pure style – Garbe Luxe

IT’S A GARBE LUXE LIFE!

Can’t say enough about this casually chic, comfortable, eclectic clothing line. You won’t need to give up comfort for pure style – you can have both. Some pieces you’ll just want to use for working out (or at least look like you are) but for the most part, the separates are worn in a tasteful relaxed manner – Made in California style with an edge. Like the girl who designs it, my friend Natalia. She’s a natural so of course I was excited when she first told me about this line…but aside from the fact that she’s a friend I wear Garbe Luxe a lot…because it’s so well made and I love it. Thanks Nat for creating these cool cutting- edge designs.

All photos from the Spring/Summer 2014 Lookbook.

The Pants: For instance, I find myself more often than not reaching for the (not so) basic and seam leggings to wear in place of jeans and the Luca (leather-like) legging for informal evening wear. The moto legging I wear for both running and as a basic legging for a sporty cool vibe. The VIV Foldover I’ve even worn out dancing – feels great for movement and resembles a dress pant. They all wear very well and keep their shape after washing which is a BIG plus.

The Tops: I don’t have ALL of them just yet but I do get plenty of wear from the striped Piper shirt + Biko super cozy pocketed sweatshirt right now and the low-back tank and classic undershirt tank (which is great for layering by the way) when the weather is warmer. The material is made from super soft high quality organic cotton. The long and the short of it: both style bra tops are worn regularly for gym or running. They keep me secure, are breathable, comfy and flattering – something not always found with these types of tops. They are not like the others even if they resemble some that are

out there – trust me on this.

Last year the lifestyle line was picked up by Neiman Marcus in 18 stores. They currently have orders from over 30 retailers and are featured in ShopBop.com – the world’s leading online fashion boutique.

Garbe Luxe was featured recently in Elle Magazine (wait-listed hottest item the GARBE LUXE Moto legging) and was featured in Garance Dore’s blog (one of the most popular fashion bloggers) on the list as her favorite things packed for her Bali vacation! Hey, they were also packed for The Girl Who Would be King’s mini vacation to Palm Springs over the holidays.

Check out the trouser sweatpants at ShopBop.com:

http://www.shopbop.com/trouser-sweats-garbe-luxe/vp/v=1/1560662787.htm?fm=search

For a complete look at current styles including bra tops please visit Website: http://garbeluxe.com/

From the website: GARBE LUXE is a lifestyle collection designed for the fashionable woman that desires to look stylish in both her casual and active wardrobe. The result is a thoughtful clothing line, which integrates functional design, technical fabrics, and impeccable construction with a stylish edge.

GARBE LUXE is proudly and responsibly designed and manufactured in Los Angeles, California.

Like them on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Garbe-Luxe/721596941207115?ref=profile

FUN

simply satisfying – Classic Niçoise Salad

1960’s. While no one lays claim to inventing this French salad “niçoise” just means “in the style of Nice,” the French beachside town. Credit goes to Julia Child for popularizing it in America in the 60’s.

Ingredients:

1 pound red-skinned potatoes, sliced 1/3 inch thick
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons dry white wine
10 ounces haricots verts or thin green beans, trimmed
4 large eggs
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
Freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
8 cherry tomatoes or small cocktail tomatoes, halved or quartered
1 head Boston lettuce, leaves separated
6 radishes, trimmed and quartered
2 5 1/2 -ounce cans Italian or Spanish tuna packed in olive oil, drained
1/2 cup nicoise olives

Directions

Put the potatoes in a medium saucepan; cover with cold water and season with salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat and cook until fork-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a medium bowl; drizzle with the wine and let cool. Reserve the saucepan.

Meanwhile, bring a separate saucepan of salted water to a boil. Fill a bowl with salted ice water. Add the haricots verts to the boiling water; cook until crisp-tender and bright green, 2 to 4 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge into the ice water to cool; drain and pat dry.

Place the eggs in the reserved saucepan and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then cover, remove from the heat and let stand, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, then run under cold water to cool. Peel under cold running water.

Make the dressing: Whisk the vinegar, shallot, mustard, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified.

Toss the tomatoes in a small bowl with salt and pepper to taste. Add about 1/4 cup dressing to the potatoes and toss. Quarter the hard-cooked eggs.

Divide the lettuce among 4 plates. Arrange the potatoes, haricots verts, radishes, hard-cooked eggs and tuna on top. Pour any juices from the tomatoes into the dressing, then add the tomatoes to the plates. Drizzle with the dressing and top with the *olives.

The Niçoise Olive is grown in Cote d’Azur – a region of the French Riviera.

*Did You Know…?

Because the true Niçoise isn’t a large crop (with harvests rarely exceeding 50 metric tons), most companies and olive importers grab Niçoise Style Olives from Italy, Spain or Moracco. Most any olive you see in the market that is identified as a “Niçoise” isn’t from Cote d’Azur. Substitutes: Kalamata

So when was the last time you made or ordered a salad like this?

Follow our FOOD board on PINterest at: http://www.pinterest.com/intrigueimports/foodsavour-taste-flavor-relish-palate-enjoyment/

Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchens

FUN

Arts/Music/Fashion – Alluring GRAMMY Attire

The 56th Annual Grammy Awards just aired and it’s usually fun to see what kind of kooky, colourful looks hit the red carpet. This particular awards show has a history of bringing out the music world’s craziest characters—and last year, for the first time ever, CBS cracked down on Grammy dressing regulations by requesting that stars avoid overly revealing outfits. We’re pretty sure that some of the looks posted here had a little something to do with that particular mandate. So in honor of the Grammy’s and just for kicks let’s check out 12 of the most daring looks of all time:

Jennifer Lopez’s Down-to-There Versace, 2000

Arguably the most iconic Grammys look of all time, this ultra-plunging tropical print gown made Versace a household name and rocketed J.Lo into the style star stratosphere. It’s been 14 years, and we’re still talking about this one.

Rihanna’s Revealing Ruffles, 2011

Rhianna - WireImage — Rhianna – WireImage

Aww, it’s like a bunch of little white censor bars all over her body!

She’s a princess.

Pink Gets Taped, 2010. On the bright side – at least she didn’t use duct tape.

Nicki Minaj Does Little Red Riding Hood, 2012. Only an artist as fearless as Nicki would accessorize her Grammys look with…a pope.

Toni Braxton’s Toga Party For One, 2001. That’s all.

Reportedly inspired by Memoirs of a Geisha, Madge wore this crimson Jean Paul Gaultier couture kimono while performing “Nothing Really Matters.” Props for coordinating her drink to her dress…?

After being carried into the Grammys, Gaga eventually “hatched” onstage while performing—what else?—”Born This Way.”

Foxy Brown’s (WireImage) Extra-Bra-Ganza, 2003

When plunging necklines attack.

**Katy Perry’s Winged Wonder** 2011 – WireImage. She does have the voice of an angel but maybe she wanted to be in the Victoria Secret Fashion Show.

M.I.A.’s Polka-Dotted Pregnancy Ensemble, 2009 What not to expect when you’re expecting. Weren’t we just saying last week that wearing a bit of polka dot is classic??

Okay, which look appeals to you most?

Courtesy of Lucky Magazine. You can get “Lucky” online.

FUN

words…on human nature

and karma…

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated – William James

Psychology keeps trying to vindicate human nature. History keeps undermining the effort – Mason Cooley

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today – Dale Carnegie

Can you imagine a world with no Disney?

Health + LifeStyle

Health MATTERS – Navigating The Vitamin Aisle

On a recent trip to California I paid a visit to an amazing vitamin store but was bewildered trying to decide which of the supplements in question would be right for me. I’m familiar with the basic ABC’s of vitamins but wanted to experiment with two new products that we’ve been hearing a lot about (namely Garcinia HCA and Green Coffee Bean Extract). It was difficult to decide amongst all the countless choices and confusing even when consulting the store health expert. Which is the safest and most effective to help shed a few pounds? Then I saw this timely post taken from Goop.com – Gwyneth Paltrow’s weekly online publication which offers first looks at exclusive collaborations, delicious recipes, personal travel notes, shopping ideas, wellness tips and much more.

Here’s the vitamin aisle—crowded, confusing, and overwhelming in its promises. Some of these are empty, and some are too powerful to be tested without guidance. After all, what is L-Theanine? Do I need it? And, at what dose? For answers, we decided to turn to frequent goop contributor, Dr. Frank Lipman, who distilled the offerings down to a handful of vitamins and supplements he frequently prescribes. He counts some as no-brainers—and others as little-known trade secrets—but all pack a veritable punch.

Q: We often hear that if you eat well, you shouldn’t need supplements. What’s your take?

A: “Supplements are essential health-boosters that can help fill in nutritional gaps and protect your body against the occasional diet slip-up. While I recommend everyone eat whole, preferably organic foods, I also believe that high-quality supplements are important as well. While they won’t make up for a bad diet, think of them as your nutritional pit crew, standing at the ready to make those quick adjustments, tweaks and fixes to your internal engines to get you back out on the road.”

Q: Is it possible to take too many vitamins?

A: “While it is possible to take too many vitamins, it’s extremely rare. One should be careful with fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin A, D, E and K. Almost all of the vitamins I recommend taking regularly are safe and hard to take too much of. However, because most people are deficient in Vitamin D, and since it’s easily measurable, I do often recommend taking that with the supervision of a doctor.”

THE VITAMIN & SUPPLEMENT KEY

FAB FOUR

1.  Multivitamin
2.  Vitamin D3
3.  Fish Oils
4.  Probiotics

*Dr. Lipman’s top recommendation for everyday use, covering our most basic health bases.

Stressed Out

1.  B Complex
2.  Magnesium
3.  Acetyl Glutathione
4.  L-Theanine

Sleep Deprived

1.  Acetyl Glutathione
2.  CoQ10
3.  Magnesium

Feeling Low

1.  B Complex
2.  Powdered Greens
3.  Acetyl Glutathione

Living in a Cold Climate*

1.  Magnesium
2.  Powdered Greens
3.  B Complex*It’s also essential to have your Vitamin D levels checked in case you are deficient.

Missing The Sun*

1.  Powdered Greens
2.  Acetyl Glutathione
3.  CoQ10

Trying to Lose Weight

1.  Acetyl Glutathione
2.  MCT Oil
3.  Alpha-Lipoic Acid

AGING

1.  Acetyl Glutathione
2.  CoQ10
3.  Alpha-Lipoic Acid
4.  B complex

VEGETARIAN

1.  B Complex
2.  Acetyl Glutathione
3.  CoQ10

BACKED UP

1. Powdered Greens
2. Magnesium

IMMUNITY BOOSTING

1.  Acetyl Glutathione
2.  Probiotics
3.  MCT OilINFLAMMATION
1.  Turmeric
2.  Fish Oil
3.  Vitamin D3

While on the subject of health:

Don’t miss listening to “TRANSFORMING HEALTH” with host BRAD KING for the most evocative and informative up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – LIVE every WEDNESDAY @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.

Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

Link for incredible vitamins: http://transforminghealthinc.com/

The best vegan protein & wild greens at: http://www.ultimatevegan.com/

THINKAboutit

INSTINCTS…I have a gut feeling

about basic Human Instincts and wondering what makes us the way we are. Are we really hardwired? Many of us share the same beliefs and that’s great as long as our general beliefs are decent and well meaning. I just came across an article on the subject that I’d like to share.

Can Human Instincts Be Controlled?

Abstract. Like all animals, humans have instincts, genetically hard-wired behaviors that enhance our ability to cope with vital environmental incidents. Our innate fear of snakes is an example. Other instincts, including denial, revenge, tribal loyalty, greed and our urge to procreate, now threaten our very existence. Any attempt to control human behavior is bound to meet with resistance and disapproval. Unless we can change our behavior, humans are facing the end of civilization. Our problem has several elements. (1) We have invented economic and social systems that encourage greedy behavior, and we have actually institutionalized runaway greed. (2) We are in a state of complete denial about the growth of human populations. (3) Earth’s finite resources simply cannot support 7 billion of us in the style to which we’d like to live. (4) We must make a choice between quantity and quality of human life. (5) To head off the inevitable collapse, we can no longer wait and merely react but we must become proactive. We must find ways to control dangerous human instincts, especially denial, revenge, tribal loyalty, greed and our urge to procreate.

As a wise woman from a third world country once said at the UN: “If the rich countries refuse to share their wealth with us, we will certainly share our poverty with them.”

.©Eric R. Pianka

Then I came upon this enlightening article from India’s “The Art of Living.” I am not a religious person but in this case we can equate the relation to “God” as the divine within each of us. Eat, Pray Love? Which reminds me I must make a trip to India.

There are two basic instincts in human beings and these have been with you in all your lifetimes:

There are two basic instincts in human beings, one is food, and the other is sex. These have been with you in all your lifetimes, when you were an animal and now as a human being. You are born out of these two – food and sex.

It is so beautiful that in this country (India) they connected both of these with the Divinity. Food is connected with God. In the Upanishads, it is said ‘Food is God’. When you consider food as God you will not over eat. You don’t simply stuff food, but you eat food with so much honor. No festival in India goes without food. And when you go to temple the first thing they give is some Prasad. Prasad is just a little bit of food that is given. Without Prasad there is no pilgrimage and no festival. Food is connected with God.

Similarly, sex is also connected with God. Otherwise you keep sex separate and think this is my material life and think of God as different. But here in India, the ancient people, they linked sex to God so that no aspect in you remains away from God. A basic instinct doesn’t remain away from God. So when you honor sex and consider it as part of the Divinity, then your obsession disappears, lust disappears and sacredness dawns. And the basic instinct, from being an aggressive lust, gets transformed into a submissive love.
This is the ancient thought. But some people are misusing yoga for their enjoyment of the carnal instincts, this is wrong. This is a blunder. It should be the other way around. Whenever there is a carnal instinct transform that into a Divine inner experience.
There is a beautiful word in Sanskrit called Atma Rati, union with one’s being, oneself; rejoicing in one’s own self.

There are two things, Prakriti (nature) and Purusha (consciousness). Nature and consciousness inter play all the time. Your body and soul – your body is female and your soul is male. So their coupling is happening all the time, and seeing that union within oneself is Samadhi.

That is why Samadhi is considered to be a thousand times more joyful than the carnal instincts. Whatever joy sex gives, Samadhi is thousand times more joyful because there is no effort, and there is no action there. It is only Being and just Being. So just the Being consciousness, the play and display of consciousness comes to one’s awareness, comes to one’s experience. This is very beautiful.

Don’t keep any corner of your existence away from Divinity. The Divine should be interwoven into every aspect of your life and this is called Brahmacharya, which means moving with the infinity, uniting with the infinity.

Isn’t that so beautiful?! It is very deep and very high knowledge. If you don’t get it in one time, never mind, keep listening and keep understanding and one day you will say, ‘Ah! That is what Guruji was talking about.’

So here (in India) when you go to any temple anywhere you find both aspects – Shiva and Parvathi which symbolize Prakrati and Purusha, consciousness and matter. This is to first recognize the duality and then see the unity. They are not two, they are not different but they are two sides of the same coin. You are complete.

What does this mean? You are both man and woman. Coming out of this label, ‘I am man’, ‘I am woman’ – Getting out of your identity, this is Vedanta; the highest philosophy of the universe.

We keep identifying ourselves, ‘I am a man’, ‘I am a woman’, ‘I am old’, ‘I am young’, ‘I am educated’, ‘I am illiterate’. Throw away all these labels. What remains is pure consciousness. Do not even say, ‘I am consciousness.’ Just know that you are consciousness and not even say it. Don’t go around saying I am nothing.

Adi Shankar once said, ‘One who labels themselves as something is a fool and one who labels themselves as nothing is a bigger fool.’ One who is nothing does not talk, so just keep quiet. How can you say, ‘I am nothing’, when you are saying something?! There cannot be somebody there saying, ‘I am nothing.’ So keep quiet.

So when you consider the basic instincts of food and sex as sacred then aggression in you disappears and surrender dawns in you. Gratefulness and love dawn in you.

That is when it is said the devotee and the Divine have become One. They have merged into One!

It is so fascinating, isn’t it?!

FUN

beauty biz – the dynamic Duo

NARS Blush/Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/ Laguna

Want to recreate the sunkissed radiance of summer? Do it it with the peachy-pink shimmer of the iconic Orgasm blush combined with the sheer light brown shimmer of the Laguna bronzer which help to create a natural sultry glow. I have bought both individually in the past but this limited edition palette with its sleek thin packaging is great for weekends away or just to keep in your purse. Available at Sephora.

What it is: Racy as always, NARS’ Orgasm/Laguna blush and bronzer have been called the “holy grail” of face powders. Both go on with a little bit of shimmer and are extremely pigmented, so you don’t need to use much.

Recommendation: NARS face products are hands down absolutely the best money can buy. They go on smoothly, they’re long lasting and easy to blend. If you buy just one blush or bronzer in your life, I would make it either of these two. But the palette is a good deal while they last. **They also make some of the very best lipsticks and eye liners.

Do you have a favourite?

FUN

Style – Perennial Prints

7 ESSENTIAL PRINTS EVERY WARDROBE NEEDS – 4 all ages.

So you’ve stocked up on solid T-shirts, dark wash jeans and other wardrobe basics —now it’s time to talk about prints!

All these prints can be incorporated into your wardrobe all year long depending on the fabric and how you wear them.

1) Flirty Florals – Buds are showing up on everything from dresses to shoes to purses. And you don’t have to be a teenager to wear this playful pattern. Today’s florals come in a wide variety of age-friendly colors, sizes and prints, from artsy brushstroke buds to abstract blooms in black and white. To translate this trend from runway to real-way, start by choosing separates. Hone in on one piece or detail.

2) Houndstooth – From masculine styling to minis, from large and bold to small and subtle, houndstooth was the woven pattern of the 2013 season. Designers presented more iterations than previously thought possible — and you can change your mind about what you considered old-school textile. How do you get in on the good looks? Search for traditional houndstooth patterns in vintage shops which are ideal if you’re not into spending thousands on high fashion (or can’t).

3) The Power of Plaid:

This bold, rugged print is a perpetual fall/winter favorite. Some automatically associate it with lumberjacks, Scotsmen, and farmers but these girls don’t look like either. The pattern can be surprisingly versatile once you know how to wear it – the trick is to limit the amount. Avoid overwhelming your look with too much of it. Either stick with one prominent plaid piece or several small plaid accessories.

Above: Arielle, Danielle, and Michaela Nachmani, the sisters behind the online shopping destination Shop Grl. You may recognize Arielle from the hit street-style fashion blog Something Navy. Danielle, the site’s creative director, is a celebrity fashion stylist. And Michaela, the youngest sister, is the muse for the site. They’re pros at styling trends to fit their own unique vibes. I have the shirt on the left.

4) Legendary Leopard –

A beginner’s guide to wearing Leopard: When it comes to leopard print, you prefer a purr to a roar – a little of this bold look can go a long way. One way to ease yourself into wearing the print is to simply throw on a lightweight leopard scarf or gloves.

The always chic, Alexa Chung elevates a simple black and gray outfit by carrying an oversized leopard tote -essentially, the easiest way to spice up an otherwise basic look.

5) Pretty in Polka Dots – bold 1950’s-inspired prints like polka dots help to bring a retro vibe to your wardrobe. This is a traditional print so while polka dots may seem like a juvenile trend (Minnie Mouse, anyone?) the truth is that they can be done in a playful, yet grown-up way that’s perfect for work or the weekend.

Not sure? In the same way that animal prints are best kept in small doses, polka dots are a fashion treat that can work best as an accessory to your look. Pick one signature piece and work your look around that. Or just wear a dotty lingerie set even if you’re the only one who sees it.

6) Stripes – When paired with the right pieces, stripes can really enhance your figure and keep you looking up-to-date. The horizontal stripes always reminds me of St-Tropez or French style in general. On the runways this season, designers were mixing wide and thin stripes or pairing stripes with florals; such matchups generally don’t work for day-to-day looks. The key to wearing stripes in the real world is to always wear just one print matched with a solid. For example, a vertically striped blouse looks great with white trousers or jeans. Vertically striped pants or skirts can make you look taller and styish when worn with a solid-colored tee.

A Bold Wildcard Option – think of it as your weapon

when faced with a wardrobe crisis, this statement piece (you choose) will make an outfit of basics seem more special. Even if you aren’t a “print person,” it’s good to have at least one. I like lips, birds and other animal prints.

Which print do you tend to wear the most?

FUN

simply satisfying – Classic Cobb Salad

1934. This popular dinner salad originated as a midnight snack for Robert Cobb, owner of the Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant in Los Angeles. There’s a replica of the famous restaurant at Disney World.

photo – Johnny Miller for Food Network Magazine

Ingredients:
8 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
4 large eggs
Kosher salt
2 6-ounce skinless, boneless chicken breasts
Zest (in wide strips) and juice of 1 lemon
2 bay leaves
2 sprigs thyme
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground pepper
2 avocados
2 vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped
1 large head Bibb lettuce, torn into pieces
2 heads romaine lettuce, cut into pieces
4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled

Directions:
Cook the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat, stirring, until crisp, 15 to 20 minutes; transfer to paper towels to drain.

Meanwhile, place the eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water by about 1 inch. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then cover, remove from the heat and let stand, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain, then run under cold water to cool. Peel under cold running water. Chop the hard-cooked eggs and season with salt.

Combine the chicken, lemon zest and juice, bay leaves, thyme, peppercorns and a large pinch of salt in a medium saucepan; add enough cold water to cover the chicken by 1/2 inch. Bring to a bare simmer over medium heat (do not boil) and cook until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 160 degrees F, about 7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the dressing: Whisk the vinegar, shallot, mustard and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a serving bowl. Whisk in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified; season with pepper. Dice the chicken and toss with 1 tablespoon of the dressing in a separate bowl.

Halve, pit and dice the avocados. Season the tomatoes with salt. Add the Bibb and romaine lettuce to the serving bowl on top of the dressing. Arrange the bacon, hard-cooked eggs, chicken, avocados, tomatoes and blue cheese in rows on top of the lettuce. When ready to serve, toss the salad and season with salt and pepper.

Next week – I’ll post a recipe for Classic Niçoise Salad. I’m really into salads more and more these days and it’s nice to incorporate some oldies but goodies into the salad mix.

If there’s a specific recipe you’re looking for please let me know.