JUNE BIRTHSTONE: PEARL

Oh my June birthday ladies, I'm so sorry!

I didn't forget about you, I promise...I just...forgot to hit "publish" on this post last week. Major fail. 

Hopefully you all got some birthday cash and can buy yourself one of these lovely pairs of earrings!

--------------

Okay June birthday ladies, let's talk pearls.

When I had my Bat Mitzvah as a 13 year old, I got some pearl jewelry as a gift, and I remember thinking "when am I going to wear this?!". Not in a jerky, ungrateful way...but more just trying to figure out when I would be sophisticated enough to have the chance to show them off! At that age, to me, pearls were for classy Southern women who wore pastels. 

Nowadays, pearl type earrings come in all shapes and sizes, and while some remain classic, others are almost edgy! 

Here's a round up of some recent favorites:

June ladies: 

How did you celebrate your birthday this year?

xo, lp

Missed your birthday?

Go back in the Archives here:

May Birthstone:Emerald

April Birthstone: Diamond

March Birthstone: Aquamarine

February Birthstone: Amethyst

EASY 4TH OF JULY DIY: 5 MINUTE CAKE TOPPERS

Last week on the blog I posted one of the coolest baked goods I've made in a while- a Tie-Dye 4th of July Cake. I topped it with some homemade "sparklers" which were just made of toothpicks, christmas tree garland, and double sided tape!

I came up with a few other cake topper ideas for the 4th- all of which took about 5 minutes total to make- so no excuses about not having any time to add that extra touch to your 4th of July dessert! These could easily be added to cupcakes or brownies as well :)

So here's the cake (recipe here):

And here are the cool 4th of July cake topper ideas:

THE SPARKLERS:

What you need:

Silver or gold christmas tree garland // double sided tape // toothpicks

How to do it:

Cut 2-3" long pieces of garland and wrap it around a toothpick that has double sided tape on the end. Pinch until adhered, and add to cake!

THE WATERCOLORS:

What you need:

Cardstock paper // toothpicks // tape // sharpie marker

How to do it:

Watercolor red and blue stripes with some white in the middle on your cardstock. Let dry. Write a 4th of July message on it, and adhere to toothpicks!

THE STARS + SPARKLERS:

What you need:

Silver or gold christmas tree garland // double sided tape // toothpicks // colored paper

How to do it:

Take steps from "The Sparklers" to make the first part. Cut out stars on colored/pattern paper and tape to tooth picks. Mix & match on the cake!

THE WASHI TAPE FLAGS:

What you need:

Toothpicks/ Red/Blue Washi Tape/ String/Twine

How to do it:

Cut pieces of washi tape and fold in half over string/twine. Cut into flag shapes, alternating red and blue. Tie or tape string to two toothpicks, and set apart on cake.

Easy, right?

What will YOU be making for the 4th of July?

xo, lp

AWESOME SALE ON SALE AT SHOPBOP!

Sometimes the best sales are the "extra sale on top of sale" sales, right?

Oh man, I should have started this post by saying "take a shot every time you see the word "sale" in this post. You'd all be wasted right now.

Anyway, Shopbop has extra 25% of sale items right now, which means that item you've been eyeing for a while to go on deeper sale is ready for you to buy it :)

On my radar: a few black bikinis (like these) are on sale finally, plus any of these Tory Burch items!

if you're NOT interested in shopping this sale but you're still reading this post (you're the best)- here are some more good options for your reading pleasure:

- C&C did a false eyelash breakdown

- One Fine Day's latest Love List is perfection

- Franish answered some style questions that us nosy readers asked

If you ARE interested in the sale, what are you still doing listening to me blab?

Go! Shop!

xo, lp

LIFE LATELY: SUMMER WEDDINGS

Happy Monday you pretty people! 

This weekend was a lovely one- we got to head to Minnesota to celebrate some great friends at their wedding. Sunday meant we were extra sleepy because of it- but it was worth every tired minute on the drive back home.

-----------------

Here's what's good lately:

#1: More about the wedding: the ceremony was held at their farm and the storm clouds went away JUST in time for it all to start..look at how perfect this was:

#2: As for wedding attire, I wore a bright floral dress from J.Crew and (of course) sparkles from Rocksbox. And yessss you can still get your first month free by using code "beautyandbeardxoxo"

#3: Going to a bachelorette party this summer? Make sure you don't forget these 5 things!

#4: More candy rainbows. Are you surprised? See more HERE. 

#5: Remember the tie-dye cake I shared last week? Well I've got 4 options for you to top it with it- all super easy DIYs!

Anyone else at a wedding this weekend?

Pleeeease share your fabulous outfits with me!

xo, lp

(pssst: let's be instagram buddies, k?)

BACHELORETTE PARTY MUST-HAVES

Ahhhhh wedding season means bachelorette party season.

I've been to a few bachelorette parties, and beyond the kitschy themes and....blow up genitalia...there are 5 things you have to have to have to make the night great!

None of these should surprise you (helloooo fruity drinks (like this) and hanky panky panties (like these)) but I figured I'd round 'em up anyways:

1. The NON Digital Camera:  Yup. Get yourself a polaroid (like this instax) or disposable camera...then there's no way to erase the crazy memories!

2.  A Signature Drink: It's a total girl cliche, but you know what? It's fun. Make a drink with a theme for the night or around an inside joke with the Bride!

3. Gatorade: This is for healing after drinking too many of the Signature Drinks the night before. Prepare for the next day, ladies.

4. Some Saucy Lingerie: This is one of the few stereotypical bachelorette party things that I think is fun- mainly because it makes every laugh- which breaks the ice at any party. Ain't no shame in bringing some hanky panky panties (like these) for your friend ;-)

5. Something to Tie the Party Together: At the last bachelorette party I was at, someone had bought glow bracelets for everyone to wear. Simple and cheap- but a fun way to be connected all night! Gone are the days of wearing matching outfits my friends!

What's your must-have at a Bachelorette Party?

Don't forget the Gatorade!

xo, lp

4TH OF JULY TIE-DYE CAKE

BAH! Thanks for all the love from Pinterest you guys! Follow along for more colorful ideas HERE!

xo, lp

---------------

Today's recipe ROCKS. I'm not gonna lie, it takes a little bit of time to make - but it's super easy, and the reaction you'll get from your friends or family is worth EVERY minute of time you put in!

If you've been following this blog long enough, you know I LOVE a good ol' holiday.

Making some baked treats or cocktails with a theme is right up my alley, I don't care how lame that is!

In years past for the 4th of July I've focused on cocktails (like these mixed berry mojitos)...but this year I decided a cool cake would be just the ticket.

4th of July is just a couple weeks away, so be sure to pin this idea now to Pinterest or share the link to this post on Facebook (I'll love ya extra if you do!).

So you want to know how to make it happen? Here ya go:

What you'll need to make it happen:
- Red & Blue food coloring
- 2 containers of white frosting (you could totally make homemade buttercream, I just didn't!)
- White cake mix (or make your own, like I did using Martha's recipe)
- A whole bunch of bowls!
- Two 8" round cake pans

How to make it happen (full picture instruction at the bottom of the post):
Step 1: Preheat your oven and grease your cake pans well.
Step 2: Mix up your cake batter and separate evenly into 3 bowls, coloring 1 blue, 1 red, and leaving 1 white.
Step 3: Using either a melon baller, large spoon, or 1/4 cup measuring cup (no shame in any of those!) pour in about 1/4 cup of white cake batter in the center of the pan.
Step 4: Repeat the same step with your blue batter,pouring directly in the center of your white batter.
Step 5: Yup, you guessed it, repeat this exact same thing with the red batter! Keep doing this for each of the cake pans until you're out of batter and your pans look like 3 color bullseyes.

Step 6: Bake your cake per the direction in the recipe or on the box and let cool completely.
Step 7: If needed, cut the rounded edge of the top of the cake off so they stack well. Apply a thick layer of frosting on the first layer and add the top layer.
Step 8: Apply a "crumb coat" - frost the entire cake with white frosting to seal in all those pesky crumbs.
Step 9: Split your second can of frosting  into 3 bowls and dye 1 red, 1 blue. Rough frost red at the bottom of the cake, blue in the middle, and white at the top edge and full top of the cake.
Step 10: Using a flat spatula, smooth and slightly blend the frosting out on the side until the cake is fully smooth.
Step 11: Top with some decorations, cut, and enjoy!!

Can we talk about the WOW factor when you cut into this cake? 

What 4th of July food or drinks will you be making?

Bonus points if you'll be making this!

xo, lp

Looking for a no-bake 4th of July dessert idea? Try this awesome marbleized bark HERE! 

psssst: for more colorful stuff, go here

If you're more of a picture person, here's the full tutorial in one image! Pin away or share to your hearts content, m'love!

IPHONE BACKGROUNDS & LIFE LATELY

Happy Monday you lovely folks!

In case you missed it yesterday, I chatted a little bit about pineapples. You know, completely normal Sunday conversation. Is Pineapple the new Peony? If you don't get that question, it just means you probably don't follow many bloggers on Instagram...which is not a bad thing, just a fact. Anyway, weigh in on that here.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! This was our last weekend before Wedding Season starts up for us, so we made sure to keep it low key to keep our minds (and livers) ready for the next few weekends.

Here's what's up lately:

#1:

Oh Anthro, you suck me in with your pretty packaging every time. How perfect are those matches and that candle? Come onnnn you're killin' me here! 

Also- are you all sick of seeing this bracelet yet? It's one of the ones I kept from a recent Rocksbox and I wear it constantly. Speaking of which, stop hemming and hawing- sign up already for your FREE first box (who doesn't like free jewelry?) by going to rocksbox.com and using code "beautyandbeardxoxo" !

#2:

An awesome coworker sent me a link to this article about it being OK to work in the Midwest. I kind of wanted to hug whoever the author is, because they really put into words what I've been thinking for years. Working in the apparel industry for a company based in Wisconsin can be hard sometimes. A lot of people (openly) tease it or look down on it- because the thought is that if you're not in NY or CA that you must just be dyyyyyyyying of boredom in such a lame place. Worth the read!

#3:

I change my phone background constantly. Does anyone else do this? I usually just crop an Instagram picture (mine or someone elses) and use that for my lock screen.

These two images below have been my summery-colorful pictures of choice lately. If you want to grab 'em for your background too just save or download the image to your computer or phone and set as wallpaper :)

(original image here)

(original image here)

#4:

Okay SOMEONE reading this must have some feedback on this-- does anyone own the shop ban.do watermelon cooler? It's adorable, and cheap ($32, free shipping here)- but I'm wondering how practical it is/how much it holds? Answers pleeeeease! Leave it in a comment or email me- beautyandbeard(at)gmail(dot)com.

#5

The MUST FOLLOW instagram account this week is @unbirthdaybakery.

I cannot get over the creativity and sheer talent coming out of Nikki Lee-- here desserts are truly a work of art- check these out!!!:

ALL images from @unbirthdaybakery- follow her HERE!

#6:
Recipe this week will get you ready for 4th of July (it's coming up quickly, people!)
Just WAIT until you see what's inside of it!

What's good with you lately, friends?

Don't forget to shout out if you own that ban.do cooler- looking for honesty here!!

xo, lp

-----

more images & colorful things HERE

THE (not surprising) SUMMER TREND: PINEAPPLES!

If you look on Instagram, pineapples are EVERYWHERE, right?

I mean, for a hot second I thought that watermelons might override as the kitschy fruit of the summer with the appearance of the shop ban.do watermelon cooler...but it seems that just might be a flash in the pan.

I mean, I'm sort of joking here..but sort of not. Yes, it's all fun and games when someone throws some sunglasses on a pineapple and Instagrams the heck out of it...but when brands like Tory Burch and Kate Spade are adding the fruit into their designs..ya kinda have to take note. (whoa. run-on sentence much?)

Anyway- here are some Instagrammers who are gettin' on board, and some products that are doing the same (shop lots of pineapple goodies here!)

instagram photo credits (in order)

@littlefixations // @rocksbox // @littlefixations  //  @baublebar

@madewell1937 // @linesacross // @zainsaraswati // @dcds

pineapple goodies (in order)

tory burch wallet // sunnylife candle // lolo pouch // kate spade phone case

tory burch tote // kate spade earrings // kate spade wallet // soludos espadrilles

Which fun pineapple item would you grab?

I think those earrings are beyond perfect for summer!

xo, lp

LIFE LATELY: SHOPBOP WINNER!

Happy Tuesday you guys!

Most Mondays I do a little "life lately" round up...sharing what's going on in my life via Instagram.

Most bloggers do it... some people just share images with a short caption, some share recipes (how good does this smoothie look?) or items they think are must-haves for the season (like flats- I mean, am I wrong to love gold glitter flats like these ones?) - but all of them are great little snapshots into their lives!

Anyways- I hope some of you out there like these type of posts as much as I do- because HERE is life lately:

---

I've mentioned this before- but when I do recipe posts for the blog, I cook/shoot a bunch of recipes in one day and then edit/post throughout the month. Why do I do this? Well, partially because it's efficient, and partially because I make a MESS when I cook or bake. Like, a reaaaally big mess...so I figure it's better to make all the messes on one day ;-) 

This weekend I shot a handful of AWESOME new recipes, including this drink...which you'll see sometime this month (it's so. dang. good):

 Fresh. Blooms. Errrry. Day. The grocery store by us always stocks the prettiest, cheapest flowers. These bright orange roses were just screaming my name:

I saw multiple women in New York wearing glitter flats (like these) - since WHEN are glitter shoes in? Maybe this just hasn't hit the Midwest yet? Looking for opinions here...

Speaking of New York, can we discuss how awesome Dylan's Candy Bar is? Ermahgerd. So much candy in EVERY COLOR OF THE RAINBOW. My dream of #everythinginrainboworder has come true!

Other than that, in case you missed it, the Shopbop winner was announced...want to see if it was you? go HERE!

What's new with you guys lately?

Tell me something good, people!

xo, lp

AVOCADO + CHIPOTLE + SWEET CORN CAESAR SALAD

I have been MAJORLY slacking in the new-blog-recipe department, so it's time to share this SUPER easy vegetarian recipe.

You know when you find something you love at a restaurant, and so you get it each time you go there? Well this is a version of a salad I order every time I go to a local place in Madison called Cooper's Tavern. The recipe is slightly different there- their version has hard boiled eggs, croutons, and poblano peppers...but the tast is JUST as delicious!

This recipe is the perfect balance of fresh, crunchy, spicy, and sweet:

What you'll need to make it happen:

- Romaine Lettuce, chopped

- Parmesan Cheese- shaved or shredded

- Avocados, sliced

- Red pepper, diced

- 1 ear of Sweet Corn

- Caesar Dressing

- Chipotle Peppers (canned)

- Food processor or blender

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Clean off your ear of sweet corn and boil in a pot of water for 2-3 minutes, or until bright yellow. Put in refrigerator to cool. 

Step 2: Using a food processor or blender, blend 1 chipotle pepper (~2 inches long) with 3/4 cups Caesar dressing. If you're looking for less spice, add more dressing, or a smaller pepper!

Step 3: Remove cooled corn from the refrigerator  and cut kernels off the cob

Step 4: Assemble your salad! On a bed of romaine, top with red peppers, corn, avocado, and cheese. Finish with your chipotle caesar dressing, and enjoy!

 The dressing is spicy, the red peppers are tangy, the avocados are creamy, and the sweet corn..is..well..sweet..duh.

What go-to dish do you have at a restaurant?

I bet you can recreate it at home & it'll taste even better!

xo,lp

Want more easy recipes? Go HERE!

PSSSSSSSST: Are we friends on Instagram yet? If no, why not?! Find me here--> @lpodlich

LIFE LATELY: JUNE IS HERE!

Happy JUNE everybody!

How is May over already? I ended May by going to a fabulous bachelorette party honoring a lovely friend - which means now wedding season gets to BEGIN!

Here's what's good lately:

These are the two pieces I kept from my last Rocksbox...aren't they great? I wore the bracelet everywhere in New York and this weekend at the bachelorette party...and that necklace is the prettiest summer aqua!

If you haven't signed up for Rocksbox yet- WHAT are you waiting for? Wedding season is the time to try it out- trust me. Much easier to having someone picking out and sending you jewelry than continually shopping on your own! 

Get your first box for FREEE! Just go to Rocksbox.com and use code "beautyandbeardxoxo" :)

 My trip to New York was SO. DANG. GOOD. I'll be posting some pictures from my favorite places we visited...but if you want a sneak peek...go HERE!

If someone just wants to start sending me rock candy on a monthly basis, I wouldn't totally hate it. Here's the latest #everythinginrainboworder: 

 In case you missed it last week, THIS post is all about some great graduation gifts to give (or ask for!):

This week's recipe post is a serious winner. Gahhh. I started making this a couple months ago and have been eating it so much...it's about time to finally share the (super easy) recipe!

What's been good for you lately, friends?

What does June have in store for you?

xo, lp