Lavender dreams

For the last three years I've wanted to take photos here while the lavender was blooming. It's outside a photography studio along a busy road and therefore outside my comfort zone of somewhere I'm comfortable taking photos with a tripod.

There is also a very small window for the lavender, and I wanted to get it right at its peak. The perfect evening finally came a couple weeks ago when I got my Mom to help me out with photos. She did a good job of keeping the oncoming traffic out of the frame, and if you ignore the neon lights from a nearby nail salon, you might get lost in the lavender dream I'd been imagining.

And I think I only got honked at three times. Not bad.

The Rundown
Blush Silk Blouse Max Studio via TJMaxx similar
Grey Jeans c/o Max Jeans
Pumps BCBGeneration via TJMaxx similar
Grayson Bar Bag Linea Pelle
Gold Bar Earrings Argento Vivo via TJMaxx
Lariat Necklace Gorjana via Rocksbox (one month free with lydiaxoxo)
Gold Twisted Bracelet The Cavernous Jewerly Box similar
Mini Punk Princess Bracelet CC Skye c/o Serendipity and Grace
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Gold Herkimer Diamond Ring c/o Lumo
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses "Caravan" Ray-Ban via Ditto
Nail Color "Find Me An Oasis" Essie

Linking up with I Do deClaire's Confident Twosday

Lightweight

The weekend went by in a blur. The sun didn't come out once, and it rained on and off. I came down with a cold on Thursday, so I spent most of my time in PJs, save for the couple hours when I got dressed to catch up with Meg and Christine.

I thought I might use my time in be to get ahead on blogging, but instead I slept, and read a book cover to cover. I've missed reading. I feel like I've been giving it a backseat to everything else, but it was nice to just give myself permission to relax with a cup of tea and a box of tissues and enjoy a book.

Thankfully I'm feeling better today and I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.

The Rundown
White Tank Taken for Granite similar
Distressed Jeans Old Navy similar
Sandals MRKT via DSW similar
Brown Leather Tote Hobo via ebay similar
Panama Hat J.Crew
Paisley Scarf Aerie similar
Lariat Necklace Gorjana via Rocksbox (one month free with lydiaxoxo)
Gold Twisted Bracelet The Cavernous Jewerly Box similar
Gold Bracelet The Cavernous Jewelry Box  similar
Fatima Bracelet c/o Gorjana similar
Gold Open Ring c/o Lumo
Gold Wrap Ring gift from Meg similar
Opal Ring T Tahari
Sunglasses "Caravan" Ray-Ban via Ditto
Nail Color "Find Me An Oasis" Essie

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Summer

and

Monday Mingle

Dining out with SomruS

Last week I was invited to cocktail and food pairing event with the new (and first of it's kind) Indian cream liqueur, SomruS. The name translates to "Nectar of Gods" and is commonly used as a slang term for alcohol in India.

The creators of the unique drink wanted to introduce a flavor pallet that would pair well with Asian cuisines and based it off one of the most popular Indian desserts, Ras Malai. Pistachios, almonds, cardamon, and saffron bring a unique spice pallet to SomruS which sets it apart from any other cream liqueur on the market.

SomruS started its US launch in October and is just being released in Connecticut this month. It's been a busy eight months for SomruS, and its had an outstanding reception, gaining four well deserved awards.

For the event, I was invited to the Indian restaurant Thali in New Haven, along with other local bloggers, and I was delighted to have a plus one on my invite, which meant Sean got to attend his first blogger event!

SomruS and Thali created a satisfying menu to showcase the versatility of SomruS, and how well it pairs with the complex spice pallet of Indian food. SomruS on the rocks is quite delightful, it's sweet, a little savory, and perfectly crafted to leave no alcohol burn.

Mixing it up only enhances the drink - my favorite pairing was the second course, SomruS with Chambord and Green Chartreuse, which really elevated the spice of the drink and it worked perfectly with the flavor of the Indian-style spinach.

For me the other mixed drink highlight was the SomruS chai tea with the dessert course of SomKheer. While I'm not normally one for hot alcoholic beverages, this combination worked really well - and would also be amazing iced too!

The creators of SomruS are really excited about the possibilities and pairings for this drink, and some suggestions that I can't wait to try include SomruS over ice cream, in Thai iced tea, in a mango lassi, and in a cheese cake! I'm already following their Pinterest so I can check out new recipes as they are added.

A huge thank you to SomruS and Thali for putting on such a lovely event!

The Rundown
Scalloped Crop Top Topshop similar
Black Shorts Made by Me similar
Vintage Beaded Jacket Thrifted
Heels "Reverse" Charles by Charles David via DSW
Fold Over Clutch Alberta Di Canio via TJMaxx similar
Bar Earrings Vince Camuto gift from Meg similar
Fatima Bracelet c/o Gorjana similar
Gold Open Ring c/o Lumo
Gold Wrap Ring gift from Meg similar
Nail Color "Gunta" Julep

Linking up with Forage Fashion's Friday Finds
and
Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Fashion Fridays (one year ago today)

SomruS invited me to this event for the purpose of this post. My views and opinions are my own.

Easily distracted

I've been trying to write this post for the last hour, but the internet is a very distracting place. Between responding to emails and searching for everything that pops into my head, I finally just decided to make this post about what I'm currently obsessing over.

Cruiser bikes. Again. Every summer I get it in my head that I want one, but I never pull the trigger. After lots searching, I like this Schwinn, for the style, color, and price point. I'm just not sure who would put it together. Of course it wouldn't be complete with out a proper basket.

Pineapple necklace. Ever since I spotted it on City Tonic, I've been searching for one to match my price point. This one on Etsy is quite reasonable.

TJMaxx. Lately I've been all about their online shop, checking it daily, placing a few orders, and adding a million things to my cart like a crazy lady. Presently I'm debating this throw pillow, and this triangle necklace, previously I ordered this sequined clutch (now sold out) for $10.

So much for productivity, but I suppose there is always tomorrow.

The Rundown
Orange Silk Tank Thrifted similar
Boucle Jacket Kohl's similar
Jeans Joe's Jeans via Saks off Fifth
Sandals "Karezza" Enzo Angiolini similar
Straw Clutch Rodo Italy via Goodwill similar
Filigree Earrings Thrifted similar
Lariat Necklace Gorjana via Rocksbox (one month free with lydiaxoxo)
Cloudy Agate Bracelet J.Crew
Thin Gold Ring Etsy via Sweet Olive Jewelry
Sunglasses Vogue via Sunglass Hut

Linking up with Mix and Match Fashion's What I wore to work

and

Happiness At Midlife's Throwback Thursday (last time I wore this tank)

The hump

Am I the only one who often feels more panicked than relieved when the week is half over? The days are getting shorter, both figuratively, and literally, and more than ever I feel like I can never make enough time to check everything off my to-do list.

I do use the word 'make' intentionally. It's a bit of a peeve of mine when someone tells me that they do not have time. Everyone has the same amount of time, but you make time for the things you want/are obligated to do.

It particularly infuriates me when I hear someone use the phrase "If I had that kind of time." Because that person is essentially saying "I think what you love is stupid."

For the last five years I have always made time for the blog, and I have every intention of continuing to do so, but lately there have been so many other things I want to make time for as well, and as a result, less time gets spent on the blog. I feel guilty about this, but I also need to remind myself that for the last four years I have posted five days a week, and not once have I taken a vacation. I think I am long over due.

The Rundown
Striped Shirt Old Navy similar
Red Blazer c/o Wallis similar
Navy Minnie Pant J.Crew via Coco's
Sandals Ferragamo thrifted
White Mini Satchel Tignanello via TJMaxx similar
Earrings c/o JoJo Loves You
Necklace "Greer V" Gorjana
Anchor Bracelet Knotical Knovelites
Gold Ring Thrifted similar
Chevron Ring Etsy via Silver Canyon Jewelry
Sunglasses "Caravan" Ray-Ban via Ditto

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