Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Turquoise Dreams


It's officially summer here in Texas and with that comes sun kissed skin, summer swims, bar-b-ques and fun summer fashion. I'm always obsessed with turquoise and now that summer is here am even more fond of the beautifully bright, fun and naturally radiant color. It just makes me happy!

Wedges: Boden
Earrings: Anthropologie


Happy Summer Ya’ll!
Christina


remaining images via pinterest 

Friday, May 27, 2011

Joyful Thanks


Happy Memorial Day Weekend

Today marks the beginning of one of my favorite weekends. I love Memorial Day Weekend so much because Americans seize this weekend as a time for friends, family, relaxing and really living life. So many times in our culture those things are over shadowed and this weekend gives us the time to soak up the real blessings of life. But let's not forget the reason that we have this weekend in the first place. To all the brave men and women who have sacrificed their precious lives for our freedom and the families who have lost loved ones for that freedom, thank you, we are eternally grateful.



Have a Blessed & Beautiful Weekend,

Christina


all images via pinterest

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Happy Anniversary


Four years ago today, I married my best friend. Fast forward four years from that beautiful day and I still feel like the luckiest girl in the world.


- - - 

Across the years I will walk with you
in deep green forests, on shores of sand
and when our time on earth is through,
in heaven, too, you will have my hand

-Robert Sexton-

- - -



Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Handmade Kitchen Love

Sharing some lovely handmade items I've come across lately.

These beautifully rustic handcrafted items are from: Leah Duncan, House of Ceramics, Herriott Grace, The Steel Fork and Heath Ceramics.


Love & Light to you all,

Christina

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Toast with Goat Cheese & Raspberries



Sometimes having very little in your fridge can force your creativity to run wild and from that the best concoctions are born. This happened to me last week and I was blessed to have had the below ingredients on hand which made for a lovely and amazingly delicious breakfast!

Toast with Goat Cheese, Raspberries, Honey & Walnuts. Yum Yum and Yuuumm!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Sorbet & Soft Smoke

Happy Monday!


Lately, I've been toying with the idea of adding some delicious raspberry sorbet colored heals to my wardrobe. And wearing them with well...everything! I think I'm going to make it happen.

Have a beautiful week everyone!

xoxo
Christina
all images in this post via pinterest. 

Thursday, May 19, 2011

A Baby Sprinkle

Fresh from My Desk ---


These baby shower invitations were custom designed for an upcoming shower celebrating a baby girl.  A light whimsical drizzle floats from the top left corner on the front and back of the invitation. While the invitations are paired by feminine blush envelopes lined with lovely Italian paper.


Coming new to the shop soon will be ready made and custom designed inspirational quote art for home or event decor. With the custom, you'll have a choice of different paper and ink colors. I'm getting super excited about adding the new art to the
Twig & Lily line. I hope to unveil soon!!

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Jennifer + Alec

A Lovely Engagement


Such an amazingly gorgeous engagement shoot featuring my beautiful friend Jenny and her perfectly suited for her sweet hubby to be Alec. I love the relaxed casual afternoon outing feel of this shoot. It allows there love for one another to shine through.











What a beautiful couple. I'm so happy for you guys!!

This dreamy photography is by: Ashley Smith of A L Collective.


xoxo
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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Inspired by the Sand

Still fresh off the beach vacay, I'm inspired by the loungy nature of beachy fashion, night life and the over all relaxed way of being. No stress or effort is ever needed in getting ready for dinner or any outing for that matter. Heck a beach cover up and flip flops is excepted in every establishment. How fabulous is that?!


Where to find these relaxed beach wears:
Roped Tote: Anthropologie
Floral Romper: Victoria's Secret
Pearl Beach Charm Necklace: Etsy Shop: Shop Something Blue
Sandals: Anthropologie


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Monday, May 16, 2011

Dear Beach, Thank You

I am so grateful to have had such an amazing time this past weekend in New Smyrna Beach Florida with simply sand, surf and amazing friends. The vacation was short but very full. Weekend highlights: the cleansing scent of salt water, calming sound of the surf, warm sun kissed skin, margaritas, grouper sandwiches, flip flops, sun dresses, dancing the night away, late breakfasts and most importantly quality time with perfect friends.


Thank you beach and thank you beautiful friends. LOVE YOU!

xoxo

Christina

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Smart & Beautiful {Small Office Organization}

Having a small home office space myself, I'm always looking for smart & beautiful ways to organize my space more efficiently. Take a look a these beautiful options.


I'm totally going to make some time for a DIY project to create that super cute vintage jar craft supply organizer.

Image Credits: top left: deliciouslyorganized.blogspot.com, top right: bhg.com, bottom left: ariannabelle.blogspot.com, middle right: crazydomestic.com, bottom right: organize.com

Monday, May 9, 2011

A Delightful Little Lunch

When the usual sandwich or salad won't do for lunch get creative and create a sampling of things that you love. Below is a lunch sampler plate of two boiled organic/free range eggs, garlic toast, hummus, sharp white cheddar cubes and vegan broccoli salad {broccoli salad ala Whole Foods} Recipe Below:




Vegan Brocoli Salad with Walnuts and Currants {Serves 6} 


1 large head broccoli 
3 tablespoons sesame tahini 
2 tablespoons apple juice 
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 
1/4 teaspoon sea salt 
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
Crushed red pepper flakes (optional) 
1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts 
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion 

2 tablespoons currants

Method

Cut florets from broccoli and peel and thinly slice stalk. Steam until tender. 

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together tahini, apple juice, cider vinegar, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes if using. Add broccoli, walnuts, red onion and currants and toss to combine. Serve warm, room temperature or chilled.

Friday, May 6, 2011

A Color Story {Peach, Coral, Mushroom, Jade}



I'm so in love with the color combination of peach, coral, nutty mushroom and jade green that I had to create an inspiration board around them. These colors tell a story of soft, pretty & natural romance.

{Busy day in the studio today: creating vintage press pass inspired escort cards, baby shower invites and custom stationery. fun! Busy but fun!}

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Love, Christina


all images via pinterest.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Let's Steal Away to Isla Mujeres

One of my beautiful friends and her husband own and manage three gorgeous vacation rental properties on the island of Isla Mujeres and in light of Cinco de Mayo, I thought I'd feature today's post around these dream vacation homes. Sigh, I want to be there right now.
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Mexico has so many beautiful destination spots and Isla Mujeres is definitely one of them. Located just eight miles across the Bahia de Mujeres (Bay of Women) from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is only 5 miles long and half a mile wide at its widest point. This little island has all the charm and tranquil atmosphere that you would want from a wonderfully relaxing beach vacation. 




YES I'm ready for a vacation! 


Vacation homes via Isla Home Services


Happy Cinco de Mayo Everyone!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Type Face - Pillow Love

Being a type obsessed kind of a girl, I'm drawn to all sorts of type faces and love seeing type faces on different mediums. In this case the medium happens to be pillows. My favorite combination is a beautiful or vintage type face paired with an inspirational word or phrase and that's what you'll find below:




Find These Pillows: {left to right and then down the line}
Vintage Blue Number Pillow: Nesta Home
French Script Pillow: Plume Textiles
& Pillow via outofsquare.wordpress.com
Paris France Pillow: Nesta Home
Coffee Sack Pillow: Neutra Design
Love Pillow: Nesta Home
Bed Pillows: Unknown
Lean on Me Pillows: Menusmade
Dream Big Little One Pillow: Robin and Mould

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Whole Wheat Banana Nut Pancakes

These are very yummy and healthy might I add. I absolutely love banana bread and thought banana & walnuts would be delicious additions to wheat pancakes. I've made these several times and use to mash the banana and mix into the batter but this last time, I sliced the bananas leaving round banana bits and placed them in the batter right after it was poured into the pan. This method produced large tender bites of banana and also allowed the banana's to caramelize. YUM!




Whole Wheat Banana Nut Pancakes
Yields 12-14 pancakes

1 1/2 cups whole wheat pancake mix (I like Hodgson Mill)
1 1/4 cup milk (1 1/2 milk if you like your cakes a little thinner)
1 egg
2 tbsp butter or oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 or 2 tsp cinnamon 
2-3 tbsp agave nectar or maple syrup
2/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 1/2 or 3 bananas sliced into round bites

To a bowl, combine all the ingredients together except the bananas. Stir until mixture. Let stand for 5 minutes. Preheat griddle or none stick pan to medium heat. To the pan add in a tbsp of butter and then spoon in two to three tbsp of pancake batter. Once batter is in the pan, add in 5-7 banana pieces and wait for the mixture to start to bubble. Once the bubbles appear, flip over and wait about a minute or until the edges set and both sides are golden. Cook the remaining batch, adding a tbsp of butter to the pan for every two pancakes. Serve warm with butter and maple syrup.


Enjoy!

xoxo

Monday, May 2, 2011

Enjoy the Little Pretties

I'm starting the blog off this week with a self reminder to not forget to stop and enjoy the little pretties in life. And to not forget to create the peaceful, sweet, beautiful moments for myself throughout the day. So my wish for all of you is to do the same. To love yourselves and create the gift of pretty moments throughout your week. Whether it be taking the time to create a yummy meal or snack, lighting a candle and letting it peacefully flicker as you work at your desk, taking the time to gather or purchase some lovely flowers to showcase in your home, lifting yourself up by dressing cute and comfy, taking a stroll on a beautiful pathway... Do whatever the pretty little things are that make your heart sing. You deserve it, I deserve it, we all deserve it!


Cute & Comfy Outfit:
Striped Cashmere Cardigan - Madewell
Pink Tee - Madewell
Skinny Jean - Abercrombie & Fitch
Gold Flats - Kate Spade via Zappos Couture
Canvas Cargo Tote - J.Crew
Madonna Square Acetate Sunglasses - Dolce & Gabbana via johnlewis.com 


Candles from the etsy shop Revisions.


You're Beautiful! 


LOVE, 

Christina