Snapshots

I cannot believe how social media savvy I have become. Seriously. It used to be me with only a phone and an email address (that I hardly used to check because it was all just promos for places like Old Navy and Sephora). I had no idea what I was missing. Now, I'm a blogger, a booker of the face, a tweeter, a pinterest-er and, most my favorite of late, an instagrammer. I hardly recognize myself. (haha)

Now that I have professed my social media status to the world (which I bet is just a sliver of the pie) can you tell I'm still a rookie to it. But I am trying to make a solid effort to, at the very least, take more pictures. And when you have apps like instagram, picfx, and hipstmatic, it makes regular picture taking a little more exciting.

Here are some snapshots of my busy weekend

Some amazing succulents from my walk

Starting to finally hang those pictures.
Thank you ikea frame filler, you are a helpful guide.

My view

Photoshoot with G & L

Downtown SF

Sunday beach brunch

Honey, I baked

A card from a friend

What are your favorite social media apps? Is there any that a novice like me should know about? Also, I would love to know all your pinterest, twitter, and instagram, names too, I wanna follow you right back.

xo,
L

*Credit - all photos taken with my trusty iPhone

LSL {Foodie Friday} - Lemonade Stand Popsicles

For even more confirmation that summer is quickly approaching, last weekend it was in the 80's and this weekend is predicted to be in the mid to high 70's. Yay! I can think of no other place than SF and the beach than I would rather be soaking up this lovely sunshine. (Thank goodness, that's the plan.) 

Alright I'll admit it, lately I've been having a small addiction to grenadine. Random. Completely! Especially since I haven't touched the stuff since I was last swimming at my neighbor Genny's pool, and that was back when I was in elementary school. Side note. All I remember from those summer pool days was that her dad had one of those hilarious signs that read "Welcome to our ool. Notice there's no "P" in it. Let's keep it that way." Every time I would see it on her back porch I was convinced that when I grew up, I too would be that sophisticated to have a sign that was not only informative, but hilarious too. Awww the humor of a third grader. Thank goodness my sense of humor hasn't matured much since then either, it still cracks me up.

I have been craving grenadine so much that I have been foregoing my usual happy hour wine for a "Lauren" temple. (Yes, our fav bartender even deemed me my own drink, in case your curious -- club soda, some grenadine, and a lime.) It is so refreshing and for some odd reason, more appealing than wine to me. (Gasp! And no Momma J, I'm not prego, it's just a phase.) So, with my love of grenadine in mind, I thought this Foodie Friday I would feature a tri-flavor lemonade popsicle, doesn't get much better than that.

Lemonade Stand Popsicles

{via Somewhere Splendid}

Lemonade Base Recipe

1 cup sugar

1 cup room temperature water

3 cups cold water

1 cup lemon juice

For Pink Lemonade

3 teaspoons grenadine

For Passion Tea Lemonade

4 Tazo Passion tea bags

3 to 4 cups boiling water

Create simple syrup: Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan and place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture occasionally to help it dissolve, if necessary, then remove the saucepan from the heat when the sugar has completely dissolved. Set aside to cool.

Pour the lemon juice (either fresh squeezed or store bought is fine) into a pitcher. Dilute the lemonade with the cold water, then add the simple syrup and stir thoroughly to combine.

Create additional batches of the basic lemonade for the other flavors. To create pink lemonade, add the grenadine and stir thoroughly to combine. To create the Passion tea lemonade, steep the tea bags in the boiling water. If you’d prefer a stronger Passion flavor, use a lower amount of water, as the lemonade will dilute it (I generally use, and recommend, only three cups for a more concentrated flavor). Set the tea aside to cool, then combine with the base lemonade recipe.

To assemble the popsicles, arrange a line of small paper cups in a line and pour in the desired amount of lemonade. To create even, equal sections as shown, I used a 1/4 cup measuring spoon to measure out the liquid. When all the cups are filled with their first flavor layer, carefully transfer them to the freezer and let them set for about 30 minutes or until almost solid through – soft enough to insert the stick, but firm enough to support it. Insert the popsicle stick part way through the first layer (but not clean through to the bottom of the cup). Transfer the cups back to the freezer to allow the first layer to set completely.

Continue to add additional layers of the various flavors as desired, ensuring each layer is allowed to be frozen through before continuing. If the layer isn’t completely set, you may get a little bleeding between the layers rather than a crisp line (which you may prefer!). Stop creating layers once the cup is about 3/4 of the way full to avoid any accidental overflow. After the last layer is frozen, serve when ready by ripping open the paper cup.

Don't those sound delicious! And the ombre effect seems like a happy coincidence. Delicious and trendy, bonus. 

Do you have any favorite childhood summer memories? Any favorite refreshing mocktails that you enjoy during these hot summer-like evenings? What about your plans for this weekend, spill.

Bon Appetit and Happy Weekend

xo,

L

DIY - Terrariums

So, I am kind of obsessed with terrariums lately. It's hard not to be they are everywhere. I love them, with they're cute little succulents all placed sweetly in containers. I considered buying every single one I laid my lovely little eyes on, however I was also intrigued by how easy they seem to be to make that I wanted to try it out on my own. Then, as fate would have it, enter an email a couple of months ago that Workshop SF sent out about a terrarium making class, and that was my sign once and for all. 

Since it's been a couple of months and my sweet little ones are still kicking, even after 'the incident,' I thought I would pass my DIY Terrarium knowledge on to you. 

This is the terrarium that I made at the workshop in all its instagram glory. 

Supplies-
Glass jar, with or without lid
Potting soil
Activated charcoal (find at a plant store/nursery)
Small stones, pebbles, or gravel
Succulents
Sheet moss or super moss 
Spray bottle of water
Toppers (for added decor - cupcake toppers, toys, matchbook cars, army men)

*These below pictures are from a simple little succulent garden that I made the other day to spruce up my new abode, but you'll get the idea.

How to-
1. Clean your terrarium jar thoroughly, remove any past cleaners. (if it was used for makin' moonshine, maybe find a new jar). If there is a film on your jar, use a little vegetable oil dabbed on a rag to remove.

2. Add a layer (1-1.5 inches) of rocks/pebbles at the bottom of your jar, this is for drainage.

3. Sprinkle a light layer of activated charcoal on top of your rocks. This acts like a deodorant and actually keeps the terrarium from smelling like an old gym bag. If the terrarium has a lid, add a little extra deodorant.

4. Add 3-4 inches of soil

     

5. Now you are ready to start adding some plants. Dig a few small holes, you will root your plants in these. Leave some open spaces between the holes for your succulents to grow.

6. Place your plants in the holes and pack with soil around the roots so they stand firm. No limp plants here.

7. Tear small pieces of sheet moss/super moss and fill in the empty areas, it acts as a great filler and keeps in moisture. 

8. Add toppers if desired for some added flare.

9. Water. Spray terrarium 1-2 times a week. Closed lid terrariums need less water.

Don't forget to rotate your terrariums every week or so, that way all sides of your little garden will grow.

There you go, a sweet little DIY terrarium, made with love. How do you feel about the terrarium craze? A Big fan of the succulents, like I am? And the great thing about these gardens they are relatively LSL-proof, meaning even my black thumb is starting to turn shades of dark green with how easy these are to do and keep alive. Go me. 

xo, 
L

PS. You should sign up for Workshop SF's email distro list, they have some really great classes. And, if this isn't more of a selling point, their motto is "Drink Beer & Make Stuff" Uhhh, okay.

LSL {Foodie Friday} - Greek Salad Sandwich

Summer is quickly approaching. This makes me very happy and a little anxious at the very same time. Happy for the fact that I love the warm weather and am a creature of the sun. I love sitting outside while sporting tank tops and being in a pool or lake, don't even get me started; it's my happy place. But, then again with all that warm weather and pool hopping, it inevitably means bikini season. I have some work to do because I'm still carrying my winter weight and my love of pasta is not going anywhere. This Foodie Friday I thought I would kick start my bikini/eating right habits and hope that my workouts will soon follow. (And by 'hope' I mean I am forcing myself to start going to the gym soon and liking it.) ;)

Greek Salad Sandwich

by Martha Rose Shulman, “The Very Best Recipes for Health

{via NY Times}

Yields: Two sandwiches

Ingredients –

2 tomatoes, ripe but firm – 1 thinly sliced, 1 cut in small dice

2 ounces cucumber, thinly sliced

2 ounces green pepper (about 1/2 small pepper), seeded and thinly sliced

1 slice red onion, cut in half, rings separated, rinsed and drained (optional)

1 tablespoon crumbled feta (about 1/2 ounce)

1 to 2 teaspoons chopped fresh mint

1 teaspoon sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper (optional)

2 small (3 1/2-inch) whole-wheat English muffins, lightly toasted

2 teaspoons mayonnaise

Dijon mustard (optional)

Directions –

1. In a medium bowl, combine the diced tomato, cucumber, green pepper, onion, feta and mint. Toss with the vinegar and olive oil. Season if desired with salt and pepper.

2. Spread the bottom half of an English muffin with half the mayonnaise. Layer half of the sliced tomato on top. Top with half the Greek salad mixture. Spread the top half of an English muffin with mustard if desired, and place on top of the salad. Press down, cut in half and serve

And if you would like the know the healthy nutritional information of this sando, go here. And if you are interested in more recipes by Miss Shulman, you can find her book, here.

What is your favorite time of year? Do you equally love and hate bikini season too? And when I talk wearing a bikini, it's usually paired with shorts or a long maxi sun dress, and maybe topped with a bathing suit cover. As much as I want to be friends with the bikini, we don't exactly see eye to eye. Ha

Bon Appetit and Happy Weekend!

xo,

L

LSL {The Lovely List} - Enjoy the Little Things

  

  

This is what is going through my head these days, to 'enjoy the little things' in life. There is so much to take simple delights in, yet I sometimes find myself overwhelmed with those same simple things. For instance with blog posting, I put pressure on myself to post more (which has not been happening, btw) and it's not that my posts are all that interesting. Or original. Don't get me wrong, LSL is my passion, it has really been something that I have been so proud of. I love finding interesting things to show off or discovering entertaining news/tips/DIY. But sometimes I put too much on myself to be perfect, for the blog to be perfect, for LSL to get noticed, to expand more, to grow it's readership... that I forget to enjoy the little things. So with that said, this post is a tiny glimpse into what I am currently enjoying. Sometimes it's just some pretty pictures that bring you back.

xo,

L

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

LSL {Foodie Friday} - Artsy Fartsy

Now, you may have discovered some new cooking tips from Gwyennie here, even may have sampled fruits of your labor from recipes completed, here, here, and here. Then was inspired by some envy-worthy beautiful kitchen spaces here, but now you need some helpful, or funny, or just down right creative kitchen art to spruce up your space. Lucky you, this Friday's post is for you. 

There's the helpful...

The creative...

The sweet....

And the funny....

So much to choose from. What's your kitchen art style? I think I am leaning towards all three. (Surprise, surprise!) Lord knows I need the helpful, and who doesn't like to laugh while doing dishes? Then there's the sweet, how can you compete with that delightful red, tan, and aqua baking print? And, it just so happens that those are my kitchen colors. So, guess who is going on Etsy later to purchase that cutie? (Hint, hint..it's me!)

Bon Appetit and Happy Weekend!

xo,

L

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

Snapshots of a Move

I have been off the radar for almost a week because...I have finally moved into my new home! Yay! I decided to take a few days off work to get situated, start unpacking, organizing, and errand running. You know, maintaining the general chaos of a move. While being cut-off from blogger and the rest of the world wide web on my computer this long weekend, the inevitable happened, my lovely iPhone stopped working as well. (Gasp! Now I really had NO access to email or FB, what was a girl to do?) Talk a about being disconnected. 

I wanted to share with you a few snapshots from my move-in weekend, but with my iPhone needing to be replaced, I lost my most of my recent pictures, however here are a few that I had on my instagram. 

Thank you, Frank's Moving
via my iPhone

I have a screen door!
via my iPhone

Apt #6
via my iPhone

Living in a sea of boxes
via my iPhone

Interior designer, Sharron Saffert once said, "Your home is a mirror. Reflect your vision. Reflect your values. Reflect your spirit." That phrase really resonated with me. I hope to create a space that reflects my own style with pieces of art or furniture that I have collected over the years so that when people walk into my home, it feels just like me. 

Do you have your own design philosophy? Or have any helpful tips or ideas of your own decorating attempts, or successes to share with me? I'll take any and all you have.

And, if you want to follow my adventures in unpacking, my attempts in decorating, and general merriment, you can find me on instagram as miss_lovelylsl. 

xo,

L