Texas Treasures

Although I'm a relatively new Texan (just 2 years now), I've become a huge fan of all things Texas. This is easy to do when you learn that Texas is home to talented designers like Kendra Scott.


I discovered Kendra Scott when looking for earrings to wear at my wedding last year and her Gwen earrings in white lily were a perfect addition to my wedding day ensemble.

In a quick visit to her website, or new Austin, Texas boutique, you'll find several pieces to bring some sparkle to any outfit. You can even create your own designs using Kendra's color bar.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Danielle Earrings in Salmon - $60

Camilla Stud Earring in Turquoise Blue Iris - $70

Kiri Necklace in Emerald Green - $40

Ignacia Neckace in Tigers Eye on Gold Tone - $200

Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen - The Royal Wedding

I didn't wake up early to watch the Royal Wedding. But when I finally did wake up, I saw the new Princess Catherine's gorgeous, Grace Kelly-esque gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen - classic and beautiful!

Photos: Pascal LeSegretain/Getty Images; Yahoo.com

Drink like a Princess

You may not be making the trip across the pond to celebrate the Royal Wedding, but that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge the same way they are! Rumor has it that the drink of choice is Pol Roger Champagne. Decanter.com has all the background if you would like more information. So put on your giant hat and enjoy a nice glass of royal bubbly.

Nili Lotan - Spring 2011

I learned about Nili Lotan a couple of years ago when one of my very best friends went to work at her design studio in New York City. 


Nili's latest collection for Spring is beautifully designed and is filled with chic pieces that are wearable at the office (your business casual office, most likely) or at the beach. I'm dying to purchase this long white voile beach dress and am currently on the hunt for shoes to complete the outfit.


Shop Nili's collection here.

Photos courtesy of http://store.nililotan.com

My Blue Heaven

We love supporting talented people from our home state of Michigan and Pamella Roland is one of our very favorites. We love the flowy blues, bright whites and sparkling metallics in her Spring collection - stunning! 

You can also see her pre-Fall and Fall collections on her website now. 

Photos: PamellaRoland.com

Light as a Feather

The feather craze has completely taken over! Now you can get feather extensions put into your hair to add a little bit of flair. Salons have the highest quality of feathers and tools to put them in with. You would pay about $10 - $20 per feather and they are the ones who will take them out for you as well. There are a variety of color choices and they are a cute way to add a little bit of style to brighten your hair for Spring.

http://www.conditionculture.com/colors

The Shop at the Museum

Every weekend, we sip our coffee from these stylish, African textile-inspired, black and white mugs. Each mug comes with its own spoon and holder in the handle.

Nairobi Ceramic Mugs

These unique pieces are from the collection of the Smithsonian store. That’s right, the Smithsonian museum store. The online shop is filled with surprising pieces to decorate your table and your home. A few of our favorites are these Italian crystal tumblers, decorative iron giraffe herd figures, and several beautiful, historical coffee table books.

Italian Crystal Tumblers

Giraffe Herd

For an extra bonus, you can become a member of the Smithsonian and receive 10% off of every online order – among the many other benefits. Find out more here.

Photos courtesy of www.smithsonianstore.com

Project: Easter

When we were growing up, our Mom would grow grass in a basket every Easter. We would color eggs and put them in the decorated basket, which would then become our centerpiece for Easter breakfast.

This year each of us received a big "Happy Easter" box from Mom, filled with all of the supplies (and a perfectly laid out instruction packet, of course) to grow our own Easter grass.

The process went like so:

Easter basket with plastic liner 

Fill with potting soil (see previously mentioned instructions in the background)

Add wheat grass seed (soaked overnight) and water

Cover with plastic wrap

Day 2: A little sprouting

Day 6: Easter grass!

Happy Hour For Your Hair

Who knew going to a Bar without alcohol could be so much fun. It is if you walk out with big bouncy hair! 


“Dry Bars” are popping up in SoCal, AZ and of course….Dallas, TX. No cuts, no color….. just blow outs. Get it done for around $35.


For all you Houston girls, check out the Blow Dry Bar and The Do Bar (coming soon to West Ave).

Seeing Stripes

I’ve decided to take it upon myself to begin stocking my husband’s closet with summer clothes. One item I have been on the hunt for: a perfect seersucker suit. I love the refined and preppy style of a light blue seersucker suit. J.Crew and Brooks Brothers both have great options for the slew of summer weddings we’ll be attending this year.

J.Crew

Brooks Brothers

Photo credits: jcrew.com, brooksbrothers.com

Aged to Perfection

My boyfriend’s Mom planned a wine tasting and dinner at the LA Country Club to celebrate his Dad’s 60th birthday. In order to stay with the theme of the night I made a wine bottle cake!


I made a batch of Rice Krispie Treats and molded it into the shape of a bottle.


I used Duff Goldman fondant (you can get it at Michael’s) and made the bottle color by using blue and yellow food coloring. You just roll it out and cover the Rice Krispie bottle. I also dyed the fondant purple and green to make the grapes and leaves (leave them to dry overnight)


The next day I made the chocolate cake with a buttercream icing.


I made the shavings out of white chocolate


I also made the label out of fondant and sprinkled it with edible gold dust (also found at Michael’s)

A perfect excuse to drink wine and eat cake!

Maximum Style

We are more than slightly obsessed with maxi dresses for summer. They’re such an easy option for warm weather and can be dressed up with jewelry and heels, or dressed down with flats and simple hair.

One of our absolute favorite brands for maxi dresses is Gypsy05. A celeb favorite as well, Gypsy05 has silk and organic cotton options in lots of colors and patterns. Their organic cotton maxi is a great dress to wear for a day of shopping and lunch on a patio and this new Kate Silk Halter Maxi (shown with a gold belt to cinch the waist – which we love!) is a lovely find for a summer party or dinner. 

Kate Silk Halter Maxi - $209

Organic Cotton Maxi - Currently $89

Photos courtesy of www.gypsy05.com

Hair Therapy

To all my brassy blondes out there… I come with good news! If you feel like you get to that dreaded 5th or 6th week after you get your blonde done and you feel your color is dull and orange, purchase some purple shampoo (you will thank me, I promise). Here are your options….. and yes I have tried all of them:

Shimmer Lights- about $10 from any beauty supply

Aveda’s Blue Malva Shampoo and/or Conditioner- about $30 each (if you need to choose one, go for the shampoo)

Rene Furterer “Mild Silver Shampoo” (it’s purple… trust me)- about $25

You can use it once or twice a week. It neutralizes the unwanted brassiness and makes your blonde bright. Leave it on for about 5 minutes (ideally with a plastic cap over it), rinse and then style how you normally would .

Sweet as Sucre

One day while blog-surfing, I came across this charming New Orleans shop. Sucre has lovely little macaroons, chocolates and sweetly wrapped gifts. The online shop currently has great Easter gift boxes and, if you’re fortunate enough to be in New Orleans in the coming weeks, they’re celebrating Strawberry Fest.

Sucre has two locations in New Orleans: Magazine Street and Lakeside Shopping Center.

Photo credit: www.shopsucre.com