I know what you’re thinking. Avocado + pudding does not = something amazing. You are wrong, soooooo wrong. This pudding is super tasty. The avocado is undetectable but leaves an extremely smooth and decadent pudding. Plus avocado is one of those “good” fats, the kind that you can eat a lot of, tastes great and won’t expand your waist line.

Gather all of the ingredients.

Place 1 1/2 ripe avocado’s {peeled and with the flesh removed from the pit},  1/2 cup of cacoa {my new fav ingredient}, 1/3 cup or maple syrup or honey, 1/4 cup coconut milk and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Blend until extra smooth.

Enjoy!

See, this could not be more simple! What are you waiting for….

Happy “Baking”!

xoxo,

Ali

When I spotted an article on the latest china trends in this months Martha Stewart Weddings, I was absolutely smitten. Perhaps a future vow renewal for a new registry? Just kidding! But I love the gorgeous new waves of trends when it comes to setting the table.

If I could create my fantasy table it would definitely include this:

{1. West Elm Gold Flatware / 2. Bernardaud Digital China / 3. Pottery Barn Tava Charger / 4. C.Wonder Highball / 5. Kim Seybert Ombre Napkin / 6. Papery & Cakery DIY arrangement}

xoxo,

Niki

photography via Jonny Valiant

We celebrated Mothers Day with savory cheesy grits, the most decadent french toast casserole and the perfect lemon filled cake. Here are six things that we think are hot {but not as hot as our Miami Heat}.

{Niki: 1. Being well-endowed makes bikini shopping tres difficult. But this J.Crew suit has underwire and fits perfectly {and perky} / 2. Kendra Scott earrings. The perfect summer hue / Ali: 3.  A gorgeous Mothers Day arrangement / 4. Can’t live without the citrus attachment to my KitchenAid mixer. Makes juicing a cinch / Gavi: 5.  J.Crew crystal necklace that is so White Hot / 6. 21 mini shots for my 21st}

xoxo,

Niki, Ali + Gavi

I’m not super high maintenance when it comes to a beauty regime. I don’t enjoy getting manicures. I don’t wax my brows {much prefer light plucking}. I don’t color my hair. But I am absolutely OCD about my skin.

As a teenager, my skin was relatively balanced. In my mid 20′s, fraught with the stress of taking the bar and getting married, my skin reacted. I lost control and needed to take it back. So I began to indulge in monthly facials. And along with these facials, I developed a morning and evening skin ritual, as well as a slew of products to keep my skin in check.

AM

When I wake up, I wash my face immediately with Neova Herbal Wash, using the Neova sponge. I gently splash my face multiple times to remove the soap {a trick my mama taught me growing up – use your age for the amount of splashes}. Then I gently pat dry with a towel. I apply my Neocutis Journee sunscreen which I mix with Neova Hydromoist moisturizer and lip treatment from Jo Malone {you know this is my favorite product ever}. Any/all makeup goes on top of this base.

PM

In the evenings my skincare ritual takes a little longer. First, if I am wearing makeup , I remove with a Neutrogena remover wipe. Next I wash my face again as I did in the AM. Sometimes I use the Clarisonic for my exfoliation. Next I apply smoothing gel using a cotton ball. Then I create a concoction of Neova DNA Repair Lotion and Neocutis BioCream {which is a really thick moisturizer that feels fabulous on the skin}. Lastly I use a tiny pump of Neocutis BioSerum. All of this is applied all over my face and neck. I place Neocutis Lumiere eye cream both under and on my lids. And then I baste my lips with Jo Malone again. If my lips are in desperate need, I find my tube of Aquafor is a great cure {I put Aquafor on every ailment, like Windex in My Big Fat Greek Wedding}.

I know it sounds elaborate, but I care deeply about preserving my skin. I always wear sunscreen. I never “tan” my face {that’s what hats are for!}. I spring for monthly facials and the occasional peel.

I know my skincare is a big investment, but I’m hoping it will ward off signs of aging for as long as it can!

What’s your skincare ritual?

xoxo,

Niki

Even though Mother’s Day just past, May is the perfect time to brush up on your flower arranging skills. Because April showers brought some fabulous May flowers. And you should learn how to make them look pretty.

Roses can be thorny to arrange. But if you know a few simple tips, you can nail gorgeous home arrangements and even impress yourself.

Supplies:

2 dozen roses – ideally long stemmed

wide mouth vessel {we used this jar}

Twine/string

Scissors

Instructions

First “clean” your roses. Remove all of the outside leaves. Remove any browned or loose petals.

Next cut your roses to the same level – 2-4 inches above the rim of the jar. Don’t worry that they are too high or perfect. It’s impossible to add stem later, so be more conservative on your cutting.

Next arrange your flowers like you are making a bouquet, crossing roses over each other and building out from the center.

**TIP: try to keep fuller roses in the center of the bouquet and the “thinner” roses around the edges. Try to give your bouquet a spherical shape instead of being flat across the top.

Tie your bouquet with a piece of twine.

Place in the water and cut the stems as needed to rest right on the lip of the jar.

A stunning arrangement!

xoxo,

Niki

To steal a phrase from my best friend Alli, these cookies are “the bomb.com”. These taste exactly like those amazing soft sugar cookies you can buy at Publix {or your local grocery store} except these are made with all-natural ingredients. They are SOOOO good, and I know I say that all the time {would I actually post something that tasted bad?}. These are the real deal. And if you aren’t in the mode to make them yourself, just call/email me and order a batch!

Gather all of the ingredients.

In a small bowl whisk together 4 1/2 cups of all purpose flour with 4 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder and 3/4 teaspoon of salt.

In the bowl of your electric mixer beat together 3 sticks of unsalted, room temperature butter with 1 2/2 cups of sugar for 2-3 minutes, until light and airy.

Add in 3 eggs, one at a time, making sure to scrape down the bowl between eggs. Add in 5 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

Finally, fold in the dry ingredients until just incorporated.

Wrap in plastic wrap and allow to chill for at least 1 hour.

On a baking sheet filled with parchment paper or a Silpat mat, scoop {approximately 2 tablespoons of dough} scoop cookies onto prepared she {I used a medium sized scoop}. Roll the cookies into balls, pat down and, if using, insert cookie sticks.

Bake in an oven that has been pre-heated to 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies brown ever so slightly on the bottom.

Allow to cool completely.

To make the frosting:

In a bowl combine 5 cups of confectioners’ sugar with 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 7-8 tablespoons of milk. Whisk until thickened. Add more confectioners’ sugar or milk to reach desired consistency. You want it to be thick enough to pipe but not too thick!

I chose to pipe a rosette on each cookie, to do so- use a star tip and start in the center and pull the tip around and around until rose shape forms.

Happy Baking!

For a printer-friendly version of this recipe click here: Rosette Soft Sugar Cookies

xoxo,

Ali

Mother’s Day didn’t quite have the same meaning over two years ago.  I am looking forward to a delicious brunch with my extended family, an afternoon in the pool with Cole, R + M, and hopefully a minute to breathe and soak it in. When I reflect back on this crazy journey that started in March 2011, I can’t quite believe how fast things have flown by, and how much it has changed me into the person I am now. In all honesty, I have never experienced more stress/worry/concern/obsessiveness/sleepless nights than after I became a mother. Yet, I would not trade any of it for the world. Because being Raya + Mason’s mom has brought me more joy than I ever thought could be possible. Listening to them laugh and watching their faces light up is truly magical. Every night, late into the evening I tiptoe into their rooms, give them sleepy kisses, and tell them “I love you.” Then I get into bed, bursting with happiness and tell Cole for the 100000th time, “I can’t believe they are ours.” It is the absolute highlight of the day and it’s hard to go to bed feeling anything but blessed.

I hope this Mother’s Day brings you just as much joy, happiness and blessings.

xoxo,

Niki

{image via oh joy}

Happy 21 to out little Gavi-licious. We are so happy you won’t have to pass as an “old person” anymore. In the meantime, here are six things that kind of rock {no matter your age}.

{Niki: 1. Looking forward to drinking many mojitos out of these C.Wonder gold glasses this summer. Oh and I’ll be stirring them with my pineapple too / 2. This Nordstrom maxi dress is the bees knees. It’s not pricey, it fits everyone and its super comfortable. Win win.  / Ali: 3.  Loving Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook It’s All Good / 4. This Dior brow pencil if foolproof. I swear. / Gavi: 5.  Essie glaze gives me the shiniest nails in town / 6. The Blendtec is worth every single penny. It makes the best smoothies/soups/sauces in seconds. Oh and even the perfect milkshake }

xoxo,

Niki, Ali + Gavi

I’m  head over heels with these maps I spotted on Fab.com {you really need to join}. The butterfly map gives me actual butterflies. {Hello, Mother’s Day!}

The maps are created by Wendy Gold.

I popped over to her site and also found all of these stunning globes that I am now ogling over. The “Custom Marriage” design would make such a lovely wedding gift. I have my eyes on the “Peace” globe. Such a beautiful message!

Here’s to the world!

xoxo,

Niki

I have a succulent obsession. I mean they are stunning, geometric and interesting plants that don’t die. Literally it is hard to kill them. I love the idea of utilizing a centerpiece that can be preserved.

And so, when my friend RoseAnn wanted to create a rustic centerpiece for her {beautiful} daughter Bella’s communion, we opted for rustic succulents. These are so easy, I promise you can’t screw them up. They would make a gorgeous {homemade} Mother’s Day gift.

Supplies

Crates

Square piece of burlap cut so that it will hang over the crate

Potting Soil

An array of succulents

Hydrangeas

Plastic grocery bag

To create:

Place the burlap on the bottom of the crate.

Then take a plastic grocery bag and place on top. You are going to fill this bag with soil/plants so that the arrangement is contained and doesn’t leak.

Place a few inches of soil into the bottom of the bag/crate. You will fill in more.

Set up the arrangement as you would like it.

We opted for just a few hydrangeas {which will not last} and succulents for the remaining space. Use a cup or a small shovel to secure the plants in with additional soil.

Keep hydrated and enjoy!

xoxo,

Niki

p.s. Happy Birthday Gavi!