wild flowers & rust

[Ella Moss Dress. Jessica Simpson Shoes.  Vintage Ring.  Random Assortment of Bracelets.]

I wore this dress to a party my boyfriend's family was hosting down in Tampa.  I loved the sheer layers of the dress, but what really caught my eye was the gorgeous rust color.  I'm definitely on the lookout for more rust-hued pieces to add to my wardrobe, as it's a big color for this season, and also really flattering - especially against suntanned skin.  

xx

A

americana

Happy Memorial Day weekend, loves.  Hope it's filled with lots of sunshine and great times.. Cheers!

xx
A


photos via viscously cyd and google search.

shrimp & grits

My mother's side of the family hails from the beautiful state of South Carolina, so it goes without saying that I love Southern cuisine.  One of my favorite dishes to make at home is shrimp and grits.  Some may think it's a bit odd if you're not from the South, but let me assure you - once you try it, you'll be hooked.  My boyfriend and I made it the other night using this recipe (by Paula Dean, of course), but made a few minor changes to make it our own.  We substituted pancetta (you can find it at your local deli) for the bacon, and also added fresh tomatoes and green peppers to add a bit more color.  It turned out to be absolutely delicious; perfect to eat in your back yard on these breezy summer nights.

xx

A

apartment envy: kate foley

A peak inside the home of Kate Foley, a buyer for Opening Ceremony.  The artistic yet playful way she decorated her space is completely inspirational.  See the rest of the story here.

xx

A

photos via refinery29.

eco friendly: erin kleinberg

I recently discovered Erin Kleinberg's beautiful designs, and instantly fell in love with her "casual luxury" aesthetic.  Her mission is to not only bring her customer effortlessly chic pieces that are well made, but also good for the environment.  I believe it's important to be aware of where and how our clothes are made, and I'm definitely going to make an effort to support more eco friendly designers.  After all, what good is it to have material things if we harm the planet in the process?  Let's take care of our beautiful Earth.

Shop it here.

xx

A

the forgotten coast

A few weeks ago when my gorgeous mother was in town, my boyfriend and I took her on a little day trip down to the coast (some more outfit photos here).  The St. Marks River and Apalachicola areas are much different than the beaches I know from my hometown, Clearwater, Florida, but they're equally beautiful in their own way.  We spent the day eating fresh seafood at a tiny restaurant on the river, enjoying the peacefulness of the wildlife refuge, and buying local treats such as tupelo honey (I love it so much I got a 3 pound bottle) and the salty goodness that is boiled peanuts.  Gotta love the little things in life..

xx

A

savory and sweet crostinis

For some reason, appetizers always seem to be my favorite part of dinner - probably because they pack a lot of flavor onto one little bite sized piece.  Crostinis are just that: delicious little slices of toast covered in what ever goodies your heart desires.  I made a variety for a dinner party the other day, and they were definite crowd pleasers.  I can't wait to try out different, seasonal ingredients!

Start off with some good, crusty bread.  I used a kalamata loaf and rosemary garlic.

I then chose a variety of ingredients - this is where the fun part starts.  While you're busy chopping your toppings, go ahead and place your bread in the oven at 425°, and bake until toasted.  I then used a base of goat cheese on each different crostini.

Goat cheese, avocado (mixed with some salt and fresh lime juice), and pepidews.

Goat cheese, roasted garlic spread, prosciutto, and fresh basil.

Goat cheese, salami, thyme, and Parmesan cheese. 

Goat cheese, a drizzle of balsamic, fresh strawberries, and crumbled pecan pralines.

The final product.  I'm proud to say not one crostini was spared.  Hope you enjoy these fresh, Summer treats, and let me know if you have a favorite crostini recipe, too!

xx

A