Friday, January 30, 2015

Friday Favorites 1.30.15 - Juno

Did Juno Boston got a lot of snow this week?!


This week has been a big blur.  A big white snowy blur.  Snowmageddon Juno hit hard Monday & Tuesday shutting down the city and bringing a magical charm to the streets.  That is unless you had to shovel out your snow mound of a car or do a lot of shoveling of the sidewalk.   I stocked up on plenty of food Monday & spent all of Tuesday inside with my roommates cooking, watching movies and sipping champagne - it was great!  We lost wifi, so my Netflix binge was out of the question, but we made do with TV - lots of cheesy lifetime movies.  We were going to explore but kept hearing the wind whipping at the windows and decided to stay cozy inside.  Wednesday I ventured out & took a walk to check out the serene scene - it was beautiful!

Monday, January 26, 2015

Celebration Cookies


Snowmageddon 2015 is coming for Boston & all practically all of MA, CT & NY for the next few days.  FEET OF SNOW.  So while you're at the grocery store grabbing the essentials - bread, eggs, milk, wine (duh) I suggest you grab the ingredients to make these cookies.  Fresh baked cookies & binge watching Netflix in bed, is there a better way to celebrate a snow storm?!  I love snow... Granted I live in the city, don't have a car and don't need to shovel, but I just think it's so pretty and fun!  It also makes the winter bearable instead of 5 months devoid of all tree life.  I can't wait to prance around in the snow & walk around my neighborhood.  Stay safe!!


Onto cookies! 





The first Christmas I had an apartment in Boston my Mom typed up a few of my favorite recipes, laminated, and wrapped them up for me to recreate home in my new kitchen.  It's one of my favorite gifts I've ever received, and making these family recipes transports me home again.  Among the list of family recipes are Scandinavian Spritz Cookies.  I will always associate these with Christmas because that's the only time we make them, but it's essentially a sugar cookie and can totally (and should) be made all year round!  Last year we made them for the 4th of July and they're now "Celebration Cookies" perfect for all seasons!  This past holiday we made a few batches of reindeer, snowflake and star cookies, all with bright sugar.  You have to plan a little ahead with these cookies as they have to chill out in the fridge for 30 minutes while the almond flavor really melts together.  My brother and I used to (*cough* still do) sneak bites of the dough in the fridge, yum!

Friday, January 23, 2015

Friday Favorites 1.23 - Live Colorfully

For those who know me, you know I'm obsessed with all things Kate Spade.  I love the whimsical, yet polished looks, full of bright color and fun prints.  There's something very quirky about Kate Spade, she knows how to laugh at herself.  When in doubt, throw on something bright - Live Colorfully!

I always look forward to checking out the theme of the new collection and this week I was especially delighted!  Plus it means we're inching closer to spring, warmer weather, longer days, ah I need it!  Here's a line up of a few of my favorites -up up and away, hot air balloons all the way!



Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Valentine's Day Love List - Under $25


Valentine's Day is right around the corner... 

Some people have mixed feeling on Valentine's - that it's lame or super hyped up or "singles awareness day" or the best day ever or if their significant other doesn't book dinner they're doomed.  I love pink and love and telling people I care about how wonderful they are to me, so I happen to like this little holiday.  Last year I spent Valentine's morning in snow covered Boston at The Paramount eating blueberry pancakes with my Mom - it was perfect.

Personally I think the best Valentine's gifts are homemade cards & crafts

Here are a few sweet things to give to the special lady in your life/sister/friend/mom etc without breaking the bank!

Monday, January 19, 2015

Caramelized Banana Chia Seed Oatmeal



I love oats.  Check out this post for a granola bar recipe I made a year ago.  A year later, the love for oats has only grown stronger.  For breakfast I rotate between oatmeal or a smoothie with eggs (I need something to chew on)  There's so many variations to oatmeal & SO many toppings.  Oh the toppings.  You really can customize it however you'd like.  At the moment my favorite combo is frozen blueberries & salted honey topped with gingerbread granola.  Yup that's right - oat on oats.  Oatmeal is such a warming comforting meal and keeps me full until lunch.

Have you tried chia seeds?  I always put some in my oatmeal & smoothies.  Throw them in cereal, yogurt, salad dressing, you can even make chia pudding!  These tiny seeds - they look like black poppy seeds - are full of omega 3 fatty acid which is super important for brain health and fiber to keep you full for longer & keep me energized for hours.  Read more about these superfood seeds here


Friday, January 16, 2015

Friday Favorites 1.16.15



Happy Friday!  It's been a long, but very productive week - looking forward to an exciting weekend!

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Ten Boston Winter Activities






After the Christmas buzz wears off and the twinkling lights come down (and we're paying off our credit card bills from holiday shopping), Boston in the winter is a polar vortex and it often feels like there's no warmth in the future.  While it's easy to stay in, eat copious amounts of soup & binge on Netflix (I just finished Orange Is The New Black) there's lots of fun - inexpensive - things to do in this wonderful city.  I've compiled a list of a few of my favorite activities, and a couple I want to try!  So put down the remote, put away the take out, grab your down coat, mittens - hat - scarf and have some fun!

Monday, January 12, 2015

Peanut Butter Banana Kale Smoothie








I love breakfast.  Lezzbehonest, I think about breakfast before I go to bed.  I mean the quicker you go to sleep, the quicker you can eat again, right?  I have a few favorite breakfasts, and this smoothie has been in regular rotation.  There's something so refreshing and nourishing about getting all these nutrients in first thing in the morning.  Smoothies are really great anytime of day, there are so many yummy things you can cram in your blender, the possibilities are endless! 

Friday, January 9, 2015

Friday Favorites

I hope everyone's first week of 2015 is going well!  Still keeping up with those resolutions?  In an effort to nourish my body & stay healthy (and detox from the mountains of Christmas cookies I've consumed) I've been eating kale salads like crazy and I love it!  I have a delicious salad recipe up my sleeve I'll share with you after a few more tweaks.

Anyways, here are a few of my Friday Favorites to start your weekend off right

BHLDN released their spring bridal line and it's as gorg as ever.  Tulle and lace and beads, oh my.  Major swoon - check out the Winnie gown

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Back in action!


Hey hi hello, I'm back!  I started this little blog of mine almost a year ago because I wanted to share my love for crafting, fashion and food with others.  Unfortunately life took over (as it often does) I had a million excuses and Sweet Sarandipity took a haitus.  Here's a look back on my year to put you back on track!  Snaps of trips, eats, sunsets & dogs yippee!