Sunshine...Please...

  Oh Seattle, how you are living up to your rainy reputation.  It has been blustery, rainy, and just plain miserable here for the last week.  So I have been on the hunt for some cheerful and "sunshiny" photos to keep myself from loosing it :)

via here, here, and here

New Years Eve...

 What are your plans for New Years Eve?  Will you be painting the town red with your girlfriends, going out with that someone special, or staying home by a cozy fire and a bottle of bubbly?  I haven't quite decided yet...I guess I better get on that.

Go Green For The New Year...

  Oh you probably thought I meant recycle more, or try to remember to turn off the lights when you leave the room.  But, I was thinking more literal.  Seriously, how fun is that green dress!  Being more environmentally friendly is a great thing too you just might as well do it while looking good.

via here, here, here, & here

Pretty Little Things...

Sale!  Artist Lorie Marie from Pretty Little Things is having a great pre-holiday sale on her already reduced prices.  I can't wait to receive my first item from her after drooling over her sweet and whimsical creations for years.  I ordered one of the Dream Weavers to hang above Paige's bed.  It will be the perfect addition to her room.

A D.I.Y Christmas...

  I'm pretty sure I am not alone in saying that I am a total Pinterest addict by now.  It is kind of my "Happy Place" to escape to and just look at the pretty things people are pinning.  One of my Pinterest boards is a D.I.Y. one.  I am always on the hunt for a good crafting session.  Here is one of my favorite Christmas inspired projects.  Just in time to get those last minute details done.  I hope you are all staying warm.  Cheers!

via here

Wild Things...

  I came across this ridiculously cute shop Wild Things on Etsy.  This Mouse dress is such a fun way for your little one to use their imagination.

Oh So Fresh...

  Just a little "shout out" to my new favorite lunch spot.  No, it is not a sit down restaurant or anything like that.  It is the Gemini Fish Market here in Issaquah.  On Wednesdays my daughter has gymnastics, and she usually asks for McDonald's afterwards.  Now I'm not a super health freak, but I always feel a little guilty when she eats those happy meals.  Especially after doing something so healthy like gymnastics.  So on our way home I saw a little fish market that had a sign in the window that said "Fresh Clam Chowder, and Cioppino".  Well....they had me at Cioppino.  I was just going to get some for Dominic, but when I started loading up his bowl to go I saw how yummy and chunky it looked, so I got some for me as well as clam chowder for Paige.  We were all licking our bowls after was inhailed our soup.  I am thinking that the fish market is going to be our new Wednesday lunch tradition.  YUM!

Desaccord...

Objects et autres courisites en tissu...

I would LOVE to get my hands on any one of these items.  Seriously, how creative and wonderful!  All from Desaccord. 

Spool No.72...

  I am totally loving these Bohemian and Vintage inspired clothing and accessories from Spool No.72.  Sometimes it is hard to find really cute/unique clothes without having total buyers remorse or a panic attack because you decided to buy a cute New Years Eve dress instead of paying your rent.  They only keep a super limited supply of items, so you have to be on your feet to snag up one of their goodies.  I myself have my eyes on a few of these beauties.
                             

Inspired By...

Lace

White Christmas...

All images via here.

Inspired By...

Warmth...

I think these 3 spaces are calling my name... The top photo is taken but a friend of mine, Teri Lyn Fisher.  She is based out of L.A.  She has an amazing eye for photographs.  You can also check out her fun food blog here.

Crispy Waffles with Salted Caramel Coulis...

While at one of my best friends house over the weekend,  it was super yucky rainy out, and she is 8 1/2 months pregnant.  Sooo her sister (also my bff) decided to make her a yummy Salted Caramel Coulis with Brownies.  Holy Cow that caramel was to die for!  I was licking my plate by the end of the night.  She actually got this recipe which they recommend serving it over waffles, and I have to say that sounds pretty amazing if you ask me.

Salted caramel coulis:
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/4 cup water
* 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
* 3 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or coarse kosher salt

Waffles:
* 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 3/4 cups whole milk
* 2 large eggs
* 6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted, slightly cooled
* Peanut oil
* Powdered sugar

For salted caramel coulis:
Combine sugar and 1/4 cup water in heavy medium saucepan. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil without stirring until syrup is deep amber color, occasionally brushing down sides with wet pastry brush and swirling pan, about 10 minutes. Add heavy whipping cream (mixture will bubble vigorously). Stir over low heat until any caramel bits dissolve. Remove from heat. Stir in unsalted butter and fleur de sel or coarse salt. Transfer caramel to small pitcher or bowl. Cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Stir over low heat just until warm enough to pour before using.

For waffles:
Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in large bowl to blend. Whisk whole milk, 2 large eggs, and melted butter in medium bowl to blend. Add milk mixture to dry ingredients in large bowl and whisk until batter is smooth. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead. Let batter stand at room temperature.

Heat waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions (medium-high heat). Brush grids lightly with peanut oil. Pour enough batter onto each waffle grid to cover generously (about heaping 1/2 cup batter for 4 1/2x3 1/2-inch grid); spread evenly with offset spatula. Close waffle iron and cook until waffles are golden brown and crisp on both sides, 5 to 6 minutes.


Or you can just do what I do, and just get a spoon out of the drawer and eat the coulis by itself.

recipe via epicurious

Inspired By...

Christmas...

via wood & wool stool

Tattoo...

  I have always loved tattoos, and have contemplated over the years about one special tattoo I would like to get.  I don't want to be covered from head to toe...just something meaningful that I wont ever tire of.  I think I am getting closer to the perfect idea.  Here are some fun tattoo pictures I have collected.