No I didn't forget you...

I just blatantly ignored you for two weeks. That's what happens when you have midterms followed by spring break. I know someone out there is saying "Boo hoo! I hold a full-time job, go to school, blah blah blah ..." trust me, I know. But I'm just not as talented as you. And before you point out that I could have written during spring break, I'm going to point out that I was busy sleeping. I admit it, I was guilty of the deadly sin known as sloth. I regret nothing!! There is just a point in your life when after a week of going day to day with three hours of sleep and an addiction to coffee requires you to recuperate with LOTS of sleep. That first night I think I got over 12 hours it...!


Moving along...
I can honestly say I was on a picture collecting kick during my time off. At first glance one would believe they have no relation due to color schemes, but then you give key words and it all makes sense: weddings (my sis is getting married), Disney princess, Lolita... Overly girly things trending in my picture folders? You bet ya! But I'm picky. I can't just like the picture, I have to love it. Whether due to the details that are shown, the movement of the subject, the composition, doesn't matter. If I'm going to bog down my computer's memory, I need to do it for justifiable reasons. Here are some of the best justifications:

This is the image I always get in my head whenever I listen to Michale Buble's Moondance.

Makes you wanna have a Disney Princess moment, huh?!

I would like these NOW, please and thank you.

Love this look!

OMG! The rich jewel tones are making me swoon!

Believe it or not, this is kind of what I look like. Not the bangs though. Haven't had any that thick since the sixth grade. Kind of want them back now...

One question before I end this post: Socks and heels? I'm wearing them today and I've had two responses so far. Two people have complimented me and my older sis told me I looked like an immigrant (German or Polish, you take your pick). I think there's a certain whimsy that goes with it. What do you think?

What do you do...

When you crave brownies, but are missing ingredients? This was my dilemma on Sunday night. I had the mix, the eggs and the water, but no veggie oil. I had olive oil (EVOO if you watch Rachel Ray), but I wasn't sure that it would be a good substitute. To the internet! Upon doing some quick research I found that the best substitute was apple sauce (healthier too), and it's equal conversion - 1/2 cup oil equals 1/2 cup apple sauce. Excellent! Great success! I have no apple sauce. I have apples though...

5 minutes later I've sliced two apples, put them in a food processor (mine holds about two cups - it's so cute!), hit the button, and once I got the apples finely "processed" I added half a cup or so of hot water (microwaved for a minute), and hit the button again for about 30 seconds top a minute. Eh voila! Quick, home made apple sauce for baking brownies! I felt like Martha Stewart. Look at me and my bad self, going all improve in the kitchen. After that it was a simple follow the directions deal. Only downside is that it takes a bit longer to bake since there's water in the apple sauce that needs to be baked out - is that even a term? - as well.

End Result?:
A much fluffier - cake like even - and moister brownies than I have ever baked. And yes, the picture is one I took of the final results.

As for all of you people that actually look at my blog for some kind of inspiration or fashion info (probably not many but whatev's), I have one name for you: John Galliano. My God, he's got the fashion world in a tizzy! Remember kids anti-semitic comments will get you fired from both Dior - one of the biggest names in fashion since forever - and your own label (sucks to be owned by share holders). It's sad really. His designs were so beautiful. Ah well, time for a new name in fashion to take the world by storm!! Who's it gunna be?




Speaking of fashion, it's time to start looking at what the worlds best are showing for this fall (that's right, we might not have had day light savings yet, but we are already designing for fall). It seems the trends are looking to underground influences this season, what with McQueen's bondage like leather and lace meets Elizabethan renaissance, Betsey Johnson's rocker girl and John Galliano's speak-easy club numbers, it would seem that next fall is going to be a bit darker and grungier in the most glamorous ways.
Dior
Chanel
Betsey Johnson
Alexander McQueen
John Galliano

P.S. it was high heeled rain boots, peter pan collars and traditional looking monogram bags at Louis Vitton; peacock-like, Georgian elegance at Emillio Pucci; and a good dose of secretary meets uptown boy dapper-ness over at Jason Wu.

P.P.S. Issac Mizrahi had poodles!

About them Oscars...

The show itself was just ok. It was the biggest night in the industry, and something about it made me think of the kind of shows you see at high school or college: Good, but not the spectacle you expect. At least the fashion was phenomenal!
As per the nature of this blog, I would like to share some of my favs with you all:
Cate Blanchett
Anne Hathaway - particularly the Armani

Hailee Steinfeld

Helen Mirren

And the best costume was definitely Helena Bonham Carter. It looked like a renaissance princess meets goth underground. I would wear it (not to the Oscars, but...).

I also enjoyed how the mens' uniform of the year was a black tux with a black bow tie. A few deviated, but most showed up in it. And they all looked smashing!

In other news: The weather in Chi-town is magnificent!!! Too bad it's supposed to go back to crap this weekend... Oh, well.