Miami Bound

One of my very dear friends is having her bachelorette party in Miami in a few short weeks. I cannot even begin to express how excited I am to escape the New York weather and head to the sun! And with the sun comes the warm weather clothing. Below are just a few ideas for the packing list....

Mix it up.

Mixing colors that aren't necessarily obvious is something I've always loved. I recently acquired this hot pink clutch and have since been pairing it with pretty much everything. This combo is one of my favorites. The pink and the bright red of the print compliment each other beautifully! Throw in some fringed T-strap heels (which belong with almost everything, in my opinion) and you're good to go!

Dress: Maje, Blazer: Stella McCartney, Clutch: Asos (buy here).

Shoes: Christian Louboutain (find similar here).

Have a great Monday!

Lavender-Lemon Cookies with Lemon Glaze

I thought I would end this week on a sweet note and share this amazing recipe for Lavender - Lemon Cookies with a Lemon Glaze. I developed a little obsession for lavender when I visited Provence a few summers ago. There, this herb grown everywhere and they use it in everything from Lavender Honey iced tea, to the base for essential oils, to breads and pastries. During the summer months, this entire region of the south of France smells of Lavender and is covered with fields of bright purple. As the weather here in NYC has turned ridiculously warm for february (again), I was in the mood to fill the apartment with this provencal scent...and what better way to do it, then in these fast and easy cookies...

Lavender - Lemon Cookies with Lemon Glaze

For the base of this recipe, I used Martha Stewart's Lemon Cookie Recipe. To add the essence of Lavender, I used lavender sugar instead of regular sugar. When I was living in London, lavender sugar was something you could pick up at the grocery store. However, here in New York I didn't find it so readily available, so I made my own just by adding 2 TBSP of dried lavender for baking (that I picked up here..you'll be able to get this at a good grocery store) to the 1 cup of sugar needed for the recipe. I quickly blended it in the food processor to fully incorporate it, sifted it to get the big pieces out, and Voila! You have your sugar....

Dried lavender flowers added to my caster sugar.

Bake until golden

For the Lemon Glaze I used this recipe. But as for any glaze, it's just 2 cups Confectioners sugar and 1/3 cup of some type of liquid..and in this case it's lemon juice. Whisk together, and you have your glaze. Easy!

Spoon the glaze over the tops of the cooled cookies. Don't try and contain it, it's going to go everywhere...and that's what you want!

Sprinkle of lavender on top

Perfectly delicious

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Pop of Color

Scarf: J.Crew (find similar here and amazing printed ones here, Watch: Cartier, Ring: David Yurman.

Sweater: 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Leather Skirt: Katherine Feiner,
Bag: Chloe

Sunglasses: Robert Marc.

Heels: Christian Louboutain (find similar here and here).

I have a serious love of bright scarves. They are an effortless way to add a great pop of color to any outfit. By adding this bright orange/red silk linen scarf to the outfit above, it gives a fresh look to what would have been a very neutral ensemble. This particular scarf has served me well, doubling as a cover-up on the beach during the summer months. It pops next to the paler tone my skin takes during the winter (I've tried not to blind you with these photos), but also looks amazing with a tanned complexion. All around, whether it's a solid, or a bright printed scarf (see links above) it's a perfect piece to have in any closet! Happy Thursday!

Summertime in Italy!

So I've just learned that I will be Italy-bound this June! My boyfriend and I will be going to attend the 40th Anniversary bash of luxury menswear label Stefano Ricci in Florence. I'm so excited, not only to be in Italy again, but to have the opportunity to dress up for the black-tie affair - one that will surely be a beautifully over-the-top celebration (as only the italians can achieve). Immediately I started thinking about what to wear to this event (naturally), and also what else I could possibly cram into the suitcase- I have yet to learn the art of traveling light... it might be time to admit that it is a skill I will not acquire in this lifetime. Oh well! Below are some options that are screaming Italian Escape...

Top: Tibi Silk Tank, Short: Current Elliot "The Boyfriend" Denim Shorts, Studs: Kendra Scott Carly Earrings, Flats: Kate Spade Elina Flats, Bracelet: Aurelie Bidermann Braided Gold Wrap Cuff, Hat: Hat Attack.

Dress: Tibi Silk Chiffon Dress, Earrings: Dori Csengeri Terra Couture Earrings, Sandals: Jimmy Choo Fiona Sandal, Nail Color: Essie Ole Caliente.

Gown: Dolce and Gabanna Open Back Lace Gown, Clutch: Anya Hindmarch Valorie Glitter Clutch, Earrings: Alexis Bittar Leger Dome Earrings, Heels: Giuseppe Zanotti Metal-Back Sandals.

Sophisticated Party Time

Full Skirt Drop-Waist Dress: Maje.

Silk- Tie Necklace: Katherine Feiner

This has to be one of my favorite dresses ever. The full skirt, and drop-waist make an incredibly sophisticated and classic combination. These days with all the body-hugging party dress options out there, I saw this as a breath of fresh air! I wore this to the Robb Report / Xante event at the Surrey Hotel I wrote about a few days ago, and it was absolutely perfect. The same effect can be achieved with a drop-waist full skirt and tank...

Kale Salad!

Last week I had a lovely dinner at Beauty and Essex in New York's Lower East Side. We were a rather large group and ended up ordering about every "little plate" on the menu. Every dish was delicious but one that especially stood out with the Kale Salad (I love raw kale) with Pancetta, Green Apple, Spiced Walnuts, and finished with an Apple Cider Vinaigrette. I liked it so much that I attempted to re-create it the next evening for a dinner party I was having.... and I have to say I was very satisfied with the results! See recipe below..

To start with, I made the dressing. I went with a Honey-Apple Cider Vinaigrette recipe compliments of Martha Stewart (good old Martha). It's really simple and straight forward...

I made my dressing in a glass bottle I picked up at Whole Foods because I wanted extra. But you can just as easily whisk in a bowl and use right away. And even commission some helpers ( like I did in the background)!

Next I decided to make my own spiced walnuts. My sister has a really easy, delicious recipe for spiced nuts that she makes during the holidays, so I used it for the walnuts. It consists of equal parts brown sugar, paprika, and salt (she usually uses Rosemary, but I left it out for this salad). Toast the walnuts in the oven for about 5 minutes at 400 F, or until you can smell them. Then take about 2 TBSP of butter and melt it in a pan. Toss in the walnuts and the spices and saute for about 5 minutes, until all the nuts are warm and coated with the spices (this is going to smell amazing). Set aside.

Saute in the butter and spices.

There is no reason to make this a project, so if you don't have time to make your own spiced walnuts, just buy them! Candied ones are just as good!

Next saute the Pancetta. When done, place on a paper towel to let the fat drain. 

Set aside.

Saute diced pancetta.

Next chop the Kale (after washing well, of course), and chop the apple (I chopped mine into long strips). Throw all the ingredients in a large bowl, shake up the dressing really well and toss the salad. Now, because I'm a huge carnivore I think this salad would be great with some grilled or shredded chicken in it, but that's your call! Enjoy!

A Little Leopard

Dress: J.Crew.
Black Tuxedo Blazer: Stella McCartney.
( Similar found here and here).

Silk-Tie Necklace: Katherine Feiner 

Lip Color: Nars "Red Lizard".

I'm always looking for ways to mix up the staples I have in my closet. This J.Crew leopard shift dress has been go-to for me all summer. Although I have a serious addiction to black clothing, I have an equally serious attraction to prints and textiles. This leopard print is subtle enough to transition from season to season, and can be dressed up or down. For the above photos, I was getting ready for a night out, so went with a classic black blazer, a big statement necklace from my own label, and my new found obsession-this red lipstick by Nars (a massive departure for me as I haven't touched bright lip color since my ballet dancing days...round of applause please)! See below for some amazing printed shift dresses..

Happy Friday!

Stud It

Studded Jacket: The Kooples.
Simple Black V-Neck Top: Katherine Feiner

Necklace: Natalie B designs.

Jeans: J Brand.

I scored this jacket on sale at Le Kooples is Paris about a year ago. I always thought that I was not a stud girl, but the fact that they are small and delicate totally sold me. I needed an outfit for a casual meeting, and I think this did the trick perfectly. I would absolutely recommend everyone to have some sort of a statement jacket in their wardrobes. I cannot even tell you how many times I'v been running late. or can't muster up the energy to put together an interesting outfit. This jacket has saved me on many of those occasions! Below is a collection of "statement" jackets available now....

1) Sandro Vertige Jacket, 2) Karl Octavia Sequin Biker Jacket, 3) Top Shop PU Trim Ruffle Bomber,
4) IRO Agnette Jacket, 5) Sass & Bide Love Assembly Embroidered Twill Jacket.

A Night of Cognac and Chocolate

Last week I attended an event hosted by Xante Liqueur and Robb Report Magazine. The evening was held in the gorgeous Presidential Suite of the Surrey Hotel overlooking New York's Upper East Side.  We were all there to celebrate and support Xante, which isn't a hard task seeing as how it is an incredibly delicious pear-flavored cognac. The fun twist to the evening was that we, the guests, where transformed into our own mixologists. We were given a few different recipe options, all using Xante of course, and taught how to mix the perfect Xante cocktail... see below for some favorite recipes!

A little demonstration

The living room of The Presidential Suite at The Surrey.

Mini Xante Bottles

Incredible array of chocolates provided by La Maison du Chocolat.

Favorite- Dark Chocolate with Dark Ganache.

A guest making a Xante Berry (recipe below).

Enjoying a Lennart.

Xante Recipes!

{ Lennart }

1 1/2 oz Xante

Dash of Sprite

1/3 oz Fresh Lime Juice

Fresh Lime Garnish

{ Xante Berry }

2 oz Xante 

3 Fresh Strawberries (muddled)

1/3 oz Simple Syrup.

1/2 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

*Strain before serving*

All photos courtesy of Curtco Media.