Friday, May 9, 2014

Favorite Things Friday


One of my favorite things is the glassware at Anthropologie. Everything from the beautifully cut glass goblets to the antique wine glasses and the timeless tumblers. It all just makes me want to entertain and create beautiful cocktails. Some of my favorites that I have at home are the opalescent green tumblers (below) and the sparkle-trimmed tumblers (below). I love to use the green glasses for wine or a summer cocktail and the gold-rimmed glasses for a winter sangria. They are a wonderful investment piece that you will use for entertaining as well as a weeknight evening in. One tip I have is signing up for the Anthro program where you will receive 15% off one purchase during the month of your birthday. I have invested in my glasses during that time. 




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: : Sources : : 

1 // 2 // 3

With Love,
A

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Crispy Oven Frites {Food}



It felt so good to grill hamburgers outside last weekend. One of our favorite things to pair with burgers on the grill (charcoal) is crispy oven frites. I have come to adore the recipe out of The New Way to Cook Light cookbook, one of my go-to cookbooks for weeknight meals. The meals that the cookbook provides are fast, easy, and healthy favorites. These frites are some of my favorite indulgences. They are healthy because they are cooked in the oven, and the combination of the hot sauce and the thyme keeps the flavor unexpected. Bon Appetit!

: : Ingredients : : 

1 pound baking potatoes (approximately 3), olive oil, hot sauce (we prefer Red Hot), dried thyme, garlic salt, and pepper.

: : Directions : : 

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

Slice the baking potatoes lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick strips.

To prepare frites, heat a large baking sheet in the oven for 5 minutes.

Combine the sliced potatoes, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1 tablespoon hot sauce in a large bowl.

Add 3/4 tablespoon dried thyme, 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt, and a few pinches of pepper to potato mixture; toss to combine.

Remove the preheated pan from the oven. Pour a bit of olive oil on the pan and spread around with a paper towel. I use a non-stick pan from Williams Sonoma (the gold touch are my favorite), but I still prepare the pan with oil to prevent sticking because of the high heat and the starch of the potatoes.

Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the prepared pan.

Bake at 500 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until crisp, turning once every 10 minutes or so. Every oven is different with their cook times, so make sure you watch these diligently the first time you make them. Your oven may cook them in 25-30 minutes like mine, or it may need a longer baking time.

Remove from the oven and keep warm until eating. We like to enjoy ours with sriracha ketchup or a garlic aioli.









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With Love,
A


Photos by Angela Anderson

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Eyebrows 101 {Beauty}


 I must confess, I use to completely over pluck my eyebrows, it was a bad habit I developed and could never seen to kick. It wasn't until visiting an honest esthetician that I came to discover the truth about my brows. I will never forget laying down with the esthetician magnifying my face with her bright light and vocally saying huh, oh, hmm... I finally asked if everything was alright. She carefully explained that my brows needed to be fuller and drew with a pencil the correct proportions. It was amazing how drastically re-shaping my brows helped frame my face better. I was immediately ready to do anything it took to get them in tip top shape.

The processes was slow, I grew my brows out for a month in a half before returning to the same esthetician. She promptly commented that she didn't think I would be back. She again worked her magic and after the appointment introduced me to brow powder. This small beauty product instantly changed everything! 

I fell in love with Damone Roberts line, the dual ended brush makes it easy to apply and even easier to blend together. I believe that using a brow powder creates an instantly polished look. If you are looking to add a new product to your beauty line up I highly recommend giving a brow powder a try.




{To see even more pictures of my very skinny and unshapely brows feel free to look at my past FB pics} 


Thanks for reading, 
L

Photo's by Brendan & Laura Lorentz

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Weekend Style



We all have those weekend wardrobe staples that we tend to gravitate towards come Saturday morning. My weekend style consists of a comfortable pair of skinny jeans, flats, a flowy top, and a statement necklace. This top and necklace from Anthropologie have become  some of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe. Because of the loose-fitting nature of the top, it feels great to throw on during those casual Saturday morning breakfast dates and Sunday afternoons with family. The necklace adds some sparkle and interest to a simple outfit. Ease plus a little allure is a great combination for weekend looks!










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Rag and Bone Jeans / / Anthropologie Top, old (similar here) / / Anthropologie Necklace / / Longchamp Bag / / Tory Burch Sandals (similar here) / / Chanel Sunnies

Photos by Preston Anderson

Monday, May 5, 2014

The Comfy Pant


After seeing these "comfy" looking pants in every retailer I walked into I finally had to try them for myself. I like the idea of comfortable fashion and was curious to see if they were not only comfortable but cute... as in flattering. I landed on this inexpensive pair from H&M and was surprised at the flattering shape and of course the comfort! They stretched in just the right areas and are completely comfy- a win win all around. I know have my eye on these and these. Is this a trend you are willing to try? 








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Thanks for reading, 
L


Photo's by Brendan Lorentz

Friday, May 2, 2014

Favorite Things Friday


Surprise, surprise I love my denim jacket... if you don't you must be crazy! I just had a conversation with my friend at work about how we have to limit wearing them because they seriously go with EVERYTHING. I love throwing mine on with a patterned dress or brightly colored skirt but also love the look of them with colored/ patterned pants. When I said this item goes with just about everything you own I wasn't kidding, it will be an investment you won't regret. I love this one J. Crew, Gap, and Madewell right now.




:: Sources ::

1 // 2 // 3 // 4


Thanks for reading, 
L


Thursday, May 1, 2014

Traditional Mexican Guacamole {Food}



There is something about a familiar scent or food that can connect you to a special memory. For me, many traditional Mexican dishes will bring me back to my time studying abroad in Mexico during college. Because I spent my time in Mexico with a host family, I learned many traditional and fresh Mexican recipes that I enjoy because of the memories that come with them and because they are delicious. Since my time there I have been obsessed (literally) with fresh guacamole. This recipe is easy and quick, and full of healthy ingredients that get can overlooked when you add in a guacamole mix from the store. Cocinar feliz! 

: : Ingredients : : 
2 ripe avocados, 1 medium tomato, 3 green onions, lime, fresh cilantro, salt. 
Optional: crushed red pepper flakes or jalapeño. 
Serving size: 2

: : Recipe : : 

Slice the avocados and remove the seed. Scoop the avocado out of the peel and place in a bowl. Using a fork, roughly mash the avocado until it is somewhat smooth; there should still be some chunks of avocado in it. 

 Chop a medium sized tomato and add to the avocado mixture. 

Finely chop three green onions and add to the avocado mixture. 

Stir these three ingredients together. 

Next, add in juice from half of a lime. It may seem a like a lot, but this is what really takes fresh guacamole up a notch to give it that distinct flavor. 

Use about 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro (I had to use dry cilantro because I forgot to buy fresh at the store). This is also a distinct Mexican flavor. 

Finally, add in a pinch or two of salt. 

If you are looking for spice, add in some crushed red pepper from your spice drawer, or a fresh jalapeño if you have one on hand. 

Enjoy alongside your favorite chips and a fresh margarita! 








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 Photos by Angela & Preston Anderson


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