Retail Therapy

After a particularly long and trying day at work yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised to find long awaited packages I had ordered from Nordstrom and Rebecca Taylor waiting for me when I arrived home...

{A sweet little silver heart sticker sealing the tissue paper in the package from Rebecca Taylor}

{Rebecca Taylor Silk Reptilian Tee available here}

{Sam Edelman Petty Booties in 'Putty' available here}

Wu Me

I love nearly every collection designer Jason Wu releases each season and one of my favorite classic style/beauty icons, Olivia Chantecaille, is known to be a huge fan of his clothing:



A few of my favorite pieces from Jason Wu's spring 2013 collection:

Recently I discovered that he designed a less expensive collection for Nordstrom called Miss Wu.  While still bit pricey, if you're looking for a fashion splurge, you may want to consider an item from this line. These are a few favorites:

photos: collage 1, collage 2, collage 3

Cheers!

Wishing you an elegant and fancy New Years Eve. Cheers!

xoxo, Alicia

A Flurry of Photographs

The snow continues to fall here in New York and it has made for a magical feeling this season.  It makes decorating this time of year that much fun too! Lately, I have been watching the delicate snow fall through our living room windows and it's as if looking into our own personal snow globe.  How about a glimpse?

Around our neighborhood:

{A snowy sidewalk path}

{Beautiful snow fall on a stone wall}

{Mesmerized by the glow of this nearly snow covered Nativity scene down the street from us}

{Lucky to own a pair of Sorel boots...thanks mom!}

{Gigi looking lovely in her new coat. Red is definitely one of her colors!}

Around our home:

{A glittery frosty winter wreath on our door}

{Snowy window pane in our mudroom highlighting the beauty of our decorative succulents}

In My World

I hope you are enjoying the holidays.  Here is a little peek at what has been happening in my little world:

{A surprise from Mr. Belle Maison Et Moi!}

{Our tree, pre-ornaments}



{Our gift wrap details...my favorite color scheme and tags out of the bunch}

{Piglet's plush new bed from my parents. She couldn't be cozier}

{Gigi's elegant new coat from my parents. She looks more beautiful in the snow, it makes the red pop!}

{A homemade beet salad in attempts to erase all the indulgent eating and to start the new year right...}

See you tomorrow with some New Year's inspiration!

xo, Alicia



Funfetti Oreo Cupcakes

This is an incredibly fun recipe that I tried for my sister-in-law's birthday recently.  I'm not a cake lover but I do love a cupcake!  "What's the difference between cake and a cupcake?" people ask me all of the time with a puzzled expression. To me, there is a huge difference: the texture, the portability, the automatic portion control, and the pure fun of peeling away the (hopefully decorative) wrapper, typically ending up with a dab of frosting on the tip of the nose.

This was such a fun project that my mom and I worked on together from picking out the cupcake wrappers, finding a big enough bakery box to transport the cupcakes, adapting the steps of the super simple recipe, the photography (great work mom!), and tying it all up with a simple ribbon.

{No birthday is complete without a beautifully wrapped gift!}

 

Funfetti Oreo Cupcakes

Adapted from Birthday Cake Oreo Funfetti Cupcakes by Megan's Munchies

1 box of Pillsbury Funfetti Cake Mix
1 container of Betty Crocker Rainbow Chip Frosting (the best & hard to fine!!)
3 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 cup water
1 package of Oreo cookies (Birthday Cake Oreos if you can find them, I could not)
cupcakes wrappers
rainbow sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

For the Cake:
With a hand or stand mixer, combine the oil, water, eggs, and cake mix. I add just a pinch more oil to keep the cake from getting dry. 

Place the cupcake wrappers in the cupcake tin and place an Oreo at the bottom of each cup.  Fill with batter to 3/4 full.

Bake for 19 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.  The cupcakes will be lightly golden. Cool completely.

For the Frosting:
Scoop the filling out of the center of about 6 -8 Oreo cookies (save the cookie pieces & crush them up to sprinkle on top of the frosting for decoration), add to the Rainbow Chip frosting and mix. 

Assembly:
Carefully frost the cooled cupcakes leaving a bit of a border around the edge and sprinkle with cookie crumbs first, followed by rainbow sprinkles. 

Enjoy!

Winter Skin Comforts

'Tis the season for dry, two sizes too small skin whether it be on your face or your body.  The products below have been tested on my VERY sensitive, dry skin with success. I hope if you try any of them you find comfort in them too.

1.) Chanel Lait Confort Cleansing Milk for Face and Eyes {$45}

I received a sample of this and was hesitant to try it as I have tried cleansing milks in the past and they were terrible at making my skin feel clean and also left a greasy layer behind.  Wow!  Much to my surprise (and I don't know why I was so surprised considering this is a Chanel products) the cleansing milk was an opaque white that spread easily and rinsed clean.  The most remarkable thing about the cleanser is that it did not have one bit of waxy consistency and for those of you have used creamy cleansers (ahem...such as the one so often recommended by dermatologists) you will know what I mean.  A bit expensive, but a small amount will do and your 'visage' will thank you.


2.) Chantecaille Fruit and Flower Acids Mask {$86}

A gentle yet effective mask for dissolving dead, dry skin much like exfoliation but without the harshness.  Beneficial to use 2-4 times per month, in my opinion depending on how much exfoliation you prefer.  Again, a bit expensive, but this is a generous jar of product and lasts quite a while as it's not used daily.

3.) South of France Shea Butter Soap {$4.99}

A pure, natural vegetable based soap that is hydrating and smells gender neutral and just plain clean!  All of the South of France soaps are wonderful, but I find this is the most hydrating for the colder months.

4.) Nivea Essentially Enriched Body Lotion {$7.49}

A classic lotion that hydrates well and not with a waxy or greasy feel.  Mine is the version with a pump so it makes it quick and easy to use after bathing.


5.) Beauty Secrets Nail Matrix Cuticle Oil {$6.99}

A longtime favorite and dual purpose: moisturizes cuticles as well as instantly dries polish without smudging it.  Very cost effective and smells like sweet almond oil! I usually purchase mine at Sally Beauty Supply.

6.) Estee Lauder 'Re-Nutriv' Intensive Smoothing Hand Creme {$50}

Another WOW moment for me when I tried this!  Sinks in immediately and is not greasy one bit...the hydration even lasts through hand washing.  Absolutely fabulous product plus I like the simple packaging with the fancy gold cap!

Please consider trying these products this winter and perhaps even gifting some of the fancier items! I think you or whomever you gift these items to would be oh so appreciative.

Stayed tuned for Funfetti Oreo Cupcakes tomorrow!

xo, Alicia

photos: 1,2,6; 3,4; 5