Happy Weekend + Finishing Touches

♥ Happy Friday!

This weekend is all about the perfect finishing touches all tied up in a pretty bow: adorning our new place with crown moulding, last minute touch-up paint {in Gallery Taupe}, a few accent pieces to tie it all together {a glamour starburst mirror in the bedroom and gold dressed wallpaper for the powder room}, adding decadently fresh Farmer’s Market ingredients to Sunday’s roasted herb chicken dinner with rosemary, garlic fingerling potatoes and coconut mango key lime pie {hello!}, and last but not least, securing the finishing touches to our group presentation script, which my goddess-inspired MAPC team has been tirelessly working on for the last month.

In between all this excitement, I hope just for a moment that I get to indulge in a creamy latté {who are we kidding? of course that will happen} with a few moments of blissful repose, while basking in the sun-drenched sweetness of summer!

Have a beautiful weekend!

Image Compliments Of: Pinterest

Summer Soirée Inspiration: Elie Saab Fall 2012 Couture, Paris

Hello! Just in case you’re looking for some fantasy fashion inspiration for an upcoming love-drenched summer soirée, take a lustful peek at Elie Saab’s most recent couture collection {he never ceases to amaze me with his over-the-top glamorous creations!}. This collection will get you head over heels enamored with the idea of getting all dolled up for a summer night out with all the gorgeous sequins encrusted trimmings {pretty false lashes coupled with pink, pouty lips are optional, but highly recommended ;)}

{Complete Collection @ Style.com}

Hopelessly Devoted…

I am hopelessly devoted to mastering my Master’s studies and unfortunately, a lot of what I love to do has fallen off my desired trajectory {sorry, P&C!}. One thing is for sure: staying glamorous and passionate, while I take on all the blissful adventures of life, is always top priority!

♥ I hope you are all having a beautiful and sun-kissed summer so far!

Image Compliments Of: Pinterest

Summer Beauty Inspiration: Coconut & Rose Body Scrub

Hello! Sundays are my favourite day to have a DIY spa session at home, and this fancy and beautiful body scrub is the perfect remedy for parched summer skin. Mixing the culinary wonders found in your kitchen into spa-inspired beauty at home decadence is simply brilliant. Love it!

Happy Sunday!

{Get the full details at The Beauty Department}

Recipe Inspiration: Strawberry {Pre} Summer Cake

My husband and I took our annual trip to the opening of the Farmer’s Market this past weekend, and I came back with lusciously sweet strawberries perfect to eat on their own, but I decided they were destined to be studded in a buttery coffee cake batter swirled in brown sugar – divine! If your strawberries are really good {i.e. fresh, local, sweet}, like the ones I got this weekend, their flavour combined with cake batter and brown sugar will truly captivate your taste sensations. This cake made my heart and my hips so happy and is the perfect companion to a creamy latté {of course}!

This recipe was courtesy of Smitten Kitchen, who adapted it originally from Martha Stewart {my only changes were replacing white sugar with brown sugar and only using 3/4 cup instead of 1 cup. Next time {because there will be a next time very soon ;)}, I would add more strawberries!}:

{Strawberry Summer Cake}

Happy Birthday, Mom!

You’re beautiful! You’re amazing! You’re loved so much!

♥ Happy Birthday!

Spring Color Palette Inspiration: Tiffany Blue or Geranium?

Spring is always about rejuvenating your style and letting go of the boring colors that we wear during the drab winter months! It’s all about taking risks with colors and prints by really pushing your style limits to a place where you feel the most confident and beautiful. Trends come and go, and yes, they are a great way to give you style ideas, but you don’t have to adopt every new trend to be in style. Style should always be a reflection of you and not the latest fad. Embrace whatever trends and colors you feel empowers your fashion persona and work it 😉

Here are a few of my favourite spring colour themes that I can’t wait to add to my spring wardrobe:

{Images Compliments Of: We Connect Fashion}

Happy Monday + A Little Piece of Heaven: Strawberry Brie Muffin

I hope you had a spectacular Easter weekend! My weekend was filled with amazing meals, sweet quality time with the people I love, and indulgent bites of chocolate!

For all the foodie lovers out there, I absolutely had to share what I ate for breakfast the other day while I was slaving over my laptop {for yet another report that’s due this week}: A Strawberry Brie Muffin, compliments of School Bakery & Café! What?! You heard me!

The muffin was enrobed in small morsels of strawberry and brie (I don’t know who thought of this, but c’mon seriously!). It was a harmonious and indulgent mélange of sweet and savoury and was a perfect match to my creamy latté. It was the only thing that got me through my 4 hour study session with a smile on my face.

Heavenly indulgences like this are worth every bite 😉

Happy Monday!

Spring Style Inspiration: Peplum

Peplum is back as the flattering new trend taking over the 2012 spring season {it first made an appearance back in the 40’s and 50’s when Christian Dior introduced it to the fashion world}! There’s something undeniably glamorous and demure about the peplum style, especially how it adds sophisticated, yet sensual flair to a woman’s silhouette by cinching in the waist and perfectly accentuating the hips {warning: this look may draw in feelings of envy! }

Stilettos and simple rose gold accessories is all you need to complete this look for the ideal spring themed power suit! Love it!

 Cushnie et Ochs; Marc by Marc Jacobs; Jason Wu; Giambattista Valli

{Image Compliments Of: Style.com}

Spring Entertaining Inspiration: Rose Bud Ice Cubes

Hello! Spring is in full swing and it’s time to get excited about hosting dinner soirées and al fresco dining on your patio/balcony/backyard. Hollywood Girls Night’s {a new show on TV Guide} Ali Landry {love her!} presents a chic and pretty entertaining idea perfect for any spring event {even if it’s just a romantic dinner for two on your tiny balcony ;)}. Channel your inner domestic diva by trying this out at your next entertaining event!

Love is always in the details!