper, $26 / Penelope Chilvers green shoes, $390 / Beach tote / Palm hat

All these tropical prints are just a reminder that it's time to take a relaxing vacation. One where these patterns turn into my reality. And soon.

3 Things.

If I've said it once, it'll never be enough - there's nothing I love more than a beautiful sunny weekend in San Francisco. Add great food and even better company, and I'm one happy girl.

1. Lunch at the Farmer's Market with my favorite guys.

2. Saturday night dinner at Firenze by Night in North Beach - award winning gnocchi to die for.

3. Coincidentally choosing the same color for our Mother's Day mother-daughter pedi's, Essie's California Coral.

Happy Time.

vintage dress//Dolce Vita shoes//Chloe handbag//VonZipper sunglasses

As a child I always loved playing in my mom's closet. I would spend hours pouring over luxe fabrics, intricate detailing, cool accessories and designer shoes & handbags - she has a look for everything in her perfectly curated collection. And to be honest, not much has changed since. Every time I visit home I find myself exactly back where I started, cruising through my mom's closet.

This dress was one of my favorites she wore when I was little. So different from other items in her closet, I remember asking why she chose that dress and her reply was simply "You can't help but feel happy in this dress". Of course, who wouldn't want a happy dress? So you can imagine how elated I was a few years ago when my mom handed it down to me. Beyond thrilled.

Happy Mother's Day to all those wonderful woman out there who make the world a better place. And a special happy day to my fabulous, fashionable mom. Can't wait to spend the weekend with you! xo

Cuffed.

This earcuff by George and Laurel is everything. Good thing my birthday is just around the corner. Hint, hint ;)

Asparagus with Lemon Butter.

Everything in moderation, right?

Ingredients:
24 asparagus spears
1 lemon
2 tbsp butter
Olive oil
Salt, to taste

Directions: Wash asparagus and line them up on a cutting board with tops even. Cut off the tough bottom ends. Bring a skillet half-filled with salted water to a boil and throw in asparagus all at once. When the water returns to a boil, cook asparagus until crisp-tender, or about 1 to 3 minutes, and drain.

Return asparagus to hot skillet and squeeze lemon juice over the top. Add butter and a drizzle of olive oil, tossing to coat. Sprinkle lemon zest over the top and salt, to taste. Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Mother's Day Gift Guide.

Mother's Day is just around the corner. And if you're not quite sure what to get, here are a few gift contenders I thought would be perfect for my mom. Maybe yours too. Happy shopping.

1. Artful Decoration coffee table book
2. Monthly floral delivery
3. Dachshund stationery
4. House of Harlow necklace
5. Diptyque candle
6. Butter London nail polish
7. CC Skye cuff
8. Nantucket scarf
9. Toms loves Moms shoes
10. Spa Nordstrom pedicure 

3 Things.

A weekend full of friends, food and fiestas - what more could I ask for? Well perhaps a cleanse, considering every meal since Friday afternoon has been Mexican food. I feel like a burrito.

1. The beautiful cityscape from the Bay Bridge.

2. Promised Lands - quite a thought provoking movie; a great reminder to continue to educate yourself and question things too good to be true. Most of the time, they are just that.

3. Wine tasting with my favorite. I love how he loves life - it's eye opening.

Heat Wave.

Though it's not technically Summer yet, this hot California weather certainly feels that way, even in San Francisco. With a weekend of wine tasting, vintage shopping, and a Cinco de Mayo fiesta on tap so fingers crossed for continued sunny days ahead. Stay cool and happy weekend. xo

Facing Facts.

After just 5 days of use, I'm getting compliments on my skin. This, plus my new Clarisonic are my dreams come true. And let's face it, I'm not getting any younger, so now more than ever it's important to take care of my skin. Plus who doesn't love to look and feel as though they just had a facial?

High Lights.

Diane Von Furstenberg neon dress, $1,170 / J.Crew top / Karl Lagerfeld quilted jacket / Antonio Berardi mini skirt / Karl Lagerfeld neon jeans / VILA neon shorts, $38 / Charlotte Olympia peep toe high heels / Rebecca Minkoff strappy shoes / BCBGeneration handbag / Marc by Marc Jacobs bracelets bangle / Matthew Williamson neon sunglasses

Lately, I've been seeing shades reminiscent of a highlighter - so bright, I find myself almost mesmerized by this electric hue. Must have.