Dior - Paris Couture Spring 2012

I'm not a huge fan of following all the Couture shows during Paris fashion week, definitely much more of a ready-to-wear girl, but of course these shows are more a display of art than anything else. Chanel was a bit of a let down, as well as Versace. Nothing very exciting or remarkable. So far the only couture show I really loved is Christain Dior. However, not a big surprise since I always J'adore Dior. Great silhouettes, luxurious fabrics, solid colors, and very "wearable" couture... which is probably why I like it so much.

Grady's Cold Brew Iced Coffee

This may become a new staple in my fridge. Grady's has introduced a "New Orleans-Style Chicory Cold Brew Coffee" being sold in 32 ounce glass bottles, in concentrate form. Brewed and bottled by hand in Brooklyn, this coffee concentrate is very potent. Pour only 4 ounces into a glass, then add 4 ounces of water or milk. Iced coffee at home!

I am going to buy a bottle and try it out next week. There's nothing I enjoy more than a strong, dark coffee with a nutty, smooth base. This could turn into a huge new trend for me, especially during the winter months: I can enjoy iced coffee in the comfort (and warmth) of my home. Best of all, it's only $15 for one of these bottles, so you'll get about 8 servings out of there for under $2 each.

Go to gradyscoldbrew.com to order one for yourself!

Free People Sample Sale

Very excited for this! Love Free People & love Prive Sample Sales. I always discover some great finds from Prive's events-- an awesome, oversized  Edun tank that I wore all summer long & a classic James Perse shirt that raised money to help the victims of the earthquake in Japan.
Hoping they'll have lots of dresses! I already have spring fever (and in the mean time I can wear with tights & a sweater).

*p.s. it's this weekend-- ad is from last years event, this year was by invitation only. 

Golden Globe Favorites

                                                                        

When it comes to award shows, I generally watch all of the pre-show and then get through 3 speeches before turning it off. The pre-show has all the excitement and, of course, all the fashion. There were some beautiful, fresh looks this year - Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace, Charlize Theron in Dior, and Claire Danes in J. Mendel. All very simple & elegant dresses, with a unique design to give them that original feel. Major trends of the night: two-toned, fishtails, & nude.

 

Delicious Homemade Dressing

Why buy an expensive, mediocre balsamic dressing when you can make a much tastier one yourself! After stealing this recipe from my mom, I cannot go back to store-made dressings. Ever. This dressing is so delicious & addictive. Put it over some big-leaf, dark lettuce with a shake of sea salt on top, et volia! Prep time is under 5 mins (and you can make a big batch & store it in your fridge). All you need are these 4 key ingredients:

-A jar of real dijon mustard (without mustard seeds). I recommend Edmond Fallot, but any authentic one will work.
-Agave Nectar
-Balsamic Vinegar
-Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Scoop 2 tablespoons of the mustard in a small bowl. Quickly mix the mustard with a fork for about 15 seconds (this is to get rid of any small lumps). Next, squeeze enough agave nectar into the bowl so that it just covers the mustard (it'll be approx 1 tablespoon). Now add about 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/2 cup of olive oil (i always eye it out, you may add more to taste). Mix together well. Last step, which is a secret trick from France, add a splash of cold water and mix together again. This will keep the dressing from separating. Serves 3 to 4 people.

enjoy!

Always have faith in Joe Zee!

When one hears the name Nicole Miller, the typical reaction tends to be: Prom ...and not exactly a brand one plans to wear again. So, when I began to watch the most recent episode of All on the Line (my new favorite show), I was very apprehensive of Nicole Miller's new approach: Ready-to-Wear. I kept envisioning modified versions of bright, electric gowns fit for a teenager. Wow, was I blown away.

Seems like a large part of the collection's success was Joe Zee's vision to "remix" the line and bring back some of Nicole Miller's vintage looks from the 80s and 90s. I love the collection. Great mix of bright prints and solid, loose tops. Even though some pieces are inspired by her vintage designs, it all feels so fresh. These are my 3 fav looks from the show-- dying to get my hands on them. Looking forward to her Fall 2012 collection in a few weeks!

Castellina in Chianti, Italy

My mother naturally blends into the unbelievably beautiful streets in the small village of Casetllina in Chianti. She has been a large source of inspiration to me throughout my whole life. Her effortless style and flavorful cooking have lead to my passion and appreciation for, what I believe to be, the most important aspects of life - food & fashion.


This is the proper way to begin my blog- "une petite pose"- or a little break from everyday. Meant to indulge, inspire, and provide that daily fix...all associated with food, fashion or just purely aesthetic parts of culture & life. enjoy!


-k