Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Second Chances

Paris Fashion Week Spring 2014: Part Two

The shows from the past few days have been unexpected, but in the best way possible. I stumbled upon a designer that I hadn't been paying attention to previously, Martin Grant, and it turns out that I am completely obsessed with his Spring collection.

I also saw collections that I really liked from designers that I hadn't been very fond of previously. I think that is what is great about a new season. It's not just a new collection but a fresh start and an opportunity to go in a new direction, and that is what keeps me coming back to fashion. There will always be something new to see and something new to fall in love with.

These are my favorite looks from the past couple of days. 

Christian Dior

Paris Fashion Week Spring 2014: Part One

We've reach the last week of a month that has been full of amazing fashion, but on the runway and the street. I have no doubt that Paris Fashion Week will be a spectacular finale to the Spring 2014 collections. These are my top picks from the first two days in Paris.

Rochas

Thursday Night Cocktail: Sparkling Pomegranate Punch

Recipe and Photo via Food & Wine

Serves 10-12

Ingredients

2 oranges, thinly sliced crosswise

1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

3/4 cup late-harvest white wine, such as late-harvest Riesling, chilled

Ice cubes, for serving

Two 750-milliliter bottles sparkling wine, chilled

3 tablespoons sugar

1 cup diced fresh pineapple (1/2 inch)

1 cup pomegranate juice

Directions

In a punch bowl, dissolve the sugar in the pomegranate juice, stirring vigorously. Add the sparkling wine and late-harvest white wine, then add the orange slices, diced pineapple and pomegranate seeds. Serve the sparkling pomegranate punch over ice cubes.

Cheers!

Fall Fashion Best Bets: Tops & Sweaters

A lot of tops are appropriate to wear all year round and many of us get several cold weather seasons out of  a good quality sweater. That being said, it's always good to freshen up your fall/winter wardrobe with a few new pieces. These are my top picks for fall 2013. 

Tops

Jack Wills Foulden Blouse

Joie Jesseette Lace-Front Blouse

Street Chic: Milan Fashion Week

Another Fashion Week full of amazing street style! The fashion pack brought their A game to Milan and what I think I loved most was the fact that everyone had a different style going on. I also loved how wearable the outfits were. Fashion Week street style has almost gotten out of hand the last couple of years with some women walking down the street in outfits that look like costumes. It's nice to see street style going back its more realistic roots. These are my top street style looks from Milan.

Favorite Looks from the 2013 Emmy Awards

Award season has officially started! My interest in fashion has grown exponentially over the years but it all started with red carpet dresses. Seeing the winners was always fun but my main concern was the pre-show from 6-8 p.m. where I could catch the fashion action live with the hilarious Joan Rivers.

 There were some amazing looks at the Emmys last night but these are my absolute favorites, aka i'll take one of each in a size 2 petite please!

Rose Byrne

Christina Hendricks

Allison Williams

Claire Danes

Elisabeth Moss

Malin Akerman

Laura Dern

Kate Mara

Ireland Baldwin

All photos from Fashionista.com. 

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Calamity Jane

Milan Fashion Week Spring 2014: Part Two

The collections from Milan have been both amazing and surprising. My top show overall is most definitely Dolce & Gabbana. The number of amazing looks that they sent down the runway was incredible and they truly had enough beautiful pieces for two spring collections. 

The show I was most surprised by was Roberto Cavalli. I have not always been a die-hard Cavalli fan but I really liked what I saw for Spring 2014. There was a softness that I hadn't seen with his previous collections and I am loving it. I can't wait to see what he has in store for Fall 2014.

Below are my top looks from the past several days.

Dolce & Gabbana

Fall Fashion Best Bets: Dresses

The weather has grown cooler but that won't deter me from wearing  these chic yet comfortable dresses all season long. Many of these are super versatile and can go from day to night with just a change of shoes and  jewelry. If it's too chilly for bare legs just break out the DKNY tights (worth the investment I promise!) or a pair of thin leggings and you're good to go for both work and play.

Issa Faux Wrap Dress

Mango Textured Polka Dot Dress

Milan Fashion Week Spring 2014: Part One

We've made it to the third leg of Spring 2014 fashion month and the looks have been absolutely lovely in Milan. The runways have been chocked-full of floral, shimmer and beautiful spring color and I have been loving it. I would buy the Luisa Beccaria and Alberta Ferretti collections in their entirety if I could afford it, but since I can't, I'll settle for sharing my favorite Milan looks from the last couple of days. 

Alberta Ferretti

Thursday Night Cocktail: Hot Apple-Ginger Toddy

Recipe from Stephen Phillips via The Food Network

Ingredients

6 oz. ginger-infused apple cider

Thin slice of fresh ginger or one piece of crystallized, candied ginger

1 tsp. honey

2 oz. bourbon 

Slice of lemon

Directions

Making the Ginger-infused Cider

Peel and chop the ginger. Bring apple cider to a boil in a non-aluminum pot. Add several slices of cut and peeled ginger when cider boils. Turn heat off and steep for 30 minutes. Puree this mixture in a blender and strain through cheesecloth. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Making the Cocktail

Heat the ginger-infused cider, but do not boil. Add bourbon. Stir in honey. Pour into a coffee mug. Garnish with lemon and ginger slice (or use crystallized ginger).

Cheers Peeps!

London Fashion Week Spring 2014: Top Picks Part Two

London Fashion Week has been fabulous so far and I have been loving all the spring color. The New York shows were amazing (as usual) but color-wise London is the winner for me. These are my favorite looks from the past few days.

Matthew Williamson

Fall Fashion Best Bets: Pants & Skirts

The cool weather has arrived here in Boston and that means it's time to break out the fall/winter fabrics like wool, velvet and leather. I'm super excited about this because I (and my pale white skins tone) have always looked better in the cool weather jewel tones rather than the warm weather pastels. These are my best bets for fall skirts and pants.

Skirts

Marc by Marc Jacobs Plaid Skirt

J.Crew No. 2 pencil skirt in colorblock houndstooth wool

J.Crew No. 2 pencil skirt in double-serge wool

Street Chic: London Fashion Week Edition

I enjoyed chronicling the street style scene from last week's New York shows so much that I decided to keep a good thing going and feature my favorite street style looks from London. With the London weather being much more fall fashion-friendly than in New York all the great fall clothes and accessories are on display. All the more inspiration for the upcoming fall/winter season! 

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Oprah Winfrey

London Fashion Week Spring 2014: Top Picks Part One

London Fashion Week is in full swing and I've already spotted some great looks for both of the "Kate's." The soft pink Whistles dress and the textured white coat and jacket from Mulberry are perfect for the Duchess of Cambridge. And for the other "Kate", Kate Moss, the amazing black lace John Rocha dress could not suit her better. The white, off-the-shoulder dress from Preen would is also perfect for her. What do you guys think so far? I love that the looks are completely different from New York shows.

Temperley London

Festive Fall Centerpieces

I love fall entertaining and parties, almost as much as Christmas and holiday entertaining. I think it stems from the fact that we have a lot of family birthdays in the fall so I grew up watching my mother entertain a lot during this time of the year. 

I have some posts coming up on great recipes for fall entertaining, as well as some beautiful ideas for tablescapes and place settings but today I'm going to focus on the first thing that goes onto your party table: the centerpiece.

The fall season is the perfect time to mix food into your flower centerpieces. 

NYFW: Final Show Wrap Up

Below are my top picks for the final shows of New York Fashion Week. I will most definitely be following London Fashion Week with the help of the lovely Style.com, but in the interest of including some non-fashion related posts to Chic | Sparkle I will be keeping my London Fashion Week posts to every other day. 

Co

Thursday Night Cocktail: Chucktown Sunrise

Recipe via Southern Living

Ingredients

2 tablespoons bourbon

1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lime juice 

10 ounces ice

6 tablespoons ginger ale or ginger beer 

1/4 teaspoon grenadine

fresh lime slices or wedges (garnish) 

Directions

Combine 2 Tbsp. bourbon and 1 1/2 tsp. fresh lime juice in a cocktail shaker; fill with ice. Cover with lid, and shake vigorously until thoroughly chilled (about 30 seconds). Strain into a 10-oz. glass filled with ice. Top with 6 Tbsp. of your favorite ginger ale or ginger beer. Drizzle with 1/4 tsp. grenadine. Garnish with fresh lime slices or wedges.

Cheers! 

NYFW Spring 2014: Day Seven Top Picks

It's been a long week of fashion peeps. I don't know how the editors have the strength to keep the pace that they do, especially since many of them are on their way to London for the first day of London Fashion Week. These are my top picks for day seven of New York Fashion Week.

Marchesa

First Fall Dessert of the Season: Apple Pie Slab

I am a big fan of apple pie and I always look forward to fall because it's the best season for apples. My Mom recently found a recipe for Apple Slab in her King Arthur Flour catalogue and we figured it was worth a try. It turned out great and I think it's just as good as regular apple pie for several reasons.

1. It's easier to make!
2. The bottom crust cooks much more evenly than crust in a pie dish.
3. It serves more people than a traditional pie so it's great for holiday's and parties.

I usually use cortland apples for baking but they aren't available yet so I googled baking apples and it turns out that honey crisp and pink lady apples are also good for baking. Perfect because those are easy apples to find at the grocery store in late summer-early fall.

NYFW Spring 2014: Day Six Top Picks

Just a couple of more days of NYFW before fashion month continues across the pond in London. These are my top picks from day six. 

Oscar de la Renta

NYFW Spring 2014: Day Five Top Picks

Before I jump into my tops picks from day five I need to take a moment to acknowledge the beauty that was Zac Posen's Spring 2014 collection. When yesterday's top picks post was scheduled the photos from Pozen's show were not yet available. These are top picks from his show.

Street Chic: New York Fashion Week Edition

This week's Street Chic is going back to where street style all began: Fashion Week! Obviously the main attraction at Fashion Week are the designers and their beautiful clothes (as it should be), but the amazing street style from the models, celebrities and fashion pack runs a very close second. These are my top street style looks so far from New York Fashion Week. 

NYFW Spring 2014: Day Four Top Picks

Fashion week is in full swing i'm loving all the color for next spring, but as you can see I am loving the color black as well. I know that dark colors aren't considered "springy" but a great black dress is always in season. Don't tell Anna Wintour that I said that though. 

Lela Rose

Monday Morning Pick Me Up: Mindy Kaling

NYFW Spring 2014: Day Three Top Picks

If there is ever a reason to get up early on a Saturday morning, Fashion Week is it! Here are my top looks from Saturday's shows.

Mara Hoffman

Snacks & Treats to Kick Off Football Season

I know that football season officially started on Thursday night, but since my Patriots don't play until tomorrow afternoon the season hasn't really started for me yet. Obviously the most important part of watching the game is your favorite team winning, but next on the list is definitely the food. 

NYFW Spring 2014: Day Two Top Picks

New York Fashion Week is in full swing. These are my favorite Spring 2014 looks from day two. I admit that this post is heavy on the Kate Spade but everything was so cute! I just couldn't help myself. Enjoy!

Rachel Roy

NYFW Spring 2014: Day One Top Picks

After much anticipation New York Fashion Week has finally arrived! I could hardly concentrate at the office today because I kept hopping on Style.com to see all the show looks and reviews. I'll get straight to the fashion. These are my top picks from day one.

Red Valentino

Thursday Night Cocktail: Honeycrisp Apple Sangria

Image and Recipe via Nutmeg Nanny

Why ease into the fall season? I say jump in head first with this apple infused drink!

Yield: 5 - 6 Cups

Ingredients

2 Honeycrisp Apples

One 750-milliliter Unoaked Bottle Chardonnay

1/2 cup Peach Schnapps

1/4 cup Orange Blossom Honey

2 Oranges - 1 Quartered

1 Lemon - Quartered

1 Lime - Quartered

2 Cinnamon Sticks

2 Quarter-size Slices of Fresh Ginger

3 Whole Cloves

2 Tablespoons Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Ice

Club Soda

Directions

Peel, core and chop one of the apples. In a bowl, combine the Chardonnay, schnapps and honey. Add the quartered orange, lemon, lime, cinnamon sticks, chopped apple, ginger and cloves and refrigerate overnight. (If you don't want to wait that long at least give it 4 hours)

Strain the sangria into a pitcher. Peel, core and finely chop the remaining apple. Peel, section and chop the remaining orange. Mix the apple and orange in a bowl.

On a small plate, blend the sugar and cinnamon. Moisten the rims of wine glasses and dip in the cinnamon sugar to coat. Fill the glasses with ice. Pour in the sangria until three-quarters full. Top with a splash of club soda. Garnish with a spoonful of the chopped apple and orange.

Happy Fall!

Is It Fall Yet?

Signs that fall has arrived - The Halloween displays at my local Home Goods, the introduction of the pumpkin everything menus at Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks and the scary mob of college students at Target over the weekend.

Signs that fall has not arrived - The trees in my neighborhood are as green as can be, there is a distinct lack of Cortland apples at the grocery store, (please come soon, I want apple pie!) and the fact that I broke a sweat walking from my car to the office yesterday morning.

Fall is my favorite time of year, party because of the yummy food and most definitely because of the fashion! This is what I am looking forward to the most this season:

Fresh Apple Cider Donuts

My Mom's Homemade Apple Pie

Wearing my Favorite DKNY Tights

Apple Picking

Celebrating Three Family Birthdays in October

Attending a Friends Thanksgiving

Breaking Out my Favorite Boots and Booties

Football on Sunday's (Go Patriots!)

So, what are you looking forward to this fall?

Blogger Note: Beautiful Image at the Beginning of the Post is from Micky via Flikr Creative Commons

Street Chic: Sienna Miller

I've been a huge Sienna Miller fashion fan since she first appeared on the scene in 2004. She has a natural, easy style and it is well known within the industry that she opts to choose her own outfits rather than use a professional stylist. It's easy to see why - the woman doesn't need any help in the fashion department. 

Tuesday Morning Pick Me Up: Life is a Party!

Labor Day 2013

I hope everyone has a lovely Labor Day! I will be back tomorrow morning with a TUESDAY Morning Pick Me Up and a Street Chic post. 

Image Credit: TurtleDish via Flickr Creative Commons