Memorial Day

Keep it simple, sweet and surrounded by those you love.

Have a lovely long weekend...

xo

Sleep or Shoes?

Ok, I'm not gonna make this a mom thing, but if you are one, then you know how precious and few our free moments are. So when the cub is sleeping, and the house is quiet, even if those blood shot eyes are blurring through your cool nerdy glasses, you will strain to stay awake on your computer, browsing the net for dreams, desires and wishes for that tightly gripped, last grasp of fashion sanity.

If you're not there yet, then hop on the "I know you can relate" train where my current insomniac shoe shopping is making me lose major amounts of shut-eye.

This pretty much sums up everything that is desirable at the moment. Strong, bold choices. A red, a patterned, a big nude or brown sandal and some jet black sex appeal. I found some serious bargains while dipping into my cherished "Z" time and found you these choices from Amazon. I happen to have a gift card that brought me there in the first place. Who knew Amazon was such a great place to shoe shop? And the nav bar is pretty easy, narrowing your choices by shoe size, price range, color and designer. (The prices vary based on availability.)

NOIR NEED:

Sexy, black platform heels, sandals or booties. My last closet reconstruction left me a little barren in this department. But this is ok. The whole point was to get rid of the junk and make room for the new. And now all I'm left with are some very sturdy, classic, mary-jane-mid-heel, Banana Republic's that are just... hmmm... (no offfense, Banana) boring? Safe, modest, black shoes are good. They are a staple. But I need some sex! ~ (APPEAL. Get your mind outta the gutter.)

ALDO Macksey - Peep-toe Pumps $90.00

ALDO Withey - Women Platform Pumps Price: $80.00

ALDO Gureczny - Women Peep-toe Pumps $74.98

You probably already have the bootie in your wardrobe, and these are gorgeous. How about these doc martin inspired rock boots?

FUNKY FIND:


Dolce Vita Women's Vince Opem Toe Bootie $79.98 - $80.34
ALDO Rubash $48.74

I mean, could you die for these art inspired platforms? It's like Van Gogh had a love affair with these ALDO Heschke Pumps! $115.00

STILL IN LOVE:

Sky-high, chunky brown/neutral wedges or platform sandals. Oh, I want, I want, I want... And I just can't get the Weitzman's out of my head. I documented my mission for these shoes by selling some rarely worn designer duds in my closet, in order to purchase these guilt-free. But then I stumbled upon these babies last night. What do you think? Hold out for the gold, or satisfy my craving via Amazon right now?

Jessica Simpson Women's Stone $110.00
MIA Women's Studio Platform Sandal $59.95

And finally...

RED LUST:

Aldo Whitsey - Women's Platform Pumps $110.00

Now Jessica Simpson Js-Acadia Platform Pump $64.90 - $91.00

Now I just have to narrow down my wish list and make a decision! See you tonight around midnight, you naughty little shoes...

x

I heart NY (and that other city too!)

Had a lovely picnic in Central Park yesterday (until the rain had us ducking for cover in the simply delectable Magnolia Bakery)...

I know it's a bit touristy of me to be enamored by the history of this city and the infamous park, but I can't help it.

(Children celebrate May Day in the park, circa 1912:)

Off to take a train to a city I've considered living in for years...

Many outfits and many pretty pictures to share as soon as I find a cord to upload my photos. (Yeah, the one thing I forgot to pack.)

Romantic Things...

Absence. Heart. Fonder. Ya, ya ya...

Can you think of a better way to show a lover right where you want them to be?

Anthropologie - You & Me Shams.

Still loving...

Everything Winter Kate.

Zara 2010 Spring lookbook.

And still dreaming...

of far away adventures...

Featuring Bottega Veneta

Film For Fashion

There are those films to watch simply for the fashion, the ones that can be playing in the background on mute, with your favorite tunes blaring, champagne in hand, as you get ready for a night out on the town. Nothing is inspiring like moving art ~ fashion translation through film. This obsession of mine started with the movie Clueless when I was in high school. (Wasn't Alicia fabulous?)

There are the obvious choices, Devils Wears Prada, Breakfast at Tiffany's, of course - but check out this fab little British film starring the late Brittany Murphy. I have always LOVED this girl and think she was so incredibly talented that it made my soul ACHE when she passed. It felt like a friend had died. I don't know why. I met her only twice and was so taken by her petite, charming, stylish ways...



I'm a big fan of a strong cat eye (I wear it almost every day) and sharp, crisp bangs. Classic stuff, ladies. And the way she pulls off leggings, slippers and a white button down shirt... not to mention the sparkle!... (sigh)

Anyway, check it. Love and Other Disasters. ~ Yes, her character is obsessed with Holly Golightly and matchmaking to boot, but her wardrobe is a perfectly thought out mix of modern plays on our beloved vintage Tiffany's film. And although released in 2006, it still holds true to form.

We miss you Brittany. xx

Not Even The Rain

Well, it's raining here in New York, and I haven't had much to do but miss my love, and hold tightly to him through the tiny version of us that we created, and dream of rainy, magical things...

Hope your 'right now' is filled with something beautiful.

xo

somewhere i have never traveled, gladly beyond

by E. E. Cummings

(i do not know what it is about you that closes

and opens; only something in me understands

the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)

nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands

Skinny Trick/Tofu

You know what I love just about as much as clean living, changing seasons, and New York's crisp summer air at the moment?

I love me some tofu. No, I'm not a vegetarian, I just happen to really like the stuff, and find that when you replace tofu in your diet with a meal or two that would otherwise be fattening, it's an easy way to stay trim. The key to enjoying it is HOW you make it.

I think I've pretty much mastered the art of throwing in whatever I have in the kitchen and making a meal out of this joyful little bean curd.

First off, get the extra firm tofu. It holds together much better than the soft stuff

Always cook the tofu in the pan first, almost burning the edges to give it some substance. Throw it in a non-stick pan with some onions for flavor. Next add some sort of dressing. Salad dressing works just fine, soy sauce, Braggs Amino Acids (best stuff on the planet, I could do a whole blog just about this product), or even a touch of white wine!

Once that simmers and the tofu browns a bit, chop and throw in whatever vegetables you have on hand. For carrots or broccoli, add a little bit of water or more liquid to soften them up.

If you have canned tomato, this is a fantastic way to add flavor (and powerful antioxidants!) to the dish. Boil, then simmer until all the liquid is gone.

If I have any canned beans, (kidney or garbonzo, or both work fine) this is when I toss them in. They don't really need to cook, just warm up and mix with the flavors.

Voila! Yummy, easy (healthy!) dish! Enjoy!

Fab Friends and Unforgettable Food

Ladies,

Do you have good girlfriends? It's so important. About as important as breathing, in my book. If you happened to miss The Chirpy Bird's Mama's Day wisdom, visit it here. One of the best pieces of advice in that article is this:

"Be wise about who you share your true heart with. It's okay if that group of people is small, it should be! Make it an elite club with an exclusive membership. Once you've found those people, love them fearlessly and with a passionate, reckless abandon."


I'm many miles and exactly one week past a simply fabulous cocktail party I had with some of the most divine creatures I happen to call friends.

It really was just an excuse to get together, wear fancy clothes and eat yummy food...

I think it's true when they say that women don't dress for men, they dress for other women. And I'm totally down with that. Who better to understand my obsession with fashion... and the perfect red lip...?

What good is having that new Hermes bracelet (!!!) if your girlfriends don't ooh and ahh over it?

These trivial things are just that, trivial... but so much fun, and especially delicious to share. Because at the core of who we really are, what we truly need is that sisterly companionship... that connection with each other to get us through each trial and each and every day.

It's one of the biggest lessons I'm going to teach my daughter, and why I want to give her a sister.

So make those moments last.

OH, and wear high heels and sparkle too!

Nobody will appreciate it the way she does.

Here's the recipe to the lasagna we ate. Uh-huh, the best you'll ever have.

That's a promise. xx

Sauce:

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 c. minced or diced onion

1 clove garlic minced

1 lb. ground beef (optional)

1 large can whole peeled tomatoes

1 can tomato sauce

1 small can tomato paste

½ c. red wine

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp. salt

1 Tbsp. sugar

1 tsp. basil (or 2 Tbsp. fresh, chopped)

1 tsp. oregano (or 2 Tbsp. fresh, chopped)

Few drops of Tobasco seasoning to taste

1 box lasagna noodles (I used the flat noodles that don't have to be pre-cooked)

1 c. ricotta cheese

½ box cream cheese

1 lb. grated mozzarella cheese

½ c. grated parmesan

For sauce: Heat oil in large skillet. Add onion, sauté until golden. Stir in beef, if using, and brown. Add garlic and cook for 2 minutes, stirring so it doesn't burn. Add remaining ingredients of sauce. Cover and simmer over low heat 1 hour. Stir occasionally, and smoosh the whole tomatoes with the back on your spoon.

Casserole: Spread thin layer of sauce in bottom of 3 quart casserole dish. Cover with a layer of noodles (break noodles to fit casserole dishif necessary). Spread with a layer of sauce. Dot sauce with spoonfuls of ricotta and cream cheese, then sprinkle with parmesan cheese and mozzarella. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used up. End with sauce and mozzarella on top. Can be refrigerated overnight if needed. Bake 350 degrees for 45 minutes (or less if you are using a funky old stove in a fabulous house in the hills) or until the noodles are soft, the cheese is gooey, and the top is browned. If your baking dish is really full, you can place it on top of a cookie sheet so the cheese doesn't bubble over into your stove. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Lost Luggage and Gained Perspective

It's like the universe is testing my simplified life request.

If the airport has ever lost your luggage, you know how annoying this is. Especially when you're traveling with child, on the 2nd leg of your 3-cities-in-a-row travel bonanza. So when this happened to us yesterday upon arrival to my brother's small town-home town, I was a bit perturbed, to say the least.

Luckily I stuffed an extra outfit for the little one, and some makeup essentials for me, in my carry on. What did I learn? You can survive on very little. (Especially in small town USA!)

Speaking of, how gorgeous are these photos from UK Vogue March 2010?

Here's some of my favorite essentials that I can't live without. You know, 5 items, desert island (er, Stillwater, Oklahoma)... you get the gist.

Shiseido Eyelash curler

The best one I have found to date. And I am a bit obsessive about curling my lashes throughout the day. Nothin' will open your eyes and your face more.

Rimmel Sexy Curves Mascara

Love this mascara! It doesn't flake and separates beautifully because of the thin and curved wand.

Cover Girl Concealer

Can't go wrong with a classic.

Becca Mineral Powder

So natural looking but with amazing coverage. You can go without foundation if need be.
Murad Lip Care

This is a new find, and it's magnificent. It's not just for lips. You can use this on your entire face, and after a long flight, it's a must! It also doubled as my night moisturizer because mine was lost somewhere in Denver!

I find that if you have these basics, you can pull it together long enough to make it to the drugstore, or find your luggage - whichever comes first!

But interestingly enough, I haven't even missed my stuff. And the longer I'm here, I wonder... do I really need it? Should I shave my head and move to Tibet?

Well at the very least, it's kind of nice not to worry about these things for a bit... and the family and love surrounding me is enough to keep me flushed.

(But check back in later... I may have made a quick dash for some red lips at the dollar store!)

xo