Paying Momage

Paying homage means to show great respect for someone. Today I am paying momage {take that Wikipedia} to a woman I respect and treasure dearly.
My mother is a kind person, good natured, humble, faithful and disciplined. She is also passionate, mouthy, direct, and sassy. These somewhat contradictory characteristics complement each other, a yin and yang effect so to speak, and the end result is nothing short of magnificent.
My mom has raised 4 daughters and we all have nothing but love and respect for her. Through thick and thin, good times and bad, richer and poorer; our vows read like those of a solid marriage and nothing in this universe can tear us apart.

{My v. young mother holding me}

{Mom far right and her besties circa 1980-something}

{My mom and stepfather wine tasting}

Fresh Faced

Not too long ago I realized something very hard to fathom...I am getting older.
I looked in the mirror one day and my skin was lackluster, dry, and clogged. I consulted an aesthetician, Renee Kaylor, and she gently confirmed what the mirror refused to hide...yep...getting older.
So I reached out for help (something I don't like to do) and asked her to create a skincare regimen. Within a few days I received a goodie box full of Nahla Beauty, Yonka, and Pure Inventions samples. Renee believes in holistic and innovative skincare solutions and all the products she carries and recommends are organic and botanical based (and smell amazing).
I am happy to report that my skin is back to looking fresh, vibrant, and youthful and I owe it all to Renee. Below are my favorites which I purchased from Renee, and you can too, from her online store here.

{Yonka Alpha Complex}

{Nahla Vanilla Bean Cleanser}

{Nahla Calendula Healing Cream}

Orange Currant Scones...So Fancy

Ok I admit, when it comes to baking and cooking, I keep it simple. I just don't have the time or desire to tackle a complicated recipe. When I found this recipe for Orange Currant Scones, I knew I could tweak it a bit and make it my own {I often do this}. If you are hosting a brunch anytime soon, you must make these; your guests will gush and you will feel like a kitchen superstar.

Orange Zest Smells Amazing

Finished Scrumptious Scone

You will need

1 3/4 Cup unbleached all purpose flour
1/4 Cup ground flax seed {why not throw it in when you can!}
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/3 Cup Currants {you can find these in the dried fruit section}
Zest of one orange
1 1/4 Cup heavy cream {just do it and don't think twice}
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted

How to prepare

Preheat oven to 425

Whisk together flour, flax seed, sugar, baking powder and salt in large bowl

Stir in the orange zest, currants and cream until just combined

Place dough on a floured surface and work into a round ball

Using your palms flatten into an 8" circle about 1/2" thick

Using a pizza cutter {or knife will do} cut into 8 wedges

Place scones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper

Brush the tops and sides of the scones with the melted butter

Bake until lightly golden brown {about 15min}

Transfer to a wire rack to cool

Serve with drizzled honey on top and Enjoy!

What I Am Digging Today

It's a busy day and I am relying on some of my faves to get me through it. Fragrance and music. Fragrance to keep me centered {and smelling fantastic} and music to keep me on tempo!

{Click here to watch the video}

{Thymes Agave Nectar, Tocca Stella Solid, Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange}

Make A Wish

I love Dandelions. They are pretty and soft and when you blow on them and make a wish, all your dreams come true. My daughters just picked three Dandelions from our backyard and they are {well they were} picture perfect! 

{This was my wish}

{Dandelions}

Time Out

I've had a very busy week {and it's only Monday} so I decided to take a time out and get lost on a very simple art project. I recently received some beautiful perfume samples from Atelier Cologne and each sample was enclosed in an envelope with a stunning postcard depicting the vibe of that particular scent. My inner six year old came out and an art project was born. I think I will go to Michael's and purchase a black frame, but I like the way it looks in the meantime.

{Orange Sanguine}

{Bois Blonds}

{Grand Neroli}

{Trefle Pur}

{Vanilla Insensee}

{Oolang Infini}

Posh Potato Salad

I am all about easy recipes that I can alter if I don't have all the ingredients on hand. My recipe {if you can call it that} for Posh Potato Salad is foolproof and delish.

You will need

Bag of small red potatoes 

 2 lemons

Green onions

Sour cream or Greek Yogurt - 2 tbsp

Course salt 

Fresh ground pepper

Fresh basil

How to prepare

Boil potatoes until they are fork tender {you don't want them to crumble}

While they are boiling chop your basil and green onions and squeeze your lemons

Strain the potatoes and allow to cool just enough to handle

Cut the potatoes in half and place in a medium size bowl

Toss the potatoes with the lemon juice, sour cream, green onion, basil, s&p

Serve warm or room temperature

B-A-N-A-N-A-S

I couldn't resist using that as the title for this amazing Banana Bread recipe, which I have made my own by changing a few things here and there {you will notice I do this a lot}.

The original recipe is courtesy of none other than Martha Stewart and you can find it here. Below is my version and I have to say, it gets better each time I make it.

{B-A-N-A-N-A-S Bread}

You will need

1/2 cup of butter
1/2 cup of agave nectar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of salt
2 cups mashed very ripe bananas
1/2 cup of sour cream
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of cinnamon

How to prepare

Preheat oven to 350
Butter a loaf pan
Cream butter and sugar until fluffy {love me some fluffy sugar}
Add eggs one at a time and mix well
Combine all the dry ingredients in a separate bowl
Add the butter mixture to the dry bowl and mix until just combined
Stir in the bananas, vanilla and sour cream

Bake for about an hour and 10 min and then insert cake tester {old school = toothpick}

And Yum-O

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Commitment issues

I am not one to commit to a product and I brand hop like it's my job. Shampoo, toothpaste, makeup...I have no loyalty. When I do find myself making a repeat purchase, I take notice. Here are a few that have earned their way onto my "lifer" list.

1. Mrs. Meyer's line of household cleaning products have long been one of my favorites and I rarely stray. The fragrances are natural, they tackle the task at hand, and they are pretty. Oh and my dish sponge NEVER gets that it's time to throw me out I reek smell. I love Lemon Verbena and Geranium.

2. Creme de la Mer is not for all budgets {I buy mine on Ebay in the sample sizes}but I am so addicted I can't be without it. It's rich and moisturizing and luxurious and it works miracles on fine lines.

3. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 is quite possibly the most awesome product for the cost {$42}. It's sheer and light and perfect for daytime coverage. I purchase the oil free moisturizer in Fawn, but you can select from 10 different shades to complement your tone.

{Mrs. Meyers cleaning products in Lemon Verbena}

{Creme de la Mer}

{Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer}

Roasted Cauliflower

I found a recipe a couple of years ago and it has become a staple in the rotation. It seems to be a crowd pleaser and even the kids love it. Perfect dish to bring to a party. It's fresh, healthy and sophisticated.
It's one of those recipes that you can play with and make your own so go ahead and give it a tweak.

{Roasted Cauliflower, Photo courtesy of Simply Recipes}

You will need
One head of cauliflower
2-3 Garlic cloves minced or chopped it's up to you
Lemon juice from 1 lemon
{I use White Wine if I am out of lemons}
Olive oil
Fresh Parmesan cheese
Coarse salt and fresh black pepper


How to prepare
Preheat oven to 400
Cut cauliflower into florets {love that word}
Place in a casserole dish
Toss in the garlic
Cover each floret with lemon juice and olive oil
Season with salt and pepper {I throw in random herbs too}
Bake at 400 covered for 30 minutes
Uncover and sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top
Bake uncovered for about 5-8 min or until cheese has browned

Canary walls

We recently moved closer to the beach and our new space is light and fresh compared to our last home. The artwork that complemented the walls before no longer feels right in our new home.

For the last month or so I have been foraging for fun and whimsical prints that are budget friendly {a motto I live by}. As I mentioned here, I am really into canary yellow these days which is completely obvious.

{Love this print for the kitchen from Keep Calm Gallery}

{This would be perfect in my office, found on Etsy}

{Perfect over the sideboard, you can buy it here}

Thou shall not covet

From time to time I find myself wanting things. All sorts of things. I tell myself I don't need these things as they will not bring me peace and fulfillment. Alas, an internal conflict erupts and wages on until a compromise is reached.

I am coveting many items at the moment ranging in cost from $35 to $3000 {I would never}. I will only purchase one {this is the compromise mentioned earlier} and purge my coveting ways...for the time being that is.

1. Ray-Ban Aviators

2. Ippolita Turquoise Necklace

3. Coach Kristin Hobo

4. Tea Forte Teapot

5. JHAG Perfume in Lady Vengeance

A fling with spring

We have begun our fling with spring. It's a short and passionate relationship and when it's over I miss it and I am sure you do, too.

I take this time of year to modify the bad habits I adopted during winter. Let's face it, we all tend to overindulge from November to January on some very delicious yet naughty things {coffee, chocolate and champagne were mine}. What I changed: instead of gulping down copious amounts of coffee in the morning, I now drink a yummy banana-spinach smoothie {see recipe at the end}.

I also try to get some spring cleaning and organizing done - which I am still in the process of doing. A great way to remove clutter is to have a yard sale. Then you can go shopping for outdoor items in fun, fresh colors. I am feeling Turquoise and Canary at the moment.

Flowers are an easy and inexpensive way to freshen up your home. I like to place several small arrangements around our house in a variety of colors and I use stemless wine glasses as vases.

{Banana spinach smoothie}

recipe below

{Organize your closet}

{Easy small arrangement}

Banana smoothie recipe:

Start with lots of ice

Add 1 scoop of Chocolate Protein Powder like http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=299508&catid=176798&aid=337953&aparam=pure_protein_jillian_mic&CAWELAID=568030418

Toss in 1 banana

Add 1 generous scoop of peanut butter

Add 2 huge handfuls of spinach

Add milk {1%, Non-fat or Almond}