I Love Lilly

We already know I love Lilly

Lilly Pulitzer

but that's ok.

They say you can never say "I Love You' too much.

if you haven't already,

you might want to find Lilly Pulitzer on Facebook.

Her website is lovely,

but she posts lots of fun photos on facebook:

new stores

adorable weddings

even Lilly themed bikes and jeeps and pianos.

Check it out :)

Atlantic-Pacific

I love hats. I wear hats.

I don't care if they are in or not ... 

I especially love hats at the beach. They are so chic and practical.

LOVE THEM.

which brings me to Atlantic-Pacific ... one of my FAVORITE blogs!!

She is adorable and consistently fashionable beyond belief.

Check it out :)

Romar Place 405

Just another day in paradise :)

If you ever decide you're jealous enough to actually come here

to the magical sugar white sands

Orange Beach Gulf Shores, Alabama ...

Romar Place 405 is an AMAZING place to stay:

4th floor = no blown in beach sand for all you OCD cleaners like myself,

design artistic owners = grade-A beach decor,

smaller building = fewer people to share beach space with,

corner style balcony, amazing view,

indoor pool, outdoor pool ...

its an all around great time.

RENT HERE ... 

or just get more info if you aren't in a spur-of-the-moment kinda mood.

UNTIL THEN ... be jealous :)

My Playlist: Beach Bum

I couldn't help myself ...

Turn It Up

Blackened Fish Recipe

So yesterday I mentioned to you all my favorite food

BLACKENED FISH

so today I thought I'd share with you the recipe.

This is one of those wonderful kind of meals where its short, simple and delicious:

My favorite fish to blacken are mahi mahi and salmon,

and my #1 spice pick is Joe & Dave's YaYa Spice

(it's what they use at the Original Oyster House).

You can buy some for less than $5 HERE.

ENJOY :)

RECIPES

Once You Go Black(ened) ... You Never Go Back

So one of my favorite things about the beach is seafood.

And having eaten gulf fresh since I can remember, I'm a little spoiled.

In Colorado and/or Arizona, I'm severely deprived.

Land-locked states + seafood = 75% chance of bad fish ...

and there's nothing worse than bad fish.

I have to give credit to one of my favorite restaurants back home,

Pappadeaux Seafood.

I can only testify to the Lone Tree, CO location ... but man is it good.

Ok enough about bussed/flown in fish ... I'm eating fresh this week! 

I introduce to you: my favorite Gulf Shores restaurant, since 1983

The Original Oyster House.

Forgive my phone-snapped pic, complete with a bite missing.

My personal favorite seafood is blackened fish.

Many people have never had fish this way ... if you're one of them, you HAVE to try it!

Gotta love the beach :)

My Favorite Place

in the world ...

yes, seriously.

I am currently in my favorite place in the whole wide world.

Gulf Shores, Alabama.

Isn't it amazing :)

I've discovered half of America doesn't even know AL has a beach.

So I am taking this opportunity to inspire your next vacation:

I introduce to you - Gulf Shores, AL:

yes, that little smidgeon of beach is HEAVEN.

THIS is where I love to stay.

I hope to read your name next in the guest book!!
Our home away from home is Romar Place 405 ... just incase :)

IKEA

Ok ... so just like everyone else, 

I love IKEA. 

and I especially love them now that I am re-doing my closet.

If you need more closet space, 

and you haven't heard about PAX systems ... consider me your savior. 

So usually, this is where I would post a picture of the PAX wardrobes,

or some other super trendy IKEA furniture;

but today, I'm changing it up.

Looking through online the gallery, I found THIS:

I'm wondering who in editing got fired ...

none of the other pictures include a model at all, 

let alone a creepy one hiding in the curtains. Mistake?? 

Lilly Pulitzer

If you aren't yet familiar with Lilly Pulitzer ...

this is my gift to you.

I LOVE her dresses. They are perfect.

So classic but still fun.

And the Lilly Pulitzer story is even better. Read it if you haven't.

Lilly Pulitzer.

Here are some of the swatches.

Now you're wondering how this could possibly be classic?

It is. I promise. They aren't cheap dresses, but they are wonderful.

If you're on the market for a summer wedding outfit,

or a garden party ensemble

or even just a Dimanche Dress ...

Pay Lilly a visit

Buckwheat Pancakes

So my mom is a health nut.

and I'm ... well ... I'm not.

Not all the time at least.

I want my pancakes!! And she's all

"no, no ... eat this green tasteless smoothie"

GRRRRRRRR.

She finally caved this morning ... kinda.

We made Buckwheat Pancakes.

Initially I thought we'd be a disgrace to pancakes,

but to my surprise they were completely delicious.

We added coconut flour for some extra protein,

but you can also just use 3/4 c buckwheat and 3/4 c whole-wheat.

Try them out :)

RECIPES

Happy Birthday

To Me :)

yes, yes, yesterday was my birthday

and I am oh so happy.

I have attempted to make you all jealous with some of the gifts I received

(above)

just kidding ... I'm excited, that's all.

FRIENDS is my all time favorite TV show

I have seen every episode almost enough times to recite the script

pathetic ... but true.

I can not believe it took this long for me to own all 10 seasons.

but now I do, and I am ecstatic!

And that beautiful ring?? 

Thanks Mom :)

I have a good brother too ... he knows how to shop.

yes, they do exist.

He got me hammered bracelets like these.

I don't know where he got them, but I know you can find them HERE.

The icing on the cake of my birthday

literally ...

was my all time favorite:

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cheesecake

from The Cheesecake Factory.

Floral Fantasy

Design Bloc. Chez Moi. I'm home and it's summer which means lots of outdoor parties!! I love this crazy floral chair put with simple pieces.