Thursday, June 30, 2011

Tomboy Style

Coco Chanel built her entire fashion ethos around the mixing of masculine and feminine styles to create a chic and timeless look.  This mixing of aesthetics still works today for women wanting a comfortable and cute way to put their outfits together.  Here are a few tips to take a page out of the boys' fashion playbook!

  • A fitted, structured blazer looks awesome over just about anything!  That frilly, girly dress you bought for a wedding you had to go to last summer becomes instantly wearable out to dinner with a shrunken blazer with the sleeves rolled up!  Have cutoffs and a tee you want to wear out on the town?  Throw that blazer on with some heels and you are the cutest girl on the dance floor!
  • When in doubt, a watch is the only accessory you need.  Seriously.  Think of women you see draped in jewelry, it almost ALWAYS looks fussy and high-maintenance.  A classic watch can be worn with almost any combination of clothes and it will work!  Don't trust me?  Think of how cute a watch would look worn high on the forearm with a wispy sundress.  The mix of masculine and feminine is just enough to create some interest...And you will be able to tell the time without checking your phone!  WHAT?!!?
  • Cutoffs, cutoffs, and more cutoffs.  Ok, this is a throwback of 70s boy style, but a cute pair of cutoffs can rough up any frilly shirt or prissy heel to make it just perfect!
  • A fresh white tee or tank is the best way to draw attention to your face.  The clean palate of the white frames your face and is a perfect counter to a more dramatic lip or eye.  Think about how cute a strong red lip would look with a simple husband-beater tank and a topknot in your hair.  I know!
  • Always pair something girly with something masculine to achieve that perfect balance.  That tough leather jacket?  Oh, just put on a flowy, floral skirt.  A crisp button up shirt?  Totally needs some delicate heels.  A chunky fisherman's sweater?  Reign it in with a thin leather belt.  
See?  Tomboy style is truly easy to achieve and even easier to wear!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Grown Up Friendship Bracelets

SO loving the 90s throwback look.


I've been trying my hand at making friendship bracelets, too!
I've been using this tutorial, but haven't had much success yet.


I also think I'm going to give this a try!

I'll let you know how it goes.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Natural Beauty: Lemons

In a move towards more sustainable and less damaging beauty routines, lemons have become my foundation for healthy skin!  Lemons have benefits for your skin from the inside and the out.  I want to share a couple tips and tricks that have worked well for me that use these lovely little fruits.

#1 - Having lemon juice first thing in the morning is a great way to jump-start your digestive system AND clear up your skin.  If you really want a one-two healthy skin punch, squeeze some freshly squeezed lemon juice into some green tea, the citric acid makes the epigallocatechin gallates or EGCGs or THE GOOD STUFF more readily available to your body.  The green tea/lemon combo has done amazing things for keeping my skin healthy and clear, too.  If you're having a bad skin patch, I swear a few weeks of diligent green tea with lemon will help kick those zits' butts.

#2 - Lemon juice is an amazing way exfoliate!  I love cutting a lemon in half, dumping some coarse brown sugar on the the sliced half, and use it on my heels and elbows in the shower.  The acidity from the lemon and the grains of the sugar soften those tough areas in no time.

#3 - My favorite lemon juice trick is as a spot treatment for pimples.  Just squeeze a few drops of freshly-squeezed lemon juice into a little bowl and add some baker's yeast.  Mix it up to form a paste and slather it on that monster zit that won't go away.  Let the paste dry and wash off with warm water.  Your zit will be gone in no time!  If you have sensitive skin, I'd cut the lemon juice in half with water.  You'd be amazed at how this little natural paste rivals the zit creams you find at the drug store!

Do you have any lemon juice beauty recipes?  They really are amazing little fruits!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Music Monday: Vitamins

 
I don't know what it is lately, 
but I have been really getting back into heavier, dreamy, psychedelic rock. 

Bands like Dead Meadow or the Black Angels 
have been on heavy rotation for the past few months.
I've been listening to these bands A LOT: 
in the car, at work, at home, and even when working out, 
which sounds kind of counter-intuitive, but it just kinda works!

Vitamins is a perfect addition to this psychedelic kick I've been on!
It's a little dreamier than their regular fare and I love it!

Friday, June 24, 2011

Link Love and Lovelies

It has been another crazy week!  I feel like I haven't been able to "catch up" for at least a month now.  My weekends seem busier than my weekdays, somehow!  I am on call this weekend (boo), but I get to spend some time with my favorites (yea!!!).  Are you doing anything fun this weekend?  All I know is that whatever I do, it needs to be in the sunshine!

Here's some loveliness for the weekend!
  • I am going to this this weekend!  Maybe we'll find some art to bring home!
  • Loving this maxi-skirt look!
  • This.  Is.  Awesome.
  • Ruby and Tucker were featured on a favorite blog!!!
  • Sososososo excited for this!  And it's FREEEEEEE!
  • I want to decorate my ceilings this way.
  • I want to live here.
Enjoy the weekend with someone special!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Variations on Perfection

If you follow this blog, you know I've had a hankering for some Isabel Marant Dicker Boots since returning from Paris.  They are endlessly wearable, comfortable, and chic.  Perfection, really, except for the price tag, of course.

I was able to find some dreamy copy-cats from Anthropologie a few months ago and really do get to wear them everywhere!  I thought that the style of these ankle boots couldn't get any better...until I found these.  Zippers AND fringe?!?  These are part of my DNA, people.
But of course I wasn't about to spend THAT much on the booties of my dreams.  That's why you can get them here, on sale.  I won't be mad if you pick these up, too, they really are the cutest!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Recipe of the Weeks: Summer Succotash


This is the easiest summer side dish that will please pretty much any foodie crowd!  It's gluten-free, soy free, and vegetarian with a vegan option.  It is also made up of things that are chilling in your freezer or veggie drawer, so no last minute trips to the grocery store!  Hurrah!  I brought this to a BBQ on Sunday at Bestest Best's house and it was a success!  See there, I'm totally testing recipes for you now.

Summer Succotash adapted from Everyday Food
Serves 6-8 side dishers
Ingredients:
1 bag of organic frozen corn, defrosted
1 can drained and rinsed or 2 cups frozen and defrosted black eyed peas or lima beans
1 bunch of green onions, sliced into 1/4 inch pieces
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
3/4 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper
1/4 cup butter or vegan margarine

In a large saute pan over medium heat melt your butter or vegan margarine and add the green onions.  It's important to not let the butter get brown in this recipe, it will impart a nutty flavor that isn't very succotash-y, so keep the pan moving and lower the heat if in doubt!  After they begin to soften add the paprika and celery seed.  Add the corn and saute until heated through.  Season with salt and pepper.  Add your lima beans or black eyed peas and heat those through, as well.  Dish it up!  This can be served hot or at room temperature!  Pat yourself on the back for being most excellent.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Wardrobe Staple: Jeans

This seems like a totally obvious statement, but jeans are a must in every wardrobe.  I know you already knew that, but I want to share a few tips on how to find the perfect jeans for you and your proportions!  I can't count how many times a day I see people in otherwise cute outfits in really ill-fitting jeans!  So, here's a quick primer to get you into the jeans that are meant for your body!

  • Be ready to devote an entire day to jean-hunting.  You are going to be trying on a LOT of jeans, so set enough time aside for the trial-and-error process.
  • Wear the shoes you will be wearing most often with the jeans.  The hem of straight-leg or flared jeans should hover just above the ground behind your heel.  If shopping for pencil or cigarette leg jeans, no worries, the pant leg should just scrunch around your ankle!  
  • Bring an objective shopping buddy.  This is going to be harder than it sounds.  You need to bring someone along that can be honest with you when a fit is all wrong or unflattering.
  • Ignore trends and focus on what works for your body-type.  I can sadly NEVER wear the super-wide-leg look that is so popular right now because my legs are too short!  I will ALWAYS wear a skinny ankle jean because it makes my legs look longer!
  • If you've found a pair of jeans that fit you well everywhere except the length, TAILOR them!  Some stores have varying inseams, but most designer jeans just come in the standard 36" model length.  If you're like me and have normal-person-legs, taking your jeans to get tailored will allow you to make your jeans perfect!  Again, remember to take the shoes you will be wearing most often with the jeans to get the perfect fit.
  • If the jeans you are trying on have Lycra in them, buy the jeans a little snug.  It sounds counter-intuitive, but jeans with Lycra stretch out a little bit and stay that way, so buying a size down will ensure a perfect fit, BUT...
  • Jeans usually WON'T stretch in the waistband, so if you've got some serious muffin-top action, go up a size or try a different style.
  • A flared leg jean looks flattering on almost everyone.
  • Different brands fit different body types: Citizens of Humanity and Seven for All Mankind are great for gals with a small waist and curvy hips.  If you are petite and have a small waist and curvier hips, Siwy is a great brand to check out.  Svoboda is great for cute and current plus-size jeans.  I love Diesel for teardrop shaped bodies.  J Brand is awesome for apple-shaped body types.  Athletic and straight body types should check out Mother or Kasil jeans.
Whew!  I hope this helps!  If you have any questions about your specific body type or the fit of a certain brand, just leave a comment!  Also, do you have any jeans that just fit you perfectly?  What brand are they?

Monday, June 20, 2011

Music Monday: Black Lips

 
This weekend left me exhausted on so many levels!  
I will say our Saturday night (and early morning) 
was spent with some old favorites: the Black Lips!

It was a high-energy show and we had some amazing spots in the crowd to see the band up-close!  I didn't get kicked in the head or pushed down like past performances, but I did get drenched with beer!  Needless to say, the show was insane!

This is a long little clip that includes some great songs, as well as some great interview questions with the band.  The show on Saturday was about 1000x louder than this!

Hope you have a good week.
xo. 

Friday, June 17, 2011

Friday Link Love and Lovelies

Wow.  It has been a week in the 'Teef household.  I've learned that it is important to be present and in the moment with people you love.  And to let these people you love know it often!

I feel really lucky that this weekend I get to: make Tucker's adoption official, go see the Black Lips with Shug, Supermodel, and BBF, and get to tell my dad thank-you for being the best father on the planet! 

Here are some loverlies for your weekend:

~ Why I may be bringing nose-plugs with my earplugs on Saturday.

~ This Isabel Marant jacket is meant for me and only me!

~ Ohmygawwwwd!  Love.

~ This will be our generation's this.

~ The most beautiful Father's Day gift!

~ Versailles in the summer.  Le sigh.

~ Summer sale predictions.  Pretty right on, if you ask me!


Have a lovely weekend with the people you love.

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Blog Love: My Daguerreotype Boyfriend

Um, have you heard of this gloriousness yet??
It's a site made up of old timey lookers.
I've decided it's the Irish prisoners and dentists that are the hottest.
Yessir, you may extract that tooth.
;)

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Meet Tucker!

Shug and I have been back and forth about getting another dog for close to a year now.  Rubes has been a lonesome little pup and we have been noticing she just curls up on the couch and doesn't move until we get home some days.  We also didn't want to bring another pup in on the scene until Ruby was completely house trained.  We didn't want bad habits to be shared!  We also thought that another dog may be a lot more work, but every single one of our friends with more than one dog said it was pretty easy adding another member to the household!
Thursday night, Shug and I were on the Utah Humane Society's site and I saw a little YouTube clip of this hyena/deer/chihuahua mix and FELL HARD for the little guy.  We talked it over and decided just to give him a visit the next day.  In the video, he seemed suuuuper timid and we were worried he would be aggressive and scared since all the info the shelter had was that he was a stray.

Friday afternoon we stopped in to the chaos of the adoption center.  Dogs yelping and wailing and about thousand kittens in the front lobby all waiting for homes.  It was a pretty sad sight.  Here's a tip: do not, DO NOT go to the pound thinking you'll "just look around."  You will want to take home every, single, sad little face that looks at you through their kennel door.  I probably would have single-handedly taken home ALL of the cats there on Friday and I despise cats.  Luckily, Shug was there to talk some sense into me!

We walked up to Tucker's kennel and saw this dirty, little, sable ball wrapped about as tightly as it could in the corner of his cage.  We talked sweetly to him and the ball slowly unrolled into the skinniest little dog.  He was hacking from what I presumed to be kennel cough and had petrified boogers in his eyes and blocking his little nose.  He had scabs on his front legs and tail where something had taken a chunk out of his hide and patches of fur were missing where the shelter had to cut out burrs and knots.  I about lost it right then and there.

He carefully walked to the door of the kennel and gave Shug and I a friendly lick.  We opened the door and Tucker started wagging his tail, so we took that as a green light to give him a scratch or two.  He liked us!  We decided to take him for a walk to get to know each other a little better.  As soon as we sat down outside he jumped in Shug's lap and curled up.  It was pretty much a done deal at this point!  Tucker was probably the sweetest little thing we had ever met!
We brought Ruby back to the shelter to meet him.  She was pretty disenchanted with the whole affair, but wasn't aggressive towards Tucker, nor he to her.  We decided to give him a trial week at our house with Ruby to see if she warmed up to him at all.  Being the only pup in the house has definitely made Ruby a little bit of an ice queen when it comes to other dogs, but she is slowly warming up to Tucker!

His cough and wounds are already getting better and a couple of baths took care of his boogers!  He seems so happy and relaxed with us, so I'm thinking he better stick around!  Do any of you have two dogs?  Do they get along?  I'd love to know!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Natural Beauty: Eyebrows

Eyebrows are having a serious "moment" right now.  Everyone from the exploited "models" from American Apparel to your local, chic shopgirl are sporting full and natural brows.  Since my formative years were spent watching the Scream movies and My So-Called Life, my eyebrows were plucked to about an inch of their lives to try to emulate the leads' pencil-thin brows.  Unfortunately, my once strong brows never fully recovered from the 90s Tweezergate.

Eyebrows are the easiest and most impactful way to make a change in your "look."  Since I am loving the full brow trend, I have been plucking super-minimally and filling in the rest with a brow pencil.  A strong brow really doesn't need a lot of make-up!  It's usually a light coat of mascara for me and a little sweep of blush for color and I'm good to go!

Someone with AMAZING brows told me she uses the "Anastasia Method" to keep her brows looking good.  She goes once a month to a professional brow shaper and then just plucks to maintain their shape for the next few weeks.  I'm thinking of giving it a try, even though I have wimpy brows now!

What do you think?  Are full brows awesome or caterpillar-y?

Monday, June 13, 2011

Music Monday: (More) Lykke Li

 
I know I've posted Lykke Li AND this song before,
but her variations on this amazing song are endlessly listenable.

I really appreciate the pared down beauty.
I hope you do, too.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Friday Link Love and Lovelies

Happy Friday!  I am so glad it's here, what about you?  I am pretty excited because I get to take a little road trip with my dad and sister to see my grandparents in Idaho.  It's a long drive, but so very worth it!  I'll only be gone a few days, but it will be so nice to get to spend some quality time with my family!

Tonight, Hall and Ciel are hosting a BBQ!  I miss these gals so much, so I am excited I get to hang out with them!  Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?

Here are some link love and lovelies for you:
Have a lovely, lovely weekend, ok?

    Thursday, June 9, 2011

    Wanderlusttimetravel from Your Desk

    I am 100% positive a place like this doesn't exist, but I'll be here today while playing catch-up at work!  I've seem to have caught a summer cold and it's really putting a cramp in my style.  Do you have any cold remedies that help get you back on your feet?  I've been hitting the vitamin C and zinc pretty hard these past few days, but am still feeling, well, fuzzy.  Any suggestions would be very appreciated!

    Wednesday, June 8, 2011

    Just a thought.

    Really and truly.

    Tuesday, June 7, 2011

    Recipe of the Weeks: Leek, Arugula, and Italian Sausage Pasta


    It's been a little while since I've posted a recipe!  The reason is: I HAVEN'T BEEN COOKING.  At all.  This is a pretty sorry state of affairs for: my health, my pocketbook, and Shug. 

    Eating out (or just super snacking, which is all we do some evenings for sustenance) definitely makes it simpler for one evening to not have to whip something up for dinner, but our food bills are astronomical when we eat out three or four times a week!  It is so crazy how just eating at home can cut back on that spending!  And it's not like we're eating ramen and Tang when we eat at home, we have halibut and free range buffalo, organic produce and gluten free everything.  These are not "bargain items" from the grocer, but they are still less expensive than eating these items in a restaurant.

    Cooking for yourself also allows you total control over what goes into your food and how it's prepared.  As a gluten-freegan, this can mean the difference between unknowingly eating wheat-contaminated food or having a perfect, wheat-free meal.  As a person concerned about the health of her family, cooking myself means I can use less salt, more extra virgin olive oil and veggies when I prep our meals.

    BUT, we all know that real life doesn't care if you've had the longest day ever.  Trying to motivate myself to make dinner some nights just ain't happening.  This little recipe is ready in about half an hour and prep is pretty minimal!  All of the ingredients can keep well in the fridge or pantry, so this is something that can be shopped for on the weekend and whipped up whenever!

    Leek, Arugula, and Italian Sausage Pasta
    Adapted from Everyday Food, May 2011
    Feeds 4 real life people
    Ingredients:
    3/4 lb sweet Italian sausage with the casings removed or vegan sausage of any kind
    3 large leeks, sliced and cleaned (I'll tell you how to do this in a sec!)
    1/2 cup - 3/4 cup dry white wine
    2 T butter or vegan margarine
    Salt and pepper
    3/4 pound gluten free curly pasta, I especially like the quinoa pasta!
    4 handfuls of baby arugula, rinsed and patted dry
    Grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast, if you're vegan

    To clean the leeks, slice them down the middle lengthwise and then chop into little 1/4 inch half-moons all the way to the light green part of the leek (the darker green tops are tough and woody.)  Have a big bowl nearby and dump all of the chopped pieces in, dirt and all.  Next go to the sink and run cold water into the bowl, using your fingers to swish the leeks around to dislodge any dirt, until the bowl is almost filled.  I let them them hang out for a sec, while I'm prepping everything else, to allow the dirt to settle to the bottom of the bowl.  After the dirt has settled, take a strainer and scoop out the leeks and give them one more quick rinse under some cold water.  Drain on some paper towels and you should be good to go and your leeks clean as a whistle!

    In a large skillet over medium heat, throw in your sausage and break up with a spatula until it starts to brown.  Throw in the leeks and keep them moving in the pan until the leeks soften.  Get a large pan of salted water going to boil your pasta while your leeks and sausage are at work.  Once the water is at a rolling boil, add your pasta.

    Add your white wine to the sausage and leek mixture (be sure to test a glass of this while you're prepping, you wouldn't want to use rotten wine;)) and stir until almost evaporated.  Add your butter and stir until melted and turn off the heat.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Cover and check your pasta!  Is it al dente?  Good!  Pour about a 1/2 cup of the pasta water into your leek and sausage mixture and drain the rest!  Add the drained pasta to the leek goodness and stir gently until the pasta is coated!  Add the arugula one handful at a time and fold gently until it is all incorporated and starting to slightly wilt. 

    Portion out your pasta and dress it up with a shaving of Parm or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast!  Eat up!

    Monday, June 6, 2011

    Music Monday: Explosions in the Sky

     
    Do you remember 
    when you heard a song for the first time 
    and it gave you shivers it was SO GOOD?

    That's what happened when I heard Explosions in the Sky 
    for the first time almost ten years ago.

    They have a new album out, 
    but this is a song from one of their earlier releases.

    Yep, it's the shiver song.

    Have a good week!
    xo.

    Friday, June 3, 2011

    Link Love and Lovelies

    Well, I'm glad that was a short week!  I'm on call all weekend, but at least I don't have to be in the office for the whole day!  I'm hoping the weather will act like June instead of March this weekend, too!  I'm going to try to squeeze in some time in the sunshine (with sunblock, of course;))!

    Here's some lovies:
    Have a restful and happy weekend!

    Thursday, June 2, 2011

    Little Birdie

    I am loving these little bird silhouette tattoos.  I don't know if it's the summer approaching or what, but I am getting the itch to get another tattoo!  If you were getting a tattoo, what would you get?

    Wednesday, June 1, 2011

    Ruby Wednesday

    My pup has a special talent not all dogs have: she can smile!

    She was SO worn out yesterday afternoon 
    after running around like a crazy puppy playing catch with Shug, 
    I had to take a few shots!
    She still wanted to play so badly, 
    but kept flopping on the grass to cool her little belly down after every other throw.

    She was a little miffed at us when we finally went inside for dinner, 
    but she slept like a rock!
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