Thursday, June 7, 2012

The Foodie Files

Since I'm going out of town Saturday, I've spent the last week resisting the urge to make my usual grocery runs.  And it's been awful.  Even so, I'm glad I'm not leaving a fridge full of food I'll have to throw out when I get home, now that's the worst.  That being said, when I went to brainstorm for this week's Foodie Files I realized I was gonna have to do a little "outside the box" thinking as there was literally no fresh food in my house.  So guess what?  Today you're getting a backstage pass to my road trip snacks.  If there's two things I take very seriously it's road trips and snacking, so when you put those hands together all kinds of planning is required (if only I was joking).  You need to cover all your flavor bases, make sure you don't get anything that's too heat sensitive, and avoid messy foods to the best of your ability.  This is the winning combination I've come up with:


Let's break it down....


You've got your salty snacks: something cheese based (Trader Joe's Cheese sticks), a nut of some kind (Pistachios), and at least one chip-like-item (though our trip is gonna be pretty long so I went with two...Crunchy Curls and Organic Popcorn.  Bonus...neither one is greasy so you don't have to wipe your hands after every bite).


Sweet: something chocolate (Quadratini...my favorite), something vanilla (Meringues), something decadent (Butter Almond Thins) and something you can eat early in the morning and not feel gross about (Chocolate Chip Granola Bars). 


Odds and ends: fresh fruit (Peaches), protein bars (White Chocolate Macadamia Nut) and water (Fiji).


And throw some pretty napkins in there while you're at it.  See, you didn't know there was such a science to it, did you?  I've tested this menu on many a road trip and it always comes through for me.  And I'm never at the mercy of a gas station or fast food place or worst of all, a fast food place connected to a gas station (gag).  What are your favorite road trip snacks?  Anything you think I need to add to my bag of tricks?

Darling Little Dip Dye

I was kind of stoked to see the ombre trend stick around for another season.  I like it in my hair (mostly due to the fact that I have the best stylist in the world), I like it on my clothes and I bet I'd like it on my nails, too if I had the patience for that sort of thing.  One variation I've seen a lot lately is this whole dip dye look...though it's actually more like the love child of ombre and tie dye now that I think about it.  I'm on board with the idea and all but as you can see, I'm most comfortable pairing it with basic shapes.  Somebody's gotta be the star...in this case, I say you let it be that pretty fabric.


1. Dip Dye Maxi Skirt, Topshop $72  2. Layering Tee, J.Crew $29.50  3. Tie and Dye Shopper, Zara $49.90  4. Indigo Cushion, Aura Home $49.95  5. Roll Back Tee, Topshop $36
Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Mirror, Mirror

Can you tell I've been packing for Miami all week?  I just can't get the beach out of my head...and this bright, happy suit isn't making things any easier.  While I wouldn't suggest wearing this necklace the entire time you're soaking up sun (funky tan lines and what not) I would like to point out that it would be fantastic in just about every other scenario.  I may or may not visit Anthropologie pretty much every day to see if it's on sale yet (so far, no dice).  At any rate, enjoy your Wednesday!  


1. Bill Ruched Halterneck Swimsuit, Norma Kamali $350  2. Stripe Kikoy Towel, Calypso St. Barth $85  3. Continuous Protection Sunscreen, Aveeno $8  4. Coltskin Vamp Shoe, Zara $49.90  5. Circle Cat Eye Sunglasses, Gypsy Warrior $20  6. Mirela Fringe Necklace, Anthropologie $58  7. Beach Bag, Amazon  8. Vogue Magazine, $5
Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Gift Guide: Happy Housewarming!

One of my very best friends and her husband (make that two of my very best friends...Anthony is the man) just bought their first home and Lord knows I wasn't about to show up empty handed when they moved in.  That would pretty much be against my religion.  Nina and Ant are two of my childhood friends, the most adorable couple of all time, and simultaneously the best and worst people to buy stuff for.  The best in that they're so sweet and grateful for any and everything, the worst in that you'll never know if they love what you gave them or hate it with the passion of 1,000 burning suns cause they're just so nice.  That being said, I tried to stick to items every new home needs that are also universally wonderful...fresh flowers, extra virgin first cold pressed olive oil, chocolate, dish towels, a candle and a delicious bottle of red wine.  After taking a nice long look at my little basket of treats I realized I had a pretty good housewarming template on my hands, so I thought I'd share.  What's your favorite housewarming present to give?  What's the best one you ever received?  Do tell!

Get It Together: Country Road


1. Looking North to Point Reyes, Serena and Lily $950  2. Small Dexter Chandelier, Circa Lighting $2,100  3. Hemmingway Armchair, Pure Home $1,063  4. Citrine Soleil Print Pillow, Serena & Lily $78  5. Gelato Coasters, Z Gallerie $9.95  6. Arteriors Ainsworth Wood Candle Holder Set, Zinc Door $190  7. Frisco Capri Orange Rug, Zinc Door $966
Monday, June 4, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012

Working For The Weekend

Happy Friday to you and yours...what's on the agenda for this weekend?  I'm determined to sort through some old clothes to donate, do a deep, deeeeep cleansing of our entire upstairs and finalize as many details as I can for next weekend's road trip.  I can't believe it's basically only a few days 'til we head to Miami!  Craziness.  At any rate, I'm gonna need you to have an incredibly good weekend.  Hope you enjoy the links!

Yup.  I think so.

What's cooler than Vogue?  Australian Vogue.


You're gonna laugh when you see this but I loooove it.

On the agenda for this summer...this right here.

I want to throw a party just to use these.

Navigating the mothership.

Never would've thought to make this myself but hey, why not?

I'm thinking coolest thing ever.