Thursday, September 8, 2011

Ottolenghi

Let me introduce you to {Ottolenghi}... aka Heaven.  My girlfriends and I went to brunch at the Notting Hill location while we were in London and I can officially say it was the most beautiful and yummy place I have ever been!  I mean... we walked into this -


The food is familiar food... but done in a unique presentation that makes you want to try it all!  Everything is made from scratch and the menu is visual so you can see everything you are going to get before you even order!  Not only were their sweets to die for... check out some of their savory items - 

*best beet salad EVER!
There was only one table in the restaurant!  That's right - one! And we lucked out to get a spot... but it quickly filled up with the local ladies and their girlfriends! All of the details were just perfect!  I loved the heart in my latte!  I know you can get hearts and other shapes in the US... but not from Starbucks ;) haha... so it made me extra happy! 


There are four locations in London and I would recommend this place to anyone!  Hope you get a chance to try it someday!! xxoo

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Zara Dot Com

How excited are you that {zara.com} launched today!?? I know I would be a little bit more excited if  I was still living in Ohio and didn't have a Zara just a few blocks away (5 points for Philly)... but I'm a big online shopper, so I definitely browsed their website this am!  How cute are some of these fall staples!?!

{via}
Now if Zara Home could get on board as well... my life would be complete :)  I died when I walked into the home store in London... it was that fabulous!

Leopard Love

I am currently obsessed with leopard printed anything!  Which is hilarious to me because it doesn't really fit my casual, preppy look that I am normally drawn to.  Of the very few items I actually bought in London, two pieces of clothing were leopard... and I am super excited to mix them into my fall wardrobe! Here are some of my favorite looks.... 

all images {via}

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Happy Fall

Well... it's officially after Labor Day, so in my book it's officially fall! ...my absolute favorite season of the year!  I was so excited to wake up today and put boots on! I didn't even care if it was going to be 80 degrees out... I was wearing my boots!  Good thing it ended up being a chilly day!  I also woke up to one of my friend's facebook status' reminding me that Starbucks now has Pumpkin Spiced Lattes... another fall staple of mine!  I was extra late to work today because I just had to stop and get one!! :)  It was perfect. To the first of many fall days... and many pumpkin lattes (and treats)!

all images {via}

Monday, September 5, 2011

Instagram: Love from London

As promised I am back for the Instagram Link Party.... but I only have a few minutes until my computer dies... so can't give too many details about my trip!  All I can say is WOW... I can't believe this place exists and I do not live in it!  I have had the best trip of my life!!! Can't wait to share all of the details with you... but until then, here is an instagram from the trip!! xxoo!!! :)

The Girls in London!


Wednesday, August 31, 2011

London!

Hi Blog Friends!  I'm off to London!! I can't believe my trip is finally here... I feel like it was forever ago that my bff Meagan emailed me hotel reservations... completely out of the blue and told me to book a flight asap!  Yes, it was one of the best surprise emails to ever pop up in my inbox!  Normally I would have blog posts scheduled while I am gone... but I have been completely checked out!  Sorry!!  So... I will see you next week!! :) And to my instragram ladies... I will definitely post on Sunday night from London, so Instagram Monday is still on!!!  Can't wait to tell you about my trip next week! xxoo!

{via}

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Pinterest ♥

Hi! Every night before I go to bed I have the same routine... check twitter, check facebook, check pinterest, check instagram, and then check twitter again (just in case something big happened in the 10 minutes it took me to check my other addictions)!  I realized how bad my obsession with social media was when I called AT&T last night to get an international data plan.  They asked me how much data I needed for the 5 days I will be in London and I said... "enough to allow me to check instagram, facebook and twitter daily"!  Dead serious they responded with, "oh, you are one of those..." and convinced me I needed the biggest data plan they had available! ha :)  Anyway, here are some photos I've bookmarked from {pinterest} lately!  They are a little random... but all things I am loving lately! Enjoy!

♥ a red desk with classic chevron accents
♥ a perfect place setting
♥ funfetti cinnamon rolls
♥ this photo shoot idea
♥ statement jewelry
♥ the streets of paris
all images {via}

Monday, August 29, 2011

Instagram: Hurricane Weekend

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a great weekend and survived all of the crazy things happening on the East Coast!  First... an earthquake, then a hurricane - it was definitely an interesting week!  Well, I was hoping to have some fabulous instagrams from my weekend at the shore... but Ms. Irene ruined that trip! However... something else kind of big and earth shattering happened this weekend - I cooked two nights in a row!  Yup... can, you believe it!??  And... even better, I enjoyed cooking and the food actually tasted pretty fabulous!  I have someone who can vouch for it!! :)  Friday night I made a shrimp pasta and then on Saturday {we} made stuffed peppers! Yummm! 

So... Irene was a little less than expected, but she was still pretty strong as she came by Philadelphia!  Most of the city was shutdown on Sunday... including Starbucks!!  Ahhh... but Old City Coffee saved the day by being open... ohh, and their coffee and muffins were just wonderful, so this might be my new coffee shoppe!  :)  All in all.... I had a wonderful weekend full of food, drinks and good company! 

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Guest Post: From Green Jeans to Green Interiors

Today’s guest post is from Susi, a writer for {Arcadian Lighting Blog}, a must-shop resource for beautiful {light fixtures}. Susi wrote an article inspired by my new favorite pair of green jeans: “From Green Jeans to Green Interiors”. Taking a cue from the saturated kelly green of the jeans, she found 8 interiors to inspire us. From modern Emerald City inspired lounges to a grass green sofa to covet, this post is a celebration of the glorious color green. Enjoy! 

Green Interior Design
Pinterest via

Ok, this looks more like a modern Emerald City than a pair of green jeans but we love the green upholstered vintage Platner chairs and Capiz shell chandeliers. 

Green Interior Design
Bijou and Boheme via

We love the mix of greens in this living room. Kelly green, black and white are a classic combination. 

Green Interior Design
Sweet Home Style via

Green painted furniture is fantastic but green painted built-in bookshelves are very bold. Like green jeans, it takes a certain girl to pull off this look! 

Green Interior Design
Simplified Bee via

This sofa is fabulous in rich grass green velvet. We're very aware of the lighting fixtures in this room being beautifully out of the ordinary. It is from the home of Lauren Liess. 

Pinterest via

Like the outfit that inspired this post, bold green looks gorgeous when paired with cream and girly patterns like lace or florals. Love the wallpaper and chic ceiling light. 

Green Interior Design
Simplified Bee via

Jonathan Adler designed this living room. Love the happy green sofas paired with all the warm beiges and golds. 

The Decorologist via

These greens might be more limey than the green jeans but we still love the combination with different shades of blue, especially the deep blue in the lamps. Kelly green, like the jeans, would work just as well in this room. 

Green Interior Design
Apartment Therapy via

Apartment Therapy calls green the color of spring and envy. This living room’s spring green wall certainly makes us envious. Paired with creams and golds, like Ashley’s outfit, it is a happy, cheerful space. Content provided by Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality light fixtures at extremely affordable prices. Come visit us today!


"Arcadian Lighting is the best source for lighting fixtures and accessories at discount prices. 
Arcadian Lighting has been in the lighting industry for over 15 years selling decorative home lighting fixtures 
and lamps online, and has become one of the top Internet retailers for home lighting products."

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Blog Swap: What's in our Bag!


When Ashley invited me to do a guest post at a {little} dash of ash, I was elated!  Don't you just adore her blog? Currently she is over at my little "home", The Short and the Sweet of It, blogging about what's hidden in her handbag. I have to admit, I was a little nervous about the topic of the post, being that my purse is usually ridden with receipts and old gum.  *In fact, when I picked up my bag, I noticed a huge stain on the bottom of it.  From what?  I have no idea.  But, onto the goodies.

1. Yup that's Sophie the French Giraffe.  Or as we call her in our house: Mona.  It's my daughter's favorite teething toy.  And though it usually lives in her diaper bag, it somehow migrated to mom's purse.  Note: this is embarrassing when you pull it out at a fancy dinner, whilst searching for your wallet. 

2. My keys. Frankly, this was an unusual find, as I usually have no clue where they are.

3. Several pens, most of them out of ink.  But seriously, I am always jotting things down.  They are a necessity.

4. Body spray.  Workout at the gym.  Hectic day of holding and entertaining the baby and no time to shower before dinner? Viola!

5. A mirror. I actually don't know why this is in there. I never use it, and if I did, I probably would be horrified. See number 4!

6. My lips are always dry.  I love Alba lip balm, this is passion fruit, and I just pretend I am in the Hawaiian Islands.

7. Hand sanitizer. A must. Especially when there is spit-up or mashed up peas involved.

8. An old grocery list.  There is absolutely no reason why this is in there; I just always manage to have on in my purse at all times.  The key is finding the perfect one.

9. My coin purse from Anthropologie.  Because I love it and it makes me feel cute. 

10. My cell phone. Duh. Although this also usually falls victim to the way of the keys.

11. Sunscreen.  I am pale and freckly, what can I say? And even though it says, "baby" this one is indeed my own, mostly because I can't find our grownup brand.  Are you noticing a trend here?

12. My wallet (which I got from Target and love).

*As it turns out, I was still ridden with receipts and old gum, I just edited them out of the post.  I didn't think you needed a visual of those.

If you are curious, my purse is from Anthropologie, a gift from my sweet husband!

So there you have it darlings.  That's just a little glimpse into my world and I do hope you'll visit me sometime at The Short and the Sweet of It.  Thank you so much Ashley for having me over!  Xo Alexa

**Check out her {blog} to see what's in my bag! - Ash

Monday, August 22, 2011

Instagram: NYC

Hi Friends!  Happy Monday and Happy Instagram Day!  I'm back to share a few more photos with you from my iPhone as well as browse the photos you link up below!  I had a great time in NYC visiting Kristin... and my favorite instagrams this week came from Sunday morning when I woke up!  Check out the view of her parent's Manhattan apartment (they don't know this yet, but we are future roomies)!  Then Kristin made her famous {avacado toast} and we enjoyed it on the roof deck looking over the city!  Oh... and I started playing with the tilt shift feature on instagram (used in the second photo below), so my future mobile uploads might become a little fancier! xxoo.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Happy Weekend & Link Love

Happy Weekend!  I can't believe this week is over - it went so fast!  I guess that is sometimes a good thing though!  Work was a little crazy this week so I am treating myself to a little getaway!  I'm off to Manhattan for 24 hours to play in the city with Kristin from {Ten Scenic Drive}! I am super excited because I haven't seen her since I moved from Ohio!  I am actually in route... blogging from the Bolt Bus - which is  making the trip go fast!! I bet there will be some instragramed NYC photos on the blog on Monday, so check back and link up your favorite(s) from the week/end as well! Have a fabulous weekend and hope you enjoy the links below as much as I did! xxoo


I know I mentioned them last week but I couldn't image not giving them another shout out because I am so excited to receive my new {bar cart} from {Social Society}!  Oh... and I also learned that I was their first purchase!  Best tweet ever :)

Also, remember that lovely necklace below that is on my wishlist?  I learned that it is made by Noir!  While browsing their website I also fell in love with this {necklace}!  Ok, I think it is just time to admit that I have a huge obsession with trend jewelry!

I adore envelope clutches, so I loved finding this {DIY tutorial} on pinterest!  Maybe I will get crafty next week!

Everyone knows that Blair from Atlantic-Pacific is my style icon and I have a huge crush on her wardrobe, but especially loved her {tom boy} outfit this week!

It's all about the details... and how amazing are these {outfit details}??!

And... especially loving this braid below!

{via}
If you missed....

My {instagram linkup} this week... check back on Monday to link up your own mobile uploads!

My guest post at {Daily Crush} - I am really excited for fall and my favorite fashion trend I am looking forward to is sweater dressing!!
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