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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Brunette Club's Former Ruler






How is this not the greatest picture?

Icon. Jewelry (my favorite gem to boot). A slight tinge of humor.

I once read she arrived late to a party at the British Embassy in D.C. in the 70's, resulting in her unintentionally upstaging another guest....Queen Elizabeth II.  Now that is the definition of fabulous.

xxoo
T

Photo Courtesy of William Harold Jewelry Blog

Monday, October 22, 2012

I still mourn Domino

The loss of Domino, some 3+ years later, still has a ripple effect.  Yes, the editors did bring us a brief reprieve this past spring and it was great, but I still crave it in a consistent, reoccurring format.

Lonny helps.  Anyone who knows me knows my obsession with ANYTHING the founders of Matchbook put out, which also helps.  However, there is still that Domino-shaped void.

Perhaps this will be the fix? Lili Diallo (below), a former Domino stylist is launching billie magazine  this month and will have a focus on travel, home stories and market round-ups.  Initial thoughts based on their current site (heart that couch), Pinterest and Instagram accounts are that this one could be a gem....


I just got back from New England after enjoying family time and fall leaves - looking forward to sharing some of the gorgeous images!

xxoo
T

Friday, October 19, 2012

Read this book

Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl was one of the quickest and most charming reads I have had in a while. The whole premise of the book is what gives a French gal her certain je ne sais quoi.  

Instead of just simply preaching all the ways the author (who is American) feels the French are better than us, she gives examples and still praises women in her home country as well.  

There were a lot of anecdotes and elements in the book that resonated with me.  Most obvious were those around food (yes I would like looong multi course lunches over wine), but I also liked the part that really stressed quality over quantity with girlfriends and how great it is just to unwind by yourself.  As I get older I find myself more and more drawn to that philosophy. 

Anyways - its dirt cheap on Amazon and I highly recommend picking it up for a quick and delightful read!




Merci!
xxoo
T

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Bag It

Can someone PLEASE give me a good reason to buy both of these bags?  It is official that my closet and myself cannot live without either.  I can easily see an ipad, magazine, book etc all living pleasantly inside as I tote one of these puppies around for work or travel.

The orange stripe.  The sleek shape.  We were made for each other.  Available to purchase here

True story, I had been lusting after this one online for sometime and saw a stranger rocking it at a beer festival.  I promptly went up to her, explained how much I liked the bag and asked if I could touch it.  Totally normal, right?  Available to purchase here

xxoo
T


Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Print Shop

My Pinterest habit has a tendency to go through phases.  One week we can see I am apparently on a health food kick, pinning recipes for quinoa muffins and cucumber based snacks. While another week we can see I have abandoned said health food obsession and am now pinning any unique pizza recipe that I lay my eyes on.

Lately I have moved away from food and find myself constantly pinning things for our home, specifically prints to place on wooden shelves that will one day (someday?) live in our living room.

Below are some recent ones that have caught my eye:

Love this simple print of my hometown, despite being geographically incorrect (the Sears, er I mean Willis Tower is not on the lake).  Can be purchased here

I love this one because my husband often says this to me.  Bonus points to him because 1) I love oysters and 2) He often says it to me in places where I can procure oysters (I am sure is not a coincidence) which prompts me to be cheesy and reply "And I can get one too!" (its the little things). Can be purchased here

Clearly my love for my glorious hometown holds no bounds.  Can be purchased here

Selected for obvious reasons.  I would clearly lay a pictures of our puppy right next to it because she is the cutest. Can be purchased here

It made me giggle. No other reason than that.  Currently sold out, but when available can be purchased here

I love the colors.  And the memory it invokes of nibbling on them as we walked towards the Louvre isn't that bad either.  Can be purchased here

I can't keep giving my hometown love without at least one shout out to my current (and wonderful) town.  Can be purchased here

Just simply love the way the colors are used.  Can be purchased here



xxoo
T


Monday, October 15, 2012

Hoot.

Let's reinvigorate our "need to breathe series" with this cozy (and too cute) Madewell sweater that just screams "weekend brunch".   I could see it with skinny jeans and brown boots or even leggings and delicate flats. Guess who will be stalking the Madewell site for one of their  25% off sales and promptly scooping this up?




And just because I like checking things off lists...got pumpkins this weekend in beautiful Blumemont, VA.   Need to get those seeds in the oven stat!


xxoo,
T

Friday, October 12, 2012

Fall Check-List

I adore Fall.  Without a doubt, it is my favorite season.  And that is saying a lot considering I also adore my birthday, which occurs in the Summer. 

The last couple of Falls have been hectic, but I am 100% savoring and enjoying this one and plan on continuing for at least another month and a half. 

As the leaves start changing colors, I want to try to knock out as many fabulous activities below as possible:

  1. Go pumpkin picking.
  2. Enjoy roasted pumpkin seeds (clearly 1&2 are connected).
  3. Make cider.  Perhaps using this recipe.
  4. Enjoy the foliage.  A family vacation to here later this month will help check this one off.  Can't wait!
  5. Take puppy on lots of long walks to enjoy the brisk weather.
  6. Enjoy good wine and good music at night on our back patio with a blanket.
  7. Watch Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin (seriously, this should be on EVERYONE'S list).
  8. Visit Virginia's fabulous vineyards (ok so 6&8 could be connected too).

And just because its adorable, a picture of our dog following the costume contest at our neighborhood Octoberfest in her (WINNING) costume!

Yes I put the beer in front of her to give the photo an "authentic" feel.

xxoo
T

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Makes me giggle

Maybe because my dad is a "trekie."  Or maybe because I like pizza and pointy ears, but this picture just had me giggling.  What a fantastic capture of pop culture at its finest.

xxoo
T

Photo courtesy of Star Trek

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

A Frat Party with Pesto

A frat party with pesto.

That is what I called our house on Sunday morning when referring to the shenanigans from the night before.  The evening started innocently enough.  Friends over with food and wine ready to go.

It was this cocktail that took the night downhill fast.  The carefully made pesto might as well have been a jumbo slice of pizza served at 2am.

Ah well.... c'est la vie, great times were had by all!

This was the pesto recipe that was used.  I turned it up a notch with some  lemon juice, lemon zest and a garlic scape that had been hanging out in our crisper drawer.



Enjoy!

T

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

And a Happy Valentine's Day to You Too


Happiness is Zooey Deschanel being her quirky cute self. 

Less than happiness is finding out that the dress she wore on SNL this week was custom made for her and not in stores...

xxoo and a Happy Valentine's Day regardless!

Photo Courtesy of Pop Crush

Friday, February 10, 2012

Line your Dominos up



I subscribed to Domino magazine from the minute I first heard about it.  I received the first issue and every one after that.

And then for no reason whatsoever, I did the the unthinkable and threw them away during one of those reckless cleaning sprees we all go on every now and then.  And we know how the rest of the story goes...the recession happened, print publications got (unfairly) beat up upon and my beloved Domino folded.

Although not returning in its full glory, Conde Nast is throwing us a bone and putting a modified version of it back on shelves this spring.

This makes me happier than when I come across a fabulous rectangular white tufted ottoman coffee table against a bright chevron patterned rug....

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

T Joe's For The Vin

I could dedicate an entire blog only to the wonders that exist in a Trader Joe's store (seaweed chips, virgin coconut oil, agave syrup...ok i'll stop).

For the sake of brevity, I'll focus just on their wine section and one bottle in particular that I always go back to.  Its not the most amazing wine you will ever drink, it is by no means a bottle for your friend the wine snob.

It has bubbles, a bit of sweet and is refreshing all year long.  At a $5 price tag, it is great to stockpile a few for last minute hostess gifts.  I recently brought to a small gal gathering and it was an instant hit!

If you can make room in your cart next time you are there (and trust me I know how hard that can be) I highly reco you grab a bottle (or 5) of N.V. Le Grotte Lambrusco Dell'Emilia Bianco.

Cheers!

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Have you seen........?


Midnight in Paris? 

As someone who is a sucker for Woody Allen and any witty movie with charming Europe as the backdrop, this was a must see for me.

The movie did not disappoint and the city was the star of the show.  The cast twirled and sparkled around it as they basked in the (Oscar-nominated) direction of Mr. Allen.  It made me want to read everything Hemingway wrote and covet everything Marion Cotillard and Rachel McAdams wore.  



Would highly recommend for a Francophile night in....Bordeaux optional.
 
Photos Courtesy of IMDB

Monday, February 6, 2012

Bananas for this bread



When life gives you bananas that are a tad too ripe for one's liking then one must bake banana bread!

Not only is it easy peasy, but it makes your house smell ah-mazing.

This recipe is as straightforward as they come. I left out the orange juice, didn't use a glass loaf pan (mental) and incorporated regular size chocolate chips, so it can be modified slightly.

I personally think it would be a simple make-ahead dessert for a dinner party - pair with some Chunky Monkey and enjoy :)

- T

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Reading Wish List VOL 1











There are 3 things that both my husband and I are both passionate about (and unfortunately for me, shoes is not one of them).
  1. Wine
  2. Travel
  3. Books
Books might be our biggest shared passion, if only because it is slightly less expensive than the other two.

Kindles and I-pads make all the sense in the world, however neither of us can begin to think about departing from actual books. Turning their pages, cracking their spines...simple pleasures.

There has been a large queue growing of books I have to read (esp now since I finished the amazing Hunger Games trilogy)
that have been burning a hole is my nightstand table.
It is actually after seeing them listed out that I realized they are all non-fiction accounts of great women's lives.

Happy reading to me and I promise to share any yummy tid-bits that Gael Greene shares (fingers crossed she writes about Mick Jagger)....

xx00,
t

Monday, January 2, 2012

I. Die.


Why this picture is amaze:
  • Zooey
  • Alexa
  • Zooey's coat
  • Zooey's purse
  • Thumbs up
  • Alexa's eye brows

Being a 2012 Cliche



First glittery NYE clothing and now a health-related New Year's resolution? I should just change the name of this blog to "Morning Person Cliche".


But before I do that let me just explain that my New Year's resolution is not the typical one of losing X number of Lbs or fitting into that pair of #&*@^! skinny jeans that taunt me in my closet.


No no no, this is so much more than that. It is to just
be healthy.

To make sure I am as active as I can be

To make sure all the foods I put into my body are the best that they can be

To not stress, feel guilty or worry about every little thing that I cannot control

HAPPY 2012!!


xxoo,
t