Winter Blues

 

Not unlike Picasso, I'm currently going through a blue period.  Many of my recent purchases including a winter coat, a pair of Wellies (pictured below) and nail polish have all been blue.  I'm especially loving bright & deep blue hued items. They're more fun than boring old black, yet basic enough to pair with other neutrals (brown, tan, gray, etc.) in your wardrobe.

 

1. Elie Tahari trench coat  2. Hermes scarf  3. LL Bean boots  4. Tory Burch handbag  5. Chanel nail polish

Golden Gals

Here are my votes for the Best Dressed ladies of the Golden Globes.  So lovely to see bright vivid colors.

 January Jones

 Emma Stone

 Jennifer Lopez

  Amy Adams

 Angelina Jolie

Images via Style.com.

Super Stripes

I'm having a moment with stripey rooms.  I especially love stripes in a bathroom.  If done wrong, it can look like a jail cell with a toilet, but when done right it is beautifully chic and Parisian.  I hope to someday have my own lovely striped bathroom.

1. Via House Beautiful  2. Via Young House Love  3. Via Flickr  4. Via Room Remix

School Days

 

Every now & then, I simply CANNOT decide what to wear in the morning...I hate when that happens!  It makes me long for my Catholic school days when I wore a uniform.  Getting dressed everyday was a snap and I could always snooze a little longer. I still love uniform-style clothes to this day. They are versatile, classic and make you feel like a Gossip Girl...or even a bad ass bodyguard.  

Delia's Sweater

Forever 21 Skirt

 

Hue Tights

 

Oxford Booties

 

 

Insanely Expensive Ralph Lauren Messenger Bag

Hibernation

What a cold, snowy weather its been so far! A winter like this one can sure make a gal feel lazy! When the temperature drops and the sky turns gray, I usually go into serious hibernation mode.  All I want to do is lounge around in a warm pair of pj's, wrap myself with a snugly (but not an actual Snuggie...ew) blanket and drink hot tea by the gallons.  Sounds like a pretty perfect way to pass the time until spring!

Frankie & Johnny Pajamas

Fluffy Faux Fur Blanket

Cashmere Pillow Covers

Delicious Darjeeling Tea

Goodbroad

"There are three kinds of meat in the meatballs.  Veal, beef, and pork.  You gotta to have pork. That’s the flavor.”

Who knew that Vinnie from Goodfellas was so dead on?  I made homemade meatballs for the first time yesterday.  I checked out a lot of different recipes online before choosing this Barefoot Contessa recipe. I tweeked it a bit, and they were pretty damned good if I do say so myself. 

Goodbroad Meatballs & Sauce

Meatball Ingredients:
1/2 pound ground veal
1/2 pound ground pork
1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 eggs, beaten
Canola oil
Olive oil

Sauce Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup red wine
two 28 ounce cans of crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


To make meatballs:
Combine meats, bread crumbs, parsley, Parmesan, salt, pepper, nutmeg and eggs in a bowl. Mix with wooden spoon, then with hands until well combined. Form meat into 2 inch balls.

Pour equal amounts of canola and olive oil into a large frying pan until bottom of pan is completely covered. Heat the oil and place the meatballs in the pan, browning them well on all sides over medium-low heat, turning often with a spatula or fork. Don't cook more than 6 meatballs at once. Transfer the meatballs to a paper towel covered plate. Discard all but a few tablespoons of oil from the pan.

To make sauce:
Add the onion to the same frying pan and saute over medium heat, about 5 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook on highest heat, until almost all the liquid evaporates, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, parsley, salt, and pepper.

In a large stockpot, combine the meatballs & sauce. Cover and simmer on the lowest heat for about 45 minutes or until the meatballs are cooked through.

Old School Beauty

Like most ladies, I'm a sucker for beauty products of all kinds.  And I especially adore beauty items &  fads of days gone by.  I'd love to see some of the old school trends (such as those listed below) become popular again.  Let's bring them back!

Witch Hazel

A fantastic, extra mild astringent that's been around since the 1870's. I remember my Dad making me use it in junior high when I had a whopper of a blemish....it always cleared crazy fast. Witch Hazel's scent is a little strange, but it's fabulous for your skin.

P.S. I just started using witch hazel again for the first time in a very long time and I love it!

Mirrored Vanity Tray

Every woman should own one to display perfume bottles and fancy creams.  So elegant!

(Image via House Beautiful)

Pale Skin

OK, I have been a tan-orexic on many occasions.  But it would be great to confidently own my winter white skin without feeling ghoulish or sickly.

Curves

Because trying to be skinny is simply no fun. I enjoy booze, bread, butter & sugar far too much.

Cigarette Cases

Because such nasty little devils should at least be displayed in something pretty.

Max Factor Products

In the 1920's Max Factor was Hollywood's original make up artist extraordinaire.  His makeup line became insanely popular among starlets and common folk alike. Much to my despair, Max Factor products have all but disappeared from drug stores. Fortunately, you can find them online...I've used the Max Factor Pan-Stik since high school.  It's the best cover stick ever! 



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