Month: January 2010

Q: What do you wear EVERYDAY?

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A: Your hair.

I’m really into hair accessories. I continually buy headbands at forever21 and I rarely wear them, but when I do, it’s always so much fun for me! Hats, headbands, hair pins, wreaths, flowers. Your hair is up there to be played with! It’s the only thing we style everyday, without fail, even to just throw up in a ponytail or cap. I found a lovely website called ban.do and they have EXPENSIVE but very beautiful accessories for your head. Here is a playlist to listen to while we look at gorgeous hair things. Hair Accessories Mix

Isn’t the girl modeling them gorgeous? She makes me want to go red. The pics above are from their black label collection. They have some less expensive and even bridal options! I can’t stop, forgive me! Below is the below $50 heart collection.

For the bride. Or the dreamer. Or the lady who loves to wear white. Even in winter.

Am I deluded to think that I could make most of those things? I might have to venture outside my local hobby lobby and considering I cannot use superglue without spilling it…I might need some help…but in all seriousness, why am I not doing this?

Since I am hardly going to start my own H.A. business this weekend, here are some that I love from trustly ole Forever ($3-$10).

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Some from Urban Outfitters ($15-$25):

Soft 4 Strand Braid HeadwrapsRibbon Wrapped Feather HeadbandRope Knot HeadbandMetal HeadwrapJeweled Feather Headband

From Anthropologie ($10-$100+).

Lutea BarretteFull Bouquet ClipGolden Rope HeadbandStretch Of Savannah Headband

Fireball HeadbandRose-Is-A-Rose HeadbandRopy HeadbandFrilled Floret Pony

See also Court & Plume

Enjoy!

P

Wine is the key to my heart

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This morning I was greeted by the dailycandy weekend guide, they were hocking wine labels that you can adhere to bottles when you give them as gifts – called toast-its. That reminded me that I’ve been wanting to document my favorite wines for future reference.

Lately my BF and I have been digging on Malbecs. They’ve recently been gaining in popularity and are very reasonably priced for a good bottle.

“Malbec is typically a medium to full-bodied red wine. Ripe fruit flavors of plums and blackberry give it a jammy characteristic. The tannins are typically a bit tight and the earthy, wood-like appeal makes for a fairly rustic, yet versatile wine.”

Faves I’ve tried:

I’ve heard recently that Champagne is more popular than ever…I never realized it went out. I am a HUGE fan of champagne, sparkling wine, prosecco…the list goes on. You really can buy a reasonable bottle of the bubblier stuff for less than you’d spend on a regular white wine. And it always feels like you’re celebrating! One of my besties said she heard on NPR that Champagne is especially good to drink with fatty, fried foods. The bubbles help you digest! That’s enough for me to start guzzling.

Some faves:

I truely die over a good Chardonnay. I recently tried one that was so honey-buttery and I fell head over heels with the entire varietal again! Drinking Chardonnay makes me feel like a grown-up. It also transitions me to my friend’s parents house. This house is the epitome of the “perfect party house”. You always feel welcome, there’s always music, friends, food, drinks. I love going over there, and it was there that I first learned about wine. Shay-Shay (my friend’s mum and my second one) loves drinking and sharing wine. I do believe that her fave is the classic Chard.

More to follow! Enjoy!

Weekend Fun

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As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that I cannot party like I used to. Although it is sad, it is most certainly true and I’ve had to learn to accept it. With that being said, I can do two regular nights out or one big night and one rest night. This past weekend…I did the latter. It was one of those really impromptu things, I planned to make dinner for a couple of friends and BOOM – it was a party! I discovered a new recipe, danced up a storm and took some cute photos (at least I thought they were cute at the time).

Manny, me and Robert at 21st Ammendment

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!

Do you know what it means?

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I am missing New Orleans like crazy these days. It’s gotten cold again in AR after a few blissful days filled with above 50 temperatures. I miss the weather. I’ve followed the saints all season and they’re FINALLY going to the Superbowl! A first in franchise history! So proud, so proud. Like many New Orleanians, I’d rather be in NOLA during the game than Miami! Can you imagine Mardi Gras if they win?!?! I’m off work on 2/15, why aren’t I going?

I miss my friend Sara and her effortlessly chic loft overlooking Lee Circle. I miss cocktails at lunch. I miss Langensteins. I miss TCBY. I miss Audubon park and lazy afternoons. Hell, I even miss rainstorms! Mostly I miss the food and the general joie de vivre of the city itself.

For no particular reason except that it’s pretty!

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I would say that 90% of girls/women enjoy perusing engagement rings/ wedding dresses. This is not because they want to get married or even indicative of them being unmarried. They just like to look at beautiful things. Women who deny this are not to be believed. *Personal opinion*

Since I am in a less than chipper mood today, I’ve been doing just the above. I adore vintage and antique engagement rings, even a marquis is beautiful to me if it’s from 1920 (and big ;) Click for fun places to look  – for less expensive, a good range, Also try http://www.faycullen.com & http://www.langantiques.com

Here are some of my faves:

Magnificent1868 - Magnificent 19.68ct Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring 190401 - Estate Natural Fancy Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring

301009-304903 - Estate 7.02Cts Diamond Daussi Engagement Platinum Ring 291606 - Antique Platinum European Diamond Emerald Engagement Ring

2429-OYX - Estate Art deco 7.80 CTS Emerald Cut Diamond Platinum Ring267301 - Art Deco 1.90ct GIA Diamond Platinum Engagement Ring

301009-304903 - Estate 7.02Cts Diamond Daussi Engagement Platinum Ring 1.06ct H/I Diamond Engagement Ring

1.00ct G/VS European Diamond RingArt Deco Engagement Ring

2.00ct Sapphire Engagement Ring2.51ct Fancy Dia Engagement Ring

Art Deco 2.02 Carat Diamond Ring Main View1209862623_10-1-1602.jpg

Art Deco Style 2.72 Carat Diamond and Onyx Ring Main View

I have to also direct you to these gorgeous dresses that captivated me the other day when I should have been doing a v-lookup.

Monique Lhuillier: She definitely gets better every season! And I am really into modest front/open back.

  • Fall 10: Miracle, Bellisima, Ingrid, Cinnamon, Sabine, Meringue
  • Spring 10: Dolce, Bernadette, Rhianna, Sunday Rose
  • Fall 09: Eugenie, Grace, Leighton, Jillian, Lyric, Evita (omg),
  • Spring 09: Kennedy, Randi, Symphony, Melodie

Reem Acra: Lydia’s favorite, and one of mine

Carolina Herrera: A little bold for my taste.

Badgley Mischka: Elise, Josephine, Nina, Kate, Mallory, Whitney (maybs)

Day 4

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This fast is about to make me cry. Not only did I sit through a barbecue with all the fixings during the national championship game last night with out partaking, I weighed this morning and haven’t lost one more measly lb! It’s almost enough to make me eat a giant burger right now! But, I’m doing this for self-control purposes and to reset my eating habits, so I’m sticking with it. But…still depressed.

Since I’m not eating, all I can think about is food…

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But this is healthy food. From the ever-wiser NYT:

The 11 Best Foods You Aren’t Eating

  1. Beets: Think of beets as red spinach, Dr. Bowden said, because they are a rich source of folate as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer fighters.
    How to eat: Fresh, raw and grated to make a salad. Heating decreases the antioxidant power.
  2. Cabbage: Loaded with nutrients like sulforaphane, a chemical said to boost cancer-fighting enzymes.
    How to eat: Asian-style slaw or as a crunchy topping on burgers and sandwiches.
  3. Swiss chard: A leafy green vegetable packed with carotenoids that protect aging eyes.
    How to eat it: Chop and saute in olive oil.
  4. Cinnamon: May help control blood sugar and cholesterol.
    How to eat it: Sprinkle on coffee or oatmeal.
  5. Pomegranate juice: Appears to lower blood pressure and loaded withantioxidants.
    How to eat: Just drink it.
  6. Dried plums: Okay, so they are really prunes, but they are packed with antioxidants.
    How to eat: Wrapped in prosciutto and baked.
  7. Pumpkin seeds: The most nutritious part of the pumpkin and packed with magnesium; high levels of the mineral are associated with lower risk for early death.
    How to eat: Roasted as a snack, or sprinkled on salad.
  8. Sardines: Dr. Bowden calls them “health food in a can.” They are high in omega-3’s, contain virtually no mercury and are loaded with calcium. They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as a full complement of B vitamins.
    How to eat: Choose sardines packed in olive or sardine oil. Eat plain, mixed with salad, on toast, or mashed with dijon mustard and onions as a spread.
  9. Turmeric: The “superstar of spices,” it may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
    How to eat: Mix with scrambled eggs or in any vegetable dish.
  10. Frozen blueberries: Even though freezing can degrade some of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables, frozen blueberries are available year-round and don’t spoil; associated with better memory in animal studies.
    How to eat: Blended with yogurt or chocolate soy milk and sprinkled with crushed almonds.
  11. Canned pumpkin: A low-calorie vegetable that is high in fiber and immune-stimulating vitamin A; fills you up on very few calories.
    How to eat: Mix with a little butter, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Find the article in its entirety here: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/30/the-11-best-foods-you-arent-eating/?em

Survival Mode

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Tuesday night: I overcame a slew of temptations at the basketball game, then my beau took down a #1 from McDonalds as I sipped veggie juice. No cheats.

Wednesday night: I abstained from indulging in a honey-baked ham sandwich and a taco bell run. Did anyone know that T-bell had the chicken ranchero soft taco on their “fresco” menu? 170 calories! I digress…

Today, Thursday: I’m feeling pretty good, despite the dismal weather. But, my car is fixed and I’m honestly not hungry. I did wake up around 4:30am with stomach pains (which I attribute to the “tea”). Last night I had a major scare! My friend Manny came over and proceeded to step on my scale ( which I’ve been avoiding), he proclaimed that it was way off. Then Robert (BF) hopped on to check it out. He felt like it was at least 10lbs over. When I got on this morning, after two WHOLE days without eating it told me I’d gained 5lbs. Imagine my despair if I’d been the first to realize the discrepancy!?! No worries, I weighed myself at work this morning and it was 10lbs off, I’ve lost 5!! Momentum. It’s all you need. Movement creates movement….my new mantra.

xx