If you are what you drink, I'd want to be art and breaking news from Time Mag.

Hello out there to all my happy hour go-ers, bottle poppin' peeps, beer connoisseurs, and wine chuggers...

There's GOOD news for us after all-
the kind that MOM doesn't want you to know about.  The kind of news that will remind you of those silly (and outrageously "give your kid a real effing vegetable" ludicrous) Chef Boyardee commercials featuring neurotic moms so hell-bent on giving their kids only the most nutritious serving of "vegetables" IN A CAN that they act like pot-banging buffoons.

BUT.  Before both feet end up on the soapbox... feast your eyes on this.

Yes!  My darlings!  This is what BOOZE looks like under a microscope.  Rather beautiful, isn't it?
Did you ever think for 1 second after taking it to the head that there was actual art swimming around in your stomach?

Of course you didn't.  It was more like, I'm a dancing QUEEN and everyone IN DA CLUB should witness my ahh-maze-ing moves.  Or.  Hell, I'm going to ride that there bull and make sexy faces to the camera while I'm doing it.  (Note: I've only done one of the above).

Although pretty, that's not the GOOD news I've come bearing... because who really cares if it's an amazing kaleidoscope of technicolor in your stomach if it's going to make your liver shrivel up and die down the road.

The good news my friends and what Chef Boyardee mom should want us to know...is that us bar top dancers, cab hailers, and yes, I'll start a tabbers actually live longer than our wallflower, sober-sally counter parts. Well, at least Time Magazine says so.

(And Boyardee mom, bang your pot to that and while you're at it spike your kids koolaid.  Maybe it will make them live longer than shoving all those preservatives and sodium down their throats.)

Can I get another round and a CHEERS to that? 

{Above: 1. Tequila 2. Vodka 3. Sake 4. Champagne.  For 8 other alcohol art pieces see here.}

Hermes, I've got you all figured out.

I think I finally figured out what to do with that stolen Hermes scarf.  Tying it around my neck was just too obvious and don't you think Marc and Diane would be proud?
{via The Sartorialist}

Food Adventures {Squash Blossoms}

If you truly are what you eat, I think I'd choose to be a squash blossom.  Unique, unexpected, and easy on the eyes, I imagine these beautiful little blooms could tempt just about anyone.  What would you be loves?

Fried Squash Blossoms 
Heat canola oil to 375 degrees.
Meanwhile in a food processor mix ricotta cheese with egg yolk, grated cheese, 4 garlic cloves, lemon zest and parsley. Season to taste. Transfer to a piping bag. Gently open each blossom and pipe in filling. Twist the end to close. Refrigerate.
Combine flour, cornstarch and seltzer. Season to taste. Dip stuffed blossoms in batter and fry until golden. Serve with tomato sauce. 

Fresh Squash Blossoms 
Mix ricotta cheese, grated cheese (such as parmesan or pecorino romano), minced garlic, lemon zest, and fresh parsley.  Stuff blossoms and enjoy! 

{via Hither and Thither and Sunday Suppers}

Weekend Recap {Lunch Dates & Tailgates}

Last Friday the girls and I kicked off the weekend with a fabulous lunch al fresco.  Apparently there was a sale going on, the real kind of "Back To School" sale most parents probably wish for, 

and after a few glasses of refreshing sauvignon blanc and excited chatter about the weekend's upcoming events, we decided to head to the mall to run a quick wedding errand for L who's getting married next spring (yay!) and for a little "window shopping."

Before we got far, we were sidetracked by Sephora.  How could you not be?  I swear that store has a magnetic pull that draws you in whether you like it or not.  It's like the girly girl's ultimate playground, and within seconds we found ourselves puckering our glossed lips, batting our lengthened lashes, and complimenting each other on the funky eyeshadows we bravely tested (below), but would never really wear in real life.  Let's just say green and blue never looked so cool and K-wow, you should get a part-time job as a make-up artist.  

 {Sephora's New Colorful Palette.  13 different compacts featuring 4 coordinated eyeshadows, a matte liner, and application how-to's, $24}

We then decided we wanted "grown-up" friendship bracelets.  Studs, glass crystals, and leather beats (by a long run) cheap thread braided bracelets of elementary school's past.

{J.Crew's Jewel Stud Double Wrap Bracelets, $29}

Of course no trip to the mall would be complete without a little shoe shopping fun, and I wanted nothing more than to prance around in these fierce little babies.  Sexy suede and dangerously sick spikes would be the cherry on top of any rocker chic ensemble. 

{Sam Edelman's Lorissa Peeptoe pumps, $200} 

I almost escaped purchase free, but the last and most tempting stop proved to be too much for my willpower too handle.  $10 off the orig. price was enough for me to whip out the visa, and I headed home with a much needed basic in hand.

  {Urban Outfitter's Ankle Cigarette Pant, $49, but currently $39 in-stores and online}

  
The rest of the weekend was full of friends and football fun! 

  What did you do this weekend?  Happy Monday, loves!

Blank Canvas Beauty

{via Vintage Rose Garden}

Food Adventures: Girls Night with Real Food

Last night the girls and I got together with a unified mission to assemble a dinner consisting of REAL FOOD.  No, not the variety that tastes of cardboard.  And not the kind you buy at the toy store.  We're talking un-processed, straight up goodness.

In other words- Nothing out of a box, can, bag, bottle or package that had more than 5 ingredients. 

THE MENU

We caught up over bottles of chilled chardonnay and full-bodied cab.  Vented about life in the uncertain 20-somethings.  (Agreeing the carefree early 20's still win over the grown-up late 20's) And contrary to what you would've thought under the 5 ingredients restriction, feasted on a delicious, wholesome meal!

Just in case you're feeling fresh tonight, here are three recipes from our Real Food Feast: 

{ White Gazpacho.  Refreshing, light and the perfect summer soup}

 

{Organic Quinoa & Roasted Veggies.  I made some adjustments, but this recipe was my inspiration}

{"1" ingredient Banana Ice Cream. I couldn't find the original recipe so this one is mine!} 

Will you be eating real food tonight?

See here for the blog that inspired it all!

I Love Cigarettes

 Looks like Blake and Cameron love them too!

 No, not the cigarettes you smoke.  The ones you wear!  Cigarette Ankle pants aren't quite "cropped" and aren't quite full-length.  Like their name they hit at the ankle and are perfectly polished and great for showing off a killer pair of pumps. Also, if you're the shorty (like me!) who's always forced to the front in group pictures, you'll love the fact you can wear them with flats without having to pay a visit to your tailor!  I love them for all of the above and here are a few you should love too...

 

Urban's BDG Ankle Cigarette Corduroy Pant

 

J.Crew's Ankle Stretch Toothpick Jean

 

And my personal fave (owned in black, denim, and white!)- the James Ritchie Ankle

 

My Cup of Te: Fall Polish: Sephora by OPI Metro Chic

Where did summer go?  Before I could get around to sharing all my summer brights, I was over them.  This may be a bit premature, but I've officially moved on to Fall's rich hues and deep, luxurious shades.  So long hot pink, youthful yellow, and electric blue.  I've moved on.  Remember Chanel's Particulière that was so popular last season?  What better way to update utiliarian chic than with a playful hint of purple?  Sephora by OPI offers a polish dubbed Metro Chic that's polish perfect and ready for Fall!  What do you think loves? Are you over summer brights too?

Bright-Eyed and Ready to Go!

This past weekend consisted of delicious dinners out, a fun-filled football tailgate, a mimosa (at least for one of us!) brunch, shopping, a down home birthday luncheon, several movies, and even a little working out.  After two days and two nights of trying to cram in the part of life that doesn't fall under "work," even the best of us can wake up on Monday morning looking like this...

Eva is always gorgeous, but even the super gorge are not excluded from the puffy eye.  And who can blame us puffsters?  48 hours is not much time to re-charge and let loose, and trying to pack it all in can often mean trading zzz's for good times.  My solution?

{For puffy eyes to bright eyes, I mix a dab with creamy concealer}

Bobbi Brown's Hydrating Eye Cream.  For $45 you can trade an hour or two of bedtime for an hour or two of fun!  After all, sleep is the cousin of death, and if you're coming to work too rested than I probably don't want to spend my weekend with you anyways!  What did you do this weekend loves?  Happy Monday!
{image via}

Food Adventures: Weekend Brunch

Last weekend, a girlfriend came to town for a fabulous weekend in.  Yes, I said IN.  For those that know me, weekend and "in" do not usually go in the same sentence, but as pertains to most, things do get old.  So instead of pouring copious amounts of booze down our throats and dancing our asses off, we centered our weekend around eating as much as humanly possible.  We spent our civilized Friday night catching up over take-out tuna rolls and a few glasses of wine al fresco.  Feeling wonderful on Saturday morning due to our restraint the night before, we decided to throw together a fantastic (champers free, for once) brunch.  I love brunch!!   So with Jack Johnson's Banana Pancakes (it was only fitting) as our soundtrack, we made sweet Banana Pancakes and savory Eggs Benedict!  What's your fave brunch menu, loves?

As far as the rest of our weekend in, the soundtrack somehow went from Banana Pancakes to SHOTS at the Irish bar down the street.  At least we tried. :)

{image via}

I love Men Part II

On my way to kickboxing this morning, I heard on the radio that today is National Men's Grooming Day.  Have you ever heard of such?  Shouldn't men, and all of us for that matter, groom everyday?  Next thing you know, there will be a National Take a Shower Day. A National Brush Your Teeth Day.  A National Breath Day.  Although this holiday is almost as pointless as Valentine's Day (Remember? I am NOT a fan) and sometimes I do like making up my own holidays, I thought I'd use it as an opportunity to share eye candy of very well groomed men in an old guest post I did back in Feb.!  It's called I Love Men.

When I say I love "men" this is not a general blessing that extends to everyone, so don't high five your buddies just yet! ;)

I'm not loving on all men or just any man (unless of course, your name starts with an A and ends with a -lan), I'm referring to the well-dressed MAN (note the capitals) oozing with personal style, charm, and confidence. I'm by no means an expert on menswear, and every girl has her personal faves, but I think it's safe to say all us ladies can agree on several things...
1. There is never a situation where trying too hard and Ed Hardy are acceptable.
2. Tattooing the car you drive down the side of your body is not going to make us want to ride in it more- so just don't.
3. Personal style is key. If I can't tell the difference between you and your "brothers" please go home and re-think your outfit in an original way. Thanks.
4. It takes a special guy to rock the skinny look and if it's not you there would be several grateful parties involved if you would just stick to the classics.
5. Unless your name is Kobe, Lebron, or Dwight Howard, basketball jerseys do not constitute as everyday sportswear.
6. No explanation needed.

I could go on, but they say a picture is worth a thousand words! Here is a sampling of these oh so stylish "Men" that I speak of...

 

It is fantastic when you put on a fun pair of sneakers with a would be basic ensemble. 

 

Pushed up sleeves may feel funny, but they sure don't look it. 

 

Matchy matchy is never good.  Love the pocket square without the cheesy matching tie.

Just another suit, you say?  Well Mr.Serious Suit has some flair of his own which leads me to think he can have a good time too.  Check out his stacked bracelets.

 

The modern Gatsby?

Grandpa's got major style too.

Happy National Men's Grooming Day! Hope you enjoyed round II!  

{To see the original post see here.}

{via The Sartorialist}

My Cup of Te: Poetry and Inspiring Photography

 {via}

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Fantastical Fashion and Fantasy Football?

Here we are on the cusp of two events that create cult-like followings among the masses- New York Fashion Week and the beginning of regular season Football.  If you're like me, I can't wait to indulge in both. Fantastical Fall fashion dreamt up by the fashion gods materializing on the runways right before your eyes and a crisp Fall day armed with best friends, all the fixin's of a fabulous tailgate, and rootin' for your fave team!  Does it get any better?  Italian Vogue managed to capture the best of both world's with its April 2010 editorial...

 My money is on those killer platforms

What guy wouldn't want to dog pile under that fabulous gown?

 Score in both arenas.

 Helmet optional?

Sacked.

I know two things that are going to kick ass this year- my Fall fashion wardrobe AND my fantasy football team.  Bring on the fashion and football!! What are you looking forward to this Fall?
{via Fashionising}

The Hamptons Link

Remember the fabulous Jill Rosenwald ceramic vases I just diiied over last April?  Well they were recently featured in the latest issue of House Beautiful in fabulous fresh colors!  Upon seeing them anew, eye-candy once more, I was prompted to re-visit J.R.'s website to scope out the new swag and discovered this classy little baby...

...a monogram "caviar tray" in her signature Hampton Links pattern.  We all know that I'd rather slather caviar on my face then eat it, so if I were to make this monogram mine, I'd double it as my signature bar tray for my go-to cocktails or ever-present champagne flutes!  What would you serve up loves? 

Food Adventures: Skinny Bitch and some Roasted Eggplant

3 weeks and counting and Skinny Bitch has still managed to scare the living, or rather dead, meat out of my house, out of my mind, out of my hand, and most importantly out of my mouth.  They call it "The Dead, Rotting Decomposing Flesh Diet" (vom.) because essentially that's what we're putting into our mouths- ANIMALS THAT HAVE BEEN DEAD FOR POSSIBLY WEEKS.
I know. I know. But take it from a girl who has always loved a good steak and southern pork BBQ.  Case in point, me, busted stuffing dead cow in my mouth at my brother's going away party last year.  Attractive, right?

The co-authors, who also go on about being vegan, aren't near as crazy as you may think.  Facts are facts, and sadly enough, animals don't go from frolicking carefree on vast green meadows to neatly packaged at your local grocery store.  There's an in-between that has caused this meatless trauma and if you don't want to know what that in-between is, stop reading here. 
"I've seen live animals shackled, hoisted, stuck, and skinned.  I've seen hogs that are supposed to be lying down on the bleeding conveyor get up after they've been stuck.  I've seen them in the scalding tubs (meant to burn their skin off) trying to swim."
 "I've drug cows till their bones start breaking, while they were still alive.  Bringing them around the corner and they get stuck up in the doorway, just pull them till their hide be ripped, till the blood just drip on the steel and concrete.  Breaking their legs...And the cow be crying with its tongue stuck out.  They pull him till his neck just pop."
"If you get a hog in a chute that's had the shit prodded out of him and has a heart attack or refuses to move, you take a meat hook and hook it into his bunghole.  You're dragging these hogs alive, and a lot of times the meat hook rips out of the bunghole.  I've seen hams-thighs-completely ripped open."
Who's ready for some Eggplant?! 

So, not the best segue into my latest food adventure, but you are what you eat, and I'd rather be an organic eggplant or a cute as a button cherry tomato than a rotting, dead animal.  Especially a dead animal that used to be a poor little baby that was separated from its family then beaten, tortured, and ultimately slaughtered.  With that said...
Garlic and Herb Roasted Eggplant with Cherry Tomatoes!

{Image: My Own, Recipe via}

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant (or 2-3 small ones), cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 pint grape tomatoes, cut in half
• 8-10 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
• About 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• About 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350° F.
In a large bowl, toss the eggplant with enough of the olive oil to thoroughly coat. Place the eggplant onto a baking sheet and put into the preheated oven.
In the same bowl, toss the whole garlic cloves with a few drops of oil. After the eggplant has been roasting for about 20 minutes, add the garlic cloves into the mix. Continue to roast until both are tender, about 20 minutes.
When the eggplant is tender, give it a stir and add in the tomatoes. Continue to roast for about 10 more minutes, or until the eggplant begins to caramelize and the tomatoes soften. Remove the vegetables from the oven and set aside to cool.
When they are cool enough to handle, remove the garlic cloves and chop into small pieces (the texture will be almost puree-like).
Place the roasted garlic, eggplant and tomatoes and any juices that came out while roasting into a bowl (if you use the same bowl you used for prepping the vegetables, you get the benefit of the remaining olive oil and have fewer dishes to do).
Add the parsley, dill and just enough vinegar to coat. Mix and serve while still warm. Enjoy!

Legwear Love

My dears, Fall is nigh (thank God, my favorite season) and whether we want to or not, it is time to slow the summer shopping and stock up on items for those brisk Autumn nights.  I predicted the fact that you may need some extra inspiration for your fabulous Fall wardrobes because after all, this is what they call the dog days of summer, so I gathered a few legwear lovelies perfect for layering to get you on your way...

Shorts for now AND later, just add tights

Booties and flowers couldn't be more sweet

Pretty flowers, killer studs, and sexy legwear.  Betty Draper wouldn't dare.

Better than a tat- commitment, pain free, and easy removal when you're over it

Feeling giddy for fantastical Fall fashion?  See more here by yours truly!  

A Perky Glow...

So besides the fact my trumped spirits have kept me from writing you lovely folks, I've also been very busy with a best friend's wedding!  As all the bridesmaids primped and groomed, I received quite a fabulous compliment on my "glow."  I quickly responded with, "Honey, that's called my skin is oily!"  I'd like to think that it was half my skin condition and the other half this...

In two mini steps and 5 minutes, you've exfoliated the dead skin cells away and loaded up on Vitamin C!  I believe smoother than a baby's bottom is fitting for how your skin will feel!

I used to be a big fan of monthly microdermabrasion, but seeing as my piggy bank has shrunk by epic proportions and dear Mr.Benjamin Franklin seems to have gotten lost in there, I have made the switch to Philosophy's Microdelivery Peel.  $65 will get you several microderm substitutes, and I promise you'll have a radiant glow befitting of the sun or at least like Eva.  Blinding, I tell you. 

Along with all the fabulous festivities this weekend, which included a crazy late nite water slide extravaganza at some random hotel in b.f.e., there were also slumber parties!  I love love love waking up with your best girlfriends and simply rolling over in your pj's to rehash the ridiculousness of the prior night's shenanigans.  I guess some people don't find my "It's a glorious morning!" and "Don't you want to say hello to the day?!" quite as infectious because I'm pretty positive I earned myself this...

{via Summers in Paris}

Thanks to Summers in Paris for the laugh this morning, and along with the rest of "coffee cup" #407, for putting up with my inability to fall back asleep.  I promise I tried to sit still for at least 30 mins, okay maybe 15.