Weekend Brunch Recipe: Shakshuka

May 2018

By Jessica Lee

I just got back from a trip to Marfa, Texas, and I’m still walking on a cloud. I haven’t been on a real vacation in a few years, so it felt so good to unplug and relax. I spent the days swimming, looking at art and laying in a hammock and reading. Perfection.

When I got back from the trip, I wanted a homemade meal, but I didn’t want to work too hard for it. This Shakshuka is just that. It’s incredibly easy to make, yet it’s full of deliciously complex flavors. It can be served for dinner but also makes for a great brunch meal. My one suggestion: serve it with toasted, crusty bread. You’re going to want to dip it in the tasty tomato broth…

How I (Should) Spend My Time

May 2018

Artwork by Kimberlee.

File this post under: my love/hate relationship with social media. (…aaand the saga continues!)

A few weeks back during a trip to Japan with my husband, I had a major realization: I spend a LOT of time on my phone. Our trip was 14 days total and in the first 12 days, Blake read four books. While he was exercising his brain, learning and enveloped in stories, I was glued to social media, learning zip (except for what top so-and-so was wearing, or where so-and-so was vacationing…very important, life altering facts, right?) and in reality, feeling pockets of doubt every time my thumb hit the screen because social media has a special way of messing with our psyche.

Blake doesn’t have Instagram, he rarely gets on Facebook and is a quiet lurker at times on Twitter (mostly for news updates…or when Kanye tweets). He has no social media on his phone. In stark contrast, Instagram uses up 40% of my phone battery on the regular. That’s on a good day. Hi, my name is Olivia and I’m addicted to Instagram.

Work To Play: Wrap Dress

May 2018

What’s the most flattering (and comfortable) dress silhouette? 100% the wrap dress. When I was getting married and I had bridesmaids of all beautiful shapes and sizes, wrap dresses were the one style that worked for every body type. Wrap dresses are timeless, classy and show off the waistline – something I LOVE when getting dressed! (…Note how I am always wearing high rise jeans haha…there’s a reason for that!). As we make our way into wedding season, company work parties (Blake always has a summer shindig) and date nights spent on the patio…there’s one go-to look that’s certain to make you feel and look your best!
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dress – SEZANE / shoes – SEYCHELLES / sunglasses – CELINE / diamond pendant necklace – similar NORDSTROM / crescent necklace – MISSOMA / handbag – ETSY

SHOP MORE WRAP DRESSES

Weekend At The Park

May 2018

We’ve got a new normal around here…and it revolves around this pup! Watson is eight months old and has finally started to turn into a civilized puppers haha. I mean…don’t get me wrong, he still jumps on everything and eats anything that hits the floor…but for the most part we can take him out in public without all the stress that comes with a puppy who has “zero chill.” And lemme tell ya, we are LOVING it! Especially now that the weather is perfect for a day spent outside…that’s exactly where we’re hanging out. This weekend we hit the park at Auditorium Shores and let Watson get out lots of energy (…which means we got out lots of energy too haha…someone has to chase him!).

What I’ve realized about life with a dog: you will definitely be getting in LOTS of steps. It’s been a complete (and welcomed!) lifestyle change for us but it’s no surprise I have been swapping my cute sandals for a solid pair of sneakers on most days. I have been on the wait list for the pair of Nike sneakers I’m wearing in this post and they are FINALLY here (no joke, I have checked their site daily for nearly a month…this style is sold out everywhere! Nike added new color options in this style and basically they sold out asap). They are part of the Nike Flyknit shoes collection with hundreds of amazing reviews online, and I am very pleased to say that those are accurate – they are SO amazing. Comfortable, lightweight and multi-purpose: from a morning run to an evening at the dog park, these are the “do everything” shoes I needed in my life! (Also this color is SO PRETTY! It’s a light cream).
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A big thank you to Nike for sponsoring this post! All opinions are my own.

Feelin’ Peachy

May 2018

Happy Friday, friends! We’re experiencing a torrential downpour in Austin right now and thus, sweatpants and movie watching it is. I was worried Watson would go stir crazy and in turn, cause me to go crazy haha, but alas, he has been THE biggest cuddle-muffin and it’s this version of Watson that makes me say “ahh, so that’s why we got a dog!” Those other times when he is eating our furniture or eating my hands always call our decision into question haha ah! 😉 As I am in full-on cozy mode – I am actually wearing this exact sweatshirt…which goes to show you just how wonderful (and versatile!) it can be. From pajamas to a presentable (…dare I say adorable?) and veeeery comfortable outfit! (Note: my shoes are #1 for comfort…nothin’ like good ‘ol Birkenstocks!) …This full look screams “wear me three days in a row!” and lemme tell ya, this weekend I’ll be putting it to good use. Ps. Don’t act like I’m the only one who wears the same outfit for days on end… 😉 ). Repeat offender and proud of it!

SWEATSHIRT / JEANS / SANDALS / HAT / TOTE BAG / NECKLACE

Spring Vegetable Pasta

May 2018

By Jessica Lee

It really feels like Spring has officially sprung here in Austin. I spent the weekend basking in the sun at Barton Springs Pool (if you’re ever in town, add this to your “must visit” list!) enjoying the periodic cool breezes. It’s that perfect time of year where you just want to be outside all of the time.

So let’s make the most of spring and avoid spending too much time in the kitchen cooking. This Spring Vegetable Pasta is super easy to make, plus it’s packed with vibrant, in-season veggies. Serve it hot or let it cool and take it as a picnic food. It tastes great either way, but I’m partial to enjoying it al fresco… 🙂

Design Crush: Rattan Chairs

May 2018

If there’s one home decor trend I am swooning over this year, it’s rattan furniture (for indoors!). I’ve been seeing interior design photos pop up on my Pinterest feed (…their algorithm is spot on, right?) and I feel like every home decor store is offering some sort of rattan or wicker indoor chair option. Blake and I are rearranging our bedroom and I love the idea of a reading nook with a rattan chair, cozy seat cushion and a soft throw blanket. Rattan adds such an earthy, inviting vibe to a space and overall just feels so…cool. My parents had a rattan swivel chair when I was a kiddo and we played on that thing ALL the time…it’s actually still around today and miraculously survived five children. Apparently it’s a very good investment, ha!

Image credits: 1 via Tara Moon (fellow Austinite with impeccable home decor!) | 2 via SF Girl By The Bay

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