{weekend note}

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I had one of those weeks that needed to be mended by some good hard liquor. Not only did it rain for a good six days. Not just summer showers, romantic kind of rain. I'm talking about humid, I didn't go outside for six days kind of rain. To make things even more entertaining for my life, I started reading the summer reading for graduate school, which has not been fun. It's been all theories of international relations, political philosophies, dates and definitions. So just picture all of that for a second, coupled with an extreme case of terrible skin outbreak [I'll spare you the details].

Also, this week has really given me a taste of what my life will probably be like for the next year, if not several years. I wake up early to work out. Like unconventionally early. Do some of my normal blogger related things like updating Facebook and Twitter with the new daily post, read the news paper as I have breakfast [somewhere in there is also my shower], do my grad school related things and readings. Break times are always productive with either watching an Arabic soap [for my language enrichment], or something related to grad school administrative preparation. At 7pm is when I eat, then I get to blogging after dinner. Lots going on and I'm sure my life will be consumed with this. Sadly, I find it entertaining. True life : I'm a part time blogger.

On the upside, I've got a few good news. For one thing, I've got an even that I'm headed to at West Elm today! If you're in the Central Florida area, please stop by! This will be a nice escape from the reading I've been doing all week. I'm also testing recipes this weekend! Usually I don't say that much with enthusiasm, but we're testing only desserts. This is going to be a good weekend people. Any plans for you this weekend?

♫♪ Happy Pills by Norah Jones

Truly glamourous and organic.

Another home by a favorite designer.

Now, this looks like a Sunday brunch option.

This one will definitely hit the spot.

Pattern play and how to mix.

A journey and a dream.

Grad school stress calls for yoga.

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five essentials in a clutch for a night out.

Fashion for Home.

An addition to the recipe index, an in-house favorite shrimp gumbo.

Owls, patterns and horn.

DIY gold capped heels.

For additional inspiration here and here.

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Quite revolutionary in American politics.

Get Him to Fenugreek.

Video : Not-So-Crazy in Tehran.

Ancient Kitchen in China.

Paris Men's Runway.

five essentials : in a clutch on a night out

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This post idea came to me last weekend when I went out with a few friends. I realized I had the typical "night out equipment" in my drawer next to all my clutches. Then I realized I had the same exact five essentials as I did in college. They're lifesavers.

{business cards} {wisp} {bow hair tie} {lipstick} {compressed powder}

business cards

I know this is incredibly old fashioned, but writing your name and number on a napkin will end up in the trash or indecipherable. And you never know when you will run into someone worth networking with. 

wisp

When you're drinking varied mixed drinks and/or beer, your mouth usually needs a little freshening up midway through the evening. Wisps are incredible because they're super minty and if you have had something to eat you can get out any little remaining bits of it. It's like a little traveling toothbrush.

pretty hair tie

Have you ever been to a very humid bar? Or danced so much that you have sweaty hair? Well, keep an embellished or a pretty hair tie in your purse. Minimal space needed and you can always rock a top bun or side ponytail midway through the night.

lipstick

With all that lip action... on your drinks you will need to refresh your lip rouge. Make sure not to continuously caking on the lipstick, just dab it on your lips so it looks more natural and doesn't get messy. Plus, red stained lips at the end of the night always looks more natural.

compressed powder

Ever heard the phrase "powder your nose"? I thought so. When your perfectly matte, flawless look is being hindered by all the fun, be sure to beat the shine with your compressed powder.

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That's my five essentials in my clutch on a night out, what are yours?

design : fashion for home

Do you imagine yourself in a home where you will delicately put together with pieces you will call your own? A place you will cherish memories. That feeling after you purchase your first home, bring home the first baby, birthday pool parties, celebrating 25 years of marriage, your last child off to college and you now have an empty home and it feels so new again, a backyard wedding and finally... opening the many, many photo albums looking back on each memory.

I was recently introduced to Fashion for Home, a haven for all things beautiful, home furniture. All designer pieces at an affordable price. The best part is, you can create your own dream home with the wide selection of pieces. From modern to vintage to anything suitable for you-it offers a range of textures and colors. 

Below is a selection of what my home will encompass and I know I'm taking a big risk with that cream couch. But a beautiful family deserves a beautiful home.

Be sure to visit Fashion for Home's site [UK site]. If you have any questions, just ask them on Twitter!

All pieces were selected from the Fashion For Home Lookbook.

recipe : shrimp gumbo

I've come to realize that I'm best at one pot dishes. I think I gravitate towards them because well, they're easy. Just throw in ingredients, let it simmer, and after dinner it's easy clean up. But little do we realize that one pot dishes are the most scientific. There is a method on what to look, when to add an ingredient, you have to keep in mind when you add another ingredient... the rest are still cooking. So it's important not to overcook or undercook anything. I learned this the hard way. I used throw everything in a pot, simmer for 30 minutes and eat. Sadly, I used to think I was Picasso in the kitchen... this was when I was in high school. I've done this with shrimp before and it did not end well.

Since taking college chemistry, I've come to realize that each element has different reactions in the final dish. [See how I did that?] It may feel like a tedious process, but the end product is not too tedious to eat. This is how the shrimp gumbo was born.

Now, this is not your ordinary gumbo. I've made it almost like a stew and served it over rice. This can definitely be eaten without the rice, for something a bit more healthy.

For more recipes, check out the interactive recipe index!

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Click on the image to enlarge the recipe.

Print on a 3 x 5 index card setting and store with the rest of your recipes!

design : owls, patterns and horns

Owls, patterns and horns. Oh my! 

The pattern is refreshing and the mirror brings a little chill. 

 warm and cold colors

tribal chic and Asian flare

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Don't you love that [potential DIY] hanging wall art?

live to create : gold capped heels

I have entirely too many pairs of black heels from when I was working in DC so I thought it wouldn't hurt to re-inovate a pair. Since being home, I've struggled with cute clothes and shoes. Going from everyday work wear being suits, I've been lacking in the lax wear department. I've done a fair share of shopping, but most of it was for my big move to Scotland for graduate school. So, comfy study clothes is what I resorted for. With that in mind, I thought I would take this time off to DIY and re-invent my wardrobe!

you will need
A pair of black matte shoes [the shiny material will make the paint chip]
painters tape or masking tape
newspaper
metallic gold spray paint [for interior]

step one
Conceal the area you do not want painted. I used newspapers to wrap around the rest of the shoe. Be sure to wrap the sole underneath the exposed part of the shoe.

 

step two
In a well-ventilated area, following the directions off the spray can, spray the part of the shoe. Let it dry completely and spray again for the second coat. Make sure the shoe is dry before removing the tape.

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If you liked this gilded DIY then I urge you to check these out!

Gilded Candle Holders
Gold Toe Flats
Gilded Business Cards

{weekend note}

♫♪ She Said by Plan B

I'm going to talk about two things today, books and boys. First thing, books. I've started receiving books in the mail for the reading I must complete before classes begin. I was excited when I received the shipping confirmations, but as they started trickling in one-by-one, I started getting pretty nervous. The material covered in the books, not bad. The to-do list piling up, very bad. I tried to come up with a daily schedule where I can incorporate all my needed tasks and I found myself having to wake up at 5am every single day of the week. This can't be good. I should be enjoying myself right now. Everything just piles up one on top of another and I finally realized that this is how the real world is going to be because, frankly, this is how it was for me not too long ago. I won't bore you with the details of the material covered in the reading, but if you're interested, shoot me an email.

Boys. oh, boys. I'm pretty sure I just found the man of my dreams. I mean I realized he was the perfect man last year, but this year definitely confirmed what I was previously doubting. He is confident, very handsome, loves jazz and the blues, thinks ten steps ahead, a classics movie buff, dresses well, I can actually go on for a bit. Those are just the main ones that I wouldn't need to explain to you and it will show you that we have a good amount in common! Meet Harvey Spektor. New York's best legal closure on the tv show Suits. Yup, ladies and gentlemen-the man of my dreams is a character. I seriously need to find the inspiration behind this character, as I for one thing, I know he would be perfect man in my life. After writing this, I'm actually quite curious to see who will end up with me in my life a few or more years from now. I'll be sure to link back to this.

This weekend, and most of the weekends from now on, will be not too different from my weekdays. I'll be doing some of my assigned reading, drafting a few recipes for weeks to come, and getting additional paperwork and such ready for my move to Scotland. All this would be great if the weather was wonderful, but it's not. So instead, enjoy these beautiful links and I'll see you Monday!

Monochromatic + leopard, photographed by yours truly.

My friend just started blogging!

Sweetest compilation of security camera footage.

Reminds me of a handsome man's cave.

Vanilla cream pie + summer berries.

Get swept away, here.

This is what I'm missing in London, dreamy real estate.

Look for more inspirational links here.

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Oversized fleurs.

Loving home.

cassis tea crisps.

five essentials for a tea party.

mix & match.

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Glamorous street hustlers.

Stone fruit in 12 ways.

Video : A latin lunch.

design : oversized fleurs

How stinkin' adorable are these oversized flowers? I've been eyeing these for a bit and am itching to get my own space again so I can get a bouquet for a naked corner. I think they're the perfect accompaniment for a photo shoot and a party too! 

The House that Lars Built is an Etsy gem by far. It has some of the sweetest things like oversized flowers [of course], kissing clothespin, and some royal wedding goodies. 

bit of life : loving home

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What are some things you enjoy about home?

recipe : cassis tea cookies

Whenever I come home I'm the cleaner up-er. I organized closets, pantries, rooms, drawers, office spaces. It's quite the relief for my parents to be honest. Sadly, I also enjoy it. One thing my mom also makes me do is use up ingredients and they have collected in the time I am away. One being, creme de cassis. A black currant liquor that tastes absolutely divine in champagne [with a twist of lemon]. I did a little searching on the internet and came across this recipe by Martha Stewart. 

It's actually a not so flavorful cookies, but keep in mind it is because you're supposed to eat it with tea. Personally, I think it's perfect for a tea party.

{ps} Did you see my tea party inspiration post?

For recipes by c&é, check out the interactive recipe index!

five essentials : tea party

I've been longing for the day I can host my own tea party! Since I started blogging, I would see all these adorable tea party inspirations for bridal showers to just pure fun with girls and it's got me itching for some sweet conversations and delicious treats while of course, sipping on some warm goodness. I thought I would share the five essentials for a tea party and since I'm not an expert, you all should also chime in!

tea, tea, & more tea

Some of my favorite teas that I usually have on hand at home are ceylon black, chamomile, darjeeling black, earl grey, mint, green, and something floral like lavender. Try to keep simpler flavors so everyone can infuse their own types of teas. 

pretty, pretty tea set

I am so incredibly lucky because my mom has saved a stunning pink and cream tea set equipped with tea cups, saucers, medium and small plates and a cake stand. But, I always find the tea parties with mismatching tea cups and saucers to be the most whimsical and sweetest.

necessities

Of course you cannot have a tea party with the absolute necessary items. A tea kettle to warm up your water and a strainer for the infusing stage.

tea accompaniments

The best part of a tea party, besides the sweets, are making your own teas. Most people don't realize that you can infuse your own tea with all the side accompaniments on hand. I would have the usual; milk, sugar cubes, honey and lemon slices. Along with that, it's always fun to also have mint, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, fresh ginger slices. The mint and ginger goes great with green tea, and the rest go extremely well with black tea with a touch of milk. 

snacks and treats

Finally, a tea party isn't complete without some delicate treats. For savories try some tea sandwiches. They can be made with regular white bread and spread some light cream cheese and sliced cucumbers. Some sweet treats include macarons, biscuits, pastries and tarts. It also doesn't hurt to have some fresh fruit on hand either.

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Here are a few recipes from c&é to try out for a tea party!

raspberry macarons

pomegranate buttermilk cake

plum-almond galette

rose macarons

fig-anise jam

design : mix & match

via {1} {2} {3} {4}

How absolutely fun are these color bursting intricately shaped and placed photographs of interiors? I feel like if I go to do something like this in my home, it would just look like one big mess rather than a beautifully depicted mix and match.

{weekend note}

Just a little c&é random fact for you this weekend. I tried to draft this weekend note narrative portion yesterday afternoon. I tried to talk about my week [with sophistication, may I add] and outline my weekend plans, but I couldn't. I could not, for the life of me, type anything worthwhile to share. There is something about an early weekend morning and a cup of coffee that makes me feel like a true blogger. More of a writer. This got me thinking of all the ridiculousness that comes behind blog writing and planning.

I'm currently working on the DIY and recipes for an entire year [for when I'm in graduate school]. I made my recipe that I will share the week of Thanksgiving in April, and am planning on making a Valentine to share with you on Monday. We have chunks of wood plans to take our food photos on, they're not our dining room table. It makes me think about how particular we are.

That's my thought of the weekend. Today, I'm headed out to the farmers market then the fish market with my dad. We're all a bit busy with our own stuff going on tomorrow [I'm photographing an event], so we're celebrating Father's Day early. I've gotten special requests to do all seafood items, but on the grill. So we're going to dry out mussels and salmon.

Any Father's Day or weekend plans for you? In the meantime, thought I'd leave you with some lovely links and will not be sharing some NYT articles, since I didn't really come across anything too fun.

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Social media explained in an instagram.

The prettiest no-bake berry cheesecake.

Truly loving this designer's touch.

Looking for a tasty treat for Father's Day?

A glimpse behind the pretty lady of {this is glamorous}.

The Wythe Hotel.

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DIY the prettiest summer paper bows.

Your necessities for an ice cream social!

Use this mint chutney in 4 ways.

Herringbone & Gold.

Too pretty to eat.

live to create : paper bows

  

  

  
  
  

{ps} If you're looking to pin this DIY and are unable to because they're photos from flickr,
just use this link and repin!

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