Currently Lusting

 

Happy Hump Day readers!  My week has been filled with lots of work, a craft night with friends, and binge watching Parenthood.  DFH has been out of town since Saturday and I am excited to have him home tonight.    

 

There is something about spring being right around the corner ( or the start of every new season) that makes me want to shop.  Here are some of the items on the top of my shopping list.

 

 

 

VIA

 

How cute is this pineapple candle from Anthro?  I love that even after you burn through the candle it can still be used as décor.  I have been scouring our local TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods searching for random items to style our living room book shelves and I think this guy is perfect, especially since I love pineapples and their hospitality symbolism.

 

 

VIA Sift with Style

 

I had come across Sift With Style's Etsy page through Instagram, and I fell in love with her gorgeous tassel necklaces.    I wrote this post last week and in the meantime I entered a giveaway to win a necklace through Simply Lauren Gray's blog and I won!!!  Katie of Sift with Style has been so generous in letting me pick a necklace of my choice.  I have spent way too much time on her Etsy page trying to pick the color scheme I want.  I know this necklace will become a staple for me this spring and summer.  I cannot wait to share it with you once I receive it.  In the meantime check out her Etsy page.

 

 

VIA

 

I am loving the casual rolled up jean look for spring.  These slate New Balance 420's would be perfect for running errands with rolled up jeans and a gingham button down.  How great is the coral stripe on the bottom?

 

           I had previously mentioned how fabulous my GiGi New York Teddie Tote is, and I am anxious to add another bag to my GiGi New York collection.  Right now they have so many bright colors to choose from I would love one of each of the Uber Clutch, but this salmon color is especially pretty.

VIA

 

 

What are your favorite items right now?

 

 

Lands End For The Win

    I have always been a huge fan of Lands End, but mostly for staple items.  Their website is one of the first places I check when I need new slippers, no-iron work shirts, or crewneck sweaters, but I certainly wouldn't think to check their site when I was on the search for more fashionable clothing items.  

    The other day I hopped over to their site to see if I could get any of said items on sale and instead came across a ton of great fashionable pieces that I want to add to my wardrobe ASAP.  Maybe they are trying to appeal to a new demographic or they have a new design team, but whatever they are doing is on point.  I will certainly be purchasing a few of these items.   What I love best about Lands End is almost everything can be personalized and they are almost always having a sale.  Right now you can get 25% off you Order with their friends and family sale.  Go check them out HERE now!

                                                         Ponte Keyhole Sheath Dress

 

In my opinion this dress is perfect to wear to a shower or add a blazer and it becomes a cute work outfit.

 

VIA

 

 

Women's Jacquard Shorts

 

Yes. I need these shorts.

VIA

 

3/4 length Supima Scallop Sweater

 

 

I am loving the scallops on this sweater.  This is perfect for spring or would look super cute with shorts on a cool summer night. 

VIA

 

Rope Border Nautical Scarf

 

 

I really don't need any more stripes in my life, but I don't think I can pass up this scarf.

 

VIA

 

Coated Canvas Large Shopped

 

 

This bag reminds me of the Barrington Gifts St. Anne Tote, but at a much lower price tag. 

 



VIA

 

Landmark Verona Shoulder Bag

 

 

I love the gold embossed monogram on this bag, similar to the GiGi New York Sasha Hobo, but for half the price. 

 

VIA

 

 

Have an amazing weekend!

The Best ( simple) Zoodle Recipe

I know there has been a lot of buzz in the blog world about spiralizers and zoodles and I am just as obsessed as the next zoodle lover.    I feel like zoodles are the spaghetti squash of 2013.  I mean who doesn't love a low carb pasta alternative??      I actually bought the Veggetti ( The As Seen on TV version), mostly because I was impatient and wanted to try zoodles out immediately so I ran to my local Rite Aid.   Maybe the spiralizer works better, but so far I have been happy with my $8.99 Veggetti. 

 

   I wanted to share this recipe so that I will not forget it, but I also think the recipe is hearty enough that even the vegetable hating men in your life will enjoy it.

 

 

I used a combination of squash and zucchini since DFH doesn't love zucchini and I think the two combined gave the meal great flavor.  I wanted skinny noodles so I ( obviously) used the Veggetti on the thin noodle side.  I only used one large squash and 1 large zucchini, however I have since learned I need to use two of each to make enough for two. 

 

Once I had all my noodles I placed them in boiling water and cooked them for about 5 minutes ( until tender). 

 

Meanwhile in a saucepan I combined tomato sauce ( I used the Trader Joes Tomato Basil sauce), 1 lb. cut up cooked chicken, a pinch of red pepper flakes, fresh basil, 2 cloves of garlic, and salt and pepper to taste.  I cooked it on medium heat until the sauce began to bubble. 

 

     Place the zoodles in a bowl and top with sauce and chicken, add some parm cheese and enjoy!

     I was really happy with the way this recipe turned out.   Sometimes simple is best.  I think adding the chicken and using a tomato sauce with some added flavor is a great way to turn on any hater to the zoodle because it is a comforting flavor and the chicken makes the meal a little more hearty. 

   I am also a huge fan of simply adding olive oil, butter, parm cheese and garlic to my zoodles, however next time I think I may get crazy and try them out with some Asian flair.  I would love to hear your favorite zoodle recipe!

Five Things

   Seriously -2 degrees. Today is no joke outside.  I take public transportation to work and my train was 45 minutes late, due to ice on the track.    I thought my feet were going to fall off they were so cold while I waited outside for the train.  I am still defrosting.    I am super jealous of everyone who is off of work today. 

  Anyways, here are five random thoughts/things. 

1.Monogram Mail
 

     It's a good mail day when you receive two monogrammed bags in the mail. DFH had given me the monogrammed Sunshine Satchel for Christmas and it was back ordered and finally arrived.  It is the perfect size for weekend visits. I cannot wait to use it.   I purchased the GiGi NY Teddie Tote during their big winter sale. I was worried the green would be too bright for work but it is a great contrast against black or brown suits. I am obsessed.  It is a great size and amazing quality.  I will most certainly be ordering more from them.  I think my next purchase will be their gold Uber Clutch.

2.The Commoner
 

 

If you are local to Pittsburgh you need to try The Commoner in the new Hotel Monaco. Some friends and I went for their grand opening, the restaurant is upscale pub themed and has such a great atmosphere.   How cute is their mismatched China.  Everything we tried from the  hand cut fries to the scotch deviled eggs, to the brown butter brussels sprouts were super tasty. 

               This is us at The Commoner.  This is not a great picture, my body im looks super weird but I love the photobomber.  

3. Cat snuggles 

 

This is DFH and Oliver every night.  It is too cute.  DFH is his favorite cuddle spot.

4.Parenthood:

 

 

 

    Ok, so I know I am way behind on this, but I finally started watching Parenthood on Netflix and it is amazing.  Tonight DFH has class until 10pm so I am thinking it will be a perfect night for binge watching Parenthood, I cannot get enough.

5. Valentine's Day Weekend

We enjoyed a weekend with not too many plans and got a lot done around the house.  Our Valentine's Day consisted of shoveling the driveway x 2, running errands, cleaning the house, and painting the ceiling in the guest room.  At the end of the day we were too tired to cook our planned Valentine's Day dinner so instead we made a cheese platter, drank some champagne, and played too many games of Yahtzee.  hahaha. 

California Girls

  Two weekends ago  I traveled to Cali from Friday - Monday and it was glorious.  Side note: apparently calling California "Cali" is a total tourist move. Oh well, lesson learned.

   My good friend Jenna moved to Manhattan Beach, California this past summer and I had promised her I would visit in the winter when I could escape the cold in Pittsburgh.  I am glad I ended up visiting in the winter because it was so nice to be able to wear shorts and flops again. Although I was by far the whitest person ever.
 

 

     I arrived Friday morning and we immediately rented bikes as soon as we got to Manhattan Beach. We picked up our friend Laura who was also visiting from Pittsburgh.  We rode from Manhattan Beach to Redondo Beach. I loved how all the little beach towns connected to each other by a boardwalk and bike path, also known as the strand.  Jenna was a fabulous tour guide and in typical Jenna fashion took us to all the best drink spots along the way. First stop was Tony's in Redondo Beach for their Mai Tai and souvenir glass. 

 

Next up was Naja's Place, a craft beer Mecca   Nothing is better then an open window bar seat looking over the water. I had a Russian River Row 2/Hill 56. 

After Naja's was the Fun Factory where we hit up the tilt-a-whirl and played arcade games.

After a few more stops we headed back to Jenna's on our beach cruisers to catch the sunset. 

Selfies on the strand. 

 

This is the view from Jenna's apartment.  So insane. 

After taking about 1000 pictures of the sunset we went to Shellback Tavern to meet up with our friend Keegan and grab dinner.

One thing I loved most about the area was how active everyone was. The weather is gorgeous and you can't beat the scenery.  It makes you want to just be outside all day long.  I don't think I could spend a day on the couch when the ocean is in my backyard.  On Saturday Jenna and I got up and walked the pier and checked out the surfers and hit up the pier aquarium. 

 

Next up was brunch at Simmzy's.  Jenna and I both got Bloody Mary's and the kale Caesar salad. 

 

We shared the bleu cheese haystack.  Shoestring french-fries covered in bleu cheese and buffalo sauce.  Umm.  best meal ever.

 

The rest of the day was spent shopping, more eating and more drinking.  Finally we got ready for the night and headed to SUR for appetizers and drinks in West Hollywood.  This was a must for me, Vanderpump Rules is a major guilty pleasure.  Unfortunately none of the cast was working however it was so fun to be in the restaurant which was gorgeous. 

 

It was so dark in SUR that all of my pictures either came out black or a gray fog.  #fail

 

Sunday was Super Bowl Sunday.  Jenna and walked the strand to Hermosa Beach and hit up Sharkeez for a Mexican brunch and more Bloody Mary's.  They also gave you free mimosas for an hour.  I'll take it. 

 

The rest of the day was spent shopping before we headed to Jenna's friends house for a Super Bowl party.  I loved how early the Super Bowl starts/ends on the west coast.  It was nice that it was over by 7:00 pm and we still had the rest of the night.  After the party we headed back to Shellback Tavern to celebrate our friend Keegan's birthday.  No pictures were taken. #failagain.

 

On Monday we hit up Marsha's for brunch in Hermosa Beach before it was time to head to the airport and head home to the bitter cold. 

 

I had the best time visiting and fell in love with Manhattan Beach.  I could definitely be ok with sitting outside and wearing shorts all year long.