La vie...J'aime

Friday Faves

2012-02-10T10:00:00.000-05:00

Bachelorette party survival kits @ Everything LEB

Such a cute idea to gift to bachelorette bashers.

Hot chocolate scones @ A Perfect Kind of Day

Yum.

Iconic shots and the people behind them @ exPress-o

Such a cool photography series...want the book.

Chain gang @ Late Afternoon
Perfect mix of neons & pattern that just works.

I am off to Syracuse for a weekend trip to see the Cuse vs. UConn basketball game and relive the good old days. Have a good weekend- see you Monday!

So many Pins, so little time...

2012-02-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

I consider my blog a fashion/lifestyle blog, as I post mostly about fashion, what's going on in my life, and fashion in my life. I do incorporate some art, home decor, and recipe posts; variety is the spice of life, right?! I, like many of you probably, am obsessed with Pinterest. As of this post, I have Pinned over 1700 images and liked over 200--and, I've only had this website in my life for less than one year.

I find myself Pinning mostly recipes and home inspiration pictures. This is funny to me because 1) I am a terrible cook and 2) I don't own my own home. So, this must be my subconscious searching for organization and inspiration for these exciting things to come in my life... a new home of my own and cooking edible recipes for myself and future family.

So- so many Pins, so little time. I am Pinning and Pinning, and sometimes go back to the recipes for attempting to cook and fashion Pins for daily inspiration, but there are hundreds of Pins I may not look at again. Is it really all worth it? My time spent Pinning while watching TV, unwinding before bed, perusing on my iPhone during lunch hour?

What do you think? Are you Pinterest obsessed, and do you think the time is well spent? What do you see Pinterest adding to our lives?

So philosophical, I know. ;)

Images: 1 & 2

Beach Bum

2012-02-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

One month from today I will be in Florida, enjoying my week of sun & fun in West Palm Beach. When booking this trip last fall, I figured I'd be yearing to escape from an abundance of snow. As of now, fingers crossed!, it won't be so much as an escape but a welcome change of scenery. I am looking forward to lounging, catching some warm rays, perusing & drooling on Worth Avenue, wearing my J.Crew tunic, and reading these books saved on my Kindle: Seriously...I'm Kiddingand The Marriage Plot: A Novel

Beach Bum by laviejaime featuring embroidered totes

Toasted Almond & Parmesan Dip

2012-02-07T10:00:00.001-05:00

On Sunday, three good things happened*: Puppy Bowl, my mom's home-made buffalo wings, and this dip. I Pinned it from How Sweet It Is blog last week and knew I had to make it for Sunday's game.

The recipe was so easy, and I discovered that I really like marscapone cheese. Ok- that's a fourth good thing that happened.

Mix together all of the ingredients: cream cheese, parmesan cheese, marscapone, pinch of nutmeg & salt, and sliced almonds.

Stir it up.

Press into baking plate.

Bake for 25-30 minutes; top with more almonds. Serve with french bread, like us, or pita chips, celery, carrots, etc. Voila and mangia.

I will be making this again; my mom & I thought it'd be good with raspberries, just a little sweetness!

PS: If you like food & don't follow How Sweet It Is blog, you are missing out on mouth-watering recipes. I suggest you visit. :)

*I am living in denial and not mentioning the no-good-awful-terrible-very-bad thing that happened on Sunday.

Friday Faves

2012-02-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

This weekend, for me, is really all about the Super Bowl! I am excited and nervous for my Patriots to be taking on the Giants. All I can hope for is that we kick their butts :) Don't you just love these cute desserts on Amy Atlas's blog? Click for more of her football theme drinks, desserts, and appetizers. See you on Monday--GO PATS!!

Nails that are my fave color combo: yellow + gray + white @ Love Maegan
Perfect pairing for spring=silk shorts + printed shorts @ Frankie Hearts Fashion
Such a cool chandelier @ because I am addicted
Go behind the scenes at Jason Wu's runway show @ From Me To You

Technicolor SAG Dresses

2012-02-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

In comparison to the muted nudes at the Golden Globes a few weeks ago, this weekend's SAG Awards red carpet shone brightly with bold colors of the rainbow. While the Little Black Dress (LBD) will always be a go-to classic, I can't help but want to fill my spring closet with these little numbers.

LBD (Little Blue Dress)

Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein | Express

LGD (Little Green Dress)

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta | Rory Beca @ Nordstrom

LPD (Little Pink Dress)

Sofia Vergara in Marchesa | Charlotte Russe

LRD (Little Red Dress)

Michelle Williams in Valentino | Barbara Bibb @ Pink Mascara

What Little ___ Dress would you choose?

Images via People.com

DIY Granola

2012-01-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

I ripped out this DIY granola recipe from a recent O Magazine issue. I wasn't sure which type of dried fruits and nuts I wanted to use, so I ended up buying a pre-made mixture at the grocery store with almonds, pepitas, dried papaya, raisins, and dried cranberries.

You basically just need plain oats, mixture of dried fruits & nuts, honey, salt, and canola oil. Mix all ingredients together and bake at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes.

Overall, the recipe was very easy, and I like that you can alter it & make it your own each time by adding any mixture of dried fruits & nuts. Next time, I would add at least 1 cup of the dried fruits/nuts (vs. just 1/2 cup the recipe calls for) and add much more honey.

What type of DIY granola would you make?

Hipstamatic snapshots

2012-01-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

Just a little note...

Sunset from my apt.

Rediscovered birthday gift my brother & I gave to my dad for his 40th...

Spotted in Charlestown.

View below @ the ICA.

Dinner @ Red Lantern.

Baby shower onesie line--too cute!

Friday Faves

2012-01-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

Barbie tributes to famous works of art @ because I'm addicted

Genius! Click the link for more.

DIY birthday invitations @ The Short and Sweet of It

These are just so fun...is it wrong for a 27th birthday?

Wears to Weddings: Golden Globes @ Bow Tie & Bustle

These are so dead on! Click the link for more.

Bloomington ice storm @ A Hasty Life

Makes ice seem pretty...

"Skinny Love" explained @ English Muse

Amazing song...

DIY: teacups candles @ Everything Fabulous

Such a cute idea!

Happy weekend!

Black & White - Two Ways

2012-01-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Black & white is always a go-to outfit for me, whether for day or night. When I think of the combo, I immediately picture 1960's polka dot, full-skirted dresses. Modern ladies are wearing black & white in fresh geometric and classic-meets-modern lace patterns. Here are a few ways to get each look...

Jessica Alba & Diane Kruger

BCBG dress | LnA top | White House Black Market earrings | House of Harlow clutch

Marion Cotillard & Catherine Middleton

French Connection dress | Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt | Ann Taylor top | Charlotte Russe rainboots

Are you more geometric or lace?

Inspired by: The Hunger Games

2012-01-24T10:00:00.000-05:00

My newest obsession is The Hunger Games trilogy (thanks, Emily for forcing me to read!) and I cannot get enough--Googling images and watching the trailer. I just finished the second book, Catching Fire, and quickly getting into the finale, Mockingjay. I am definitely going to be trying a few of the China Glaze "Colours from the Capitol" collection. My favorites are Harvest Moon, Dress Me Up, Stone Cold, and Fast Track.

Who else is sharing my Hunger Games obsession?

And, are you Team Gale or Team Peeta?

Update: All Lacquered Up tests each color in her new post. My new likes are Smoke & Ashes and Foie Gras.

Images via All Lacquered Up blog, IMDB.com, Amazon.com The Hunger Games

Mini Makeup Maven

2012-01-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

I am a self-proclaimed "product whore". I love makeup, hair products, hair accessories, nail polish, etc. etc. and typically have an abundance of all piling up in my bathroom.

The past few months, my mom has been working on a project of scanning old photographs. She stumbled upon these two gems. I started young but have changed my blush application strategies along the way. :)

PS: Don't you just love what seems to be pins with hanging ribbons stuck all over my bubblegum pink sweatshirt? Girl's got style.

Friday Faves

2012-01-20T10:00:00.000-05:00

Flowered Edges @ Cupcakes & Cashmere

Love this springy look.

How to: Throw Yourself a Pity Party @ Wit + Delight

Clever, because every now and then it's ok to...right?

Iconic style: Bouvier Sisters @ Escapade

Photos of chic sisters, lots of inspiration.

Wanderlust @ A Dash of GLAM

Take me there now...

Happy weekend and go Pats!

PS: Check out my new CBSBoston posts: Best Bachelorette Party Spots (knew my year of bridesmaid duties would come in handy!), Style Icon: Victoria Beckham, and Best Winter Date Combos.

Essentials: Taylor Swift for Vogue

2012-01-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

I love the Vogue February issue cover starring Taylor Swift. The styling and colors are spot-on and eye catching. After perusing all the photos on Vogue's website, I kept coming back to the cover. While I'm no longer blonde and hippie doesn't really describe my style, that doesn't mean that I can't take a few of the essentials to create this look.

Top Shop floppy hat + rosey pink Rimmel lipstick + Bed Head straightening spray

What do you think of Taylor's first cover for Vogue?

What I'm Wearing Wednesday

2012-01-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

Sunday was a particularly frigid day in Boston, but my brother & I braved the chill, heading to the ICA to check out their new exhibitions. I wore:

image

Marc New York by Andrew Marc puffer jacket- purchased majorly on sale at Macy's
Snood by Simple Knit Shop- this Etsy shop is by a friend at work.
Lululemon leggings
Tory Burch black bag
Echo gray touch screen gloves
Ray Ban Wayfarer sunglasses
Guess boots

I always love perusing the museum shop and almost picked up a few of these clever cards- the Michael Jackson and Justin Bieber ones were so spot on!

Two-tone Toes

2012-01-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

If color blocking and brights like this scare you, I stumbled upon these adorable Seychelles sandals at Piperlime.com that embody the trend but just on your feet! At just $90, I can't decide which pair I like more, pink + yellow or blue + emerald. Which would you choose?

top image: Pinterest via Seesaw

Golden Globes Loves

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

I loved...

bold earrings that make the dress.

headbands that channel the inner mod girl & ballerina.

tuxedo nails- and the funny lady who wore them (but sadly not her dress or hair :/).

non-nudes.

What Golden Globes fashions did you love?

images via people.com & fabsugar.com

Friday Faves

2012-01-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday (the 13th! eek!)! I love these records with painted on lyrics featured on Design*Sponge this week by Etsy shop Quiet Boy Studio. This line is so amazing, but you can do custom ones too....hard to say what I would choose...how about you?

Here are some other faves this week; enjoy the long weekend!

Some really creative & clever ideas- I like the shoes in shower cap tip @ Style'N
Amazing "Polaroids" @ A Perfect Kind of Day
Another Italian wedding to swoon over...the dress, the shoes too! @ A Cup of Jo
Fun, easy, cheap, and unique way to display your fave mags...need I say more? @ Creature Comforts
Cute posters @ Bow Tie and Bustle
I'm thinking I need to wear more bold brights on these dreary days @ Sequins & Stripes

Collage: & | Ampersand

2012-01-12T10:00:00.000-05:00

I discovered I had an obsession with &'s when I started to Pin nearly all of these images...

Top L: John Derian plate

Top middle: pillow

Top R: image via A Southern Accent

Middle top: Catbird earrings

Middle bottom: & rubber stamp via Paper Source

Middle middle: bookend via Barnes & Noble

Bottom L: necklace via Bon Voyage Jewelry on Etsy

Bottom R: bedroom via Pinterest

What I'm Wearing Wednesday

2012-01-11T10:00:00.000-05:00

I got this J.Crew tunic this weekend after spotting it in their most recent catalog last week. I initially thought I wouldn't wear it until my Florida trip in March as a bathing suit cover up or with shorts, but I proved myself wrong when trying it on in the store with leggings. The length is perfect and I love the gradiant stripes. Yesterday, I wore it to work layered under a green cashmere sweater; I switched up the sweater for this Forever 21 vest for night-time trivia at a local bar.

I am wearing:

J.Crew tunic
Ann Taylor knit leggings
Guess leather boots
Forever 21 vest
Juicy Couture necklace- $20 at TJ Maxx!
CND Shellac 'Fedora' gel nail polish

Thanks to Emily for being my photographer!

Home Made dog biscuits

2012-01-10T10:00:00.017-05:00

Over my holiday break, I made home-made dog biscuits from my new cookbook Home Made(blog and you shall receive!). The recipe was really easy, and they were puppy approved!

All the ingredients & tools (tools were an Xmas gift too, from my For the Foodie Gift Guide)

Mix dry ingredients & egg

I meant to get a cute, small cookie cutter, but had to settle for a shot glass instead. (lol)

Before going into the oven...

After all packaged up!

Barkley & Molly loved them!

Create this look: Pippa

2012-01-09T10:00:00.004-05:00

Create this look: Pippa by laviejaime featuring wool fedora hats
I adore Pippa Middleton's casual, chic look spotted on InStyle.com last week. It's the perfect mix of preppy Brit & downtown chick. Each piece is versatile enough that I can picture with various other outfits too. Guess I need to get myself a red peacoat!

Friday Faves

2012-01-06T10:00:00.031-05:00

Happy first Friday of 2012! Despite loving the fact that it's been "warm" in Boston with no snow, part of me wants to curl up in a comfy sweater & Uggs with a good book and hot chocolate in a snowy cabin. Check out these faves and my new CBSBoston.com posts: A Shopping Pro's Guide to After Christmas Sales and Winter Bar Review: The Four's.

I want to recreate this simple look of all black base + colorful scarf @ Vanessa Jackman
cool, modern photographs based off famous paintings @ A Cup of Jo
a snowball ice cream float? yum! @ The Sweetest Occasion
a collection of not-just-blue-&-2hite nautical stripes that make me excited for spring @ Sequins & Stripes
love the juxtaposition of this cow skull & flowers @ Love Maegan

You've Got Mail

2012-01-05T10:00:00.004-05:00

How cute is this Kate Spade pouch? It's been a long time since I've heard the AOL tune "you've got mail" (oh middle school chat room memories), but I certainly wouldn't mind receiving this baby from the postman.

Inspired by: Jason Wu for Target

2012-01-04T10:00:00.025-05:00

Just from these two ads, I think we have some more Missoni for Target-like madness coming our way this February when Jason Wu for Target hits stores. I want to see more!

Jan 9 update: more looks on Lucky.com!

Top images: ship shape Etsy print via Pinterest | Luckymag.com | boat via Pinterest

Bottom images: Lonny room via Pinterest | Luckymag.com | bouquet via Pinterest