getting in the holiday spirit

festive manicure for the plethora of holiday parties this weekend.

creepy hand shot, sorry

why?

call me classic, but i just DO NOT get the wedge sneaker phenomenon creeping around these days.  i cannot think of one dressing scenario in which i would be like - hey! i should wear heeled sneakers????

seriously.  i die for all things isabel marant and alexander wang and usually love the quirky/cute stylings of manrepeller, but these things have got to go!

agree with me people? all for the banishment of heinous sneaker wedges say AYE!Publish Post

via

on repeat - GROUPLOVE

i can assure you you will not take this album off your ipod. so so good.

GROUPLOVE - Never Trust A Happy Song

happy friday

wow ready for the weekend.

this made me smile.  two of my favorite "look but can't have" items :)

via The Coveteur

Tasting @ Smith Commons

RJ's birthday was the perfect occasion to indulge in the Gilt City deal for a 5 course meal paired with whiskey and craft beer.  We both love craft beer and I am trying to expand my pallet for whiskeys - plus Smith Common's is an awesome restaurant with great decor, low-key vibe and in one of our favorite neighborhoods to explore: H Street NE.

I can't say enough about the friendly staff and set-up of the entire evening.  It was really a wonderful experience and made me want to branch out and try to do more food and drink pairing/tasting events.  

We were greeted with a choice of signature whiskey cocktail.    I got the Tarboro Viking

(Bourbon, Ginger Syrup, Lime juice, Angostura Bitters, Club Soda) and RJ got the James Brown Derby
(Bourbon, Grapefruit Juice, Honey Syrup)

Can't have a cocktail without an amuse bouche of beet salad with goat cheese

Then we sat down to begin the pairings.

The menu was delicious and each beverage was spoken about by a rep from the whiskey company (Michter's) and beer company (Allagash)

First

Allagash Dubbel and Michter’s US*1 American Whiskey served with pork belly, apple, pickled turnip, kimch

Second

Allagash White and Michter’s US*1 Rye served with textures of cauliflower

Third

Allagash Tripel and Michter’s Ten-Year Single-Barrel Rye served with tandoori-spiced scallop, orange chutney, Pop Rocks

Fourth

Allagash FOUR and Michter’s US*1 Unblended American Whiskey served with foie gras terrine, honey truffle and housemade brioche toast

Fifth

Allagash Curieux and Michter’s 25-Year Single-Barrel Bourbon served with Smith bread pudding, Michter’s bourbon sauce

pop rocks are insane! sooo delicious.

some of the Whiskey tastings were served as jellies - so interesting!

i'm obsessed with cauliflower.

foie gras - not my fave

favorite beer of the night

gift bags! we got token Michter's and Allagash glasses.

Such a  fun and delicious night! Happy Birthday RJ!

inspiration: miranda kerr

has anyone else noticed that miranda kerr has been killing it with the outfits lately?  i mean it helps that she has a victoria's secret body, cutest baby ever and is the face of my current obsession Rag & Bone - but seriously im feeling some major inspiration from the pics snapped below:

via PopSugar

via beacuse i'm addicted

via Vogue

via PopSugar

decadent

hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving!  after all of the delicious food over the holiday i was not quite ready to get back to the normal, healthier and less delicious routine.  since there were some birthdays to celebrate, we went all out and made the amazingly decadent salted caramel six layer cake from Martha Stewart.

what an undertaking, but it really turned out well.  i was too busy digging in to snap a pic, but you get the idea...

via Marha Stewart

Ingredients

• For The Cake

  • Unsalted butter, room temperature, for pans
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 1 tablepoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • Coarse salt
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups low-fat buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons safflower oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• For The Caramel

  • 4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • Coarse salt
  • 2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons

• For The Frosting

  • 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • Coarse salt
  • 1 pound semisweet chocolate, chopped, melted, and cooled
  • Garnish: flaked sea salt, such as Maldon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Make the cake: Butter three 9-inch round cake pans, and dust with flour, tapping out excess. Sift flour, granulated sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and 1 1/2 teaspoons course salt into the bowl of a mixer. Beat on low speed until just combined. Raise speed to medium, and add eggs, buttermilk, 1 1/2 cups warm water, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth, about 3 minutes.
2. Divide batter among pans. Bake until cakes are set and a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool in pans set on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks, and let cool completely.
3. Make the caramel: Combine granulated sugar, corn syrup, and 1/4 cup water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Cook, without stirring, until mixture is dark amber, about 14 minutes. Remove from heat, and carefully pour in cream (mixture will spatter); stir until smooth. Return to heat, and cook until a candy thermometer reaches 238 degrees, about 2 minutes. Pour caramel into a medium bowl, stir in 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and let cool slightly, about 15 minutes. Stir in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Let cool completely.
4. Meanwhile, make the frosting: Whisk together cocoa and 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons warm water in a bowl until cocoa dissolves. Beat butter, confectioners' sugar, and a generous pinch of coarse salt in a clean bowl with a mixer on medium speed until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in melted chocolate and then cocoa mixture until combined. Let stand for 30 minutes before using.
5. Trim tops of cakes using a serrated knife to create a level surface. Cut each in half horizontally to form 2 layers. Transfer 1 layer to a serving platter, and spread 3/4 cup caramel over top. Top with another cake layer, and repeat with remaining caramel and cake layers, leaving top uncovered. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.
6. Frost top and sides of cake in a swirling motion. Sprinkle with sea salt.

Enjoy!

sous style

every once in awhile, while perusing the internet i come across a site that stands out from the crowd and that i instantly identify with and/or seriously appreciate.

most recently it's been: oliviapalermo.com, manrepeller.com, biggirlssmallkitchen.com

however today, through another on-line staple (http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/) i found sous style.

extreme girl crush on pippa and the recipe's are out of this world YUM.  the manifesto pretty much sums up my view on life.

via Sous Style

enjoy!

brooklyn & barneys - NYC weekend recap

back from a beautiful fall weekend in NYC.  the weather could not have been better, cool and sunny - perfect for that fur vest topper which i diligently wore in over the trip.  it was so nice to not have a specific agenda and just visit all weekend.

highlights:

Fitz & the Tantrums show at Terminal 5.  this was my first visit to the venue and it was pretty spectacular - much larger than i expected but wonderful nonetheless.  F&T rocked - perfect party/dance music - it's like southern beach music band meets indie.

a full day to myself to peruse the stores.  the shoe floor at Barney's NEVER dissapoints.

ridiculously amazing italian food at Emilio Ballato's, jalapeno cocktails at Mayahuel and a cozy night with friends Jo's in Nolita.

a visit and afternoon beers at Brooklyn Brewery lead to buzzed browsing and some sweet finds next door at Sound Fix Records.  im already obsessing over the She & Him Christmas album we got on vinyl. sooo good.

finally a much anticipated stop at Eataly.  i had the best paninni of my life and could have eaten and purchased everything in there.  of course we're approaching the holidays and it was slam packed.  one day i will get there when it opens and magically have someone pick me up with an arm full of fresh, gourmet italian ingredients.

winter classics

i love the fall/winter seasons to get back to basics and re-invest in timeless pieces that can go the distance.  with a strapped wallet and busy agenda i am honing in on items that can go from work to cocktails to running errands around town (sigh, that leaves out a sequin dress i've been coveting)

below are a few pieces i recently shopped and have found endless ways to style.  

via Rag and Bone

via MikkatMarket

via Zara

via Old Navy

via FrenchConnection

as you can see...i am opting for little to no color this winter, but in my opinion black/white/grey neutrals are always considered to be chic.

recipe: pasta with roasted vegetables & bacon

i am continually impressed with the recipe's featured in martha stewart living magazine, definitely worth keeping my subscription.  they are always delicious and pretty fool-proof if you can follow a recipe.  we tried this pasta dish last night and it was a hit.  perfectly hearty and seasonal with a bonus -- the vegetables roast for 35-40 minutes, just the right amount of time to take a quick jog around the neighborhood and return to finish up the dish.

via Martha Stewart

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 ounces bacon, preferably slab, chopped * we substituted turkey bacon
• 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 head cauliflower, trimmed into 1 1/2-inch florets (about 2 1/2 cups)
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 8 ounces orecchiette
• 3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (1 1/2 ounces), plus more, shaved, for garnish
• 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon until crisp, about 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels using a slotted spoon. Reserve drippings.
2. Toss sweet potato, onion, and cauliflower with reserved drippings. Season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Roast on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until tender and caramelized, about 35 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water. Return pasta to pot with cooking water, and toss with grated cheese and vegetables. Stir in parsley. Sprinkle bacon over top. Garnish with shaved cheese.

Bon Appetit!

it's cold

annnddddd it snowed this weekend, in October. i would be really a lot more excited about this weather if i had this to cozy up with.

Club Monaco Baylee Faux Fur Vest via ShopBop

outfit inspiration: fitted blazer & skinnies

this perfectly styled outfit caught my eye on the Intermix website.  it is a superb mix of edge & polish and appropriate for day to night.  i love the waxed j brand skinny jeans.  they are high on my fall wishlist.

dc record fair

it was so nice to be back in DC this weekend.  after 4 weeks of travelling on the weekends and a conference for work in Columbia, SC last week i was beyond happy to be in my own bed and sleep in.

DC always has so many fun and interesting things going on and i had been missing our mini weekend excursions within the city.  so on Sunday we headed to the DC Record Fair.  bagels and perusing thousands of albums on vinyl...talk about a good morning.

serious browsing

i couldn't resist...

dorky/happy

tuesday tunes

my musical wells have been dry as of late.  i've had the same tried & true favorites on repeat all summer and into fall.

a few things i would like to refresh with.

Grouplove

The Kooks

The Naked & Famous

Yuck

looking for some iTunes gift cards please :)

the little things

happy columbus day!  i am thrilled to have today off to relax & organize after the weekend.  aside from a day of yoga and chores i woke up to a special surprise this morning.

not only do i get to enjoy a delicious cup of Peregrine espresso, but i'm spoiled and there was an accompanying gift certificate to a massage at Aveda.  

#hesakeeper #luckygirl

crave: stubbs & wooton

whoa whoa whoa. hold the phone. it's friday and the internets have delivered to me a gift.

Olivia Palermo has a style blog! www.oliviapalermo.com Thank you @ Tibi PR.

Thus when my favorite lady of fashion blogs - I listen!  Of course she has leopard Stubbs & Wooton loafers in her personal collection, but wait a second - you can also custom order Stubbs loafers through their website (a fact i did not know)

And so the drooling begins...

Too much?

Happy Friday loves. xoxo

want: SUPER

maybe it's the changing of the seasons or having borrowing a pair of frames from a friend, or that fact that i watched Breakfast At Tiffany's on netflix instant last night - but i am craving a new pair of sunglasses.

inspiration via

in the heat of the summer, a heavy framed, dark lens pair of glasses just doesn't suit me, i'm faithful to my light and easy Ray Ban aviators. and so i have been searching for an autumn alternative...of course i first looked to the the Ray Ban wayfarer, but these just don't sit quite right on me and then i found SUPER.  these are amazing, italian made glasses that come in a variety of colors and span every shape from classic to modern.  i love how simple they are without any big logo's or metal.  perfectly neutral and basic, but with luxury construction & quality.

SUPER - Classic BHM

yes please!  Of course these are on backorder...

bangle love

broke down and purchased a spike bangle from Giles & Brother.  i couldn't help myself when this golden nugget went on-sale. arm parties rejoice!