31 August 2011
30 August 2011
Country Strong
IMAGES: GOOGLE
One of my new favorite movies from this past year has been Country Strong. If you're a sucker for a love story then you'll be pulled into the relationship between the two aspiring country song-writers, Beau Hutton (Garrett Hedlund) & Chiles Stanton (Leighton Meester). Even if, like me, you aren't a big country music fan, you will enjoy the duets between the characters throughout the movie. The film also realistically documents the struggle of substance abuse addiction through the ups and downs of the lead fallen star character, Kelly Canter, played by Gwyneth Paltrow. If you've ever known a friend or family member to battle drug & alcohol addiction then you will identify with the obstacles presented to all of the surrounding characters as they try to help Kelly re-establish her career. Below are items that were pulled with Leighton Meester's character in mind; particularly the star stud earrings which are similar those given to her by Beau in the film.
/ 1// WOODEN COASTERS / 2// COWBOY HAT / 3// TOM FORD 'MARKO' AVIATORS / 4// ASOS RIVER ISLAND TOOLED SATCHEL (ON SALE!) / 5// REBECCA MINKOFF SWING WITH DOUBLE CHAIN HANDBAG / 6// RAG & BONE DURHAM BOOTS / 7// HOUSE OF HARLOW 1960 HORSESHOE BANGLE / 8// STEVE MADDEN PEMBROOK BOOT / 9// MANGO ANKLE BOOT / 10// MOUNTAIN ORCHARD POCKET DRESS / 11// STEVEN ALAN STAR STUDS / 12// ALWAYS IN MOTION DRESS
29 August 2011
Sampled Scent
CHLOE
2.5 oz Eau de Parfum Spray
This floral perfume with top notes of pink peony, freesia, and lychee is great for everyday. I like to spray it on the right side of my neck, my inner left elbow, and the back of my right knee before work. The fresh subtleness of the scent carries with you for the entire day. Purchase yours here.
28 August 2011
16 August 2011
Get Glossy
This [new to me] site is run by VOGUE freelance fashion assistant Emily Weiss -- you may remember her as the super intern from Season Two of The Hills. Now she is sharing all of her beauty & fashion finds with the rest of us. My favorite categories include theTOPSHELF & theREVIEW. Give it a click.
15 August 2011
Goldfinger
GOLDFINGER
*Give your fingers some extra sparkle in addition to any rings you may already be wearing.
INSPIRATION
------------------------
Elsie's Wedding Ring Finger Manicure on A Beautiful Mess + Miu Miu Heels (pictured + similar, similar, & similar)
END RESULT
-----------------------
To achieve this look, pictured here on my hand, you will need a favorite bottle of base coat (like this one), a pink or coral nail polish (I chose to go more pink with OPI's La-Paz-itively Hot; another good color would be OPI's On Collins Avenue), Sally Hansen Salon Effects Strips (I used Glitz Blitz), & a bottle of top coat (like this one).
Pick which fingers to which you would like to apply the Salon Effects Strips (I chose the ring fingers on my right & left hand). Use the instructions to adhere the strips to your nails of choice (this will include pushing back your cuticles, buffing the nails, & filing the end of the nails). Then cover each strip covered nail with one generous application of top coat. After your sparkled fingers have finished drying, you may then proceed with applying your base coat, two or three coats of colored polish, & top coat to the remaining nails. Allow for ample dry time.
This initial polish application should last an entire work week or so. When the colored polish nails start to chip & wear, you should remove the current color (leaving the Salon Effects Strip nails intact because those should last longer) & repaint with another color of your choosing (this one would look nice).
14 August 2011
10 August 2011
09 August 2011
08 August 2011
Rabbits On the Run
As of late, I have been listening to Vanessa Carlton's new album, Rabbits On the Run, non-stop since it was released. Carlton left her label & she recorded all of it in RealWorld Studios London with Patrick Hallahan, the drummer from My Morning Jacket, under the production of Steve Osborne who has worked with New Order & the Doves. Favorite tracks include Carousel, I Don't Want to Be a Bride (the best song on the entire album), Fairweather Friend, & The Marching Line. Below are screen capture images from the music video for the single, Carousel, which is very ethereal & enchanting.
07 August 2011
05 August 2011
Wanted This Week
Wanted This Week
// 1/ Laura Lombardi / Hexagon Cluster Necklace / $68.00 SOLD OUT
// 2/ Damselfly Dress by Odille / Anthropologie / $98.00
// 1/ Laura Lombardi / Hexagon Cluster Necklace / $68.00 SOLD OUT
// 2/ Damselfly Dress by Odille / Anthropologie / $98.00
04 August 2011
(Almost) Perfect Mac-n-Cheese
(Almost) Perfect Mac-n-Cheese
*Recipe from Cooking Quest, Serves Four People as a Side Dish
Ingredients
8 ounces Penne Pasta (approximately half a box; we used the Ronzoni Smart Grain) // 2 cups Beecher’s Flagship Cheese Sauce (see list or sauce ingredients below) // 1 ounce Cheddar, Grated // 1 ounce Gruyere Cheese, Grated // 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Chipotle Chile Powder (Ancho Chile Powder also works well)
Sauce Ingredients
1/4 cup Butter // 1/3 cup All-Purpose Flour // 3 cups Non-Fat Milk //14 ounces Semi-Hard Cheese, grated (we used Sharp Cheddar) // 2 ounces Semi-Soft Cheese (we used crumbled Gorgonzola) // 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt // 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon Chile Powder // 1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder
Sauce Prepartion
Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour. Continue to whisk and cook for two minutes; which makes a roux (a substance used for thickening sauces).Preparation
Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly. Cook until the sauce thickens, about ten minutes, stirring frequently; which turns the roux into a bechamel.
Remove from the heat. Add the cheese, salt, chile powder, & garlic powder. Stir until the cheese is melted & all the ingredients are incorporated, about three minutes. If the cheese isn’t melting completely you can put the pan on low heat.
Use immediately or refrigerate for up to three days.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Oil or butter an 8-inch dish. Cook the penne about two minutes less than the package directions. The noodles will finish cooking in the sauce in the oven. Rinse the pasta with cold water & set aside.
Combine cooked pasta & prepared sauce in a medium bowl & mix carefully, but thoroughly. Scrape the pasta into a prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the cheeses then the chile powder. Bake uncovered for twenty to thirty minutes or until the top has a nice golden crust. Let sit for a few minutes before serving.
This pasta may also be made as a main dish by doubling ingredient amounts, using a 9×13 inch baking pan, & increasing the baking time to thirty-five minutes.
*This mac-n-cheese is very good, but I personally wouldn't deem it as perfect; we want to experiment with this general recipes again using a different combination of cheeses. It definitely beats out boxed-mac-n-cheese.
Image: Cooking Quest // Design by Erin
02 August 2011
The Glow
This (new to me) site gives a glimpse into the lives of creative mother types with lists of their favorite things, preferred baby/child gear, multitasking tips, handwritten recipes, & numerous images of their decor. Interesting for moms, moms-to-be, aspiring mothers, & aunts alike.
01 August 2011
Such Great Heights
// 1/ Benefit's High Beam Highlighter // $26.00
*Dot + blend this product onto your checkbones & browbones for an instant glow + lift
// 2/ Essie's Chinchilly Nail Polish // $17.11
*A great granite gray neutral for your digits; will last all week + pair nicely with all of your outfits
// 3/ Clinique's Bottom Lash Mascara // $10.00
*This is one of those products that makes you think, 'why-didn't-I-think-of-that?' because this tiny brush is perfection for those hard to hit (& easy to miss) little lashes
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