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Coffee Talk, Eats, Fashion, Featured, Friday Five, Lifestyle, Travel

Friday Five | Hello Yellow

June 17, 2016

What’s your favorite color? Mine’s evolved over the years, but yellow always maintains a high spot on the list for the happy energy it inspires. Book designers are taking note and publishing their latest covers in this color.

a yellow hardback rests underneath the bright green paper cover on romantic novel, Modern Lovers

I fell for it when I found this book that’s coming to the beach with me, but I’m currently loving what’s inside the pages of this one. In other color news, Australians think this one’s the ugliest. Agree?

I couldn’t resist getting this skort-yes, a skort!-in both prints. It’s so comfortable, and I plan to pull out the navy blue on the Fourth to match the colors of our flag.

Are you getting your tryptophan fix before Thanksgiving? Apparently, you should be in addition to these five nutrients nobody gets enough of.

I’m a total sucker for a good greeting card; there’s something so glorious about finding the perfect one for that particular person you’re celebrating. I nailed it for my dad and was proud to find it at the drug store. If you’re still without, I’m a fan of these Father’s Day cards and know my dad would be a fan of the fourth.

I’m spending the weekend at a friend’s farm in Brenham and look forward to my family’s beach vacation next weekend. I’ve always weighed the pros and cons of all second home options — a beach, lake, mountain or farm house. See if these popular vacation homes help you determine which is best.

Happy Father’s Day to all you dedicated dads. You definitely deserve it.

-Molly Bridget of Bridget’s Own Diary

Coffee Talk, Eats, Entertain, Fashion, Featured, Friday Five, Interiors, Lifestyle, Travel

Friday Five | Summer Link Lovin’

June 10, 2016

photo c/o Elle Decor

It really feels like summer now, quite literally. Being cold natured, I welcome the hot Houston temperatures that come with this time of year. So, today I bring you five things from around the web that I identify with the season and have inspired me to make the most of it:

frozen treats :: Elevate the ultimate poolside treat, popsicles, with your cocktail of choice. Moscow Mule for me!

camping :: Or glamping, rather.

travel :: I love the airport for the people watching, wondering where where people are going and why. This breaks those you pass by into nine categories plus has really pretty watercolors.

leisure time :: Make time for things that you don’t have to do, but maybe just want to.

short shorts :: So long as I am still in my early twenties, I will seize the days that I can wear shorts to beat the sweltering heat. Here’s a dozen that would do my wardrobe right.

Savor the season; do what makes you feel good! See y’all next week.

-Molly Bridget of Bridget’s Own Diary

Eats, Fashion, Featured, Friday Five, Lifestyle

Friday Five | Sense Appeal

June 3, 2016

When Lyndsey asked me to commit to the Friday Five, I found myself thinking through these posts much like I did my first blog series — Sense Appeal. The series spawned simply from how most of my blog posts came to fruition — being in tune with my senses, the world around me and wanting to write about it.

I had one of those moments last night: the sky’s coloring was so mesmerizing after a week’s worth of storms. This brought my best friend to mind, someone who continually finds the beauty God puts above, right underneath and all around us. So, without further ado, for today’s Friday Five, I present to you, Sense Appeal for L. Avenue:

for the eyes :: 100 pictures that will change the way you see the earth.

for the mind :: Lyndsey’s parenting epiphany prompted me to share this. Parent or not, it’s important to think about your endgame-the bigger picture, if you will.

for the ears :: I’m music festival bound this weekend, and it made me think how I’ve slacked in researching new songs lately and let Spotify do the work for me. There, I found this song from the help of a friend who put together a great summer playlist (that’s grown to be quite popular). Search: ‘upbeat indie summer jams’.

Plus, these podcasts. Blogger bestie Ann Fran says I inspired her to tune into these on our meet-halfway getaway, so now she’s inspired me to tackle her list, too.

fashion for feel :: My sister-in-law Kirby rocked a chic, black one-piece at our Memorial Day pool outing, and I’m set on having my own for our family trip to Seaside later this month.

I like this patterned guy and this simple, strapless striped guy.

for taste ::
A goal for the summer is to try restaurants at their non-peak hour. Common Bond for lunch in lieu of breakfast. Or like here, when William and I met for a Local Foods dinner. Their plated chicken dinner is to-die-for, but be sure to swing back by in the morning for the cold brew honey iced coffee ’cause it’s to-live-for.

Here’s to awakening your senses this weekend to explore and appreciate all this is around you.

-Molly Bridget of Bridget’s Own Diary

Around {H} Town + Travel, Coffee Talk, Eats, Entertain, Fashion, Featured, Friday Five, Lifestyle

Friday Five | Live and Learn

May 27, 2016

Lyndsey graciously extended an invitation to me for the Alice + Olivia opening earlier this week. I made sure to stop by to support her and see the stunning space that would make for perfect grounds to practice my photography skills. Having spent three sessions learning the ins and outs, I’ve learned a lot about lighting, aperture, shutter speed and the like. I’ve also learned about learning in that No amount of practice will produce the perfect picture, per se. Practicing will produce more passion, though. So keep on keepin’ on and join me in celebrating learning a thing or two this weekend and all summer long…

MOVE :: Next on my list is tennis. I’ve come across so many people in my life who have played the sport well into their adulthood and would love to be able to do the same. There are public courts down the road from my boyfriend’s house, and we plan to hit them up this summer and leisurely learn the sport since apparently…Learning a new sport is really good for our brains.

SHOP :: Lyndsey lured me into the best Memorial Day sales (check them out!), and I learned I need this for UT football season.

EAT :: I switched my subject matter from fashion to food and got more photo practice in at this exhibition downtown I was completely struck by the young talent. For those of you that only have an iPhone in hand and a plate to present, Here’s how to make your food a feast for your Instagram (or Snapchat!) audience eyes.

CELEBRATE :: My brother got engaged last month to someone I’m so thrilled to soon call sister. In other wedding news, my best friend got engaged-and completely surprised!-last weekend. Pure bliss for my bro and bestie, but, Weddings are a full-time job. When I feel like life is a whirlwind, I’m quickly reminded that planning a wedding is a full-time job that while plenty of fun can be trying at times, too. Besides cutting down the list and choosing a church, here’s one hard part about planning a wedding I never thought about until now.

FLOW :: Speaking of whirlwinds, work makes all weeks feel like one. That whirlwind can feel like one that’s spinning out of control or in your control, depending on how you look at it. The pleasure of work “lies partly in the flow, in the process of losing oneself in a puzzle with a solution on which other people depend.”

This quote is courtesy of Coco + Kelley - blogger of the week.

I lost myself in writing this piece, and it’s you people who I hope depend on it for a fresh perspective. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or tucked in your bed, here’s to living and luring during a leisurely long weekend ahead!

-Molly Bridget of Bridget’s Own Diary

Eats, Entertain, Featured, Lifestyle

Memorial Day party | planning ideas + recipes

May 19, 2016

What’s on tap for Memorial Day weekend, y’all? Memorial Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. I love the simplicity of this long weekend. At least in our family, it’s a no frills affair, typically spent in the backyard barbecuing with friends. And today on L. Avenue I’m thrilled to collaborate with my dear friend Margaret to bring you a fun, festive backyard shindig. Margaret, a successful catering and cooking extraordinaire, is sharing some of her favorite recipes for a southern backyard dinner that friends and family will get excited about year after year. On the menu: classic fried chicken, fried green tomato, two healthy seasonal salads and blueberry beignets for dessert. So let’s be honest, this menu is slightly more involved than hot dogs on the grill with a side of potato chips. Not to worry, we’ll map out how to prep in advance so you’ll be able to kick back and enjoy your party, margarita in hand.

Eats, Featured

green recipes I can’t live without in 2015

January 27, 2015

It’s the get healthy month and whether I want to face the music or not my body is singing,”won’t you please, please help me!” (name that band!) Eeek. But seriously, I think the bod finally decided it couldn’t run on gingerbread and egg nog any longer. So I’m going green in 2015. This year I’m craving spinach and kale and everything green more than ever. I’m NOT preggers, but the cravings are that intense. I want green juice as much as I want coffee. Wait, did I write that? Liar liar pants on fire. But close. Annnyway, I want to share a few new green recipes I’ve tried this year; a very green smoothie and a kale and a potato soup with bacon. Notice I still snuck some pork onto the plate. Hey, I never promised to go fat-free or vegetarian (although the smoothie is vegan!). Just incorporating more of the green good stuff.

Eats, Entertain, Gifts

gift guide: hostess gifts

November 25, 2014

Hey party people! Don’t wait until the last minute to throw a bottle of vino into a leftover gift bag (guilty as charged). Here are some spectacular gifts for your hostess friends. Let’s be honest, hosting isn’t exactly easy and stress free. At least not in my house. So shower your hostess with these gems this holiday season…

Laguiloe cheese knife set in tortoise *tortoise=chic cheese knife / Diptique candle *my very favorite candle, such a relaxing indulgence / Tory Burch “In color” coffee table book *the latest in coffee table candy / Michael Aram butterfly ginkgo ornament *this gorgeous gold + silver gem will stand out on any tree /marble ceramic serving board *my personal favorite / Ina Garten make it ahead recipes *her latest book is perfect for hosting / wine bottle stoppers monogram + antlers *a little something extra to accompany the go-to bottle of wine gift / C. Wonder ikat polka dot tea set *move over coffee, this tea set is calling my name / Charbonnel et Walker champagne truffles / Rance magnolia soap set *amazing soap + pretty packaging/ Mr. & Mrs. cocktail glasses

P.S. Be sure to enter L. Avenue’s giveaway for another fab hostess gift that you’ll love so much you won’t be able to gift it away!

Eats, Entertain, Featured, Gifts

Thanksgiving appetizer + a lucite gift idea

November 24, 2014

Have you started meal planning for the big Turkey Day feast next week? Since I’m been known for coming up with recipe ideas that are uber aggressive and aren’t finished until the day after Thanksgiving (whoopsie!), I’ve opted to take on pre-feast food this year, afternoon appetizers. This butternut squash ricotta and sage crostini was a crowd pleaser last Thanksgiving, so I’m going to give it another whirl. The ingredients are seasonal and just scream Thanksgiving to me. I love this recipe because it mixes sweet and savory, and isn’t too heavy, the perfect kick start to your Thanksgiving feast. And you can make part of the recipe the day before, which is clutch when it comes to one less prep element in the kitchen.

How fun is this lucite serving tray? Who doesn’t love a good personalized item, and lucite is so chic and goes with everything. These gems are custom made and you can choose from a wide range of colors and patterns. And the inserts can easily be swapped out, which means options for holidays and also a go-to design for the rest of the year. These trays are perfect Christmas gifts for the hostess with the mostess in your life.

lucite tray c/o Rockey Paper & Design

p.s. The hubs is also getting into the cooking mix this Thanksgiving and making this carrot soup recipe. It requires a pressure cooker and looks pretty involved. I’m pretty pumped he’s going to represent our fam this year in the uber-aggressive recipe department!

p.p.s Don’t forget to enter to win this fab Christmas serving platter here!

Eats, Entertain, Featured, Gifts, Interiors

Christmas entertaining giveaway with Azulina Ceramics

November 20, 2014

I know I keep cheating on Thanksgiving over here, but my motives are genuine. I just want to get all of my favorite Chrtimasy things on your radar in time for the holiday season. Help me, help you! 😉 So today, I’m teaming up with Azulina Ceramics to bring you an awesome giveaway for the holiday entertainer in all of us. Azulina is a global home goods company, (based right here in H-town!) that specializes in gorgeous hand painted stoneware pottery that’s affordable and practical (dishwasher safe, microwave safe, etc.). I have this 8 piece table setting and use it on the reg. The blue & white pattern is classic, timeless and super versatile. I’ve used it for anything from an outdoor barbecue to a recent dinner party in our formal dining room. Today is the official launch for Azulina’s holiday collection, which is a the top of my Christmas wish list this year. To celebrate the launch, Monica from Classy & Fabulous and I are giving away their gorgeous Navidad trio serving platter. I plan to use mine for appetizers, dips, nuts and olives this holiday season. Enter here to win yours!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

How yummy do these vegetable birds nests look on the Navidad platter?!

Eats, Entertain, Featured, Kids, Minis, Motherhood

Mom Love Monday: Last minute Halloween treat ideas

October 27, 2014

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I’m still coming down from a major sugar high from Miss C’s first birthday festivities over the weekend. In keeping with the tradition of baking my kiddo’s birthday cakes myself, I made C a pumpkin shaped cake. This recipe has such a special place in my heart, as my grandma made this cake for me every year on my birthday. It’s more than a recipe - it’s a childhood memory that brings me right back to times spent with my grandma.
For the rest of C’s birthday party desserts, I teamed up with Three Brothers bakery, my all time favorite bakery in Houston, for some cupcake creations that were off the charts cool. It’s a rare find for a bakery to serve up the best tasting cake and deliver beautiful, artistic creations like these yummy treats….

If you’re feeling creative this week and want to knock out a super cool Halloween treat, I love this halloween gingerbread mansion idea from Three Brothers. If you have any gingerbread house making experience, this is a great Halloween take on the classic Christmas version. Such a fun activity to do with the kiddos. With a little (or A LOT) of icing (my kids’ fave!) + plastic decorations (you can find these at Target, Walmart or the Dollar Store) you have a festive edible Halloween decoration. Voila!

Here’s a quick how-to video. You really can’t go wrong in the decorating department—the more imperfect the better if you ask me! It’s all about having fun and eating lots of icing along the way.

Happy Halloween week ya’ll!!

P.S. More yummy Halloween treats here.

P.P.S. If you are more into savory, this goblin cheese ball is a crowd pleaser!

*cupcake photos by Traci Ling

*this post was brought to you in collaboration with Three Brothers Bakery