Mad Men Bar Cart.

I am anxiously awaiting tonight’s premier of the new season of Mad Men. As I’m counting down until it airs, I was reading an interesting article in the Boston Globe about the evolution of the cocktails throughout the 1960s and what that means for this season (say ‘so long’ to the dry Manhattans  and ‘hello’ to vodka martinis). The goods news is that this means a while new era of cocktail glasses and fun drink accessories for their prop stylists to impress me with. Who’s going to be watching with me tonight?

Mad Men PartyClockwise: Dress, lipstick, pen necklace, lighter, decanter, cocktail shaker, bar cart, glassware set

 

Sweet treats.

This weekend I decided to make some sweet treats to bring to an Easter celebration. I love any sort of food that can be consumed in bite sized servings (because, let’s be honest, then I have an extra hand to hold my glass of wine).  So when I read the name of this recipe “two bite lemon cheesecakes” — I was sold. Plus is there anything prettier than the combination of bright yellow lemons and deep blue blueberries? Yum!

photo1photo

You can find the recipe here.

Easter Brunch.

For those of you getting ready for Easter celebrations tomorrow, head on over to Wayfair’s My Way Home Blog, where I’m sharing a few of my favorite Easter traditions and tips for hosting a stylish brunch!

kentucky_wedding_bright_orange_yellow_melanie_mauer_13

Photo Source: Grey Likes Weddings

A Glamorous Kitchen.

I can’t get over the perfection of the styling in Amanda Dawbarn’s home (of 100 Layer Cake fame) on Glitter Guide this week. The gold glassware, teapots, and pink mixer give such a girly, almost dressing-room-like feeling to the kitchen. There are just little touches of glamour everywhere;  I am always drawn to spaces that have that overtly feminine look, but I’m usually not brave enough to push the envelope this far in my own space! Read the full interview and see the rest of her space here.

Amanda_27Amanda_19

The shower dress hunt.

Finding the perfect dress for my impending bridal shower is proving to be a more difficult task than finding a wedding dress! While I almost accidentally stumbled upon my dream wedding dress, I’ve been on the hunt for weeks trying to find the perfect spring-time party dress to wear to the shower. I think I tried on almost 30 dresses in a post-work shopping session on Monday night and went home empty-handed, so my next step is to some online options from this suite of coral pink dresses I ordered online. I need all the help I can get: which one gets your vote?

Shower DressDresses from left: J.Crew, Topshop, Lilly Pulitzer

 

Spring Entertaining.

It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that Easter is this weekend, mainly because I’m still wearing my winter coat to work everyday and there’s snow that has yet to melt on the sidewalks. So, to get me in the spirit, I took to browsing some spring-inspired entertaining accessories that are perfect for hosting a festive celebration! Gingham napkins and striped straws in pastel-hues are a sure-fire way to make it at least look like spring.

Easter BrunchClockwise from top left: Candles, Bunny knives, Soap eggs, Gingham napkins, Paper strawsCeramic egg crate

Pinwheel Cocktail Stirrers.

I got such a rush of happiness this evening when I walked outside my office building and it was warm and still light outside! I popped on my sunglasses and might have actually skipped to the subway. Spring is in the air people, so I’m sharing a crafty little DIY to get you in the spirit. No drink is complete without a festive adornment so I whipped up some mini-pinwheel cocktail stirrers to have on hand for my weekend libations. Making them is super easy: first cut decorative paper into 2″ squares; next cut small incisions into the corner of the squares and roll the edges around a pencil. Finally, layer the four points towards the center and pin them (I use map-tacks) and tack the pinwheel onto a small stirrer. Voila! Now you just need to mix yourself a drink and cheers to spring!

RADSC_0071Pinwheel 1_edited-1ADSC_0072

Envelopes and Ribbons.

It’s been radio silence over here for a few days as I started my new job and have been preparing for that little event I’m planning: the wedding. We’re just two and half months away which means it’s becoming ‘go-time’ — I’ve been spending my evenings lining envelopes and neatly practicing writing out addresses. Just another week or so and those invites will be out the door (and then onto the next project!). Not that I’m complaining, playing with stationery, picking out ribbons and floral details, and writing to-do-lists happen to all fall in the category of my very favorite things.

photo2photo

At the racetrack.

You know how brides start to get nervous and crazy as their wedding gets closer from all of the stress? See, I’m pretty relaxed about the wedding, but what I am stressed about is that with the big day just 3 months away, that’s only a few more issues of my favorite bridal magazines showing up in my mailbox! I might not be able to give up my Martha Stewart Weddings after the vows are said and done — especially after this gorgeous race-track inspired wedding in the most recent issue. Black and white stripes are playing a big part in our wedding decor, so these ideas are getting bookmarked! See the rest of the wedding here.

Martha Stewart Weddings Race Track

Harvest Roast Chicken.

I’m making the use of my week off and tackling a mile long to do list — that’s just the kind of  vacationer I am. One thing I wanted to do this week was finally dive into some of the cookbooks I got for Christmas, but haven’t had the chance to use yet. Last night I poured over the Smitten Kitchen cookbook and decided to make her Harvest Roast Chicken with Olives and Grapes; holy moly was this delicious — and so simple too! You can find an adapted version of the recipe here.

Smitten Kitchen

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 181 other followers