Egg-cellent Easter!

Hey, did you know Easter is this weekend?!

Well it sort of crept up on me this year. I manged to put together a fun little centerpiece on the dining room table, and fill a joint Easter basket with some of favorite goodies (it is our first married Easter)!

I'm planning on making some fun hard boiled eggs as well and was considering these varieties:

love these super fun gold-leaf eggs!

Playing up the Natural Egg beauty.

Considering the gold leaf may need to be ordered online, the latter will probably be what I go with! (Unless a trip to Michal's prevails!) This year we're planning on staying in Louisville and celebrating with J's mom for an Easter luncheon on Sunday. 

I'm looking forward to having some time on Saturday bake and perhaps do a little spring cleaning!

xox

Lean in.

Who says you can't learn something from Cosmo!?

While traveling a few weeks ago, I picked up the magazine at an airport kiosk. While reading on take-off, I came across this great article. It was an excerpt from Sheryl Sandberg's new book, Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead.

In case you don't know, Ms. Sandberg is a Facebook exec and in 2011, was named Forbes Magazine's 5th most influential woman in the world. She is uber successful and is passionate about helping women take charge of their careers and more importantly their lives. 

An excerpt:

 "This question speaks to everyone, but I think it has special significance for women. Fear is at the root of so many of the barriers that women face. Fear of not being liked. Fear of making the wrong decision. Fear of drawing negative attention. Fear of overreaching. Fear of being judged. Fear of failure. And for those who want to have children, the fear that we can't be both good employees and good mothers."

 Now, surely I have my own thoughts on the last part, being a woman who is passionate about one day starting a family- but strongly desiring to keep working. But beyond the work-life balance aspect of this; I believe Sheryl's touching on a much bigger picture.

I think often times we don't take the time to self-reflect and ask ourselves, "what's holding me back from doing or being whatever it is that I want to do or be?"

I challenge you this week: Ask yourself this question, but don't just think about your job or career. Find a quiet spot, think about your life, take a deep breath...and then ask.

Then, brainstorm every possibility and opportunity you can think of to achieve it. Sheryl is also big on women communicating with one another more about our fears and limitations as well (promoting Lean In Circles where women can talk openly and candidly about their careers). Enlist a friend, or therapist if need be.

 Find an accountability partner, tell them and reassure yourself of what you want, and Lean In to your life.

So, what's stopping you??

Weekend wrap up.

Once again, pardon my lack of writing. 

Julio has been sick. So, while nursing him back to health we decided to start watching Downton Abbey care of my dear mother in law. We can't seem to pinpoint what it is about this show, and truly- it's hard to explain- but it's incredible.

Well, good thing she gave us both seasons 1 & 2. We've burned through them over the past week and can't wait till season 3 comes out on DVD! 

My hope is to start posting a weekend wrap-up post on mondays. Well, clearly it's not monday (thanks to Downton)  So here's a few favorites from  this past St. Patty's weekend. 

My attempt at green shamrock pancakes!

I also made some delicious Irish Soda Bread that we've been enjoying all week. To be honest, it's gotten better each day as it softens a bit. This recipe made one giant loaf. It'd be great to accompany a hearty soup or stew, but was lovely alongside our corned beef. 

Irish Soda Bread

3 cups all purpose flour

1 cup cake flour

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons softened butter    (+ 1-2 tablespoons melted)

1 3/4 cups buttermilk

Whisk all the dry ingredients together. Add the soft butter and work in with your fingers. Add the buttermilk and work together with a fork just until barely mixed. Shape together by pressing into a ball (barely formed). It was very sticky for me. 

Coat a cast iron skillet with butter (I used my Le Cruset dutch oven, in green nonetheless!) and bake in a 400 degree over for 40 minutes in the top 1/3 of the oven (too low and the bottom crust will be burnt). 

Remove from the over and brush with 1-2 tablespoons of melted butter with a pastry brush to soften the crust.  (it can be stored in a ziploc on the counter for a few days

 Enjoy!

Geometric nail art.

I.am.loving these things.

This little beauty is from Essie's nail sticker collection. I don't think I have ever been complimented on something more in my life. When headed to MIA, i was left with no time for a mani/pedi, and while picking up some last minute essentials at Walgreens, these beauties caught my eye. I had been intrigued by the sticker nail polish thing, but always thought the prints were tacky. 

These have not dissappointed. 

Some tips for your tips:

1. clean up your cuticle and shape your nails first.

2. clean your nails with alcohol then wash hands and thoroughly dry.

3. file off the tips from up to down direction- otherwise the edges lift.

Been on for a week now and only the tips have chipped/peeled off. I fully approve.

Bummer that the gold is sold out online! I hope they get em back. 

Looking to try these on though: embrace the lace, over the moon, glam it on, stickers and stones

Longing for spring

Hello, blog-land.

Sorry for my absence. The past few weeks have been packed full of sparkling goodness and stressful evenings that have left me zero time for self-expression beyond piecing myself together on the daily.

We enjoyed a beautiful week in Florida with family, some dear friends, and celebrated two amazing couples who were getting married.

Though soFla was a little bit colder then we had hoped for this time of year (that water was cold and the air was a chilly 68 degrees!), being down south has definitely left me longing for warmer temperatures and spring wardrobes!

I've noticed mint/aqua remains a staple, as well as a much welcomed pop of lavender!  Color continues to be the big thing this spring. lots. of. color. I can't wait to start mixing it up and transitioning my fall neutrals with pops of candy-colored-springy goodness. Don't worry about "matching", but do limit yourself to 2-3 colors max in one ensemble. You don't want to look like you fell out of an Easter basket...