Live Your Life Stylishly July 2011 by Alex Valenzuela

Live Your Life Stylishly July 2011

Premiere Issue

ONLY

The ONLINE BLOGAZINE where you can ďŹ nd everything you need to live your life as

STYLISH as possible!

JUMP

into all things

stylish for summer!

Home Decor In Every Issue

Ta b le o f C o n te n ts

Fashion & Beauty

Editor’s Letter

Tempered Brights

A Special Thanks

Meet This Month’s Bloggers

Gel Manicures

Ombre Hair

Exile on Main Street

A Few of My Favorite Things

29 2

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Interiors to Inspire

The Art of Living... Getting Glamourous

Indoor/ Outdoor Succulent Centerpiece

34 Like it or Leave It: Moroccan Poufs

DIY Ideas Shopping Cynthia Vincent Flagship Store

Top Swimsuits under $30

Summer Stripes and Brights

Mexico Wish List

Braided Hex Nut Necklace

Hand-Painted Neon Crystal Earrings

Handmade Bangle

18 Snake Wrap Bracelet

Cooking Stinky Cheeses

The Classic Cookie

48 Homemade Pistachio Pudding

Perfect Guacamole

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A note from Stylelista

wo years ago when I came up with the idea of

Live Your Life Stylish, I never would have thought it would come to life in such an incredible way! I have been a fashion blogger for three years myself, and know that there are infintie number of blogs but no filters to ones that relate to what a specific readers wants. I thought, â&#x20AC;&#x153;well what if there was a site, better yet an online blog-azine, that did the filtering for you?â&#x20AC;? Everything you need to know to be stylish from fashion to beauty to shopping to cooking to home decor and compiled these blog posts into a monthly online magazine type of site. Thus came the idea of Live Your Life Stylishly. With amazing posts from only the most stylish bloggers, I have handpicked every article ensuring that is only the most stylish! I want to thank everyone who has made this dream come a reality and remember you are all stylelistas at heart! XOXO

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A Special Thanks....

want to give a special thanks to every single person that has helped make this dream a

reality. My family who has believed in my every step of the way and supported me through thick and thin. Every single one of my professors at AI Phoenix who have steered me to the professional direction I am at today, I would be nowhere without all the knowledge you taught me. All of my friends who have been there for me during the toughest times and the greatest times, I thank god each and every one of you are in my life. Finally to all my readers, if it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t for all the positive feedback and response I got from Stylelista Confessions, Live Your Life Stylishly would not have been able to come alive. Thank you to everyone who has helped me and stood by me, this issue is for you!

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Meet This Month’s Bloggers Michelle from All Lacquered Up Welcome to All Lacquered Up. I’m Michelle, a self-proclaimed lacquer fanatic and your guide to nail info, tips and tricks. All Lacquered Up is the web’s first nail focused beauty blog and an outlet to share my intense love of color and all things nails. Regular features include nail trends, nail lacquer collection reviews and industry insider interviews. With a readership of over 200,000 visitors a month, the site has grown to become the go-to resource for everything nail related.

Katherine and Hillary from Who What Wear WhoWhatWear.com is your immediate access to fashion as portrayed by the world's finest trendsetters. You will get daily reports on our favorite new trends the moment they hit the runways, the courtyard at the Chateau, or even the parking lot at Maxfield. The opinions expressed on WhoWhatWear.com are strictly our own. We will not plug, sell, or post anything about anything that we aren't particularly fond of. Enjoy!

Kathryn from The Budget Fashionista Founded in 2003, TBF is a fashion blog dedicated to helping you live your best for less. We give you the 411 on the latest fashion trends & tips and sample sales.

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Cassandra from coco+kelley Cassandra LaValle is the editor behind the style blog coco+kelley where she explores trends in fashion, decor and entertaining, highlighting pieces that exude classic design and glamour. As a designer, she consults clients across the globe on styling their homes and private events from her offices in Seattle. Coco+kelley has been recognized by editors at Martha Stewart, House Beautiful and Sunset Magazine, and was honored to be listed on the London Times 50 Best Design Blogs.

Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere I work full-time on my blog, which includes several partnerships, design collaborations and web consulting. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m also the Style Director for Beso.com. I am also writing a book and continuing my collaberations with various companies.

Joanna from A Cup of Jo

I'm a magazine writer and blogger in New York, where I live with my husband and baby son. Here's my professional website, and my Beso baby/kid picks.

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Meet This Month’s Bloggers The Man Repeller MAN·RE·PELL·ER1 [MAHN-REE-PELLER] –noun outfitting oneself in a sartorially offensive way that will result in repelling members of the opposite sex. Such garments include but are not limited to harem pants, boyfriend jeans, overalls (see: human repelling), shoulder pads, full length jumpsuits, jewelry that resembles violent weaponry and clogs.

Kristina from Pretty Shiny Sparkly Kristina is the voice behind the fashion & personal style blog Pretty Shiny Sparkly, a girly confection of personal style outfits, fashion trends, shopping hauls, and more. PSS is a daily outlet celebrating the feminine aesthetic–and a sparkly thing or two. With no background in fashion more than a childhood obsession for fashion catalogues and magazines before the internet, Kristina is the real girl’s everygirl, boiling down the latest trends and making them her own–and completely wearable. Her readers are loyal and appreciate her sense of style, savvy shopping, and sharp wit.

Pamela from La Dolce Vita

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Paloma Contreras is the founder and editor-inchief of High Gloss Magazine as well as the creator of the style blog, La Dolce Vita, which has garnered attention from loyal readers around the world and has been featured in multiple publications including The Washington Post, Better Homes & Gardens, 002 Houston, and AOL’s ShelterPop. La Dolce Vita was founded in the summer of 2007 as a summer respite from Paloma’s former career as a high school Spanish teacher. Paloma’s passion for the sweet life is reflected in the topics she explores daily from interior design, fashion and intriguing people to fabulous food and travel destinations. An enduring love of magazines, creative writing and the pursuit of a stylish life prompted her to create High Gloss magazine: an online publication with the mission of providing readers with stylish inspiration for every facet of life. High Gloss has been featured on Curbed National, Casa Sugar, AOL’s ShelterPop, and The Wall Street Journal’s WSJ.com. Paloma lives in Houston with her husband Fabian and their adorable dog, Tate.

Kathryn from Sweet Tea and Champagne Welcome to Sweet Tea and Champagne! Also known as my little outlet of fabulous fashion finds, sweet treats, and everything in between. Up until this past summer, I never wanted to explore beyond the state lines, and I definitely didn’t want to move any farther north. Too cold and filled with Yankees. Oh how ignorant I was. I was given the fabulous opportunity to intern with Diana Warner Studio in the heart of Manhattan for the summer. What an experience it was. Something I wouldn’t have changed for the world. In a nutshell, I fell in love with the city. I’m talking head over heels. In fact the reason I decided to start a blog is because of New York. Want a detailed account of everything that happened to me this summer? — well to an extent? Visit my Summer in the City blog here. In the future, I want to bring to Tennessee a little bit of New York City and to New York City a little bit of Tennessee. I believe there can be a happy medium.

Julie from Belle Maison belle maison is french for "beautiful home." as an interior designer, I started this blog to catalog my finds, hoping to inspire others by sharing fabulous resources, articles and photographs. enjoy and please visit again!

Joy from Joy The Baker I’m Joy. I’m a baker. Had you guessed as much? I’m currently hurtling towards my thirties, trying to show the world, and my kitchen,what’s what. I’m a self taught/ family taught/ taste buds taught baker. I grew up in the kitchen in between my father, who makes a mean Sweet Potato Pie, and my mother, who makes a really weird purple hot dog casserole… don’t ask. Between my kitchen loving parents, the clinking cake pans, and the flying flour, it became clear that baking is in my blood. Live Your Life Stylishly

Meet This Month’s Bloggers Ashlina from The Decorista

A Texas girl now living in sunny Los Angeles. I love Jesus! I dream of designing hotels + movie sets and writing books about it. I also dream of teaching art to kids. For now, I am putting my interior design degree to work at on of LA’s top design firms. When I’m not at work I am vintage shopping, tackling DIY projects + taking on decor clients. I am doing my best to make it a business. ITS WHAT I LOVE TO DO. I love redecorating my apartment to fit my mood. Hence, thedecorista.com! I aim to inspire everyone to decorate their home, have dinner parties and leave their comfort zone! I especially want to inspire other designers, because our field rocks! These are my secrets...

Erica and Lauren from Honestly...WTF Erica Chan Coffman Designer of The 2 Bandits by day. Author of Honestly...WTF by night. Citizen of SF, NYC and LA. Lover of elephants, aspen trees, the Lakers and anything handcrafted. Addict of boots, jewelry, lace and cotton candy. Lauren Kolodny Fashion stylist by day. Author of Honestly...WTF by night. Citizen of LA, Madrid and NYC. Lover of my camera, nature and anything that reminds me of my grandparents. Addict of gchat, color and tortilla española.

Kiley from A Sequin Dress at Breakfast Welcome to my lovely little distraction where I talk about all the things that make me happy. This includes frilly dresses, amazing shoes, all things chocolate, marshmallow, and sprinkled, perfectly polished fingers and toes, sparkly jewelry, polka dots, my Shu Eurema eyelash curler, French macaroons, warm sunny days and hot sandy beach trips, new mags arriving in the mail, and of course…sequin dresses. 10

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Jennine Jacob got her first job — as a strawberry picker — just to buy clothes. Years later, she typed “fashion” and “blogs” into Google and became hooked on blogs about style. She started her own fashion blog, The Coveted, in 2007, and decided it was her new career path. A few months later, finding no organized support for would-be pro fashion bloggers, she launched Independent Fashion Bloggers, a community where bloggers can share their questions, concerns and tips for successful blogging. She most recently launched eat, sleep, denim, a personal style blog devoted entirely to denim and sponsored by online retailer Shopbop. Jennine currently lives in New York City with her husband, Rocky.

Jeannine from The Coveted

Adiel from It’s Because I Think Too Much Adiel is a twenty-something woman originally from the Salt Lake City area of Utah. She moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2009 for a job in social shopping--a perfect fit for such a social-media enthusiast and shopaholic! She likes bows, ruffles, pleats, polka dots, stripes, lace, mascara, and bright lip colors. She alsoloves to wear are skirts, dresses and sky-high heels. Quirky and whimsical accessories make her happy. It's because I think too much began as a place for Adiel to talk about that she had on her mind. Over the years, Adiel's interests have evolved and, therefore, so has the focus of the blog. Today, we explore the life & style of this seasoned shopaholic with a strict budget as she swoons over the things she’s

Rebekah from A Bit of Sunshine

Hello I’m Rebekah the lucky bride of Mr. Gough. And stay at home mama to three little sunshine’s. We live in beautiful city of Seattle. I blog about design, diy, photography, my husband, and anything that makes me smile even when skies are grey.

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Meet This Monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bloggers Kirsten of Studs and Pearls I am a New Yorker, a graduate student, a DIY fashionblogger, a jewelry designer at Limette, and a music photographer. I am also a monthly DIY writer at We Heart This and a fashion expert at Wishpot. A caffeine addict and a lover of all things creative.

Megan from Mimi + Meg MIMI+MEG mainly focuses on interiors, fashion, art, travel and trends. Other passions such as health, fitness, food, and entrepreneurial topics sometimes make an appearance. With original content such as Celebrate 2011, Megan adds a personal element as well as original content for her readers.

Anna Jane from See Jane

A 26 year old who loves her family, friends, laughing, sarcasm, style, cooking, and the occasional DIY.

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Stylelista’s Summer Must Haves

Sam Edelman “Gigi” Sandals

Essie “Brazilliant” Summer 2011 Collection

Benefit Cosmetics Coralista Blush

Ray-ban Aviator Sunglasses

Clinique SPF 45 Targeted Protection Stick

Marc by Marc Jacobs Q Hillier Hobo Live Your Life Stylishly

By Honestly...WTF

D. I . Y Bra i d e d H e x Nu t Ne c k l ac e

We’re nuts for nuts. Is there a more versatile and inexpensive DIY component than a hex nut from the hardware store? You can imagine our excitement when we first discovered Philip Crangi’s Giles & Brother Hex Collection. Honestly, nuts braided into jewelry is WTF genius! With a few items that we always seem to have lying around, we tackled the technique and made our own spine-like braided hex nut wrap bracelet. You’ll need: - 3 strands of twine cut into one yard pieces - 18 small brass hex nuts - a bit of dexterity!

Gather the 3 strands of twine and tie a knot at the top, leaving about 2 inches of slack. Start braiding. At about an inch of the way down, you’ll begin braiding in the nuts. Before you braid the far left strand over the middle strand, thread on a nut, push it against the base of the braid, and crossover. Depending on the thickness of the twine, you can wrap tape around the bottom tips to prevent the twine from fraying

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Keep your thumb at the base of the braid, holding the nut in its place. Before you braid the far right strand over the middle, thread on another nut, push it against the base of the braid and crossover. Again, hold your thumb tightly against the base of the braid, keeping the nuts in place. Thread another nut onto the far left piece and crossover.

Repeat the steps, by threading the rest of the nuts to the outer pieces of twine before they are crossed over. Thread, cross, thread, cross. Finish the bracelet with another inch of braided twine and a knot.

The bracelet should wrap around your wrist at least two or three times. Trim it to your liking.

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D. I . Y Ha nd - Pa i n te d Ne o n C r y s tal E ar r i n g s

By: Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Because I Think Too Much

When I first set my eyes on these Ethno Teknik hand-painted Swarovski crystal earrings by Tom Binns, I knew I was going to have to figure out how to make these for myself, especially when I saw that $200 price tag. The wheels started turning and soon I had a plan. One visit to the craft store later and I was ready to go! Want to make your own? I'll tell you how I did it! Feel free to change up the "recipe" to suit your own style. Collect Your Materials You will need the following for this project: Rhinestone chain - I recommend buying silver/clear so you don't have to worry about color showing through the paint. Also, make sure the chain is long enough--I used 32 links. Assorted rhinestones - You can choose your preferred shape and colors Acrylic paint in colors of your choice - I used five different neon colors A paint brush - If possible, use a brush that is about the same size as the rhinestones A pair of earring posts and backs or clips - The pair this DIY is inspired by are actually clip-ons so you could easily go that route if you wanted. Glue - I ended up using two kinds, super and hot Metal snips Now Get DIYing! #1 Use the metal snips to cut four 8-link pieces. #2 Use your paintbrush to paint the tops of each rhinestone. Allow the paint to dry according the the directions on the paint. #3 While the paint is drying, you can use the super glue to attach your posts to the main rhinestone. Allow glue to dry before handling. #4 Once everything is dry, you can start to assemble your pieces. Use a small dot of hot glue to attach the ends of one rhinestone chain to each side of your main rhinestone at the points shown below. #5 Take the remaining chain and secure the ends to the 3 link down on each side. #6 When the glue is dry, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re good to go. Now add your new earrings to any outfit that needs a pop of spring color and go out to show off your handiwork! Congrats, you are one crafty lady who just saved about $180! Go you!

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Live Your Life Stylish-

By: A Bit of Sunshine

D. I . Y Han d m ade B an g l e

I have a super easy bracelet project for you this friday. I wanted to coordinate with my little easter bunny over the weekend so I put this together and thought I would share it with you before I sign off for the holiday! for the bracelet all you need is a bangle form. I picked this one up at JoAnnes for only a few dollars in the jewelry aisle you need strips of fabric in coordinating colors fabric glue rhinestones or other embellishments clothes pin

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1. start out by dabbing a big glob of glue onto the bangle form and then grab a strip of fabric and basically just start wrapping it evenly around adding a bit more glue as you go. No real secrets here just wrap the whole bracelet glue the end and hold it all together with a clothes pin while it is drying. 2. I made two silk rosettes with coordinating strips of silk fabric. There are ALL KINDS of tutorials on how to make these around the web and although I prefer to hand sew my rosettes for this easy project I chose to glue. Make a knot in the end of a strip of silk or coordinating fabric and add a dab of glue. The knot is going to be the center of the rosette. Just start twisting the fabric around on top of itself and add glue as you go. When you get to the end of the strip add a big dab of glue to the back to secure the end and let the whole thing dry. 3. Now that the rosettes and the bangle are pretty dry simply glue your rosettes and any other embellishments onto the bangle - I am using a matching rhinestone button and velvet leaf so that I can match Josie and her Easter headband. Obviously the skies the limit here guys

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By: Studs and Pearls

D I Y: S n ake Wrap B rac e l e t

This DIY starts off pretty crazy - but I promise the finished piece is way cooler! You might even have all of the supplies already...except the rubber snake. If you’re into accessories of any kind, I’m sure you’ve noticed the snake trend going on in rings, bracelets, necklaces, etc. It’s been around for a while, so I kind of wish I thought of this earlier - but it wouldn’t hurt to make it anyway. Supplies: - Rubber snake (Mine was $1) - Metallic spray paint (not shown) - Paintbrush & acrylic paint of the same color, optional - E6000/super glue - Snake chain (appropriately named!) * - Rhinestone flatbacks, optional - 2 coiled leather crimps - Several jump rings, at least one big one - Jewelry clasp - Jewelry pliers & scissors *My bracelet wraps around my wrist 3 times. My wrist measurement is 6.5 inches, and I used roughly 32 inches of chain (or 16 inches when folded in half). Since the snake head overlaps the tail, the entire snake component of the bracelet is 2.25 inches (aka the entire length of the tail) You can use my measurements to adjust accordingly, depending on the measurement of your wrist.

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1) Cut off the head (about 2 inches) and tail (about 2.25 inches). I threw away the rest of the snake before I could start feeling bad for an inanimate object. 2) Spray paint! You may have to pause in between layers, as it takes a few minutes for the paint to stick to the rubber. Repeat on the reverse side. 3) When that’s dry, you can touch up any missed spots with acrylic paint, if you’d like. 4) Carefully pierce a hole in the tail. I alternated using scissors and pliers. 5) Attach a jump ring. 6) Pierce a hole in the base of the head. Keep in mind that you’re going to be putting jump rings through these holes, so don’t make them too far from the edge. 6) Attach the largest jump ring. 7) Insert the chain through the jump ring on the tail. Take the ends of the chain and glue into the coiled crimps. (I didn’t have any gold crimps, but I had some silver ones on hand - however, whether or not you want them to match is totally up to you.) 8) Attach to the jewelry clasp with a jump ring. 9) Hook onto the jump ring in the head. 10) Glue the bottom of the head to the top of the tail. And if you’d like, glue rhinestones to the eyes. Live Your Life Stylishly

By: The Coveted

Twe lf t h S t re et b y C y n th i a Vi n c e n t AW 1 1 a nd F l ag s h i p Ope n i n g

Last week, LA based designer, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent opened up a New York boutique just down the street. Oh yah! I love the tribal Aztecan patterns and 70’s meets modern day collections Cynthia Vincent produces. It’s always such a treat and now they’re in the neighborhood. I’ve been delving, graduating, perhaps? Into the world of contemporary fashion these days, and there are a few brands that make unique pieces that fall into a somewhat affordable price point. Enough to make you think before purchasing, but not so much it kills your bank balance. I really love the story and the wearable nature of her collections, and the store is like visiting the a stylish friend’s studio apartment, it’s very cozy and full of little trinkets, you almost want to have a cup of coffee and chat with the sales people (I wouldn’t actually try it, they may kick me out! But hey, it’s happened before.) Right now, you can get a lovely tribal print maxi dress, and some great large totes, perfect for summer. Right now I have my eye on the strappy wedges, a woman can never have enough shoes!

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The Show Room… Believe it or not, we happened to check in on their upcoming collection in the fall (to start making the wish lists now!) Following the theme of tribal prints and Central American motifs, many of the pieces had a cool sophistication about them with a spritited twist. Again, I loved the bags and shoes as I’m on the hunt for the perfect, affordable bag at the moment, the price points for the bags are around $275-$495 which for a bag that will last a few years, a pretty good investment. I loved the embroidered satchel the most, as well as the prints in the clothing, it’s going to be a fun season for mixing and matching!

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By: The Budget Fashionista

S wi m sui t Fas h i o n : To p 3 0 U n de r $3 0

Look, most of us wear our swimsuits, once, maybe twice, a year. Therefore, you should NOT pay more than $30 bucks for a swimsuit. Period. it’s not like you’re Dara Torres (the amazing 40+ year old Olympic swimmer), training for some major competition. You just want to look cute around the pool or at the beach and you can definitely accomplish this goal for under $30.

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1. Xhileration Bikini, $14 2. Mossimo Tankini Swimsuit, $18 3. Merona Tankini Swimsuit, $30 4. Pleat Detail Swimsuit, $22.41 5. Ruched Halter Swimsuit, $30 6. Striped Swimsuit, $30 7. Floral Splatter Monokini, $20

16. Star Print Banded Halter Top and Bottom, $29 17. Sea Green Ruffle Bikini, $24 18. Ruffle Front Monokini, $21.50 19. Tattoo Leopard Monokini, $21.50 20. Arizona Tankini and Hipster, $30 21. Arizona Halter Top and Hipster, $20 22. Sequin Swimsuit, $29

8. Ikat Bandeau Bikini, $22

23. Star Triangle Swimsuit, $29

9. Z-Striped Front Bikini, $22

24. O Ring Monokini, $20,

10. Centallo Swimsuit, $25

25. Padded Triangle Top and Sporty Bikini, $30

11. Smotherman Swimsuit, $25

26. Jaclyn Smith Tank Style Swimdress, $27

12. Halter Top and Skirted Bottom, $30

27. Single Shoulder Swimdress, $27

13. Catalina Halther Top and Bottom, $20

28. Hawaiian Halter Bikini, $38,

14. Triangle Bikini Set, $29 15. Bright Stripe Twist Bandeau, $29

29. Malibu Dream Girl Keyhole Tankini, $30 30. Retro Bandeau Top and Bikini, $28,

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M e x i c o L i s t ( S e e J an e W i s h )

By: See Jane

1. Sunglasses 2. Hat 3. Top 4. Bag 5. Sandals 6. Dress 7. Bikini

The wedding is less than 30 days away. I'm actually quite calm; I think I was freaking out about things more a few months ago. However, I still need to get some things done that I hope to check off my list in the upcoming weeks. As per usual, instead of finishing up last minute details when I get home from work, I've been scouring the internet and looking for new things to buy for my week south of the border (I won't be wearing a wedding dress all week, you know).

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Show your inner glow.

Visit us at GlowingAge.com for a 30% discount on your online purchase.

www.GlowingAge.com

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By: Cupcakes and Cashmere

Te m p e re d B r i g h ts

1 . S h o es

2. Ea r r ings 3. We dge s 4. Clutc h

5 . Nai l P o l i s h 6 . B el t 7 . B as k et 8 . Tu rb an 9 . B racel et s 1 0 . L i p s t i ck

As evidenced by some of my recent outfits (exhibits a, b & c), I’ve been a lot more experimental lately when it comes to wearing brights. For those who are slightly color averse, accessories are a great jumping off point (especially when paired with neutral items like #1 and #7). These are a few of my favorite accent pieces; whether you have bright yellow nails, a patterned head scarf or a candy colored clutch, they’re all perfect for adding a splash of color to an ensemble.

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By: Pretty Shiny Sparkly

A Fe w of My Favo r i te Th i n gs

As time goes by I tend to notice habits or “personal trends”, if you will, within myself. I will notice that I tend to wear certain items together, even they may or may not have any relation to one another. Lately I’m loving wearing my new claw bracelet from ASOS with my claw ring from Fashionology.nl. Original, I know. I also find myself wearing my snake ring from Modcloth with my Marc Jacobs Bianca clutch from Shopbop. Maybe it’s the warm tones? Two new purchases that came in the same shipment as my claw bracelet are the adorable rose toned star ring and pale beige quilted bag, both from ASOS. Love these together!

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C urre nt ly C h a nn e l i n g: E xi l e o n Mai n S tre e t

By: Who What Wear

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From high-waisted flare jeans to slinky, slit-to-the-thigh cocktail dresses, disco-ready dangly earrings to big-brimmed hats, ‘70s-inspired fashion is everywhere this season. And while so many of the runways showcased a certain sort of decadence that’s associated with the end of that era (think: Studio 54-influenced opulence and Saturday Night Fever swagger), some of spring’s best looks remind us of the decade’s early days. Heavily influenced by the bohemian movement—psychedelic colors and prints, chunky wood shoes, and flamboyant accessories (feathers much?)— the early ‘70s managed to be dramatic, earthy, and just a little androgynous all at once. As we considered these elements and the thrilling theatrics we saw at the S/S 11 shows, suddenly it hit us: this look is completely channeling the Rolling Stones circa the Exile on Main Street years!

But it wasn’t just the boys in the band with noteworthy style. While we are, of course, obsessed with Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, we’re also just as enamored with their lady loves at that time, Anita Pallenberg and Bianca Jagger. From Pallenberg’s vividly colored, rock’n’roll getups to Mrs. Jagger’s mind-blowingly chic white wedding suit, the women on the scene in the south of France (where the Stones recorded said album) were truly forces to be reckoned with. Now, 40 years later, their sartorial influence can still be seen on the runways. For example, at Jason Wu, we swooned over the designer’s white tux jacket paired with shorts—specifically, the Gabardine Tuxedo Blazer ($1450), Gabardine Tuxedo Shorts ($695), and Tulle Bow-Tie Tee ($895)—as it’s a perfectly modern interpretation of Jagger’s seminal wedding ensemble. Meanwhile, at Emilio Pucci, designer Peter Dundas designed haute-louche ensembles with a gypset air, like the Chiffon Tie-Dye Blouse ($1650), Lace-Up Stretch Cotton Pants ($760), and Cropped Cotton and LinenBlend Canvas Jacket ($1700), which we think Pallenberg would adore. Bearing all of this in mind, we were inspired to create today’s Currently Channeling: Exile on Main Street as our ode to the early ‘70s signature style. Read on for a few of our favorite pieces and why they’re perfect for this incredible look! ASOS Oversized ‘70s Floppy Straw Hat ($36) in Tobacco Aspinal of London USA Passport Cover ($35) in Purple Croc Gucci Large Round Frame Sunglasses ($245) in Tortoise Theodora & Callum Batik Leaf Scarf ($135) in Blue Multi Ben-Amun Silver & Gold Plated Nugget Necklace ($380) Gap Suede Wide Strap Wedge Sandals ($89.50) in Saddle Jenni Kayne Short Sleeve Crew Neck Sweater ($375) and Side Button Skirt ($295) Guerlain Terracotta Skin Healthy Glow Foundation ($49) Zara Double-Breasted Blazer ($129, 323.935.5041) in White Club Monaco Kathy Shirt ($98, 310.657.1818) in Vanilla Zara Bell-Bottomed Trousers ($79.90, 323.935.5041) in White

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By: Mimi + Meg

Wa nt e d for S u m m e r : S tr i pe s + B r i gh ts

Bright pants & striped tops are all the rage this spring! I love the look and you can wear each item with so many other things you probably already have in your closet!

A.L.C. 32

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Splendid

Zara Trousers in Pink and Green

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D I Y S uc c ule nt I ndo o r / Ou tdo o r C e n te r pi e ce

By: Belle Maison

A few weekends ago I decided to make my very first DIY centerpiece for our apartment. I believe every room should have at least one plant (real or fake) because they add color, texture and interest. Succulents are a great choice to use indoors because they’re low maintenance (only need to be watered every couple weeks), they’re full of texture and come in just about every shade of green imaginable. For my very first DIY centerpiece, I’m very happy with the results! Read on for step-by-step instructions on how I did it...

SUPPLIES NEEDED 1. Potting soil, 1 bag of Reindeer Moss, a handful of pebbles and/or shells 2. About 5 dried curly willow sticks 3. Container of your choice; the one I purchase is metal with a patina finish and it came with a fitted plastic liner inside (recommended if you’re using live plants that will be watered). 4. Potted succulents - I purchased 5 varieties from IKEA for only $2.99 each. If you don’t want to use live plants, there are some pretty great plastic succulents out there that look real. 34

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By coco+kelley

I n t e ri ors To I ns pi re : S u m m e r ti m e B l u e s

It’s no secret that blues have been in the spotlight over the last year; from cobalts to deep inky blues to breezy cornflower, nothing is off the table. Today I’m sharing with you a home brimming with fresh blues that still leaves us with with warmth and character. Behold the power of a monochromatic palette...

Look at all that fun pattern! Velvet flame stitch and boho tie-dye mingle effortlessly. How? Because the entire space is brushed with blue, these prints can mingle together without competing for attention. Scale and placement also play a role in making it all work.

The kitchen and eating nook are leaning towards a periwinkle hue, but still keep with the cool palette. The pale hydrangeas make the perfect topper for the table. The stunning marble floors even boast a cool blue undertone. (And I’m dying over the steely grass cloth walls!) 36

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A few more details give you an idea of how all these colors are placed throughout the home. There’s that tie-dye pattern again, this time next to a refined blue silk (how luxurious!) and another small pop of pattern in that fun little bolster pillow (hello oversized tassle!). Love the organic settee, and the art above it is perfectly loose and easy. Now - let’s get that look! First we’ll start by installing a HUGE crystal chandelier (why wouldn’t we?), then we’ll add a sweet french settee to mix with the modern elements...

Some vintage abstract art, silk drapes (try these if custom isn’t an option!) and a fun patterned rug (great price!) ties it all together. Oly’s george side table paired with the hottest little barrel chairs ya ever did see take the room across decades of style. Do note there are not many case goods or wood pieces in this space, so if you’re aiming towards the same effect, focus more on upholstered pieces and marble/glass/metal for tables and chair frames. What a lovely day for a room steeped in stylish blue!

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By: La Dolce Vita

Love or Le a ve I t: Mo ro c c an Po u fs

In this week’s installment of “Love It or Leave It?”, I’d like to tackle the case of the Moroccan Pouf. Neither a table nor a chair, this little multi-tasker serves a variety of purposes, but is mostly used to add a bit of cuteness or ethnic flair to a room. We’ve seen them in children’s rooms and more formal spaces and they come in virtually every color under the sun and are available in a variety of price points. Do you have a Moroccan pouf in your home? If not, would you purchase one? Do you think they are classic, style staples with longevity or merely a passing fad? As per usual, I’ll save my opinion for the comments section later on.

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By: The Decorista

Th e A r t O f L i v in g . . . Ge tti n g Gl am o u ro u s One of the things I love most about being a girl is getting ready and putting on my makeup, playing with my hair, all that good stuff. I literally love the process. What is better than a fabulous place to do all of these fun things...nothing! Give me a pretty place to primp and I am a smitten kitten. Incredibly in love with glamorous vanities and primping stations.

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Why settle for the man or the dress, when you could have both!

www.myclosetafter6.com

1000 middle RD, Scottsdale AZ

Grand Opening April 5th 2011 7:00pm Fashion Show Meet and Greet Odeurves Best Dress Vote and more surprises.

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By: All Lacquered Up

Le t ’s Ta lk S o ak-o f f Ge l Nai l Po l i s h

Last February I had my first experience with what is now becoming a major trend in nails; Soak-off UV Gel Nail Polish. You see my pal Heather Park from SeoulDiva had been raving for months about this NYC salon Sakura and showing off her wicked cool nail art designs using the CalGel brand of soak-off polish. Heather has managed to get more than a few of her friends hooked on Sakura including MAC Artist Keri B. who has posted some her designs on Twitter. You can read about my experience and see some more CalGel designs HERE. Since that time Fanatics have emailed asking about CalGel and the other brands of soak-off polish on the market, including OPI’s new Axxium product so I’m giving you the 411 on the whole soak-off phenomenon after the jump.

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What is Soak-off Gel Polish? Unlike a traditional nail polish, soak-off gel polish is painted on with a brush and each layer is “cured” under a UV light to dry. Soak-off Gels come in a wide array of colors and finishes and like our “frankenpolishes” they can be mixed to create new colors. The purple on my tips (above) was a custom blended shade. What are the benefits? Dry time – The UV light dries the polish within minutes which means no dry time, no smudging, no dents. Talk about the perfect winter pedicure choice Long lasting – Soak-off Gel lasts from 2-3 weeks with no chipping. Less damaging – Unlike traditional enhancements you don’t have to fear the drills or filing down of your nails. Works on natural nails – While you can add length if you choose, Soak-off Gel Polish can be used over a natural nail like traditional polish. You can layer polish on top – If you want to change your color mid-manicure, you can. Paint right over Soak-Off Gel with regular nail polish and remove it with non-acetone remover. What are the negatives? Cost – Soak-off Gel Polish can only be applied by a professional and the service is more costly than a traditional manicure. If you are really skilled, you can buy a UV light and gel polish online but it’s not a cheap set-up. Removal – While Sakura offers fill-ins, if you want to change your color, you must completely remove the polish every time. You can either pay to have the polish professionally removed or do the soak-off process (or to the MUA nail board “foil method”) at home. Soak a piece of cotton in acetone and then wrap the nail with aluminum foil. For me, even after soaking, I still had to file some of it off. Nail growth shows – One of the reason’s my pal Heather tends to wear CalGel designs with a clear base is because it makes nail growth less obvious. If you choose a dark, solid color, by week two, growth will be very apparent. Time – Getting a Soak-off Gel manicure can take longer than a traditional manicure. Especially if you are getting a gradation, nail art or using a dark color. I’ve heard with the darker shades, you need quite a few coats to get it the right color. Brands Several brands make a soak-off product with a wide array of colors. The most talked about brands include Akzentz, Bio Sculpture Color Gel, CalGel, Dashing Diva Gelife, IBD, and OPI Axxium. Akzentz, Bio Sculpture, CalGel and IBD come in a range of colors and finishes including glitter. Gelife is currently offering sheer, natural shades to enhance the nail’s natural beauty but I hear they intend to offer additional colors. Axxium comes in 26 colors based on existing OPI polish shades including You Don’t Know Jacques, Russian Navy, I’m Not Really A Waitress, Lincoln Park After Dark and Bubble Bath. Where can I get a Soak-off Gel Manicure? I suggest contacting the companies to locate a salon near year using their products but make sure you investigate the salon and ask how long they’ve been using the product. If you are interested in nail art or gradations, ask about their experience doing those as well and inquire about a website or online gallery of their work.

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By: The Man Repeller

How ‘ Bout Th at Om b re , H o m b re

This pass Monday I went where many a Man Repeller has gone before: to get my hair ombre’d. For those unfamiliar with this particular terminology, think of the hair treatment as a sort glorified way to frost your tips, tie dye your hair, add one more print to the equation that is your outfit. So, I went into the Bumble & Bumble hair salon downtown NYC looking like seen to the right: At Bumble and Bumble, I was greeted by Zoe, the colorist, later to become my simultaneous heterolifemate and hero. I’d never had my hair colored before and soon learned Zoe had an affinity for popping hair cherries. Later referred to hairy cherries exclusively. Generally speaking, it was a crass day of sorts, which is right up my alley cat. As you can see, we had buttloads of fun. Those are real laughs, real ones, I tell ya. Then a Bumble stylist called Sloane took the reigns, cut my hair and styled it. It should be expressed I have a serious problem with scissors coming near me despite the fact that I wear a pair of gilded ones around my neck.

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All Photos by JM Houle Okay now. I showed you mine. Your turn, suckas! Bumble & Bumble Downtown Hair Salon 415 West 13th Street New York, NY 10014 t: 212 521 6500 Hair color by Zoe Styling by Sloane Live Your Life Stylishly

By: Sweet Tea and Champagne

Th e C l as s i c C o o k i e

What’s more classic than a chocolate chip cookie? As a staple at family picnics, or a late time snack, or let’s be honest, at any time of the day, this tasty treat is just about perfect. And I’m not talking about the frozen slice ‘n bake kind, but rather the homemade, mix the flour and baking soda, add the eggs in one-at-a-time kind. The key to making these cookies out of this world, is by using this recipe (hold the nuts), and by slightly under baking them (about 8-9 minutes in the oven max). They come out deliciously gooey and utterly mouth watering. I love them with a cold glass of milk, or maybe sandwiched with mint ice cream, or my personal favorite, paired with a tall glass of fresh squeezed lemonade during the heat of summer (or as for right nowspring!). What’s your favorite combination?

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By: Joy The Baker

Hom e m a d e P i s tac h i o Pu d di n g

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Homemade Pistachio Pudding Pistachio Paste: 1/2 cup salted pistachio nuts 1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons water Pudding: 2 cups whole milk 2 large egg yolks 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch pinch of salt 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup pistachio nuts, chopped To make the Pistachio Paste: place pistachios in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the nuts are in small bits. Add the sugar and water, and blend until relatively smooth. Easy! To make the Pudding: Spoon Pistachio Paste into a medium saucepan. Add the milk and whisk over medium heat. Heat milk and pistachio until steamy and hot. While milk is heating, whisk together granulated sugar, egg yolks, cornstarch and pinch of salt. Mixture will be thick. Keep whisking until it’s smooth. Pour about 1/2 cup of the steaming pistachio milk into the sugar and egg mixture. Whisk together. Add another half cup of hot milk and whisk to incorporate. Return the milky egg mixture into the saucepan over medium heat. Heat pudding mixture over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Whisk almost constantly. You might also want to use a heat-proof spatula to stir the mixture, ensuring that the sides and corners of the pan aren’t burning. Boil for about 1 minute, or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract, until butter is melted. Pass cooked pudding through a fine mesh strainer set over a medium bowl. This will ensure that any cooked egg bits don’t make it into the finished pudding. Press the pudding through the strainer. Add a few of the pistachio nut bits that the strainer catches, back to the pudding if you’d like Spoon into small ramekins, place plastic wrap over the individual puddings (so the plastic touches the top of the pudding), and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. Top with lightly sweetened whipped cream and chipped pistachios. Pudding will last, covered in the refrigerator, for up to 4 day

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By: A Sequin Dress at Breakfast

Pe rfe c t Gu ac am o l e

You know that game you play every so often where you have to answer the question, ‘If you could eat/wear/bring to an island only 3 things, what would they be?’ One of my top 3 food picks is always guacamole. But…I’ve become somewhat of a ‘guac snob,’ as it must be my guacamole. I started making my own guac a couple years ago and have perfected it to my taste so much that I now prefer it over any restaurant-they just typically tend to ruin it with too many ingredients and not enough avocado. (see? guac snob here!) Simply combine: *3-4 avocados *chopped up tomato *chopped up onion (red onions make for the prettiest guac) *squeeze of half a fresh lime *pinch of sea salt

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This recipe couldn’t be more simple or basic. I don’t like spicy guac, but I’m sure you could add in some heat of your choice with hot peppers. There’s no need to be exact with any measurements-just keep adding in more of each ingredient until it tastes perfectly salty/onion-y/limey to you!

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By: A Cup of Jo

S t i nky c h e es e s : H o w b rave are y o u ?

My sweets, a couple weeks ago, we figured out how to make the perfect cheese plate. But what about really those change-your-life strong cheeses? Well, Murray’s Cheese helped us put together a cheese plate for brave souls that will blow your mind (and stink up your living room). The only question is: Can you handle it? :)  Murray’s head cheesemonger Sydney Willcox showed us how to create a truly adventurous cheese plate, and the wonderful Jamie Beck took photos. Here goes...

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Overall rule of thumb: Typically it’s OK to eat the rind of any cheese, as long as you can handle the stronger flavor (exceptions, of course, are cloth-bound or wax rinds).  Monte Enebro. This quirky Spanish goat cheese is covered in ash and mold. The flavor is creamy and salty on the inside, and then gets spicy, damp and acidic as you get toward the rind. Its overall funny appearance is said to resemble the leg of a mule!  Quadrello di Bufala. This gamey cheese is made in northern Italy with water buffalo milk. Two SUPER cool brothers took over their father’s farm (their dad had started the farm in 1968 and tragically died the same year). They wanted to do more than just make mozzarella, so they created a bunch of different funky cheeses. This cheese is very barnyard-y; you can taste wet straw, a bit of stink and sweetness at the same time. Tangy, meaty, very rich. Washed in brine.   Epoisses.

There are two ways to serve this runny cow’s milk cheese--cut it like a pizza or cut the top off and scoop it out with a spoon (or dip your bread in!). After four weeks of aging in France, this cheese is rinsed in French brandy--and once it crosses the pond, Murray’s washes it in brandy again in their cheese cave to kick up the intensity. Very strong, gooey, stinky. (In fact, it’s so stinky that there’s a rumor that it’s banned from French public transportation.) Like a salty pudding. Fun fact: Napoleon Bonaparte was a huge fan!  Pecorino Foglie de Noce. This raw sheep’s milk cheese is buried in barrels full of walnut leaves while it ages. You can taste the walnut flavor in the cheese, and the rind is grassy and herbaceous. Milky, nutty, sharp and very salty. Great with fresh grapes, since it’s so salty that you need that refreshing palate cleanser. (Fun fact: Did you know that the word “pecorino” doesn’t actually connote a specific cheese, but simply refers to any Italian sheep’s milk cheese?)  Caveman Blue. This blue cheese is made with raw cow’s milk in Oregon. (The Pacific Northwest is a big blue hotspot.) Really fruity and spicy, the flavor is right up front. Has nuances of beef and bacon and grass. Not for people who are timid about blue cheeses! The name “Caveman Blue” is a nod to the nearby town of Grant’s Pass, which is overlooked by a huge hulking statue of a caveman.

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. . . K OO

B E C A s on F

U w o l l Fo

o o T R E T T WI

T d n ...A

So until next time.... Live Stylishly

Live Your Life Stylishly