St. Patrick’s Day – From Coast to Coast

St. Patrick’s Day is this Monday & the whole nation will be celebrating. There tends to be two different ways to approach the dressing up situation in order to not get pinched. Option 1 is to wear something loud & over the top, while Option 2 is to wear something more chic & subdued. Festive attire tends to be more fun in groups, so if you are going for the more simple, be sure to check out the options below. You don’t have to wear bright green in order to look the Irish part. Also, it is fun to make your accessories the focal point, rather than your main piece. Los Angeles is hotter climate, so be sure to keep the look more breezy.  NYC is a bit chilly this time of year, so make sure to layer up!

Here are some of the nation’s best pubs to celebrate on the 17th.

los angeles: jumpsuit | scarf | clutch | booties

new york city: pants | blouse | jacket | scarf | booties

 

Olivia Palermo – Winter Style

Olivia Palermo is a style icon. She is the epitome of class & timelessness. Even in the winter she looks effortlessly put together. Below is one of her many sought after outfits from a bundled up day. 

scarf | sweater | pants | sunglasses | coat | boots

ENJOY!

25 Things To Do Before You Get Married

1. Take a creative class. Whether it be cooking, sewing or underwater basket weaving–make sure it is something that uses your hands & head simultaneously.

2. Go on a trip that requires a backpack & no rolling luggage. The more foreign the better.

 

3. Dance on a bar or table (make sure it’s sturdy.) This can be while inebriated or sober in your PJ’s with a bowl of ice cream in your hands. It doesn’t matter, you just have to be on an elevated surface, jamming out to tunes, without a care in the world.

 

4. Make out with a perfect stranger. This one gets double points if it’s after a big win at a sporting event.

 

5. Host a dinner party. The only thing people are allowed to bring are themselves. You do all the cooking & baking yourself. You will make mistakes, & possibly light things on fire, but that provides for a good story during the party.

 

6. Keep a plant or living thing alive. If you can’t do this, you may want to consider how you will help keep the love of your life alive & healthy while you grow old.

 

7. Learn how to make fancy cocktails with 3 of the basic base liquors; vodka, rum (clear or brown) & tequila. And no, a vodka cran does not count as a fancy cocktail…

 

8. Turn off the internet for a full 48 hours. One weekend of no 4G or wifi. You’ll be amazed as to what fascinating things surround your life.

 

9. Go to a famous festival. Oktoberfest, Carnival, Mardi Gras, etc. Any place that is boisterous & involves a different type of culture.

 

10. Try Something New for 30 Days. Inspired by this TED Talk. It can anything from being physically active for 30 days straight, or cutting out sugar. Just make sure it’s something outside of your comfort zone.

 

11. Visit a US Landmark. Preferably Niagara or the Grand Canyon.

 

12. Find (& listen) to a mentor. They will encourage you to do courageous things & prevent you from doing stupid ones.

 

13. Celebrate something big somewhere else. Whether it be your birthday, Christmas, NYE, etc, make sure it’s someplace unique.

 

14. Plan a trip no more than 5 days in advance. It has to be at least 5 hours away (by car or by plane)

 

15. Volunteer. If you are reading this list, you are fortunate enough to have internet, and are more fortunate than many. Give back to the world to show that you are thankful for all the resources you have been given.

 

16. Get your finances in order. You don’t want to marry into debt, & neither do they.

 

17. Splurge on one awesome item that you will use in your single years, & in your married ones. A classic hangbag or watch should do the trick.

 

18. Be selfish. Once you’re married, you can’t be. So rejoice in it now.

 

19. Perfect the skill of swimming, biking or running. These activities are fun & inexpensive ways to keep you fit & healthy. (Bonus points for all 3 — Hello Ironman)

 

20. Learn how to take a compliment. Modesty & grace are hard things to master, but they are a necessity — especially on your wedding day when everyone is telling you how amazing you look.

 

21. Surprise a friend with flowers, just because. The act of giving opens your heart & allows for others to enter it.

 

22. Ask for a raise. You need to learn to speak your opinions in uncomfortable situations.

 

23. Eat at one of the world’s best restaurants. Dress up & enjoy.

 

24. Learn how to make one amazing entrée that you can prepare for years to come.

 

25. Go to a global sporting event. The Olympics, The World Cup, The World Series (counts, kinda) & be sure you tailgate. Who knows, if you’re single, this might be the place for you to meet “the one.”

Bring on the new year!

Cookie Dough Truffles

The most perfect of treats to have at your NYE bash are small, but sweet. You want your guests to have ease with eating each morsel, the more popable, the better. This year, make cookie dough truffles, & you will be set to have a crowd pleaser. The best part? They are easy to make!

For Cookie Dough:

1/2 C (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 C light brown sugar, packed
1/4 C granulated sugar
2 Tbsp Plain 0% Chobani Greek Yogurt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 C all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C semisweet chocolate chips

For Chocolate Coating: 8 oz. dark chocolate chips (Guittard is my personal favorite!) & either sprinkles or powdered sugar

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, beat the butter & sugars with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy,(2-3 minutes.) Mix in the Chobani yogurt & vanilla. Stir in the flour & salt — mix on low speed until well mixed. Stir in the chocolate chips.

2. Form the dough into one-inch balls and arrange them on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Place the sheets in the freezer for at least 15 minutes.

3. Melt the dark chocolate chips either in the microwave or over the stove. Using 2 forks, dip the truffles one at a time in the dark chocolate to fully cover. Glide one fork over the edge of the bowl to shake off the excess coating, & return the truffles to the baking sheets to set. For added flair, sprinkle each truffle with powdered sugar or festive sprinkles.

Original Recipe Found Here.

Enjoy!

Healthy Pumpkin & Chocolate Brownies

Thanksgiving is tomorrow & people cannot stop talking about the delicious feasts they are about to consumer & the food comas they are about to endure. Most people eat so much of the main meal that they are usually too full for dessert – but this dessert will cure that. It is a pumpkin brownie with bits of dark chocolate to add to the sweetness. Another perk is that they are gluten free – but don’t taste like it! They are the perfect post Thanksgiving dessert (or dessert round one!)

Clean Makeup Brushes

In order to keep your face clean, you need to keep your makeup brushes clean. Everyday use eventually makes them home for bacteria (which inevitably clogs pores.) No need to purchase an expensive brush cleaner, you can simply use baby shampoo. It is cheaper & gets the job done just as effectively. For the ultimate results, it is recommended to wash your brushes once a week. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to clean your furry makeup tool.

How To: Use warm water to wet the brush tips while they are facing down. The facing down part is key to extending the lifetime of your brush because it keeps the glue, which holds the bristles to the stem, dry & secure. Once thoroughly soaked, apply some baby shampoo & delicately swirl the bubbly brush in the palm of your hand. To rinse, use the same technique of bristles facing down. Once the brush has been rinsed out, set on the side of your sink in order for it to dry without letting the water leak to the stem.

Orange Is The New Black

Orange is the color of October. It is the color of the fall leaves, the spooky pumpkins & delicious beer. If you are in the NYC area, you should be sure to check out all of the Oktoberfest Beer Gardens – if not, you can still celebrate with one of the greatest pumpkin flavored beers. On a more refined note, it is the color of both Veuve Clicquot & Hermès – the brands that exemplify luxury with champagne & silk. 

The wonderful color between yellow and red  can be paired well with navy, oatmeal, brown, black & grey. You can either make a loud statement with an orange puffer, or use it’s magnificent glow as more of an accent color with a handbag or scarf. Just be sure to not wear too much orange a once, one piece can definitely be sufficient.

Stella McCartney Fold Over Tote Bag – NSF Puffer Coat – Equipment Cashmere Scarf – Alexander McQueen Skull Scarf – Jenni Kayne Suede d’Orsay Flats

October Wish List

October is one of the best months. It’s the month where scarves & booties are pushed to the front of your closet, where the leaves turn to the most beautiful golden colors (& bad hair days dissipate from the lack of humidity!) Not only is it officially Pumpkin Season, National Pizza Month & National Cookie Month…but it is also the month of my birthday. Below are my most coveted items. They are the best versions of the essentials – the crème de la crème. The most luscious leather & the most supple silk, because when you buy classics they should be the highest of quality in order to last the longest & earn the most wear.Rick Owens Leather Jacket – Hermès Silk Scarf – Tod’s Aviator Sunglasses –Marco Bicego Gold & Diamond Ring

Another fun tid-bit of this October is the leopard print box at Ladurée. Make sure you grab yours soon, as they are sure to sell out quickly on Madison Ave!

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale – Must Haves For Fall

The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale officially starts today! This is truly one of the best sales of the year. The concept behind this sale is unlike any other; rather than putting old, out-dated merchandise on sale, they put new fall merchandise on sale for two weeks. Once the two weeks are up, all items go back to regular price. Sometimes is can be hard to shop for boots when there is a heat wave going on outside the AC’d department store, but the 33% off is definitely worth it.  It also pays if you have a Nordstrom Rewards Card because you get triple points the first 3 days of the sale (& you get to shop early access if you are a certain level!) Make sure you shop quickly because all of the best stuff runs out fast! Below are my favorite finds from the sale, ranging from booties to shades. House of Harlow ‘Blondie’ Sunglasses – Rag & Bone ‘Harrow’ Bootie – See By Chloé Skimmer Flat – Tory Burch ‘Brianna’ Dress – Vince Leather Trim Sweater – Burberry ‘Colour Check’ Square Scarf – Rebecca Minkoff ‘Kiefer’ Trench Coat

 

Summer Essential: Tinted Chapstick

The best beauty accessory for summer is a tinted chapstick. Not only does it keep your lips hydrated & protected from the sun, but it also adds a little sass to your look. Red lips are attractive lips – & who doesn’t want that? The below chapstick from NYC Color is a great & inexpensive option to transition from your beach bag to your evening clutch. Since it is tinted, it flatters all complexions because it simply makes your natural lip pop. Also, if you are in a jam, you can apply it directly to your cheeks as a blush to brighten your whole face. Win, win.

P.S: My favorite shade is Big Apple Red. Standard.