girl of the moment: july.

will these girls one day become legends? maybe. and i hope so. but for now, they find themselves in the role of ingénue.

july's girl of the moment: emma watson.

i've expressed my love for miss emma before, and while i don't think she's going anywhere anytime soon, we must celebrate her while she's starring in the final harry potter (i'll get over it eventually, i swear!).  emma just makes me smile.  she is a strong, independent, smart young woman who has brought to life one of my absolute favorite literary characters (who also happens to be strong, independent, and smart - go figure!).  she is the stuff role models are made of.  

of course, she's also stunningly beautiful.

 

and how about a collective "aw" for her oscar de la renta look at the london premiere? 

so. stinking. precious.  

xo. di.

*images 1-6 via tom & lorenzo via vogue, image 7 via instagram

the IT list.

Happy Friday again ladies!  Take some time to check out these awesome links this morning!

• little tin soldier looks fresh and summer-ready in these ultra feminine ruffles.  I am loving this look on her! (find little tin soldier on twitter!)
• 100 inspirations features this simple Cameron Diaz look for less... I could wear simple and modern looks like this each day! 
• sweetie pie style breathes new life into a family heirloom.  Check out her play by play of refinishing a dining room table - and the gorgeous "after" photos as well! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• fabulously average takes inspiration from a favorite blogger when she recreates this twirly outfit! How fun! (find fabulously average on twitter!)
• take me for a twirl is galavanting through the streets of London (lucky gal!) - check out her cute outfit and her tips on blending in like a local! (find take me for a twirl on twitter!)
• the style dossier whips up a super sweet hair tutorial that is perfect for summer.  Check out their awesome step by step photos! (find the style dossier on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy shares a jaw-droppingly gorgeous macaroon shop in Mexico.  Put a visit to this place on your bucket list. Wow! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• gs lillian does pink and black together like no other gal. Seriously... check out this amazing outfit and accessories! (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• good tots rounds up fun kitchen and party accessories from Etsy... I am in love with these fun straws!
• good life for less is celebrating her birthday by giving away a fun and celebratory Kate Spade bracelet!  Stop by to check it out and enter! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by Jill of good life for less, for information on how you can be involved... click here!

happy friday!

xo. di.

sweet.

is this not just the beautiful macaroon shop located - no, not in paris - but in mexico?  some really gorgeous branding by anagrama. 

"i want to go to there."

-liz lemon, 30 rock

xo. di.

*images via inspired mrs. stevens and anagrama

zooey + kate

i have to gush a little over how impossibly adorable zooey deschanel looked in kate spade recently.  zooey + kate is a match made in too-precious heaven.  if possible, the whole look is made cuter because she happens to be at the premiere for the new winnie the pooh movie.  i've always been a big fan of ol' pooh bear. 

"it is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like 'what about lunch?'"

-a.a. milne, winnie the pooh

xo. di.

*images via tom & lorenzo

peachy keen.

over the 4th of july holiday, i volunteered to make a dessert and, not surprisingly, my mom happily said yes.  i am in love with fruit cobblers and fruit crisps but had never attempted one myself, so i thought i'd give it a try!

 ingredients

8 to 10 large ripe peaches
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 cups plus 2 to 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 pint raspberries

1 pint blueberries
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
1/2 pound cold unsalted butter, diced

1.  preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter the inside of a 10 by 15 by 2 1/2-inch oval baking dish.

2.  immerse the peaches in boiling water for 30 seconds, then place them in cold water.
peel the peaches, slice them into thin wedges, and place them into a large bowl.

3.  add 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons of flour. toss well.

4.  gently mix in the raspberries and blueberries.  allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes.
if there is a lot of liquid, add 1 more tablespoon of flour.

5.  pour the fruit mixture into the baking dish and gently smooth the top.

6.  combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, salt, oatmeal, nutmeg, cinnamon,
and the cold, diced butter in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment  
(i don't have anything "fancy" like this, i just cut in the butter!)

7.  mix on low speed until the butter is pea-sized and the mixture is crumbly  
(mine didn't crumble as well as i wanted - but once it had been baking for awhile i was able
to stir the top gently and create pea-sized crumbles on top!).

8.  sprinkle evenly on top of the peaches and raspberries. 

9.  bake for 1 hour, until the top is browned and crisp and the juices are bubbly.  serve immediately (preferably a la mode!),
or store in the refrigerator and reheat in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until warm.  

10.  enjoy!

my modifications: i added the cinnamon + nutmeg to the crumble because i love those spices. the original recipe (found here) called for more peaches, so i decreased that number slightly to accommodate an increase in raspberries and the addition of blueberries.  i eliminated orange zest from the fruit mixture because my mom tells me ina garten adds zest too often and it can be overpowering (and i trust my mama's judgment on all things baking!).  hope you enjoy as much as we did!

xo. di.

*images by me

much love monday.

i like to use monday as a way to reflect on the previous week, to start anew, and to send a little love into the world.  won't you join me?    

today i am grateful for:

a few days of relaxation at the beach with special people (c's family!) cleared my head and left me ready for a new week.

pictures worth a thousand words: 

 

 

 {picked up new stationery from greer}

{wish i owned this...}

 {beach reading}

 {how quirky}

{saying goodbye to the ocean} 

this week's blog love:

• running with the law's beautiful map wall project was a huge success.  such a great use of the space!
• in love with both next's lookbook and this editorial featuring the stunning camilla belle at dustjacket attic.
• some amazing cottage inspiration at caitlin wilson design this week.
• have a feeling my sister is going to LOVE the inspiration from this equestrian bridal shoot at wedding chicks (she's a horsewoman, through and through!).
• i love these honey recipes inspired by winnie the pooh at a glimpse of glamour.  i always loved pooh bear! 

here's to another grateful and love-filled week.  

xo. di.   

 
*images by me

summer fridays: by the sea.

welcome back to my new summer fridays series, where we discuss some favorite things about this time of year.

i love the beach.  sand between toes.  salt in air.  sun on skin (with spf applied, of course!).  am on long beach island with c's family.  and i'm pretty happy about it. 

xo. di.

*images via the wheatfield's etsy shop, found via poppytalk

the IT list... July 22, 2011!

Happy Friday peeps! I hope you are staying cool these days... stay inside and discover some great new blogs with all these fun links! Enjoy!

• gs lillian uses two men's neckties as a belt - this is so cute and fun idea for raiding your guys closet! Or the mens section in your favorite store or thrift shop! (find gs lillian on twitter!)
• a spot of whimsy brings you gorgeous beach photos... does the beach ever get old? Never.  That's what I say! (find a spot of whimsy on twitter!)
• johns journal had her handsome, handsome baby boy this week... bop on over and give her some sweet words! (find johns journal on twitter!)
• alisha of alisha and brandon gives tips to style bloggers on how to do your own photos... especially helpful when your live-in photographer (or otherwise) isn't available!  Check out her tips! (find alisha and brandon on twitter!)
• sweetie pie style devotes a whole week of her blog to her kitchen... stop by to see the "befores" and give your two cents on her selections. She has a very fun project in the works! (find sweetie pie style on twitter!)
• little tin soldier mixes yellow and leopard print. I suddenly wish I had more of both in my closet - gorgeous! (find little tin soldier on twitter!)
• simply stylish mom is giving away one of these adorable wall flags... stop by to check them out and enter to win! (find simply stylish mom on twitter!)
• verbal melange is going on a Financial Diet and she's encouraging you to join her - stop by to see what it's all about! (find verbal melange on twitter!)
• the style dossier takes three sisters who each style up the same dress... see how they do it!  This is so fun! (find the style dossier on twitter!)
• fabulously average calls this outfit "corporate chic" - I love that! I remember working in a business office in the summers and finding it difficult to look profession and keep cool She does it! (find fabulously average on twitter!)
• take me for a twirl shows off this awesome thrifted skirt in bold red!  What a fun color for summer. (find take me for a twirl on twitter!)
• good life for less contemplates what's appropriate wear for summer outdoor activities... check it out! (find good life for less on twitter!)

the IT list is produced weekly by jill of good life for less, for more information on how to be involved... click here!

walk on the beach.

i think these gorgeous images speak for themselves, no need for my commentary...

xo. di.

*images via patterson maker 1, 2

jet set.

tonight i'm jetting to the atlantic coast for a brief beach vacation with c's family.  can't even tell you how much i need a few days off, just relaxing in the sun. 

" i want to arrive stunning and impossibly fresh looking!"

- carrie bradshaw, sex and the city

xo. di.

*images via coco + kelley

the final.

well, i decided to make my pictures from friday's little hp party its very own post.  with it being the last movie and all, i knew i needed to go all out.  i rounded up all of the harry memorabilia i'd collected over the 15+ years i've been a part of this world, made a couple of signature items, wrapped my gryffindor scarf around my neck, and allowed myself to feel like a kid.  or maybe even a witch!

 {delicious butterbeer}

 {hp book collection}

  

{souvenirs from the wizarding world of harry potter}

{pumpkin pasties ready for the oven!}

 {my gryffindor scarf + c's ravenclaw scarf}

 {c's new addiction (partly my fault): hp legos!  we're basically grown-up kids}

{watching deathly hallows part I}

{mmmm good!}

{favors for my guests: deathly hallows bookmarks from sotheysay's etsy shop}

{collected mementos}

 {the wand chooses the wizard, harry}

expecto patronum!

xo. di.

*images by me