Filed under: Red Carpet
So, after my review of E! Network’s Red Carpet Special, here are my best dressed:
Heidi Klum - I loved this textured mini Marchesa. Image courtesy of yahoo.
Claire Danes - The Armani Prive strapless column gown shines with golden sequins (even if a bit reminiscent of Anne Hathway’s.) Image courtesy of zimbio.
Brooke Burke – This white sweetheart neckline chiffon gown with slit up to there is SO Jessica Rabbit. Image courtesy of zimbio.
Kyra Sedgwick - The flow of this belted, pleated chiffon goddess gown is SO awesome. And it looks comfortable enough to dance the night away in… Image courtesy of zimbio.
Eva Longoria Parker – Another black textured gown here. I just love the train and great fitting bodice. Image courtesy of zimbio.
Filed under: Culinary Delights
So, Jamison and I are doing 10 days on Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet to rid ourselves of sugar cravings and prep ourselves for a new healthy lifestyle. You guys know how challenging eating healthfully is for me, due to my love of Mexican food and steakhouses and cheeseburgers… But I have a goal to drop 30 pounds by the end of the year.
This new dish – a fakeout of lasagna – will make it super easy for us to stick to the plan:
I sliced and grilled two medium eggplants and 3 large zucchini (sliced lengthwise) with non-stick cooking spray, salt and pepper until they had nice grill marks. While the eggplant and zucchini were grilling in batches, I browned 20 oz of ground turkey and then mixed it with a large can of Hunts tomato sauce (reserve a few tbsp) and spices. I let the sauce simmer for about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
To layer the “lasagna,” I put the reserved tomato sauce on the bottom of a 9 X 13 glass pan. I layered eggplant on the bottom, topping it with some of the turkey and sauce mixture as well as 1/2 pint of part skim ricotta. Next I layered zucchini and added the sauce and remaining ricotta. Finally, add the remaining eggplant slices and top with 8 oz finely shredded part skim mozzarella.
Thickly slice a vine-ripened tomato and place on top of the mozzarella layer (cover with basil and oregano.) Bake uncovered on 400 degrees for about 30 minutes. To finish, broil the top for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown and bubbly. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before cutting into eight portions.
One servings has approximately 400 calories, 28g carbs, 29g protein, and 20g fat. (I used 80% lean ground turkey but you can use 95% lean ground turkey or chicken breast and/or less cheese for less fat.) Serve with 1 cup steamed veggies for an additional 30 calories and more fiber.
This dish was truly delicious to me! I like it with the grilled eggplant and zucchini even better than traditional noodles. Dishes like this will make it easy for me to stick to my plan and reach my goal! Please do try it out. Next time, I’ll try to take more pictures of the entire process.
Filed under: Blow Your Paycheck Friday
I am all about Michael Kors. I have been since the late 90′s. The nautical look is one of my personal style elements, so his classic American sportswear has always been a key inspiration. And I am also strangely obsessed with peplum anything. So this dress, even at $1695, is on my “I DIE” list:
This kind of cute cocktail dress makes me wish for a dinner party with super stylish friends one Saturday night… very soon. It would let my live my very own “Dynasty” dream for an evening. At least all this reminds me to rock this peplum jacket I’ve had in my closet for years. And I’ve only worn it once. Ah, shopping in my closet.
You know that you can shop for this fab dress at my fave luxury store, Saks.
Filed under: Fashion Spy
The other day Jory and I ran in the mall to check out our two favorite local low-cost/high style stores – Forever 21 and H&M. While the stripes are still ever-present and the leopard spots reigned supreme, H&M felt so… cheap. Like, you-can-see-straight-through-that cheap. Like, don’t-think-you-can-ever-wash-that-and-wear-it-again cheap. In all this sadness, there was a super cute fringe bag that I almost got, but I felt so saddened by the state of affairs, I was unable to commit to it.
Forever 21 was a sad nothingness too pathetic to even mention. I saw so many great things online but I feel like the stores never have any good stuff. Jory couldn’t even find anything non-sheer for the fellas? Strange…
On the other hand, I’ve been haunted by the commercials for Chico’s new jackets.
Check out this Starlight Pizzazz Bolero Jacket:
How about this Braided Cheetah Beita Jacket:
While I can’t seem to find all those jackets and coats (the cropped leopard is a KEY piece for me to acquire) I saw in the amazingly inspiring commercial, I sure can’t wait ’til it all hits the stores. Maybe it’s just time for me to transition from the H&Ms in the world to something… higher quality. Even if it’s Chico’s.
Filed under: Girl Crush Wednesday
I’ve been in love with Sheila E. since I was six years old. “The Glamorous Life” was the soundtrack of my life for nearly a year – broadcast on my red boombox. (What a great Christmas I had that year! Too bad thieves stole not only my new television – amazing to have my own TV in my own room – and my Strawberry Shortcake piggy bank that was full of $50 and $100 bills. Crack really jacked up the black community when folks are stealing little girls’ savings.)
Sheila was so exotically beautiful (Latina, Black, etc.) and had such over-the-top personal style. She loved rhinestones, furs, metallics – ahem, all of my favorite things. And boy, is she a great drummer! She is so talented and makes song a little better. Her performance on TI’s “Bring ‘Em Out” made me LOVE that song even more.
Prince sure had good taste back when he spotted her performing in the late 70′s. Sheila E. truly is a gem! And one of my idols.
Filed under: Fashion Spy
I mean, really… How can an item literally be gone in 60 seconds? I was dying for this black patent Mulberry for Target satchel on Gilt:
I could already see it under arms, dangled on my elbow… I love its vintage sensibility. I love that its shiny patent leather with bright gold hardware and a cute charm. And yes, I love that it’s Mulberry for Target. Now I’ll have to dream of finding it elsewhere.
Filed under: Blow Your Paycheck Friday
Thanks to my recent trip to D.C., I have a new-found interest in all bags that wrap across the body – leaving your hands totally free. But usually those sort of bags are more befitting a bike messenger than a high-style gal that loves blingery! Not this Christian Louboutin Eden Pompom bag – it has leopard print pony hair AND bright red fringe. Can I have it? Please… The $1195 price tag may be holding me back, but boy, will I be seeking an appropriate inspiration piece SOON. Thrifting just may yield me some luck!
This fabulous, out-of-control bag is available saks.
Filed under: Fashion Spy
After much anticipation, my girl Marguerite has finally found our beloved j. crew crushed jacquard pencil skirt on jcrew.com:
We were at the j. crew in the Annapolis mall nearly a month ago when we simultaneously oohed and ahhed over it. She decided to try it on; I resisted trying it on because I knew I’d buy it on the spot, and I’m not usually a “spend $118 on a skirt kinda girl.”
Yes, it’s $118 – like every other j. crew skirt, but I want this one badly enough that I just might get it. Can I at least get 30% off somehow? What do you think? Would you buy it?
BTW, I hate the way this skirt is styled on the website but I am a very much over-the-top glamour kinda gal. They are making it more rugged and edgy than I’d ever wear it. I’m seeing it paired with a fitted black t, a cropped leather jacket (maybe even a jeans jacket), pearls and black slingbacks. But that’s just me…
Here’s to hoping I’ll own it soon. Marguerite is buying it as a wonderful birthday present to herself this Saturday! I’m trying not to hate…
Filed under: Girl Crush Wednesday
In tribute to my trip to Miami, I am shouting out one of my favorite female rappers – Trina. No stranger to drama, she’s had her share of beef with other female rappers (usually the other chicks who go the dirty route too.)
And she’s dated a lot of guys we know, of course the biggest story was her long-time relationship with Lil’ Wayne (let’s be honest, that breakup left her better off since he has recently knocked up multiple gals nearly simultaneously and is currently in prison.)
I am certainly hoping to hear some new “nasty girl” music from Trina soon. it’s always amusing… And I DO think she is beautiful – as long as she stays in shape.
Don’t let those girls make you mad. They are just hating on you!
Filed under: Random
As you guys may recall from my pasts posts, I am a girl that believes in clearing the old or impractical to make room for new things. (See After My Shoe Purge and My Latest Closet Purge in April.) Jory told me about this article, “But Will It Make You Happy” on mytimes.com, and I was curious about the premise. In these rough economic times, we’ve all probably trimmed back a little. Jamison and I eat out less; I shop less; we traveled less.
Jennifer Black, president of the retailing research company Jennifer Black & Associates and a member of the Governor’s Council of Economic Advisors in Oregon stated “I think people are realizing they don’t need what they had. They’re more interested in creating memories.” I think it’s a great point for all of us. I, too, am convincing myself to believe this new version of the financial world. I’ve paid off $8K of a $10K debt this year and I’ve decided that next year I am paying off $10K in additional debt. I am truly trying to adjust to the “new normal.”
I started asking myself, “How much crap do I actually need?” a long time ago. To be honest, there is not much I actually need anymore from a personal goods (shoes, clothing, accessories, makeup and other toiletries) perspective. Case in point: I actually need to replace my Benefit Brow Zings because it’s nearly gone. In the past, I’d go to the Mac store and get some new lip gloss, blush, etc. just because I wanted. See my new normal?
The world that we live in today in America is really all about things. Jamison makes me laugh when he talks about how hip hop is actually all about “how your life sucks and my life rocks.” It’s really not funny though… Hip hop stars are talking about popping bottles of rose champagne, and your average American is having a staycation because they can’t afford to fill the car with gas and stay at the Hampton Inn for the weekend at grandma’s house. Can we say disconnect?
As I’ve walked in my closet each day, I pick a new item or items that I realize I don’t wear. I took 5 garbage bags of clothes and shoes to the Salvation Army on Saturday. It felt so good. I actually feel free with less stuff. Now does that mean I will ever become the kind of girl with one pair each black and brown pumps and one black and brown suit and a few shirts? Doubt it.
But it does mean that I think long and hard about every thing I purchase. And it means that I am choosing to invest to myself: paying down debt, traveling on vacations with my husband and friends, going to museums, etc. And I am STILL longing for a Marc Jacobs collection bag. And when I get it, I’ll be ALL about it. Because for me, things aren’t really the thing that matters most. Each object I own stores a memory. I have a story of every single thing I own: who I bought it with, where I found it, how long I hunted for it,etc.
So for you it may just be a silver sequin frame handbag, but for me it’s a flashback of a great treasure I didn’t even know I needed while shopping with a friend after enjoying a leisurely lunch and glass of wine. I get why people are veering toward minimalism but I’ll never make it there. And I don’t want to. But I do love having more room in my closet, more space in my kitchen drawers and more money to spend on drinks with friends – on their back patio, eating homemade venison burgers, playing with the dogs.
