rainy day love.

What is it about rainy days that make you want to stay inside with the ones you love? And that's exactly what I'm doing today. 

What are your favorite rainy day plans?

-Pretty Little Things

Quote of the Day

I have a crazy busy day {and week} this week...and I know I wouldn't have too much time to tend to my blog today. So instead, I just wanted to leave you all with a quote today, that has really seemed relevant in my life recently. Plus I love how it's written in a chalkboard {LOVE}.

Hope everyone has a wonderful day : )

-Pretty Little Things

cupcakes and beer?

Cupcakes and beer. Two things that don't seem like they should ever go together -- until now. I found the most amazing looking cupcakes on Pinterest that I am dying to make using Corona and Blue Moon beer. 

I found this recipe from a blog called Erica's Sweet Tooth. This creation along with her many yummy sweets and treats might just be my new favorite food blog. Below I included the recipe for the beer cupcakes, or what I'd like to call "man cupcakes" -- perfect for when entertaining for sporting event like football (Go Giants! Is it football season yet??) or any entertaining event or party where you want to impress!

Blue Moon and Corona Cupcakes

For the beer cupcakes: 

3/4 cups butter, at room temperature

1-3/4 cup sugar

2-1/2 cup flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3 eggs, at room temperature

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp orange or lime zest

1 cup Blue Moon or Corona beer, plus more for brushing on tops

1/4 cup milk

Orange/lime wedges and sanding sugar for garnish

- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line 24 muffin tins with cupcake liners.

- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.

- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

- Add eggs, beating after each addition then add the vanilla and zest.

- Combine milk and beer and alternatively add this mixture and the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mixture with the mixer on low speed, starting and ending with the flour.  

- Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 full and bake for 18 minutes, or until cake tester comes out clean.

- When cupcakes are done, poke holes in the tops of the cupcakes with toothpicks and brush some beer on each while still warm.  

For the citrus cream cheese frosting:

12 oz cream cheese, cold

6 tbsp butter, at room temperature

1 tbsp freshly squeezed orange/lime juice

1 tsp orange/lime zest

4 cups powdered sugar

- Cream together the cream cheese and butter in an electric mixer until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.  

- Add the citrus juice and zest and gradually add the powdered sugar until well-combined.  Beat until smooth for about 2 minutes.

- Load frosting in a piping bag fit with a large star tip and pipe cupcake tops once cooled.  

Recipe yields 24 cupcakes.  

How amazing is this cupcake presentation complete with lime and orange wedges, and bottle caps to add playfulness! I can't wait to try out this recipe -- would you all eat beer cupcakes? What other beers do you think could be made into a yummy cupcake version?

-Pretty Little Things

My Weekend in Photos

This weekend mom and I ventured into the city to see The Lion King on Broadway! It was my birthday gift to her to celebrate her 60th. I've seen many, many shows on Broadway, but this one was absolutely breathtaking and had me crying -- yes I know I'm such a baby! The costumes alone were just stunning and so visual. Overall the show was AMAZING and I suggest anyone who hasn't seen it to see it asap!!

 Me in front of Minskoff Theater.

 Momma in her cute little hat.

 Posing in front of posters.

Being silly with statues at port authority.

Stopped at the Hello Kitty store aka Sanrio in Times Square to look around like a little five year old girl. I just had to take a picture of this Hello Kitty sushi bar. Seriously how cute is this?

Cheers momma in celebrating your 60th -- I hope you had fun, and hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend! What did you all do this weekend?

-Pretty Little Things

Make a Statement with the {Bubble Necklace}

It's no secret that I'm seriously obsessed with the bubble necklace from J.Crew. So much so that I hinted and hinted until D finally got it for me this Valentine's Day - what a doll he is! Even though it is a little pricey, I really think it adds that something extra to a normally bland outfit. Not to mention it comes in the most beautiful colors. This is the one I have in turquoise. 

Here's one image I found from J.Crew. I would have never thought of putting these colors together, but once you see them paired the whole outfit comes together beautifully!

 Another image from J.Crew featuring the necklace in black. I love how this is paired with a formal, floor length dress and long gloves. SO elegant yet playful!

Another inspiration photo I found on google in black. Love how this one is casual and chic.

 I love this look featuring the necklace in a coral color. Another image from J.Crew -- here they paired it with a similar bright colored dress giving this summery look a little punch!

Another cute image showing the necklace in two shades of blue.

LOVE this one on Lo from The Hills. She's rockin' a gray necklace with a tangerine colored maxi dress. I want this outfit for summer!

They have also featured the necklace in red {although I don't think it is currently available right now} I really can't decide which color i love more!

Other pairings and color combos you can use with red:

Red on Navy

Red on Reddish Orange

Red on Black & White

 You can find the J.Crew necklace here and retails for $150.

Currently it comes in turquoise, sweet papaya, black and citrus lime.

But I have a little secret I'm about to share with you --

I found a little shop on etsy.com called Basil the Cat that custom makes these necklaces in various colors for $45. I have yet to buy one myself but it's on my wishlist of next purchases!

Here's an image from Basil the Cat's store:

What are your thoughts on this necklace? Obsessed with it like me or think its much?

Hope everyone has a nice weekend - get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather : )

-Pretty Little Things

It’s all in the Details.

Finding beauty in the small things is what Pretty Little Things is all about. Here are a few pretty and small details around my apartment.

An oversized wine goblet my mom got a flea market is where I keep all my nail polishes.

Cute piggy bank with damask print to remind me to save my pennies.

Cast iron letters in our initials we have in our living room. 

Glass jars from old candles I use to keep cotton balls and other bathroom toiletries.   

Close-up shot of my favorite Vera Bradley print in Dahlia. Love the bright colors!

Pretty Trees on canvas wall art D and I got at the Hoboken Music and Arts Festival this past fall. These pieces can be found here from Larry Carlson Studio.

“Home is Where You Are” canvas print from Urban Outfitters we also have in our living room. A cozy reminder of what home really means : )

Do you all take the time to enjoy the small details around you?

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

-Pretty Little Things

Spring Trend {the colored jeans}

Deep down I want to be fashionable and trendy but sometimes I think I'm too much of a scardy cat to go out of my comfort zone and try something new. One of those trends I've been thinking about is {colored jeans}. It seems like this spring they are all the rage, and when I see other women rockin' the look they always look so awesome. I just don't think I can pull off something like that.....sigh.

What am I so scared of? These all look so cute. Maybe I'm afraid I'll look like a clown, trying to play dress up. When in reality I'll be a walking fashion DON'T.

Anyway--I've been looking around for colored pants inspiration photos of women who are pulling it off and here's what I've found:

Nicky Hilton in red. I like this because she's pairing it with black, leather, and leopard with give it that tough girl/cool kinda look.

Here Cameron Diaz does a cute pinky-peach with a khaki blazer. A little more subdued...I could do this!

This is Lauren Conrad's collection for Kohl's. These reddish-coral ones are adorable too.

 Ok, even Princess Kate is doing it. And she always looks classy in EVERYTHING she wears. I'm starting to feel less scared.

 Here's an image from J.Crew, which also features my favorite necklace ever. Which I finally wore today for the first time, and got four compliments on -- winning!

Another image from J.Crew. This was the look I was going for with the striped shirt and hot pink pants. I also like the leopard clutch that gives this outfit a little pop!

So with that being said, I went shopping yesterday and tried to recreate this outfit -- and this is what I came up with:

Please don't mind my messy hair : ) Here I'm trying on a few pieces in the LOFT dressing room. The sweater and pants can be found here:

Stripe Open Stitch Sweater

Marisa Cropped Pants in Cotton Sateen

 Then I tried it on with my lovely J.Crew Bubble Necklace that D got my for Valentine's Day. What do you think? Which one looks better, if at all? Is this a fashion success or failure?

I'm sad to say that I ended up not getting the pants -- I was still too nervous to leave my comfort zone. However, I did buy the sweater and plan to pair it with my black skinny jeans for work {boring}

What are your thoughts on bright colors jeans and pants? Does it take confidence to rock these? Are they totally your style or do you pass on this trend?

-Pretty Little Things

mad about {Mad Men}

I am beyond excited that Mad Men is coming back this Sunday March 25th! I was just watching the news today and they were saying that this show has been off for 17 months -- I didn't realize I've gone so long without this fabulous and fashionable show! In honor of it's return this week, I wanted to share some of my Mad Men favorites, how much I love this show and what it's done to bring style and class back {well at least to fashion.}

One of my favorite pictures of the cast from Rolling Stone magazine.

Mr. Don Draper himself. We love to hate him and hate to love him!

And I LOVE how Banana Republic has created a Men Men inspire collection, bringing back classic pieces like pencil skirts and structured dresses. Oh how I long for a time when everyone dressed like this!

I love the idea of men wearing hats. But unfortunately there's high expectations and a sad reality. Haha this image I found on pinterest just makes me laugh!

And so does this fictional Ben & Jerry's ice cream flavor "Sterling Scooper" -- top shelf vodka ice cream with flakes of Sterling's gold and chocolate cigars. I wonder what vodka ice cream would really taste like??

Ever since I first began watching the show I've been dying to throw a Mad Men themed cocktail party, maybe even for my birthday this year. Here is an inspiration board of the look I'd be going for.

Another cute idea for the cocktail party that incorporates my love of chalkboards. A "For the Boys" whisky bar. Maybe even include some candy cigarettes. I'm thinking a "For the Ladies" bar might include some pearls, red lipstick and some girly pink drinks in martini glasses. LOVE

And taking it a step further, a Mad Men Themed Christmas Party - How fab is this? Love this chalkboard with the pretty handwriting and old fashioned tinsel!

So does any else share a love of all things Mad Men like I do?

Who else is super excited for this Sunday nights 2 hour season premiere?

-Pretty Little Things

My Weekend in Photos.

Friday night was {Game Night} with D's cousin and her boyfriend - one of our favorite go-to couples. They picked up sushi {which prevented us making our own sushi this weekend, so hopefully next weekend} and we drank lots of wine! We played the game Logo {found here}which asks you trivia questions about name brands and food items like Pringles and Dairy Queen to name a few - totally up my ally! We played boys against girls {the girls kicked ass last time} but the boys won due to a cheating card involving questions about ice cream. I'm still slightly bitter, but all around a good night : )

The highlights of my Saturday included D taking me out to dinner at Puccinis Italian restaurant, yes we ate Italian on St. Patrick's Day! They had amazing fresh bruschetta {almost as good as my own homemade} -- D got the Fettuccini Alfredo and I ordered the Pasta Primavera over Angel Hair -- Delish! Afterwards, I got my Shamrock Shake! : )

Hope everyone had a nice weekend! Mondays just come way too fast!

-Pretty Little Things