Fine...

As a big fan of the boho chic style, it's no surprise that I fell in love with the label Irving & Fine immediately when I saw the daydreamy designs in flowy, lightweight fabrics and exotic patterns...

"A collection inspired by a love of travel and a passion for textile and color, Irving & Fine's unexpected mix of pattern, color and intricate embroidery reflects more the spirit of the spice markets and souks than of the runway."

This pattern reminds me of the tablecloths at our wedding reception. Love this color combo!

49 days until Wednesday, March 20-- the first day of spring. Wouldn't this be the perfect dress to welcome the warm weather? 

“It’s for a girl who goes everywhere and anywhere with the same clothes that are seasonless and can be dressy or casual.” Vogue

AND Lisa Fine, one of the creative geniuses behind Irving and Fine, also has her own textile line that's been featured in House Beautiful, Veranda, Elle Decor, Domino, Vogue Living, Lonny-- yup, all the required reading for design junkies.

Check out Lisa's Pinterest page for more romantic patterns that can be used to add texture and color to curtains, pillows and upholstery.

We're still in need of a headboard for our bed...Could something like this be in my future???

Here's a peek inside Lisa's apartment in Paris. Silk wallpaper- yes, please! J'adore her violet ikat couch...

There's so much going on in this living room/library-- Where do I start? Lisa has the ability to combine so many different styles and tie everything from English regency to Parisian flea market. Such beauty!

Not so "white-bread" after all

I was first introduced to Michael Ruhlman when the Sailor read his book, The Making of a Chef, in preparation for our visit to the Culinary Institute.

Ruhlman at work in his kitchen

Simple.Pure.Delicious

I've never been a huge fan of energy bars. Or cherry. But the new Larabar uber Cherry Cobbler is out of this world! Included in this month's Birchbox, Cherry Cobbler is one of four "sweet and salty" Larabar flavors  that also include Bananas Foster, Apple Turnover and Roasted Nut Roll.

With dried cherries, brown rice, sea salt, cashews, dates, pecans and raisins, the full size Larabar has 190 calories, 12 grams of fat, 4 grams of protein, and 19 grams of carbs. So, it's not exactly my ideal healthy snack...But it's much better for me than the real deal dessert and it's been featured by Runner's World as a smart choice for a post-run re-fuel and by Weight Watcher's magazine as one of the healthier options for quick, convenience store snacks.

Larabar also has four flavor options in their jocolat product line. I'm thinking that the Chocolate Mint might taste like a Girl Scout Thin Mint cookie, and I just might have to try it to find out! The Chocolate Mint is packed with fiber and magnesium and fulfills a 1/2 serving from the fruit group. That means I won't even be breaking my New Year's resolution to "Eat healthier." Yum! 

Great Expectations

In my quest for the perfect black flats, which equated to hours of online shopping, I stumbled across the Alexis Bittar Miss Havisham collection -- the most gorgeous Victorian era inspired, edgy vintage stuff!

Crystal encrusted gold small drop

TGIF!

Happy Friday, Friends! 

Via Beautifully Chaotic

What's on the agenda for this weekend?

I'm looking for an all consuming good book...Know of any? I want one that you can't put down and if you do, you're aching to get back to it to find out what happens. I haven't read a really good book in a long time...It is supposed to be in the 50's here in the northeast though- A heat wave means I should get out of the house and take advantage of the warm weather that's sure to clear out as quickly as it arrived!

I'm hoping to give this Cookie Dough Greek Yogurt recipe a try after I go grocery shopping. 

I've said it before and I'll say it again and again-- You can't go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter! Thanks to Katy at Girl Gone Country for the recipe --this could be the quickest fix ever for any problem in life!

Ingredients:

1 small container of Greek yogurt

1 tbsp nut butter (peanut butter)

1 tbsp sweetener (like maple syrup or honey)

1/4 tsp vanilla

pinch of sea salt

1 tbsp mini chocolate chips 

Directions:

Combine the Greek Yogurt with the nut butter, sweetener, vanilla and sea salt. Mix until smooth.

Top with Mini Chocolate chips. Enjoy!

And, although I've been really disciplined about trying to cut back on shopping, this might be the weekend where I fall back to my old ways. Old Navy is having a 40% off sale on their Active wear. Their compression tights are the best around for the price. And wicking t-shirts at $7?! There's limited stock available on line, so you might want to check out your local store if you're in the market for some new gear. 

I'm also searching for the perfect black flats. It's well-past the time when mine should have gone to shoe-heaven. These babies are at the top of my wish list. 

Salvatore Ferragamo Verina from Zappos Couture

But these are pretty nice and on sale too...Guess it comes down to whether I want a classic or contemporary look. Thoughts?

Good Eats, Good Livin', Good News

Howdy and Happy 2013! There's been a lot going on in these parts, so I took a much needed break from the blog, twitter, pinterest and facebook. I removed myself for two whole weeks. And it felt good.  I was busy but more than anything needed some time away to think, be with friends and family and redirect...More on that later!