London Times

With our Europe trip still fresh on my mind, I can't help but get that giddy, "we were just there!" excitement every time I see a panoramic view of London while watching the Olympics. Since London is the city of the moment for the next few weeks, I figured it would be a great time for me to share some of my favorite sights, shops, sweets, and eats with you. So, if you're a London lover or long to travel there one day, the next week on Cirque du Sweet is going to be absolutely brilliant! 

These charming stamp stickers are by L'apres-midi (this means 'afternoon' in French) bought at Liberty. 

Monday Motivation — Go For the Gold Print by Stamped Paper Co.

Stamped Paper Co. 

This Go For The Gold print by Stamped Paper Co. is a perfect reminder to set goals and bust your butt in working to achieve them. Set the bar high. Shoot for the moon. Go for the gold!

These limited edition 18"x24" prints are screen-printed in shiny gold on heavy matte paper and can be purchased for $20, plus $5 shipping.

I've been helping Stamped Paper Co. with some projects this summer so be sure to follow the Stamped blog to keep up with all the fun stuff. And of course, if you need any custom invitations or paper goods, Jill is your gal. I'm so proud of my friend for recently being featured in the Dallas Morning News. You go (for the gold), girl!

Treats — Olympic Sugar Cookies

The Olympics are finally here and that calls for cookies! All of the athletes are likely fueling up on sugar right now in preparation to go for the gold, right? Right. 

There's lots of fun Olympic recipes floating around right now but I'm proud to say that these Sugar Cookies with Olympic Ring M&M's were an original idea. I'm sure someone has made something similar before, but just humor me, because I didn't see it. If you're having an Olympic watching party, or are simply sitting on the couch watching incredibly toned athletes get their game on, these cookies will definitely get you in the Olympic spirit. 

Olympic Nail Polish — Gold, Silver, and Bronze

The curse of Target got me good today. I went into the store without a list and ended up with three new nail polishes from Essie's Mirror Metallic Collection. Oopsies. 

Considering that the Olympic Opening Ceremonies kick off tomorrow, it was hard for me to resist this trio of metallic gold (Good As Gold), silver (No Place Like Chrome), and bronze (Penny Talk) nail polishes. Which color do you like best? I have a few Olympic related posts to share with you over the next few days so I hope that you're just as excited as I am for the games to begin. 

On an unrelated note, today is my sweet husband's birthday. Happy Birthday, Brian! He truly is as good as gold. 

Sweet Sips — Tequila Lime Sorbet

If you're anything like me, dessert is the last thing on your mind after you've eaten endless baskets of chips and salsa, down a margarita or two, and follow it up with a huge plate of Mexican food. Until recently, there's seldom been a time in Texas when I've felt the need to satisfy my sweet tooth after eating tacos. My thoughts changed last week after making light and fluffy churros. Last night, I splashed some tequila on lime sorbet last and realized that if I reach for the tortilla chips less frequently during my meal, I'll be able to save room for dessert. Brilliant, right? Of course, I really just wanted a reason to partake in National Tequila Day (July 24).

Art in the Park — Chihuly Nights

Prepare to have your mind blown if you get the opportunity to treat your eyes in person to the kaleidoscopic blown glass sculptures by artist Dale Chihuly. The exhibit is at the Dallas Arboretum through November and it is absolutely something simply can't be missed if you live in the area. My friend Christine and I recently went to the Arboretum and enjoyed a picnic, rocked out to The Molly Ringwalds (an awesome 80s cover band), and then as the sun went down, saw the incredible glass displays light up the sky at Chihuly Nights. There's no way my pictures can do this marvelous exhibit justice.

Happy Birthday, Alli! — Glamour Shots

Today's birthday girl, Alli, may only stand five feet tall, but she can definitely work it like a supermodel. In all honesty, I had to convince her of this on the spot so that I could experiment with fashion photography and thankfully she obliged. However, I have a feeling she took Glamour Shots a time or two as little one. She's a natural!

 Purse - Kate Spade New York 'Madelyn'  /  Shirt - LMK  /  Shorts - American Eagle  /  Shoes - DV Dolce Vita (similar)

Happy Birthday, Al!

Christmas in July — Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

It's the most wonderful time of the year! If you're shopping this weekend, it's likely to be at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, right? For the past decade, the anniversary sale (both online and in-store) has been my favorite time of the year to shop. It's not for summertime clothes on clearance or sandals on sale, but because of the new fall goods they mark down for a few weeks. It's genius. Although it may be hard to justify a new jacket in July, you'll be thankful you got yours now rather than later. The sale starts today and lasts through August 6. Be sure to let me know your great finds. Go get it!

Arts and Crafts — A Pinterest Party

Remember the dress exchange party I went to a few months ago? The same creative ladies who hosted it had another creative party last night filled with food and crafts inspired by their finds on Pinterest. We made Anthropologie-inspired Confetti tumblers, chalkboard wine bottles, and created wine stoppers. Do you notice the trend there? We all know that crafts turn out way better (or way worse) after a glass or two of Pinot Grigio.

GIVEAWAY :: $50 Gift Card to Shabby Apple

*This giveaway is now CLOSED. Thank you for participating. Congratulations to Tara Healy for winning the $50 Gift Card to Shabby Apple.*

Cirque du Sweet's two year blogging birthday went by last week and as a belated gift to my fabulous readers, I've got a fun giveaway today! One lucky reader will win a $50 gift card to Shabby Apple, a vintage-inspired online clothing boutique with an eclectic mix of sweet and feminine styles from dresses to jewelry. Scroll on down for details to win — you know you want it! If you're in the mood to shop now, you can take 10% off your purchase for the next month with code : cirque10off 

Shabby Apple styles from the Lighthouse collection

How To Win a $50 Gift Card to Shabby Apple

To enter and be eligible to win, you must do the following: "Like" Shabby Apple and Cirque du Sweet on Facebook. Visit Shabby Apple and Comment on this post by letting me know your favorite item! 

Winner will be determined by Random.org / Winner will be announced on Tuesday, July 24 on Cirque du Sweet / Entries will be accepted until Monday, July 23 at 11:59 p.m. CST / Individuals may enter one time via blog post comment / $50 gift card is courtesy of Shabby Apple / No purchase necessary / Winner must have a U.S. shipping address / Void where prohibited 

Monday Motivation — YOLO

If you're not familiar with YOLO, the acronym simply means "you only live once." Love it or hate it, the motivational phrase of the summer was popularized a few months ago, and it's totally on trend in teen world talk. I have mixed feelings on the use of the acronym but I do like the meaning phrase itself. If you truly only live once and live by that motto, you may consider ordering this rad neon sign from Em Design Interiors.

Photo via Em Design Interiors 

Arts and Crafts — Colorful Headphones

My trusty iPod Nano has been serving it's purpose for a solid five years now but it begged me for a makeover last weekend. I got busy with my neon Perler beads like it was 1992 and gave my cord a little pop of color. I used a knife to spit the beads and then slid them on the cord. It sounds tedious since the beads are so small but it didn't take me more than twenty minutes. It would be a fun activity for kids tweens to personalize their headphone cords with their favorite colors. Since a knife must be used,  an adult will need to help, but that's no different from back in the day when you needed your pretty shape designs ironed down. 

Happy Cow Appreciation Day!

Good morning, friends! Do you know what today is? Not only is it my friend Kayla's birthday and Friday the 13th, but it's also Cow Appreciation Day! If you dress like a cow today and head to your local Chick-fil-A, you can score yourself some free chicken goodness. I've been partaking in this tradition for several years now, mostly because my husband's agency runs the campaign, but also because I love me some Chick-fil-A! Go to Chick-fil-A today partially dressed as a cow (download a DIY cow kit) and you'll get a free entree. Dress head to hoof and you'll score a free meal. Of course if you're dressing like a cow you'll definitely want to go all out. I mean, who doesn't want amazing waffle fries and a lemonade to wash it all down? This year, I'll be rolling through the drive-thru with my dog Tex in tow. In exchange for him wearing the cow ensemble, I promised him a nugget or two. 

Let's Connect!

It's wild to think that a little more than a year ago when Fabulous K designed the current layout of Cirque du Sweet that I was hardly using Pinterest and Instagram enough to warrant having a social media button on the sidebar. You may have noticed the recent addition of those two buttons thanks to this free social media icon pack by Sweet Faerie Designs. Bloggers take note!

If you want to connect with me through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, email, and RSS click on the corresponding gray circles at the top of the right sidebar.


Stay tuned for more layout ch-ch-changes coming to the blog this summer.

Favorite Things — Reusable Bags from Madewell

 Not only are reusable bags a green alternative to paper or plastic, you can pack in lots more, they are easier to handle (simply sling it over your shoulder), and there's no shortage of happy and colorful  options to choose from. I recently picked up a couple of these super-durable BAGGU Standard Tote Bags ($9) from Madewell that easily fold up into a 5" square pouch. Pop one in your purse and you'll always have it for those quick grocery store runs or stock up on a few for your big grocery shopping trips. Mama Earth will thank you. 

You got cookie! So share it maybe?

Hey, this is viral, but it since it involves cookies and a song that is perpetually stuck in my head this summer I thought that I should share it maybe?

Style — Beverly Hills Hotel Wallpaper

 Photo by Terry Richardson for Harper's Bazaar

Other than Kate Upton looking spectacular and Aziz Ansari no doubt being hysterical, the wallpaper behind them is truly something else. I've yet to have the luxury of staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel but their iconic banana leaf paper has always been one of my favorite wallpapers. There's no wallpapering happening in my near future but I could always add a pillow or two to our little porch to give me a palm tree fix. 

Brian Atwood and Nate Berkus' home in Milan for Elle Decor

Modern Resort Pillow

Happy Birthday, Kathleen! — Turkey Meatball Grinders

July is chock-full with birthdays of some of my most favorite people in the universe. Today marks sweet friend Kathleen's birthday and she has graciously allowed me to share her delicious Turkey Meatball Grinder recipe. She's truly the hostess with the mostess and each time she makes these grinders I love them more and more. Whenever I've had them, she's usually feeding a small army of hungry guests, which makes them great to make if you're entertaining.

Turkey Meatball Grinders

1.25 lb. lean ground turkey 

3 cloves minced garlic

1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs

4 tbsp ketchup

1 egg

salt and pepper to taste

Mix ingredients by hand and form into balls. Cook in pan in olive oil and flip every few minutes. When brown, boil in marinara sauce for an hour. Put on bread of your choice and top with cheese. Broil for 5 minutes. Enjoy! 

Now, if only I could get my hands on her secret chicken salad recipe...

Monday Motivation — Breakfast Cookies

While eating cake for breakfast sure is fun, these breakfast cookies might be a more nutritious option. Gooey and chewy from the applesauce base with only a spoonful of sugar, they are a tasty little treat to enjoy with your morning coffee.

Movies — Moonrise Kingdom

How often do you watch movies that leave you grinning ear-to-ear throughout its entirety? From the moment Jessica Hishe's gorgeous typography credits graced the screen, I was in love with the sweet quirkiness of Moonrise Kingdom. 

Set on a New England island in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom is story of two love-at-first-sight tweens who adventure away together escape their adolescent woes. The whole town is in a tizzy regarding their whereabouts with a pack of 12-year-old Khaki Scouts hilariously leading the search. Both charming and funny, Moonrise Kingdom is definitely your typical Wes Anderson flick, but with lots of heart.  

Have you seen Moonrise Kingdom? 

Scenes — 4th of July

I hope that everyone had a safe and happy midweek 4th of July celebration! A big thanks to our friend Luke and his parents for welcoming us over to celebrate with them at their home yesterday.  We enjoyed fajitas complete with Luke's famous guacamole, played with the pups in the pool, drank plenty of cold beer, devoured ice cream sundaes with Chick-fil-A brownies and cookies, and of course, set off tons of fireworks. For the record, the firework called "Noizy Boyz" is awesome. America!

Here are a few scenes from our fun-filled Fourth:

I made fruit and marshmallow kabobs. Red-Striped plate on sale at Sur la Table. 

Tex and his blue eye/brown eye partner in crime, Auggie.  

Enjoyed a Coca-Cola the night before and repurposed it as a vase for a hostess gift. 

Katie lights her first sparkler EVER!

Baby, You're a Firework

I posted about donut and pretzel float toys a few days ago and was later reminded that there was once a summer when I wore my water wings everywhere, including the Fourth of July parade. My blue star sunglasses and bed head really pull the look all together, don't you think?

I can't say my Fourth of July flair is as fashionable now as it was in the mid-80s, but I did get an all-American manicure yesterday. My husband snapped this picture of my nails while I enjoyed a refreshing Coca-Cola with my dinner last night.

Today and everyday, I'm proud to be an American. Cheers to the USA! 

Emma + Andrew / Summer Movies

My husband thought I was absolutely crazy when I told him that I wanted to see The Amazing Spider-Man today. Why? I'm not usually so into comic book movies that I have the burning desire to see them the day or their release. So, why this one...?

Yes, I read Teen Vogue. You probably caught Emma on the cover of big girl Vogue looking stunning. I adore this cute and talented Hollywood couple. Emma Stone isn't new on my radar (here, here, and here) and I've liked Andrew Garfield since his role in The Social Network. 

While I might not be seeing The Amazing Spider-Man over the Fourth of July holiday, I do hope to see it soon. I had my fill of opening day madness at last week's release of Magic Mike. Icebox movie theaters are a great place to cool off so I'm craving another movie soon. Maybe Moonrise Kingdom, Brave, or Katie Perry : Part of Me 3D. Thoughts?

Thanks to Netflix, I recently cued up Nora Ephron's trifecta (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You've Got Mail) and can't wait to relive those classics from the comfort of my couch.

What movies have you seen lately?

Monday Motivation — Girl With Bubble Gum

Does anyone else feel like the girl with bubblegum today? After a fun weekend, it's time to get to steppin' even though I would much rather be hanging out just blowing bubbles. 

Illustration by Marcos Chin