Paris

Paris by la-petite-artist featuring peplum tops

Sweetheart neck dress / AX Paris peplum top, $35 / AX Paris denim skirt, $23 / Paris Hilton black patent pumps / Madden Girl laced boots / WGACA quilted purse / Vintage jewelry, $20 / Cafe Toile Cup And Saucer / Edible Favor French Macaron 12 Strawberry Basil Macaroons Gift... / Paris Mon Amour Vector Graphic / Saint Laurent Paris Black Velours Tassle Clutch Cassandre, $1,250

Inspired by Minnie Mouse

Inspired by Minnie Mouse by la-petite-artist featuring skinny leg jeans

A line dress / Short sleeve t shirt / Therapy skinny leg jeans, $68 / Type Z platform shoes / Converse s / Burberry zip top tote / Betsey Johnson bucket bag / Bow jewelry / White pearl earrings, $21 / Red hair bow / OPI red nail polish, $17 / DISNEY MINNIE MOUSE SUNGLASSES FOR GIRLS, RED MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE

Italian Summer Favorite: Insalata Caprese

Some of the tastes I associate with summer are fresh tomatoes and basil that were grown in my backyard.  I have so many great memories of helping my family and loved ones prepare insalata caprese by going outside to pick some fresh, red tomatoes and basil leaves. This is a simple, healthy, and delicious dish to enjoy!

Insalata Caprese 

This is an Italian dish that is typically served as an antipasto, which means "before the meal".  Insalata Caprese is a traditional Neapolitan dish that takes its name from its place of origin, the island of Capri.

The key to this dish is fresh ingredients:

Tomatoes  (pomodoro) 

Fresh mozzarella  (mozzarella di bufala or mozzarella fior di latte)

Basil leaves (basilico)

Extra virgin olive oil (oli di oliva extravergini)

Salt (sale)

Pepper (pepe)

Cut the tomatoes and fresh mozzarella into slices.  Layer the mozzarella on top of the tomato slice, top it off with a basil leaf, drizzle with the olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

My Italian teacher taught me that the best Italian dishes have all three colors of Italy's flag (bandiera d'Italia).  Italy's flag has also been called the il Tricolore (the three colors) and another name for Insalata Caprese is Insalata Tricolore.  

Buon Appetito!

Inspired by Merida

Inspired by Merida by la-petite-artist featuring monserat de lucca

Teal chiffon dress, $25 / Dorothy Perkins , $37 / Dorothy Perkins black jeans, $23 / Wanted vegan boots / Steve Madden steve madden flat / Jennifer Meyer Jewelry / Monserat De Lucca / Bracelet jewelry / Green pendant / Jigsaw buckle belt, $60

Inspired by Rapunzel

Inspired by Rapunzel by la-petite-artist featuring karen millen

Cotton dress, $195 / Boohoo peplum top / Current/Elliott boyfriend jeans, $410 / Ancient Greek Sandals leather shoes / The Cambridge Satchel Company satchel bag / Karen Millen / Paddle brush, $7.08 / Crate & Barrel Scanpan® Classic 10.25" Fry Pan / A Tangled Tiara - Rapunzel's Gold Crystal Crown Made to Order

Dare to Dream

Sometimes believing in your own dreams can be a challenge, but there is a certain amount of freedom that comes when you dare to dream. 

One of my favorite quotes is by Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Give all to love; obey thy heart."  I believe dreams come true with hard work, faith, a pinch of luck, and when you listen to the direction of your heart. 

Cute Polymer Clay Charms

I have always loved sculpting things out of clay and one of my recent hobbies is crafting cute charms out of polymer clay!

It is so much fun coming up with cute ideas and I am often inspired by everyday objects that look amazingly cute when you paint a happy face on them!

If you want to make your own clay charms, you will find the polymer clay at your local craft store.  I used sterling silver rods and hooks to make the charms attachable to a necklace, bracelet, or keychain. Place the hooks in the clay before you bake them and then bake the charms at 275 F for 15 minutes.  Once the charms cool I then paint the details on them using acrylic paint.  Once the acrylic paint dries I complete the charms with a polymer clay glaze to protect the paint from scratching and to add a nice shiny finish.