First Holga Roll

Yesterday I received my first developed Holga roll in the mail (actually there were two rolls, but nothing really came out on the first roll, except for the adorable one of Charlie). I was so excited. Ever since I've been looking at Holga pictures on Flickr, I've been so inspired to go out and take some of my own magical photos. I can't get enough of their dreamy-ness and bright colors. So let's hope that this is the first of many fantastical photos to come!

Sticky Buns!

The other morning I decided that I would try out the sticky bun recipe I saw on Barefoot Contessa. It always makes me happy when I'm sitting on the couch, with nothing to do, flipping through the tv channels and find that Barefoot Contessa is on the Food Network, she makes me want to move to the Hamptons and host lunch dates and dinner parties everyday. Anyway, the recipe is literally called "Easy Sticky Buns" and they live up to the name, as you will see:


First you mix together some butter and brown sugar (the recipe says to mix this in an electric mixer fitted with a paddle, but I don't have all those fancy gadgets so I just used a regular electric mixer.) Spoon the mixture in a 12 muffin cup pan and add pecans.


Next, get two pastry puff sheets (defrosted-- Which, heads up, takes 40 minutes to defrost. I did not know that [said in Johnny Carson voice]) Brush melted butter on the sheet, and spread brown sugar, cinnamon and raisins in the center (note: I would say raisins are optional because I didn't have them so I didn't use them. Personal preference) Then roll the sheet tightly.

End with the seam down and cut off side edges. Cut six 1 1/2" pieces from roll.


next, transfer those to the muffin pan and place on top of the sugar mixture (make sure to push it down and get it all up in the sugars business :D) Bake for 30 minutes. When done, turn the pan over, or carefully scoop out each bun with a spoon and make sure to spoon extra mixture on top.


and Voila! wonderfully delicious sticky buns! This was my first time doing this recipe and I discovered the pastry sheets puff up to a monsterous size, so make sure they're tightly rolled and pushed down. The best part is that the pastry sheets get really flaky like the outside of turnovers, and soft in the middle. It's a beautiful marriage of flaky and softness. You can find the full recipe here. So go ahead and try 'em, let me know how they turn out!
Bon Appetite!

The Flower Fields

a couple days ago my family and I went down to the Flower Fields in Carlsbad. It was amazing! The flowers were so pretty and the lemonade was delightful! Definitely the way to start off spring.

and I'm back!

I am so backed up with my posts because due to a little accident (my mom threw away my USB cord.) I have been unable to download any of my pictures from my camera to the computer. I know, I know... I need to go eat some french cries. But I finally got them all uploaded today! so let's start with an outfit post from a week ago when I went out with the girls to get some Fondue to celebrate Melissa's arrival from Texas!




I finally purchased the stripe pocket frock (read: body hugging dress) from American Apparel I'd been eyeing and I must say, I love it. You have to be quite careful how you wear it because it's not forgiving, actually it's pretty scandalous (note how short the skirt in the picture is, and you can't see the bottom of the dress. yikes!) so I thought for it's maiden voyage I'd pair it up with my new, ridiculously cute high-waisted paperbag skirt from Etsy. It has pockets and everything. then I threw on my go-to steve maddens and I was ready to enjoy some amazing spinach-artichoke dip. Now I'm hungry.

I'm drooling.

Okay, so I know that I should probably be in bed catching up on my Netflix that I've had for entirely too long, but I can't help but post about these dresses I've been swooning over lately. Especially after watching Brideshead Revisited and reading Atonement... these dresses were just calling to me.

This one I fell in love with ever since I saw it in the Anthropologie catalog a couple months ago. Hello?! Those colors! Those sleeves! There are no words.



This dress from Modcloth had me at "hello-I'm-a-salmon-colored-reincarnation-of-a-dress-from-Ginger-Roger's-closet-and-did-I-mention-how-good-I-look-from-the-back?"


Gah! are you serious?! Is there any place this dress can be worn to? and can I please be invited there?! I don't know why I have a fixation on back openings, but there's something so modestly sexy and classy about them. And once again-- those sleeves!


This last one, also via modcloth, doesn't really fit into the same category as the other dresses but I had to add it because I'm kind of in love with it, okay I'm completely in love with it. I have this thing with peplum dresses late and not to mention it has Carrie Bradshaw written all over it. I'll bring the nude heels, you bring the tea party and we'll get this party started.

So that's the dress edition of the Things-I'm-Swooning-Over posts. There will be more to come. You have been warned.

Brideshead Revisited

The other night I watched Brideshead Revisited... and was quite smitten. Set in 1930's England... the outfits and settings were amazing. And even though the movie had pretty intense subject matter, it still had dream-like quality that I couldn't get enough of. and not to mention that it's possible I'm completely infactuated with Matthew Goode now. No no, it was still a good movie. I suggest seeing it... he is just an added bonus.

I'm boggled.

Last night I went out to dinner for my friend's birthday. It's pretty much the same outfit I wore yesterday, but different top and shoes... oh, and the addition of greatest necklace ever.




I'm so in love with how this top drapes. This is my first time wearing it and I love how feminine and classic it is, but can still go so well with a pair of skinny jeans. And the necklace I got from Anthropologie a little while ago (on sale, even!) and can't get enough of it. It makes me want to go buy a game of boggle and try to make other pieces of jewelry. So Wonderful!

Top: Target, Jeans: Target, Belt: Forever 21, Shoes: Target, Necklace: Anthropologie

Purple People Eater

Am I really updating my blog at 2 in the morning? Yes. Have I been up since 7am? Yes. Oy Vey! Today consisted of hanging out with my mom and grandpa and having lunch over my sister's house. It's been a long day, but quite lovely. The sun was shining and I was amongst good company... What more can you really ask for?


This tunic is so roomy and comfortable, and it's purple! It's so long that I feel like I might be able to pull it off as a dress with some tights. or maybe I'd get arrested. I'm still contemplating. And the cowl neck is amazing!


You can hide in it like a turtle and make a home out of it until spring.

Tunic: Delias, Belt: Forever 21, pants: Target, Sandals: Dolce Vita