What is cuter than having a similar (but not matchy-matchy) outfit as your little one? Giving one to your partner as a gift!  Here are two perfect options for moms and dads, who will love these gifts and and wear them with or without their little ones by their sides.

Rachelle Hruska MacPherson’s brand, Lingua Franca, was created one afternoon in Montauk, after taking a needle and thread to her cashmere sweater, hand-sewing some cool hip-hop lyrics.  Now, every fashionable New York woman can be found in these quirky cashmere sweaters. Just in time for the holidays, MacPherson is selling a few options for kids on Moda Operandi. How cute are they?

And as for Dad, I love this Pop and Tot sweatshirt from Tosan. I think the navy is equally as cute for little girls, as it is for boys. It also comes in a short-sleeved version. This is a sweatshirt any cool dad would be proud to wear.

And…you just killed two birds with one stone!  The perfect way to knock gifts off of your list.

Photos: via @RachelleHruska and @Tosan

I have been searching for the perfect Christmas stockings for the past two years.  TWO YEARS!  How could finding cute stocking be this difficult?

Growing up, my mom made my sisters’ and my stockings (and, now, all of the grandkids’) and we loved them.  I couldn’t wait to pull them out each year and hang them on our mantle.

Trying to evoke the same emotional response from store-bought versions isn’t easy, especially when you want them to feel both unique and appropriate for the next 30+ years.  I’ve (finally) decided on options from Coral & Tusk (top photo) and love their use of embroidery as well as the creative motifs they offer.  Perfect for the whole family.

After weeks of scouring the internet, here are a few more options I love.  Whether you are looking for simple, child-appropriate, elegant, or festive and fun, there is something for everyone.

Feature: Coral & Tusk

1.  Etsy 2. Anthropology 3. Anthropology 4. Garnet Hill 5. Garnet Hill 6. Barneys New York 7. Etsy

I crave sweets during the day and instead of reaching for chocolate, I’m trying (mostly…) to make a healthier choice that will actually fuel my body.  Recently, I tried an energy bite that was delicious, so I decided to re-create it.  Here it is and it is delicious:

*I did not measure all of the ingredients.  Noted below are which ones you may want to use more/less to your preference.

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, but I get into ruts and end up eating the same thing day after day; usually, whatever is easiest or I happen to be making for my daughter.

Here is one of my favorite make-ahead recipes, which I love incorporating into my routine.  I always feel so good knowing I am starting out the day with something that is actually fueling my body and the chia seeds do just that.  They provide omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and calcium, all while being satisfying and keeping me full until lunch.  This recipe is so good and easy – it’s a must try.

Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis for Food Network

     Chia Seed Pudding

• 1 cup unsweetened Greek yogurt
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (carageenan free!)
• 2 tbsp maple syrup, + 2 tsp for serving
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup chia seeds
• 1/8 cup almonds *optional
• 1/8 tsp himalayan sea salt
• 1 pint strawberries hulled and chopped
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
• 1/4 cup dried coconut flakes

Directions: In a medium bowl, gently whisk the almond milk, yogurt, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, the vanilla and 1/8 teaspoon salt until just blended. Whisk in the chia seeds and almonds- let stand 30 minutes.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, in a medium bowl, toss the berries with the remaining 4 teaspoons maple syrup. Mix in the almonds.
Spoon the pudding into 4 bowls or glasses; top the pudding with the berry mixture and finish with a sprinkle of coconut flakes.

Last weekend, fashion darling Giovanna Battaglia wed Swedish property developer Oscar Engelbert in what was probably the biggest wedding extravaganza the island of Capri has ever seen.  I couldn’t help but follow the three day event on Instagram and imagine what it must have been like to be witness the theatrics of the weekend in such a magical setting.  Here are some of the highlights…

Feature Photo: @Nat_Mass Photo 1: @sabinegetty Photo 2: @aquazzura Photo 3: @Anna_Dello_Russo Photo 4: @boutemythierry Photo 5: @farihaansarijaved Photo 6: www.vogue.com Photo 7: www.vogue.co.uk Photo 8: @aleianzito Photo 9: www.vogue.com Photo 10: @fashiononrock Photo 11: @Nat_Mass Photo 12: www.vogue.co.uk Photo 13:

I have been on the hunt for new breakfast and snack ideas and finally struck gold with this one, which I tried yesterday.  It is a similar version to the one Juice Society, one of the best juice spots in Austin, serves.  What I love most about cashew cream is the consistency; It has an amazing whipped, creamy texture that is so filling and absolutely delicious.  Layered with fruit, it is breakfast perfection.  So, I set out to recreate it.

Feel free to play around with the milk measurement – just slowly add, as I like my cashew cream thicker than a yogurt consistency.

      Lemon Vanilla Cashew Cream

• 3 cups soaked cashews (2 hours)
• 1/2 – 3/4 cup cargageenan-free almond milk
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 large dates (add more for additional sweetness)
• a pinch of himalayan sea salt

*Combine all ingredients in a high-powered blender (like Vitamix).  Add milk slowly until you get the proper consistency.                              Layer cashew cream with fruit of your choice.  I love it with bananas, blueberries, coconut chips, and strawberries.  Enjoy!

Mansur Gavriel’s Fall 16 presentation was beyond gorgeous.  Of course the accessory “it-brand” knocked it out of the park with their new bag silhouettes and shoes, but what really won me over were the colors used throughout the staging of the presentation.

Against a base of bright white and camel, yellow mimosa bouquets, red, orange, and blush pink poppies, clementines, green bananas, and lemons created the most beautiful palette together.  Somehow, the Mansur Gavriel brightly colored suede and patent accessories only seemed to pop more intensely off of these “background” colors.

Although this was an autumn/winter presentation, it is like the most inspiring spring palette I’ve seen.  It’s like a big breath of fresh air.  And, as a yellow convert, I will, no doubt, be on the lookout for mimosas next time I am at the flower market.

Feature Image: superselected.com

Photo 1:  Fashionista.com via Mansur Gavriel Photo 2:  Lonelybeauties.com Photo 3: Honestlywtf.com Photo 4: Tommy Ton Photo 5: Fashionista.com via Mansur Gavriel Photo 6: Honestlywtf.com

https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/a-beautiful-hunt-14686965

While I am a carbivore, my daughter is a total carnivore.  Luckily, there are some meals that we can agree upon.

My goal is always to get T to eat what we are eating.  I’d rather make one great meal than two time-pressed dinners.  And I love recipes that make multiple meals, are easy to portion and are portable.  These meatballs fit all of those prerequisites.

The first recipe comes from one of my favorite food blogs, Smitten Kitchen.  These meatballs have so much flavor.  It’s comfort food without feeling really heavy.  This is the perfect dinner, any night of the week, that the whole family will enjoy.

Lamb Meatballs with Feta and Lemon

Meatball Ingredients

• 3 to 8 tablespoons water (8 if you are going to brown them, 3 if you are not)
• 2 pounds ground lamb
• 1 large egg
• 1 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, fresh or plain, such as Panko
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3/4 teaspoon table salt
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 2 small garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• Zest of half a lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, fresh or plain, such as Panko
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3/4 teaspoon table salt
• Pinch of red pepper flakes
• 2 small garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• Zest of half a lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Pinches of red pepper flakes (to taste)
• 1/3 cup pitted, chopped kalamata olives
• 1 tablespoon thinly sliced mint leaves, plus more for garnish (I omit)
• 2 tablespoons roughly chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
• Juice of one lemon
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta, for garnish
• *I also added an extra 16 oz can of tomatoes

Directions

If you plan don’t plan to brown the meatballs, use only 3 tablespoons water.  If you do, use all 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup).  In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients except oil, using a fork/hands.  Using wet hands, form mixture into small (1 1/2 to 2-inch diameter) meatballs; A large cookie scoop works well for easy sizing.

Brown meatballs

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and heat it through. Evenly space meatballs in pan and very carefully turn and roll them so that all sides become brown. Don’t worry if they don’t remain perfectly round or pieces become stuck to the pan; they will deliciously infuse the sauce. Drain meatballs on a paper towel-lined plate.

(If you prefer not to fry your meatballs before cooking them in the sauce, you can cook them right in the sauce — it will take about 10 minutes longer.)

Make sauce and finish cooking meatballs

Pour out all but 1 tablespoon fat from skillet and return to medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until they begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add wine or vermouth and scrape up any bits stuck to the pan. Cook until the liquid almost disappears. Add tomatoes, oregano, lemon zest, salt, pepper flakes, olives, mint and parsley, and tomato paste. Bring mixture to a simmer and return meatballs to the pan. Cover with a lid and cook at the lowest simmer for 20 to 24 minutes, until meatballs are cooked through. Squeeze lemon juice over meatballs and sauce.

Serve

Sprinkle with additional olives, feta and herbs. I’ve served over orzo as well as cavatelli (pictured here).  I loved the texture of the cavatelli with the meatballs.

Via Self.com

The next recipe comes from Gwyneth Paltrow’s It’s All Good (pictured above). These meatballs are healthy, yet flavorful, and I love eating them over a bed of arugula with a shallot dressing.  For T, I just serve her the meatballs along side some veggies and she gobbles them up.

Turkey Meatballs

Meatball Ingredients

• 1 small onion, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup arugula, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup Italian parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• 8 fresh sage leaves
• 8 fresh basil leaves (fresh is ideal)
• Leaves from 4 sprigs thyme (fresh is ideal)
• Leaves from 1 sprig rosemary (fresh is ideal)
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cups Go-To Tomato Sauce* or store-bought spaghetti sauce
• 3 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

In a food processor, pulse onion, arugula, parsley, garlic, sage, basil, thyme and rosemary until finely chopped. In a bowl, combine onion-herb mixture with turkey, salt and pepper; mix with hands. Roll turkey mixture into 24 golf ball-sized meatballs. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Cook meatballs in batches in the skillet, flipping until browned on all sides (about 10 minutes).  If you aren’t making the sauce, I transfer the meatballs to a paper towel to drain.  After draining, I place them on a wax paper lined baking sheet and bake at 375 for 10/15 more minutes to make sure they are cooked through.

Shallot Dressing

This is my dressing and I just kind of wing it.  Please note, I am heavy-handed on the vinegar, so you may want to use less.

• 1 cup of olive oil
• 1 small shallot diced small
• ½ of a juiced lemon
• ¼ cut apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Pinch of salt and pepper

*Check out Gwyneth’s book to make with her tomato sauce.

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After the holidays, it’s a given that everyone in the world will be implementing their “get-in-shape-now” plans and adding lengthy lines to gym treadmills across the country.  If you happen to be joining the masses, I’ll let you in on a little secret to help ensure your success: buy yourself some cute workout clothes.  This simple piece of advice is honestly the best motivation to jumpstart your health routine.  If you are excited about new, cool clothes, you will WANT to put them on and then once they are on, it only makes sense to work out.  Unless you are a mom, and then you just always wear spandex.

Fitness clothes have never looked better.  In fact, it is the most innovative category in apparel right now; new designs, fabrication, and wearable technology are propelling it forward.  There are tons of new, labels to try, but even the classic brands have upped their game, offering amazing assortments.  I am loving the new retailer SIX:02, which just recently launched online as well as brick-and-mortar stores.  They have a mix of the tried and true brands (Nike & Adidas) but also offer up-and-coming luxe options like Koral and Alala, pictured below.

Trust me, once you are excited about how you look, you will feel ten times more confident and way less awkward doing all of those crazy leg lifts in your barre class.

Here are some of my favorite new workout pieces thanks to SIX:02:

*Feature Image via Harpers Bazaar

*Images 1,2,4 via Six02

*Image 3 via Alala

Here are some of my favorite decorating ideas for the Christmas season.  I am especially loving greens mixed with paperwhite narcissus – it gives a lightness and modern feel to the traditional greens.  Incorporating some delft blue looks even more amazing. And nothing feels more fresh than mixing in some citrus to wreaths, topiaries, and garlands.  Oranges, lemon, and limes, oh my!

All photos via Veranda Magazine