a match made in heaven...

there aren't too many things in life better then cheese & wine. i love trying new cheeses {& wines} and pairing them with different foods. for example... a salty Parmesan cheese tastes perfect with a sweet fig jam and a big glass of red wine. in my little world this could be considered a meal... a perfect little meal. the fireman however needs a bit more then some cheese and wine for dinner. so last night i arranged a salty/sweet cheese pairing platter, while the fireman grilled his idea of a perfect pairing... a ribeye steak and kale sautee. it was a perfect night in!

*a little foodie note: i picked up these a-mazing ingredients at my favorite Italian deli Baycities in Santa Monica. if you're ever in their neck of the woods... stop by for lunch & a little grocery shopping. i promise it's a pretty special place!

cheese + wine

{i was SO happy to use my new teeny-tiny spoon i picked up at the flea market last month... and check out my new cheese cleaver!!! i'm in love! the fireman thinks it awesome too. check it out here}

{the cheeses were amazing! and the wine we washed it all down with was a yummy Malbac. yum yum!}

{i have been eye-balling this {REAL} honeycomb for a while now. i was SO excited to finally try it... and it turns out that this textured treat was the very best part of the entire pairing process! this cool comb would even make a great hostest gift the next time you go to a party!}

{make sure when you go to Baycities to grab some of their fresh baked bread. to die for.}

if you have any yummy pairing tips or a cheese you can't live without let me know... 

i would love to hear what cheese makes your world complete! 

comment below or message me on facebook

have a wonderful weekend! xo- the gal

what i wore...

// photo's by the fashion gal //

yesterday i was inspired by all the different Layers of Fall(!) the layers of high socks & boots, mixed with plaids & heavy jackets, topped with twills & bold textures... all to make any fall look (oh-so) complete. i did however, take baby steps for this transitional time of the season and subbed textured twill pants for a loose plaid tunic... and of course wrapped it all up with a (humongous) cashmere scarf! RESULT: a fun and flirty fall (mid-week) look.

* little tip: if it's a bit chillier where you live... try this look with a pair of tights!
**see more "what i wore's" on the left index (!)

l a y e r s   u p o n   l a y e r s   u p o n   l a y e r s.

{ t h e   g o o d s }

plaid tunic: jcrew / pencil skirt: american apparel / jacket: urban outfitters / socks: target / sunnies: ray-ban / boots: target / scarf: a gift from the fireman's mom / earrings: melissa joy manning / bag: vintage louis vuitton / ARM BLING... watch: nixon /gold spike bracelet: forever 21 / green & gold bracelet: Planet Blue / green & silver bracelet: LF / string bracelet: Pura Vida / NECK BLING... rose gold mini-tags: Hinu / pewter necklace: LF

SWEATERS + SCARVES

i don't know about you, but i'm a so excited to start dressing for fall that i can hardly stand it! i just wish the (damn) weather would start cooperating and cool down already. i have boots to wear, ya know!? crisp cool overcast mornings and then hot summer afternoons is killing my fall wardrobe plan and makes getting ready a little difficult every morning. so listen up team, my current game-plan (for this in-between-time) is to start the day w. a light tee or tank (or dress), layered w. a sweater or jacket, and a fun chunky scarf... and as the day goes on... the clothes come off! ok, well not all the clothes, basically the scarf and probably the jacket. i hope this mini game-plan helps you get ready this week. in the meantime here are some bright, fun, and playful SWEATER + SCARF combos(!)

**for more fall fashion inspiration go to "what i wore" or "style tips" on the left index.. xo my peeps!

a   l i t t l e   i n s p i r a t i o n . . . f r o m   m e   t o   y o u.

// photo's by the fashion gal //

which colorful combo do you like best???

Pumpkin Gnocchi {yum-yum!}

// photo's & recipe by The Steamy Kitchen //

gnocchi

 [nok-ee, noh-kee; It. nyawk-kee]

since the fireman has been at work for the past three days (in fireman language it's called "A 72"... 72 hours) i wanted to find an extra special recipe to make for him when he gets home tomorrow! i was browsing around my go-to food inspiration sights and fell-in-love with this brown-sugary-extra-buttery Pumpkin Gnocchi dish. i mean come on, deeeeelsih! homemade gnocchi?! my mouth is watering. i've always wanted to learn how to make gnocchi... but have had the vision that gnocchi can only be made by lovely 5ft Italian women named Fiorenza (or Izabella) that could also make Tiramisu w. their eyes closed. but that is not the case!!! us 6ft blonde babes can make it too!! it may not be as good, but hey, i'll try(!) before i go any further i need to credit the fabulous creator of this Pumpkin Gnocchi The Steamy Kitchen. i don't know about you guys, but we're having homemade gnocchi for dinner this week... and i can't wait!

**check out more (easy) recipes on the left index under "recipes" or go here!

PAN-FRIED  pumpkin gnocchi
... with brown butter sage!!!

 // click here for the step-by-step tutorial! //

ingredients:
1/2 cup skim milk ricotta
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup freshly grated parmegiano reggiano
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon lemon zest (use a microplane grater) (plus extra reserved for garnishing)
1 teaspoon kosher salt (or 1/2 tsp table salt)
1 cup all purpose flour, sifted plus more for dusting (see sifting tip above)
3 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoon olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons good quality balsamic vinegar
3 sprigs fresh sage, plus more for garnish
shaved parmegiano reggiano for serving (use vegetable peeler)

ok, how GOOD does this recipe look! pretty delish right?!

let me know how your buttery masterpiece turns out.

good luck!

{FALL}ing head over heels...

this past saturday felt like the first day of Fall (!) yippy! in manhattan beach it was cool, crisp, & overcast... just how i like it! seriously, i love it (the cloudier the better.. i know it sounds crazy!). other then the change in weather there are so many things that i love about Fall. fashion aside (that's another post on it's own!), it's such an exciting (& cozy) time of year. i love the crisp cloudy mornings, the layers of cashmere & cottons, and the warmth of my tiny kitchen when we're cooking or i'm baking. it's a time of year to host a party and visit w. friends & family. here are few more reason's i love this change of seasons...

{t e n} reasons to LOVE  t h e  F a l l . . .
// photos by Pinterest //

{one. Cozy sweaters... i love love LOVE cozy chunky knitted sweaters.}

{two. Chai tea lattes. even though i'm a Pete's gal... i love The (star)Bucks Chai Latte! yum yum!!}

{three. Cooking warm comfort food... and playing around w. new rich recipes}

{four. Preparing for the fun holidays ahead! Holloween & my ultimate favorite Thanksgiving!} 

{five. Roasting pumpkin seeds! check out this salty delicious pumpkin seed recipe} 

{six. Shopping for the perfect pair of boots. right now i'm liking (L) Dolce Vita (R) Miz Mooz} 

{seven. Using my Crock-Pot! here's a yummy creamy chicken & wild rice soup recipe}

{eight. Breaking out my scarfs! you'd think i live in Minnesota the way i bundle up!}

{nine. Drinking hot chocolate... and not feeling guilty about it}

{ten. Cuddling up on a rainy day... with the fireplace on! in my opinion there is NOTHING better.}

what do you love about Fall?????

music sunday...

// The Postal Service //

today in manhattan beach (california) it's cozy & overcast! my favorite weather!! so i'll be listening to some Postal Service... you can too! enjoy.

*if you want to change the station... to go to the left index under "the goodies"/"mixed tape" for more music sundays! xxoo

{the}  p  o  s  t  a  l   s e r v i c e.

{Postal Sevice "Against All Odds}

{Postal Service "Sleeping In}

{Postal Service "The District Sleeps Alone Tonight}

have a cozy sunday.

a little love from my friends...

so one of my fabulous friends just sent me this photo! she was inspired by today's post and organized her jewelry {earlier today}... and it looks great! thanks for the love Amy... xxoo!

g e t   i n s p i r e d (!)

 i hope you can take a little inspiration from this inspired inspiration... wait what?

blah blah blah... have a nice weekend!!! ;) the gal

inspiration: organize the bling

wow! what a busy busy week! i have been a gal-on-the-go the past few days, and can't believe it's already friday... t-g-i-f (!) i don't know about you, but when my week gets jam-packed... and days begin to blend together (running here & sprinting there) my organization goes right out the window!! my closet is the first to suffer (we've all been there) and my jewelry isn't far behind. it begins to look like a tangled pile of golds, jewels, & gems (oh my!). so this weekend i plan to pull it together people! i'm going to organize my jewelry stash and who knows... i might even find some hidden treasures!

*here's some Organization-Inspiration for your little treasures (!)

o r g a n i z a t i o n - i n s p i r a t i o n . . .

{grab some cute little doorknobs to hang your necklaces on... TIP: Anthropologie has amazing ones!} 

{use little hooks for your jewels! also, creating a little vanity space is a great way for easy-getting-ready}

{you could always use a silverware holder to separate your necklaces from your bracelets... & make-up}

{i like the idea of hanging your bling on the side of a dresser... my mom does this. trendsetter!}

{last-but-not-least... throw your treasures on a good ole rake! Martha Stewart eat your heart out!}

which new organization tool will you try?

have a wonderful weekend.................. xo- the gal

what i wore...

{hey look, that's me! photo by the fashion gal}

this little tiddy i wore yesterday, i'd like to call my MULLET LOOK. cool n' casual on top and miss. fancy pants on the bottom! i love mixing style aesthetics... whether it's masculine vs feminine, modern vs vintage, or even the most current black vs pastels (seen at NYFW- Spring 2012).  

* like i said last week... i love stripes!

** see more "what i wore's" on the left index under "the goodies"/"what i wore"... enjoy!

*** oh & little note: i wanted to funk up this look a little more, so i doubled up on my two chunky jcrew necklaces for some super-duper-bling! whoop whoop!

m y   m u l l e t   l o o k.

 

// the goods //

sweater: forever / necklaces: jcrew / jacket: vintage / nude clutch: vintage / pleated skirt: forever / cocktail ring: nordstom / sunnies: ray-ban / wedges: target / watch: nixon / earrings: melissa joy manning

what are you guys wearing these days???

DIY + SHRED

 // photo by Honestly WFT //

today's DIY (do it yourself) project was inspired by my post yesterday about grunge. what better way to embrace this cool 90's trend then to shed some stuff up!? there are many designers that have created a full-fledged career out of shredding oversized t-shirts, but no one does it better then Riguel Alegra (see her amazing work below). so taking some inspiration from Miss. Alegra and following the DIY steps from this fabulous Blogger from Finland OutsaPop... i'm going to shred some shirts today! yippy! i'll let you know how it goes... 

**see more DIY's on the left index under "the goodies"/"do it yourself"... enjoy!

i n s p i r a t i o n.

{i mean, wow! pretty cool right?! made by Riquel Alegra}

t h e   p r o c e s s.

{step #1... seam rip the bottom seam open}

{step #2... catch your first thread}

{step #3... gently pull your first thread}

{step #4... continue pulling the threads, gently!}

{the goal! let's see how it goes... fingers crossed!}

AND a video to help...

if you DO try this at home... let me know how it goes!
i'd love the hear or see your results...