power couple

I just had to post this picture of kourtney kardashian & scott disick on nye .

I love kourtney's dress & light pink lips ...  hot mamma !

image via

strawberry shortcakes

I never said my new years resolution was to diet ...

seriously one of my favorite things I've ever made ...

just like the cinnamon buns, most of the ingredients were in my cabinet , I just needed to buy the strawberries ( which were on sale 2 for $ 3 ! ) .

you have to try it for yourself . 

find the recipe here

french chateau

welcome to my dream home, a french house in the center of cévennes .

I love the european feel that exudes in every room : the exposed stone , delicate decor , pops of color via flowers & simple whites

images via

baked mozzarella sticks

new years day is predominately known as the day the most people suffer from hangovers. 

it is also the day that people begin their new years resolutions, & dieting is one of the most popular resolutions. 

for me, dieting while enduring a hangover just doesn't work. I tend to want greasy, bad for me food ... and a lot of it at that.

with that being said, on new years day I wanted to make something that is a comfort food while being sneakily healthy ( er ) at the same time. 

recipe via

table settings to die for !

a good table setting can set the mood for any atmosphere. 

I wish that every time I sat at my dining room table, I felt as amazed as I do when I look at these pictures. 

... one day !

I love the chic yet urban feel to this balcony .

how cute would this be for a girl - themed baby shower ?

I love the vine from the overhang, & the natural feel to this setting ( note the grass turf  )

I am loving chinese lamps, especially outside . 

this flower arrangement is surreal

images via

happiness is ...

happy new year ! I am so excited to have a fresh start in 2012 .

I never was one to believe in new year's resolutions, as I guiltily never held true to my year- long promises to myself ( especially the cliche diet resolution ) .  this year , however, I will admit to a few things I would love to change come 2012.

I am going to try to go with the flow more  ( something very hard for a control freak like me ) , complain less , & continue baking / cooking / decorating my apt for the blog . 

I also want to make each day count, as I have learned first handedly this year that life is short. 

a few things made me especially happy in the last week of 2012 ...

fish tacos from indian wells tavern in amagansett, ny

my hors d'oeuvres spread for nye 

[ homemade punch ( coconut vodka, pineapple / mango / orange juice , 7up, 

& infused lemons / strawberries ), homemade french onion dip ( recipe here ) , pigs in a blanket , joey's bruschetta, olives & pretzels  ]

my cute star lantern from ikea & holiday ralph lauren candle

riley tired from a long morning of unwrapping presents on christmas day

nye nails [ william tell me about opi ]

I hope everyone has a healthy & prosperous new year ! 

* S