Color Wheel of Fortune!

My latest hair product dream come true... is this bottle of heaven (no, I am not talking about champagne for le cheveax!) for colored hair! It's Chroma Sensitive by Kerastase and it works wonders for preserving color-treated hair! I just got high-lights about 2.5 weeks ago and my color is still bold, vibrant, shiny and still looks fresh from the salon. I usually have hair-color blues a few weeks after getting color and I think this product really has preserved the freshness of my shattered blonde streaks! Chroma Sensitive is used like a shampoo but without the pomp and circumstance of a rich, bubbly lather. You leave it in for about 3 minutes, rinse, then use conditioner. I follow up with Chroma Thermique before blowing out my tresses and I think that adds to the color preservation also. But first and foremost, I highly recommend this gentle cleanser for anyone with color treated hair...which is like everyone I know. 

Royal Wedding Reminder!

April 29th....one month from today! Set your clocks for 11am London time (6am EST) for the wedding of the year! Wills and Katherine become one! Cheers!

(picture from Christian Lacroix and the Tale of Sleeping Beauty by Camilla Morton)

Once a garnish always a garnish?

All hail kale. It seems like this garnish on fruit and vegetable platters or scattered about a table in a buffet line is showing up everywhere other than where it came from! I'll be honest - I don't really love eating kale but I consume it for it's nutritional benefits. If kale is in a fresh pressed juice, I thoroughly enjoy the outcome. I have had a kale salad, chopped, drizzled in a lemony vinaigrette with thinly sliced parmesan slices gently resting on the mound of greens. Operative word: Parmesan. It made the salad! I recently made a lentil and vegetable soup with kale. I have to admit, I ate around the kale leaves. So what was the point? I won't lie, I try to embrace the "au currant" food of the moment at times, regardless if I am being true to myself of whether I like it - like it, or just tolerate it because it's "good for you" type thing. I do A LOT of the latter. I remember reading last year that grains were the big deal food. Grains like farro showed up everywhere in restaurant cuisine in place of rice or potatoes or polenta. I like grains but I get discouraged when I can't find the small-yield, organic, special grains that some of my recipes require. But I digress. Back to my kale quarry - I think it's the texture. I can't get past the mouth-feel and the fact that it's a garnish in my eyes. Needless to say ~ I will try it again, perhaps tonight...with my grilled filet mignon. 

My simple kale salad....

Bunch of kale, washed, ribs removed, then chopped 

lemon juice from 1/2 - 1 lemon

toasted pine nuts or toasted walnuts, chopped

olive oil

sea salt

pepper

parmesan shavings 

Chop kale and nuts and toss with lemon juice and olive oil to coat leaves. Add a good sea salt and fresh ground pepper. Since these greens have a unique, peppery flavor, I think the best quality olive oil one can find to make the dressing and a great sea salt are imperative to really savoring and enjoying this type of salad. Garnish with fresh shaved parm regg - and voila! 

Envious Travels and Anecdotes

Just in time for Summer... this delightful book, American Fashion Travel: Designers on the Go,  that I presume reads like a diary or journal entry of fabulous designers on their travels hits bookshelves this May. I am sure this book will not only inspire with great photos and questions answered,but will give insight to how the sparkly people explore, relax and savor their travels around the world. Among a few American Designers featured, we'll gain insight into the travels of Tommy Hilfiger, Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman of Marchesa, Vera Wang, and David Meister to name a few.

I've already pre-ordered! 

Some pages from the book:

images from assouline.com

Lovely Legend

Remembering the legendary and talented, beautiful model, actress, and activist today ... rest in peace Elizabeth Taylor.

Getting Crunchy

Spring has sprung. I have a new found appreciation for the plantlife on my terrace and have taken care into watering my palms daily as well as supplying them with much needed nutrients. Not one for being a green thumb, I am turning over a new leaf (pun intended) and getting my hands dirty in our "garden" of sorts. I also have this urge to supply others with nutrients as well... especially my dear friends who have just recently given birth to little angels. If anyone knows.. a new mom needs her healthy snacks! When Paisley was first born, I never ate a proper meal and was always digging into gummy bears in the cupboard...what I DO NOT recommend -but it was quick, easy and stared me in the face! I justified it because I was consuming nothing else. But that's another story.

I came across a granola recipe and figured how pleasant that would be to make and deliver to my new mom friends. Who doesn't love a homemade food offering? If it's healthy, that's even more of a bonus!

I tried a recipe and made a few adjustments based on personal preferences and keeping in mind those that may or may not be breastfeeding. I substituted honey for agave nectar and omitted cocoanut because I personally do not like the texture. But that's just me. You can also sub out any nut or mix it up.

My recipe and substitutions are as follows:

3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (or almonds, walnuts)
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar (I used light)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt ( plus a dash more)
1/3 cup agave nectar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup assorted dried fruit (preferably unsweetened)


Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Mix the first six ingredients in a large bowl. Stir agave nectar and oil in small saucepan, heat on medium low until smooth and combined. Pour agave mixture over the oat mixture and toss. Spread on prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden, stirring periodically, for about 35-40 minutes.
Place sheet on rack, stir granola; cool. Mix in the dried fruit and enjoy.

After about 20 minutes, granola gets nice and golden...stir it up!

After granola has cooled, toss it with the dried fruit! Yum.

Top O' the morning to ya!

I'm seeing green in an unconventional way for St. Patty's Day.... Here are my style picks for Living in Your Finest Environment today. Fashion, baubles, home accessories and lifestyle accoutrements --- got it covered. 

Clockwise from top left: Chair, rug, and green dress -www.anthropologie.com. Cloverleaf place cards - carrotandstickpress.com. Earrings at www.jennifermillerjewelry.com. Quartz tray at www.plantationdesign.com.Cuff and necklace at www.vivre.com. Jade pottery at www.potterybarn.com. Shoes at www.modcloth.com. Spinning tops accessories at www.plantationdesign.com

Thinking of you, Japan...

The Golden Palace (photo by me!)

Having fond memories reflecting on our trip to Tokyo and Kyoto in 2009. I really love the Japanese culture, their sophistication, politeness and respect towards one another. I believe they will emerge a stronger country and culture post this disaster. My thoughts, prayers and love are with the people of Japan. 

Fortification

This was sent via snail mail by my father... Apparently he has me quite figured out!

Deep Breath....

Love Adorned Necklace (photo by Steven Crawford)

No words. 

I love this necklace. Love me back by going to Love Adorned in NYC - 269 Elizabeth Street near Houston to be exact and purchasing for me. Just kidding.  Saw this in the Best of New York  Shopping Guide and it really got me right here (tapping my sternum). Sigh.

Stripes, chevron, it works!

See!  I put the ensemble together from my accessory obsession post and voila! Just a casual Sunday afternoon en route to a delightful lunch with my husband, baby and dog. XO

Embarrassed at how inexpensive and NOT fancy this outfit is....

The Deets:

Old Navy striped shirt

Urban Outfitters skirt

Anthropologie necklace

Topshop booties

Baby's 1st Easter = DRESS SHOPPING!

I am addicted to shopping for my darling daughter...but Easter gives me an excuse to go big or go home in the realm of special dresses. She looks great on the daily, but Easter is her time (and mom's) to step it up!
Debating the following...

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

Some dresses are either Baby Biscotti or Will Beth Girls from www.bestdressedchild.com and dresses #3-6 are from Spring Flowers by Fleurisse. Dress #2 we own and have not worn...it's a contender in the Easter dress hunt! 

And so it begins...

Already into the shoes ...                    

Gordo Martes!

That translates about as well as "Ochocinco" but you get the point. Fat Tuesday. It's Pazcki Day (pronounced PUNCH-key) to us Poles. Not the healthiest thing to eat, but I decided to set forth on a mission to find a paczki in my local West Palm Beach neighborhood. Thanks to Google, I simply entered "Polish bakery West Palm Beach" and poof... I get a delightful european bakery on Dixie which specializes in Polish and German deli meats. I gathered my belongings (wallet, sunglasses, keys and infant) and hopped in the car to get my deep fried piece of dough filled with a sweet confiture.

My jelly donut (to the layman) resulted in this:

The "drop" of filling was of a raspberry substance, smooth texture, no seeds, but phony in taste. The dough was dry and the top was stingily dusted with what seemed to be powdered sugar. This bad boy gets an F for failing to make me weep for anything other than consuming needless calories. 

Now here's what these beauties should really look like:

Nice dusting of powdered sugar....

A little glaze on top never hurt....

A decent amount of filling oozing out...nice. Dough is a little dense. My grandma made them sort of like this .... (she was stingy on the jelly, though, too).

Happy Fat Tuesday! Indulge today! Get back on the wagon tomorrow! XO

Lively in White

Blake looks gorgeous in all white - Chanel - head to toe. Well, the heels look like Louboutins and sidebar: I love the ballerina toe shoe look! Featured: Spring 2011 Bowling Bag in white caviar leather. The emerald earrings make a stunning statement against her beautiful blanca ensemble. What a life... Chanel dinner in your honor at La Grenouille and the face of their handbag line. XOXO

(pic from guestofaguest.com)

Dum-de-dum-dum-D-O-Mmmm!

Pardon the lousy pic, but I loved the installation of all the Warhol Tribute Dom Perignon labels at the liquor store in Palm Beach. I want the pinkish label (seen as orange here) bottles at Paisley's FIRST birthday in July...for adult consumption only. Duh.