yup this is it...

it's five o'clock somewhere...

a zippy citrusy cocktail for the upcoming warmer weather.  

i know i keep bringing up the fact that spring is near, it's because i am trying to convince myself that it's really close, despite having had to maneuver my way through another snow and ice drive this morning.

via anthropologie    this glass is perfect  to serve this in.

what you'll need

1 oz. orange liqueur 

1 oz. gin
1 oz. pineapple juice
orange slice
mint sprig
soda water

how to make it

combine the orange liqueur, gin and pineapple juice in a glass with ice.  add the mint and orange slice (after giving it a good squeeze). stir until chilled and fragrant, then top off with soda water.

enjoy.
love sent, xo

spring...

i can not wait for the first day i can leave my coat at home.

i received a spring "birch box"  in the mail yesterday which was super fun. i love these surprises.   it included a pretty spring scent, a fun pink lip gloss, some much needed moisturizing cream, some sunscreen and much more.  loved it!  perfect sizes  for a weekend away.

i can't wait to wear my new spring shoes. loving everything about them.  being a shoe fanatic doesn't help.
i just can't wait to stop wearing boots.

and a perfect summer sneaker beloved by french girls everywhere. super comfortable, pretty and tomboyish all at once.

i look forward to starting up the garden again and i am loving my new cookbook  it is keeping me super inspired.

can't wait to go back to this restaurant  the food was amazing.


and a recipe for the cold rainy morning forecasted for tomorrow.

best baked oatmeal  

thank you yossy!   

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped
¼-⅓ cup maple syrup
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. salt
2 1/4 cups whole milk
1 large egg
3 tbsp. coconut oil (or butter) melted
2 cups blueberries (fresh or frozen)

what to do:
preheat oven to 375F and butter the inside of an 8-inch square or 9-inch round baking dish.

in a large bowl combine the oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt (this can be done the night before). in a large measuring cup whisk the maple syrup, milk and egg. spread half of the oat mixture in the baking dish. top it with half of the pecans and blueberries, then add the rest of the oats on top. gently pour the milk mixture over the oats and shake the dish a bit so the ingredients settle. scatter the rest of the berries and pecans over the top and drizzle with the melted coconut oil.

bake for 35-45 minutes until the top is golden and the oats have set. serve warm with additional maple syrup and butter if desired.

  love sent, xo

the weather man said...

it's gonna snow, and it did.  it was so dark this morning but so light last evening. i love having longer daylight hours.  it makes me certain that spring is near, even if it doesn't feel like it, and this morning it really didn't feel like it. but, to this day, the ebb and flow of the seasons move me.  i am looking forward to golden days even though i know they will be peppered with chilly nights.  i am  looking forward to pea pods and fresh asparagus at the farmer's market, lighter clothes and bike rides. i think it's important to have things in your life you look forward to, otherwise you can get pulled into the slumber of monotony. so, look for the buds on the trees, and watch for the birds on your windowsill and remind yourself of what's to come.

                                                                                 spring is near

love sent, xo

a sunday well spent....

                                                        brings a week of content....

love making the most of my weekends.

have a great week ahead

love sent, xo

breathe, be present and give thanks...

i looked out my window early this morning and shivered at the temperature.  how can it be only 8
degrees? it's early march, surely it should be warmer by now. but lots should be different by now.
it is sunny but oh so cold.  this has been a long, long winter.
everything feels more difficult than usual, this day has been difficult.
as the sun glistens off the frozen snow banks i know spring will come soon again.  so for now even amidst the tears i know there is so much beauty.  i memorize the fragments of my every day experiences and i know there is so much to be thankful for. i lean my forehead against the cold window and look at the beautiful blue, gray sky and it makes me realize what a small space i occupy in this universe.  there is so much magic but sometimes i just have to remind myself to see it.

just remember when you open your eyes each morning - you don't know what the day will bring. but when you close your eyes each night you know how you contributed to the things you couldn't control.
this week didn't go exactly how i expected, but i have found a peaceful resolution. i felt heard. at times i felt scared and overwhelmed. buy i also felt like i made a positive contribution to an important conversation.
i will look back on today and know i did my best, i spoke from my heart and i saw goodness in people.

thank you from my grateful heart

love sent, xo

i do...