Happy Hour: Dirty Martini

Tomorrow is October. Can you believe it? Where the heck did September go? So it's time for me to switch up my drink. It's dirty (Grey Goose) Martini time. I think it's a very sexy drink, and for me always conjures up images of a perfect Manhattan night. What's your go-to Fall cocktail? xo

Ingredients

• 6 fluid ounces vodka
• 1 dash dry vermouth
• 1 fluid ounce brine from olive jar
• 4 stuffed green olives

Directions

1. In a mixing glass, combine vodka, dry vermouth, brine and olives. Pour into a glass over ice. Either drink on the rocks, or strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

P.S. I want this book! -- Speakeasy: The Employees Only Guide to Classic Cocktails Reimagined

(Photo via TodaysNest ; Recipe via AllRecipes)

Pop Dolls

How cute are these little painted Russian dolls by Canadian artist, Audrée Lapierre? Would add great pops of color to a white bookcase.

(Via Small for Big)

P.S. Reminds me of these yummy Argentinian chocolates - Mamuschka. :)

Hip Hotel: St. Regis, Bora Bora

Let's do a little traveling today, shall we? I watched Couples Retreat this past weekend (totally cute btw for a lazy Sunday afternoon; and yes, I can be incredibly low brow. ha!), and cannot stop thinking about the crystal clear water in the film. It is absolutely breathtaking. (Watch the film and you'll see what I mean.) So I did a little hunting and discovered the film was shot, almost entirely, at the St. Regis in Bora Bora. How gorgeous is this hotel? And the locale? I've never been scuba diving (no sharks, please!) but this is the kind of place that may make me rethink my relationship with the fishies. :) Visit: The St. Regis Bora Bora Resort

(Photos via The St. Regis)

Dream Kitchen

I'll admit that my current kitchen situation isn't too bad. We have lots of counter space, which is rare for New York, it also makes it easier to try out new and fun recipes. However, this kitchen styled by Nathalie Kamkum and Annette Ydholm for Ikea's International communications company ICOM, knocks my kitchen out of the park!

I just love the idea of having a separate bookcase for all your recipe books. And one of my favorite details has to be the chalkboard wall, where you can write your menu for dinner parties. One day...

xx.
Karina

(Images courtesy of Emma's Design Blog)

These Boots Were Made for Walking (in the Rain)

Another rainy day here in New York! This weather is inspiring me to break away from my typical black rubber boots and try something with a little color. Aren't these fun?

Clockwise from top left: Hunter Original ($125),
Sperry Top Sider Shearwater ($90),
Vivian Westwood ($134), UO Heeled Rainboot ($38)

Lust List: Chunky Rings

I had dinner recently with a friend who was wearing a big chunky ring that I couldn't quite take my eyes off the whole time. I thought it was so fun + playful that I've been lusting for one ever since. What do you think of these? Could be fun to wear with a messy bun, over-sized sweater + leggings...xo | Rings above by Manu

P.S. More chunky rings on Etsy

Lluvia

It's raining today here in New York. Makes me want to hear this song on repeat + curl up with this yummy comforter from ABC Home. :)

(Photo by Cuba Gallery)

Have a Dreamy Weekend!

I found the above images on the Dace website, a clothing line with super cute women's wear. And aside from the clothes being totally shop worthy, I fell in love with these photos, which I think really capture the essence of fall.

On my to do list: escape to a cozy cabin upstate like the one above!

Also, here are some fun links to get you through this Friday. ;)

Cute girl has a catchy dance!

This is amazing: Oprah-fy Yourself!

6 80's movies dying for a sequel, courtesy of The Frisky

Adoring these Fendi sunglasses, courtesy of Vogue

Funny article on parenting: The Good Enough Baby, courtesy of The New Yorker

And you can never have too many taco restaurants!

xx.
Karina

Dreamy Dame: Catherine Keener

If I had to name my absolute favorite actresses of all time, Catherine Keener would rank high on that list. Ever since she starred in Being John Malkovich as the enviably chic Maxine, I've pretty much watched any film she has starred in. Her more recent roles, such as the benevolent do-gooder in Please Give, portray her as a more earthy and uber-sensitive mom trying to figure things out (similarly in Where the Wild Things Are, where she's doing her best to wrangle her rambunctious son, Max).

Keener effortlessly possesses a quality that makes her likable and relatable, and is totally the kind of woman I'd love to be friends with!

Who are some of your fave actresses? Would love to know!

xx.
Karina

(Images courtesy of IMDB)

Daydreaming: Singapore Beach House

Yes, I realize that today is the first official day of fall. But could you resist a Singapore beach house as tempting as this one? As I will begin to brace for the cooler climate, I might have to do some day dreaming about that serene looking pool!

xx.
Karina

(Images courtesy of NY Times)

Mid-Week Treat: Banana Bread

Lately, we've been trying to do more grocery shopping than usual in order to cook at home more, be healthy, and save a little money. However, we find that when we do this, things always come up. Dinner invitations, goodbye parties, birthday parties, etc. So that leaves us with a fridge full of food that unfortunately, spoils. And the quickest to go bad? Our fruit! So now with a bunch of over ripened bananas, I decided to do a little baking. My friend Kim had given me a very easy and awesome recipe about a year ago, so I did a little digging and found it. I also wanted to add something a little extra, so of course I headed over to Smitten Kitchen. And I found the perfect thing. You can try the jacked-up version on that site, or use Kim's below, which works out great if you're low on ingredients.

Ingredients
3 ripe bananas
3/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 cup wheat flour
1/4 cup melted butter

Instructions: Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour. Check to make sure your toothpick comes out clean.

Enjoy! ♥

(Photo via Smitten Kitchen)

Film: Going the Distance (2010)

All right, so I have something to admit. I am usually a bit hesitant to watch romantic comedies. Let alone actually pay to see them in the theater. It's not that I don't like them, I just find them hard to relate to. With a few exceptions, most of them are just filler films that are easy to swallow on rainy days.

However, when I saw the preview for Going the Distance, the new comedy directed by Nanette Burstein, I instinctually thought "this one is gonna be different." So after realizing Karina had the same sentiments, we decided to go see it on Sunday afternoon. And you know what? We loved it! It was cute, relatable, slightly raunchy and it was actually funny. Like laugh out loud and try to control yourself from giggling obnoxiously kind of funny. Justin Long is so likeable and Drew Barrymore is the kind of gal you want to be friends with. Or at least share a wardrobe with! Seriously, every outfit in this movie was so effortlessly chic. Good job wardrobe department! And of course, Karina and I loved the dynamic between Barrymore and Christina Applegate. Sometimes it's hard to get sibling relationships right on screen, and this movie nailed it on the head.

Have any of you seen it yet? Would love to know your thoughts! ♥

Pretty Young Things

This is so cute, we had to share. Thanks for the heads up, Gina!

Daytime Date Dress

I'll admit that I sometimes struggle to find the perfect daytime date dress. Living in NYC, I want to be comfortable while still looking feminine and cute. That said, I would totally sport this dress for that special occasion. It's versatile and can be paired with flats or comfy wedges. And! It's rather affordable, retailing for $58. Sold!

xx.
Karina

Have a Dreamy Weekend!

Photo of Guatemala via Quasebart.

Happy Friday, kiddies. I am super excited it's the weekend already. One of our fave cousins, Helena, is in town this week from Guatemala and we are really looking forward to showing her and her family around Brooklyn. We were planning to check out Park Slope and Prospect Park today, but given yesterday's tornadoes, not sure if that's still a good idea. I guess we can always go to Eataly instead!

Anyway, a little bit about our cousin: she is awesome and she always brings us amazing Guatemalan gifts. On this visit, she's brought us delicious coffee, table linens, and messenger bags. They are all so beautiful and I wish I had a better camera to show you everything, but instead I have just created a wish list of other Guatemalan goodies. It is seriously making me want to plan a trip down there soon!


Image via This Next.



Image via True Fair Trade.


Quilt by Priscilla Bianchi.


Have a lovely weekend! ♥

Today...

I need a hug...

And hot chocolate. Ever have one of those days? xo

I'm in love

Upcoming Aldo collaboration with Rad Hourani and Julian Louie. ♥ (via Style Bubble)

Creatures of Comfort, NYC

(Zero Maria Cornejo Joe Hoodie 3G)

(Alexander Wang Indigo Pants)

(Zero Maria Cornejo Hexagon Knit)

(Rachel Comey Pompano Mule)

This cool LA-based boutique now has a sister store in NYC, and I can't wait to check it out! Carrying the latest from cutting-edge designers, such as Zero Maria Cornejo, Alexander Wang + Rachel Comey (all above), I want everything on their website so will have to practice some serious self-restraint when I visit. :) Shop: Creatures of Comfort

Film: Blue Valentine (2010)

I SO want to see this. Starring Ryan Gosling + Michelle Williams, the film centers on a contemporary married couple, charting their evolution over a span of years. Looks like a great intimate portrait on a relationship, and Ryan Gosling -- hubba hubba! Watch: Blue Valentine

P.S. And check out the sexy spread they recently did for W Magazine.

Girl Crush

Loving this Colombian girl's style. I don't think I could personally pull off those pants (pleats + I have a complicated relationship), but she makes it look completely effortless. And to me, that hat makes it look like a fresh take on Annie Hall. ♥ Do you rock pleats?

(Via Face Hunter)

P.S. Also cute... Band of Outsiders

Afternoon Craving: Pan Con Chocolate

Craving this Spanish treat right now... Rustic bread, dark chocolate, extra virgin olive oil + sea salt (via Fresh Tart) Yum! :)

Backyard Bliss

After my visit to LA last week, where backyards are aplenty, I've been daydreaming about having my own private outdoor oasis. Don't get me wrong -- I absolutely ♥ living in New York. And rooftops are quite fun. But once in a while, it would be great to have a little more access to nature (without fire trucks + subway trains whizzing by :). How lovely are these modern (my fave) backyards? You can see more at HouseandHome + Design*Sponge

(Photos via HouseandHome)

Have a dreamy weekend!

It's Friday! Don't you just love the 4-day week? After an action-packed Labor Day weekend I'm looking forward to spending this weekend in a romper, and catching up on Mad Men + True Blood -- I'm shamefully behind. And checking out Mario Batali's new Italian gourmet market heaven, Eataly. What are your plans?

Have a dreamy weekend, everyone! xo!

Oh, and here are some fun, totally random links..... :)

Hilarious dancing babies (via I Heart You)

Cute marriage proposal!

Funny Black Tie Beach Party

Sweet e-stationery iphone app

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - Yum!

Insanely cute hedgehog

Alexa Chung for Madewell has finally arrived!

Twitters to follow this Fashion Week

(Beautiful photo by Jill Greenberg)

Dreamy Dame: Aerin Lauder

I just love peaking into the lives of women I find inspiring. Take Aerin Lauder, for example. She exudes femininity and refined taste, while being totally relatable. And just because her last name is lineage to a cosmetic empire, she has built her life with utmost grace while maintaining a sense of humbleness. Her family and friends come first, and she basks in domestic bliss. All the while she is the senior vice president and creative director for Estée Lauder. Hooray for women who do it all!


With her papa, Ronald.


She gives her friends iPods filled with music and chocolates from Ladurée. She also displays her sons' art in frames.


Her apartment in the city, where she fills it with fresh flowers.


Her hotel of choice, II San Pietro di Positano in Italy.


And her wedding day.

Oh, the life of a Lauder. Sigh. ;)

xx.
Karina

(Images courtesy of NY Times)