Shoe Shopping

I got some really great news on Wednesday regarding my ankle and it's progress. If you remember in this post, I told you the condensed version of my unique case. Well, after a very patient three years I finally, finally got my first piece of really good news as well as the best sentence a gal in my position could hear, my bones are finally growing together and I got the clearance to start wearing shoes without my brace! Ohmygod! Needless to say I was stunned and had to have my doctor repeat herself. It won't be as easy to just start walking around town with regular shoes, I will have to build my tolerance and ankle strength, but it was all the clearance I needed to start shoe shopping! 


You have to remember that I haven't worn anything but a cast, then a brace on my ankle and foot for three years. Three years of coveting cute flats all around town. Now once I get a pair that feels good, I picture you'll be seeing me skipping all over town. And, feel free to compliment me on my cute NEW shoes! (haha) 

What shoes have you been coveting lately? Is there any flats (besides a pair of highly desired Tory Burch's that I just demand to own) that I need? Any sandals that are a must for this summer? Spill! I have a three year shoe shopping spree to catch up on. 

I can't stop smiling!

xo,

L

*Credit - 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10/11

LSL {Foodie Friday} - Lemon Blueberry Pancakes

Apparently Mardi Gars and Fat Tuesday are synonymous with Pancake Day. I had no idea that was even a tradition, but I enjoy pancakes from time to time and hopefully you do to. I know I'm a little late in the game for Fat Pancake Tuesday (what I now will be calling it) but only by a few days, so I say, let's makes some pancakes! Most weekend mornings I wake up with a craving of blueberry or banana pancakes and I am not even that big of a flapjack kind of gal. I love a good egg dish and french toast is more my scene. But to honor the Fat Pancake Tuesday, I thought this Food Friday would be as good as any (just pretend it was four days ago!)


I found this very delicious recipe via the fantastic Ree Drummond aka The Pioneer Woman. She has a serious gift in the kitchen. I think this recipe will be a nice twist to the traditional plain pancakes I've made in the past and this one even involves blueberries and lemon. So without futrher ado, today's pancake recipe is Lemon Blueberry Pancakes...

Lemon Blueberry Pancakes

{via Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman}

Prep Time 10 Minutes, Cook Time 10 Minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup Cake Flour

1 Tablespoon (additional) Cake Flour

1/4 teaspoons Salt

1 Tablespoon (heaping) Baking Powder

3 Tablespoons Sugar

1 1/2 cup Evaporated Milk (more If Needed)

1 whole Lemon (more If Needed)

1 whole Large Egg

1 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla

2 Tablespoons Butter, Melted

Zest From 1 Lemon

1 cup Heaping Blueberries

Extra Butter

Maple Or Pancake Syrup

Instructions

1. Heat heavy skillet or grill over medium low heat.

2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar. Set aside.

3. In a separate bowl, mix evaporated milk, juice of 1 lemon (more if lemon isn’t very juicy), and lemon zest. Allow to sit for five minutes, then add egg, vanilla, and melted butter. Mix to combine.

4. Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir gently to combine. Splash in more evaporated milk if mixture is overly thick. Stir in blueberries. Again, check to make sure mixture isn’t overly thick.

5. Melt butter in heated skillet. Drop batter by 1/4 cup measures and fry pancakes on both sides until golden.

6. Serve with softened butter and warm syrup

Ree also has just published her second cookbook, "Food From My Frontier" that I cannot wait to get my hot little hands on. You can check out her thoughts on the cookbook process as well where to find your own copy, here.

Did you have any fun Mardi Gras/Fat Pancake Tuesday plans? What is your favorite breakfast item to crave on the weekends? Any exciting cooking endeavors you're taking on this weekend?

Bon appetit and happy weekend!

xo,

L

LSL {Housetour} - Estate of Grace, Tory Burch

While perusing around Vogue's website, I stumbled upon Miss Tory Burch's new Southampton home and, wow oh wow is it amazing! I adore TB's fashion sense and to me she is the epitome of style and grace. I don't think there is a piece of clothing from any of her many lines that I wouldn't want to own. And don't even get me started on her accessory line, I'm seriously in love with every. single. piece.

Hamish Bowles states it perfectly in describing Tory's 1920's style home, how it seems like it's a house one might find described within the pages of The Great Gatsby. "It is the sort of house that Jay Gatsby might have built to bedazzle Daisy Buchanan and win her heart back again..." With the long dramatic driveway, the beautiful way Tory designed the outdoor dining in her pool house with the use of the black trellis accents. What I appreciate most is how Tory isn't afraid of mixing patterns and textures, which also seems to mirror in her clothing designs, and can be seem throughout the house. How amazing it would be to take this housetour in real life? For now I'll daydream by re-reading my worn out copy of The Great Gastby and picturing myself walking through this beautiful estate and checking out all her lovely treasures.

Now on to my favorite game, what's your favorite part? Mine would have to be that beautiful chandelier in the above picture, or is it the wallpaper in the shown in the living room, (picture 4) or is it the pool house? Ahh, I just can't decide. What do you think of Tory's Southampton home? 


xo,
L


*Credit - Vogue - Article by Hamish Bowles, photos by Norman Jean Roy & Francois Halard

LSL {Foodie Friday} - Tomato & Basil Soup

As you saw in yesterday's post, I am heading to the snow this weekend. And since I am normally cold in just 68 degree weather, I can imagine that I might actually turn to a ball of ice when dealing with actual freezing temperatures. Good luck to me.

I know I am going to need something to keep me warm and why not enjoy one of my favorite types of comfort food soups, Tomato Basil. While trying to find the perfect Tomato Basil soup recipe I stumbled on to Everyday Occasions, where Jenny's version looks extra delicious and with that, it seems like I will keep from freezing totally to death, at least for this weekend.

Tomato Basil Soup

{via Everyday Occasions}

Ingredients-

3 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 - 14 oz. cans of crushed tomatoes

1 - 14 oz. can of whole tomatoes

2 cups of stock (chicken or vegetable)

1 tsp of sea salt

1 tsp of sugar

1/2 tsp of fresh ground black pepper

1/4 cup of heavy cream

3 tablespoons of fresh basil, julienned

parmesan cheese

Directions-

In a saucepan, saute garlic in olive oil on medium heat for 1 minute - being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the crushed tomatoes. Add the whole tomatoes one at a time, squeezing them into the pan to break them up.  Add the juice from the whole tomatoes, as well. Add chicken stock, salt, pepper and sugar. Cook the soup on medium at a simmer for 10 minutes.  

To finish, reduce the heat to low and stir in heavy cream and basil. Serve topped with parmesan cheese or a grilled cheese sando.

What is your favorite go-to to get warm food? Have any delicious soup recipes you would like to share with me? Any fun things planned for this long weekend? Talk to me.

Bon appetit and happy weekend!

xo,

L

LSL {Housetour} - Cabin Fever

I am heading to the snow this weekend. Well, that is if Tahoe even has snow on the ground this week. I think so? I hope so! I can't remember the last time I was up to Tahoe in the winter. Sadly it might have even been up to five years ago or more. (Yikes!) Personally I am not built for the snow (sorry my cabin friends for all my complaining in advance) I adore Tahoe in the summer; sunbathing on the beach, swimming in the lake, and being on a boat is one of my favorite things in the whole world. Basically the complete opposite of being bundled up, skiing, and slipping and sliding in the snow. Since it's been so long, I am looking forward to frolicking in the snow again, and when I say frolick, I mean drinking hot toddies and catching up on my books and gossip mags. 

I have been lusting after this cabin house for some time now. THIS is how I picture my weekend in the snow. All bundled up in that Hermes blanket, reading one of the many books featured in their fancy library, and then taking a nice bubble bath in that incredible tub. Oh how a girl can dream. I imagine the cabin we'll be staying at is the exact opposite of this lovely abode.

 

I die. I can just picture myself curled up on one of these fab velvet couches listening to the crackling fire.

Gah! Bunk beds with their own personal curtains. When can I move in?  

 

A sunroom! Okay I just died again. I cannot get over how amazing this winter wonderland is. 

Happy long weekend lovelies! Foodie Friday is still on for tomorrow but I'll be back on Monday or Tuesday with some more regularly scheduled broadcasting. That is if I don't turn into a Lauricle there. (see what I did there...a Lauren icicle. Haha. As long as I'm the only one that thinks I'm funny.)

xo,

L

*Credit - via Elle Decor and photos via Miguel Flores-Vianna

Happy Valentine's Day

via Ju Bella

Happy Valentine's Day! Wishing you a super romantic, over-the-top, oohey-gooey day! Okay, so I'm not one of those girls that overly loves or really hates Valentine's Day, I'm in the middle of the road about it. I think the idea behind it is sweet enough and, in my book, a cute candy conversation heart never hurt anyone. Basically it's a free 'PDA day without the judgement' is all. Sure if making out in public floats your boat, well lucky you, today's the day! 

I made a gift guide or possible outfit look for you to go off of; whether you are wanting to find a little romantic something for your lady friend, or need outfit inspiration, this is for you...

Okay, isn't that bow darling? And those macarons look too good to eat. I have to say if a Valentine's date of mine ever got me that sweet xo necklace I would probably die a happy woman, serious swooning happening over here. 


What are your Valentine's Day plans? Have any thoughts about this PDA day? Love it? Hate it?


xoxo (an extra xo is added for the day) ;) 

L

*Credits - hearts/dress/earrings/perfume/panties/macarons/shoes+hearts/lipsticks/champs/xo/bow

LSL {Thoughts & Quotes} - Get Real

I thought I would take a different, more serious approach to this post. I don't normally post anything too personal or talk too much about who that "L" is behind LSL. Well, Lauren is my name and blogging is my game. Ok, bad rhyming aside, I thought I would take this time to tell you a little about who I am and what I am really about. Not just a floating head on the web. (Ooops see there I go again.) Warning, this is the longest post to LSL date.

On Look So Lovely's name- I tend to say lovely a lot. And I'm a bit of a people watcher/general looky-loo. So that is where I came up with Look So Lovely. It was by chance, it popped into my head, and happily it was available for the blog taking.

I originally went to school for Psychology and thought, once graduated I would save the world. Really for most of my four years my dream was to have a non-profit of my own and help people, or kids, or animals. I had a lot of causes I wanted to contribute too. And when working while up at school, I again spent most of my four years there, working in a school/after school setting and in the nights at a homeless shelter. It was hands down one of the most rewarding experiences but also one of the hardest. I still think about some of the kids that I connected with. Then when I moved home from school, I got a job at a small women's fashion boutique and it felt like in a short amount of time I got so wrapped up in the material side of fashion that I completely left all my saving the world passions to the waist side. After the boutique I went to a more major fashion house retailer and moved up the line there, ultimately ending in a management roll. And I. hated. it. Don't get my wrong, fashion and style still are a big part of who I am, but seeing some of the underbelly of that business really turns you off. I left after a few years and haven't looked back.

I have one really bum ankle. The friends and family that read this know all about this one. If you were to look at any of my pictures on here (there are only a few) you will see that I never show the bottom half of myself. That's because a cast/cast looking brace aren't very attractive. To me. To give you the short of it, in HS they found a Giant Cell Tumor in my left ankle and removed it right away, (benign, thankfully!) reconstructed it, and I was back and on my way. I stopped all running style sports (good bye soccer and tennis) and started swimming and riding bikes instead. It was sufficient for the time being, but then 10 years later my ankle started deteriorating and I had to get it fixed. Immediately. And the pain. Oh the pain was unbearable. So I had it reconstructed again, this time much more fancy like, (lots of medical jargon to describe what they did) but basically took out a bone, put that bone into another one and fused it all together. I had this done in 2009 and I just celebrated the three year anny of it. It was a lot to get time back to where I am right now, wheelchair for three months, crutches for over a year, a cane for about six more months on top of that. However, I am now walking free of any assistance, except with my permanent brace (for about a year now) and cannot be happier. I still have a road of recovery ahead of me, but I feel much stronger (physically and mentally) than I ever had before. I am very thankful for all the support and especially thankful for the talented team of doctors that put me back together. So, when you see me out and about and I have a funky left foot brace thing on, pay it no mind, it’s hard finding shoes that fit that sucker, let alone cute ones.

There you go

I am a sucker for a bargain. I hate paying full price for anything and usually won't. I can be seen at any sale rack, bargin bin and am kinda cheap about it. I love Target, H&M and I would be friends (if H or M were a person), Nordies Rack, yes please. I can't remember the last time I spent full price on anything. And the steeper the discounts the happier I become. I think it must be the thrill of the hunt.

I love to be crafty and sadly don’t seem to make much time for it anymore. I love making jewelry and get such enjoyment when complimented on something I have created. Most of my family is filled with talented artists, and sadly that gene didn’t pass to me. I cannot seem to draw for the life of me and painting seems to stress me out. But making jewelry is fun and calms me. I hope for this next year to make more time to create and maybe even sell (if I could be so bold).

I am not a writer, nor do I claim to be. And, I know I can be very liberal with my commas. Too liberal. I didn't even minor in English and writing was always a subject that I detested. But as I got out of school and all the mandatory papers that went with it, I started to enjoy it. My BFF and I would write long chapter-style emails back and forth of all our dating woos. We even debated on trying to write a how-to of the 'do's and mostly don'ts of dating.' Between the two of us we have some very entertaining doozies and that's what spurred my 'like' of writing. I still think that it would be fun to try and get the book going again, now that I am enjoying my single life again. And maybe some day I'll share some of the dozies, but that my friends, is for another time.

I’ll end this novel of a post up by saying, thank you. Thank you again, to the ones that read everyday (or every week or month) I really appreciate it and I hope that something in my life can either inspire you or support wherever you are in your own life. I would love feedback. If you would like to see more of something on LSL or less of something (be gentle) please let me know. And as you might have seen on Saturday’s post, I am going to try and take a more personal approach here and write more from my actual life (that is if it’s interesting enough) However, I have realized through this blogging life that I am actually quite shy with talking about myself and also promoting this site. (now if you met me you would know that I am quite the opposite, I usually never stop chatting.) So, I would love if you too would spread the word about LSL and hopefully through the course of this next year I will get some more followers and make some new friends. 

xo,

L

It's my ONE year Blogiversary!

Oh my god! I can't believe it, I have been blogging for a whole year! I started exactly a year ago with this little post on February 11, 2011. 


Before I started up LSL and really got my vision to the computer screen, I knew I had wanted to do this for some time. I'm not the most tech savvy or on the up and up with the world of blogging, but I had a daily addiction to reading home and fashion blogs and I knew I too wanted to be a part of it. 


In celebrating my ONE year, I got together with one of my besties in SF and we had the fun idea to revisit this post and take some happy one year LSL, photos. 

 

I also want to take this moment and thank you, my lovely readers and followers, for supporting me and encouraging me. Without you, I would not be so motivated and excited to write each and every post. I have some goals in store for this upcoming year and would love to promise that I will post everyday, but I know with working full-time, that might not happen. But, I can promise to try to make this more of a personal space, show more of myself and my life (another teaser, check back Monday) and would love you to keep following right along with me. Oh and apparently I'm finally up on the times and now have an official LSL Twitter account (@looksolovely) so follow me there too and then please teach me how to use it. 


THANK YOU!
xo
L




PS. Credit to Miss Liz Lovi (as you can see just so happens to be an amazing photographer, you should really check her out if you're in CA.) Also on Liz's website she did a short interview with me and there are a few more pics from our SF day.


PPS. AND, to add to my gushing of Miss Liz, Monday, 2/13/12, she was featured on Style Me Pretty for an amazing Sonoma Wedding she photographed. Talk about talent!

LSL {Foodie Friday} - Cocktail Time

I was thinking that after a long week and an exciting milestone coming up, I would celebrate this Foodie Friday with a cocktail. This is my favorite going out on the town drink. I can usually be spotted out with a plain glass of champers, but with any special occasion (okay, or really any Friday night) I like to class it up with some cassis and a lemon twist. Which reminds me of this NYE night that I just "had" to make an emergency cassis/chambord liquor store run close to midnight because it was NYE, the most special of all occasions. Extra classy, I know.

via The Bubbly Girl

Kir Royale
{I usually just eyeball it, but this measured recipe is via The Bubbly Girl}

1/2 ounce crème de cassis

5 to 6 ounces brut champagne, chilled

Lemon twist, for garnish

Add crème de cassis to a champagne flute. Top with champagne and garnish with a lemon twist. Viola.

Sip frequently and enjoy!

Apparently there is also a "skinny" version that Ms. Frankel promotes, it doesn't sound half as enjoyable, but for any gal that's interested, here you go. 

What is your favorite cocktail? Do you have a go-to drink when you go out? Or when you are celebrating something, like me? And, don't forget to check back tomorrow for that milestone I mentioned. 

Bon appetit and happy weekend!

xo,

L

Remember

via The Creative Paige

Found this quote and think it is a lovely daily reminder. It's nice to remember to have your heart in your thoughts, actions and feelings, whatever those "things" might be. If its just going through your daily actions at work or trying something that is new and out of your comfort zone, remember, a little love goes a long way. 


There is some exciting stuff happening here on LSL in the very near future (cough, cough Saturday) so look out! 


xo,
L

LSL {Foodie Friday} - Tortellini with Mushrooms & Pancetta

This is my most favorite recipe to make. It's easy, it's delicious and it has cheesy tortellini involved. What more could a hungry girl ask for? I found this recipe through Cooking Light back when I was attempting to be more domestic and made it quite a few times, even received happy and satisfied responses. (Shocking, I know) I like this recipe because you get that pasta craving fulfilled but it's a light dish so you don't feel so heavy (and sleepy) once finished. And depending when you add the spinach portion, you could easily save for leftovers. Bonus points.

Fresh Tortellini with Mushrooms and Pancetta

Serves 4 

Prep Time: 8 Minutes, Cook Time: 12 Minutes

Ingredients

1 (9-ounce) package fresh cheese tortellini (such as DiGiorno)

3 ounces pancetta, diced

1 cup prechopped onion

1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic

1 (8-ounce) package presliced cremini mushrooms

2 cups bagged baby spinach

1 cup organic vegetable broth (such as Swanson Certified Organic)

1/2 cup sun-dried tomato bits

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 cup (1 ounce) preshredded Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain and keep warm. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add pancetta. Cook 5 minutes or until almost crisp, stirring occasionally; drain. Add onion, garlic, and mushrooms; cook 4 minutes or until onion is tender, stirring frequently. Add spinach, broth, tomato, and pepper. Cook 2 minutes or until spinach wilts, stirring constantly. Toss with pasta. Divide evenly among 4 bowls. Sprinkle evenly with cheese.

I have made this with both vegetable stock and chicken stock and I lean towards liking the chicken stock a bit better, gives it a little more flavor. And, if this recipe couldn't be any more of a winner in my book, it's a mere 333 calories per serving. So, for us ladies trying to stick to our NY resolutions, it's practically a freebie.

Bon appetit and Happy Weekend!

xo,

L

Photo Challenge

I recently saw this Tedtalk by Matt Cutts about trying something new for 30 days. Needless to say I was inspired, this is the kind of resolution that I can get behind. You can do anything for 30 days. I was particularly moved by the thought that these 30 days will pass by whether or not you do something. So why not try something, anything for 30 days. I decided to take the first month off and organize what I wanted to do for each of my 11 months. My plan for February would be to take a photo a day. Coincidentally, this seems to be a popular challenge, all over my instagram I saw this going on for January and I. wanted. in. 

Fat Mum Slim came up with this month's challenge.

I plan to share my 30 photo days with you when it's complete and if this inspires you to do the same, I would love to check out what your day-to-day is as well. #febphotoaday


xo,
L