I Love This Look: Vintage Inspired Prints

I adore vintage dresses for their ladylike silhouette and colorful prints.  As I have been combing through fashion week street style I came across this gorgeous look from New York.  This dress is perfection from the billowy sleeves, colorful beetle print pattern to the mid-calf length.  I tend to go back and forth between buying brand new clothes and shopping vintage, I usually prefer the latter for the uniqueness of the piece.  In a few weeks I have my first few appointments to try on wedding dresses (I will be giving an update on my wedding plans shortly) and I am torn between new and old.  In the meantime, here are a few new beautiful dresses that have a sense of nostalgia and that I would love to have in my closet.  I hope that everyone has a fantastic week!

H&M Floral Dress / Topshop Kimono Bloom Split Dress

Vivienne Westwood Magnolia Crepe de Chine Dress / Diane von Furstenberg Murphy Cut Out Dress

Delpozo Floral Print Dress / Gosford Slipper Vamp Court Heels/ H&M Clutch Bag

Image via

Little Bits of Happiness

(I cannot get enough of Bellocq Tea Atelier - such a magical place)

(Ushering in fall with an apple cider donut from Carpe Donut)

Beauty Flash: Milan S/S 14

Milan fashion week beauty was just that beautiful. If there is one trend that crosses the pond it is flawless, glowing skin with just a tint of color on the lips. At Dolce & Gabbana the models were just effortlessly pretty - there skin was glowing, like it was lit from with in while lips were tinted mauve and their hair was adorned with a golden coin headband.  Another favorite look was the turquoise blue eyes at Giorgio Armani which paired perfectly with the pastel looks that went down the runway.  Here is my beauty recap for Milan and some ways to help recreate this look.  Continue for more...

French Onion Soup with Comté

If there is one food/lifestyle blog that truly takes me to a magical place it is Manger, written by Mimi Thorrison in Médoc, France.  I have been an avid reader, follower and practically a student, by doing research for French inspired recipes and for her sites stunning photography shot by her husband.  I cannot wait for her cookbook to be released next year.  She was recently featured in the October issue of Bon Appetit and they summed it up her life perfectly stating that 'someone stole your fantasy life' or mine at least.  I love how she portrays the French countryside and creates wholesome meals for her growing family.  In the issue, she shares quite a few recipes including a recipe for French Onion Soup with Comté that I decided to make a recent brisk Sunday.  This soup is a labor of love, not in the amount of work that actually goes into it, but allowing for the few simple ingredients to meld together takes time and allows patience.  But when it is done, it is done - this breath is so rich and decadent making for a perfect base for the softened onions and the nuttiness of the Comté cheese.  Continue for more...

The Great Macaron Hunt: NYC & Brooklyn

When it comes to eating sweets, I tend to gravitate towards treats that are beautiful and almost too pretty. I definitely do not discriminate but I tend to gravitate towards French desserts like tarts, eclairs and other sweet confections and when it comes to pretty there is nothing prettier than the macaron - the light as air cookie shell filled with so many decadent and interesting flavors. I set out to discover and rediscover my favorite macaron spots in New York, in particulary the places that are unique to only New York. We are lucky in the city to have great places that are authentically French like Ladurée and La Maison du Chocolat but I wanted to taste and explore the delicous spots that you can find only in New York.  Join me as I take you to the best places that will entice the palette and leaving you to want to book a trip to New York (or Paris!).  

Style Spotted:: The Candy Pink Jacket

I think that I have said this before, but I love the fashion off the runway just as much as on it, whether outlandish à la Anna Della Russo or spot-on amazing like Giovanna Battaglia. One trend that I spotted was a candy pink jacket seen on the streets of London and Milan.  It makes me just happy to see such a bright and happy color when the temperatures begin to drop.  What street style trends you are loving right now? 

Dream a Little Dream

Looking at these photographs of Georgia May Jagger in Vogue UK's October issue made me daydream about wide open spaces with fields of blooming flowers.  These photographs shot by Venetia Scott are absolutely magical making me yearn to want to escape to the countryside, especially in England.  How I would love to lay in a fragrant blanket of iris, daisies and wildflowers.  Editorials are supposed to take you somewhere, to let you escape your own life if only for a few minutes and these photographs surely did that for me. I hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Spring/Summer 2014 Fashion Round-up {London}

I always adore the prints and vivid shades and interesting silhouettes that come out of London fashion week and the Spring 2014 shows definitely didn't disappoint.  From the heavily patterned Mary Katrantzou frocks to the pastel shades at Burberry, London definitely made it's mark for the upcoming season.  I also have discovered another favorite pairing, polka dots and lace as seen at Burberry.  Did you catch the London shows? Which did you love?

Pistachio & Lime Tea Cakes

As I continue to bake and bake (and bake and bake) I am constantly discovering new pairings that have made me wonder what took me so long to realize that they belong together. I recently mentioned here about combining strawberries with balsamic, but today I have another new discovery for you, pistachios and lime make for a delicious combination.  I discovered this match made in heaven through my favorite Australian cooking magazine, Donna Hay (if you haven't browsed her website, I recommend you do it asap!) where in a recent issue she devoted a portion to flour-free desserts. My love for Donna Hay, the photography and recipes runs very deep, I also made another recipe here.  I decided to make an adaptation of her Pistachio and Lime Cake and was quite literally swept off my feet.  The nuttiness of the almond and pistachio flour create a terrific texture while the lime zest adds a bit of floral-sweetness to the dessert.  The only thing that you will need with these tea cakes is a piping hot cup of tea or an espresso.  Continue fore more...

Ingredient Love:: Linden

Working in the fragrance industry, I have come into contact with a lot of different smells; however, I continually go back to my favorite notes like gardenia, jasmine, honeysuckle, rose and linden, one of my favorites.  I first encountered linden in a bar of soap and then in person, while strolling around Versailles a few years back. The air was perfumed with an amazing floral aroma floating gracefully from perfectly shaped trees. I learned shortly there after that it was a linden tree and I was smelling the blossoms. Linden blossoms are delicate blooms that are shaped like yellow pom-poms and bloom in June here in New York.   They say that your sense of smell can trigger memories and it is true, when I smell these flowers in June it reminds me of the second date I went on with my fiancé that made me realize that he was the one.  

Library of Flowers Linda Parfum Crema / Pre de Provence Linden Soap

Fresh Linden Soap / Sisley Paris Botancial Face Mask with Linden Blossom

Diptyque Tilleul Candle / Kneipp Pure Harmony Bath Salts, Orange and Linden Blossom

Pre de Provence Linden Flower Body Lotion

Inspiring Interiors:: A Colorful Abode

I hope that everyone had a great weekend! I had a productive weekend, which felt really good, we spent a lot of time outside, I baked and we tried Fletcher's Brooklyn Barbecue in Gowanus, Brooklyn - it was delicious.  I love exploring this up-and-coming section of town.    

Color is proven to make you happy - it is even Jonathan Adler's motto.  I couldn't agree more, when I see a brightly colored interior, I cannot help but but get giddy inside.  This interior by Susan Kasler is just pretty. I love the Tiffany blue walls and the bathroom which has wallpaper I cannot stop thinking about - it is the perfect combination of chic and glamour.  Another one of my favorite interiors is the home  belonging to OscarPRGirl decorated by the one and only Miles Redd.  Design like this makes me hungry for more! Continue for more...

Little Bits of Happiness

(One of my favorite new coffee shops in Greenpoint, Brooklyn -  Milk and Roses)

(A scene from the photoshoot that I assisted at with the great food stylist/photographer Vanessa Rees)

(Brooklyn sunsets keep getting better and so do the shadows that they cast)

Spring/Summer 2014 Fashion Roundup {New York}

A week sure goes by quickly when you are having fun! During New York fashion weekend, so many trends emerged that are just down-right pretty and I would love to slip on right about now. I mean that could be a possibility since summer is still gracing us with her warm temperatures. Some of my favorite trends this far is the great amount of white dominating many of the shows (soft eyelits and lace), beautiful floral prints (subdued water colors and vibrant florals), layers of pleats and  look after look of mid-bearing pieces (hello crunches).  What trends are you loving from the runway? Below are my favorites looks that took the city by storm, now onto London!  Continue for more...

Petal by Petal:: The Progression of an English Garden Rose {Gentle Hermione}

I love watching beauty unfold, whether it be a sunset that slowly starts out with a beam of orange and red and eventually nestles into a purple sky or a flower starting to bloom. I cherish small moments like these.  In the beginning of spring, I purchased two small English garden roses and did not think that they would grow that much during the summer season or even bloom; however, I was pleasantly surprised when my Gentle Hermione rose began to bud and has continued to do so over the warm summer months.   It  begins with a slightly pink bud and slowly opens into a pinkish-white bloom with many layers. This type of rose is incredibly fragrance - it has a large floral presence with a bit of sweetness that lingers on the tip of your nose. I hope you enjoy watching this beauty bloom as much as I did.  Continue for more...

Spring 2014 Beauty Preview {New York}

Have your eyes been glued to your screen and social media getting the up-to-date details of the New York Spring/Summer 2014 shows? I most certainly have and let me tell you the timeless beauty trends that have been appearing in the shows so far are definitely catching my eye in particularly the show-stopping matte orange lip and the vibrant crimson lips at shows from Altuzarra and Prabal Gurung.  As far as hair trends, I absolutely adore the braided crowns whether left polished or a bit wispy as seen at Nicole Miller.  What beauty trends are you loving right now? 

A Day Away:: Cold Springs, New York

Over Labor Day weekend we ventured up to Cold Springs, New York in the Hudson Valley.  Escaping the city and going to the country is one of my favorite things to do whenever possible.  The Hudson valley is so lush and green and I adore how the gentle foothills roll into the still Hudson River.  Cold Springs is a town that has been around since the early 1800's and exploring it's narrow streets was like stepping back into a simpler times.  If you are in the spirit to wander through antique stores this is the place to do it as one tiny shop flanks another and the signage has a nostalgic feel.  We enjoyed lunch at the Hudson House Inn and then cooled down with home-churned ice cream at Moo Moo's Creamery (humidity on that particular day was about 80% which is why the landscape looks a bit hazy and the Hudson looks more like the Nile). If you are in the New York City area Cold Springs is just a train ride away from Grand Central and the train lets you off right in the town square.  Continue for more...

Inspiring Interiors:: A Glistening Space

Looking through my October interior design magazines, I found my jaw dropping more than once, in particularly with Cameron Diaz's New York home designed by Kelly Wearstler.

   I have fallen head over heals for the glistening factor in her home - from the gold sink and shower to what looks like Mother of Pearl walls.  Looking at these glowing interiors makes me want to ready my apartment for fall by bringing in design elements that create a warm and inviting interior.  Speaking of immaculate homes, did you see Gisele and Tom Brady's Los Angeles home, it is immense, yet beautiful. Continue for more...

NYFW S/S 2014:: Red Valentino

New York fashion week has officially begun! And to start things off, I thought I would begin with one presentation that I look more and more forward to each season, Red Valentino.  I love the feminine and whimsy spirit that this collection has from the delicate flora patterns to the very last bow, which appears as a headband, belt or shoe detail. What shows are you looking the most forward to this season?

Concord Grape Corn Muffins

As the summer days begin to draw to an end there is one thing that my foodie self looks forward to - grapes.  I am not talking about the globe grapes of the green or red variety, I am talking about table grapes like Concords and Niagras that enter the picture early fall at farmers markets.  Something about their rich fruity taste seems like an indulgence, but actually they are packed with healthy nutrients like polyphenols that can prevent free-radical damage.  I typically just eat these grapes by the mouthful, but I decided that with my first purchase of the season I would make Concord Grape Cornbread, which turned out to be a delicious decision.  The cornbread is infused with lemony goodness thanks to the lemon zest while the grapes hold their shape and practically burst in your mouth.  

Pinterest Loves

Pinterest...how I adore you.  I have said it before but I have a bit of a Pinterest addiction.  Whenever I am feeling a bit lackluster for inspiration a visit to this site can fuel me to get to the next level.  Here are a few of the images that have caught my eye.  You can follow me here! Continue for more...

Fashion Essential:: Printed Skirt

 I hope that everyone had a great long weekend!  The weather here put a little damper in our plans (it was really overcast and extremely humid) so our beach trips never came to fruition. Instead, we spent the days either in Brooklyn or Manhattan, which was nice because everyone pretty much left town.  Yesterday we went to Cold Spring, New York, a beautiful haven situated along the Hudson (photos to come!).  On another note, can you believe it is September and that fashion week is just around the corner?
Speaking of fashion, when it comes to Pinterest, I find myself coming into phases where I pin different looks that are very similar.  Recently, it has been all about printed skirts skirts that ooze femininity and polish.  Below are some of my favorite picks to lead into fall.  I hope everyone has a great short week!