Hi friends!
Recovering from back to back trips and time zone switches which has me feeling like I have a hangover….for 48 hrs!
Thought you might like to check out my recent post on eHow about styling floral prints. Something I intentionally avoided till I found a few ways to wear them that felt like me. What other topics do you all want me to cover? Shoot me some ideas I am all ears!
x, Anna
I spent an afternoon in downtown NYC with some friends a few weeks ago and I am looking forward to sharing some spots we found! Got to hang out with Sara Kerens who is a fashion photographer killing it in the big city! Loved getting to know her. I actually try to avoid big trends but this floral romper looked so comfortable and had so many of my favorite colors that I had to give in. It was perfect for a day of traveling.
Tomorrow morning I am off on another trip for The Brand Market, and we just got back from our family vacation in St. Louis. To be honest, my blog is taking a back seat these days and I am struggling to keep up. This is a first for me so I am in yet another re-adjustment period of figuring out how to manage two jobs without it taking away from my family. Will keep you posted on that!
x, Anna
P.S. If you want to follow along the L.A. trip I will be sharing some instagram shots on IHOD and Brand Market!
My talented friend Meghan is taking over again today sharing a recipe I whole heartedly approve of;) She comes up with the best things!
This Chocolate Coconut Caramel Shake is several months of obsession in the making. I first caught the idea of a Samoa flavored shake over coffee with girlfriends one night and I could not stop thinking about it. I had to have one. So I went the usual shake making route of buying chocolate ice cream and caramel sauce and throwing them in a blender with some toasted coconut. Good gracious, it was delicious. The biggest problem was I wanted one everyday.
So I devised a plan to make a ‘healthier’ version of the original shake without ice cream. Yes, a shake without ice cream! It turns out coconut milk and ice come together in the blender and become a ridiculously smooth and creamy shake. I went a little over the top and made my own Coconut Caramel and Chocolate Syrup but I promise that this shake is just as delicious with good-old store bought caramel and chocolate sauce too.
Bonus – if you make the sauces yourself this shake is also dairy free and vegan!
Chocolate Coconut Caramel Shake Makes 2 servings
1 cup ice
1 (16 ounce can) coconut milk, full or low-fat
½ cup Coconut Caramel
½ cup Chocolate Syrup
¼ Toasted Coconut Flakes, plus more for garnishing
Combine the ice, coconut milk, Coconut Caramel, Chocolate Syrup, and coconut flake in a blender and puree until smooth. Serve immediately.
Coconut Caramel Makes 2 cups caramel sauce
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 tablespoon corn syrup
1 cup full fat coconut milk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Combine the sugar, water, and, corn syrup in a heavy-bottomed 2-quart saucepan. Attach a candy thermometer and cook over medium heat, without stirring, until the mixture turns golden amber and reaches 320 degrees F.
Immediately remove from the heat and add the coconut milk, vanilla extract and salt and stir carefully. Return to medium heat and cook until the mixture reaches 230 degrees F. Pour the caramel into a heat-proof bowl and cool for 20 minutes before using.
Chocolate Syrup Makes 2 cups
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup cold water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt until lump free in a medium saucepan. Add the water and whisk over medium heat until boiling, stirring constantly.
Continue boiling until mixture thickens, about 4 to 5 minutes. The mixture will still be thin, but will thicken as it cools. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Cool at least 30 minutes before using. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Toasted Coconut Flakes
Makes 12 ounces toasted coconut
1 12-ounce bag unsweetened coconut flakes
Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the coconut into an even layer on a baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Stir the coconut and bake an additional 2 to 3 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven and cool completely on the baking sheet. Store in an airtight container.
Meghan Splawn is a professional recipe developer, wife, and mama. Meghan’s blog, Stir and Scribble, is full of clever cooking and useful kitchen tips. She’s a fan of candy, classic cocktails, and fuss-free family dinners.
Hey friends:) As you may already know, I was asked to be a style DIY contributor for Verily Magazine which was a no brainer because its a magazine that is creating such a positive impact on women in our society today. This week I am sharing the three simple steps to make your own kimono! I have made a few because they were too easy and a fun lightweight layer for summer.
As you may remember, I am planning a dinner party with Pier 1 to host in our backyard in a few weeks! Its been fun to treasure hunt at my local store to find items that really speak our style and what we want the party to feel like. It may have taken a few trips, and way too long decision making over something simple like what color bowls to use, but hey….
^^Found just the right wooden servers for a wide salad bowl.^^
^^Picked up a few of these beauties for the heads of the table.^^
^^Found a VERY large glass drink server which we felt was important to go ahead and try out…. gotta make sure the flow is just right… ^^And couldn’t resist the melamine bowls and forks to complete the dinner set. (Can you believe they are melamine??)^^ Pulling all of the pieces together and Gabe is busy working on the table (he is such a good sport and I am hoping he won’t resent me by the end of this…;)). There were so many fun seating options it was hard to narrow down which to use. I went with the basic seating on the sides of the table and the bright San Marten chairs for the heads of the table. I kind of just wanted to get this. Since we have the playlist ready, now it is time to menu plan! Will be sure to give you a re-cap after it is all said and done:) x, Anna
——- Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Pier 1 via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Pier 1. Find What Speaks to You.
A market, bakery, cafe, and restaurant all in one Parisian setting. Alon’s is a place I frequent more than most places around Atlanta. It offers indoor seating as well as plenty of outdoor space. If you may remember, Max arrived a few hours after our 5th anniversary dinner and this was the place we dined:) I guess you can say I have sentimental ties to it (wink).
The pastry selection doesn’t hurt either. With plenty of healthy snack options and whole food groceries to pick up, you always have an excuse to stop in, which usually leads to a mocha and macarons. It’s just the way it has to be… If you stop for a visit, head to the bakery and ask for one of each cookie you see. I promise it’s worth the $6.00 you spend! And then maybe get a coffee to go and sit outside to enjoy the Atlanta sun in the morning with a friend. Or take your date for dinner Thank you to Haley Sheffield for photographing this space and for enjoying a visit with me!
Lip colors are a little easier to be spontaneous and outside the box with than what you wear. It still is easy to get stuck in your same color every day, every year routine so this is a little challenge to try something new! Head on over for the step by steps of three summer lip trends on eHow!
^^And couldn’t resist the 
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Pier 1 via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Pier 1. Find What Speaks to You.
A market, bakery, cafe, and restaurant all in one Parisian setting. 
