[Food + Drink Wednesday] Radish and Mango Salad

So, I am kind of too tired all the time to cook. I admit it. I'll bake for days, but cooking is another story entirely. Basically, when it comes to my own kitchen, I'm all about raw food. Mostly because it involves no fire, no frying pans, and very little cleanup. Outside my kitchen, I'm all about the cooked stuff.

My latest strangely tasty invention: mango radish salad, made with radishes and heirloom lettuce from my friend's garden. I made this salad with a mustard-lime dressing and then ate alongside an artichoke. I would say it was a healthy dinner, but I proceeded to eat a pint of Samoa ice cream afterwards. So... yeah.

Started with 3 Types of Heirloom Lettuce

Added some radishes, which are my new favorite vegetable

Made the dressing with some mustard, olive oil, and lime juice

Threw some cut-up mango on top, then I ATES IT

So, yeah, nothing too complicated. Just lots of raw, sweet, deliciousness. I'm too easy.

[Fashion Attack] Splashes of Neon

They're everywhere, and you can't help but love them. 

All links to photos via my pinterest. 

[Fashion Attack] Bow Crazy!

Bows are everywhere these days: in hair, on bags, on shoes, adorning necklaces. It's so cute and playful, and adding a bow to your outfit will update it immediately. Tie one on. It's too easy.

In jewelry

In Yo' Hair (Nails Done, Hair Done, Everything Did)

On Your Feet

To cute-ify any outfit

On your underwears

All photos and shopping details can be found via my Pinterest

[Friday Link Round-Up] Fresh Veggies, Olsen Twins, Photo and Design Blogs

1. EAT asparagus. It's just now coming in season, and it's cheap and delicious. I prefer to steam it myself with a little bit of mushrooms and some pasta, but that's just me. Check out these other suggestions for how to cook asparagus from because i'm addicted.

Photos via Martha Stewart

2. Check out this almost ridiculous blog dedicated to the Olsen twins. You love to hate them, but you also know you totally want their shoe collection.

3. I'm so into this photoblog this week. Love the inspiration and colors. Plus, the girl's so cute it's just kind of ridiculous.

Copyright Leanne Lim Walker

4. Check out this design blog, Design Me Daily. It's filled with photos and design ideas and sumptuous saturated colors. I can't complain. 

Photo Copyright Justin Carrasquillo

5. Have a wonderful, sunny spring weekend!

much love, 

Carrie Melissa

[Food + Drink Wednesday] Seasonal Fruit Tarts

My roommates and I are having a dinner party tonight, and my contribution will be an apple and pear tart. Pears are pretty much my favorite winter/early spring fruit ever, and, yes, I do rank my favorite fruits on a regular basis. 

In a quest to find the perfect early spring dessert that will take us into the garden parties of the summer, I bring you the following post about tarts and pies with seasonal fruit (and one with coconut that defies both the imagination and seasonal produce constraints). 

Cooking Tip: When making the pastry, always remember not to overwork it. Chunks of butter are your friend. And keep the butter insanely cold. Like crazy-cold. If you have a food processor, that's all fine and dandy, but cutting the butter into the pastry with a knife or quickly with your hands works just as well. 

I'll be including some of my own photos here later. 

much love,
Carrie Melissa

Pear and Almond Tart (for Autumn, this one is more labor-intensive)
via Dessert First

Rustic Apple Tart via RealSimple

Coconut Custard Tart (pretty close to Tartine's-- with chocolate on the base of the tart)
via Bay Area Bites

Any Fruit Tart (adjust to the seasons) via Tiny Happy 

Blackberry Custart Tart (super easy) via Columbus Foodie

[Things We Adore Sunday] Daylight Savings, Japan Relief, Sears Fashion, Cute Chairs, Bikes

1. Even though it's raining here in California, I am loving that spring is just around the corner! And daylight savings time has just begun. That means nights full of debauchery. Or maybe just falling asleep with the sun still out.

Photo via thehairpin

2. People rallying to help out those who have lost their homes and family members in Japan. To join the relief efforts, look into donating to the Red Cross or other similar relief organizations.

Photo via hotncurrent

3. The FCUK line now sold through Sears. Who knew Sears was secretly planning ways to be cool again? I also love their Apostrophe line. I've stocked up on all their basic T-Shirts (so comfy and they really move with your body).

This dress: $45. Oh yeah.

4. Lovely cozy chairs that you can fit in small corners of your bedroom. I'm in the market for something like this right now (from Nathan Furniture in the UK-- I don't even want to know how much it would cost), and I'm battling between my urge to have new and pretty things and my propensity toward the eco-friendly reupholstering an old crappy chair option. Oh, decisions, decisions. 

Chair via Nathan Furniture

5. Weddings that incorporate bikes. I've always wanted to do something like this. Now if only I could find a boyfriend who would put up with all my neuroses! Then we could ride into the sunshine together on our vintage bicycles. 

Photo via bettybroccoli

[Friday Link Round-Up] Spring Fashion, Jane Eyre, Cinnamon Bread, Urban Farming

1. WEAR. Be inspired by the carefree spring fashions cropping up over at Cupcakes and Cashmere.

2. WATCH the new Jane Eyre movie. It's out tonight!

3. BAKE cinnamon pull-apart bread with a recipe by Joy the Baker (one of my absolute faves). I've never seen anything like this before! Saturday calls for sleeping in and spending time baking - then EATING - this. 

4. READ this new book from Spring Warren, called The Quarter-Acre Farm about urban sustainability and farming. 

[Food + Drink Wednesdays] Lavender

I'm obsessed.

Lavender Lemon Yogurt Cake via Darjeeling Dreams

"Together, the sunny citrus and floral lavender evoked spring very strongly. And when combined in a easy, dreamy cake, the flavors could cheer up a dull winter day. They might even deceive you into thinking Spring has already arrived."

Lavender Honey Cream Cocktail via Coco + Kelley

"There is a certain sophistication added to food + drink when a touch of lavender is worked into the recipe... Mix in a dash of honey + cream, and you’ll soon be experiencing a taste of the Spring botanicals that will be budding in the not too distant future."