Author Archives: Carly

Fig Season


Figs are funny kind of thing, well, not in the ha ha sense, but funny in the way that I never really knew what they were or what they tasted like.  I was definitely not a Fig Newton kind of kid, not fun enough.  But, now, my, oh, my – figs are such lovely delectable bites.

They’re delicious, not too sweet, full of flavor and pretty rich for a fruit, and right now they are in season… So, hello, don’t wait around too long, go and find some or make a delightful little snack – after finishing the blog 🙂

Some fig inspiration:

How amazing would homemade jam be?  Then you could make your own homemade Fig Newtons!

Fig Jam from Delicious Shots

Fig and Pig, Pig and Fig!  Open faced fig and prosciutto sandwich?  Molto bene!

Italian Fig Sandwich from Spoon Fork Bacon

Ooey, gooey cheese and drippy, sweet figs.  Seriously, this is the kind of “snack” I’d eat by the spoonful.  Is that bad?

Brie with Figs and Almonds the Enchanted Cook

This recipe is happening!  Gluten free and figgy!

Fig and Quinoa Cupcakes from The Cupcake Blog

The piece de resistance!  How stunning is this cake?  What a beautiful finale this would be for a dinner party.

Fig, Mascarpone and Pistachio Tart from Desserts for Breakfast

Have you tried figs, would you?  Are you intimidated by this “strange fruit”?

Some figgy history, from Serious Eats: The fig tree was a common theme in the Bible, and the Egyptians considered figs to be sacred, often burying the dead with baskets of figs. In ancient Greece, Plato wrote that athletes were fed figs to make them stronger. Fig culture spread to the northern Mediterranean and Adriatic shores until it reached southern Italy, and then the rest of Europe. When the Spanish planted figs in Mexico, and the Franciscan monks moved northward with pockets full of figs–that’s when they came to the States.

Haunted Houses


Welcome to October, it is nearly the bewitching hour and time to start thinking about All Hallow’s Eve.

There is something about Halloween, maybe the chocolates, or the “bloody” Mary’s that brings out the kooky and creepy in us all.  So, I started thinking about decorating for a spook-tacular Halloween.

There are lots of ways to decorate for Halloween, my three  favorite: the spooky, the sparkly, the seasonal.

The spooky:

Martha Stewart, Halloween 2011

Jack-O-Lantern Fireplace

The sparkly:

Wendy Addison with West Elm

Glitter Pumpkin from Sweet Paul

The seasonal:

Fall Harvest Mantle

No Carve Pumpkin Decor

Which of these are a treat for you?  And which are just a trick?

Unusual Homes


Our house is over a hundred years old, and so often I wonder about the people who lived here before we did, what the house and their lives within it looked like at the time.  But our house has always been a house.  What if your house was once a church, or lighthouse, or other functioning space.

Cool or weird?

Many months ago, while real estalking, I came across this “house” in San Francisco.  It was once a church, and if the spirits moved you and you had $6.6 million it might be a great deal.

Check out these very church-like details:

Stain glass windows

Altar and Living Room

Dining Room

Well, at least you’d know that there would be good acoustics and plenty of room for a crowd…

 

Would you ever live in an unconventional or converted home?

 

Gluten Free Honey Apple Bread


I have a serious love for apples, and not just any old kind, my personal favorite is Honeycrisp apples.  They are a little tart, a lot of sweet, and only available in the fall.

Well, what do you know… it’s the fall and it’s Rosh Hashanah time and so there is barely a time that’s better for apples and honey than right now.

This easy recipe is great to have a round during a long holiday weekend, or to use up your favorite apples.

Gluten Free Honey Apple Bread
Ingredients
In a small bowl
2 cups Gluten Free Flour (Namaste Brand)
2 tbsp ground flax seeds
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
 
In a large bowl
1/2 cup of canola oil
1 apple sauce cup, about 4 oz.
2/3 cup of honey
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup of chopped apple, or about 1 large apple (Honeycrisp) – I like it really apple-y
Sprinkle of cinnamon and raw sugar
 

In a small  bowl sift the dry ingredients and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix with a whisk the oil, honey and apple sauce.  Here’s a tip first pour the oil, then when you pour the honey out of the same measuring cup it will slide right out.  When mixing you may need to give it a little muscle to break down the stickiness of the honey and to have a smooth liquid base.  Then add the vanilla and eggs.  Mix until fully combined.

Then slowly combine the dry ingredients into the wet.

When the two sets of ingredients are fully incorporated add the chopped apples and give it a good stir so that the apples get covered in batter.

Pour the batter into an oiled 9 x 5 pan, and bake for 55 – 60 minutes at 325 degrees.

This little bread isn’t too sweet and so it makes for a great breakfast or snack.  Try it warm with some butter, or cheese, or nut spread.

Enjoy!

What to Wear: Fall Holidays


Today begins the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.  It is a special time spent with family and friends, and is celebrated with sweet foods like apples and honey to indicate the hope for a sweet New Year.

It is also a time spent in synagogue and big dinners, and if you’re like me, in front of the closet trying to decide what to wear.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not about fashion, but it’s always nice to start the year looking and feeling your best.

Since the Jewish New Year falls around the first week of fall it is a great time to introduce fall’s trends.  I have put together three different outfits that could accomodate a variety of styles and climates, in case you’re celebrating in the very un-fall like Ft. Lauderdale… 88 degrees!

Fall Holiday Collection

I would wear all of these looks, and luckily they are all so on trend that if you’re more puzzled with what to wear than how to make a brisket, you’d be able to replicate any of these looks in your local department store.

Shop 1:blouse, skirt, boots
Shop 2:sweater, skirt, heels
Shop 3:dress, heels
Accessories: earrings, bracelet, clutch

 

If you celebrate, may your New Year be healthy, happy and fabulous!

Step into Fall


It is in the 70’s, raining and looks colder than it is.  Which means, it is neither boot weather, nor sandal weather, and while warm enough for an espadrille, it would look fairly ridiculous.  It’s enough to drive a girl crazy with a major case of fashion climate confusion.

The first step in converting your wardrobe for fall begins with your feet, and the shoes you adorn them with.

I am young(ish) professional, and so my budget is limited.  I am not going to show you on-trend shoes that I cannot afford, I’m talking about you Manolo

Every shoe in the slideshow is less than $250 – and you know, if the shoe fits…

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Colorblocking: this trend has been a mainstay for two seasons.  For fall look and a more playful look stick with deeply saturated bold colors, for a more sophisticated look block in neutrals.  If colorblocking at your feet, stay simple up above, pair with a tonal or complimentary solid dress for a sophisticated look.
Shop: Cathi, T-Strap, Smiles, Patent
 
Snakeskin:  In our $250 price range it is all about faux, and good faux at that.  When shopping look for subtle texture and colors that exist in nature, so you know, no pink snakeskin.  Depending on the style of the shoe, snakeskin can be perfect for the office or a night out, but be sure to err on the understated for 9-5.
Shop: Garnet, Manic, Peep Toe, Palmerr

 

Glitter: Fall begins the holiday and party season and there are so many fun ways to amp up a little black dress, or simple skirt/suit with a glittering, shimmering pair of shoes.  I also love the idea of sparkle with a simple outfit of skinny jeans and a slim sweater.
Shop: Kriss, I-Dreemy, Pinki, Pansy

 

Loafer: Clearly inspired by menswear, the loafer style comes in so many varieties that there is an opportunity for any woman to put her personal style stamp on it.  Velvet smoking loafer, check, western platform, check, tasseled brogues, check.  Pair with slim jean, (or flair for the platforms) and an otherwise feminine silhouette.
Shop: Unmixed, Melter, Hathaway, Marcel

 

Kitten: This look is all about femininity: a short heel, a slim silhouette, and ladylike refinement.  Go for the slimmest heel that is comfortable for you, and because it’s a delicate shoe feel free to play with pattern and texture.  Pair with this season’s very popular midi length skirts and dresses.
Shop: Dynamite, Ixora, Patent, Perfect

 

Will you try any of these trends?  Which would be your favorite?

50 Nifty Ways to Decorate


Do you decorate with patriotic flare or geographic influence?  I got to thinking the other day how everything in fancy design books and catalogs are all either Tuscan or French inspired and how very often that is just code for big, and distressed leather and wrought iron.  Don’t get me wrong, it can be fabulous, but I was thinking a little closer to home.

As a Florida girl I can barely resist this print found on Etsy.  I don’t know if it would totally ridiculous in a home outside of Florida, but I do like the cheekiness of it all.

State Print from Etsy

 

Everyone I know who is from NY truly lives in a NY state of mind and this vintage-y and faded print could be perfect for them.

State of Mind Print

 

We have one of these, for DC, not Boston and I love it.  It is a cool way to see all of your cities neighborhood and towns.

Boston Print

 

I have been a fan of this print set for a while now.  It is pretty summery feeling and of course tied to the wonderful song by the Beach Boys but a fun way to show your coastal allegiance.

Beach Boys Print

 

There are no shortage of subway signs, clearly, and while is a super pricy version of that look, it is still “trendy.”   If you’re looking for this style for a lot less, you can definitely DIY it or find a similar style at discount shops or Etsy.

Subway Sign

 

Would you decorate with maps, and city/state inspired art?    My favorite is the Beach Boys print it is so playful and fun.

Which would you choose?

Makes You Think


My cousin Cori posted a link to this fantastic ad campaign for a German job finder website and it is brilliant.  The message of the campaign is “Life’s too short for the wrong job.”

The other awesome piece to me, is that it illustrates all of the engineering we take for granted.

Life's Too Short Campaign

 

Did this make  you laugh, or maybe log in to Monster.com?

First Day of Fall


Today is officially the first day of Fall.  From here on out welcome the pumpkin spice everything, roasted roots vegetables, apples, pears, cinnamon, honey, scuffed leather boots, chunky knits sweaters, cashmere throws, football, tailgates, crisp air, family dinners.

Fall 2011

Source: American in Paris, leaves, Candles, Boots, Pear

Are you inspired for the season?  How will you celebrate the start of autumn this weekend?  I hope it’s filled with warmth and a fun adventure!

Trendspotting: Must Have Pieces at NYFW Spring 2012


So far I have shared the trends I identified based on color (sorbet, yellows, greige and chambray), and by prints (cut outs, safari, bold florals) and now we’re in the home stretch, the last set of trends based on the items that will be must have for Spring 2012.

As a shopper these might be the easiest to aspire to owning and achieving.  If the market picks up on these trends you’ll be able to find all of these pieces at a variety of prices, which will make shopping a breeze.

With this set, like the previous two, all of the trends had to appear at least three times, and often they appeared more than that.

Let’s get started, I think you’ll love them (or at least one of them!)

Gym Class Hero: This might be the easiest trend of all to pull off, and I couldn’t be more pleased.  Several designers sent looks down the runway that were influenced if not down right inspired by gym class, if your P.E. teacher was Anna Wintour… If this is the trend for you keep it streamlined and focus on details: an unexpected hoodie, zipper details, jersey and nylon fabrics, and racerback tops.

Gym Class Hero, Spring 2012

 

Trail Blazer: For the last few years everyone from Kate Moss to Kate Middleton has sported some variation of the schoolboy (a slightly too small) blazer to the boyfriend (a slightly too large) blazer.  The trend from the Spring 2012 runway is look is a bit more mature, and I have termed it as dad’s blazer.  It is completely over sized, has masculine structuring and detailing, and reminds me of the look when a dad offers his suit jacket to his daughter to keep her warm.  I am completely into the look and how it translates from runway to real life with ease.

Trail Blazer, Spring 2012

 

Jumpsuit Fever: Several looks on the Spring 2012 runways were inspired by a very specific fashion moment in time, and the abundance of fit and flared jumpsuits is no different.  Highly reminiscent of the 1970’s, but with a twist from an earlier era of the 1920’s,  the standard jumpsuit looks more polished in flowing silks, deep deco necklines, slim waists and wide legs.

Jumpsuit Fever, Spring 2012

 

1920’s Nightgown: The Spring 2012 runways featured lots of looks that could have been borrowed from a very highly edited boudoir.  This look features perfect knife pleating, sheer panels, soft whispers of color, flowing chiffon, delicate beading.  The look is delicate, refined and secretly an alluring throw back to the 1920’s bedroom dressing.

1920's Nightgown, Spring 2012

 

Modern Marilyn: In fashion there are iconic women, and then there are iconic dresses, few dresses are more iconic than Marilyn Monroe’s knife pleated white halter dress from the Seven-Year Itch.  The Spring 2012 runways featured dresses that were clearly inspired by the icon.  The halter, the open back, bare arms, plunging neckline are made modern by new silhouettes and fresh detailing at the waist.  This may be the foreshadowing of the perfect spring time dress.

Modern Marilyn, Spring 2012

 

Lady Who Lunches: Some people say you’re either a Marilyn, or a Jackie.  If you’re the former, see above, if you’re the latter let’s continue.  The Spring 2012 look has taken the ladylike suit, all prim and proper and made it pop.  In these styles it doesn’t feel costume  and it is not primed for next season’s Mad Men, it feels fresh.  The slim silhouettes, the modern details, the bold colors, all fabulous.  And for the lady who lunches, this look is all business.

Lady Who Lunches, Spring 2012

 


Simply Bold:
I have always been a jeans and a t-shirt girl, and so something about the look of a top that is naturally a match with jeans being paired with an evening worthy bottom, just delights me.  This look was seen on a few runways for Spring 2012 and I love it.  It’s not going to be easy to wear, and rarely will you have an occasion for a large shimmering tent of a ballgown skirt, but it should make you consider the concept of a simple top paired with a dramatic bottom for spring, or all year long.

Simply Bold, Spring 2012

Colors, patterns, prints, and fabulous pieces round out the favorite trends from the Spring 2012 runways.

Which of these trends are your favorites?