Buffalo Exchange and Some Bits & Bobs from Old Navy

Hello all!  So i recorded this video quite awhile ago, but I just have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off, so I hadn't uploaded it until today!  Went to visit my mom in Philly and hit it big at Buffalo Exchange, my favorite store of all times.  I would have bought more, but let's remember, I'm not made of money, so I had to make some last minute decisions before heading to the till to complete my purchases.  Enjoy!

Lots of Loot from Old Navy

I recently took  little trip to Old Navy, and was very pleasantly surprised by all of the adorable spring stuff they have!  My cart was literally overflowing with everything I could get my hands on, and I'm definitely planning another trip in the near future to snath up some things that I left behind.  Anywhosies, here is a video of all the amazing loot I scored at Old Navy.  Enjoy!

Sam :)



Barch Mirchbox... (aka. March Birchbox!)

Hi guys!  Got my March Birchbox, and am ecstatic with the contents!  Am I the only one who wishes Birchboxes came like...every day? Or 2 times a month would be a more plausible request.  Anyway, check out what I got for the month of March :)

Sam.

February Haul! (b.c I'm too scatterbrained to have favorites right now)

Hello luvees!  Unforutnately I have not yet established any favorites for the month of February, so I couldn't record the ever so original Favorites video for the month.  Instead I did a run through of some amazing things that I purchased in February!  Favorites pending... Enjoy!

Chicken Noodle Soup with a Soda on the Side

So, cooking is one of my most favorite things to do.  It helps me relax, and of course I also love to eat.  As a good little Jewish girl, it is imperative that I know how to make Matzoh Ball Soup from scratch.  I swear this soup can cure anything; sicknesses, a broken heart, or any kind of sadness.  I'll try to break it down easy for ya, but the best part of this soup is that everyone makes it their own way!  So feel free to riff on my recipe and make it your own.  Think of me as your Bubby, now make me proud!

Ingredients:

Bawls-

12/3 C. Matzoh Meal

6 eggs, seperated

2 t. salt

Soup-

6 boneless skinless chicken thighs, roasted with salt and pepper at 350 degrees for 20-25 mins.

4 celery ribs, chopped

3 onions, chopped into large chunks

4 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 T. dill chopped.

3 boxes of chicken stock

salt, and pepaaa

1/2 a box of mini bowtie pasta (this is something my grandmother used to do, so I like to do it too)

Broth:

1. Sweat the carrots, onions, celery and dill together in a large pot with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

2. Pour in the chicken stock, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer

Bawls:

1. Whip the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.

2. Use a fork to mix the egg yolks into the matzoh meal.

3. Fold in the egg whites until they are fully combined, let sit for 5 minutes.

4. Using a tablespoon, form balls from the mixture and drop them into the simmering broth.  

5. Let the matzoh bawls cook for approximately 35 mins. turning every so often.

(At this point you can add your chopped or shredded chicken to the pot)

6.) After 25 minutes, add the bowties to let them cook, but keep them from getting mushy.

7.) Serve and watch your guests/family sink into relaxation.

I am so happy to share this recipe that's very close to my heart with you!  Enjoy, and definitely add your favorite ingredients to make this family-style soup your own.

Sam :-*

Fun at the Dollah Store!

Hey guys, this video is actually from a few weeks ago, but my life has just been a whirling dirvish of craziness!  I fortunately have the gift of turning any errand into a shopping trip, so here is the contents of a fun trip to the Dollar Tree with my dad.  It's mostly very silly, but it just goes to show, you can find good cheap stuff anywhere, and if not, atleast you can get a good laugh.  Bye!

Tip Toe Through the Tulips

Hello fellow flower children!  With the sun shining all over the place, it's been putting me in quite a springy mood!  One trend that I am absolutely gaga over for the warmer months is printed jeans.  I have not yet accumulated any, I'm planning my attack slowly, but here are some of my favorite pairs (from the cheapity cheap to the "is it hot in here?" expensive) 

Gnarly dude.

Forever 21 $27.80

Doodley doo.

Urban Outfitters $68.00

and finally, the pis de resistance..drum roll please bumbumbumbum...

Wow. I'm obsessed with these.  Unfortunately at $198.00 they're not cheap.  Donations are now being accepted :)

AG Stilt Ikat Cigarette Jeans

Are you as in love with all of these as me!?  Any of these pants would look amazing with slouchy tank tops, leather jackets, and cozy sweaters and boots in the fall and winter! (can you tell I'm rationalizing the expensive ones?)  

Hearts and stars, Sam.

BeJeweled.

Another video, just look at me!!  Here is a walk through some of my favorite jewelry pieces ranging from cheapy cheap to expensive.  Enjoy :)

Sam.

Wu Hu!!! Jason Wu for Target Haul

Wham bam thank you maam!  I am a video making machine!  Here is an itsy bitsy haul and blab-fest about my experience shopping for the Jason Wu for Target collection and the stuff I got, enjoy :)

February Birchbox... (and Public Apology for my Tardiness)

Hey favorites!  Like I say in the video, sorry for my lack of posts lately, with school starting it's been a whirlwind (of excitement of course), I love the smell of freshly sharpened pencils in the morning!  Check out the contents of my February Birchbox! (PS, like my necklace? I made it!  Keep a lookout for a DIY blog post about it)

Twice Baked

I am sad to say that tomorrow is the last day of my internship at Arcadia Boutique :(

...But happy that I got an excuse to do some baking to say thanks and pay attention to the food part of this blog-jawn!  I decided to make these citrus almond biscotti, and took it extra over the top by dipping them in white chocolate.  

Biscotti make a great gift and you can add any flavoring to this basic recipe!  They're perfect with a cup of tea or coffee or even just to munch on as a snack...or for breakfast, or dipped in nutella...ok too much too much. anyways, enjoy the recipe and pictures taken with instagram!!

Ingredients: 2 C. all purpose flour, 3/4 C. fine cornmeal, 1.5 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. salt, 3 eggs, 1 C. sugar, 1/2 tsp. almond extract, 1.5 bags white chocolate morsels

(my add ins: 1 tablespoon lemon zest and 1/2 C. sliced almonds)

1. Mix together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt in bowl.

2. In a mixer blend eggs, sugar and almond extract together until they are light and fluffy.

3. Slowly add the dry ingredients and the lemon zest, and mix until combined (it will look sticky), fold in the almonds, and let sit for 5 minutes.

4. Split in half, and form into two 11x4 logs on a parchment covered baking sheet.

5. Bake for 35 minutes on 325 degrees, then remove and let cool (just cool enough to handle, about 10 mins.)

6. Using a serrated knife, slice on a diagonal into 1/2 inch pieces, spread out on the baking sheet (you may need to employ another baking sheet for this part).

7. Bake for another 25 minutes, then remove and let cool completely.

8. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler, and dip the biscotti so that half is covered in the chocolate.

9. Lay flat on parchment paper and let harden.

Can't wait to sneak a few of these for myself, mmm :)

2 days until Jason Wu for Target hits stores!!!

January Favorites/Winter Must-Haves

Hello kiddies!  Here's a January favorites/Winter Must-Haves video.  I'm testing out new backgrounds, and thought my bright wall would look cool, whattayathink?  I did a little digging and found some dupes for the things I talk about in my vid, enjoy!  

PS. 3 days until jason wu for target hits stores, be afraid, be very afraid! 

Similar sweater here, love the color blocking!

Forever 21 $22

Another style in a bright green, great for spring

Forever 21 $27.80

Fur Stole, $16.99

A Peter Pan version!!!

Bag Balm

Hope you guys liked this video!  Keep an eye out for a Jason Wu for Target haul :)

Cheers, Sam

Outfit of the Day : Goodwill Hunting

Hello all!  Just a quick little outfit of the day for your viewing pleasures.  Here I am wearing one of my Goodwill blouses (can be seen in my latest haul video) topped off with of course, layered necklaces!  Enjoy :)

PS.  Notice how I have learned how to collage my instagram photos, of which I am so very proud. (I downloaded the Diptic app on my phone, worth every bit of the .99 I paid for it)

Blouse- Goodwill

Necklaces from the top- Old Gray House (cutest shop every at the Outer Banks), Brighton, boutique @ the beach c.o my mutha

Jeans- AG

Boots- Mandee

Feeling good about this as my mode for shooting outfits of the day, whattayathink?

Cheers, Sam :)

Styling Session: Layering Necklaces (Arcadia Boutique Edition!)

Hey guys, I just had so much fun creating three different necklace looks for my internship's blog (Arcadia boutique), I thought I'd repost it for you to see!  Layering jewelry is one of my favorite things to do year round, and I hope you have as much fun reading this post as I had creating these cool looks.

#1 Dainty

 By sticking to a bronze and gold color palette, I piled on these four dainty pieces for a look that's unique but not overpowering

#2 Bohemian

 This is probably my favorite look of the three.  It has a cool earthy flair and I love mixing turquoise and gold with camel and brown shades.  The tassel and turquoise part is actually two different necklaces!

#3 Whimsical

 At Arcadia we carry a lot of charming pieces, so I layered a bunch of them for the ultimate fun presentation!

Check out Arcadia Boutique to shop for these pieces and see the original blog post on the Arcadia blog!

Stay tuned for a video on layering jewelry, Cheers!

Sam

It's Never Too Late for a Resolution.

I'm not much for making New Year's Resolutions.  I don't understand why it needs to be a new year to make your life better.  January comes with an overflow of magazines boasting miracle weight loss stories and diet secrets of the stars; it all really puts a damper on my periodical purchases.  

Instead of getting too caught up in the hype of it all, I have decided to make a promise to myself to feel good.  This promise means doing anything that makes me happy; exercising, eating healthy (or ordering a 3 course meal just for myself, whichever I'm in the mood for), painting my nails or simply taking time to just relax.  Sometimes with all of the craziness that envelopes our daily lives we forget about our own wellness, causing us to feel grumpy, stressed or anxious.  Here are some easy, cheap and fun ways to treat yourself that have NOTHING to do with food.  Enjoy, because you deserve it :)

1. Paint your nails.

I'm not even talking doing a full at home manicure, I mean who really gives a hoot about cuticles.  With all of the cool trends popping up with nail polish, there is so much to try!  Painting your nails will make you feel more put together in a season when it's almost impossible to stay warm and look cute.

Take a cue from Zooey Deschanel at the Golden Globes, and have a little fun with your fingers.  Her tuxedo polish is adorable and silly!

2. Exfoliate.

This is literally the easiest step to add to your routine once in awhile to pamper yourself.  Winter is definitely a time for flaky, dry skin.  Whether you exfoliate your face or your body, you'll feel fresh and renewed, and you're skin will look glowing and healthy.  I am obsessed with these Loreal "Go 360 Clean" products!  They come with a little scrubber and can be found at any drugstore for the ultimate at-home facial.

 

3. Take a bubble bath...or a bird bath!

Ok, so I don't have one of those regal tubs with gold feet and jets, but I like my little shower/tub combo just fine!  Yeah, I barely fit, but fill that sucker up with hot water and a little bit of bubble bath and I've entered relaxation nation. 

Don't have a tub?  Fill your sink or a bowl with hot soapy water and let your tootsies take a soaking.  That hot water sure does the trick by letting your stresses melt away.

4. Go shopping.

Now wait before you start accusing me of telling you to spend money.  I didn't say you had to put a dent in your local shopping mall, in fact try some place new; a vintage shop in your area, or your closest Salvation Army or Goodwill.  Make it fun by picking a designer outfit and recreating it with a friend from consignment or discount stores!  You have no idea what cool and unique things you might find.

5. Vegetate.

The final tip sounds easy, but it may be harder than you think.  Doing nothing is an art of which I am a master of.  Don't go to the gym, don't surf the internet and don't think about anything.  It may take some practice but a little vegetation is the highest level of happiness and self indulgence.

Cheers and hope you all liked this feel good post!

Teeny Tiny Haul!

Hey guys!  Sorry for not blogging as regularly as I was, it's been a whirlwind of interning, working and spending time with family and friends.  I did of course have time to pop into Walgreen's today for a bit of shopping and was able to hit Goodwill for a small fashion haul!

Cheers!

Biting into the Big Apple

Although my getaway in New York was brief, my dad and I had a really splendid time.  We drove, dropped our things off at the hotel, added on a few more layers to our ensemble, and boarded the subway to the Flatiron District.  

Our destination; Eataly, a beautiful Italian market created by the esteemed Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich, with different sections for fish, meat, cheese, bread, pasta and seating to sample all of the above.  It was a Wednesday afternoon, so luckily it wasn't crowded and we were able to cozy up to the meat and cheese bar for a light lunch... (and by light i mean heavy.)

that little brown package is filled with crusty bread to sop up the olive oil and balsamic AND to create a symphony of cheese and meat combinations, hungry yet?

the perfect bite, creamy ricotta with some sweet figs and a shard of prosciutto, all drizzled with honey. heavenly.

our spread

one of the stands that caught my eye when we were traipsing around the market was one for sandwiches.  my dad and i also shared a sliced rib sandwich, topped only with a drizzle of olive oil and some salt and pepper.  

next we rolled ourselves downtown to the village, where we popped into the Francois Payard Bakery for a sip of coffee and something sweet.  

pyramid of macaroons, heck yaaah!

my coffee drink of choice when I need a swift pick-me-up is a double macchiato.  It's espresso with some steamed milk dolloped on top.  i like to add sugar (even though that's probably a caffeinated sin).  AND no those two little saucers of sweetness are not both mine.  they are vanilla bean macaroons, so chewy and good; there are no words.

 I even got to do a little shopping!  We stopped into Hamlet Vintage where I bought a cool vintage Italian army jacket!  (haul video on the way).  It has a cinched waist too for the perfect balance of femininity and military style.

After the best steak dinner of all times at Club A Steakhouse, sleep was inevitable, and the next morning, THANKS TO MYSELF, we hunted down this perfect diner, Gee Whiz, just a 10 minute walk from the hotel.  Good thing too, considering it was frigid!

the menu 

my awesome dad with his awesome Gee Whiz coffee cup!  (one of the great things about this place was they give you real coffee cups!)

i have a breakfast burrito obsession.  i mean who wouldn't love meat, runny egg and avocado rolled up into a perfect football sized package of food!? needless to say i fell asleep in the car on our ride home...

I always forget how great New York is.  There's so many different kinds of things to eat and places to see; perfect for a quick trip for food addicts like my dad and I.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Cheers!

Lions and Tigers and Jason Wu too!

So, Missoni Mania must have skipped me, because although I love the zigzag print, and their Pre-Fall Show is to die for, head to toe print is just not the best look for me. Picture Kim K. in a leopard shirt, pants, scarf and shoes...yeah it's kind of like that. (not comparing myself to Kim K, she's a goddess)

Anyways, after catching some snippets of Jason Wu's new collection for Target, I have come to the conclusion that I must concoct a plan to accumulate AT LEAST these two dresses:

and I'm also considering hoarding these guys:

 So yes, embarrassingly so, I will be one of those toolbags arriving at Target 2 hours early on February 5th, so that hopefully I can pick up some of these amazing and feminine pieces for spring.  Unfortunately for you, I will not divulge which Target I will be bombarding so as to eliminate some of the competition.

PS.  If anyone knows someone in the underground black market of fashion, please leave their name and number in the comment box.

Cheers!

First Birchbox and Target Makeup Haul!

hey my sweet cherubs!  sorry for a brief hiatus, i was in nyc, then giving pete some quality time.  anyways, check out the contents of my first Birchbox and some new cosmetics i picked up at Target, enjoy!

Hot Child in the City!

New York with my Dad was a blasty blast, and it went way to fast :( (hey that rhymed!).  Here's my packing list video.  Keep an eye out for pictures of lots of delicious food from my trip!!

Introducing: Outfit of the Day, Instagram Style!

i recently got the instagram app on my phone, and with some weird contorting have taken pictures of the elements of today's outfit for your reading pleasure!  I'm experimenting with the best way to do outfit of the days, and although this one may be cool, i feel silly trying to take mirror pictures of myself.

 my sock bun!  i have finally somewhat mastered the sock bun.  tutorial coming soon possibly? my earring are some busted gold hoops from Rainbow and my necklace is by Patricia Field.  It's just like Carrie's in Sex and the City 2! shes my style icon...btw.

this is the top half of my outfit. it consists of a sweater shift dress from the goodwill, paired with my brother's army jacket from a farmer's market. (which i'm thinking of making a permanent fixture in my closet)

my extremely versatile and comfy Swedish Hasbeens.  they have literally barely come off my feet since i purchased them. i'm a woman obsessed!  i wore them with a pair of opaque brown tights.

my basic everyday jewelry of the moment: spoon ring from the Brandywine Arts Festival, moon ring from Buffalo Exchange in Philadelphia; bracelets- Hermes (bought for myself by myself), monogrammed silver cuff (House of Watches), Victorian Gold Fill Bangle (Green Dragon Market), and stingray bangle (c.o. my mutha.)

hope you guys liked this one!  it's frigid in Philly today, so i'm slightly regretting my almost bare legs, but hey, i'm digging the army jacket over dress combo, and i hope you are too!

Scahhhhves!!

Scarves are my favorite accessory!  Check out some of my collection and how i wear them :)

ps. don't know why the picture doesn't show up right away, but it works so watch it!!

5 Things: December

December came and went.  Now it's a new year, and considering I think New Year's resolutions are stupid, I'm starting the year off with my favorites things for the month of December (although, I'm hoping that I'll keep blogging in 2012, my new years resolution to not eat dessert has already been broken.  I'm eating fig newtons as we speak, telling myself that figs are a fruit...there's always next year)  Anyways, here's 5 things that tickled me pink in the final month of 2011.

my french press.  like i said, it's the classiest way to drink coffee, and I look forward to indulging in a little leisurely sipping on mornings when i have a little more time.  actually, i've been finding myself making time for my french press.

i like flannel.  ok, i love flannel.  i don't care of it's off trend, i don't care if it's oversized, tied at the waist, or fitted, flannel is the shit.  I like pairing my boyfriend's flannels with chunky scarves and jeans, or knotting them at the waist with a blazer.  They come in all price points and color combos, and in my opinion look pretty great,  so what if i look like a lumberjack!

this app lets me stay current on all of my favorite street style blogs.  it's always updating, so i'm never left at a loss for outfit ideas.  for this of you who aren't iphone freaks, they have a website too!

mmmm, rice and beans.  when i was in costa rica, i never got tired of eating this for breakfast.  forget that stuff that comes in a box, i use instant rice and toss it in a skillet with some chopped onion and black beans and season to taste.  sometimes if i'm feeling fancy i throw in some scrambled egg or chopped chicken.  beans are packed with protein and it's a great easy side dish.

i have been a die hard Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer fan for over 5 years, and i am head over heels in love with this Neutrogena SkinClearing Oil Free Makeup.  Forget about the price difference (hello. $11.99), this foundation is so light, it makes you feel like you're not wearing anything.  It has salicylic acid, so i don't feel like my face is suffocating, and my skin actually looks better after I wash my face.  seriously, this stuff is amazing, and definitely worth trying out!

PS. after approximately 7 times of shooting my scarf tutorial, it is all done!  Keep an eye out for it!

P.P.S also my dad and I are heading to New York Wednesday to Thursday, so I'll be taking some great pictures of food and give you guys a little travel guide :)

Cheeaaahs! (Cheers.)