Indy Babe

What I Want Now: Needlepoint/Tapestry

2012-10-21T16:55:00.001-04:00

I was roaming around yesterday and found a really cute pair of needlepoint loafers at Forever 21. Unfortunately, they did not have them in my size--only size 10 & 6...*sad face!* The trend was made hott this season with Dolce & Gabbana's Fall 2012 collection (see below). So, I started looking online for needlepoint things and found bags, dresses & shoes everywhere. It almost makes me want to take up needlepoint as a hobby and make stuff myself (...if I had the time). Anyways, below I have posted pictures of needlepoint/tapestry items to help get your search started.

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2012 Runway

The Real Deal: Dolce & Gabbana; $995.00 -- http://www.saksfifthavenue.com

H by Hudson Bolero Tapestry Slipper Shoes; $175.90 --ASOS.com

Baroque Print Tapestry Bodycon Dress; $72.00 -- Topshop.com

Love Tapestry Floral Belted Skater Dress; $61.57--ASOS.com

Beautiful Tapestry design backstage at Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2012 runway. Click here.

If you find any cute needlepoint/tapestry items, let me know, & post it in the comments section, ok?...

A Blonde Moment

2012-04-15T22:11:00.001-04:00

A Blonde Moment by indybabe featuring a lip makeup

USA Love

2012-04-15T21:40:00.001-04:00

USA Love by indybabe featuring canvas handbags

Parisian Style Illustrations

2012-04-14T22:49:00.000-04:00

I love classic style and Parisian women always seem to know how to do it perfectly. I recently found these illustrations by Izak Zenou at http://www.izakzenou.com/ and think that the pictures give some great ideas for classic outfits to wear. Don't you love them?

Spring 2012 Runway Trends

2012-01-13T12:35:00.000-05:00

As we start to hit the dead cold of winter, we start dreaming about spring, the warm days of summer with less bulky clothes and flashes of skin. Luckily, after scouring the internet and watching tons of fashion shows, I have put together my guide to Spring 2012 runway fashion trends to shake you out of your winter rut. So, get out a pen and paper and take notes because here is everything you need to know about the Spring 2012 runway trends and what to look for in stores.

Spring 2012 Trends

Spring 2012 was all about femininity and glamour with inspiration coming from the soft flowing water of the ocean and seas. This oceanic theme inspired underwater scenes displayed everywhere from the underwater world runway backdrop at Chanel and Mary Katrantzou's psychedelic sea beds, to clothing & accessories like Sarah Burton's McQueen mermaids, Versace's starfish prints, Giorgio Armani's water-inspired women and Givenchy's shark tooth accessories. Clothes and accessories were laden with shells, coral, pastel deep sea colors, mermaid-ish matte satin fabrics and underwater prints. It was enchanting and incredibly feminine!

Oceanic Theme Spring 2012 Trend (From Left): Coral-esque Dress by Alexander McQueen; Opal-essent Look with Shell Purse at Chanel; Matte Mermaid Satin Fabric at Givenchy; Underwater Print at Versace; Abstract Water Print at Peter Pilotto.

Colors (Pastels, 70's & Orange): While you could still find neon colors on the runway this Spring, it was pastels that were the new big color trend. Pastel colors mostly consisted of cotton candy pink, peach, mellow yellow, mint green, and robins egg blue. Pastels separates were mostly worn by "color blocking" them (see "Pastels" below"). The other trend was 70's appliance colors such as split pea green, mustard yellow, and raspberry pink. These strong colors were toned down when paired with this season's new neutrals such as: milk chocolate brown, silly putty beige, green (BIG trend), and white. Also, tangerine orange was the "It" color of the season seen on tops, shorts, dresses, pants... you name it, it was on it.

Pastel Color Blocking Spring 2012 (from left): Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Badgley Mischka, Mulberry, & 3.1 Philip Lim.

70's Appliance & Neutrals (from left): Damir Doma Spring '12; Thakoon Addition Pre-fall '12; Balenciaga Spring '12; Jenni Kayne Pre-fall '12. Picture via DC-2-NY Confessions Blog.

Tangerine Orange Spring 2012 (from Left): Badgley Mischka, BCBG Max Azria, Derek Lam, Nanette Lepore, Jill Stuart, Christian Siriano.

Prints: There was a wide variatey of prints this season. Obviously, the bit trend was oceanic prints (see "Theme" above), but big "in your face" floral, bird, landscapes, and 1920's graphic lines prints which were all trending this season. Landscapes incorporated everything from space to the deep sea. The bird print was evident at shows such as Carolina Herrera where these cute little birds were everywhere but also went more abstract at Marc by Marc Jacobs. And, graphic prints were 1920's art-deco reminiscent with bold line patterns and T-bird flames on sweaters, dresses, shoes and accessories. However, if you are looking for classic spring staples you cannot go wrong with nautical (stripes, anchors, and navy blues) or fruit & veggie prints as seen at Dolce & Gabbana or Moschino Cheap & Chic.


New Prints (From Left) - Bird prints: Carolina Herrera (literal), Marc by Marc Jacobs (abstract); Graphic: Carolina Herrera, Milly; Landscapes: Akris, Mary Katrantzou.

Classic Spring Prints - Nautical: Michael Kors, Bill Blass, Yves Saint Laurent (Cruise '12); Fruits & Veggies: Dolce & Gabbana, Moschino Cheap & Chic, Dolce & Gabbana.

Midriff Exposure (body part): The midriff was the "It" body part to display this season. Crop tops, cut-outs, and bra-tops were on almost every runway. To wear this trend, make sure that the upper abs are displayed with a cropped top and high-rise bottoms (the early 2000's Brittney Spears look of showing your full foopa--the little pooch of your stomach below the navel--is still tacky).

High Midriff Exposure Spring 2012 (from left): Versace, Preen, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Jo No Fui.

What To Get/Look For This Spring

Dresses: There were three big trends for dresses in Spring 2012: Structured (via peplums and ruffles), asymmetrical tops and hemlines, and 1920's style dropped-waist dresses. When you do get one of these dresses, make sure the length is either maxi or mini (medi styles are for skirts). For color, make sure your dress is bright cyan blue, pure white, red lace, or tangerine orange for Spring 2012.

Dress Trends Spring 2012 (from left) - Peplums: Vera Wang, Jason Wu, Chanel; Asymmetrical: Jenny Packham, Diane Von Furstenberg, Luca Luca; Drop-Waist: Chloe, Gucci.

Skirts: Just like dresses, skirts that were structured were also trending this season. Whether the structure is a in the form of a gathered/ruffled pencil skirt, has a peplum, accordion pleats, or is made of tulle (great with a pastel blazer, fyi), structure is what will get you from March to September this season. Asymmetrical hems and medi-skirts were also still in style and can also give you a fresh look this season.

Skirt Trends Spring '12 (from left): Structured pencil skirt (Burberry Prorsum); Pleated Medi-skirt (Prada); Peplum structured scarf skirt (Dolce & Gabbana); Tulle skirt (Chanel); Structured pencil skirt (Preen)

Shorts: Summer leather is a big trend this season and the easiest way to pull it off is with leather shorts as seen at Mulberry. Add these leather shorts or a pair of tailored shorts to a suit and you will have the other big trend for shorts this season. The short suit was seen everywhere from Chanel, to Versace, and Prabal Gurung...to name a few. Oh, and the Bermuda length short is coming back in style. Expect to see this length more in the coming year.

Shorts Trends Spring '12 (from left) - Leather Short: Chanel, Mulberry; Short Suit: Versace, Prabal Gurung, Emilio Pucci (Bermuda length short); Jo No Fui.

Jackets: If you are looking for jackets, think tuxedo, motorcycle, or lux embroidery. For trench coats, unique is the best word to describe them. From leather to cropped to tribal prints, bright colors and all kinds of unique details, the trench this season is anything but blah. Check out Burberry Prorsum's Spring '12 collection here.

Pants: High waist, baggy but tapered, is the new design for denim pants/jeans. Skinny's are also still cool, of course. And for pants other than jeans, the same high-waist, baggy but tapered look in prints or with a single stripe down the side of the leg, along with wide legs and skinny cropped styles in solid colors were also used.

Pant Trends (from Left) - Denim: Balenciaga, Theyskens Theory; Wide-leg: Michael Kors, The Row; Cropped: Giorgio Armani.

My Spring Shopping List: Here is my "shopping list" for Spring/Summer 2012 separates:
Dresses: one feminine solid pastel dress (to match with pastel or white blazer and shell accessories), a white dress (with matching red lips and red pumps), and maybe a bird print dress.
Skirts: structured--probably one with tulle ruffles (with a pastel top, white blazer and metallic shoes)
Shorts: in the perfect summer leather.. any color.
Pants: skinny jeans--white and dark indigo (for the nautical look), and a pair of pastel pants.
Tops: one with a peplum (to pair with skirts, shorts,etc.), one with stripes, a cropped top, and a whole bunch of pastel basics. I'm not much of a floral person or else I'd be getting a floral top with the biggest flower print I could find.
Jackets: a pastel and/or a white blazer, and a leather motorcycle jacket..any color.

So, there you have it--the latest designs and looks for Spring/Summer 2012. Whether you buy, make it DIY style, or find at your local vintage or thrift store, these are the looks you want to be looking for. Have fun!

Tropical Chic

2012-01-10T09:38:00.000-05:00

This post is for one of my best friends who loves the Copacabana song by Barry Manilow. This tropical chic editorial in Vanity Fair, March 2011 should have her cha-cha-ing in no time! (Just hopefully not with a fruit basket on top of her head! hahaha)

"She would meringue & do the cha-cha, with feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there..."

"And while she tried to be a star Tony always tended bar...."

"Across the crowded floor, they worked from 8 till 4..."

"But they were young & they had each other, who could ask for more?.."

"His name was Rico, he wore a diamond..."

"He was escorted to his chair, and he saw Lola dancing there..."

"And when she finished, he called her over..."

"But Rico went a bit to far, and Tony sailed across the bar..."

"At the Copa, Copacabana..."

"Where music and passion were always the fashion..."

"At the Copa....she lost her love....."

"At the Copa.... Copacabana!" ;-)

Via Dust Jacket Attic at http://dustjacketattic.blogspot.com/

Holiday Peppermint Icing Recipe

2011-12-08T12:32:00.000-05:00

I found this recipe for peppermint icing and it seemed so festive and perfect for the holidays. I cannot wait to use it! I found it at The Party Dress, where Jill from Modern Cupcake shared this recipe in the holiday issue of The Party Dress' magazine. Isn't it fun?! Use it on cupcakes, sugar cookies, or drizzle it on your favorite chocolate dessert. Yum!

Banana Republic Holidays

2011-12-07T10:42:00.000-05:00

Banana Republic has the cutest adds out for the Holidays. It really gets me thinking about what I'm going to wear over the next month to office parties, family gatherings, and new years. To assist you in your holiday wear, I thought I would post this for you to see.

Pictures 3 & 7 from Look; Pictures 1, 2, 4, 5, & 6 from Buro.

Indy Weekender: Big Ten Football Championship

2011-12-01T14:14:00.006-05:00

This weekend Michigan State University is playing Wisconsin in the first Big Ten Football Championship game. And, what better place to host this monumental game than at the Amateur Sports Capitol of the World, Indianapolis! Even though the Game at Lucas Oil Stadium and tailgating at the Indianapolis Convention Center will be the main events, the rest of the time you might want to tour the city, grab a bite to eat and drink, or find some other way to relax. This blog post will help you do just that. With all the places the locals know about and like to go, and recommendations on what to get, as well as places you should see in Indy, this post will have you covered. Ps. Click on the links above for directions to each place and information on Indianapolis' history.

Places To See

1.) Sun King Brewery (Friday 4-7pm).

Sun King Pic's (left to right): Sun King Brewing Machines & Kegs, Sun King Beer Sample Table, Beer Samples, Inside the Hot-Spot, Outside of Sun King Brewery.

Info: Sun King Brewery is a fun place to sample Indy beer. Loaded with Indy's professionals, this hangout hot-spot gives 5-6 free beer samples, and sells growlers & fills them up cheep. However, it does not serve food or drinks (only samples) so just count on hanging out, and drinking great Indy beer for an hour or two. Parking is free in the parking lot out front and it's free to get in with your ID. For more information and pictures, check out my post on Sun King Brewery here.

       Address: 135 N. College, Indianapolis, IN 46202
       Phone: 317.602.3702
       Website: http://sunkingbrewing.com/

2.) The Canal/Creation Cafe.

Canal Pic's: Indianapolis Skyline, Creation Cafe Beer Float, Creation Cafe on the Canal, Quesadilla's at the Creation Cafe on the Canal.

Info: The canal is a beautiful place to go and walk around. Near museums and with great views of the Indianapolis Skyline, this is a great place to work off all the pork tenderloin. There are a couple of cafes on the canal. My favorite is the Creation Cafe at the very North end. Its appetizers are so tasty and the drinks are fun (like the Raspberry Celis, vanilla gelato beer float pictured above). For more information, view my blog post on the Canal Here.

Canal website: http://visitindy.com/indianapolis-canal-walk

Creation Cafe's website: http://www.creationcafeandeuphoria.com/
Address: 337 West 11th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Phone: 317.955.2389

3.) Soldiers & Sailors Monument/Monument Circle.

"The Circle" Pic's: Au Bon Pain (to the left of South Bend Chocolate Company), The Soldiers and Sailors Monument & Chase Tower, Indiana's Capitol Building From the Circle.

Info: Built between 1887 and 1902, this limestone monument has come to symbolize the city of Indianapolis and the state of Indiana. The view from the top and the architecture of the buildings perfectly circling the monument is my favorite part of visiting the monument. To get 360 degree views of the city, walk up the stairs on the south side of the monument and in through the narrow door. There is no fee to get in, but donations are "suggested." Open Wed - Sun 9am-5pm.
Address: 1 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Website: http://visitindy.com/indianapolis-soldiers-sailors-monument-monument-circle

More On The Circle:
4.) After you visit to Soldiers and Sailors monument, you will see South Bend Chocolate Company's Chocolate Cafe on the Southwest side of the Circle, who makes wonderful seasonal chocolates, coffee, and hot chocolate. Click here for South Bend Chocolate's website.

5.) The Columbia Club on the Northeast side is an exclusive club where celebrities stay when in Indy. Established in 1889 use to be Indianapolis' old Republican Club started to help Pres. Benjamin Harrison's political campaign. No longer the "Republican Club" you can stay in one of its 99 guest rooms and grab a swanky meal while staying there. Click here for Columbia Club's website.

Places To Watch The Game (Eat, Drink & Be Merry)

1.) Kilroy's Bar N' Grill.

Kilroy's Bar N' Grill (left to right): Kilroy's Front Entrance (from Kilroysindy.com), Panorama inside Kilroy's with Tons of TV's and Long-Island Chalkboard, Cheesy Tater-tot Appetizer...yum!

Info: Kilroy's is a great place to watch sports with great food and is within walking distance (about 5-6 blocks) from the stadium. Whether you go Friday night or Saturday for the game (if you don't have tickets) you will not miss a minute of the action with large flat screen TV's loaded in every direction (See "Panorama" picture above). Kilroy's is known for its Stuffed Breadsticks (hot, delicious, cheese and pepperoni rolls) and its Long Island mini-pitchers with dozen's listed on a huge chalkboard on the wall. Indianapolis is also known for their pork tenderloin, so the breaded tenderloin sandwich is a great pick, also. Although, I don't think you could go wrong with any of the food there. For more information, go to Kilroy's website at Kilroysindy.com.

Address: 201 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46225
Phone: 317.638.9464

2.) The Slippery Noodle.

Slippery Noodle Pic's: Slippery Noodle Building(hookemreport.com), Pork Tenderloin (http://wouldibuyitagain.com/2011/07/review-slippery-noodle-inn/), One of the Many Rooms Inside, Slippery Noodle's Proximity to Lucas Oil Stadium (paulbielatowicz.com).

Info: Located almost across from Lucas Oil Stadium, this bar has history and not just from its ties with football! Established in 1850, the Slippery Noodle is Indiana's oldest bar. I haven't eatten there, so I can't really recommend anything, but since your in Indianapolis, known for the pork tenderloin, you might as well order that.

   Address: 372 South Meridian Street  Indianapolis, IN 46225
   Phone: 317.631.6974
   Website: www.slipperynoodle.com

3.) Scotty's Brewhouse (Downtown Indianapolis Location).

Scotty's Brewhouse Pic's (left to right): Buffalo Chicken Wrap with Waffle Fries (wouldibuyitagain.com); Front Patio (seegullmedia.com); Scotty's Illustrated Menu (aht.seriouseats.com).

Info: Scotty's has a lot of TV's--there are even TV's in the bathrooms! Crazy, huh?! For food, the Wings are good & my favorite menu item is the Buffalo Chicken Wrap. For more information go to Scotty's website at http://www.scottysbrewhouse.com/locations/indianapolis-downtown/.

Address: 1 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 (1 block North of Conseco Fieldhouse)
Phone: 317.571.0808

Breakfast & Coffee

1.) Hoaglin To Go Cafe & Marketplace.

Info: This is a fun place to have breakfast. The food is beautiful & usually in large potions, and the atmosphere is modern. I usually get the Deep Dish Quiche and the men in my family get the Omelet with the potatoes (which are piled high!).

      Address: 448 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204
      Phone: 317.423.0300
      Website: http://www.hoaglintogo.com/

2.) Cafe Patachou (Downtown at Capitol and Washington Location).

Cafe Patachou Omelete, from http://hungrymidwesterner.com/?tag=indianapolis

Info: This is another great place for breakfast. I haven't eaten here, but all my local friends are raving about it. They tell me that not only is he food good, but the coffee is super smooth. There are a couple of locations, but the one downtown is right next to the capitol building. For a better review and more pictures Click Here.

     Address: 225 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204
     Phone: 317.632.0765
   Website: http://www.cafepatachou.com/

Hope this helps & hope you have a wonderful time in Indianapolis! GO GREEN!!!

It's Begining To Look A Lot Like The Holidays

2011-11-29T16:48:00.000-05:00

Now that Thanksgiving is over, all of the Holiday dinner and cocktail parties will begin. To get you in the Holiday spirit, here are a few fun pictures of gorgeous dresses:

Oh no, Santa! From Fashion Gone Rogue.

Pink Tulle Gown at Christmas (1950's) by Ceil Chapman.

Super Red Christmas, Elle Korea Nov. 2010. Photographed by Hong Jang Hyun. Model: Anabela Belikova.

A Glamorous Christmas Morning, Vogue France, Ed. 41.

Candid Kate Winslet and Gingerbread House, Elle US Nov 2010.

Ski Lodge Bunny; Photographed by Giampaolo Sgura for Vogue Italia December 2010.

Comfy Christmas Bed via Tumblr

12 Geese a Laying; Elle Korea Nov. 2010.

Christmas Vogue 2007

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T11:37:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving by indybabe featuring a box pleat skirt

Thanksgiving Survival Guide (Part II): Dinner, Prep, and Recipes

2011-11-22T18:04:00.002-05:00

If you're anything like me, cooking Thanksgiving dinner stresses you out. Deadlines, not enough oven space, and hungry people who missed lunch makes life in the kitchen feel more like a torcher chamber than something you should be giving thanks for. So, to help you (and your family) make it through the day in one piece, grab yourself a glass of champagne with orange juice and follow my easy "How Make Thanksgiving Look Easy" guide.

Thanksgiving Table Decor

Instyle Magazine, Nov. 2011

EASY: I found this article in Instyle Magazine and it makes setting the Thanksgiving table decor easy. White plates, a festive table runner, and a simple vase with matching flowers is chic, time saving, and leaves room for the piles of food you're about to bring out. Set it up the day before this way you won't have to worry about it while you're cooking on Thanksgiving day.

Pottery Barn, Fall 2011 Tablescape

HARDER: If you're looking for something a little more intricate, try something like the picture above from Pottery Barn. Add some candles and gourds on top of a festive table runner but make sure to leave space for the beautiful turkey that's coming in the center on the table. If you decide to go with a theme, pick one for the whole house and stick with it. Pottery Barn always has the best Holiday-ware with great pictures. Here you can see they went with a rustic theme, equipped with antlers, an rustic looking wood table, and french-country looking china. Go to their website for more information or for fun video's and entertaining advice from the experts. Click Here.

TIP: Set the table the night before Thanksgiving day. It really makes everything much easier.

Preparation

Cooking Light Picture

Getting as much stuff made before the big day is the trick behind having a truly great Thanksgiving. Appetizers, potatoes, stuffing, biscuits, cranberry sauce, and desserts can all be made the day before and then warmed in the oven right before Thanksgiving dinner. You can even divide the work and make the potatoes, cranberry sauce and desserts two days before (on Tuesday) and store them in the refrigerator until it's time to eat. Here is how I like to break it down:

Tuesday (or night), make:

Mashed potatoes (unless it's instant, then make Thursday)
Sweet potato casserole
Cranberries
Pies/Desserts
De-Thaw Turkey (about 1hr for every pound) (and FYI- you should estimate1lbs/person)

Wednesday, make:

Appetizers,
Some of the Stuffing,
Biscuits,
Rub turkey with spices
Set table

Thursday, make:

Turkey
Stuffing
Steamed veggies
Mashed instant potatoes
Warm biscuits, potatoes before dinner; and pies/desserts during dinner (just before you sit down, pop them in the oven on a low temperature, 150-200F).

Thanksgiving Menu

Thanksgiving Plate with all the right stuff. From Vagas Buzz.

Not only do I like to keep Thanksgiving dinner fuss free, I also like traditional Thanksgiving food. So, my Thanksgiving meal is not complete with out Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, biscuits, and gravy. Here's the menu I like to follow:

Appetizers (click the link for the recipe):

Veggie/Relish Tray (see Below)
Bread and Bravo's Sun-Dried Tomato Oil

Appetizer, Veggie/Relish Tray: Pickles, carrots, black olives, salami, cheese and dip. Picture from Here.

Main Dish/Entree (click on each item for a link to my favorite recipe):

Turkey & Gravy
Instant Stuffing (Mmm..I luv Stoffers from a box for some reason) or White Castle Stuffing
Store bought biscuits
Make-ahead Mashed Potatoes
Sweet potato casserole
Cranberry Sauce (get cranberry bags from the store & the directions are on the back)
Steemed Veggies and/or asperigus

Perfect Thanksgiving Dinner by the Fire. Picture from Agwired.

Dessert:

Store-bought Pumpkin Pie
Pecan Pie (most similar to my pecan pie recipe)
Store-bought Vanilla Ice Cream

Salted caramel and vanilla baked cheesecake, by Donna Hay. Click Here for the recipe.

More Help

For more non-traditional recipes and menus, go to the Food Network. Click Here.

For more Preparation or Turkey help, Click Here.

For Thanksgiving Table & Home Decor go to Pottery Barn (they also have recipes, videos, invitations, and playlists--Amazing site!). Click Here.

Leftover Turkey Super Sandwich Recipe, Click Here.

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Much Love,

Indy-Babe

Thanksgiving Survival Guide: Everything You Need To Stay Fabulous

2011-11-21T18:07:00.003-05:00

Because this week is a short week (hurray!!!) I will be stuffing as much information as I can into two posts. Today's post is about everything you need to stay looking fabulous. Tons of pictures are always taken during the holidays, and Thanksgiving is no exception. Therefore, I've included everything from what to wear/ideas for what to wear (for him and her) on Thanksgiving, to beauty, and dieting--this post will have you covered! Tomorrow will be about food (recipes, planning, and prep), decorating the table, and entertaining.

Karl Lagerfeld's (The designer behind Channel) Fabulous Thanksgiving Dinner with Models. By Danny at Igor + Andre.

Mens Thanksgiving Style

For menswear on Thanksgiving, I suggest going with something classic. When I think classic I usually think of JFK or Sean Connery/James Bond. If you need help with ideas the ones above are classic and fresh look. They exude a laid-back but still casual and put-together look that's perfect for the holiday and crisp weather. I found these looks at Express and J. Crew, but you could also probably find something similar in your closet.

Womens Thanksgiving Outfit Ideas

Medi-Skirts; Leather Shorts (add cream or brown matching tights underneath to stay warm); Chunky sweaters; Red pants; Fur vest; "Nerd" faux glasses; and just a cute skirt outfit--All perfect and fashionable Thanksgiving looks.

Every year before I go home I am confronted with the dilemma of what to wear on Thanksgiving. I want to wear something warm, comfortable and "Thanksgiving-like," but I still want to be stylish and chic. I look through the internet, magazines and catalogs for what feels like hours to find the perfect Thanksgiving outfit. So, this year I thought I'd help you out by putting all my favorite looks all in one place (I don't know why more sites can't do this?!). Above is my selection of fashionable and seasonal outfit ideas, from casual to dressy, for Thanksgiving. And, below is my favorite "Jenna's Picks" for Thanksgiving from the J.Crew Catalog, November 2008, because it is so autumnal and classic. Now that you have some great Thanksgiving outfit ideas, the trick is to find similar looking pieces in your closet!

Jenna Lyon's Picks from J.Crew's Catalog, November 2008.

Thanksgiving Beauty

Kate Bosworth, Instyle Magazine, Nov. 2011.

If you're looking for a fun way to amp up your make-up for Thanksgiving, red lipstick is the way to go (a la Kate Bosworth above). Not only is it everywhere right now, it will also complement the reds, browns, and oranges in your Thanksgiving outfit.

EXPERT TIP: to keep your lipstick in place on your lips, make sure you use a red lip-liner to line and fill-in where you want your lipstick to stay. Then lightly add a swipe or two of lipstick to even out the color and add moisture to your lips.

Diet


Allure Magazine, Oct. 2010. Photographed by Miles Aldridge.

The holidays is when most people gain weight. Halloween was the first battle, next comes Thanksgiving. An entire day reserved for gobbling up mounds of turkey, stuffing, and starches, followed closely by back-to-back December cocktail parties. To arm yourself for these gastly days, a little planning and a few tricks can go a long way.

1. Cut 100 to 300 calories a day in advance. This can be as little as not having cheese on your sandwich for lunch, or swapping that latte for black coffee or tea instead. This way you don't have to resort fat-free stuffing and Tofurkey for Thanksgiving dinner. Just remember to control your portions of the real stuff.

2. Avoid Snacking. One study found that 9% of Thanksgiving calories are consumed in smack form before the actual meal. So, if you're cooking Thanksgiving dinner start cooking right after breakfast when you're not hungry or chew on gum while you're cooking to avoid the urge to eat. If you're not cooking, try to stay out of the kitchen or again, chew gum to avoid snacking.

3. Avoid Binge Eating. Don't not eat all day. That's just setting yourself up for bingeing during dinner. To avoid binging, eat a low-calorie breakfast and snack on veggies later if you get hungry.

4. Toss the Heavy Leftovers. Once Thanksgiving dinner is over get rid of all the heavy food like the desserts and potatoes, to avoid turning a one time indulgence into a week's worth of excess. Keep veggies and turkey to eat with a salad later in the week.

-Diet Tips from Allure Magazine, October 2010.

So, there you have it! Everything you need to stay fabulous this Thanksgiving. Hope it helped. How do you stay fabulous for Thanksgiving?

Sunday Indy Image

2011-11-20T11:16:00.001-05:00

View of Indianapolis skyline from Lucas Oil Stadium, home of Colts football.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

<3 Indy-Babe

Indy Weekender: Yatz

2011-11-18T15:58:00.003-05:00

Yats, a local Cajun Creole place, has people raving. With a mixture of neo-psychedelic paintings, jazz music and heaping plates of jambalaya and etoufee, it's no wonder why this place is always busy with happy costumers. Yats' daily menu usually consists of 6-10 dishes, which cost between $5.75 and $6.75 for a combination. The menu is a chalk board at the counter which list the day's menu items. After you order, you pick up your food at the counter as well. There is no wait staff, but the food is always fresh because of its' rotating menu. When I went to the Yats, I went to the one on Mass Ave. where I ordered spinach and mushroom etoufee. It was good, but my friends told me their jambalaya was amazing. So, if you can eat shellfish, I would suggest ordering the shrimp jambalaya. Here are pictures of the place, the food, and the customers at Yats:

Yats' counter where you order your food. See the chalk board menu on the wall behind the guy?...

Inside Yats on Mass Ave.

Yum! Our food is ready. Pick up at the counter.

Jambalaya = devoured! Spinach and mushroom etoufee = still eating.

Yats customers (Everyone was in Halloween costumes the weekend before Halloween. I have no idea what was going on...but I wanted to be invited. haha Ps. Luv her pink ruffled top!).

Neo-psychedelic art on the walls and tables.

The front of Yats on Mass Ave.

For more information go to Yats' website at: http://www.yatscajuncreole.com/

Yat's has 4 locations:

YATS ON COLLEGE • 5365 N. COLLEGE AVE INDIANAPOLIS, IN (317.253.8817)

YATS ON MASS • 659 MASSACHUSETTS AVE INDIANAPOLIS, IN (317.686.6380)

YATS ON 96TH • 8352 E. 96TH ST. INDIANAPOLIS, IN (317.585.1792)

YATS IN GREENWOOD • 1280 US 31 N SUITE W INDIANAPOLIS, IN (317.865.997)

IU Men's Basketball (IU vs. Chattanooga)

2011-11-17T22:22:00.002-05:00

Our friend always has the most amazing season tickets to Indiana University's Men's basketball games. My boyfriend and I love basketball, so, whenever he asks us to go it's a "no-brainer." The last game he asked us to a game was the IU vs. Chattanooga game Sunday, Nov. 13, 2011. Coach Tom Crean, Cody Zeller (an freshman with great ball awareness), Jordy Hulles, Victor Oladipo & crew were all in attendance. The game was awesome, but our seats were better. Here are some pictures of our front row seats:

IU Men's Basketball Coach, Tom Crean waiving "hello" to the fans. Picture taken by our friend Sarah.

IU and Chattanooga men's basketball teams warming up before the game.

The front of Assembly Hall (the basketball arena at IU)

Cook Hall at IU (right next to Assembly Hall).

Old IU Hoosier uniforms with "candy stripe" pants, at Cook Hall.

Inside Cook Hall

Inside Cook Hall looking at the entrance into the building.

Love the interior design of the IU-red elevators in Cook Hall

IU logo lit-up inside Cook Hall

For more information on IU basketball Click Here.

Recent Travels: Columbus, Ohio

2011-11-16T18:32:00.003-05:00

Recently I traveled to Columbus, Ohio to visit my brother Columbus is a straight-shot on Highway 70 from Indianapolis. The car ride is only 3 hours. I saw a lot of beautiful countryside on my ride & thought I would share it with you. While in Columbus, I also checked out the boutiques and apparel shops in Short North on High St. and the Barnes & Noble near the Ohio State University. I saw a couple of things that would make great Christmas gifts like the Angry Birds stuffed pigs and awesome tailgate serving-plates. Below are the beautiful pictures I've taken from my travels:

Ohio Highway Sign

Columbus, Ohio Skyline

Artistic Columbus, Ohio Skyline

Angry Birds stuffed pigs at the Barnes & Noble

These OSU serving platters are perfect for tailgates! I want to make my own with my college on it, don't you?!

Hay-bales at a farm near the highway. I love the Fall countryside!

Fast & Furious picture of downtown Columbus, Ohio at night.

My Kind Of Dinner ;)

2011-11-15T17:42:00.000-05:00

If I could, I would eat dinner like this every night: champagne and dessert! It's so luxurious...

Yum! Dustjacketattic.blogspot.com

Oremus Tokaji and Dessert; wahi.typepad.com

Perfect For The Holidays; http://www.countryliving.com/cm/countryliving/images/T7/meringues-de.gif

Gourmet; cnbc.com

Rich & Luxurious; thekitchn.com

For the Holidays!

Dreadnoughtwines.com

Indy Weekender: The Ball & Biscuit

2011-11-11T15:14:00.000-05:00

The Ball & Biscuit is a cozy bar located on Mass Ave., in downtown Indy. It's a more high-end/trendy bar & lounge where sophisticated young professionals hangout in the evening. When you go there, don't expect large dinners and cheap beer as this place serves boutique wines, unique cocktails, craft beers, and "small plates (see below)," instead. The dim lights and modern eclectic decor add to the ambiance and make it a great place for a date with that special someone, or a fun place to have a wine and cheese get-together with friends with its' great selection. Show up in one of your trendy outfits and you'll fit right in. Below are pictures from when I went there, and more information about the Ball & Biscuit at the bottom of this post.

Small Plates: A list of the Ball & Biscuit's "small plates" of the day.

A view of downtown Indy from right outside the Ball & Biscuit.

Address

331 Massachusetts Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phone

317.636.0539

Hours

Monday-Sunday, 4:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

(closed Sundays during football season).

Website

http://www.ballandbiscuit.com/

Facebook

You can follow the latest happenings on the Ball & Biscuit's Facebook page here.

New Line I Love: Maje

2011-11-03T11:22:00.005-04:00

With a mix of modern and Parisian-chic, it's no wonder why Maje is a household name in France. This chic French label from Moroccan-born designer Judith Milgrom is a mid market label worth keeping an eye on as it offers cool, feminine, chic fashion of high quality. The whole collection has a strong identity and mixes classic pieces with hip details. Leopard, black boots and pumps, leather jackets and leggings make perfect outfits that ooze with style. The best part is that this line will be opening their flagship US store in New York this Fall (2011) on 417 Bleecker Street and also on 145 Spring Street. However, if you can't wait, you can buy their pieces at Netaporter and Bloomingdale's on 59th Street (Soho/Short Hills). Below is are my favorites from Maje's Fall 2011 lookbook:

Visit Maje's website at: http://us.maje.com/#/en

Busy and Beautiful Pictures

2011-11-01T20:17:00.001-04:00

Man! I have been so busy the past couple days! Between planning a monster-size Halloween party and interviewing for jobs it has been so hectic. It's so nice to be able to relax, sit down and blog with you. Here are a couple of beautiful pictures from the past couple days. Between trying to relax with a glass of imported French wine, to a beautiful bouquet my boyfriend brought home, to dealing with my dehydrated skin from the brisk Autumn weather, these pictures still look beautiful and almost luxurious. Even if you are incredibly busy, it is always nice to find time to take a deep breath and unwind. I've also added a couple of beauty tips. FYI

There's no better way to relax than drinking wine in the candle light.

A beautiful bouquet and fresh homemade bread.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream works wonders on dehydrated skin.

A Halloween Gift: Buffalo Trace Distillery's White Dog Mash--scary! and M&M candies.

It's always good to have a glass of water in between alcoholic beverages. It lessens skin irritation the next day and keeps your skin hydrated.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T17:29:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween by indybabe featuring napa gloves

Simple Delicious Bread & Sandwich Recipe

2011-10-26T16:12:00.001-04:00

Hey, guys! Today for lunch I had an amazing sandwich! I made it with homemade bread, a slice of Colby-jack cheese, a slice of turkey from the deli, and a balsamic dressing. It was pure heaven, preservative free, and fresh. Oh, it was so good!!!! So, I thought I'd share a picture of it with you and give you my homemade bread recipe, as well. It's a great way to avoid preservatives and it is pretty simple to make (especially if you have an electric mixer). Pair it with a salad on the side and bon appetit!

Homemade bread, Colby-jack cheese, turkey, and balsamic dressing. Yum!!!

Sandwich Directions:

Homemade bread (see image below for recipe)
1 slice Colby-jack cheese (or any cheese you like)
1 slice turkey from your local deli ("sandwich slice" width)
Balsamic dressing (mix 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar with 1-2 tsp olive oil and a dash of pepper & shake)

Layer bread, then cheese, then turkey. Drizzle 1-2tsp of balsamic dressing on another slice of bread & place on top of turkey. Whah-la! Done!

My Bread Recipe

If you have an electric mixer, use this attachment! It makes life so much easier!

Parisian Secrets

2011-10-24T18:28:00.001-04:00

Recently my Mom went to Paris and Toulouse, France. When she came back she told me about all the amazing things she had seen: the fashion, the beauty products, the food, and culture (illustrated below). Also below, is a post card she sent me. Scroll down to read more:

Parisian Post Card

Fashion

When my mom was in Paris last week, she saw a lot of women wearing think black tights (not opaque). She said it was so prevalent that even her husband commented on the trend. Additionally, she was surprised at how many of the women wore flats.

Black tights and Flats with jeans, Paris Street Style. From http://www.hauteliving.com/2011/10/steal-their-style-model-street-fashion-at-paris-fashion-week/

Karlie Kloss in Paris; From BP Blog.

Picture from International Street Style blog.

Beauty

Of course the french are known for their wide range of various beauty products. Unfortunately, when my Mom had a rash from using a new lotion on her sensitive skin. So the first thing she did was go to the local pharmacy where she was prescribed an over the counter lotion. When she got back to her hotel and put it on, she was nervous that she got a cleanser instead of a lotion because of its clear liquid consistency. However, after only one application her rash went away. She said it was the most amazing thing and looked it up on-line when she got back to the US. Apparently it is availible in the United States, but no where around me. :(

Picture from aveneusa.com

Food & Culture

The food was amazing. She felt like she ate and ate and ate, but when she got home and weighed herself she didn't even gain a pound. On top of that, she said that EVERYONE there was skinny. She tried looking for heavy set people and she could not find even one. We debated about why this was, and here are our conclusions: 1) the food there does not contain preservatives like it does in the US, 2) the portions are smaller, and 3) they take more time to enjoy their food and have a different mind-set to use dinner as a time to socialize and enjoy luxurious tasting food, instead of just trying to scarf down whatever is in front of them just to fuel their bodies. But is that it? Or is there something more to it that we don't know about? Maybe it's time for the government to investigate what is going into the things we eat. Here are some pictures of what a french person will eat in a typical day:

Le Petit Dejeuner (Breakfast) usually consists of a slice from fresh baguette with jam or Nutella (a chocolate spread) and coffee, orange juice or hot chocolate for kids. Eggs are reserved for weekends; however the crepe is apparently a staple for breakfast and lunch. Picture from http://www.regimedukan.com/fr/206,259,la-communaute/zoom-nutrition-petit_dejeuner.html

Lunch use to be consumed over 2 hours, but many french restaurants now conform to a shorter lunch time. Like breakfast, lunch consists of mostly bread stuffed with meats and wonderful cheeses. These sandwiches usually do not vegetables or condiments like in the US. Crepes with meats and cheeses, and salads are some other popular lunch choices. Salade Nicoise is a popular salad in France consisting of lettuce, green beans, anchovies, tuna fish and small black olives. Picture from http://www.ehow.com/about_5459603_daily-food-traditions-france.html#ixzz1bjuFWcgk

"Dinner is the main meal of the French day. It begins with some kind of starter, usually raw vegetables or salad, followed by a main course of meat, vegetables, potatoes, pasta, or rice. Cheese or dessert follows the main meal; wine is served throughout. Drinks before the meal (aperitifs) or after (digestifs, coffee) may be served. Dinner might last for several hours from start to finish, and is considered an important time for conversation and relaxation." Text from http://www.enjoyfrance.com/food-and-drink/french-food-eating-in-france-2005-07-30-88.html; Picture from http://riqo.free.fr/london/images/0903/IMG_2036_1.JPG

Indy Weekender: Sun King Brewery

2011-10-21T11:54:00.002-04:00

Sun King Brewery in downtown Indy is the place to be on Friday night right after work. All the locals know of Sun King's tasty beer and awesome growler deals. When you go there, present your drivers license at the door and you will get 4 raffle-like tickets and then one or two more special "tickets" (usually beer bottle tops) for their higher alcohol content beer. Inside is the smell the hops being brewed and the chatter of hip young professionals stand around talking and tasting. On the outskirts of the standing areas there are tables pitchers of beer and little plastic cups. Giving a ticket to a person behind the table will score you a sample of Sun King's beer to taste.

Brewery Operations

Once your tickets are gone, you can buy a big growler of beer for between $5-8! It's such a good deal and so much fun to taste good beer and see new people. But hurry, they close at 7pm est because they don't serve food or drinks--only free samples and growlers for you to take home. So, get your butt over to Sun King Brewery tonight at 135 North College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202-3801, for a fun time. See you there! (More info at bottom of post).

Beer Tickets

Beer Tasting Table

Beer Samples for Tasting

It's Always Packed on Friday Nights! It's so much fun!

Sun King Brewery Outside

They also have kegs!!!

Tasting Hours (Carry-out and Sampling):