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Hats on Parade

OK- here we go- DERBY WEEKEND… AND a fun post to get us back to lighthearted blogging around here. I’ve never been lucky enough to attend the Kentucky Derby- but lets just say its extremely high on my bucket list- if for no other reason than to have an excuse to get my extreme prep on and to buy a most ridiculous hat!

derby hats

I’ve decided to round up a few of my favorites from around the web- full disclosure that some of these are OBSCENELY expensive. But you know it would be worth it. I”m having a hard time deciding between the red feathers and the GIANT blue bow as a favorite…

Derby Hats Galore!

And as an added bonus, one of my coworkers gave me his favorite recipe for a Mint Julep so I’m sharing it with you here. What really sets it apart I think is the minted simple syrup- so worth the extra effort! I hope you make several this Saturday because, I mean- can you really drink anything else on Derby Day???

Proper Mint Julep

mint-julep

  • 2 cups crushed ice
  • 2 oz. Woodford Reserve Bourbon
  • 1 oz. of minted simple syrup
  • 2 bunches of Kentucky Colonel Mint (crucial – not spearmint or peppermint)
  • 1 thoroughly chilled julep cup

Minted Simple Syrup

First, make your simple syrup. In a heavy medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, stir together 1 cup of sugar and one cup of water until dissolved.  Increase heat slightly and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, add 1 bunch of Kentucky Colonel mint leaves, and let steep for 15 minutes.  Strain through a cheese cloth, bottle the syrup, and refrigerate 3 hours before using.  This will keep for up to 1 week, so you can prepare it ahead of time.

Making the Mint Julep

Add 1 oz of simple syrup, then 1 cup of the crushed ice, then 2 oz. of Woodford Reserve bourbon, and a splash of water.  Add enough of the remaining crushed ice to almost fill the cup.  Stir well and garnish with a sprig of Kentucky Colonel mint.


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April Wishlist

WHY IS IT STILL COLD??? Seriously- I can’t believe how chilly its been lately! Spring is supposed to be warm! Or at least sunny. I’ve gotten neither. I’m supposed to be running in a 5k next weekend and my training has been seriously derailed by the weather. Its super windy and cloudy… maybe this is why my April wishlist is on the edgy side (for me at least).

April Wishlist
  1. This Skull Bracelet would look cute on its own OR stacked up with other bracelets
  2. Madewell has ELEVEN different washes of chambray shirts this season. Such an easy breezy Spring look!
  3. I love the unique shape and mix of materials of this Felix Rey clutch
  4. Tortoise frames in a classic shape- these Ralph Lauren Sunglasses have to get some use in the sun sooner or later!
  5. J.Crew came out with a great line of watches this season- especially this vintage-esque aviator watch
  6. I don’t know if I’m “cool” enough to pull off this parka jacket- but I’m in love either way- added bonus that it converts to a vest!
  7. I can’t never own enough Bloch flats. They are a ballet shoe company which means they are SO soft and comfortable.


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Waiting for Lambs….and a March wishlist

Welcome March! This has to be my one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE months of the year. While it is probably biased by the fact it is my birthday month, who ISN’T with me in celebrating the change of seasons? Its actually light out when I leave work, I’m pulling warmer weather clothes back into the rotation, I can walk around the city in flats (read: FINALLY-not snowboots!!!), and of course- I’m starting to see green and flowers again. They say March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb- lets hope for lots more lamb then lion!

In celebration of the warmer weather I put together this quick wishlist of spring-y, pastel items that are currently catching my eye. Cough cough if you are my family – these would all look wonderful tied up with bows on the 25th!!!

March Wishlist
  1. It might be warmer, but its not 80 degrees yet. This Burberry Trench will always be a Spring classic.
  2. In love with these bangles from Margaret Elizabeth. Wear one alone or stack a few different colors together!
  3. Another Classic. You can’t go wrong with a striped oxford from Ralph Lauren.
  4. I have an adorable pair of green tweed Charles Philip Shanghai slippers-seriously the most comfortable chic shoes! I’m eying these for a more springy look!  Butterflies!
  5. Gorgeous colors, a delicate print, what DON’T I love about this scarf from Athena Procopio??
  6. While Diptyque’s Feu de Bois has been burning all winter, its time for a change. Enter Mimosa.
  7. The quilted bag trend never seems to go away. I love the color and size of this Marc Jacobs one.
  8. Again. Just because it’s warmer doesn’t’ mean I can completely ditch the sweaters-the colorblocked colors on this J.Crew cardigan make me extra happy.

 


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Late-Winter Party Looks

Who knew February/ March was such a busy social season? Nick and I have a bunch of parties coming up in the next two weeks- but no complaints here- I love a good excuse to go shopping and get all dressed up! The tough thing is- its a hard season to dress for. Glittery Christmas dresses are starting to look silly, but so is wearing a full out Spring look. You also never know if the venue is going to be too warm or too cold- and dress codes start being all over the place if it starts snowing. To avoid being too casual or too dressy, a long sleeved cocktail dress is always a good go-to.

I’m in love with all four of these looks- the first two styled with a classic vibe and the second two more ELECTRIC- and each is wearable right into warmer weather. (They are all lightweight materials) Which is your favorite? Any tips for dressing up when its AWFUL outside?

Winter Cocktail Looks

Keep an eye out on twitter and instagram to see what I actually pick! Spoiler alert: it won’t be the $900 Missoni :(


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Oscars Recap

Its almost embarrassing to admit that the reason I got to work tired this morning is because I watched six and half hours of Oscars coverage last night- but I’m sure I’m not the only one! What did you think of the show??? I had really mixed feelings. There were parts I loved: movie music between each segment, James Bond, Babs, THE STAGE and Daniel Radcliffe & Joseph Gordon-Levitt dancing (Seriously- could they BE more charming???)

But then there were so many questions: Does Kristen Stewart think sulking is a good look? Why does E! think that the mani-cam is a good idea??? Why do people think its cool or classy to share how much your diamonds are worth- especially when you don’t even own them?? Does wizard hair guarantee success in the movie production business? Why didn’t we perform songs that were actually nominated this year??? I mean I love Jennifer Hudson’s performance as much as anyone but couldn’t we have given that spot to Scar Jo singing “Before My Time”- which is an amazing song??? Did anyone doubt that Skyfall would win after NONE of the other songs got even close to the same coverage???

OK. rant complete. Now lets get into the fashion.

Best Dressed: I was loving the redheads! Jessica Chastain in Giorgio Armani and Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta kicked off the red carpet early with two dresses that I would DIE to wear:

Just look at the beading!!!! Seriously that dress must have weighed 10 pounds- but it was worth it.

Jessica Chastain

This was the perfect color for Amy. I love the ruffles. Can you imagine twirling around in this one?? This is the “successful” implementation of giant ballgown (see below for the fail).

Amy Adams

And then of course there was Catherine Zeta Jones wearing Zuhair Murad. Seriously- no one does red carpet like this woman. Everyone else just needs to bow down.

Catherine Zeta Jones

Fashion Flops: It was interesting- for the dresses I hated most, the women wearing them actually looked lovely. That being said:

I get that Reese Witherspoon just had a baby- but this Louis Vuitton dress pinched her in all the wrong ways. The boob cups? The bow? The hips??? Just. no.

Reese Witherspoon

Jennifer Lawrence was so very pretty- but looked like a baby lamb lost in a field of pink Dior fabric. This is a lovely dress- but it was WAY WAY WAY too much for her. First red flag of the night??? The fact that it took her three tries to say “Haute Couture”. Sorry Missy- but if you can’t pronounce it- you don’t deserve to wear it. She could barely walk down the red carpet- and you were maybe going to write it off that people were stepping on her but then……………

Jennifer Lawrence

…..she fell on the stairs on her way to accept her award.. With the least graceful recovery. Case in point?

Helen Hunt in H&M was an another fail. It feels mean criticizing a dress that probably cost $500 against ones that cost $10,000- but hey- when you can show up in ANYTHING and CHOOSE to wear this- you are opening up yourself to some serious criticism.I mean it looked fine- in a “you are 17 and heading to prom” sort of way… but the cheapness of the fabric was showing before she even made it halfway down the red-carpet.

Helen Hunt

OK thats enough about fashion. Lets talk the Stage!

This year, the Oscars stage was design by Tony Award-winning Production Designer Derek McLane. It was fairly straightforward, but perfectly glam. I liked that the addition of “mini stages” granted the actors shorter walks to the front. My favorite aspect that I couldn’t get over was the “stalactite” “stalagmite” lights that gave the stage a magical glow. Well the lights AND 100,000 Swarovski crystals.

oscar stage 2013

What were your favorite parts? Did I catch your favorite dress??? Did you like Seth McFarland??? Lastly- can someone end my ongoing debate with Nick about who is the best movie composer of all time (John Williams vs Hans Zimmer)??? We fought about it through the ENTIRE show- well – its an ongoing argument.

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