Pajama Lust

As much as I appreciate a nice starched shirt or a cute sundress, there is no doubting I'm a loungewear girl through and through. My t-shirt and pajama drawers are completely bursting, I'm in desperate need of sorting through them.

I've been seeing Tink + Tiger all over the place, and I think I'm in love with their silk set! They seem perfect for a Sunday morning tucked in your crisp cotton sheets with a latte and the NYT....Now if they only came monogrammed!

Tiger Shirt, Tiger Short

What the Heck is Coconut Flour?

If you remember about a month ago I started the Whole Living 'Cleanse'. It basically focused on eating a lot of, easily digestible fresh fruits and veggies and thats about it. No dairy. No carbs. Nothing processed.

After spending a day in the kitchen preparing my meals for the week, it was fairly easy to maintain and very filling! I felt great, still had energy, was full and felt a whole lot 'cleaner' than I had been.  My cleanse week was immediately followed by the Denver Girls Weekend which, although I gave it my best shot, wasn't exactly cleanse approved.

The 'cleanse' was great, but is very limited in food choices and recipes. After some chatting with friends and further internet investigation I've decided to give Paleo a whole hearted shot. Being dairy free really helped my digestive system, and avoiding carbs is always a good thing right?
I ordered Practically Paleo on a recommendation, but to get a head start I went to the website for the book and found a recipe for a great, paleo friendly, grab and go breakfast. Breakfast is the hardest for me, because I don't want to get up 15 minutes earlier to make a smoothie or an omelet. I want to sleep that extra 15 :) These Apple Streusal Muffins looked like a delicious and convenient option.

ingredients:

• 3 large green apples, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces (approximately 2 cups) – peeled if you like
• 3 tablespoons warm water
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter or coconut oil (to make it dairy-free), melted
• 9 eggs
• 3 tablespoons coconut milk
• 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

preparation:

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• Preheat oven to 350F.

• In a medium skillet, sautée the apples, water,  1 1/2 teaspoons of the cinnamon, and butter or coconut oil until the apples are the consistency of chunky applesauce or apple pie filling. Allow the mixture to cool before combining with the egg mixture.

• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk the eggs,coconut milk, coconut flour, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, baking soda, and salt until well combined. Add the cooled apples, reserving 1/4 cup for a garnish.
                                           
• Spoon egg and apple mixture into parchment cup lined muffin tins—1/4 cup each. Gently spoon about one teaspoon of the remaining apple mixture onto the top of each muffin.
• Bake for 40 minutes.

                                             

Love Day

Valentine's Day is coming up! I like Valentine's Day in the sense of its a fun day to celebrate the love you have for all the people in your life. However, I don't think its the greatest for relationships. If you're both Valentine's Day people, GREAT but if you're not it usually ends up with a lot of this:

To avoid the pressure of Valentine's, I think it's better to take most of it away and promise eachother to just be a little more loving and appreciative when it's needed. It means a little more with less of a "Here's some flowers. It's Valentine's Day." and more "Here are some flowers. Thank's for doing that favor for/thinking of/being there for me /just being you."

I think it should be recognized, but cute and cheesy, yet relevant. Stick with the basics. Flowers, chocolate, candy, jewels if you're feeling generous. Something that represents your relationship is even better. Dinner at your first date restaurant, picture of you together in a nice frame. More of a "Yay we love eachother, it's Valentine's Day" and less of a "Here is a tree of roses on top of a champagne mountain crusted in diamonds!" situation.

Here are some of my favorite gift ideas:

1) Printstagram
I did this for Sweetest Day, which unbeknown to me no one celebrates on the West Coast. I wanted something that was representative of things we've done together and he loved it.

2) Kate Spade Valentine's Day Bracelet

Guys, Kate Spade really did all the work for you here. Encompasses sparkles and meaning in one little gift for your lady. You can't really go wrong with any jewelry.

3) Good Chocolates

No, not Russell Stover or Godiva, something nice. I love Chocolatier Blue, their boxes are so elegant and chocolates so unique (and beautiful)!

4) Fancy Under Things

I love lingerie. Silk and lace and bows and extra padding! Even though it usually doesn't stay on very long, there is something about being out to dinner, all glammed up and having a little secret underneath your clothes that the world (and, even better, your Lovely) doesn't know about. 

Shopping for this is a sensitive subject for some people in terms of size, coverage and body image so maybe offer to take her shopping for some and pick out something you like for her to try on. Let her pick without telling you and it's still a surprise for you ;)  Just a heads up Victoria Secret doesn't let gentlemen in the dressing rooms so you'll have to hit a department store or boutique shop.

I've been swooning over this color blocked set from Fleur Du Mal!

Wedding Wednesday

As I'm in my (eh hem) late twenties, my news feeds are filled up with all things weddings. "Ask" gifts have always baffled me a bit. I understand to desire to get creative and be a little different, but flowers seem a bit ordinary, a custom cookie a bit tacky or a custom wine bottle unnecessary {can I drink it or do I have to keep it forever?}.

If you're able I love the idea of an "ask" brunch. These are your closest friends and you want to be there to see the look on their face when you ask, you want them to know they'll be appreciated and, quite often, you'll need to introduce them all to each other. What a great way to experience that all together!

I saw a similar post on the Glitter Guide (?) I think, but when I came across this one on Style Me Pretty I had to share.

Love Letter to Kate Spade...or maybe Pink & Turquoise?

Words cannot describe how excited I am about Kate Spade's newest collection! Maybe the abundance of pink and the approaching Valentine's Day, but oh my goodness I love it all!

These items have headed straight to the top of my wishlist!

Roset Dress. Enough Said

Bon Voyage Travel Wallet reading 'Anything to Declare?'

Basket Pave Pendant in Pink

Adorable BFF Clutch in Grace Blue

Bows for Your Toes!

Baxter Jacket {in pink of course}

Dorothy Coat 

I love this bag, but really want it in a Luggage Brown!

Taken Bracelet

Secret Garden Pave Studs

Delicate Pave Watch