Have a Dreamy (and Spooky) Weekend!

The weekend is finally here! I don't think I've been this excited for Halloween since I was a kid. Today we are throwing our Second Annual Dia de los Muertos Fiesta. I know we've been raving about it for weeks now and finally, the time has come. Our apartment is decked out with skulls, papel picado, candles, shrines, and paper flowers. This party has pretty much consumed our lives for the past five weeks, no joke. Can't wait to post photos next week. (Photo above, source unknown, was an inspiring image for our costume selection.)

Hope you all have a wonderful Halloween weekend!

And of course, some awesome posts from this week:

Why I love living in Brooklyn.

Polaroid coasters = brilliant!

A delicious looking spicy squash salad with lentils and goat cheese. Yum!

I love this song by Twin Shadow and Hooray for Earth.

Going to a Halloween party this weekend? Your hosts will love this!

By far, Tim Curry's best performance ever. (Thanks for the reminder, Dede!)

And again, in case you missed it, Karina's video for Alexandra Grecco.

xo.

Poli(sh)tics

Above, from left: Chanel Nail Polish in Paradoxal, $23, available at Chanel; YSL Nail Polish in Belle de Nuit, $30 the set of two, available at Nordstrom; Butter London 3 Free Lacquer Nail Polish in Marrow, $14, available at Butter London.

Traditionally, around this time of year, I like to paint my nails dark and rich colors. I usually opt for a black polish or a deep red. But I'm feeling frisky! That said, I thought I could mix it up and try any of these three variations of purple.

This will go perfectly with my Hall & Oates costume for Saturday night (I'm Oates). ;)

(Image courtesy of Refinery 29)

Women Photographers

(Photo by Lauren Ward)

(Photo by Margaret Durow)

(Photo by Kava Gorna)

(Photo by Olivia Bee)

Years ago, after I graduated from college, I took a continuing ed photography class at SVA. While I decided through the class that photography, as a full-on career path, wasn't for me (I prefer moving images), I gained a new amount of respect for what goes into a great image. These images above, all taken by women photographers, I find completely inspiring + remind me of why I fell in love with photography. Do you have any fave women photographers? ♥

P.S. If you're in NYC, tomorrow these photographer's work will be on display.

P.P.S. - Photographer Olivia Bee is so talented. Can you believe she's only 16?

Film: City of Lost Children (1995)

One of my favorite films when it comes to art direction and style, has to be The City of Lost Children (La cité des enfants perdus). Co-directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, who also did Amelie and Delicatessen, and Marc Caro, the film is a beautiful and visually stunning fairtyale about a mad scientist kidnapping children to steal their dreams. Only brave young Miette (Judith Vittet) and a kindhearted circus strongman (Ron Perlman) can save them. I love it because it's surreal and dark, but still romantic and dreamy.

Although it's not a scary movie, I thought it would be appropriate to post about this week with Halloween right around the corner. What are some of your fave films for this time of year?

♥

Pumpkin Carving Rooftop Party

Yesterday we got together for a pumpkin carving party on the roof. It was so much fun. The weather was absolutely perfect for outdoor crafts, snacks + creepy cocktails (I made Giada's Italian Fruit Punch).

We used stencils...

Our Mom brought wine (go, Mom!)...

Our friend, Lauren, showed off her mean carving skills...

DOPT sisters concentrating....

Megan made a disco ball pumpkin...

Using my stenciling skills...

We all decided Karina's pumpkin won...

Our final products...

I think I may make this a yearly tradition. =) Happy Monday! xo!

P.S. - Afterwards I roasted the pumpkin seeds (I added fresh rosemary), and they came out so tasty!

Have a dreamy weekend!

How magical is this blue lagoon in Iceland? I find it both dreamy + eerie, perfect for the mood I've been in lately with Halloween abuzz.

Speaking of Halloween, do you have your costume picked out yet? It's on my agenda for this weekend, along with some pumpkin carving on Sunday. It's been ages since I've carved a pumpkin so I've invited a few girlfriends over for creepy cocktails + afternoon crafts. I'm going to try to carve this. =)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

And here are some fun links for your Friday... xo!

Last minute Halloween costume ideas

For New Yorkers: Halloween Guide 2010

Minimalist pumpkins!

Have you seen this hilarious blog, Dear Girls Above Me? (It's being made into a tv show.)

Cool stop-motion wedding video of couple Bonnie + Rhys (via Design*Sponge)

Swedish Design, you get me every time.

I watched this docudrama this week. Incredibly inspiring - Highly recommend!

(Photo via Pinterest)

P.S. - And in case you missed it... Karina's cute + AWESOME vid for Alexandra Grecco Fall 2010

Stitch Art

Loving this embroidered art by Megan Whitmarsh. ♥

(via the awesome blog, Hither and Thither)

Happy Hour: Day of the Dead Cocktails

Ashes to Ashes

Fresa Catrina

Marigold Ofrenda

In spirit of the upcoming Day of the Dead holiday, which we are perhaps overly excited about, I would love to share with you these new cocktails created by Espolón Tequila. When I saw these bottles, I almost died! The look is so perfect for our upcoming fiesta. I can't wait to make these!

And now a little information on where these cocktails came from.

Inspired by 19th Century Dia de los Muertos-style imagery, the Espolón labels illustrate the fictitious journeys of characters Guadalupe and Rosarita, with their inspirational companion, Ramón the Rooster, capturing significant moments in the lives of the people of Mexico. The storied history depicted on the outside of the bottle is enhanced by the award-winning tequila within. The 100% pure Blue Agave tequila from the Los Altos (High-lands) region of Jalisco, Mexico is available in Blanco and Reposado.

Ashes to Ashes
Created by H. Joseph Ehrmann
Elixir, San Francisco
1.5 oz. Espolón Tequila Reposado
.5 oz. Pedro Ximenez Sherry
1 oz. Lemon Juice
1 tsp. Sweetened Cocoa Mix
.25 oz. Agave Nectar
1 pinch Ground Cinnamon
Directions: Place all ingredients in a mixing glass, fill with ice, cover and shake well for 10 seconds. Strain up into a cocktail glass. Garnish with cinnamon dust.

Fresa Catrina
Created by Thomas Waugh
Death & Company, New York
2 oz. Espolón Tequila Blanco
.5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
.75 oz. Simple Syrup
1 small strawberry
10 whole black peppercorns
Splash of Absinthe
Directions: Muddle strawberry with black peppercorns. Rinse a cocktail glass with absinthe. Shake all ingredients with ice in a shaker and fine strain into the rinsed cocktail glass.

Marigold Ofrenda
Created by Christopher Bostick
The Varnish Bar, Los Angeles
2 oz. Espolón Tequila Reposado
1 oz. Fresh Lime Juice
.75 oz. Orange Curaçao or Triple Sec
.5 oz. Light Agave Nectar
.5 cup peeled and chopped cantaloupe
1/8 teaspoon Chile de Arbol powder
1 small edible marigold for garnish
Directions: Muddle cantaloupe, Agave Nectar, and Orange Curaçao in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add remaining ingredients, excluding garnish. Add ice and shake very well for at least 10 seconds. Double strain into chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with edible marigold.

Enjoy! ♥

How to Pick Your Seasonal Veggies

Just found this cute new Etsy shop where you can buy original paper cut designs, including this awesome seasonal vegetable calendar. There are so many things I love about this, mostly because it's original, handmade and it makes a great gift. Love!

The Canadian Suit

I've gone back and forth with this look many times. I love wearing a denim shirt, and I adore wearing comfy jeans. But how does one mix the two together to make the perfect modern day take on the Canadian Suit? Well, from my extensive research (ehem, Google images) what I found is key on perfecting this look is not wearing all one wash. And, I think it helps not wearing denim that's too tight. The slouchy denim look is what will set you apart, even better if combined with killer heels. ;)

How would you wear this look?

(Image courtesy of Denimology)

Afternoon Craving: Homemade Kettle Corn Popcorn

It's that time of day. Doesn't this look tasty? I can't get enough of sweet + salty combos. See recipe here. (But if you're feeling lazy, you can always buy a bag of this!)

(Recipe + Photo via Cooking on the Side)

Dreamy Dame: Garance Doré

The Sartorialist recently posted photos of his girlfriend, photographer Garance Doré. Don't we all wish we looked like this while working? Damn, this lady has style... So chic + seemingly effortless. Adore. And check out her blog too. It's quite fabulous. Happy Tuesday. ♥

(Photos via The Sartorialist)

Hip Hotel: Soho Beach House

It's that time of year when Art Basel, which takes place in Miami Beach and is currently one of the most important art shows in the US, starts to peak out in the horizon. And the good news? This year I'm finally going! My ticket is booked and the daydreaming of art + beaches has officially begun (even if it's not til December. =)

So it's through this daydreaming, that I discovered the recent opening of the stunning Soho Beach House, the Miami branch of the exclusive British members-only club, The Soho House. But what's great about this location is that they are loosening the velvet rope and anyone (well, anyone who can afford their price tags) can stay at the hotel, dine at their restaurant, Cecconi's, or enjoy the luxurious Cowshed Spa.

I'm loving the design mix of old + new. And that bedroom view is stunning. Can't you just feel the humidity on your skin as you would open that sliding door upon arrival? Ahh... Visit: Soho Beach House

(Photos via Cool Hunting + Soho Beach House)

Brighten your day...

Wouldn't this print be fun for a frame wall near the entrance? See more fun prints at Hijirik Studio on Etsy | xo

Happy Birthday, Papa Cifuentes!

Happy Birthday to our wonderful Dad! I have to say, the three of us are incredibly lucky to have someone so cool and hip as our father. He has always been funny, thoughtful and an eternal optimist. He's taught us to always look on the bright side of things, give people the benefit of the doubt, give back to the community and work hard to achieve our goals. We are thankful for everything you do, Dad, and we hope you have a wonderful birthday!

We're celebrating with dinner tonight and I am making this for dessert.

Have a lovely weekend! ♥

Happy Hour: Warm Winter Margaritas

If you've been to our apartment in the last few weeks, you'll know that this time of year means one thing for us: prepping for our annual Dia de los Muertos party. About once or twice a week, we've had a few girls over for craft night so we can make paper mache skulls, paper flowers and papel picado. It's very labor intensive work, but really fun, especially when we drink wine or make fun cocktails. For our next craft night, I think I am going to make these Warm Winter Margaritas. They were created by Marcela Valladolid, who has the show, Mexican Made Easy on the Food Network. I think they sound like the perfect Mexican cocktail to keep us in the spirit!

Warm Winter Margaritas
Ingredients – Serves 4:
28 oz. apple juice
1 cinnamon stick
2 cups dried fruit of your choice
2 tbs granulated sugar
6 oz. Sauza® Tequila Blanco
Steps: Combine apple juice and cinnamon in a heavy pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick carefully. Add sugar, dried fruit, and tequila. Mix well. Serve warm.

For the actual party, I am thinking of making these cute little tequila shots with Pop Rocks! The colors are so perfect for Day of the Dead, I can't wait!

Pop Rocks On
Rim shot glass with Pop Rocks flavor of your choice
Fill with 1 part Hornitos® Premium Tequila
Enjoy!

Dreamy Dancers

Martha Graham by Barbara Morgan

Twyla Tharp by Richard Avedon.

Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison (photo unknown)

This morning I woke up thinking about ballerinas. I'm not entirely sure why, but I had the sudden urge to look up Martha Graham today, her name has been floating around my subconscious mind for reasons I have yet to determine. There is just something so incredibly inspiring about dancers; their grace, elegance and discipline are so hard to achieve and yet they tend to make it look effortless. So I did some digging and thought I would share these lovely images with you.

You can buy tickets to the NYC Ballet here and to Alvin Ailey here.

TasteSpotting

Have you heard of the website, TasteSpotting? I only recently discovered it when Gwyneth Paltrow mentioned it as one of her favorite food blogs (which I linked to last week, but it's worth mentioning again because it looks so yummy!) The site compiles tons of recipes from around the web, and is a great place to visit when you're not sure what to make for dinner. I'm especially loving the sweets recipes. Bon appetit!

(Photos top to bottom via: Fritesandfries, alacarte + julialikesred)