Lemonade = Summertime

Just in time for the 4th of July, I stumbled upon this awesome recipe for Strawberry Vanilla Lemonade:

It’s beginning to feel a lot like summer here in California and I’m lucky enough to have a Meyer lemon tree in the backyard of my work space. So the other day  I went and picked a bunch of lemons to see if I could come up with a tasty lemonade. Here’s the results… Simple Syrup Recipe 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 1 vanilla bean (cut in half lengthwise, seeds removed, pod reserved) 8-10 cut strawberries Instructions Place the strawberries and vanilla in a pot along with the water and sugar.  Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer until the strawberries break down, the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly (about 5 minutes). Place syrup in the refrigerator to cool. You can choose whether or not you want to strain out the strawberry chunks.  Squeeze your lemons till you get about 2-3 cups of juice (strained).  I used about 8-10 lemons. Now here’s where you get to experiment. I started with 2 cups of lemon juice, 3 cups of water and 1 cup of simple syrup.  I then added more of each to taste. Depending on how you like your lemonade (and how tart your lemons are), you can add additional juice, water, vanilla, or simple syrup to your liking. Stick in the refrigerator to cool and enjoy over ice! (Note: I noticed that after cooling and setting in my refrigerator, my lemons were slightly tarter so I added a bit of water to it before serving. Oh and the bottles are from Ikea or online here.)
Simple Syrup Recipe
1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 1 vanilla bean (cut in half lengthwise, seeds removed, pod reserved), 8-10 cut strawberries
Instructions
Place the strawberries and vanilla in a pot along with the water and sugar.  Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer until the strawberries break down, the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly (about 5 minutes). Place syrup in the refrigerator to cool. You can choose whether or not you want to strain out the strawberry chunks. 
Squeeze your lemons till you get about 2-3 cups of juice (roughly 8-10 lemons). The ratop should be about 2 cups of lemon juice, 3 cups of water and 1 cup of simple syrup. Depending on how you like your lemonade (and how tart your lemons are), you can add additional juice, water, vanilla, or simple syrup to your liking. Stick in the refrigerator to cool and enjoy over ice!
Can you imagine how awesome this would be with Vodka?!  Helllooooo Summer!
(Like the bottles?? They are from Ikea – find them online here.)

Happy Weekend

Happy Weekend!!  Yesterday, I took part of the day off work to do all the chores and errands that have been piling up, and I got to spend some time with my favorite little munchkin – Sofia.  She is my best friend’s niece, who is two years old (going on 22).

I swear, she thinks she’s calling the shots (which I love).  She laughs when we laugh (she does NOT want to be left out of a joke), she does “cheers” with her sippy cup (pretending she too has a glass of vino), and she refers to any other child (including older kids) as ‘baby’.  She is so funny, and I just love to squeeze her chubby legs, and kiss her sweet face.

Today I spent the day with friends in Golden Gate Park… in the fog (hello, summer… where did you go!?) for Oysterfest – despite the frizzy hair, it was a blast to hang out with some cold beverages, downing oysters, and delicious pulled pork sandwiches, and listening to a few bands.  Now I’m home with some wine and my honey… sweatpants have never felt better!

Have a happy weekend!

Girls Trip: LA Weekend

I am SOOO excited…  I am headed off to La-la Land just after the Fourth of July with some girl friends for a quick getaway, and it could not come sooner!  We are all in need of a little sunshine, girl time, and some summery cocktails by the pool.

We are staying at The Sandard, West Hollywood, and for any fellow Sex and the City lovers, that’s the hotel the ladies stayed at during their LA trip.  It’s totally 60’s mod, with a great pool, and it’s just steps from all the hottest restaurants and bars on the strip.  CAN. NOT. WAIT.


For anyone who has ever been to LA (or So-Cal for that matter) you know that it’s a total scene, and it’s all about what you are wearing 24/7, so I’m using this little trip as an excuse to go shopping… I have a few very clear images in my mind of what I’m looking for… we’ll see if I can make these “wants” become a reality…

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Daytime

La La Land I

This high-low dress is eerily similar to one of my favorite looks from Pinterest (remember #10 from this post a few weeks back?)  This outfit is easy-breezy, while still being totally on trend… perfect for a bit of shopping, lunching at The Ivy, Star Spotting, and throwing over my swimsuit after a bit of sun-bathing by the pool.  Must find….

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Dinner

La La Land II

This flirty little circle skirt will still be flattering after a big dinner, while the high necked blouse keeps it from being over the top at a restaurant.  It’s LA – not SF – so edgier is always better.  I love the studded clutch next to the soft skirt.  I’m imagining something like this for dinner at Katana or FireFly…

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Dancing

La La Land III

I am thinking something white at night to compliment my new LA tan… this dress is sexy without being too much.  I love the deep-v, and the flattering pleats.  That belt is very mod itself, and a few sassy accessories like the leopard clutch and coral drop earrings keep the focus on the dress.  I’ll be wearing this at the top of Skybar, for a little dancing and cocktail sipping under the stars.

Recipe – Asian Grilled Salmon and Roasted Asparagus

This is seriously THE EASIEST recipe of all time (which is perhaps why it’s also one of my favorites).  Do not be fooled – it’s as delicious as it is easy.  So yummy in fact, that it converted my salmon-hating boyfriend.
I stole this recipe from the Barefoot Contessa, whose methodology to cooking revolves around simplicity, and enhancing the natural flavors of food.  For those of us who don’t stock up on the extremely random spices and herbs needed for other recipes, it’s perfect 🙂
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Ingredients

  • 1 side fresh salmon, boned but skin on (about 3 pounds for 6 servings)

For the marinade:

  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 3 tablespoons good soy sauce
  • 6 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
Yep, that’s it… 4 ingredients for the marinade…

Directions:

Light charcoal briquettes in a grill and brush the grilling rack with oil to keep the salmon from sticking (if you don’t have a BBQ, use a grill plate inside on the stove).
While the grill is heating, lay the salmon skin side down on a cutting board and cut it crosswise into 4 equal pieces. Whisk together the mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, and garlic in a small bowl. Drizzle half of the marinade onto the salmon and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
Place the salmon skin side down on the hot grill; discard the marinade the fish was sitting in. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Turn carefully with a wide spatula and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes. The salmon will be slightly raw in the center, but don’t worry; it will keep cooking as it sits.
Transfer the fish to a flat plate, skin side down, and spoon the reserved marinade on top. Allow the fish to rest for 10 minutes. Remove the skin and serve warm.

Now for the asparagus… equally easy…

Ingredients:
1/2 pound asparagus
3 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 tablespoon Salt
1 teaspoon Pepper
1 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes

Directions:
Wash and dry asparagus, and cut off the woody part of the asparagus stems.  Line up the stems on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil (approximately 3 tablespoons to thoroughly coat).  Toss them to be sure all sides are coated, and sprinkle with salt and fresh cracked pepper.  Finish with a generous sprinkle of red chili flakes and put the baking sheet in a pre-heated oven at 375 degrees.

After 5 minutes, toss the asparagus once more to be sure they evenly roast.

Take them out after roughly 15 minutes – you want them to be a bit crisp still, so keep an eye on them!

Happy Weekend!

antibes, 1938

What a week!

Many ups and many many downs for me, but I’m looking forward to a low-key relaxing weekend in our foggy city by the bay.  While we will be freezing our butts off tomorrow at a friend’s rooftop BBQ, but I’m really keeping my fingers crossed for a bit of sun.

Isn’t this photo just lovely?  If only I could transport myself there right about now… it is actually a photo from Antibes, 1938.

Have a lovely, happy weekend (and happy summer!!)

xo

ASOS… it’s Love

Has anyone else ever heard of ASOS?  They are the UK’s largest online fashion and beauty property – they’ve got editorial style look books, along with clothing for sale.  Anyway, I’ve been recently introduced to this site, and it’s amazing!  The best way for me to describe it… it’s as if Zara and Forever21 had a baby.  Yes… it’s THAT good.

This week, one of my favorite bloggers, Joanna Goddard from Cup of Joe  featured a discount code (ACUPOFJOE20) for a full 20% off full priced items.  Amazeballs!

Obviously I had to investigate, however a word to the wise… the British Pound is WAY more than the US dollar, so be careful!!

Now, on to a few of my favorites…

ASOS Full Skirt in Shimmer Fabric
£40.00
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Yeah, um look at the exposed zipper.  This is such a feminine silhouette with the full skirt, the inverted pleats, and the shimmery, crinkly fabric, but that zipper takes it to a new level of modern…. SOOOO LOVE 

Lipsy Sequin Bust Peplum Dress

£55.00
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The sequin detailing and the peplum is sooo awesome, and the mint keeps this dress fresh.  It’s feminine, but edgy at the same time.  I also reallllyyyy love how there is a gap in the sweetheart neckline. How do those Brits make it possible?!


Aqua Vapor Low Front Dress

£40.00

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So sexy, in the front AND the back.  The fabric says “business” but the exposed skin says otherwise.  And that sweet peach belt?? Perfection. LOVE LOVE LOOVEEEE.

Daddy’s Little Girl

Can you guess which little nugget is me?!  I was looking through old photos yesterday at my parents house, and came across this one – in honor of Father’s Day, I just HAD to post.  Wasn’t my dad so handsome?!  Look how young he is!!  Kris is almost as old as my dad was in this picture – crazy!

Anyway, this is pretty much how I remember my dad growing up – a full beard (or mustache) which he had for years and years… pretty much since I could remember.  He finally shaved it off when I was in college – a traumatic experience for me.  The first time my parents came to visit me in the dorms, I was so excited to see them that it took me a full 10 minutes or so before I realized that he had shaved it off… and then I cried (story of my life, from the girl who hates change).  I just remember saying, “Oh my gosh, you look like Uncle Scott!” – perhaps not a compliment at the time.

Since then, I have gotten used to him without the beard – he is our silver fox, and one of the best people I know.  He loves the simple things in life – getting his hands dirty with projects on the house, going sailing (the wind is FREE), and stretching out in our sunny backyard for an afternoon cat nap.  He is stubborn, loyal, and the hardest worker I know… he loves to golf, loves his vodka (vitamin V is the most important vitamin), but most of all he loves my mom. In so many ways, he reminds me of ME, and I am so proud to be his baby daughter.

Happy Weekend!!

Wanderlust.

This photo is how I feel right now – its almost the weekend, and I am so beyond ready!  The weather in the bay area is going to be hot – in SF it will be in the 80’s and anywhere outside of the city will be close to 100 degrees!  Just how I like it.

Tonight, I plan on relaxing – maybe a glass of wine and a movie with my honey, but the rest of the weekend will be spent down on the peninsula – Saturday we are headed down to Atherton for a pool party with Kris’ buddies.  I can’t wait to soak up the sun (a few margaritas) and the smell of the BBQ.  Sunday, I will be with my dad for Father’s day – we’ll be headed out on the bay for a day of sailing, which means some beer, sandwiches, and wind in my hair.

I can’t wait.

Have a lovely weekend!!
xo

Pretty Pink Peonies

I have a serious obsession, but they are sooo pretty, and only $7 at the grocery store!  I can’t stop myself – peonies are literally THE MOST BEAUTIFUL flower on the planet!

Don’t they also look so pretty in the morning light? Kris most likely thinks I’m insane to be snapping a few photos before work, but he’s stuck with me now! Ha!

xo