live sparkly: society social rolls in

         

photos from societysocial.com

"It's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring" & "live sparkly," these are the mantras behind the adorable online shop Society Social. Launched just a few months ago, this entertaining-centric design line is full of glitzy bar carts, tables, chairs, couches and vintage-inspired hostess gowns.

Each piece is handmade with love and would be perfect for that over-the-top cocktail party you have only dreamed of hosting. It's more affordable than you would think for such uniquely-crafted pieces. I've been drooling over the Sedgewick bar cart (bottom middle), Marilyn sofa (top) and the folding Dinner Party table (bottom right-how handy is that for an apartment). Might need a bigger place just so I can fit all that I need, errr want, from here.

Make sure to read their about us section. A company after my own heart...

Doesn't it just make you want to kick off your heels, shake up a dirty martini and call up Don Draper?  

Cheers! {m}

on the third day of christmas: free holiday subway art by eighteen25

photo from eighteen25

"On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves. And a partridge in a pear tree."

Happy Monday everyone. I hope you relaxed over your long weekend. I spent the holiday break going to bed early, eating leftovers and {of course} doing a little Black Friday shopping. I'm proud to say I'm the owner of some fabulous new Anthropologie dresses and a new iMac which I plan to put to full blogging use. 


Now that Thanksgiving has passed we can officially deem it Christmas season! I started my "12 days of Christmas" post series several weeks ago and I'm ready to begin moving forward with it in full force. As I mentioned before, I began decking my little apartment out in holiday cheer weeks ago but now feel like I can be totally out of the closet about it.


Growing up, all of my mom's framed art art would be swapped out this time of year to accommodate her prints of Santa and baby Jesus. I always gave her a hard time for it, but here you have it, I'm doing the same. Joke is on me! I was thrilled when I discovered this holiday subway art print from the blog eighteen25- it is a more modern spin on what I grew up with and the best part is, it's free. There are also free downloadable prints for other occasions, including 4th of July, Halloween and even Easter. All you need to do is download it, send it to a printer and put in a frame.


When I have printed their prints in the past I used Costo's photo center. It cost under $10 and the quality did the trick. Easy-peasy. If you print the 16x20 size there is a great pre-matted frame at Ikea that will only put you back $20 and you can switch it out with all their other seasonal prints. 


Check out their adorable {and also free} holiday bunting download. Thanks eighteen25!


*Ps. Later this week my adorable and crafty friend Elizabeth will be sharing with you a fun holiday DIY project that she did over the weekend, can't wait to share it. {m}


Don't miss my other "12 Days of Christmas" posts:

• On the first day of Christmas: iGifts
• On the second day of Christmas: DIY Ornaments

gratitude + a family thanksgiving recipe

{photo from paula deen}

The long weekend has finally arrived for me! I hope everyone enjoys their holiday weekend, eats lots of turkey, drinks lots of wine and has a good laugh with their friends and family. I will be spending the day with a big group of friends who luckily also happen to be amazing cooks. I always miss my family around Thanksgiving time but am thankful that I have a solid group of friends in San Diego to celebrate the day with.

This year I am grateful for so many things: health, family, a great boyfriend, friends who are as close as family, living in a sunny climate and my dog Otis. 

In case you haven't started cooking yet and need a yummy recipe (I realize I should have posted this yesterday), I have a great one for you. Here is the recipe for my Grandma Beatie's famous mashed potatoes that I will be making for today's feast. I couldn't imagine a Thanksgiving without them!

Don't worry, permission was granted. Time for me to get cooking. Gobble gobble. {m}

 Presenting Grandma Beatie's Mashed Potatoes:

Ingredients:

• 5 pounds potatoes
• 1-8oz.sour cream
• 1-8 oz.cream cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 4 tbsp. butter
• Salt & pepper

To prepare:

1. Peel and boil potatoes
2. Drain
3. Mash with the rest of the ingredients
4. Place in buttered 2 qt. casserole dish
5. Dot with butter
6. Cover and cool in fridge until 1 hour before serving
7. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees
8. Enjoy!
   

hgtv magazine

In the midst of my recent eight hour layover in Minneapolis I came across the new HGTV Magazine at the airport newsstand. I found myself reading it over and over and over again all the way back to San Diego. HGTV always has such creative people and ideas and the magazine stays true to that theme. The pages are filled with home improvement tips, pretty pictures, inspiring people and my favorite part: a peek into current real estate around the states. I haven't been so swooned by a magazine since Domino was around.

Here is a peek into the magazine if you haven't already checked it out. Put this on my Christmas list Santa!

I particularly loved this page. I am in love with that teal paint color. The magazine even tells you the names of the different paint colors featured, how handy is that?

if you don't snooze, you lose.

My great friend Jessie was in town a few months ago from Colorado and was raving about her favorite Denver brunch spot, Snooze an A.M. Eatery. Being an avid bruncher myself, I was considering a trip to Denver just for the brunch {and Jessie of course}. Soon after this discussion, it was discovered that this magical Denver joint would soon be opening up in my turf of San Diego as well.

Enter SNOOZE HILLCREST. Starting this weekend, Snooze officially becomes part of the San Diego brunch family. Located right next door to the Urban Outfitters in Hillcrest, the new Snooze home is in an open, bright building with a relaxed mid-century modern vibe.

Their soft openings took place this past week and they were kind enough to donate all proceeds to local San Diego charities. I had the privilege to stop by yesterday and have the full Snooze experience. Literally everything on the menu looked appetizing so my friend and I decided to try something sweet {pancake of the day: pumpkin} and something savory {the bella bella benny- prosciutto, taleggio cheese, poached eggs and ciabatta covered in cream cheese hollandaise, balsamic glaze and arugula, oh my}. Both were really tasty and I'm excited to stop back and try the rest of their menu soon.

Did I mention they have a pancake flight? Doesn't get much better than that. Thanks Snooze for having us. We had a lovely time.

Everyone have a great weekend and don't forget to get your Snooze on.

stay classy san diego

Fun picture of us gals at the Design*Sponge at Home book signing last week. 

Thanks West Elm and Smile Booth!

on the second day of christmas: DIY ornaments

"On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...2 turtle doves. And a partridge in a pear tree."

Over the rainy weekend I decided to get my crafty pants on. I pulled out some supplies from around the house and created this fun billy ball ornament. I already had the dried billy ball and just placed it in gold sand in a clear ornament. To top it off and cover the silver lid, I wrapped the top in pretty gold and white washi tape {I would cover everything in gold if I could!}. This little ornament was easy to make, cost me only $3 in supplies and would make a great budget-friendly gift. I hope to make some more handmade ornaments this season and will share the love with you. Only a little over a month until Santa comes...

Since I didn't have my tree up when I took those pictures {but I do now, shh! don't tell!} I decided to hang the ornament on these stylish paper mache antlers I found at West Elm during the Design Sponge shin-dig last week.

Don't miss my other "12 Days of Christmas" posts:

• On the first day of Christmas: iGifts

Pin It

design*sponge at home book signing

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the Design*Sponge at Home book signing and crafting party at West Elm in San Diego.The night was filled with crafts, friends, cupcakes and shopping- doesn't get much better than that! Grace and her team were super sweet and worked with us to make pretty dish towels with freezer paper stencils. Smilebooth was also there with a brilliant and perfectly-San Diego Ron Burgundy backdrop {photo below}.

If you don't have the book yet it is so worth putting on your list for Santa. It is loaded with DIY  inspiration, before and after stories and as always, beautiful photography. Thanks West Elm and Design*Sponge for having us.

all photos via {m}'s instagram

it's raining: oh me, oh my

 My tough Minnesota {Nordic} skin has officially been thinned out after living in California for four years now. I made the official decision not to go to LA this weekend because I was scared to drive in the rain- who have I become? So, in lieu of those plans I have decided to stay in, drink coffee, watch movies and make some soup. Not the worst way to spend a weekend! Hope everyone survives.

Please note: if you know anyone that lives in CA, there is a 99% chance they are talking about the rain on their Facebook or Twitter accounts-including me- IT'S TRAUMATIC I TELL YOU!

have a cozy weekend!

Image: sma_kee

a {simple} place for people

The business motto says it all: a place for people.  Counterpoint is a favorite neighborhood hangout of mine. I love a cozy, unfussy spot and it certainly doesn't hurt that this one is right down the road from me. This Golden Hill staple is located on 25th Street in between E and F, just a few short steps from the lovely mid-century vintage shop, The Nest.

The staff are all extremely friendly, fun and knowledgeable about food and beer and make you feel like you are just hanging out in someone's living room. If you are hungry, their fried bologna sandwich is melt in your mouth delicious {really} and I always start my meal off with their pain frites. You won't be disappointed if you order either I promise. Happy hour runs Tuesday-Friday: 5-6 and Saturday-Sunday: noon-6, featuring $3 selected drinks.

Cheers {m}

photos from counterpointsd.com

pretty me pinterest

{From Top Left}

1. Climbing Sofa: Lila Lang {thanks Alison} 2. Turkey Cranberry Monte Cristo: Paula Deen 3. Glam iPhone Photo: Atlantic-Pacific 4. Book-stuffed Fireplace: Source Unknown 5. DIY Decorative Tray: Martha Stewart {I'm totally trying this} 6. DIY Felt Tree: Scissor Variations 7. Ribbon Wedding: Our Labor of Love 8. Moc Boots: Free People 9. Mid-century Table: Inspiration Bubble 

{If you know the source for #4 please let me know, thanks!}

on the first day of christmas: iGifts

"On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...a partridge in a pear tree."

I don't know if it is the chilly weather or the fact that Starbucks decided to begin taunting me with their holiday drinks this week, but Christmas season has struck me {shockingly early}. I strictly blame this early Christmas spirit on my mother- the woman who begins listening to holiday music at the sight of the first leaf falling and changes out all her home's decor to accommodate a red and green color palate.

Either way, this gene has been passed down and I need to start expressing my holiday excitement some how! I have decided to feature a little 12-post series on the blog for the next few months, called, of course, "The 12 Days of Christmas" which will consist of 12 different holiday themed posts.

Since everyone and their mother {sorry, had to} has an iPhone, this first post features fun iPhone-friendly holiday gifts that aren't outrageously priced. I'm especially loving the peep-finger Anthropologie gloves and the Apple Wood speaker dock. {m}

 1. Chevron Monogram Case 2. Monogram Zip Cover 3. Cable Knit Case 4. Gold Wallet Clutch 5. Wood Speaker Dock 6. Touch Screen-Friendly Gloves

gwyneth's cold pea and basil soup

Recently when I made Spoon Fork Bacon's fig tart with caramelized onions recipe I chose to pair it with one of my  favorite sides, Gwyneth Paltrow's cold pea and basil soup recipe from her fantastic new cookbook, My Father's Daughter. 

The soup is simple, flavorful and refreshingly light. The two dishes made a great pair and I'm pretty sure my boyfriend and I devoured every last morsel.

Recipe {from My Father's Daughter}
Serves 4 

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 small or 1 large yellow onion, peeled and finely diced (about 1 cup)
• 4 cups frozen peas
• 1 quart vegetable stock (I used chicken for more flavor)
• 12 fresh large basil leaves, 10 whole, 2 finely sliced for serving
• Coarse sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Sour cream
  
  

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a small soup pot over medium heat 
2. Add the onion, and cook until soft, about 10 minutes
3. Add the peas and stock, bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 10 minutes
4. Remove from the heat and add the whole basil leaves and salt and pepper to taste
5. Let the soup cool and then whiz in a blender until smooth
6. Cool in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours
7. Serve garnished with a spoonful of sour cream and the finely sliced basil
8. Enjoy!

On a closing note: if you don't already subscribe to her newsletter, GOOP, I highly recommend you do. She posts great tips on places to go, things to see, food to make and much more! Ok, I'll admit it, I love her...