Currently Lovin'

1. catbird Alphabet Rings

2. J.Crew patent lavender skinny belt (similar)

3. Steve Madden leather sandals

4. Kenneth Cole Reaction cork wedges

5. Sperry Top-Sider Boat Shoes

6. Splendid chambray tunic

7. H&M eyelet shorts

8. Three Layer Appetizer

 

Bunnycakes

Riding the Champagne Train from Paradou to Gansevoort to The Standard.

Best Easter Ever.

{cotton & milk}

Giada's Penne with Treviso and Goat Cheese

{Penne with Treviso and Goat Cheese}

While sitting in the chair at the dentist's office, I watched a Giada at Home episode where she made this yummy looking Penne with Treviso and Goat Cheese pasta.  I looked it up when I got home and tried it out myself and now it's one of my new favorites!  It's so simple (basically just throw everything into one pan), fresh (with lemon juice and basil), and nutritious (with healthy spinach and radicchio).  I used about half as much cheese as the recipe calls for, and garnished with shredded parmesan instead of goat cheese (I mixed the goat cheese in the pasta-- I think she did this on the show).  I love how unique and tasty this recipe is because of the creamy, tangy, balsamic flavored sauce.

Giada's Penne with Treviso and Goat Cheese (Recipe found here)

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, halved
• 1 pound treviso or radicchio, chopped (about 4 cups)
• 3 packed cups (3 ounces) baby spinach
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1-1/2 cups grated Parmesan
• 1-1/2 cups (11 ounces) goat cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup basil leaves, torn

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta water.

In a 12-inch skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant and golden, about 1 minute. Remove the garlic and discard.  Add the treviso, spinach, chicken stock, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of salt, and red pepper flakes. Cook until the treviso and spinach are wilted, about 6 to 8 minutes.  Add the pasta and Parmesan. Toss well and thin out the sauce with a little pasta water, if needed. Season with salt, to taste.  Transfer the penne to serving bowls. Top each portion with the crumbled goat cheese and garnish with basil before serving.

Dainty Drapey Pearls

{J.Crew Dainty Drapey Pearl Necklace}

A few weeks ago I saw this drapey pearl necklace at my local J.Crew (my personal favorite is the pink pearl with a gold chain version they had in store).  I thought it was super cute, but thought the $45 price tag was a bit steep.  Instead of purchasing it, I thought "I could make that myself" and snapped a quick picture with my blackberry (while the SAs weren't looking).  I dabbled in jewelry making a couple years ago and still have a bunch of unused supplies.  From beads, chain and jump rings I already had, I created my own version of a dainty drapey pearl necklace.

 {threading pearls with nylon thread}

{pearl, glass and Swarovski crystal beads, sterling silver chain}

It's Almost Summer

{Forever 21 maxi dress & turquoise necklace}

I've been looking for nice plain maxi dresses that aren't too floral or too long. I find that the majority of maxi dresses are much, much too long, even for me at 5'6"! I was completely shocked when I went to Forever21 and found this maxi dress that is easy to wear (not strapless) and not too long or floral. Also, the quality of the fabric is heavy and wears nicely. So at just $13 each, I couldn't resist buying 3...black (in photo), dark blue and a blue/black striped version. I plan to wear these a lot this summer with flat sandals and then into fall with blazers and ballet flats.

{3.1 Philip Lim bag; Ann Taylor sandals}

Currently Lovin'

{dainty necklaces}

{miss dior cherie perfume}

{leopard tory burch flats & patent cole haan penny loafers}

{sparkling pomeganate blueberry juice}

Ponies & Wings

And black diamond rings.
These are a few of my favorite things.

{Claire & Arnaud Origami Jewelry Pegasus Necklace}


{Alexander McQueen Fall 2010}

{Unique Spring 2011}

{nOir Jewelry Pegasus Ring}

origami jewellery
style.com
noir jewelry

Timeless

1. Framed photos of me, boyfriend, & our pup

2. Fun but functional decor like my new crane coin bank from West Elm 

3. Classic linen upholstered headboard (that just arrived this week!)

4. Weekly farmer's market bunches

After years of renting and waiting to have a home of my own to decorate, I'm so excited to finally be taking on the task of furnishing our new home! I'm beginning to learn that with the endless options for home furniture and decor, it is impossible to choose just one cocktail table, or just one floor lamp for our living room. I want pieces that I love now and will love years from now, but knowing which pieces will stand the test of time (and test of my ever-changing taste) is such a challenge. These photos are a few simple things I'm certain will continue to add warmth, style, and character to our home for years to come.

Bruxie

The concept of a waffle sandwich was so intriguing that even this super long line could not keep me from trying Bruxie.  The line moved pretty slowly, but the chef/owner and workers walked the line answering questions and handing out menus for everyone to look over while they waited.  Their menu features several staple savory and sweet options as well as daily specials.  My bf and I tried a little bit of everything and the overall favorite was the fried chicken and waffle sandwich, which was surprisingly not overly heavy or oily.  You know a place is popular and trendy when you see a film crew interviewing customers and filming an episode for their show.  It's too bad I didn't catch the name of the show, I'm sure I could be seen in the background, stuffing my face.  Next visit, I want to try the prosciutto & gruyere and lemon cream & berries waffles... Mmm.   

 {seasonal shake - fresh California strawberry & old fashioned 'pure cane sugar' cream soda}

 

{buttermilk fried chicken & waffle with waffle fries}

 

{smoked salmon & dill cream cheese}

 {film crew}

The Look For Less: Spring Sandals

Quite a few years ago, the Style Network had a t.v. show called "The Look For Less" hosted by Elizabeth Hasselbeck. It has since gone off the air, but I loved that show a lot and I think it taught me a lot about recreating runway looks with normal priced items.


I've been in the market for a mid-heel sandal that will take me through spring and summer. Here are two options, one by Nine West and the other by Pierre Hardy. Despite the huge difference in their prices, they both achieve the same overall asthetic.

What's In Her Bag

What's in the Rebecca Minkoff?

{Rebecca Minkoff Black Leather Everyday Satchel}

Everything is separated into LeSportsac pouches

{Large 2-zip Pouch for electronics - iPod, camera, chargers for each}
{Medium 2-zip Pouch for hygiene products - tissue, band aids, hand wipes}
{Square Pouch for cosmetic items - mirror, lipgloss, chapstick, tide pen}

Leather card holder for wallet overflow

{MCM First Lady Card Wallet - the one I want, definitely not the one I have!}

Notebook

{& a hotel room ballpoint pen}

Fold-Up Reusable Nylon Grocery Bag

lyst
lesportsac
mcm
pentamento
apartment therapy

The Selby Shoots: A.Wang's Office

Swing by Alexander Wang’s new downtown studio and you might focus on any number of things. Perhaps it’s the custom-made black goat hair sofa chair. Or the receptionist’s desk with giant shipyard chain-link legs. The Thirties brass theater lights. Maybe it’s even the colossal space itself; this TriBeCa office is nearly four times the size of his previous 2,000-square-foot Flatiron studio — not bad for a designer who, just four years ago, was pitching his debut collection from his apartment. The most telling of pieces here, however, Wang has hidden away on his office wall. It’s a large Juergen Teller photograph of a playful Kate Moss — with tousled pink hair — peeking out from under all-white bed covers.
- WWD, 2008

wwd

the selby