White Lights + Links

I think I could do a happy dance 100 times over right now. The end of the week is here and "It's Complicated" is on TV as I am writing this post. I heart that movie... Anyway, how was your week? This week was crazy for me, so I am looking forward to the next few days. I'll be spending them with my family, which just makes me smile. I look forward to a lunch, movie and ice cream date with my parents (this is the movie of choice), practicing photography with my brother and eating some of my mom's fabulous food. No blind dates are planned. Thank God! Anyway, I'll see ya here next week. In the meantime, here are a few links to love...

What her guy thinks about her blogging... Genius idea for a series I tell ya.

I bought this print for my office yesterday. It's gorgeous and I need to be reminded of the words daily.

Fall is my favorite, but this delicious-looking thing makes me slightly sad that summer is almost over...

The best feelings in the world. I couldn't agree with this more.

A few blogs I'm loving: Little Bits of Lovely and Heart of Light

Have a wonderful weekend!

Image 1 (7/26/12 post) / 2

A New Find & A Summer Salad

Have you heard of Warby Parker?? Up until yesterday, I hadn't heard a word, so I realize I might be a little late to the party...  Anyway, I was on Instragram yesterday and my friend and blog designer Ashley posted a pic of glasses she ordered from Warby Parker. I thought they were so cute, so I looked them up. Gosh their are so many great things about their company. First, each pair of glasses, including prescriptions are just $95! That's about a gagillion dollars cheaper than my current pair. PLUS, with each purchase, someone in need receives a pair of glasses. I love the purchase and give concept. PLUS you can order 5 pairs to try on for free. If you don't like them, just return them! How awesome is that?? So last night, I ordered 5 pairs to try (including this pair and this pair) and can't wait to get them. Have you ordered from them before?

Oh and glasses don't count towards wardrobe updates right?? K. Good (see yesterday's post in case you missed it).

One more thing! Today I'm over at Julie's blog, Julip Made, sharing one of my favorite summer salads. Click here to check it out!

** This is not a sponsored post. I'm just sharing something I love! **

Falling Flat...

Row 1: J Crew Jayne T-Strap Flats | J Crew Viv Patent Leather Flats | ASOS Patent Leather T-Bar Flats

Row 2: Madewell Holepunch Sidewalk Skimmer | Madewell Sidewalk Skimmer in Polka Dot

Row 3: Jimmy Choo Leopard & Patent Leather Flat | J Crew Mila Dot-Print Flats | Tory Burch Croc-Effect Flats

So, other than buying this beauty of a necklace, I haven't bought anything for my wardrobe since June. No dresses, no jeans, no tops, no shoes, no nothing. I'm dying people! But I have a goal of not buying anything until fall is just about to set in. It's doing wonders for my budget, but dang!! Regardless, I have started looking and maybe dreaming of some things I would like to buy when the time comes. Flats are definitely on the list. These flats make a bit of a statement just on their own, which is what I love about them. I wish I could have them all! 

Speaking of wishing, you can find me over at Emily's lovely blog, Recently, participating in her Wish & Tell series. I'm wishin' for something big and tellin' ya a few fun things and facts. Click here to check it out!

4 Ingredient Chocolate Oreo Ice Cream

Oh my... Do I have a treat for you today. I'm kinda over the moon about it. I mentioned yesterday that I made homemade ice cream over the weekend. Making it has been a goal of mine for some time and I finally did it. I bought myself an ice cream maker and found this beyond simple recipe for my favorite type of ice cream and gave it a whirl...

Ladies and gents... I would like to present to you what I think is probably the best AND one of the easiest recipes I have ever posted here. No joke. It has FOUR ingredients my friends! FOUR!

Here is what you need and what to do:

1 13.5 or 14 oz can of coconut milk

2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

1/3 cup of sugar

10 Oreos, crushed

Add the coconut milk, cocoa powder and sugar into a blender. Blend for 20 seconds. Pour the mixture into the bowl of the ice cream maker. Make sure that the bowl is frozen before use! Churn the ice cream according to the manufacturer's instructions. Add the crushed Oreos during the last 5 minutes of the process. I have this machine and I only churned it for about 10 minutes. I then added the Oreos.

Once it is done, it will be creamy, rich and delectable-looking. It can be eaten immediately (I might have eaten half of it after it was done) or stored in a freezer-safe container. It will harden significantly in the freezer, but will return to the creamy consistency once it defrosts. This makes about a pint.

A quick note about the coconut milk. Don't worry if you aren't a big fan of coconuts. The ice cream only has a slight coconut flavor. Also, this is not meant to be a low-fat ice cream, so get the coconut milk with the highest amount of fat per serving (the norm is about 9 grams per serving). It will be much creamier and richer that way.

It's so, so, so good and worth buying an ice cream maker if you don't already have one!

Linked with Tasty Tuesdays

A Weekend Of Firsts

Hi there... How was your weekend? I hope it was a glorious one. My weekend was good. I experienced a few "firsts." Let me explain. 

This weekend was the first time I...

- purchased and read Kinfolk magazine. The essays were written so beautifully and the photography, well, it's gorgeous. 

 - purchased a piece of jewelry from Anthropolgie. Once I tried that bib necklace on, I knew it was coming home with me.

 - made homemade ice cream. It is was so stinkin' good. I used the mug and the dipped spoons in the ice cream's photo shoot. Of course I will share it with you tomorrow...

 - cleaned out my freezer for the first time in, well, I'm too embarrassed to say. It's been a while. 

 - went on a blind date in quite some time. I was reminded of why I'm not a fan of them. 

 - visited this rotating restaurant in over 10 years. It has the best views in all of Atlanta- definitely a highlight of the blind date.

 - turned off my phone and computer after dinner on Sunday night to just read mags and totally decompress for the week. No twitter, no Instagram, no blogging and no net surfing. I think I'll be doing that more often.

 - have done a post like this. Hope ya liked it. Have a great week!

Fall, Blogging & Links

Happy Friday my friends... How was your week? I hope it was a good one! This week, I was craving fall like CRAZY! It's been so hot and sticky here for what seems like years, so I'm ready for falling temps that bring on falling leaves and fall fashion! That whole ensemble she is wearing just gets me extra excited for my favorite season of the year...

So I think I have some great links for you this week. I have been feeling a bit sluggish about blogging lately and blogland must have heard my thoughts. There were so many great posts this week on the subject of blogging that helped a girl out! Here are a few of my faves + some other fun things I found...

Thoughts on the business of blogging. I enjoyed reading the comments just as much as I enjoyed the post.

Blogging as a career is like hitting a gold mine these days. But this girl does it and I loved her story on how she hit the gold mine...

Great tips like these and these always make things a little clearer when it comes to blogging.

If I were a guest in this guest bedroom, I would never leave. Like, ever.

The closest app to Photoshop in my opinion. The photo editing options are amazing...

Why am I just now finding this fashion blog?? The girl has great style...

And in case you missed it, a great drink for the weekend!

Image via

A New Favorite...

I thought I would start this new month off with a few gorgeous images. I found them on my new favorite tumblr, Maisons Blanches. I about died when I found it. All of the images are so incredibly beautiful and are of mostly white decor, food and fashion - my faves. Bookmarking the site is highly recommended. :)

Juice Of A Few Flowers

I love a good girly cocktail. I always have. My first alcoholic drink I had when I was 21 (or maybe a little younger) was an amaretto sour- the same first drink of so many other women I know. I loved the sweetness and how you really couldn't taste the alcohol. But now that I am older and have to pay my own bills, I like a little kick in my cocktails. 

So when I saw this recipe by Ms. Garten that has one cup of "good" vodka, I thought I might give it a try. First, I love the name of the drink. Very girly. Second, it's very fresh and in fact, very versatile. It tastes fabulous with the vodka, but you could substitute the vodka for gin, champagne or Prosecco. It tastes just like summer without any alcohol. Very refreshing...

Making the drink involves juicing some fruit, so I have one quick tip. Place the fruit in between a set of tongs. Think of any frustrations you might be having at the moment and squeeze the tongs together. You will be amazed at the amount of the juice you will get...

Here is what you need an what to do:

1 cup good vodka

1/2 cup fresh orange juice (2 oranges)

1/2 cup fresh grapefruit juice (1 grapefruit)

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (1 to 1 1/2 lemons)

1/4 cup fresh lime juice (2 limes) 

This drink is best served really cold, so it's good to put the drinking glasses in the freezer about 30 minutes ahead of time. Juice the fruit into a pitcher and add the vodka. I put a strainer on top of the pitcher so that it would catch the seeds and pulp of the fruit. Stir everything together. Fill a shaker with ice and fill it 3/4 of the way up with the drink. Shake it for a full 30 seconds. Your hands will be frozen, but it's worth it. Promise. Pour the drink into the glasses. I planned to add a sprig of mint for garnish, but I liked the lime slice better. Either will work though. I also garnished the tray with lime zest for a little added flair. 

The vodka is quite potent in this drink, so add a little less vodka or dilute it with sparking water if you can't take the heat!

Linked with Tasty Tuesdays