Drinking and Dreaming

Take It to the Streets

2012-02-18T20:05:00.000-05:00

Aside from the great runway shows and ridiculous parties, the amazing street style is probably the third best thing about fashion week. Now that the FW12 shows have come to an end, scrolling through Tommy Ton's images for Style.com help to prolong the fun...and induce serious wardrobe envy.

Bacon and Boobs

2012-02-18T19:18:00.000-05:00

Most of you know Chrissy Teigen as John Legend's fiancee and the stunning Thai swimsuit model, but did you know that she also writes an adorable food blog? So Delushious is all about the low carb dishes that she cooks at home with John, amazing dishes they have at restaurants around the world, and her great love of bacon. As someone who spends a lot of time around models and actresses, there is something very refreshing about a supermodel who admits that looking that stunning comes down to a lot of hard work...and no bread.

On that note, I think I'm making her Boursin and Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast tomorrow. YUM.

Boursin and Bacon Stuffed Chicken Breast

Ingredients:

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 pkg. Boursin herb & garlic cheese

4 slices thinly cut bacon

4 slices proscuitto

1/2 lemon, juiced

salt & pepper

1 cup chicken stock

10-12 cherry tomatoes

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil the bottom of a deep oven pan. Place one piece of the chicken breast on top of a piece of Saran wrap. Cover the breast with another piece of Saran and gently beat it with the rounded end of a metal ladle.

Pound the chicken breast until it is fairly thin. Repeat with other piece.

Generously spread Boursin cheese onto each chicken breast. Lay two pieces of bacon across each, cutting if necessary.

Roll from the short side in. Wrap two pieces of proscuitto around each chicken roll making sure not to overlap too much. Place onto lightly greased pan. Season with lemon, salt, and pepper.

Pour chicken stock into bottom of the pan, toss in cherry tomatoes. Bake on middle rack for 55 minutes.

Make sure to spoon juice onto tops of chicken every 10-15 minutes. Slice diagonally and serve with sauteed spinach. Enjoy!

Images courtesy of Chrissy Teigen.

Tone Deaf

2012-02-13T17:44:00.000-05:00

Maybe it was because the Grammy's fell on Fashion Week Sunday - the same time as Zac Posen - and the girls on the red carpet thought they could go undetected. "Wear something outlandish" they all BBM'd each other that morning, stupidly assuming that the fashion bloggers were too consumed with runway commentary to catch them in their see through dresses and weird costumes. Maybe it's because the Queen of the Night, Whitney Houston, passed away tragically the night before and everyone was too distraught to think clearly... Who knows. What I do know is that last night was not pretty, friends. It was not pretty at all.

Worst Dressed

Nicki Minaj in Versace.

I get it - she's desperate for attention. But Nicki, YOU ARE A FAMOUS RAPPER. You get more attention in one week than some people will get in their entire lifetime. Stop wasting that tiny waist and that pretty face on these outlandish frigging costumes. I love Halloween as much as the next girl, but you've got to stop.

Taylor Swift in Zuhair Murad.

I'm sure you are asking yourself why this stunning gown on this beautiful girl would make my worst dressed list. Well...let's see. It's gold, it's sparkly, and it's on TAYLOR SWIFT. Aaaaaaaaaagh. It's too much. Can someone style this girl? Please? Make the lambs stop crying.

Fergie in Jean Paul Gaultier.

Let me start by saying that I love this color and I love the lace. I just wish it had some kind of nude lining underneath and not those chunky, black undergarments that chop up this look. And also, you shouldn't tease vampires by wearing a couture map of the circulatory system right next to him. Look at him, he's so thirsty he's forcing himself to look away.

Robyn in....some old scraps.

This is just so many different kinds of wrong. I don't know where to start so I might just let this picture say it all.

Sasha Gradiva in Leonid Gurivich.

First of all, who the hell is Sasha Gradiva? Call me old school, but I don't think you get to start dressing absurd and avant garde until the general public knows who the hell who are. Gaga at least had enough respect to become an international superstar before she dared to wear that meat dress.

Best Dressed

Rihanna in Giorgio Armani.

Rihanna is walking sex. That's just all there is to say. With the exception of the Glenn-Close-in-Fatal-Attraction wig that she's wearing on top of her head, she looks stunning. I overheard her say in an interview that she "helped" Giorgio design this dress. I mean, that's like "helping" Monet paint. She is too fierce.

Kate Beckinsale in Zuhair Murad.

Can we all just thank GOD for Kate Beckinsale? This woman has never worn a wrong thing on the carpet and has a body that makes me literally green with envy. Every actress/singer/reality star should go to the Kate Beckinsale School of Style.

Adele in Giorgio Armani.

Adele is back and looking healthier and lovelier than ever. It's almost impossible to not be over-the-moon happy for her and the famous pipes that have not changed one bit.

NYFW: Yigal Azrouel

2012-02-12T16:38:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite collections this season has been Yigal Azrouel. It was just so simple, so wearable, and really badass. Set on the cobblestone runway at Highline Stages (how no one fell, I have not a clue), every girl seemed to come out in perfect, simple dresses. The precise, almost severe cuts, and the solid color scheme made the girls seem very modern but also very 80's power bitch. The oversized fur trapper hats and the leather opera gloves just added to the luxury and gave a little volume to the minimalist looks.

I met Yigal in LA at a charity event with Rochelle Gores Fredston where he showed his Spring '12 collection on the roof of the London Hotel in West Hollywood. Aside from being just devastatingly handsome, he's super down to Earth and like he describes it, "just loves making women look beautiful." Amen to that. I have had about enough of these fashion forward Marc Jacobs dresses that are so on trend, but honestly, really ugly. It's time to get gorgeous again girls.

Oh My Goodness

2012-02-12T09:10:00.002-05:00

During fashion week, you are much more likely to find a free glass of champagne than a healthy snack. From models to editors to PR girls, fashion week is a seven-day long sprint and a lot of people pride themselves on their ability to treat food as an afterthought (and usually a rushed and unhealthy one). Enter Elettra Weidemann and Goodness.

Goodness is a pop-up restaurant that the model/activist created to provide the fashion community with easy access to affordable, locally sourced food. Housed in the Robert, the 9th floor restaurant of the Museum of Art & Design (and a convenient three blocks from Lincoln Center), this season's restaurant features big name chefs Mario Batali, Alain Allegretti, Julian Medina, and Leo Forneas rotating in and out of the kitchen.

J.P and I stopped by Goodness yesterday with his parents for lunch on the Mario Batali day and the food was delicious. Batali does a spin on porchetta, using turkey instead of the traditional pork, and our meal started with the creamiest white bean soup I have ever had. I'd slurp on that soup every day of my life.

As an added bonus, proceeds from all of this amazing food will benefit City Harvest, which is dedicated to feeding New York's hungry. If you can still snag a reservation, I highly recommend that you swing by.

NYFW: Costello Tagliapietra

2012-02-09T21:29:00.001-05:00

Although work is just unbelievably busy right now, I couldn't be happier that fashion week is here. Spending September fashion week in Los Angeles kept me away from the runways, after parties, street style, and overall madness that makes up these crazy few days. I felt very...left out. All I can say is that it's officially good to be back.

The perfect way to start the week was with a visit to Milk Studios. As happens every season, Costello Tagliapietra's FW12 collection was perfectly draped, pleated, and gorgeously jewel toned. Their patterns are unparalleled and the colors brought together deep purples with mustard tones, dark grey with light teal, and this amazing soft bronze. Costello Tagliapietra's aesthetic never really changes and there is a lot of comfort in that. Their gorgeous, body skimming dresses are draped perfectly and you know what? Why fix it if it ain't broke?

The red carpet was very grown-up including an absolutely glowing Padma Lakshmi and Susan Sarandon. To be honest, Susan could have used a brush...and a little eyeliner. The show was completely insider in that it packed the room with fashion heavyweights like Scott Schuman, Horatio Silva, Hamish Bowles, and Dani Stahl. I mean, isn't that the point?

Front Row Ladies: Padma Lakshmi & Susan Sarandon

Robert Tagliapietra & Jeffrey Costello. Bear hugs.

Kiss & Tell

2012-02-08T22:10:00.001-05:00

With Valentine's Day less than a week away, we had the Victoria's Secret press event at the Soho store today with Adriana Lima, Doutzen Kroes, and Lindsay Ellingson. The Angels were on hand vamping for photos and puckering up for the attending press in three of the slinkiest silver dresses I've seen in a while. I've got to be honest, there is something jarring about being around such gorgeousness so early in the morning...makes you want add a bit more mascara and forget all about your love of carbs.

Lindsay Ellingson, Adriana Lima & Doutzen Kroes.

The girls were adorable though and talked with the bloggers and editors about their best (and worst) Valentine's Day experiences, their favorite VS gift picks, and (as always) gave the beauty and exercise tips to anyone who asked.

The moral of today's story? If you aren't sure what to get your wife/girlfriend for Valentine's Day? Go to VS. You can't go wrong.

Coco de Paris

2012-02-05T13:01:00.000-05:00

I love an Etsy jackpot. Coco de Paris, a mixed media designer, paints charming and humorous images on antique French paper and sells them for about $10-$18. Oh, that isn't too amazing.

The series below was illustrated on "La Petit Illustration" a weekly French literary journal that published plays, novels and short stories in the 1920s. So in addition to owning an adorably quirky piece of art, you'll own a little bit of French history. Done and done.

Makes Me Wonder

2012-02-05T11:38:00.004-05:00

Have any of you been into the C Wonder store in Soho yet? It's AMAZING!! Coming from a girl who loves the whole Tory Burch Hollywood-Regency-meets-Palm-Beach aesthetic, finding an entire store of Tory-esque products - at a lower price point - is like Heaven on Spring Street. As much as I want to buy everything in that gorgeous store, I will start out by saying that C. Wonder has no shame in knocking-off luxury brands with the same vibe. A handbag I immediately gravitated to was a dead ringer for Longchamp's La Pliage, their skinny leather belts (and many of the accessories) are very J.Crew, and the belt buckles to go on those J.Crew-ish belts are right out of Hermes' playbook.

Personally, I love this idea. I wish I could afford a Longchamp handbag, more J.Crew and Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry, and an Hermes belt. If it takes Chris Burch (yes, Tory's ex and feeling high on spite by the looks of things) setting up all of his manufacturing in China that allows me to pay less for things I want, I'm a fan. The quality is great (definitely not the same as Hermes or Chanel) and I know it's not very pro-small business of me, but as long as no one is being harmed while making these gorgeous goods in China, it's perfectly okay with me.

Pagoda Rectangular Plate - $38

How perfect is this to hold rings and earrings on a bedside table?

Red Ikat Cereal Bowl - $8

Such a chic cereal bowl. I'm obsessed with anything ikat lately.

Turquoise Deco Stud Earrings - $24

Calf Hair Fringe Bag - $148

Collegiate Striped Winged Tote - $78

Classic Khaki Trench Coat - $198

Pretty Paris Pastels

2012-01-31T22:13:00.000-05:00

With this move and all of the craziness at work, I have completely neglected the couture shows in Paris. While any form of couture is vastly out of my price range, it is like watching slideshow after slideshow of moveable art. The best of the Paris shows? Elie Saab. Ahhh. I don't know if it is the utter romance of it all or the unique blend of paillettes, lace, and ruffles but I am just in love. The daydresses are made for afternoon tea parties with Kate Middleton and those gowns...well those gowns take my breath away.

This is one designer who I hope never does a line for H&M and would scoff at a Macy's collection with a lower price point. Certain designers just need to stay high end. They need to keep designing and creating and pushing the levels of gorgeousness or kids won't grow up wanting to become designers anymore. These haute couture collections are fashion not this Kardashian Kollection crap or Missoni for Target. That is just unacceptable.

SAG Hags

2012-01-30T00:11:00.028-05:00

I only left Los Angeles two days ago and already, I've missed a great red carpet. The SAG Awards were last night and eventhough our internet hadn't been hooked up (yes, I'm poaching wireless from one of my poor neighbors), you had better believe I didn't miss the red carpet arrivals. As with any award show, there are winners and there are losers. What you didn't know is that the same goes for the red carpet...

WINNING

Brad Pitt in Balenciaga & Angelina Jolie in Jenny Packham.

These two are just stunning and can do no wrong if you ask me. One thing to mention though, whenever Angie wears her hair straight, doesn't smile, and tosses on a drapey black dress - she looks like a terrifying alien on Earth to really lay the hammer down.

Ashlee Simpson in Jenny Packham & Vincent Piazza.

So this is happening now? I had no idea. One thing I do know is that Ashlee is looking gorgeous. GOR-GEOUS. The non-hipster makeup and Hollywood glam is really working for her. Clearly marrying one of the Fall Out Boys does not do a body good.

Jack Huston.

I met Jack at our last G-Star Raw event and not only is he unbelievably handsome (and wearing the HELL out of this tux), he is all around lovely in person.

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji.

She is just so damn cute and has been looking great this award season. The draping around her hips gives her a cute little waist in this dress.

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta and John Krazinski in Prada.

They always look so good. She's all proper and British and he's so funny and Jim Halpert-ish, I want to go on double dates with them. I also think that she should wear green all the time, it such a great color on her.

Viola Davis in Marchesa.

Scary Viola brought out the boobs in the dress and she looks fantastic.

LOSING

Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen.

She is quickly losing her fashion-girl cred. I'm not sure what I don't like about this dress, is it the overly ornamented bustier? The awkward hem length of the dress? Regardless, it is nowhere near the amazingness of that melon colored Calvin Klein that she wore last year.

Kristen Wiig in Balenciaga.

I love Kristen Wiig. I've loved her before she was an Oscar-nominated actress, when she was killing it on SNL as Gilly or as that disabled sister on the Lawrence Welk show with the small hands. Because I adore her so much, I hate that she wore a halter dress and choker. A choker? COME ON GILLY, the only girl to successfully pull off a choker was Cinderella. Was she hiding a hickey? A vampire bite? There has got to be a reason why this outfit happened.

Amber Riley in Badgley Mischka.

Amber, Amber Amber... I don't know you. I don't watch your show with the kids singing and Lea Michele being annoying. What I do know is that a big bow should never be used to cover up a big set of ta-tas. There is just way too much going on here.

Scene on the Street

2012-01-29T10:23:00.001-05:00

NYC, I'm baaack. And guess what else is back? Fashion week.

W Hotels and Jenne Lombardo are jumpstarting the NYFW festivities with the "Scene on the Street" photo event at the W in Times Square. As I never turn down free vodka or good street style, I'm there. To RSVP, go the Facebook link above and you can join me for a delicious Chopin cocktail this Thursday.

Happy Sunday!

Put a Bun in the Oven

2012-01-26T16:48:00.002-05:00

It has been one of those weeks, friends. I've been living out of a suitcase, working like a fiend, and desperate to finally just GO HOME. You can trust that doing my hair has hardly been at the top of my to-do list, and I'd like to thank Lauren Conrad because she came to my rescue (I can honestly say that I've never said these words before). Why get elaborate with your 'do when you can just pull it out of your face and pull off a little Hepburn steeze while you're at it.

Lauren, Kate Bosworth, and SJP are basically the ambassadors of the chic ballet bun and have been wearing them since they were on The Hills (yes I watched it), Blue Crush, and Sex and the City, respectively. Lauren's beauty blog, The Beauty Department, did a ballet bun how-to a few months back and you had better believe that it is exactly what I rocked to 3.1 Phillip Lim's Fashion's Night Out Party. Dont believe me?

Here is the unbelievably easy how-to below...

So easy a girl, even a girl from Laguna can do it.

Pretty as a Picture

2012-01-22T18:24:00.000-05:00

With all of the football today (don't get me wrong - I'm glued to this TV just like you are) I needed something a little girly to look at. Happy Playoff Sunday!

Greasing Her Palms

2012-01-19T10:38:00.002-05:00

I'm not happy that Paula Deen has diabetes. I mean, one would have to be aggressively stupid not to guess that diabetes would probably result from a steady diet of deep fried stuffing on a stick and double chocolate gooey butter cake, but that's no national crisis, unless your name is Paula Deen. Considering the deep-rooted American middlebrow culinary affinity for butter, sugar, salt, and fry, Paula Deen was merely the embodiment of something much more fundamental than herself. She was the Kelly Clarkson of celebrity chefs—undistinguished, unoriginal, full of empty calories, and wildly popular.

Oh well. Somebody has to be that person. What Paula Deen has done in the past doesn't really bother me. Eat crap, get fat, get (Type 2) diabetes. Simple karma. Sure, it's bad that she encouraged millions of Americans to cook that unhealthy shit, but to each their own. Free will and whatnot. If a million Paula Deen fans want to give themselves and their families diabetes along with their hero, that's their business. Even the biggest health nut would have to admit that deep fried stuffing on a stick is probably tasty.

That's not the problem with Paula Deen. The problem with Paula Deen is that, after being diagnosed with diabetes—after being handed a big, flashing "Atone for your lard-soaked ways" sign by God—she chose not to humbly receive the message, in her nice little down home Southern Jesus-respecting way, and set about trying to change for the better, and perhaps to convince some of her acolytes to stop killing themselves the same way. Maybe become a vegetarian. Save a cow while you're at it. No. Instead, she decided to accept a shitload of money to endorse a diabetes drug. She managed to find a way to eschew responsibility for the damage she's done as much as possible, while also making money for herself. She managed to send the message: Continue eating my special fried bacon mashed potatoes, likely obese Americans. You can always shove some Victoza™ brand non-insulin injectible medication into your clogged veins when your body starts to rebel. Food is your drug, and when it starts to kill you for real, well, there are always... drugs.

Actual Paula Deen quote: "You can have diabetes and have a piece of cake. You cannot have diabetes and eat a whole cake." No, Paula. No cake for you. You've had quite enough cake. Have some quinoa. Cake is for people who've done their squats.

I would like to thank Gawker for above...

The Golden Ticket

2012-01-16T16:52:00.004-05:00

Last night's Warner Bros/InStyle Golden Globes After-Party was just as star studded as anything I've ever been to. One of simultaneous post-Globes parties going on at the Beverly Hilton (the two others being the Marie Claire/Weinstein event and the HBO party), the underwater-themed room had some of the most gorgeous women in Hollywood walking around in some of the most stunning gowns I've ever seen. I mean, let me just say that if you ever find yourself face-to-face with Sofia Vergara, you will walk away feeling like hobbit. Trust me.

Jessica Chastain.

Up close, this dress was perfection. It was gauzy, angelic, and that gold little belt added just enough.

Tina Fey.

She is literally the queen.

Sofia Vergara.

Victoria Justice.

Rachel Zoe.

Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom.

Jon Hamm.

Kim Kardashian.

Sanaa Lathan.

Will Arnett & Amy Poehler.

I frigging love them.

Dianna Agron.

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan-Tatum.

I don't even know why they wear clothes - they are too hot.

Ryan Kwanten.

Jason Stackhouse is the most charming, polite man in Hollywood. I would introduce him to my Granny.

Octavia Spencer.

God, I was so happy that she won.

P. Diddy and Sofia Vergara.

I'm calling it right now - this relationship will happen.

Liv Tyler and Kate Beckinsale.

Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Anha O'Reilly and Emma Stone.

Charlize Theron and Viola Davis.

I have been terrified of Viola since the 2010 Tony's. She is the most intimidating close talker of all time.

Tilda Swinton and InStyle Managing Editor Ariel Foxman.

Jessica Alba.

Dress #2 of the night was short, spangly, and backless. Soo gorgeous.

Images courtesy of InStyle and Wire Image.

Cool Hunting

2012-01-14T16:33:00.001-05:00

Now that we'll be back in NYC in less than two weeks (!), I'm realizing that this 65-degree-weather-in-January-thing really only exists in Southern California and I'm going to need a coat again. Ugh. The upside to this is that I'm absolutely in love with Penfield's recent comeback and their new collection of tomboy outerwear. While probably not suitable to cover any of your work pieces, these coats and vests are perfect for a weekend look of skinny jeans, boots, and a ponytail.

Penfield was originally produced over 30 years ago for the wretched Massachusetts cold, and fast forward to 2012, they are just as awesome and still very relevant. The hardest thing now is choosing a style...

Images courtesy of Honestly WTF and Penfield USA.

Avert Your Eyes

2012-01-13T10:52:00.001-05:00

I've been really busy this week so I haven't been able to give the red carpet at the People's Choice Awards the stern talking to that it deserves. EEK...did you guys watch on Wednesday? I love a good post-award show fashion discussion and, with the exception of Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough, this was just not good. Some of the worst:

Vanessa Hudgens in Jenny Packham.

Vanessa has been dressing very Stevie Nicks lately. Not chic Stevie, mind you, but really-sloppy-all-I-have-is-this-old-concert-tee levels of weird. I'm glad that she put a dress on at least, I just wish it were a different one.

Jennifer Morrison in Oscar de la Renta.

While I LOVE her bun, I feel like she's wearing the curtains from my Granny's sitting room. The tassles are completely throwing me off and ruin this otherwise gorgeous mini dress.

Emma Stone in Gucci.

I am so conflicted because I haven't disliked something that Emma has worn in at least 4 years, but this look does NOT make sense. Granted it's not the Oscars, but it's still an award show, not brunch at The Grove. PUT ON A DRESS.

Ginnifer Goodwin in Roksanda Illincic.

Maybe it's the solid hot pink that is a shade more Pepto than pretty. Maybe it's those sleeves. Maybe it's the pink, with the sleeves, with the lace booties, with the flapper hair-do. It's all just too much.

Kelly Osbourne in Honor.

She STILL has that grey hair? Yuck. And that exposed front zipper with the too-long orange skirt is just not a wise choice. If she weren't on Fashion Police, Joan Rivers would be making lots of jokes about this disaster.

Ashley Greene in DKNY.

I'm kind of loving Ashley Greene lately, especially because she's dating Reeve Carney, but this dress is just too tight - you can see her bellybutton.

Demi Lovato in Issa.

Demi looks hard-core. I grew up in a town full of tough Mexican girls and this entire look screams "Chola at the Prom." From the hair pouf, to the long curls, to the strong red lips - she isn't messing around. And that dress? Short enough in the front to kick you, long enough in the back to still look like a lady.

Kat Dennings in...stuff out of her closet.

You know how I feel about mopey faces on a red carpet. If you didn't want your picture taken, don't walk. It's that easy. But given this weird, frumpy outfit, I wouldn't have a whole lot to smile about either.

Jennifer Lawrence in Viktor & Rolf.

Somebody got her lips done...and tried to distract people by wearing a dress that looks like it came directly from the couture section at the aquarium.

Ronnie Magro-Ortiz in Alexander McQueen.

First question: who is still inviting Ronnie places? Second question: does he know who McQueen is?

Blue's Clues

2012-01-11T02:08:00.000-05:00

One New Year's resolution that I'm really trying to stick to is "cut the carbs out of the my diet." I feel like I eat pretty well - hardly any fast food, lots of veggies, nothing fried, etc. My Achilles heel? A warm, delicious carbohydrate. I love them like I love my family. How delish is crusty bread dipped in really good olive oil? A cheesy bowl of pasta? A sandwich with thick, toasted wheat bread? I could go on for days...

SO that being said, what am I unable to get off of my mind? You guessed it...muffins. To ensure that I don't go totally crazy over the next year, I'm allowing myself one dirty, doughy cheat meal a week. This week's will definitely be homemade blueberry muffins. I found this recipe from Smitten Kitchen and can't wait to make them.

Perfect Blueberry Muffins

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
3/4 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen (if frozen, don’t bother defrosting)

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a muffin tin with 10 paper liners or spray each cup with a nonstick spray. Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat well, then yogurt and zest. Put flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a sifter and sift half of dry ingredients over batter. Mix until combined. Sift remaining dry ingredients into batter and mix just until the flour disappears. Gently fold in your blueberries. The dough will be quite thick (and even thicker, if you used a full-fat Greek-style yogurt), closer to a cookie dough, which is why an ice cream scoop is a great tool to fill your muffin cups.

You’re looking for them to be about 3/4 full, nothing more, so you might only need 9 instead of 10 cups. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until tops are golden and a tester inserted into the center of muffins comes out clean (you know, except for blueberry goo). Let cool on rack (yeah right), or you know, serve with a generous pat of butter.

Images and recipe courtesy of Smitten Kitchen.

Quickie

2012-01-07T19:58:00.001-05:00

A few gorgeous images to inspire you on this lazy Saturday...

Bargain Bling

2012-01-06T20:20:00.004-05:00

In the latest random news to come across my desk, the mecca of my gawky teenage years, Claire's, has just lost their CEO. It makes me feel a little displaced to know that the store responsible for piercing my ears at the mall and fostering my ever present accessories addiction is without a leader.

I just read a press release saying that while they search for a replacement CEO, Claire's will be run by president James Conroy and North American head Jay Friedman. Um - why are middle-aged men with staunchy sounding names running this store? No. This does not make sense. The constantly shifting tastes of bratty teenage girls can only be managed by someone with an equal level of hyper, glitter, and drama... I'm thinking Christian Siriano. I'm thinking Johnny Weir. I'm thinking Tori Spelling. I am NOT thinking about some mid-western guy who doesn't understand how awesome it is to buy 20 plastic bracelets for $1.34.

Iconoclasts

2012-01-05T02:01:00.001-05:00

Can we please discuss how beyond amazing Inventing the Abbotts is? I mean..it's just such a good movie. HBO finally started showing good movies tonight and the second I turned it on, I was instantly reminded of how intoxicating the plot is and how it's just perfectly stylized for small-town-1950's. Aside from being visually gorgeous, it marked the beginning (and shows the innocence) of some of amazing actors like Jennifer Connolly, Liv Tyler, Billy Crudup, and Joaquin Pheonix.

The economic revenge and familial addiction disguised as lust is pretty intense to watch between the two brothers from the wrong side of the tracks. If you haven't seen it in a few years, I highly suggest that you reintroduce yourself.

Body and Sole

2012-01-02T19:31:00.002-05:00

Maybe it's because I work in fashion PR, but the unspoken dress code around my office is definitely more fashion-forward than comfortable and cozy. Skinny jeans, flouncy blouses, fitted jackets, and heels make up the majority of my work wardrobe. While it could definitely be worse (at least I'm not in a pantsuit - eek), it shouldn't come as a surprise that I fling on cozy clothes the second I walk into our apartment. My new favorites? Soleone.

Soleone is made mainly from Bamboo fibers which is not only really cool, it makes the most luxuriously soft loungewear. Imagine your favorite, oldest, most loved-in t-shirt. Ok, now imagine it as pants. I'm not kidding - that's what I'm wearing right now. It's delicious. On a more technical note, bamboo fibers have built in properties that wick away odor and moisture which then keeps you dry. The hypoallergenic and wrinkle resistant line has pieces for both men and women that range from underwear, t-shirts, long sleeve tees, hoodies, and lounge pants. Apparently you don't have to sacrifice style for comfort after all...

Aside from loving the line, can we discuss these models? Yowza. And with this 20% off promo code - soleonesm - you too can look like the hotties above.

Room for Improvement

2012-01-01T21:55:00.004-05:00

Like most of you, I mentally compiled my list of life-enhancing New Year's resolutions this morning AND like most of you, they are all on hold until tomorrow. After pretending to be Tupac and drinking too much Thug Passion, I spent the beginning of 2012 so hungover that I couldn't do more than lie in the fetal position whimpering and watching episodes of Mob Wives.

Resolutions are tricky things as they seem to start with such intensity and then kind of fade away. My first resolution of 2012 is to not forget about my resolutions. This is easier said than done, but I think if I make completely attainable goals (with outlined steps to get there), it's almost impossible to fail. I don't know how your brain works, but if I say that I want to "work out at least 4x a week to go down two dresses by my birthday" it's much harder for me to ignore than just "lose weight in 2012."

So what do I want from 2012? I want to create some awesome things. I want to make my blog better and I want to make myself better. In the words of Steve Jobs, the plan is to stay hungry and stay foolish. So on that note, here are my New Year's resolutions:

Save $$ each month so I have enough cashews for a long weekend in the Bahamas.

The big focus on 2011 was this LA experiment, so obviously, a vacation just wasn't in the cards. As 2012 is getting us back to NYC (and back to normalcy), I feel like we're almost back to a place where we can start chatting about a tropical vacation. A few hundred dollars tossed into my savings account every few weeks won't be a huge burden and will ensure that I'll be lying on a beach somewhere later this year.

Buy less inexpensive pieces and instead buy quality items I'll have forever.

I'm the queen of impulse buys and online shopping. I'm going to stop wasting my money on H&M and Asos pieces that I wear a handful of times and start buying fewer items, but high-end, fabulous things that I'll have for years to come. For the same price as five random bags from Zara or Aldo, I can have the Chloe beauty above. It's not even a question...

Work out at least 4x a week and severely cut the carbs out of my diet so I can drop two dress sizes by my 29th birthday.

J.P. has been awesome about training me and pulling me out of the cardio cave that I've been stagnating in for the last few years, but it's time to really get serious. No more excuses about being too tired after work, not having enough time, blah, blah, blah. I should start selling all of the excuses I have for not working out (or for eating carb after delicious carb) because I crank out a new one constantly. I've gotten a bit fluffy over the holidays and have decided that I'm dropping two sizes by my 29th birthday. I will have the same abs as the rude girl above and maybe if I'm a really good girl this year, I'll have those ta-tas as well...

Work hard and kick some serious ass at work.

I feel like I'm a pretty hard worker by nature, but it's on this year it's on. I have some very lofty goals for work this year and can't wait to get started.

Home Sweet Home

2011-12-31T00:25:00.000-05:00

Silly 2011... I started the year so desperate to move to LA and I'm ending the year so excited to move back to my sweet, crazy, filthy Manhattan. Apparently that old adage is true: If you love something, let it go. If it comes back, it's yours. If doesn't, then it never was.

NYC, I am all yours.