Monday's Trio

Two weekends ago I went to one of my favorite stores, the JCrew Outlet. I always find the best deals there and this time was no exception.  I have a fondness for their jewelry and walked away with two necklaces. I am saving one to wear with my 'first day of school outfit,' but have already worn the other one several times this week.

Two new lipsticks by Revlon: Stormy Pink & Kiss Me Coral

Beautiful flowers on the way up to Napa

Happy Monday!

Wild Ride

Last weekend I went up to Santa Rosa to go on a safari. It was awesome; the animals were so close, you could reach out and touch them (ok, you weren't actually allowed to touch them. The point, that you could, if you were a rule breaker).  My favorite had to be the giraffes and the zebras.

Each one has a different pattern 

Have a great weekend!

Back to School Carry-Alls

During the school year I lug papers between home and work all the time. These satchels are stylish and have room for all the wonderful papers I will be grading. Which one is your favorite?

Happy Wednesday!

Mulberry satchel bag, $1,200
MICHAEL Michael Kors logo handbag, $378
Proenza Schouler calf hair handbag, £1,690
FOSSIL vintage bag, $156
Proenza schouler bag, €1.610
Miu Miu pocket tote bag, $995

Caribbean

Happy Friday all! In between my lesson planning, I am spending time reminiscing about my summer vacation; in particular, my cruise.  I love to look back over the pictures from this fantastic trip. Here are a few of my highlights!

 On St. Maarten heading to the water taxi that will take us to the shops!

Jewelry stand on Barbados 

 We are coming back from snorkeling with the sea turtles (please excuse the funky hair)

 I had so many drinks that were made with coconuts. DELICIOUS! 

This little boat drove up and down the water selling fruit and mixed drinks served in coconuts. 

Frozen mojito for me (everything is better blended)

My beautiful sister and her husband at a formal night

I hope that you have a fantastic weekend! I am going on safari (yep, thats right!). Stay tuned for pictures. 

All That Glitters

Work is so busy right now. I'm getting ready for all the kids to come back to school (and when I say kids, I mean 13 year olds), trying to learn the new curriculum, and still trying to maintain some sort of work-life balance.  So, I thought that I needed something glittery to brighten my day. Happy Thursday!

Hand Made

I love to craft. A couple of years ago Richard bought me an embosser and I have been making cards ever since. Embossing is really easy and has a pretty big wow factor. I love looking for new stamps and decorations that I can use to make cards. Here are some of my latest creations.

 Happy Wednesday!

Lovely Leopard

I absolutely love all of the leopard print that designers are showing for fall. Ever since I was a little girl, leopard print has had a special place in my heart.  Here are a few of the pieces that I have my eye on. 

1. Leopard Scarf, Mad Men Collection by Banana Republic
2. Nora Calf Hair Ballet Flat by JCrew
3. Pia Calf Hair Pumps by JCrew
4. Leopard Belt, Mad Men Collection by Banana Republic
5. Medina Heels by JCrew
6.  Leopard Ballet Flats with Bows by Mui Mui

How fabulous are those JCrew Medina Heels?!?!

Monday's Trio

Here are three things that are currently making me happy!

Sharing chocolate martinis with my sister. I'm going to try and recreate these because they were SO delicious!  ( I love the chocolate flower at the bottom of the glass!)

Embroidered Wedge by 12th Street by Cynthia Vincent

The beautiful ocean in St. Maarten (I miss it already!)

Happy Monday!

Make-up Box

There are a few beauty products that I just can't live without.  My all time favorite is Benefit's Erase Paste. It gets rid of the dark circles under my eyes all day and people no longer tell me that I look tired. I seriously recommend anyone who has under eye circles give this product a try.

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder 
Nars blush in rose petal 
Revlon cream shadow in Not Just Nudes
Benefits girl meets pearl highlighter 
Bare Minerals Buxom Lash mascara
Benefit erase paste
Kiehl's Abyssine lotion 
Benefit Stay Don't Stray eye primer 

Tasty Tuesday Tidbit

I finally got around to using the heirloom tomatoes that I bought at the farmers market.  I made a caprese salad for dinner and paired it with with deli meats, olives, and a homemade roasted garlic dipping oil.  For this post I will give both my recipe for caprese salad (if you can call it a recipe, it's so easy!) and how to roast garlic.

Caprese Salad

Ingredients
3 large heirloom tomatoes
8 oz fresh mozzarella
10 basil leaves
Balsamic vinegar
Olive oil (I used basil olive oil which added some extra flavor)

Directions
Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella into rounds.  On a platter, alternate tomato and mozzarella slices.  Roll the basil leaves into a log and slice thin strips. Scatter the basil over the tomato and mozzarella.  Drizzle with balsamic and oil.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Roasted Garlic

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel the outer layer of skin off of one head of garlic and cut the top off. Place the head of garlic into a cupcake tin. Drizzle with olive oil and cover with tin foil. Roast in the oven for 40 min.  When the garlic is done you will be able to squeeze it out of the shell. (I mashed mine, mixed it with olive oil, and used it as a dipping oil for bread.)