Making Me Happy This Week: Candy for the Ears, Feet and Brain

This blog is a long time coming- we haven’t posted on Let’s Bee Lovely since August 8, 2011!  Feeling inspired to get back into the swing of things, here are the things that are making me happy this week.

1. Born to Die, Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey, Born to Die

Poor Lana was subjected to some serious hazing after her much maligned performance on Saturday Night Live, but to me, she is almost perfect.  Her album Born to Die has been in constant rotation on my commute to work and in my Spotify, and it is AMAZING.  Being a fan of the Andy Warhol scene and all that it brought to New York and America in the 60′s and 70′s, Lana has a very Nico-esque appeal.  Warhol says in his book Popism: The Warhol Sixties, that Nico sang like “an IBM computer with a Garbo accent.” I see that as a compliment, so I’m giving the same one to Lana.  Super unique voice and hair that I would kill for- what’s not to like?

2. Tom’s Ballet Flats

Tom's Natalia Grey Linen Ballet Flats

The morning of February 5 was a big event for me.  An Outlook alert woke me, I sprang out of bed and ran down to my laptop.  Tom’s Ballet Flats went on sale and I secured a pair in heather grey linen!  I have been wearing them non-stop since I received them and they are my new favorite shoes.  Super comfortable, super cute and work appropriate.  My only wish is that they had the same cushy bottoms that the Tom’s Classics have, but overall I am in love and plan to order a second pair soon.

3. Seattle Arts and Lectures “Eternity in a Ruffle: Fashion in Art, Art in Fashion” Series

Screen shots from Sex and the City, "The Real Me"

I wish ANY of my college classes had been as engaging and thought-provoking as this series, that I’ve been taking with my friend Erin, author of Peripheral Vision.  Erin will probably write a much more thoughtful and academic review of the things that we have been learning in this class, but let me just say that any class that does the dreaded “close reading” in a format that I enjoy gets a gold star from me.  This week, the professor, Jessica Burstein, played clips from Sex and the City, Zoolander, Belle du Jour and Funny Face and extracted substantial topics for discussion.  I feel like my brain and my love of clothes has encountered their perfect match- keep up the good work SAL!

Tags: Born to Die, Lana Del Rey, Natalia Grey Linen, Seattle Arts and Lectures, Sex and the City The Real Me, Tom's Ballet Flats

To stripe…

While some of the most talked about trends this summer seem to be color-blocking, cropped tops, lace details, and flowy midi skirts; I can’t help but find that my most favorite of the trends has been stripes. I can’t stripe enough – and with the weather leaving me mostly mopey this summer with no inspiration to slip into those cheery brights and sundresses, I have found content in incorporating stripes into my everyday wardrobe and also, as you will see below, my everyday landscape.

what is old has been made new: Wearing a striped one-shoulder dress from Forever 21 purchased last year for a “girls night out” — never to be worn again, but since stripes have proven to be such a lasting trend, today I miraculously decided to try casually remixing it as a pencil-ish skirt and cover up the more dressy/clubby part of it with an airy electric blue blouse also bought a few years back at Banana Republic. Top it off with my favorite nude flats and I have a new outfit that meshes color-blocking with striping – who knew my brain could work up such creativity on a Monday!

pulling the trigger on horizontal striped walls: It took me nearly a year but I finally was able to convince my boyfriend to do something a bit out-of-the-box and paint his walls using horizontal stripes. A deal on groupon for Parker Paint allowed us to purchase paint and supplies, then we chose a subtle blue-grey color (called Sea Fog) to paint the living room with, and thanks to a friend who applied almost the exact same method of striping to her walls, by painting stripes in the same color but using different sheens (you know, glossy against matte), we were able to follow by example and so devoted one of the few 80-degree weekends we had in Seattle to stay in and knock this project out. There’s no doubt in my mind that the end result has made this worth our while!

Here we are in the process, mid-stripe, the final coat was just applied!

Finished product (hopefully it's apparent)

Soakin in the new view with a glass of vino

This very subtle effect of striping walls is perfect for us because it’s not too outlandish for when the house goes up for sale one day and hopefully new owners can appreciate it, but if not, it’s a light enough color to be able to paint over in one coat. In the meanwhile, I’m liking the luxe look of this in my every day landscape!

-L

Tags: nude flats, Parker Paint, stripes, summer trends

Mary-Kate and Ashley Launch StyleMint!

I have been counting down the days until Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen launch their new website, StyleMint, and today is the day!

StyleMint is bringing the T-Shirt into the spotlight in a big way.  Ladies that appreciate the fashion genius of MK & A as much as I do can create a profile on the site by taking a fun quiz to determine your personal style.  Then you will be able to select from customized styling options for t-shirts designed by the twins.  The site will release new styles each month, and the best part is that each shirt only costs $29.95 and shipping is free!

I went ahead and bought the Fillmore in Heather Grey/Navy Stripe as my first StyleMint pick.  I love the video below on the Fillmore, especially the quick second you see Mr. Pablo Picasso himself in his own iconic striped shirt.  How appropriate!

-K

Tags: Ashley Olsen, Fillmore T-Shirt, Mary-Kate Olsen, StyleMint

Sweet Things: Summer Staples

There is a certain arsenal of items that are required for me to make it through the hot summer months.  I’m not really a warm weather person, so my survival on this planet in warm weather is all derived from having the following items always on standby.

1.  Jergens Natural Glow Firming Lotion

The magical tanning lotion!

This stuff is magic.  Pure magic…  My skin is pasty pale about 9 months of the year in Seattle and the only thing that makes it anywhere near acceptable to bring out into the light of day is Jergens Natural Glow Lotion.  This lotion is like getting a perfect, light and believable spray tan right at home.  I put this lotion on my legs and arms every single morning in the summer months and it keeps me looking like I have actual color in my skin.  Even when you actually have a tan, using this lotion gives it a little extra oomph and a subtle sparkly glow.  I’m obsessed!

2.  Blow-Dry Free Hair

To avoid adding to the heat problem in our house on hot days, I abstain from the blow dryer and style my hair using this fantastic little process that I read about in the July 2011 issue of InStyle Magazine:

• Start with freshly washed, wet hair and comb through Bumble and Bumble Grooming Creme to keep frizz at bay
• Let hair air dry until about half way dried through
• Comb through a generous amount of Garnier Fructis Wonder Waves Mousse and let hair stand about 5-10 minutes
• Separate hair into three sections one on each side of the head and one in back.  Twist hair into three buns and secure with hair elastics.
• Let hair dry completely in buns and take down.  Separate with fingers.

I usually get my hair into the buns and let it dry on my way to work on the bus or in the car.  Once I get to work, I have beachy, twirly, curly hair without any effort!  Love it!

3.  LG Portable Air Conditioning Unit

My new best friend!

Thanks to the strict instructions to my allergist, who says I can’t have my windows open in the summer because I’m so allergic to grasses, Nick and I were able to splurge on an LG portable air conditioning unit for our bedroom.  This little guy is my new best friend.  Whenever it’s too hot to take, I hole up in the bedroom, get the LG crankin’ and read magazines.  It can cool the room down exponentially in only a few minutes and it is a joy to have it on while we sleep, to prevent me from waking up as a sweaty mess.  This little friend has changed my life!

4.  Benefit Dallas Face Powder

An outdoor glow for the indoor gal

The box says it all-  ”An outdoor glow for the indoor gal”!  This blush is an amazing plummy-bronze color that looks fantastic on skin in the summer.  Cheeks look sun-kissed, slightly sparkly and have a healthy dusty rose hue to them.  I use alone on the weekends or on top of NARS Laguna Bronzer on the weekdays.

5.  Spanx Lace-Trim Half Slip

Spanx Lace-Trim Half Slip

In the fall, winter and spring, Spanx Tight-End Tights are an absolute necessity in my world.  They go with anything, and they hold in all of your wobbly bits and love handles, creating a nice smooth foundation under skirts and dresses.  In the summer, when I’m ready to bare my legs (thanks to Jergens Natural Glow Lotion!), I opt for my Spanx Lace-Trim Half Slip instead.  This slip creates the same smooth foundation as the tights, but allows you to stay cool and show some skin.  I have the slip in both black and nude and they both get worn every single week without fail.

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

-K

Tags: Benefit Cosmetics, Benefit Dallas, Bumble and Bumble, Jergens Natural Glow, LG Portable Air Conditioner, Spanx, Spanx Lace-Trim Half Slip, Spanx Tight-End Tights, summer hair

Making Me Happy This Week: Summery Scents and Sheer Shirts

While those of you in warmer parts of the country might be saying, “I’m sweltering out here!” those of us in the Pacific Northwest have only been blessed with about 4 days above 70 degrees in the past two months.  I’m just starting to feel the call of summer and have only recently shed my tights and leggings in favor of bare legs.

To get in the summer spirit here are the breezy, fresh summery things making me happy this week:

1.  Fruity and Floral Scents

While my standby perfume is Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, I have switched for the season to something lighter and more appropriate for hot weather.  I am in love with the strong floral notes in the limited edition Chloe Rosebud Eau de Parfum.  This is definitely a bold scent so I try not to go too crazy with it in the morning, but the peony scent that comes through in it makes me so happy!  The cute little pink bow doesn’t hurt either…

Chloe Rosebud Perfume

On a recent trip to Sephora I discovered another great find- Philosophy’s Fresh Peaches with Cream Body Lotion.  The large size makes the $24 price point a real steal and the pump dispenser makes this pretty and easy to display and access on your bathroom counter.  The scent reminds me of a conditioner that my sister and I used when we were little kids.  It’s not overly fruity and isn’t too strong once you have it on, which is good if you are going to layer it with perfume.

Philosophy Fresh Peaches with Cream Body Lotion

2.  Sheer Blouses

I love the idea of shedding the bulky weight of sweaters, tights and boots and getting more bare and billowy as the warm weather rolls in.  This also gives us the opportunity to bundle up tight again when the Holiday season comes around, which is my favorite time of year!

On this point, I recently purchased two sheer, pastel tops on the same day at Anthropologie.  Laureen told me that the shirts looked way too similar and that I shouldn’t waste my money, but what can I say, the heart wants what the heart wants.  I’ve been more than happy with both blouses and have worn both on at least two occasions each in the past month.

The Sheer Geometry Pullover is super unique and definitely has a much funkier feel to it.  I get compliments on it every time that I wear it and I am obsessed with the way that pattern on the front is different from the pattern on the back.  The top hangs a little baggy and loose and the length is cropped.  Sort of 80′s, but has a lot of fun polish.

Sheer Geometry Pullover (Front View) from Anthropologie

 

Sheer Geometry Pullover (Back View) from Anthropologie

 

The Textural Paradise Top is a more traditional option and wears very differently than the Sheer Geometry Pullover.  It has a Grandma-y feel, but still looks modern and ladylike.  I wore this top on a trip to the theatre and could imagine pulling it out for high tea or a Junior League meeting.

Textural Paradise Top from Anthropologie

 

-K

 

Tags: anthropologie, Chloe Rosebud, Fresh Peaches with Cream, Philosophy, Sheer, Sheer Geometry Pullover, summer scents, Textural Paradise Top

The little things

With this dreary Seattle Spring moving along like we’re not going to see the sun until late August, it’s become clear that I need to stay optimistic and take notice in the little things that make me enjoy the season as it is; with relentless rain, wind chills and all. Currently keeping my spirits up:

Best in scent

I’ve never noticed the beauty of peonies, but when the display at the store caught my eye, I decided to pick up a bunch and immediately took in the fragrant scent that reminded me of roses but sweeter. Placed them in a vase next to my sweet matchbox collection

Essie: Tart Deco

Recently picked up a few new polish colors by Essie and the only color out of the bunch that I find myself reapplying week after week is Tart Deco, a pale and sophisticated orange/coral — bright but subdued and girly.

Rosemary, sausage and mushrooms

We like to make pizzas at home on occasion, but it’s recently become more frequent , so we decided to invest in this pizza stone from Williams-Sonoma. We buy the uncooked garlic and herb dough and marinara sauce from Trader Joe’s and top with whatever we have on hand. This week, it was rosemary, crumbled sausage and mushrooms and the result from the pizza stone gave it the perfect crust we  have never achieved before. I can’t wait to use it over the summer, especially with the recent post from Gwyneth Paltrow’s weekly newsletter, GOOP, featuring helpful pizza making tips and recipes.

Cardamom and Ginger dusted donuts

On the way to work one day, I noticed a posh new food truck on the block called StreetDonuts. Being a donut lover, I could not pass it up but realized quickly that it was a cash only vendor. I never carry cash so had to pass that day, and then every day after that until finally on Friday, I decided to bolt into the Walgreen’s nearby and pull a cash back transaction to get my hands on those donuts. The array of toppings and combos offered on their menu are not your typical powdered sugar and sprinkles –but still all sound very enticing and drool worthy. I went with a dusting of ginger and cardamom. A little over half a dozen for $3.25. Inexpensive and well considered a happy end to an exhausting week.

-L

Tags: Essie Tart Deco, GOOP, peonies, pizza, pizza stones, Street Donuts

Mark Bittman and Beecher’s should get together

Mac and cheese has to be one of my top ten favorite dishes. I must say too, how fortunate Seattle is to have the creator of the “world’s best” mac and cheese, residing in the heart of the city. I’ve witnessed a few times wtih friends who swear they hate the stuff, and then one taste of Beecher’s ususally converts their judgement soon after. The creator gave away the secret to his recipe’s lusciousness a few years ago, revealing that it’s really just cheese, cheese, cheese, and butter.

As a runner with a half marathon coming up in just over a week, I’ve sworn off induldging in this cup of heaven for the time being – but that doesn’t mean I don’t think of it often. While, recently flipping through my Runner’s World magazine, I came across a recipe by the genius, Mark Bittman, incorporating a more healthy ingredient to the rich comfort dish: cauliflower. I can’t explain how excited I was to try it out the next day, as a reward to my run. Not only did it fill a huge void, but it took what felt like mere minutes to prepare and in no time, I found myself curled up on the couch with a bowl and enjoying the latest episode of the Real Housewives of NY. I could barely taste the cauliflower since it was pureed and believe that it made a  brilliant substitute to the pound of cheese used in Beecher’s. Now, here’s the recipe directly from the Runner’s World website:

Creamy Cauliflower Mac

Instead of using high-fat butter and cream, Bittman makes his healthier mac and cheese with pureed cauliflower, chicken stock, and a moderate amount of cheese.

2 1/2 cups vegetable or chicken stock (I used low sodium broth from Trader Joe’s)
2 bay leaves
1 cauliflower, cored and cut into large pieces
8 ounces whole-wheat elbow macaroni
1/2 cup grated cheese (such as sharp cheddar, Gruyere, or Emmental, or a combination)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
Salt and black pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup whole-grain bread crumbs

Heat oven to 400° F. Boil a pot of salted water.

In a saucepan, warm stock and bay leaves on medium-low heat for five minutes; turn off heat.

Cook cauliflower in boiling water for 25 minutes. Put cauliflower in a food processor.

Cook pasta in boiling water for five minutes. Drain and rinse to cool; put pasta in a greased, nine-inch square baking dish.

Process cauliflower with stock (discard bay leaves), cheese, oil, mustard, nutmeg, salt, and pepper, working in batches.

Pour sauce over pasta, toss, and spread evenly in dish. Top with Parmesan and bread crumbs. Bake 20 minutes. Serves four.

End result

Tags: Beecher's mac and cheese, Mark Bittman, Runner's World