a bountiful crop

PROJECTS > SPRING CLEANING 101

2014-03-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

Spring is just around the corner which means it's time for fresh flowers and….deep, deep cleaning? Yep!

The best way to kick off Spring is with a fresh, clean house. So open those curtains, let in some light and let's get going!

First off you're going to need some supplies. I prefer natural products that don't contain any toxins and don't require I wear a gas mask while cleaning.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7

Next you'll need a plan, right? I've rounded up just a few checklists for you to get you started:

If you can't trust Martha to help you clean….
Glitter Guide promises you'll get it done in one day
A few shortcuts from Real Simple

Ok you're ready to get started...Happy Cleaning! and Happy Spring!

{top photo via 100 Layer Cakelet}

LIFE LATELY > THRU MY iPHONE

2014-02-28T10:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday my friends! Hope everyone has exciting (or relaxing) weekend plans. We're headed to the desert - yay! Here's what we've been up to lately - according to my iPhone.

My best friend recently had a little girl so it was only fitting I send her my go-to baby gift…bib and booties from Bink & Boo.

I made these homemade brownies for Valentine's Day and holy wow were they good. Seriously!! I was so proud of myself. I added about 1/4 cup of Black Strap Molasses (something my acupuncturist recommended I add to my diet for more iron) and they turned out so moist and delicious! MAKE THEM.

FINALLY I got around to printing photos from our 2012 travels including New York and Tulum.

And that's my sweet Zu girl doing what she does best ;)

Happy weekend to you all! xoxohttp://www.pinterest.com/pin/265360603018045047/

ON TREND > QUARTZ

2014-02-26T15:46:00.001-08:00

The girly side of me is really feeling this whole quartz trend. Especially anything rose quartz. So think outside of the (jewelry) box and go for some quartz around the home or maybe just on your phone?

1. Earrings // 2. Lamp // 3. Serving Platters // 4. iPhone Case // 5. Bracelet

NON-MATERNITY MATERNITY WEAR

2014-02-18T06:08:00.000-08:00

Ok when I found out I was pregnant I told myself I wouldn't need to go out and buy maternity clothes. That has been mostly true. (The exception being leggings - those go without saying - and one maternity top from Target - more on that later.) I knew with the latest style trends I would be able to get a lot of oversized tops and maxi dresses and avoid buying something I would never wear again. Enter:

Free People is probably my favorite place to shop for my belly. Lots of oversized, comfy tees like the Circle in the Sand and the Sibela. And my favorite item of clothing ever - the San Jose maxi dress. I have it in black and white and wear them at least once a week.

Being a SoCal girl, Swell is one of my favorite online shops and it was one of the first places I looked for good maxi dresses like this Tiare dress. I then stumbled upon this embroidered mini dress and fell in love with the color. However - it's way more muted in real life so keep that in mind - but I still love it and wear it with leggings and look forward to the day when I can just wear it as a mini and my belly won't make it 6 inches shorter.

Ok so my one "maternity" purchase? This super comfy Liz Lange top. When I bought it a light bulb went off and I kinda realized why people do buy maternity clothes - it makes my belly look so cute! It really is flattering and I can dress it up with black leggings, booties and a cute scarf.

So there you have it - those are some of the pieces in the rotation these days. Most of the time I'm in sweats and pjs if I'm not leaving the house because it's getting to the point where dressing this body can be a bit of a chore...but it's nice to have a few items that make you want to show off your growing belly.

Tell me what are/were your favorite pieces to wear when pregnant…and no, your bathrobe doesn't count.

PALETTES > INDIGO

2014-02-16T15:27:00.000-08:00

Lately I've had a total crush on indigo. I can't get enough of it. I want to dip dye/tye dye just dye stuff with it. I want to remodel my guest bathroom around it (more on that later). I want to bathe in it….well, you get the idea. Maybe it's this baby boy brewing inside me?

1. I'm not really wearing much lace these days but once this boy is out and it's time to get back into it (if you know what I mean) this Hanky Panky Lace Bra is definitely on the list.

2. This. Glass. Platter. Enough said.

3. Butter London polish is hands down my have. It's 3 Free so safe for me and safe for the babe. In Indigo Punk and Giddy Kipper

4. Remember when I was talking about dip dying stuff? Yeah.

5. Another item on my never-ending to do list/resolution is to have more candles around the house. This hand-painted votive would do the trick. Imagine soaking in the tub of my newly remodeled indigo bathroom with soft light flickering from this little guy. aahhh.

6. We just bought a velvet glider for the nursery and after sitting in that thing I don't think I could ever sit on something that wasn't velvet. It is life-changing. Change your life with this guy.

7. If you've ever been to my house than you know I own 1,456,213 pillows. What's one more?

8. Snakeskin cross body in the perfect shade of indigo. What more could you ask for?

Follow Shelby Clark's board Indigo on Pinterest.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR...

2013-08-30T12:38:00.000-07:00

This time last year we were packing our bags for a wedding in Cancun and a little vacay time in Tulum.

Tulum quickly moved up to the top of my list of favorite places I've traveled (still behind South Africa but we'll talk about that later.)

We stayed at Ahau Tulum which was just magical. I would definitely stay here again. It felt like home as we walked everywhere barefoot, sipped on smoothies every morning and lounged in the hammocks during the hot afternoons. While we had a fairly relaxing few days there are plenty of adventurous things to do in the area. Here are a few shots from our time at Ahau:

We also brought along our vintage Yashica and snapped a few film photos - these are by far some of my favorites from the trip. There's just something about film, isn't there? One day we rode bikes into the little town for some coco locos and a little local shopping. There are lots of super affordable little shops to check out and fun little outdoor bars to stop for a margarita or two.

While the food at Ahau was really, really delicious we wanted to check out a couple of other spots we had heard about . Hartwood was incredibly tasty and had the best atmosphere on the jungle side of Tulum.
We also had cocktails at Casa Jaguar - again the most incredible atmosphere! We never wanted to leave. When we had our fill of Mexican food (crazy, right?) we walked down the beach to Casa Violeta for some pizza and wine. It was a small, low-key restaurant with a great international wine selection and excellent pizza.

I can't recommend Tulum enough! It feels like a hidden, unexplored gem. Whether you go for the adventure, a yoga retreat or just to relax it really has so much to offer. The people are so kind and welcoming, the food incredible and the sea is warm. Keep in mind that it is a little on the rustic side so if your idea of a beach vacation is a 5 star resort you may want to stick to Cancun. Adios!

OH MARA...

2013-08-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Ms. Hoffman can do no wrong in my eyes. Perfection in every detail as evident by her 2014 Resort Swim collection. I'll take one of each, please.

CHEAP THRILLS: FOREVER21 FLORAL MAXI

2013-08-19T15:22:00.000-07:00

I recently ordered this flowy, floral maxi from Forever21 and I'm completely obsessed. I practically live in maxi dresses in the summertime so it was a sweet little pick up. I love to pair it with my denim jacket and leather sandals or a leather jacket and booties or even throw an oversized sweater on top. super versatile, easily dressed up or down. A perfect addition to my wardrobe.

SUMMER MOCKTAIL

2013-08-16T15:41:00.001-07:00

It's Friday - it's 5pm somewhere...but wait. this is an anytimeofthedayorweeknonalcoholic drink. So enjoy the guilt free indulgence. Created by the loveliest Hostess Haven for our shoot with Mrs. Lilien. Find the recipe and more on 100 Layer Cakelet. Cheers.

OUTDOOR BAR

2013-08-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

Hola friends!! I trust everyone is making the most of their summer? Rich and I can't seem to get enough of our backyard lately and I'm loving every minute of it. Wether we're working in the yard or sitting at the bar enjoying a cocktail - all is good. Since buying our home 3 1/2 years ago we've probably spent most of our time and energy on the backyard - more specifically the outdoor bar. Since it's practically summer year round in San Diego it seemed like a wise decision. We wanted our bar to have a very eclectic vibe and reflect on some of our fave tropical vacays: Tahiti, Hawaii, South Africa, Mexico....but it seems we always gravitate more toward Mexico - again I think it's a San Diego thing and it's so accessible to us.

Watermelon Margaritas / Thatched Umbrella / Metal Bar Stool / Rainbow Hammock / Saltillo Serape Mexican Blanket / Mexican Tile

Our latest project was finally finding our decorative mexican tile at Direct From Mexico and placing it as trim around the edge of the bar. I promise to show photos once the grout is dry and all is tidied up.

In the meantime - some essential accessories for creating your own little south of the border tropical paradise.

Adios!

SUMMER IS FOR CAMPING

2013-07-26T15:47:00.000-07:00

Nothing says summer like a good old camping trip. Rich and I are headed out to Sequoia National Park for some quiet time with just us and Zulu, a few cold beers, the giant trees, a few bears, a tent, air mattress, flashlights, lanterns, matches, bio-degradable soap... But really - all you need is the perfect camping outfit and a cozy blanket to snuggle up under the stars. Am I right?

1. Yakima Camp Blanket, 2 .Madewell flap backpack,
3. Free People cuff bangle, 4. American Colors long sleeve top, 5. American Eagle Outfitters denim short shorts, 6. Coleman 6-Person Instant Tent, 7. Lodge Cast Iron Skillets, 6 1/2", Set of 2, 8. Frye mid heels

WHITE PIZZA WITH POTATOES AND ASPARAGUS

2013-07-21T14:50:00.001-07:00

We made this at home. Ourselves. The dough and everything. It.was.amazing. Seriously. Rich and I (well really just Rich) have been experimenting with making our own dough and tortillas and though it takes a bit of extra effort it is soooo worth it. (Easy for me to say since I'm just a spectator) You'll never want store bought tortillas again. But if you must - only buy the uncooked kind - trust.

So back to the pizza....in our dough making escapades we decided to try out this homemade pizza recipe from the folks at Taste (Williams-Sonoma's blog) and we're so glad we did. The roasted garlic spread, goat cheese, potatoes and asparagus are all such a delicious combination. Why aren't potatoes a standard pizza topping? Cray.

Oh and remember in my last post I mentioned I wanted to start actually using my pinterest pins? This is one of them. Check.

photo and recipe via williams-sonoma

White Pizza with Potatoes and Asparagus

3 small Yukon Gold potatoes, about 3/4 lb. total, cut into rounds 3/16 inch thick

Olive oil for drizzling, plus 1/4 cup

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 garlic head

1/2 batch food-processor pizza dough

1/4 lb. asparagus, ends trimmed, spears thinly sliced on the bias

2 oz. goat cheese, crumbled

Preheat an oven to 425°F.

In a bowl, stir together the potatoes and enough olive oil to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Spread the potatoes out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Place the garlic head in the center of a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil and enclose in the foil. Transfer the potatoes and garlic to the oven. Roast until the potatoes are tender and golden and the garlic is soft, about 20 minutes.

When the garlic is cool to the touch, squeeze the pulp from the cloves into a small bowl and whisk in the 1/4 cup olive oil until smooth. Season with salt.

Preheat a Kalamazoo pizza oven over medium-high heat.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch round and transfer to a floured pizza peel. Spread the roasted garlic oil over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border uncovered. Top with the potatoes and asparagus.

Transfer the pizza to the pizza oven. Bake until crisp and browned, about 3 minutes, rotating the pizza as needed to ensure even browning. Transfer to a cutting board and sprinkle with the cheese. Cut into slices and serve immediately. Serves 4.

PINTEREST PROBLEMS

2013-06-25T13:28:00.001-07:00

If you're like me you have a pinterest obsession (really who doesn't?) but my problem is I pin and pin and pin and never seem to do much with those pins. It's fantastic for endless hours of "inspiration" but actually turning that inspiration into something is a totally different ball game. So I've decided to make a conscious effort to start:

who's with me? I plan to read that book, start that project, make that recipe, buy that dress? and I'll tell you all about it right here.

A TASTY SPRING SALAD

2013-04-27T12:30:00.000-07:00

Guess what? We're heading to Hawaii in less than two weeks! And to prepare myself (and my bod) to live in a bikini for an entire week - I'm trying to eat as light and fresh as possible. I found this recipe in Cooking Light for Fried Chickpea and Arugula Pita Sandwiches with Lime Tzatziki and thought I'd give it a go as a salad and lose the pita. It is so tasty and pretty and I absolutely love the mint that gives it a perfect spring/summer freshness. Highly recommended.

A SWEET LITTLE GETAWAY

2013-04-02T17:14:00.002-07:00

Recently the mister and I took a quick little trip to Cabo for some sun, surf and a little tequila. It was a much needed trip before the craziness of wedding season begins. We're both hoping there will be more of these little jaunts in our future. xo

PLUM PRETTY SUGAR ROBE GIVEAWAY ON JOIELALA

2013-02-12T15:57:00.001-08:00

Hello sweet friends! I have good news today so listen here. We're giving away TWO stunning Plum Pretty Sugar robes over on joielala. Click here to enter - yippee!

VITAMIN C SKIN BOOST

2013-01-28T16:57:00.001-08:00

Ok I'm completely obsessed with this product and wanted to share....it magically makes my skin feel so incredibly soft and smooth. I don't know if it actually "enhances my glow" like it says in the description but I don't care. I put it on just before applying any tinted moisturizer or foundation and it helps to cover more evenly and flawlessly. This is saying a lot because I'm not really a "product girl." So when something stands out to me it's a big deal. And this is so worth trying. I would love to know what you all think.

And are there any products you guys can't live with out? Fill me in!

HEY! IT'S NATIONAL HANDWRITING DAY

2013-01-23T06:30:00.000-08:00

top row: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4
middle row: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5
bottom row: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

Happy National Handwriting Day! It's time to grab those pens and pencils, cards and stationery and send some sweetness to your loved ones! Or maybe you'd prefer a little time with your journal. Either way - start writing! xo

PILLOW TALK

2013-01-21T07:39:00.000-08:00

Happy Monday! Let's talk about pillows since I'm sure you wish you were still snuggling with yours right now.

With the start of a New Year always comes the desire to make changes - to your health, your work, your home. While we're on a budget and aren't expecting to put a lot of work into our home in 2013 I still feel the need to satisfy that desire for a little change.

Easily one of my favorite decorating quick fixes is changing up our pillows. In the past I've usually bought fabric and made my own but this year is already proving to be quite busy so I'm leaving it up to the experts. My only dilema: which direction to go in? A little help?

COZY KNIT: 1 // 2 // 3
NAVAJO GRAPHIC: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4
SEQUIN GLAM: 1 // 2 // 3

RESOLVING TO...LIVE ORGANICALLY

2013-01-18T11:32:00.001-08:00

When I say "live organically" I'm not just talking about food. I want to introduce a little organic into my beauty regime. I found some DIY body scrubs from Whole Living and decided to give their DIY Honey Scrub a try. All ingredients you should already have at home. The verdict? My once dry, rough, winter skin feels AMAZING. And it didn't cost me a thing. Win and win.

via whole living

DIY HONEY SCRUB:

Add 1 teaspoon pure honey to 1/4 cup light olive oil.

Blend with 1 cup raw or granulated sugar.

Mix in 2 teaspoon fresh citrus zest.

Blend until well mixed, then store in a jar.

Have you ever tried a DIY beauty trick at home that you love? Please share!

RESOLVING TO: GET DRESSED

2013-01-15T10:54:00.000-08:00

Source: weheartit.com via Kelli on Pinterest

And no I don't mean get dressed up. I mean actually get dressed.

Don't get me wrong - working from home is the greatest thing in the world but it can really throw you off your fashion game. For example right now I'm wearing college sweats, a baseball tee from target and uggs. My unwashed hair is piled up on my head and I have zero makeup on. It's almost 11am.

The easy solution would be to wake up and just get in the shower and get dressed - but I also need to get a workout in (I prefer afternoon workouts) and the thought of multiple showers everyday just seems like a waste of time.

What's a girl to do?

So my goal is to try to be at the gym by 10am at least 3 days a week (baby steps). That way I get it out of the way - can come home shower and still have almost a full day ahead of me. Hold me to it, K?

2013 GOLDEN GLOBES: BEST DRESSED

2013-01-14T10:43:00.001-08:00

all images via RCFA

Did you all watch the Golden Globes last night? Or at least the Red Carpet? What were your thoughts on the all the fashions? I was actually quite impressed! Obviously I have a thing for black and gold right now as the colors weren't doing much for me last night....

Emily Blunt killed it in Michael Kors and though I LOVED Julianne Hough's hair and make up and the top of her dress - I wasn't crazy about all the tulle and layers and would have loved to see it in a more fitted silhouette.

My honorable mentions:
Kate Hudson: girl can do boho chic like no one else
Kristen Bell: how cute was she with her baby bump?
Claire Danes: she just gave birth! plus homeland is one of my favorite shows ever
Amanda Seyfriend: would have been a favorite but I just felt something was missing

That's my two cents! Tell me your faves (and not so faves) xo

IT'S WEEKEND TIME

2013-01-11T18:43:00.000-08:00

photo

Oh heeeeey. So I've been wanting to do a post about resolutions but my main resolution has been taking over and it feels like I don't have a minute for anything else. That resolution revolves around work and revamping our website, creating some amazing tools for our clients and really keeping up with our social media. So you see? There's little time for much else but this is my true creative outlet (obviously my job is very creative but there's still clients to please!) so neglecting it is not an option for me. How about we take a weekend, regroup and come back on Monday and talk resolutions, K?

STARTING OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS

2013-01-02T12:28:00.001-08:00

Does it feel like Monday to anyone else? I'm trying to get back into work-mode and was having a little trouble. That is until I learned our peach farm wedding from this summer was featured on MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS!!!!!!!! Someone pinch me. I might just go take the rest of the day off. xo

WISHING YOU THE HAPPIEST OF NEW YEARS

2012-12-31T11:31:00.000-08:00

{PHOTO BY ME}

Hoping you all had a wonderful holiday! Have a glamourous evening and here's to a fantastic New Year!