Getting The Day Started!

The last two nights I have gone to bed over an hour earlier than usual and I have to say this morning I feel fabulous!  Sometimes I think I need a reminder that the dishes really can wait until the morning or that my book will still be there even if I don't read two more chapters.  What's your evening routine, do you ever need a couple days to just catch up on your beauty rest? 

Food Porn Friday

Happy Friday Darlings!  I am obsessed with this picture, creamy raspberry tarts on silver stands...yes please!  

As always, I am so thrilled that it's Friday and can not wait to jump into the weekend.  Mac has a friend visiting this weekend so I have the feeling we'll be going out for drinks and good food this evening.  Saturday I plan to break in my new running shoes then sit reading Beautiful Ruins (have you read it, cuz I think I'm getting obsessed with that too).  Sunday I'll be making treats then heading over to my Aunts to watch the Oscars.  What more can I as for than a weekend filled with good food and good company.  Have a delightful weekend!

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Love Today

I don't know about you but my life can get hectic as all get up sometimes and it's just so easy to let the stresses and anxiety of being a "grown up" get me down. So I have decided to just love today!  There are so many things in our lives to be thankful for why do we let the little things bother us?

Thank you today for my health, the love of my family and friends, and for giving me the opportunity to enjoy you to the fullest.  Whatever stresses may be going on in your life find something (or someone) you love and embrace it today!

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Raspberry Pink Champagne French Macarons

What do I love? Champagne, macarons, and Mac.  So what could be more perfect for Valentine's than heart shaped raspberry pink champagne french macarons?  

When I was trying my hand at the champagne macarons a couple weeks ago I realized the only thing that could make them better would be adding raspberry, and when you're making them pink you might as well use pink champagne right?  So I started experimenting and the result was heavenly! I had so much fun shopping for pink champagne,baking these little treats, taking pictures, and of course eating them for breakfast this morning.  

If you're feeling a little adventurous give them a try as a special treat for you Valentine or share them with friends you love! Recipe and more photos after the jump!

Happy Valentines Day!!!

Charming Gold Accents

I love changing up the accents in my little place to give it a whole new feeling.  I started out looking for a little mouse like the one above, Mac found me one a few months ago and it has become a perfect bookend so I thought I would search for another.  Well, from there it evolved into looking for other gold bookends and you can see where it took me.  

What do you think, do you like having metallics in your place?  I have to say I love mixing them with the dark wood and white walls I have in my living room. I especially have my eye on that pillow and the sweet perfume bottle!  Links to all these fun finds here.

Dinner For Two

With Valentine's Day around the corner I have meals for two on the brain.  The last couple of years rather than fighting the crowds Mac and I have celebrated Valentine's day at home and it has been so nice to have some quiet time together with great food.  Here are two ideas I am dying to try that might get you in the mood.  Cheese fondue, always romantic and fun, and these adorable chocolate souffles!  We'll see if I get courageous enough to make the souffles but I have always had a soft spot for them ever since I was six years old and saw Sabrina for the first time, remember...

"A woman happily in love, she burns the souffle. A woman unhappily in love, she forgets to turn on the oven."

-Sabrina 

Let's hope your burn your souffles, just a little.

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Food Porn Friday

Hello buttery lover!  I want you...in my belly.  

Can't you practically smell the buttery aroma and feel their flaky outside and soft warm centers.  There are a lot of things I'm passionate about but one of the tops if a fresh croissant.  You know I love him, but I might sell Mac if it meant that someone would bring me a warm croissant every morning.  Lucky for him the chances of that are slim...but one can dream. 

What are you lovelies up to this weekend?  Tonight we'll be having dinner and watching Burlesque (yes with Cher, don't judge it's been on my guilty pleasure list for a while).  Saturday I'll be making pillows for Etsy, baking, and hopefully eating more croissants.  Then Sunday we'll be playing in go-karts with Mac's nephew and launching toy rockets!  Have a great weekend loves full of fun and good food!

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Melt In Your Mouth Chocolate Rum Balls

Sometimes I wonder why I only end up making these a few times a year...then I eat 10 of them in half an hour and I remember.  These are easy and addictive so if you have a love of chocolate prepare to enjoy these heavenly little bites!  

Unlike most rum balls I use melted dark chocolate in mine and start with chocolate cookies as a base so these treats end up more like truffles than your average rum balls. 

I normally only make these at Christmas and the New Year, this year we had to quadruple the recipe, but I have decided that I love them too much to limit them to once a year. So have a couple (or a handful) and enjoy! Recipe after the jump.

Food Porn Friday: Happy Birthday Mom!

I saw this cake and immediately thought of my mom. Happy birthday Mom! I hope today is full of champagne, warm words, and lots of love!  Here's a list of some of the things my mom has taught me over the years:

• Always be yourself
• Be over dressed rather than under
• Never lose your childlike innocence
• Pearls and diamonds go with everything
• Learn about yourself before you share yourself with someone else 
• Champagne is for special occasions
• Everyday is a special occasion
• Being a lady is in how you act 
• Sometimes you just need a cheeseburger
• One piece bathing suits really are more flattering
• Being a woman doesn't mean that you can't be strong and independent
• Travel, travel, travel

Thank you Mom for everything you've taught me and for being one of my best friends!

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