The Fourth

Time to get your patriotism on — with sparklers + good barbecue + iced lemonade! Happy 233rd, America.

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{Photos via Zeke .}

Books of Literary Merit

Here are some books I might actually read purely based on the cover. Yes {I am this pathetic}, after being burnt-out from rigorous “advanced” English classes from middle school through high school {curse you Camus!} and all 5 English Lit classes in college {curse you Joyce!}, this is now what piques my interest in reading books. {Brain don’t fail me now!}

Classic with a Twist:
Pride & Prejudice + Zombies

pride_prejudice_zombies{And I’m not even a Twilight/Evil Dead fanatic either.}

Eco-friendly stunner:
Worldchanging: A User’s Guide to the 21st Century

worldchanging_a_users_guide{Pretty bird, pretty bird…}

Quirky memoirs:
When You Are Engulfed in Flames

when_you_are_engulfed_in_flames{Um, starting to notice a theme here…}

And if these books end up being mindblowingly dull, then at least they’ll look good on my bookcase shelves.

Dirty D

True, one of my better nicknames comes from the one and only, MJ.

RIP rhinestone glove, RIP.


{Boy’s got fierce dance moves.}

H-to-the-ovey

Thought I’d share one of my favorite blogs: Hollister Hovey. Hollister and her sister, Porter, share an affinity for all things 19th century British/Indian imperialism (think pith helmets, taxidermy, rich cognac leathers, dark and decadent furnishings…). Very Ernest Hemingway meets Wes Anderson — historical + quirky. Loves. It.

They have an eye for old world vintage wonders and bygone luxuries.

hollister_hovey_living_room{Their apartment. I know! Jaw-droppingly cool.}

Spectacular themed soirees…

hollister_hovey_raj_on_the_roof_invite{Great idea!}

And chic-dressed vacations.

hollister_hovey_istanbul_trip{My vacay outfits always scream “lazy tourist”. A far cry from these sisters.}

Happy Memorial Day

MMmm! Wouldn’t these be great to make for the Memorial Day Weekend? {Like I need an excuse to eat cupcakes…}

Basic Vanilla Cake recipe, here.
Fluffy Buttercream Frosting, here.

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{Image via Country Living}

Miss Dior

Ohh…I wish I were in Paris! Don’t you love Sofia’s ad campaign for Miss Dior Cherie? Classically girly, and very French, n’est-ce pas? {Can you tell I don’t remember any of my French from high school? Sad.} I’m sure the spring time over there is just peaches. Until my fantasy Parisian vacation comes true, I might have to settle for this cute bottle of perfume.

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{Image via fashionologie}


More or Less

Sure, you’re not getting the exquisite “painted resin beads” or “Czech glass crystals,” but this $20 version from here is definitely more affordable {and almost passable} than the $150 J.Crew baubles.

alloy_tory_necklace_sp2009{Less: $20}

jcrew_sunray_necklace_sp2009{More: $150}



Cinco de Mayo

MMMmm!! To celebrate Cinco de Mayo in my own gluttonous way, I will be making some really good homemade guacamole. {And what’s guacamole without homemade salsa? And some nice warm tortillas, and barbecued chicken with fresh-squeezed lime…!!} Here’s a great, delish guaco recipe.

cincodemayo_2009{Oh, I could eat my screen right now, this spread looks so good…}

{Photo by Marcus Nillson from here}


Toshiro Mifune

Broken foot + endless hours of staying at home = classic Japanese movie-watching.

Husband and I didn’t start watching samurai/Kurosawa movies until we were married {and I’m half Japanese! why did it take us so long?}, and now we cannot get enough of them. Although not hipster aficionados {yet}, we have seen at least 15 Kurosawa movies, and at least 10 of them feature Toshiro Mifune — by far the coolest tough-guy actor in all Japanese filmdom. He’s like the Steve McQueen of the East; he’s just that awesome. {Some faves: YojimboA Fist Full of Dollars was based of this; Rashomon; Seven Samurai…}

toshiro_mifune_drunkenangel{Mifune in Drunken Angel}

toshiro_mifune_dapper{Very dapper Mifune! Love this look, especially his grimace}

{Images via toshiromifune.org}

Summer Saltwater

Although summer is my least favorite season {if you lived in hot upper 90/low 100 degree weather for a good 5+ months out of the year, you would too…unless you’re a snowbird},  I love how whimsical and fresh Saltwater’s summer line looks.

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