Candy Cookie bars

Holy. Cow. That's all I have to say about these everything-you-could-ask-for cookie bars. My friend Kathy keeps sending me new recipes to try, and every single one of them has been delicious! It's about time I shared one of them with you! 

Snickers, Reese's, pretzels, and peanut butter.....do I have your attention yet? Good, because if you like all of these goodies, you will love this easy to make dessert!

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Brussel Sprout and Mushroom Egg Bake

I've been on a breakfast kick lately, trying out new recipes on the weekends and even some for dinners during the week! One of my favorites so far is this Brussel Sprout and Mushroom Egg Bake. 

I've never really baked eggs in the oven other than in a breakfast casserole so I was a little apprehensive about how this would turn out. Thankfully I discovered that baking eggs is even easier than cooking them in a skillet! And just as delicious :) 

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Back to Basics

This week I felt like getting back to basics with clean lines and simple color palettes (aka black and white). Simple and classic, it's always a safe choice for date nights, work events, or anything in between. 

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Gold Stripes and Pink Pumps

Chris and I decided to go on an impromptu date night to one of our favorite restaurants, Pizzeria Mozza. Before we left, Chris mentioned that my outfit was 'blogworthy' so we decided to snap a few pics! I know, I know... more floral clothes! But what can I say? They are everywhere this summer, and I can't seem to get enough! This peplum top is an easy way to add a little sass to your outfit, and I also find that it's pretty flattering on a wide range of body types.

You also may have noticed that I've been heavily into Michael Kors lately. Whether it's a purse or a pair of shoes, I find myself gravitating towards items at Bloomingdale's or Nordstrom, only to discover the brand is Michael Kors. I'm not complaining, especially during big holiday sales like the ones over 4th of July weekend...which is exactly how I scored these adorable bright pink pumps.

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The Little Door

I've used the term 'hidden gem' a few times already...but when I say this place is a hidden gem, I mean I literally walked right past it on the way to our reservation...much to Christopher's amusement. ;) It's sister restaurant, the Little Next Door, is open to the street and has a French patio cafe look to it, so naturally I gravitated toward that scene and walked right past the entrance. 

To be fair, there is no sign, no windows, no indication of what lies on the other side of the wall. Just an address and a small wooden door. This is part of the allure of the restaurant, as you feel like your in on a little secret as you quietly step through the unmarked door.

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Floral Romper and Summertime Lemonade

If you've been following my blog the past few months, you've probably noticed my love of all things floral. Especially roses...so naturally when I saw this white floral romper from Belle Boutique, it was love at first sight! It's girlie, sophisticated, and easy to wear. What more could a girl ask for?!

The lower half of the romper is double layered, with a skirt-like top layer that covers the front seam of the shorts. I love this little detail because depending on the romper, that front seam can be really distracting and unflattering. Not to mention that anything white has the potential to be slightly see-though, but that extra layer solves that issue as well!

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The Butterfly Pavilion

For as long as I can remember, I have been captivated by the elegant beauty of butterflies. They have an effortless grace and intricacy that never ceases to amaze me. When I was in kindergarten, our class performed a little musical about God's Creation of the world and I was absolutely ecstatic when I found out I could play a butterfly. My lovely artist of a mom hand painted me a pair of wings, which is actually very fitting for how natural butterflies appear as well- delicately hand painted. If you can't already tell, I really love butterflies. ;) 

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Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July Everyone! I hope your spending it somewhere warm with tons of food and close friends and family! I feel so beyond blessed to call America my home. We have so many privileges and freedoms that are too often taken for granted. I couldn't be more proud to be an American, and I am so grateful for the men and women who protect those freedoms everyday. 

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4th of July Style

This past weekend I had the wonderful opportunity to do a photo shoot with the ever-so-talented Sammie from Wilson Brown Photography. Not only does she take amazing pictures, but we had so much fun the whole day. It was relaxed and laid-back...exactly how every photo shoot should be!

We decided to go to El Matador Beach in Malibu for our all-American inspired shoot. I've always heard how beautiful this place is, with it's huge rock formations and beautiful water, but it wasn't until this weekend that I was finally able to see it for myself. At 7:30 am (on a Saturday no less...) we were up and on our way! With a double shot of espresso of course :) 

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