twinkle, twinkle

Emersonmade is killing me-- I want the whole line.  It's practical, classic, easy to wear, and made in the USA.  


Emerson herself seems like the kind of girl you just want to be friends with.


I am lusting after the tiny stars tunic.  Sadly, it is sold out in my size, and when I inquired about its availability, I hear it will now come in silk instead of the fall-weight cotton it originally came in.  I love silk-- it's elegant and has its place, but in my life, cotton is just easier to care for and easier to wear, so I am disappointed it won't come back in cotton.


In the meantime, I am loving those adorable poppies and the clutches for the fall and winter holidays!

(photos from Emersonmade)

Holly Golightly on Halloween

We've all considered doing the Breakfast at Tiffany's thing for Halloween once or twice, ladies, have we not?  It's a simple solution to a last-minute party invitation.  The only problem is that you'll run into at least one other girl with the same costume-- how dreadful!

Why not dress like Holly Golightly in costume?  The mask is easy enough to find, and all it requires is a sheath dress in another color and a little mask, and a cute Fred on your arm.

I've got another costume in mind, but because I'm planning on rocking it this weekend and to avoid that whole situation we are avoiding above, I will give you a hint so only the most clever of you foxes will figure it out. 

Here are your clues: the movie is not yet released, stars Natalie Portman, and the eyemakeup is the trickiest part. 

PS: how much do you want that orange coat?  I know I do....

(photo credit & idea via starfish & sundresses)

Hi to my new friends at Portfolio Creative!

I met some new friends this morning at Portfolio Creative, a creative staffing agency I'm (honored to be) working with!  Just wanted to say hello and welcome them to my little blog!

New alternative to the played-out antler trend, for those of us who still love antlers

I love the antler trend in home design.  I know it's everywhere now and therefore probably uncool to blog about now, but there is something about antlers paired with feminine details that makes it rustic enough to balance a room.  Also, I grew up in Michigan, where hunting is a fun activity everywhere across the state except for my hometown of Ann Arbor.

I like this alternative to the antler trend--  one, I love lucite, and two, because living with a dead animal mounted on the wall just doesn't sit right with me, but I've always wanted a den with a 12-point.  I know.  It doesn't make sense.

I think it would look good with dark wallpaper-- like this Hygge & West fir wallpaper.  The dark tones make the lucite stand out, but is it too over-the-top with the forest theme? 

I think it has a sense of humor but I understand when you are spending $500 on a lucite deer head and over $100 a roll on the wallpaper, "humor" might not be the look you are trying to achieve.

(photo credit: A + R Store, also where you can buy me yourself this deer)

Fool me once, shame on me...

This is not the first time I have aired my grievances over ugly harem pants.

But to see so many brands with talented designers who should know better put their touch on this classic hot mess is unfortunate.  If this is what Jenna Lyons comes up with I will have nightmares about Target's in-house interpretations. 

One of my favorite interior designers/fashion bloggers, Erin from Elements of Style, has definitely commented on the JCrew sequin pants as have a few others around the internetz but I just couldn't resist. 

Especially after I saw what Lululemon was up to.  Lululemon is growing like crazy, but they should be growing because their yoga leggings and exercise pants prevent unsightly camel toe.  Stay away from harem pants Lululemon!  As an athletic apparel company and is it just me, or would running be made much more of a challenge with the extra fabric flapping in the wind?

Source of incriminating photos from JCrew, Lululemon

hello, delicious!

This caramelized chocolate banana marshmallow sandwich looks delicious, but do you eat it for a meal or is it a dessert? 

Ingredients:

2 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp

2 tbsp packed dark brown sugar

4 slices buttermilk bread

8 whole large marshmallows

2 metal skewers

2 tbsp semisweet chocolate chips

12 banana slices

How the magic happens:

mix butter and sugar in a small bowl to blend and spread on one side of the bread slices.  Place 2 slices, buttered side down, on a plate.  Skewer 4 marshmallows on each of 2 skewers; hold over open flame and toast until marshmallows are blackened in spots (about 10 seconds).  Divide marshmallows btwn bread slices on plate, leaving about an inch of a border.  Sprinkle chocolate chips over marshmallows and top with banana.  Cover with bread slices and enjoy the deliciousness of an updated s'mores sandwich!

(recipe and photo credit: bon appetit)

well that's a crazy outfit!

Sometimes when I discover* a new blog it feels like I am talking to my snarky best friend who lives far far away in St. Louis!   That is what happened when I found The Man Repeller. 

I'm so glad someone finally wrote about this-- it's like the phenomenon of women dressing to impress other women.  I love my boyfriend, but he wouldn't care if I never wore makeup and started wearing my asics grandma arch supporting running shoes with jeans and a wife beater everyday, in fact, he might love me MORE because I'd have more money and I would only take 2 minutes to get ready when we go out. 

See also: this girl from Elle.com's Daily Street Style in difficult-to-wear-but-she-pulls-it-off-like-gangbusters-pants; and, also, Carrie Bradshaw.  Most men will tell you she dresses like a hobo or a child playing dress-up but ask most women and they will set you straight. 

*okay, honesty-police, when another blogger links to a blog and I read it


(photo credit: photo #1: elle.com, by courtney d'alesio, photo #2: fabsugar.com)