Summertime and the livin is easy

Source: retrorambling.wordpress.com via Paula on Pinterest

Summertime summertime, sum-sum-summertime! Summertiiiiiiiime!  I love summer.  I love the long lazy days of the sun's extra rays and reading by the pool, and eating watermelon and drinking lemonade and staying up late and sleeping in till 10, and ice cream on cones, sunglasses as headbands, and lounging on the beach listening to the waves crash on the shore.  Summer is the epitome of all things happy.  I know that the "official" start isn't for a few more weeks, but I'm off work and the pools are open, so that equals summertime to me.   As the French say, I hope you have a bon été!

Terra Cotta Boutique

Bonjour!  It's been a while (more like a season) since my last post, and lots has happened since then.  Most excitedly, my husband and I booked a trip to the most romantic city in the world: Paris!  I can hardly believe that three weeks from today we will be on our way! We have so much to do before then, but on the top of the list is making sure I have chic and comfy clothes for traveling the cobblestone streets, biking through Monet's gardens, and walking up the stairs of the Eiffel Tower.  Luckily, I discovered a lovely new blog for inspiration.  Named Terra Cotta Boutique, it describes its readers as follows:

"The Terra Cotta Woman enjoys waking up in her bamboo nighty and hanging her clothes outside to air dry.  She likes to support local businesses, enjoys the weekend farmers market, and fragrances her home with fresh flowers.  She strives to compare with Scarlett O’Hara and takes pride in purchasing products that give back to a good cause.  The Terra Cotta Woman pulls inspiration from fabulous people, beautifully packaged soaps, a great pair of heels, and now the Terra Cotta Blog!!!  Welcome!"


Local businesses? Farmers Markets? Fresh Flowers? Supporting a good cause? Be still my heart!  Do yourselves a favor and check it out, and while you're there, enter to win some lovely shoes by one of my favorite shoe companies.   http://terracottasavannah.com/2012/03/19/bienvenue

Bonne Chance!

Source: weheartit.com via Paula on Pinterest

Soundtrack for a snowy day: Iron & Wine, Listener, Dear Euphoria, The Civil Wars, & Death Cab for Cutie

Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Paula on Pinterest

It's 2 in the afternoon, and I am still snuggled up in my pjs under a soft blanket with my cuddly Westie sleeping next to me. We had about 2 inches of snow in St. Louis, so I got a snow day! I know what you (Northerners) must be thinking...2 inches does not sound like much.  Well...you're right. :) But, the roads were actually really icy and it took some people 3 hours just to get to work, so I am happy to be safe and cozy at home.  In honor of my first snow day of the year, here are some sweet snow inspired tunes to you, from me.  Happy listening. :)

Love at first listen: Zee Avi, Frosty the Snowman

On my way home from work today, I was tuned in to a local college radio station called 89.1 The Wood, when "Frosty the Snowman" began to play.  Admittedly, this has never been one of my favourite Christmas songs, but when I heard this version, it was love at first listen.  I had no clue who the singer was, but luckily I had my handy dandy iPhone available (for the record, I was safely stopped at a red light) so I was able to *tag* the song using my Shazam app. and discovered the remake was by Zee Avi from the album This Warm December, Vol. 2

 I'm sure you will love it as much as me...happy listening!

Paris Je t'aime!

I must confess...I have a crush on Paris.  My love for all things France began in Middle School when I was introduced to the language of romance.  
My husband and I are actually planning a trip there soon (hopefully this summer for our anniversary).  We shall see.  In the meantime, we are going to dine at an authentic French restaurant in St. Louis today called La Bonne Bouchée.  I hope you have a fabulous weekend too. À bientôt!

Source: weheartit.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: m.weheartit.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: youtu.be via Paula on Pinterest

Source: 29.media.tumblr.com via Paula on Pinterest

Rainy days and Mondays....

Source: None via Paula on Pinterest

Source: designismine.blogspot.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Paula on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Paula on Pinterest

It's a rainy Monday here in St. Louis...and I like it that way.  Rain just seems to make everything a little bit more romantic...don't you think?

Life is short...eat dessert first.

Since my last post, I joined Pinterest and have been happily pinning lovely things ever since.  Right now I should be packing for a trip to Kentucky, but instead I'm drooling over all of the desserts I've found...including these amazing Caramel Frappucino Cupcakes.

Source: pixiecrust.blogspot.com via Paula on Pinterest

For the recipe, head over to Pixie Crust blog.  Happy baking! :)