Kitchen Queen Giveaway Winners

As Harriet Van Horne once said, “Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all.” Now, thanks to Hyperion Books, two (2) of you charming chefs-in-the-making will be armed with the very tool required to enter the cooking world with chic confidence…Cindi Leive and the Editors of GLAMOUR’s 100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know: Engagement Chicken and 99 Other Fabulous Dishes to Get You Everything You Want in Life. Congratulations to…

…Tia of Style, via Tia and Stacey of The Other Pocket!

Please e-mail me at cafefashionista@yahoo.com with your mailing address to claim your prize.

Thank you to the winners, and to everyone who entered Café Fashionista’s giveaway!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.

Kitchen Queen Giveaway

Lovers, it was Bryan Miller who proclaimed “The qualities of an exceptional cook are akin to those of a successful tightrope walker: an abiding passion for the task, courage to go out on a limb, and an impeccable sense of balance.” But to truly clinch the title of Kitchen Queen, one requires a very important tome to work in accordance with the aforementioned…Cindi Leive and the Editors of GLAMOUR’s 100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know: Engagement Chicken and 99 Other Fabulous Dishes to Get You Everything You Want in Life – precisely what two (2) of you fashionable foodies will soon be calling your own.

Oui, mes chéris! Café Fashionista has teamed up with Hyperion Books to bring two (2) charming chefs-in-the-making a copy of 100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know: Engagement Chicken and 99 Other Fabulous Dishes to Get You Everything You Want in Life - an elegant encyclopedia of sorts that gives one the know-how to whip up everything from Impress a Crowd Home Fries and Man Trouble Mojito’s to Bikini Season Baked Salmon, Ladies Who Lunch Salad, and the not-to-be-forgotten Engagement Chicken…a powerful meal known to leave cute boys down on one knee, begging for our hand in marriage!

To Enter the Kitchen Queen Giveaway:

♥For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post stating what your specialty in the kitchen is between now and Friday, June 10, 2011 at midnight PST.

♥For two (2) entries, Tweet about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post stating what your specialty in the kitchen is between now and Friday, June 10, 2011 at midnight PST with your Twitter URL.

♥For three (3) entries, become a follower of Café Fashionista on Blogger/Google Reader/Google Friend Connect/Twitter, and leave a comment on this post stating what your specialty in the kitchen is between now and Friday, June 10, 2011 at midnight PST (if you are already a Café Fashionista follower, please say so in your comment).

I will randomly pick two (2) names out of a hat (who knows, it could be yours!), and announce the winners on Saturday, June 11, 2011.

Good luck everyone!

This Giveaway is open to U.S. residents!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Hyperion Books for the pictures.

Happy, Happy Valentine's Day!

♥ Happy, Happy Valentine’s Day, dolls! ♥

May your day be full of candy hearts and kisses from cute boys!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Teen Vogue for the picture.

Style ABC's Giveaway Winner

Kitty cats, it is utterly impossible to gaze upon our favorite celebrities and not feel the desire to question them about each and every one of their style and beauty secrets. Now, one (1) of you fashionable femme fatales will have the answers to all of your questions at your very own fingertips via Mr. Joe Zee’s The ELLEments of Personal Style: 25 Modern Fashion Icons on How to Dress, Shop, and Live, a volume that no fashionista should be without, and that one (1) of you will soon be welcoming into your home library courtesy of Penguin Group. Congratulations to…

…Rocio of ♥ Designer's Wifey ♥! Clear your calendar darling; chances are you will be spending many hours poring over the glossy pages of this stylish tome!

Please e-mail me at cafefashionista@yahoo.com with your mailing address to claim your prize.

Thank you to the winner, and to everyone who entered Café Fashionista’s giveaway!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Tumblr for the picture.

Style ABC's Giveaway

Mes chers, of course we learned our ABC’s as tiny tots toddling through the corridors of our humble childhood abodes in our mother’s castoff high heels; but the time has come to learn a different form of ABC’s – those of personal style. And now one (1) of you glamorous gals will be receiving precisely that from ELLE magazine’s beloved Style Guru…Mr. Joe Zee!

Today is your lucky day, lovers; Café Fashionista has teamed up with Penguin Group to bring one (1) of you fashionable femme fatales a copy of the recently released The ELLEments of Personal Style: 25 Modern Fashion Icons on How to Dress, Shop, and Live. Chock full of hundreds of tips from stylistas such as Fergie, Candace Bushnell, Christina Hendricks, Erin Wasson, and Diane von Furstenberg, in addition to full-color photographs of celebrity closets, homes, and inspirations; The ELLEments of Personal Style is like an all-access pass to the lifestyles of the fierce, fabulous, and stylish – and soon it may be yours!

To Enter the Style ABC’s Giveaway:

♥ For one (1) entry, leave a comment on this post stating what modern fashion icon you would love to receive style tips from between now and Friday, November 12, 2010 at midnight PST.

♥ For two (2) entries, Twitter about this giveaway, and leave a comment on this post stating what modern fashion icon you would love to receive style tips from between now and Friday, November 12, 2010 at midnight PST with your Twitter URL.

♥ For three (3) entries, become a follower of Café Fashionista on Blogger/Google Reader/Google Friend Connect/Twitter, and leave a comment on this post stating what modern fashion icon you would love to receive style tips from between now and Friday, November 12, 2010 at midnight PST (if you are already a Café Fashionista follower, please say so in your comment).

I will randomly pick one (1) name out of a hat (who knows, it could be yours!), and announce the winner on Saturday, November 13, 2010.

Good luck everyone!

And yes, this Giveaway is open to everyone – U.S. or International residents!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Penguin Group and TV Fanatic for the pictures.

Cafe Fashionista Featured in US Airways Magazine

Back in November of 2009 I was contacted by a fellow blogger, requesting that I be a part of their coffee guest post series. The result was my ode to New York City coffee shops entitled Sipping in the City. While expected to be a one-time venture, I enjoyed the process of putting a post together on such a topic so much, that I created the Cruisin’ Cafes series right here on Café Fashionista. While no longer an active weekly feature, the memory of Cruisin’ Cafes will forever live on; especially since one of the pieces written for said column, was recently published in the April 2010 issue of US Airways Magazine.

The holiday festivities had only just ended, when I received an e-mail from Melissa Byrd, the Senior Editor of US Airways, requesting if she could publish Crusin’ Cafes: Paris France, my tribute to tres chic cafes located in the city of light; of course, I accepted (after approximately 25 minutes of jumping up and down screaming “I’m dying!” at the top of my lungs, mind you).

US Airways is full of articles written by the hands of novelists, doctors, lawyers, World Record Holders, and the like; so being in such good, creative company was a thrill in itself. But seeing the final piece in all of its published glory has left me beaming from ear to ear. As US Airways Magazine is exclusive to those flying upon US Airways, I am scanning the piece on here (click the images to enlarge them!); but who knows, perhaps one day you will be aboard a flight, and you’ll see a copy nestled in the seat pocket right in front of you – and if you do, pick it up and give it a browse, for it is chockfull of fabulous pieces that span everything from books to business, travel to history, and everything in between!





Fashionably yours!


Thanks to US Airways for the magazine scans, and Tiffany Sorocco (my sister) for the picture of me in the sunnies.


Don't forget to enter the Ring Around the Rosie Giveaway for your chance to win a Sterling Silver Trinity Ring with Pink Swarovski Crystals from Jewels of Denial.

Café Fashionista Featured in SIX7*8th Magazine

Kitty cats you know how much I adore my magazines. While I spend my days browsing blogs on the Internet, the moment night falls there is nothing I adore more than curling up with a colorful glossy, and flipping through the pages until slumber completely overtakes me. Hence the reason why I was so thrilled when Angie Rangel and Carol S. Rothchild, the Publisher and Editorial Director of SIX7*8th Magazine asked me to be a part of their Cool Careers series under the title Fashion Blogger for the Winter 2010 issue.

Despite the fact that I am long out of junior high (SIX7*8th’s target audience), I have been a huge fan of the magazine since its debut back in 2006, and even had the opportunity to be a contributor, and interview The Jonas Brothers for them a few years back; therefore I jumped at the chance to be a part of such a fun project! After what seems like years – but, in all actuality, was only a couple of months – the issue has finally hit stands! I am scanning the interview on here (click the images to enlarge them!); but do go out and buy a copy if you’re able, as the magazine is full of fabulousness that is sure to make you a forever fan – regardless of age!




Fashionably yours!


Thanks to SIX7*8th for the magazine scans, and Tiffany Sorocco (my sister) for the picture of me in the sunnies.


Don't forget to enter The Little White Dress Giveaway for your chance to win the Aryn K Ivory Ruffle Dress from TheWhiteDressShop.com.

Style Secrets: Melissa Walker

Kitty cats, long before my discovery of i heart daily (my morning obsession read by the harsh blue glow of the computer screen before the sun has so much as deemed it appropriate to spring into action), I was convinced that IHD co-creator Melissa Walker was the best friend I never had.

As the author of the Violet trilogy (Violet on the Runway, Violet by Design, and Violet In Private) – a book series which I instantly think of whenever I hear Coldplay’s Violet Hill; in addition to having worked as ELLEGirl’s Features Editor, and Editor of Seventeen Prom, I can’t help but to think that Melissa may just be one of the coolest girls on the planet.

Dolls, if you weren’t already aware (though I truly hope you were!), Melissa knows precisely how to be stylish and have fun all at the very same time – case in point, jumping into a pool while wearing a Luella Bartley for Target frock (as seen in the picture above); a dress which not only survived such immersion, but still lives on today. Thus the reason I find it of the utmost importance to learn her number one style secret; and lucky for us, my loves, she was kind enough to share it!

What is your number one style secret and why?
MW: My style secret is just one thing. But in truth, it's hundreds of "one things." What I mean is, whenever I'm going out, I try to wear just one thing that makes me feel special. That could be Bright Coral Lipstick or the perfect clutch or bright blue tights or my grandmother's vintage sweater with a cardigan clip - these are my FAVORITES lately.

Some days I have time for my special thing to be a whole ensemble, but other days it turns out to be electric blue mascara. Because even with a t-shirt and jeans, electric blue mascara can make you feel like a queen. Know what I mean?

Oh, I know exactly what you mean, Melissa! My “one thing” today is my Lola and George Reef Ring. Tell me, darlings…what’s your one thing?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Melissa Walker and Etsy for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the Quick Fashion Fix Giveaway for your chance to win an Adjust-A-Button from bristols6.

Don't forget to enter the Time After Time Orient Automatic Watch Giveaway for your chance to win a watch from Orient Watch USA.

Smitten Saturday

♥Head Case Over the years I’ve accumulated seemingly hundreds of headbands, but yesterday I came to the conclusion that out of them all, there are only three to five that I use – the rest have gone untouched for quite some time now. And, to be completely truthful, I see no possibility of me wearing them anytime soon. I want to do an overhaul and start a new collection with pieces that are playful yet polished; sassy yet smart; elite yet everyday. The problem is, I acquired my treasured collection when there was a single style to choose from; now there are hundreds. Should I go the embellished route and select pieces like bebe’s Crystal Flower Double Headband? Take a cue from Gatsby’s beloved Daisy and opt for something Twenties-influenced a la Free People’s Flapper Flower Headband? Go completely back to the Woodstock days via Victorian Hippie’s Roxanne Grace for Victorian Hippie Sparkle Headband? Channel my inner Park Avenue princess Blair Waldorf through Juicy Couture’s Grosgrain Bow Headband; or go all Lady Gaga with Marc by Marc Jacobs’ Runway Bow Headband? Do you see, darlings? Now do you understand why I’m such a head case at the moment? There are too many choices! Perhaps I should simply renege on my plans of making over my headband caboodle, and simply allow my hair to flow free in the same manner as the blissfully beautiful Brigitte Bardot. Sounds like a plan to me!

♥Uptown Girl Does it plague you as well, darlings? The inability to simply make up your mind regarding what your soap scent du jour is when you clickety-clack into the parquet floored foyer of the heavenly scented hand soap hall of fame (aka Bath & Body Works). It’s an overwhelming predicament that hits me like a ton of bricks during each one of my impromptu visits. What will I have today – Warm Vanilla Sugar or Vanilla Noir? Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin, or Sweet Pea? Cherry Blossom, or Cotton Blossom? Country Apple, or Irresistible Apple? Oh, I know it sounds quite trivial, but this is serious stuff. We’re talking about how we smell here – and we want to smell divine! So divine that I end up leaving the store with every scent that captures my attention – I am incapable of making even the simplest of decisions, I should note. In kind, my discovery of Uptown Soap Co.’s Two-Scented Soap comes none too soon. No longer will I deliberate between favorites – I’ll simply devour two scents in one – Chocolate + Mint (who could possibly resist such an indulgent combination?), Vanilla + Violets (a double shot of sweet), and Rose + Orange (the color alone – pink! – says it all). Join the sweet-scented revolution, Uptown Girls!

♥Someone’s In the Kitchen with Dinah Attribute it to the burgeoning Suzy Homemaker in me, but I find it hard to resist the lure of a recipe box. They are some of the most quaint, homey items one can add to their kitchen. I bought one a few years back that is stuffed full of recipes (all desserts), all of which I’ve never tried – but I will someday. Probably. Then someone bestowed a little wooden one on me last year – a piece that I can paint, with four tiny interchangeable wood inserts that I can switch out for each season. This one remains empty, and unpainted. I’m beginning to see a pattern here, loves. Maybe it’s not in the cards for me to actually peruse these pieces. Maybe I’m simply destined to have a shelf lined with recipe boxes in my kitchen. A glorious little assemblage of all different shapes and sizes. Yes, that must be it. Thus, it’s not strange for me to be eyeing new pieces – it’s totally normal, in fact. FineStationary’s Bon Appetit Recipe Box embellished with illustrated people in chef ensembles is a favorite. The kitschy colors found adorning Tatutina’s Recipe Box – Cup have the power to brighten up any room it happens to find itself in. America Retold’s Cookbook Stand with Recipe Drawers in Antique White is a blissful piece of retro sublimity. But no, my favorite is not amongst the aforementioned selections. The apple of my eye is the Tiffany blue Martha Stewart Collection Recipe Box. A piece that, well, on occasion, you may find packed to the gills with my beloved cocktail rings. But I’m sure you won’t mind, darlings!
♥Fringe Binge I’ve recently discovered that I have a love/hate relationship with fringes, of all things. Part of me adores them, while the other feels that they are too hippie to work for everyday wear in the twenty-first century. The only thing I can think to do in order to please the warring sides of my brain is to indulge in fringes in small doses. No more complete fringe binges – I’ll have to choose one, and only one fringe-encrusted item to add to my wardrobe. What item have I chosen? Why one of my most favorite things of the moment – a vest! Mink Pink’s Fringe Benefits Vest is a sublime juxtaposition between hippie and rock and roll – not to mention the color is pure heaven. Urban Outfitters’ Reformed Silk Fringe Vest is a more polished take on the trend that would work wonders in the office or out on the town. Xhilaration’s Fringe Vest is a chic and cheap piece easily tossed on over any top in your closet. And the Torn by Ronny Kobo Heidi Leather Vest with Long Fringe? Well, who doesn’t love a yeti-inspired silhouette?!

♥Falling for Patagonia I blame it on Couture Carrie. I devour her blog daily with the same fervor in which I down White Chocolate Mocha’s from Starbucks; thus I was incapable of resisting the lure of visiting PatagoniaGIFTS after seeing a pendant or two on her blog last week. Dear CC, you are going to be the ruination of my bank account. You already know how much I adore the fall season, and now you’ve introduced me to glittering Gold Leaf Pendants that so perfectly capture the essence of the Autumn months? Shame on you – or, rather, shame on me, for I simply can’t help myself. I’ll take the Maple Leaf Autumn Gold Pendant Necklace, the Real Leaf Autumn Gold Pendant, the Maple Leaf Gold Pendant Necklace, and since we’re already in the buying mood, we might as well toss in the Birch Leaf Gold Pendant. Oui, I’m falling for Patagonia and I have no one to blame but the celestial CC!

♥E. Jean la Reine E. Jean is not a royal residing in some far off fabulous country draped in yards and yards of cascading silk, satin, and lace; nor is she an individual you see splashed about the covers of check-out stand tabloids in the market. Even so, I hold the enchanting E. Jean in the utmost highest regard possible. In my mind, she is a celebrity of sorts, and one of the top reasons why I pick up ELLE each month. Before the fashion editorials and book reviews have been devoured, I flip to her column and take in each of the questions that she has deemed worthy of answering for the month – dating advice, fashion, shopping, she answers it all; after which I gaze affectionately upon her look du jour – always something dazzling and accessorized with cocktail rings and necklaces galore. She drips elegance, refinement, posh. Let me tell it to you straight, dolls, it’s simply impossible for me to think of the divine E. Jean as anything less than a Queen!

What were you smitten this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to So about what I said... and Chick Downtown for the pictures.

Little Miss Precious

Growing up within the haute hallowed halls of Fifth Avenue’s Plaza Hotel certainly seemed simple enough. But for a little girl named Eloise actually doing so, the elegance and whispered shouts of “Do Not Touch!” could get tiring ever so quickly. With a British nanny by your side, however, it was quite possible to have the time of your life with minimal effort. But getting older is inevitable; and with age comes the departure of those who minded you as a child – including said British nanny.

Of course, for Ellen von Unwerth’s take on Kay Thompson’s precocious child star Eloise, in her August 2009 ELLE fashion editorial Little Miss Precious; the famed photographer illustrates that just because one grows older, does not mean that habits – however naughty – must change.

Nanny did her best to teach me to stay away from the telephone after an incident of charging up quite a bit of money on a long-distance call to talk to Mother in Paris; but there's something about buttons, bows, black netted veils, and red soled Louboutins with corresponding red nail polish that makes conversing long distance seem so incredibly enticing. Weenie and Skipperdee are already nestled in their little beds, fast asleep, so I see nothing wrong with dialing someone for a little evening chitchat. In fact, I'm sure the Desk Clerk would love to hear from me. What was his number again; or should I simply dial 0 for the operator?

Precocious girls need to be stimulated to keep their curiosity from getting the best of them; at least that's what Mother used to say. But the only thing that keeps me stimulated is shiny baubles that sparkle and drip with decadence. Like the ones dangling from the chandelier in the lobby, perched precariously above a marble pillar. Oh, Mr. Salomone has told me time and time again to keep off the furniture, and leave the decor alone, but my Zac Posen wool dress and Fendi pumps seem quite accomodating for a quick climb atop the plush, high-backed chair simply sitting right next to my jeweled reverie. The coast is clear...one step...two steps...it's even more grand than I expected!

I'm sure that the other Plaza guests find it infuriating; but, quite frankly, I could care less. If I want to ride the elevator up and down all day, stopping at different floors to explore a bit, then I shall do just that. Of course, proper attire is required when taking such public trips; and my closet doesn't hold such pieces. Mother's does, though. Never would she make a trek out of doors without a Luella veiled hat sitting primly atop her head, Honora freshwater pearls dangling from her neck, and Gaspar net gloves slipped over her immaculately manicured fingers. At the moment, I am adorned in these very things. Now only one question remains...what floor should I visit today?

Whatever man I choose to marry someday - and yes, I will do the choosing - better be prepared for me to awake whenever I feel ready. I will not be roused from sleep by anyone other than Skipperdee or Weenie (just ask Nanny), and once I do decide to rub the slumber from my eyes, I shall stay swathed in my Victoria's Secret satin-and-lace romper and garter skirt, my Calvin Klein wool-and-silk coat hanging haphazardly from my frame, until I feel fit to dress. During this time, I will leave my hair uncombed, and simply spend hours upon hours smelling the fresh-cut flowers delivered straight to my room each morning. Complain, and I will simply find another - beau, that is.

The others always had to lock their bikes up in dingy apartments, or store them next to tin garbage cans in alleyways when the weather turned chilly. Not I. Streets slick with rain and snow didn't stand in the way of me and blissful bike rides then; and they don't interfere with them now. Of course, since this is the Plaza, one must always ensure that, even when riding a bike, you look posh. Winged eyeliner provides a cat eye; a Giorgio Armani wool felt beret keeps my wild waves out of my face; and my Emilio Cavallini stockings tucked into practical yet pleasing Chloe sandals protect my cream-colored skin from bruising. Save your breath, Mr. Salomone; I'm keeping my naughtiness at bay, and simply enjoying an afternoon bike ride - through the gilded halls of the Plaza, that is. Don't pitch a fit, simply face it...girls just want to have fun!


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to ELLE for the pictures.


Don't forget to enter the White Hot Giveaway for your chance to win a White Jocelyn Satchel from Shop Suey Boutique.

Smitten Saturday

♥Duck, Duck...whichgoose! Don’t tell me that you can’t remember I Love the Butterfly Girl, my proclamation of passion towards the divine Cocoon Combs found on Etsy. I know firsthand that it is not easy to forget the romantic, whimsical creations of Miss whichgoose; for her hairpieces have been flitting through my mind for the past two weeks, and finally I can proudly call one my own, as her pink Heart You Floral Hair Comb is on it’s way to me as we speak courtesy of Eyeliah at Style Symmetry. Yes, I will admit that the lovely little hair adornment hasn’t even arrived, and already I’m adding new whichgoose creations to my wish list. Next I’ll take the Princess Buttercup – Daisy Fascinator, Cocoon – Butterfly Hair Comb, and Audrey, s’il vous plait. Perhaps a playful game is in order. Duck, duck...whichgoose!

♥Shop It To Me I’m going to let you in on a little secret...though, perhaps, I shouldn’t be revealing this bit of information to you. Why? Well, if you’re a slave to fashion, much like myself, you may find yourself sucked into the divine world of fashion sales, deals, and steals known as Shop It To Me. Since joining just last week, I signed up for all of my favorite brands – Christian Louboutin, DVF, Elizabeth and James...and now, whenever there’s a sale on an item, I get an e-mail notifying me about it, and tempting me to charge everything my heart desires. It’s like a virtual personal shopper who knows exactly what I’m looking for. Don’t you want to Shop It To Me, too?

♥RR The temperature has risen to unbearable heights as of late, and all I can think about doing is holing up somewhere cozy and indulging in a bit of RR. Don’t get me wrong, of course, I’m not looking for rest and relaxation in the confines of my bedroom, where I can laze about in pajamas, sip fruity drinks, and catch up on Gossip Girl. Non! I simply want a little one on one time with Every Day with Rachael Ray. A magazine which brings the domestic goddess out in me, and makes me want to tie an apron around my waist and spend all of my time in the kitchen. This Chilled Raspberry Cream Pie is pretty and absolutely perfect for an unbearably hot day. This Summer Vegetable Pasta is colorful and the current object of my foodie affections. And these Mini Fruit Tart Buffet’s are simply too adorable to resist. Of course, once I’m finished in the kitchen, I’ll take a trip to some exotic locale vicariously through Rachael herself; because you see, loves, RR has a little something for everyone!

♥LnA Candy It’s here! It’s here! It’s finally here! The LnA Off the Shoulder Long Sleeve Flashdance Top in Midnight Blue that I pre-ordered from Singer22 a few weeks ago arrived two days ago, and it’s even more perfect than I could have imagined! Effortlessly chic, casual, and comfy – just what I was looking for! It’s so amazing, in fact, that I now want to pick it up in orchid and white; and, you know, since we’re on the subject on LnA, I’m kind of crushing on this LnA One Shoulder Dress in Crimson which would look so divine paired with black booties or motorcycle boots adorned with silver chains; then there are these Lace Zipper Leggings in Black which have an element of girly glam mixed with tough grunge; and I certainly wouldn’t mind having a pair of these Skinny Pants in Black or any other LnA offering hanging out in my closet. LnA...it’s like candy for a fashion maven’s soul.

♥Hunting for Fashion I’ve wanted to be Nancy Drew since I was old enough to read. To wear cute day dresses, drive around in a boxcar, and solve mysteries on a daily basis. So leave it to Rachel Nasvik to practically hand me the opportunity to do just that on a silver platter via her Bag Hunt, and – surprise, surprise – I’m not in New York City to join in the fun. To slip on a chic trench coat, put on my thinking cap, and search for a Rachel Nasvik original Alice Bond of my very own. I followed the Twitter updates, contemplated what gritty locations the punchy colored purses would be abandoned, and daydreamed about the girly essentials each bag would contain – lipgloss, bobby pins, designer keychains. But, alas, I could only participate in my dreams. Rachel, I want to hunt for fashion...please, please, please bring this event to the West Coast!

♥La Lacy Lily What’s better than jewelry and lace? Why jewelry adorned with lace, to be sure! Lily Gardner is the new object of my affection for she fuses two of my favorite things together in practically all of her creations: jewelry and lace. The Mirror/Lace Leaf Ring makes my heart skip a beat. The Shaped Lace Cuff is simply irresistible. And the Lace Tablet Necklace with Bow? J’adore! Who wouldn’t love la lacy Lily?

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Corrie Bond Photography and Singer22 for the pictures.

Smitten Saturday

♥Girl and the Grill I’m just going to cast aside all thoughts of my kitchen disasters – such as the sugar cookies that were hard as rocks and featured wax paper stuck to their bottoms; the banana bread that was burnt on one side and soupy on the other; and the chicken that was black on the outside and way too pink for safe consumption on the inside – and admit that, thanks to a little inspiration from Katie Lee Joel, my adorable new obsession, I want a grill. I am infatuated with attempting to make her Memorial Day Burgers, her Shrimp with Chili Peppers, and even her BBQ Chicken. Thus, I am in need of a grill. This Retromodern Mini Grill from Anthropologie certainly fits the bill. Cute, retro, tiny, and absolutely perfect for the girl who knows next to nothing about grilling. Stand back, I’m about to unleash my inner Bobbie Flay!

♥Invitation Only I really, truly wish that I was in New York City right now, because the event of the season is taking place tonight, and I am going to miss it. Fashion Party is the first-ever fashion networking party for fashion bloggers, designers, and fashionistas, and will be taking place at Heathers (on 506 E. 13th Street between Ave. A & Ave. B). Will there be giveaways? Yes. Will there be raffles? Of course. Will there be countless opportunities to meet amazing people? Without a doubt. I already have the perfect outfit in mind; now I just need a plane ticket to get there. We all know I’ll never make it though; so, if you’re going...give me all the minute-by-minute details, as I plan on seeing it all vicariously through you!


♥Magically Minnie I’ve a confession to make...I’ve always wanted to live the life of an Heiress. To attend lavish Park Avenue parties. Spend my weekends traipsing back and forth from New York City to the Hamptons. Dining at chichi Country Clubs in decadent designer duds. And attending posh picnics in pretty, preppy pieces fit for the affluent. Now, despite the fact that I do not have the bank account of an Heiress, I can dress like one thanks to a little assistance from designer Minnie Mortimer – yes, the sister-in-law of Tinsley Mortimer. Her line is perfect for the sophisticated shopper interested in looking classy and chic all at the same time. What’s on my Minnie wish list? The Lia Dress; the Devon Dress; the Tinsley Dress; the Dabney Tunic; even these cute little Boxer Shorts. Please, oh please, Minnie, work your magic and make them appear!

♥Cookie Cutter Footwear Maybe I’m not the only one obsessed with cooking and the Food Network. I think that Mr. Marc Jacobs himself has been spending a bit of time testing out his culinary skills in the kitchen, if his recent footwear releases are an indication of anything. There are his Flat Cut-Out Heart Shoes, Heart Shaped Slingbacks, Heart Wedge Sandal, Lace-Up Shoe with Heart Heel, and Multi-Heart Sandals. Each looks as if it has been crafted with the assistance of a kitschy little heart-shaped cookie cutter; plus, they’re simply scrummy!

♥Seventeen Again No, unlike Zac Efron’s character in the film 17 Again, I have not had the chance to rewind time and relive my high school years. However, whenever I spot a new issue of Seventeen magazine on store shelves, I can’t help but find myself feeling giddy and incapable of keeping my hands off it. Just flipping through the affordable fashions, dating tips, make-up tricks, and true life stories makes me feel like I’m Seventeen Again. The fashion editorials, the celebrities on the cover, the interviews...it’s all a guilty pleasure that I simply can’t resist. No, I’m not seventeen, but I’m still a subscriber of the magazine; and will be for years and years to come!

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Corrie Bond Photographer and Minnie Mortimer for the pictures.

Smitten Saturday

♥Lacy Lady Regardless of the fact that lace gloves are synonymous with tea parties, the Victorian era, and twirling parasols as you traipse the streets in floor-sweeping ball gowns, I believe that every girl should have a pair hidden in her closet for moments when she wants to feel feminine and dainty. I myself am currently in the market for a pair, and am shocked to see how many offerings are out there – especially in the twenty-first century – to choose from. These white ones are just screaming to be paired with pearls and a demure, pale-colored slip dress. These were made with a debutante ball in mind. And I am utterly convinced that the ravishing, yet oh-so backstabbing temptress Penelope Hayes from Anna Godbersen’s Luxe series would don this alluring red pair with her crimson-colored frocks.

♥Le Tempting Truffle I have always been a finicky eater – even when it comes to dessert. Though I love the so-called “Original Sundae Cone,” also known as the Nestle Drumstick, I do not eat it for the ice cream – rather for the cone and the solid chocolate that encases it. Which, when you think of it, makes for many wasted calories. So I have decided to put my Drumstick down, forgo the calories wasted on unwanted ice cream, and pick up one (or five) of these decadent Truffle Cones from FireLilly Gourmet Chocolates. Bite-sized, individually wrapped, and available in six flavors (almond, peanut butter, chocolate milk, minty mousse, dark raspberry, or decadent dark), these are equal parts charming and darling; and I’m ready to devour them whole.

♥Gilty As Charged I tried to stay away from The Gilt Groupe. To ignore the postings proclaiming designer merchandise for dreamlike prices. To abstain from clicking those colorful banner ads depicting all sorts of splendor. I tried, and I failed. Yes, I could have simply not clicked the “Accept Invitation” button; but it was impossible. It was calling my name; and I succumbed to its lure. Sadly, or maybe not so sadly, I love it! I feel as if I am shopping at a lavish boutique when browsing the site. Not to mention that the prices are phenomenal. Yes, I’m Gilty as charged. This week alone I have been tempted with the Gryson Purple Tutu Double Zip (that I was gushing over just last week) for the unreal price of $390; the Foley + Corinna Silk Beaded Necklace Dress for just $198; and an adorable ADAM Belted Shirt Dress for $174. Somebody please hide my credit card!


♥Let It Shine I thought I was over the whole legging craze. I mean, my cotton leggings (which I own countless pairs of) have been sitting in my dresser drawer since last summer, long forgotten. But a new type of leggings have come into my life: glossy ones with high shine. I don’t know why I have fallen so head over heels for them; but they’re simply spectacular. They remind me of liquid legs, or a fashion-conscious super hero. While I have no great love for stirrup pants, and am well-aware that they went out with the 80’s, these are the most divine pair of “liquid leggings” that I have ever seen. High-gloss, high-glam, and high-fashion; but low priced. These ones have the power to blind passersby due to an extra sparkle that I can’t resist. These fit, in the words of Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, “like a glove!” And these are my designer brand dream. Oh yes, I’m ready to take a pair home.

♥Tweet Tweet! I am probably the last person on earth to join Twitter, but now that I have, I am utterly addicted. Tweeting has become like second nature to me. Maybe it has something to do with the 140-character limit (who doesn’t love trying to tell an entire story in just one or two short sentences?), or the fact that I can follow anyone my heart desires – even celebrities; either way, I am crazy about it. The only problem? Twitter is blocked where I work, so I can’t tweet during my lunch hour. Oh, the horror! But, you can still follow me here.

♥I Heart Lynn Despite the fact that I am out of my teens (though not by much), I have continued to purchase and read both Seventeen and Teen Vogue with much glee each and every month. Reeled in by the cover of the May 2009 issue of Vogue proclaiming The Real Lives of Models, however, led me to take a copy home, where I promptly fell in love with the eccentric Lynn Yaeger. Her tale of surviving and thriving without a Lanvin bag and a diamond-encrusted snake ring after being laid off from The Village Voice, and forced into living on a freelance writer’s budget in the piece On the Market was read and adored from start to finish multiple times. This is a woman whom I would very much enjoy meeting over coffee in a quaint little café to discuss fashion and finances with. A woman who would make for the perfect partner in shopping crime. J’adore her!

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to We Heart It and Forever 21 for the pictures.

Smitten Saturday

♥Extra-Long Necklaces There was a time when I would never wear jewelry. Now, I can hardly bring myself to leave the house if not decorated with necklaces, rings, bracelets...These are not subtle pieces, mind you. These are statement pieces – disco ball-inspired cocktail rings, charm bracelets that jingle and jangle when you walk (or wave), and, my current personal favorite, extra-long necklaces. Ones that extend way past the bellybutton, like this 44-inch lovely; or this wow-inducing 38-inch wonder. I have worn one every single day this week, and I think I'll do the same next week.

♥Yogurt Passion On Tuesday a friend at work brought me a quartet of yummy Yogurt Passion flavors – coffee, plain, passion fruit, and taro. It was 7:00 in the morning, and I ate it all. It’s not like an ice cream/frozen yogurt type texture. It’s more like a tart sorbet that is completely addicting. And now it is no more. I mean, the shop is still open, but it’s over 60 miles away from my house, so I will never again have the chance to savor its scrummy goodness. I wonder if they would think me crazy if I requested that they ship it to me. I would be willing to pay top dollar!

♥Razzle Zazzle I don’t think it’s possible to find business cards as cute as the ones on Zazzle. I ordered these, which arrived just last week, and they are the most divine things in creation. Now I’m trying to figure out how I will muster up the courage to part with them – they’re too cute!


♥Double Trouble I have a crush (no, not on a boy – at least not this week), but on two-tone shoes. They are sophisticated. They are chic. And they are dying to be a part of my shoe collection. Not only do these Dolce & Gabbana’s have bows, but I can actually picture the original flapper – Zelda Fitzgerald – trotting down Park Avenue with them adorning her ballet-weary feet. These cute little numbers from Victoria ’s Secret are mary-janes (!) and reminiscent of a pair that I saw Lauren Conrad wearing with distressed skinny jeans and a button-down oxford. A pair that has laced each of my dreams ever since. And these...well, these I can actually walk in without breaking my neck. Besides, they're kind of adorable.

♥Platinum Nail Polish I use Pure Ice: 611 Platinum Nail Polish and it's spectacular. I only have to touch it up once a week, and it's the most decadent blend of snowy white and sparkly silver. The color goes with everything and has such a pretty shimmer. Plus, it looked utterly irresistible paired with my hematite, rhinestone-encrusted cocktail ring. What's not to love?

♥Mail Call If you tell me that you don’t like getting mail, I’ll never believe you. There is nothing more perfect than getting magazines in the mail. Just yesterday, after days of believing that someone else had received my May 2009 issue of Teen Vogue, it finally appeared. It’s a little disheartening that the issue is thinner than usual (first Domino disappears, now Teen Vogue is shrinking?!) but a delightful delivery nonetheless.

What were you smitten with this week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to We Heart It and eLuxury for the pictures.

Luggage Lust

I haven’t been on a vacation since I was wearing overalls, and hobnobbing with Donald, Daisy, Mickey, Goofy, and just about any other Disney character you can imagine. So do you think it’s wrong that I am suffering from an incredible urge to spend countless amounts of cash on luggage that will, most likely, end up collecting dust in my on-the-verge-of-bursting closet? Neither do I. Luggage is an essential part of life. It’s a necessity. A must-have. A can’t-live-without. After all, what on earth would you do if you were suddenly offered the chance to indulge in a vacation of a lifetime, but you had a mere 60 minutes to not only pack, but catch a plane as well; and you were luggage-less? Me? I would curl up in a ball and die just thinking about such an amazing missed opportunity. Which is why I am preparing myself for future unexpected travel and fulfilling my luggage lust all at the same time via my new love: SteamLine Luggage.

Personally I see the name SteamLine Luggage as a tribute to one of the greatest love stories of all time – Titanic. Just looking at the vintage stylings of these romantically fashionable – and useful – items makes me think of the lovely Rose DeWitt Bukater, and the passion she felt for Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio’s character). They are old-fashioned and regal, and, the absolute kicker, available in six different collections that feature the most enchanting names – The Aviator Series, The Editor Series, The Ambassador Series, The Executive Series, The Explorer Series, and The Producer Series.

Each piece is more charming than the last, but my absolute favorite collection would have to be The Editor Series – and not just because the name brings to mind glossy magazines, football-field size fashion closets with tons of free goodies, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days-like staff meetings. No, instead it is the color, the whimsy, the stowaway like styles that leave me breathless. From the enchanting pink handles and straps, to the classic cream canvas. These are the types of pieces that Daisy Buchanan would have been seen towing about as she boarded steamships and trains on her way to visit all sorts of exotic locales. The items that Becky Bloomwood blew all of her rent money on. The accessories that accompanied the classic film stars of the forties from set to set. These are also the things that will make me feel like a starlet myself as I cruise to paradise in a red hot roadster, scarf tied loosely about my head a la Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. I realize that I've fallen victim to both greed and lust in this post; but when it involves luggage this irresistible, I simply can't help myself!


Fashionably yours!

Thanks to Seeking Designers for the pictures.

The Answer to Our Home Decorating Prayers

I was walking through the store this morning, searching for a new headband to add to my ever-growing collection, when what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a new magazine that brought me great cheer! We have all been devastated over the loss of Domino, but I have found a solution to our woes...Fresh Home magazine.

Over the past few weeks I have searched high and low for a publication that would provide me with the same joy as Domino, but kept coming up empty-handed. Until I discovered Fresh Home, that is. I love the size and the cover – it’s such a beautiful presentation; and each glossy page caused me to emit louder and louder high-pitched happy squeals. The DIY projects are explained in a way that anyone (from your favorite fashionista to your next-door Mr. Fix-It) can understand, which is something that the market was lacking until now. I particularly liked “The Right Paint,” page 62, wherein oil and water based, flat and satin paints are described so explicitly, that, after reading this, even I feel confident going to the hardware store to purchase the colorful stuff – something I typically would have never even considered. “The Right Brush,” “The Right Roller,” and “Paint Like the Pros” clinched the deal – now I feel like no painting project is too much for me to tackle!

The black and white pillows propped up on the couch on page 54 of “Color Magic” instantly made me think of the glamorous Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile. And “Fresh Facelifts under $500” on page 74? Well, let’s just say that this is an easy, affordable, and painless way to undergo plastic surgery. But I haven’t just been inspired to fix things up inside; Fresh Home has also given me some fresh ideas for outdoor projects like page 112’s “A Pot That’s Not” – I loved the sink and wagon planters. And I have just the wagon for this project – a vintage Radio Flyer that has been collecting dust in my garage since the early nineties!

What can I say? There’s so much here for $4.99. Not just a magazine full of pictures of homes, but detailed accounts of exactly what to do and how to do it, with fresh ideas, interesting tidbits of information, and articles that are not only well thought-out, but written in an easy-to-understand fashion. I’m currently channeling my inner handyman, complete with paint-splattered Converse, distressed skinnies, and a worn-in boyfriend tee (hey, who says handymen – or women – can’t be fashionable?). It may be about DIY and affordable decorating, but it’s really a lifestyle magazine. It sets a tone for living life to the fullest by creating your own world. I can’t help myself, I love it. I’m hooked!

I can honestly say that this magazine has something for everyone. Right now, I’m thinking of a friend who likes to barbecue who would love “Barbecue’s Back!” on page 128; and my sister’s boyfriend who will die for “Celebration Ales,” on page 130; and then there’s my treasure hunting cousin, who will swoon over “Sweet Flea,” on page 24. Let’s cut to the chase, I will be recommending this magazine to everyone I know, with sincere enthusiasm.

In actuality, it’s not just a magazine, it’s a reference guide. It’s the type of publication that you save all the back issues of, like a cherished set of Encyclopedias. Reasonably priced, fashionable, practical, and charming. There is only one way to describe all of this…wowie-zowie! Fresh Home magazine provides us with the tools to turn our personal living spaces into unique abodes that reflect our passions. Can we ask for anything more? In the words of Home Alone 2’s troublemaking Kevin McCallister, “I don’t think so.”


Fashionably yours!

Thanks to Fresh Home, and Design With You In Mind for the pictures.

Good Books and Cozy Nooks

I am one of those people who can’t enjoy a good book without being situated in a cozy nook; and after Monday's post I came to the conclusion that, perhaps, I’m not the only one. Which is where this idea came from...

A cowboy hat-adorned bust, the contrasting blue walls and acid green chaise, the cumbersome chandelier, it’s just kitschy enough to pair with the tale of a girl who has an assortment of plastic ponies hidden under the kitchen sink of her New York City apartment a la Sloane Crosley in I Was Told There’d Be Cake.

There’s something so Holly Golightly about those pillow eyes. I can’t imagine curling up with anything but Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s in this bedroom.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle always brings to mind cozy sitting rooms, warm fireplaces, hot coffee, and yummy pastries. This room manages to invoke the same images. Toss in some rain, a little thunder and lightning, and it will be the perfect place to read about Sherlock Holmes’ and Watson’s adventures in The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Even though it covered more of the eighties and nineties than anything else, I can’t help but feel that Jancee Dunn’s But Enough About Me deserves to be read in an offbeat room that is sparsely furnished, but accessorized with seventies-esque seating arrangements – much like the one featured here. It’s just as trippy as her adolescence was!

Whenever I think of Dorothy Parker I see two colors: red and blue. This is the perfect place to indulge in Parker’s dry wit via The Portable Dorothy Parker as it embraces both of these colors just enough to make me channel my inner Dot.

What are some of your most-adored books, and where are your favorite places to read them?


Fashionably yours!

Thanks to Domino for the pictures.

F Is for Friday

How is it that things often come crashing down on you at the same time, and you’re forced to juggle everything at once? This week I had my first official math test of the semester, and had an enormously hectic work week (even though I was out sick for most of it) – things that had to be handled all while fighting a monstrous case of the flu, which seems intent on lingering for as long as possible. Luckily stuff like this managed to get me through the week.

-Despite the fact that I am, in the words of my allergist, “Deathly allergic to dust,” I decided to take my chances and embark on a hunt for treasure in my very own garage on Sunday afternoon. While the sneezing left me somewhat worn out, the fact that I discovered a few vintage Moppets paintings from the 1960’s (including this - and this - among others) more than made up for it.

-A bedroom that anyone would be proud to wake-up in.

-DinerCity which has given me a virtual listing of cute, vintage diners to visit all over the United States, as well as Canada!

-Realizing that this 2003 cartoon from The New Yorker perfectly sums up why I am a vegetarian.

-This Floral Lace Headwrap which conjures up visions of The Great Gatsby’s Daisy Buchanan.

-Discovering that my newest addiction – Sloane Crosley’s I Was Told There’d Be Cake – may be coming to HBO.

-The retro/vintage vibe of this video.

-This adorable candy-infused centerpiece.

-The prospect of a three-day weekend.


What got you through the week?


Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Unruly-Things for the picture.

The "Anti" Girl

I was perusing the Marie Claire website a couple of days ago when I stumbled upon the article "10 Things We Hate About Valentine's Day." More importantly, however, was the photograph that accompanied the piece. I like to think of it as The "Anti" Girl.

At some point in time we are all The "Anti" Girl. Anti Prom. Anti Valentine's Day. Anti Cheerleading. Anti anything. This photograph embodies The "Anti" Girl to a T. The tiara. The cigarette. The teased, yet perfectly chic, coif. The cigarette. The posture. The champagne bottle. The backdrop of a bathroom, signifying that the torture is too much to handle, and seeking solace in a locked bathroom where a party for one can be had is preferred over hobnobbing with the so-called jocks and prom queens. It's all just so...perfect. This is my style inspiration of the day. You just can't go wrong with The "Anti" Girl - especially on the Eve of Valentine's Day.

Fashionably yours!


Thanks to Marie Claire for the picture.

Domino's Dead; Now What?

"Domino’s demise does not, in the end, sound a death knell for the girly aesthetic it promoted. It leaves a vacuum in the print media, to be sure, but on the Web, Ms. Angelotta, Ms. Meares, Ms. Royalty and their sisters all contribute to what Ms. Salzman, the trend spotter, would describe as a ‘granular’ portfolio of ideas, ‘you know, something by, for and about them, friend-to-friend stuff,’ she said. In other words, the blogs." – "Domino Magazine’s Fans Mourn It’s Demise," The New York Times.

I’ve known about Domino’s demise for more than two weeks now, but it’s as if the harsh reality of never seeing the magazine grace newsstands again didn’t sink in until I read the aforementioned article.. It raises such an amazing point...if only we could have protested to keep the magazine alive and kicking – would it have been to no avail? It still seems unfair. As much as I love the blogs (I’m a blogger myself, so why wouldn’t I?), the world wide web is so much different than a glossy you can hold in your hands and read while lying in bed. I guess I’m in the same boat as Sandee Royalty.

“She explained a pastime she calls ‘magazining’ — sitting on the couch with her friends and ‘traveling’ through the pages of Domino. ‘Like shopping, but we don’t spend any money,’ she said. As much as she uses and likes them, the design blogs aren’t a satisfying substitute. ‘I need something I can archive, something I can ‘magazine’ with my friends,’ Ms. Royalty said.”

Such a fantastic pastime; but we will no longer have Domino to fulfill that need – either in print or Online. So what are you going to do now that Domino is no more? It’s a given that nothing can replace Domino, but what magazines will you be perusing to fill the empty hole it has left behind in the magazine world? Will you turn to Martha Stewart Living? Seek solace in Romantic Homes? Explore the pages of the extremely-chic Elle Décor? Titles please; I need titles!


Fashionably yours!

Thanks to Typophile for the picture.