90's baby brings back grunge

Coat- Zara, shirt- Zara, skirt- H&M, booties- Dolce Vita, bag- Phillip Lim for Target

The other day I tied a flannel around my waist with denim cut-offs. Paying homage to the grunge trend that is in high demand this fall. However, 99% of people who saw my outfit that day were absolutely confused.

Did we all forgot that the 90's have come back in full force and everything punk and plaid is popular? Here are some reminders for those who forgot:
- This year's Met Gala theme and fabulous Chaos to Couture exhibit
- Versace's fall runway looks that oozed so much 90's Gianni that left me giddy
- Even Jay-Z throwing in some Nirvana cuts on "Holy Grail"

With that I felt the need to take this season's trends by the horns and turn it into a less grungy and more cleaned up version. The best part about this time of year is sweaters, light jackets, and boots are out, but you can still show a little leg. The coat is one of my favorite buys, and after someone insulted it this week it only made me want to make sure it got plenty of exposure here. I feel a little weird as someone who was born in the 90's that those trends are making a comeback, but if there's studs and spikes involved you know I'm on board.

Simple Silver

 Dress- Mango (Asos), shoes- Bottega Veneta, clutch- mom's

In planning my dress for the event last weekend I knew I wanted something with an open back but without a halter cut. The online search came to a halt when I spotted this Mango dress on Asos. I know Mango (as in that Spanish company that is amazing in Europe but sucks in the States), but it looked like something Carrie Bradshaw wears in season 1, episode 7 and if Carrie would wear it then I'm all about it. It met the open back criteria but was actually rather simple (perhaps too simple for this kinda spectacle). I then moved the direction away from SATC to have a bit of Gatsby/20's theme so I focused on a deep red lip and went for a beaded vintage inspired clutch. Especially special was the diamond ring that belonged to my grandmother to really give it an old school feel. Even in its simple form I think something about the fit of the dress gave it more personality than any other ornamentation would.

"Yes, I'm wearing booties with this dress"

 Dress- Elizabeth and James, booties- Massimo Dutti, clutch- Christian Dior

It's been awhile since we last caught up. Feeling just about as unfabulous as possible with a high fever and the chills for a week, I finally have a few shots from last night's outfit to keep you entertained till the upcoming posts. I promise I've got a couple more pretty good ones that have made the hiatus worth it.

To my mom's horror, "are you sure you want to wear booties with that dress?" I put on some of my favorite shoes, which I really think is the best way to give a dress an unexpected edge. These particular booties I got in Barcelona where I first fell in love with Massimo Dutti before they opened their stores in the States. Balanced out with the right simple jewelry and a nicer clutch.

Cocktails at Tiffany's

Breakfast at Tiffany's- ye olde Audrey Hepburn movie that every little girl (me included) watched and instantly proclaimed that Audrey was her all time favorite actress. Over the years I've collected way too many heart shaped, tagged, and mesh items from their collections that I never wear now except for the simple solitaire necklace I never take off. But then when Aimee Song one of my favorite fashion blogger's is hosting a party for their new Atlas Collection, maybe it's time to reconsider my feelings towards their jewelry for cocktails at Tiffany's.

Sticking with the Audrey theme I went with my favorite Massimo Dutti tutu but kept it modern with my infamous studded booties. The men's button down tied at the waist I regret as I go through these pictures making me look more like a marshmallow, and my hair was doing its own thing with the rain storm and humidity. I will probably never learn not to curl my hair when there's high humidity.

Aimee was so sweet and pleasant taking time to speak to everyone there in her epic 3 Floor jumpsuit. I was probably more excited to meet her than most of the A-List celebrities I've met because if dreams one day did come true I'd be in the position she's in. Straight from NYFW she told me her favorite shows were Prabal Gurung, Herve Ledger, and Philosophy. And just to top off my fashion high she complimented my skirt.

Note: I apologize for the awful quality the lighting from the cases in there made everything look awful.

Thanks Leandra

Jacket- Members Only, shorts- vintage Levi's, shirt- Hugo Boss, shoes- Converse, sunglasses- Ray-Ban

A rather short post, I really need a full time entourage to capture my every look (kidding... well kinda if you know a photographer let me know). However, this one comes from inspiration from my girl Leandra.. you may know her as the Man Repeller. And if you have no idea who she is or don't understand the know your onion idea of layering we probably don't have similar fashion sense meaning I probably don't like yours that much. Too harsh? I'm feeling rather spicy today. Plus it just means I like you not your clothes.

Back to the point the Man Repeller post on "Five Days of Denim Cut-Offs" reminded me that sometimes you need to find simplicity in your favorite fall backs: Levi's vintage cut-offs, men's oversized oxford, leather jacket, high-tops, and wayfarers.

Those shorts have a story of their own. In this picture they look like balloons could fit in them as I'm rocking the slouchy at the hips look. Regardless, they've traveled the world, been worn at three different heights on my waist, and survived music festivals and 4th of July. They're family. Yes they're holed and probably get a new rip every time I wear them, but as Kanye (and others) have put it "damn they don't make 'em like this anymore." This gem of a pair was a $7 bargain at the Melrose Trading Post you know before Urban Outfitters put a $40 ($50?) price tag on them and Miley Cyrus started exposing herself in them. So maybe that's why when my mom put them in the trash I went digging then hid them from her (sorry mom); I'm too proud of their legacy to let them go. Kinda like my oversized men's department store cloak- XL shrunk many a time in the dryer. Why is it that the cheapest and weirdest things I own I'm so attached to? Deep down inside we're all a little prouder of our prizes after a shopping hunt that have a good story attached to them.

Note: If you still don't know who my fashion icon and daily scope of humor and inspiration is check out Leandra's blog (I refer to her on a first name basis as if we're from the same womb, sadly I'm just a freak fan).

Early Bird

Oxford- H&M Conscious Collection, short- Madewell, blazer- Urban Outfitters, wedges- Elizabeth & James

The seasons are starting to change so perfectly. You need a light jacket in the morning and at night, but can still wear shorts during the day. Shot pretty early in the morning right when the sun is up gives these a darker tint, but the background is so simplistic that the outfit still pops.

Cauliflower crust pizza with fresh basil pesto

I had a half a head of cauliflower  and a pretty full container of basil in the fridge that both needed to be finished. And if I'm having a date with my work for the evening, this meal better be good. I've been wanting to try a cauliflower crust pizza for awhile and after researching a few recipes I settled on one that used Greek yogurt for a healthy twist.

Pesto is surprisingly so easy to make you need a food processor/blender and four basic things: olive oil, garlic, a leaf, and nuts. Traditionally people use basil, Parmesan (I left it out), pine nuts, and olive oil, but I'm seen recipes with cilantro and spinach. Didn't have pine nuts so I used walnuts and I really liked how it turned out.

Personal pizza to serve one:
Cauliflower crust:
1/4 head of cauliflower
1 egg white
1/8 cup of Greek yogurt
Salt and pepper
Dried oregano optional

Pesto:
1 1/2 cups of basil
handful of walnuts (or 1/4 cup of pine nuts)
1 clove of garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil

1. Put your cauliflower into a food processor so it has that rice look. When it's done you'll want to wring out the liquid so the cauliflower is as dry as possible. Probably best to place it in kitchen table and squeeze out the liquid, but I just did a lot of patting with paper towels (not eco friendly I know).
2. Mix the remaining ingredients with the cauliflower in a bowl so it's like a dough.
3. Spread the dough on a greased piece of parchment paper on a baking tray and put in the oven at 400 degrees F for 30-40 minutes. Make sure you spread the dough thinly think less than 1/2 an inch because you want it to be crispy, browned, and hold up when you remove it from the oven.
4. While you're waiting for your dough make the pesto by adding the basil, nuts, and garlic into your food processor (cauliflower cleaned out of course). Grind for a bit then slowly add drizzles of olive oil. Mix and add more olive oil as desired. If you want it to be more of a paste you'll need less oil, more oil will make it liquidy.
5. Once your crust is finished add the pesto and whatever toppings you want. I went with feta (low fat and strong tasting), sun dried tomatoes, and spinach. Pop it back in the oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and toppings are done.
6. Cut into quarters and serve.

Frozen Greek yogurt bars

I'm so lucky to have amazing friends to give me a little help with getting the food posts in since my 14 hour days leave little (more like no time) to be epicurious. Thanks Abby for this one, can't wait to try it this weekend.


September is here, but Mother Nature doesn't seem to have gotten that memo. And as much as it kills me, it's just still too hot to turn on that oven. So while I wish I could crave a pumpkin spiced latte, my taste buds are screaming for something soothing and refreshing. hence, frozen Greek yogurt bars. These are super versatile because any flavor of Greek yogurt (or regular yogurt) can be used and anything can be mixed into them. I used raisins, raw oats, dried fruit, and frozen berries. Just sprinkle in whatever fits your mood from chocolate chips to trail mix. Options are endless and results are spot on!

Ingredients:

2 cups Greek or regular yogurt
1 1/2 cups chopped fruit (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cups chopped nuts
3/4 cups raw oats
1/4 cups chocolate chips

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Line a pan with foil.
3. Spread yogurt mixture into pan.
4. Cover with plastic wrap and place in freezer until frozen.
5. Remove from freezer, let thaw for 5 minutes, cut into bars.
6. Store in an airtight container in the freezer.

Green and Purple Mediterranean Salad

Sami brings us locally grown New York color with this salad.

Green and Purple Mediterranean Salad
Ingredients:
*All my vegetables are locally grown and organic, either purchased from the NYC Greenmarket or Fairway
Kale
Dandelion greens
Red cabbage
Plum tomatoes
Parsley
Green onions
Radishes
Fresh feta (my new obsession is French feta from Sahadi, a middle eastern grocery in Brooklyn)

Dressing:
Fresh squeezed lemon juice
Olive oil
Sumac
Dried (or fresh) mint
Fresh garlic
Pepper

1. Wash, cut, and prep all vegetables as desired. I like to halve the tomatoes, very thinly slice the radishes, chop up the greens, and crumble the feta.
2. Shake up the dressing, modifying proportions to taste.
3. Pour over the salad and toss.
4. Serve with a slice of fresh bread, like the lovely Sunflower Flax Sourdough from Hawthrone Valley Farm, which I purchased at the NYC Greenmarket in Union Square this weekend.

Fall Florals

Sweater- C&C California, dress- Weekendz Only (Toluca Lake), shoes- Converse, sunglasses- Gucci

Based on the high temperatures outside right now it doesn't really seem like summer is quite over yet, but I'm way too excited for my sweaters, riding boots, and coats. Since it's not quite appropriate to cover up in fall apparel, I focused on using a floral dress as the centerpiece but adding on a sweater to signal that Labor Day has passed. In fact it's a great way to use summer pieces still as the transition into fall happens.

Under construction

T-shirt- Venice Beach souvenir shop, chambray- H&M, skirt- Seneca Rising, spiked headband- Henri Bendel, boots- Ralph Lauren

In a sense this outfit is a mess or under construction: a mix of the summer closing season and an open welcome to the fall. The pool will soon no longer be in use and knee high socks and boots will be working full time. Please note: trying to get the fall punk and 90's trend incorporated by tying my button down around my waist and adding a spiked headband.

As we transition into the fall I can't wait to pull out all my favorite T-shirts and wear them in unconventional ways. Venice Beach men's muscle T tucked into a skirt is unexpected yet effortlessly cool. The hunt for the perfect T from a souvenir shop along the beach took me longer than one would expect. It had to be the perfect heather gray and had to fit loose and comfortably. 20 minutes of digging later and bargaining my way down to $8 = T-shirt gold. Say what you want, but deep down inside you kinda sorta think my muscle beach T is pretty cool.