November 2011 Bazaar Magazine ~ 4th of July Style Inspiration

I'm a bit of a magazine hoarder. I cannot toss one out for years and even then, I have to flip through it, tear out any possible inspiration and then I'll recycle what is left, usually only ads and the spine. But years and years later and even then, I don't always determine that it's ready to be trashed. The fact is, every time I need one for reference or inspiration, I'm looking for something completely different from the last time I looked. So one day I may see an editorial calling my name and 3 years later, it may be something entirely different and I don't even notice the original thing that popped out at me.

Case in point... I still have last year's magazines in stacks all over the living room and I randomly walked by this Bazaar from November 2011 and picked it up to flip through the other day. Even though I read through it, most probably a couple times during that month, and now nine months later, I've seen many of the trends and runway collections all over the internet, on blogs, worn by people and now on sale in many of the boutiques and stores, the magazine was fresh and new this time as it is each time I look at it. And what stood out the most this time in particular, besides an article about infertility or maybe adoption, were the two or more pages on nautical red, white, and blue style that I thought was great inspiration with July 4th just ahead of us, so I thought I'd share it with you as well.




click for full size

Happy Weekend!

* FACEBOOK * TWITTER * BLOGLOVIN' *

---

Tweet This!

 

on the hunt: Mini White Cross Body Bag

Image Source: Tommy Ton ~ Style.com

The husband and I are planning a little Summer stay in Palm Springs in a few weeks to determine whether or not we are truly interested in purchasing a home there. I haven't been since I was a kid and he's never been so it will be a nice little Summer vacation for us as well. We've booked a suite at the fabulously luxe Viceroy Hotel and I can't wait to see it in person. I'm incredibly excited about our little adventure and am already imagining the amazing photographs I'm going to return home with. But what I really can't stop thinking about is what I'm going to wear while we are there, which is what led me to this post. I am in need of a small, hands-free bag and I think a little white cross body bag will come in rather "handy", not to mention, perfect for Summer. So here are my top picks in various price ranges from absolutely ridiculous to utterly affordable.






1. Proenza Schouler PS11 Mini Classic $2995
2. Oryany mini crossbody $235
3. Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC $195
4. Rebecca Minkoff zipper clutch crossbody $195
5. Proenza Schouler PS1 Pouch $1325
6. Phillip Lim MINI Pashli bag $650
7. Furla white crossbody bag $222.99
8. Big Buddha chevron wristlet crossbody $40
9. Cambridge Satchel 11" $140
10. McQ Amwell Mini cross body bag $660
11. Oryany Reese Shoulder bag $270

not shown:
1. BCBG white lizard mini crossbody $55
2. Reed Krakoff mini white shoulder bag $590
3. White Cambridge satchel $20

A few neutrals that are in the running as well:
1. Nanette Leopore nude crossbody bag $316
2. Reed Krakoff mini shoulder bag $590
3. R&Em mini crossbody $39.99


* I am in love with a few of them but would rather keep my budget under $200 considering the limited use I will get out of it. I definitely lean toward the styles that can be used as clutches as well, without the strap... I like my accessories to work for me ;)

Happy Friday Lovecats!

* FACEBOOK * TWITTER * BLOGLOVIN' *

---

Tweet This!

 

Summer Cocktails: Blueberry Mojitos

I've had Blueberry Mojitos on the brain since March of this year, when the husband and I went out to dinner for his birthday and ordered the most amazing cocktails I've ever sipped! So with Summer in full-bloom I thought I'd finally give it a go myself and see if I could recreate some of that sweet tasting goodness. And really with minimal ingredients, and simple instructions, I made delicious and I mean DELICIOUS! blueberry Mojitos that we'll be sipping on all Summer!





So here I'll share with you how I made our new favorite cocktails... in a photo montage that is most probably too long, but oh so pretty...






What you'll need to make your own...

* Fresh blueberries
* Fresh mint leaves
* Limes {about 1/2 for each drink}
* Sugar
* Rum
* Club Soda
* Ice

* Muddler {mashing stick}
* Stirs {I used wooden spoons}
* Shot measurer {jigger}






I also made blueberry ice cubes by dropping a few frozen petit wild organic blueberries into the ice tray along with water and popping it into the freezer.

Rather than adding all the ingredients into a shaker, I chose to make each drink separately in a glass, and here's how I did it...




In each glass add...

* 5-10 mint leaves
* 5 fresh blueberries
* 2 tsp sugar
* 1/2 small lime, juiced {I just used my muddler to juice it!}

* Muddle... or smash all your ingredients together to release their flavors!




Next add 1-1/2 oz. of your favorite Rum and 1-1/2 oz. of club soda. Add ice and fruity ice to fill your glass up, but keep it at least 1/4" below the rim of your glass. If you're using taller glasses, double your ingredients, or to taste.




Top your cocktail off with a lime wedge, a few more mint leaves and blueberries and serve!



My family is never far from me so they happened to stop by just in time to enjoy my Summer cocktails and relax for a while in a little backyard soiree of our own.

 


I also whipped up a little Summer fruit and protein salad just so we didn't get too tipsy while enjoying our drinks. It may sound strange but it's surprisingly light, fresh and fabulous!




What you'll need to make your own...

* Watermelon
* Cherry tomatoes, cut
* Feta cheese

Stir... Enjoy!

Now, let's get back to the drinking! 
Click here for outfit details & more photos

Oh LeRoy...

Happy Summer!

This post is part of the BlogHer Summer Entertaining series, which includes 100 percent editorial content presented by a participating sponsor. Our advertisers do not produce editorial content. This post is made possible by Home Depot and BlogHer.


What are your favorite summer cocktails? Share your ideas in the comments below.

* FACEBOOK * TWITTER * BLOGLOVIN' *

---

Tweet This!

 

Dynamic Duo: Green + Leopard Print

Made up of black and brown tones, leopard print works splendidly as a neutral and often looks great against almost any color, but paired with green is one of my all-time favorite combos. From bright Kelly green to deep forest green and every green in between, leopard print is chic and sophisticated when next to it. It's no surprise though, inspired by nature, these mighty cats stand out against their green backdrops of tree leaves and grassy environments. From fashion and style ensembles -including accessories, to decorating and furnishings, the duo is more than just complementary, it's a perfect match.

Other colors that complement this combo are brown, black, orange/red/rust/peach, gold and sometimes blue hues. Red, black, and leopard print are another favorite match-up.

There are so many amazing examples of this dynamic duo it was hard for me to narrow it down. But here are my favorites... collages by me, photo sources to follow.










Sources from top: one: TOMMY TON - STYLE.COM | two: LOUNGING LEOPARD | three | four | five: ROMY SCHNEIDER | six: DITA | seven: LEOPARD + TREES | eight: GREEN DESK | nine: FASHION ZEN | ten: CHEETAH IS THE NEW BLACK | eleven: GREEN BLOUSE | twelve: LEOPARD IN THE TREE | thirteen: RITA HAYWORTH | fourteen: LUCITE TRAY | fifteen: LEOPARD CLUTCH + CLAW BRACELET | sixteen: LEOPARD SKIRT + GREEN SWEATER | seventeen: LEOPARD | eighteen: GREEN + LEOPARD SANDALS | nineteen: SAKS PHIL OH'S NY LENS | twenty: GREEN VELVET COUCH | twentyOne: GREEN JEANS + LEOPARD PRINT BELT | twentyTwo: BRAZIL LEOPARD JUNGLE

* FACEBOOK * TWITTER * BLOGLOVIN' *

---

Tweet This!

 

DIY Hinge Bracelet w/ Gold Chains

I originally created this fun gold chain and hinge bracelet for SHIFT on BuzzFeed last week wherein I dueled with Geneva from A Pair and a Spare {one of my favorite fellow DIYers}. We weren't told who we were matched up against but really, it's more fun and creative than competition. Our only rule was that it had to be a bracelet and made from metal... I went industrial and she opted for spikes! They're both fun and creative... here's how I created mine.

What You'll Need...

What you need:
* One decorative gold hinge {this decorative brass hinge would be great as well}
* About a foot or so of gold chain link {any size you choose}
* Closure {clasp or hook}
* Beading pliers

Steps...

* Using your pliers, separate four sections of chains, about 2inches each, and keep your open chain links.



* Attach each chain section to the furthest screw hole on your hinge with your open link, closing it with your pliers.



* Place the hinge on your wrist and measure how loose or tight you'd like your bracelet to fit and trim off the extra links, making sure each is the same length and combine your chains at the ends with an open link.



* On one side, attach your clasp to your newly added link.



* Attach the other side of your closure, however it works to the opposite side.





Wear it alone or pile on various bangles, chains, and bracelets to add interest. Total cost is under $5.

Voila!

Also shown: vintage Hermes leather double wrap bracelet or choker found at Beyond the Rack, gold & diamond branch bangles, gorjana leather & chain bracelet, Pink chevron wristlet c/o Brahmin

Have Fun!

Find all of my DIYs Here

* FACEBOOK * TWITTER * BLOGLOVIN' *

---

Tweet This!

 

Morning Coffee in My Sweats

What I'm Wearing
* VS sweats, hoody & black v-neck
* Tiffany silver padlock pendant necklace
* Various silver chains, black bracelet c/o Guy & Eva, and DIY washer chain bracelet
* Round sunglasses
* Rebecca Minkoff MAB
* Crocs high top leather sneakers {so light I can barely feel them on my feet!}

Dirty, messy bed hair, sweats, sneakers, sunglasses and coffee... this is pretty much how I've looked since Friday afternoon (or some variation of it)... day and night - until the wee hours of the morning. Sunday evening I had to pull myself together and set up a photo shoot for some outfit photos I needed for my book but other than that, I've been locked up in my office again all weekend long trying to finish the last of my book edits. Rather than hiring a photographer, I offered to do it all myself, so as to give the book my own feel... but it's so much work, I can't even begin to describe it. The end of June will mark 7 months that I have been working on my book and while I love it and cannot WAIT until it's published early next Spring, the idea of opening up my mind to new and creative things OTHER THAN MY BOOK is so refreshing right now and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm so close... SO CLOSE... needless to say, I've been wearing sweats and sucking down caffeine all weekend long just to finish by my next deadline, today.

No, it's not pretty... but it's real ;)

Happy Monday!

* FACEBOOK * TWITTER * BLOGLOVIN' *

---

Tweet This!

 

Fashion Inspiration: Ellery Fall 2012

I randomly stumbled upon this stunning Fall collection by Ellery a few months ago and fell instantly in love. I was unfamiliar with the brand so I saved the link which has been residing on my desktop ever since. I open it at least once a week, forgetting why it's sitting on my desktop and then fall even more deeply in love with it. The rich, heavy draped fabrics, details, colors, layers and gorgeous workmanship is just exquisite. And even though it's barely Summer, I couldn't help but share this dreamy collection for you to drool over {and maybe gain some inspiration} for Fall.

* You can shop some of the items here
* All images via Ellery 2012

* Psst. Shopbop has some amazing Ellery pieces on sale!

Happy Saturday!

* FACEBOOK * TWITTER * BLOGLOVIN' *

---

Tweet This!