What I've Been Crushing On

{On the anniversary of the tragedy that took them both. I will always remember.}

{My favorite thing from the "Spring favorite things" party last Friday}

{Beautiful centerpiece from my friend's gorgeous wedding.}

{White wine Sangria for Cinco de Mayo.}

{Succulent fruit. Hello Spring.}

Baby Cakes

{You can purchase these already "shelled". Note to self.}

Cinco de Mayo is one of my favorite holidays of every year. Not only because it represents such historic time (I love military history), but more so because..I cannot get enough Mexican food. It has gotten so bad that my close friends and I search out the latest locale just so we don't get recognized at our usual spot. What a better way to combine two of my most favorite things. I mean who knew that Mexican wedding cakes are not cakes at all, they are cookies!! EUREKA!!! They are heavenly melting in your mouth. 

I used a Pampered Chef chopper to combine the 1 cup Pistachio and 1 tbsp orange zest.

Beat the 2 sticks unsalted butter (room temperature) until light and fluffy. Add the 1/2 cup confectioners sugar and vanilla. Mix on medium-high speed for at least ten seconds. 

Then add the following

2 cups flour

3/4 tsp cardamom

the entire nut mixture

Mix on low speed until the dough comes together making sure that you scrape the sides occasionally. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Scoop by the tablespoon and roll into balls.

 Flatten them with the back of a spoon until they are 1/2 inch thick. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until bottoms are slightly brown. The tops will stay light.

Mix together 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar.

Roll them while they are almost too hot to hold so the mixture adheres to the cookie better.

I dare you to eat just one.

Learning To Fly

{My son flying the kite he was given by his grandparents for Easter}

There was never a single moment in my adult life as a woman where I thought "I am going to have children and raise them alone". I did everything that I thought would bring me that fairy tale life I so dreamed of as a young girl growing up...but fate had other plans for me. Many single working mom's will tell you what I learned very quickly. You can do it all, just not all of it well. Something in my life always has to give, some things more than others, and in the end each and every day I just do my very best to move on to the next. I think in the early stages I was so exuberant to be out on my own with all that life had in store for me. Over time, you ascertain that in this life, you have to spread your wings so that you can learn to soar. It isn't ever easy. It is not unlike the kites we flew at the park this past Sunday. There was no way to know which ones would take flight and which would flutter in the wind. I had had such a busy weekend and the week prior was so stressful, that I made the command decision to slow down, put down my landing gear and rest. Best decision I made that entire week.

{Nike Sky High Dunks wedge sneakers, LC sweater, Forever 21 skinnies, RayBan aviators, Fossil watch, kites are from Target}

R Kelly "I believe I can fly"

The Long And Short Of It

{The walk to Whetstone Rose Garden}

Physical stature was not one of those traits that I inherited from my father's side of the family.  At 5'2" I didn't meet the required height for United States Marine Corps MP division at the time, and that was one of those defining moments in a person's life. A "crossroads" of sorts where I was forced to reevaluate my future. What a life I may have had had that day gone differently. So to compensate for my vertical handicap, I dress in high heels, show a lot of leg, and even purchase denim a bit longer than I need to elongate my frame as a whole. I think it's fair to say I have found a way to improvise, adapt and overcome.

{Madewell sunnies, Anthropology necklace, Zara tunic and bag, JCrew tank, and vintage William Rast flares, Vera Wang platform peep toe heels.}

Donut Sundays

{Photo via the Columbus Dispatch}

There are a lot of quirky new ways to "decorate" a donut these days. I have been to several local establishments here in Columbus in a valiant effort to search out a shop that even remotely reminds me of Jack Frost from home. I miss that place more than anything. As a young child my family would pick up my paternal grandmother for church every Sunday. It was a family tradition to get donuts immediately following the service. My father would try and refuse, but my grandmother always stuffed some cash in his pocket before he went in. Maybe it is simply nostalgia that makes it seem like those donuts were the best, but they just WERE. If you were raised in Brooklyn you would understand. If I could FedEx myself a dozen every weekend I would. Here in Columbus there are shops opening up with all these crazy toppings and gimmicky combinations but I have no idea why anyone would mess with something so genuine. HoneyDip in Upper Arlington is as close as I have come to simplistic perfection, made the old fashioned way, when it comes to this rotund delight. 

{I love that they still use a standard box. The flat ones make me crazy.}

{I am a "cake" donut fan.}

What I've Been Crushing On

My Easter basket to myself.

Trees are blooming finally!!

Of course I bought a bottle. Now I just need another to share it with.

My favorite warm weather treat. I only ever get the large.

Being able to eat outside. 

Two For The Road

Brunch is my absolute favorite meal of any day. The idea of saving my appetite for such scrumptious selections as this is well worth the wait. The ingredients are..

1 Pint blueberries

Two frozen whole grain waffles

Plain yogurt

Almond slices

Pure honey

This recipe is so simple it is disgusting. You toast the waffles and spread each layer with yogurt, top with blueberries (or any berry, even banana), drizzle with honey, sprinkle almond slices. If you were preparing this as a party entree, I would bake the waffles on a baking sheet for ten minutes at 350 degrees. Lay out several topping choices, to include whipped cream and traditional syrup, that your guests can stack as they wish. I also made Mimosas and a great non-alcoholic version is 2/3 orange juice topped with sparkling water. Simply perfect. Just how I like it. Minimal effort with beautiful results. 

British Invasion

Boden is a company synonymous with British style. Classic, well cut pieces, that drape flawlessly over a woman's body with retro inspired colors, patterns and fabrics. I only started shopping with them over the last three years. Typically I stay close to home (ie. JCrew), but by pure accident a catalog came in the mail and a romance was born. Their dresses are my favorite. I got this one about two years ago on sale. They are a bit pricey with most dresses well over 100 dollars, but there isn't another company I have found that can gently touch on the trends yet remain as true to the style of the fifties and sixties like they do. Pure unadulterated elegance. For Easter Sunday mass, somebunny felt truly beautiful.

{Gap trench, LC sunnies, Boden dress, JCrew earrings, HRH cameo ring, vintage clutch, Vera Wang heels}

Shop Till You Drop

{Bright eyed and ready at 8am!}

I had some company in town to visit this weekend, so I took that opportunity to venture a bit beyond my normal habitat from the "burbs" to downtown where I LOVE to be. I had never been to North Market, and although I have heard many great things about it, not only from friends but also social media sites, I wanted to see it for myself. It was smaller than I imagined, and I found myself disappointed when I realized I had covered its entirety in less than 30 minutes! It is amply filled with everything you could ever want, and even things you didn't know you needed, but do. I can't say that I prefer it to a Farmer's Market per say, but I can say that had I stayed much longer I would have emptied my satchel of all it's monetary accoutrements. 

{The entrance from the lot}

{Adorable Asian inspired treats}

{View from the second level}

{CHEESE!!}

{Different entree availability for the day}

{The upper level where seating is available for meals}

Sticks and Stones

I see myself as a dichotomy. Not only am I very much a true retro girly girl obsessed with nail polish, lace, lipstick, heels and polka dots, but I have many tattoos, skulls all over my place, and a wickedly inappropriate and sarcastic sense of humor. I like that I am both things. Even when I decide what to wear every day it all depends on my mood. There are times I feel ultra feminine and times I would rather pair things down and give off a more rugged edgy feel. On the average I would say I mix the two very well and then there are days I let my outfits speak for themselves.

{Madewell top, LC denim, Sam&Libbey booties, RayBan Aviators, JCrew Cuff, Anthropology necklace, and HRH Collection ring.}