All the Pretty Colors

Swimsuit time. Memorial Day weekend is almost upon us. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to this long weekend, no work and plans for fun in the sun. I like this weekend because it signifies that it is officially the start to summer. Three months of glorious sun! Which in turn means, it's also officially swimsuit time. Gotta have a cute new suit to make a splash.


Check out all the pretty colors...

 

 

 

What's your favorite swimsuit style? I am usually a triangle bikini gal myself. However, it seems this summer I can't help but gravitate toward the retro high waisted bikinis, they look so cute and classic. I think my favs out of this line up are the light green bikini number and the dark blue one-piece sailor suit. 

Got any fun plans for the weekend? Do tell.

xo,

L

PS. Have the models gotten skinnier or have I just eaten too much of my fair share of LSL foodie Fridays and frozen yogurt? Too teeny-tiny if you ask moi.

*Credits - 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, 15/16

LSL {Foodie Friday} - Grilled Halibut & Tomatoes with Pesto Orzo

I'm hungry! I'm especially hungry for some light and healthy summertime food. To me that screams anything made from the grill. And you know what also sounds fun, an outdoor dinner party with yummy wine, I'll be wearing this pretty dress, and we can all enjoy this summer recipe together. Sound good?!

Grilled Halibut and Tomatoes with Pesto Orzo 

{via Yummy Mummy}

Serves 4 

Ingredients- 

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

3/4 pound halibut 

1/2 pound orzo pasta, cooked according to package instructions 

1/4 cup fresh pesto

1 to 2 bunches small tomatoes on the vine 

Fresh basil, for garnish (optional) 

Instructions-

1. Oil the grates of a grill and heat to medium high. 

2. Drizzle fish and tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place fish and tomatoes on grill and cook until fish easily flakes, about 3 minutes per side depending on thickness of fish. 

3. Divide orzo between plates and top wit a dollop of pesto. Place fish on top and top fish with tomatoes. Garnish with basil if desired.

And only four ingredients! Done and done. And what's even better is these ingredients are often found at my (or any) local farmers' market, so they'll be fresher than ever while supporting our local growers. Again, done and done. What sounds like a good Friday evening plan to you? Anything in particular you would rather be doing?

Bon Appetit and Happy Weekend!

xo,

L

Oh Snap!

How do you like my ridiculously cheesy, pun-intended, title of this post? Well good, cause I like it too. As promised, I would take more photos of myself, my life, and my daily doings. Here they are in all their instagram glory...

1. A very thoughtful housewarming gift from a friend, a Jonathan Adler vase. (swoon!) // 2. Louis Vuitton windows // 3. An apartment complex in my neighborhood, looks more like a dollhouse to me // 4. Pretty flowers // 5. Pretty clouds (I have so many cloud pics on my phone, it's kind of embarrassing) // 6. Happy Cinco de Drinko - frozen margarita from a friend. // 7. At the Alameda Flea Market, looking out at the SF skyline // 8. HOT, some fun (life-sized) letters // 9. Silverware galore // 10. My view of my first online "class" // 11. If you squint you can see two street names of what I will be calling my new apt from now on, Laurent's Chateau ;) // 12. A Saturday in the park // 13. "Your Blog Sucks." I thought that was a funny coffee holder and I maaay have to go back and take that home with me. // 14. Jean Paul Gaultier's signature. His exhibit is at the de Young Museum in SF from now until mid-August // 15. Madonna's corset from her 'Material Girl' video and tour by JPG // 16. My favorite piece from JPG's exhibit // 17. A summer staple, fro yo // 18. Ramen and MS Living // 19. My dream car. Since I was nine I have wanted a '66 Mustang // 20. Happy Mother's Day, Momma J. (pic taken at my 30th derby-themed bday)

xo,

L

*Credit - all pics taken with my trusty iPhone

LSL {Foodie Friday} - No Bake Nutella Cheesecakes

I am craving something sweet. Okay confession, most of the time I am craving something sweet. And, cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts, if only for the fact that I hardly eat it, so when I do it's feel like a special occasion. 

And then there's Nutella. Another confession, I have a small obsession with it. I actually told myself that for my NY's resolution I was going to try and go this whole year without eating it. (And even though I told you I don't normally do resolutions, five months in, so far so good.) You see once I start with it, it's a very slippery slope. Picture me with a spoon, the jar over the kitchen sink and a messy face. Telling myself just one more bite, I'd say. That would be the last. Put it back in the cabinet. Then all of the sudden the jar is empty. How'd that happen? Soon after, I start plotting my next Target run where Nutella is usually on sale. (As you can see through this very embarrassing story, it's a bit huge problem.)

However, once I saw this recipe, which is making it's rounds on Pinterest, then saw how easy it is to make, I realized I may have to break my non-NY resolution/no Nutella rule.

No Bake Nutella Cheesecakes

{via My Baking Addiction}

Yield: 4-6 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

For the Crust

12 Oreo Cookies, crushed into crumbs


3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the Filling

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened


2/3 cup Nutella


1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


1 (8 ounce) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed

For the Garnish

whipped topping, optional


chocolate shavings, optional


toasted, chopped hazelnuts, optional

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the Oreo cookie crumbs and melted butter. Evenly divide the crumbs between your individual serving dishes and press into the bottoms of the dishes to form a crust layer.

2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and Nutella until smooth. Add vanilla and mix to combine. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the whipped topping until well blended and no streaks remain.

3. Evenly pipe or spoon the filling into individual serving dishes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

4. If desired, garnish with additional whipped topping, chocolate shavings, and/or toasted, chopped hazelnuts.

I seriously can't get over how delicious this recipe looks. I have a feeling that this is one where the dessert tastes as good as it looks kinda deal. I think I have my next B.Y.O.D idea for any dinner parties/BBQs that I'm invited to, just so I can taste it try my hand at making it. (Psst, that was a hint hint friends. It might be get-together time soon.) What is your favorite foodie vice? Have you ever made a no-bake cheesecake thing before? 

Bon Appetit and Happy Weekend!

xo,
L

Pink-spiration

My current crush of the moment: pale pink.  

This current crush is wanting to me to buy and paint everything pale pink. And good news, Vogue is telling me that pale pinks are in this season. (they are my bible and they do know best) ;)

What colors are you currently crushing on? Are you feeling pretty in pink like me? 

xo,
L

PS. Okay, can we talk about how fabulous those curtains are in the 2nd photo, the wall color of the 3rd one, the shirt dress of the 4th one, and the ornate mirror of the last one. Wowza is all I'm gonna say.

*Credits - 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9