Friday, September 30, 2011

New York Fashion Week Recap: Marchesa

Happy Friday!  Here to write about one final SS 2012 collection - Marchesa.  I remember going wedding dress shopping with my best friend last year…I walked in to the boutique and she was wearing a stunning gown. “That must be Marchesa,” I said immediately. It was. Marchesa’s designs are legendary. They are literally wearable art. The styles, the feathers, the beads, the layers---all of it is breathtaking. It easily creates the romantic feminine look for any lady. I love the dresses. Here are a few of my favorites from this year’s runway collection which premiered at New York Fashion Week. **swooning**


Photo: NYMag.com

Photo: NYMag.com

Photo: NYMag.com

Photo: NYMag.com
Photo: NYMag.com
Photo: NYMag.com
Cheers!
Cristi  

Thursday, September 29, 2011

{Thrifty Thursday} White Giraffes

Oh my, excuse me if all I have on my mind is the baby shower I'm co-hosting this weekend.  When Lilly mentioned incorporating giraffes into her shower decor (she has chosen a darling giraffe crib outfit), I immediately thought of Jonathan Adler's version and wanted to get my hands on one in time to use it as a main centerpiece.  Then reality hit... money doesn't grow on trees, does it? 

Luckily for me, I happened to be at Marshall's searching for onesies to pin on the onesie banner, and I happened upon the home goods aisle as I always do, 'just in case.'  You'd never believe what I found!  No Jonathan Adler, but a giraffe nonetheless.  It was silver.  I needed one that was white.  Hold it- did you know Home Depot has $0.98 spray paint?  Only in two colors- black and white, but guess what?  It worked!  Total purchase: $14 ($12.99 + $0.98) and one DARLING white giraffe.  Thank you, Marshall's!

Jonathan Adler ceramic giraffe, $120, Nordstrom.com

My thrifty find of the week

Partial view of my 'before' giraffe
Cheers!
Ana

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Make-ahead Quiche

I wrote yesterday about a baby shower I will be co-hosting this weekend and I thought that this week I'd share a treasured brunch recipe.  This quiche recipe is simple, quick to prepare, and freezable, allowing me to prepare all six quiche I plan to make ahead of time, leaving all of Sunday morning for primping :)

I will bake three each of a meat (ham) and meatless version.  The best thing about this recipe is that you can change the type of cheese and filling to elevate your creativity and satisfy all cravings!

My unbaked veggie quiche prior to being frozen
Ingredients
1 1/2 cup shredded cheese
4 teaspoons flour
1/2 cup cooked ham, diced (I've also used crab, shrimp, sausage, chorizo - cook and drain oil first, you name it!)
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 9-inch unbaked pie crust

Preparation
In medium bowl, toss cheese and flour.  Sprinkle mixture onto pie crust.  Sprinkle ham (or other filling combo) over cheese mixture. 
In same bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt and mustard.  Beat until smooth and pour over cheese and filling.
Place a piece of plastic wrap large enough to to overlap sides over top of quiche, then a piece of foil, and seal well around the edges.  The plastic will keep the egg mixture from sticking to the foil in the freezer.  Place prepared quiche in freezer. 
When ready to prepare, preheat over to 400 degrees F.  Remove foil and plastic wrap.  Put foil around edge of crust to protect it.  
Bake in the preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until filling is set and crust is golden brown. 

The two versions I am preparing are a ham, onion and cheddar (1/2 cup ham and 1/4 cup diced roasted onion), and an asparagus, roasted onion and red pepper with a feta (1/4 cup) and Italian cheese (1 1/4 cup) blend.  I'm looking forward to enjoying the results!

Cheers!
Ana

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Were Having a {Baby Shower!}

One of my besties in the whole world, Lilly, is having a baby girl in November.  Lilly and I are practically neighbors so we brunch on Sundays, go on long walks after we each have our dinners, go to mass when Z is unable to go with me, go to networking events together and even volunteer together at the soup kitchen. She's also a fabulous hostess- remember?  Lilly was the one who had a full English tea buffet ready at 5 a.m. on the day of the Royal nuptials. I, along with two of our dearest friends, have been planning the baby shower our wonderful friend deserves.  We are hosting a brunch at my home, since brunch is her favorite meal.
Lilly gave me one hint for what she wanted as a theme: "Subtle, and if you could use this, that would be great."  At that moment she handed me a plastic giraffe.  The shower is in a week, but here is where I am going so far.  I cannot wait to celebrate Baby 'H.'

From right: the onsie banner (top), menu cards (bottom),  a welcome wreath for the front door, table of decorations
I'm excited to join my fellow hostesses and honor a good friend and welcome a beautiful new baby girl into the world!


Cheers!
Ana

Monday, September 26, 2011

{We're Obsessed!} Contrasting Colors

We love when readers share their ideas, obsessions, recipes and tips with us!  So today, I'm obsessing with something shared by our friend Cauffiel, who pointed out her love for the stark contrast in colors worn on runways during New York's SS 2012 Fashion Week (as evident in Cristi's Marc by Marc Jacobs post).

On board?  No need to wait until spring, one of fall's hottest trends is mixing bold colors in a daring way to create the same look everyone is still talking about from the latest runway collections.   

2 B Rych dress, $285, Neiman Marcus
Yves Saint Laurent handbag, $2,295, www.net-a-porter.com
Marc by Marc Jacobs sweater, $298, Nordstrom
Alice and Olivia sweater, $264, Cusp
 Cheers!
Ana

Friday, September 23, 2011

New York Fashion Week Recap: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Fashion week may have ended but the count down to spring begins!  I’ve been stalking all of the latest collections from New York Fashion Week and I had to share with you another one of my favorite collections (remember our past obsession with his 10th Anniversary collection?). Marc by Marc Jacobs brings back retro look with modern colors and total sophistication. I was drooling over every piece in his collection, but here are a few of my favorites. Marc Jacobs is a genius and I can’t wait to get my hands on a few of these spectacular dresses! 

Photo:NYMag.com

Photo:NYMag.com

Photo:NYMag.com

Photo:NYMag.com

Photo:NYMag.com

Photo:NYMag.com
Cheers!
Cristi

Thursday, September 22, 2011

{Thrifty Thursday} Fly Boutique Vintage

During a recent trip to Miami we spent a whole day running in and out of the shops down Lincoln Road. We stopped for a delicious sushi dinner at Sushi Siam and while sitting down we noticed a shop across the way that we hadn’t yet gone into. After dinner we decided to stop in to take a look and Oh.My.Gosh. What we found was a total gem! I am still lusting after the contents of this amazing vintage resale shop in Miami. They offer an incredible inventory of vintage designer handbags, designer luggage (we all tried to convince Ana to buy the vintage Dior suitcase to use as a prop in her redesigned guest room), dresses, shoes and even furs! I wanted everything! So next time you’re in the Miami area make sure you stop by this incredible store. I swear, you won’t be disappointed! 

Photo: Google

Photo: Google

Photo: Google


Cheers!
Cristi

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Wine Wednesday!

Last night I made a delicious recipe, courtesy of the Washington Post, and I told my hubby to pick out an equally impressive bottle of wine.  His pick was a delicious Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley Winery Madonna Estate.  A friend of Z's had brought this bottle back with him from Napa and given it to him as a 30th birthday present.  if you like a delicious full bodied red with layers of flavor and an exciting finish, try this bottle.  I am glad we could finally enjoy it last night. 

As  you can see, we didn't leave much for the next day!
Cheers!
Ana

Tomato Peach Salad

Since  summer will officially be over by the end of the week (sigh), I thought it would be appropriate to share one final seasonal recipe.  I served this Tomato Peach Salad with crab cakes the other night and it was really a perfect compliment.  I used what remained and served it on the side of pork chops the next evening.  This recipe is simple and really tasty.  This summer, I've learned to actually enjoy fruit mixed with other savory ingredients!  First Mango Avocado Salsa, and now this.  Loving it.

Photo: My own

There really isn't much of a recipe, so I'll just tell you what I did:
Slice 2 tomatoes into wedges (4-6 per tomato)
Slice 2 cored peaches into wedges (6 wedges per peach)
Thinly slice half of a red onion (I'm sure white works here too); add all ingredients to a medium sized bowl.
Drizzle a conservative amount of apple cider vinegar and olive oil over ingredients.
Season with sugar (white or brown), salt and pepper.  Mix salad and serve.

Cheers!
Ana

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Name That Movie

Happy Tuesday!  Can anyone guess where this quote came from?

Don't say 'what,' say 'pardon,' darling, and do as your mother tells you.
Hint: Before it was spoken in a movie, it was written in a hysterically funny best selling book!

The perfect reading nook via Pinterest
Cheers!
Ana

Monday, September 19, 2011

{We're Obsessed} The Skinny Belt

You know when you put on an outfit and it just kind of hangs wrong and you have the “what am I missing?” thoughts? Well, my new favorite accessory to fix those blah moments…the skinny belt! My favorite is my brown braided skinny belt. I wear it with everything! Dresses, skirts, tunics, skinny jeans or wide leg jeans with a tucked in shirt, long sweaters and even my winter coats—seriously, everything! I also love adding a pop of color to an outfit with a bright colored skinny belt. So next time you need to add something to your outfit, pull out a skinny belt and wrap it around any outfit! Besides being a great accessory it also helps to accentuate a lady’s waist so it’s a win-win situation. Check out some of these looks I found online. I love them all! 

Photo: whistles.co.uk

Photo: Pinterest

Photo: Victoria's Secret

Photo: DesertPearls.tumblr.com

Photo: bramblewoodfashion.tumblr.com

Photo: LookBook.nu

Photo: us.asos.com

Photo: Pinterest
Cheers!
Cristi

Friday, September 16, 2011

New York Fashion Week Recap: Carolina Herrera

As fashion week wraps, I wanted to report those looks that stood out most to me on the runway.  Favorites first.
Anyone who has ever been shopping with me can tell you I am obsessed with Carolina Herrera. Her designs, to me, are the epitome of timeless elegance and femininity. She has always been wonderful at crafting beautiful timeless pieces for the female body. And her collection that premiered at this year’s Spring 2012 New York Fashion Week didn’t disappoint. Here are some of my favorite looks from the collection. Enjoy! 

Photo: NYMag.com
Photo: NYMag.com
Photo: NYMag.com
Photo: NYMag.com
Photo: NYMag.com
Photo: NYMag.com
Cheers!
Cristi

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

{Thrifty Thursday} Fur Ever and Ever

Note: posting tomorrow's post tonight because for a few more hours, you can save from Neiman Marcus Last Call, where I scored this week's thrifty find. All fall trends are an extra 25% off!  Happy Shopping!  We will be posting Wine Wednesday tomorrow.


While owning fur anything isn't necessarily cheap, there are ways to buy a lasting piece without paying the equivalent of a down payment on a luxury car.  While the thriftiest ways to own a great fur are through inheritence (we each got one of our grandmother's gorgeous old coats), consignment shops (I've seen some classic fox and mink stoles around town that you wouldn't believe!), and off-season sales (reduced up to 70% of retail value!), I chose to head over to Neiman Marcus Last Call and try my luck at last year's stock. 
I walked away with a gorgeous long rabbit fur vest and paid a tiny fraction (after an in-store coupon!) of what similar current styles are selling for (see here, here, here and here to be convinced).  The price justification met all of my demands: it was on my wish list, it compliments items already in my wardrobe, it's versatile, I will wear it for seasons to come and lastly, it's flattering.  I happen to love anything fur, and thought a vest was just what I needed hanging in my closet.  I've even pieced together a few outfits to wear it with.  Thank goodness for outlets and smart shopping!  
Steal the look!  vest, as seen on Olivia P and capelet, as seen on Ashley O.

No shopping required!  The above are similar to items already in my closet.  To shop the looks, from left to right:
outfit 1: boots, black leggings, sweater
outfit 2: flats, jeans, blouse
outfit 3: booties, jeans, blouse
outfit 4: dress and boots with black tights

Cheers!
Ana

Potatoes Au Gratin

When it comes to big family meals we all like to pitch in. Usually mom and dad make the entrees and the sisters will share duties of dessert and side dishes. For Easter this year, and most recently for my mom’s birthday, I’ve made these potatoes au gratin as a side with our lamb dishes. It is a super easy recipe and they are absolutely delicious! They go great with any protein. So next time you’re having a meat and potatoes kind of meal…try these exquisite potatoes au gratin! 

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices
  • 1/2 cup grated Gruyere
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon paprika

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter a 1 1/2 quart baking dish with about 1 tablespoon of the softened butter.
Arrange a layer of potatoes in the baking dish, and sprinkle some of the cheeses over them. Continue layering potatoes and cheeses until you've used them all, ending with a layer of potatoes.

In a small bowl, whisk the cream with the salt and pepper; pour this over the potatoes. Dot the remaining butter over the top and sprinkle with the paprika. Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and golden brown on top. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Recipe: FoodNetwork.com

Photo: bistro.bonosbarbq.com
Cheers!
Cristi


Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Special Edition: Missoni for Target Lookbook


Here it is! The full Missoni for Target Lookbook. What’s your favorite look? I love it ALL. Target will be carrying the collection today through October 22 or until they sell out. So HURRY to your nearest Target and get in on these fabulous looks!
Photo: Fashionista.com

Cheers!
Cristi

An Immaculate Bathroom

I have held out on sharing what I loved most about our hotel this weekend: the all-white bathroom in the guest rooms.  I've been searching high and low for inspiration to apply to our own home and didn't know just what I wanted, so we held off on new bathrooms for this recent renovation.  But with linoleum floors, cheap cabinetry and aging fixtures, you better believe they will get their pretty facelifts as soon as I'm ready with a plan.  I just fell in love with the all white bathroom look this weekend, and I am confident that the look will be perfect for our bathrooms.  What do you think?

I love the addition of grey in the marble and bath tile.  houzz.com

David Jimenez's work in House Beautiful

A scenic bathroom designed by William Hodgens featured in House Beautiful.
If my morning started in one of these, I think I'd love getting up for work in the morning. 
Cheers!
Ana

Monday, September 12, 2011

{We're Obsessed!} Miami Loves

We leave Miami today to return to our two cities, and to work, but wanted to write a note about the fun things we've noticed here and have come to love:


1) The Miami Vice cocktail.  Half Pina Colada, half strawberry dauquiri, 100 percent awesome.

Photo: google.com
2) Cat eye sunglasses.  All the glamouri walking around have these sunglasses and they look so cool.  We decided we love them.

Ray Ban Sunglasses, Nordstrom.com

3) Ida and Harry Boutique:  Located in the Fontainebleau hotel, this boutique is a one stop destination for the newest and most unique in fashion.  Example: I have this pinboard of my latest lusts from the runways and this store carried all of them.  Including sold-out Valentino shoes that I couldn't find anywhere else.  Holla!

photo: fountainebleau.com shopping page

4) Beach weather:  We so lucked out.  The forecast was spotty, promosing isolated storms every single day.  Fortunately, we were only given gorgeous sun and spent our days on the beautiful beach of the hotel. 

5) Girl time!!!  It was fun!

Cheers!
Ana