Pink Champagne: July 2012

31 July 2012

Summer Capsule: Devon Baer

I have had my eye on Devon Baer's Summer Capsule collection for a long time...The bright colors and beautiful prints are making me positively giddy!

photos via

Isn't she (and her line) adorable?! Cheers to a colorful summer! XX

27 July 2012

Summer Chic: White & Bright

On a hot summer day, I love my dresses WHITE and my accessories BRIGHT!

Necklace: Bauble Bar Princess Pink Bib / Lilly dress: Lilly Pulitzer Kolby Dress / Beach hat: Kate Spade stripe straw hat / Sunnies: Marc Jacobs Butterfly Glam sunnies / Sandals: Jack Rogers Rio sandal in pink/gold / Cosmetic bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs

To anchor the look, this is the parfait little white dress by Lilly Pulitzer (on major sale - squeee!). How adorable is this Marc Jacobs cosmetic bag for weekend getaways on the boat? And that gorgeous necklace from Bauble Bar...to die! Jacks go with everything in the summertime, and the outfit is topped off with a fab beach hat and chic sunnies. Just the right amount of pop!

Wishing you a fabulous summer weekend! XX

25 July 2012

Fashionably Late

Due to some "alarm clock issues" this morning, today is a LBD, pearls, and top-bun kind of day...I call it rushed-chic. (With my huge black sunnies and hot pink lip, I felt a bit like Holly Golightly running out the door!)

When I spotted this adorable image on Cardigans & Couture's Facebook page this morning, I knew instantly that I had to share.

photo via

Nail on the head.

24 July 2012

Well Said

Words of wisdom for a wonderful Tuesday.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Amen!

20 July 2012

Nautical vs. Neon

I adore a clutch to hold all my summer essentials when island hopping, and I have been swooning over J.Crew and Tory Burch's clutch collections! To tempt me even further, these styles are all on major SALE!

I fell in love with this J.Crew Havana clutch, but I as forced to choose between neon and nautical - two of my favorite trends! (Husband just did not understand that the hot pink and navy stripe are actually quite different and both necessary in my closet...)

Neon won, and this lovely fuschia number is en route to the Champagne Chateau as I type.

Here is the nautical navy stripe...someone please buy this beauty and enjoy...the price has been reduced even more!

The aqua is also quite charming...

I'm smitten with SEVERAL Tory Burch options as well...all part of of Tory's sale too!

This Tory Burch woven patent clutch is pink...parfait in my book!

Also in navy...the neutral of summer.

I adore this rattan and white clutch!

Last but not least, this ombre is such fun and totally on-trend.

Are you in love with the clutch too? Happy shopping, ladies! XX

19 July 2012

Nutella Buttercream Cupcakes

I die for anything with Nutella on it (ask Husband about my banana-nutella crepe addiction...), so when I saw this recipe I fell in love instantly. Enjoy, my little Giadas!

Nutella Cupcakes with Nutella Buttercream Frosting

nutella buttercream cupcakes Nutella Cupcakes with Nutella Buttercream

Cupcakes: adapted from GoodLife Eats
2/3 cup Nutella
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 cups buttermilk

Filling:
1/2 cup Nutella

Nutella Buttercream:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1 cup Nutella
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2-4 tablespoons heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Sift together flours, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine. In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat eggs and sugar until they are pale yellow and thick in consistency. Add in butter and mix to combine. Add Nutella and buttermilk and beat until incorporated.

Add in flour 1-2 cups at a time, mixing in after each addition. Scoop batter to fill lined cupcake tins 2/3 full. Bake for 22-25 minutes until tops bounce back when touched lightly. Allow to cool 5-10 minutes.

When cupcakes are still warm, fill a pastry bag with a round tip with the 1/2 cup Nutella. Insert tip into the top of each cupcake in the center about 1/2″ down. Squeeze in Nutella, about 1 tablespoon for each cupcake. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.

Beat together butter and Nutella until creamy. Mix in vanilla extract. Add in powdered sugar and mix well. Add cream until desired consistency is reached.

Pipe Nutella buttercream onto filled cupcakes.

Bon apetit!

18 July 2012

At the Carousel

I am working on a very exciting project and cannot wait to share it with you! In the meantime, here is a little teaser of my inspiration board... j'adore a carousel, don't you?

photo via

photo via

Wishing you a lovely Wednesday!

16 July 2012

Tennis Tournaments & Vineyard Vespas

I'm back after a fun-filled summer weekend, and I have lots to share! Our day at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport was lovely - lots of great tennis (Lleyton Hewitt and Ryan Harrison to name a couple) and some fantastic father-daughter time.

Daddy and me

The grounds are beautiful!

Posing with Husband

Husband spoiled me with a sweet surprise from Angela Moore - he is the sweetest!

We took the boat to Martha's Vineyard on Friday and spent the afternoon vespa-ing around the island. What fun!

En route to the Vineyard...wind in my hair.

Action shot.

Taking in the views from the lighthouse.

The rest of the weekend included more boating and beaching with my besties. Hope you all had a lovely weekend! XX

12 July 2012

Tennis Whites

I grew up in a tennis family. In lessons at a young age, traveling to my brother's tennis tournaments, and playing doubles with Daddy. Newport tennis week at the International Tennis Hall of Fame has always been a tradition, and I will be spending the day with Husband and Daddy watching the matches. In honor of those lovely tennis whites, here are some fabulous little white dresses parfait for the summer sun!