Fourth Street

well, hello lovely || no. 2

2012-05-24T00:00:00.000-06:00

Chocolate Dipped Pears

| ingredients |
Four ounces dark chocolate,
preferably at least 70 percent cacao
finely chopped
Four small Forelle pears

| directions |

Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl

set over simmering water,

stirring until smooth.

Let cool slightly.

Starting at bottom of each pear,

use a teaspoon to remove core,

leaving stem at top intact.

Dip bottom three-quarters

of each pear in chocolate.

Transfer to a parchment-lined plate

refrigerate until chocolate has set

at least 15 minutes (and up to 2 hours)

Bring to room temperature before serving.

| enjoy |
Serve with a white wine spritzer, preferably on a lovely summer evening.

*source, Shop Sweet Things, Pinterest

wiesler romance

2012-05-22T00:00:00.000-06:00

I'm having a love affair with the Hotel Wiesler today. Nestled in the heart of Graz, Austria this boutique hotel is elegant, romantic and full of quaint, personal touches that make you feel right at home. Utterly amazing.

*photography courtesy of Hotel Weisler

monday man hour - dope stuff

2012-05-21T12:00:00.000-06:00

Do you follow tumblr's? Some people are huge fans and some people could do without. I'm hit and miss, however, I do love the tumblr, Dope Stuff, created by Andre' Ekeberg of Sweden. He also co-founded Random Sidewalk and Familiale which are two very popular culture and lifestyle magazines that share the same inspirational space. Urban, simple and just plain cool.

*images via Dope Stuff

monday motivation - change your world

2012-05-21T00:00:00.000-06:00

*photo via Cactus Hydrabalm

happy weekend

2012-05-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

Darlings, it's been a long one.

Hope your weekend is footloose and fancy free :)

girlie girl swimwear

2012-05-17T00:00:00.000-06:00

Polka dottie, flowery, ruffly and downright pretty swimwear for the girlie girl in you.

I love.

Via Anthropologie

sexy, cool and a little badass

2012-05-16T00:00:00.000-06:00

OLIVIA GRAHAM | PHOTOGRAPHER

something's happening here

2012-05-14T12:00:00.000-06:00

Something wonderful has been happening in blogland over the past few days that I'm certain most of you will welcome with open arms. Some amazing bloggers have posted honest, heartfelt confessions on the subject of real life vs. that of what we perceive to be a perfectly designed, impeccably curated online life. While it's true that an online presence may easily be misconstrued, how real could anything be when one doesn't see entire picture? Life is full of hard deadlines, work pressure, unfriendly software and unyielding disappointments. Just when you think you are the only one out there that may not have it all together, these lovely ladies have your back.

Thank you Jess for starting this movement; Things I'm Afraid to Tell You.

monday motivation - laugh a little

2012-05-14T00:00:00.000-06:00

*photo via Heart Means Everything

happy weekend

2012-05-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

Rain or shine--hope you have a lovely weekend darlings.

*photo via

saying it like it is

2012-05-10T00:00:00.000-06:00

Lovely yet very colorful (and sustainable) greeting cards and paper goods by Offensive+Delightful will definitely put a smile on your face today. Warning note, the name is true to form---but even though they are a little brash, I think you'll like.

back to the basics

2012-05-09T00:00:00.000-06:00

Dress down, dress up.

The Zara Basic Sandal is yours to play with darlings.

the silver lining - anthropologie

2012-05-08T00:00:00.000-06:00

Stunning silver prettiness from Anthropologie.

monday motivation - be smart

2012-05-07T00:00:00.000-06:00

*photo via this is glamorous

happy cinco de mayo weekend

2012-05-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

Cinco de Mayo tends to get a little nutty in the desert. If you prefer a simpler way to kick off the celebrations, here are some downright exquisite margarita and sangria recipes for you to try out this weekend. Enjoy--

*image courtesy of Rootberry

polkadot love

2012-05-03T00:00:00.000-06:00

True to form, you can't go wrong with black and white polkadots darlings. So sophisticated and feminine. I love.

*images courtesy of Studded Hearts, Melencia Melencia, Note To Self

i could just melt

2012-05-02T12:00:00.000-06:00

I must admit, I am a complete sucker for simple logos. Classic, pretty and ohhh so to the point. Currently loving the work of Jesse Kirsch of JJAAKK Design--not to mention the chocolate.

*images via JJKAAKK Design

well, hello May

2012-05-01T00:00:00.001-06:00

May is everything you'd expect from her. Bold, bright, cheery and an absolute joy to be around. So delighted she finally arrived--

*photos courtesy of Pinterest, The Berry, Love Tart

nyc bound

2012-05-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

two suitcases + a one way ticket + one fabulous city = go get 'em!

good luck lauren

*image via apartment 34, lifestyle mirror

monday motivation - be vivid

2012-04-30T00:00:00.000-06:00

*image courtesy of aubrey road

happy weekend

2012-04-27T05:00:00.000-06:00

Hope it's absolutely wonderful darlings--xo.

well, hello lovely

2012-04-26T00:00:00.000-06:00

Found---a most divine Blackberry & Mint Brownie Parfait for the lovely spring evenings we've been having lately. Simple, refreshing and downright delicious darlings.

| ingredients |
1 brownie
12 ounces blackberries
3 ounce sugar
2 tablespoons mint leaves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
6-10 mint stems with leaves
3 tablespoons sugar

|instructions |

Prepare the blackberry macerate by putting the blackberries, 3 ounces sugar, 2 tablespoons mint leaves, honey, vanilla extract and water in a bowl. Mix with a fork, mashing some of the blackberries, until everything is evenly distributed. Set aside at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.

Prepare the mint-infused whipped cream by placing the cream and the mint stems and leaves in a heavy-bottomed pot. Heat the mixture over medium heat just to the scalding stage – don’t let the cream come to a simmer or a boil. Remove from the heat and allow to cool at room temperature before placing in the fridge to chill completely.

Once ready to whip – making sure the cream is cold – strain the cream through a fine mesh sieve – saving the cream but discarding the mint. Place the cream in a bowl and whip at high speed. Once the mixture begins to thicken, slowly add the 3 tablespoons sugar and continue whipping until the mixture forms stiff peaks – this will take longer than whipping normal heavy whipping cream. Set aside.

To assemble the parfaits place a few of your favorite brownie chunks in the bottom of a cup. Spoon the mint-infused whipping cream on top of the brownies and then spoon blackberry macerate onto of the whipped cream. Repeat these steps until the cup is filled to the top (I placed a couple large chunks of brownie and some fresh mint leaves on top for decoration).

Only assemble the parfait just before eating. Store the parts separately refrigerated for up to a couple days (you will have to rewhip the cream a bit if you let it sit longer than a few hours).

*image and recipe via chasing delicious

laughing out loud

2012-04-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

Just looking at photographs of people laughing out loud, makes me want to laugh out loud.

Quite catchy, isn't it?

*images courtesy of melencia, melencia via pinterest

c'est la vie - paris

2012-04-24T00:00:00.000-06:00

*photographs courtesy of From Me To You, A Secret Fairytale

monday motivation - be wild, be free

2012-04-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

*image courtesy of twenty something adventures