Guilty Pleasures

Sunday is a day to relax, rejuvenate, and partake in some guilty pleasures. For me, that includes indulging in the latest fashion and beauty books (particularly those that feature celebrity tricks and tips).

At the top of my wish list is The Makeup Wakeup: Revitalizing Your Look at Any Age by Lois Joy Johnson and Sandy Linter. Don’t these celebrity packed pages look intriguing? I love any chance to learn new makeup techniques.

If my Easter Bunny is paying attention, I would love to find a copy of this book in my basket… hint, hint.

What's on your wish list today?

In the Mood for Summer

With spring collections debuting in stores, I’m craving some warm weather. (Not that it gets that cold here, although we did actually have a freeze last week and a dusting of snow.) What better way to get rid of the wintertime blahs than reading a wonderful book?

A book that has been on my “to read” list for a while is One Special Summer by Jacqueline and Lee Bouvier. It details a European tour the famous sisters embarked on in 1951. Written in longhand, the pages are filled with delightful sketches. It’s truly a work of art.

While we are on the subject of the Bouvier sisters, did you see the photos of Lee Radziwell’s abodes in Paris and New York that appear on the Brunch at Saks blog today? Absolutely scrumptious!

More Prep for Your Step

Recently there has been a lot of buzz about the upcoming release of True Prep, the update to The Official Preppy Handbook which was originally published in 1980. After reading the witty excerpt on the Vanity Fair website, I can say that I’m officially excited. True Prep will be released on September 7th, and can be pre-ordered from Amazon.

Book Review: Alligators, Old Mink & New Money

Last week while browsing on Amazon, I came across Alligators, Old Mink and New Money: One Woman’s Adventures in Vintage Clothing by sisters Alison and Melissa Houtte. With a title that intriguing, I knew I had to investigate further. After downloading a sample to my Kindle, I was hooked and immediately bought the rest of the book so I could finish reading.

(Incidentally, this is one of the things I LOVE about the Kindle. If I read a sample that captures me, the rest of the book can be at my disposal instantly. No more calling around trying to find it at a local bookstore or waiting days – or worse, weeks – for it to be delivered to my doorstep. But I digress…)

The book is part memoir, part guide to vintage clothing and accessories. It details how Alison went from being a model to owning and running successful Brooklyn-based vintage clothing store Hooti Couture. Peppered with fun anecdotes about her family, buying trips, amazing finds, pricing foibles and the interesting cast of characters she meets along the way, this book had me at every turn of the page. The addition of a Vintage Shopper's Guide at the end makes this a true gift to anyone with an interest in fashion, who enjoys the thrill of the hunt and the tales that go along with it.

In short, I couldn’t put this book down.

Another Year Come and Gone...

Today is my birthday, but my big celebration was last weekend. On Sunday, my husband and I left the children with a babysitter and went to Wildfish, which is a fabulous restaurant. You must visit if you happen to find yourself in San Antonio. We started with their famous calamari (in an asian-inspired sauce) and for the main course I ordered salmon served with a pineapple salsa that was heavenly. And don’t even get me started on the stuffed potato. It was the size of a football! (No kidding. I should have taken a photo to share with you. Maybe next time.)

The night before, my boys gave me a Lilly Pulitzer gift card, which my husband encouraged me to spend right away. I’m sure you’ll be surprised by what I got, because it’s not an item I’ve mentioned before.

It’s the Iris Skort in Hotty Pink Full Sun, which is a great gift from my children since I can wear it with a cute T-shirt or tank during the day. (It also looks adorable with the sweater shown above, but let’s face it – sweater weather is a distant memory here in San Antonio.) Technically, this skort was intended for golfing, but as a mom I love skorts for everyday wear because they look like skirts, but have shorts underneath to give me a little discretion as I bend, reach and run after my kids. I have a number of Prussia Skorts from previous years that are among my go-to items.

In addition to the Lilly gift card, my husband gave me something else I’ve been wanting for a while – an Amazon Kindle. (He actually gave this to me a few weeks ago. He has a really tough time keeping a secret.) I am thrilled with the Kindle, as is my husband, because now when we travel I can tuck it into my handbag and not have to lug a stack of books with me. (Yes, I am one of THOSE PEOPLE. I always want to make sure I have all the reading material I could possibly want when I travel, so I take tons of books. And I usually end up stopping at the airport bookstore and buying something anyway. My husband finds these habits maddening!) The Kindle makes this drama unnecessary because I can keep all of my books right at my fingertips and I can order new books and newspapers at the moment I want them and they are delivered wirelessly to the device.

For those of you who are dying to know what’s on my Kindle, here you go:

The very first book I ordered was Social Climbers by the lovely Mrs. Beth Dunn. What a fun read! If you have not read it yet, I have one question for you: What are you waiting for? And if you have not yet checked out Beth Dunn's adorable blog, make sure you pay her a visit. One thing I know for sure is that this girl LOVES fashion and she has a to-die-for wardrobe to prove it.

Well that is all I have for you right now. My children are napping, so I think it is time for me to go curl up with my Kindle and enjoy the rest of my birthday!

Bringing Nell Hill's Style Home

For years I have been a fan of Mary Carol Garrity, who is the founder of renowned home furnishings store Nell Hill’s, a syndicated columnist, and the author of a multitude of books on interior design and entertaining, including  Nell Hill's Style at Home and Nell Hill's Feather Your Nest. She has a knack for arranging home accessories and designing tablescapes that I absolutely love. I’ve often dreamt of traveling to Atchison, Kansas for a visit to the Nell Hill’s flagship store, but alas I have not gotten there yet.

You can imagine how excited I was to discover that some of the company’s beautiful (and well-priced) home accents are now available online.

I’m particularly enamored of:

Set of Six 5“ x 7” Fern Prints ($74.00)

Medium Apothecary Jars, Set of Three ($41.00)

Wooden Bird Trays, Set of Two ($59.50)

Verdi Urn Table Lamp ($88.00)

In addition, Ms. Garrity has a fantastic new blog where she shares some of her design tips. The fun is only just beginning!

Paula Deen Showcases Savannah Style

My husband is a BIG fan of Paula Deen (to put it mildly). Ever since he watched her cook a Turducken on the Food Network, he has been determined that we will eventually serve this for Thanksgiving. And trust me when I tell you that he hasn’t stopped reminiscing about the meal we enjoyed at Paula’s restaurant, The Lady and Sons, during a trip to the lovely city of Savannah a few years ago. The only thing that could have made it better would have been a visit from The Lady herself.

When I heard about the publication of Paula Deen's Savannah Style,I knew I had to get my hands on a copy. What could be better than the Queen of Southern Cooking showing us the style of the grand homes and gardens in her historic city?

This book doesn’t disappoint. The pages are filled with gorgeous photos of beautifully appointed spaces brimming with southern charm, including many in Paula’s own home. And Paula’s friendly tone comes shining through, making you feel as though she is right next to you, sharing family anecdotes and taking you on a private tour of her favorite abodes. Add in decorator Brandon Branch’s style secrets that are peppered throughout the book, and the result is a can’t-miss guide to southern style.

Here are a few of my favorite layouts:

If you are looking for some inspiration for your own traditional home, this might be it!

Do any of you own this book?  If so, how do you like it?

Friday Favorites: My Top Five Cookbooks for Summer

Now that my twins are a few months old and we are finally getting into our groove as a family of five (yikes!), it is time for me to step up my game in the kitchen. I love to cook with fresh, local ingredients and create great flavor combinations. So without further adieu, here are my top cookbooks for summer.

1) Cooking Light Fresh Food Fast: Weeknight Meals: Over 280 Incredible Supper Solutions

This is the newest addition to my shelf. The recipes are incredibly simple with great flavor profiles. This will definitely be my go-to-guide for summer meals.






2) The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life

The Food Network’s star nutritionist offers up wonderful ideas for healthy, flavorful meals. We loved the Tuscan Roasted Chicken and Vegetables, the Smashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives and the Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Orange Essence. I can’t wait to try some of the other recipes, like the Soft Asian Summer Rolls.

3) Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients

Can you ever go wrong with Ina Garten? I certainly don’t think so! In this guide, she provides recipes for fabulous meals created with fresh, simple ingredients, as well as background information on her techniques. Her cocktail ideas and entertaining tips are not to be missed. I am looking forward to making the Baked Shrimp Scampi and trying the Juice of a Few Flowers cocktail.

4) Southern Living Complete Quick & Easy Cookbook

This fantasic reference showcases a host of fast and delicious recipes, including many for southern favorites like King Ranch Chicken Casserole, Shrimp and Grits and Pineapple Glazed Ham. Chapters on Slow Cooker Favorites, One-Dish Dinners, and Healthy ‘n’ Quick Recipes make this an indispensable addition to my kitchen.

5) How to Cook Everything, Completely Revised 10th Anniversary Edition: 2,000 Simple Recipes for Great Food

This is a classic that has been described as the bible of home cooking. In addition to wonderful recipes and detailed insights into ingredients and techniques, Bittman provides lists of potential variations to help you customize the recipes. Using his suggestions, I customized a recipe for a Black Bean and Corn Salad that is to die for. I can’t wait to try more!

Do you have favorite recipes from any of these cookbooks? Please share!