Saturday, October 15, 2011

Halloween pleasures


Unknown fact: I love, love, love candy corn. I only ever run across it on Halloween so I look forward to this annual guilty pleasure of mine every October. This year we'll be at a friend's wedding over Halloween so I'll have to make a pit stop at their local CVS for a stash.

But for those of you who will be sticking close to home this year, this recipe for -- of all things -- a gluten-free trail mix for October 31st (actually) sounds awesome. Enjoy!

Gluten-free “Trash” Mix Recipe

PRINT Recipe

Ingredients

  • Candy corn
  • Gluten-free pretzels
  • Caramel popcorn [homemade or purchased] – my recipe coming soon!
  • Banana chips
  • Chocolate covered raisins
  • Dried mango
  • Dried pineapple
  • Dried cherries
  • Sour worm-shaped gummy candy
  • Chocolate covered sunflower seeds [Trader Joes]

Materials

  • Paper Bag(s) – fold sides down twice
  • Leaves – from the yard or the flowers sitting on your table
  • Ribbon, twine or yarn

Directions

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and then divide amongst the paper bags. Tie ribbon/twine/yarn around the bag and add leaves for decoration.

(via With Style & Grace)

Golden treasure


I'm not a big fan of nail polish. Maybe it's because I grew up hearing my Dad call it "tacky"! The few times I've had my nails down I can hear that echoing in my ear. Random!

I may be persuaded, however, to try Chanel's new fall hit, a gold polish called Peridot. Seems like the perfect compliment to a sparkly black jacket and jeans.

(via Cafe Makeup)

Georgia (the country, that is)


Georgia, the country, hasn't been on my list of "must-see places" but this photo may have changed my mind...

(via Budget Travel)

Crashing in Brooklyn



How about staying at this 4-room B&B in downtown Brooklyn called 3B? It's run by a group of creative locals who live downstairs. They've received rave reviews from the New York Times and many of its past guests (who have written up glowing blog posts about their stays). A bit of a novel option for a visit to the Big Apple that I'd be excited to try. Ya, you have to share a bathroom with the other guests, but it's the sort of place that's meant to be communal, so you go into it with a communal mindset.

PS: I'd almost go just to try their famous granola!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Clothes & things for fall


Ok, so I've been bad.

I've shopped a little here, a little there, a little everywhere. For some reason, this fall in particular has produced so many goodies. J. Crew has really been my downfall. If only Jenna Lyons just wasn't so damn good I would have been more frugal!

But since I've gone out and found a few fun items, I thought I'd share some of them, as well as ones I've spotted, but have managed to hold off from adding to the pile, so to speak.

Here we go.....

Love this Emersonmade olive wool day coat. Not sure how I feel about the collar so I'm deliberating on it. Thoughts?

I wore this J.Crew schoolboy blazer to work for the first time the other day, and one of my colleagues was wearing it as well. She looked totally rad in it! I wanted to copy exactly how she'd paired it with cropped pants and cool jewelry.

DC's antique furniture store, GoodWood, has begun selling perfumes, candles and a limited selection of clothing and jewelry -- all at really reasonable prices. My husband and I like to light a candle over a nice weekend dinner, so we picked up a new one there not to long ago. (PS: They also had a $15 beautiful jeweled clutch there that day!)

I have no idea how I came across this lovely home and jewelry online store, Deep Dark Africa, by South African artist Alexia Kondylis, but she's a true treasure. I love her bangles and you can't beat her prices.

Earlier this year I had the chance to get acquainted with Abigail Rutherford, a dear friend of my pal Stephanie, who specializes in historic costume jewelry. She has an amazing array of styles -- mixing beads, metals, classic and edgy looks. I have no doubt she'll be a big star one day so check her out now before she's all over the pages of Vogue.

While perusing Bloomingdale's shoe department for a work appropriate pair a few weeks back, I spotted these incredibly simple slip on's from Charles Philip Shanghai (they're also pictured above). I'd never heard of him, but they instantly reminded me of the sort of shoes my Mom loves and always says she can only find in Italy. They conjure up for me an image of a stylish and sophisticated woman in her 50s or 60s, strolling through Milan in cropped black pants, a crisp white button-down, adorned in just one striking piece of jewelry or even, a scarf.

And for the mind? I can't say enough good things about Keith Richards' autobiography, Life. I gave it to my Mom and she told me "it was like reliving my youth" :). I obviously missed the 70s entirely, but it was still a total trip to read.

After 500 pages of rock 'n roll, drugs and fame, I put that one down to start Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals, as if that's not enough of a 180 degree turn! I've certainly lost all interest in poultry as a result, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I just can't say no to prosciutto, shepherd's pie and rack of lamb.

For a little return to the past, Feist's oldies, but goodies and A Tribe Called Quest have been on repeat. I'm sadly completely and totally out of tune with what's new and cool music-wise, so if you have any recommendations -- especially for new jazz or blues artists -- I'm all ears!

Happy fall to everyone. Hope it's a beautiful one.

(Photo via Charles Philip Shanghai)