Flag Food for the 4th of July

Happy Fourth of July! Are you making any festive flag food? I'm going to attempt the flag cake. Wish me luck! 

4th of July Cake photo by A Little Sussy  /   Bomb Pops   /   Flag Cake  from Glorious Treats   /   Watermelon Feta Flag Cake from Wenderly   /   Chocolate Dipped Pretzels from Cupcakes and Cashmere

Peachy Pizza

Now that it's peach season, I recently made this delicious Peach and Gorgonzola Chicken Pizza (shown at right) with fresh and juicy peaches. It's a great summertime pizza that's super easy to that tastes a bit gourmet! 

{Fresh Peaches Sign by David Carter Brown} 

Tip: If you're not a Gorgonzola fan, you can always use less than the recipe calls for or replace it with extra Mozzarella or Goat Cheese. 

Do you have any good peach recipes? 

Monday Motivation: Blogs and Coffee

{via MadeByGirl} 

Jazzy Pennants

Glam a pennant with fringe and glitter like these banners from Nice on Etsy.

An Illustrated Guide to Making the Perfect Bloody Mary

A Mimosa or a Bloody Mary is practically an essential drink to accompany a weekend brunch. While it's hard to mess up a Mimosa, a Bloody Mary can be a little more difficult. Here's an illustrated guide for the next time you find yourself overwhelmed at a Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary bar:

{Illustration by Kelly Lasserre}

Happy Weekend!

{via Stardust and Sequins}

Summer Polish: Mint Candy Apple and Tart Deco

Remember when I used to post about nail polish all the time? I realized I haven't in awhile so I wanted to share with you two of my current favorites for summer: Mint Candy Apple and Tart Deco, both by Essie. 

Both colors would go perfectly with a popsicle. 

{via Lonny Mag}

What are your favorite colors this summer? 

I Scream for Ice Cream from Ohio: Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream

While I have no business in Columbus, Ohio, I'm tempted to make the trip to try out some ice cream at Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream. All it took was this picture I spotted on Ten Scenic Drive. How cute are the cones in the sprinkles jar? Love. 

With tempting flavors like Riesling Poached Pear Sorbet, Bourbon Buttered Pecan, and their signature Salty Carmel, fortunately I could always have a few pints shipped to Texas. After all, it is ice cream season! 

Wrist Candy: Braced-Lets

From Silly Bandz to friendship bracelets, I really can't resist the latest teenybopper wrist candy. The latest trend comes in the form of those colorful rubber bands that were made to attach to braces. Hence, Braced-Lets.

For the three years that I wore braces in middle school, the only highlight of going to the orthodontists office was getting to pick out which colors would be affixed to my teeth for the next six weeks. I should probably get a Braced-Let as a reminder to wear my nightguard so that I don't have to get braces again.

Soda Pop: Izzesque

I was thrilled to find out that my most recent favorite soda brand, Izze, has low-calorie line called Izzesque. At only 50 calories a bottle, they truly are a sweet little soda treat. 

{via Serious Eats}

Girl Crush: Blake Lively

The Gossip Girl goes old Hollywood glam in the latest issue of Glamour and looks absolutely gorgeous. 

{Images via Glamour   /   Collage via The Glitter Guide} 

Make Lists

via Buhl Blvd

First Anniversary + Father's Day

It's hard to believe that it's already been one year since our wedding day! We've had such an incredible first year of marriage. As the priest who married us put it, "the best is still yet to come!" 

I thought that sharing some pictures of my dad toasting Brian and I at our wedding would be a perfect combination to commemorate two very special occasions today - our first wedding anniversary and Father's Day.

Anyone who knows my dad knows that he is exceptionally friendly, intelligent, and eloquent. His toast to us was so special and thoughtful. Cheers to us and cheers to you Dad! 

{Photographs by Jeremy Arnold Photography}

Gold Rush Color Crush

{Jennifer Zeuner Pendant   /   Sequin Shorts   /   Max & Chloe Multi Disk Drop Earrings   /  Jack Rogers Python Navajo Sandal   /    Charm & Chain Number Ring   /   Half Frame Aviators from Top Shop} 

Something Borrowed

This weekend we're celebrating our friends Matt and Kathleen as they tie the knot in Dallas! They are truly one of the most fun, kind, and compassionate couples we know. Kathleen is going to make such a beautiful bride. I'm honored that she's using my wedding veil as her "something borrowed!"

Congratulations Matt and Kathleen! We are so happy for you.

Monday Motivation: Let's Have a Great Summer!

My chalkboards (well, dry-erase boards) are all officially erased for the next couple months so now it's time to have a great summer! 

{Scout's Honor Co.} 

TOMS Reveal: Shades

TOMS made their big announcement - TOMS eyewear! Yesterday, I headed to Neiman Marcus and witnessed the revealing of the mystery tube.

But first, I enjoyed a cookie:

The company is maintaining their "One for One" philosophy so that any pair purchased will benefit someone in need with something related to vision (eyecare, glasses, medicine, etc) which I think is a fantastic cause. Not-so-fun fact about me: I'm legally blind. Thank goodness for quality vision care!  

TOMS Next Chapter

In an effort to keep things fresh and philanthropic, TOMS shoes has a big announcement today for TOMS Next Chapter. Whatever the new item is, the company will still be One for One, meaning that for every item bought, they will donate the same or similar item to someone in need.

I really hope that TOMS donated the exact pair of TOMS that I have to a child somewhere. I love my sparkly silver TOMS, or as my students would say, my "Michael Jackson shoes."

Monday Maps: The Bermuda Triangle of Productivity

{via Fushia Macaree}

Add Flipboard and Pinterest to this triangle, and you'd have my personal Pentagon of (Un)Productivity. 

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

I'm ecstatic about making my first trip to New Orleans this weekend to celebrate the wedding of our dear friends Aimee and Mack. Other than wedding fun, I look forward to eating beignets, drinking a hurricane, and listening to some great jazz. Let the good times roll!

Wedding Noveau

Hello June!

I've always enjoyed celebrating random holidays. You know, the ones that don't make it on to a normal calendar. The cute June calendar from Mimi + Meg is simply perfect for keeping track of the special days that generally don't make the cut on most calendars.