fat kid.

I've resolved to eat a bit healthier than usual this week, so of course I'm craving really sweet, sugary treats.

 

These homemade pop tarts on a stick from Babble look bangin'. 

Olivia Rae is killing me with her homemade oreos. 

 

Salted caramel ice cream with candied bacon? Jeroxie is a genius.  

 

And for something slightly lighter, cream filled strawberries from Cafe Johnsonia. 

happy weekend.

The weekend is upon us. What do you have planned? As suggested by these pictures, I'm anticipating a lazy one. Poor Todd: When he's home, I insist on making the most of every second with a full schedule of events. When he's gone, I generally allow myself to decompress.

So for this last weekend of February, I plan to eat cereal in bed, catch up on my favorite shows, cook something(s) yummy, and have a fun night out with girlfriends at some neighborhood bars. I'll clean up the house, and maybe even my car, and reward myself with a creative cocktail (recipe suggestions welcome). I'll take the dog on long walks and leave the screen door open all day, because the weather's going to be beautiful. I hope you have a good weekend, too.

p.s. I saved these images before I had the sense to save sources as well. If you know where they're from, please let me know.

beach bunnies.

***

It's still February, but spring is definitely here in Charleston (knock on wood). Most years we'll even get a few beach days out of March, and I'm already thinking about bathing suits. I usually buy whatever's cheapest, but this year I'm thinking of investing in some better pieces, especially considering how often I wear them. Here are a few of my favorites.

 j. crew

marysia (local designer)

 topshop (my favorite ... and only $55)

winter winds.

I've been obsessed with Mumford & Sons since the Grammys. This song makes me feel all starry-eyed.



Temper Trap has been on repeat lately as well, and this song is currently my number two favorite. I find it funny that both videos feature running, singing dudes.

pretty lights.

I'm all about industrial/vintage/DIY lighting these days. I wish I owned a house so I could actually install some. Hopefully I won't be over the trend before that happens.

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hour of happiness: granville's

When we lived in Wagener Terrace, we were about a block from Granville's Cafe, so we were thrilled when they reopened after a long hiatus. Now it takes a bit longer to get there, but it's worth the (five-minute) drive. The breezy porch was perfect for happy hour on our first truly warm day of the year.

I lusted after a friend's gin and tonic (they make their own tonic) while I sipped a strong whiskey drink — I think it's time to switch to gin now that the warmer weather's on its way. Different ones at our table took advantage of the $5 plates, sampling the lobster and crab dip, cauliflower gratin, and French fries with parmesan and grain mustard aioli.

icon.

It doesn't get much more timeless than Grace Kelly.

puppy porn.

I love our big ol' 90-pound oaf of a dog, Mundaka. We think he's some combination of black lab, pit bull, great dane, and horse. But if I'm ever crazy enough to add to our zoo, I want a Boston terrier real bad. When I get the urge, I read this.

mag hag.

I have a weakness for magazines. I think it started with my childhood subscription to Ranger Rick. Or maybe it has something to do with the walk-in closet in the basement where my mom kept dusty old copies of National Geographic and Architectural Digest. As a teenager, I made scrapbooks with clippings of my favorite images and papered my walls with torn-out pages.

matchbook

Over the years I've subscribed to everything from Seventeen and Jane to Travel + Leisure, Coastal Living, and Lucky. My subscriptions reflect my life at any given time, and lately I've been moving toward online magazines.

I'm so impressed with the new generation of publications like Matchbook, High Gloss, and Rue.  Somehow, the women behind all of these magazines — many of whom started out as bloggers — have managed to put together products that I like more than anything I've seen in years. And as much as I enjoy the familiar feel of flipping through glossy pages, I really appreciate the new capabilities of online media, like clickable links, lower overhead costs, and more design flexibility.

 rue

They're inspiring to me because they prove that even though print may be dying a slow death, writing and journalism aren't — they're just evolving in a really exciting way.

   
high gloss

For newbies, From the Right Bank recently had a guest post from Mackenzie of Design Darling breaking down four of the major lady mags out right now. Here it is.

foghorn

I've been thinking a lot about San Francisco lately, wondering if it's somewhere I could live in a few years. The weather is what makes me second-guess it. It was beautiful when we visited in November, but I know that's not always the case. That said, here's a fun video about the city's notorious fog.

i need some of this.

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It's safe to say that I live for summer, and when it's not here, I'm not all here either. I'm not depressed, but when we start getting those first hints of spring, I get happier than I've been in a long time.

 

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I'm sort of desperate for winter to end. I want the sun to stay out until 9 o'clock, and to sit on my porch way past then enjoying the night. I want to sweat, and I want salty, sunburned naps. I want to ride my bike until my legs ache and spend hours on the beach doing nothing but staring at the water.

chocolate croissants.

I think I might make these chocolate croissants tonight for my valentine. And by that I mean for me, since he doesn't really eat that many sweets. They're super easy, but he doesn't have to know that.

v-day, charleston style.

Todd and I aren't too good at Valentine's Day. We usually end up cooking something at home because we forget to make reservations. We don't generally exchange gifts, because I can never think of anything to get him so I tell him he's off the hook. But I'm certainly not a hater, and I love the idea of showing love to those you love (that's a lot of love), whoever they may be. And I wouldn't mind receiving any one of these sweet locally-made products. Hint, hint.

Flowers from Stems.  (Anne did our wedding.)

 

Something decadent from Sugar Bakeshop.

Sweeteeth's sexy new Call of the Wild bar: port wine and caramel (take a close look at the label). 

 

A cute letterpress card (with a heartfelt note inside) from local stores like Lesesne, Mac & Murphy, or Lily.

new friend.

I found this vintage Schwinn a few weeks ago at a local thrift store for $75. (This is what happened to my old one.) I finally got a chance to take her for a spin on this warm, sunny day. I miss biking to the river in my old 'hood, but dare I say this new bike fits me even better than the last. (R.I.P.) I can't wait 'til the weather gets nicer and I can ride on the regular.

Photo taken via iPhone via Camerabag.

paris.

I am insanely jealous/in awe of Jordan of Oh Happy Day, who just up and moved her family to Paris. Lately I've been feeling like if I don't live abroad at some point in my life (sooner rather than later), I will just die. Jordan is proof that it can be done, even with two babies. Follow her adventures here.

Other great French blogs you may want to check out: Lost in Cheeseland, Pret a Voyager, and HiP Paris.

Also, this.


Le Flâneur (music by The XX) from Luke Shepard on Vimeo.

play with your food.

Back in September, Ikea released a cookbook using photography by Carl Kleiner. The book is called Hembakat är Bäst (Homemade is Best) and I need a copy.

Bleubird.

 

This is one of the cutest little families ever. Makes me want to start poppin' out babies, even though I just said I'm nowhere near ready. The Bleubird Vintage blog covers food, family, and vintage fashion. It's one of my new favorites.

mac daddy.

I think I've decided to make for my dinner party. Fancy mac 'n' cheese with bacon, spinach, and fontina. Via Good Life Eats.

oh atlanta.

We're going to Atlanta this weekend. What should we do while we're there?

front row.

via sartorialist.

Charleston Fashion Week is coming up in a few weeks. I can usually be found in the front row every night, scribbling, juggling cameras, tweeting, and looking worn out and unstylish. It's hard to look put-together when I've got 15 minutes to dress between work and the shows, and when my feet are still sore from the night before.

I never was one for picking out outfits beforehand, but I think with a little pre-planning I might feel better about my outfits. What are your go-to, get-dressed-quick outfits? Who wants to go shopping with me and tell me what to wear?

house of love.

I think I might make one of these for Todd for Valentine's Day. He hosts trivia until 9 p.m. on Mondays, so it would be the perfect little romantic surprise when he got home. Pillows, finger foods, Kalimotxos ... Design*Sponge is full of the cutest V-day ideas.

Happy Groundhog's Day.

 via.

Granted, Groundhog's Day is kind of a stupid holiday, but I love it because it's all about hope. For flowers, warmer weather, longer days, and a generally improved quality of life.

Things that I really miss: open windows, bare legs, dresses, sunburn, farmers market dinners, bike rides, picnics, beach walking, and nights on the porch. And the incredible smell of Charleston in the springtime, a lovely salty/floral mix.

dinner bells.

 

via.

I've been inspired by Miss Olivia Rae's last post to plan a little dinner party for my girlfriends. Or rather, not overplan a little dinner party. The planning ahead, and the stress involved, is what always gets me. A tasty pasta recipe, a few bottles of wine, and something chocolatey are all we really need. Please let me know if you have any not-too-difficult recipe suggestions.