halloween hang-up

First off let me just preface this post by saying that Halloween is just not my thing.  I have never planned ahead for months to think of a spectacular costume or something incredibly witty to win prizes.  If I had my way, everyone would want to just hang out inside drink good beer or red wine, eat candy and watch scary movies.  Instead, it is the one night you can pretty much count on everyone you know wanting to hit the town.  

So what's a girl to do....

Well I'm not the lamest person alive, so I usually break-down and try to find a way to wear a costume that in no way resembles this....

"Halloween is the one night a year when girls can dress like a total slut
and no other girls can say anything about it. " - Mean Girls (best movie ever)

I also am not about to paint my face or be some cliche sexy/slutty profession i.e. nurse, police woman, maid...  


That said, I usually try and only buy items/accessories of things I would actually use in the future (what?, you're telling me you don't want to re-use those plastic handcuffs???)

Highlights of years past...

2006 - Devil Wears Prada 

only thing purchased - baby devil horns

2008 - Blair from Gossip Girl

the perfect excuse for me to buy a bow headband

2009 - Vampire

black dress, red lips and a vamp cape. done & done.
*featuring my favorite HS ladies...

2010 - Skeleton

pretty excited about the comfort factor
of the JCrew moto boots for a night out

Happy Halloween!!!!

'tis the season...

OK I know it is early! but i am already getting excited about all of the fun holiday parties on the horizon.  to streamline outfit options and reduce the inevitable outfit crisis mode, i have decided on 2 items to get me through the season....

JCrew - Glasgow plaid pant

Pair it with a wool turtleneck and smart shoes for a family gathering

OR - for a holiday cocktail party pair with...

Tibi One Shoulder silk blouse, Kenneth Jay Lane cocktail ring

For dressier events and parties I found the perfect dress...

DVF - Lace Little Black Dress

Holiday parties call for some festive shoes and a some serious jewels...

DVF Dress, JCrew earrings, Kate Spade shoes

In the future it will be classic opera length pearls, a red lip & black pumps...

On repeat: Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

This has been out since May, but I cannot stop listening to this album...

Think of them as a low-key Kings of Leon?  That may be a bad comparison since the Kings have since sold out, but B.O.H. have thoughtful lyrics and melodies that stay in your head.  Perfect for listening on the morning commute or hanging out at home.

Band of Horses - Infinite Arms

LANVIN for H&M

Lanvin always turns out the best of french femme fashion, so it should be no surprise that the sartorial set are flipping over the soon to be released collaboration with H&M.


We got our first sneak peak into what's in store and of course it has left me lusting over Lanvin.  The pouf one shouldered silk cocktail dress definitely has a place waiting for it in my closet...

Lanvin by H&M

Now all we have to do is wait....

Full collection will be shown in an online film on November 2.  Clothes hit stores on November 23.

Images and article via NY Mag - The Cut

wild weekend > domestic downtime

Hello Monday, didn't you come quickly?  what an amazing weekend, the highlight being DC's first Urban Tailgate.  Lots of food, drinks & fun in the sun on the Georgetown Waterfront. 

After aforementioned fun weekend, I am already looking forward to some more relaxing activities next weekend.  A trip to the Dupont farmers market and possibly cooking up the meal featured in the November issue of Martha Stewart Living

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Screwtop Wine Bar

After a rainy, grey day at the office it was clear that a glass of wine was in order.  To indulge in some good conversation, wine, cheese & charcuterie we headed over to Screwtop Wine Bar in Clarendon.

Screwtop is a hybrid bar/gourmet food and wine shop, which was a great combo because the staff was really friendly and made great recommendations for pairings and glasses.

We indulged and ordered plates of sopressa, a sharp cheddar, blue cheese, and added tupelo honey.  Then off course we had to get some other appetizers and went for a baked camembert with fig spread and walnuts:

The BEST part of the meal was that I totally fell in love with French Grenache wine.  I usually am a Cabernet kind of girl, but this particular Grenache was smooth and slightly sweet.  I'm hooked!

Happy Friday all!

 

Rainy Day

Grey skies and a cold, steady drizzle of rain call for certain measures. Today is the kind of day that I am:

1. Wearing my Hunter wellies to the office...which most co-workers refer to as my "space boots"

2. Treating myself to 2 cups of coffee, with the yummy vanilla flavoring

3. Listening to "Sleeping Lessons-RAC Mix" by The Shins

Spotted: Olivia P

All other things aside. You can never argue that this girl doesn't know how to dress.  Obsessed with her new haircut and of course the Tibi leather shorts I mentioned awhile back....

courtesy of Tibi blog
http://blog.tibi.com/2010/10/13/olivia-palermo-in-tibi/?ref=nf

Spotted: Kate Bosworth

Kate Bosworth is always a favorite fashion darling, and this look proves it!  I am definitely copying this casual chic look.  Adorable!

pic via PopSugar

French Apple Tart

I'm back from a relaxing weekend in the central PA countryside.  Lots of quality time with the family and time to enjoy activities that I can't always squeeze into my busy city life, or tiny kitchen in my apartment - baking!

I have made this French Apple Tart courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa a few times and it always turns out perfectly.  I definitely recommend making your own pastry, it makes all the difference.

I picked out Jonagold apples from the amish farmers market and they were the perfect choice.  They have a honey sweetness, but are still tart and sturdy enough for baking.

My slightly imperfect apple tart

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 12 tablespoons (11/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced
• 1/2 cup ice water

For the apples:

• 4 Granny Smith apples
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, small diced
• 1/2 cup apricot jelly or warm sieved apricot jam
• 2 tablespoons Calvados, rum, or water

Directions

For the pastry, place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse for a few seconds to combine. Add the butter and pulse 10 to 12 times, until the butter is in small bits the size of peas. With the motor running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse just until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Roll the dough slightly larger than 10 by 14-inches. Using a ruler and a small knife, trim the edges. Place the dough on the prepared sheet pan and refrigerate while you prepare the apples.

Peel the apples and cut them in half through the stem. Remove the stems and cores with a sharp knife and a melon baler. Slice the apples crosswise in 1/4-inch thick slices. Place overlapping slices of apples diagonally down the middle of the tart and continue making diagonal rows on both sides of the first row until the pastry is covered with apple slices. (I tend not to use the apple ends in order to make the arrangement beautiful.) Sprinkle with the full 1/2 cup of sugar and dot with the butter.

Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the pastry is browned and the edges of the apples start to brown. Rotate the pan once during cooking. If the pastry puffs up in one area, cut a little slit with a knife to let the air out. Don't worry! The apple juices will burn in the pan but the tart will be fine! When the tart's done, heat the apricot jelly together with the Calvados and brush the apples and the pastry completely with the jelly mixture. Loosen the tart with a metalspatula so it doesn't stick to the paper. Allow to cool and serve warm or at room temperature.

spring '11 ready to wear

Fall is in full swing, but in the fashion world spring has already sprung.  From New York to London, Milan to Paris the Spring 2011 Ready To Wear collections were bright, modern & clean.  I am embracing my cozy knits and opaque tights, but here are some highlights to look forward to...

The Rix-Mix picks from my favorite collections:

Jason Wu

Bows, belted & polished at Jason Wu

Erin Fetherston

The perfect LWD at Erin Fetherston

Cynthia Steffe

bright yellow silk shorts...yes!

Cynthia Rowley

in love with this shape and color trouser at Cynthia Rowley

Burberry Prorsum

neutrals wth a neon pop at Burberry

Chanel

OMG i just wish i had an occasion to wear a neon tweed Chanel short suit, with rocker chick biker boots of course...

Louis Vuitton

color-blocked jumpsuit with sequin belt at Vuitton

Chloe

ballet inspired at Chloe

Valentino

Valentino

No words. Love @ Valentino
  

Lanvin

spring uniform courtesy of Lanvin. black tank & skirt, sandals, brown belt

Tibi

Tibi

Tibi always gets it right for a spring/summer night out.  A bright one-piece is in my future.

The Row

Blush basics at The Row.  Perfectly paired with red croc Manolo slingbacks :)

Jill Stuart

Lovely in lace at Jill Stuart.

DKNY

Lady-like color blocking at DKNY

Tory Burch

Fluttering skirt & collared blouse at Tory

PHOTOS COURTESY OF STYLE.COM

_____________________

And the awards go to:

*most wearable contemporary collections - DKNY & TIBI

*most lust-worthy designer collection - VALENTINO

_____________________

Key Trends:

-belted

-neons and brights

-femme blouse

-rompers/jumpsuits

-trousers: high waisted flare and carrot leg cropped

-tassels

-flats (finally, after seasons of towering platforms)

flat out amazing!

While I enjoy a pair of heels as much as the next girl, I am 5'10" and need to actually walk on a daily basis so I usually default to the ballet slipper.  I have always been a fan of the Repetto's since I have yet to drop the dough on a pair of Chanel or Lanvin.  Article this morning courtesy of vogue.com has me excited for a new pair of custom Repetto flats.  I think this calls for a trip to Paris...

must. REPETTO

lust. CHANEL

retail therapy

work has officially taken over my life...but to de-stress and enjoy the cool weather and the fact that my work event was over and a success i went shopping to indulge in some new fall basics....

flats by Circa Joan & David

these are reminiscent of the Vuitton shoes seen on the fall runways with the neat bow on the front.  perfect for work since they are flat, comfortable and a neutral metallic color.

citizens of humanity jeans
image via net-a-porter

i haven't bought a pair of flared jeans (been faithful to my JBrand skinnies) in at least 2 years...but these are amazing.  the mid-rise allows for tucking in blouses and make them super comfortable.  perfect pant to wear from work to cocktails with a heel and a blouse or jacket.  

jcrew miller short flat motorcycle boot

hooray!  i have been wanting short motorcycle booties for awhile now and i finally took the plunge.  they add that downtown edge to any outfit and are so versatile!  plan to wear with socks and skirts or skinnies and a ladylike blouse

zara striped t

this striped T is my go-to casual wear with black pants or skirt.  something about stripes, i cant get enough...they make any outfit chic. of course i bought in black & white (pic is kind of grey)