My wardrobe holds many items that have ruffles from mini skirts (yes, still) to ankle boots. Good thing too because the Spring/Summer runways showed plenty of them. They’re pretty easy to incorporate into the street/party/office/office party.
Balmain show – taken from images
From stylish it blogger Leandra Medine (The Man Repeller), to Balmain’s designer Olivier Rousteing’s, Spring- Summer 2014 collection, girly flirty skirts are enjoying another season.
taking it to the street
Ruffles (they’ve never completely gone out of fashion) are fluttery, eye-fooling flounces of fabric that can focus attention away from trouble spots. It’s best to keep ruffles away from areas of your body that are already full.
Pairing ruffles with simple, structured pieces also prevents the style from overwhelming your entire figure.
Blouses: Ruffled blouses are an easy way to look glamorous and put-together. Try a simple pair of trousers or a pencil skirt with a top with flowy fabric gathered at the neck. Make a more subtle statement with a top that has ruffles only at the cuffs or around the hem. If you prefer clean, classic looks, update your go-to white button-down shirt by replacing it with a blouse that has small, tight ruffles only on the collar or along the front. Ruffled tops also look great with
Bottega Veneta Spring 2014
jeans or dress pants.
Bottega Veneta Spring 2014
Bottega Veneta: For the spring 2014, it’s all about ruffles, bows and pleats, which creative designer Tomas Maier manages to turn from “girlie” into feminine chic.
Paula Patton – a bit over the (shoulder) top.
Celebrity Style:
Kate Hudson’s shoulder ruffle
What do you think about RUFFLES & bouncy, flouncy skirts?
This comforting drink which is an integral part of Indian life is perfect to help soothe your immune system. I love soy chai lattes best (but you can use regular milk if you prefer) although I’m usually disappointed when ordering one in a restaurant. They always seem to lack something so this recipe is good to start off with as you can adjust the spices to taste. All these spices are easy to find. I hope you enjoy it.
3 cups (750mL) of soy milk
3 Tbsp. (45mL) loose black tea
2 in. (5 cm) cinnamon stick
1 in. (2.5 cm) ginger root, peeled and sliced
2 tsp. (10 mL) honey
¼ tsp. (1mL) black peppercorns
6 whole cloves
4 cardamon seeds
Pinch of Allspice
1 star anise
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
A little vanilla bean (or vanilla extract)
Whipped Cream (optional)
Combine all ingredients except whipped cream in a saucepan, preferably one with a spout, and bring to a simmer. Stir to blend flavors. Simmer gently for 1 minute then turn off heat. Leave pan on burner and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain into mugs and serve with a dollop of whipped cream if you wish. If so, sprinkle top with a bit more cinnamon (for presentation) and put a cinnamon stir stick into the cup. Serves 4.
Spices: before this, I used to gather them all into a cheesecloth, tie it up, put it in a mug and then pour hot water over top – like a teabag.
No matter which big city I’ve lived in or visited, there’s always a neighbourhood “find” to be found somewhere amongst the madness.
These images are from a walk in Vancouver’s West End. I love finding tranquility in this richly diverse downtown neighbourhood with countless high rises and commercial businesses.
Vancouver is one of the most densely populated cities in North America after New York City and San Francisco. This is a direct result of urban planning focused on high-rise residential and mixed-use development as opposed to urban sprawl.
The West End epitomizes the city’s entire downtown core: It is family-oriented and gay-friendly, ultra-urban and tree-lined traditional, a beach town and a downtown combined. The best of “all” worlds.
The little coffee shop that’s not Starbucks.
For residents “the neighbourhood” becomes an extension of our personal identity and we’re so lucky to have them. Check out some of the local housing (below). Please don’t make them obsolete.
For ages I’ve been juicing. At first with a blender, then a George Foreman and finally a Vitamix. Then for no valid reason I took a break from juicing with the intention of getting back to it real soon. There’s something healthily satisfying about a morning routine of downing a concoction of fresh fruit and veggies. I’ve been told so many things over the years about the correct and incorrect way to juice properly to reap all the benefits. Someone told me years ago that I better drink up within the first 15 minutes otherwise all the vitamins will evaporate. Here’s answers to a few questions of late:
Does juice have to be consumed right away?
Answer: Stored in an airtight container, I’m now told that juice can be kept for up to three days. You can even make it the night before (although I prefer first thing in the morning) and have it for breakfast, or take it to work the next day.
What to do with all that pulp?
Answer: For every serving of juice, you get up to four cups of pulp. Right now I no longer worry about this as the Vitamix tends to process all of the pulp which is the main reason I bought it (also to make sorbets), so don’t just toss it – it may not look appealing, but it contains a lot of fibre and flavour. Try adding carrot, zucchini, beet or ginger pulp to muffins for a nutritious boost, or cucumber pulp to a veggie dip. You can even toss frozen pulp (I’ve frozen it in ice cube trays) into soups and stews.
Should you peel your produce first?
Answer: It’s best to leave peel on for most produce (especially organic) because that’s where a lot of the nutrients thrive. Did you know that the flavonoids found in apple peel can help with weight loss?
If you don’t have a juicer, will a blender suffice?
Answer: Blenders are great for making smoothies – not so much for making juice. A juicer is designed to extract and separate the liquid from the pulp of fruits and vegetables. A blender, on the other hand, will purée the entire mix.
What else should you incorporate with your juice?
Answer: How about fresh herbs? Toss immune-boosting garlic into a savoury veggie juice, or add basil or parsley for extra flavour. Or, fresh spices…a thumb-sized chunk of ginger root is a great way to add flavour while giving your immune system a quick pick-me-up. Fresh turmeric and cinnamon help with digestion. Chia Seeds – these omega-3-rich seeds don’t look like much dry, but when added to juice they absorb the liquid and become plump and full of flavour. Toss a couple of Tablespoons in for extra crunch.
AND:
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What would I wear to go shopping in a place like this?
Paris Fashion Week – CHANEL goes grocery shopping with boxes of “Tweed Tea“, “Water” (Eaude Chanel N°0) and even “COCOChoco” Cereal amongst the creative & humorous packaging.at its very own shopping centre.
Trés Chic!
Photo: Fashion Blogger Garance Doré. Apparently they even had Chanel Ketchup bottles.
Karl Lagerfeld is a genius. He comes up with the most exceptional fashion show extravaganzas every single time.
Lagerfeld and model – taken from dailymail.co.uk
from images
The Fall/Winter 2014-2015 women’s ready-to-wear collection show for the French fashion house was held at the Grand Palais and transformed into a “Chanel Shopping Center” during Paris Fashion Week on March 4, 2014. Pure luxury in the form of shopping for groceries.
Product Review: Weleda Skin Food has been proven as a secret weapon against dry skin.
What the product claims to do:
It’s a unique, ultra-rich whole-body cream that deeply hydrates, restores and protects your skin. This product helps maintain skin’s natural balance thanks to its potent plant extracts. It moisturizes and soothes skin all over the body, especially dry areas like knees, elbows and feet. I’ve even used it on my face at times.
What I liked about this product:
Loved the indulgent moisture this deeply hydrating natural cream (there’s a lotion too) provides and the smell.
I would recommend this product for:
women who are natural product junkies. It feels great knowing that your lotion is made up of safe ingredients! Also, anyone who needs a deep hydrating formula for their dry skin.
What’s in it?
Stubborn dryness on elbows, hands and feet are moisturized and conditioned with the essential fatty acids and vitamin E in organic sunflower seed oil. Organic pansy is known for its mild antiseptic properties that calm dry irritation. Soothing rosemary leaf extract’s mild antiseptic properties and the anti-inflammatory properties of organic calendula flower extract gently nourish and care for your skin. Deeply moisturized and protected, your skin looks soft and supple with a healthy glow. It’s your recommended daily allowance of radiance, and it’s just what you and your skin are craving. Key Ingredient Pansy (Viola Tricolor) Extract
But is it really POSH enough for her?
She may be a well-known devotee of facials made from sheep placenta and gold flakes and be the proud owner of one of the largest Hermes bag collections, but VictoriaBeckham has proven she’s a down-to-earth girl at heart with her latest revelation. The former Spice Girl, known for her immaculate style and beauty look, has revealed one of her secret beauty weapons; Skin Food by Weleda.
Adele, Alexa Chung, Rihanna, Peaches (and cream?) Geldof, Helena Christiensen, and Erin O’Connor are also fans of the bargain beauty product.
Adele explained her reason for using the product. She said: ‘Because I wear a lot of makeup when I’m working, I like to use Skin Food by Weleda because it makes my skin feel really replenished.’ This part taken from the Daily Mail U.K.
because people like to know who else, besides me is using the products I recommend.
That’s refreshing because I completely missed the era and it’s so unlike fashion from the 60’s, 70’s & 80’s.
Like Renaissance art, look feminine and romantic with opulent embellishments and elaborate prints (think upholstery patterns & textures).
I love the lavishness of it, especially after wearing neutrals all Fall/Winter. It’s great as long as only a little bit is incorporated into your wardrobe at a time. Of course the runway is always more detailed but you can include a piece like a decorative jacket (I’ll get out my David Meister brocade) or even an ornate neck piece to jazz up an outfit. My full length opera coat would be perfect but I’m still not sure about wearing it in a city where people wear jeans to an actual opera. Hey, maybe it would look great with jeans!
Valentino
Valentino has released its complete spring-summer 2014 campaign. Valentino’s line is romantic with dreamy lace looks inspired by costumes found in the Renaissance.
Other designs featuring renaissance looks are found at Dolce & Gabbana (no surprise here)and Alexander McQueen.
Palette: eggnog, pale gold, peach, pastel blue, plum, brick reds Materials: Velvet, lace, pearls, golden details, embroidery.
Last summer two friends insisted requested I make this as part of their birthday brunch. Baked rather than cooked on the stove top, these Dutch pancakes emerge from the oven puffed up like balloons and then quickly deflate, making for a dramatic presentation at the table. Rich and eggy, with just a hint of lemon zest, they’re the perfect foil for sweet, fresh blueberries – preferably wild. I adapted this from Martha Stewart Living replacing whole milk with buttermilk, using maple sugar (or coconut) in place of granulated sugar and adding a tsp. of pure vanilla extract to the mix. It’s not overly sweet. When serving, a few extra blueberries and a sprinkling of icing sugar on top make for a nice presentation. Don’t leave out the maple syrup.
To make four individual pancakes, you will need four little cast-iron skillets, 6 1/4 inches to 6 1/2 inches in diameter. You can use one 12-inch cast-iron skillet instead; it will take about 20 minutes to bake. If you’re able to get them, the little ones make a nice personal touch.
INGREDIENTS
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk (or buttermilk)
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup blueberries, plus more for topping
Confectioners’ sugar, for sprinkling
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Blend together eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla, lemon zest and salt in a blender.
Heat either one 12 inch or four 6 1/4- to 6 1/2-inch cast-iron skillets over high heat. Divide butter among them, and melt. Divide batter among them, then scatter with berries. Bake until puffed and cooked through and tops are set, 15 to 20 minutes. Top with berries, and sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar. Serve immediately.
If you love regular pancakes and crepes you should try making this for something a bit more unusual.
Leave trends to the fashion industry– Trends come and go, and when you’re talking about changing a pair of jeans, or buying a new dress, that’s fine, but where your brand identity is concerned, longevity is key. Don’t follow the pack. Stand out. ~David Airey
I like to work first in black and white to ensure that the logo will look good in its simplest form.Color is very subjective and emotional. This can distract from the overall design – say if you saw your logo in all red, that color may be the first thing that you respond to and not the composition of the design elements. I will not even consider submitting color suggestions to a client for review until they have signed off on a final black and white logo. ~Patrick Winfield
Should a logo be self-explanatory? It is only by association with a product, a service, a business, or a corporation that a logo takes on any real meaning.A logo derives its meaning and usefulness from the quality of that which it symbolizes.If a company is second rate, the logo will eventually be perceived as second rate. It is foolhardy to believe that a logo will do its job immediately, before an audience has been properly conditioned. ~Paul Rand
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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