What's up doc?

 It is safe to say I have been obsessed with a carrots recipe I found in my Vegetarian Times months ago. I have finally decided to share with you this delish recipe. Say hello to carrots, dill, & orange heaven.

• All you need is:
• 1 ¼ lb. baby carrots, trimmed (4 cups)
• 4 tsp. orange juice
• 1 Tbs. butter, cut into pieces
• 2 tsp. fresh orange zest
• 1 tsp. fresh dill (dried works ok too)

It is as easy as:

Steam the carrots

Melt butter

Combine orange juice, dill & melted butter in a bowl

Toss in steamed carrots

Garnish with fresh orange zest

Enjoy!!

alexa collection trunk show

This Friday June 1st Stephanie's Shop in St. Paul will be hosting my very first in store trunk show! Stop in Friday anytime between 3 & 7 for treats, bevys, jewels, & fun (obvi). You will be able to shop my spring/summer pieces from my Stone Age Collection. I would love to see your lovely faces there. 

I'm baaaaaacccckkkk

It has been a very busy two weeks! We packed up our entire place in BC & started our move across country to Quebec. I flew into MN & surprised my mom for her birthday while my fab fiancé drove our car/trailer 29 hours to Minneapolis. Since we have been home we have had several happy hours, dinners with friends, my brother's prom, & an intimate engagement dinner. Here are some pictures of what currently is making me happy.

{snacks, sun, beach}

 {last little glimmer of snow on a hot sunny day}

 {chocolate covered marshmallows}

 {flowers in full bloom}

{the Bear man} 

{the look on my mom's face when I showed up} 

{my little bro's senior prom}

Little Break

Hey loves! It's that time of the year when we make our trek from BC to MN then to Quebec City. It's a lonnnnnnggggg travel so I will be back with some pictures & posts in a week or so :) stay tuned! 

alexa collection, literally- bracelets

I never leave home without a few bracelets...ok several. I love an armful of fun aka mixing colors, metals, & shapes. While I have several little pieces that I wear on a daily basis, these are my favorite statement pieces. 

Happy Friday!

alexa collection, literally- earrings

I love me some statement earrings, big, bold, & colorful. If I opt for earrings I usually don't wear a necklace. I like my earrings to be the focal point & adding more  bling usually takes away from that. If you haven't figured it out already my all time favorite color is green & my earring collection definitely reflects that! 

 

alexa collection, literally- necklaces

It is safe to stay that necklaces dominate my collection. I have several over the top statement necklaces that pair nicely with everything from LBD to v-neck tees. The remainder of the necklaces I often layer up with one another to help create the look I am going for. There is something special to me about pairing necklaces from seasons past with current season pieces (reminds me of the design journey, dorky I know). 

See one you like? Let me know... I may be we willing to part with it.

alexa collection, literally- rings

My love for vintage jewelry started nearly 15 years ago when my grandma handed down some of her jewelry. While I didn't start designing until 2005 my personal collection had already started growing. Each season I create unique one of a kind pieces & each season I keep several for myself. These pieces are reminders of where the alexa collection has been & where it is going each season. This week I will give you a little lookskie into my jewelry, the alexa collection. Literally :) Today I am sharing rings!

Must Have Monday- Thin Rings

This Must Have Monday pairs beautifully with a few weeks past on stone rings. Today I am sharing with you my latest obsession...thin rings. With small barely there bands you can layer them up or pair them with existing statement rings (hello wire wrapped stone rings). There are hundreds of designs to choose from. Here is what I am wearing.

Gorjana stackable rings in silver- $145.00

Mary John handmade tiny hammered stack rings- $61.50 

for set of 8.

Curved & straight bands in rose gold, gold, & silver. You are able to place custom orders on the number of rings you want & which size.

Feel Good Friday- Vacationer

Imagine my excitement when I found out that Vacationer was opening up for Naked & Famous. Several songs off of their album have found a way onto my Spring playlist & I was overjoyed to see them live. Let me brighten up your Friday with my favorite song Good as New.

Hidden Treasures- Around the house

It's that time again when I share with you my latest finds from local thrift shops. I would say I have definitely scored yet again. My poor fiancé who has to put up with all my vintage finds around the house. 

Cool blue Chinese pottery that creeps out my fiancé, reminds him of an urn. Ha.

 A very pink Buddha statue that will fit in nicely with the Buddha & elephant statue family I already have back in Quebec City.

 Vintage crystal decanter liquor bottle, heavy duty yet stylish.

Delicate yet detailed salt/pepper & sugar dish.

Best purchase ever, half a set of Aynsley China...now to find the other half (you know what that means more thrifting)!

Wedding- The Little Things

The wedding is quickly approaching & I am counting down the days. There was no real big planning for us, so the process was rather carefree. I have spent a majority of my time deciding the little things...

This is what I have decided thus far. Handmade natural flower crown to go with my flowing wedding dress. Thanks to all of your votes, I have decided on taking my hair to the darker & golden look. Essie's meet me at sunset will decorate my fingers and turquoise & caicos will pop on my toes (hello something blue). I will follow orange flower petals that create an aisle leading me to my groom. My lips will be orange &  bold in Nars Heat Wave. Lastly, I have decided on a pair of vintage gold earrings. Bracelets? Not sure yet, still time to decide. 

Cheesetacular

This past weekend us girls had a little get together full of wine, snacks, & chitchat. I am always looking for new recipes to test out on my friends. Playing around on foodgawker I stumbled upon a creamy cheddar spread. I used this very easy recipe to create a bowl licking appetizer. All you need is extra sharp cheddar, sour cream, butter, apple juice, & cayenne pepper.

 The recipe reccomends the use of apple juice or white wine vinegar. I used apple juice & absolutely love the fruity taste it adds to the sharp white cheddar.

Toss it in there & mix it up.

Comes out creamy & delicious.

Our dunking options for the evening.

Yummy in my tummy. Can't get enough of this stuff, actually made it for a second time already.