Coconut Cake Recipe

Christian requested a coconut cake for his birthday last week and I realized I had never made a coconut cake.  We both grew up in coconut-loving families, so while I’ve eaten many a coconut cake and pie, this was my first stab at making one on my own. Luckily, this easy recipe was a big hit and I’ll definitely be using it again!

Note/confession:  I made two 9 x 9 square cakes and layered them.  I didn’t use the entire can of sweetened condensed milk and 14 oz. cream of coconut. I used more like 10 oz. of each and then used the leftover in my coffee for the following week.  YUM.

So delicious!  These photos are a little dark – I impatiently snapped a few because I needed a bite asap. Priorities.  Thanks so much for reading and stay tuned for the winner of the Over the Moon giveaway! XO –

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Sequined Lips Sweatshirt

I’ve loved this sweatshirt since the moment I laid eyes on it.  I’ll be a sucker for pink and sequins as long as I’m alive – I was born this way!!

I snagged this faux leather vest from a local consignment shop and it is just the piece I’ve been looking for to layer with.  I just can’t pull off the denim vest like so many, but this faux leather beauty does just the trick.  I’ve listed similar ones I adore below.  I picked one out for my coworker in Chicago and now I want to buy the same one!! Shopaholic 101.

denim – Express (distressed myself), love these | sweatshirt – Forever21, similar here and here | vest – TCEC Design, similar here and here | heels – Forever21, similar here, love these | clutch – Meshka Design | sunnies – Ray Ban | pave bracelets – Derng (c/o) | necklace – Bip & Bop | earrings – Helene Jewelry (c/o) | David Yurman bracelets 1, 2, 3

 

Thanks so much for reading and don’t forget that today is the last day to enter the Over the Moon giveaway! XO –

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Chicago Instagram Roundup

I’ve blogged about Chicago here and here, but I recently just got back from another week in the city and even though it was less than 10 degrees – I loved it!  We had another date with RPM Italian, Balena, Sable and Lulu Belle’s Pancake House (which made me miss the South).  I ate my way through the city with no regrets.

We also saw another Second City show (and I snagged a sweatshirt AND a fanny pack) on the main stage and I think I embarrassed the girls I was with because I was laughing so obnoxiously hard.  I wish I could go again with Christian – he would have loved it!

Thanks so much for reading and for all of your suggestions!!! Don’t forget to enter the Over the Moon giveaway – XO –

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Pearls for Life

carrie bradshaw lied

As a Southern girl, pearls are a jewelry staple.  I am thrilled to be wearing beautiful pearls from Pearls for Life, an organization that works to raise money for countries without access to clean water.  The company began when the founder met a pearl farmer in East Asia and after a visit to Bangladesh, the company was born.  You can read more about the founding story here and how you can support the cause by wearing their fabulous pearls.

 

On another note, these festive and fun party balloons from Over the Moon came in perfect time for my birthday boy! Today is Christian’s birthday and these balloons are so fun to add to the mix.  Once the balloons begin to deflate, I can toss them and use the tassels as fun accents – multiple uses!

 

skirt – H&M (old), similar here and here – LOVE this dress | leather top – Max Studio, similar picks below | jacket – TJ Maxx, similar picks below | heels – Zara | pearls – Pearls for Life (c/o) | David Yurman 1, 2, 3 | Danielle Stevens engraved bangles | Chanel brooch | clutch – Expressions NYC | balloons – Over the Moon (c/o) | lipstick – Urban Decay Turn On

Thank you so much for reading and don’t forget to enter the $300 Urban Philosophy giveaway! XO –

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Friday’s Five

– the most interesting and fun plant in our neighbor’s yard –

– a fun collaboration with Pearls for Life, benefiting a wonderful cause –

 

– Mom accidentally packed one of Lula’s recovery crop tops in her suitcase, so like any artist would, she bedazzled it and mailed it back to us –

– sequined scalloped pillows my Mom bought for us when she was in town – obsessed! –

 

– a beautiful rainbow of macaroons –

I’ve been in Chicago for the majority of the week and am actually enjoying the true February cold! Christian can vouch that I was actually rooting for Hartford, Connecticut for his residency match – he knows I love the East Coast.  God had His own plan bringing us out West and it’s been amazing to see what life is like in Southern California.  I certainly cannot complain, but I must admit it’s a real treat to travel to Chicago so often for work.  Even with the polar vortex, I love Chicago and the incredibly kind people from the Midwest.

Thank you so much for your local suggestions!! I truly appreciate it and loved trying new places.  We have had some amazing meals and have had a really had a great time.  I look forward to sharing some photos with y’all in the next few weeks!

Today I’m flying back to California and cannot wait to see my girls (Bailey and Lula).  And of course my guy.  Time to do some laundry, upload some photos and sleep in my own bed!  Although snuggling up in the fluffy beds at the Thompson Hotel was nothing to complain about.

Have a beautiful weekend and don’t forget to enter the $300 Urban Philosophy giveaway!  XO –

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Flirty Fringe Skirt

When I first laid eyes on this L.Mae Boutique skirt, it was love at first sight.  I love a festive element like fringe that is incorporated into a wearable piece like this.  I dressed it down for a weeknight date night to our neighborhood Mexican spot, but how cute would this skirt be with a chambray shirt?
skirt – L.Mae Boutique (c/o) | tank – LC Lauren Conrad | vest – Old Navy | lace up sandals – Lulu’s, love these | clutch – Mimic Designs (c/o) | pendant necklace – Molly Jane Designs (c/o) | delicate necklace – Bip and Bop | earrings – Etsy | sunnies – Ray Ban | watch – Swatch | pearls – Pearls for Life (c/o) | stackable rings – INPink (c/o) | cuff – boutique
Would you wear a fringe skirt on a weekday to dinner or is it more of a festive piece for you?  Thanks so much for reading! XO –
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Rockstar Wish List

 

The women in my office have such great style, I’m always inspired by the ensembles I see on the daily (you can see some of the office style here and here).  Cali life has brought a (little) edge into my wardrobe (example here), and I’ve enjoyed exploring some new styles this year.  Above are some pieces that I’m currently craving and being inspired by.  In my closet there’s never enough black or leather.  Ever.

How do you incorporate some edge in your style?  Thanks so much for reading! XO –

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Friday’s Five

– a beautiful view from Top of the World in Laguna Beach –

– stopping to smell the adorable soaps in Lush –

 

 

– roses from the restaurant valet on Valentine’s Day –

– new Steve Madden sunglasses that I am really into –

– these Polagram printed instagram photos that I am obsessed with –

I had some exciting projects present themselves this week and I’m feeling motivated and inspired!  I am enjoying some downtime with both Christian and some girlfriends this weekend before I head back to Chicago for the week.  I find it so hard to watch what I eat when I’m traveling – any tips or should I just go by YOLO and eat deep dish pizza?

How cute are these polaroid-style photos from Polagram?  It’s an app that allows you to select instagram photos to print in various styles.  These are so adorable – I can just envision stringing wire and using clothes pins to hang these babies.

A Lula check-in — she continues to learn how to get around with her new body and we work hard to keep her from licking her wound so it will heal properly and quickly.  This has involved a few newborn onesie “crop tops” (you may have seen on instagram) and the head-cone, but she’s a good sport and we love her more than ever.  I will meet with the veterinary oncologist in the beginning of March for our first check-up and am hopeful that she will live a cancer-free life.  Only time will tell. Thank you SO much for your prayers!! You have no idea how much your encouragement means to me.  It has truly been essential in keeping me positive and optimistic that we made the right decision for her.

My mom recently shared this video and it moved me to tears.  I have a beautiful niece with special needs and a family full of animal lovers.  I felt like this video was speaking directly to my heart. Warning:  don’t watch this unless you have some tissues nearby!

 

Thanks so much for reading and have a beautiful weekend – XO –
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Stuffed Artichoke Recipe

Christian’s grandmother from New Orleans used to make stuffed artichokes for her family, and Christian loved eating them. I’m still not completely sure if this is a Cajun dish or just a Barnes favorite dish, but I had never even heard of stuffed artichokes!  I finally had the chance to try one in New Orleans with Christian and my oh my, I quickly saw what the frenzy was about.

I promised him that I would attempt to make them on my own, and I followed this recipe.  They were delicious, but I remember them being a little crispier to taste.  I think I’m going to try this recipe next because I think they need some time in the oven. Does anyone have a stuffed artichokes recipe worth sharing?

 

Do you love artichokes?  What’s your favorite dish – do share!! Christian says thank you. 🙂 Thanks so much for reading y’all – XO –

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Cucumber Cocktail

 

As I shared here, my mom was in town this weekend!  It was so fun to spend the weekend together, and while at dinner one night I had a cocktail named the “Salty Pear.”  The cocktail had several delicious (!!) ingredients, one of them being St. Germain.  My mom couldn’t believe I didn’t have a bottle.  She was determined to purchase a bottle for us and make us one of her favorite cocktails she discovered at a Dallas restaurant – Cool as a Cucumber.

     Serves Two
  • four slices of cucumber – two per glass
  • two lime wedges – one per glass (two more if you want to garnish the glasses with lime)
  • one ginger beer (or you can use ginger ale) split between two glasses
  • 2 oz. St. Germain per glass (or more to taste)
  • Vodka to taste…depends on your mood, my friends

Muddle two slices peeled cucumber and one lime wedge per glass.  Add your ginger beer or ginger ale, St. Germain and vodka. Garnish with a lime wedge if you wish.  Enjoy!

 

Crisp and refreshing – this would be the perfect summer cocktail.  If you give it a try let me know what you think! Thanks so much for reading – XO –

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Friday’s Five

– that heart shaped flask from college –

good times

– roses from my Valentine –

– beautiful baubles from Helene Jewelry –

– this color combo that I cannot get enough of –

– being back home with this love bug –

I’m so thankful for all of the Lula love I’ve received from y’all, so I wanted to share our most recent news.  We received news from the oncologist and pathologist that the tumor that was removed with Lula’s front left leg was in fact cancer.
It does not appear to be aggressive and our oncologist and surgeon feel they got all of the cancer with the surgery, however we can never be 100% sure.  We don’t need to proceed with chemotherapy at this time, but will have monthly visits with the oncologist as well as the occasional x-ray to monitor Lula’s health.
Lula has had her staples removed and is recovering so well – I am so proud of her and so amazed at how loving and warm she is to us, knowing that we are the ones who dropped her off to have her poor little leg amputated!  She is actually purring more now than ever – so loud that it has actually woken us up.  I love her more than ever and while hearing the word “cancer” is never good news – I am hopeful that all of it was removed in the surgery.  I’ve only had her for 2.5 years since I rescued her and I just need so much more time with her than that.

Please continue to pray that Lula is indeed cancer-free and will continue to bring her sweetness and sass into our lives.

Have a beautiful weekend and Happy Valentine’s Day to each of you!!

XOXO –

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Deer Valley

It’s been quite a few years since I have skied, and Christian has never hit the slopes.  I was a little nervous because I remember falling quite a bit the first time I put on skis…and let’s be honest, falling 15x in an hour can quickly take the fun out of an experience.

Luckily, thanks to refreshing ourselves to ski lessons via YouTube (not kidding), we managed pretty well and only took a few falls that were usually followed with laughter.

We both wanted to take a ski trip in February and since I mostly planned our anniversary trip to Santa Barbara (part one & two), this trip fell on Christian’s shoulders and he did a fantastic job.  We stayed in Deer Valley for three nights and Salt Lake City for one.  I have never visited Utah and was enchanted with the snow and mountains – absolutely breathtaking!  We spent the majority of our trip skiing which sadly meant my camera was stuck in the lodge, so a lot of these shots were taken with my phone.  I was definitely a little sad to come home – skiing in fresh snow while watching it fall from the sky – a magical experience.

Thank you so much for all of your suggestions!!  We visited several of your recommendations, and I am truly so appreciative of all of your fab advice.

 

Thank you so much for reading! XO –
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