Je t'aime: Ashley Olsen

I have a huge pile of pictures, cards, and clippings that I save for inspiration.  I was flipping through it the other day and came across a picture of Ashley Olsen from Harper's Bazaar.  She's holding an umbrella, while sitting on a stool on top of a NYC building.  It's just precious.  While searching for the image I came across some other noteworthy shoots of hers.

Images from fashiontidbits.blogspot.com, forums.thefashionspot.com, fiddlesticksandfunnygirls.blogspot.com

Spotlight: Alexa Hampton

Alexa Hampton's work is beautiful.  She was fortunate enough to grow up in the design world as she is the daughter of legendary NYC interior designer Mark Hampton.  Alexa has an incredible eye and I am dying to share pictures from the Hamptons home she recently did.  Look out for that post next month! 

 Images from finuca.com and blog.styleestate.com

Chocolate Chip Muffins

These muffins will knock your socks off.  My mom bakes dozens and puts them in the freezer.  Pop one into the microwave for 30 seconds and you're good to go.  Tommy likes crushing them up and putting vanilla ice cream on top...so delicious!

Chocolate Chip Muffins
2 1/2 cups Flour
2 1/4 teaspoons Baking powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
2 sticks Butter
1 1/2 cups Sugar
2 teaspoons Vanilla
4 Eggs
1 cup Milk
3/4 cup Chocolate chips

In Bowl 1 put flour, baking powder, salt and set aside.  In Bowl 2 mix butter, sugar and vanilla.  Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each.  Add Bowl 1 and mix.  Add milk and mix.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.  Makes 24 muffins.

Je t'aime: Sienna Miller

Dressed up or dressed down, short hair or long hair, makeup or no makeup she looks incredible.  She can pull off anything and everything from a feminine Marchesa gown to a pair of denim cut offs and a plain white T.

 

Images from stylenotebybelen.com, mtv.com, zimbio.com

Pucci Ads Circa 2008

These are from Emilio Pucci's Ad Campaign for Spring/Summer 2008.  Their bright, geometric patterned cotton tunics are my go-to beachwear and their flashy, sequin dresses are perfect for a night out.

Images from fashionising.com

1 Romper 3 Ways

Romper: Mataano

Outfit 1: Calypso Obi belt, Vintage necklace, BCBG clutch

Outfit 2: Emilio Pucci scarf, Vintage bracelet

Outfit 3: Nordstrom little boy's blazer, DVF belt, Aldo heels

Year Round Makeup

I chose these makeup looks because they are so universal.  You can go from day to night in them year round.  You'll need mascara, blush, bronzer, black eyeliner, MAC lipgloss in C-Thru, and a red lipstick that is appropriate for your skin tone.  It can be tricky to find the right shade of red, so I suggest going to the Bobbi Brown counter where their shades are the most natural and flattering.

 

Images from beautyeditor.ca, fotolive.org, flickr.com

A Peek into my Jewelry Box

I love jewelry, what girl doesn't?  Every piece of jewelry I own is unique and has a special history behind it.

What to Wear: A Night Out on the Town

I've been working like crazy and haven't been able to go out in forever.  I am in serious need of a cocktail!  Here's what I would wear out on the town.

From right to left: Haute Hippie dress and Jimmy Choo shoes, James Perse shirt, Haute Hippie skirt and Jimmy Choo shoes, Haute Hippie dress and Christian Louboutin shoes, James Perse shirt, Pleasure Doing Business skirt and Christian Louboutin shoes.

Jessica Alba in Elle

When this issue came out a few months ago I couldn't help looking at it over and over again.  It's so different from the shoots I usually see Jessica Alba in so it was refreshing to see her like this.

Images from Elle.com photographed by Carter Smith

Dinner for Two: Gourmet Pizza

This recipe is from one of my four Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa cookbooks.  Fresh, gourmet, All-American food is what Ina is known for.  These pizzas are simple and fun to customize.

Gourmet Pizza

1/2 cup Warm Water (approx. 100 degrees)

1 package Dry yeast

1.5 teaspoons Honey

1.5 tablespoons Olive oil

1 teaspoon Kosher salt

2 cups Flour

Toppings

Mozzarella

Fontina
Tomatoes

Corn

Bunch of Basil leaves

Combine water, yeast, honey and olive oil with an electric mixer.  Then add flour and salt and mix for 5 minutes.  Knead the dough by hand until dough is soft.  Put dough into another bowl with some olive oil so it doesn't stick.  Cover bowl with towel for 30 minutes.  

Divide the dough into 3 balls and roll each ball out so it is about 1/2 inch thick.  Brush dough with olive oil.  Bake at 500 degrees for 7 minutes.  Then add any toppings and put back for another 7 minutes.  

Canon Rebel T3i

Canon released their newest model of the Rebel a few weeks ago and I had to get my hands on it.  Can't wait to share the shots I'll be taking this weekend!

Shabby Chic

Ever since I can remember my room has been pink and green with Shabby Chic bedding and accessories.  When I moved in with Tommy I knew I couldn't have our master bedroom be pink and green, so now our guest bedroom houses all of my near and dear Shabby Chic things. 

 

Images from lovelaughlauren.blogspot.com, espressofacts.info.com, erasofelegance.com

What to Wear: Prom

It's prom season!  Okay, I don't have a prom to go to, but I had a lot of fun putting these looks together.  My rule of thumb for picking out a prom or formal dress is to find a flattering, basic silhouette in a bold color.  Ditch the dresses with crazy sequins (unless its done by Haute Hippie) and random straps going every which way.  Less is more.

From left to right: Tabitha earrings, Marchesa dress, Kenneth Jay Lane necklace, Dolce & Gabbana dress, House of Harlow head piece, Rachel Gilbert dress, Ippolita bangles, Temperley London dress, Kenneth Jay Lane cuff, Marchesa dress

Marchesa on the Red Carpet

Marchesa dresses are fit for princesses.  You can always spot at least one celebrity wearing Marchesa on the red carpet.  Here are three of my favorites.

 

 Images from marieclaire.co.uk, coolspotters.com, and chaizani.blogspot.com

Ralph Lauren Beaux Arts Mansion

I saw these pictures on the Architectural Digest website and had to share.  Located on the Upper East Side, Ralph Lauren constructed this 22,000 square foot, Beaux Arts mansion for his women and home collections.  I can only imagine how stunning the store is in person.  I might just have to take a trip to NYC in the next few months to see for myself.

“That’s always been my philosophy: timelessness, not trends.”

Ralph Lauren 

Images from architecturaldigest.com by Joshua McHugh

Hapa Girls

I first heard the word Hapa in Hawaii.  Kameryn and I were taking surf lessons at Hans Hedemann in Waikiki and our instructor called us Hapa girls.  He told us that Hapa was a word that referred to people who are half Asian.  I've used the word ever since and love being from two completely different cultures! (I am half Japanese and half Irish)

 

 

10 Candles.

One can never have enough candles!  Some of my favorites...

 

From left to right: Archipelago Monogram, Diptyque Baies, Capri Aloha Orchid, Creed Riviera Flowers, Fresh Brown Sugar, Voluspa Laguna, Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace, Jo Malone Orange Blossom, D.L. & Co. Japanese White Pear, Henri Bendel candle and base.

Spotlight: Jonathan Adler

When I hear Jonathan Adler I instantly think: FUN, COLORFUL, QUIRKY.  I first came about his work last Fall while shopping in San Francisco with my sister.  I walked by his store window and couldn't resist going in.  He continues to grow with new stores popping up on the best streets of every major city; San Francisco (Fillmore) and Boston (Newbury) to name a few.

Images from boston.com, styleathome.com, and thedeskofannie.blogspot.com

Perry and Etty

In one of my first posts I talk about how much fun Tommy and I have had dressing up for costume parties.  Halloween 2009 we were John Lennon and Yoko Ono and Halloween 2010 we were Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick.  After watching reruns of Married to Rock, I figured out next year's costume; Perry and Etty Farrell.  7 months too early, but if you know me, you know I'm a planner.  Now all I have to do is convince Tommy to wear the spandex, bell bottom pants...

 

Images from shockhound.com, sosojuicy.com, and rockthebureau.com