On the Double – Page 3 – je ne sais quoi with your hands full

Opposites Attract

CarolineMarch 11, 2017March 15, 2017Leave a comment

One of my favorite things to do when creating outfits is working with pieces in really remarkable colors. I’m a very visual person and there’s just something about an elegant color scheme bringing out a color’s raw beauty that just feels really good to me. In fact I get a lot of color inspiration from random things I come across in my daily pursuits such as an intricately painted row house, a vintage poster, or a unique dish pattern. Whatever it happens to be, when I see something that really grabs my attention I look closer to pick out the basic components so that I can recreate the same scheme with pieces in my wardrobe. Read More

In Style

Navy and Black

CarolineMarch 3, 2017March 5, 2017Leave a comment

Growing up dark neutral pairings like navy and black were taboo. It was always either navy or black, black or brown, brown or navy. But as I near the end of my twenties it turns out these exact neutral pairings are anchors in my personal style. Doubling up on neutrals actually brings out the best in both colors. Black and navy in particular because both play the perfect canvas for one another. The navy becomes more rich and jewel toned, and the black more crisp and saturated. In my playbook a black and navy combo is one of the most understatedly elegant looks there is. And go figure, it’s French. Read More

In Style

Warming Up Stripes

CarolineMarch 1, 2017Leave a comment

Stripes are undoubtedly an all-season pattern, but for me they really shine during spring and summer. Classic, effortless, and easy to live in, stripes are so much more than just a pattern, they’re a state of mind. I’ll wear stripes occasionally during fall and winter, but when it’s warm out stripes are basically the equivalent to the infamous plain white tee. Read More

In Lifestyle

Pamper & Chill

CarolineFebruary 25, 2017March 1, 2017Leave a comment

While a mother’s work never is really done, I am technically on-duty with my twin toddlers from 7 AM-7 PM (yes, on the weekends too.) Of course we are talking about two toddlers under the same roof, so you can imagine the extent of overtime put in, but for the most part the time between the boys’ bedtime and my own is essentially sacred. Some days are definitely harder than others, but either way it’s always a long day, and come 7 o’clock I am in dire need of some major R&R.

As a mom your daily life is very scheduled and repetitive, but the plus side to this dynamic is that it’s easier to structure time into your day to unwind and reboot. Evenings are exclusively reserved for hanging out with the Mister and getting in my me time right before bed. Having a calming and rejuvenating night time routine is essential for taking care of your body and preparing yourself to wake up feeling fresh and ready to take on the day. Because everyone deserves a good nights rest, I’ve partnered with Crane & Canopy to show you the steps I take each evening to pamper, rest, and relax this season. Read More

In Food

French Chocolate Cupcakes

CarolineFebruary 22, 2017Leave a comment

My big brother recently had a milestone birthday and for the occasion I decided to dust off my baking hat to mix up a batch of my all-time favorite chocolate cake recipe. I don’t bake very often because I like to cook to taste and am not so great at following recipes… sort of important in baking. Not to mention if there are batches of baked goods in the house I will eat them all. But seeing as the big brother only turns 30 once, it was worth the risk 😉

I’m quite picky about desserts, chocolate in particular. In fact, I typically don’t care for chocolate baked goods because they usually aren’t as rich as I’d prefer. For perspective, I don’t care for chocolate if it’s less than 72 percent cocoa (milk chocolate is sugar, not chocolate.) I also tend to only test out low maintenance recipes meaning anything that doesn’t require exotic equipment or ingredients. This is a reason why I really love French cooking. French cooking is all about using refined techniques to make simple food rich and elegant. If you spend more time shopping the perimeter of the grocery store (produce, dairy, meats and fish) more often than not, you can find most ingredients for a French recipe already in your kitchen. Read More