Bohemian Kate

California Dreamin'

I'm finally posting photos from this past Memorial Day weekend...I can't even describe what an awesome time it was.  First of all it was incredibly lazy...which with planning the wedding, working and blogging, I can't remember the last time I had a free weekend.  It was SOOO nice to just take it easy.  Also, the weather couldn't have been better.  The whole three days the weather was amazing. 

Besides relaxing we went to a friends b-day party at Fidel's in Solana Beach.  Celebrated with some margaritas and mariachi.  I requested Corozon Espinado and the mariachi band refused to play it, lol.  The next day I went to a bbq at my dear friend La's house and saw some peeps that I don't get to hang with very often.  Played flip cup.  I felt like I was in college again!  Ha, so fun!  Memorial day was spent at the beach at Stone Steps in Leucadia.  I broke out the camera and practiced my photography.

This weekend has definitely invigorated my love for San Diego, my friends and just enjoying life.  Sometimes I get bogged down with everything on my plate and take things for granted, but damn I am lucky!  To live in such a beautiful place, to have such great friends and an awesome fiance.  I know it sounds cheesy, but this weekend made me appreciate everything so much more.  Honestly I felt like a kid on summer break....the horizon looks very bright :)

Okay, enough about my weekend.  How was yours?!  I hope you all had a fabulous time!  How stoked is everyone that summer is right around the corner?  Um, sooo excited...it's going to be a memorable one ;)

xoxo...Kate

Mango and Coconut Cream Pancakes

Yesterday, I had a very lazy day which was much needed.  This past week was very busy, but also very exciting!  Lots of good things going on :)  So anyhow, I slept in yesterday, finally rolled out of bed around noon (it's been FOREVER since I slept in that late) and decided I wanted something sweet.  It was a day for indulgence and laziness!  So I thought, dessert for breakfast would be perfect...and my obsession with pancakes continued.  I guess you can say that I have an obsession with mangos and coconuts as well, so I decided to combine the three.

It took some experimenting, but I finally created sort of like a mango coconut cream frosting to go on top of the mango pancakes.  Very decadent.  Also, there is no refined sugar in this recipe at all.  The only added sweetness is a couple of drops of stevia.  The mangos add most of the sweet taste.

Recipe for one pancake.

Ingredients:

• Mangos ( I used frozen mangos)
• 1/4 Cup of creamed coconut or coconut manna
• 1/4 Ground oat bran
• 3 Drops of stevia
• 1 Egg
• 1 Tablespoon of coconut oil

Directions for the mango and coconut cream frosting:

• If you're using frozen mangos like I did, you will need to let them thaw for about 20 minutes or until they are semi soft. 
• The creamed coconut I used is hard at room temperature, so I heated it in a glass bowl over a simmering pot of water until it melted.  I had tried just heating it in a pan, but it turned brown really fast and burned.  So if you need to soften it up, make sure to do it on low heat in a glass or ceramic bowl.  It took awhile to soften so I just read a magazine in the meantime and kept an eye on it.
• Once the coconut is soft and the mangos are semi soft (but still a little frozen) it's time to blend them together. 
• Place about 3/4 of cup of mangos and the coconut in a food processor and blend until it's the consistency of a frosting.
• The frosting will actually be cold because of the mangos which I like.  I find it refreshing eating it with the warm pancake.
• Place the frosting in the refridgerator for a couple minutes while you make the pancake or leave it out so it becomes room temperature if that's what you prefer.

Directions for the pancake:

• The pancake only takes a couple minutes to make so here goes.
• Slice about 1/8 cup of the mangos into little pieces.
• Mix the oat bran, coconut oil, 3 drops of stevia, the egg and mangos in a bowl.
• Once it's all mixed up and has the consitency of batter, pour in a pan and cook on low to medium heat.
• Flip the pancake over to cook the other side.
• Once the pancake is done, place on a plate and let it cool off for a couple of minutes.

Finishing touches:

• Spread the mango and coconut frosting on top of the pancake.
• Chop up some small pieces of the mango and sprinkle on top.

That's it!  It's a little more involved than my other pancake recipes, but I think of this more as a special treat.  I love the cool frosting with the warm pancake.  It's definitely filling too, one is more than enough for me.

I hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day weekend!  The weather is gorgeous here.  Looks like summer is upon us.  I am enjoying my weekend thoroughly.  It's been nice getting some "me" time, but I'm  also looking forward to hanging out with friends tonight.  Actually I'm getting really hungry writing this so I think I'm going to make some lunch...happy pancake making!

xoxo...Kate

Currently Reading...My Favorite Lifestyle Blogs

I want to take today to share some of my favorite blogs with you.  I find these blogs so inspirational and many of these ladies have become my friends through blogging.  Each blog is very different and all touch on different aspects in life.  One thing they have in common though is that they are all gorgeous to look at and each post is like a little adventure!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Organic Beauty Talk

Brandie of Organic Beauty Talk is one amazing lady!  We've become friends through Twitter and she has been so kind to me.  Her blog is INVALUABLE.  I know for myself, it has been a struggle to find truly organic beauty products, but her blog is a wealth of information on the best of natural and toxic free beauty and skincare.  She does reviews of products and has very strict guidelines for which products go on her site, which I truly appreciate!  She is very passionate about organic beauty and so am I so it's only natural that we became friends.  She also featured me in an interview on her blog which I was so so happy to do! 

The Bohemian Collective

So I follow the blog, Violet Bella (which I love!) by Laura and when I heard that she was starting another blog called The Bohemian Collective, I was instantly intrigued.  It's an absolutely beautiful blog that collaborates several artists to inspire us fellow bohemians and also to give back to the community.  The lookbook that Laura created showcasing the artists is STUNNING.  Love it.  Although the blog is fairly new, I've spent an ample amount of time getting lost in it and I suggest you do the same.  It will make you very happy :) 

Reign Magazine

This is the online magazine to go to if you want to bring out your inner sex goddess.  They have some very interesting articles on boudoir DIYs, art and culture, love and style.  It's a REALLY fun and beautiful  magazine to read and they are part of the new lifestyle brand Naked Princess which offers gorgeous lingerie pieces and accessories.  If you're looking for something new to browse on a lazy Sunday that isn't a blog per se, but a collection of really interesting articles, then check Reign out for sure.

Little Tree Vintage

I love Little Tree Vintage by Maria so much!  It's an adorable blog that showcases her personal style.  I'm always so intrigued by style blogs mainly because I've tried to do personal style photos myself and I'm terrible at it.  Not going to lie.  So I have much respect for style bloggers and I especially like Maria's unique style.  I found her through Twitter and I'm so glad I did.  Her personality not only shines through in her photos, but also in the stories she tells too with each post.  Did I mention that she has an AMAZING ring collection? ...check it out.

Sequins and Candy

I love Fawn's blog!  Fawn and I used to work together for a short time at Anthro a couple of years ago.  I remember her having really amazing style and then I found out that she is also an extremely talented photographer after seeing the wedding photos for a couple of former co workers.  I immediately went to her photography site, Sequins and Candy.  I honestly could look at those photos forever, they are so gorgeous.  She also has a blog that I love, Cleanup on Aisle Four, which she showcases her awesome photography and cooking skills.  Her blog just has that Southern California vibe to it that reminds me of home...goes perfect with some Best Coast playing in the background.

Paper Crowns

Paper Crowns to me is like the perfect blend of style, decor, design and lifestyle all mixed into a very pretty blog.  The blog follows Natasha and her husband on their adventures through the lens of some incredible photography.  She is a graphic designer and showcases her impeccable taste in all areas.  I especially like her home photos and her wedding DIY projects.  I actually might use one of them for my own wedding this year!  Also, her wedding photos are to die for...

Tara Polly

I'm always amazed by great photography blogs and I love Tara's Polly's work.  Her real life photos are such a trip to look at because she's able to capture genuine heart touching moments in time.  She tells a story through her photos which I just find so interesting.  Tara and her husband go on adventures throughout Colorado so it's a bit of a travel log too and when I visit I get to vicariously live through her adventures since I'm dying to go on a road trip.  I'm also always impressed by her Instagram photos too, I wish mine could look like that!  Last but not least, she has lovely style posts as well.  Overall, it's an extremely rich blog of real life, gorgeous photos and great style.

My Marrakesh

I first heard of My Marrakesh through an article in Elle Decor which featured Maryam and her husband's absolutely stunning home in Marrakesh.  After reading the article, I found out she has this amazing blog which features all aspects of Moroccan design from tea cups to textiles to architecture to style.  She just recently wrote a book too called Marrakesh By Design and I loved following all her tweets when she was on her international book tour, so exciting!  Maryam and her husband also own a luxury boutique hotel in Marrakesh as well called Peacock Pavillians which looks like heaven.  After reading tweets about fresh baked banana bread in the morning or doing yoga in the olive grove, I know that SOMEDAY, I'll be staying there.  Did I mention they leave homemade truffles on your pillow?  Um...yeah...heaven.

There you have it, some of my favorite blogs to read!  I really encourage you to click through to check them out.  Each one is unique and special which is why I love reading them!  

xoxo...Kate

Frozen Berry and Coconut Treat

As the weather gets warmer, the more I crave frozen fruit treats.  They're so refreshing and actually really, really easy to make.   A food processor is essential to make homemade fruit sorbets and ice creams, so if you don't have one, I really recommend getting one.  You don't need a fancy one either, just a basic model should do the trick.  Trust me, it's so worth it.  You'll be making delicious frozen treats all summer long.

This particular dessert is more like a sorbet, but when you add the coconut it gives it a almost creamy texture.  For me, adding coconut to anything makes it better (yes, I'm obsessed) and the combination of the berries with the coconut is amazing.   It's also a vegan dessert too!

Ingredients:

• Coconut Manna or creamed coconut (your local health food store should have both of these options).
• Frozen berries (Trader Joe's has a great selection)
• Coconut milk

Directions:

• Let the frozen berries thaw for about 10 minutes until they're slightly soft.  I used blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and cherries.
• Put about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of the berries into the food processor.
• The Coconut Manna or creamed coconut may be hard initially, so you may need to place whatever container it is in in warm water to let it melt a little.  I actually left the coconut semi hard when I added it to the berries which gave it a sort of crunch.  I like the crunchiness, but if you want a more smooth consistency, then definitely warm it up a little.
• Add 2 tablespoons of the Coconut Manna or creamed coconut to the berries.
• Blend in the food processor until is it's almost like a thick paste.
• While blending, drizzle in a little coconut milk until the berries and coconut have the texture of a gelato or sorbet.
• Spoon into a bowl, add extra berries on top and enjoy!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.  The weather is gorgeous here San Diego!  I went for a hike this morning and saw some gorgeous monarch butterflies.  It was nice to get out of the house and be in nature which always makes me remember what is most important to me.  Until next time ;)...

xoxo...Kate

P.S.  I just did an interview at one of my favorite blogs, Organic Beauty Talk.  Such a great site on the best of organic beauty products and Brandie, the founder and editor in chief, is awesome!  Check it out here.

Sweet Lemonade With Mangos and Stawberries

Honestly, this might be the best summer drink ever.  My mom made it for me when I was visiting my parents a couple weeks ago and I couldn't get enough of it.  Best part about it is that it's sweet and tasty, but doesn't contain any sugar.  Nice, huh?

The secret ingredient that gives it its sweetness is stevia.  Stevia is actually a plant that has sweet leaves.  You can buy the liquid extract at your local health food store and it also comes in powdered form as well.  The mangos and the strawberries definitely add their own flavors which taste delicious.  Like I said, I could drink this all day.

Ingredients:

• Lemons
• Water
• Stevia
• Mangos
• Strawberries

Directions:

• Squeeze a half of a lemon in a glass.  Remove any seeds that end up in the juice.
• Fill the rest of the glass with water.
• Add 3 to 6 drops of stevia (depending on how sweet you want it) and stir.
• Add the mangos or strawberries.  I actually used frozen fruit for mine to keep it colder or you can use room temperature.
• Add ice if you prefer super cold lemonade.

This would also make a great cocktail with some vodka added to it...hmm, I'm going to have to try that. ;)

xoxo...Kate

The Bohemian Bride Style Guide

 

To get into the spirit of the wedding that I'm going to tonight and my own upcoming wedding, I've put together a little bohemian bride style guide.  This is an eclectic mix of things I've found from searching for my own wedding accessories from some of my favorite designers and online stores.  

What is a bohemian bride?

A bohemian bride can take her look in any direction she chooses.  She loves to be one of a kind, mysterious, free spirited and comfortable.  She adores handmade, crafty, exotic, vintage, meaningful and unique accessories.  Each little piece tells a story and holds a special memory to her. 

Ideas and Inspirations:

Above is a gorgeous vintage cream dress from Lune Vintage.  If I hadn't already bought my dress, I would definitely snatch this up because it's steal at $60.  As of today, it's still available, but I'm sure it won't be for long.  In my mind it's perfect for a romantic casual outdoor wedding.

When I saw this handmade headpiece on Pinterest, I immediately fell in love with it.  Absolutely gorgeous!  Available on Etsy at Doloris Petunia.

This sash caught my eye just because it's so unique and I'm a sucker for soft pastel colors.  Available at Rosy Posy Designs on Etsy.

Wearing heels all night can get tiresome, don't you think?  How adorable are these flats?  Paired with the Lune Vintage dress above...love.  Plus each shoe is custom made to your shoe size.  Available at Bobka Baby on Etsy.

I love Moorea Seal's handmade jewelry designs.  They're so modern yet delicate.  Completely my style.  These pretty quartz earrings caught my eye for the big day.  Available at Moorea Seal on Etsy.

I just discovered this wonderful store ran by some free spirited bohemian beauties.  Each mala necklace promotes a different energy.  I thought this Sweetheart Mala would be perfect for the big day because it adds more sweetness and love to your life!  Available at Tiny Devotions.

Last, but not least, a bride needs something blue, right?  How gorgeous is this gold locket?  You can even put a photo of your loved inside.  Available at Emma Gem Shop on Etsy.

There you have it...I'm off to get ready for our friend's big day.  Should be an AMAZING time.  Happy Weekend!

xoxo...Kate

Why You Should Have the "Pin It" Button On Your Blog Post

I just wanted to share with you some interesting information I've found out from looking at my Google Analytics.  Now, I know I don't really talk about blogging per se on here, but I really I want to point this out because I think it will be useful to all you bloggers out there.  Pinterest is my second biggest traffic source, just under Google which I found very exciting and surprising.  I love Pinterest and have been using it more and more, but I think the main reason for this is my "pin it" button at the end of each post.  This button makes it super easy to pin any photos you want from my blog without having to have the "pin it" button on your tool bar.  Here's the thing...if I'm using a different computer than my own that doesn't have the button on the tool bar, then it's kind of a hassle to pin something from other blogs.  However, when I'm on a blog with the button on the post, then I can easily pin away!  I'm not going to lie, it kind of bums me out when I'm on a really cute blog that doesn't have the button.  I like having the easy access to be able to pin something I find adorable or inspiring.  You want to make it easy for your readers to share your information and for a blog like mine, Pinterest seems to be the best way to do that.

So I urge all of you bloggers out there with creative photo heavy blogs to have the "pin it" button on the bottom of each post.  It will make your readers happy and thus you happy!  A win win situation.  Oh, feel free to pin away here on Bohemian Kate.  It makes my day when I see one of my photos on Pinterest.

FYI: To add your button on Typepad, go here for directions.  I'm not too familiar with adding buttons to Blogger or Wordpress, but click the links for articles with more information.

I hope this helps!  Looking forward to going to your blogs and finding all sorts of neat things to pin! 

Btw, I'm looking for some new Twitter friends to talk beauty, food, fashion and music with.  If you're on there, stop by and say hi. :)

xoxo...Kate

Food, Family, Friends and Cinco De Mayo!

The last couple weeks have been super fun with lots of family and friends time.  Where there's friends and family, there is delicious food too!  I love taking Instagram photos of my favorite meals and documenting everyday life.  This past weekend, my fiancé and I went up to Ventura and Santa Barbara to visit my parents and brother.  We spent Cinco de Mayo drinking margaritas, shopping and lots of walking around on State Street.  I absolutely love Santa Barbara, it's one of my favorite places and is amazingly beautiful.  The photo above is of my brother and I this past Saturday.  Adore this pic and miss my bro!  Looking back at these photos, I've realized how lucky I am to have such great people in my life!  Besides this past weekend I went to a food filled charity event with divine desserts, three birthday parties and dinner with friends at Italian tapas restaurant.  It's been fun to say the least!

The weather this past weekend was picture perfect.  Had the best time just chillin on the patio enjoying some sweet lemonade and Mexican beer.  How was your Cinco de Mayo?

xoxo...Kate

Homemade Coconut Citrus Deep Conditioner

I'll admit it...I'm not the best at deep conditioning my hair.  I haven't found a deep conditioner that really works that well on my hair and I forget to do it every week.  However, after creating this homemade deep conditioner this weekend, I'm really going to make an effort to do it every week because it makes my hair feel wonderful!  I blow dry and curl my hair about every other day so I my hair gets pretty dried out and with summer coming up, it's essential to take better care of it.  My hair grows really slow too so I want to take make sure that it stays strong and moisturized.  Especially since I like to keep it long!

After doing some research on what would make a good conditioner, this is what I came up with.  Coconut oil which is what Indian women use to make their hair glossy and is very commonly used in that part of the world for a hair treatment.  Argan oil is great for dry hair, I even use it as a light leave in conditioner sometimes for my split ends.  Baobab oil is from Africa and is extremely moisturizing for hair and contains essential vitamins.    Combine these together it makes for a very luxurious deep conditioner!  

For one small jar:

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of unrefined coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon of argan oil
• 1 teaspoon of baobab oil
• 2 drops of sweet orange essential oil
• 2 drops of bergamot essential oil

How to make:

• Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix together.  
• Place in a sterilized jar and use on a weekly basis.

How to use:

The first thing you want to do is lightly dampen your hair.  You don't want it sopping wet, but just damp enough for the conditioner to be easily absorbed.  Start applying it at the roots and then pull down through your hair.  This conditioner is extremely moisturizing so you don't need to put a lot on the ends, especially if you have fine hair.  Just start at the roots and comb it through or run your fingers through your hair.  This will still get your ends conditioned without leaving them extra oily.  Plus, this will leave your new hair that grows in extremely glossy.   Leave it on for about 30 minutes to an hour or for a super deep conditioning, wear it overnight.

When you wash it out, you will probably need to wash it twice, especially if you have fine hair or are using a natural shampoo that doesn't get a good lather.  Make sure to give your ends a good washing too.  Trust me on this one, you don't want oily ends, just conditioned.

The end result is shiny easy to comb through hair.  If your hair is especially dry, lay off the blow dryer for a couple of days and let your hair air dry.  I know how hard this is because my hair turns into a frazzled mess when I don't blow dry it.  However, when I let it air dry instead and then curl it, it makes a world of difference in keeping my hair nourished.  If you still have dry hair, but aren't using any sort of heat on your hair, try doing the deep conditioner a 2 to 3 times a week until your hair has rejuvenated itself. 

One more thing about this conditioner.  I wore it out by the pool in the sun and used it as almost a sun screen for my hair.  Come summer, I'll be wearing it to the beach to protect it from the water and sun while giving it a deep conditioning!

If you try making this conditioner, let me know how it works for you.  It takes a little getting used to, but it's so worth it in the long run.  Just remember that Indian women have been using coconut oil on their hair for centuries and in my opinion, they have amazing glossy hair.  Be consistent and you could too!  I know I will from now on and I'll be giving updates as well.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.  I'm heading up to Ventura to see my parents and drink some margaritas!

xoxo...Kate

My Favorite Dish

We all have meals that we crave on a weekly or even daily basis.  This is one of my favorite meals (I have many) that I come back to at least once a week when the produce is in season.  I like simple meals that let the true flavors of the ingredients shine through.  Actually, this meal is partly inspired by the breakfast that Elizabeth Gilbert has in the book Eat Pray Love while in Rome.  I was getting so hungry while I was reading it, that I went out and recreated my own.  The best thing about this meal is that you can eat it for breakfast, lunch or dinner...plus it's the perfect portion so you feel full, but light at the same time...amazing!

Ingredients:

• Asparagus
• 1 Egg
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Kalamata Olives
• Red Onion
• Olive Oil
• Parmesean Cheese
• Salt & Pepper

Directions:

• Chop up about 1/8 of a red onion.
• Place the tomatoes, olives and onion on a plate.
• Boil a pot of water and throw the asparagus in there for about 2 to 3 minutes, until they're cooked, but not limp.  They cook fast! 
• Take the asparagus out after they're done.  Place on the plate and grate a little parmesean cheese on top and a pinch of salt.
• Now it's time to cook the egg, I like mine over easy or medium.  Spray the pan with olive oil spray (I got mine from Trader Joes).  Break open the egg in the pan and cook on medium heat.  Flip the egg over when the bottom side is cooked.  It's up to you how well done you want your egg, but part of the reason I love this meal is mixing the egg yolk with the veggies.
• When the egg is done, add to the plate and top it with salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as I do.  It always reminds me of spring and summer which makes me very happy.  What are your favorite dishes this time of year?

xoxo...Kate