BCBG Summer Hat
Memorial Day is right around the corner and everyone needs a hot summer hat to sport at the BBQ’s! I found this amazing BCBG hat with “sunglasses” on the rim and absolutely love it! You can actually see out of the frames of the sunglasses and the hat comes down far on face so that the sunglasses are at your eye line! Super kitschy and so unique for a pool party!
The perfect summer hat
Lemon Thyme Cocktail
I think its time to introduce a perfect summer cocktail! When I was in London my friend Logan introduced me to this fab lemon thyme cocktail and I became obsessed! It is so super easy to make and will liven up any party. It is always important to have a signature drink at your parties that is out of the ordinary and fun, funky, fresh! This lemon thyme cocktail will get all the guests talking and mingling in no time! Add our super cute DIY fruit bowl to the bar for some cuteastic decor!
DIY Fruit Bowl
Equal parts water, lemon and sugar. Bring water and sugar to a boil and add a handful of thyme. Let the sugar water get infused with the thyme flavor for about 15 minutes on simmer! Then, strain the thyme out and add in fresh squeezed lemon! This makes the base of your drink.
Lemon thyme cocktail
Take a tablespoon of your lemon thyme syrup and add to a tall glass with a shot of vodka. Fill the rest of the cup half with lemonade and half with soda water. Place a lemon wedge on the side or your drink and garnish with some more thyme! Voila. The perfect summer cocktail!
Lemon Thyme Vodka Cocktail
DIY Fruit Bowl
The other day I was outside watering my plants and my DIY Diva brain started to race for some alternative uses for the run of the mill clay pot. I decided to make a moss covered plant pot fruit bowl for summer entertaining. It is super easy and only took about 15 minutes! This fruit bowl is the perfect summer accessory to brighten things up in the kitchen. It can also be used on a bar for fun and versatile decor! Slap some chalk paint on there and label it for some extra kitsch!
Clay Pot
Take a clay plant pot and paint the top with chalk paint.
Attach moss
Clay Pot with Moss
Take a white paint pen and label the pot “Fresh Lemons.”
Fill the pot with lemons and voila!
Fresh Lemons Bowl
DIY Fruit Bowl
Aperorestaurant.com
I have to admit, the food in London has greatly improved since I studied here 7 years ago. I am a total foodie and London never jumped out at me as one of those cities that are known for their restaurants. Butttt, my sister and I went to dinner last night at Apero South Kensington and it was amazing! Every dish was delightful and the drinks were YUMazing! I also love this place because it’s a sharing small plates set up which always is fun with a group and allows you to try a variety of dishes. Now, everything in London is beyond expensive and this place was do-able! Good food and not a $1,000! I’m sold!
AperoRestaurant.com
The atmosphere is also super swanky but comfy and relaxed as well. I thought I was going to melt into the buttery blue leather couch I was sitting on! I highly recommend ”The Seasons” for a cool, cucumber, apple summer spritzer! Delicious! Also the “Wet Polenta” and “Courgette Flowers, Ricotta and Cucumber” are to die for! Put this hot spot on your list the next time you travel to London!
AperoRestaurant.com
Ever wanted to try a little taste of wine before you buy it? Just to make sure its what you really want? Ugh..hells yea! Well, The Sampler South Kensington is all about it. Literally, this wine shop allows you to sample a huge variety of wines in order to pick out the perfect choice! Here is how it works!
TheSampler.com
Easy peasy right? Uh I wish they had this in the states. What a good idea! I would be in The Sampler everyday! Next time you are in London for a bit you have to go check it out. Or if you have a family member or friends who live in London you could give him or her the gift of “Sampling.” So Fun, Funky, Fresh!
www.enomatic.co.uk
The Sampler South Kensington
The Sampler South Ken
35 Thurloe Place
London SW7 2HP
Tel. +44 207 225 5091
Mon – Sat 11.30 – 10.00
Sunday 11.30 – 7.00
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Yes, this week I am in London visiting my sister for her 30th birthday! Soooo fun and so exciting! This past weekend we traveled out to the country for a big bash at an estate called Cliff Barns. A lot of people rent this house for weddings, anniversaries and birthdays. It was the perfect spot for a relaxing getaway with a big group of people. The house itself was so amazing and decorated to the nine’s. Nothing was left undone. The attention to detail in design and utility was incredible. The house had an eclectic/glam hunting lodge feel to it and every hook and antique bathtub was perfectly placed.
Cliff Barns Living Room
Don’t worry, I took a bath everyday and sat by the fire reading as much as I could. Love a good fire. Oh yea, England is still cold right now..spring has NOT sprung. Thus, the need for baths and fires. Well, lets face it, there is always a need for baths and fires.
Cabana Bedroom
Anywho, a true highlight of the trip was clay pigeon shooting. Yup, you heard it. We went Downton Abby style and had someone come and teach us how to clap pigeon shoot. We all got dressed up in english tweed jackets and Hunter boots for a jolly old day of “hunting.” It was super fun, except for the torrential downpour in the middle. This is England after all! Between rain showers, we really had blast! Cliff Barns is a wonderful escape and event location if you are looking for something unique and special abroad!
Me Clay Pigeon Shooting
A-Frame LA Restaurant
Looking for a place to eat on Mother’s Day? Most of us go out to celebrate and it is always hard to lock down the perfect restaurant. Well, take my advice. Go to A-Frame LA. I went this past weekend with a group of friends and it was so fun and delicious. It is family style which is great for trying everything and exploring some dishes you might not get otherwise. Everything is unique and honestly mouthwatering good! I suggest getting Hawaiian style kettle corn, grilled octopus (called Octi-Pi LA, yeaaaa they are clever like that), twice baked potatoes, hoisin glazzed baby back ribs and the famous beer can chicken. For dessert, try the YUMazing pound cake churros!
A-Frame LA Restaurant Twice baked potato
Mother’s Day is almost here and I have been giving some super cute DIY gift suggestions over the past few weeks. Here is the complete list of DIY Mother’s Day gifts along with the step by step process! Have fun! Homemade is always from the heart!
Monogrammed Coasters
Custom Cocktails
Peach and Burrata Salad
A little pizzaz to the Italian favorite! This peach and burrata salad will be a huge hit at your Mother’s Day party! Same old caprese salad but add some sliced peaches to liven it up a bit. The burrata and sweet, cold peach pairs perfectly together! This is a wonderful spring salad that is truly to die for! It’s also super easy to prepare and always is a hit!
2 Large burrata balls cut into chunks
2 Peaches cut into slices
2 Large tomatoes cut into slices
Chopped Basil
Salt, Pepper, Olive Oil
Daisy Spatula World Market
Spring is always a bright and happy time and why not celebrate the season with some fab spring cooking essentials. Liven up your kitchen with these fun flower and bug spatulas and measuring set. They are super adorable and would make for great hostess gifts. These spring cooking essentials are also a great present for the mom who loves to cook! Little items like these really make a house festive and fun! You can get these items at World Market for under $10 each. Wowzaaaa!
Daisy Flower Pot Measuring Spoons
World Market
Bee Spatula World Market
DIY Diva’s rejoice! This Hostess Handbook project is super fun, cheap and too cute to boot! The DIY Flower Napkin Rings are a summer party must have! It will brighten up your table setting and allow for some pizzaz while using generic paper napkins! Let’s face it, we’re broke, we don’t have fabric napkins in our rat whole apartments. But we can still make the table settings look fab instead of drab!
Simply take 3 baking cups and ribbon to assemble these flowers!
Take the baking cup and fold it in half. Then, fold it again along the center line so it makes a cone shape. Next, cinch the cone at the bottom and fan out the second half to make it look like the folds of a flower.
Make another two flowers and put all three together, attaching them by tying the three together with the ribbon.
Finally, tie the flower around a paper napkin and your done!
Burke Williams Spa
If you’re looking to get a FAB gift, It might be time to spend Mother’s Day at Burke Williams. They are having great package deals and a little spa action is always a wonderful gift for mom. I loveeee massages and am always discovering new places and visiting old favorites. Burke Williams is definitely an old favorite and the ultimate in relaxation. They also have a bunch of locations so you can find one that is closest to your mother.
Burke Williams Spa
Choose from West Hollywood, Pasadena and Santa Monica or branch out further to Orange country, Sherman Oaks and even San Francisco. I suggest you get mom the “Relax” package which is a spa pedicure plus either a 50 minute massage or a 50 minute facial for $145. The regular price in usually $180. Or if you’re feeling like a baller you and mom can do a day together! Those are always fun and the deal is really good! Its basically the “Relax” package for two but at $275 rather than the normal $360! Wahoo. Now, you can relax in luxury knowing you got a great deal!
Scrabble Piece Picture Frame
Yesterday, I went on Good Day LA showing people how to make DIY Mother’s Day Gifts and this scrabble piece picture frame was a big hit! I mean how cute is this for the mom who can’t get enough of her children’s smiling faces? I know this present would be a big hit at my house. My mom literally is obsessed with pictures and has the entire refrigerator covered in photos. This DIY gift is so great because you can make it really personal. Maybe write an inside joke or your names with the letters. This gift is also so on your budget for all my penny pinching princesses! You can buy the pieces sold separately online at Amazon
Monogrammed Coasters
Today, I am going on Good Day LA to show everyone how to make some cutetastic Mother’s Day gifts DIY style! I am soooo excited and hope you check it out! One of the gifts I am making for the segment is monogrammed coasters. I absolutely love these and think they are such a great home decor gift. I hope you feel the same because you can enter to win monogrammed coasters here! Wahoo sooo fun!
Here is what you do:
Mama is going on Good Day LA again tomorrow to show how to make some fab DIY Mother’s Day gifts! Wahoo! I am sooooo beyond excited and sooooo up to my elbows in glue, scrabble pieces and mango juice. Pretty random right? Well, you’ll have to check out Good Day LA tomorrow between 8 and 10 to see what I have up my sleeve! I will say that I am making four different gifts so there will be tons of great options. All of them are easy, inexpensive and come from the heart!
Pink Shoes, Jeweled Earrings
Now, down to what I am wearing. You know I like to get colorful so I am not revealing my dress but lets say its a shade of neon. Paired with these pink ballet flats from H and M for $7 and jeweled earrings from Anthro, there’s no way it could look bad. Well, ok, maybe if I spill coffee all over myself. On-camera fears!!!!! Anyway, I am soooo excited and can’t wait to show everyone some cute-tastic DIY Mother’s Day gifts.
