Holiday Season 2015

Skirt: Boden, Flats: Anne Klein

It's Pumpkin Time!

Peachy Keen

A friend stopped by with flowers and a wonderful peach upside down cake. It is very nice to have friends who bake! Thank you Steph!

Scarborough Fair Container Garden

Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme...

Dinner Suggestion: Middle Eastern Meatballs

Steps: Preheat oven to 450. Brush a baking dish with olive oil. Mix 12 oz ground lamb with 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 beaten egg, and 1 tsp Mrs. Dash (salt-free original blend). Form into meatballs and place in dish. Bake for 20 minutes (or until internal temp. is 160 degreesF). Serve with hummus or tzatziki.

Collections you (probably) won’t regret

Below are some ideas for collections that you are likely to appreciate for many years to come:

1)      Hardbound editions of your favorite books.

You can never have too many books. Look for special editions, signed books or those featuring beautiful cover art. Having a handsome library in your home is not only a great source of entertainment and enrichment, it is also beautiful to behold.

2)      Tins.

Vintage tins, new tins, large tins, tiny tea tins, whatever! Tins are fun because you can use them in a variety of ways. Food tins can be displayed in a kitchen. Or, you can make functional use of your collection by using your tins to store odds and ends, such as cards or sewing supplies. And if you feel like you have too many, a wonderful solution is to line the tin with some parchment paper, fill it with home-baked goodies and give it as a gift to a friend or neighbor!

3)      Handbags.

 Okay, so having a “purse collection” may just sound like an excuse to acquire as many of the beloved accessories as possible. Well, maybe it is. So what? The key, though, is to actually treat your bags like they are valuable pieces of a collection. Many women do care for their handbags lovingly, but others might not realize the value in preserving their bags as well as possible or have the know-how to do so. Follow these purse-maintenance tips to keep them looking their best:

·         Stuff them with acid-free tissue when not in use (the paper that comes with them when purchased is often good) to keep their shape

·         Avoid placing you bag directly on the floor when you are out and about

·         Know how to treat stains ahead of time for a variety of materials and keep the necessary cleaning supplies on hand

·         Use bags inside your bag! Have a bag for change, a bag for your sunglasses, and obviously a waterproof bag for your makeup if you must carry it with you. Free-roaming articles inside your purse not only cause stains and scratches but they also make it hard to find what you are looking for!

Wondering how to begin officially collecting handbags? It is helpful to have a certain type of bag to focus on. You can choose to collect a certain style of bag (evening bag, satchel, clutch, etc.) or you may want to zero in on a specific designer or brand. For example, maybe you collect Coach because your aunt gave you a coach bag for your 15^th birthday and it was the first real “grown-up” purse you ever had. Or maybe you want to collect Dooney and Bourke because you remember that your Grandma always carried one of their classic brown and tan leather shoulder bags. Perhaps you just love the style of a particular designer, like Ralph Lauren, and want to acquire as many as possible.

One fantastic source for adding to your handbag collection is thredUP. They have bags organized by style, and you can also search for a specific designer or brand. Happy Collecting!

Spring Combo: Drapey Pant + Kitten Heels

Crepe Pant: Gap (from thredUP); Top: Gap; Heels: Ann Klein; Bag: KateSpade New York (from thredUP); Sunglasses: Ray-Ban.

This is not an April Fool's Day Joke

As hard as is is to believe, these movies are actually real....

Phenomena (1985): Jennifer Connelly stars as a young women attending a Swiss boarding school who discovers she is telepathic. But it's not regular telepathy, no. It's the kind of telepathy where you can communicate with and control insects. Somehow she uses this power to help solve a string of murders in the area. But don't worry, she has some help. Along the way she befriends a courageous chimpanzee named Inga who is pretty handy with a straight razor.

Tiptoes (2003): Matthew McConaughey is a handsome firefighter who is dating the free-spirited and lovely artist Kate Beckinsale. But he's got some problems. His girlfriend discovers she is pregnant and Matthew has failed to mention that both of his parents have dwarfism. Also, his twin brother, played by Gary Oldman, is a little person. That's right. In this movie, Gary Oldman plays a person with dwarfism. And he has a hump on his back. I think I can probably just leave it at that.

Rubber (2010): A tire becomes self-aware and discovers that it has the power to make people explode using telekinesis, and it uses this ability a lot. No, that was not a typo you just read, it's about a tire. A RUBBER TIRE, like off of a car. And the tire has a name. It's Robert.

Top of the Morning

Buttered "shamrock" toast with cinnamon and Irish Breakfast tea.

Behind the Label: Kate Spade New York

Kate Spade New York is known for sophistication with a playful twist. Vivid color, high quality materials, and whimsical yet chic design are hallmarks of the brand. The Kate Spade motto is “Live Colorfully”. This slogan, along with other cheeky phrases, can be found on some of Kate Spade New York’s handbags and accessories. The company was co-founded by Kate Brosnahan  and Andy Spade. The couple began by selling handbags in 1993. Kate was born in Kansas City, and worked as a Senior Fashion Editor for Mademoiselle before leaving the magazine to focus on the creation of the duo’s eponymous line. The pair married in 1995, and Kate Spade New York expanded their line to include a variety of accessories and women’s apparel. This year, in honor of the Chinese zodiac’s year of the sheep, they have released a fuzzy white sheep-shaped handbag.

Kate Spade New York Shoulder Bag from thredUP. www.thredup.com/

Do See/Don’t See: Saint Patrick’s Day Edition

Do See The Quiet Man (1952) John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara form a fiery partnership in a charming Irish village. Modern viewers may be surprised by some of the roughness displayed by Wayne’s character towards his wife in the film (he basically shoves/drags her through a long stretch of countryside at one point in the movie), but O’Hara gives as good as she gets, and though the film is dated the chemistry between the main characters still feels authentic. Good family viewing for couples or families with older children.

Don’t See Leap Year (2010) A “romantic comedy” starring Amy Adams who is on a quest to find her boyfriend in Ireland so that she can ask him to marry her sounds like the recipe for a good movie, doesn’t it? Bland performances keep this from being a winner, and the end result is somewhat like a stew which looks like it should taste really good, but actually has no flavor.

Do See Leprechaun (1993) A low-brow B movie to be sure, but this film contains so many fun elements (a very young Jennifer Aniston in the starring role, a hunky 80’s heart-throb as her love interest, and a maniacal skateboard-riding leprechaun played by Warwick Davis) that it succeeds as a guilty pleasure. Not recommended for children (that Leprechaun’s face will give them nightmares!)

Don’t See Troll 2 (1990) The link between this movie and Saint Patrick’s day is pretty flimsy, but it does feature menacing townspeople with shamrock shaped birthmarks and the color green is pervasive throughout the film. Some movies are so bad they are fun to watch. Other movies (such as this one) are so bad that they are unpleasant to watch. This movie is so awful that a documentary was actually created about it to celebrate its badness (Best Worst Movie 2009). By all means, watch the very entertaining doc, you will get clips of the film and learn enough about its creators and actors to give you a sense of just why this movie went so horribly wrong. But don’t watch the movie itself. You won’t be able to get that 90 minutes of your life back that you wasted in Nilbog.

Do See Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959) A vintage Disney flick with a bond-era Sean Connery in the lead. Irish stereotypes abound, obviously. Enjoyable family viewing.

Don’t’ See The Secret of Kells (2009) A weak plot is the primary reason this animated kid’s film doesn’t live up to its hype. The Book of Kells actually is a historically and culturally significant contribution, but you would never know it by watching this movie, which fails to explain what the book was and why it was so special.

Visit my Wearin’ O’ the Green Style Shop at thredUP for some St. Patrick's Day fashion inspiration. www.thredup.com/ 

March 2015: In Like A Lion

When temps are still dipping below freezing, warm woolen goods are a classic way to combat the cold. Coat J.Crew, Scarf Land's End, Skirt J.Crew from thredUP www.thredup.com/, Bag Kate Spade New York, Gloves Ralph Lauren.

Do See/Don't See: Valentine's Day Edition

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so here is a double list containing recommended movies and some you might want to skip:

1) Do See Ghost Town (2008): Ricky Gervais is annoyed by ghosts but ends up falling for one of their widows (Tea Leoni). At it's core, this film is about how love can make you want to become a better person. Don't See Truly Madly Deeply (1990): Also about love and ghosts, but a film about accepting loss and overcoming grief is not ideal viewing for ValDay.

2) Do See Moonstruck (1989): There is an Italian expression that "The right man comes at the right time". For Cher's character that means a younger lover (Nicholas Cage) sweeps her off of her middle aged (yet fabulous) feet in the middle of Brooklyn. Don't See Manhattan (1979): Not as much of a movie about people who fall in love with each other as it is a movie in love with itself. While the age-gap romance between Cher and Cage feels charming, the relationship between a 42-year-old Woody Allen and a 17-year-old Mariel Hemingway is quease-inducing.

3) Do See Heartbreaker (2010): A man (Romain Duris) who is hired to break up an heiress (Vanessa Paradis) and her fiance by seducing her finds himself in over his head when he falls for his mark. Don't See Priceless (2006): Doesn't succeed as a romantic drama because it is too silly and shallow, doesn't work as a romantic comedy because it's not very funny. If you must spend time on V-day with Mlle Tautou, you will be better off watching Amelie for the hundredth time.

To get yourself even more in the Valentine's spirit check out the Pinterest page I created, titled "The Life Romantic" featuring lots of lovely lacy things from thredUP.

Behind the Label: Jacadi

     Jacadi, purveyors of fine Paris-designed children’s wear, was founded in France in 1976. High quality and attention to detail are characteristic of Jacadi apparel. The Parisian influence is evident in their designs, which manage to be chic while also maintaining the sweetness that should be found in clothes made for children. A statement of their values appears on the Jacadi website, which includes a dedication to family and their commitment to be “always attentive to the innocence and tenderness of childhood”.

     There is a great selection of Jacadi apparel at thredUP.  It’s hard to say “non”  to such lovely little bargains. www.thredup.com/

Ice cream cravings in winter

Even when the temperature drops I still have a taste for sundaes and shakes.  I used my ice cream sandwich maker to create these tasty experiments:  A trio of ice creams (green tea, chocolate and pistachio) nestled between two chocolate cookies.

Fashion on Film: Audrey Hepburn in "How to Steal A Million"

No plot spoilers…only fashion spoilers!

As of late, NETFLIX streaming has been providing excellent opportunities to view some of Audrey Hepburn’s most stylish films. Take the 1966 rom-com caper How to Steal A Million co-starring Peter O’Toole. The clothes, designed by Givenchy of course, are like dessert for the eyes. The opening scene features Audrey sporting an entirely white ensemble, driving through Paris in her micro-mini red automobile, and sets the tone for a movie filled with one deliciously mod outfit after the next. Highlights include a bright green suit and a black lace number (with coordinating lace eye mask). Viewers please take note of the care in which Monsieur Givenchy selects hosiery to complement each ensemble. The film is also significant in that it marks one of the surprisingly few occasions Peter O’Toole starred in a romantic role. During one scene his character explains to Audrey why she must wear a frumpy “scrub woman’s” disguise during their heist at the museum, saying: “Well, for one thing, it gives Givenchy a night off”.

For more fashion inspired by this dynamic duo, please visit thredUP to peruse a style shop I have created titled “Audrey + Hubert”. www.thredup.com/