Romy Schneider in "Boccaccio ‘70"

Some fun weekend reading...enjoy the winks (weekend links)!

+ John and I devoured House of Cards at an alarmingly fast pace. I also went on a old-school Italian movie binge with lots of Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. Netflix is my bitch lover.

+ As a result of aforementioned Italian movie binge, I am genuinely wishing it was 1960 instead of 2014. If I can't live in that super stylish decade, at least I can wear a perfect cat eye a la Sophia Loren and Romy Schneider. This FACE Stockholm eyeliner is by far the best I've ever tried. You're welcome.

+ The new LAND collection by Austin fave Son of a Sailor has my name written all over it.

+ I'm already a big fan of Embryolisse and Homeoplasmine, so I'm taking Into The Gloss's guide to French pharmacies to heart. Now if it were only in the cards to high-tail it to Paris. Le siiiigh.

+ I have been dying to go to Marfa since before we moved to Austin, and it is certainly a heck of a lot more likely than heading to Paris (unless we are taking about Paris, Texas....which we are not and won't ever). This trip recap on Grown-Up Shoes has me ready to road trip it to this artsy oasis at the drop of a hat.

+ Spring is here (finally)! That means lots of al fresco dining, Topo Chico (yay for Costco), and these pretty marble coasters.

Absolutely adoring the latest spring 2014 creations from Fail, a line of super pretty jewelry made here in Austin by Christine Fail (a fellow tall girl who has a penchant for Swedish Hasbeens too...it's no wonder I like her style!). The pretty pinks, bright blues and rich greens in the new Pecos collection all feel so right for spring time. Just lovely.

I first had this completely addicting and simple salad thanks to Ari, my sister-in-law who has a penchant for making delicious magazine-worthy dishes, flared pants, and growing adorable babies. She's basically the Martha Stewart in the family, minus the criminal record. To say I take mental notes on her meals each time I see her is an understatement. I'm basically mental novel-writing because they are always so friggin' good.  Considering I just made a Costco-sized batch, I figured I'd share one of my fave go-to salads for when I need a good dose of greens....tempered with a little bite of bacon-y goodness in every bite, natch.

Broccoli Salad

Ingredients

I large bag of fresh broccoli florets (I got the massive one from Costco)
1/2 red onion
1/2 pound bacon
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup slivered almonds (walnuts or cashews would be tasty too)
Handful of cherry tomatoes (optional)
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (I subbed with rice wine vinegar because that's what I had)

Directions

1. Crisp your bacon. I baked mine on a foil-lined sheet in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Sop up all the grease once crisped, cool and crumble.
2. Cut the broccoli into bite-size pieces, and quickly blanch it. Drain and let cool.
3. While the broccoli is cooling, cut the onion into thin slices. Combine with the bacon, cranberries, nuts and mix well.
3. Prep the dressing by mixing the may, sugar and vinegar together until smooth.
4. Combine all the ingedients into a bowl, and stir until evenly coated. Refrigerate to chill, and serve.