Fall Cooking

October 25, 2009

Filed Under : EAT - RECIPES

risottoIn the November issue of Bon Appetit, I came across a recipe for Butternut Squash Risotto with Shrimp. I love to cook with seasonal vegetables, fruit, and herbs so I thought this risotto was perfect to try. The recipe includes both butternut squash and sage – two ingredients that epitomize fall cooking. All this recipe needs is a side of pumpkin bread to transform it into a full-fledged seasonal feast. Yes, please.

I made this risotto the other night and let me tell you, the flavors of the butternut squash, pancetta, and sage compliment each other so nicely. It serves as a nice reminder that fall is officially upon us and Thanksgiving is right around the corner! The risotto was thick and velvety from the whipping cream and the shrimp added a succulent and elegant bite. I served mine with a little sautéed asparagus.

Click here for the recipe. More seasonal recipes to come…

[Image via Bon Appetit]

Olivia P, what shall I do?

October 24, 2009

Filed Under : STYLE

So I was on The Sartorialist (my fave blog) the other day, when I came across this photo of Olivia Palermo:

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For those of you not familiar with Olivia P, she’s the major b from MTV’s The City. Major b or not, this girl knows how to dress. And therefore, I love her. But it wasn’t Olivia P herself that caught my eye in this photo, it was her SHOES. When I first saw this photo, my eyes zoomed in on those lace-up ankle boots like a tractor beam. Ok that was a bad metaphor because I don’t know what a tractor beam is – I just remember it referenced in Dumb and Dumber. Note to self: never use metaphors when you don’t know their meaning.

Anyways, those shoes instantly grabbed my attention. Not only were they absolutely glorious but I knew I’d seen them before. Oh but where? I literally could picture myself looking at them online, zooming over the image and crying inside about their price. But, ahhhh where?! I racked my brain and the first thing that popped in my mind was Topshop so I ventured over to their website and sure enough, the boots were there! I felt I deserved some sort of prize for having such an immaculate memory so I put the damn boots in my shopping cart. Since I often get a really bad case of buyer’s remorse, I give myself a day or two before purchasing online.

So I waited a day and what do you know, they’re out of stock. I nearly threw my powerbook (yes, I’m old school) out the window. WTF?! I need them! Must. Have. Them. Please, Sir Phillip Green, put them back on your website! I’m desperate. Then again, Topshop does still have gray in stock. I can’t seem to jump the gun, though…

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How natural!

October 23, 2009

Filed Under : BEAUTY

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I don’t like to wear a lot of make-up. Ok, I lied. I wear make-up but I try to make it seem like I have nothing on. The au naturale look, I call it. Ya know, that I-rolled-out-of-bed-and-don’t-need-make-up look. But really I do need it and I definitely use it. I just make it seem like I don’t! You following? I’m a little trickster!

One of my favorite techniques in acquiring said look is applying a lip stain. It’s not a lipstick or a gloss, it’s literally a stain. It stains your lips in the same way Kool-Aid fruit punch stains your lips. I don’t remember the last time I drank Kool-Aid or whether or not it even exists anymore but I think you catch my drift. The results are redder, fuller-looking lips without the appearance or residue of traditional lipstick. It’s an amazing optical illusion! What better way to achieve the au naturale look, non?

I have invested in many a lip stain throughout my lifetime and one of my favorites is Benefit Cosmetics’ Benetint. This stuff is AMAZING. It is a rose-tinted stain that you dot on your lips and blend with your finger. After applying, you look in the mirror and say to yourself, Holy crap I have naturally red lips. It’s as easy as that. The great thing about Benetint is that it’s also a cheek stain. It gives a subtle pinkish hue to your cheeks that perfectly compliment your Kool-Aidesque lips. The Benefit website also says it’s “kiss-proof” so your bf won’t even know you’re tricking him when you pucker up. Ooooh, I love it.

Scarf Season

October 22, 2009

Filed Under : STYLE

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Bottom line, my favorite seasons are fall and winter. No disrespect to summer and spring but the blistering sun freckles my face and blooming flowers rile up my allergies like no other. Don’t get me wrong, I love the hot weather – I live in Southern California for goodness sake. But there’s something about wintery weather that puts a smile on my face. It means only one thing: LAYERING UP!

Cardigans, sweaters, long tees, flannel shirts, blazers, peacoats, leather jackets – all perfect tools in the art of layering. But, by far, my absolute FAVORITE layering tool is scarves. Every year, I look for new and interesting patterns and shapes to add to my diverse collection. When on a scarf hunt, one of the first places I look is J.Crew’s sister company, Madewell. Not only is Madewell my favorite brand for clothing, but they also have the BEST collection of scarves. If you want to see this collection with your own eyes, you have to visit one of their retail stores (California locations include Century City Mall and Americana at Brand).

This year, I have my eyes on a tube scarf. I’ve looked high and low for one of these babies for the past few weeks and let me tell you, they are hard to find! But of course Madewell came through for me in the form of their heather oatmeal funnel scarf (pictured). It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. There’s something about this scarf that looks so comfy and warm! I would wear one right now if it wasn’t 85 degrees outside.

[Image via FabSugar]

Confessions of a Style Eater

October 21, 2009

Filed Under : MY LIFE

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Confession #1: I am a foodie.  I crave food.  Blueberries, chocolate ganache, butternut squash risotto, spicy tuna on crispy rice.  I need it and I love it.  Good food, good wine – I live for it (well obvs I need it to survive, but I meant more psychologically).  I cook, I scour for recipes, I dine in, I dine out.  When food is involved, I am a happier person.

Confession #2: I have a deep-rooted obsession for vampires (not that Vampire Diaries crap, I’m talking Sookie Stackhouse and Twilight circa 2008) thanks to R-Patz but that is neither here nor there so let’s try to forget this confession.

Confession #3: I want those thigh-high Pretty Woman boots that have walked down every FW 09 runway.  Not just because Pretty Woman was my favorite movie growing up.  Not just because they are clearly out of my budget.  But because I need them.  Oh no no no, not any ol’ thigh-high, my dear friends.  I’m talking about the Jimmy Choo for H&M boots that arrive in H&M stores on November 14th.  The entire Jimmy Choo diffusion line comes out on that date AND with H&M prices to boot! (No pun intended).

Confession #4: I am a style eater.  I’m not just writing about fashion and food.  I crave anything and everything that tickles my style fancy, from beauty products to my favorite stylish cities across the world to art.  I eat it all up.  And I love it.