Oh my... I love mail

Created by Lauren 

Passion Tea from Chelsea

A Towel from Em

A Lovely Flower from Meg designed by The Littlest Boutique

A Rant about Mail

I absolutely love sending and receiving mail

I am pretty sure that I know everyone by name at my local post office

 they smiled when I sent off numerous Valentine's several times

 because 

I would always seem to leave one or two at home.

Do you send mail, and if so what do you send??

I've received the sweetest things this week and I just want to tell you about them:

On Saturday, I got a sweet card from my lovely friend Chelsea, inside were two packets of passion tea, she included one for the hubs so we can enjoy a cup of passion together... :)

all together Thoughtful.

A couple weeks back I won the Yellow Goddess Clip over at Curls and Coffee, and it came in the mail last week... 

I can't wait to wear it

right now it's on my vanity where I can admire it!!

Then my friend Emmy, 

whom 

I have known since the age of 5

 sent me a sweet towel and card.

And last but not least..... Lauren

 my sweet sweet friend Lauren

 sent me a card JUST BECAUSE

 and inside were two pairs of earrings that she made!!! 

Ahhh swoooooonnnn!!

I just want to say Thank You... all of you have given life to my mail box, 

and have made me giddy!!

So here is my idea, 

being that I love mail and I am sure all of you do too

 I was thinking we would have a mail scramble!!!! 

Send me your address if you would like to participate

 and 

I will pair you up with another follower of Coeur de La

 and you will send each other simple somethings.

 You have until Saturday to send me an email at writingldy@gmail.com

with your address 

and 

I will set up the mail scramble and give you more details!!!

XO

Green Stuff is GOOD

Look at these Brussel Sprouts... they are huge...ok just kidding... look at this Cabbage

A Perfect Bunch of Brussel Sprouts

Steamed in Garlic Butter

Better than Pasta

I love the color Green 

because it reminds me of

 Spring, Freshness, and VEGGIES!!! 

I bought a bunch of brussel sprouts over the weekend at the Farmer's Market 

and 

I wanted to find a recipe that would allow me to appreciate them

 luckily,

 my friend Heather suggested cooking them in Garlic Butter

and what a suggestion!! 

The Brussel Sprouts that Marc made were so GOOD that I asked for seconds

 and 

if there had been enough for thirds 

I would have had thirds... 

I was so focused on Brussel Sprouts that I ended up neglecting my pasta :)

Dear Brussel Sprouts, 

I would like to thank you for being gosh darn tasty!!

This is for all of you who wanted the Brussel Sprouts in Garlic Butter Recipe... I am going to warn you... after eating these yummy green bundles you may never look at brussel sprouts in the same way again... BECAUSE... they are GOOD!!!!

Brussel Sprouts in Garlic Butter... made by Marc (the hubby) recipe idea courtesy of Heather

Ingredients:

2-4 tbsp of butter

2 cloves of garlic diced

8 brussel sprouts, cut in half (cut of the stems too)

A little water

Salt and pepper to Taste 

Directions:

1) Melt the butter in a pan and sauté with the garlic over medium heat for 2-3 minutes

2) Add a few ounces of water to the pan

3) Place the brussel sprout halves face down in the pan and cover, simmering for 4-8 minutes, or until the brussel sprouts turn a bright, deep green

4) Then, Enjoy

 

Saturdays and Farmer's Market GOODNESS

Beautiful Blooms

(Just started following their blog... and look what I found at the Farmer's Market)

Fresh Sauerkraut

my friend Heather... sweet as a pea

No this isn't a bouncy ball but a Pomelo

Saturdays are one of my favorite days of the week!!! Today, I met up with a friend to do some research for an article we are writing about local farmer's markets. Yes, we get to write about Farmer's Market Goodness!!! I snapped photos, tried samples and bought veggies and fruits galore. Some of my buys were:

Brussel Sprouts that will be cooked in Garlic Butter

A Pomelo, basically a big ball of grapefruit love

Locally fermented Sauerkraut... oh my so good

Oranges

Apples

A mixed greens bag with edible wild flowers

Chard

Here is the best part... we purchased all of this for 16 dollars... YES, can you believe it!!

Afterwards, the hubs and I met our friends and went to a yummy local bakery for French Pastries and sandwiches. I ordered a brie and ham sandwich, and for dessert a Chocolat Chaud. I am busy writing a paper but I am perfectly relaxed after a lovely morning. What are your favorite things to do on Saturdays?

Now... for the giveaway winner.... oh I am so excited... the lovely wishbone necklace goes to a new follower of Coeur de La..... Ashley from Rejoice!!! Congrats!!!!! Please email me at writingldy@gmail.com with your address, so I can send you your necklace.

I loved reading everyone's wishes. They inspired me and made me oh so happy. Stay tuned for another giveaway in two weeks... for my little blog's first birthday :)

Wishing you the best of weekends!!! 

XO

Giveaway: Close your eyes and make a wish

I am really excited for this giveaway!!! 

I will be giving away this lovely wishbone necklace 

(featured in the picture above)

courtesy of my friend Alana. 

She is the friend that created my seahorse necklace 

that I love oh so much 

and 

now you have a chance to receive one from her too!!

This giveaway is only open to followers of Coeur de La 

as a way to say thank you to all of you.... 

You are the BEST

details on how to enter:

1. leave a comment telling me your favorite item on Alana's etsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/alanadouvros

2. leave a comment telling me a wish you made that came true

3. leave a comment telling me your favorite place to travel to

You can leave up to three comments and Good Luck... I wish I could enter :) 

Oh, and one of you will be picked at random 

on the afternoon of 

Saturday, February 20 by!! 

XO

Union Street to Crissy Field

On the roof top in the city... we went to a piano bar

Brunch at my favorite place...

Best Chai Latte... it is served in a bowl, just how I like it

Balloons

A Beautiful Day in the City

On Valentine's Day Marc and I walked to our favorite spot

... La Boulange 

and 

enjoyed a yummy brunch. 

I love La Boulange because their Chai Latte is quite possibly the best Chai ever... 

I mean it... 

if you are in San Francisco head to Union Street 

and

 grab brunch at La Boulange. 

After, 

we decided to walk down to Crissy Field and grab a snack at the 

Warming Hut,

which is located right under the Golden Gate. 

I loved that all of the streets were decorated with pink, red and white balloons 

and 

even the sidewalks had paper hearts scattered about. 

The weather was perfect for a day of walking

 and 

I feel the best way to see a city is on two feet. 

I loved reading all of your blogs on Monday 

and stay tuned for my giveaway tomorrow... 

here's a hint... 

start thinking about a wish that you have, 

or 

a wish that you've made that has come true... 

:) XO

Happy Tuesday!!

A Valentine's Treat for You

Fresh Raspberries... ahh I love their color

The Raspberry Cupcake Batter

A Treat for Valentine's Day

Pink Buttercream Frosting.... amazing

A Cupcake Just for You!! xo

Here is a Valentine's Treat for You... 

Raspberry Cupcakes with Pink Buttercream and Lacy Chocolate Hearts... 

now say that five times fast.

I woke up this morning 

and 

started baking away

... these cupcakes were rather tedious to make 

but 

all in all they were a fun recipe to try. 

Last night, 

I made the Lacy Chocolate Hearts 

and had an adventure trying

 to pipe out intricate hearts out of melted chocolate

... I made a huge mess 

but who considers chocolate a mess? :)

I must say 

 buttercream frosting is heavenly and makes the cupcake 

because the cupcake itself 

tastes more like a muffin. 

I think next time I am going to make velvety rich chocolate cupcakes

 with Pink Buttercream frosting... 

now that sounds like a cupcake. 

What kinds of treats are you making or enjoying this weekend? 

And, if you tried the Raspberry Cupcake recipe

... what did you think, did it taste more like a muffin to you?

 Sending you much love... 

xo!!

All You Need is Love

Marc and I

couples who play together stay together.. Emily and Scott

Maui Love... Kyle and Ashley

Spending Valentine's Day with this Lovely Couple... Ashley and Scott

"for beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

Audrey Hepburn

I hope all of you have a weekend filled with ..... LOVE!!! 

Happy (soon to be) Valentine's Day

xo

P.S I have a lovely giveaway for all of you next week... so so excited... here is a hint

it's something from my creative friend Alana :)

Sending you Flowers

My sister has been staying with us and I must say that I have been benefiting.... 

why you might ask? 

Well, she has been getting flowers (the ones in the pictures above) 

from her secret admirer :)... 

and guess who gets to scour the house for vases, 

and decided where they go?? 

Yes... I do!! 

My home is filled with love, flowers and merriment. 

Have you noticed how much life flowers bring to a room? 

I can sit and just stare at their beauty for hours... 

ok maybe not for hours, but while I eat my breakfast. 

What is your favorite flower? 

Mine are daisies 

but roses have been growing on me, 

oh and let me not forget ... 

Sunflowers... 

I had a bouquet of teddy bear sunflowers for my wedding.

 Any who, 

Wishing you a lovely Valentine's Day weekend... 

enjoy time with someone you love, whether it's toasting with friends, a dinner with mom or dad, or time with your hubby/BF/GF, or taking your pup for a walk... 

Valentine's Day for me, and I hope for all of you is really just about Celebrating LOVE!!! And, who doesn't want to celebrate Love...!! XO

p.s if you would like a valentine send me an email and I will send you one

Life is Sweet

(Sweet)

(Winter)

I love it when Seahorses kiss 

and 

that winter in California means you can eat ice cream!! 

It's the little things that remind me 

.... Life is Sweet. 

What are some sweet things that make you smile? 

*The ice cream photo was taken by my brother and the necklace was created by my friend Alana... check out her etsy ... her stuff is oh so sweet!! 

Blueberries and a touch of Spring

(My Inspiration)

(MUFFINS)

(MERCI CHLOE)

(Sweet Nectar from The SOHO.... Thank you)

(Spring... almost)

The other day I mentioned I had a bunch of fresh blueberries in my fridge... and I ended up making Blueberry Muffins. Yes, I am in a muffin phase so please bear with me :) 

I found this great recipe from an oh so inspiring blog and decided to try it. The muffins turned out perfectly and Marc said.... "These are the best Muffins I have ever had!!!" I was pretty excited. 

This week has been crazy.... I had two papers due and a midterm, so I couldn't help but be a little flustered, but to cope I decided to make a yummy recipe to celebrate the end of my crazy week... details to come on the recipe. A couple of things that made me oh so happy this week were: wearing a headband that a very creative friend made, deciding how to use Tupelo honey, and that Spring is right around the corner... things are perking up!!! I hope all of  you are enjoying your week... what are your weekend plans??? xo

Muffins and Coffee

(Home Brewed Coffee: a key to studying)

(Making Muffins: a key to procrastinating)

(A good oven: a key to baking)

(Muffins: a key to Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

I have a crazy week ahead of me 

and 

when it comes to midterms/papers etc 

there is no better way to procrastinate than to 

BAKE MUFFINS. 

I made these yummy Pumpkin Pecan Muffins last week 

while taking a break from studying. 

Muffins are one of my favorite treats 

and 

I love that they can be enjoyed in the 

morning, afternoon and evening. 

So, 

being that I am giving myself an hour study break 

and 

I have a bunch of fresh blueberries in my fridge hmmm... what to do?? 

I think you can guess what I will be baking. 

I can already smell the aromas, 

of 

sweet blueberries mixed with butter and sugar mmmm!! 

How do you procrastinate, do share?? 

Wishing you a lovely Tuesday!! 

xo

p.s a fresh cup of home brewed coffee goes perfectly with a straight from the oven muffin