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!
Sweet little Max of mine. A few things I am so desperately trying to keep fresh in my memory before you turn one and your baby days seem like a blur behind me…..
You hold onto my shirt tightly whenever I hold you.
You like to scrunch your nose and tilt your head up to make me smile.
You follow Gabriel and Veronica everywhere they go like a loyal puppy. They give you more attention than you will ever need.
You always have a cheerio or two stashed somewhere in your shirt or diaper.
Clapping your hands is your latest trick you like to practice throughout the day.
You jump up and down every time I get the guitar down…music makes you the happiest.
You mumble to yourself the sweetest little sounds while you are exploring. It is your way of processing everything you discover.
You can eat a whole banana in two minutes flat. It makes pop proud.
You explore into every nook and cranny of our home and make sure to avoid all toys. They aren’t your thing.
When I sing to you it is the only time you are still.
You prop your feet up on the bar as soon as you sit in the stroller. You know how to live life.
There isn’t much more delight for the eyes than your knee rolls and cankles. You are living up to your nickname quite nicely…
You greet mama and pop with raised hands a big toothy grin. That grin is hard to beat.
My typing hands would get sore from writing all the ways we love you. I feel God’s love so personally when I look at you. The story of your birth and your life is the testimony that His plans are so much greater than I could dream up. I can’t wait to see who you become, but for now I just want to enjoy this list of things day in and day out. There will never be enough of days filled with these reasons we love you so.
Kathryn McCrary was over at my house before Easter and snapped these photos. I am so grateful to her for these! Max is 9 months old here.
^^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. 
