Sip & Snack - Stuffed

When I was on Shelter Island a few weeks ago, my husband and I opted to do a lot of cooking at home versus going out. This was a challenge for me as with our everyday city life usually consists of dining in our historic neighborhood or ordering take out and only honestly only cooking 2-3 times a week. While we love to cook, we are both busy and aren't always home to have dinner together. I find it difficult to think of a different meal for everyday of the week never-mind something that doesn't include 100 ingredients, because let's face it -that is annoying and also expensive. So while dinner inspiration is always a challenge, snacks are not. I love snacks and always have lots of options in my fridge for quick last minute entertaining. One thing I made while home was blue cheese stuffed dates wrapped in prosciutto then baked till the outside was crispy and the inside melty. To say it was delicious was an understatement. When I was thinking of a coordinating cocktail I was wondering if I could somehow create something with a vanilla date flavor but instead I was inspired with the leftover blue cheese and a jar of olives I had in my fridge - voila! The blue cheese stuffed olives dirty martini was born. Certainly not a new invention but it was easy breezy and involved existing ingredients I had on hand, always a win in my book. All the delicious details are below.



Ingredients

jar of pitted green olives with juice
crumbled blue cheese
premium vodka {the better the vodka the better the hangover}

Directions

Stuff the three olives with blue cheese and skewer on a toothpick or drop in your drink{or more if you so desire}. Mix 2 oz olive juice with 2 oz vodka over ice in beverage shaker. Pour in martini glass and garnish with stuffed olives.

Ingredients

dried pitted dates
crumbled blue cheese
thinly sliced prosciutto

Directions

Stuff dates with blue cheese, wrap in prosciutto and bake in oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or till crispy. I like to flip mine half way through to make both sides of the prosciutto crispy. Remove from oven & serve.

How easy was that??? Enjoy!

Steal the Style

We all know Olivia Palermo has amazing style. She is photographed pretty much wherever she goes and is always impeccably dressed. The simplest of looks take on a whole new style when she pairs her ensemble with a single statement piece. In the outfit below the bold red satin sandal takes a staple white shirt and destroyed denim to a whole new level. I don't always gravitate towards reds when I shop but I have a feeling I will reconsider this ruby hue next time I am looking for something that will stand out. It's such fun pop of color to a classic look. While OP shares her sources for her outfit on her blog, many of the pieces are also high on price so I thought I would create a little steal the style with more affordable pieces that recreate her look without breaking the bank. 

Olivia Palermo Image // American Eagle Denim // Zara Pumps // H&M Blouse // Guess Sunglasses // Nordstrom Clutch

Cash or Credit - Sweater Weather

Morning friends! Quick post today as the wireless internet connection at my hotel is similar to the dial up speed of 1999. Before my patience or my laptop are out the window I wanted to share a little cash or credit on a cozy closet staple. A great cardigan to throw on during a chilly day. I personally have a few oversized cardigans to wear around the house and or a quick errand to the market. Sometimes its so much easier to throw on a favorite sweater like this cable-knit beauty versus being bundled up in a bulky coat. So before the big chill really comes our way here in New England you can catch me wearing a lot of knit sweaters around town and since sweaters typically only last a season for me you better believe I will be choosing the more affordable version of the same style.

Anthropologie Waffle-Weave Open Cardigan // Autumn Cashmere Draped Cardigan 

When Fashion Meets Art

please contact Amelia for more information on the above print

A few weeks ago I attended an art event hosted by my lovely friend Amelia of Coulour-Bloc where I picked up the darling print above to gift to someone I love. I have been admiring the print since I purchased and not only was it suiting for the person I will be giving it to but it had me thinking what about it had me so taken and besides the simple beauty of the art I loved the look of the young woman reading in it. I was curious about her. She was stylish and enjoyed simple pleasures such as reading a book on a nice day. Like other prints I have seen on her blog it made me realize I am drawn to art that has a fashionable element that remind me of things that I love, fashion. Take a look below at a few examples of my kind of pretty.

above snap sketches from NYFW via the NY Times Blog 

I am totally smitten with the works of Inslee and her fashionable paper products in her shop. Take a look at some of her prints, stationary and calendars that she has created. Such a great gift idea for a fashionista!

Paper Fashion is another great source of style meeting art.

Finally someone who I have shared before on the blog - Caitlin McGauley was my first love of mixing art and fashion. Everything she creates is SO DANG GOOD. A few of my favorites that she did for some designers as well as personal projects are below. 

Weekend Wear - Halloween Costume Inspiration

Growing up Halloween was always one of my favorite holidays. In elementary school it was all about the parade and getting to show off your costume to all the classes {minus the one time my mother made me be gum stuck under a table}. In high school it was all about staying out late and having shaving cream fights with your friends and of course coming back looking like a hot mess. In college it was all about the rented costume where me and my friends went all out for the campus parties. When I was in my twenties my tune changed and I wanted creative costumes that weren't from the store but from clothes I could wear again which included a time when I was a construction worker and wore my favorite destroyed denim with a boy's undershirt tank top {skin tight of course} and pink hard hat and tool belt. Another year it was a pirate of the Caribbean and another Carrie from Sex And The City. While my days of dressing up have unfortunately been over for quite a bit I still can't help but try to imagine a costume I would love to wear and when I saw the stylish Halloween accessories at BCBG I knew I could put together a fun costume worth sharing with you all. What are you dressing up as???

BCBG Pirate Patch // Tattly Pirate Ship Tattoo // Zara Tights // ASOS Chain Belt // ABS Over the Knee Boots // Michael Kors Pave Hoops // Chanel Lipstick & Nail Polish in Pirate // ASOS Skull Zip Clutch // Skull Stacking Rings // Alloy Off The Shoulder Top

Bedroom Mini Makeover

Finding space in our historic neighborhood doesn't come cheap so as we search for our dream home we have decided to stay in our petite apartment till we find the "one". Since we renewed our lease I have been making small changes here and there to give our cozy home a refresh. I have avoided any big furniture purchases as we don't know what we will need down the road in our permanent home but rather spending our money on small accessories to help me feel like the space is new and updated. Bedding was my first project as the luxurious bedding we were gifted at our wedding was for a king sized bed that is also on hold for our next place. Finding a duvet that coordinated with our modern tufted butter colored leather headboard was a bit of a challenge for me, as you can see from the images below, I went through a few looks and was doing quite a bit of buying and returning. We ultimately wound up with a solid white bedding but with a soft texture to stay extra cozy during New England's long winter. I of course indulged in lots of new pillows as my love affair with them never seems to subside. While it's not a drastic change from the before looks of our bedroom, the little edits have made me fall in love with our apartment all over again and that is worth every penny.

Since my nightstand doesn't have any drawers & I wasn't willing to temporarily invest another, I purchased some baskets to hold my keepsakes like cards, photos and books. I am thinking of spray painting them either gold or gray but I am not quite sure yet. Thoughts?

The two versions that didn't cut it lay below. I was trying too hard to match the headboard's color and in the end it was all TOO much pattern and mixing of prints and textures. My husband gave a BIG thumbs down to both looks and I am so relieved he did as I wasn't digging myself but knew I wanted something new and had to ultimately try everything on the bed before to see if it worked.

left bedding // right bedding 

shop what we wound up with

duvet & shams // pillows // frayed sheet set // throws // studded velvet pillow

candle // mug

Threadflip Shop Updated

I just added some pretty baubles to my Threadflip shop! Head over to take a look and the steep discounts on some pretty costume jewelry. Thanks for stopping by!

Sip & Snack - How do you like them apples?

I know everyone goes bat shit crazy for pumpkin everything in the fall and while I do adore the smell of the spiced lattes and pumpkin baked goods in the air but I definitely enjoy other fall flavors too. Apples are definitely one of my favorite thing about the fall. I know I already shared my cider & apple chips but I thought I would continue down the road of no return and share another favorite apple recipe.  I first became obsessed with caramel apples in college when a friend in the next dorm introduced me to these lollipops. It was a slippery slope from there on out and I thought I would share two tweaked versions of the classic caramel apple. One of course with alcohol and the other in it's petite version of the classic, because let's face it, everything miniature is so damn cute. 

Ingredients

one green apple

one bag of caramels

one cup chopped walnuts

one cup shredded sweetened coconut

one cup sprinkles 

Directions

With a mellon ball scoop, carve out small balls from a cleaned green apple leaving the green skin to show on each apple ball. Dry the apple balls very well so all the toppings adhere then stick a toothpick or lollipop stick in each apple. In a separate bowl melt your caramel {I melt one bag of caramel chips with two teaspoons of boiling water over low heat constantly stirring till melted}. Lay out your toppings in three separate bowls and dip the dry apples in caramel then let excess drip off. Then dip in favorite toppings, place on baking paper and let cool in fridge until caramel hardens. 

Ingredients 

2 oz Smirnoff Green Apple Vodka

2 oz Butterscotch Schnapps 

1 oz fresh green apple juice {I used from my juicer but you can use whatever you have}

one easpoon Caramel

Directions

Mix liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker {I love this one} over ice. Drop a dollop of leftover caramel into martini glass and pour liquid on top. Garnish with your favorite mini caramel apple by anchoring with the dollop of caramel in the bottom of the glass. 

Enjoy!

Monogram Me

As I work on a new blog design for DNS I have been toying with the idea of creating a monogram emblem for the site. My complete admiration for monograms have been a long time thing whether it be in home decor, jewelry or the classic petite logo on a preppy garment. I love the idea of a monogram for branding purposes and the overall pleasant aesthetic look of them. I was totally inspired when I came across the paper designer and brand stylist site of Emily McCarthy. The shoppe is filled with tons of contemporary stationary, customizable party accessories, art and so much more. Just take a look below at some examples of her amazing work!

Life's Little Luxuries

While house and dog sitting last week for my folks, one luxury I indulged in was an evening bubble bath. It was a total treat since we don't have a tub in our Boston apartment and because I take my bath time pretty seriously, water and basin that holds it is clearly not enough. Lots of relaxing accoutrement is required for the total experience of an unwinding soak. Super sudsy bubble bath is always a mandatory ingredient to any relaxing bath, I also insist on having a soft fragrant candle lit with a cozy robe, towel and slippers on hand for the chilly exit. Added bonuses of your favorite music or book, dusted truffles and champagne bring tub time to a whole new level of pleasure. So go and treat yourself to a little you time & enjoy!

Layla Grace Bubble Bath // Monique Lhuillier Champagne Flute // Mini Rosé Moet // Charbonnel et Walker Champagne Truffles // Bath Caddy // Turkish Towel // Cashmere Candle // Ugg Slippers // Skin Essentials Bath Robe 

Local Events - Fall Pop-Up

Morning friends! So excited to share a local event happening this weekend in the South Boston neighborhood of our little city. Remember the gals who hosted the gorgeous Flower Potluck? Well they have come together again and brought in some additional talents to create a Fall Pop-Up. Lovely little floral designs will be provided by Pollen Floral Design. Stylish vintage finds from Pop & Circumstance will also be available for decorating your home with unique decor {sneak peak here}. Lauren Wells partner in crime will be sharing his woodworking skills and treats from his Workshop. Any shopping that includes tasty cocktails is one that has my seal of approval, tasty beverage boxes from Flask & Funnel will also be for sale. Finally the day will be captured by the super talented Cambria Grace Photography. Check out some teasers below of the goodies that will be available at the event. I know I personally can't wait to check it out...Hope to see you Saturday!

For The Love Of The Weekend Getaway - East Hampton Edition

My husband and I just returned from a week of house and dog sitting for my folks out on Shelter Island. While I have already shared a weekend getaway post on our beloved little island I thought I would do one featuring our neighboring towns - East Hampton. Since John and I both grew on on Long Island and have spent a lot of time in the Hampton's I thought it was worth sharing the best of what to see, eat and do. Even in the off season this village makes a wonderful little getaway. East Hampton is located on the South Fork of Long Island and is by far my favorite Hampton to visit. Below is our picks for making an ultimate weekend trip. 

You won't find any big brand hotels in this posh little town. Expect lots of bed and breakfasts or inn's for resting your head. The 1770 House is a favorite of ours as we had our first date there and love to dine there every single time we are home. The upstairs is more of a refined elegant menu and dining room while we usually head downstairs to the more casual Tavern for their famous meatloaf. Just a few weeks ago we sat next to my culinary idol Ina Garten, where I nearly died from excitement and throughout the course of the meal my poor husband got zero attention from me as I was trying to listen to every single thing she ordered or was chatting about with her girlfriend.  Sorry again babe, love you!

Another great boutique style hotel is The Maidstone where you will find impeccably decorated rooms oozing lots of high style. This hotel combines craft-fully themed rooms and cottages. Each accommodation has tons of amenities like beach parking passes which is crucial in the summer months. I also adore they are a pet friendly hotel which is always a win in my book. 

The village of East Hampton is overflowing with amazing brand name stores like Haute Hippie, Scoop, Elie Tahari, Intermix etc. to satisfy all your shopping desires. This past weekend we had a lot of the streets to ourself which was a welcomed break from the summer's hectic sidewalks. A lot of stores do close for the winter but there is still plenty open through the holidays that make the trip worth visiting. 

image via

CittaNuova is a favorite lunch spot of ours where we can indulge in delicious pasta or the most amazing mussels in white wine you have ever tasted. If you happen to resist their gelato counter for dessert I highly recommend a cake donut from Dreesen's which is a few doors down. It's worth every calorie!

A favorite take out or casually dine in place that is far from what you would expect in the Hampton's is Town Line BBQ. This no fuss restaurant is friendly and delicious. 

While we weren't at the beaches this weekend, this list is a great help for planning your day in the sun for next years high season where the sandy beaches become a hotspot. 

As you exit East Hampton two spots that aren't in the town but are surely worth mentioning for a visit. The first is the beach chic shopping destination {and the only retail location} of Serena & Lily. This store is not only beautiful from the outside but is set up as if you were in someones house browsing their shelves for goodies to buy for yours. I could have spent all day in there, especially since we had the store to ourselves.

Their kid cottage was a chid's paradise. Stuffed with unique toys, art and decor to make one chic playroom or bedroom for your little humans.

 Finally, stop by Wolffer Estate to sip wine or their tasty cider on their beautiful veranda which overlooks the vineyards and instantly transports you to the likes of Napa Valley.

Weekend Wear - Casual Glamour

During the week I took my mother in law shopping for an early birthday present and couldn't resist picking up a little something for myself. These pants not only were on sale but I was able to purchase a size smaller then I have been wearing which is reason enough for the purchase in my book. They are not only incredibly flattering but also extremely comfortable and I imagine they will be on heavy rotation in my wardrobe all fall and winter. I love the thought of pairing the fitted pants with an oversized sweater and of course my beloved statement necklace. Which by the way will have it's own feature & giveaway coming up next week!

H&M Knit Sweater // J.Crew Pixie Jodhpur Pants // Salvatore Ferragamo Flats // Stella & Dot Sutton Necklace // Vince Camuto Purse

Have a great weekend!