dinner party favors

I'm hosting a dinner party on Friday night and thought I would share some of my tips and tricks for hosting a fun and enjoyable party as I prepare throughout the week. 

Today's post is focused on the small favors I've made for each guest. I've realized one of my favorite things to do, is to give. And while I'm on a pretty tight budget these days, I think it's always the thought that counts. I picked up some jars from the local dollar store, and some Easter themed candies from the bulk food store. I used a stamp to personalize the tags and voila! Simple and cute sugary finish to what I'm hoping will be a wonderful night.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I made these jars a little different for D's cousins' kids. They're the cutest little girls who love jelly beans. And I love playing the older cousin who spoils them with candy at every chance I get! :)

summer sneaks

 { Superga & Bensimon }

To further my post about the ideal summer uniform - I don't think there's anything greater than a fresh pair of white sneakers. My Converse got ruined at a concert and have officially been dubbed my outdoor concert shoes - in that they couldn't possibly get any dirtier. But a nice pair of white sneakers to pair with a flirty dress or a crisp pair of shorts - nothing cuter. The best part about both of these styles is their affordability. Should they show wear from a wonderful four months of summer, it's not the end of the world to get rid of them. I would love to go for long warm walks in either pair of the above.

hatch collection ss13

{ 1, 2, 3 }

I can't get enough of Hatch Collection's Spring/Summer Collection. I've loved the brand for a while now and they always impress with their wearable, comfy, beautiful designs. I'm not one of their pregnant shoppers, but I sure would love to own one of their pieces regardless. The flowy, airy, easy-to-wear dresses pretty much sum-up what I feel a summer wardrobe should encapsulate. While the pieces do run a little on the pricier side, I wouldn't think twice about investing in any piece. All of the above have been added to my (once I get a job and have money again) wishlist.

celebration cookies

If these aren't a Monday pick-me-up in cookie form, I don't know what is. I have officially dubbed these the celebration cookies - that will be made to celebrate exciting things from this point on. The best part is that while they look all happy and celebratory - they taste like a party in your mouth. The cookie has just the right amount of sweetness, a strong vanilla flavor and a sugary crunch from the rainbow jimmies. A really good cookie. And I mean you just can't help but smile when you see them - a rare added bonus to any food.

{ I used about 2.5 containers of rainbow jimmies/sprinkles }

{ Each dough ball is rolled in the rainbow jimmies. So I set up a cookie assembly line }

{ They were cute even before they were baked }

{ And even cuter after! }

{ As always, D is the official taste tester - these cookies passed with flying colors }

Find the recipe HERE.

happy weekend!

Spring is approaching. The days are brighter for longer and the sunshine filled days make the cool weather bearable. I've got no weekend plans, but am hoping to spend some time outside and get a game of tennis in. Oh, and attempt to avoid eating the Easter treats! Have a great weekend.xx

breakfast of champions

D watched a cooking show recently where the chef made eggs. He took note of all the tips and has since been making us the most delicious eggs every morning. I put my own little twist on them today adding green onion and Balderson cheddar and devoured them. I always added milk to make my eggs fluffy and seasoned them before cooking - both tricks that apparently aren't useful! I thought I would share what we've learned...

1.) Heat the pan up hot, hot, hot and melt your butter/heat your oil.
2.) Turn the heat down to low right before adding your eggs.
3.) Whisk your eggs for a solid minute or more.
4.) Don't add anything to the eggs before putting them in the pan. No S&P. No liquid.
5.) Keep the eggs moving in the pan, stirring constantly. Don't overcook.
6.) If you're adding cheese, stir it in at the last second so that it melts to get gooey and stringy.
7.) Season once the eggs are served.

Maybe this is all common knowledge? But I've been so impressed with our eggs as of late, that if it wasn't common knowledge, I thought it should be. Egg-cellent eggs are on the rise.

simple metal

{ via }

Loving the simple, natural, artistic feel of these earrings. Wouldn't they look great with a good blow out and white blouse?

st. lucia wanderlust

{ via }

I'm getting to that point in the winter, where I'm over the cold weather and would do anything that would allow me to escape to a warm, sunny beach. A few years ago D's parents took us to St. Lucia for a week and when a blogger I follow mentioned she's going this weekend it brought back such fond memories. The hotel they're staying at looks beyond amazing and it has me hoping that we're able to return on our own one day. The people were so friendly and we did a fun island tour - something I'm not usually fond of. They have banana fields everywhere, and Les Pitons are such a beautiful focal point of the island. The island is small enough to tour in one day, which really left us with a familiar, almost homey feeling by the end of the trip.

Have you ever been to St. Lucia? Would you ever want to visit? What's your favorite beach location?

color blocked book shelves

{ via }

I'm so inspired every time I see shelves of books sorted by color. It's such a fun way to enhance the look of a bookshelf stuffed full of books. I also like the way the books are aligned vertically and horizontally in this shot. I think our book collection has a little ways to go before we accomplish any sort of similar look, but that's a challenge I will approach and take on willingly.

poppytalk

{ via Noemiah }

I love just about everything in Poppytalk's Spring Lookbook. The formatting of these online magazines/lookbooks are the coolest - maybe I'm behind the eight ball and just catching on, but I think they're super neat and so fun and easy to browse through. 

The coming of Spring is bringing with it such fresh colors, light prints and an airy and bright feel - it's about time winter just took off. I adore the choice of artist's prints in the lookbook, especially the one called Wave. And I can't help but dream of rocking the gorgeous white feather and amethyst necklace, I've become slightly obsessed...