What's Up Thursday

Is it Friday? Is it Thursday? What day is it, seriously? Three-day weekends always throw me off for a good two weeks. Anyway, the calendar says Thursday sooo....

I started making kale smoothies last summer after reading about this one on Sterling Style. It's definitely delicious and a great morning drink, but I decided to mix it up and made this one that I found in Instyle.

Blend:

1 frozen banana

2-3 kale leaves (with the stalks)

1 cup of coconut milk

6 ice cubes

2 pinches of cinnamon 

I am a big fan of recipes that just require one verb, aren't you?

Benji is allergic to flea bites and since there are so many of them this year (due to our mild winter), he's scratched himself into a frenzy. He's on a cortisone pill and he has to wear The Cone of Shame. It's so sad seeing your dog in a cone, but also kind of hilarious when they run into things.

I'm dead set on making my den into the cover of Southern Living. Like, this has to happen. So far it still looks like our den, but give me time.

I went to Old Navy randomly yesterday and look see at this amazing tunic I found for $10. I love a tunic, of any color, print, fabric, but I especially love one that can be bought with a Hamilton.

And, the first photos of Jess' baby!!! What a cutie pie! I can't wait to but this issue today. I have so many questions I need answered regarding this baby. Such as: Are you sure about that name? Is that headband just a teensy bit too tight on her head? Does she already have a craving for slutty brownies? 

xo,

The Canary Diaries

Weekend Snaps and Bachelorette Recap: Week Three

I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Ours was quite nice. We went to a birthday party and the pool, but mostly stayed close to home and got some things done, which is always a great feeling.

In an effort to make things prettier in our house (my new house mantra). I replaced our hamper with two smaller hampers with straps. 

Before

After

They are definitely prettier than our old hamper and much easier to carry.

Plus, they gave me a reason to buy this beauty. Yes, I am now the proud owner of a laminator. I think it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

My sister came over to help put the final touches on the craft project I've been talking about for way too long. Once it's been delivered to the recipient I'll post photos.

We ate a lot of this:

I tried (somewhat successfully) to make a cool necklace. A friend of mine turned an old piece into a really trendy-looking new one just by painting it with nail polish so I decided I'd give it a go with an old necklace I wasn't really wearing anymore.

Full disclosure, hers looked a lot cooler. I think maybe if you had a bigger necklace and chose a couple more paint colors it would look awesome, but I didn't get that invested in it.

Also, we got a mirror for above the mantle. Still trying to determine what objects look best on the actual mantle, but I think the mirror is a vast improvement from the deer head.

And speaking of the deer, Elsie is not a fan. When it was up above the mantle she never noticed it, but once we took it down it was the devil. This photo makes me laugh...

And this one too...

Did you manage to watch The Bachelorette? I officially take back all of the nice things I said about Ryan last week. What was up with that guy? Yikes! When he told Emily he might not "love on her" if she got fat I just almost fainted. All of the sudden he reminds me of the villain in an Adam Sandler movie. But there was cute stuff this week too..

All Bachelorette photos via abc.com

-Emily's date with Chris was really cute. He seems sweet. I don't know that you should count him out based on his age. 

-I of course loved Sean's sweet answers to all of Emily's friends' questions. He's a good egg.

-And speaking of eggs, how glad were you to see Shelly go to glory? That was just getting weird.

-And then there's Ari. New total fave. He seems so sweet and genuine and perfect for Emily.

And, the real cherry on top? Dolly!!! Who doesn't love Dolly Parton?

Can't wait for next week!

xo,
The Canary Diaries

Friday Pick

So I know it's Memorial Day weekend and I should be writing about awesome sunglasses or a Missoni pool towel, but then I saw these....

Christian Louboutin "Just Picks" pumps available at Barneys.

I'm officially obsessed with these shoes. They look like something Cinderella would wear if she married Mick Jagger instead of Prince Charming. They are awesome. 

Wishing you a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! 

xo,

The Canary Diaries

Bachelorette Recap: Week Two and What's Up Thursday

Happy Thursday! I just got back from a teensy tiny trip to New York to see my sister and thus just watched Tuesday's  The Bachelorette. I have to say I'm liking the new direction they're going in for the season. I mean the skinny dipping and drunken catfights were fun, but I have to say I prefer cute home dates and The Muppets!

Bachelorette photos via abc.com

I think it's a good sign that cute Ryan got the first one-on-one date. I like them together and I think his hair has a lot of potential. He seemed unfazed by snack mom duty, which is also a plus. And, he wrote her a love letter, that's kind of dreamy, don't you think?

I loved seeing all the guys perform with The Muppets, but my favorite moment of the group date had to be Chris Harrison standing in for Waldorf. Classic Harrison. That guy. I also loved seeing Emily's precious daughter, Ricki, with Kermit and Miss Piggy while they sang The Rainbow Connection. That has to be one of the greatest songs ever (especially the Willie Nelson cover).

The date with Joe was more typical Bachelor than Ryan's, with the private jet and all, but I also thought it was really sweet that they went to Emily's hometown in West Virginia. How cool is the Greenbrier? I want to go to there. I kind of don't get the swift goodbye to Joe though. Their date lacked chemistry, sure, but that's usually not a Bachelor deal breaker and I kind of felt like he didn't even get a chance. It's a more serious Bachelorette, people. And hopefully, one that ends with a couple that can go the distance.

So, what else is new? My trip to New York was pretty fun, literally like 48 hours, but I feel any amount of time spent in Manhattan is inspiring. This trip was no exception. We went to ABC Home & Carpet  and ABC Kitchen (where Parker Posey was also lunching) and saw the Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, exhibit at the Met. Some fun things at ABC Home & Carpet...

Gorgeous chandelier with porcelain flowers 

My sister in an awesome Matador chair

Beautiful fresh flowers at ABC Kitchen

"Mellow Love" fresh-pressed juice at ABC Kitchen

No snaps from the exhibit, because of all of the Met's camera nazis, but trust me when I say it's a must see if you're in NYC this summer. My favorite part was the pairing of Schiaparelli tops with Prada skirts and Schiaparelli hats with Prada shoes. The designs, though constructed roughly 70 years apart, complemented each other beautifully. I didn't know much about Schiaparelli before the exhibit, but loved getting to know about her designs for Paris Cafe Society in the 1930s. Both designers are super chic and utterly original. I bought the book that accompanied the exhibit and can't wait to delve in to it!

Also, did you see that Lucky is back?!?! Hooray! It's a thicker magazine and looks like more of a magazine supplement than a monthly mag, but it is still full of really great ideas for the home and DIY projects that actually seem possible. 

I'm so ready for this weekend! Happy early Memorial Day!

xo,

The Canary Diaries

Best Dressed: Fancy vs. Casual

I'm loving all of the beautiful dressing going on this past weekend in Cannes, at the Billboard Music Awards and just in general, but two very different looks get my vote for best of the best this weekend.

First the fancy look:

How much do you love Taylor Swift in Elie Saab at the Billboard Music Awards? What a departure from the normal sparkly gold strapless number she normally dons for such occasions. There's nothing wrong with rocking a look that works, except when you can do it one better and that's exactly what she's doing right here. I also have to say I love her with straight hair.

At the Billboard Music Awards via Styleite.com

For US Vogue February 2012

And the casual look:

A pregnant Kristen Cavallari in a precious preggo button down oxford shirt. She may have been the biggest B in California on Laguna Beach, but she's pretty cute here, so I'll forgive and forget.

Photo via People.com

And speaking of cute, did you see this little guy? Ohmygesh!

Photo via People.com

Sorry for the total randomness. Happy Monday!

xo,

The Canary Diaries

Weekend Snaps

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Mine was spent in the Delta. If you don't know what that is (and I didn't prior to going) don't feel bad. It is a beautiful stretch of country that borders the Mississippi River Delta. A few highlights from our trip:

Dinner at Doe's Eat Place, which was an experience in and of itself. There are only three things on the menu: steak with fries, shrimp (boiled or fried) and hot tamales (a Delta specialty). Oh, also you can get a delicious vinegary side salad. It was just fantastic, such a fun experience!

Hot tamales

Hot tamales with saltines and ketchup (surprisingly tasty!)

Our steak

We stayed at the The Alluvian hotel in downtown Greenwood, Mississippi. Parts of The Help were filmed in Greenwood and it's full of beautiful old buildings. It's also home to the Viking Range Corporation and has a cooking school.

Our weekend motto, best expressed on this banner at Delta Bistro

View from the top of The Alluvian 

And of course the wedding itself was just beautiful in such a lovely setting.

Cotton fields just outside the rehearsal dinner venue

Entrance to the rehearsal dinner

The beautiful bride and happy groom

At the wedding reception

And yet, even after the trip some things about the Delta remain a mystery to me. For instance, there was no hand sanitizer at this convenience store today, but there were two kinds of boiled peanuts. Gotta love the South!

xo,

The Canary Diaries