Trend Spotting: Winter Shorts

Im pretty bored with my same ol' uniform (skinnies, heels, cardi, tee) and thinking Im going to give this look a whirl! What are your thoughts? 

Winter shorts: fashion victim or fashionista? 

Does this sound familiar?

Running late...hung over..too much red wine....that extra 30 minutes of beauty rest left you 15 minutes to put on your best face...

Having been in this very predicament so often - and being around 100's of beauty products as a buyer, Ive had the luxury to try and test the best high end and budget friendly cosmetics and beauty products that offer a quick fix in a pinch.  

Add these 3 must haves to your cosmetic drawer STAT!

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DULL, RED, TIRED EYES?

Solution: nude-pink pencil lined in the inner rim

JNSQ Pick = Smashbox Double Ended Eye Brightener $19.99

Drugstore budget = Almay Bright Eyes $7.48

YELLOWING TEETH? LACKLUSTER SMILE?

Solution: blue lip gloss

JNSQ Pick = Kevyn Aucoin Cyber Gloss $27

Drugstore budget = Wet 'n Wild MegaBrillance Lip Gloss, Iced Blue $7.50

GREASY LOCKS, NO TIME TO SHAMPOO?

Solution: dry hair powder

JNSQ Pick = Bumble and Bumble Hair Power $44

Drugstore Budget = Batiste Dry Shampoo, Blush $5.00

In Everything

Give Thanks

photo here

Celebrating 1 of the several Thanksgiving's this month - this weekend. And you heard it here first - I am cooking, and we are hosting my family from Idaho and Florida (by way of Illinois).

Besides being thankful for family - I am extremely thankful for the Decorista's post on: 

"How to Properly Set a Table"

the "casual" setting

the "formal" setting.

Im opting for the casual setting for many reasons including space limitations (sitting 8 at a 6 person table) and not having all of the formal dining ware (Im getting really close!) Plus this family shindig will be more buffet style, in a classy way.

The first snapshot as a semi-set "casual table" for dinner tomorrow

Yes, I like gold - lots of it - and muted palettes for my table. One fun fact: the china and silver was my grandmothers, and my mother used to eat off of it as a child. I use it for my everyday (handwash of course!)  - it makes me feel like Im continuing tradition and that a little piece of my family is with me.

Wonderful weekend wishes! 

Eat and Drink: M's Fried Green Tomatoes

Fried green tomatoes are a staple in the southern diet, and they are now a staple in mine! This was my first attempt at making this delicious sultry side. I found a recipe online and edited to make it my own (a tad healthier and tastier in my opinion!). I had the green tomatoes conveniently from my garden and a perfect occasion - Wednesday Girls Night - where we cook - based on a theme - which just happened to be "Southern Food". Hope you try this recipe - it truly was a mouth watering surprise!

Ingredients:

• 4 green tomatoes (or red ones, but make sure they aren't overripe or they will be mushy) 
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup milk (I used almond milk!)
• 1 cup bread crumbs (I made homemade and will post the recipe below)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• dash of rep pepper flake
• oil for frying (I used grapeseed oil, you can use olive or vegetable oil depending on health consciousness)
• fresh or canned corn
• 2 fresh jalapenos (seeded and chopped)
• Chalula (I use Garlic Chili - regular will work)

Spicy Corn Salsa

Directions:

1. pour corn into food processor or blender
2. add jalepeno
3. add sauce (like 6 shakes)
4. pulse until finely chopped
5. set aside and start tomatoes

M's Fried Green Tomatoes

Directions:

1. slice tomatoes into 1/4 inch thick pieces 
2. whisk eggs and milk in separate bowl
3. add flour to separate bowl
4. add bread crumbs to separate bowl
5. heat in large skillet oil - deep enough to cover tomatoes to fry. splash a little water - if it dances - oil is hot enough
6. dip tomatoes in flour, then breadcrumbs covering both surfaces 

7. arrange tomatoes in skillet 

       8. fry for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brow

M's Bread Crumbs

Directions:

1. tear up a loaf of day old french, sour, any type of bread.
2. bake, or to speed up the process, broil for 5-7 minutes (watch so they dont actually cook, but lightly toast)
3. add pieces of toasted bread to food processor with 2 tsp of sea salt, dash of red pepper flake, garlic powder, fresh herbs (I added rosemary and oregano - what I had fresh from my herb garden) you can add whatever you want to this actually!
4. add bread in batches to food processer until finely chopped

She has that "JeNeSeQua": Gwyneth Paltrow

Its no question - anyone that knows me is aware of my adoration for Gwyneth!

She dazzled me even more with her much buzzed about performance debut on the 44th Annual Country Music Awards, singing "Country Song" from the movie she stars in with the same name (in theaters 12/22).

Not only was she in tune, but she was rocking a fab dress, strumming on the guitar flawlessly, and showing off those amazing legs I spend hours in the gym trying to achieve. She also mentioned in an interview before the show that she "had a pint of Guinness to calm her nerves at a pub right before.." She is no diva!

The jury is still out and some report she stole the show from other performers with just her presence alone, bringing viewers to television that would otherwise watch (all the while getting the stink eye from other country starlets!) So whats the problem with that? The appearance was brilliantly planned by the CMA's.

You can hear for yourself and decide on your own volition.

One more thing: you also better believe I will be tuning into Glee, for the very first time, to watch her guest appearance next Tuesday. Hate her or love her, Gwyneth Paltrow has that je ne sais quoi!

Maison: Seattle Thrift and Flea

One of my all time, absolute FAV-O-RITE pass times is to scour thrift and flea markets in search of trinkets, treasures and things from the past. As they say "one mans trash is another mans treasure!". And its so true - often people dont realize what they have thrown out or given away - or they do and its overpriced. Im giving you a few of my secret spots that dont over price -  where you can overindulge!

DELUXE JUNK - FREMONT

3518 Fremont Pl N

you cant miss this place - right on the main drag in Fremont, Seattle -

the large sign in the front is iconic on it own merit!

from classic "English Country" chair $150

"old Paris" lamps $100

to a "DiYers Dream" old photographs, wallpaper, buttons,
chinese paper lanterns, stencils

the owners

This place sells items that are far from junk! Deluxe Junk has something to offer everyone at a very affordable prices. Into 1950's and earlier clothing? They've got it! Into Chinoiserie? Americana? Hollywood glam? French country? Kitsch? There is something for everyone here. 

PACIFIC ANTIQUE GALLERIES - SEATTLE

241 S. Lander St. 

a bit more upscale than Deluxe Junk, but you can sure wheel and deal with the 100's of vendors displaying their collections - from Old World European, Mid-century, to French Country and Glam. 

 affordable & adorable french country outdoor furniture 

$250 for the set!

underwater creature collectables from $10-$100

French Limoge Fish-12 piece set for only $250!

(Ive seen this on Ebay for $3.5k!)

odds and ends silver - $10 or less each 

(great for dinner parties)

Foo Dogs - $300

Chanel signs, mirrored bar for your boudoir..oolala!

(price upon request)

English Gentleman Wingback, vintage model boats, and trophy's

for the man..(price upon request)

Dorothy Draper-esque mid century 

buffet's, serving trays and tete' tete chairs


I have heart palpitations with every visit. I fallen completely in love with everything here and its energy. Whether looking to take a stroll through or needing design inspiration, this is a must stop if living or visting in Seattle. Dont forget if you see something you like, wheel and deal!


EARTHWISE - 
ARCHITECTUAL SALVAGE
3447 4th Ave South

As the name indicates - this architectural salvage yard is a graveyard for window panes, doors, tubs, toilets, old street signs, lumber, granite counter tops, outdoor garden, old street lights
...list goes on and on and on.

old street signs, topiary's, garden goods

I wanted to take this home, and rewire it! only $300.

old windows=amazing DiY art

old fencing=bed frame?

signs and arches

tubs are great ice buckets for parties! (at least in my wildest dreams)


Earthwise's mission is to take salvage that would otherwise fill up our landfills. 
They buy, sell, trade, and rent items from the 1950's or earlier. (for all you home owners rehabbing!)
If I owned a house, I would be going here for crystal door knobs, light fixtures, mirrors, and of course a clawfoot tub. 

Hope you enjoyed a tour of some of my favorite flea markets and thrift stores in the Seattle area. PLEASE fill me in on others I should visit and document - especially in other major cities. 

J'Adore Angeline Melin

Ive become slightly obsessed with Parisien artist Angeline Melin's illustrations. 

She somehow seems to capture my very own sentiment in each illustration. 

however I can only dream of being as fashionably fabulous as this cartoon 

version who I believe is Melin herself!

Are you dying yet? 

Impossibly adorable. 

for more of Angeline's work and humor - visit her website! You can thank me later ;)