A Perfect Fit

I may have made a groundbreaking discovery:  Tea-chests are perfect for storing nail polish, especially Essie polishes.

Take a look: 

Pretty awesome right?  I used to store my nail polish in a shoe-box and was looking for something a little nicer, when I stumbled across this acrylic tea bag container. I wasn't sure if it would work, but it turned out to be a perfect fit. Seriously, it's almost like these little compartments where made to store and organize Essie polishes. It also holds OPI-sized bottles (one compartment holds three), but I just love the way the Essie bottles look in it: 

Another plus?  This thing holds my nail-polish addiction in check,  as I made a promise to myself not to buy more shades than the container can hold. (I'm obviously gonna need a bigger one, oh well…)

Mine is from a local tea shop, but you can find them pretty much anywhere. And if the see-through style is not your thing, check out this bamboo option:

Bamboo Tea Box

Now all you have to figure out is where to put your tea... 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura 

Summer Reading

There's nothing better than reading a book you don't have to read. Not for research or a grade, just for fun. Here are some of my mine favorite "fun-reads" for summer:

Neon Angel: A Memoir of a Runaway: I know memoirs might not be everyone's idea of a fun reading material, but there are few things I enjoy more than diving into someones past – especially if it is as fascinating as Cherie Currie's.  I've always been a fan of the Runaways singer, but I don't think that you have to be a fan of her or the band to enjoy this book.  It's just an exciting story about a girl and her life as a teenage rock star in the 70s – the ups, the downs, the glamour and of course the dirt.

Joyland:  Stephen King is always a good choice for a summer read, but this one is particularly great. Joyland  follows Devon Jones, a 21 year old college student and aspiring writer, who spends the summer of 1973 working and "wearing the fur" at a small North Carolina amusement park with a dark history. It's part thriller, part coming of age story, and so much more than you would ever expect.

Paper Towns: I have to admit I am not the biggest John Green fan, don't get me wrong he's a great writer but his books just aren't my cup of tea. I had pretty much given up on him until I saw  the trailer for the Paper Towns movie adaptation - which looked like something  I would love. So I decided to give him another chance – and I'm so glad I did. I just somehow felt a connection to the characters that I never had with any of his other books. So even if you're not a John Green fan, give Paper Towns a chance.

Secret Society Girl: The Secret Society Girl Series is my everything. Full of drama, action, and romance  Diana Peterfreund's saga around a Skull and Bones like society is the perfect summer read. 
The first book in the series of four is admittedly a little slow - there's a lot of exposition but it's necessary, and the next three books definitely make up for it (especially Rites of Spring-Break - One word: lifesavers!)

What is on your summer reading list?

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura 

Sweet Dreams

My name is Laura, and I am an addict. An accent pillow addict that is.  Seriously, I have so many decorative pillows on my couch that there is barely any room left for me, and getting into bed usually requires digging through a mountain of them.  

So it shouldn't come as a surprise that I could spend hours browsing through Anthropologie's House&Home section and their beautiful bedding:

Zanzibar

Spice Island

Seadrifter

While their bedding is usually a bit out of my price-range, it's an amazing  place to find inspiration. And sometimes just one great pillow is enough to give even the most generic bedding some character:

See more here

What's your favorite place to find home-decor inspiration?

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura 

Punk Fiction

Out of Print never disappoints when it comes to "literary merch", but their newest design takes being a literature nerd to a whole new level of cool.

Meet the "Punk Rock Authors" tote: 

via: Out Of Print Clothing

Your favorite authors as  punk rockers – pretty sweet, right?  It's definitely one of these things that you never knew you wanted  until you saw it,  but that's what makes it so awesome.  

…and if the tote is not enough check out the matching coasters (interesting conversations are guaranteed if you keep them on your coffee table).

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura 

Garden Party IV

It's that time of year again,  Garden Life weekend. And this year it did not even rain (although there's still plenty of time for the obligatory apocalyptic downpour to happen – but it wouldn't be Garden Life without it).

I want to live in that little crooked house...

Hot-tubs and tie-dye (who needs Coachella?)

 There was the most amazing junkyard art installation, which included a chainsaw guitar 

and this little guy (I'm in love):

 Wanna see more? 

2012, 2013 & 2014 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters
Laura

Summer Black

I did not own a black piece of clothing until I was at least 16,  which is maybe why I am making up for it now. While everyone else is pulling out their white jeans, I'm loving an all-black look for summer, and no one does that better than Emma Stone:

No matter if it's super casual...

picture source

 …or all dressed up:

picture source

There are two secrets to rocking all black ensembles in the summer: minimal accessories and a good amount of skin. The key is to keep it as light as possible, no heavy shoes, chunky necklaces, or over the top bags – just because it is black does not mean that it can't be airy.  When it comes to dressier looks, it is all about cut-outs, sheer panels, and bare backs. 

And no matter if you're opting for a minimalistic racerback tank or an embroidered statement top, there is nothing more versatile than the "little black top":

New Look, Zara, H&M

What's your take on wearing all black for summer? 

Yay or nay? 

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura

The Best Flats

I have both been blessed and cursed with ridiculously narrow feet. Blessed because I never have to worry about shoes being too tight, cursed because it can be a nightmare to find shoes that I don't fall out off.  This usually isn't much of an issue in the winter when I can just put on a pair of thick boot socks and be good to go. But in the summer it is more than just a little annoying.

I've never been a sneaker girl, the occasional pair of Vans or Keds is fun,  but I don't feel dressed unless I'm wearing a pair of "proper" shoes, and in the warmer months that usually means ballet flats, but finding some that fit and look good seems almost impossible – especially when you are shopping on a budget.  

Finding narrow designer flats isn't hard (the more a shoe costs the smaller it seems to run), and while shoes are usually the one thing I love to splurge on, there is no faster way to waste money than to spend it on a pair of flats for running around in all day (yay cobblestone streets!).  

Last year I got lucky with a pair of Zara flats, but they fell victim to an apocalyptic rainstorm, and sadly aren't available anymore. I had almost given up, when I stumbled across these:  

The softest leather, and fit like a glove - and are on the affordable side. I couldn't ask for more.

I couldn't find the black ones online, but  Amazon has  them in gold and a few other colors, and Ebay is also your friend. I'm definitely considering  getting a back up pair if my love for them doesn't decline during the next few weeks.  

Peace, Love, and Lobsters

Laura 

Zucchini Fries

Happy May!  I know I'm late, but you know exams... But to make up for the lack of posts, I am going to share my favorite snack ever: zucchini fries. 

After kale and brussels sprouts, zucchinis seem to be the vegetable of the moment, and I couldn't be happier about it.  I love to just cut them up and cook them in the air fryer, or use them as a healthy spaghetti substitute, but if I do have a little more time Zucchini fries are the way to go. And unlike regular fries, these things are actually good for you. 

picture

You need (serves two):

1 large zucchini

2 Eggs

Flour 

Breadcrumbs

Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F,  line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and cut the zucchini into sticks – you can make them as thick or thin as you want (the thicker you make them, the longer your fries will have to bake).  Fill a plastic bag with flour add the sticks, and shake (you can also coat every stick individually but this is a huge timesaver).  Put the eggs into a bowl, and add the flour coated sticks. One last stop in the breadcrumb bowl and on to the baking sheet they go...  Bake until they are golden brown (depending on the size of your fries, this can take anything from 10 to 25 minutes), and enjoy! 

What's your favorite way to eat zucchini? 

Peace, Love, and Lobster
Laura