Little Luxuries: HRUSKAA Homewares

Every once in a while, I find myself browsing Etsy... for 4+ hours straight. Naturally, I see a LOT of really cool stuff and read about how artists are doing some incredible new things. While I am not paid to write about my new favorite Etsy shop, HRUSKAA, maybe I should be! A beautiful mix of vintage and modern, these mobiles and planters would are a beautiful way to adorn a bare apartment corner or creatively plant a grouping of succulents! Super architectural, a little bit glam, and just all around cool,  the HRUSKAA brass himmeli mobile is the #1 item on my birthday list!

Huzzah!

>> Shop HRUSKAA now!  <<

Be My Valentine?

Hope today is all hearts & champagne bubbles for you too! Cheers! xoxoxo

Sweet Little Somethings [MOOD BOARD]

I l-l-love pink and red. It has been my favorite color combination for forever and probably because wearing these bold colors together takes some real confidence and sass. Naturally, one would assume that Valentine's Day should be my favorite holiday- while it is not my favorite "holiday," it is my favorite day/week/month to wear the color combination without hesitation! And the brighter the better!!

When it comes to Valentine's Day, I think that we all get a little stuck. How do you make it special without being to kitschy? Do you decorate or do you hope that your man has read your mind and has the house covered in candles? Do you have a girls night or boycott the whole "holiday" altogether?

Whatever your outlook on the "holiday" might be, here is a pink & red guide to a perfect (or at least perfectly stylish) Valentine's Day!

Cheers and love from me to you xoxox

dress / stripe / color block / accessorize 

pillow  / pom-poms / flowers  / garland

marshmallows / xoxo / bacon / macarons  

map / print / wine / nail polish 

New Year, New Zip Code.

I know you've been wondering where I've been -- or maybe you haven't. I did indeed survive the aforementioned winter wedding and even the holidays for that matter. Chicago was practically snowless, which was moderately depressing, though did allow me to wear lots of cute party heels! Mostly we were too busy with work, eating (and drinking), celebrating, etc to really tell the days apart. Some call it a holi-daze, which is cute, but let's call it what it really is-- a food and wine bender. AND I TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE because this is really only tolerated at this time of year and during birthday month. (Yeah, month. What?)

Also, we moved to California.

SURPRISE -- and we survived that drive too...with a trailer...through the mountains of Colorado and Utah...in the middle of winter. fun. 

But we are here now, and it really is the most lovely place we've lived. 65 degrees in January, sunny, views of the bay from our little casita, a spare bedroom plus large couch... I'm taking reservations and also recommendations for places to go, people to see, things to do! 

Do you have dreams about the amazing fish tacos at _____? I'll eat them for you and Instagram you a picture. Does your grandmother live in San Diego? I'll take her to afternoon tea. There are few things better than witty banter over afternoon tea. 

In the meantime, I will be eating my way through San Diego Restaurant Week with a few recommendations and a few shot-in-the dark places on my list. Starting with 1500 Ocean, PrepKitchen,  Katsuya and Wine Vault & Bistro, we will see how chubby I feel by mid-week and perhaps consider a few more!

Cheers from California! 

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Oh, Hello Weekend...

Enjoying a cozy, snowy winter wedding weekend out of town! 

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Eat + Drink: Winter Salads

Who says that salad season has to end once the snow starts to fall? Frankly, this is the time of year when everyone (including me) could use a few salads to negate the sweet treats, bubbly drinks and indulgent dinner party fare.

So if you are also trying to keep the bulge at bay, keep these winter salads in your wheelhouse. On the contrary, if you are planning on becoming a holiday heavyweight and you have decided that this is your time to stuff as many tasty treats in your mouth as quickly as possible (I'm not embarrassed to admit that I've been there too), then save these recipes for the first chilly winter months of 2013!

Winter Wheat Berry Salad with Figs and Onions from the kitchn

Greek Chickpea Salad in a Mason Jar from Daily Muse

Hearty & Spicy Winter Salad from A House in the Hills

Winter Panzanella from 5 and Spice

I hope that you are having a very happy and maybe even somewhat healthy holiday! Cheers!