CHI Celeb-spoting: Tim Gunn with John Bartlett

(06.10.09) Designer John Bartlett and fashion plate/host Tim Gunn of Project Runway were in Chicago at Bucktown's hottest newest eatery, The Bristol. Bartlett has created a new men's line for Claiborne (available at Carson's) that totes the slogan, "Work in your play clothes. Play in your work clothes." Tim Gunn has been shaking up the fashion scene since he recently left Parson's to head the new Claiborne brands as chief creative director. (Isaac Mizrahi also recently ditched Target to sign up with the label.) Probably one of the nicest (and most stylish) guys ever!

A few words with Mr. Gunn...

• Favorite thing to do in Chicago? "I love Chicago. The shopping is great and I like going to the museums. [The new Modern Wing] is on my list."
• Did you know Christian was just here? "I know! It seems our paths just miss each other over and over."
• Best places for men's shirts? "John Bartlett for Claiborne or Hugo Boss."

CHI Celeb-spotting: Christian Siriano

SPOTTED: Christian Siriano strutting down Oak St. June 5th.

I had to do a double-take at first but the hair, glasses and height were a dead giveaway. The Season 4 winner of Project Runway has a new line available at Intermix and Bonnie & Clyde's in Chicago. Just a few months back, Siriano was in Chicago showcasing his line with a fashion show at Lumen.

Another Project Runway star, Tim Gunn, will be making an appearance in Chicago this week at a private CS Magazine event. Stay tuned for the scoop! (Maybe he'll bring Christian along!)

CHI Celeb-spotting: Bullseye Bazaar

(4.29.09) A whole lot more than just garb and goods drew crowds at Target's Bullseye Bazaar in Chicago. Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick and Jessica Szohr, as well as Private Practice's Kate Walsh were in attendance at the 3 day pop-up store premier at the Tribune Tower.

The two femme fashionistas were just as sweet as they were fabulous!
A little know fact: Where did Kate get her signature auburn locks? From a bottle! Although she is a mix of Irish & Italian, she is a natural blond.

For the love of fashion...

Any girl older than 13 knows that Vera Wang is synonymous with weddings, so what else would a bride-to-be do but attend the Vera Wang/Belle Vie Bridal Couture fashion show at CS Brides' Evening of Bridal Luxury at the Four Seasons in Chicago? On display were Wang's trig threads fresh off the New York Bridal Market runways. And the trends? Color washes, texture and big bling all stole the show. Also shown were fanciful frocks by the likes of the ever-innovative Anne Barge, along with Amsale, Reem Acra and St. Pucchi.

(Photos by Fig Media)

How to Have Style by Isaac Mizrahi

Every woman needs a little help every once in a while. With this style guide, Isaac Mizrahi spells out exactly how to be fashionable and fabulous at any age, size or budget.

See him talking about his new book here.







(photo: Issac Mizrahi & Courtney Hildenbrand at the Ivy Room in Chicago at the launch of the new Mizrahi line for Liz Claiborne)

Shoe La La

If I were a shoe, I would be....

Christian Louboutin Carnival d'Orsay Peep Toe Pumps - Yours for only a little over $1,100.

Feeling generous? I wear a size 10. (Yes, 10. I know.)

Saks Fifth Avenue

Pete Wentz featured on CS Magazine

The June 2009 issue of CS magazine is out! Featuring a fabulous nightlife section & Pete Wentz on the cover, this is a hot issue not to be missed. Click here to read the digital edition.

Real Housewives of... CHICAGO?

As many of you may know, I'm obsessed with the Bravo Real Housewives series. What's not to love about feuding 40-somethings? Rumor has it that an independent production company is shopping the idea of using Chicago as the next pick. Check out the Sun-Times' suggestions here. As for my personal pick, I say Amy Allen - Group Publisher at Modern Luxury (aka my boss). Know a Chicago housewife? Check out how to be considered.

Limoncello Sorbetini

Limoncello Sorbetini

Using a melon ball scoop, place 1 scoop lemon sorbet in the bottom of a glass.
Combine 1 part limoncello with 2 parts prosecco & pour over the sorbet.
Garnish using mint, strawberries or whatever you wish.

Poster Child: Chicago

Ork Posters has these great city neighborhood posters in different colors from $22. Super modern & very city-chic.

Hat Trick

Oh, the weather outside is frightful! Keep your head warm and stylish with this trendy hat from Supermarket. $198.

Mirror, Mirror

Oh, how I adore Etsy! I can browse for hours and never get tired of viewing things as lovely as this. Seller lisagolightly's store is chock-full of these fabulous mirror art pieces.

Table Manners: Fabs Finds

Trends at Target: The cool, crisp edges of these octagonal plates add style to classic white dinnerware. The rounded, prism-like bottoms of these glasses look very high-end and have great weight. Looking for the perfect flatware set? The hammered look gives a nod to modern dining. All available at Target.

Mercury Rising

Mercury glass is the perfect addition to any tablescape. Tie in the old with the new with a little shine. Mercury, or silvered, glass dates back to around 1840 until at least 1930 in Bohemia, now the Czech Republic, Germany, and was also manufactured in England from 1849-55. Authentic mercury glass is quite expensive but there are several modern options that look just like the real thing. Krylon even makes a spray paint now that is perfect for DIYs.

Check out these two sites for inspiration:
http://inthenowweddings.com/blog/?p=4811
Everyday Bride

Vintage Glass Neckwear

I've had my eye on these for awhile. What a neat idea! I love utilizing vintage treasures as modern accessories. The letters are made of vintage German glass from the 1960's. I would love if Santa put one in my stocking!

Etsy Holiday Finds

Change your decor with DaliDecals. A great gift for the modern gal who loves to change it up.


For the gals that loves to bake, channel June Cleaver in this throwback apron.



Etsy seller khamm75 is offering these adorable custom pear tree wall hangings. I think they'd be even lovelier as Christmas cards.

It's A Date!

I was recently at a party in the city and just loved these oh-so-simple hor d'oeuvres. They're just the way I like my recipes - fast, easy & delish! Anything that can be made WITHOUT using a measuring cup is ok by me. You can make these two ways - sweet or savory.

What You'll Need

Sweet:
Large Dates
Walnuts
Sweet Cheese (A few ideas: goat cheese drizzled with honey, 1 package of cream cheese blended with one jar of Fluff, or ricotta "cannoli" filling)

Savory:
Replace the sweet cheese with something more robust (I had them with Bleu cheese - but brie, gorgonzola or Camembert would be good options, too!)

All you need to do is slice open your dates, stuff with your choice of cheese, top with walnuts and heat until they're warm. Ta-DA! So easy.

Bows and Baubles - Gossip Girl Style

Hey there, Upper East Siders. This fall, preppy punctuations are taking center stage in the fashion arena. (And we're not talking about Queen B - rather her accessories.) Jennifer Behr -hair accessory designer to the stars- is currently at the vortex of haute-y headwear. Many of her designs have been featured on Gossip Girl and she even designs signature wedding wear, perfect for the blushing bride who is over the idea of toting a tiara for her big day. Check out her website and these photos to see for yourself why Miss Blair is such a fan.

Perennial Posers

Check out the full article on pg. 102 at CSBrides.com


Recently for work, I did a last minute photo shoot with my fiance and a few of our close friends. (I know. My job is miserable. Who in their right minds would want to do such a thing?) We rounded up the troops one Saturday afternoon & headed over to Perennial in Lincoln Park. They supposedly host the best brunch in town. Anyway, we coiffed and cackled and flexed and fluffed and within three hours produced 300 photos. It was a great time had by all - especially the men who were mostly used as props and background. It got me thinking - what a fun way to gather friends, glam it up and get your vogue on. I think this could be an idea: a fabulous fete and photos from your engagement with your BFFs. Here are two shots by Katrina Wittkamp from CS Brides out Dec 15th.

Luck of the Draw

Just by chance I was browsing etsy.com in search of my next craft project (many of which end up boxed - just waiting to be made for months or more) when I stumbled upon JHMdesign's delicious drawings of blushing brides and their gowns. Other artists sell similar creations for several hundreds. This, too, can be yours for $80. A treasured keepsake that won't need to be dry cleaned!

Bad Blogger

So to all my friends who check religiously for updates - I'm sorry. I've had my hands full working & writing for a fabulous magazine group- Modern Luxury based in Chicago. I'll even have a few articles published in the next issue of Chicago Social Brides (check Barnes & Noble post-Dec. 15). Honestly, I'm having the time of my life - although one of the major benefits of unemployment was being able to update C24 daily. I'll work on my inconsistency!

Also, I recently became a blushing bride - err, future bride. My fiance "engaged" me, as we joke, over Labor Day Weekend at my childhood vacation spot. Overall, the weekend was full of L's: Leisure, Libations - and most of all L-O-V-E. So be prepared for the many upcoming posts about wedding finds & fancies - a whole lot of them.

Sealed With a Kiss, err Wax

It was not all too long ago when handwritten letters were the sole form of communication. The Medici of Florence and world rulers of the like spread military tactics, penned glimmering words of love and devotion, and corresponded with friend and foe. Some of the most luscious attempts at literature began solely with the presence of a pen and paper. But now, with the advancement of technology, we can send a message within moments and receive a response seconds later - bringing both blessings and barriers.

If you long for the days of love letters and messengers, these stately sealing wax stamps will transport you to a simpler time brimming with perfectly distributed lexicon. Not only are they available with images; monograms; and initials, but they are also available to use with the new glue gun wax - a quick and easy alternative to the method used in the past. Nostalgic Impressions offers a stamp of your choice plus five glue stick for $22.95 (enough for 100 stamps).

http://www.nostalgicimpressions.com/Glue_Gun_Sealing_Wax_Wedding_Kit_p/585h.htm

http://www.sensia.com/waxseals.htm

Food Review: Nacional 27 - Chicago

Challenge your taste buds as you experience the latin fusion of the most exciting flavors from 27 different nations. The food is undeniably some of the best I've had, and the drinks serve as an experience altogether created by mixologist and general manager Adam Seger. We experienced 4 types of Sangria - passionfruit, elderflower, strawberry rhubarb/basil and Peruvian chicha (which boasted a cinnamon flavor from the husks of corn), followed by a gin concoction that contained muddled Maine blueberries and rosemary. DELICIOUS! The chimichurri and truffle crusted beef medallions are unreal & the tapas are bursting with new flavors. Anything you order here will surely amaze you. In the evening the restaurant is exploding with Latin beats while hip djs are accompanied by a percussion section.

http://www.nacional27.net/

Crafty Glass Magnets

An easy and beautiful way to dress up your fridge, office or dorm room- these magnets take no time at all and are incredibly fun.


Materials:
Clear glass beads (not iridescent)
Silicone sealant/JewelIt glue
Circle Punch
Magnets
Images
Thick white paper/posterboad

1. Start by selecting images that you like. The circle punch is a good way to save time and you can flip it backwards so you can view the exact image that will be punched out. Once you punch out all your images, punch out white circles to be placed as backing.
2. Place a dab of silicone on the magnet and press down the backing.
3. Add another dab of glue on top of that & press down image.
4. Again, add a lentil-sized dab of glue on top of that & press down the marble on top so you see the silicone spread across the image.
5. Allow them to dry at least one day & you are ready to go.
6. I also love the idea of using cute cardboard or altoid-like containers to give them in. Great touch!

Here is another website to reference with great pictures:
http://www.notmartha.org/tomake/marblemagnets/

Beautiful Black Kicks for Fall

After a week-long hiatus, I'm back to blogging and have some fancy footwear to share. Newport News has a few fabulous pairs of shoes that will make the transition to fall fashion a breeze. These not-so-basic black shoes will be stunners when paired with opaque tights. At $34 a pair ($59 for the tall boots) this is fashion you can afford. Newport-News Shoes

How Sweet!

M&M's now makes its personalized candies even better with the photo upload option. It takes about five minutes to select your colors, photo(s) and phrases. They start at $12.99 per 7 oz bag with a minimum of 3 bags ($38. 97 total). Click here to view the website.

Beef Up Your Workout Wardrobe

Steve and Barry's is the perfect place to stock up on new workout gear without breaking the bank. Venus William's line called Eleven offers high-quality sport shorts, pants, shoes, tees and tops - all for $8.98 each. Feel good and look good - and if it makes you go to the gym more often, that's money well-spent.

Check out the collection.

Dry Lips Sugar Scrub

With the glorious sunbathing that the summer brings each year, it also brings chapped lips. For soft, kissable lips try this easy little trick!

Combine:
1/2 tsp honey
1/2 tsp sugar

Once it is mixed up, apply all over your lips. Using your toothbrush gently "brush" your lips. Repeat if the desired effect is not achieved. Finally, top off your lips with a moisturizing chapstick or balm. I love Blistex or Burt's Beeswax. MUAH!

Florence, Italy Travel Suggestions

Last December, I couldn't help but be romanced by the city of Florence upon arrival. I spent 5 glorious months (with the love of my life) living, eating, breathing, shopping and exploring like a Florentine. What an experience! I can still hear the "Witch of the Ponte Vecchio", as we fondly appointed her, bellowing "Graaaaazie" in her low, scratchy voice as she mixed amongst the tourists and Florence residents. Some were stopping to admire the glow of each and every window stuffed with jewels and gold, while others hurried to dodge the common tourist stopping in the middle of the stampede, anxious to get the perfect photo. Florence is a timeless treasure. Here are some tips if you ever happen to find yourself in this charming city:

Bella Firenze (Florence)

Resturants

Ciro & Sons (great brick-oven pizza)

Osteria de Benci (order the Risotto de Fragole & drunken pasta)

I Latini (Via del Palchetti 6r, off Via della Vigna Nuova, Near Piazza Santa Trínita

Chigale Bianco (on Borgo San Jacopo)

Gelato

Gelateria dei Neri (on Via dei Neri – try Crema Giotto or a mix of Limone and Frutti di Bosco..YUM!)

Vivoli is also in many travel books but they aren’t as good

Don’t get suckered into paying 7 euro a piece like I did when I was first there

Shopping

Ponte Vecchio for jewelry (Look but be careful buying – My mom bought a pendant and it changed color)

San Lorenzo Market for all other goodies (great leather, pashmina shawls, and all other souvenirs)

Sites

David

Uffizzi (See if the Vasari Corridor is open, usually you have to go in a group. It is the secret passageway the Medici used to cross the entire city so they wouldn’t be killed on the streets.)

Il Duomo

Palazzo Pitti & Boboli Gardens ( My school is across the street – Accademia Italiana)

Ponte Vecchio

Santa Maria Novella

Santo Croce

Medici Chapel (Museo dell’Duomo)

Bargello

Piazza Michelangelo

The most gorgeous view of the city! Walk up even higher to the church of San Miniato to see the marvelous grounds. The monks chant everyday around 5pm.

Spend lots of time walking around especially at night in piazza Republica & the Ponte Vecchio. There are often musicians.

If you are feeling like a taking a chance for love, you can follow the tradition and purchase a lock to hook on to the Ponte Vecchio. It’s molto romantico but if you get caught there is a 50 euro fine. Yikes!

“Several procedural rules have evolved for these metallic love vows over the years. For example, couples must write their names with a felt-tipped pen, on one side of the lock, adding the date of their passage through Florence on the other side, before throwing the keys into the river.”


Buon Viaggio!!

Support Your (Not So) Local Artists

A fantastic website that many of you might know of is http://www.etsy.com/. It is a forum where you can buy and sell all things artistic that are handmade. It's a terrific way to get a massive collaboration of talent. Why buy from a huge manufacturer when you can get custom jewelry, paintings and almost anything else you can think of! Here are a few great picks I found.

Designed by:
JustbeDesigns
BlueLeona
AutumntoMay'sShop
LoucheLab

Two Bedrooms I Love

These are two fabulous rooms that I tried to copy when redoing my room. (Mine is the Design on a Dime version. ha ha) Aren't they lovely!

Beautiful Bouquets

I love the combination of whites and greens! So beautiful!

My Cousin's Tea Party Wedding Shower

My cousin, Katie, had one of the most beautiful showers I've ever seen. It was a tea party theme and everyone wore big hats. They had contests for "Best Hat" and "Best Kiss"(We each put our best lipstick smooch on a notecard and the Father of the Bride & Husband to Be picked the best lips.) Everything had a vintage/antique feel & was so lovely. All the china, wooden chairs for the "head table" and centerpieces were all snatched up at garage sales and flea markets and were transformed into gorgeous decor. They served up croissants with terrific chicken salad and other delicious finger foods. It was so relaxed and beautiful! Everyone is still talking about it and it was two years ago! Here are some photos to enjoy!

2 Great Buys from Target

I really love the new GO INTERNATIONAL line at Target that features couture designer's ready-to-wear collections. These two pieces are a great addition to any wardrobe. The Gryson pouch is on sale now for $4.99 and the Go International Metallic Boyfriend Vest is also on sale for $8.74! I think the vest would look phenomenal paired with some black skinny jeans and pumps for a night out. Also, anytime you buy online from Target and spend $50 or more, shipping is free. Take anything you don't want back to the store. Super easy!

Silky Smooth Skin

While living in Florence, Italy, I visited a terme (Sulfur Bath/Spa) per the recommendation of my photography professor, Annalisa. This magnificent place is called Rapolano Terme a couple hours by train from Florence. After spending the day soaking with the Italians and (following their lead) rubbing the creamy sulfur mixture in the water all over my skin, I left feeling and looking like a piece of chalk. I showered several times and could not restore any moisture to my skin. Once again I turned to the Italians and grabbed a bottle of the good stuff- olive oil. After suds-ing up and rinsing off at home, I applied the olive oil all over like lotion before rinsing off once more. My skin has never looked or felt so amazing. To try it at home, I recommend washing off with soap before loofahing with the olive oil. Don't be nervous if you still feel a little greasy after you've washed, when you towel off you will wipe any lingering water beads and oil off as well. This is a great tip to use after spending a day soaking up the sun (and chlorine). Be careful if you have naturally oily skin.

Photo of the Week

St. Josef Mercado - Barcelona, Spain

Tribute to a Songbird

One of my most favorite singer/songwriters of all time is Eva Cassidy. Her chilling renditions are brimming with soul as her folk-inspired voice echoes that of another era. I encourage you to take a listen. Music has never sounded this lovely and it is so unfortunate that the world only experienced 33 short years of her gifts.

Click here to listen to samples.

5 Fab Ideas for Dorm Room Decor

While searching around online for cool design ideas, I came across HGTV's Rate My Space for dorm rooms.

I love seeing what people can do with a small space. To me, it's a welcome challenge. The pink room was my sophomore year room at my sorority house. Here are a few tips for decorating a small space.

1. Use mirrors. Not only will they make the room look bigger, but they will also make it look brighter.
2. Keep the clutter to a minimum. The designer of the green room did a fabulous job following the "less is more" motto & it paid off. Just because something "matches" your space doesn't mean you should buy it. (Someone should have told me that.)
3. Use organizers. In your closet, under the bed and on your shelves. No matter where you put them you'll have a place for everything and everything in its place.
4. Light it up. You can never have too much light when it comes to illuminating the cement block walls you will soon call home. The light bulbs that mimic natural light are a great addition to any lamp.
5. Pick your colors wisely. This is a small space where you'll be spending a ton of time. A color scheme can make you feel a spectrum of emotions from happy, to tranquil, to funky, but if you aren't careful your scheme could make you feel depressed or tired. Warm colors are always a great place to begin to feel your best (reds, yellows, oranges).

DIY Curtain Rod /Tree Branch

I love this idea! All you need is a well-selected tree branch and a can of spray paint. Easy, cheap and stylish.

Got Scratches? Get Brasso.

My friend, Julianne, recently bought a new phone on ebay after misplacing her original one. When the new phone showed up on our doorstep, it looked like it was dragged from the back of an El Camino dodging fallen rocks. With a little Brasso & some elbow grease it soon looked like new. This trick works for cell phones, watches, iPods, CDs etc. Just put a dab on a cloth and rub the scratch out in a circular motion in the same direction (all clockwise or counterclockwise). Be careful not to get the solution deep in cracks or crevices like the speaker or microphone.

No More Monkeying Around

It's official. Bachelor Matt Grant & Shayne Lamas have ended their engagement. "We tried hard to make it work but we realized that we were both heading in different directions," they said in a statement Thursday. "We truly care about each other and will remain close friends."

Although the split is unfortunate yet expected of Matt & Monkey, we do owe many laughs to this season, particularly to the many songstresses that vowed to win the affections of the Bachelor by belting out a heartfelt tune. If you haven't seen it, you must. If you have, laugh it up once more. One thing's for sure, there was a whole lotta crazy served up that season. Please help me find a video Michelle singing "I want to find you"! That was the best!

Click to View Hilarious Video Clips
"I fear"
"Summertime"
"She's the love of my life"
" I want to find you"
"Diaries of the departed"

Michelle's Unfortunate Ballad

I want to find you,
I want you to find me,
I want to touch you,
I want you to touch me,
And I wanna feel you,
I want you to feel me,
I want to find you in front of me.

Bat Those Lashes

Here is a great site that shows you step-by-step (with pictures) how to apply faux lashes. It's so easy once you get the hang of it & they really add drama. For a more subdued look, trim the eyelash strip so that you are cutting off 1/3 to 1/2 of the lash that is closest to your nose - also the shorter end. Apply just the longer part to the outer corners. Eva Longoria swears by this trick & look what they've done for J Lo! Also, the best lash glue is sold at MAC and it actually is supposed to function as a bandage adhesive!

Sautéed Pear, Raisin and Walnut Dessert

After my food overdose last weekend (Don't you love graduation parties?) I've been trying to find healthy food that tastes great and is fast and easy to make. I came up with this little concoction for dessert & it was DIVINE. Here's the recipe:

What You'll Need:
1 Pear Sliced
1/4 Cup Walnuts (give or take)
1/4 Cup Raisins (give or take)
Cool Whip
Cinnamon

In a lightly greased (Pam works fine) sautée pan, combine sliced pear, walnuts & raisins. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and heat on medium-low for about 5 minutes, turning every so often. You don't want them to brown or burn, just warm up. Place in a bowl and top with Cool Whip (A drizzle of honey would be tasty, too)! Voilà!

Tara's Roasted Halibut and Green Beans With Asian Cilantro Sauce

This is a tried-and-true recipe from my friend Tara, perfect for those who hate the fishy taste of fish. This sounds right up my alley. I've never liked fish but recently I've been trying to live on the edge a little and experiment.








What You'll Need:
(Sauce)
2 cups loosely packed cilantro leaves (from 1 large bunch)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 green onion, chopped (about 1/4 cup)
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
1/2 jalapeño chile with seeds, chopped (about 2 teaspoons)
5 tablespoons safflower oil, divided
2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil, divided
3 teaspoons soy sauce, divided
(Fish)
2 8-ounce halibut fillets, each about 1-inch thick
2 cups green beans, halved
2 cups stemmed shiitake or oyster mushrooms

Preheat oven to 450°F. Place first 5 ingredients, 3 tablespoons safflower oil, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 1 teaspoon soy sauce in processor; puree. Season sauce to taste with salt.

Place fish, beans, and mushrooms in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Whisk remaining 2 tablespoons safflower oil, 1 teaspoon sesame oil, and 2 teaspoons soy sauce in bowl to blend. Pour over fish, beans, and mushrooms; toss beans and mushrooms to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until fish is opaque in center and beans are crisp-tender, about 8 minutes. Divide fish, vegetables, and sauce between plates.

Scarves: Hot or Knot

This season the scarf is the undisputed queen of accessories, but learning how to tie the "Reverse Wrap Around", "Cowboy Collar" and "Neck Warmer" isn't the easiest task. ELLEgirl Magazine makes it simple with an article showing all the latest scarf styles & instructions, along with suggestions for fabulously stylish scarves you can purchase. Click here to check it out!

The Polls Say:

The polls have closed and the ballots are in. There was an overwhelming request for more DIY projects. I will definitely work on this and I'd appreciate your help. Send me pictures, projects, recipes and more at Cameo24Blog@gmail.com. Recipes came in second place & I just posted two new recipes to try today.

Make sure you vote & let me know which travel spot you are interested in learning more about. I am already getting great tips from world travelers that I can't wait to share.

Blaire's Low-Cal Dreamsicle Dessert

Thanks to my Theta guest bloggers, Blaire, Brittany and Tara, I have three great recipes to share today. The Dreamsicle recipe is light and low-fat & the Chicken Gruyere is rich and délicieux! Eat them together & I’d say it’s a perfectly balanced meal.

What You’ll Need:

Angel Food Cake (Pre-made is quick and easy)

1 Large Package Orange Jello Mix

Cool Whip

1.Cut up the angel food cake into cubes and put them into a dish/pan.

2. Mix up the orange jello and pour it over the angel food cake

3. Put it all in the fridge and allow for the jello to form

4. Afterwards, you serve it with cool whip

It is delicious and you don't feel guilty eating it because it is so light!

Brittany’s Favorite Rich French Recipe

Chicken Gruyere

* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 1/4 teaspoon pepper

* 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

* 1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

* 1/4 cup butter, divided

* 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

* 1 pound fresh mushrooms

* 1 onion, sliced into rings

* 1/2 cup white wine

* 8 ounces Gruyere cheese, shredded

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a shallow dish, stir together the flour, salt, pepper, parsley, and dill. Rinse chicken breasts, and pat dry. Dredge chicken in the flour mixture.

2. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. Place chicken into the hot buttered skillet, and fry until brown on both sides. Transfer chicken breasts to a 1 quart glass baking dish. Add remaining butter to skillet, and fry the mushrooms and onion until wilted and lightly browned. Stir in the white wine, and reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 3 minutes to blend flavors. Pour the mushroom mixture over the chicken in the dish.

3. Cover dish, and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven. After 20 minutes, remove cover, and sprinkle with shredded cheese. Continue baking for 10 more minutes, or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.

*makes 4 servings

*ready in 45 minutes

BON APPETIT!

DIY Jewelry Display

I love the idea of using your jewelry as decor. With a frame, decorative paper and some hardware, you can have an easy and inexpensive jewelry display like the ones pictured here from Design Sponge & Digital Junk Drawer). Instead of using basic thumbtacks, dress them up by hot gluing buttons to the front of the tack.

I did this in my room last year by first taping up a piece of Decorative Cavallini wrapping paper & then nailing hooks into the wall on top of the paper to hang my jewelry. It looked so great -I wish I could find a picture of it! (I believe the white frame in this picture is from IKEA.)

Endless Shoe Shopping

I just discovered this great site! Endless Shoes & Handbags not only has a HUGE selection of shoes & bags, but they also guarantee the lowest prices.

Also, they offer FREE overnight shipping & FREE return shipping. I put up a link on the left hand column. Check it out & let me know how it goes!

It's that time of year: Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale! Everything is marked way down, including the best designer brands. The sale is from now until August 4th & the stores have extended anniversary hours. Click here to find out more.

These Would Have Come in Handy During College

Pick Your Nose

No matter how many times I see these cups, I never get sick of them. You can buy these on Amazon, too, for $11 for 24 cups.

Cool Cubes

Ice cubes have come a long way. I love these fantastic trays from Fred. You can click on the link to Amazon on the left if you are interested. I just can't believe how creative these are! The frozen teeth are my favorite! Just imagine what your guests will say. Talk about a conversation starter.

Audrey Hepburn - A Classic Beauty

"For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you will find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands; one for helping yourself, and the other for helping others." - AH

Photo of the Week

Venice, Italy - Carnivale 2007

Looking for Celeb Gossip & Fashion?

My good friend, Blaire (queen of the celeb gossip scene), recently sent me this link for all the fashion, gossip and style your little heart can handle. Check out http://fabsugar.com/. Thanks, Blaire!

Travel & Wedding Ideas Coming Soon!

After talking with friends & family, I am adding both a travel section and wedding ideas section. I am a certified wedding planner with little experience but countless ideas, and with the help of my jet-setting girlfriends, many having lived around the globe (including myself), I think this could be a place for some fantastic travel tips! Been to any great weddings lately- maybe even your own? Share some of the most creative ideas! Where is your favorite travel spot & what place would you like to know more about?

Let me know your
favorite travel spots by
clicking on "Comments"
underneath this post!

The Papery - I'm Obsessed!

This weekend I visited The Papery in La Grange after passing by many times but never making it inside. I ended up spending well over an hour perusing the signature-embossed note cards, Vera Wang stationery and custom, in-house invitation creations. They had such great ideas and were so nice! One on my favorites was an invite for a pizza party that was made to look like a 3-D mini pizza box. If you have a Papery nearby, stop in & browse. You'll be hooked! UPDATE: So sad! The Papery is closing. (Damn economy!) Take advantage of the 40% sale going on now. (10-14-08)

Peachy-Keen Bellini Cocktail

What You Need:

1 Bottle of Prosecco

1 Bottle of Peach Puree or Juice

Add the prosecco to a champagne glass and top it off with just enough peach puree to turn it a light mango color. You can use your discretion if you like more! (Typically, the ratio is three parts prosecco to one part puree.) Because of the delicious taste of the peach, economically-priced bottles of prosecco do the trick just the same.

This delicious drink was first concocted in Venice, Italy, around the 1930s-40s and became a fast favorite of Ernest Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis and Orson Welles. It is perfect served with brunch or anytime.

For an extra touch, pre-make fancy ice cubes by freezing chopped peaches and raspberries in peach juice. I love the jewel shaped ice-cube trays they are making now.

It you like a more potent drink, you can turn this into a Bellinitini by following this recipe:

1 part prosecco

1 part peach puree

2 parts peach vodka

How To Remove Wax From Fabric

While I'm posting about candles, here is a great tip from my friend, Julianne, about removing wax spills from fabric.

1. Use a butter knife to first scrape off as much wax as possible.
2. Place a piece of paper or brown paper bag over the stain & place a towel over that.
3. Turn your iron on warm and iron over the area in a circular motion (so you don't burn the carpet or fabric)
4. As the wax melts, it should adhere to the paper and come up when you remove the cloth & paper.

Afforable Candle Arrangement

I recently made these candle arrangements for my room and I was so pleased at the way they turned out.
To make them you need:

Glass Cylinder

Small tealight holder or test tube-looking cylinder

Fish gravel, sea glass or glass beads

Fill part of the cylinder with gravel and place the tealight holder evenly on top. Place the candle inside and begin to fill the sides with the remaining gravel. It can be tricky to not get any gravel inside so you might try using a piece of paper as a funnel.
They look great, especially at night and only cost about $6 a piece. You can get everything at Wal-mart. Enjoy!

Cavallini Stationery

Ever since my initial meeting with the Cavallini product line in Florence, Italy, I've been obsessed. I originally purchased many of their poster-size prints which are great for framing, gift wrap or any project you have!



Check out the Cavallini website for other beautiful cards, calendars, stamps and journals. I particularly love their vintage map prints and cards. All stationery should be this lovely.

“Lick the Plate” Chocolately-Chocolate Cake

What You'll Need:

1 Box Chocolate or Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix

2 Containers Chocolate Fudge Frosting

Mayonnaise*

2 round cake pans (The double layer is what makes cake so perfect!)

When you are preparing the cake mix, follow all directions but substitute mayonnaise for the oil while using the same measurement that the oil calls for. I know…..it sounds a little gross, but once you taste how moist it is, you’ll never use oil in cake again! Make sure you let the cakes cool in the fridge before you frost & stack them or they might shift. (It happened to me last week!) This tastes just like Portillo's chocolate cake!

What Does Your Future Look Like?

Due to my mom's persistence, I finally made myself a vision board. I must say, it's been a great way to really hone in on what I want - both short-term and long-term. I've already had so many great things happen since I've made it now that I can really see what I hope for. I'll break it down a little for you.

Money- You know what they say. It makes the world go 'round. For me, I want to be comfortable to pursue all my goals and experience the world.

Oprah- Not once but twice does Oprah make an appearance on this board. If you haven't made yours yet, Oprah, I highly recommend it! I think she has a deep soul and a strong ambition, which I admire.

Rosary- I wove the rosary I bought my Gram in Rome throughout my board so I would never forget to keep my faith in the center of my hopes and dreams.

Ready to Wed & Ring- This is the one my friends are laughing at; I can hear them saying "You would!". However, I couldn't have scored a better guy and he is certainly a big part of my future.

Health & Fitness People- Having a healthy mind, body and soul is the best gift you can give yourself. You can have all the treasures of the world, but without health - you have nothing.

Camera & Vacation Spots- I am overtaken with cabin fever after gallivanting all over Europe for a semester and returning to real life. I am an avid lover of photography, and as much as I had great adventures with my Powershot, a more advanced camera is in my future.

Editor & Headshot - The photo is of Amy Allen, publisher of Chicago Social Brides. Despite her noteworthy position, she maintains a grace and approachability that I respect.

White Strips & Watch - Two of my short-term wants. A girl's best accessory is her smile - and it wouldn't hurt to know the time, either!


Now grab a few magazines and some scissors & make your own!

Summery White Sangria

I made Sangria for the first time last week and it was delicious! I decided to make white sangria simply because my mother would murder me if I spilled red wine (which would end up happening). She refuses to take the plastic manufacturer's covers off of her new dining room chairs because she thinks I'll destroy them. Anyway, here is the recipe. I suggest doing it the night before. The taste is much more fruit-infused and doesn't require sugar.

Courtney's Summery White Sangria (2 pitchers)
3 bottles of white wine
A 2 liter bottle of Ginger Ale
3 limes sliced
2 lemons sliced
10 strawberries sliced
1 orange sliced

Mix the wine & ginger ale and begin adding the sliced fruit. When you are cutting off the butts (ends) of the fruit, squeeze the juice into the mix before tossing them out. Add the rest of the fruit and chill overnight. The fruit amounts are a minimum suggestion and apples, pineapple, peaches and cherries all would make great additions. The more fruit the better. To make red wine sangria, substitute the white wine for red. It's that simple - just be careful of your mom's furniture if that's the case! For a stronger drink, add a few shots of a fruit liquor like Absolut Peach. Tastes great & looks beautiful, too!

DIY Doggie Bed

I simply cannot get over what a darling idea this is! The project won first place in Design Sponge's 2008 DIY contest. I am tempted to make one for my friend Melissa's little yorkie! For more information, see the project details.

Why Not Throw A Party Tomorrow?

I'm a HUGE Bachelorette fan, so last week I decided the day before to throw a little party with my girlfriends to have a finale screening and enjoy some food. Everything was SO easy and tasted amazing. I basically made up what I thought would taste good & luckily it turned out. Although my favorite (JASON!) didn't win, the food and homemade sangria were a hit. Here's what I did & I'll tell you how you can do it, too! White Sangria recipe to come.

Goat Cheese Filo Puffs with Drizzled Honey
All you need to buy is a pack of filo cups in the freezer section and a small log of goat cheese coated in herbs. One small log should fill 15 cups easily. Cut the log into 15 pieces, smoosh it a bit and place it into each cup. Heat at 350 for 7 minutes and drizzle very lightly with honey.
Fruit Kabobs with Cream Cheese Dip
Use whatever fruit you have to make colorful kabobs. The delicious dip is just one package of cream cheese (reduced fat is fine) and one container of Fluff. Mix the two together and refrigerate. I love the colors & the orange slices on the sides of the dip bowl looked really cute and added a touch of orange flavor.
White Pizza with Fresh Basil
I bought one package of flour tortillas, spread them out on a large pizza pan and added fresh chopped garlic and basil. Then, I sprinkled Sargento's white cheese blend over the basil & garlic. With your hands, mix the ingredients a bit. You don't want too much cheese. This should be a light hor'derve. Finally add a little salt, pepper and oregano and broil on low for 5-10 minutes. Make sure you keep an eye on it, it browns VERY quickly.

Photo of the Week

My Great Grandparents - The Brandts

Celebrating White - The Perfect Color for a Small Space

After moving back home after graduating from college, I decided my pink and yellow walls of years past had been outgrown. With a small space of only about 10x12 I needed to think big and turned to bright white. Shelving and highly mounted curtains helped to heighten the ceilings, and the light colors created an airy and elegant space. I love the blue glass jar I picked up at a salvage yard in Champaign, and I'm currently working on a headboard and footboard from shutters that I also picked up there. All for $16. The dresser was my cousin's and used to be a medium colored wood. It's still not quite finished, but take a look!

Glass Knobs & Door Pulls

After my first visit to Anthropologie, I am not only enamored with the store, but also the line of door pulls and knobs. They are fresh and enchanting and are guaranteed to add flair to any door or piece of furniture. Take a look at the fabulous collections they boast.

New reproductions can be purchased at House of Antique Hardware. Although, I think finding the real deal at a salvage yard or flea market is much more rewarding.

Mad About Embossers

I just cannot get enough of these classic embossers from Expressionery.
The "Dashwood" is my favorite by far and the "Pineapple" design is a showstopper. In the age of technology, what a memorable way to include your return address!

Kite Notes also offers some whimsical options that are so very special. Embossers typically run around $50-60 but last a very long time. I'd say it's a very worthwhile investment.

Websites I LOVE!

Some of the best websites I've come across recently are truly a joy to view.
One of my most favorite is Design Sponge. Its DIY projects are fabulously
innovative.

I also am very fond of Red Chair Antiques. The button creations and burlap pillows are to die for. Elegant, creative and irresistible.

What are your favorite sites with charm?

Enchanting Custom Silouettes

One of my absolute greatest design inspirations is this bewitching silhouette I found done in the 1940s. I also adore it because it was drawn of my Gram who passed away in April. I think silhouettes are a beautiful way to capture the timeless images of those you love. I am working on making some for myself to hang around the house. Here are a few websites that have suggestions.

Getting married? Here is a great gallery: Martha Stewart
Custom silhouettes by Karl Johnson
Do it yourself! Wooden Cameo
Just for fun. Try it!

Cameo 24 - Timeless Treasures and Tokens of Beauty

I decided to start Cameo 24 to highlight some of my favorite beautiful things. I adore the intricate details and designs that were used in years past. Some of my most favorite things can be found at flea markets and boutiques, while others are only brewed up in the imagination. I hope to share some of my ideas with you, and pinpoint other sources where ideas can flourish! Enjoy and please share ideas with me, as well!