Happy Easter!

For those of you who are celebrating, enjoy the day!

Image via Martha Stewart

Style Icon: Audrey Hepburn

In the 50's and early 60's, so many women aspired to look like Marilyn Monroe, and rightfully so. She was so beautiful and had amazing style. Don't get me started on the hair and makeup!

The only problem with Marilyn was that so few girls had the platinum blonde hair and amazing curves that it took to emulate Marilyn. I can relate to this because I am one of them. I have always been short with a tiny frame and dark hair and eyes. No matter how hard I tried, I could never look like Marilyn. And then I discovered Audrey!

Audrey Hepburn has been one of my biggest style inspirations since I was a little girl. She is the image of good taste and elegance. She never tried to be over the top or flashy and she knew how to dress for her figure. Her looks are timeless and that is why so many of us are still trying to emulate her style.

Spring Fruits & Vegetables

Now that spring has finally sprung, I am starting to think about lightening my cooking for spring. All winter long we stick with hearty, filling meals because that is what we crave when it's cold outside. Now that more fruit and veggies are in season, I can try and lighten things up a bit and cut down on the carbs and fat (hopefully!). This is what is on my grocery list:

Spring Fruits

Cherries
Strawberries
Blueberries
Figs
Raspberries
Currants
Pineapple

Pearls Are Always Appropriate

Mrs. Onassis knew what she was talking about! I know some people think that pearls are old fashioned or only for special occasions but I think they are perfect for all ages and look great with everything! 

Every girl should own a pair of pearl studs and some kind of pearl necklace, even if it's just good quality costume jewelry, after all, if fake is good enough for Jackie, the it's good enough for anyone. There really is no shame in not having the real thing and 99% of the time, no one is going to know the difference, so keep your secret to yourself.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis's Faux Pearl Necklace

Pearl studs are pretty basic, but when it comes to necklaces, there are a whole host of options to choose from. This chart is helpful if you are not sure what you are looking for.

The Shift Dress

When I was in college, I always shunned dresses in favor of pants or skirts, but now I find myself buying more and more dresses, particularly slim fitting shift dresses. I like them because they are easy and super versatile. I can throw on a sweater and wear it to work, add a blazer and pumps and head to a client meeting or keep it casual with flats on the weekends. A well fitting shift dress in a flattering color is a great staple piece for any wardrobe and it's worth investing in a high quality one because it will look better and last longer.

Here are some great examples of a shift dress done right:

Michelle Obama in pretty purple

The Duchess of Cambridge in Blue

Easter Desserts & Baked Goods

For kids, Easter is all about the candy, for adults it's all about the dessert (if your like me, it's ALWAYS about the dessert). Anyway, I wanted to share with you some Easter-worthy and/or spring-worthy desserts and cakes just in time for Sunday's holiday.

Bunny Cake

The great things about this cake is that it's so easy! You can buy a cake, make one from a Betty Crocker box or make your favorite cake from scratch. Once frosted, take Bunny cookies from your favorite bakery and stick them on. 

Flat Bunny Cake

Not quite as easy as the first bunny cake, but doable for average baker.

Birthday Wish List

It's my birthday so I felt the need to be a tad selfish and do a post of some of the most coveted items on my wish list.

Capped Toe Flat from C. Wonder

Lanvin Bow Dress

Pops of Pink at Home

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE pink. Like a lot! Especially for clothing because it flatters my skin tone. I have generally favored calm, neutral interiors for home but lately I have been obsessed with color. Bright red, Kelly green and yellow are my favorites, but you know what? Why not pink! I love it everywhere else, and it's not like I plan on drenching a room in all pink. Pink is no longer just for nurseries and little girl's bedrooms. Just a pop here and there has a lovely affect.

Pink Door

Perfect addition to a home office!

Rose Gold Jewelry

When I was a teenager, gold was not in for young people. Gold jewelry is what our mother's, who grew up in the 70's, wore. As I've gotten older, I have realized two things: (1) gold is awesome and (2) gold looks much better on my skin tone then silver or platinum.

Along with gold making a big comeback recently, so hasn't it's lesser know cousin, rose gold. I think rose gold is beautiful and I am constantly on the lookout for rose gold jewelry. Here are a few pieces worth coveting.

Easter Breakfast Menu

At my house, we eat twice on Easter, a breakfast around 10 a.m. at my parents house, and then lunch at my grandparents house a 3 p.m. My mother makes a lovely breakfast and it's great to sit down with my immediate family for a leisurely holiday meal. 

These are a few of my favorite breakfast items and recipes.

Bacon & Leek Quiche

My Mom and I are both big quiche fans.

 Blueberry-Buttermilk Scones

I make pretty good scones but my sister Ann's are even better.

St. Tropez Self Tanner

Well ladies, it's soon going to be bathing suit season and pale skin just won't do. You can't tell from my profile picture (because I have self-tanner on!), but I am a very pale girl most of the time. I can tan incredibly well if I make the effort to lay out for an hour each day, but, (1) I don't have time for that and (2) tanning is BAD FOR YOU! I love the glow, but I don't want the wrinkles or the skin cancer, so it's the faux tan for me! 

I have resigned myself to being pale most of the time, but in the summer, especially for a special event, I like to add a little color. Everyone has a go-to self tanner that they use, and mine happens to be St. Tropez bronzing mousse. This has been a long time favorite because of how natural the tan looks.It's not exactly inexpensive, but to me it's worth the price. You can find it on their website or at Sephora.

Just a few tips before applying:

Exfoliate your skin first. If you don't, it won't go on evenly.

Apply before bed, and then wake up and wash off the excess. It will look very dark before the shower, but it's just the extra product.

Make sure to re-apply a couple of times a week to keep the glow.

In order for the tan to fade nicely, you MUST moisturize every day. If you don't, you will end up with blotches.

I also recommend a few helpers to go with your self tanner:

The application mitt will help the mousse go on evenly.

 The correcting wipes are great for removing access from the hands, nails and feet.

Does anyone else choose to self-tan rather than lay out? If so, what is your go-to self tanner?

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Enjoy the Guinness and corned beef everyone!

Stationery Essentials

When writing about stationery, most people focus on the actual stationery and envelope design but don’t mention other important essentials needed for correspondence, so, I wanted to share the stationery accessories that I think are as essential as the paper and envelopes themselves.

Address Labels or Stamps

It’s such a pain to have to write your return address on 100 envelopes come holiday time, so it’s great to have pre-made labels or a custom stamp. Besides being a timesaver, they can also be beautifully designed and add an extra touch to any correspondence. I prefer the stamp myself, but label sheets can be less expensive depending on the style and design.

Quality Pens

People don’t care about pens the way they use to. Nowadays most of us will use any old BIC pen, but I’m telling you, a quality pen writes so much better. My Dad received a Tiffany pen one year for Christmas from someone at work and he was kind enough to pass it along to me because he thought it was too feminine looking for him. Well lucky me! It suits me just fine and it writes beautifully. You don’t have to run out and purchase a $200 pen, but next time you’re at Staples, don’t pick up the cheapest pen you can find.

The Many Variations of the Chocolate Chip Cookie

First off, I am obsessed with cookies in general. As a kid I use to try to convince my Mom that warmed up chocolate chip cookies were a suitable breakfast. 

I am also a big tea drinker so love to pass a lazy afternoon with a magazine,  strong cup of earl grey and the latest batch of baked cookies.

I could write a million posts on cookie recipes, but for now I am just going to stick with an old stand by: chocolate chip. If you want to see more cookie recipes, I have tons of different ones on my Pinterest cookie board. Yes, that is correct, I have entire board dedicated to cookie recipes.

These are my all time favorite chocolate chip cookie recipes:

Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies from Nestle

The one change I make to this is I usually use more brown sugar then white sugar because it makes the cookie softer. The recipe calls for 3/4 of a cup of each and I usually do 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup white sugar.

Cowboy Cookies from Martha Stewart

The addition of pecans, oats and coconut make for a great cookie.

Chocolate Pecan Drop Cookies from Martha Stewart

A good chocolate chip cookie recipe with chopped pecans.

Investing in Quality Clothing & Accessories

I will be the first person to tell you that I have no problem buying something on sale or picking up a cute top from Gap or H&M. Not everything I own is high-end designer and worth $1000. I love to mix stuff up and as long as it's cute and looks good on me, then I'll buy it.

That being said, I am a believer in the idea of spending money on good quality, well designed clothing and accessories that will last. I like to call them "Investment Pieces."

Everyone has different ideas about what items are considered investment pieces. These are my choices that I am personally willing to invest more in.

A Great Trench Coat

A Classic Watch

Leather Pumps in Black & Beige

A Quality Bag

A Tall Leather Boot

Pearl Stud Earrings

Sturdy, High Quality Luggage

What are the key pieces that you think are worth investing in?

St. Patrick's Day

With St. Patrick's Day coming up, I figured that an Irish-themed food post is in order!

 The great thing about St. Patrick's Day is that every can celebrate whether you are Irish or not. The funny thing is that I'm Irish but I don't look like it at all (I take after my Dad's side of the family) and most people don't believe me when I tell them I'm Irish. I usually end up whipping out my license to show them my middle name (it's my mother's maiden name).

Here are some fun St.Patrick's Day recipes to try, whether you're Irish or just want to join in on the holiday fun!

Corned Beef & Cabbage

 

Colcannon

 

Fashion Week Street Style Wrap Up

When I wasn't following the runway shows on Style.com, I was keeping up to date on the street style coverage. After the shows themselves, this is my favorite part of fashion week because I get so much personal style inspiration from these pictures.

I find that places like The Cut and Fashionista do the best street style coverage.

These are my top pick for fashion week street style:

If you found a great street style look from fashion week, please post a link in the comments!

Paris Fashion Week: Top Picks

If I were to pick one city to visit during fashion week it would be Paris. Fashion Week is glamorous in general, but it seems even more so in Paris. The parties, the street style, the clothes! 

I've been following the Paris shows via Style.com and these are my top picks:

Louis Vuitton Fall 2013 RTW

Hermès Fall 2013 RTW