DIY: Picture Frame Perfume Tray

One of my favorite home accessories are trays. They keep your life organized and are perfect for anything, ranging from your home bar to your night stand filled with fresh flowers, a candle, and a good book/magazine. My favorite use of trays are, of course, for perfumes.

I got a vanity the moment I moved to my apartment last Fall, since the bathroom was to small an area to do my makeup. Plus any excuse for a pretty, feminine vanity, sounded perfect for me. Since the perfume tray I bought was to large for my vanity, I decided to make a tray myself. All I needed was a pretty picture frame, beautiful fabric, and a simple piece of paper. 

Here's how to make it:

Necessities: A sparkly picture frame, pretty fabric, and silver paper.

I used the faux picture inside the frame as an outline for the silver paper.

Then I used the same paper as an outline to cut out the fabric. I let the fabric be a little larger since I was able to fold over the edges in the picture frame.

Final product: Place the silver paper underneath the fabric and enclose it in the picture frame for something pretty to add to your night stand or vanity.

And of course, it is perfect for my perfumes!

 Here are the steps for how to make yourself a pretty tray:

1) Use the paper inside the picture frame as an outline to cut out the paper you want to use in your tray.

2) Use the same paper as an outline to cut out the fabric. Let the fabric be a little larger since you can fold it underneath, but don't want it to be too small for the frame.

3) Wrap the fabric around the paper you cut and place it inside your picture frame.

4) Decorate your pretty new tray with your favorite perfumes or jewels.

Enjoy!

x Paris

Amber

Whenever I visit Santana Row (in San Jose, CA) I always eye the Pinkberry, an amazing bubble tea shop (hello guava and passion fruit teas - yum!), and a delicious, fusion restaurant, Amber. I haven't been there in a good four years, however this last week we took a quick, impromptu trip into San Francisco, which just happens to have two locations for this yummy restaurant.

It was a beautiful day in the city, with crystal blue water, blossoming flowers, and trees with leaves in every shade of green. By the evening, we were all ravenous since we had forgotten to eat, and decided to indulge in a delicious meal of fusion Indian food.

Here's what we devoured:

Yummy Avocado Poori appetizers - slightly spicy, super indulgent, and none of the guilt thanks to the fresh avocado.

I was really craving naan, so ordering this bread basket was #1 on my ordering list.

A yummy, vegetable curry.

A rich cashew and fig kofta. They had fresh figs stuffed inside the kofta balls, which was a sweet and decadent surprise.

We also ordered a yummy half order of an creamy eggplant curry.

And of course no meal is completed without an indulgent dessert. We ordered a mango creme brulee. I was beyond full, but still decided to sample a quick spoonful (or three!) of this tasty treat.

x Paris

Happy May Day

A pretty pink peony I purchased recently. I took this picture after one of the last rains of the season, so hopefully those April showers do bring May flowers. :)

Happy May! This is the start of one of my favorite months and I could not have asked for a prettier day. I'm so excited since today is the two year anniversary of my marathon (26.2 miles is no joke), and in a couple weeks I will transition into my mid twenties (hello 24!), and in less than a month I graduate from my Masters degree! I am also excited since this year I get to celebrate the two year anniversary of my job at the magazine and my job at the paper.
What are you most excited for this month?

x Paris

Spring is in the Air

Hello beautiful bloggers. I am so sorry I went MIA these last few months; grad school took over my life. I had an intense semester in the Fall and just took my thesis exam this last week. However, the entire time I have been planning on how to make this little blog of mine even better. I have many exciting changes ahead of us and can't wait to start transforming the blog over the next few weeks. 

Pretty pink flowers in a glass cream jar at a cafe in Santa Cruz.

With Spring in full bloom, I keep finding each day seems to be prettier than the last. Since I am a firm believer that it really is the little things in life that mean the most, I thought this would be the perfect time to start documenting the things that inspire me (and not just in my iPhone) - from pretty flowers to a great pair of new shoes to a yummy dish I whipped up in the kitchen. My goals for this blog are to continue to be a lifestyle, fashion, fitness, and food blog that gives a little dose of glamour, decadence, and pretty.

Here are a few things I'm loving currently:

Orange blossoms that are so fragrant, they make my backyard smell like citrus.

Fresh kumquats - perfect to add to a salad, mix in with a cocktail, or eat by the handful. Plus it's exciting to see this tree I bought as a child stand taller than me today.

The gorgeous view on my long run. Ready for my half marathon in Washington D.C. in two weeks!

A spontaneous trip to Mexico this week, due to a sudden visit to San Diego and my desire for an adventure/ visiting my tenth country. Lesson learned: I need to brush up on my high school Spanish skills, badly.

Ombre night sky at the airport parking lot on Tuesday night after coming back from my day trip to San Diego and Mexico.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

x Paris

Oh Hi, Ohio

This week marks exactly what I have been waiting for since April 2, 2012. While going out on the town in beautiful South Beach on my last night there, I got an email stating that I was going to my sorority's conference meeting in Ohio that is supposed to be absolutely incredible. They only select 80 alumnae, and as an active member I never was selected for my chapter, so this opportunity is very exciting! This trip also marks the 8th new state I am visiting this year, and it maybe my last new state until 2013!
In honor of my 20th state ever visited, my mini vacation after week three of this semester (I am already dying), and finally choosing to travel within my own country instead of just to foreign countries (a new years resolution of mine), I figured I'd post an image from each of the states I have seen so far this year.
I cannot wait to see what Ohio has to offer and spend four amazing days there! On the plane ride I will be reading for classes so I don't fall to behind either (the joys of going back to school). The cutest part? The plane will stop in both Denver and Chicago - two of the cities I have visited this summer!

Miami Beach, Florida for the Nautica South Beach Triathlon in April 2012. Pretty sure I left my heart there since it is my heaven. If you want white sandy beaches and gorgeous blue warm water, go to South Beach. Counting down the days until April 2013 (unless I am able to go back sooner!)

Chicago, Illinois on my 23rd birthday in May 2012. At the top of the John Hancock tower with a view of four states (Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan), along with cocktails and appetizers.

Hanging out in Munster, Indiana in May 2012. Such a cute, small town with perfect weather during my birthday month.

Denver, Colorado in August 2012 where I was hanging out with the metal bisons that are "walking" around 16th Street Mall with the tourists (and locals!)

Cheyenne, Wyoming in August 2012 is rather chilly, but a beautiful city.

Sidney, Nebraska in August 2012 was not to exciting a state or city to be quite honest. Nebraska is one of those states with plenty of land and not many people (a population of over 6000 people is a big city in NE I believe).

Goodland, Kansas in August 2012 is where you can find this van Gogh rendition. I actually wrote about this for a magazine about ten places you would never think of visiting but you should. It was published in July 2012 and I certainly did not expect to go there the next month (or really ever). It is absolutely amazing to see what the houses are like there - one house was almost fully underground since if a tornado were to come, it would be unable to ruin the house to the same degree.

And some presents from the various states:

The mini sarong and plumeria hair clips are from Maui c/o my parents.

The pink earrings on the top left are from Kansas and the blue ring is from Indiana.

The earrings against the black holder are from Wyoming and the ones next to them and near the plumeria hair clips are from Chicago.

Below that is a sparkly pink hair clip from Nebraska.

The pine cone necklace near the plumeria hair clip is from Colorado!

Do you buy souvenirs at the various locales you visit?

Hope you are all having an amazing day, week, month, and year! I cannot wait to come back Sunday night with stories from a new state!

xoxo,

Paris

*And on another note, if any of you are on Facebook, please like my page Glitterati & Glamour in the City. It's a great way to stay on top of my newest posts! Thank you all!

Boulder

While in Colorado, I was so grateful to have the chance to visit Boulder. Denver wasn't the most exciting city (really you can get to know the place within a day), but Boulder was absolutely breathtaking. The drive is just about 35 minutes, and it is totally worth it! Boulder is filled with plenty of boutique shopping, cute restaurants, and it is nestled in the Rocky Mountains.
Here is a glimpse of my experience there, and I certainly know it won't be my last trip there! It's a romantic city, and if I were looking for a college today, I would totally apply to CU Boulder.

The unbelievable sunset against the Rockies. We stopped at a rest spot to take even better pictures than just from the passenger seat window.

My first glance of Boulder!

Pearl Street - where all the boutiques are lined up for shopaholics to spend their money (like yours truly!)

Dinner and Dessert menu at The Kitchen!

Complimentary bread and butter to nosh on while waiting for dinner.

Delicious tomato soup!

Thickly cut fries with ketchup for dipping went perfectly with the soup!

The gorgeous ambiance of the restaurant - elegant, rustic, and still romantic!

The happy hour/ drinks menu! My favorite part is the non-alcoholic cocktails section because I love the idea of a cocktail, but I'm not much of a drinker.

Sticky Toffee Pudding - this was the reason I chose the restaurant (I think a dessert you're craving is a worthy reason to go somewhere!) But sadly I was stuffed the night before, so the next day when we came back to Boulder, I knew I had to order my decadent treat. The best part? It was on happy hour! Sometimes things are worth the wait :)

The Boulder Beer Tap House at the airport. Colorado is known for their various breweries, but sadly I wasn't able to go beer tasting while on vacation.

Have you been to Colorado or Boulder? What was your favorite city or place to visit?

xoxo,

Paris

*And on another note, if any of you are on Facebook, please like my page Glitterati & Glamour in the City. It's a great way to stay on top of my newest posts! Thank you all!

Veggie Wednesdays: English Muffin Avocado and Sun Dried Tomato Hollandaise Pizza

The other day I was craving something delicious yet also easy to make. I figured I'd be creative and made a mini "pizza" with hollandaise sauce, avocados, sun dried tomatoes, and English muffins. These "pizzas" are quick to make and perfect for a party or just as an afternoon snack.
Cut them up into halves or quarters for bite-sized bits or eat them whole like I did. Plus if you want them to be vegan, just add a different sauce base (though personally I am obsessed with the hollandaise in this.)

Want to make your own? Read below for this easy to make mini pizza!

English muffin avocado & sun dried tomato hollandaise pizza

Recipe:
English Muffins
Hollandaise Sauce (Trader Joe's makes a delicious one that just needs to be heated in the microwave.)
Sun Dried Tomatoes
Avocados
Olive Oil Spray

How to Make it:
1) Split the English muffins into halves and toast them with a little olive oil spray.
2) Spread some hollandaise sauce over the muffins (or any other sauce you wish to use.)
3)Add fresh avocado and sprinkle sun dried tomatoes on top of it. Feel free to add any other veggies you would like to use.

What I really love about this recipe is that it is so flexible. You can make it as healthy or as delicious as you'd like. Want to add fresh mozzarella cheese? Go for it! I want to try that with some fresh basil and sun dried tomatoes soon. Want to use whole wheat English muffins? Perfect! This recipe can be made exactly as you'd like.

xoxo,

Paris

*And on another note, if any of you are on Facebook, please like my page Glitterati & Glamour in the City. It's a great way to stay on top of my newest posts! Thank you all!