styleschooldecorbabbleboudoirbettyGG2Bdecorbabble
Welcome to
Chic and Charming
a modern salon for
the discussion of
style, culture and etiquette.
pequitobun-banner

29 March 2009

California Here I Come!

As a big present to myself I've booked a trip to Los Angles and San Francisco . I know many of you lovely ladies live out that way so I'm looking for travel tips! I'm a big fan of interesting craft supply shops, one of a kind retail boutiques, food markets and unique grocery stores. I am a total foodie and I love classic cocktails, so good bars and restaurants are also appreciated! I'd rather avoid tourist traps and star spotting.

My husband and I are going to drive up to coast from LA to San Francisco, and we'd like to stop somewhere overnight along the way, preferably something cute and romantic.

Image from radiotania.org

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

26 March 2009

Bond Girl Tips: Vesper Lynd


Continuing on my series on lessons you can learn from Bond Girls (which I dropped for a bit), I present my very favorite Bond Girl: Vesper Lynd. In theory this is the Bond Girl that really did start it all, the Bond Girl that broke Bond's heart. A large part of my affinity for this Bond girl is my love for the actress who plays her, Eva Green.

  1. It is OK to be Hot and Smart, "James Bond: About you, Miss Lynd? Well, your beauty's a problem. You worry you won't be taken seriously. Vesper Lynd: Which one can say of any attractive woman with half a brain. "
  2. Even smart girls fall for bad boys, and then try to reform them "Vesper Lynd: Beautiful. Now, having just met you, I wouldn't go as far as calling you a cold-hearted bastard... James Bond: No, of course not. Vesper Lynd: But it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine. You think of women as disposable pleasures, rather than meaningful pursuits. So as charming as you are, Mr. Bond, I will be keeping my eye on our government's money - and off your perfectly-formed arse."
  3. You are an icon when you've had a drink named after you: The Vesper: Three measures of Gordon's, one of vodka, half a measure of Kina Lillet. Shake it very well until it's ice-cold, then add a large thin slice of lemon peel served in a deep champaign goblet.
  4. Vesper has fabulous taste in Jewels, I really love her Algerian Love Knot.

Image sources imdb, thecinemasource.com, glennkenny.premiere.com
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

25 March 2009

The Way of the Madge

Ah, Madonna. I rarely was allowed to listen to her music growing up, my parents did not approve. Yet, somehow, drunk and being chauffeured by my husband, I was able to sing every lyric to "Like a Virgin." This profoundly disturbed my friend, who we were giving a ride home, but to be honest she kind of deserved it.

Is it really so shocking? Honestly, how many among us don't know the words to Madonna's greatest hits by heart? Who doesn't like to spontaneously dance along to the delicious 1980s pop? Is there anything better to sing at karaoke? Perhaps those born in the 1990s are not yet initiated. To you, I say: go forth and buy the Immaculate Collection, consider it part of your education, something that must be fully appreciated before you can truly become a woman.

For every song on the album there is a profound life lesson, essential to your success:
  • Holiday: When things suck take a vacation.
  • Lucky Star: Being in the first throws of love makes everything suck a lot less.
  • Borderline: Boys play mind games too. Even cool girls sometimes stay in bad relationships, even when they know they shouldn't.
  • Like a Virgin: Even Madonna can reclaim her virginity? This pop ballad never sounded dirty to me until I watched Moulin Rouge.
  • Material Girl: Some girls only want boys to buy them things, BTW they've started a recession support group.
  • Crazy for You: This is the fantasy bar pick up situation, but you should know it usually only happens like this when both parties have on thick beer goggles.
  • Into the Groove: Dancing is awesome. Girls dig boys who can dance.
  • Live to Tell: "A man can tell a thousand lies."
  • Papa Don't Preach: Shit happens. Girls get knocked up.
  • Open Your Heart: You're not really a stalker, you're just trying to get him to open his heart...and you've got the Madonna song to prove it!
  • La Isla Bonita: San Pedro is sexy. Speaking Spanish is sexy. You should take Spanish in high school/college/adult education.
  • Like a Prayer: True love is a religious experience.
  • Express Yourself: Date a guy who treats you with respect.
  • Cherish: When you find a good guy let him know how great he is and appreciate him.
  • Vogue: This song is about Voguing, a type of modern dance. It is NOT about Vogue the magazine and not about primping in front of a mirror admiring how fabulous you are.
  • Justify My Love: Sometimes Madonna makes bad songs (not just bad movies).
  • Rescue Me: Having a strong and loving partner is wonderful when you are going through a rough time.
Image from Team Sugar
Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

24 March 2009

Jenny's Necklace from Gossip Girl

pequitobun2

Last night Jenny Humphrey wore a stunning one of a kind necklace designed by Pequitobun in the Gossip Girl episode "The Grandfather." The necklace pairs a vintage solid sterling silver filigree bow pin with a strand of delectable green amethyst cubes. I'm so in love with this necklace! The amethyst cubes are so unusual and perfect. They look like little bits of candy, yum!

Images from Pequitobun and the CW

23 March 2009

Save the Words

savetheword

I found this great website via Will and Beyond called savethewords.org, a website dedicated to saving words that are about to go extinct. How do words go extinct? If we stop using them, the dictionary people remove them from the dictionary, and then theoretically they are extinct words.

At savethewords.com you choose from a massive screen full of words and enter your email to adopt the word of you choice. I just adopted a few including:

Latibule: (n.) Hiding Place. My copy of twilight is safe in its latibule, so my husband can't throw it away to avoid watching it again.

Its now my job to start using latibule in everyday conversation to help save it from extinction! I have an official certificate and everything! A word of caution, they don't actually email you the word's definition, so it is best to jot it down when you sign up to adopt the word. I've adopted several words that I don't know how to use!
Images from savethewords.org




Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

13 March 2009

Charming Blogs: Tartelette


Tartelette is my current favorite source of online food porn.


Image from Tartelette

12 March 2009

Love This Purse

This purse from J.Crew is so completely adorable. I really love it. I hope it goes on sale.

Image from J.Crew

11 March 2009

COCO is Coming!

I agree with Kelly Cutrone

I agree with Kelly Cutrone: Allie Crandell on MTV's The City is too skinny. Maybe all models are that skinny, but that just means all models are too skinny.

And, Olivia Palermo seems to just as big a bitch as we always suspected...looks like Socialite Rank is totally vindicated.

Image from buzzfeed.com and LA Times



Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

10 March 2009

Did you know...


Did you know that the Sonia Kashuk Brush Collection sold at Bloomingdales in the SpaceNK boutique is the SAME as the one sold at Target? Bloomies just has a slightly bigger collection...or so the sales girl at Bloomingdales tells me. The makup is probably also the same!

Image from Target

09 March 2009

McQ for Target Disappoints

80s
Sigh. I should preface this by saying that this collection was pretty heavy on the 80s, I am not such a fan of the 80s.I had such high hopes, but I should know by now that designer collaborations with Target are completely hit or miss. The jacket pictured above was particularly heinous in person. The leggings had bizarrely sold out or still have not made it to the floor...they may have worked for some sort of flash dance inspired workout outfit. I'm sure I could find some matching leg warmers are urban outfitters.

Can I start out by saying: WTF is with the junior sizing bullshit. Seriously, it was not a GO! Collection, so couldn't they have sized these things for real women? Not that GO! should be junior sized anyway, the designer diffusion collection customer has usually graduated from high school and wears clothing ending in even numbers. I also find it beyond ridiculous that the strapless dress, which is cut for a B cup, even in size 13, has padding in the built in bra. Like every GO! strapless dress that I've ever tried on, I considered buying it and having it cut off at the waist and turned into a skirt, not a chance at $80.

tshirt
So, moving beyond my size tirade, I did adore the tattoo print fabric. The only piece from the collection that I actually purchased was the simple T-Shirt in this print. I don't know what will happen when I actually get a real job and can't wear T-Shirts to work...it will probably be the end of my Target designer diffusion shopping. The T-shirts are the only reliable items from collection to collection.

gone
Besides, as usual, everything I was excited about had sold out. This is typically because Target puts these collections out at totally random interval before and after the official release date. There is a pretty good chance I will go back to the same store in one week to find they've just put out these fabulous pieces for the first time (fingers crossed).
Images adapted from Target

03 March 2009

Latest Crafty Project

ouilips2

Behold the latest and great from my jewelry making adventures, I call it "The Royal Oui." Isn't it darling? I've already posted it for sale on etsy!
Image from BoudoirBetty.etsy.com

02 March 2009

An Ode to Pepperidge Farm Cake

I think Pepperidge Farm Cake is one of the best kept secrets of the frozen food section. My love affair with these darling square confections began when I was in preschool. The director of my preschool program kept a freezer in her office stocked with Pepperidge farm cakes of all flavors so that kids could come and pick out their favorite flavor for their birthday. At the time I was very partial to coconut, but my favorite now is probably the golden cake with chocolate frosting.

My love of Pepperdige farm goes beyond nostalgia, because even today I think they are a delicious treat, better than many bakery cakes (for me at least). The cake is shockingly light for any cake, much less one that has been frozen, waiting patiently for you to eat it. The frosting to cake ratio is perfect and the flavor of the frosting is lovely and sweet. Did I mention that this miracle of the freezer section is less than $4.00? You can't even make your own cake for that price, and why would you?

Other testimonials online: a southern gentleman, someone's mother, the icebox diner

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]

01 March 2009

Aaaat Last, My luuuuv has come along....


I've found the perfect romper. I am so excited, I've been wanting one for like a year. BCBG designed a luxurious silk jumpsuit with a tight wrap around top and flowing black pants. I am so in love. I just hope it goes on sale!

Image form BCBG