Glittering Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to those who are celebrating!  Wishing you a safe, restful day to share some gratitude with those who are most special to you.  And what is a holiday without a bit of sparkle?

{A glittery manicure of Essie Clam Bake tipped with gold glitter glue}

Enjoy the day,

Alicia

A Dish to Pass

Such a busy time of year (hence the limited posts lately, sorry!).  With Thanksgiving approaching in the next couple of days, I have finally narrowed down my contribution. They are two of my favorites beginning with Beet Salad ( a special request by my mother for my father who also shares my love of beets).  You might remember my post/recipe for beet salad last year. 

{My assembled beet salad. I may add pears as well for Thanksgiving}

Up next is a cranberry baked brie recipe that I will be trying out, although I am planning to revamp the recipe a bit and make brie en croute (because who can resist some additional buttery crust?)

{recipe via}

Have a safe, restful Thanksgiving.
xo, Alicia

Crème brûlée Oatmeal

Dessert and breakfast combined?  Nothing is better.  I ordered my favorite creme brulee oatmeal for brunch with the girls over the weekend and it never disappoints; it consists of a base of plain oatmeal topped with sliced bananas and creamy custard with crackly brulee topping.  It was so enticing and delicious I almost forgot to take a photo but luckily I remembered before I got too carried away:

Below is a recipe from Camille Styles to create a similar version at home.  I haven't tried it yet, but with winter coming soon, it may become a weekend staple.  I hope you'll try it too.


Bruléed Oatmeal with Berries & Almonds

*serves 4

• 4 cups water
• 1 cup steel-cut oats
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• raspberries and chopped almonds (or whatever fruit and nuts you like!)

1. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil; stir in oatmeal and salt. Cook over low heat partially covered, simmering and stirring often, until almost all liquid has been absorbed and oats are al dente, about 45 minutes. Stir in vanilla and cinnamon.
2. Transfer oatmeal to 4 ovenproof ramekins or mason jars. Preheat broiler.
3. Stir together sugars, and sprinkle evenly over tops of oatmeal. Place ramekins on baking sheet, and broil until sugar melts and forms a crust, about 2 minutes. Top with berries and nuts.

photo by: Belle Maison Et Moi

Recipe via camillestyles.com

The Perfect Host

With the holidays approaching, our schedules are bound to start filling up with invitations to special soirees. What to bring for your hostess (or host), especially those who seem to have everything?  This predicament is more common than not, so I've generated a list of ideas that you may want to consider gifting a gracious hostess/host in your life.

{Macaron Cafe French Macaron Small NYC Box $16}

  

{'Malice' nail polish From Chanel's Holiday Look 2012}

 

{Marc Jacobs 100% Cashmere Fingerless Gloves in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot $35}

 



{Or skip the gloves and go right for Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label with gift box $39.99}

{A gift for him...Peter Luger's 6-piece Steak Sauce  (my steak loving husband approves) $45}

{Mrs. Prindable's 2-Pack Petite Candy Coated Apple Gift $19.95. These are incredibly delicious!}

{Diptyque mini candle $28}

Have a lovely weekend. xo, Alicia

Heartwarming

Have you seen the new commercial for Carter's (the children's clothing company)?  I've seen it a few times this week and wanted to share it just in case you've missed it.  I typically despise commercials as most of us do I'm sure but this commercial is heartwarming and almost brings a tear to the eye.  It's narrated by a little girl which makes it all the more sweet.  Enjoy!

Fashion Films

As a lifelong fashion fanatic, I was thrilled to find a series of fashion documentaries on Netflix a few weeks ago.  These films have been released for a while now, so admittedly I'm a bit behind the times I suppose.  So far, I've indulged in three films:

The September Issue (2008)

A documentary about the legendary September issue of (American) Vogue magazine but also about the long-time professional relationship between Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and Fashion Director Grace Coddington.

Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008)

A documentary about the legendary Valentino Garavani from age 70 leading up to his final couture show.  Lovely cinematography, very stylish.


Bill Cunningham New York (2010)

A day to day look at photographer Bill Cunningham's inspiration on the streets of New York City and a glimpse at the backstory of the man behind the camera.

I hope you have some time to relax with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and enjoy each of these inspiring films...

photos via: collegeprepster.com and racked.com

Make Me Pretty

A few recent purchases to transition my skincare and makeup from summer/fall to fall/winter. A creamier foundation, a brighter blush, a hydrating serum, and a few samples including a new unreleased Chanel mascara that is set to launch in late November.  So far, the mascara is wonderful and creates a false lash look with just one swipe.

{Chanel blush in Pink Explosion}

{Samples of Le Blanc skin corrector (have been wanting to try this forever!) and a cleanser}

{Caudalie Vinosource Serum S.O.S. Lightweight yet more hydrating than my other Caudalie fave Vinopure Matifying Fluid}

It's Not Too Late...

A photo through our front window of the first signs of very faint and fleeting snowfall in New York:

Feeling fortunate that this fleeting, insignificant snowfall is all we are contending with.  Prayers and well wishes to those heavily impacted by Hurricane Sandy.  Our cousins in Hoboken, NJ have been greatly impacted but are on the road to recovery...we are told by our family that at many gas stations in NJ there is a 3-6 hour wait for gas!

If you haven't considered donating to the American Red Cross, please take a moment to do so.  It's not too late! I just made my donation on Sunday.  You can visit here if you wish to make a donation.

xo,

Alicia