Pink Chevron:

This year has truly been one of those years that I feel like my creative well has dried up. Life lately has been consumed by family, hospital visits, more hospital visits, traveling for hospital visits and my little toddler Victoria. When my dear Aunt approached me to help her plan a Bridal Shower for her future daughter-in-law I just couldn't say no. The perfectionist in me needed to help her make it perfect and special for the bride-to-be, and I knew it would be the perfect distraction from my day to day. It would take up all of saved up energy, but I'm glad I made the time for it! Enjoy!

Stationary Design / Fresh Linen Press

Cake / Cake Designs by Edda

Straws / Hey Yo Yo

Rentals / Imperial Party Rentals

Gadgets:

I love useful gadgets! Recently I fell in love with the website Quirky. My favorite item from their site is the porter for grilling; just recently we had family over for a weekend BBQ, and I had to prepare several trays for the raw and cooked food! This is a great space saver and I love that it comes in a simple, modern white design!

{ $34.99 }

Green Bags:

Now that we live in this new society of sustainability, many new products have entered the market that promote a "greener" way of living. Having said that, I must admit that as hard as I try to recycle, I'm not doing the most that I could be! Nevertheless, everything happens in baby steps. Yesterday I found this adorable Etsy shop of reusable sandwich and snack bags, Bagitconscious, and of course I immediately had to place an order. The most difficult part was deciding which pattern to choose. I figure, if you're going to go "green", you might as well do it in a fashionable way! Below are some of my favorite products!

Sandwich and Snack Bags $13.25

Set of Three Sandwich Bags $20.00

(You choose Fabric)

Reusable Bamboo Cutlery & Pouch $15.00

(Photos from Bagitconscious)

Decadence:

The hubby and I finally felt brave enough to venture out to a real restaurant with the baby this weekend. Although in all honesty it was for brunch, so maybe it doesn't count. We had noon reservations to avoid a long wait and to make sure the meal happened after Baby V had eaten her lunch! Of course we almost had to wait an additional twenty minutes when we mentioned we had a stroller, and of course the place didn't have highchairs, future mental note. Thank goodness Baby V behaved, so we could all enjoy the tasty fixin's from Yardbird, a restaurant specializing in Southern cuisine. Our brunch consisted of fried chicken and waffles, pumpkin beignets, shrimp and grits, and meatloaf with mashed potatoes. The food did not dissapoint! I can't wait to come back and try the dinner menu, although I think next time we will leave Baby V home with a sitter!

Weekend Getaway:

I hope everyone had a relaxing Fourth of July weekend. I just got back from a little weekend away in Palm Beach with the hubby. Even though we got rainy weather most of the time, we got to visit some great restaurants and meet some interesting people along the way. One of our favorite casual spots is Rocco's Tacos, they have the best guacamole I have ever tasted. Each order is made fresh on the spot, and since we always sit at the bar we get to watch them make it in front of us. One rainy afternoon we decided to visit the Flagler Museum also known as Whitehall, Henry Flagler's home in Palm Beach. Even though we have been to Palm Beach several times, we have never visited. I love to visit museums from the Gilded Age. I find their history very intriguing. On the eve of Fourth of July we decided we would go for an early dinner and get back to the hotel in time to watch the fireworks. We decided to go to the Omphoy Hotel for drinks and then to Michelle Bernstein's restaurant for dinner. My hubby and I are big fans of her restaurants in Miami, so we knew the food would be delicious. Though we had no idea we would be in for a special treat! She happened to be working in the kitchen that night and as the night went on she and her husband ended up sitting at the table right beside us at dinner. She was so nice and friendly we ended up engaging in conversation for the remainder of the evening. Needless to say, we missed the fireworks! It ended up being a great weekend despite the rain!   

  

19th Century Lace work

A courtyard in the middle of the home

Henry Flagler's original train car No. 91

Mercier's:

Have you ever had one of those days when you just want the day to be over already? And then out of nowhere someone does something that makes it all better? I was having of those days on Friday. Then I received a call from a good friend, who wanted to stop by and visit me at work. Upon arriving at my office he handed me a most prized little package - - a box containing Apple Pies and Fritters from Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, GA. I absolutely love this place, not only can you get a variety of apples, but you can pick fresh cherries, get homemade jams and ice cream, and a ton of other delicious treats! Sometimes the best gifts do come in small packages!

Peach Sangria:

Funny how it only took a mere thirty minutes to snap me out of my vacation glow this morning. Miami traffic (and getting back to work) will do that to you! I had to share this yummy recipe that I tested out this weekend while on vacation in Blue Ridge, Georgia. I was enjoying some quiet time, reading an issue of Southern Living, and stumbled on a Peach Sangria recipe. We ate at restaurants most of the time, but we decided to stay in and make tapas for dinner one night. Unfortunately, I didnt have time to snap a picture of my finished creation (or of our tapas buffet) due to some anxious and hungry friends who emptied the pitcher faster than I could refill it!

{Peach Sangria Recipe courtesy of Southern Living Magazine}

Work in Progress II:

My little project in progress has been compromised. I can't seem to find mini loaf molds anywhere in Miami. How is that possible? I guess that makes it that more of a challenge? I decided to design some favor tags to match my recipe card.  I'll add pictures later once everything is put together, if I ever find the molds! Here is a sample of what they look like. You can download them here if you'd like to use them in your own Mother's Day project!

Wrap me up:

I love beautiful & unique packaging. Whether its for gifts, stationery, food, or perfume, to my graphic design heart, it's all about the presentation. Even if what you're packaging is something small or inexpensive, the thought that went into its packaging makes it all the more special. Right now, my heart is skipping a beat with all the organic looking packaging from  Think Garnish. My brain is working overtime on ideas of how I could use their packaging for small gifts to give all the mothers in my life.

{All images from Think Garnish}

It's a beautiful day:

Have a wonderful weekend and take some time to indulge!

{Make your own Guacamole}

Hubby's in Love:

So after months of trying to watch a movie at this place, the hubby and I finally managed to make it to CinéBistro this weekend. Needless to say, I don't think we will ever go back to a regular movie theater again. Although it's a bit expensive, it's definitely worth it. You have to purchase your tickets in advance, at which time you reserve the seats of your choice. No lines, no annoying teenagers, no annoying chit chatter, and the best part of all, you have to be 21 or over to get in, unless they are playing a kids movie. They have a full bar, so you can pretty much get anything from a vodka tonic, to a melon mojito, to champagne. The food and desserts were great, although one downside is that all the food comes all at once. This is to avoid interruptions during the movie. The service was impeccable. We definitely cant wait to go back!

Sugarcane:

I love trying out new restaurants with the hubby. We don't get to do it as often as we'd like because we always end up at our favorite spots, but this weekend we tried out a delicious new restaurant that's been open for a couple of months. It all began with happy hour, I met a friend before the hubby got there so I was able to try a few snacks and cocktails before dinner. I was looking forward to tasting their sangria, but ended up ordering a drink called Spice of Love, it contained passion fruit purée / mango juice / jalapeño / vodka & Cointreau! It was delicious, and the jalapeños added an interesting twist! The best part of the night were the Tapas we ordered at dinner, the portions were perfectly bite sized! At the top of my list were the bacon wrapped dates with linguiça and manchego cheese and the Kobe beef sliders topped off with a quail egg! All of our dishes were delicious, and we can't wait to go back. 

{Sugarcane Raw Bar & Grill}

Happy weekend:

I hope everyone has a restful & peaceful weekend! I've been craving a yummy chocolate martini for a while. {Maybe I will indulge this weekend!}

(Image from Gliving )

Parlez-vous anglais?:

I'm so excited the weekend is coming up! Hopefully the Hubby and I will get to visit one of our favorite French restaurants! The food is delicious and the service impeccable! Although I always end up ordering the same thing every time, Filet Mignon au Poivre! Yum Yum!  

George's in the Grove

Cafe Pastis

Bon appétit:

Gourmet food has finally hit the streets of Miami, literally! Brought to you by Food Network chef Ingrid Hoffman, Miami's first gourmet food truck Latin Burger & Taco. I finally tried it this weekend {after weeks of being on the opposite side of town everytime they would announce their location}, and I was pleasantly surprised, the flavors lived up to the hype! Follow their hour by hour locations here!

Palette of Colors:

We finally managed to get some lovely weather down in Florida, clear blue skies and sixty-degree weather. It's the kind of weather that lures me into a pastry shop to have a cafe au lait with my hubby. As we faught the mall crowds we managed to sneak into Paul's for some yummy treats and to relax our feet. As I ordered my usual Raspberry tart, my eyes couldn't help but to glance over at their beautifully colored macarons, so I had a order a couple, and they were delicious! Now I cant wait to use them as favors!

You can also order them from here and have them shipped to you!

Short but Sweet:

I just got back from a nice little anniversary vacation with the hub. It was all I expected and more (nice cold weather, delicious food, and beautiful places). Here are a few of my favorites! 

Christie's Restaurant in Newport

The Elms Mansion

Midnight Farm Store in Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard Island

Bottoms Up:

So it's kind of sad that this long weekend is coming to an end, but there's no better way to top off a long day at the beach than with an icy cocktail!  I'm ADDICTED to mojitos, but you can find the recipe to your favorite cocktail here!

Sweets:

Happy Thursday, treat yourself to a cupcake! Im always looking for any excuse to buy myself my 'of the moment' favorite dessert, and these days I seem to be ADDICTED to miniature cupcakes! Their tiny size and big taste makes them feel guilt-free! Here in Miami there seems to be so many cupcake shops popping up everywhere, LA Sweets in South Miami is delicious! You can even call in your order and pick up from their back door! Now that's service!