FEELING... A LOVE TRIANGLE

I am currently loving triangles on everything from servingware to side tables, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorite finds. How awesome is this art print from Ashley Goldberg? And I am loving this dainty gold triangle ring. Which are your favorites?

Shop These Items: Ashley Goldberg Early Morning Print // Madewell Arrowstack Necklace // Bing Bang NYC Tiny Triangle Ring // Saturday Pyramid Picture Frame // Pulp Home Accent Table // Triangle Tray // CosmosBits Snowy Alps Zipper Clutch // BrickAndArrow Hand Painted Leather Cuff Bracelet

LET'S EAT: PINEAPPLE PEACH SMOOTHIE

For the longest time smoothies were never really my thing. I wasn't usually a fan of the texture and I often felt that they were just a "health" food in disguise. Both problems were easily fixed when I started making smoothies at home, which meant I could make them thick and frothy, while also controlling what ingredients I used. Needless to say, I'm glad I gave smoothies another shot because this has become a new favorite. It's quick, easy and it hits the spot post-workout, what else could you ask for?

PINEAPPLE PEACH SMOOTHIE
Serves 1

INGREDIENTS: 
• 1/4-1/2 c. frozen pineapple chunks
• 1/4-1/2 c. frozen peach slices
• 1/4-1/2 c. frozen banana slices
• 1/4-1/2 c. fresh spinach
• 1/4 c. vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1/2 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• 1 T. coconut flakes

Blend all ingredients until smooth and serve immediately. Note: My measurements are approximate and were tailored to fit in my magic bullet blender. Play around with the ratio of ingredients to make a larger serving if you wish!

Photography, design and styling by Jessica of SAS + ROSE.

DIY: TASSEL NECKLACE

This DIY is inspired by a necklace I spotted from Dogeared this past fall, but unfortunately I wasn't able to share it until now. Lucky for us, the tassel trend is still going strong and you'll be surprised how easy it is to get a similar look for less. I love wearing mine with a drapey sweater or a black and white striped tee for a pop of color, but I can also imagine pairing it with a loose tank and cut-offs for Summer. So whether you decide to DIY or buy, here are a few other tasseled accessories to help get you inspired:

1. I am in love with the colors of this tasseled bracelet. (leifshop.com)
2. Dip-dyed tassels? Yes, please! (anthropologie.com)
3. Try adding tassels the full length of the necklace like this. (shopbop.com)
4. I like the look of this double tassel necklace. (asos.com)
5. How about a mini tassel necklace? (asos.com)

SUPPLIES:
• Embroidery floss in various colors
• 6mm jump rings; one for each tassel
• Necklace chain (I used an old necklace and removed the pendant)
• Upholstery needle
• Scissors
• Needle nose pliers
• Fork

1. Ok, so I know it might seem a little strange, but I found using a fork for making tassels to be the easiest. Begin by wrapping embroidery floss around the end of a fork approximately 30 times. You can choose to wrap it more or less depending on how 'full' you want your tassel to look.

2 & 3. Once you've wrapped it to the thickness you desire, cut off the excess thread. Use an upholstery needle to thread embroidery floss between the prongs of the fork and secure it with a double knot. This will create the top of the tassel.

4. Carefully cut the embroidery thread, opposite of the knotted end of your tassel, releasing it from the fork.

5. Pinch the knotted end, or top of your tassel, and carefully wrap a piece of thread around the tassel approximately 3 times and secure it with a knot. Trim off any excess thread.

6. Finish by giving your tassel a little "hair cut" to even things out a bit. When you're finished, it should look like the picture below. Note: Something I didn't do, but I would suggest doing is securing your knots with a tiny dot of super glue. This will make sure things stay in place and none of your tassels go missing.

7. Repeat steps 1-6 to create 6 more tassels in varying colors. When you've finished, decide on the placement of the tassels along the necklace chain. Note: Instead of buying chain and creating a necklace myself, I used an old necklace I had on hand and just removed the pendant.

8. Once you have decided on placement, begin with the center tassel and attach it to the necklace chain using a jump ring. From there, evenly space the remaining tassels, working outwards from the center.

Photography, design and styling by Jessica of SAS + ROSE.

FEELING...LIKE ROCKIN' OUT

I've been loving the agate, gemstone and mineral trend in decor for a while now (evidence here), but lately it seems more prevalent than ever. When it comes to decorating, I love mixing old with new, found with store-bought and rustic with modern, so it comes as no surprise that I am totally on board with this trend. Lately, I've been dreaming up ways to spruce up my apartment and will no doubt be finding ways to incorporate a few of these items.

Shop These Items: Need Supply Co. Quartz Bracelet // Brooklyn Thread Quartz Crystal Wine Stopper // Brooklyn Thread Gray Agate Stripe iPhone Case // Pulp Home White Lacquered Box with Amber Agate // Leif Calcite Claw Ring // Beklina Soap Rocks // Zhush RabLabs Quartz Box // High Street Market Chunky Quartz Votive Holder // ZGallerie Agate Coasters // High Street Market Rose Quartz Bookends

LET'S EAT: GORGONZOLA PEAR CROSTINI

Crostinis are probably one of my favorite appetizers to make, serve and eat. They usually consist of only a few ingredients, look impressive displayed on a platter and are the perfect size for entertaining. I'm pretty sure the only downside is being able to control how many you eat in one sitting, but hey, I won't judge! This recipe is the perfect blend of sweet and savory, making them impossible to resist and the perfect companion to your favorite wine.

INGREDIENTS:

• French baguette
• 2-4 T. olive oil
• 1/2 c. ricotta cheese
• 1/2 c. gorgonzola cheese
• 1 pear
• 2-4 T. honey
• 1/2 c. chopped toasted walnuts
• salt & pepper

Preheat the oven to 450°. Slice french baguette into 1/2" slices and arrange on a baking sheet. Lightly toast the baguette until slightly crusty.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl mix the ricotta and gorgonzola cheese until well combined. Once the bread is toasted remove from the oven and top each slice with a spoonful of the ricotta and gorgonzola cheese mixture, a thin pear slice and a few chopped toasted walnuts. Season with salt and pepper if you wish. Finish with a drizzle of honey.

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out my Fig, Ricotta, and Rosemary Crostini.

Photography, design & styling by Jessica of SAS+ ROSE.

DIY: DRIFTWOOD NECKLACE ORGANIZER

Alright, I know what you're thinking. It's the middle of January and I am posting a DIY about driftwood, but I promise just about any old stick will do. The driftwood I used was found over the summer at a lake in western Nebraska, so I decided it was about time to show you what I made with it. Also, with the new year upon us, I have been on an extreme organizing/de-cluttering kick and this little project is just the thing to help manage my growing necklace collection.

SUPPLIES:
• driftwood
• hook screws
• mason twine
• sand paper

1. This might seem like an obvious first step, but finding the right piece of driftwood for this project is important. Look for a piece of wood with good coloring and enough curve to give it interest, but not so much going on that it will look cluttered when hung with necklaces. Also, imagine how the driftwood will hang on the wall and make sure there are at least two areas that you will be able to drill holes into in order to hang the final project.

2. Next, clean your driftwood by removing any unwanted bark and use a fine grit sand paper to smooth things out a bit. You don't have to go crazy with this step, but I found that the ends of my driftwood were a little rough. Also, if you're unhappy with the natural coloring of your wood, I would suggest bleaching it. I read these (1,2) articles about bleaching driftwood and found them to be very helpful.

3. Once your driftwood is prepped and ready to go, add a dab of glue and wind a small section of mason twine around end of the driftwood. You can skip this step if you prefer, but I liked the pop of color it added. You could also try painting a design on either end to get a similar effect.

4. Next, evenly space your hooks and make small marks on the underside of your driftwood to determine where each hook will go. My driftwood was pretty pliable so I was easily able to screw my hooks into place by hand. If needed, use a small pair of pliers to secure each hook into place, making sure not to over-tighten them, which would cause the wood to split.

5. Lastly, drill two small holes into the backside of the driftwood so you are able to hang the finished necklace organizer to your wall.

Photography, design and styling by Jessica of SAS + ROSE.

ON THE ROAD: STEAMBOAT, CO

Needless to say, it may seem that things have gotten off to a slow start in the new year, but don't let my absence fool you! After getting back from a family vacation in Steamboat, CO, I have been busy getting organized and dreaming up ideas for new projects, recipes and inspiration to share with you on SAS + ROSE and I am super excited for what the new year will bring! Anyways, I wanted to stop in and share a few of my favorite photographs from my trip. Although I've been to Colorado numerous times, it was my first time to Steamboat and I absolutely fell in love. If you're in the area or happen to be traveling there soon, I highly recommend checking out the natural hot springs, hiking to Fish Creek Falls and enjoying a post-ski beer at Slopeside Grill. These and other snapshots of my daily whereabouts and random inspiration can be found here.