Driving Around With A Coconut – Nom!
May 18, 2009
Because you so know you want to! The other day Timothy and I were running errands and came across a stand selling coconuts- they would cut them for you, put a straw in, and hand them to you. Lovely, makes me feel at home.
So we ended up driving around for the rest of the day with a coconut in hand. (Don’t worry, I was the passenger… no drinking coconuts while driving!)
There is nothing like a freshly cut coconut that has been chilled and ready to drink- I love coconut water, it is so refreshing. And what a fun way to spend running around doing errands. We certainly got some looks everywhere we went- mostly people wanting to know where they, too, could get one!
When was the last time you drank out of a coconut?
Champagne Eyes With A Touch Of Smoke
May 17, 2009
Because sometimes I like just a hint of smoke on my eyes and I adore the color champagne. This particular “champagne” is from smashbox, I love how it has the right amount of shimmer in balance with the color making for a lovely smooth look.
The smoke is subtle- strongest on the ends and fading towards the center for a soft and delicate look. And I add just a soft stroke beneath the eyes to bring the bold lines together. I love this look for the day as full on smokey eyes can be so intense. With this look, it has just the right amount that can even continue on into the evening.
I used three shades in this one, the “champagne” and and shadow colors from smashbox and a third bronze-medium brown/tan shade to blend the two together. I kept things simple because I think a little bit goes a long way. The shadow and champagne are so contrasting that not much is needed.
It is an elegant and chic look that can be worn for any occasion and feels fabulous on.
For The Love Of Cheese
May 15, 2009
I ♥ cheese. I truly do- and during my last shopping adventure I was fortunate enough to taste some lovely cheeses to take home and indulge in. Wow, these are exceptional… two of which make a magnificent dessert!
From rich and creamy to crumbly and potent, these are some wonderful cheeses to love.
First up on our plate is the Bucherondin, a cheese made from Goat’s milk that is truly exceptional. The gentleman working in the cheese section stated that he would have this cheese as a dessert- simply put on a plate and drizzled with some orange honey.
Wow, I can only imagine how it would be with the honey- but honesty it is magnificent on its own! Don’t let the brie like appearance fool you- though it has a creamy coating (that can be eaten by the way) the cheese itself is quite chalky in texture, much like feta.
But it is rich enough to where it dances between chalky and creamy in the mouth- it is heavenly and a delicious treat. This is a mild flavored cheese, nothing too intense to frighten away or alarm you, I think the balance is just perfect here.
This gorgeous, creamy, delicious cheese is a cow’s milk cheese from France called Delice De Bourgogne from Licet. It is a Triple Cream Soft Ripened Cheese (oh, I do love the tripple creams… they can be very potent though mind you). Let’s look at it again, shall we?
I know, I know- it looks like butter:
And the consistency is rich and satisfying like butter- wow this cheese, along with the bucherondin, are new favorites of mine that I cannot get out of my mind. They are lovely.
This one in particular has a lovely character of sweetness and just the slightest tang or sourness to keep things interesting. It is a subtle bite- so subtle you might even miss it, nothing overpowering just a beautiful melting of flavors.
The flavor is more distinct than the Bucherondin, as is common with triple creams. If you ever run across this little gem, you surely will not be dissapointed.
Up next is the Campo De Montalban, a Spanish cheese with a very distinct taste and surprising texture. What distinguishes this cheese most from the others is the tripple blend- a marvelous blending of cow’s milk, sheep’s milk, and goat’s milk. On appearance, it resembles a Manchego and slices with a similar consistency and texture. But once you place it in your mouth, it becomes creamy with a distinct but wonderful flavor.
Something about cheeses from sheep and goats have this distinct taste- some call it gamey, and it can vary in potency. This one here was perfect- just subtle enough to give intrigue and satisfy and not overpower at all. The blend works perfectly to create an amazing balance and texture.
I highly recommend this cheese as much as I do the two above, if you are new to being adventerous with cheese this one may be a good cheese to start with. Truly a treat- indulge when you are able to.
I saved the potent cheese for last- the Roth Kase Gruyere Surchoix. This is unlike most gruyeres which are mild in taste and texture- this one is *extremely* sharp!
It is called “Surchoix” meaning top choice because after nine months of aging, the celler master hand selects the finest ones.
This hard cheese is very robust and highly concentrated with flavor- it is nutty, earthy, and just the right hints of sweetness to bring it all together. This one is strong- and for the stinky cheese lover.
Wow, what wonderful cheeses, I cannot get them out of my mind they are all so lovely. Any of these would make a fine choice and I highly recommend tasting them for yourself.
Much love and a great love of cheese- xx
Nails That Rock: Dipped In A Pot Of Gold
May 14, 2009
Here’s a nail polish that is sure to inspire glamor as gold decadence makes a new appearance. Dip your nails into this pot of gold for some serious glitter and shine.
I was making a quick stop at the local drug store when I saw the bottle- I didn’t even know what it was at first, the golden circles were so shiny in it’s little bottle. The bottle’s design was familiar, but a shine like that inside was something unique.
This is MAYBELLINE’s “Pot Of Gold” Nail Polish and it is truly fabulous. It is a clear base that is loaded with both giant circles of glitter as well as hints of the tiny subtle kind we are more used to seeing. It spreads on very smoothly, and depending on how many coats or how much nail polish you decide to put on- the results can be subtle or immense.
I had to go for the full on look just to see how far it would take me. I love the look of the bottle and couldn’t resist getting my nails to match it.
In the future, I think this will be a nice top coat to any color- even a nude shade, for a subtle added texture and shine. There is a lot of room for versatility with this one.
Golden glamor nails that rock- oh you can be sure of that! How marvelous would these nails look with a golden vintage charm like the ones from yesterday’s post? A nice matching possibility- gorgeous.
Absolutely Charming, Absolutely Decadent
May 13, 2009
I love a charm with a secret, and when the glamorous touches of vintage are involved a beautiful look is created. The latest from this charming collection are ones to love:
I adore LOVEMADDS, and when I was looking through her latest collections my eyes were instantly drawn to the Samantha necklace- a pendant case complete with a vintage manicure set. This is a necklace with a secret! I love how vibrant the red is on the handles of the set- so bold and bright yet hidden in the delicate golden case dangling on a gold strand. Beautiful!
It is feminine, delicate on the outside and powerfully armed on the inside- very real and glamorous in presentation. This is something I would love to have dangling around my neck.
Ah, the charm of charms… aren’t they lovely?
They inspire us with past memories and create a place for new ones to come.
I’ve been loving the decadence of gold jewelry this year, and with bold pieces like these they just scream rich and luxury. The details are right and ready to be worn.
I can see single piece bold charms making a great appearance especially towards the later part of the year- with a simple cocktail dress, a large and magnificent golden charm delicately resting from the neck makes a beautiful and fashionable statement.
These golden charms also make for a lovely touch to a casual day outfit- adding the extra elegance and femininity to make a casual outfit all the more inspiring.
Don’t you just love these new pieces? There are even more gorgeous items in her collection you will have to see for yourself.
Chic Coral Hidden Treasures: Collection Disovery Part II
May 12, 2009
If you loved the first entry on Sonia Kashuk’s Coral Reef Hidden Treasure Brush Collection from TARGET, you are really going to love this!
My fiancee is wonderful and always thinking of me- after making a quick visit to TARGET to pick up a couple items for us, he brought me back a surprise. Look and see how lovely it is:
This is the Highlighter Brush, a continued piece to the limited edition Coral Reef Hidden Treasure Collection from Sonia Kashuk, a TARGET exclusive. Another beautiful gem to add to your collection!
It is very soft like the other brushes from the collection, with the same coral detail as you can see in the photos. We stopped by TARGET again today to see if there were other brushes or pieces to the collection, however this was the only notable addition I could see.
There is a highlighting powder available with the same box decor, but the actual piece itself does not match the coral. The case it is in is just a smooth silver triangle with smoothed edges- nice but doesn’t grab me nearly as much. I’d just as well keep my brushes and use them with my existing make up collection I have at home.
I thought this was fabulous- gorgeous brushes at affordable prices at one of my favorite shopping locations. I love this!
Because Aprons Can Be Dresses, Too
May 11, 2009
How adorable and fun is this? It is called an apron dress- but it is more subtle than that I think. I can see where the name comes from, but don’t be fooled- this one is not for the kitchen.
I love bows, they are so adorable. The bow on this dress is perfectly placed too- and the same color bow to dress fabric is a lovely touch as well. It adds more to the dress’s unusual design and shape.
This dress consists only of the gray fabric you see- the black top underneathe is a separate piece, both items came from YesStyle.com (I love them- they are fabulous!) and both fit and feel lovely on. I purchased the black top with the bow sleeves when I had the apron dress in mind- also I thought it would be a fun top to experiment with my other jumper style dresses.
Adding unique sleeves to an otherwise sleeveless dress reinvents the look all together, and I think this top in particular will make a dramatic effect.
The bow-tie sleeved top is from Dodostyle and comes in multiple colors- black, white, and pink are the ones that come immediately to mind, you can look and see more for yourself on YesStyle.com as there were some other variations on the style of the sleeves.
The apron dress comes in two colors, too- gray as seen here and also in black. I chose gray because I can mix it out more within my wardrobe- but I think a black apron dress with a white puffed-bow sleeve would also be *very* adorable!
Hmmmmm….. speak with you soon!
Duchesse De Bourgogne, A Lovely Taste
May 10, 2009
Each and every time I stroll through the many isles of Total Wine & Spirits, I cannot help but taste a new Belgium beer. There are so many unique single bottle options available, though I love my classics I always love to indulge in new tastes.
During my last visit, a new bottle caught my eye called “Duchesse De Bourgogne” which is also known as “The Burgundies of Belgium”. It fed into my curiosity and so a taste was needed.
Immediately upon opening and pouring, the first smell is strong of dark molasses. It reminded me of childhood when I would wander into the kitchen and smell the delicious spices of freshly baked dark gingerbread. Rarely do I get to indulge in such a wonderful smell, and with this beer the tone was perfect. So beautiful and reminiscent, I longed for my first taste.
Duchesse de Bourgogne is a reddish-brown ale from the West Flanders region of Belgium, top fermented, and carefully matured in oak casts.
It is purely natural and unpasteurized, leaving a full clean and beautiful taste. The aroma and tastes returned me to my loves of childhood, but in a grown up and matured fashion. It is so lovely and pure, and elegantly presented. The texture is light to medium and balances well against the fragrance of the nose.
I purchased a small bottle here for a first taste, but am anxious to try it again in it’s full bottle- cork included, naturally. I love the stylings of a Belgium beer, and this one is a lovely discovery.
If you have a love for dark and rich freshly baked gingerbread- this beer will take you back and reward your taste buds lovingly. I definitely recommend it and look forward to another taste!
It’s like Walking Around In My Bed, Only Adorable!
May 8, 2009
You know that feeling when you slip under the covers of a freshly made bed- the extra coziness surrounds you and you melt into the sheets? That is exactly how this dress feels the moment you put it on- I didn’t know that was possible. I love it.
I decided to wear my adorable new dress from Dodostyle found on YesStyle.com - this one is the first one that caught my eye on the site. With delicate frills and lace I knew I had to have it, also for those who know me well.. if it has ribbon on it chances are strong that I will be getting it.
What first caught my attention with this dress was the sleeves- they called them Lantern Sleeves. The print has just the slightest sheerness to it (the body of the dress itself has an incredibly silky black slip attached to it, preventing the dress from being see-through and adding that additional layer of coziness). And then the sleeves flare out with black lace- matching the bottom of the dress as well.
This is an adorable dress that makes for an easy and stylish look- not much is needed here as the print and frills are a nice balance. I wore this dress with my Marcianno black patent heels, if I added anything else to this look it may be black tights, but honestly the dress is so cozy I would prefer to leave it as it is.
The dress also comes in an off white/cream shade which is lovely for the spring in summer. I am enjoying the black version here as it will also be great for the winter.
I cannot get over how cozy this dress is, it seriously feels like I am walking around while being tucked in bed- I love it! I just have to remember to stay awake when my cocktail comes around 
