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Monday, May 30, 2016

From head to toe: On the vine

"I'm having fruit salad for dinner. Well it's mostly grapes actually. Ok, all grapes. Fermented grapes. OK- I'm having wine for dinner"
(yes I did Google "quotes about wine")
We started the day at King Estate winery with a mixed flight of wines to taste- my favorite was the 2014 Pinot Gris. King Estate is family owned and an elegant and classy atmosphere with a full restaurant and tasting area. But MVP award of the day was the cheese (cheese is always the answer!!) 

 Sydnie had to visit an old friend at Sarver Winery, so we headed there next. This friend ended up being a huge fluffy dog named Django. Besides the cutest dog ever, Sarver had wood fired pizza, a delicious Cuvée and Gewurtraminer and and live music to boot. It was casual, fun, and quintessentially Eugene. 


My look:
Skirt: "Modern Femme Denim Mini" in white, Free People
Top: "Burnout Tomgirl T-Shirt" in cherry blossom, American Eagle
Jacket: Cropped denim jacket (similar), H&M
Shoes: "Cotu Classic" in Fawn, Superga
Purse: Embroidered tote (similar), Free People
Earrings: Front-back bar earrings (similar), Madewell

As Sophie observed standing among the Sarver vineyard "this is our backyard". Just a 20 minute drive from Eugene and we're petting dogs in wine country, a perfect spring Saturday.

With love and vines,
Sarah Belle

Thursday, May 26, 2016

My four walls: Senior Year

A room can be a hideaway, a safe haven, a Netflix cave, and a space to express your creativity and surround yourself with all the trinkets and beautiful things that make you happy. My room will never be totally complete or perfect, but that's what I love about it. It reflects my 'more is more' personality, my inability to ever be perfectly organized (ignore the dust and off center pictures), and always has room for improvement. As the year comes to a close I thought it was only right to share with you the four walls I have been procrastinating in these past 3 terms. Crazy to think that for these 4 years of college I have decorated and created 5 different nests for myself, lived with 68 different girls (s/o to the Alpha Chi Mansion) and next year I will come full circle to nestle myself back into my home-base in Orinda with 4 of my favorite humans. Homeward bound after long last. 

Bed:
Duvet cover: 'Chloe' Duvet cover, Nordstrom
Blanket: 'Abbott throw' in apricot brandy, Pottery Barn
Sheets: Threshold Performance Sheets in 'Orange', Target
Decorative pillows: 'Josephine' Pillow Shams, Cost Plus World Market
Euro shams: 'Chloe' Euro shams, Nordstrom
Throw pillow: similar here, Target


Wall decor:
The New Yorker prints: bought in New York, similar here
'Cape Art Print' by Garance Doré, Rifle Paper Co
'2016 Cities Wall Calendar', Rifle Paper Co
'C'est la vie!' Art print, Rifle Paper Co
'Greetings from California' Risograph Art Print, Scoutmob
'Bonjour' wire script art, Anthropologie
Frames: Black picture frame set of 10, Urban Outfitters
Lights: Clear Globe lights, Target
Monogram letters: Michaels or any craft store 
Star: Free People, similar here

























Bits & bobs:
Desk lamp: Similar- 'Mercury Glass Globe Accent Lamp', Target
Bedside table lamp: 'Martina Aged Mirror Table Lamp', Cost Plus paired with 'Crinkled White Paper Table lampshade'
Globe: Threshold Desktop Globe, Target
Vase: similar here, Cost Plus
Candles: Voluspa French Cade Lavender and Mokara, Anthropologie
Jewelry stand: similar here, Amazon
Jewelry dishes: rings,
Makeup organizer: similar here, Amazon






Big bits:
Area rug: 'Grey Moroccan Jute Boucle Emy Rug', Cost Plus
Bedside table: Harlow Nightstand, Pottery Barn
Set of dressers: Vintage from my great grandmother


With love and nesting,
Sarah Belle


Thursday, April 21, 2016

Soba noodle salad with sugar snap peas, carrots and bell peppers (GF & Vegan)

A late night Pinterest session brought this delicious recipe into my life and I dumbed it down a bit to make it even easier and more accessible for a student's pantry and budget. This cold noodle salad is perfect for hot days and never leaves you feeling bloated or heavy. It is sweet and salty, packed full of nutritious veggies, and best of all- easy to make! The way I made it this recipe is Vegan and GF, but can be doctored to meet any dietary preference you have. 
You will need:
  • 6 ounces Japanese soba noodles (find them at Safeway or here online)
  • 2 cups frozen organic edamame (Find it pre-shelled at Trader Joes)
  • 10 ounces (about 3 cups) sugar snap peas or snow peas
  • 4 medium-sized carrots, peeled
  • 1 Bell pepper, thinly sliced lengthwise (any color)


For the sauce: 
  • ¼ cup Tamari (GF & less salty version of soy sauce, find it at Trader Joes)
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small lime, juiced
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar (vegan)
  • 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha
How to:
  1. Prep the veggies: Slice the sugar snap peas and bell pepper lengthwise. Use a vegetable peeler to thinly slice the carrots into ribbons that resemble a noodle-like shape and consistency (if you are grown-up enough to own a julienne peeler, that would work even better).
2. Combine all sauce ingredients into a small bowl and whisk together- set aside. 
3. Bring two pots of water to boil- both can be relatively small. One will be for your soba noodles, the other for your edamame beans and sugar snap peas. Once the water is boiling:
    1. Put in the soba noodles, being careful to stir and fully submerge them if your pot isn't large enough. They will cook for around 4-5 minutes until al-dente, but follow the direction on your package to be sure. Once cooked, drain and run under cold water to stop future cooking and reach room temperature. 
    2. Place your frozen edamame beans into the water and stir. Cook for around 3 minutes until warmed, then add your sugar snap peas and quickly blanche (around 30 seconds just to soften them a bit). Drain and run under cold water to bring all your ingredients to room temperature. 
4. Place all ingredients into a large bowl and add sauce- stir well to evenly distribute sauce. Serve at room temperature or cold! 
I love making a big bowl of this to eat as leftovers or a quick healthy snack during the week. It is best at room temperature so it is the perfect thing to bring as a to-go meal! The sauce settles into the noodles and makes the flavor even more intense as days go by. It satisfies my salty craving without leaving me feeling guilty, and I love the fresh crunch of the veggies combined with the noodles. Add avocado, cilantro or even toasted sesame seeds or slivered almonds to add a little something extra! 

All credit for this recipe goes to 'Cookie and Kate', her original recipe can be found here.

With love and munching,
Sarah Belle

Monday, March 28, 2016

From head to toe: Washington DC Lookbook

Spring Break- DC Edition. I was lucky enough to spend about 5 days in our nation's capital and it was gorgeous, delicious, tiring and tre patriotic. I loved every minute of it. Here is a little lookbook of some of my favorite outfits I wore during the trip (sans the days I rocked running shoes and yoga pants). In case you're feeling nosy or inspired, links to (mostly) everything are in bold! 

Wednesday: White House East Wing Tour & Museums
Top: Free People similar here $38
Necklace from a boutique in Paris (oolala)
Lips: my favorite lip combo right now- Kiko Smart lipstick and YSL Glossy Lip Stain
Nails: Nails Inc Gel Effect in Porchester Square $15 (btw I don't recommend...)


Wednesday: West Wing tour and dinner at Founding Farmers (creative farm to table)!

Dress: Ella Moss, similar here $119

Thursday: Renwick Gallery, MLK Memorial, Capitol Tour and shopping in Georgetown
Top: Free People 'Mix it Stripe Tee' on sale for $29.95
Skirt: Free People 'Zip to it Vegan Leather Mini skirt' in Burgundy $78
Shoes: Vans 'Classic' Perforated Slip on sneaker $60
Backpack: Target from ages ago, similar here $27.99
SunglassesAnthropologie Ottil by Ett:twa $48

Friday dinner at Zaytinya (so good!!!)

Necklace: similar here

Saturday: Phillips Collection Museum, failed attempt at Air & Space museum, lunch and traveling home!

(Nothing new here- but it is a new way to combine some of my favorites!)
Top: Anthropologie (sold out), but similar here
Bag: From Florence, similar here

With love and cherry blossoms,
Sarah Belle