B Serendipitous: Frrrozen Hot Chocolate

ser·en·dip·i·ty (srn-dp-t)

n. pl. ser·en·dip·i·ties

1. The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident.

2. The fact or occurrence of such discoveries.

3. An instance of making such a discovery.

 You've either seen the movie or visited in New York, New York. I used my Saturday to bring the special treat to me {melting in the desert.}

 Chop 6.5 oz of your favorite chocolate. I mixed milk with dark for variety.

Using a double boiler {or my creative college student low on cooking utensils way: glass bowl over a boiling pot of water.}

Once melted. Add teaspoon of hot cocoa mix, 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1/2 cup of milk. {mix well then take off to cool}

In the blender. Mix chocolate, 1 cup of milk, and 3 cups of ice. {Grown ups: try a bit of Bailey's.}

Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. {Straw color open to preference.}

My biggest concern for this recipe was finding a goblet for presentation purposes. With no luck in my cupboards, I reached out to use a left over mason jar. Loved it more than the cookbook picture. {How serendipitous, don't you think?}

B Indulgent: Weekend treats

This weekend I tried my best to relax and let go. I may have let go a bit too much.

Baked cupcakes. {cake batter was a weakness.}

Meal of champions? Frozen hot chocolate and butter cream cupcake. {recipe to come}

Blog research inserted occasionally between a day of pure laziness. {India, what do you think?}

Sunday morning spin class was followed by brunch at Over Easy. {Guy Fieri ate there.} 

Over easy ice-cold brewed with cinnamon & cardamom & mixed with sweetened condensed milk & mint. {refreshing.}

And a new project began. {curious?}

 quick nail polish change. {find color here.}

B Bookmarked: Weekly findings

It has come to the end of another week and I have began to look back at how much inspiration has influenced my ideas the last week. As another school quarter began my creative wheel started turning in my head and I couldn't get my brain off the blog. So along the way of researching and studying here are some things I found worthy enough to add to my forever long bookmarks.

I am the biggest fan of birthdays and don't know how I didn't find the Birthday Girl Blog before. The 2nd and 4th posts highlighted my love of CSI and chocolate. You can't go missing the gourmet s'mores. Guaranteed add on to my next camping trip. Okay, I don't camp but really who needs an excuse for these.

Most of you may already be aware of Jane Aldridge's blog Sea of Shoes. If you aren't, go and bookmark now! Well anyways she's a well experienced fashion blogger at just the age of 18. I finally stumbled upon her mother's blog, Atlantis Home. I feel a bit short on this but glad I finally made the discovery. Some of her cooking recipes look amazing and will definitely be worth trying along with a few DIY projects she's taking on with her daughter.

Happy weekend!

B Smart: Fashion outlet shopping

What women will do during a sample sale is unspeakable. How often we will click the refresh button waiting for the online sale to start is ridiculous. And the distance we will go out of our way to check out the outlet malls is embarrassing.

Outlet malls are the destination of merchandise that wasn't sold in original retail stores. Some may view this as a bad thing. Why would you want to buy it if no one else wanted it? This is sometimes true but also a facade keeping you away to the secrets of outlet shopping.

Outlets are filled with the classics that cycle throughout the store all year round. This is the best time to buy off-season merchandise and find classics for less. Denim is a great find at outlets because denim will never go out of style and will be a constant in your wardrobe. If you're shopping at the outlet malls in the spring then don't shy away from leather boots and coats that you could wear in the upcoming Fall season.

At the peak of the Spring season I took a road trip to Los Angeles and had to stop by the Desert Hills Premium Outlets. This center is filled with outlets by 7 For All Mankind, Barneys New York, Dolce & Gabbana, J Crew and William Rast. Diane Von Furstenberg also added an outlet to these stores and was the first on my destination list.

DVF is known for her wrap dresses so while the print may be last season's, this is a classic silhouette that will last years. Remember, no one knows what time you bought it, even if they know which season it is from. My lucky find from my trip was the DVF maxi dress. The print is bold and with great colors and the classic silhouette has been perfect for hot summer days. Did I mention it has pockets? Everyone loves a dress with pockets.

Chances are there are some outlet malls right outside your city that are waiting for a day trip. Grab your girlfriends and have a road trip. Find all the locations of the Premium Outlets here. Find the fall classics before they return to stores full price. Because while we know how we act in a sale, you may have forgotten how women act when hot new merchandise comes in and leaves quick. Brace yourselves.

B Spotted: Gossip Girl in Paris

Who can ever forget the monumental trip to Paris Carrie Bradshaw took in the last season of Sex and the City. It was a group of my favorite episodes from the whole series where Carrie lived every girl's dream as the "American Girl in Paris". I'm still dying for the chance to wear a tutu like dress of Carrie's to an international event.

Gossip Girl must have noticed the success since now Blair and Serena have been spotted in Paris. Their wardrobes are always inspiring and these ones are on being put on hold for my next trip abroad. Even Chuck Bass makes an appearance in of course, what else other than pinstripes.

Spotted: Two of New York's young socialites looking fabulous in the City of Lights. Until next time, xoxo B
Gossip Girl photos provided via The Frisky

B Broken: Alice + Olivia MAC collection

Alice + Olivia MAC cosmetics collection will be released in the U.S. today. I can't wait to get my hands on the nail polishes in Turquoise, Purple and Silver matte. The polishes are titled Morning After, So Rich So Pretty, and Military, so you determine which suits you best.

If you are more daring to wear make up you'll love the limited edition colored pigment. A year ago I broke away with just wearing pink on my nails and now I'm dying for the purple. Maybe this year I'll break into eye pigment thanks to Stacey Bendet the mastermind behind Alice + Olivia. I'll keep you posted.

Available online and at MAC cosmetic stores

B Blissful: A wedding anniversary

Boy meets girl.

Two weeks later, boy proposes.

Six months later, boy marries girl.

Three girls and thirty-two happy years later. Boy and girl are still deeply in love.

Happy 32nd Wedding Anniversary to my mother and father. xoxo, B.