Spring Fling

There is something so special about celebrating during the warmer months. In the harshest nights of Winter, I don't have any want to get dressed up and go outside. The fear of travel difficulties, as well as assembling the appropriate attire for a night out, just seems way too much work. When the sun begins to stay out longer, and feels so much warmer, I just want to have people over. I want to cook more and be outside as much as possible, spending time getting fit or hanging out with family and friends. A brunch can be so very simple to throw together. I literally went to the store the night before and grabbed some muffins, sweet rolls and bagels. Uncorked a bottle of bubbly and some OJ. Rinsed off some gorgeous fresh berries and a great time was had by all.

Going Up

Some of these days leading into Spring have been such a blessing. Every mildly sunny day has made me feel so much happier and full of energy. I know that for many of the people I knew while I lived in Alaska, seasonal effective was a real threat to how a person could process the endless dark and frigid days. For months on end, you could barely be outdoors for more than a few moments as you hastily rushed to get back inside. Even when the temperatures rose to 20 degrees above zero, it felt like throwing on a pair of shorts and grilling out was not at all unreasonable. It almost broke my heart to block the sun from my face with this beautiful hat, but in the end just being able to bathe my body in the sunlight was enough. 

The Oxford Trunk hat. Windsor tunic and necklace. Nene clutch. Sam Edelman shoes.

Ham It Up

It doesn't always take a lot of effort to up the level of your simplest meals. Just your average ham and cheese sandwich can be improved by adding a cheese with a more distinctive flavor. Gruyere has a very sweet and creamy texture that melts easily. Paired with a smoked ham, it is the perfect way to glam up a very basic, but tried and true lunch tradition.

Purchase at least 5 oz of Gruyere cheese from your local deli. Set 1/3 aside.

Butter all four sides of the bread slices. Place two slices of ham on the bottom piece. Add some cheese, salt and pepper. 

Top off with the other slice of buttered bread. Place in your oven at 350 degrees and let the bottom slice brown but not burn. Take it out and flip over. Add some cheese on the top and place back in the oven for 5 to 10 minutes. Take it out and serve with a side of fresh fruit or salad of mixed greens. 

What I've Been Crushing On

{Never tire of these}

{Little Market treasures}

{Aerial photography}

{Weekend wear}

{Pretty lip color for Spring}

Rules of Application

With the summer months just around the corner as well as spring break for many, I think it's important to highlight the many important facts about how to protect your skin from sun damage and premature aging.

1. sunscreen has an expiration date. Check it.

2. You must reapply after you swim, even if it says it's waterproof. It begins to lose effectiveness after 40 minutes in the water.

3. More expensive does NOT mean better quality.

4. Use anytime you will be in the sun for more than 20 minutes or overcast days.

5. SPF does not increase protection proportionately with a higher number. Most doctors say the best sunscreen is 30 SPF which protects against 97% of harmful rays.

6. Cream or lotion is better protection than an oil, aerosol, or gel.

7. Choose a 'broad -spectrum" sunscreen that protects against both UVB & UVA rays.

8. If you have fair skin or burn easily use a higher SPF.

9. Use the amount the size of a shot glass (for adults).

10. Stay out of the sun between 10 am and 4pm when the harshest rays are most prevalent.

Brimming With Excitement

After all the cold weather I feel like I cannot wait for it to be warm enough to get outside in less than a couple layers. My love of faux fur notwithstanding. Even though I will have to tuck these coats away for cooler evening wear, or until the fall, I am super excited that my hat collection will stay in full rotation. As small as I am, I love the wide brimmed fedoras and floppy bohemian styles I have collected over the years. Just seems to dress up even the most basic outfit and give it that touch of something more spectacular. The bigger the brim the happier I am. 

Tee is Top Knot Goods. Hat is Lack of Color from American Eagle. Jeans are rock star skinny from Old Navy. Shoes are Adidas. Coat is The Oxford Trunk. Clutch is Nene California. 

Girls Night In

Every other year it seems I have the day to myself on my birthday. This year I wanted to throw a party for my friends as sort of a "thank you" for being there for me every day. For the women who make me laugh and listen to all my LENGTHY stories, who help and support me at work, who get me to let go and have fun even when it feels like nothing in life is funny anymore, who keep me feeling like every day is a new adventure and not an insurmountable task. They have done so many wonderful things for me. The weekend itself was more than I could have asked for. Being able to spend time with the people I care for most is a gift that has no inherent value. It is priceless.

{Diet Coke tower from friends at work}

{Great beer}

{Gifted}

{Best cupcakes from Schuler's}

{Homemade carrot cake}

{Relaxing morning the day after}

What I've Been Crushing On

{Summer berries}

{Feeling like a kid again}

{Easter treats}

{Lunch with the big girls}

{Bae}

Salade au che'ore

Goat cheese is my favorite. I love it on pizza and crackers and in anything. This recipe was so simple and effortless for me that I think anyone can pull it together in next to no time. When you're a busy person like I am those extra minutes count. This is also a great date night idea if you decide to get together last minute and have to run to the store with little to no time to pick up the essentials.

Choose your favorite mixture of greens. I used an organic mix that was prepackaged. Toss this lightly with a vinaigrette of your choice. Set aside.

You can find these special cheeses in the deli area of your local store. This is a soft goat cheese which I think works best for this recipe.

These smaller bread slices come pre-sliced and also located in the deli area. There are different kinds so just choose the one you like best. Place on a baking sheet one inch apart and bake at 350 just until the bottoms are brown and then turn over each one and spread on some cheese. Place back in the oven and let the cheese get all bubbly. Perfection. Great summer or spring recipe. 

Birthday Suit

My birthday look was anything but dull. I had wanted these sparkly shorts for a while and after I got them they sat in my drawer waiting for the perfect warm day. The day that never came. While this upcoming week Ohio will finally see the light of day as far as Spring weather is concerned, it took quite a while to get here. 

Knowing that my friends would make the effort to look their best I decided to go for it with the shorts look. When else can a girl just be herself and feel free to wear the things she loves and not be judged? That's what friends are for. 

Boots are Windsor c/o. Shorts and top are The Oxford Trunk. All jewelry is HRH.