HAPPY WEEKEND

I can't tell you how happy I am Friday is here. I'm headed to a friend's beach house this evening for a girls weekend, which feels so wonderfully indulgent, yet needed. After a pretty crazy week, I am looking forward to nothing more than lounging in the sand with some of my favorite ladies. That and escaping this 90 degree heat. Sounds pretty perfect right? Do you have any fun plans?

Happy Weekend! xo

{photo via}

SPAGHETTI AL TONNO

This recipe came out of necessity really. I needed to makes dinner one night and didn't have time to go to the grocery store. I found whatever ingredients I had in my pantry and ended up throwing this together. It was so delicious I have since made it a dozen times. Although I've got to admit- these Calabrian chilies really make the dish. If you don't like spicy food, than of course you can leave them out, but If you do then I highly recommend buying a big jar. They perfectly balance heat and salt and in my opinion make practically everything better. 
Spaghetti Al Tonno
{serves 4}

 1 lb. dried spaghetti {I used whole wheat, but use whatever you prefer}
1 tsp olive oil
10 large pitted green olives chopped
1-2 tbs pepperoncini picante/Calabrian chilies chopped, depending on how spicy you like things {I bought mine here, but you can find them in an italian deli or the italian section of your grocery store}
2 5oz cans of albacore tuna drained of water {I prefer the no salt added, so I can control the seasoning}
1 15oz can of tomato sauce {my favorite is the organic sauce from trader joe's}

 In a large pot, bring 6 quarts of salted water to a boil. When water comes to a boil, add your pasta. Cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
In a large saute pan, heat your oil over medium heat. Add the olives, pepperoncini picante and the two cans of tuna to the pan and stir, letting the chilis flavor the tuna.  Then add your can of tomato sauce and simmer for 3 minutes. No need to add salt, as the chilis are already salt heavy.
Drain your spaghetti and add it to the sauce. Toss the spaghetti, making sure it is coated and serve. 

SNAPSHOTS FROM MARTHA'S VINEYARD

Have you OD'd on green yet? One of my favorite things about Martha's Vineyard is how completely covered in green it is. It has such a soothing quality, for your eyes and your lungs. Looking through these photos has me wanting to hop on the next plane back. 

Here are some of the places pictured above:
Lucy Vincent Beach
Quansoo Beach
Mermaid Farm & Dairy
Chilmark
Allen Sheep Farm
Great Rock Bight Preserve
Aquinnah Cliffs/Lighthouse
Edgartown

LATELY

The last few weeks have felt extra summery. I love when the temperature is just right in the evenings where you can wear short sleeves and not bring a jacket. After coming down from the high of our vacation, I've been slowly acclimating to our life in LA. Before we left I felt so organized and on top of things work wise, but inevitably after taking a week off I'm now struggling to get back on track. My goal this weekend is to get ahead again- respond to all emails, finish all my photo retouching for clients, put together a few blog posts and unpack my suitcase {I know, it's about time}. Wish me luck! Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile... 

Happy Weekend! xo

SWEET. SWEETER. SWEETEST.

Sweet. The Peep-Toe Sidewalk Skimmer $98
Sweeter. The Sidewalk Skimmer $125
Sweetest. The Manuscripts Mini Wedge $148
Happy Monday! I'm headed to New York City in less than a month to celebrate a very big birthday, so I've been searching for both chic and comfortable flats. You can never have too many of those, right? Even if I go out in heels in New York I've learned to always bring a pair of flats in my purse, just incase. 


How was your weekend? Mine was super low-key, but lovely. I spent most of it cooking at home, catching up on work and watching the olympics. I'm not much into sports but I do love the summer olympics. Don't you?

HAPPY WEEKEND

Happy Weekend! We are back from the most incredible week in Martha's Vineyard and I'm not feeling ready to face real life just yet. Luckily I have the weekend to get over my jet lag and catch up on work. It's always a strange feeling coming back to LA after being in such a beautiful part of the world. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love living in LA. But arriving at LAX and seeing all the ugly beige architecture and signs for strip clubs is slightly depressing. It always takes me a few days of going to my favorite restaurants or seeing good friends to remind myself why I love this city so much. Do you feel a little down after coming back from a trip, or does being away remind you how much you love home? 

{photo by laura dart for design sponge}

SWEET STYLE. MOUNT TAM

wearing:
dolce vita dress
vintage turquoise bracelet
madewell bracelet {similar style}
wendy mink ring
aldo ankle boots {similar style}

 On our last night in Marin, we drove to my favorite mountain - Mount Tamalpais,  to watch the sunset. It is a magical place with redwood forest to one side and rolling hills of gold to another. The wind was severe, but the transcendent views stopped me from minding. 

SWEET. SWEETER. SWEETEST.

Sweet. Beach Umbrella $14.95
Sweeter. Beach Blanket $42
Sweetest. Beach Chair $59.99
Happy Monday! This trip is flying by so fast and I am trying to take in every minute. Luckily the clouds have disappeared just long enough for a beach day and we are taking full advantage. A friend is visiting us for a few days and we've had so much fun showing him this wonderful island. Tonight we are taking him to our favorite Vineyard restaurant, State Road. How was your weekend? 

LATELY

We have arrived in Martha's Vineyard and I can't tell you how happy I am to be here. In fact I can't wipe this smile of my face. Our first night there was the most romantic thunder and lightening storm to welcome us. The air is so humid I can already feel my skin soaking up the moisture and my hair getting curlier by the minute. This weekend we are planning on spending as much time at the beach as possible {weather allowing} and enjoying a quintessential lobster dinner with my family. Pure bliss. Here is a little look at my life of late and a few of the sweet things making me smile...

 
Happy Weekend!

SNAPSHOTS FROM MARIN

Our time spent in Marin was cherished as always. Each time we're there, James makes a point to take me somewhere new and revisit some favorites. This time he took me to the Point Reyes Lighthouse, which is a place I'd been wanting to visit for sometime. The rocky cliffs, the ocean views and the curvy cypress trees make the walk there truly spectacular. After visiting the lighthouse we went to Cowgirl Creamery to taste cheeses and Hog Island for my favorite kumomoto oysters. I love that Marin has become so well known for their fine foods. It seems every restaurant these days serves Point Reyes blue cheese or Straus dairy products. 

TO THE VINEYARD WE GO

Today we are headed to the sleepy town of Menemsha on Martha's Vineyard. This will be my 22nd summer on the island. It takes a full day to get there from LA, but it's worth all the traveling. I'm most looking forward to reading on the beach, lobster rolls from The Galley, watching the sunset from our deck and my favorite thing in the world- outdoor showers. I will still be blogging while I'm away and like always I plan of taking lots of photos to share with you. This will be my first summer there with instagram, and while I don't get cell reception on most of the island I do plan on sharing photos whenever I can {my username is sweetthingblog}.