Series

A Dose of Pretty

~ Paris ~ Leave a comment

IMG_4578{Fancy cookies to make my afternoon a bit sweeter: crème brûlée with a vanilla pastry cream and Irish coffee with Bailey’s pastry cream + nutmeg whipped cream.}

I love celebrating everything – whether it is an established holiday like Halloween or a fun, festive day like National Lipstick Day {on July 29th, in case you were wondering}. Thus, I always try to find ways to make each day feel a bit more special, whether it’s going someplace fun on Sunday afternoon, making dessert on Monday evening, or having date night every Friday with a homemade meal + a movie. Based on this philosophy, it’s no surprise that our dessert of choice last week made perfect sense. In my opinion, artisanal cookies are always the perfect way to end the week. And last week I chose a crème brûlée cookie with vanilla pastry cream and an Irish coffee cookie with Bailey’s pastry cream + nutmeg whipped cream to celebrate the start of the weekend and everyone’s favorite Irish holiday. I hope you found an equally decadent way to end your week, every week {holiday or not}. x

IMG_9617{A cloudy sunset walk by the beach + lights from the city on the other side of the shore.}

66af4-photo-1978{The most glamorous of breakfasts – a virgin mimosa + macarons.}

FullSizeRender-1557{Surprised to spot pomegranates on a springtime, afternoon walk.}

IMG_9815{Current obsession: This gorgeous Ceylon padparadscha sapphire that keeps changing from pink to orange every time I move my hand.}

IMG_9596{Hanging out with some new friends at Brody’s favorite park.}

x Paris

Spring To-Do List

~ Paris
{Pretty flower blossoms + afternoon light.}
The official new year may begin in the dead of winter, but the start of spring has always felt like the true, new beginning {which makes sense as culturally our new year is typically in the middle of April}. I‘ve also always been biased that spring is one of my favorite times of year {alongside autumn}, not just because it’s my birth season, but also the fact that everything just feels a bit fresher & happier. Yesterday was the first day of spring {and National Proposal Day, apparently}, which has made me excited for doing things like dining al fresco again, enjoying the late afternoon light during sunset-chasing walks, and going to bustling farmer’s markets for fresh produce on Sunday mornings {followed by a brunch at home made with said produce}. Since I love a good to-do list, I figured I’d share ten things I’d like to accomplish before summer begins to help make the season of love feel a bit more special and a whole lot prettier. I hope my spring to-do list inspires you to celebrate the warmer weather over the next three months. 
I’d love to know, what’s on your spring to-do list this year?
Spring To-Do List
1. Host an at-home wine tasting {non-alcoholic wines and champagne count}, paired with a fruit and cheese plate.
2. Have a picnic-style lunch – whether it’s in the yard, a sunny window, the beach, or a pretty park.
3. Go outside, daily, for either an early morning run or late afternoon walk.
4. Spring clean and de-clutter, constantly.
5. Wear a bright lipstick, often.
6. Grill seasonal veggies and eat them al fresco style in the backyard or balcony.
7. Have an at-home spa day complete with a facial, manicure, and bubble bath.
8. Light candles through the day + buy fresh flowers, constantly, to help elevate the day.
9. Create a signature spring cocktail to sip on – something light, fizzy, & fruity.
10. Travel to nearby cities to explore new places for a day or a weekend.

x Paris