LSL {Foodie Friday} - Reason for Riesling

To stay within the cocktail hour theme, this Foodie Friday features a drink to end your evening with a cold treat. I have to admit, I haven't tried making this just yet, but I do have a bottle of Riesling in the fridge and can't wait to test this out. I saw this lovely picture attached to this delectable sounding recipe and had to share it with you.

via

Riesling Strawberry Slushy, serves 6

{adapted by With Style and Grace}

Ingredients

2 cups hulled strawberries

1 bottle [750ml] dry Riesling

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

Reserve 1 cup of the Riesling – cover and place in the fridge to chill.

In a food processor, puree strawberries with the remaining wine, lime juice and sugar. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. When you’re ready to serve [or drink], puree the ice cubes with the remaining wine in your blender.

Cheers!


xo, 
L

*Credits -

Photographed by Lisa Thiele | With Style and Grace

Cocktail Hour

Is it cocktail hour yet? Works been a bit hectic and when it gets this crazy my mind tends to wander on all I have to do, but really, how I could seriously go for a cocktail right about now. 


This is today's productive train of thought: tough day = me thinking about needing a cocktail = thinking about what I would drink = thinking about a bar = thinking about the amazing bar carts I've seen lately = thinking of what my bar cart would look when I have a fancy place of my own = thinking about wanting a bar cart of my very own RIGHT now! (oh and also how come I don't have a cocktail yet?)

Here are some swoon worthy carts

via Dust Jacket Attic

via In Spaces Between

via A Piece of Toast

via Sugar & Charm

via A Piece of Toast

via Gold & Gray

via Sugar & Charm

via Cupcakes and Cashmere

via Gold & Gray

via Gold & Gray

via Chambers Street

via Gold & Gray

Maybe if we all had a margarita at the office we might be a little more productive, just sayin'. What would you stock your bar cart with? What would be your cocktail of choice? Something bubbly for me, of course. 

Okay, it's gotta be 5 o'clock somewhere. 

xo,
L

Macarons & Moet

Just a little taste of what I will be doing this weekend. 

More to follow...


xo, 
L


Image found here

FALLing for you

Fall is officially here. However, you can't really tell yet in this hot NorCal weather were having, but the nights seem to have a bit of bite to it now and it's definitely getting darker much earlier. As sad as I am to see summer go, fall is one of my favorite fashion seasons. It's so rich in its colors with the play of more jewel tones as opposed to summer's brights and whites. So many luxurious fabrics with your cashmeres and wools, tweeds, suedes, and corduroys. 


There is just so much to love about fall styles, I thought I would take this post and share some of my favorite FALL finds.

J.Crew, how I love thee and this fab jacket
Vintage Tweed Jacket, $198

Alice + Olivia Arthur Pants, $198

Bring on the leopard, please!
Haute Hippe Leopard Print Chiffon, $295

Navy Colour Panel Dress, £60.00 via Topshop

Ob.sessed with this color
Alice + Olivia High Waist Wide Leg Pant, $198

So simple and so sweet
H&M Ivory blouse, $29.95

Marc by Marc Jacobs
'Penn' Belted Trench Coat with Faux Fur Collar, $498

H&M Dress, $34.95

Escada Crystal Animal-Print Trench, $2,995

Gibson Sheer Chiffon Blouse, $78

What a beautiful Jackie O inspired dress
Limited Edition Embellished Bodice Dress, £185.00

This red is fierce
Marc by Marc Jacobs
'Michaela' Silk Dress, $498

Love this mustard-y color
Milly Deanna A-line Midi Skirt, $250

J Brand Luxe Twill 811 Skinny, $170

Rebecca Taylor Leopard Ruffle Silk Dress, $365

Marc by Marc Jacobs
'Limelight' Metallic Leather Skirt, $798

Tibi Swirls Shift Dress, $348

Milly Monteparnasse Peacoat, $256.99 (sale!)

A girl can dream for this price
Antionia Croce Double-Face Wool Trench Coat, $2,400

Love this school boy blazer look
Smythe Piped Blazer, $695

And the creme dela creme,
the famous Princess Kate dress
DVF Maja Dress, $398

This is what I am falling for this season.


xo,
L


PS. Look for the FALLing for you accessories version coming to you shortly...

And a HUGE shout out to my cohort, personal stylist, and fab fashion guru with help in finding some of these beauts, Miss Dem, thank you!

LSL {Foodie Friday} - Caprese Salad Bites

I'll admit it, I am slightly obsessed with making and eating caprese salad. I think I have had it about four nights this week and I am not even tired of it. (Even the roommate has noticed my slight addiction to it, hope she doesn't check me in to some sort of 12-step program.) I. just. can't. stop.


There are many ways of preparing caprese, but the basic ingredients (tomato, mozzarella and basil) all stay the same. Not only is this a delish dish, it's also simple and, bonus, there is absolutely no cooking involved. So, if you are needing a quick bite to eat, or in need of very easy, crowd pleasing appetizer for that BBQ you are going to this weekend, I've got just what you need...

Yup, that's me in action

Finished and party ready!

Caprese Salad Bites

{adapted from: Mel's Kitchen Cafe)

*Makes about 2-3 dozen skewers

1 pint cherry tomatoes, red or yellow

1 bunch basil leaves (about 18-30 leaves, the big ones can be cut in half)


8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese

Balsamic vinegar, for drizzling 

2-3 dozen long toothpicks/skewers

Slice the cherry tomatoes in half so you end up with two half-basketball pieces. Slice the mozzarella into bite-sized chunks. Slide a piece of mozzarella onto the toothpick. Fold a basil leaf in half or thirds and nestle it up next to the mozzarella (large leaves can be cut into halves or even thirds). Slide a tomato onto the bottom of the skewer, cut side down. Move the mozzarella and basil down to meet the tomato if needed. You want the flat side of the tomato to be right at the end of the toothpick so it stands up straight. Place all the finished skewers on a paper plate or tray. Drizzle lightly with balsamic vinegar and transfer to a platter to serve.

Now, pour yourself a nice glass of white wine, (Pinot Grigio if you were me) take it outside and soak up the last few warm days before fall really hits, and enjoy!

Bon appetit!

xo,

L

*Credit - Photo via (my bestie) Liz Lovi

I would say they were a hit.

LSL {The Lovely List} - 100 years of Fashion

Stumbled across this amazing video (thank you Isla) celebrating 100 years of style in 100 seconds. It's up there with this video as my new favorite find on Youtube. It's pretty genius.

Have any favorite YouTube videos you want to share with me?

xo

L

LSL {Housetour} - Houseboat

When I think of houseboats, I think of this. The houseboat in Lake Shasta my friends and I revisit every year. In fact, I will be there this weekend. (including the over 100 degree temps all weekend!) I know it's not the most glamorous of all vacations, but it has to be the most fun. My weekend will include sunning, swimming, drinking, sunning, eating, sleeping, and more sunning. 


Now, with all that envy-ridden information out of the way, I wanted to show off an actual, very glamourous, full-time livable Houseboat on the River Thames in London. 

This is author Josie Curran's family home. She wanted an escape from the busy city streets of London and found this gem, and as they say, the rest is history. Her home is simply delightful. I love all the bright colors and little vignettes featured all around. Man, that bedroom is to die for. And that bookshelf, that picture is being filed away in the "must have when I grow up" file. 


What was your favorite part of Josie home? What do you think of living in a houseboat full time? Could you do it?   


xo,
L


*Credits - via the very talented Mr. Bazaar, Bright Bazaar, Josie Curran and photos by Alun Callendar

Holiday! Celebrate!

Happy Labor Day weekend! What are your plans for this long weekend? Fun out of town festivities? Or long stay-cations relaxing at home? Either way it's a happy weekend when you have Monday off of work. Can't complain about that. And to get you in that end of the summer holiday spirit, Matchbook Magazine's blog The Daily Spark has your Labor Day essentials.  

via Daily Spark
1-14 list of essentials here

Thank you MB for this. Currently picturing myself climbing into that hammock with my favorite (spiked) sweet tea drink and eventually passing out taking a nap in the sun. Sounds like a great way to end the summer if you ask me. 


Have a lovely weekend.


xo, 
L


PS. Does anyone else feel the need to get their cute little hands on those adorable cat-eye sunglasses like I do? Seriously, Kate Spade, I will see you this weekend.

The Window

Barney's has a new blog, it's called The Window and it's pretty fantastic. Anyone who knows me, knows, I like to shop. (more so window shopping these days, but whatever) In addition, I also like to learn about upcoming designers and any trends that I should be participating in. You know, so I don't look like a complete fool to the oh-so stylish shop girl helping me out. And Barney's The Window has all that.  

The Window features sections like, The Pedestal, which is a "weekly in-depth look at an objet d'art." Sounds fancy, it is. The Big Bang focuses on up and coming designers or iconic favorites of yore. And, 61st & Style keeps tabs on NYC's most fashionable. If nothing else, it's a great resource to check out while you are pursuing around the Barney's website.

Now let's play my new favorite game, what's my favorite part? Has to be the link to Personalities where it interviews stylish bloggers and all around fashion/fabulous trend setters. It even featured one of my blogger icons, Elements of Style, Erin Gates. 


Check it out, and continue to follow me too, maybe someday you'll see me on there?! (Man, I hope Barney's is reading this...a girl can dream.)


xo, 
L