new at paperwhite

It has been a while since I added anything new to my Etsy store. I added a couple of necklaces today, this is my favorite one. Just in time for Valentine's day!

s'more bars

My sister-in-law just posted a recipe for s'more bars on her food blog, Simply the Best Recipes. They look sooooo tasty. I think I may need to drop by the grocery store to get the ingredients tonight.

huckleberry finn

I just finished reading Tom Sawyer, it was... good. I have to say, taking a class on Mark Twain has slightly disillusioned me towards his works. Huckleberry Finn is supposed to be one of his crowning works. I will be starting it this week, I hope the underlying message isn't as pessimistic as Tom. Or perhaps I just need to throw my teacher's interpretation out the window.

600 posts

via flickr jump project

This month marks two years of Paperwhite blog and this is my 600th post!

Some statistics:

The top five countries that visit:
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Spain
Brazil

The top five states that visit:
Michigan
Utah
California
Indiana
Texas

Some favorite posts:
If I had a garden
Fireflies also known as Lightning bugs
Toronto
Around the web
Prague
Happy Veteran's Day
Tuscany
Inaugural Fashion
Domino
Etsy by color
Color schemes
Baby showers
Outdoor Ambiance
Rooms to love
Raspberry Coffee Cake
Around the blogging world
Chalkboard paint
Chocolate chip cookie pie
Baby quilts
Pedigree

french fab?

I am wearing one of my favorite scarfs today. I love the blue and white, I love the stripes and I love how soft and casual it is. I was reading How to dress like a French woman on Garance Dore- apparently scarfs and stripes are staples for French women.

mustard seychelles

I have a friend who recently bought these shoes. Aren't they darling? I feel like my closet needs some.

valentine's day

I am so excited for this movie to come out, what a cast!

chandeliers

via design to inspire

via little green notebook

via absolutely beautiful things

One day I would really like to have an elaborate crystal chandelier.

fancy belt

I love this craft idea from Martha, belts out of costume jewelry? I love re-purposing.

pools

Texas is among the seven states we are considering for relocation. From what I understand of Texas summers a pool is almost a necessity. My favorite pools are simple, I love the ones that almost look like a part of the yard.

Villa pool

New York pool


Hampton's Home

natural pool

rectangular pool

I love this Napa Valley pool.

images via House Beautiful and Elle Decor

city comparison: austin, texas

via activerain

Pros:
Warm
College town
Cost of living is fairly low
A growing city
Diverse cultural options
City slogans include, "Keep Austin weird"

Cons:
Only one airline offers non-stop flights to home town
Only major sports offerings is the Longhorns.
Summers are very hot and humid

via fanpop

Median Property- $215,000
Median Family Income-$71,418

Median Age- 31.5
Population-743,100
Crime Rate- (per 1,000)
Personal Crime Risk- 5
Property Crime Risk-61
Restaurants- 2,624
via money.com

via austin parks and recreation

We have narrowed our list down to 12 cities! It's a good thing we still have a year before we have to make final decisions!

miss pettigrew

via canmag

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, I watched this movie the other day. It is out on DVD now, it was fantastic. I loved it.

three ingredient fettuccine alfredo

I tried this recipe of my Aunt's this week, it was really good and not quite as rich as regular Alfredo. Plus it is easy.

1 cup of room temperature unsalted butter

8 oz. of freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 pound pasta

salt

Beat the butter and cheese together in a bowl until creamy. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water, cook pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water. Drain the pasta and return pasta to the pot. Toss pasta with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, the cheese mixture and pasta water. Top with more cheese if desired.

wedding cake

via style me pretty
I love this wedding cake, the pomegranate on the top is beautiful.

bob bangs

I think I am almost ready to go short again. It has been a much harder decision this time around. I am not sure why, historically my hair has usually been short.

I am sticking with the bob, I love my long bob and I have always loved the short bob. They are easy but still stylish. The question is what to do about bangs, serious bangs, semi-serious bangs or side swipe bangs. Ironic, isn't it, that after more than a year of growing out my last bangs I am ready to go back.

Serious

Semi-serious

Side swiped

Thoughts?

P.S. do you love that they are all Katie Holmes? Nobody does it better...

the unconventional marshmallow

via chik 'n pastry

I saw these marshmallows on Chik N' Pastry and I must say they have the most unique recipe I have have ever seen, color excluded. Cocoa powder and chile powder are included in the list of ingredients, I am intrigued to say the least. My only question, are homemade marshmallows hard and stiff or still soft? I kind of like the idea of a stiff homemade marshmallow. One way or the other pink marshmallows would be very fun for the month of February!

sunday salad

I made this salad last night, it was delicious.

Dressing:

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. dry mustard

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

1 1/2 Tbl. poppy seeds

Mixed greens (about 8 cups)

1 orange peeled, sectioned and cut up

1 samll red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

crumbled bacon (I used turkey bacon, the recipe calls for grilled chicken so you could use that instead)

The recipe also calls for 1/2 cup of craisins and slivered almonds, I omitted these because I didn't have them and it was still delicious.

green gloves

photo via stylecaster

I saw a photo on the Satorialist of a woman wearing green gloves with a blue coat. I loved it, I think I need some green leather gloves.

the young victoria

photo via the faster times

I watched The Young Victoria this weekend. I loved it. True, British Royalty is a favorite subject matter of mine, but this really was a well made film and generally historically accurate.

valentine's

Isn't this a pretty arrangement? I love all the red!


I love these matchbox valentines found on inchmark journal.

hooked

I am still working on hanging my jewelry on the way. I found the inspiration in Glamour magazine, they use really simple hooks for the most part. I like the idea of throwing in some really unique hooks. Here are some fun ones I found in a House Beautiful slide show.




found via house beautiful

short bob

via Us Weekly

I think I am almost ready to turn my long bob in for a short bob. It's been a few years since my last short do.

which do you prefer?

Modern
via design to inspire

cottage
via granny smith green

classic
via granny smith green

What is your favorite style of house?

soup- is what's for dinner

I have been searching high and low for soup recipes that appeal to me. I finally found a few on Simply Recipes.


Tortilla Soup


French Onion Soup
I tried a French onion soup a few years back, it was far from being a success. Hopefully the combination of a new recipe and a little more experience in the kitchen will be a winner.

floored

I was looking at wood floors todays. I love dark wood, love it! I sent my husband an e-mail with dark flooring options.

via decor pad

via decor pad

Then I realized I have light oak cabinets and dark flooring will probably not look good with it. I think I need to check out warmer options. Maybe in my next house...

via diy network

sunshine award

Thank you AMIDesigns for the Sunshine Award!

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity & creativity inspires others in the blog world.
The rules for accepting this award are:-

Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.
Link the nominees within your post.
Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

Here are my picks:
Chic Coles
Precious Peonies
Down and Out Chic
Not Too Shabby
Ruby Press
CC Interiors
My White Shirt
Hill Country House
Pillow Mint
My favorite and my best
Head over heels

home upgrades

I found this great article on affordable and easy home upgrades.

another jewelry box

I love this one too...