Food Porn Friday

Darlings, I can find nothing wrong with this recipe.  Salted caramel chocolate chip cookies, salted caramel chocolate, and a salted caramel drizzle make this a s'more I wish I had known about all summer. Heck, where was this baby when I was a Girl Scout?! 

We will be back in Southen California this weekend for a trip to the Hollywood Bowl but you can bet your boots I'm eating one of these sometime soon. What are your plans this weekend? With a few weeks of summer left please tell me someone is making s'mores!

Weekend Cocktail: Rhubarb, Grapefruit, and Thyme Cocktail

First, how refreshing does this cocktail sound?  I couldn't think of anything more delightful to savor the end of summer.  Second, if you think this photo is gorgeous wait until you head over to Top With Cinnamon for the recipe, this girl has a skill.  I know I've been crazy about rhubarb this summer but this combination of rhubarb and thyme has my creative juices going.  Speaking of fabulous ideas my brother is taking me to a lounge this weekend that is supposed to have one of the best Manhattans on tap.  In fact all of their signature drinks are on tap.  Kinda brilliant, huh? 

Low Cal Banana Bran Muffins

Let me start off by saying that these muffins are so good you wont know that they are low cal, low fat, low carb, and have one cup of Greek yogurt in them.  

Here's my proof: Every morning Mac has a cup or two of our french press coffee then walks down the street to the local cafe on the bay to get another coffee and pastry.  It's his routine and he loves it.  Because of this I was faced with fresh muffins and scones every morning.  Oh sweet, sweet temptation!

So I created these muffins to satisfy my pastry cravings.  That morning Mac walked in, grabbed a muffin, praised them, and skipped his walk to the cafe.  That's when you know your low cal muffins have passed the test.  Give these little babies a try and let me know what you think.  Recipe after the jump! 

P.S. They're super easy to make. 

Loving Beautiful Bud Vases

As some of you know I have thing for fresh flowers.  It seems like there is always some type of vase on my wish list and lately I have been loving sweet bud vases or "weed pots" as Mac calls them.  I think they are just perfect to add a pop of color to a room or brighten up a desk at work with out taking over the space.  I found some locally that were selling for $40 per petite vase, so these from Leif at $18 are making me happy happy!  Do have flowers on your desk?

Food Porn Friday

Darlings this is just too pretty!  I love rhubarb and this needs to get in my belly!  You can find the recipe here and be sure to translate the site because the recipe looks great.  

What are your plans for the weekend?  We have friends from Orange County and their children coming into town.  It'll be a busy house with Saturday full of lunch out, kayaking, and a late night BBQ.  Have a fabulous weekend whatever you do! 

Weekend Cocktail: Blueberry Mojito Royale

To start with I am all about fresh summer fruit as we've seen lately.  And who can say no to a homemade mojito?  I've never been a fan of the overly sweet restaurant versions but this cocktail full of fresh mint and summer blueberries sounds fabulous! We will have company in town this weekend and this looks perfect to sit and sip while catching up with old friends.  Find the recipe and more fun photos here!

DIY Drink Stirrers

Now, I have some friends out there who are not crafty, DIY girls but this project from Studio DIY looks so simple anyone could tackle it.  These gumball drink stirrers are so bright, colorful, and modern I wish I was having a party sooner.  I'm already thinking of the color combos for Christmas parties, Halloween, the possibilities are endless.  What would you use these cuties for?

Food Porn Friday

Hand pies with cream filling and fresh blueberries, this recipe from The Italian Dish has my sugar craving in overdrive! I love the look of these little treats.  Perfect for a girls afternoon tea or treats for little ones to hold with both their hands.  And as you've seen I can't get enough of fresh berries this summer. 

What are you plans for the weekend?  Tonight we're having a girls night out at local wine bar to celebrate a friend's 30th birthday.  I'm making a summer fruit tart, Ash is bringing the feather boas, and I think there will be at least a few glasses of wine in our future.  Cheers to catching up with good friends!

Weekend Cocktail: Cucumber Mint Gimlet

This cocktail has my name all over it this weekend. The mint on my patio has turned into some kind over overgrown, falling over bush so I think it just might be time to prune it and make this tasty treat.  I was so thrilled when I saw the mint and cucumber combination.  I love adding cucumber to cocktails in the summer, it feels like the perfect way to cool down after a hot day. Anyone else love cucumber mint cocktails?

Find the recipe for this drink and more fabulous pictures here!

Loving Gold Polka-Dot Walls

Darlings, I don't know if you've seen these gold dot decals popping up but I absolutely love them! I am all for easy and cheap room transformations and how can you beat temporary decals for $10.00 or less?  They remind me of this fabulous temporary wallpaper.  

These cute highlights have me missing my old 1920's apartment with it's crisp white walls.  I am so grateful for our mid-century house but somehow I feel these wouldn't be the same on our current wood paneled walls.  If anyone has used these for a DIY transformation send me a picture, I'd love to see how you adapted it! 

You can find all seizes of these cute polka-dots here on Etsy. 

Photos via and via

Guest Welcome Basket

Since we've moved from Southern California to the Central Coast we have been flooded with house guests, which we love!  Living in a vacation destination makes our home a vacation spot for many of our friends.  Because of this the summer has been filled with barbecues, wine tasting, dinners out, kayaking, and morning coffee on the water.  

Lately I've been loving the idea of having a welcome basket for our house guests sitting on the guest room bed when they arrive.  If our friends are here for vacation why not make it really feel that way.  Here's a list of a few quick and easy things to make your own "house guest welcome basket."

• Welcome note
• Water bottles
• Bottle of champagne
• Cookies from your favorite bakery or homemade 
• Seasonal magazines
• Locally made lotion and soap
• Guest towels
• Toothbrushes
• Advil
• Room Spray

Photo via

Food Porn Friday

Darlings, we've made it to Friday and a fluffy, pink, summer raspberry souffle sounds like heaven!  Luckily my back is on the mend because after work this evening we're driving to Los Angeles to pick up my dad and grandmother from the airport.  It will be a quick weekend of family, bubbles, and summer sun!  What are you plans for this first weekend of August?

This picture is just too pretty, but unfortunately the blog it's from is in Polish so if you're looking for a recipe give this one a try. Happy Friday!