Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Here Comes the Bride


I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get a little upset that not ONE person has a picture of Reese Witherspoon on her wedding day.  Today is Tuesday.  The wedding was Saturday.  Perez, you do the math.

To rub salt in my bleeding wound, there are details about Reese's wedding day attire, which means that SOMEONE must have a picture!  We know that she wore a pale pink Monique Lhuillier wedding gown, and she paired it with these satin Jimmy Choo platform sandals:

"Macy" - $645
I am dying to see this gown.  So Reese, if you or your people are reading this, pppleeeassseee with a cherry on top sell yourself to the media.  And until you do, I will be forced to stare at your $250,000 4-carat engagement ring:


 

Monday, March 28, 2011

Teriyaki Shrimp Stir-Fry


This weekend, we broke out the wok and make some delicious teriyaki stir-fry.  There really aren't ingredients or a recipe for this meal - it's basically a throw-whatever-you-like-into-the-wok kind of meal.  But I'll tell you what we used, just to get you started  :-)

Brown rice = I highly recommend getting the bag of brown rice instead of the box of instant brown rice.  It takes much longer - about 45 minutes - but it's well worth the wait.  Plus, it takes absolutely no effort.  You boil the water, pour in the rice, cover, and 45 minutes later, you have a pot full of brown rice.  In fact, the directions specifically tell you NOT to open the lid and check on it.  This is my kind of cooking.

Vegetables = We used carrots, broccoli, eggplant, bok choy, mushrooms, snow peas, and scallions.  We cooked the vegetables in two different parts because some of them take longer than others.  Before cooking each installment, we put in about a quarter-sized amount of stir-fry oil.  After all of the vegetables were cooked, we mixed them together in the wok and sprinkled them with teriyaki sauce.

Shrimp = Since shrimp take about 5 minutes to cook in the wok, we made them last.  Once again, before cooking, we added a little stir-fry oil.  After the shrimp were cooked, we tossed them in some teriyaki sauce.

Once the meal was on our plates, we both added some low-sodium soy sauce to the dish because, well, I love soy sauce.  Everything was soooooo yummy!  I felt like we had our own hibachi grill in our kitchen (which was good, because the whole house smelled like one).  So next time you go grocery shopping, pick up some extra veggies, and have a fun time cooking some Asian cuisine!  

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Oh-La-La

One of my glamorous fashion-forward friends introduced me to Brittany Fuson Paper, your one-stop-shop for fabulous stationery.  Before I say anything more, let me just tell you ahead of time that if you plan on clicking the link above, you may as well get your credit card out.  As if my stationery obsession isn't already out of control, I can't get enough of Brittany's products.  She has everything from notecards to prints to notepads.  And the best part?  It's all about fashion!  Here are some of my favorites:

I would consider going back to school to use these graduation notecards - $20

Just a note to say "high" - $20
Plans to stay at a friend's beach house this summer?  Just in case, better get these - $20
Need some extra flair in your bathroom?  Try this 8.5x11 print - $20

Put these enclosure cards on your Christmas presents this year, and everyone will know that they are from you - $10


AND THEN I SAW THIS - THE MACK-DADDY OF ALL THINGS STATIONERY:
O-M-G.  Please tell me that you just squealed out loud.  For the small price of $7.50 + shipping, I can have my very own Carrie Bradshaw bridal party notepad?!?!?!?!  Ok, so the wedding didn't exactly happen as planned.  But who cares?!  The moral of the story is that the girls got to wear these fabulous dresses, and eventually Carrie Bradshaw became Carrie Preston.  This notepad is so fabulous that even though I received it several days go, and it's been sitting on my kitchen counter ready to be used, I haven't actually mustered up the guts to use it because it's so pretty - I never, ever, ever want the pages of this notepad to be gone!  (P.S. - She also has a pregnant Charlotte notecard.  Get ready to squeal again.)
 
She has box sets of notecards with 10 cards each, depicting the gowns that stars wore to the big red carpet events.  She has a box set for the Golden Globes, the Oscars, the Emmys, and a general red carpet set.  To. Die. For.

Pregnant or getting married?  Throwing a shower for someone who is?  This is a must-stop place for your invitations and thank you notes.  Not only is there a great pre-printed selection, but she also creates custom styles! 

If you just can't get enough, or you want to pretend that you are friends with Brittany Fuson like I do, check out her facebook page and her blog to see more.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Violet Eyes


Today, we remember one of Hollywood's Golden Age actresses, Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor.  Whether you recognize her for her stunning beauty, her eight marriages, or her 40+ year film career, there is no denying that she is a legend. 

"Kitten" trivia:

* Born in London, England, but her parents were Americans from St. Louis, Missouri
* Appeared solo on the cover of People Magazine 14 times, second only to Princess Diana


During a life-threatening illness while filming BUtterfield 8 (1960), she was pronounced dead.  She won her first Oscar for this film, but it is said that she won by votes of sympathy because of the recent death of her husband, Michael Todd, and her near-fatal illness and emergency tracheotomy to save her life.


First actress to earn $1M in a film for her role in Cleopatra (1963)

Two of her eight marriages were to Richard Burton: March 1964-June 1974, and October 1975-August 1976.  The couple starred in 11 movies together from 1963-73.

* Her Bel Air home was once owned by Frank Sinatra and his first wife, Nancy
* Has owned some of the world's most magnificent jewelry, including:


33-carat Krupp diamond

the Duchess of Windsor diamond brooch

the famous pear-shaped 69-carat Cartier diamond from Richard Burton, subsequently named the Burton-Taylor Diamond

* Has broken her back four times



Her measurements during the majority of her film career: 36C-21-36

* Ranked #7 in the American Film Institute's list of the 50 Greatest American Screen Legends
* Godmother of Paris and Prince Michael Jackson

Famous "Kitten" quotes:
"My mother says I didn't open my eyes for eight days after I was born, but when I did, the first thing I saw was an engagement ring. I was hooked."
"If someone's dumb enough to offer me a million dollars to make a picture, I'm certainly not dumb enough to turn it down."
"I believe in mind over matter and doing anything you set your mind on."
"You find out who your real friends are when you're involved in a scandal."


Monday, March 21, 2011

Hello, Spring


Let me just start out by saying that I had such a fun weekend!  The weather really made this weekend fantastic, regardless of my activities.  Even though Saturday and Sunday were a little cooler than Friday (when I had to be stuck in my office, of course), it was still warm enough to wear a new spring coat and cute flats, and it was comfortable to walk around outside. 

Kris was away this weekend, so I spent the weekend doing fun girly things!  On Saturday, I met up with my old roommate from law school at Arundel Mills Mall by BWI Airport.  I love this mall because it's a huge outlet mall with a lot of great stores.  We had a yummy lunch at a brewing company (I got the Ultimate Grilled Cheese - delish), and then we spent the day shopping 'til we dropped!  And when I say dropped, I mean that I had to limp to Old Navy to get a pair of flip-flops because I had a terrible blister on my heel.  I was a little upset that we never made it to Off Broadway Shoes, but my blister was killing me, and our hands were full of bags!  Here are some of the awesome things that I picked up.


Coral linen blazer for $36.50 at Charlotte Russe



Floral summer dress for $7 at Old Navy

Bright floral print cardigan for $14.98 at Ann Taylor Factory Store

Amazing taupe leather jacket with ruffle trim (it goes all the way around the back!) for $41.99 at Wilson's Leather Outlet
Super cute heather gray dress with ruffled neckline for $44.99 at (get ready for this) DressBarn

Another super cute work dress from DressBarn - $44.99


Black faux leather clutch with rosettes for $19.99 at DressBarn


 As you can tell, I am overly excited about my new purchases.  I was extremely shocked to walk by DressBarn and see all of the cute dresses that they have!  As expected, they have a wide variety of motherly looks, but it's not everything!  It was definitely worth the trip inside.



On Sunday, I spent a fun day in DC with two of my best friends from college.  One of them is getting married in November (Weeeee!!), so we took a trip to Dupont Circle and tried on some bridesmaid dresses.  The bride selected the designer (http://www.ariadress.com/), the color (navy), and the silhouette (knee-length A-line), and each bridesmaid gets to choose the top's style.  If you go to the website, you will see that there are so many options to choose from!  We had a fun time trying on all of the different styles.  My favorite was this vintage-inspired halter dress that ties around the neck. 



Afterwards, we stopped for a treat - froyo!  It's days like yesterday when I miss living in DC the most.  On the way to and from the dress shop, we passed the National Mall, the Capitol Building, and the museums.  There were so many people out and about, sight-seeing and enjoying the beautiful day.  So to end a perfect day in the city, we stopped for a grilled Nathan's hot dog  :-) 

Friday, March 18, 2011

Fashion Friday: Ruffles and Bows


Spring is officially approaching!  The sun is out longer into the evening, and the weather is getting warmer each day.  I don't want to sit still and do any work; instead, I want to shop for new spring clothes!  Luckily, I'm meeting up with my roommate from law school tomorrow to do just that  :-)  Here are some amazingly cute things that I found, just focusing on the much-adored trend of ruffles and bows.  I am a sucker for anything with a ruffle or a bow - it really makes everything very feminine and sexy. 

kelly & katie Sashay Sandal with a satin ruffled T-strap, adjustable ankle strap, and round peep toe
$39.95 from DSW
b.o.c. by Born Women's Arden Flat with a round toe and oversized floppy bow
$49.95 at DSW
Badgley Mischka Calton Pump with an elegant, girlie bow
$139.95 at DSW

Liz Claiborne Fern Linen Pump with a sophisticated patent trim
$54.95 at DSW
Red by Marc Ecko Signature Bow Satchel for a fun and flirty look
$49.95 at DSW
Call It Spring Wayson Clutch with front bow and metal kisslock closure
$29.99 at JCPenney
Nine & CO. Demure Satchel feminine ruffled handbag
$48.99 at JCPenney
Sally Lou Fashions Women's V-Neck Ruffled Sheath Dress
$59.99 at Sears
Aqua Taffeta Strapless Ruffled Dress with a chic sequin waistline
$68.40 at Bloomingdale's
Eliza J Crepe Bow Dress has a pretty bow at the shoulder and a belt to shape the waist
$138 at Nordstrom
Sparkle & Fade Knit Bow Back Dress
$48 at Urban Outfitters
Romeo & Juliet Couture black faux leather double-breasted ruffle trim blazer
$81.99 at Bluefly.com
Herringbone Ruffle Blazer with a sweet ruffled lapel
$89.99 at Banana Republic


Bow Front Blouse
$49.90 at The Limited

Signature by Larry Levine Women's Ruffled Top with capped sleeves and a stylish U-neckline
$34.99 at Overstock.com
MM Couture Ruffle Top with a flattering one-shoulder look
$48.99 at Piperlime
 

Back-Ruffled Skirt
$49.50 at Victoria's Secret
Layered Ruffle Skirt has tiers of silk ruffles
$79.99 at Ann Taylor

Bow Front Skirt has a large accent bow along a pleated waistline and features draped slash pockets
$24.80 at Forever21 
   

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Kiss Me, I'm Irish (Today)


Happy St. Patty's Day!  I'm jealous of those who are able to be out and about on this beautiful day, drinking a green beer, and enjoying their fellow lads and lassies.  For everyone else that is stuck in their office (with no window like me), I leave these words of Irish wisdom:

There are many good reasons for drinking,
One has just entered my head.
If a man doesn't drink when he's living,
How in the hell can he drink when he's dead?