{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

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

{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

Rabbit fur vest, Louis Vuitton bag

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

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

{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