Lemon Bar Pie

My second favorite thing next to chocolate (see here and here) is anything lemon or lime. So naturally, I'm very inclined to a lemon bar from time to time. I attempted my first batch of lemon bars recently and realized the only size pan I had that would work was a pie dish—and so the Lemon Bar Pie was born. I discovered a few tricks while making these lemon treats... 1. the thicker the crust the better 2. using a strainer for the powdered sugar gives that professional dusted look 3. the more lemon zest the better 4. let the pie (or bars) cool for at least 20 min before cutting into, it will prevent a messy appearance (hence my sloppy slice above, eager beaver here).

[ I used this recipe by Barefoot Contessa ]

[ Homemade crust ]

[ I zested and grated the lemon for an extra lemony taste ]

[ Fresh lemons to make the lemon juice ]

[ Adding the lemon goodness to the crust ]

[ I couldn't resist cutting a few traditional squares from my lemon pie ]

Desert Féte

[ Eres bikini, J.Crew hat, Miel de Abejas Sandals ]

There's one thing I can count on when hanging out with my two older sisters, laughter. And not just giggles here and there, but the kind of laughter that leaves tears in your eyes and sore abs. This weekend we celebrated my sister Tegan's birthday at the La Quinta Resort & Spa it was nothing short of the usual marathon of fun. We brunched at The Parker one morning, sipped cocktails by the pool, flipped through thick September fashion mags, splurged on dinner at Morgans and relaxed at the spa. I lived in my favorite Eres bikini, J.Crew Panama hat and the thinnest sundresses I own (see here and here) since it was a toasty 100º during the day and 80º at night.

[ Afternoon light shining through the Palm trees ]

[ Brunch at The Parker's Norma's restaurant. Sugar doughnut holes with lemon curd and jam were gone in about 2 min—standard with my family ]

[ Love the design details at The Parker—like this wall at the front entrance ]

[ Poolside reading and the beau loving the water ]

[ Love the Casita style rooms at La Quinta—our pool ]

Weekend Fun

[ A picture from my last R&R visit to La Quinta ]

I'm off to the desert this weekend (one of my favorite weekend getaway spots, see here) with family to celebrate my big sissy's birthday and soak up some heat. I can't wait to get out there and lounge with a stack of magazines (fat September issues!), a cool beverage, visit the spa and spend some quality time with my sisters. My favorite thing to do during the hot desert months is to stay up late sitting outside in the 80º nighttime heat, there's just nothing like it. Hope you all have a great weekend filled with laughter and fun!

Of Two Minds Fall 2010

One of the lines I've been most excited about lately is the vintage-inspired Of Two Minds—a joint effort of Desanka Fassiska and Stephanie Tran, formerly with A Common Thread. Subtly sexy styles look like they've been stolen right off the backs of incredibly chic French girls. Feminine boho print dresses, relaxed trouser pants and the perfect leather jacket are just a few pieces I've been eyeing. Available at Angel in Montecito.

Talon

Can we say obsessed much? I literally squealed when I came across this new jewelry line by Brooklyn designer Emily Hirsch. Hand-casted amulet necklaces hold a personal scent enclosed with a mini cork stopper so you can dab a little here and there throughout the day. Talon offers two custom oil blends that you can choose from that do more than just smell amazing. The Talon Signature scent is heady and dark with notes of tobacco leaf and orange blossom and wards off nervousness, anxiety, fatigue and tension. While The Avalon is an earthy, sweet scent containing Tuberose and Jasmine and protects against jealousy, shyness and grief. A third option? Use your own favorite perfume or potion. Either way you're bound to cast a spell on someone.

Available at Talonnyc.com

Breakfast Club

[ French toast with powdered sugar and strawberries ]

There's nothing like getting together with the girls for a mimosa-filled weekend brunch, which is exactly what some of my lady birds and I did on a recent Sunday. I happen to have this summery daisy centerpiece left over from a party which upped the ante and begged for my orange margarita glasses to be pulled out. Since it was a grey morning we lit a few candles and put on some favorite tunes while we cooked up cinnamon french toast with strawberries, eggs and mimosas. In the end, there were full tummies and sore cheeks from laughing so hard.

[ the table setting ]

[ We used cinnamon toast and soaked it for at least 5 min ]

[ mimosas made with fresh squeezed orange juice ]

[ Yellow and orange Gerbera Daisies brightened up the morning ]

Golden Orange

[ Vintage Chanel top, TRE ring, Banana Republic Knot Bracelet, Vintage Bangles, Tory Burch Heels, Reformation Vintage Leather Clutch, J Brand Jeans ]

There's nothing like a punch of color to lift your spirits. This vintage Chanel top—scored at a thrift store for peanuts—is one of my favorites to throw on for a dinner date. I love the gold button detail along one shoulder and the sleeves that hang perfectly. I paired it with my favorite nude heels and a vintage clutch from Reformation in L.A. (easily one of my favorite spots to score vintage pieces) for drinks with Lindsey. The bold color and gold jewelry was perfect for a sunset setting.

Early Fall Cravings

Early fall shipments are beginning to hit the shelves and I'm already starting to make a list of all the things I'm lusting over right now for the new season—sequin shorts, oversized blouses, chunky knits, bronze jewelry, high platforms, neutral tones and a hot pair of boots. Even though it feels like summer is just beginning I can't help but fantasize over new fall pieces from some of my favorites lines. Above is just a start of an ever-growing need/want list for fall.

Clockwise from top left:

Tylie Malibu Runaway Clutch $368

Oliver Peoples Daddy B Sunglasses $325

Byredo Pulp Perfume $195

Bronze Amulette Necklace by Talon $250

Lot78 Suede Jacket $1,050

Haute Hippie Mini Skirt $295

Low Luv Cutout Cuff $123

Camilla Skovgaard Ankle Wedge $558

Equipment Silk Shirt $180

Donna Karen Wool Boucle Coat $2,995

Cynthia Vincent Devi Boot $425

Wrapped Up In Summer

[ Autumn Cashmere Wrap, Joie Dress, Aldo Booties, Alexander Wang Hobo, H&M Belt, Forever 21 Bracelet, Jennifer Fisher Bar Tag Necklace ]

Finally we've had some warm summer nights with dinner outside, doors left open and falling asleep sans sheets or covers. There's nothing I love more than that lingering heat after the sun goes down. It's the transition from 90º to 68º that can get a bit tricky. It's nights like these that my favorite cashmere wrap becomes a necessity. I can wear it multiple ways or use it as a throw and the neutral color looks good with everything. It came in handy the other night when I wore this flora Joie dress, which took me from day to night when I threw on my booties.

In My Bag

I tend to lug around way too much with me in my bag during the day—considering how large they usually are it's not hard to accumulate unneeded pounds. But ever since I switched to my new Alexander Wang Donna hobo, I've been forced to downsize a little since it's lighter and smaller. Hence, not being embarrassed anymore to share what's in my bag. So here it is.

Ray Ban Aviators

Keys on my Calleen Cordero keychain

A striped sash from J.Crew that I use as a head wrap on bad hair days

My moleskin datebook and favorite Le Pen

Peach Black tea

Laura Mercier mineral powder—people always comment about my skin when I have this on

A compass? Hmm, must have been from this party

Hairpins—they're like gold to me, one can hold all my hair in a bun

My silver antique pocket mirror

Dior Lip Glow

Stella roll-on perfume

Quarters

Josie Maran Argan Oil Stick

Iphone

Sunglass case

What's in your bag?

Shake It

It's the middle of August, and we're finally starting to get warm, summer-like days here along the coast in CA. And there's nothing better on a hot summer day like a chocolate milkshake. I found this recipe and decided to give it a whirl—adding extra vanilla and chocolate sauce of course. The result was everything I hoped it would be. The marshmallow cream was amazing and a key player when mixing it all up when it was half full. I saved the rest of the batch in the fridge so when we got home from the beach I served up round 2, which tasted even more amazing after a sun-filled day at the beach.

[ I used Breyers Chocolate Ice Cream ]

[ Homemade chocolate sauce is always the best ]

[ shaved dark chocolate - not just a garnish, it truly added to the taste ]

[ a straw is a must so you can make the inappropriate slurping noise at the end so everyone knows that you're done ]

August Undies by Gypsy

One of my favorite intimate lines Gypsy (see here) is offering 25% off their August Day undies—a vintage pink, orange and yellow Hawaiian Palm tree print. The perfectly cut undergarment makes your tukus look amazing and covers you up just enough so you can still privately lounge in them on a lazy sunday morning with a cup of jo. The special sale on these super soft undies starts today and ends on Wednesday so snag them now while they're still available!

Buy Here!

photos by Daeja Fallas

Sun Is Shining

I had a weekend full of sunshine, bocce ball, friends, burgers and late afternoons at the beach. We finally got some summer heat here in Santa Barbara so we stayed outside as long as we could to soak it in and even took the Jeep out for a spin to the beach. I mastered (slight exaggeration) smashball, swam in the ocean, finished my book, played a little bocce ball and got some much needed vitamin D. Meanwhile, Hilary Duff was getting hitched at a private estate in Montecito, so the town was buzzing with helicopters and celebs like Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz.

[ Clinique's moisturizing face spray was a hit at the beach ]

[ Finally finished The Girl Who Played With Fire - now on to the third one ]

[ Miramar beach ]

[ Smashball record was 35 ]

[ the smashball champion, Lindsey ]

[ riding backseat with Kona in the Jeep ]

[ to the beach - umbrella is a must ]

Cynthia Rowley Resort 2011

I can't decide what I love more about Cynthia Rowley's Resort collection—the color palette or the fact that each piece can be worn at a Holiday party or by the beach. Functional yet fun and girl all at the same time. I wouldn't expect anything less from Rowley who just opened a store in Montauk, launched her line with Roxy and has her own bridesmaid collection. Could the powder blue, feminine dress be any prettier? Could I have that?