Obsessions: Book Edition

I thought this week for my obsessions list I would do it a little differently and just pick one category to focus on. This week it is Books!! I will be honest I am a bit of a book worm at heart. I love collecting gorgeous coffee table books and cookbooks. I own more than I like to admit, but I am always wanting new ones to add to my growing collection! Here are a few I am lusting after.

1. TOM FORD
I have wanted this book forever! I mean who doesn't love Tom Ford? I am obsessed with the simple black cover of this book. The perfect eye candy for my coffee table! The fashion images in here are gorgeous and Tom Ford is also pretty easy on the eyes!




2. ALLEGRA HICKS

If you aren't familiar with Allegra Hicks, she is a well known interior designer out of London. Her work is really innovative with pops of color and pattern which really draws me in. I love the cover of this book as much as the pictures inside in it. Jen at Made by Girl gave it a raving review here. Which makes me want it even more!

3. CHANEL SET OF 3 BOOKS
I would love to add this set to my book collection! The quilted Chanel bag is the next purse I want to add to my collection and I would devour these pretties! The set comes with 3 books : Chanel, Chanel Vintage Jewelry and Chanel Perfume. You know Rachel Zoe owns this set!

4. MARY MCDONALD INTERIORS: THE ALLURE OF STYLE
It is no secret I am huge Mary McDonald fan. My love grew for her even more after Million Dollar Decoraters. I feel like if I had to choose one decorator to come re-do my house I would pick Mary because our styles are similar and she's just fabulous! I am dying to get this book for Christmas!





5. VEFA'S KITCHEN
I read a raving review about this cookbook in House Beautiful and have wanted to get my hands on it ever since. Greek food is one of my favorite types of food. I mean hello, I ate a Greek Salad for lunch everyday for months! This book is filled with amazing recipes and I have not read one bad thing about it! And bonus the cover is gorgeous. A cookbook I would be proud to display.




6.ROOM FOR CHILDREN:STYLISH PLACES FOR SLEEP AND PLAY
This book is on my Christmas wishlist because I am in the process of starting to plan Sterling's big boy room. It is filled with fabulous ideas for children's rooms. An area I always seem to have a hard time envisioning. Best part Kelly Wearstler contributed to this book so you know it has some crazy good ideas in it!




7. PAULA'S SOUTHERN COOKING BIBLE
As much as I enjoy cooking healthy meals I love me some Southern food. I am a Southerner born and raised so fried okra, biscuits, and pimento cheese are some of my favorite foods. I own so many cookbooks, but the funny thing is I don't own one Paula Deen cookbook. Every single recipe of hers I have ever made has always been delicious (ie. her French Onion Soup and Oyster Stuffing which we will be making again next week for Thanksgiving). I heard this is her best cookbook to date so count me in. A little butter never hurt anyone, right?

Those are my top picks for books I want to add to my expanding collection!

Twinkle, Twinkle!

So, most of you voted for the Parker Sequined Dress.

I haven't bit the bullet and bought it yet because I am having a hard time justifying spending $350 on a dress I know I will probably only wear a handful of times. But, that being said, I still want it really bad. I love it and think about it everyday. If only I had some fab New Years plans with a place to wear it! It got me thinking about other ways to add some sparkle to my closet for less than $300. Sparkle that might be more versatile and get more wear than a dressy dress. Here is what I found....

VELVET EMELLA SEQUIN CARDIGAN $185
I feel like this a sequin piece you could wear all the time. The color is gorgeous. It would be great with jeans and super cute with a dress like it's pictured. (Btw what is up with this models face? She looks drugged out!)

EUGENIA KIM SEQUINED HEADBAND, $98
How cute is this sequined headband? A great way to spice up an otherwise boring outfit.

PARKER METALLIC SEQUIN, $264 BLOUSE
I have been eyeing this blouse forever. Piperlime is always sold out of my size but I keep hoping they will get it back in stock. I like that it just has a hint of sequins. I would wear this blouse all the time.

JCREW SEQUIN STRIPE TEE, $59.50
Great casual tee, even better price.

BANANA REPUBLIC BLAIR JEWELED BALLET FLAT, $110
I wear ballet flats daily because I am so tall. These would add the perfect sparkle to any outfit. Side note- I love me some Banana Republic shoes. For the price they hold up well and are so comfortable.

BANANA REPUBLIC BRYNN BOW BALLET FLAT, $110
These are so adorable to me. The bow is perfect for the Holidays.

JUICY COUTURE SEQUINED SCARF, $148
Since I have been on such a scarf kick lately this scarf really appealed to me. A great way to accessorize with sparkle!

VELVET JANZIA SEQUIN TOP, $163
I love this top so much. I picture it with skinny jeans for a night out!

TRINA TURK MELODY SILK BLOUSE, $268
I started drooling when I saw this blouse. I love the art deco embellishments of the sequins. Such a unique blouse. This might be one the sequined item I add to my closet!

WINTER KATE GOLD SEQUIN DRESS, $397
I have to include one lust item out of the price range. I have stalked this dress forever since I saw Nicole Ritchie wearing it. It is the perfect, color, shape, everything in my book. If it ever goes on sale it's mine!

Anyone know of any other great sparkle items? Send them my way!

Green With Envy

She did it again. Gwyneth choose the perfect dress for the Bambi Awards in Germany on Thursday. Girl can do no wrong fashion wise in my opinion. She went with a sparkly emerald green number from the Ellie Saab 2012 Spring Collection. Emerald is one of my favorite colors and that paired with a plunging neckline and sparkles is truly perfection in my book. I sure wouldn't mind having this dress for a Holiday Party!

Photos via: Fashionawards.com and JustJared

Thoughts for Friday

TGIF Lovelies. I am so happy it's the weekend mainly because my parents get into town Sunday. I can't wait to see them and put my Dad to work around here (wink).
I am super excited because my Design Icon Celerie Kemble just came out with a new Design Book called Black and White. I have her book To Your Taste and it is one of my favorite coffee table books. I can't wait to get my hands on this one!

It is filled with so many beautiful and inspirational design pictures. It is making me want to do a room based around black and white in our house. Love the simplicity and freshness of it.

I am thinking about making these 7-up Biscuits this weekend. My brother-in-law made them for us last weekend and they were incredible! So light and fluffy. Plus they are on the smaller side so you don't have to feel guilty about eating more than one! They are so easy to make and delish with butter and honey. I highly recommend!

Is anybody else completely sick of hearing about Kim Kardashian? I mean were we really shocked when she ended her marriage, not at all. But 72 days is ridic, all marriages are hard in the beginning and take compromise, something I think Miss Kim is not so good at.

And if you have not watched the SNL skit "Fairytale Divorce" please do yourself a favor and watch this. I was laughing out loud!

I can't stop thinking about this DVF Top and Parker Dress. I have convinced myself I need them for the holidays. I am thinking the top would be more versatile so I would get more wear out of it but I sure do love the sparkle of the dress! Which do y'all vote for?

DVF Florina Blouse, Parker Faux Wrap Dress
I was just reading Town and Country last night and found out Truffle Oil actually has no truffles in it. The magazine said "Truffle Oil doesn't have any truffle in it. The ingredient is called 'truffle essence' or 'aroma,' neither of which is regulated by the FDA. It's bismethane, which costs pennies to produce." I am so shocked we eat Truffle Oil all the time and now this make me reconsider it a bit. The info came from a book called "Mycophila" and it is filled with interesting facts about mushrooms. Another tidbit is the Italian White Truffle costs $3,000 per pound! Pretty interesting facts about shrooms (not to sound like a nerd or anything:)!


I know this may make me a cougar at the ripe old age of 31 but Man do I love Zac Efron. Look how gorg he is in this picture. You are welcome for this dose of Friday Eye Candy.

I will leave with this quote I found on good ole Pinterest and it made me laugh, so true!

Sputnik Stalker

Last week it was the Atoll Mirror, which by the way I added to my Christmas List for the rents. Fingers crossed that will be sitting out for me from Santa come Christmas Morning! This week I'm stalking the Sputnik Chandy. I am thinking it plus the Atoll Mirror will be the perfect additions to my house. Just look at her in all her awe and glory. Have you ever seen a prettier chandelier?

I love the idea of the two over the kitchen counters or even over a bed. But I am thinking I would put mine in our dining room. We need a light in there desperately and I think good ole Sputty would look perfect. Where would you put yours? And anybody know where I can find a deal on one? Only place I seem to find good ones is at 1st Dibs, and that my friends is out of our budget!

Photos via william miller design, pinterest, google, apartment therapy, msn, coco cozy

Tuscan Kale Salad

I have to give my girls Kelli and Lisa at Bud and Leo credit for this delish recipe. They featured this recipe last week on their blog and I have eaten it everyday since I saw it, except Saturday! I tend to be obsessive about my lunches. First for months it was my Chopped Greek Salad, then it was the Vegetable and Hummus Tart and now it's this Kale Salad. I am beyond obsessed with it, I seriously crave it everyday. I think perhaps my body is telling me I need to eat more leafy greens.

This salad is super simple but the flavors are amazing together. The red pepper flakes provide the perfect bite, while the lemon is light and fresh, the cheese smooth and creamy, and the breadcrumbs provide some crunch. I eat mine with lavish chips and hummus because let's be real I need a little more than just a salad at lunch! Enjoy!

**A few recipe recommendations on my part: I only use one garlic clove and it gets it pretty garlicky. I also recommend letting the dressing sit on the salad for 10-15minutes. The kale does not get soggy and it helps soak the flavor in. I use Panko Breadcrumbs because umm who has fresh breadcrumbs just sitting around? Use cheese that is cut in shards not grated, more flavor in my opinion!**

Tuscan Kale Salad

Ingredients:
4-6 cups Kale, loosely packed, sliced leaves with midribs removed
Juice of 1 Lemon
3-4 T Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
2 cloves Garlic, mashed
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Hot Red Pepper Flakes, to taste
2/3 cup grated Pecorino Toscano cheese (Rosselino variety if you can find it) or other flavorful grating cheese such as Asiago or Parmesan
½ cup freshly made Bread Crumbs from lightly toasted bread

Directions:
Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, and a generous pinch (or more to taste) of hot red pepper flakes. Pour over kale in serving bowl and toss well. Add 2/3 of the cheese and toss again. Let kale sit for at least 5 minutes. Add bread crumbs, toss again, and top with remaining cheese.

Top photo courtesy of 101 Cookbooks

And for all my shoppers Neiman Marcus is having their FIRST CALL SALE right now. This is my favorite sale, all the designer stuff is 40% off. I always stock up at this sale!

and SHOPBOP is also having a huge sale. We are talking up 70 percent off. So go get your shop on today!

And I almost forgot I am guest posting over at Liz's Beautiful blog With A Little Style and Ease sharing an amazing lasagna recipe. You are def gonnna want to make this recipe for the fall, check it out HERE.

Happy Humpday!