{April Book Review} Climbing the Career Ladder in Louboutins

I know this review comes a week late, but we just had so much royal wedding fever to gab about.  And yes, that wedding lived up to all of our expectations!  Anyway, as we mentioned in our previous review, April's book was Girl on Top: Your Guide to Turning Dating Rules into Career Success.

As a self-defined career success (what else can you become after landing your dream job a year out of college?), I appreciated that a successful woman took the time to speak to other female peers on terms we can ALL relate to, regardless of our places in our careers. 

Author Nicole Williams draws parallels from a book all three of us keep close, The Rules: Time Tested Secrets for Capturing the Heart of Mr. Right.  A friend loaned me this book in college and I immediately ordered three copies to gift as stocking-stuffers for Jackie and Cristi (who were still in high school at the time), and to keep for myself; I am referencing this book as I write this post.  While some may consider the latter book outdated and outlandish by today's standards, the common theme in both books is self respect, knowing your self worth, learning how to play the games that the guys have become so good at, and of course, not settling for less that what your heart desires.  Lastly, I love a woman who can tell us how simply being a woman can help us get ahead (and no, not in THAT  way!).   Visit your library or amazon.com and pick up a copy!

Photos from http://www.amazon.com/



Cheers!

Ana

{Thrifty Thursday} Saint Barts Style Comes to Target

Nobody ever said you had to break the bank to look fabulous. Target's latest collaboration with Calypso St. Barth is the perfect way to look like a million bucks at just a fraction (or fractions' fraction) of the cost.  And just in time for beach vacation season!  Check out some of my favorite pieces from the collection, all ranging from $15-$40. Can you believe it?



Friends A&E also blogged their faves, and the verdict is... WE LOVE their picks too!  So there you have it, go to Target, buy from collection, and look like an island princess.

Cheers!
Cristi

Wine Wednesday!

Greetings!  Well, I won't tell you the embarassing amount of wine bottles in my trash bin, but let's just say it was all justified!  What I was craving: a fresh, crisp chardonnay with subtle flavors of citrus balanced by faint notes of spices and oak.  So I went to one of my go-to brands for whites, Chateau Ste. Michelle.  The wine: 2009 Columbia Valley Chardonnay.  Perfect to wash down a light dinner and the stresses of a five-alarm work day. 



Cheers!
Ana

Derby Party Prep: Dusting off my Julep Cups

I previously mentioned my love for Kentucky and as we prepare to watch the Kentucky Derby from our house this weekend, I'm making sure we have everything in stock for delicious Mint Juleps.  First on the list is dusting off our Mint Julep Cups, which FYI - make amazing decorative pieces during the off season!  As for the juleps, we made these last year and they were a hit! 

Mint Julep (divide by 8 for single servings) 
Ingredients:
2 cups water  (1/4 cup for single serving)
2 cups white sugar  (1/4 cup for single serving)
1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh mint leaves (1 tbsp for single serving)
32 fluid ounces Kentucky bourbon (we prefer Woodford Reserve) (4 oz for single serving)
8 sprigs fresh mint leaves for garnish (1 sprig per julep)

Directions:
Combine water, sugar and chopped mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Allow syrup to cool, approximately 1 hour. Pour syrup through a strainer to remove mint leaves
Fill eight cups or frozen goblets with crushed ice and pour 4 ounces of bourbon and 1/4 cup mint syrup in each. (Proportions can be adjusted depending on each person's sweet tooth). Top each cup with a mint sprig and a straw. Trim straws to just barely protrude from the top of the cups. Serve juleps on a silver platter.urce: allrecipes.com.  Full recipe makes 8 Juleps.
source: allrecipes.com

And... for when the horses aren't running



Cheers!

Ana

Shoe Swoon!

Um, so I just discovered "the Coveteur."  Heart. Melting.  I feel like I have been hiding in  a kitchen cabinet all my life for missing out on this brilliant collabortive fashion site for so long!  Coveteur is the coolest kid on the web, as far as I'm concerned.  The blog gives you sneak peaks at the closets and favorite closet possessions of real people (fashion editors, celebs, authors, party planners, and anyone else worthy). 

Upon my daily routine of admire|sigh|and-back-to-reality, I came across The Coveteur's collaboration with Elle Magazine and found Khloe Kardashian's enviable collection of stilettos.  Girl after my own heart! Since you all know about my love affair with shoes, you can understand how my heart just about skipped a beat as I narrowed in on this picture, spotting 25+ Louboutins, YSL Platform Pumps, Manolos and Nude Jimmy Choo Private Sandals (I've had these on my list for sooooo long!). 

You really get to know the star of Khloe and Lamar though these pictures, as she gives you a story behind each one.  My favorite quote:

“My hubby [Lamar Odom] is such a sneaker king….and I am a stiletto queen!  He always wants to see me in sneakers, but I believe I can do anything in heels."

I love this so much because MY hubby [zds] says the SAME thing about me wearing sneaks!  Yuck!  You rock your heels, Khloe, and I'll rock mine!  Heel power!

But seriously, doesn't this closet make you want to die?  It's Heaven!



Photo: Elle, via the Coveteur

Cheers!
Ana

{We're Obsessed!} Marc by Marc Jacobs 10th Anniversary Collection

Happy 10th Anniversary to a colorful and comfortable American design label, Marc by Marc Jacobs.  To celebrate the occasion, the designer has released a limited edition collection of tees, cargo pants, jackets and dresses of the most memorable and most desired prints from his collections over the last decade.  As a bonus, just when this label has ascended into the "can no longer afford" category, all of the designs for the 10th anniversary collection can be purchased for under $300.  You won't see these prices on this label once the limited edition pieces are all scooped up! 

Since I have a few celebrations of my own to mark (no pun intended) throughout the summer, I decided to purchase a simple silk dress in a classic silhouette and bold stripe print.  The dress is available in a variety of prints (seems like I tried on at least a dozen of prints in the same dress, but the collection offers seven) and can be purchased at marcjacobs.com, shopbop.com, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales stores.

Happy Shopping!

My pick, http://www.saks.com/

other versions available from the collection

Cheers!

Ana

{We're Obsessed!} Ombré Hair

Summer temperatures have hit us in Dallas and if you’re like me you’re getting the “I need to change my look” itch. I’ve recently become obsessed with the ombré hair style. As a virgin to all hair coloring (all three of us are) I feel this low maintenance style would be a great way to lose my hair virginity. Gasp! Ombré hair is accomplished by creating a dark root and then extending downward to a lighter tip. If you grow tired of it, you can simply cut the tips out and let your roots grow out! And it looks absolutely gorgeous with those summer beachy locks. So what do you think? Should I go for it? Check out these celebrities who make the ombré look sexy and savvy!

Cheers!

Cristi