Put Me in the Zoo!

Saturday was a lovely day for the LA ZOO! I put on my brightest Lilly and we headed to the corner of Griffith Park and entered into another world - full of creatures large and small.

Top the day off with dinner at Red Lobster and wine and a movie at home and you have the recipe for a perfect Saturday!

What a Fabulous Site!

Happy Saturday lovelies!!! I am so happy this day has finally arrived. Even though it was a short work week, I had SO much to do for school and work that I should have had that extra day to do it all! I'm ready to relax - I think the high today is 79 degrees so I am planning on laying out by the pool and getting some sun!

Her Preppiness wrote a post about Fornash, Inc. awhile back and I just fell in love with many of their items! Check it out!

[all photos taken from fornash website]

Isn't it all fabulous?!

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Have a wonderful weekend and remember to check in next week - I have an exciting giveaway starting on Monday!!

Fabulous Friday - Summer TV!

The lovely Danielle has come up with a fabulous topic for today's Fab Friday!

FABULOUS SUMMER TV

I ♥ this topic because I am OBSESSED with my shows - Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill, CSI: Miami, Brothers and Sisters, In Plain Sight, NCIS, Law and Order, 18 Kids and Counting...am I sounding like a loser yet??! But now, networks have come out with a new string of shows premiering this summer (or restarting their next season) and I am so excited!

Here's what I'm looking forward to:

I just love The Closer. Kyra Sedgwick as Brenda is fierce.

Ruby, how I love Ruby! Her show is an inspiration and her positive attitude is really refreshing! She knows she has to lose a huge amount of weight, but she doesn't quit or give up! It's on the Style Network, July 5 at 8 pm.

USA just doesn't quit with their EXCESSIVE promos for this show! I think Royal Pains has potential so I'm going to watch and see if it lives up to all the hype. Premieres June 4 at 10 pm. (right after Burn Notice)

Other shows that I've been watching in lieu of my regularly scheduled programming:

Law and Order CI, now with Jeff Goldblum, Sundays at 9 pm on USA

The Little Couple, Tuesdays at 10 pm on TLC

18 Kids and Counting, Tuesdays at 9 pm on TLC

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That's my list for fabulous summer tv!

What shows made your list???

If you choose to participate in today's Fabulous Friday, leave a comment on Danielle's post to let us all know so we can check out your list!! Add the cute button too :)

You've Got Mail

Hundreds of movies come out every year, but there are few that I truly enjoy and could watch over and over...to name a few - One Fine Day, Ocean's Eleven, Disney's 1953 cartoon Peter Pan, the original Parent Trap, and my all-time favorite, You've Got Mail.

You've Got Mail. Oh, how I adore this movie. Honestly, I can quote the script word for word - not annoying at all if you're the other person watching it with me! Ha!

Released in the winter of 1998, I remember going to see it in the theater. It's a true romantic comedy at its finest. Classic. Tom Hanks. Meg Ryan (before she plumped her lips). Greg Kinnear. Steve Zahn. Parker Posey. Heather Burns. Dave Chappelle. What a great cast!

What will NY152 say today, I wonder.
I turn on my computer.
I wait impatiently as it connects.
I go online, and my breath catches in my chest
until I hear three little words:
You've got mail.
I hear nothing.
Not even a sound on the streets of New York,
just the beating of my own heart.
I have mail.
From you.
Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan)

What about you, is there someone else?
No. No, but... but there's the dream of someone else.
conversation between Frank and Kathleen

I like Patricia. I *love* Patricia. Patricia makes COFFEE nervous.
Joe trying to convince Kevin (Dave Chappelle) of his commitment to his girlfriend, played by Parker Posey

The odd thing about this form of communication
is that you're more likely to talk about
nothing than something.
But I just want to say
that all this nothing
has meant more to me
than so many somethings.
Kathleen to Joe in an e-mail

What an AMAZING script and movie!!! Anyway, the whole reason of this post was to inform my dear readers that my favorite movie of all time will be playing on Lifetime tonight at 9 pm. If you haven't seen it, watch tonight and I guarantee you'll love it!

Now tell me lovelies, what are the movies you just can't stop watching?

Lauren Nicole Gifts Winner

Congratulations
to

FRITTER CHICKS

for being the winner
of the beautiful
Lauren Nicole Gifts
Fleur-de-lis Necklace!

Fritter Chicks, please contact me at sweetteadiaries {at} gmail {dot} com with your shipping information so I can forward the details to Denise at Lauren Nicole Gifts.

Thanks to Denise for offering this lovely giveaway for my readers! Please visit Lauren Nicole Gifts for your shopping needs and use the coupon code BLOGGER for 15% off your entire purchase!

SPOTLIGHT

One of the greatest benefits of being a blogger is the opportunity to "meet" other bloggers! I have loved getting to know all of you through Sweet Tea Diaries and have loved visiting all of your fabulous blogs as well.

I wanted to mention a few special blogs - some newly discovered and some tried and true favorites of mine - that I absolutely adore! I will be doing this SPOTLIGHT periodically so if I don't mention you now, please don't get your feelings hurt! I'm sure I'm saving you for the next SPOTLIGHT post. It's kind of like "Student of the Month" in elementary school...ha!

A favorite of mine from when Sweet Tea Diaries first started: A Daily Dose of Davis, written by the beautiful Jen, is a blog focused on family and fun! Jen writes about her wonderful husband, sweet daughter Addison, pup Howie, and Peanut #2 that's on the way. Plus she loves Bones as much as I do so she's an automatic favorite :)

A new favorite? Well that would be b is for brown of course! Summer does what I can not do - find wonderful buys on Etsy! Like this, this, and this. She does other stuff too - like spot Chuck in NYC (jealous!) and make amazing and fun cake creations!

Another one l love? French Kiss, courtesy of JLC. What an adorable blogger. Truly, it's impossible not to think so! Clever, strong, fantastic - she's a must read for me and should be for you too!

I'll do one more newly discovered blog - Miss Business Casual just started her blog earlier this month. She's an MBA student (me too!) with a cute puppy - so adorable! Go check out her blog and make a new bloggy friend!

What's NEW in Miss Sweet Tea's Closet?!

I'm so happy for a 4 day work week, but I have to admit that I have more to do this week, school-wise, than any other week before! I'll just have to be extra diligent with time management and I should be able to get it all done, *fingers crossed*!

Even though I really didn't need to, I did do some shopping this weekend. Everything I bought was on sale though so I didn't go over the allotted amount I set aside for Memorial Day weekend.

This Lilly dress is from the Rue La La sale a few weeks back. I am drawn to these bright and colorful patterns, especially patchwork prints, but I need to start focusing on more subtle Lilly pieces. I've found that most of my dresses are this way and it's hard to wear on an everyday basis without looking VERY out of place. I'm only speaking of myself in Los Angeles. If I were back home in Georgia I would wear these kinds of patterns every day without a second thought! But I do love this dress and the little pink pom poms on the hem and neckline are darling!


I finally broke down and purchased a couple of maxi dresses. My friend Danielle tried to convince me of the wonderful-ness of these dresses, but I wasn't sold. Since I'm short I knew that most of my options would have to be hemmed by a tailor. Let's just say I'm a procrastinator by nature and there's no way I would make it a priority to get a dress hemmed. BUT I was able to find two dresses that require no alterations!

This first one is from TJ Maxx. It's from the petite section - not sure the brand, but it is a fun and bright print perfect for summer. It's lightweight and SO comfortable! For around $20 I couldn't not buy it, right?!

This maxi dress is also quite colorful (seeing a pattern here?) and it's from Old Navy. It was on the clearance rack for just over $23. I would love to get some non-patterned dresses at some point this summer as well. So comfortable and an easy outfit to throw on and run out the door! Danielle, I'm sorry I doubted you!! I love these dresses!


Lastly, I had a chance to visit J Crew at the outlet mall yesterday. Oh my, it's hard to walk in this store and not buy everything I see. I restrained myself and only purchased a couple of items that I think will be key to my summer wardrobe! Plus I was able to receive the 15% off for showing my student discount! I knew there was a reason to be struggling through grad school!

Aren't the flowers on these flip flops too adorable?

This tank top is basic, but it was so soft and I loved the delicate ruffle trim at the neckline. So feminine!

Close up of the neckline.


I've already admitted my obsession with cardigans. I love the beautiful color of this one I bought. The short sleeves made it even more appealing because temperatures in the Valley can reach 115 degrees during the summer! The ribbon flower belt is so darling and I was inspired to buy it after I saw a mannequin accessorized with it in the store. Love it!


I just remembered that the giveaway for the Lauren Nicole necklace is officially closed! I will announce a winner soon!

Sneak Peek

Hi blogging beauties!

I hope everyone is feeling refreshed and relaxed after the three-day holiday. I loved seeing the lovely posts thanking our service men and women for their dedication and sacrifice to our country. I saw the sweetest veterans outside of the shopping center on Sunday and was happy to donate to our troops.

I had a great weekend mainly because I was able to spend time with the bf. Yes it's true - he had off for two days and we packed a lot into 48 hours! But I will get into detail in another post tomorrow at work. My computer at home has been incredibly slow so I don't feel like sitting here waiting for all of my pictures from the weekend to download.

I'll leave you with these pictures (it took like 15 minutes to download just these 2!) - pictures of my "All Things Summer" swap package for my partner Donna!

Ooh, I wonder what's inside??!?

Isn't this packaging so preppy fabulous? Courtesy of Hallmark...

Love21

Up until this last year, I had no problem going into Forever21 and shopping up a storm. I like it because they have trendy pieces for low prices. If something goes out of style in a week, why should I care? I only paid $15 for the shirt anyway. But since turning 25 I feel uncomfortable in this store. Seriously, it's filled with teeny tiny pre-teen girls, applying their super shiny lip gloss and typing away on their iphones. It appears that you can not really be Forever 21 after all.

That is until I discovered their new line, Love21, and according to their website, Love21 has a more sophisticated and modest fit than Forever21. I'm excited to try it out, but it's only going to be at select locations, found here. Otherwise, do your shopping online and be quick about it. One of the shirts I really wanted is already sold out!!!

(all images taken from Forever21 website)

Even the models seem more "mature."

Cupcake and Frosting Recipe - Yum!

Happy Happy Friday!

Thanks for all of your sweet comments on my last post! I am not sure how the bf liked the cupcakes yet as I didn't see him before I left for work this morning! I'm certain he will L♥VE them because...sshhhh...don't tell anyone, but I tried one of the finished products last night and all I can say is yummy!

The cupcake is a yellow cake and one of the simplest recipes that I've found. The cupcake turns out moist and buttery, not at all dense or muffin like. The frosting is a simple semi-sweet/milk chocolate frosting made from a few ingredients and it comes together in no time. I highly recommend both recipes!

Easy-Mix Yellow Cupcake Batter
(from Elinor Klivans' Cupcakes!)

1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola or corn oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream

• Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside.
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the egg and yolk and sugar until thickened and lightened to a cream color, about 2 minutes. On low speed, mix in oil and vanilla until blended. Mix in sour cream until no white streaks remain. Mix in the flour mixture until it is incorporated and the batter is smooth.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes.
  

Makes 12 regular cupcakes.

Milk Chocolate Frosting
(from Food Network Kitchens)

3 1/2 ounces milk chocolate
3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. salt

• Melt chocolate together. Add the confectioners' sugar, milk, butter, vanilla extract, and salt and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.

Cupcake Love

Last night after class I decided to do something sweet for my boyfriend, who is always doing sweet things for me. I truly believe my bf has a heart of gold and deserves so much more than me, but I am lucky enough to be the one he chooses to be with (for whatever reason, I'm still not sure). Since the bf started his new job it's been difficult on both of us. He works 9 pm until 5 am so I see him for about 4 seconds in the morning and an hour and a half in the evenings. But I have class on Wednesday and Thursday nights so essentially I don't see him for two whole days! Also, he has only had one day off since he started. Great for the paycheck, not so great for the relationship! Ha!

I decided to make him cupcakes. I wanted to write out the letters I (heart) U on 3 of them, but was too lazy to make a different colored frosting. So I ended up only using the chocolate frosting. I jerry-rigged some homemade toppers (pictured above) so the bf would know that these were made especially for him! I only had one frosting tip because my others have been temporarily misplaced (i.e., lost somewhere in my very messy pantry) so it was definitely challenging to come up with designs. Oh well, I think they turned out cute and will portray my message perfectly.

My Current Obsessions

Hi lovelies! It's almost time for a 3 day weekend and I couldn't be more ready! Of course, please do remember that Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died for our country. Coming from a family rich in military history I understand this very well. It's not our right to live the way we do, it's a privilege brought to us by the men and women who have fought and died for our country. For a more in-depth background on Memorial Day, click here.

I am getting over a stomach bug that has had me out of work for the past 2 days. I am in the office today, but have had absolutely nothing to do except browse the internet and catch up on some snail mail. Not that I'm complaining, but couldn't I be doing this from the comfort of my couch in my living room?

So as a way to break up my mundane day I have decided to post my current obsessions. How exciting!

So this hat is from Target. It's by Merona and I think it was $12.99. I bought it after my trip to the Dodgers game which resulted in sunburned arms that began to peel after 2 days of redness and discomfort. I rarely burn so this was a huge deal. I marched to Target and bought this hat for my next day in the sun. It's so comfortable and stylish too! Actually I wore it to the pool last weekend and what a difference!
Jules sent me a wonderful birthday package and she included the best smelling candle ever. It's by Slatkin & Co. and is sold at Bath and Body Works. The scent I love is called Pineapple Orchid. I am obsessed with this pineapple pierced figural candle shown above and am going to head to a B&BW as soon as I can to stock up on this adorable find. It retails for $12.50.


This Lilly Pulitzer dress is my current favorite of the available dresses on the Lilly Pulitzer website. It's called the Colleen Dress and retails for $278.



Hopefully you've heard of Danielle of The Design Girl. She has recently started a stationery line and has some great designs available. The cool thing about this is that you pay a fee to have Danielle create personalized stationery for you and then you upload the design to a printing website to acutally order the stationery. These printing websites are reasonably priced too. Not only does she do stationery, but she has invitations, address labels, calling cards, etc.


These cookies are from Sugar and Flour, found on Etsy. How divine! They have so many decorated cookies to choose from, but the beach vacation series has to be my favorite! I was searching for treats for my All Things Summer swap when I came across these beautiful creations. I bet they taste as good as they look, but aren't they almost too pretty to eat?! Almost...ha!


I have become *mildly* obsessed with late night television - particularly USA network and TNT. This is because the bf is no longer at home during the night, so I have absolutely nothing to do and talking to my dog for hours at a time can seem a tad bit nutty. So I turn to TV. Unfortunately for me, I am usually drawn into a crime show and then I can't close my eyes for fear that I'll open them and someone will have successfully scaled 3 stories and climbed into my bedroom window. Oh well, Detectives Stabler and Benson are worth it!

Remember to enter my Lauren Nicole Gifts giveaway for the fabulous fleur de lis necklace!