August 31st, 2012
{A new framed print that leans against our mantle}
I’ve always had mixed feelings about Labor Day – it hints at the beginning of my favorite season, but there’s something bittersweet about summer coming to an end. The days have already started turning dark earlier in the evening and the streets are now clogged with cars en route to school. I’m looking forward to the long weekend – for yet another food festival, the last episode of Breaking Bad this year (I’m obsessed), a couple of dinner parties, and getting everything organized before I head out to New York next week.
{Besides burgundy lips, I’m also embracing the color in every capacity}
{“Blue meth” rock sugar for our Breaking Bad viewing party this Sunday night}
{Loving right now: a loose chignon + pearls + stripes}
{Solitary swing + rays of sunshine that almost look fake}
August 30th, 2012
Parker Blouse, Pinko Jacket, Club Monaco Shorts (similar option here), Vintage Clutch, Elizabeth and James Wedges c/o, Celine Sunglasses
We don’t head downtown very often (mainly because I have a tendency to head the wrong direction on every one-way-street), but we’ve recently started exploring a bit more. The architecture is fantastic and the flourishing food and cocktail scene is reason alone to throw on a date outfit and jump in the car. These leather shorts are one of my most cherished pieces for fall and I was thrilled that the weather stayed mild enough to wear them with a long-sleeved blouse, blazer, and peep-toe wedges.
August 29th, 2012
Last week I finally got around to reorganizing my closet, which I hadn’t done in longer than I’d care to admit. I’m a messy person by nature, so if I go too long between cleaning sessions, things inevitably end up cluttered and chaotic. This past time however, I found myself doing things differently and learned a lot in the process. Here are a few of the simple techniques I implemented and so far, everything has remained intact.
1. Showcase favorites. Your closet (no matter how big or small) should inspire you and make you feel good. I now keep a random mash-up of items on the shelf above my shoes including: a framed photograph of my husband and me, necklaces, ballet flats, a candle, and a vintage purse I wore on our wedding day.
2. Separate bags based on occasion. I used to keep all of my bags jumbled together, whether it was a casual tote or a glittery clutch (if you don’t have the room in your closet, use the top of a dresser or hang on hooks behind a closet door). Now that my evening bags have a dedicated shelf, it’s made it so much easier to grab what I need and go.
3. Organize by color. Not only is it simpler to be able to quickly find what you’re looking for, but it also helps you get an idea of what your closet has enough of (see above: black dresses) and things that you might need (see above: printed dresses).
4. Do what works for you. Everyone recommends that you should fold sweaters to avoid creases and stretching them out. This doesn’t work for me. Instead of pretty piles, my sweaters used to come cascading down on top of me anytime I reached for one. So I hung mine on wooden hangers and freed up some shelf space (for my bags) in the process.
5. Keep things accessible. I have a good collection of shoes, but realistically, I wear the same few pairs more often than not. I’ve now shifted things around so the top two shelves are dedicated to those I wear most frequently.
6. Make more space. In the past, I didn’t wear pants as often as I do now, so I had each pair folded over on regular hangers (these are my favorites). They took up more space that way, so I switched to clip hangers so they now lie flat and flush against each other.
7. Move things around. My blouses used to hang in one of the higher sections of my closet (where my sweaters are now located) and required me to stand on my tippy toes to reach them. Since they’re something I wear nearly everyday, I wanted them to be more convenient, so I switched things around so they’re now under my jackets and blazers.
August 28th, 2012
I’m a big believer in snacks – cheese and crackers, cookies and milk, the list goes on…but I think the best combination is guacamole and chips. It was one of the only things I could whip up before I possessed any skills in the kitchen, and it’s still one of my favorite things to make. My recipe is unadorned – the buttery avocado remains the focus, with a hit of citrus, minimal seasoning, and a touch of jalapeño for some kick. I also like to make my own chips by frying up corn tortillas. It only takes a few minutes, but makes a huge difference.
Guacamole
Ingredients (serves 2-4):
-4 ripe avocados (they should be firm, with just a slight give)
-1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
-2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
-1 tablespoon shallot, finely diced
-2 teaspoons jalapeño, minced (remove the seeds if you don’t want it quite as spicy)
-1-2 teaspoons coarse salt, to taste
-1/4 teaspoon freshly grated black pepper
Directions:
1. Cut avocados in half. Remove seed. Scoop out avocado from the peel and place it in a mixing bowl.
2. Roughly mash the avocado with a fork. Add the cilantro, lime juice, shallot, jalapeño, salt and pepper and continue to mix well.
3. Transfer to a clean bowl and serve immediately.
Tortilla Chips
Ingredients (makes 96 chips):
-12 corn tortillas
-2 cups canola oil
Directions:
1. In a shallow pan, heat oil to 360° F.
2. Cut tortillas into even strips.
3. Gently place strips into oil, only a handful at a time.
4. Watch carefully and flip, if necessary, until they’re just golden brown and crispy.
5. Remove with a slotted spoon or strainer and place on a paper towel.
6. Sprinkle with sea salt.
