Julie & Julia

I'm chomping at the bit to see Julie & Julia. Last summer I read My Life in France, I just got a peek at Julia's kitchen set created for the movie and I think Amy Adams is simply adorable. Recipe for a delish movie.

Any of you excited as moi?

Hot shoes

Normally purple isn't really my favorite but I tried these on at Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale (my favorite sale of the year) and loved them. They are much cuter in person and on your tootsies, I assure you.

Then I saw these on Kate Spade.





Purple just may be my fave fall color.

My weekend

Morning lovelies! My weekend was hot, hot, hot. Eeek! Thankfully we got a little respite from the searing heat of the Valley. We drove to Tucson and spent Saturday night at a resort. Saturday was great 99 and cloudy, perfect pool weather.

How was your weekend? Anything exciting?

[image via Mary Ruffle]

It's the big winner

The winner of the Perricone Skin Care Giveaway is...Morning T. Woo hoo!

Winner selected via Random.org

Cake topper cuteness

Can I just tell you how much I'm in love with these mini cake toppers. Like so in love.

Get all of the DIY deets here.

{Oh and don't forget today is the last day to enter the Perricone Skin Care Giveaway, if you haven't already comment here to win.}

Looking for a book?

Lovely Sarah Jane from Walking Around-Where the Sidewalk Begins asked me and a few other bloggers what books we were currently reading. Check them out here.

{Thanks Jaimee for my book on deck recommendation}

Baking some buns

Normally when I bake I try to steer clear of bread. It's hard because I get impatient with the rising and then with the kneading I never seem to get the right consistency. I know that it's something that you learn by touch but that takes a lot of bread baking and this girl only has so much time. However I think I may try some because these Brioche Buns from Smitten Kitchen are calling my name.

Seriously, how good do these look? I saw them this morning and have been thinking about them all day. Dreaming of hot fresh hamburger buns, crazy I know.

Please pray for Kate

There is a local little girl named Kate McRae who is suffering from a brain tumor. This hits so close to home not only because she is the age of my children but the church that the family attends is around the corner from me and one of my girlfriends is a close friend of the McRae family. The McRae's are spending as much time as they can with their daughter while praying for a miraculous recovery. You can read their story here. Little Kate has a long road ahead of her and their entire family could use some of your prayers.

{Kate}

In the meantime two of my girlfriends have generously offered their goods and services in an auction with proceeds directly going to the McRae family.

Kim from TomKat Studio has an invitation package to bid on.

Tina from Live.Love Photography has a photo session to bid on.

There could be other auctions going on right now but I'm going to start with these. I thought I would share this with you because the McRae family could use your support and Kim and Tina are great people with huge hearts and wonderful products. Please keep this family and all sick children in your prayers today, I would really appreciate it.

Long live McQueen

Doesn't this gorgeous McQueen frock remind you of a beautiful butterfly?

I would love to put it on and fly away.

[image via Style.com]

Let's take a trip

It's Monday so I sit here with my afternoon pick me up (coffee natch) while browsing my favorite blogs. Nice.

Then I see this

and now I immediately want to move to France to rough it in this converted boat garage. Cafe au Lait's anyone?

[Marie Claire Masion via Poppytalk]

Happy Weekend!

Let's talk about the heat...101 this morning at 9 and it actually started sprinkling. Cut to this afternoon and ugh all you have is a sweltering muggy afternoon. I'm hoping that this weekend makes up for the heat.

What do you have planned for the weekend? We have a grilled pizza party to attend on Saturday night and other than that nothing much.


Hope your weekend is fun and filled with smooches!

[image via vi.sualize]

Recipes from the Room :: Coffee Rubbed Rib Steaks

This lovely room with it's neutral palette is really brought to life with it's green accents and it's warm anchors of vintage wood.

The first thing that came to my mind was something homey and straightforward. Cue the Coffee Rubbed Rib Steaks served with a fresh green salad.

[Helen Norman photo via Desire to Inspire, recipe via House Beautiful]

Sports anyone?

I have attempted learning to golf more than once and as soon as it hits the triple digits around here I duck and cover. Get this girl to the clubhouse stat! But seriously how cute are these shoes? Makes me want to give it a whirl just one more time.

Is it wrong to want to golf just because they have good accessories?

Retro Blue - Summer Playdate

I'm ready to get in the car

and go play.

[images via vi.sualize]

Wanna Win Something?

It's your lucky day, we (me and Cosmeceuticals) are offering one winner a Perricone MD Advanced Face Firming Activator. It's Perricone MD's best selling product, it refines your skin's texture so your skin is fresh and glowy. What's more to like?

To win this fabulous prize we need to talk beauty. Please leave a comment with your email (a must), why you think this product would help your skin or what you didn't like about another facial product that you have used. I will choose a winner on Thursday, July 16th. This contest is open to readers in the US.

If you complete this Skin Quiz Perricone MD will provide you with a discount (up to $100) if you purchase the recommended products. Just a little thank you if you decide to buy.

Perfect dinner

My husband and I often eat salads for dinner, they're easy and delicious. Our guilty pleasure is feeding the kids first and then eating all by ourselves with a grown up drink and grown up conversation. This Grilled Chicken Summer Salad looks perfect for our dinner dates.

Lots of yummy fresh summer flavors with a chilled glass of wine.

[recipe via Epicurious]

I wasn't invited

Remember this post when I was practically begging Ken Fulk to invite me over for a BBQ and a swim?

image via House Beautiful

Looks to me like he went had a party without me.

This morning I saw this party on Snippet & Ink and knew immediately that it was one of my favorite homes. I wonder if this was a favor for family or a friend or does he rent out his gorgeous ranch for parties? A little detective work might be in order.