After the Party It's the After Party

I love the Academy Awards - the glamour of the red carpet, the honoring of those who do amazing work - it's a magical night.  But in my book, if I could attend anything, it'd be the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.  I look forward to perusing the images every year - everyone seems more relaxed and in their element, and in my book, the after-party dresses are even better than those found on the red carpet.  And last night was no exception.  

Some Looks I was seriously loving....

Kate Beckinsale's Updo

Alice Eve's Sleek, Red Gown

Emmy Rossum's Awesome Head Piece

Rosie Huntington Whiteley's Ruffled Dream of Dress

Cutest Couple Award Goes to Miranda Kerr & Orlando Bloom

Or Maybe Paula Patton and Robin Thicke are the Winners...

Lilly Collins is my Best Dressed of the Night

All images via Vanity Fair.

Decluttered

Life can get so complicated.  The other day, going into a bar with my girlfriends it took a good five minutes to dig through my obnoxiously large purse to produce my ID.   Sifting past cans of hair spray, lip glosses, gloves, and who knows what else, I decided then and there it's time to invest in a smaller bag.  There's something so feminine about tiny accessories.  In a world where everything is super-sized I'm embracing the dainty and the delicate.

The Bloomer Shorts

Lacey, little shorts, reminiscent of bloomers have to be one of the prettiest things that can be worn this coming spring.  The pair above are so cute they might be something you'd find on a Victorian baby doll and I love their sweet detailing yet saucy length.   I picture them being worn with flowing tops or structured button downs. 

Silky Track Pants

Know what I've been coveting more than anything?  Silk track pants.  The kind that are a bit baggy, but then tapper perfectly towards the ankle.  Their waist might be drawstring, and they may or may not have a stripe down the side of the leg.  But they're the kind of laid back cool that is perfect with pointed toe pumps or strappy little sandals.  They look as cute with structured blazers as they do with white t-shirts (and a fab necklace) and I just ordered a pair from Maje and I'm really excited about it.

Happiest St. Valentine's Day!

It's a little late, but here's hoping your Valentine's Day was wonderful!    If you didn't get flowers, here are some to brighten your day - and get you in the mood for spring!  x

The Dreaming Room

The bedroom is my favorite room in the house.  It's a room meant for dreaming and should be equal parts relaxing, beautiful, and comfortable.  The bedroom is the last room to be touched in the condo I live in, and I'm really excited to turn into a little haven fit for restful night's sleep.    Above all, I want it be cozy.  I'm drawing inspiration from the looks below.

• Lots of white - nothing is crisper or more homey in my book.
• An understated elegance - I want there to be a sort of proper beauty to the bedroom, but no so much that it feels cold or sterile. 
• Soft light -  I'm all about chandeliers in the bedroom and pretty bedside lamps.  No yucky, generic lighting for this girl. 
• Keeping it cozy - Warm blankets, fluffy pillows, and plush rugs are all wonderful ways to make the bedroom feel inviting.  I might throw in a stuffed animal here and there as well ;) 

A Miniature Rose Bush & Stew

Yesterday was perfect in the way that only gloomy Sundays can be.    I went to the grocery store to get ingredients for stew - it doesn't call for anything fancy - and it's simplicity is the sort of meat and potatoes goodness that is healthy but still filling.   I was also excited to find a miniature rose bush in the prettiest light pink.  The perfect find to brighten up a dreary day.  Rose bush and groceries in tow, I headed home to make my stew.

Stew has always been my favorite meal to have when the weather gets chilly.
This is my grandma's recipe that my mom always made us growing up and this was my first time attempting it.  It was easy, and turned out perfectly.  I made it on the stove, but you can make it in a slow cooker as well.

Ingredients:
1 lb stew meat or round steak cubes
1 can beef consomme
1 yellow onion chopped
4-5 carrots
2-3 potatoes

Directions:
Shake the meat in flour until it's coated.
Brown the meat.
Add the can of consomme, 3/4 cup of water, and the onion to the meat and let simmer 1 hour.
Add the potatoes and carrots and simmer one more hour.

By the time the stew is done, the meat and vegetables will be coated in a delicious gravy.  For a more thin gravy, cook for less time.  Serve with crusty French bread and enjoy.