Tuesday, September 4

Lavender Lemonade


I treated myself to a batch of lavender lemonade this weekend to celebrate the endings of summer and to kick off the beginnings of my favourite season: Autumn!

Here's how to make your own:

Juice 3 lemons. Boil 1/2 cup of lavender flowers {I used some form my mom's garden} in 5 cups of water for 4 minutes. Strain lavender liquid. Add 3 cups of cold water to lavender liquid and combine with lemon juice. Add 1/2 cup of simple syrup to mixture and serve cold.

Tip: This lemonade also makes excellent popsicles!

Enjoy!

Friday, July 27

Book List: Summer 2012


My goodness. I have just been a reading machine over the last few months. The above stack doesn't even represent all the books I have read over the last two months, just the ones that I felt were good enough to share and recommend! So, without further ado, here's the list:

A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews: I know I'm a little bit behind on this one by a few years, but it's a goodie. I've read a few books by Toews and, although I find her books take a bit of effort to really dig into, once you're hooked, you're hooked. There's no going back. I think every book of hers has made me cry and then laugh hysterically a page later. That's talent.

Delirium by Lauren Oliver: This dystopian novel is set in a world where society believes that love is a disease, and to be in love is against the law. Although I sometimes found this book to be too lovey-dovey at times {yes, that's the official terminology}, it was a decent read that I would recommend for those who are into the dystopian trend. The second book, Pandemonium, is in my posession but is waiting its turn in the long line of "To Be Read"s.

The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway: I'm not even going to try to give my own opinion of this classic since I am no way near worthy enough to act as an authority. But I highly recommend it.

Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean: I have long been a McLean fan, especially of the Vinyl Cafe series. He is such a phenomenal storyteller and I love getting lost in the world of familiar characters and the web of relationships and connections that he unravels in each tale. This particular installment explores some of the well-kept stories that had either not had the opportunity to be told earlier or were maybe a little embarrassing to share right at the start.

Divergent by Veronica Rother: Mark my words, this will be the next Hunger Games. There's just no way around it. I ate up the chapters of this book in about a day and a half and hungrily awaited the second installment, Insurgent, which was released at the beginning of May. I don't know if I'll be able to wait much longer for the third book.

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella: Pretty much what you'd expect from a Kinsella novel. Light, funny, a little romance thrown in, and perfect for the beach.

Matched by Ally Condie: In my impatience of waiting for the third book in the Divergent series, this book was recommended to me. Similar to Delirium I found this novel a little too love-obsessed for my own taste, but then what can I expect from something that came from the Teen Lit section of the book store? It's still a good, light, summer read with a little bit of that "what's going to happen next" quality that makes it difficult to put books down.

When God was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman: If you don't like to cry in public, like me, I recommend you don't read this book in public. The quote on the cover by the Globe and Mail reads, "There are books that tug on the heartstrings, and then there are full-on tractor pulls. When God was a Rabbit fall into the latter category." Rarely do I even read recommendations on the covers of books, and in the few cases that I do, I never find myself wholeheartedly believing them. This book was an exception. Not only did I for some reason make a mental note of it but I completely subscribe to this description. There were many ugly-cries that happened as I worked my way through the story of this brother and sister. Definitely pick it up and treat yourself to a nice good cry. Because it's good to have one once in a while.


Thursday, July 26

Black and Red

{Top and Shoes: Old Navy, Skirt: Gap, Necklace: Plenty, Watch: Nixon, Bracelet: BFrend}


I found myself in desperate need of reorganizing my closet a few weeks ago because, as the sun finally decided to show its face, I was having trouble seeing all my summer options {read: dresses and skirts}. Since doing so, I think it's safe to say that I have managed to wear nothing but dresses and skirts for the past three weeks. I kid you not. I don't know when it happened, but somehow in the last couple years I have managed to hoard skirt-ed items like someone who should have their own show on TLC.

This particular skirt is a newer edition and the light linen is great for a hot summer day. Not to mention that I have yet to find the perfect pair of bright red skinnies, so this number has recently been trying to fill that void in my closet.

Monday, July 16

The Spaniard

{Cardigan: Gap, Dress: thrifted}

It isn't often {or, let's be honest, ever} that people outright ask me if I'm of Spanish decent without hearing my last name. No, no, my skin is much too pale for that - we're talking borderline transparent here. I can't even speak the language anymore. Nor do I have an accent in any way, shape, or form. In fact, I have about as much of an accent as Donald Trump has a full head of hair.

So, since I'm not often reminded of the vibrant heritage my father has gifted me, it also isn't often that I feel very Spanish.

Except when I'm wearing this dress. This dress makes me feel very Spanish. This dress makes me want to break out into some spontaneous Flamenco while stuffing my face with paella and over-enthusiastically yelling something incomprehensible at someone across the room {typically I am only ever doing the latter}. Was that scenario stereotypical enough to get my point across? What I'm trying to say is that this dress makes me feel like my father's daughter, and for that, I am very happy and proud.

So, these are in my life again...


Sunday, July 8

From the Oven: Early Grey Cupcakes

I had a bit of an undergrad flashback last night when I found myself baking at 10:30 pm. I used to bake at midnight all the time, back when I was a hardcore night owl and I strangely found myself in a similar mood yesterday. So I thought I'd just go with it.


I worked from this recipe {see actual recipe above} and baked them at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Friday, June 29

The little one

My sister and that little angel of hers are coming for a visit tomorrow! I could not be more excited. How did I prepare myself? By going through the pictures of our last visit, of course. Here are my favorites from about a month ago. She's gotten so big!


She really needs to be less adorable so that I don't miss her so much.

Thursday, June 28

Baked Gnocchi with Ricotta & Marinara


This weekend, I experimented with gnocchi for the first time. I was really happy with how easy it was to work with {so happy, in fact, that I have made this twice in five days...} and so I thought I would share the recipe with you!

The recipe was from Martha Stewart's "Everyday Food Light" recipe book, but can also be found here. I especially loved how few ingredients and steps this dish involved, not to mention how quick it is to throw together. The second time I made it, I added about a cup of grated mozzarella to the top, which I really loved.

Wednesday, June 27

An ode to this Gap dress

{Dress: Gap, Belt: American Eagle, Flats: Payless Shoes, Necklace: Plenty, Watch: Nixon, Bracelets: Anthropologie and bfrend's Flora, Nails: Essie's 'Play Date'}

Dear Gap,

Thank you for creating this dress. Or, as I like to refer to it, this very long t-shirt. You have created something that I can get away with wearing to the office and also fall asleep in on my couch, all the while experiencing a maximum level of comfort. And do I even have to mention the semi-nautical stripes and color scheme? Because goodness only knows that I'd do anything to look like I was about to jump on a boat {but not without my flippy floppies and a nautical-themed pashmina afghan, of course}. So thank you, dearest Gap, for creating my new favorite summer clothing item.

Love always, 
Karla

Tuesday, June 26

Mint & Ginger Limeade


While at the market this weekend, I passed by some mint bunches that I just couldn't leave without. Without knowing exactly what I was going to do with it, my mint bunch and I happily headed home. The following concoction is what I came up with!


Ingredients:
the leaves from 15 sprigs of mint (I may have gone a little crazy here), slightly muddled
2 cups of Santa Cruz Organic Limeade
the juice of one lime
2 cans of soda water
1 liter of ginger beer
3/4 cup of rum
1 tablespoon of icing sugar
ice

Throw all the igredients into a pretty jug and stir with a giant wooden spoon. {I'm quite sure there was a more eloquent way to do this, but let's get real, I'm not all that eloquent}. Enjoy!

Monday, June 25

Rose lace

{Top: Forever21, Jeans: Mavi, Boots: Steve Madden, and Socks & Belt: American Eagle}


I love how easily I can make this top fancy or casual. I've found that I can definitely work it to fit both ends of the outfit spectrum. Since our mornings here have been chilly, but it tends to warm up later on in the afternoon, this combo did me well when I wore it on Friday.

My weekend was filled welcoming new and old friends, dinner parties, experimenting with mint to create a refreshing concoction, jamaican food, and a sunny trip to the farmer's market for produce and fresh flowers. What did you get up to?

Wednesday, June 6

Thoughts on Summer

{Tshirt: Gap, Skirt: Target, Jacket: Mavi Jeans, Scarf: Garage, Moccasins: Minnitonka, Watch: Nixon, Bracelets: Mother's, Thrifted, JCrew}

Man am I ready for this summer. Not only does summer heat mean I can wear dresses and skirts without shaking all day long from the cold, but I have a number of visits from friends and other activities lined up. Thus far, some highlights include:

A country music festival featuring Dierks Bentley in August. 
A good friend {and soon to be new coworker!} moving to the island at the end of the month.
Plans for a Seattle day trip to go watch an MLB game in July.
An upcoming local jazz festival.
Trips to go visit this angel & my sister and brother-in-law.
A family wedding and the outrageous hilarity that inevitably ensues when we all get together.
Beach time, beach time, beach time!

What I'm getting at here is that pretty much the only thing that could make me more excited for this summer is if I had a front porch to sit on to enjoy those warm evenings. But for now I will settle for the sunny seat by my kitchen window and be perfectly content.

Cottonwood falling like snow in July...

Please ignore the awful storyline in this music video {a continuation from I Don't Want This Night To End... I don't even know} and just listen to the beauty of this song.

Tuesday, June 5

Sunday, June 3

Signs of a Happy Sunday

I had a lovely weekend, but a wonderful Sunday in particular. I didn't get up to too much, but spent a lot of time appreciating the sunshine and the pretty things that surrounded me.

Went for a walk down by the water in the morning.

Added some flowers and basil to the outside of my house, to join the herb pot my mom made up for me last week {thanks, Mom!}

Then focused on some of the flora inside the house.

I've had this little vase since I was a child and recently rediscovered it in a box of my old things at my parents' house last week.

A mid-afternoon snack featuring my mom's homemade jam, made from berries fresh from her garden.

Whipped up a batch of Spiced Chocolate Muffins for the office tomorrow.

and spent some time reading {of course}

I ended the day the same way I started it, with a walk down to the beach to catch the end of the sunset.

And finally, no Sunday would be complete without listening to this song {with the repeat button on, of course}:


Hope you had a lovely Sunday too!