Style Inspired by Key Lime

Lindt29web.jpg
Lindt25web
Lindt25web

Raise your emoji hand if you like key lime pie. I DO!!! Raise your hand if you like chocolate. I do, especially while pregnant! Did you know that Lindt makes citrus Lindor Truffles? Yes. Yes, they do, and I am very thankful because they are a little slice of heaven during these hot summer days.

Lindt asked me share some outfits inspired by their indulgent truffles, and what better choice than a citrus inspired palette for summer?! It tastes like melt in your mouth white chocolate with a key lime filling, so I chose white skinny maternity jeans from H&M with a graphic pattern halter top from Alixandra Collections that incorporated lime green along with a beautiful aqua and, everyone's favorite color, black.

Lindt30web
Lindt30web
Lindt31web
Lindt31web

I love that women are embracing the color white. Just have a gallon of bleach near by, and don't worry too much if you spill something on your pants. Halter tops are a shape that many designers are using this summer. In general, plan to expose those beautiful shoulders of yours with off-the-shoulder tops, strapless tops or halters.

Lindt32web1
Lindt32web1

If you're nervous about incorporating bright colors such as lime into your wardrobe, pick a print that incorporates it. Prints are also great for disguising a large mid-section (you can't even tell I'm pregnant from the front).

Get the look: Hat from Alixandra Collections Sunglasses from Target Top from Alixandra Collections White skinny jeans from H&M Black mules from Shoe Dazzle

Photos by Gina Meola

This post is sponsored by Lindt.

I'm a Pinterest Ambassador

ambassador-e1432913460846.png

I'm so excited to share that I'm an official Pinterest Ambassador selected by Pinterest to help educate people in the United States how to use Pinterest effectively. Pinterestambassadors2015-16 (1)

I never saw myself as a teacher. In fact, I always thought that would be the worst job for someone like me that often gets frustrated in classroom settings, but I've realized that teaching people doesn't have to look so traditional. It can be sharing Pinterest tips on Instagram, speaking at blogger conferences and hosting cocktail pin parties like I did last night (check out Instagram to see pics of the Nordstrom Pin Party).

Screen Shot 2015-05-29 at 8.38.53 AM

To be one of 15 people asked to be a part of this program is such an honor. If you told me that this would be part of my life I would have thought you were crazy. It's amazing to me what social media can do to shape the world and communities. I hope I can bring people together to develop relationships and help them discover their dreams online by being an ambassador.

To learn more about what an Ambassador is you can check out Pinterest's blog. You can always see who else was selected.

Stay tuned for more Pinterest Ambassador events in Arizona! I'll be posting them here on my blog.

L.A. Vacation with Airbnb

la_airbnb.jpg
46be597b234c302c3a830ddfae6c9a84
46be597b234c302c3a830ddfae6c9a84

School is out and summer vacation season is upon us. Where are you going this summer? If you live in Arizona there's a good chance that you are planning a weekend getaway to the California coast. A six hour drive from Phoenix to L.A. is easy as pie, but what happens when you get there?

In years past we have gotten an inexpensive stay at a hotel, but then we spend the rest of our trip completely relying on Yelp and Google to find the top eats and things to do. Though we have always had fun, the places that are usually recommended to us are tourist spots.

9c1f29524b3d2098243d4168e80df2ee
9c1f29524b3d2098243d4168e80df2ee

I would consider Ryan and I foodies. He loves craft beers and I love locally roasted coffee. He loves good bourbon and I love obscure food pairings. We also enjoy modern architecture and interiors and we have never been able to afford a hotel that meets our design taste. With the help of Airbnb we have found some seriously awesome modern homes to stay for families of all sizes, and with the help of Pinterest, I've put together a one-stop-shop experience of places to eat, shop and stay with a click of a button. Check it out, click here. I've also included some of my favorite travel bags, snack recipes and travel tips.

I hope you enjoy, and definitely let me know if there are other L.A. spots I should add.

L.A. photo by Super Duper Brick, Laguna BeachAlfred Coffee,

Non-Alcoholic Cucumber Basil Soda

Cucumber-Basil-Soda_-California-Roots.jpg

Happy Memorial Day! I'm enjoying the holiday in Boston with my family, and there's such patriotism here. It's refreshing to see so many people honor those that have given their lives for freedom. As a very pregnant lady I can't really toast to our veterans with an alcoholic beverage, but I sure can toast to them with this delicious mocktail created by California Pizza Kitchen. They were kind enough to share the recipe with you guys, and it's DELICIOUS!

Cucumber Basil soda:

Makes: 12 servings

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup water

1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced

12 large basil leaves

9 cups of soda water, chilled ice

cucumber slices and fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Procedure

In a medium saucepan combine sugar and water over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and mixture just comes to a boil, about 5 minutes.

In a small bowl muddle the cucumber and basil leaves with the back of a wooden spoon. Add to the hot syrup. Cover and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain the syrup, pressing the solids through a fine-mesh strainer to release the flavors. Discard solids.

For each serving, combine 3 tablespoons of the syrup with ¾ cup soda water in an ice-filled glass. Stir gently to combine. Garnish with cucumber slices and a basil leaf.

Note: Cucumber-basil syrup can be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Pinterest Ambassador Party with Nordstrom

PinterestParty2by1-e1432319564133.png

Do you like to eat? Do you like to get beautified? Do you love fashion? Do you love Pinterest? If you said yes to every single question I would LOVE, love to have you come out for my Pinterest Ambassador event with Nordstrom at Scottsdale Fashion Square on Thursday, May 28th from 6pm to 8pm.

Mingle with Pinterest, ask me questions about Pinterest, and enjoy getting pampered with pin-spired eats and treats.

You MUST RSVP to attend. Please follow this link to claim your spot! http://bit.ly/1Eo3fBE