After seeing this article on Refinery 29, I was bound and determined to figure out how to do ombré nails on my own.  I love the gradient color and think it’s such a fun new trend to try.  I tried over and over to get the ombré look, but could not get it right!  Well, I finally cracked the code.  It’s different from the nails in the article, but achieves a similar look and effect.  Just pick a color, add a few drops of it to some clear polish on a paper plate, then layer the coats moving slowly up the nail with each coat.  Seal with a coat of top coat or some glitter.  I chose to leave mine as they are, but I think the ombré glitzed up with gradient glitter would look amazing!

{layer the polish, moving up the nail, making the color on the tip thicker}

This year has just flown by.  I can’t say I didn’t make the best of it: great girls weekends to Vegas, Miami and New Orleans, concerts with my brother (and a very memorable Snoop Dogg concert with one of my best friends), joining a women’s charity group, turning the big “3-0″, trying new recipes, much-needed spa days, catching up with my college freshman-year roomie for a weekend in Seattle, working in a career I love (and some amazing grand openings), celebrating weddings and babies, and spending more time with the people who matter the most to me.  I’m excited for what 2012 will bring – namely more positive change, weddings and babies, recipes, traveling, and finally learning how to play mahjong (Santa must read my blog, because I found a set under the tree)!

For this recipe I used:

• 1 (2 packages) box of graham crackers
• 1 cup of butter
• 1 cup of golden brown sugar
• 1 12 oz. bag of milk chocolate chips
• 1 fistful of toasted almonds (or use any nut you prefer)

Pink Mahjong Set, $72
kate spade iPhone Case, $40
Babushka Carafe, $24
Deborah Lippman “Trendsetter” Polish Set, $35
Large Monogram Necklace, $115
Madewell “Foxtrot” Earrings, $18
Fresh Body Oil, $45
Clare Vivier La Pochette Clutch, $145
“Ideal Bookshelf” Print by Jane Mount, $20                                                                               Cake Pops DIY Kit, $21
iSi Twist ‘n Sparkle Direct Carbonation System, $50
Knit Texting Gloves, $32

Gift shopping for girls can be just as tricky as shopping for guys – it all depends on who you’re buying for.  I like to pick up things that are fun, quirky and personal.  Things like giant gold monogram necklaces, a  babushka water carafe for bedside humor, a pink mahjong set because she’s been wanting to get a group together to play, a direct carbonation system to make any beverage sparkle, luxurious body oil in an intoxicating scent, an adorable cake pop kit, glitzy glitter nail polish, a sleek envelope clutch, and tech-savvy gloves that allow her to text and keep her digits nice and toasty.  Any of these gifts are sure to delight and will always remind the recipient of the special person that gave it to them!

Lomography Mini Diana White Camera, $65
Nixon watch, $500
Eshu Road Warrior Travel Pack ($40 Value) Road Warrior Travel Pack, $32
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, Imperial Grey, $350
Beer Making Kits | Williams-Sonoma, $40
Momento Vitae, by Alexander Beeching, $50
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest iPad Cover, $35
The Meatball Shop Cookbook, $14
Crew socks, $9

I find gift-shopping for guys so much harder than gift-shopping for girls,  so when I’m buying presents for dad, bro, or the special guy in my life I try to find things that are fun, useful and something they would proudly show off to their friends (stuffed animals are out of the question).  Although, gift shopping for my brother has become incredibly easy as over the years we’ve developed a “comedy DVD/gag gift/item of clothing” system that works remarkbly well.

1. Pick a signature scent – one fragrance that “defines” you.  Wear it everyday. 
2. Eat the damn dessert.  Yes, you’re so full. Yes, you really shouldn’t – but you’re out with friends and you’re making memories so stop trying to edit the fun.
3. Drink the damn champagne – see above.
4. Have a tool kit and be very familiar with IKEA furniture instructions (“there are no words!  just pictures!  what do these flying screws mean??”).  I’m proud to say I’ve never needed assistance in this regard and actually enjoy it.  Like giant LEGOS.
5. Support your friends, don’t judge.  You might not agree with their choice in boyfriend, or where they decide to live – but it’s not your job to tell them what to do.  It’s your job to support them along the way and catch them if they fall. 
6. Embrace your break-ups! You dated that dummy for a reason, remember what it is and remember what and what not to look for next time.  Everything happens for a reason, and as cliche as it sounds – there’s something better waiting for you.
7. Follow your gut.  If something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not right.  You could get stuck in a boring career (or a terrible relationship) because you know it’s wrong but are afraid of change.  My favorite follow your gut story:  My girlfriend Angela and I were out to lunch and she told me “I’m going to become a police officer.” Very matter-of-factly.  Angela is tall, gorgeous and wrote fashion articles at the time so as soon as she informed me of her plans I immediately thought “but you’re too pretty!!!” How sexist is that?  Needless to say, I supported her along the way (see #5) and when she walked across the stage at her academy graduation to get her badge I thought “there goes the prettiest, smartest, nicest cop I know – and she’s MY friend”.  I also sobbed like a baby I was so proud.  Now when we talk, I make her tell me stories of drug busts, speeding motorists and the potential of her doing some undercover work as a hooker. 
8. Dance.  In your desk chair at work, in your car, at the kitchen sink, while you brush your teeth, while you stand in line at the grocery store, while you blow dry your hair.  It always pulls me out of a funk, and if anyone is in a funk nearby – usually works for them to0.
9. Love your parents.  The 20s are a hard time, trying to figure out who you are and what you want to be and you need that kind of support system to at least be a soundboard for you if not directly help you attain some of your goals.  They won’t be around forever (as macabre as that is, it’s true), so appreciate them while they’re here, with you in the present.
10. Don’t question yourself.  Live your truth, and don’t doubt it.  Otherwise you’ll miss out on some really great experiences.  You might think to yourself “who could possibly want to read my random ramblings” and then you’d never start your fun little blog.  Or is that just me?

xoxo, my lovelies – cheers and here’s to the next 10 years!

Fall is by far my favorite season of the entire year.  There’s nothing quite like the smell of burning wood in a fireplace or the sounds of a football game on TV to soothe my soul.  The weather is crisp, the smells are delicious and everything gets super cozy.  I can tell already that my fall is going to be full of soft knits in retro patterns, chunky gold jewelery, structured bags and va-va-voom red lips.   What are your favorite looks for fall?

 
Knit sweater, $76
Zara rubber shoes, $100
Bracelet, $88
Ariel Gordon silk jewelry, $108
Stella mccartney sunglasses, $225
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil -Dragon Girl, $24
ADRIANO GOLDSCHMIED Dark Blue 7/8 Cigarette Roll Up Jeans Stilt, $280
robinson satchel | Tory Burch, $550

{ Laying under the palm trees }

This past weekend (and beginning of the week) I was in Miami with some girlfriends.  It’s been one of the many mini-vacations I’ve taken all summer, but by far the best.  I spent all day Sunday floating in the crystal clear, bath water warm Atlantic letting the current take me wherever it wanted to go.  I laughed so hard, ate so much, danced too long, and did a lot of laying out.  A couple of the girls I had never travelled with, but it was no matter.  We all immediately fell into sync and we were on the same page for the whole trip.  Whether we clubbed it up or just had a big dinner and went back to our room – we had an absolute blast, I couldn’t have asked for better travel buddies and I definitely can’t wait until my next getaway!  …(which is Napa this weekend, naturally!)

{ this door seems so “Miami” to me }

{ neon blue floors }

{ platanos maduros and cuban rice in Little Havana }

{ I could have spent all day in this water }

{ clubbin’ it up }

{ yummy tropical sodas }

{ key lime semifreddo, delish! }

I love a good cinnamon roll/bun/bon…whatever you want to call them – I LOVE them.  When it comes to breakfast pastries, it really can’t be topped.  My mom would always make homemade cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning when I was little.  Nothing quite like loads of sugar and unwrapping dozens of presents to make this young-whippersnapper hit the ceiling. 

I had some frozen bread dough in the freezer, and I thought I should really do something with it.  I remembered my mom telling me once (most likely after harassing her to make and send me some cinnamon rolls) to “go get some frozen bread dough and make your own!”  I’m not the best baker, so I set out the dough to thaw and rise and consulted a couple of recipes.  Namely, this one and this one.   I strayed from the recipes a little (maybe a lot), but they came out amazing.  T said “hmmm, they’re good” (he’s not a sweets guy), but my coworkers cursed me out for bringing something so sinful to the office.

 It’s definitely a work in progress, as I tweak this or add more of that.  I bet people won’t mind if I practice.

{ Instead of just cinnamon and sugar, I mixed brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, and a generous sprinkle of salt. }

{ I rolled out the dough, covered it with melted butter and sugar mixture, rolled it up, sliced it and placed the rolls into a pan with the bottom covered in more melted butter and sugar. }

{ For the glaze, I mixed equal parts melted butter to powdered sugar and added some hot water along with vanilla extract and a few drops of orange extract. }

{ I know they say patience is a virtue, not so in this case, not so.   The sooner these get to your mouth, the better! } 

After the past couple months of what seems like non-stop work events, traveling, baby showers, wedding showers, charity engagements, birthday parties and packed weekends I needed some down time.  Some girlfriends and I had “spa day” this past weekend, and it couldn’t have come at a better time!  It was the only free weekend I had for a while and I seriously enjoyed the relaxation and quality time with my girlfriends.

We soaked, steamed, had treatments (massages and facials), gossiped over a cheese tray and soaked a little more.  The weather was perfect for lounging around the courtyard in our robes and continuous dips in the plunge pools.  

It was such a lovely treat and reminded me that every now and then we have to stop and breathe and take some time for ourselves.  While I can’t do spa day (or as we say “spaaaaaaaaaahhhh day”) every weekend – I can certainly treat myself in small ways that make me feel pampered and relaxed.  Since it would be selfish to keep these to myself – I’d like to share them with you!

1. Honey Facial:  I learned this one in make-up school, I do it often and it feels absolutely fabulous!  After cleansing your face, spread honey all over the skin.  Let it sit for just a couple of minutes then use your fingers to lightly tap your face.  The tapping creates suction between your fingers and the honey, pulling out impurities and cleaning out the pores.  I like to do this after a good scrub with baking soda, which I wrote about here.
2. Hand Moisture Mask:  I don’t know about you lovelies – but my hands get dry.  Summer-in-the-desert-dry.  To battle dry hands every now and I then I will completely slather them in Aquaphor (or Vaseline, whatever’s ”hand”y), toss on some latex gloves and do the dishes with really hot water.  The hot water helps open up the skin and let the moisturizer really do it’s job.  If you don’t have any dishes to do (ha!), wrap your hands in a warm towel and just relax for about 20 minutes.   *As a side note, I love Aquaphor - it’s one of those “have a tube everywhere” products for me.  I put it on my lips, hands, feet and elbows.  I actually took a pair of socks, cut off the toes and slide those over my Aquaphor’ed elbows at nighttime. 
3. Olive Oil Hair Mask:  I love my hair, that is no secret.  It’s long, thick and shiny.  I try to do the best by my hair because it is so good to me.  And that means special treats every so often.  One of my favorite hair masks is the Ojon Intensive Hydrating 2-Minute Hair Mask.  I like to slather it on, cover it with a shower cap (so this doesn’t happen) and watch whatever I’ve got saved on the DVR.  But if I don’t have any of that lying around, which I currently don’t; I’ll whip up a homemade mask with lemon juice, honey and olive oil.  Just mix the ingredients together with a fork, comb through wet hair, toss it up under a shower cap, and relax for 20-30 minutes.  I like using a gentle shampoo when rinsing it out, so that you don’t feel super greasy but you don’t immediately strip away the moisturizer either. 

Just a few tricks from me to you – I hope you enjoy!

photo via winerose.com