a LOVEly tuesday

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! I hope each and every one of you feel extra special and more than loved on this wonderful Tuesday! This pretty much sums up my day...

a yummy valentine latte
homemade chocolate cupcakes with strawberry frosting

giraffe manor

Although I'd like to think that I am ahead of the game on this well kept secret, perhaps I am behind the times. Regardless, I have just discovered my dream vacation...GIRAFFE MANOR...OBSESSED! This amazing gem is located just outside Nairobi and for a small price (wink wink) you can spend your days, and daily activities for that matter, engaging with one of the earths most beautiful creatures.

As quoted on their website, "Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest and is only 20 kilometres from Nairobi city centre. Built in the 1930s, this luxury boutique hotel has maintained all the charm of the era and is now famous for its resident herd of Rothschild Giraffe. Giraffe Manor offers you an unparalleled experience of the giraffes, with them vying for your attention at the breakfast table, the front door and even your bedroom window."

All the images below have been taken from their website but I couldn't help sharing. I mean...OMG...I DIE! Please take me to giraffe heaven now! Pretty please!

be my valentine

Last night I put the finishing touches on my super cheesy valentine care packages! While I love sharing this romantic holiday with that special someone, I can't help but remind my friends and family just how much I love them on this holiday as well!


So this morning these lovely care packages were signed, sealed, and mailed off to a few special recipients!


The preparation continues this weekend with a trip to the farmers market to pick up some fresh strawberries. From there I will be making chocolate cupcakes with fresh strawberry frosting as well as chocolate covered strawberries...yum!

milly for sperry

It’s no secret that I love me a good Milly dress or coat and my feeling for Sperrys hardly differs. So to my surprise the two have joined forces to give us the best of both collections. May I present to you Milly for Sperry! OMG! They always say, a girl can dream…and now I say, a girls dreams can come true!

image source here

image source here

JCrew has also teamed up with Sperry as well to form their own line. While I do adore some of the shoes below I must admit that I’m slightly more partial to the Milly line…my heart is smiling very big today!

image source here

girls in white dresses

Those of you who have talked to me recently know that it's no secret I am obsessed with reading right now. And those of you who I haven't seen in weeks...well you can blame my books. Reading is taking over every spare minute I have and to be honest...I absolutely love it!

My family will be the first to tell you that I've never been a huge reader. In fact, each year one of my resolutions is to read more. Well for the first time this goal is becoming a reality!
We are just beginning February and I'm already on my 4th book which I'm 100% certain is more than I read in the entire year of 2011!

The year started off with Girls In White Dresses...accompanied by the Maui sun and a cocktail in hand (take me back please)! This witty book truly captures the point I am at in my life...constant wedding which of course means endless showers, lots of pregger friends which of course means more showers (love you Sara and Jac), and the never ending drama that comes with dating and parents who are dying for you to get married! It perfectly outlines the hysterical friendships and family dynamics that we deal with in our mid-twenties to thirties and to be honest I probably wouldn't have it any other way!

As for now, well the Hunger Game series has sucked me in. Like I'll skip dinner and screen all phone calls sucked me in. OBSESSED!!! I'm slightly worried about having withdrawls once I reach the end. What ever will i read next!?!

farmers market

Last weekend my folks came into town so we wandered the UCI farmers market on Saturday morning! For months I've been reading the fabulous reviews about this farmers market on Yelp and to my surprise I was not disappointed. Not only are the pickings incredible but the prices are beyond fantastic. This is sure to be the highlight of each Saturday to come and the perfect way to start the weekends!

Here are a glimpes of the amazingness that I get to fill my belly with all week. This week is filled with blood orange grapefruit juice, parsnip and apple soup, and watercress with heirloom tomatoes and burrata cheese! Try not to be too jealous!