Get Out of Town!

As a little girl, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to escape my rinky-dink, a little too country town to jet-set off during the summers.  Not long after I hit double digits, I was able to check far off countries such as Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong off my list!  I learned a few fabulous in-flight fashion tips from those summer adventures, and although I'll be enjoying a little stay-cation action this Labor Day weekend (filled with champagne brunches and bike rides, no doubt!), I couldn't help but to think of what I would wear should I happen to find myself rushing off to the airport.  What are your plans for the long weekend, loves?

Oversized Cardigan by Yuki**, $104
Jil Sander Stretch-jersey skinny pants, $895
Lanvin Canvas and leather ballerina flats, $495
Tory Burch Carson Messenger leather bag, $550
La Mer Bali Stud Watch, $140
Oscar de la Renta Cashmere-blend scarf, $450
House of Harlow 1960 Sunglasses in Black, $125

Quote of the Day

"Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it." ~P.J. O'Rourke

{image via Beauty comma}

Food Adventures {A summer night and Tomato and Watermelon Salad}

Being outside when the seasons start to change has always been something that's just My Cup of Te.

Whether it is Winter thawing into spring or Summer fading into Fall, I can't fill my lungs with enough delicious FRESH air.

With tonight's lows dropping into the 60's (yippee!), I'm calling it a summer night that demands a cookout, refreshing WHITES,and the best of summer's in-season harvest.

I salivated over this recipe one morning last week and somehow managed with sleepy eyes to quickly JOT it down before rushing off to start my day.  Tonight... It will be on my plate! 

Tomato and Watermelon Salad
3 or 4 small to medium heirloom tomatoes, in assorted colors, cored and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
1 small English or regular cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1 cup 3/4-inch-cubed yellow or red seedless watermelon flesh
1 Hass avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
Juice of 1 lime
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon chopped mixed fresh herbs, in any combination: basil, tarragon, chives, and cilantro
1/4 teaspoon coriander seed
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons aged balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup goat cheese, crumbled
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Chop, toss, and enjoy! 

{Note: It's impossible for me not to make recipes more My Cup of Te so the recipe above is a combination Marcus Samuelsson and Epicurious}

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!