Euro Chic Office Wear

Hi lovelies! I'm back from my vacation to visit my grandparents in Ohio and must say, I feel refreshed and ready to jump back into the swing of things. The beautifully mild weather in Ohio this past weekend reminded me of how the weather was on our early October Italy trip last year which in turn reminded me of the beautifully feminine and fun way the women dress there. So, above is an outfit I'd imagine a young woman walking to work in. I just love the colors and over all feel of this fun flirty look!

Euro Chic Office Wear ~
1. Gold Cuff Bracelet {asos} 2. Blue Striped T-Shirt {House of Fraser} 3. Blush Jardin Skirt {JCrew} 4. Braided Shoulder Bag {ModCloth} 5. Knotted Peep Toe Heels {Zara}

xoxo
Christina

To Grandmothers House We Go

Today, hubby and I leave for our long weekend trip to visit my lovely Grandparents in Ohio. Ohio has such a large piece of my heart because as a kid I spent many summers there and as a consequence I have a never ending list of fond and favorite childhood memories. My Grandparents live in a small town that always seemed like it had been frozen in a cute, friendly quant time capsule. I haven’t been back since I was 16 but I’m hoping to relive some of my childhood memories, a few of which being: catching fire flies at dusk, eating ice-cream at one of the many vintage ice cream parlors, playing cards in the cool summer evenings, swinging on my grandparents tree swing, playing horse shoes on the lawn with my cousins and so much more. This trip is long over due and I'm more than trilled to show my husband a sliver of my childhood. What a gift!

Have a lovely weekend pretties. See you when I get back!

xoxo

Christina

Credit: Tree Swing Image via Tumblr {Crush Culd De Sac} Ice Cream Image {Follow Studio Blog} Horse Shoe Sign Image {preparetowed.com} Fire Fly Image {Unknown Source}

Some Etsy Love

I'm always impressed with the beautifully creative craftsmanship of Etsy designers. And as an Etsy seller myself, I have an extra sweet spot in my heart reserved for my fellow shop owners. Above are some of my recent favorite finds. Simply lovely!

Personalized Hand Stamped Linin Ribbon via Etsy shop The Lonely Heart.
Vintage Hand Stamped Butter/Cheese Spreader via Etsy shop Beach House Living.
Moonstone Necklace via Etsy shop Star of the East.
Ginger Pear Olive Oil Cold Pressed Soap via Etsy shop Orange Thyme.

xoxo
Christina

Venice is Magic

Almost a year ago today, in September of 2010 I had the extreme blessing of traveling to Italy with my love. The trip was more beautiful, impactful and inspirational than I could accurately express and I am grateful for every moment of it. Even though Italy is not my home, I still have moments of "home" sickness and of longing to be back. The images above are from are two day stay in Venice. Venice was the first stop on our 11 day stay in Italia and I must say, Venice is magic. It's a magical floating town bustling with historic masterpieces, European elegance and old world charm. Venice was a symphony for the senses in that everything was vibrant and beautiful in every way... Florence and Rome were the other two stops on our trip and I'll post about those cities soon. For today, I'm revisiting Venice and it feels so good.

xoxo
Christina

Weekend Wants

It's been a great week but I must say I'm excited to say hello to yet another weekend. For me weekends are a short beautiful time to renew and reconnect. This weekend, I'm longing for all of the above: dipping my toes by the pools edge while catching up on a good book, nibbling on granita, savoring some homemade pancakes and strolling through the farmers market for some fresh finds. If I get to do only one of those things, I'll consider this weekend a success!

I hope this weekend is a beautiful time of renewal and reconnection for you!

xoxo

Christina

Credits: Poolside Picture {Things That Inspire}Granita {Citified Blogspot} Pancakes {The Marion House Book} Bike Image {Pinterest, Unknown}

Sweet & Pretty Afternoons

Hello Beauties! I'm longing for a girly afternoon full of sweet treats, spritzers, flirty dresses and brightly classic red nails. What do you say? I think I'm gonna plan one of these afternoon gatherings soon. For if no other reason than 'why not'. Here's to sweet, pretty, just for the heck of it, get-togethers.

Credits: Red Nails {Follow Studio} Cherry Cupcake Image {Loreta Blog} Strawberry Mint Spritzer {Linda Wagner} Floral Dress {ModCloth}

Have a lovely rest of your day!

xoxo
Christina

A Breakfast Smoothie

Above is my current go to morning smoothie. It's quick and easy plus it's delicious and super healthy too! Below are the ingredients and measurements:

1 banana
1/2 to 3/4 cup of frozen organic raspberries
1/2 to 3/4 cup of frozen organic blueberries
1/2 to 3/4 cup of frozen organic spinach {you can't even taste it}
1 - 5 oz package of yogurt {I like either honey vanilla greek yogurt or icelandic style vanilla bean yogurt shown above}
1 rounds table spoon of almond butter
1 to 1 1/2 cups of coconut water {depending on how thin or thick you like your smoothie}


Blend and Enjoy!

xoxo
Christina

Guest Post {Postcards and Pretties}

Last week, the lovely Chris of 'Postcards and Pretties' had me over on her beautiful blog for a guest post.  I created some hand drawn scalloped table numbers that I turned into digital DIY cutouts. I love the combination of feminine lines mixed with masculine textiles, or in this case kraft paper, and these table numbers are just that. They are so easy to do yourself and best of all the digital images are free!! We all love that right? Head on over to her blog here, to download all 20 table numbers.

Have a blessed and beautiful week lovelies!

xoxo
Christina

Easy Breezy Weekend

It's Friday pretties! And I'm thoroughly looking forward to dinner with friends, rest, relaxation and maybe brunchy! I love the idea of floating around in this breezy dress all weekend. I have this thing for cute clothing items that feel like pj's!

1. Essie Nail Color in 'Sweet Talker' {Essie} 2. Scoop Neck Dress {Virginia Johnson} 3. Silver & Gold Tone Bracelets {Max & Chloe} 4. Hanalei Sandal in Blush {ModCloth}

What are you up to this weekend? Whatever it is I hope it's full of joy and lots of laughter!

xoxo

Christina 

A Sneak Peek

I'm very excited to launch a new line of art next week inspired by the garden, cooking, the farmers market and all around lovely fresh ingredients. I'd absolutely love to see this line of art in kitchens and mud rooms all over. The line will be unveiled next week. For now, here's a sneak peek!

xoxo
Christina

Orange Crush

As I work on some art and stationery for the new line today, I'm dreaming of dreamsicles, remember those? Yum! Orange is such a feel good color and when paired with blue makes for a beautiful combination. I love the way orange speaks pure summer happiness!

Credits: Peaches in Blue Cups Print via etsy shop {butterfly food}, Orange Ties {Martha Stewart Weddings} Vintage Bike Photo via Flickr {Integrity Studio} Orange Cream Soda Cupcakes {Vanessa Contessa Blogspot} Orange Crush Sherbet {Ezra Pound Cake} Orange Ranunculus {Kelly McCaleb, Tumblr}

Have a bright and beautiful rest of your day!

xoxo
Christina

Watermelon Mint Sorbet via {Cookie+Kate}

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a beautiful weekend. Our weekend was lovely. We enjoyed yummy eats with good friends and family, I created some new art and we did some DIY projects around the house. The only damper in our pleasant weekend was our air-conditioning going out on Sunday. It wouldn't be that bad if we weren't experiencing highs of 110 here in Austin. Yikes! No worries though we are shacking up with family for the next few days until it gets fixed. So needless to say, the heat has got me dreaming of anything icy, melty, light and frosty. Alas I found this amazing Watermelon Mint Sorbet recipe on the beautiful food blog Cookie + Kate. Look how beautiful and refreshing the finished product looks! Swoon!

Check out the recipe here. And stay cool lovelies!

xoxo
Christina

Pretty Comfy Weekend

I am loving the whole maxi dress, skirt trend that's happening right now. The look is so feminine and super comfy! I have a maxi dress but am still in the market for a maxi skirt and happen to love the one shown above with it's pleated jewel toned tie died goodness. I'd live all weekend in this outfit! 

Casual Weekend Outfit: 1. Ivory Glass Beaded Bracelet {fantasy jewelry box} 2. White Dax Tank {Calypso St. Barth} 3. Hammered Metal Coin Drop Earrings {The Outnet} 4. Textile Handbag {Aldo} 5. Monarchy Long Skirt {La Garconne} 6. Tan Belt {TopShop} 7. Gold Gigi Sandal {Nordstrom}

What are you up to this weekend? A few things on my list are: dinner with family, Saturday farmers market, yoga, create some new art and we might be tackling a DIY project which consists of putting a railing on our deck. Wish us luck! 

Have a light and lovely weekend pretties!

xoxo

Christina

Recent Work {Italian Themed Baby Shower Invitations}

This project was so fun to work on as I have a passion for Europe specifically for Italia. The client and her fellow hostesses are throwing a cute Italian "Amore" themed baby shower for their friend. And they're going to serve yummy Italian goodies like tiramisu and lemoncello. Yum! The client wanted the invitations to set the stage for the Italian themed gathering and wanted a classy, vintage, clean "not too baby" feel. Oh and also the momma to be is having twins, so that needed to be conveyed as well. The invites are adorned with the words "Amore di Bambino" which is Italian for "Baby Love". Shown above are images of both the front and back of the invitations.

It's almost Friday!!

Fino alla prossima volta il mio lovelies!

xoxo
Christina

If you're interested in custom designed stationery, please contact me here. I'd love to work with you! 

Smoked Salmon on Toast

I'm in the office today working on some custom art and stationery for a client and I thought I'd share a yummy lunch or light dinner option with you...

Sometimes the usual sandwich, salad, or randomness I eat for lunch just won't cut it. So one day last week, I made crispy toast and topped it with cream cheese, smoked salmon and chives and paired it with a simple side salad. It's light enough to keep you cool yet substantial enough to fill the belly. What's your favorite light lunch option?

Have a happy rest of your Wednesday!
Christina

Lavender Day Dreams

I find lavender to be so very magnificent. It touches 3 out of the 5 senses and I can't seem to resist any product, food or beverage that uses this magic herb as an ingredient. Lavender's beautiful to the eye, aromatic to the nose and delicious to the taste buds. I have a long "to cook" list and lavender lemon cookies are at the top of that list. Yum! I kind of feel like Bubba Gump with this post but instead of shrimp it's lavender! Cue the Bubba  Gump voice - lavender cake, lavender ice cream, lavender tea, lavender soap, lavender buds....... Do any of you have this lavender infatuation issue?

Credits: ice cream {Margaret Joy via Bird and Banner} cake {You Are My Fave Parties} tea {Food & Wine} soap {Etsy Shop, Elegant Rose Boutique} buds {Style Me Pretty}

xoxo
Christina

A Sunday Getaway

This past weekend was certainly filled with fun and many blessings. Friday and Saturday I got the pleasure of spending quality time with two different groups of dear friends. Then on Sunday hubby and I packed up, dropped of our "dog child" at a friends place and headed an hour and a half from home to San Antonio Texas. We stayed in the heart of down town and were walking distance to the famous River Walk. San Antonio has a beautifully historic down town bustling with tons of fun and excitement. For dinner, we opted for a contemporary Tex Mex restaurant which had amazing table side guacamole and quite possibly the best mole I've ever eaten. The mole was just the right combination of spicy and sweet, a combination I love! The waiter said they use not just the usual chocolate and spices but also add peanut butter and cinnamon, which makes perfect since because the mole had a deeper layer of depth to it which made it divine! Hubs and I walked along the beautiful river walk back to our hotel. Such a lovely weekend!

Now it's back to the business of creating, crafting, packaging, teaching, pinning and blogging.

Have a fabulous week lovelies!!

xoxo
Christina