PB & Chocolate 5 Minute Cake

Am I the last person on the planet to discover Chocolate-Covered Katie? I may be tardy to the party, but this 5 minute, single serving recipe is almost worth the wait for a blog/blogger this amazing. I used Katie's recipe, only subbing half of the "icing" with pecans. 

Now go get lost for hours in dessertland, like I did.

P.S.- The (mostly out of focus) Dia de los Muertos napkins are a souvenir of Matt's from a friend's wedding in L.A. I love them.

P.P.S.- What do you think of the new layout? I think it's fresh.

The Water's Fine

These booties have been almost all I've been wearing (on my feet at least; get your mind out of the gutter!) lately. What's a girl to do when the perfect neutral boot that's been pined for for ages appears within her vicinity and well under her maximum price point? Exactly.

While this getup is not exactly monochrome, it does dip its toe into the shallow end, so to speak; something I'm realizing I do quite a bit when it comes to pattern mixing (color syncing, not toe dipping)-- it's just so easy! Using a simple concept like monochrome to construct a relatively complex ensemble (at least on most days, if not here) regularly reminds me of the endless opportunities clothing provides to one who wishes to engineer something artistic. You've heard the "express yourself" thing before, so I won't repeat it now (except I did).

Shirt: Maurices, several years ago; Dress: Vintage; Booties: Old Navy (recent); Chunky Necklace & Tights: Target

Also- messy, low bun fail.

See you tomorrow!

Products I Love

Hey friends! Today I thought I'd throw a little unsponsored product love your way ; ). A couple of weeks ago, I brought this Neutrogena Naturals face lotion home instead of my usual hypoallergenic salve, just on whim. I do like to change things up fairly often, but I don't think I'll be ditching this baby anytime soon. My face has truly never been so soft, and it smells wonderfully fresh, yet subtle. Not to mention, I have crazy sensitive skin and this formula causes no irritation whatsoever. Yay!

Double Dose

Shirt: Vintage: Gold Sweater: Vintage; Skirt: Thrifted; Tights: Target; Boots: Target (DIY'd by me)

That's right, sparkle on sparkle. I wore this to work sans sweater and boots because I feared it would be too much of a distraction for some of the kids. Sad but, in my experience, true stereotype: little girls are ruled by sparkle. And anyway, there are plenty of red and pink notes here that could easily do the job of the glitter. 

The Last of It

Shirt: Thrifted; Tank: Thrifted; Shorts: Ellison; Tights, Beanie, Necklace: Target; Booties: Old Navy (recent)

It was only about five minutes after I layered this tank over the shirt that I realized this might be one of my last florals for the season. Granted, I have a shirt and a skirt covered in what can be considered "winter floral", but other than that, my pinks, baby blues, and lavenders are about to spend some quality time in the dungeon that is my closet.

I wouldn't say that I'm one to follow trends too closely (that is to say, I'll participate if I like it, but won't stop incorporating things I enjoy simply because the moment has passed), but I will say that, to me, there's something amiss about a spring floral in winter.  Of course, I say that now, but come late January when all the feelgood holiday moments have passed and I'm shivering & wishfully thinking about bare legs and sunshine, I'll probably have changed my tune. Such is life.

Happy Friday! Relax this weekend, you deserve it!