Vanilla, strawberry and streusel coffee cake

More oft than not, I total weird science. Let's try this, add a pinch of that, mix that in..
Sometimes I just can't figure out what I'm actually craving. This was just such a case. In the mood for pound cake on the one hand and strawberries and crumble on the other. When you can't decide you make both, right?

Th top layer is a brown sugar streusel mix. Sandwiched together with old-fashioned vanilla cake by a layer of roasted strawberries. The strawberries were oven-roasted in strawberry infused liquer. Three quick pulses with a food processor, as I didn't want to completely break up the fruit. The reserved roasting liquid got poured over the top to finish.

P.S. I've already got some tweaks going to make this even better..and that includes ice cream!

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Details

It's been a bit quiet as I've been under the weather and the urge to live, or at least blog. left me. Just kidding. I am getting back into the swing of things. For now some #shelfie details. 

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Antique inspiration

Change is the theme of my life. I recently moved our bed smack dab into the middle of the space and that brought about all kind of plans to take it from bedroom to boutique hotel. I’m still working a few things out but one I definitely want to do is bring in something antique. 

At first thought a large, beautiful, ornate mirror but since our clothes our more tightly packed that sardines a tin, I think an antique wardrobe would be key to bringing in a bit of old world sumptuous. Inspiration, check. Now off to source the perfect piece.

Image one to four via Pinterest, fifth image from Vogue and last via Houzz.

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Raw beauty

I'm so not into beauty. I still think splashing water on my face in the mornings deserves a pat on the back. I changed up by workouts, cut-out a few favorite indulgences and even start my mornings with a glass of apple cider vinegar and water. So what better time to simplify my routine? The goal is less products, more nature.

My kids have my Sahara, eczema-prone skin. They are testing out pure apricot oil which really helps to keep moisture locked in. I remove my make up with coconut cream, which leaves my faces mascara-free and so subtle face cream is almost obsolete. Most recently though, I started body brushing. Something I never thought I'd try because my skin is crazy sensitive. However, knock on wood, I barely itch when I'm done and stop immediately with oiling. It is too soon to really see a big difference but it makes my skin softer, my stretch marks way better and I feel invigorated.

Here's to pure, raw and simple! Cheers.

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Feeling blue(berry)

It was a beautiful Sunday. Sun streaming in, kids on the trampoline, us snuggled together like bugs a rug. I want to keep the good vibes going as long as possible. So nothing fancy or difficult. A wild blueberry and buttermilk stack with poached, spiced blueberries and rum-laced syrup. Too stuffed for dessert, is a good thing, right? 

Have a great week!

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Jasmine

My house bird needed a home and my ginkgo dried out the first weekend of spring in the sunny greenhouse that is our living room. All the reason needed for a little update. I love this wall even more with a flowering plant. I used to hate trained plants but somehow this really works with the seventies inspired vibe.

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