It feels appropriate to share my favorite cocktails with you guys today because my birthday was last week which really meant ALL week… right!? Christian and I took a weekend trip to Catalina Island, and I plan to share more on that trip soon (sneak peek on Instagram).  We went two summers ago and knew we had to go back!

For some posts from that trip you can check out posts here, here and my guide here.

But let’s get into some cocktail recipes, shall we?

White Wine Spritzer | My most commonly made summer cocktail. Seriously so easy and delicious, it’s my go-to because you guys know I’m a self-proclaimed wine-o!  Just squeeze half a lime into a wine glass, and pour two parts chilled white one to one part sparkling water (you can mix this ratio to your personal taste). Voila!

Raspberry Rosemary Bubbles | With a muddler or the end of a wooden spoon, gently smash one or two raspberries and a small handful of rosemary leaves in the bottom of your champagne flute. This releases the juice from the berries and the rosemary’s fragrance. Pour in some champagne or sparkling wine/rosé and garnish with a sprig of rosemary.

I was drinking this at the pool here and on the patio here.

Caipirinha | We use this recipe.  This is definitely Christian’s favorite warm weather drink to make.  He discovered this cocktail when he was in the Brazilian rainforest and has some dramatic story to go with it about ice being boated in for the drinks or something ridiculous.

Regardless, it’s actually really refreshing and very easy to make!

photos by Christian Barnes

top (I would recommend sizing down), also available here | shorts (runs TTS), also available here | earrings, also love these | “3” necklace | champagne straw | bar cart | marble slab | marble wine cooler | wine glass | chairs and slipcovers

And there you have it!  I loved sharing these recipes (and having the excuse to drink all three of these for the photos) with you guys. I’ve had a few girls asks questions about my favorite wines.  Would you guys want a separate post about my favorite wines?

Thank you so much for reading and of course, I’d LOVE to hear your favorite cocktail recipe! XO –

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, I thought it would be fun to share a sweet recipe that feels oh-so-appropriate for this time of year – pink hot cocoa!

After date night, it’s nice to have a little something to end the night with. Most times this is another glass of red wine for me, but Christian would definitely pick sugar over alcohol, so that’s inspired this idea.  I’m not going to like… I think I’m going to make all my hot chocolate pink from now on. It’s just real cute!

Pink Hot Cocoa Recipe (for two):

3 cups almond milk

1 cup white chocolate chips

1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 to 1 teaspoon red food coloring

Whipped Cream, Marshmallows, sprinkles for topping

Directions:

Combine the milk and chocolate chips in a saucepan.  Whisk until chocolate chips are completely melted. Stir in the vanilla extract and then add a small drop of food coloring, building until you find your desired shade of pink! Pour into mugs, load with toppings and don’t worry if some spills out – it adds to the fun (but that’s why a saucer isn’t a bad idea)!

denim | tee | cardigan – no longer available, love this sweater | albion ring | cross ring | x ring | cups and saucers – TJ Maxx a few years ago| mirrored tray | faux fur throw | coffee table (on sale) | chairs and slipcovers | display cabinet – no longer available, love this one (on sale) | sofa | art | lip stain in Baci | similar fur pillows

Any home decor that wasn’t link is because it’s an antique or not available online!

And of course – do you have any dessert recipes in mind for Valentine’s? I’m always looking for new things to try. Thanks so much for reading – XO –

Several weeks ago I saw that one of my favorite foodies, How Sweet Eats, shared a post on an oatmeal latte that looked insanely delicious.  I immediately bookmarked it for later, and when I finally got around to making it, it did not disappoint.  Breakfast and caffeine in one mug? Um… yes please.

Check out her blog for the full recipe!  I used my Nespresso Lattissima for my favorite, rich espresso and the Nespresso Aeroccino to froth the milk – I use this little device all the time and really, really love it.

Nespresso Coffee Maker | Nespresso Frother | sweater | skirt | cup & saucer | monogram tray | similar sofa | similar coffee table, also love this one | sequined pillows – no longer available, love these and these | framed art

Thanks so much for reading! And if you want to check out some delicious recipes, I highly recommend following along with How Sweet Eats!

XO –

When I was younger, pasta was always my favorite dish.  I can remember asking my mom for pasta and she would cook a basic spaghetti noodle + garlic + olive oil + Parmesan combo that was and still is killer in it’s simplicity and deliciousness.  SO, the craze of the zucchini noodle was not lost on me!

I bought a handheld spiralizer this summer and have loved making healthy, fresh and easy weeknight dinners, and this recipe is a vegetarian keeper.  I’m so grateful Christian loves garlic and tomatoes as much as I do (being part Lebanese, we didn’t take garlic lightly), because I find a way to put the two in almost all of our dinners. Love it, can’t live without it.

Do any of you have favorite zoodle recipes? My friend Nikki of My Style Diaries recommend I start following Inspiralized and I mean… the possibilities are endless.

If you’re not a zucchini lover, I also made this vegetarian pasta Sunday night with linguine and It. Was. Phenom.  Seriously so good both hot and cold.  And don’t forget there are still a few more days to enter to win one of two Rebecca Minkoff bags here AND the hair tools giveaway here! XO –

If you guys remember this post, you know I’ve been a fan of Nespresso for quite some time.  I had my first cup on our honeymoon at Rosewood Mayakoba, and ever since then both Christian and I have been hooked!

I was so honored to be one of the first to try the new Lattissima Touch, and I knew Christian, a macchiato guy, would really love it. This particular machine gives you multiple options for the coffee and milk froth, allowing you to make any kind of latte, macchiato or cappuccino with as much or as little espresso, milk or froth as you would like.  I love how easy this machine is to use and to customize your drink exactly to your (or your guest’s) liking.

SO, I thought why not try to make a Pumpkin Spice Latte at home? I looked up several recipes, and they were all pretty simple.  I used this recipe and I’ve got to say – it was delish. And you use so little of the pumpkin puree that I then made a pumpkin pie… oy vey. I was trying not to be wasteful… right?

dress c/o (and on sale!) | cashmere scarf c/o (no longer available), love this one and this one | watch c/o | palm pillow | monogram pillow | similar spotted pillow | throw blanket c/o

Do any of you have a fall coffee recipe you love? I’d love to hear about it! And who else is addicted to their Nespresso? I love how easy it is to make an afternoon cup.

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

Christian is notorious for giving me cooking or baking supplies for gifts… a subtle hint to bake him something for his never fully indulged sweet tooth.  When he hinted to his parents for my Christmas gift, I was so excited to receive a pie plate and loaf pan that matched my everyday china, that I was baking pies every week.

Insert Christian nodding his head in glorious achievement.

He recently requested a coconut pie, so when I found this recipe it was game over.  So rich but so delicious, and it combines our favorite baking ingredients – chocolate and coconut!

Plus (and perhaps most importantly), it’s super easy.

pie plate | rolling pin | similar mixing bowls | similar towels here and here | flatware – Pottery Barn, no longer available, similar here

Not to mention that taking these photos made me realize my countertops are the exact color of this pie. Meant to be? I think so.

If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think!  Thanks so much for reading – XO –

This is what I call a girl meal.  Christian was out of town recently for his vacation week while I was still working, so it meant it was full-on girl mode.  This usually means wine and cheese, but thanks to some help from April Norris of Optimal Vitality Wellness, I have a new stack of healthy, fresh summer recipes that I plan to take major advantage of!

April organizes seasonal wellness programs to revamp your energy, mind, digestion and overall health. Christian and I both enjoy eating healthy (not that I don’t love Cheetos so much I could marry them – I will never deny the truth), and when I mentioned April’s program to him he was definitely up for it.

I’m the kind of girl who can’t stick to a juice cleanse… I usually cheat six hours in.  With April’s program, if you slip it’s ok.  There are so many recipes to choose from and you can be as intense as you choose.  Even better?  You have the documents and recipes to hold onto forever, so you can always jump back on the wagon later!

I love this watermelon salad recipe that she’s allowed me to share with you guys. So delicious and summer fresh – even better when accompanied with a glass of Seven Daughters Wine (which is not on the program… so don’t tell!).

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chopped watermelon
• 1 cup spinach
• 6 basil leaves, chopped
• 2 TB pumpkin seeds
• 1 lime, juiced

Directions:

Mix everything together other than the lime juice.  Add the lime juice last.  Optional: add a source of protein (chicken, fish).

Do you have a favorite summer salad? Don’t keep it from me – do share!

Thanks so much for reading! XO –

When I’ve been eating poorly and am not feeling like myself, I will make a big pitcher of smoothies and drink on it all day long while also drinking lots of water, eating vegetables and some nuts for snacks.  It’s just a quick way to get back on track and know that I am filling my body with good fuel rather than my beloved junk food.

This green pineapple smoothie tastes so tropical, it hardly tastes like deprivation. I like to use a mix of fresh and frozen ingredients that create an icy cold smoothie that I sip on throughout the day.

Ingredients:

3 Handfuls Spinach

2 cups water

2 cups frozen mango (or peaches)

1 cup pineapple

1.5 bananas (I like to use frozen bananas)

1-2 packets Stevia

2 TB flax seeds

Directions: 

Blend the greens and water first (I love using my Vitamix).  Once smooth, add everything but the Stevia. Taste and use Stevia to your liking (too much and it can really take away from the fruit).

I’m always looking for new smoothie ideas so if you’ve got a favorite – I’d love to hear. Thanks for reading and don’t forget today is the LAST day to shop Shopbop’s 25% off sale!  XO –

It’s not a Hallmark holiday if there isn’t something sweet to celebrate with, right?  I actually baked these cookies for Christian on Super Bowl Sunday.  He was working all weekend and the man has a sweet tooth like a jr. high girl, so I knew if I made him so cookies it would be a treat.

I texted him a picture (which I later instagrammed), and his response was, “those don’t look like football cookies.” In my defense, I didn’t attend any Super Bowl parties because there was really no point if C couldn’t come with, considering we all know the only element of the game I cared about was Katy Perry (and Missy Elliott was an AMAZING surprise).  Because of this, I had kind of forgotten the game was even on – whoops!

But back to the cookies.  I am not a skilled baker.  My mother-in-law and sister-in-law can bake the most amazing cakes, breads, cookies and so on.  They have the skill and patience to decorate beautiful desserts, while I do not. SO, I wanted something that was practically fail-proof – enter chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies.

I used this recipe and added some sprinkles.  Trust me, if I can bake two batches of these, anyone can.

Quick note: I’ve recently updated the category pages up at the top to reflect a grid display so it’s easier to navigate.  This should make scrolling through the food & drink page much easier!

Are you baking this week?  A reader recently shared that she makes her husband chocolate-dipped strawberries every year and now it’s their tradition.  How sweet is that?  I’d love to hear your traditions… and if it involves food, well that’s even better.  Thanks for reading and happy red and pink week! XO –