the keys to success.

racy lacy by jillyt featuring platform high heel pumps

Who says you can't wear white in the winter? Well, you can...especially something as delicate and fun as this skirt. Pair it with a solid unisuit like this one from American Apparel, which has a flirtatiously low scoop in the back. The major winner of this look is the keyboard clutch that will definitely get others' attention. Bold shoes with matching lip shine will be sure to keep everyone's eyes on you. The statement necklace is a no brainer, and can be worn to work that same day. Everything about this look is up front and center, so you better make sure you're in tune.

bootin the gluten

Gluten intolerance is becoming increasingly more common. For those of you who are on the lookout for wheat-free products, make sure you are keeping track of what you are putting in your body outside of your diet. An article published in the U.S. News and World Report discusses some of the risks that are hidden in cosmetic products.



Check it out here.

no-sew, hair bow

it is really simple to make cute hair accessories with a little bit of ribbon and a clip! follow these steps below to get a throwback pinwheel hair bow that will make you feel like a little girl all over again.

Supplies

1. ribbon, about 1 yd. will do- but this depends on how large you want your bow to be
2. hair clip
3. scissors
4. fray check-can be found at most craft stores (you can even use clear nail polish)
5. sturdy sewing thread
6. hot glue gun

simple!

How it happens:

1. cut the ends of the ribbon so that it is on a diagonal.

2. apply the fray check to the ends to prevent fraying, a thin line is all you need.

3. starting from the bottom right take the end and loop the ribbon over and under so that the tops facing you are patterned and on the bottom loops the patterned side is always against the table.

4. bring the loops together toward the center, it will start to look more like a bow now.

5. turn the bow over to the opposite side and pinch the middle so that it is cinched (the pattern should be facing out on all loops and both ends).

6. using the thread, wrap the center of the bow so that it is nice and tight.

7. wrap the thread around the clip to affix it to the underside of the bow.

8. take a spare piece of ribbon from where you cut the ends and wrap it from the front to the back, add a line of hot glue across the clip and press down firmly. the bow will stay together and it is ready to wear once the glue is dry!

fashion scents

Bond no. 9 and NO, I don't mean 007. I mean the high end perfume line that has taken New York City and the rest of the world by a flowery, musky, citrus infused storm. The perfumery's philosophy is: "finally, making scents of New York" (see the title of the post?). This could not be more of an understatement. From the beautiful star-shaped bottle, which is a piece of art unto itself, to the luscious aroma in each spray of perfumed passion, these fragrances bring NYC into sharp focus. Each scent has an ornate bottle, some even boast the works of Andy Warhol, and is an ode to a different part of New York City: i.e. Union Square (my personal favorite), Chinatown, and Chelsea Flowers. The perfumes are pricey, but they are well worth it. Its high concentration of perfume (18-20%) will keep others concentrating on you wherever you go. Check out the site here to learn more about Bond no. 9.

union square. 

s a n g r i a

The best way to make the perfect cocktail is to start with the simplest of ingredients. Skinny Girl cocktails, most famously known for its Margarita, has a newer version with a twist, and I don't mean a lime. The new Sangria by Skinny Girl is SO delicious you feel like you're enjoying it right in the middle of Havana. A little less strong then its tequila cousin, the Sangria is filled with peachy notes and white wine perfection. You can have it as is or even doctor it up. Fill your drink 1/2 way with the Skinny Girl Sangria, add a little sprite and some raspberries over crushed ice and you have a perfect, LO CAL sipper.


You can even add a little sparkling white wine (try Prosecco from Trader Joes) to give it an extra kick.

muy bueno

1+1= 2 school you go

sassy for classy by jillyt featuring a brown cardigan

Getting up in the morning for class can be a drag, but don't let it get your wardrobe down. Keep things easy and simple for a day full of lectures or an afternoon studying in the stacks. Make sure you carry your books in a backpack: lugging around heavy totes can only do bad things for your back. A preppy looking cardigan with flirty shorts will make it easy to transition from the quad to class. This little tank from Old Navy is the perfect cotton staple tee to throw on in the morning. It also comes in a crisp white and graphite color, check them out here. Oxfords give you the old school look you need, without the uniformity of a blazer. Always losing pens? Voila! This one is permanently attached to a pretty gold chain and will daintily hang from your neck so you know where to find it on the spot. Make your notes bright and sunny with Sharpie's retractable neon highlighters...life's always better in color. 

just patchy.

DECOUPAGING is an art form that dates back to the 12th century. It is most simplistically characterized as the cutting and pasting of assorted paper to a hard surface. Used by many famous figures, including Marie Antoinette and Pablo Picasso, decoupage has become more popular throughout the past decade. Follow these steps to create you very own masterpiece. Once you get your supplies you can use whatever paper you want (from magazines, to newspapers, to napkins) to resurface any object that you want--even try old wine bottles! Here I have made a really fun picture frame in a patchwork type of pattern. I was pretty exact with my measurements, but you don't have to be.

Get your Supplies
1. Flat surfaced object (it can be wooden, metal, glass) that you don't mind getting glue on
2. Disposable brush, they are a pain to get the glue out of so you'll just want to toss it
3. Pretty paper
4. Mod Podge glue-- you can find it at Michael's here for all surfaces
5. Ruler and pencil for exact measurements (if you want them)
6. To make exact shapes: get a paper cutter from a craft store--this is an easy way to make numerous, identical pieces at one time by punching out in groups of 4 sheets
7. If you're not using a paper cutter, then you'll need a good scissor for precise cutting

supplies.
Here we go...there is no rhyme or reason to the magic. Just use the following as a guideline for your own project.

1. Using a paper cutter, the sheets of colorful paper went from:

            

        this... 

...to this!

2. If you want to be exact, measure out the half way point on each of the edges of the frame.
3. Apply a thin layer of glue onto the surface of your object and press down the paper onto the glue. Lightly brush another layer of glue on top of the paper. Continue to do this along the entire edge of the object and do the same onto the other side.
4. Fold the paper over the edge so that there is a clean line, bring it to the back of the piece and glue it down so that it sticks firmly.  It will look something like this:

keep the edges crisp!

5. Continue to move around the entire piece of wood. In the corners, keep it easy with one piece of paper  and fold it over as if you were wrapping a gift. It will give a sharp edge:

easy easy easy.

6. The finished product, no matter how straight or even your lines are, will look fabulous. Think shabby chic. It does not need to be perfect, but it looks pretty close when you have it all done. Fill up your new piece of art with whatever you want. I even did a tin pencil holder to put on my desk! 

Be creative and enjoy!

If you want to: seal your piece with a spray on polyacryllic finish. You can choose a shiny finish or a matte finish. I accidentally left my pieces out in the rain to dry, and it kept the paper relatively protected. At least I know for next time!

holy moly casseroly!

calling all vegetarians (and meat eaters as well) this is the best tasting thing that I have concocted in a long time. I'm telling you, it will leave you satisfied. Here is what you need:

Ingredients

1 vegetarian sausage link FYI: I use Tofurky Italian Sausage Links, they look like this.

1/2 of a sweet vidalia onion, you don't have to do this, but I love onions and thickens up the sauce

1 cup of frozen brown rice, I get mine from Trader Joe's

1 cup of marinara sauce

3 tbs. crumbled goat cheese (you can use any cheese- mozzarella would be great too)

Salt seasoning to taste (Crazy Jane's is the best)

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Also, heat a heavy bottom sauce pan on medium heat. 

If you decide to use onion, coarsely chop. Spray the pan with cooking spray (or a table spoon of olive oil) and add onions. You will hear the onions start to sizzle, don't worry, let them brown just a little bit. Sprinkle with salt seasoning. When the onions turn translucent (almost see through), add a sausage link to the pan. You can cut it up right in the pan, you can get about 8-10 thicker slices per link. If you need to, spray the pan again to make sure that the sausage is coated for a crispier cook. Add a cup of brown rice to the pan. When you add the rice, the bottom of the pan may start to brown. The starch will do that, keep going it is okay! When the rice is no longer frozen, add 1 cup of mariana. Make sure the sauce covers the ingredients completely. Add two tablespoons of goat cheese and mix in. When the goat cheese is mixed through, add the mixture to a oven-safe dish using a spoon. With the spoon smooth over the top of the casserole. Cover the top with the the last tablespoon of cheese, cover with tin foil, and bake for about 20 minutes. Uncover and enjoy!

Also: you can even add a little crushed red pepper flakes to give it a kick, but the sausage is spicy on its own so sprinkle with care.

                            

                              yum.

                                                      

BOW: A Death in Vienna

A Death in Vienna by Daniel Silva


Silva is the author of the Gabriel Allon Series, an ongoing saga following the life of Mario Delvecchio, a world renowned art restorer. However, those inside the "office" know that art restoration is simply a hobby and refer to this man as Gabriel Allon: chief assassin and protege to a secret Israeli intelligence agency. Working under the direction of Ari Shamron, Allon travels most of Europe and around the rest of the world to solve the world's most famous hidden secrets. A Death in Vienna sheds light onto one of history's darkest moments: the Holocaust. Hidden amongst testimonies, American CIA papers, and fake passports, the truths regarding the Death March from Nazi war camps are revealed in this emotional and suspenseful novel. Allon's goal in exposing the world to one of history's most serious wartime criminals, Erich Radek, is to gain the truth that he is so desperately trying to find for those who were lost. To read more about the rest of the series check out the official site here.

let's get technical.

Gidget, gadget, got it. There are so many ways you can update your electronics. Don't try to keep up with every generation of new trends or you'll tire yourself out. Instead, keep it fun with little additions like the ones here. A joystick for your iPhone, gives you loads of joy and makes you feel like you're playing games such as PacMan right in the arcade. Give this mini instant camera from Fujifilm a try. Snapping pictures of friends and family is always fun, but giving them something special to bring home is even better. Earbuds? I like to refer them as earbugs: which is exactly what they are. These ladybug earbuds will keep you buzzing along all day long.

$14.95

      $130.00

       

             $17.99

daily needs.

With your daily schedule, daily routine, daily workout, daily diet, it is hard to find time to catch up on your daily news. Fear no more. THE DAILY is a magazine-like newspaper that is delivered to your iPad every morning. Wake up and flip through the articles ranging from business, front page news, culture and sports. The experience is further enhanced through interactive polls and video clips. Downloading the application is free, and after your TWO WEEK FREE TRIAL you can choose to subscribe per week for $0.99 or for a full year year at $39.99.

look for this icon in the app store. 

don't loose the change

According to Coinstar, the average American home has about $90 in loose change hiding amongst old piggy banks, couch cushions, pant pockets... and the list goes on and on. Do not let your change sink to the bottom of your purse. Keep it safe just like your credit cards and cash. This way the next time you need to feed the meter or pay for a pizza delivery tip, you can go directly for your snazzy coin purse. Both can be found, along with others, at Paper Source. 

sweet.

fun.

sub-lime-ly delicious.

Need to cool down? Have a hankering for something sweet? Want to watch your tummy? Look to our friend Trader Joe and pick up one of the many flavors of Fruit Floes. Tangy, sweet, frozen fruit bars. Try the lime ones! Find the nutritional information below:

info for one lime frozen fruit floe. 

banning the tanning.

Some states are considering prohibiting teens from tanning in tanning beds due to the overall risk of developing skin cancer in the future. Check out this article from The Daily. What do you think?

case closed.

Girly, colorful, and easy to find in your purse. These new iphone cases from J.Crew are sure to be a direct call for all fashionistas.

   

                  

                       fun. 

fancy. 

gerbalicious

That's the name of the flowers that I picked up at the grocery store today. I loved the pink color and the nice gentleman that was ringing up my items told me that they matched my cheeks! Don't have a vase? Get creative! Find anything around the house (especially the kitchen) to display your new stems. I chose three different bottles of different height and put them on the table. Give it a try!

tools: flowers, scissors, bottle, water

to do: cut, vase, water, and place

I do I do!

Summer weddings will be popping up all over the place between now and the end of the season. This can be hard from May to August because you can't exactly revert to the long black gown that you usually borrow from a friend. BUT, you can make it special while being relaxed and summery. A gem colored dress, like this one from J.Crew, can make a short look instantly beautiful. A glamorous shawl that is light and lacy will give you a little coverage that you need during the ceremony and a sweet little clutch, with a rhinestone handle and dangling earrings will make your outfit sparkle. These shoes will make a statement on their own AND make you want to dance all night! Red lips with this ColorStay lipstick from Maybelline will top off the whole look, giving you just the effect that you need.

journal your thoughts.

I have tons of blank journals that were bought in haste while lusting over the pages of blank space to write down, well, what? That's the thing, sometimes we don't know what to write or think that our ideas are not valid enough to ink up the pages. Just let go, don't worry and allow yourself to open up. The beauty of it all is that no one ever has to read it. Because I'm such a bookie, I have started to use my journal to record all the books that I have read, making sure to note which ones are a must read for others and the ones that are just so-so. Use your journal for whatever you want to use it for, but make the investment so you know it is there whenever you may need to vent.

                             

feminine.
@Paper-Source

 

        

           eco-friendly.
          @Gadanke

             

            classic. 

             @Barnes and Noble

grand slam.

take me out to the ball game by jillyt featuring linen tops

Summer brings about a new season of sun, pools, beaches and BASEBALL. You may find yourself at the baseball park with a group of friends or even asked to watch your team on a date. But don't worry, it is a great way to get to know someone, lay back and relax, and munch on some peanuts. Keep it casual and don't over do it. Pair a crisp pair of white jean shorts with cute white tennis shoes. It may seem too matchy matchy, but in the end it is a great overall look. Represent your team with a fitted t-shirt, like this one by '47. There are styles for both men and women and a wide array of choices on their website, which you can explore by clicking here. Make sure you have a sweater to pull on top when you get to the bottom of the 9th. This one from J.Crew is in a perfect color for the summer and the linen is cozy but light. Throw all of your necessities in an across the shoulder bag to make getting to your seat less cumbersome. Go easy on the makeup by swiping on a little mascara and lipgloss like this new hydrating lip balm stick from Chanel. Try it in the color Chance, it will look like your lips are forever stained from that strawberry Italian Ice you had during the game. 

pesky bites.

During the summer, it is inevitable, you're going to get bitten by some sort of insect. In order to reduce your tastiness take charge and prevent before it's too late!


Use bug repellent: It can be icky: the smell, the feeling, but it is the best way to reduce your chances of getting bitten. Burt's Bees makes an herbal concoction using mainly Rosemary Oil, which you can find here.

Tie one on: If you want to avoid applying something directly to your skin, put on an insect repelling bracelet, like this one called BUGSLOCK. Created in Thailand, these wristlets are natural and deet-free. They are available in the United States on Amazon.

Cover up: Throw on a long sleeved shirt and slip into some comfy linen pants before you head out to the bonfire with your friends.

clever, clever.

Excuse me, high!

There is no denying it WEDGES ARE IN. Specifically, espadrille wedges. Did you know? The term espadrille is a French term and derives from the Catalan language, which is mostly spoken on the Italian island of Sardegna. Esparto, is a tough, wiry Mediterranean grass used in making rope, similar to what is found of the wedge of these shoes. These shoes are not only cute, but also a good conversation starter. 

BOW: The Kitchen House

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom 


Based on traditional plantation life The Kitchen House is reminiscent of the New York Times Bestseller The Help. Weaving in and out of the relationship between a white, orphaned servant Lavinia, and her caretaker, Belle, the book takes place on Tall Oaks plantation. The family up in "the Big House" and the family down in "the Kitchen House" each have their own dynamics that are exquisitely measured out with equal amounts of grief and joy. Grissom tells a story that challenges the reader to recognize the limitations of race and class and will transport them through the precise dialect, the detailed imagery, and distinct smells from the Kitchen House. Read some of the reviews here from Barnes and Noble readers.

Kathleen Grissom and The Kitchen House

sun sun sun sun.

That's Just Beachy by jillyt featuring triangle tops

It is really important when you go to the beach that you feel good about you. Even if you didn't have enough time to shed whatever winter weight you wanted to, it doesn't matter. If you want, cover up a little bit more with a sheer button down in a fun color, like this one from American Apparel. It is a one size fits all design, and depending on your height will fall to about your upper thigh. A pretty little polka dot biniki will make you feel sassy. Snakeskin sandals, you can find these ones at Old Navy for a great price, can easily carry you to a light lunch and are appropriate for indoor dining. Throw your sunscreen (Spray: efficiency is key), lip balm (SPF-Panama Jack is your go to guy), and whatever else you need in a reusable tote, which is simple to clean. The best is when you're done, you can crumple it into a ball, and throw it in your trunk for whenever you need it next. Make sure you shade your face from the sun with something fun (I like the smell of straw!) and also have a sweatshirt in case you stay until sundown.