Friday, April 29, 2011

Princess Kate


I've been so excited about the royal wedding that today has felt like a holiday!  I've been wondering for months what kind of dress Kate would pick, and the Alexander McQueen number (designed by Sarah Burton) she chose gave me chills.  She looked so classically elegant, but still youthful, and the end result literally took my breath away.   The second evening dress was a bit less formal, but still oozing with elegance (and the fuzzy cardigan paired over it was just too pretty!)  I've always been a fan of Kate Middleton, but to see how excited she was, made me like her all the more.  She was glowing, and it was magical.








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The World in a Grain of Sand



Of all things, sand, has been my inspiration as of late.  From the its soft earthy hues, to the varying textures, I love everything about it, and interestingly enough it translates beautifully into fashion.   Since it comes in such a variety of shades (from powdery white to burnt sugar brown) it can work on any complexion and is the perfect simple alternative when white and black become too blah.





Chanel Nail Colour in Parteculier $24
Topshop Sage Cornelli Embroidered Blouse £45
Michael Michael Kors Suede Shorts $250
Valentino Lace & Satin Platform Pumps $795
Stella McCartney Woven Faux Leather Clutch $995
Jean Yu Eden Silk Chiffon Bra $320



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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Champagne Supernova Summer

What heaven looks like?

Rain, you can be done now.  Summer, I'm ready for you.  Maybe it was going home this past weekend and seeing old friends, but I couldn't be more excited for the arrival of sunshine, tanning, watermelon, late nights, boat rides, and just being outside (lots).  I'm oddly excited for it this year and am bound and determined to make it great.  It's always been the time year when things have happened. I'm not sure why.  All my great loves, accomplishments, and memories have occurred during the balmy months of June through August (I sorta count May and September too) and I can't wait to see what the coming months bring.   Until it's here, the daydreams below are keep my mind occupied.

The Adisia Maxi Dress from Anthropologie ($228).  This is THE maxi I've been looking for.   It will be dreamy on warm summer nights.



Pardon the boring video, but this song speaks for itself.  Ray Lamontagne's "Hannah"  is the perfect love song and takes me right back to summer every time I hear it.

Being this tan.  And this happy :O)  And wearing flowers in my hair.


Braids pinned up are perfectly summer.


Get caught up in towels, romance, and days by the water. A'la Geogia Jagger.

Cause it's as pretty as it is delicious.


And I want to capture  it ALL.


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Tuesday, April 26, 2011

...Oh, Constance!

At the beginning of the year I dubbed Constance Jablonski 2010's "It Girl", and had a feeling she's be just as hot in 2011 .  My premonition was correct, and her latest work in Haper's Bazaar is so inspiring. Take a look below.



Inspired By:
  • The bold statements made by the pairing of simple, primary colors.
  • The tie up sandals paired with an innocent white shirt dress.  I *will* copy.
  • A sexy twist on a formal pant suit (hello, plunging neckline).
  • How fresh a white shirt can look under a t-shirt.  So simple
  • The power of a print!  Pajama dressing is back, and I'm not sure I'll attempt it, but I love to see those who can.
  • The funky, structural cut of that shift dress.  Fresh and modern.


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Monday, April 25, 2011

Easter Sunday

Hope that all my readers who celebrated Easter had a wonderful day! (And those that didn't enjoyed the gorgeous weather!)  This was the first holiday my family has celebrated in their new house and it's safe to say that it's really starting to feel like home.  Below are some pictures I snapped of the day. 





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Friday, April 22, 2011

Hey, Burger! You Taste Like Summer!


Living with a boyfriend who's food groups consist of pizza, tacos, and phillies, cooking a nutritious meal can be tricky. Luckily I found a recipe that is not only healthy, it's delicious (and the junk food addict agrees.)  These burgers turned out scrumptious - and I think a lot of that is due to the stovetop grill we used (pictured below).  We've made steaks and chicken on it before and everything has turned out beautifully. It works by draining fat away from the meat and then stores it in a a tray  below. As it heats, up the juices start to steam, and seeps back into the meat, so it's still really flavorful.   We paired the burgers with avocado, lettuce, and tomatoes and stuffed them in whole wheat pitas.  The combination was really yummy, and to make it even yummier (and a tad less healthy) we dipped them in ranch. 


Below is the recipe and paired with sauteed mushrooms, broccoli, and zucchini (and diet rootbeer in frosty glasses), it was a satisfying lil' meal that was so light it made me think summer is just around the corner.

Ingredients:
1 lb lean hamburger
1/2 cup mushrooms,chopped
1/4 yellow onion, chopped
1 small tomato
1 avocado
1/4 head of lettuce
Olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Ranch dressing
Whole wheat pita pockets
(Other yummy options would be sprouts and a cheese of sorts)

Directions:
* If you're using a stove top grill, place half a cup of water into the lower tray.  Coat the top of the grill in a thin layer of olive oil.  Heat to medium or medium high.  If you're using a regular pan, cook burgers as you would normally.

In a pan, warm up 1/2 teaspoon olive oil.  Sautee mushrooms and onions until onions are transluscent and mushrooms are tender. 
Divide the hamburger into four patties. Put the mushroom and onion onto two of the patties.  Take the remaining patties and place them on tope of the others (so the onions and mushrooms are sandwiched between.)  Pinch the sides together and place on the grill. 
Cook the patties as long as desired (we liked our burger done medium well, it was roughly 9 minutes per side.)
Stuff the burgers into the pita pockets (we found cutting them in half worked best) and add desired ingredients! 
(SERVES 2)



 
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Thursday, April 21, 2011

The Short of It



Falling in love hurts.  I know, because I've been through it, only to have my heart completely broken.  It was acutally almost exactly a year ago that it happened. The culprit was a Gryphon skirt, and it was perfection.  It's name was the "Mayan Mini" and it was a colorful, eccentric masterpiece, that (like most of my crushes) could be worn a million ways.  He was a pricey lil' bugger and I spent days debating over whether I should take the plunge and commit.  To make a tragic story short, I didn't, and have been kicking myself ever since.  But lucky for me, my former fling has a hot new cousin who I've just spotted, and I'm swooning.  The Pendleton meets Opening Ceremony printed skirts and shorts are exactly the rebound I'm needing.  It's love, and I'm not about to let this one get away.


All Pendleton Meets Opening Ceremony, first three skirts $180, last pair of shorts $420







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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Random Lustings

 

Live by this


sip cocktails here

 

wear tiffany blue

 

grow more


experience this

be here

taste how fresh

hold him
smell these


 
 
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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Where I Hang My Handbags

The Winter Wonderland that welcomed me home from my cruise on April 18. Yes, April.

Being gone for the past ten days has been wonderful, and to be honest, I had been dreading coming back to the dreary midwest (I was welcomed with 2 inches of snow.)   But it wasn't until I actually got home that I realized how much I missed it. Here is what I'm happy to be back to.

  • My own bathroom.  No matter how hard I try, I never remember all of my beauty products. Plus, I hate how hotel towels never smell like fabric softener.  I love fabric softener.
  • My own bed.  This might seem obvious, but it's not just my bed.  It's all my stuffed animals, and my blankets, and my kitties.
  • The prettiest part of spring has still yet to come!  Everything is about to blossom, and being gone for a week makes warm weather that much closer.  Sunshiney weather *has* to be right around the corner.
  • Seeing my family and friends.  Duh.  Even if you're not gone long enough to really get homesick, it's still such a great feeling to see the ones you love after being away.
  • Cooking.  I will be cooking nothing but vegetable for the next month I swear, due to the fact that I ate enough to feed a small country on my vacation.  Far too many quesadillas, escargots, and tequila shots.  Detox time.

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Monday, April 18, 2011

Coachella Cool

Coachella was this past weekend and celebs attended the shows in their coolest concert-wear.  Whenever I need inspiration for concerts, I look at what my favorite fashion mavens have worn to this particular event.  Because lets face it - dressing for concerts is no easy task - you want to look good but be comfotable. And of course you want to dress appropriately for whatever act you'll be seeing (becuase we all know we're not going to wear to a Dave Matthews concert that we would a David Guetta show.)  Whose rocker vibe is inspiring you?   


 
 

Allessandra Ambrosio


 
 

Nicole Richie


 

Camilla Belle


 

Jazzy De Lisser


 
 

Harley Viera Newton


 
 

Kate Bosworth


 

Alexa Chung


 

Whitney Port


 
 
 
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