Sense of style.

Ever since I saw An Education, I have had a slight crush on this girl. She made me want to walk around and say things such as, reading English, or randomly throw in french words during every day conversation. With that being said, I a, simply adoring Carey Mulligan in Vogue US October 2010. Her hat reminds me of a huge oreo cookie, which I can't even talk about right now, because this cold has run away with my sense of smell and taste making eating unenjoyable. Although, dark chocolate ice cream sounds incredible right now. N'est pas?

photos via fashiongonerogue and flickr

Bonnaroo and brownies.

Indulge.

Valentino Haute Couture FW 2010 and pink desserts. Mondays call for indulgences. Dive in.

Photos via we heart it & style.com

Ice, ice baby.

It's very rare in the summer, that there's a day when I am not down for an iced latte. This particular picture has done me in. It's also very rare that I chose anything other than an iced chai latte. The combination of coolness and spices throws a fabulous fete for my taste buds.

Photo via flickr

Stonecat Cafe.

I am extremely picky about restaurants. To say that I don't like commercial, franchised, neon lighted spots is an understatement. The Stonecat cafe, conveniently located on Seneca lake, is my favorite place to go when I'm vacationing in the area. This tiny cafe's menu consists of locally grown and organic food, and an amazing selection of local wine. Five out of the six times I've been there, I always ordered the special. Since I am a sucker for seafood, this past visit, we ordered a smoked salmon and cream cheese appetizer and the halibut with a peach apricot puree for an entree. It was pure perfection.

Hold the starch, please.

I'm having one of those days. The only items I want to consume today are peaches, water, brussels sprouts (not joking), lemonade cocktail, and to sum it up, anything not involving starch. The only problem is, is my brother is having his pre-birthday dinner party tonight. The menu? Macaroni and cheese, scalloped corn, and a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Help.

Photo via we heart it.

Red, red wine.

I can honestly say that I own two, possibly three, red items. Does lipstick and a dust bag count? I went through the house the other day trying to find items that I owned that belonged to the rouge family, and successfully snapped a whopping two three images. Wake up call. I often find solid red pieces to be a bit overwhelming and a bit chintzy, but if you know of any good clothing lines that have an impressive collection consisting this pallet, please share!

Life as of late.

I definitely do not have wifi and it's beginning to show. It has been trying to post this past week due to poor signal, but the clouds are gone and I have a small opportunity window, so here we go. Over the last week, you haven't missed much. A bunch of impulse purchases, jotting down and expanding on some big ideas, fashion inspiration searching, and one of my best friends turned 23! (happy birthday, Tara!). Oh, and please don't let me forget, a second shattered IPhone screen. Is anyone else feeling really busy lately? Although, now that I think of it, I would hate not to be busy, not to have ideas racing through my head, busy thinking of how different my life might be in a year, two years, ten years. So as I take a quick deep breathe, here's to us and our mess of beautifully busy lives.

Packages wrapped with a bow.

The greatest gifts come in small pink packages. With the abundance of unforeseen bundles I've been blessed with lately, some amazing, others I could honestly do without, I need to remind myself to indulge in my own joie de vivre. The sweet smell of spring, truffles, extravagant shoes, champagne cocktails, and living my 20's with an overflow of whim and wonder. Each of these elements delivered in various packages of their own, and each tied with a bow.


Photos via Bardot in Blue

One town over.

Often more times than not, I find myself visiting regular favorites when it comes to restaurants, bars, etc. Call it a comfort zone, but rarely do I ever venture off to a neighboring town for something new. A couple weeks ago, my boyfriend and I, decided to drive 15 minutes to one town over for lunch. Right before we left, I ripped my favorite E&J dress, that put me in a less than elated mood. We stopped at a bar and restaurant named, Beer Pub. If you couldn't tell by the name, this spot is known for the selection of brews, and thought that perhaps a drink would alter my disposition. The decision on which kind of beer I would have was difficult, but I ultimately opted for a wheat brew. I was contemplating the Blackberry Lager (in true girl fashion) but quickly decided against it. It's the same with vanilla beer -- it sounds great to begin with, but a few sips later, you're over it. My favorite part of Brew Pub, is that they have daily beer testings, and quite possibly, the most delicious grilled cheese I've ever tasted. Next on the list, to try a new sushi restaurant apart from my current favorite. 

Summer kind of wonderful.

My throat is sore, temperatures are skimming 80 degrees (if not 90) daily, and I could really go for this at the moment. I'm not joking when I say that the clouds are beginning to resemble the soft served swirls.

Photo via cupcakes and cashmere

Diamond girl.

While in San Fran, my cousin got engaged! We celebrated her birthday and engagement at Havana, with a couple of the most delicious mojiotos I've ever had, flavorful grilled Cuban shrimp, and a waiter that loved us. I still cannot get over how amazing the food was, and I also took note of the insanely cute shoe shop on the way that I must pay a visit to, next time I am in town.

xx!

Crumpets and tea.

While in San Francisco, I visited a place that I, in all honesty, never wanted to leave. When I first heard about Crown and Crumpet from my cousin, Nikki, I added it to my list of places that I had no excuse of overlooking. Once the news was received that we were flying to Northern Cali over the weekend, this tiny tea salon was one of the first thoughts that came to mind. When we entered the rose trimmed doors and our shoes clicked on the pink and white checkered tile floor, instantly I felt like a little girl again. I don't think there was an element of this tea salon that my camera didn't document. Although I was the only 23 year old in Crown and Crumpet, I couldn't help but to feel the excitement and amusement parallel to those of the three and four year olds sitting at tables near by. Sipping our tea and eating our brunch, it was the most fabulous tea party I've ever been to.

{pink ribbons and pastel colored candies made for a perfect color palate}

{tiny surprises in the sugar bowls}

(sunlit petals and eclectic chairs}

{poached egg on a crumpet}

{centerpiece for a birthday tea party}

(delectable deserts displayed in gorgeous cake stands}