Ahem...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Vamps are out; lycans are in!

Happy Halloween, everyone!

(via beehive and Like Neely O'Hara)

Stella & Dot Winner!

Per the geniuses at Random.org, the winner of the Stella & Dot Martine Bib Necklace is...

Christina of Fabulocity in Amish Country!!!

Congrats, lady! E-mail me your address and this lovely necklace will be yours!

Foxy Friday

I came across two totally cute, totally foxy items this week that I just had to share:

I found this sweet little linen pouch in one of my favorite local vintage stores, Petrune, but you can also get it in Track and Field Designs' Etsy shop. I keep a little cosmetic bag this size in my purse to hold all my miscellany, and the one I'm currently using is just about worn out. This might have to be its replacement!

The next foxy item was found in the most unexpected of places: Gander Mountain (where I ventured with the hubby, being the intrepid wife that I am)!

Although the tag said he was a 'coyote', he looks relatively foxy to me! Regardless, he'd be a perfect snuggle buddy for a long flight or car trip, don't you think?

Butternut Squash Soup

The hubby and I lovelovelove butternut squash soup. And even though I know it's crazy easy to make, my expectations have been set so high due to eating it the very first time at Cafe Adelaide in New Orleans (where they cook it with some kind of rare, imported honeycomb) and then subsequently at our most favorite local eatery, Hazelnut Kitchen (where they top it with a pumpkin seed pesto!), that I'm loathe to even attempt it at home.

But it seems silly not to. Anyone got a good recipe they'd be willing to share?

While you're at it, check out this recipe for Butternut Squash and Carmelized Onion Pastries over at Patent and the Pantry. Do those sound incredible or what?!?!

(via Patent and the Pantry)

Stella & Dot Giveaway

Ladies! You have one more day to enter my Stella & Dot giveaway of the Martine Bib Necklace, which I'm wearing in this photo. I love this necklace and want you to love it, too!

Go here to enter!!!

She's Cool

She's cool...

and she's cool...

and she's cool...

and she's super cool.

(via LOOKBOOK)

I love...

...the Mary Kay Facial Highlight Pen.

I've mentioned before that I really don't sleep very well. It's amazing the toll a lack of sleep can take on your memory, motivation, mood, etc. You'd think after years of this routine, I'd get used to not sleeping, but I don't.

Anyhoo...what's funny is that I've had several people say to me, upon finding out that I'm quite the insomniac, "Gee! You always look so well-rested!" My unfailing response is: "Thank God for Mary Kay!" The facial highlighting pen is the best thing I've found for hiding dark circles, but it can really be used to add a little brightness anywhere--brow bones, cheek bones, temples. It goes on very light and blends to leave behind just a hint of a glow.

What's your secret to always looking fresh as a daisy?

Midweek MidCentury: The Marden House

Dear Hubby,

Let's move here, okay?

Love,

Rebekah

(via Apartment Therapy)

Tea Towel Calendar

Considering I never found a good calendar for 2009, I'm already on the hunt for 2010. I saw these adorable tea towel calendars yesterday on Mrs. French's I Heart Monday list and fell in love...particularly with this forsythia print (my favorite flower!). So cute and old fashioned!

LBD Love

There's no denying that this is a gorgeous LBD. But it's the unexpected styling that really makes the statement: The leather driving gloves. The feathered headband. The geeky glasses.

Wait. The geeky glasses?!

As someone who has worn glasses since the age of 5--and often been embarrassed by that fact (does the phrase "Coke-bottle-bottom lenses" ring a bell?), I find it liberating to see really cool, stylish girls, like Noel (who really needs glasses) and Kyla (who doesn't), proudly sporting specs.

Four eyes never looked so good.

(via LOOKBOOK)

Shoe of the Day

Curse you, Christian Louboutin! I've never lusted after your shoes because being just shy of 6' tall makes wearing 4" heels seem insane. But flats? FLATS WITH ZIPPERS AND STUDS?!?! A hex upon you, sir!!!

(via Preppy with a Twist)

Blue Monday: Globes and Maps

Don't you just love how these globes and maps add a well-travelled, scholarly dose of fun and color into these spaces?

(via Sweet Home Style)

Foxy Friday

Coming up with a Halloween costume hasn't really been on my radar screen because I didn't think we'd have an opportunity to dress up this year. But now we're going to a Halloween bonfire tomorrow night (so fun!), which will require us to both be in costume and be bundled up.

I wish I had a foxy mask like the one on the right. I'm sure I could build a warm, cute costume around it!

Are you thinking about your Halloween costume?

(via Like Neely O'Hara)

Martine Bib Necklace Giveaway

Dear Readers,

I'm so sad that my favorite Stella & Dot necklace, the Martine Bib, is being phased out. Martine is a striking mix of navy, black, and cream enamel with gold. I know the enamel thing is kind of over, but this necklace is so wearable. I got her about a year ago, and she's been a constant companion since then.

Here I am wearing lovely Martine two weeks ago at my 10th college reunion cocktail party:

Obviously, she looks great with black, but I've also worn her with cobalt, camel, red, black & white stripes, etc. I've dressed her up, I've dressed her down. What can I say? She just adds a nice graphic punch to a basic top.

Because I love this necklace so much, I'm going to give her away to one lucky reader! Just go to my Stella & Dot site, nose around for a bit, then come back here and leave me a comment about which jewels you love the most. Tweet or blog about the giveaway, and I'll enter you again!

The winner will be chosen one week from today. Good luck, lovelies!

Chick Peas + Capers + Tomatoes + Pasta

I think everyone has a meal that they fall back on when they are in desperate need of hitting the grocery store/in a hurry/too tired to cook. For some, that meal is take-out, but for us it's an easy, fast pasta dish I came up with several years ago when I was faced with all the aforementioned scenarios at once.

To serve two or three people, this recipe only requires the four ingredients you see above:

• 1/2 lb. of some kind of pasta--I prefer Barilla's campanelle or cellentani because both shapes have a lot of surface area that gets nicely coated with the light sauce this recipe produces;
• 1 15 oz. can of chick peas;
• 1 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes, pre-seasoned with garlic, oregano and basil;
• 2 tsp. of capers;
• plus some olive oil (I actually use basil-infused grapeseed oil, but plain extra virgin olive oil works just fine as well), s&p, and cheese (if you so choose).

Start off by putting the pasta water on to boil as cooking the pasta takes the longest. Once the water is on, pour the can of tomatoes (do not drain off the juice--this is the basis for your sauce!) into a large skillet on medium-low heat. When the tomatoes reach a slow simmer, turn the heat to low, then add in the drained, rinsed chick peas and a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper. With about two minutes left on your cooking pasta, add the two teaspoons of capers (you can certainly add more if you like!). Drain your pasta, then toss it in the pan with the simmering sauce, drizzling in about 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add a bit more salt & pepper to taste, then serve topped with shaved grana padano or shredded mozzarella.

The result is this hearty, glistening, majorly flavorful bowl of pasta, produced in less that 15 minutes. Give it a whirl next time your pantry is almost bare!

Ann Wood Handmade

One (or two) of Ann Wood's sweet birds has been on my wish list for almost two years, but they are always sold out before I can get one.

You can see why:

Precious is the only word for them.

Midweek MidCentury: So Retro

Need I say more?

(via mathiole)

Tweet, tweet--Where should I eat?

So this is relatively old news, but I am still very intrigued that the Michelin Guide has joined Twitter. I've been following @MichelinGuideNY and am really enjoying their tweets--even though they are heavily meat-focused. It's definitely making me want to plan another NYC culinary weekend! I also really enjoy following @tokissthecook--good recipe ideas and funny musings.

Do you follow any good foodie tw-eaters?

LBD Love

Loving this LBD is really more about the loving the accoutrements--that amazing jacket, bib necklace and cuff. I want them all!

(via Like Neely O'Hara)

Blue Monday: Blue Doors

Don't these blue doors feel so cheery and welcoming?

(via LOOKBOOK and Sweet Home Style)

Maple + Scallops

Although I'm vegetarian 99.5% of of the time--and have been for 17 years, I do occasionally cross over to the dark side and eat clams, calamari or scallops. Well, I'm feeling a bit naughty, so last night I decided that this weekend I'll experiment with creating a maple glaze for scallops.

Today, I've been doing some research online for inspiration and think I'll look no further than this recipe from Redacted Recipes:

Bourbon-Maple Seared Scallops

• 1 pound of fresh sea scallops
• 1/4 cup Bourbon
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• salt
• pepper

Lightly score the tops and bottoms of the scallops with a crosshatch pattern, making sure your knife doesn't slice too deeply.

Whisk the liquids and seasonings together and pour over the scallops, letting them marinate for 15-30 minutes. Saute on a medium flame for 2-3 minutes per side. Plate them up and drizzle the pan juices over the top.

Doesn't that sound amazing?! I can't wait to hit the kitchen tomorrow. My weekend cooking agenda also includes Chicken Divan (with Quorn, of course--I'll feel guilty enough from the scallops!), homemade cranberry-raspberry relish, roasted beets and pumpkin bread. YUM!

(via Redacted Recipes)

I'd rather...

Today I'm wearing this:

but I'd rather be wearing this:

It'll be a long time before my legs are bare again...sigh....

(via LOOKBOOK)

Foxy Friday Guest Post

Hi there. My name is Zelda. And this is Foxy Lady. She's my favorite toy. I love her so much that I've pulled off her tail and completely removed all her stuffing.

Wanna play?

Jack-o-Lantern Collection

I have a lot of collections. McCoy pottery, carnival chalkware, Nancy Drew mysteries, salt and pepper shakers, vintage jewelry...I could really go on and on. I'm just a collector by nature and started many of my collections early in my teens when my love of flea markets and junk shops first manifested itself. I don't really collect anything new, however, because I like the history, mystery, and aesthetic charm that goes along with older items.

One of my favorite things to collect is jack-o-lanterns. I just put up my display last night and thought I'd share a few pictures with you.

I started this collection about 12 years ago. I'm not sure how or why...maybe just because carving a jack-o-lantern was always a big deal with me and my dad. I also really like the symbolism of jack-o-lanterns warding off evil spirts. Regardless, these guys have become quite beloved and getting them out each year totally gets me in the Halloween spirit.

It's taken me quite a while to amass this collection as I am quite fussy about the jack-o-lanterns I choose. I want them to look old-ish, but have only been able to afford a couple of real vintage pieces. The jack-o-lantern second from the right in the above photo is the real deal, and I feel so lucky to have him in my collection because he is quite fragile. The guy in the foreground is probably my favorite (the hubby says he looks like a Tim Burton character!).

My newest addition is a lighted jack-o-lantern vampire (you can just make out his fangs in this picture). He's made out of a gourd, and it was love at first site. I bought him last year in Saratoga Springs, NY, and in the Twilight frenzy of last fall may have even referred to him as an Edward-o-Lantern (I know, I know...just wrong!).

Here's my whole mantle. I have a few jack-0-lanterns in our hallway as well, but really like to group most of them together to make a big, spooky statement.

What do you collect? I'd love to hear about it!

Midweek MidCentury: Squirrel Candy Dish

Wouldn't you love to keep a nice stash of Halloween candy in this adorable squirrel candy dish?

Can you believe I passed one up a few weekends ago? What was wrong with me?! Once again, eBay saves the day. I think I need to place a bid.

Seafaring Sweater

As the weather has gotten a bit chilly here in Ithaca (they are predicting snow for later today and again on Friday!) (and just to clarify, that was an exclamation point denoting horror, not excitement), I've been pulling out all our cold-weather gear. Despite the fact that our dog Zelda is a Tibetan Terrier, and therefore innately intended for cold weather, I think she's ridiculously cute in a sweater and force her to wear one. Sadly, the pink argyle number I bought for her as a puppy has seen its better days. That said, she's not really a pink, frou-frou kind of a girl, and finding a classy, well-priced dog sweater since Isaac is no longer designing for Target isn't an easy task.

So after much research, I think this Sailor's Knot sweater from Mascot will be just perfect for Zelda, since she is quite the seafaring dog. It's normally $60, but I found it for $19.99!

And, in case you're wondering, the matching collars are to die for. That may be a splurge item for next summer.

I love...

...Alba Cocoa Butter Hand and Body Lotion because:

1. It's made with all vegetarian ingredients.
2. It's super, super moisturizing, yet is very light and absorbs instantly.
3. It smells a lot like chocolate.

This lotion is usually my last resort during the winter when my skin has gotten so dry that I itch constantly, but I actually bought some two days ago. This is not a good sign for things to come!

LBD Love, Part II

If you didn't get enough LBD Love today, then you should head on over to Weardrobe to read a great homage to the little black dress.

FYI...apparently the look I featured earlier today, worn by Clare of Faboo, is actually the Weardrobe dress from ModCloth, named thusly after the 20 fabulous ladies who attended the Weardrobe conference at the end of summer. What luck!

(via Weardrobe)

LBD Love

I'm still obsessing over leopard prints, so I love this look. What's more classically chic than the combination of a leopard cardigan and an LBD? The ruffled collar, utilitarian belt, and sexy shoes, however, add an unexpected twist to what could otherwise be a very "lady who lunches" ensemble.

(via LOOKBOOK)

Shoe of the Day

Sam Edelman Yee Pump, Fall 2008

Words really cannot express how much I love these shoes, perhaps partially because I bought them last fall to complete a very, very, very special outfit, so they've got significant memories attached to them. But regardless of sentimentality, I think I'd love them anyway because they:

• are the most perfect shade of cadet blue suede, which I've found to be a versatile color in a shoe.
• have such a fun, retro vibe and are adorable with skirts/dresses, but also look great styled kind of punky with some skinny black jeans.
• have a heel that's high enough to make me feel fancy, but isn't crazy-high (an important shoe-buying factor for someone who is 5'11").
• have a rubber non-skid sole (gotta love funcationality in such a cute package!).
• make my feet feel like Minnie Mouse every time I wear them.

I don't know about you, but I don't need any more reasons than that to fall in love.

Blue Monday: Blue Birds and Bubbles

Doesn't this gorgeous wallpaper with those sweet blue birds coupled with a bubble-blowing girl (one of my fave pastimes) just make you happy?

(via Sabino)

Foxy Friday

I always say that I'm going to start directing some of my antiquing/flea marketing budget towards starting a Bakelite collection (which, in the long run, would probably end up being worth more than my IRA, so perhaps I should consider re-allocating those funds!). We have a local antique mall with a vendor who has an amazing selection, and I stand in front of her display case, getting it all drool-y and finger-printed, every time we go. I even have a plan that when I'm much older I will wear all black and the biggest, most guady Bakelite accessories--in layers, no less. So I figure I should get started now, you know?

Stumbling upon these two fox-themed Bakelite pieces, that are sadly way out of my price range, has inspired me even more:

Bakelite Fox Brooch, Morning Glory Jewelry

Bakelite Fox Bangle, Morning Glory Antiques

Happy Foxy Friday!

Ironing Chic

As if my crazy dream about finishing off our basement--which includes my laundry room--didn't have me in enough of a frenzy, I just came across this adorable blog and Etsy shop, City Chic Country Mouse, run by a mother-daughter team who are taking the most mundane homekeeping accoutrements (pot holders, ironing board covers, etc.) and making them super stylish.

This yellow and white zig-zagged ironing board cover would fit in perfectly with the color scheme I'm envisioning for our rec room. Where's the home renovation fairy when you need her?

(via City Chic Country Mouse)