Read this book

Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl was one of the quickest and most charming reads I have had in a while. The whole premise of the book is what gives a French gal her certain je ne sais quoi.  

Instead of just simply preaching all the ways the author (who is American) feels the French are better than us, she gives examples and still praises women in her home country as well.  

There were a lot of anecdotes and elements in the book that resonated with me.  Most obvious were those around food (yes I would like looong multi course lunches over wine), but I also liked the part that really stressed quality over quantity with girlfriends and how great it is just to unwind by yourself.  As I get older I find myself more and more drawn to that philosophy. 

Anyways - its dirt cheap on Amazon and I highly recommend picking it up for a quick and delightful read!

Merci!
xxoo
T

Bag It

Can someone PLEASE give me a good reason to buy both of these bags?  It is official that my closet and myself cannot live without either.  I can easily see an ipad, magazine, book etc all living pleasantly inside as I tote one of these puppies around for work or travel.

The orange stripe.  The sleek shape.  We were made for each other.  Available to purchase here

True story, I had been lusting after this one online for sometime and saw a stranger rocking it at a beer festival.  I promptly went up to her, explained how much I liked the bag and asked if I could touch it.  Totally normal, right?  Available to purchase here

xxoo
T

Print Shop

My Pinterest habit has a tendency to go through phases.  One week we can see I am apparently on a health food kick, pinning recipes for quinoa muffins and cucumber based snacks. While another week we can see I have abandoned said health food obsession and am now pinning any unique pizza recipe that I lay my eyes on.

Lately I have moved away from food and find myself constantly pinning things for our home, specifically prints to place on wooden shelves that will one day (someday?) live in our living room.

Below are some recent ones that have caught my eye:

Love this simple print of my hometown, despite being geographically incorrect (the Sears, er I mean Willis Tower is not on the lake).  Can be purchased here

I love this one because my husband often says this to me.  Bonus points to him because 1) I love oysters and 2) He often says it to me in places where I can procure oysters (I am sure is not a coincidence) which prompts me to be cheesy and reply "And I can get one too!" (its the little things). Can be purchased here

Clearly my love for my glorious hometown holds no bounds.  Can be purchased here

Selected for obvious reasons.  I would clearly lay a pictures of our puppy right next to it because she is the cutest. Can be purchased here

It made me giggle. No other reason than that.  Currently sold out, but when available can be purchased here

I love the colors.  And the memory it invokes of nibbling on them as we walked towards the Louvre isn't that bad either.  Can be purchased here

I can't keep giving my hometown love without at least one shout out to my current (and wonderful) town.  Can be purchased here

Just simply love the way the colors are used.  Can be purchased here



xxoo
T

Hoot.

Let's reinvigorate our "need to breathe series" with this cozy (and too cute) Madewell sweater that just screams "weekend brunch".   I could see it with skinny jeans and brown boots or even leggings and delicate flats. Guess who will be stalking the Madewell site for one of their  25% off sales and promptly scooping this up?

And just because I like checking things off lists...got pumpkins this weekend in beautiful Blumemont, VA.   Need to get those seeds in the oven stat!

xxoo,
T

Fall Check-List

I adore Fall.  Without a doubt, it is my favorite season.  And that is saying a lot considering I also adore my birthday, which occurs in the Summer. 

The last couple of Falls have been hectic, but I am 100% savoring and enjoying this one and plan on continuing for at least another month and a half. 

As the leaves start changing colors, I want to try to knock out as many fabulous activities below as possible:

1. Go pumpkin picking.
2. Enjoy roasted pumpkin seeds (clearly 1&2 are connected).
3. Make cider.  Perhaps using this recipe.
4. Enjoy the foliage.  A family vacation to here later this month will help check this one off.  Can't wait!
5. Take puppy on lots of long walks to enjoy the brisk weather.
6. Enjoy good wine and good music at night on our back patio with a blanket.
7. Watch Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin (seriously, this should be on EVERYONE'S list).
8. Visit Virginia's fabulous vineyards (ok so 6&8 could be connected too).

And just because its adorable, a picture of our dog following the costume contest at our neighborhood Octoberfest in her (WINNING) costume!

Yes I put the beer in front of her to give the photo an "authentic" feel.

xxoo
T

Makes me giggle

Maybe because my dad is a "trekie."  Or maybe because I like pizza and pointy ears, but this picture just had me giggling.  What a fantastic capture of pop culture at its finest.

xxoo
T

Photo courtesy of Star Trek

A Frat Party with Pesto

A frat party with pesto.

That is what I called our house on Sunday morning when referring to the shenanigans from the night before.  The evening started innocently enough.  Friends over with food and wine ready to go.

It was this cocktail that took the night downhill fast.  The carefully made pesto might as well have been a jumbo slice of pizza served at 2am.

Ah well.... c'est la vie, great times were had by all!

This was the pesto recipe that was used.  I turned it up a notch with some  lemon juice, lemon zest and a garlic scape that had been hanging out in our crisper drawer.

Enjoy!

T