Christmas Wrap Up

I got some pretty cool things for Christmas this year, but these two are on my brain today. First, Thomas Keller, of Napa's famed French Laundry, has written what can only be described as the best cookbook ever. Ad Hoc at Home is exactly the kind of cooking instruction I like, it's informative but it doesn't talk down to the home cook.

Second, I got these sick matches from annechovie. Jazzy matches are one of my favorite things, so Santa hit this one out of the park.

I hope everyone else's holiday was lovely.

-A

images via annechovie and eat me daily

The Great Gatsby

I mean. I could just die. How gorgeous are these? If you haven't heard Baz Luhrmann is helming the latest film adaptation of The Great Gatsby. Leonardo DiCaprio is aesthetically killing it as Gatsby. Carey Mulligan looks so chic as Daisy. I really think that capturing the look of a novel is an important part of a successful film and they are truly getting it right here.

Flawless.

-A

images via us weekly and people

Lulu & Drew

Recently we hung up a lot of our art. It changed the whole vibe of the apartment and instantly made things feel lived-in. However, it also brought to light walls that need attention. We have a frequently used bar cart with a lot of dead white wall space above it. I'd like to fill it with this piece from Lulu & Drew.



Cool no? Also, they do a bunch of ikat style paintings. Love.



Maybe JECIV will let me pair them up?

Check out more Lulu & Drew here on etsy.

-A

images via Lulu & Drew

Pioneer Woman Cooks via Some Pink Salt

This is what JECIV and I had for dinner. This and some unfortunate salmon that I'll hear about for a while. Anyway, this was the star. It take two seconds to make and is so delicious and comforting after a stressful day. That's the power of cured meat people. It saves lives.

Pioneer Woman Cooks is an excellent resource for meals like this and her Milky Way Cake is a HUUUUGE hit at barbecues. Huge. You should make it for one. People will like you more.

-A

image via pioneer woman

Olsen Love.

Like all 24 year old girls that are worth their salt, I love the Olsens. I especially love Ashley. I really extra love this outfit. Sidenote: I want the Givenchy Nightingale Satchel to be my baby bag when I have need for a baby bag. Right now I'd like to be wearing this and getting coffee instead of feeling sick.

-A

High Maintenance Confession

I wear an eye shade to sleep. But you guys, I am a CRAZY light sleeper. I haven't easily slept through the night since I was in middle school. Legit. That's like 10 years of interrupted sleep. You'd be wacky too. I have numerous eye shades, including a replica of this one.



Most of the aforementioned eye shades are from CVS or Target, but I reeeeeaaaallllyyyy want this one. Look how pretty!


Tres chic no? It's from BibBon and you can buy it for me on etsy. They come in pretty much all patterns that ever existed, and she makes some lower priced models that are still fly.

-A

images via mutewatch and BibBon

Almost Completed Picture Wall

Look what JECIV did! He nearly finished a picture wall; isn't he very spatially aware? We are both very taken with it. One piece still needs a frame, but you get the idea. I love how it's indicative of both our tastes. Kurt Cobain and a vintage Vogue. Velvet Underground and Kerouac. The last piece will get framed/hung today. Now it's time to housewarm.

-A

images via the very hip Dimes In My Loafers.

Products!

It turns out I don't like taking pictures of everything I do and putting it up on the internet as much as I thought. It's not an intuitive act for me. However I do love sharing things. For example if you want to eat a delicious homey meal on a fall Sunday you should make this and drink this.

In the spirit of sharing I thought I'd share products that I am so addicted to I think my body might just shut down were I to deprive it of them. All but one of these can be purchased at the drug store.

First, the hair.




Argan oil isn't news to most people, but organix might be. All their shampoos and conditioners are sulfate free, which is crucial, and this pretty turquoise kind is excellent for softness, frizzies, and shine. Oh and the labels are compostable and the bottles are from recycled material so for less than $10 your hair is nice and you didn't ruin the earth. Win win.

Now, lips.


If you have dry lips, or are sick of crappy chapstick, or like to taste like cupcakes, Palmer's Swivel Stick is the chapstick for you! I'm basically a lip product expert, so I am a very legit resource for this kind of information. Oh, and it's gigantic so your friends will all be like, "Is that a glue stick?" and you'll be all, "No, it's just infinitely superior lip moisturization. Get on my level."


This is not a cool product at all. But my skin is really effing soft so who's laughing now?


This product is much cooler than anything Gold Bond will ever do.In a cruel twist of fate, I have dry hair, and dry body skin, but an oily face. Not cool, universe. Anyway, this is a fun product because it peels off like Ethan Hunt's masks do in Mission Impossible. Oh, and it makes you all glowy and fresh and clears up blemishes. Oh, and boscia doesn't have any preservatives or parabens or anything sketchy that you shouldn't rub all over your face repeatedly.

-A

images via folica, palmers, gold bond, boscia

The Sun Never Sets On a Badass.

Elizabeth and James $185
Ray Ban $109
MICHAEL Michael Kors $98


For as long as I can remember I've been obsessed with sunglasses. I wear them alllll the time. I like to wear them when it's that gray overcast weather that no one admits is harsh on the eye. I am the asshole who wears them indoors. Anyway, it's time for me to upgrade my go-to black pair. These three are the finalists in the Sunnies Survivor competition I've dreamt up in my imagination. My heart says Elizabeth and James, but my wallet says Kors. Maybe I can wait and see what Santa thinks?

-A

images via nordstrom

Your DJ Ain't No DJ.

Tonight there will be Girl Talk and sisters and champagne.



Tomorrow there will be treats and lounging in the new apartment.


And then there will be regular blog posts again. Because it's all official and over with and moved in. I live with a boy. Cheers!

-A

image via in all caps, all things elegant, and me.

Stop Making That Face When You Sing.

Lea Michele is pretty annoying, but her sartorial choices lately are on point. This Michael Kors is gorgeous, as was the Marchesa she wore at the Emmy's. I wonder if she dresses herself as well as her stylist does.

-A

image via instyle

Perfect Bar Cart

This is the Hostess Bar Cart from Society Social and I am very in love.

It's so functional, yet stylish, and a little different than what you've seen before in the world of bar carts.

It's a great piece for any home and it comes in a billion colors, both conservative and super bright. I am strongly considering replacing my new bar cart with this one. So cool.

-A

images via Society Social

Porkucopia

Today a topic close to my heart. Cured meat. I LOVE pancetta, prosciutto, guanciale... I could go on. Well-made salumi is so worth every single penny. While perusing the somewhat new, yet very spectacular, GILT Taste I saw the Porkucopia package from La Quercia and it stopped me in my tracks. This is the real deal people. Upon further research I don't know how I haven't heard of La Quercia. They know their stuff. This would make an amazing gift for anyone you know who wants to sing this song all day. Like me.

-A

image via gilt taste

Mini Skirts Forever.

Long live the mini skirt, and a happy Monday to all.

-A

image via just believe

Cheers to the Freakin' Weekend.

Rihanna references are still cool right? Whatever. Anyway this depicts what I'll be doing. My dearest friend has procreated and we are all going to be celebrating Baby S. She's a star I tell you.

Cheers to the family you make for yourself.

-A

image via the princess photo blog

J.Crew Picks for Fall

Once upon a time I lived five minutes from J.Crew. I did not have money. It all went straight to J.Crew. I should have just worked for them and saved my self some trouble. But as a result of those poorly funded and well dressed days I have a long-term healthy relationship with my J.Crew credit card and that is invaluable. What I'm trying to say is I love this season's pieces. Everything feels so classic yet still fresh and on trend. That's why I give them 30% of my income. Jenna Lyons is my life.

-A

Images via J.Crew

DIY Butcher Block

This post on making your own butcher block type kitchen cart is amazing! I'm dying over here. JECIV just emailed it to me, which is a subtle hint that he wants to replace mine, and I love him for it. We've been little DIYers lately (more on that later) and this might just be next on the epic To Do list. The To Do list has three subcategories. It's not sane.

Anyway, this is an amazing project and tutorial from curbly and I fully support it. I especially love the rack on the side with S hooks for kitchen utensils. Very clever indeed.

-A

image via curbly

Picky Palate via Some Pink Salt

I can't believe I didn't post these Oreo Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies immediately. They were so ridiculous and insane. They were absurdly good. I am very grateful that my family is kind enough to indulge my need to bake things no one ever needs to eat. But that's not the case here because you need to eat these. They will make you smile, and they will make your family smile.

-A

image and recipe via picky palate

Bangs

I love bangs. I always go back and forth between cutting them in and growing them out. They are a saga. I have a theory that ladies love bangs and men hate them. I'm itching for a hair change though, and I won't compromise length or color, sooooo bangs.


My obsession, Emma Stone looks adorable with bangs. These are the bangs I always want. JECIV hates them. My sister hates them. I just can't lose my devotion though.



These Claudia Schiffer bangs are the bangs I once asked for, I liked them, I don't remember if anyone else did.

These are probably the bangs that will happen. Compromise bangs we'll call them. I bet I chicken out.

-A

Pretty Things

Inslee and Caitlin McGauley pieces are so pretty I can't take it. I have my eye on the 2012 Inslee calendar for my office, and I'd love to include this McGauley piece somewhere in my home. Maybe it could provide juxtaposition alongside a framed Nirvana concert poster?

-A

images via inslee and la belle vie

Lust.

One thing about moving in with JECIV is that he won't let me make it a girl apartment. Everything is balanced. Objectively speaking that is a nice thing for a couple, but when it comes to choosing an accent chair it's the absolute worst. Accent chairs are so much better when they're girly! I have fallen madly in love with this chair from Ballard Designs. Now begins the search for an affordable version. And then begins the explaining why it's not too feminine.

-A

image via ballard designs

You Make Me Wanna Leave the One I'm With...

BBM is dead. I'm riding out this Blackberry and switching to something more exciting as soon as possible. These cases from Dani Notes make me want an iPhone bad. My favorite is pictured here, but there are about a billion options.

-A

image via Dani Notes

Rainy Weekend

Hurricane Irene is coming everyone. Basically I'm using the rainy forecast as an excuse to do nothing but lounge with my sister, drink wine, and bake. Some quality family time and relaxation is exactly what this girl needs. I hope you get to enjoy the same.

-A

images via allthingselegant and pretty stuff