A Dose of Pretty

~ Paris ~ Leave a comment
{The Pacific Palisades (aka, where Beverly Hills meets the ocean) is always a good idea.}

The past few weeks went by like a blur of busyness. From our move for the summer to our trip to New Orleans, each day felt like it rushed by faster than expected. What I loved most, though, was taking the time to truly savor the little moments, even amidst the chaos. I loved that we spent time exploring our neighborhood before the move – let’s just say that San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano are such cute towns I must go back to visit {and, um, how had I not gone there before?!}, while the Pacific Palisades fulfills my lifelong dream of finding a city where “Beverly Hills meets the ocean.”

I also enjoyed getting to explore my 33rd state {I’ve now, officially, been to 33 states and 33 countries}, where I happened to fly to a literal day after our move ended. While I was a bit exhausted {to say in the least} in NOLA – and came back to still stuffed suitcases {and, to be honest, some there is still a bit left to unpack} – I was very grateful to get to explore Louisiana and see another southern state just a few weeks after our family reunion in Charleston.

This weekend I’m thrilled to go visit beautiful Lake Tahoe with a picnic lunch, and celebrate Father’s Day with a yummy dinner + lots of board games. I hope you have a great one as well and enjoy our last few days of spring {even if it already feels like summer in California}. x

{A dramatic rose wall + pink neon lights that greet me good morning, anytime of the day.}
{The sweetest, rosiest to-go cup that elevated my tea latte by simply being so pretty.}
{My new favorite candle embraces the sweet spices found in chai (fun fact: chai is the Hindi and Sanskrit word for tea).}
{A gorgeous day in San Clemente that showcases SoCal’s May gray/ June gloom, perfectly.}
{Deep pink roses that have fully embraced the “think pink” Barbiecore trend.}

x Paris

Lavender Lemonade

~ Paris
Years ago, in the spring, we made a trip to San Francisco where I discovered an intriguing cocktail – a lavender lemonade mimosa. While the drink was refreshingly different from a typical mimosa, my favorite part was the slightly sweet, floral notes the lavender gave the brunch cocktail. I decided instantly that I needed to make the drink, minus the champagne, the moment I got back home. Paired with an oversized and lightly flavored ice cube, this is a variation on the classic lemonade that I am fully behind. And I have since decided that I am required to make a glass {or pitcher} of my summer evening drink of choice – lavender lemonade – at least three times a week until autumn begins. x

Ingredients:
For one glass:

Half a lemon
2-3 lavender blossoms
1/16 cup sugar
1 cup water
Pinch of salt

For fancy lavender lemon ice cubes:

Water
Splash of lemon juice
2-3 lavender blossoms

Recipe:

1. Boil equal parts sugar and water, with lemon juice and lavender over a low flame to make the simple syrup.
2. Once the lavender lemon simple syrup is made, pour it into a glass and add water.
3. Separate the boiled lavender blossoms and toss them into the ice cube tray along with a splash of lemon juice to enhance the flavor of the ice as it melts.
4. Rub half a lemon against the rim of the glass, and then turn the glass upside down into a bowl of salt to rim the edge. Note: sugar works equally well in this case.
5. Add a pinch of salt and a pinch of sugar, and stir.
6. Garnish with the fancy lavender ice cube and a fresh lavender blossom.
7. Enjoy!

x Paris