Celeste &Pearl I A Lifestyle Blog

Nicaragua - Paradise Found

2015-02-18T19:58:00.002-08:00

In honor of the frigid temperatures across the U.S. tomorrow, we're reliving Lo's recent trip to Nicaragua. Let's just say if Jack and Sawyer had gotten Lost on Little Corn Island, they wouldn't have sought any sort of rescue. In January, Lo and her boyfriend spent a week in paradise, on Little Corn Island and San Juan del Sur. The Corn Islands off the coast of Nicaragua are one of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean. Little Corn, however, is only accessible via a treacherous "panga" ride, which Lonely Planet warns "can get very rough and you may get soaked. Bring garbage bags to cover your luggage." (Note to self: when your guide book advises bring garbage bags, bring garbage bags.) Nonetheless, upon landing at Yemaya Hideway and Spa, the crystalline water, enchanting beaches and Gilligan's Island-esque jungles instantly made up for the Life of Pi boat ride. Daily yoga and smoothies replace cars and cell phone signals on Little Corn. Even the sharks are friendly, as Lo discovered during her dive certification when her instructor explained they act more like puppy dogs than predators. Alas, just like Gilligan's Island and Lost, this too had to come to an end. (We're actually still not really sure what happened at the end of Lost, but we'll save that discussion for another post.) We hope these few snap shots from Nica warm you right up!

Love

2015-02-12T19:52:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

xox

Liz & Lo

Gifts for Guys

2015-02-01T20:07:00.000-08:00

"Boys won't listen... they're like pneumonia...farting and fighting... boogers and bugs... booooyyyyyssss eeeeaaaaaah!" -The Little Rascals

They're also hard to shop for! So here's a round-up of our favorite gifts, both DIY and ready to buy. Because it's the thought that counts, but also the present. And because, despite how they smell, we love them to pieces.

FREE PRINTABLE DATE CARDS for every month of the year. J.CREW XO BOXERS that say it all. DOLLAR SHAVE CLUB MEMBERSHIP so he's kissably smooth! SUGAR PAPER BE MINE HEART for your sweet nothings. (Because a handwritten note is the best gift of all.) HIS FAVORITE TENNIES with a sweet note! I LOVE MY WIFE TEE No explanation necessary. ANTI-SNORE PILLOW Let's be honest, this is more of a gift for you than him. TRUEFITT & HILL 1805 COLOGNE Quite possibly our favorite. (Apparently, Prince William wears this. So does Liz's husband!) COOKIES are the key to every man's heart.

Liz's Purple Tie Optional Wedding

2015-01-05T05:00:00.000-08:00

We're baaaaaaccckk! We've missed blogging, but while we were away, we stayed plenty busy working, traveling (Lolo just got back from Nicaragua!), enjoying some quality time with family and friends, and of course celebrating Liz's wedding! As promised, below is a snapshot of the special day, which took place in St. Louis this past September. (An enormous thank you to Stephen Seebeck for such beautiful photos!) We hope you enjoy it as much as we did...

DETAILS

LOCATION Whitmoor Country Club, St. Louis EVENT PLANNING Simcha's Events

FLOWERS Wildflowers PHOTOGRAPHY Stephen Seebeck Photography VIDEOGRAPHY Video Views STATIONARY Paper Patch QUARTET Manhasset Strings BAND Griffin and the Gargoyles BRIDE'S GOWN Monique Lhuillier BRIDE'S TRAIN R&M Designs BRIDE'S ACCESSORIES Bracelet borrowed from her mother, BHLDN headpiece BRIDESMAID DRESSES Various designers, Bella Bridesmaids St. Louis FLOWER GIRL'S DRESS Us Angels, Nordstrom GROOM'S SUIT Stallone's Formal Wear TRANSPORTATION Best Transportation VINTAGE RENTALS Finch Vintage SIGN Constructed from 100-year-old reclaimed barn wood by bride's father

On Hiatus...

2014-07-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

"Find what brings you joy and go there." -Jan Phillips

Photo origin unknown

Oh, hey there. We're sorry we missed you! With Liz's wedding rapidly approaching and a little too much fun in the sun going on, we are taking a blogging break for the Summer! But fear not, because we will be back soon with more beauty and bargains (and a wedding picture or two!). Have a blissful Summer! (And take a little hiatus of your own while you're at it!)

Mini Omelettes for Scrambled Mornings

2014-04-20T20:28:00.001-07:00

If your mornings are anything like our's (read: sprinting out the door late, shoes in hand), you will love this easy, healthy breakfast you can prepare Sunday night because it lasts for several days (unless your fiancé eats them all!). We like to start our day with protein, so these pre-portioned egg muffins have been a big win for us!

S E R V I N G S : 9 mini omelets

S E R V I N G S I Z E : 2 omelets

T I M E : 30 minutes

I N G R E D I E N T S :

4 cups broccoli florets

1 cup button mushrooms

4 large eggs

1 cup egg whites

1/4 cup shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese

1/4 cup pecorino romano cheese (or use 1/2 cup of cheese above)

1 tsp olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

cooking spray

T H E H O W :

1. Pre-heat oven to 350*.

2. Spray a non-stick cupcake tin with cooking spray.

3. Sauté the mushrooms and broccoli in a skillet with olive oil and salt until vegetables are tender. Evenly divide the vegetable mixture into 9 tins.

4. In a bowl, beat the egg whites, eggs, and cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.

5. Pour the mixture into the tins over the vegetables so portions are divided evenly. (Each tin will be about 3/4 full.)

6. Bake until cooked, about 20 minutes.

7. Serve immediately or wrap in plastic wrap and store in your fridge. When you're ready to eat them, microwave for one minute and enjoy!

We originally adapted the recipe from skinnytaste.com, and there are so many variations you can play with depending on your taste. Enjoy and have a great week!

Deep in the Heart of Texas

2014-04-02T19:24:00.000-07:00

We have a new favorite city: Austin. We travelled there a few weeks ago to visit our brother and sister-in-law and almost didn't come back. Our apologies for the delay (we've actually been traveling quite a bit these last few weeks!), but please enjoy a few snapshots from our jaunt below. Highlights included running around Lake Austin with our "niece" Tinkerbell (a.k.a. Stinkerbell), amazing Tex-Mex, a movie and din at the Alamo Drafthouse, and antique shopping for the cutest nursery ever (in our unbiased opinion). And of course there was gospel brunch at Stubb's BBQ, where we tasted the best pecan pie on the face of this earth. Hallelujah.

Coffee with the sisters.

Spending some quality time with "Stinkerbell".

Nom nom nom.

After a long day of nursery shopping. (For the cutest nursery ever!)

Sing it, sister.

Wedding Shower Invitations

2014-02-16T20:43:00.001-08:00

As far as maids of honor go, Lolo takes the seven-tiered cake. This post is more of an enormous thank you for the (in my unbiased opinion) most darling invitations in the history of bridal showers. How fortunate for me that my MOH (that there little blonde peanut next to me in the photo on the right!) is also extremely talented and crafty.

Lolo worked with Sweet Melissa Creations on Etsy; Melissa was wonderful helping her personalize the design. She then recruited the entire family to help cut the edges (thanks, Dad!), tie the grosgrain ribbon bows (thanks, Mom!), and attach the tulle skirts. To add the finishing touch, she ordered the envelopes and liners from our new favorite Cards & Pockets.

Like Lolo, the invites are too wonderful for words, and I feel terribly blessed. I can't wait for my shower!

Pass the guac, por favor!

2014-02-09T19:51:00.001-08:00

One of Lo's good friends recently tied the knot at a picturesque private estate in Punta Mita, Mexico. From the flowers and dazzling lights to the bride's gorgeous Jenny Yoo dress, no taco was left unturned (or uneaten!). Here's a peak of paradise to brighten your cold, snowy day!

Nothing says love like a bouquet in a mason jar. (You know how we feel about mason jars!)

Picture-perfect!

No need for decor down this aisle!

Years of watching Father of the Bride paid off; we love Katie's classic look!

How do you say "Martha Stewart" in Spanish?

Love these girls. (That's me, Lo, in the middle!)

Glam and guac, could you ask for anything more?

And they lived happily ever after.

Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Walker for letting us share your special day!

Write This Way...

2014-01-26T14:00:00.001-08:00

Image courtesy of One King's Lane

Dear Reader,

We. Love. Letters. Not text messages. Not e-mails sent from iPhones. (Although we'll take those too!) But letters. Handwritten. On beautiful stationary. Call us old-fashioned, but whether we're writing them or opening them, snail mail forces us to slow down for a minute. And that is, after all, our New Year's Resolution.

And we're not alone: in our increasingly digital world, the demand for personal stationary is actually on the rise. Since we're suckers for letterpress and Valentine's day is just around the corner, we thought we'd share our list of noteworthy note makers with you.

Not sure where to start? Anthropologie recently posted on Penning the Perfect Thank You Note on their blog. Your welcome.

So fondly,
Liz and Lo

Sugar Paper
L.A.-based stationary company Sugar Paper is our latest love! Connoisseurs of correspondence and self-proclaimed traditionalists Chelsea and Jamie share our love of letterpress and founded the company in 2003 to shine a spotlight on this under appreciated art form. And their recent partnership with J. Crew features the sweetest bridal stationary.

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(Love the Friends reference!) Image courtesy of BHLDN

Cheree Berry Paper

We don't just adore Cheree Berry Paper because it's in our hometown of St. Louis. Or because Cheree graduated from Liz's Alma Mater Wash. U. Or because she designs stationary and gifts for Lilly Pulitzer. (Not to mention she was the stationer for Chelsea Clinton's wedding!) We adore CBP because the whimsy and unexpected details melt our hearts.

Image courtesy of http://www.theperfectpalette.com

Rifle Paper Co.

The hand-painted illustrations and lettering of Florida-based Rifle Paper Co. feel both nostalgic and timeless. Owners Anna and Nathan Bond started the company out of their one-bedroom apartment. They write on their website, "We strongly believe life's personal stories and moments are best told through the gift of a hand-written card or note…" We agree.

Image courtesy of http://mokkasin.blogspot.com.au

Urbanic Paper

Located in Venice Beach, Urbanic Paper Boutique is a favorite of LA design lovers and event planners. The store is a one-stop shop for unique gifts, wrapping, greeting cards, and stationary. Liz can't wait to visit when she's there for work in a few weeks!

Image courtesy of http://www.patriciaannminners.blogspot.com

Image courtesy of http://urbanicpaper.com/blog

Papel New York

Papel New York describes itself as "A Brooklyn Modern Paperie". Tucked away in Cobble Hill, they specialize in eco-friendly social stationary, greeting cards, and customizable invitations. Papel truly is a neighborhood gem!

Image courtesy of Papel New York

Kate Spade
(Sigh.) Who doesn't love Kate Spade Paper? Endlessly witty and whimsical, these beautiful cards and calendars continue to be a huge inspiration to us.

Image courtesy of http://www.laylagrayce.com

Paper Presentation
For the "paper-minded", Paper Presentation features a large selection of paper products and tools to inspire all of your DIY projects. They have been located in downtown NYC since 1990.

Image courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Minnie and Emma Correspondence

Last but certainly not least, Minnie and Emma Correspondence was started by a group of NYC designers who love smart design and clever execution. We recently discovered the line through One Kings Lane and just fell head over heels.

Image courtesy of http://store.minnieandemma.com

Guest Post on Fitsouffle!

2014-01-17T13:22:00.001-08:00

We're once again so honored and thrilled to be guest-posting on Fitsouffle! It's one of our favorite fitness and nutrition blogs by Liz's childhood friend Jacquelyn. Check out our favorite exercising accessories here! (And have a great weekend!)

Resolutions

2014-01-07T21:08:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Did you make a resolution? This year, we're resolving to slow down and get back to basics. In our race-paced lives of instant oatmeal, fast-dry top coats, Instagrams, and high speed intervals, it's hard to unwind and just take it all in. So in 2014 we're taking more walks, more pictures, and more time for ourselves. Hope you do the same! (And how much do you love that photo by our dearest friend Felise? She just started her own photography business in Chicago! Shameless plug: http://www.felisephotography.com)

Photo by Felise Pomerantz. www.felisephotography.com

Dark Chocolate Puppy Chow

2013-12-18T20:23:00.001-08:00

We've eaten at top-rated restaurants and sampled a wide variety of cuisines, but one of our favorite treats, especially around the holidays, continues to be good ole' Puppy Chow. We dare you to eat just one handful. No really - try it. Not possible.

We use dark chocolate, natural peanut butter, gluten-free cereal, and half the butter for a (slightly) healthier take on this old favorite. Trust us - your friends and family won't even taste the difference! (But they'll be delighted when you tell them.) We're not saying it should be the cornerstone of your food pyramid, but we believe in everything in moderation. (Including of course, moderation, which is how we justify the second and third handfuls!)

Enjoy and happy holidays!

(Healthier) Dark Chocolate Puppy Chow

S E R V I N G S : 6 cups

T I M E : 15-20 minutes

I N G R E D I E N T S :

6 cups Rice Chex (gluten free)

2/3 cups dark chocolate chips

2/3 cup natural peanut butter

1/4 cup butter

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

T H E H O W :

1. Melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter in the microwave.

2. Pour the mixture over your cereal and stir gently until coated.

3. Place the powdered sugar in a bag. Add the coated cereal, and shake until all pieces are coated.

Cook's tip: Mix the chow in a trash bag (clean of course!) if you're making a larger batch.

If you're gifting your puppy chow, we recommend dividing it into pint-sized Mason Jars. (What don't we recommend in Mason Jars?) We then layered burlap and metallic ribbon with tartans and dots for an extra luxe look.

Hope

2013-12-05T20:17:00.001-08:00

"For now, let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived-- a man who took history in his hands, and bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice." -Barack Obama

Holiday Hostess Gifts

2013-12-02T19:10:00.000-08:00

We can hear our mom now reminding us "never show up empty-handed!" But what do you give as a hostess gift when your host has almost everything? Something thoughtful and personal, and it doesn't have to break the bank. A few of our favorites this year below, including monogrammed leather gloves, a few cheeky sayings, and the most adorable jam spreaders, with gifts starting at $7.95:

{1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6} {7} {8}

Thankful

2013-11-27T22:29:00.001-08:00

"There is alway, always, always something to be thankful for."

Image courtesy of stylemepretty.com

For us, this year more than ever. We'll save our long, long list for the table, but we do want to express our heartfelt gratitude to you, our readers, for following, pinning, writing, and most of all, for giving our voices a place in your day. We don't say it enough, but it means more to us than you'll ever know. Wishing you and your loved ones a beautiful Thanksgiving!

Ranch Dressing: Wide-Brimmed Fedoras

2013-11-12T20:39:00.000-08:00

This week, we're obsessed with wide-brimmed fedoras. And not just because the temps dropped and our heads are cold. Our (other) hats are off to these rugged, cowgirl-cool toppers, available in felt or wool and feeling especially fresh with contrast bands. Whether you want to splurge or save on the newest wide-brimmed bonnet, you should definitely put your head in the game. And hat.

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{Gal Meets Glam}

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Hat by Rag & Bone, similar here

{Doll Parade}

{The Oxford Trunk}

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{cupcakes and cashmere}

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Asking My Bridesmaids

2013-11-04T20:03:00.000-08:00

I (Liz) wanted a sweet, thoughtful way to ask my favorite women to stand by my side. So I gave each friend (or sister or soon-to-be sister!) a nail polish in my wedding color with a very special name.

To make the labels, I measured the existing ones before removing them and printing my questions on self-adhesive paper. As neatly as I could, I cut out the new "names" and applied them to the polishes.

Before gifting each one, I tied a ribbon around the top and wrote each recipient a note expressing my gratitude and love.

And all of them said yes! I realized the wedding is not only an opportunity to celebrate my affection for John, but also for the women I love most.

Birds and Seeds

2013-10-28T19:31:00.003-07:00

We carved our pumpkins while we watched the World Series last night, primarily because Liz loves snacking on pumpkin seeds at work! John got a little heavy-handed with the cayenne pepper since he was watching the Cards instead of what he was doing, but these spicy little suckers turned out to be a "red-hot" treat. Enjoy! (And go Cards!!)

Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

I N G R E D I E N T S :

Pumpkin seeds (from the pumpkin!)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Garlic

Cayenne Pepper

Old Bay

Salt

Ground Black Pepper

T H E H O W :

1. Preheat the oven to 325*F.

2. Clean the seeds. Annoying, we know, but also necessary. Put the seeds in a strainer and pick off the strands of pumpkin. Rinse thoroughly.

Cook's tip:

If you want even more crunch, we have heard sugar pumpkin seeds yield crispier seeds than carving pumpkins.

3. Boil the seeds in a medium-sized pot of water with 1 tsp salt for 10 minutes. (This makes the pumpkin seeds easier to digest and helps produce a crispy outer shell during roasting.)

4. Drain the seeds in a strainer and pat dry.

5. Spread the seeds over foil on a cookie sheet and drizzle with EVOO. Massage the oil into the seeds.

5. Season, to taste, using recommended spices.

6. Roast the seeds at 325*F for 10 minutes. Remove from oven, stir, and roast for another 8-10 minutes. (Before they're done, we recommend cracking open a few to ensure the inner seed is not burning.) Seeds are ready when the shell is super crispy and easy to bite.

7. Enjoy while you watch St. Louis hopefully win the World Series!

And want to see how our pumpkins turned out?

All Treats (No Tricks!)

2013-10-23T18:57:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year! Are you throwing a monster mash? A skeleton soiree? A ghostly gala if you will? Sorry, we'll stop... But seriously, if you're looking for a tasty treat to bring to a special graveyard gathering (Okay, we're done now!), we've got your mummified back. Below, our picks of the top ten most deliciously darling Halloween confections from around the web. Guaranteed to make friends and family scream (with delight)!

Dracula's Dentures via The Girl Who Ate Everything

Eyeball Cupcakes via Better Homes and Gardens

Vampire Caramel Apples via www.ericasweettooth.com

Ghostly Cupcakes via Better Homes and Gardens

Utilize ice cream cones to create these scarily sweet Witch Hat Cupcakes. Image origin unknown.

Witch Hat Treats via Barbschram.blogspot.com

Spider Cupcakes via www.njfamily.com

Owl Cupcakes using Oreos and M&Ms are sure to be a "hoot" with guests! Image origin unknown.

Frankenstein Marshmallow Pops via www.justataste.com

Add chocolate chips to bananas for a ghostly gobble and cut celery on clementines for a healthy treat. Image origin unknown.

And for inspiration for creating the prettiest pumpkin in the patch, be sure to read last year's Pretty Pumpkins: Not for Chunkin. Happy haunting!

Have a great week!

2013-10-13T18:16:00.000-07:00

Did you have a nice weekend? Recently we both went apple picking, and it finally got us excited for Fall (because we hate saying good-bye to Summer!).

Below, a few things from around the interwebby that we think are just plum perfect for your Monday:

Why decisive leadership is so rare.

Just patiently waiting for these to go on sale...

Make your own pumpkin spice latte for $1!

How cute are these wedding coasters from Cheree Berry Paper?

Our new favorite concealer.

Ever think about how your gem got from the mine to votre main?

Love these nursery designs!

The perfect book for every mood, from stress to unemployment.

Have a great week!

Vegetarian BBQ Pulled Pork Sammies

2013-10-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

We apologize we've been on a bit of a hiatus! But, we've discovered if there's one secret weapon that fosters creativity, beauty, and health, it's rest. Don't we all need more of it? So consider this your permission slip to take some time for yourself too. We recharged our creative batteries this past Summer, and now we're bursting at the seams with ideas and inspiration we can't wait to share!

For your Meatless Monday, we're bringing you one of our favorite recipes from allrecipes.com that even Liz's meat-loving fiancé wolfs down. It's super easy and will get your week off to a perfect, healthy start. Mange!

Vegetarian BBQ Pulled Pork Sammies

T I M E : 25 minutes

I N G R E D I E N T S :

1 cup barbecue sauce (We recommend St. Louis' own Super Smokers BBQ Sauce or your own local favorite!)

1 (8 oz) package tempeh, crumbled (You can find this in the vegetarian section of your grocery.)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1 medium onion

4 whole wheat rolls, toasted

T H E H O W :

1. Pour the barbecue sauce into a medium bowl. Crumble the tempeh into the sauce, and let it marinate for at least 10 minutes.

2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the red and green peppers and the onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender.

3. Stir in the tempeh and barbecue sauce, and heat through.

4. Spoon the tempeh mixture onto kaiser rolls and serve. Enjoy!

How to: Arrange a Coffee Table

2013-09-04T18:46:00.000-07:00

A well-arranged coffee table is one of a decorator's best-kept secrets. (Nothing gives us the heebie jeebs like the centerpiece of a room used as a storage cubby!) So after years of arranging (and rearranging) our own, we've garnered a few guidelines for styling any table like a professional. Follow these six steps, and even your coffee will be jealous.

1. Rule #1 is always make it personal. Play with objects and books that speak about your life. As tempting as it is (and we know it is!), don't just raid Home Goods.

Image courtesy of http://www.thefabguide.com

2. Every great coffee table has a great container: choose a vase, tray, or bowl (or all three!) to visually group items together.

Image courtesy of http://www.hgtv.com

3. Bring the outside in. (Don't we always say this?) Incorporate one or more natural elements into your mix.

Image courtesy of http://www.housebeautiful.com

4. Accent with books for guests to thumb through while you keep them waiting. (We're sorry! We're working on being more punctual!)

Image courtesy of http://www.socialbliss.com

5. We believe in candles. You never know when the mood will strike. (Or when the room will stink.)

Image courtesy of http://theeverygirl.com

6. Finally, vary object heights for an interesting table profile. (Remember, this can be achieved through stacking too.)

Image courtesy of http://theeverygirl.com

Was this helpful? Send us your pics; we'd love to see what you create!

John and Liz's Engagement Pictures!

2013-08-26T20:18:00.004-07:00

John was a little hesitant about the whole engagement picture thing. (He actually gave me a list of "off-limits" poses including, but not limited to, peering around a tree and him gazing adoringly at me on his back!) But even he would agree (although never admit) that they were actually a lot of fun to take, and now we have such a priceless snapshot of this time in our lives. We absolutely lucked out with the weather; we were scheduled for the one clear hour on an otherwise stormy day, which made the lighting especially charming. An enormous thank you to Tim Pastor of Artisan Photography in St. Louis for stepping in at the last minute since our scheduled photographer's wife was having her baby; we were so pleased with his work.

National Relaxation Day (Soak It Up!)

2013-08-15T19:07:00.000-07:00

Did you know today is National Relaxation Day? Neither did we. But you don't have to twist our arms! We're far from perfect, but doing nothing is one area we excel in. There's so many ways to celebrate. (Can we request a National Relaxation Year?) But the day is almost done, so whether you choose a soak or a siesta, you need to get cracking. (Our country basically mandates it.) We're drawing our baths as we write this. Below, stunning tubs to motivate you. (As if you needed it.) Happy r&r! Love, c&p

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Image courtesy of sofiazchoice.tumblr.com

Image courtesy of huffingtonpost.com

Geoff Chick's coastal bath.

Image courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

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Image courtesy of pamelacopeman.com

Image courtesy of indulgy.com

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Image courtesy of charmingspaces.tumblr.com

Image courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

Image courtesy of madamsays.pixnet.net

Image courtey of prettie-sweet.tumblr.com