Happy Sunday

Wishing it can be a stay in bed all day kind of Sunday...but it's such a beautiful day outside that I have decided to stay in and clean. Ah yes...sounds fun huh? I will be visiting family later, at least I won't be indoors all day. Whatever you do, have a lovely day.

XoXo

Iris

I Wish for Brown Hair

So I have been dying my own hair, oh, since the young age of about 12. Yup, remember the good ol' Sun-In??

Loved that shit. I would spray it like there was no tomorrow and then go out to my backyard and sit there, waiting for my hair lighten the "natural" way. I am laughing just thinking of it. Then there was rubbing lemon on my hair. Oh, and let me also tell you my other "natural" method of pouring beer on my hair to also "lighten" it. Ah yes, good times. I swear I didn't drink the beer, I mean, I was only about 14 years old. In high school I experimented with red(ish) hair...oh you all should see my graduation day pictures, hair was like a bright burgundy lol. I finally dyed it black about 13 years ago, and never went back. I actually tried to go brown again when my roots started coming out, but no one told me black was pretty impossible to dye over, so there I was on my first date with my babe with super light brown roots (from the new dye) and the bottom half black (didn't catch the new color.) Good thing he didn't notice (one of those few times you are happy guys don't notice the little things.)

So, now here I am really really craving brown hair again. This time I am going to a pro. I am super nervous because to strip black out of hair, it needs to be bleached and then dyed brown...YIKES!!! It's going to be a long process to say the least, but I am excited for a fresh look. I do, however, think that black is just a color that goes best with my skin color as well as my dark eye brows (hence why I can't go too light). I just want to get this "I really want brown hair" off my chest. So wish me luck, appointment is tomorrow.

Here is the inspiration that I will be showing my lovely hair stylist Sarah (who cuts my babe's hair, too).

Loving this beautiful brown on Katie Holmes. Gorgeous!

And this stunning chocolate brown.

Oh My! Then there is this. Absolutely gorgeous. Very subtle highlights. I likey.

I really wish I could do this...but again...eyebrows too dark :-(

So lets see if I don't have to shave my head (guess if my hair is fried from the bleach it will be a good excuse to do it, from THIS post). Oh, and don't expect picture...not into taking self portraits of myself (only of half face as seen on instagram) haha I'll figure a way to show my new strands.

XoXo

Iris

{all images via my Pinterest "Future Hair Love" board}

Kelly Wearstler Love

Mrs. Kelly has done it again...for ELLE. Have you all seen the latest issue? She designed the home of Lara and Jeff Sanderson of Sanderson Ventures in Mercer Island, Washington. I love Kelly Wearstler's bold and fearless style. Her eye for details and unique designs is incredible. And if you remember from last week's Lovely Favorites post, she is also my fashion inspiration.

These photos say it all...the spiral staircase, the purple chandeliers, the onyx, the brass kitchen island...really?? I die. Check out the rest of her amazingness.

XoXo,

Iris

Insta-Weekend

Happy Week!! What a weekend. Did so much, of course nothing of what I actually wanted to get done (still working on them Summer projects, actually finished one and will post about it this week)but it still turned out to be a great weekend. A bit of my instagram weekend: Breakfast with Cupcakes and Cashmere, a little walking around beach town to accessory shop, a little fun at the O.C. County fair stuffing my face with all of the fried food and funnel cake and then not being able to sleep because I felt like puking all night (ugh, never again), and I also got to watch my lovely God-daughter perform at her yearly dance recital (which was close to 4 hours long, really?!?), but not before having my daily Starbucks (I'm addicted). Wish I could say I was well rested to start off the week.

Hope you all had a fabulous weekend.

XoXo

Iris

Blueberries, Raspberries, Cupcakes & Cashmere

Happy Weekend. Today I woke up craving a berry breakfast, maybe it's because I am inspired by Emily Schuman's new book, from her very popular blog Cupcakes & Cashmere. Emily's blog is definitely one that inspired me to start blogging. So of course I had to show my support by getting her book. Had my breakfast this morning flipping through the pages...and so far, I like what I see. She breaks it ALL down...

from home styling...

to Hair how-to's...

and lots of fashion tips...

to yummy food recipes (perfect for hosting)...

and Summer beauty tips.

Among much, much more.

I have yet to really look at every page in detail, but just like her blog, I am loving her book. Just wish it were bigger, like a big coffee table book. But I have no doubt that she will some day.

XoXo,

Iris

Lovely Favorites

So happy it's almost the weekend. For some reason, this week kicked my ass. I am pooped. Short and sweet, here are my favorites this week.

Favorite find on ETSY...love this tray.

Favorite smelling flower...the tuberose.

Favorite entry (oldie but goodie).

Favorite kitchen...I die.

Favorite space with a 'wow' factor...oh those chandeliers make my heart beat a little faster.

Favorite DIY little project, spray painted curtain rods.

Favorite babe look

Favorite style inspiration...Kelly Wearstler

Favorite summer (and all year round) self tanner and scrub...Beautisol.

XoXo,

Iris

{images via Etsy, frolic-blog, Pure Style Home, Elle Decor, Stilo Mio, Kelly Wearstler, Beautisol}

Chipotle Broiled Steak with Szechuan Green Beans

Last night's dinner (and today's lunch) was so delicious I just had to share. Wish I could say that I made it, but nope...the babe did. He is the chef in the house (and I am not ashamed, ha, I'm totally okay with doing the dishes). Sorry for the horrible photo and lack of more pretty detailed photos of the ingredients and such, but you get the idea. This smelled too good to wait for pretty pictures to be taken.

Chipotle Broiled Steak

2 6-8 oz round steaks (filet, eye of round, or chuck steak)

Steak Rub

- 4 tbsp paprika

- 2 tbsp ground cumin

- 2 tbsp brown sugar

- 1 tbsp ground sea salt

- 4 tsp ground dried cilantro

- 3 tsp ground chipotle peppers

- 1-2 tsp dried red pepper flakes

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients for steak rub together in a Ziplock bag. Rub evenly and generously over raw steaks. Keep refridgerated for 5-6 hours. 2. Heat oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Put broiler pan in oven and heat for 20 minutes. 3. Add steaks to broiler pan. For medium rare temperature, broil for 5 minutes, then flip. Broil for 5 more minutes, then remove from heat.

Recipe found Here.

Green Beans

Ingredients: Green Beans – 1 lb (500 gms) Oil – 1 tbsp For Sauce:

Sesame Oil – 1 Tbsp

Ginger – 1 Tbsp, minced

Garlic – 1 Tbsp, minced

Scallion – 1 (white part) finely chopped

Chili Sauce – 1 Tbsp or to taste

White Vinegar – 1 tsp

Sugar – 1 tsp

Soy Sauce – 3 Tbsp or to taste

Corn Starch – 1 tsp

Water – 2 Tbsp

Toasted Sesame Seeds – 1 Tbsp

Method: 1. Heat Oil in a pan on medium heat. 2. Add Green Beans and cook uncover until tender and slightly caramelized (approx 20 mins). Stir often. 3. Remove Green Beans from the pan and keep aside. 4. In the same pan, add Sesame Oil and heat. 5. Add Ginger, Garlic and Scallions. Cook for a minute. 6. Add Chili Sauce, Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Sugar and the Corn Starch mixed with Water. 7. Cook until the sauce thickens (a minute or so). 8. Add back the Green Beans and toss to completely coat. 9. Sprinkle Toasted Sesame Seeds and mix. 10. Serve hot.

This recipe found Here.

Coconut Oil was used as a substitute for all oils in recipe.

Beyond delish! Seriously, go on....try this.

XoXo,

Iris