Hello Spring!

Today is the first day of Spring... even though it has felt like Spring for quite awhile in Texas, there is something special about the welcoming of Spring every year. It somehow makes everything seem happier. Here are a few of things I am looking forward to this Spring...

Wearing this skirt... like a lot

Having pretty flower displays

And some shots from my instagram...

Sunsets on the balcony

Afternoons by the pool

Puppy time at the park

SXSW recap

Hi there! Remember me? Yeah, I used to blog here... I know, I know, it's been over a week since I last posted. Although I have good reason. Last week was super busy with work and SXSW. Yesterday we didn't really do anything for St. Patty's day. After a long week we enjoyed just relaxing. We spent lots of time on the balcony, walked the dog, enjoyed a few drinks, had ice cream for dinner, watched The Master, and of course, rocked a little green.

But back to SX... this year was much more my pace. As I mentioned before we didn't get wristbands like years past and we were a little nervous about how that would affect our experience. But after going all weekend without one, I'm glad we didn't waste the dough.

This year we took the time to take some breaks and got some fancy cocktails all over town. And I literally mean all over town... we probably walked 6 miles on Saturday alone. My favorite was Midnight Cowboy. I had been wanting to try this place for while but they were always fully booked whenever we tried to go. If you don't know, this place is meant to be an oasis in the midst of dirty 6th Street. To get in you have to find the unmarked door and ring the hostess with a randomly marked buzzer. The bar specializes in cocktails and has a prohibition type feel. It was fun to try some new drinks and they even make them at your table! I thought was pretty cool because it means I can try and imitate the drinks at home.

Besides our cocktail breaks we also avoided super long lines and I never used a Porty Potty which, in my book, means it was a success! 

Once again, I didn't take nearly enough photos. After lugging the camera around all day Friday and not taking any real photos, I opted not to bring it Saturday. Here you can see why. These are the best photos from Friday...

Who needs a tan?

The Neighborhood

 The Neighborhood, not really my thing, but we were really there for Haim (not pictured, of course!) and they did not disappoint. And to top it all off we got to see Pharrell who was ogling the sister trio.

Other bands we saw that are worth mentioning St. Lucia, Phosphorescents, Ivan & Alyosha, and Seryn. I know there are more I'm forgetting but those were all great!

If you want to check out more photos I did take a few with Instagram, check 'em out!

I really am trying to get better about taking photos. I am still coveting this camera bag by ONA. If I had this I swear I would bring my camera everywhere and take tons of pictures! sigh... one day.

Wish List: SXSW

Here in Austin it is evident that SXSW is gearing up to start. Buildings are being painted, temporary structures are being erected and my Facebook feed is blowing up with everyone's party RSVPs . As a local you might dread SX if you are trying to live your normal, everyday life. The town is flooded with sooo many people and driving downtown is pretty much impossible. But if you get the chance to take part in the festival, then do!

We have attended the last three year with music wristbands and it has been a blast! This year we opted not to get wristbands (trying to save money for that Europe trip) but we are still going to try and go see some free shows. I am a little nervous we won't get into as much stuff without wristbands but we are prepared for that and are just going to go and have a good time.

And, of course, with any festival there is lots of fun fashion. Next week you are bound to see all sorts of people and styles roaming the streets. Here is my wish list of what I would wear... luckily it's suppose to be in the 80s next week!

Dolce Vida dress, Linda Farrow Luxe sunglasses, KORS Michael Kors shoes, Michael Kors watch, Marc by Marc Jacobs bag - ShopBop, Hudson denim shorts - Hudson, Fresh 50's Blouse, Mint Scalloped necklace - Parc Boutique, Essie Where's My Chauffeur? - Essie

Paris + Macarons

I have been talking a lot about traveling lately and J and I are in the midst of trying to plan a Europe trip for later in the year and if it all works out we will be in Paris for our 4th anniversary. Ahhh... our 4th anniversary. I can hardly believe it!  We have never taken a trip for an anniversary before and I am so excited for the possibility. And Paris would be the perfect place. I have only been once before and that was with J (and the rest of our London program) the very first summer we met, and we were just figuring out how much we liked each other. It would be fun to celebrate our anniversary while reminiscing about our first trip to Paris.

Lately, all the talk of Paris has got me hankering for a macaron and today I decided to whip some up. Below is a pretty simple macaron recipe. You might be thinking that the words simple and macaron don't belong in the same sentence, and you would be right. Now I do believe this recipe is actually pretty simple but it was my first time attempting it and let's just say there was some struggle involved.

First off, I didn't have the patience to sift the flour as thoroughly as I should have. So, make sure you sift well, mine turned out a little bumpy. Also, I really should buy some pastry bags. Trying to do it with a ziploc bag just wasn't cutting it. The shape ended up a little uneven and next time I would make them a little bigger.

Despite all that, they tasted delicious! I will definitely be trying this recipe again and maybe even experimenting with different flavors and fillings.

Macarons with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling

1 3/4 cups almond meal or flour
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt 
3 large egg whites
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Food coloring of your choosing
Nutella

• Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

• In a bowl sift together almond flour and powdered sugar. Add salt.
• In a separate bowl beat egg whites while adding granulated sugar a little at a time. Beat until stiff peaks form. (Add food coloring at this step.)
• With a spatula gently fold flour mixture into egg whites until fully incorporated.
• Transfer batter into a pastry bag with a regular tip (or a ziploc bag with a corner cut out).
• Pipe even mounds of batter onto lined baking sheets about an 1 1/2" apart.
• Tap sheets on counter to help level mounds and let stand uncovered on counter for 20 minutes.

• Move oven racks to the upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat to 300 degrees.
• Bake cookies for 20-25 minutes switching positions halfway through.
• Cool completely for 30 minutes on baking sheets. 
• Once cooled, spread small amount of Nutella on half of the cookies, then pair with other half to make sandwiches.

After all of this I could really use a glass of champagne with my macarons but tea will have to do.
 

And here is your daily dose of Gracie (Maybe that should be an actual thing because she really is that cute and who wouldn't want to see her cute mug everyday?!)... J is working from home this afternoon and he and Gracie got some play time in.

 

I'm Still Here...

I know, I know... I haven't been around lately. I promise I will be back tomorrow with a regular post. But, since I have been MIA lately, I thought I would share this amazing dress with you. I saw it online today and just can't get it out of my mind. I think my heart actually skipped a beat when I saw it.

Gucci

Now I just need to figure out a way to get my hands on $3,600 and find somewhere to wear this baby.