Chocolate stout cake

I know this is cruel to post an incredibly decadent cake recipe after I've just posted about Summer swimsuits, but life is all about balance and every now and then a sugary dessert recipe is in order (it is Friday after all, so let's enjoy). To celebrate Paul's birthday I wanted to make him a memorable birthday cake, something that we could share with friends, he would love, and gave me an excuse to use some of the baking pieces we received for our wedding. This recipe combined dark cocoa powder and a bottle of Guinness, so I knew I was on the right track from the get-go. The rich aroma of dark chocolate and stout lingered in the kitchen long after the cake was iced and the fudg-ey consistency was different from any other fluffy standard birthday cake I had made before. Even with the addition of a simple vanilla icing, the entire process was fairly easy to follow and well worth the steps. Although the richness definitely made it a one slice and you're content type of recipe, it was just the thing for a yearly celebration.

It's the one

Top row - left to right: Topshop, Old Navy, Diane von Furstenburg
Middle row - left to right: Target, Miu Miu, Topshop
Bottom row - left to right: Zimmerman, Mara Hoffman, Sonia by Sonia Rykiel

My bathing suit drawer has become eerily similar to my sock drawer; tops bundled up in one corner, bottoms in another, and no two pairs actually existing together. I like picking out a new swimsuit every year, but the thought of adding another non-attached pair to the abyss of my drawers seems a bit too daunting. This is why I am extremely excited that 2012 holds just as many adorable one-pieces as there are bikinis. Something about a sleek bathing suit offers that perfect mix of sexiness and girlish charm. Add a cut-out back or a dipped front and the look is just as tan-line worthy as the bikini counterparts. I've rounded up a fun selection of my favorite one-pieces (many on sale too!) and once this year's winner is chosen, I can only imagine how easy it will be to find it in my closet when it comes time to lounge in the sun.

Follow along on Currently Obsessed to see more of my warm weather favorites.

HourSchool: Planning a cocktail party

About a month ago I was contacted by a neat start-up company called HourSchool and asked to put together a class that would teach people something new and interesting. The company is a social school that taps into the creative spirit and networking capabilities of people while connecting them with those who are in search of learning something new. At first, I was completely afraid of planning a lesson, teaching strangers, and offering something that might not interest anyone, but after I dug deeper into HourSchool's philosophy and saw the amazing classes that have already been taught in areas like San Francisco, Austin, Santa Monica, Ann Arbor, and more, I couldn't wait to get my group of "students". HourSchool believes that everyone has something to teach, so I tapped into my love of entertaining and planned an afternoon of cocktail party essentials: How to craft a memorable cocktail, arrange a few appetizers, and decorate with easy to recreate decor. The intimate group of students were such a pleasure to teach and unlike any class I've ever taken, this tutorial actually turned into a mini afternoon soiree, complete with fresh cocktails. Here is a little recap of what I went over and tips to arrange your own cocktail party.

Setting up the table, I used a mix of different heights, cake stands to hold fresh fruit, and silver trays to add interested. Everything had a rustic feel and invited guests to mix flavors and sample different items.

The cocktail was a lemon rosemary fizz that was mixed beforehand and set on the bar in a pitcher next to a cup of rosemary sprigs for garnish. Everything to make the cocktail was set up for guests, meaning I didn't have to concoct individual glasses for each person.

To add to the lemon theme I lined a pitcher with a slim vase and placed lemon slices in between the two glasses (using a skewer to push the slices down). Filling the vase with simple garden roses added to the rustic feel.

The cheese board was a traditional pairing of soft, hard, and goat cheese, accompanied by dried fruit and honey. To add a little more interest to the tastes, I used marcona almonds and garnished the board with rosemary. A drizzle of honey on the soft (brie) cheese added an extra element.

The main appetizer was my go-to pea pesto crostini. The spread can be made hours before guests arrive, along with slicing and toasting the bread. I left all of the plates and trays on the serving table so when it came time to arrange the food, I already knew which plates I would be using.

The entire class was such a fun experience and I'm already planning on teaching and attending other HourSchool events.

Spring Cleaning Week: Little changes

This week has been such a fun experience. I've had a great time sharing some cleaning, organizing, and inspiration tips with all of you, plus it's been wonderful hearing your own spruce up rituals. Today, to wrap everything up, I thought I would share a few little changes that can make a big impact. It doesn't always have to be a re-painted room or a complete closet overhaul to welcome the new season. In fact, a special flower arrangement can give that same fresh sparkle around the house.


It looks scary, but taking everything off the counter, wiping it down, then putting it all back is a quick way to spruce up the area and reconsider exactly what you need on display.


Elevate your groceries by giving them something to sit on. Simple tangerines look succulent and decor worthy when lined up on a small square cake pedestal. Add a bright tablecloth to your everyday dining area and the colors pop even more.


Even the little things like knobs and coasters need a good scrub. Next time you are washing the dishes, grab a stack of coasters or pull off the oven knobs, give them a quick scrub and let them air dry before replacing. The little pieces are surprisingly more noticeable when they give off a little gleam.


Finish everything off with flowers. It's amazing how a simple vase of bright blooms can completely transform a room. Here I chose a low square vessel, used this little lattice trick, and popped in one variety of flowers. The yellow cheered up my office and the simple style kept everything light.

I hope everyone enjoyed Spring Cleaning Week. As always, follow along on Twitter, Pinterest and Currently Obsessed to see what I'm looking forward to this Spring. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Spring Cleaning Week: New inspirations

It's easy to plan out a Spring cleaning week and only focus on the dust covered or disheveled items in the house, but isn't part of starting a new season clearing out the old and replacing them with new inspirations? Hanging above my desk are two bulletin boards that hold a majority of the items I find exciting, colorful, or interesting. It's a practice that follows me back to the collage covered walls of my high school bedroom and although the process has been refined, It's a necessary Spring cleaning process for me. Choosing the items that are meant to inspire is definitely a personal choice, but lately I've been obsessed with tropical colors, coral and mint hues, patterned stationary, and sweet letters that I just can't throw away. Sitting in front of me, these items influence my designs, blog posts, and ultimately my thoughts.


I find it easiest to work with an organized board, but that doesn't mean you have to limit the amount you put on. Pick up free paint swatches from the hardware store, then layer like colors together to form a tiled wash of color. Instead of picking one color, choose a selection from the same family so you can mix and match tints. A simple piece of tissue paper folded makes an excellent folder for loose items like postcards and perfume samples. As the year goes on, I'll add to the board, but by starting in a clean organized way like this, I can easily find what I'm looking for and where things need to be added.

Does anyone else have a few inspirations they just can't get out of their head this season?

Spring Cleaning Week: Makeup overhaul

I have a bad habit of collecting makeup, then holding on to it solely because the packaging is pretty or I have a great plan of mixing up the pigment into something wearable. Needless to say, this never happens and my makeup drawer quickly turns into a glittery and shiny mixture of powdered hues. When I sat down to plan out this Spring Cleaning Week I knew a makeup overhaul was one of the must-do things. After getting over the shock (and embarrassment) of the prospect of sharing my disaster drawer with all of you, I became really excited as the prospect of an organized collection of makeup came into view. Once the oldies were tossed and the drawer was cleaned, I felt like I had uncovered items that never received the love they deserved. Much like the closet from yesterday, my makeup drawer is now a fun place to go when I'm getting ready, full of colors and cosmetics that I will never risk buying duplicates of.


Remove everything from the drawer and wipe it clean. Discard any old makeup and line it up so you can get a good picture of everything you have. Go through and clean everything you are keeping. Most likely everything will have a slight powder around it from being covered for so long. This is the time to wipe it all off and make it feel new again.


Using a few simple organizers (I chose two bamboo ones) put all of the makeup back in the drawer. Lining up like items, making sure everything can be seen or is easily reachable. Remember, anything covered will most likely be forgotten.



Cleaning out the makeup drawer will mean nothing if you don't clean the brushes that go with it. I can always tell that I start to break out a little too often when I haven't washed my brushes in a while. Use a mild shampoo or anti-bacterial soap and hand wash bristles under warm water. Re-shape the tops and lay to dry overnight on a towel. The next morning you will definitely notice a difference.

I hope everyone is enjoying this week of cleaning! I would love to hear how your organization is going. I'll be back tomorrow with a little inspiration spruce up tips. Much more fun than the nitty gritty cleaning things. As always, follow my inspirations on Pinterest and Currently Obsessed for the latest things I'm loving.

Spring Cleaning Week - Closet cleanout

On more than a few occasions I have stared into my closet in pure frustration. Shirts layered on one hanger, pieces I had completely forgotten about, and no room to slide anything around in hopes of getting a better look. Throw in a stuffed dresser and getting dressed in a hurry would never be an option. I figured the best way to dive into a week of Spring cleaning would be to tackle the biggest problem area first, my closet. With a few handy tricks and a cut-throat rejection policy, I was able to turn my closet and drawers into a working wardrobe with a little space left over to add some new pieces (always a plus!).


Pull all of the clothes out of your drawers, clean the lining, and scent with a sachet. Next, separate the clothes into the items you will keep and those you will donate/sell. Refold everything you are keeping, separating them into like piles (tank tops, short sleeves, and long sleeves). Do the same for pants, separating them into color options, denim, and slacks. Nice pants should always be hung in the closet however.


For clothing that is hanging up in your closet, make sure everything is zipped, buttoned, or latched before it's put back. This way, the shape will always stay in tact.


Replace old hangers with slim velvet lined ones. This greatly cuts down on space and holds everything (even flimsy little straps). Organize your clothes by style and sleeve length. You'll be amazed how easy it is to get dressed afterwards.

The must have items:
Hammocks and High Tea Bahia drawer liner, L'Occitane lavender sachet, Linen's & Things hangers

Spring Cleaning Week

I've always been the type of person who can't focus on work or relaxing until everything is cleaned and put away. At times it can definitely cause some crazy looks from loved ones, but in the end the fresh and dust free rooms make the cleaning worthwhile. In honor of national spring cleaning week I thought I would share a handful of ways to jump into the new season with a fresh wardrobe, new makeup, and brand new inspirations. Today I'm starting with some great tips from a few wonderful bloggers who shared their organizational musts with me. This should ease you into the Spring cleaning mood and get you ready for a seasonal overhaul by the end of the week.

1. Emma from Gawgus Things has been obsessed with draw organizers lately. There's nothing better than opening a drawer and seeing everything neatly stored in its place.

2. Alisun from California Alisun swears by under-bed storage bins for seasonal clothes and once a year she tries on everything in her closet. It's the best way to prevent future fashion sins (how great is that!)

3. Lena from A Crimson Kiss cleans her hardwood floors with a great ammonia free mixture of equal parts hot water and vinegar, scented with a few citrus peels.

4. Jennifer (@jennacolgrove) recommends organizing your closet by article of clothing, color, and sleeve length. It makes finding a piece incredible easy.

5. Suze from Suze Geeks Out says getting rid of ten things you haven't worn in at least three years is key. If it doesn't fit or you don't like it, you won't wear it, so go donate it!

6. Victoria from vmac & cheese finds that washing her makeup brushes with a mixture of shampoo and antibacterial soap at least once a month is the best way to keep breakouts to a minimum.

Thanks for sharing everyone! I'll be adding more fun Spring obsessions and tips on my Pinterest and Currently Obsessed pages this week, so follow along. Make sure to check back throughout the week too as I dive into a cleaning spree!

Bright days ahead

Old Navy sweater (on sale!), J.Crew pants, J.Crew belt, H&M glitter flats, Chanel belt (worn as necklace), Ray Ban sunglasses

This week was a beautiful preview of the sunny days to come and to celebrate that fact I pulled out my brightest clothes and paired a few neon colors together. Cropped pants, a staple sweater, and a necklace that has been one of my favorite pieces for a while now, layered together nicely to complement an after work stroll through a local park. I threw in a pair of glittered flats just to make the outfit that much more cheery. This weekend I'm looking forward to further transitioning into Spring by sprucing up the house and adding a bit of freshness to the layout. Also, next week will be Spring Cleaning Week over here, so make sure to send me your cleaning and organizing tips to be featured.




Make sure to follow along on my Currently Obsessed and Pinterest boards as well. I'll be sharing my favorite things for Spring, including beauty products, a few wardrobe additions, and tips from my posts next week.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Easy dinner

I definitely enjoy cooking dinner, it's my time to relax or try out a new recipe, but most of all, it's my excuses to cook something healthy that I couldn't get at a restaurant. I grew up on a healthy diet of fish and because of it, I tend to work salmon into my meals at least once a week. Lately a simple salad and smoked salmon have become my go-to ingredients when I still want to cook, but really don't have the time to spend more than 30 minutes in the kitchen. An easy lemon and olive oil dressing, toast, creme fraiche, and layers of the pink smokey meat are all it takes to make a simple and incredibly satisfying meal. Throw in a few shavings of parmesan and a sprinkling of sea salt and the dinner is a unique approach to the standard weekly meal, but so much more gourmet than the quick prep time would lead you to believe.

Also, just a reminder that I'll be featuring a handful of Spring Cleaning tips next week, so make sure to email me your tips for a chance to be featured.

...and congrats to Alicia (@am_bianchi) for winning the Sneak Peeq giftcard! Hope you enjoy spending it.

Life lately

Mini lemon and chocolate raspberry tarts

This weekend was the first real taste of Spring. Sunny days, runners everywhere, and a general sense that lightweight cardigans and cuffed jeans are acceptable wardrobe options from now on. I know I'm jinxing the whole thing, but the mild days made me ready for the season ahead. A fresh coat of nailpolish, a colorful skirt, flowering scents throughout the house, and some sweet treats are just a few of the ways I've been gearing up for the changing days ahead. I even dove right in to swim season by trying on my first few bathing suits during an impromptu shopping trip.

Appetizer night complete with wine

Pearl and gold bow earrings on display in my room

A fresh manicure and pedicure in bright colors. Hands are Chanel June and feet are OPI Dutch Tulips

A striped skirt purchased on a recent Old Navy trip

Just a reminder, I'm picking a winner tonight for the Sneak Peeg giftcard giveaway, so make sure to enter here. It's a perfect opportunity to pick up some fun new things for Spring!

Also, next week I'm going to be doing a special on Spring Cleaning (organization, sprucing up, and a little closet cleaning to make room for those new outfits) and I'd love to hear some of your tried and true cleaning and organizational tips. I'll be featuring people's answers all next week, so make sure to email me what you'll be doing to get ready for the new season and you might be featured on my blog!

A retro night

vintage dress and capelet, Christian Louboutin Simple Pumps

In college I used to make a few to many trips to the vintage store to hunt for new dresses, blouses, and endless amounts of scarves. I probably should have been saving my money, but now I'm left with a pretty good supply of retro wear. This dress has been one of my favorites for several years now and I know it will be something I hold on to forever. The short lace skirt paired with 3/4 sleeves makes it feel ladylike and fun, while the bright yellow color always stands out among a sea of black dresses. I shared this outfit with the lovely ladies from SisterMag (check out their issue here) and I'm pretty sure I'll be moving this into the Spring rotation next time I want to add a fancy little retro touch to an evening. Throw in my well-worth-the-splurge black heels and a vintage throw and the look was perfect for a flashback evening of records and cocktails.




Also, make sure to stop by Five Kinds of Happy for a little interview I did for the lovely Amy and please look below to enter my Sneak Peeq giveaway for a gift card to the social shopping site. I'll be picking the luck winner on Monday. I'd love to hear what you would purchase with the card!

Sneak Peeq giveaway

I am a huge fan of online sale sites and definitely include a pretty big selection of them in my morning website routine, so I was extremely excited when I was introduced to Sneak Peeq. I quickly fell in love with their great artisinal and local selections of food, homegoods, and clothing, plus they're a fun startup and I love supporting new ventures and creative people like this. They introduce people to brands and products (like PUBLIC bikes, Melanie Auld, and more) that have been carefully selected by the staff, hoping you discover something new and fun. Not to mention, the discounts are pretty amazing. The best part is that they are giving away a $25 giftcard to one lucky reader of Stay in the Lines, plus 20% off to everyone who enters. Pretty good excuse to go shopping I must say!

To enter:
1. Click this link to enter through the site (must do this in order to be counted)
2. Follow Stay in the Lines through my blog, Twitter, Currently Obsessed, or BlogLovin'
3. Leave a comment below telling me some of your favorite items you would buy with the giftcard

(only open to US and new customers this time)

I'll pick a winner next Monday the 12th. Good luck everyone!

Margarita moss

1. Juicy Couture, ribbon and chain bracelet
2. Mia Limited Edition, Audrey flat
3. Jonathan Adler, Fig "Pop" candle
4. Anthropologie, Lakarri curtain
5. Current Elliot, ankle skinny zip jeans
6. Chloe, L'Eau de Chloe

I love following the Pantone colors, flipping through the decks of swatches, lining up coordinating shades, and styling my layouts based on the vibrant colors that pique my interest. Since seasonal colors have been popping up in stores, wardrobes, and editorials everywhere, I thought I would pick out a few pieces that were been inspired by the Spring color trends. I love the fresh mossy shade of a muted green and while pops of neon and bright yellows and pinks are always fun, an understated hue can be just as interesting. Delicate flats, patterned curtains, and an extremely dreamy garden scent are a few of the Spring greens I'm looking forward to.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, make sure to check out more of my recent obsessions and colorful loves on Currently Obsessed and Pinterest