Fashion Side note...

So yesterday when I was celebrating my new employment status, I figured why not go spend some of that hard not-yet-earned income! While I was shopping at Jolie, a great boutique in Belmont for any of you still in North Carolina, I found that the majority of the clothing I liked and tried on was by BB Dakota. Not only were their things cute, it was happily some of the more reasonably priced things! Now try not to judge the clothes by the emo model they decided to model all their clothes...

This is the chambray skirt I purchased (chambray is a lightweight linen fabric that kind of resembles denim, and is big this spring). I feel like it is summery and fun, but is long enough on me to be worn to my JOB on casual fridays. If we have that. Which we better.

Here are two BB Dakota dresses I tried on and loved, but had to refrain from purchasing in a vain attempt to stop my dress addiction... I thank you for your support.

Such a fun and eye-catching dress, and right on the Tribal print trend for this summer.

This one was so pretty with that lace overlay, and I saw it was a "Rachel Zoe pick" on piperlime (if that means anything to you). I will definitely be jealous if you buy it. Both Dresses are under $100. Link to the BB Dakota website here.

Fashion -- First Taste of Summer Trends

HO K. SO. The next couple posts will be dedicated to my favorite summer trends hot off the runway -- why they’re fierce, and where to find them!

So to get things poppin: Pastel colors have always been big for summer, but this year look for colors that look like they have been mixed with a grey, instead of blaring white -- think more muted, less Lilly Pulitzer. Out of the lovely new shades of pearl, periwinkle, and seafoam green, BLUSH is the by far the season’s winner. A wonderful peachy/pink shade, it is understated enough to serve as a neutral, but pretty enough to stand on it’s own. It completely ROCKS with a tan, but brings out the healthy pink glow of our paler friends as well. (see runway model below). LOVE this dress below by Jason Wu, which also combines the TEXTURED trend too:

and who could forget Penelope’s DELISH Versace Blush gown at the Oscars:

But Blush is not just for the red carpet!! Try some of the pretty pink picks below, which (for those of you with incomes) are totally affordable.

Big fan of this pencil skirt from J.Crew (although the model’s shoes kind of make it look dumpy?)

Ruffled Silk Camisole from J.Crew ( that’s on sale!):

TopShop was all over the Blush trend with these adorable shorts ($65):

A Must-Have (for my dress addiction) from TopShop (larger image here):

A great layering piece, also from TopShop (larger image here):

Try the trend in Footwear with these Nine West strappy heels ($79, I want):

Or these adorable Kelsi Dagger Sandals ($80), total upgrade from last year's Gladiator:

Even Forever21 is on trend with this embellished cardigan (only $22!):

More trends to come. Hope to see you all blushing sometime soon…

Fromage -- Best New Cheese Award

The last time I went to visit my Grandparents I had the pleasure of enjoying and demolishing a Christmas gift from their son (my uncle): the month of March for their Cheese of the Month Membership – only the most brilliant gift idea since a box of chocolates. I was first going to dedicate this entry to just how fantastic a gift this is, until I did a little recherche, and saw that its $89.95… for 2 months. And lets be honest, you need to give at least 6 months or it just seems stingy. Which brings you to a whopping total of $269.85 and if you’re unemployed like m-o-i, my only comment is…. Yeah right. You might as well just go to a store, pick out 3 cheeses, and hand deliver them to your loved one once a month.

BUT

Before I chalk it up as a total loss (for my uncle), I did try a new cheese that was an absolute DELIGHT for my mouth: Port de Salut. The cow's milk-based French cheese looks like muenster with a thin orange rind, but is softer, and more flavorful. According to whoever writes about cheese on Wiki, “the smooth and velvety texture has a highly desirable light acidic taste giving freshness and a great finish. Port Salut has universal appeal.” (I mean "acidic" makes it sounds bad, but I think what they mean is that it was deliciously salty.) A fantastic alternative to Brie, I've enjoyed Port Salut on crackers, baguette, with a spot of chutney, and right off my fingers. You can find this Best New Cheese available at any supermarket with a decent cheese section.

So think outside the plain old cheddar box -- this savory treat will not disappoint!

Film -- L.A.R.P Me.

I don’t know about you but I am o-v-e-r Avatar. Yes, it was fun to wear 3D glasses and eat a tub of popcorn, but you lose me after 4 hours. Plus, I’m well versed in my Disney, and that was just a futuristic Pocahontas with blue creatures instead of cartoons. However, from the film has arisen L.A.R.P, some nut-jobs that I thoroughly enjoy. So it looks like you’re off the hook, Jimmy Cameron.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk2vR8w2sjc&feature=related

Jeggings?? Jes Please!

That’s Jean + Leggings people, and I am a HUGE fan. I know what you’re thinking – “this is a trend that I will regret in about a week and then pretend I never owned.” Or – “faux denim gives me the creeps”. Or even – “That could not POSSIBLY make my muscular calves look anything other than gargantuan.” But don’t take a turn to negative town just yet, because they are actually…. (gasp) kind of the bomb.

Reasons:

- Jeans have a reputation for being “comfortable” but let’s be honest – there’s a constant worry of butt crack and/or muffin top, and no thank you to both. You are worry-free with the jeggings. They are SO comfortable you won’t want to take them off. (And when you do, there’s no time wasted unbuttoning and wriggling, peeeeling them off your flesh)

- Skinny jeans are still in. These look like skinny jeans, but with more forgiving fabric. They’re tight, but don’t cut off your circulation.

- Blake Lively, Sienna, and Beyoncé have dabbled...That should be reason #1.

- Give your black leggings a rest for the spring. Jeggings work just as well with a longer top, blazer, and some heels -- and even look a little dressier. Wear it with a plaid shirt like you did this winter if you’re laying low.

- No more tucked jeans into your boots giving you cankles. Your jegging-ed calf will slip in and out of boots like a DREAM. And the boots wipe away any calf insecurities (Trust).

- You don’t need to buy the J Brand ones, I found mine for $30 at a store in Wellesley, a perfectly appropriate price to try (and love) a new trend.

Moral of the story? Whether it was butterfly clips or Abercrombie wind pants, you know we’ve all tried worse. Go for it. It certainly won’t be as bad as the Zebra print leggings my mother dressed me in until the 5^th grade.

Film -- "An Education" I Actually Enjoyed

One of the best parts of living at home recently was completely commandeering my father’s Netflix. Recently on my cue was “An Education”, the Oscar nominated film starring Carey Mulligan, that did not get nearly as much press as it should have. I watched it on my laptop en route to NYC on the Bolt Bus, and STILL I loved it. Carey plays a 16 year old (kind of young for the story, but people were into way more crazy ish in the 60’s), who after falling for a wealthy man, is awakened from her dull life before, of over-bearing parents, and strict all-girls school (no rainbow GBSA flags, or Cupcake Prank Day a la Winsor). I enjoyed Carry’s fresh face and all the British accents, but the message was there too, and maybe not so dated – Why do we (women) push ourselves to achieve academically if it only matters in the end that we marry? And whom we marry? And when all that school is so f-ing BORING? Checkie checkie the trailer HERE, and put it on YO cue!

Fashion -- Hair Flair

Aahh Hair Flair. It always fits, can mask greasy hair, and has kept me stylin from formals to interviews (maybe that’s why I’m still jobless?) Most know that I’m indecisive with a capital I, but the headband MIGHT just be my favorite accessory. Luckily for all of us, hair flair has moved away from just CK Bradley and tortoise shell, and onto embellished pieces that can make an outfit.

Hair flair first started to pop up on the runway last spring in shows ranging from Marc Jacobs to Alexander McQueen. Soon the headband was Blair Waldorf’s signature piece, the trend’s fate was sealed.

Below are a variety of styles, and some of my favorite headband moments EVA:

Eva Mendes at the 2009 Venice Film Festival

(btw when I googled Eva, the 3^rd most popular match was “eva mendes nipple calvin klein”… wtf?)

Blake Lively/Serena of Gossip Girl at the Annual White Party in the Hamptons… lookin BANGIN

Nicole Richie's own "head-dress" design

ScarJo does couture, and the hippie-dippie crown

Or if you're blessed with dexterity and ambition, use your own hair!! Uggghhhh Sienna I want to be you.

So you’ve joined team Hair Flair? Excellent. Welcome to the winning team. Here are great places to peruse and PURCHASE:

Anthropologie, J.Crew, Urban, (love this one), and Top Shop.

p.s. Any good moments I missed??

Fromage –- Cheesegasm in NYC

While my family was in NYC this past weekend, my sister selected the “Artisinal Bistro” for our Easter Bunch. The French restaurant is described by Gourmet magazine as “cheese intensive” and repeatedly by my father as an “O-mage to Fro-mage” (he repeats things until he gets a sufficient laugh). So to say I was excited is a massive understatement.

Although we were sans mimosas, because NYC doesn’t serve alcohol till noon (lame), my family did manage to order a-plenty. First, we started with a cheese platter (a mini wheel of goat, sharp cheddar, and a fruity blue cheese), and freshly made beignets, then moved on to Quiche, Eggs Benedict, and Almond Croissant French Toast for my parents and sister respectively.

The real star of the meal was my Croque Madame (sort of an open faced French grilled cheese with gruyere, ham, and a fried egg on top), satisfying my cheese fetish and clogging my arteries all in one delightful sandwich. The bread was still crispy, and the cheese melty -- Happy Easter to ME.

Not ridiculously priced, I would recommend to all (except my dear friend Tracy, who’s a cheese-a-phobe). There is a whole fondue section of the menu that got me aroused.

Check out the menu here, or just drool over that picture of the cheese bomb/French onion soup on the main page...

Here Goes...

Welcome to my B-L-O-G!!

When my friends presented me with the convincing argument to create my own blog (“Why Not?”) I found I couldn’t say no. With ample time on my hands, there was no reason for me to NOT join the tech-savvy minority (average majority) of bloggers. It was time to claim my sliver of cyber space.

To ward off intimidation of “What to Write?”, I decided to stick to things that I am passionate about – and to share my musings, research, and experiences, in my usual attitudinal manner. After creating a long list of “likes”, I found that most my interests really fit into three conveniently alliterative categories:

Fashion, Film, & Fromage.

I hope you enjoy!