Gift Guide: 13 Books for The Blogger on Your Lists

Bloggers are fans of wishlists, this I know. With the holidays just around the corner, I wanted to do a series of wishlists, all non-apparel. This week is the first, and I’m going to discuss the best books in the business for anyone in your life interested in fashion! Many of these I already own, and are ones I highly recommend. The 3 I do not own are on my own wishlist, as I’ve heard great review!1: The Boss of You
I own this book; it’s highlighted, underlined, crammed with notebook pages of my own notes. It’s full of exercises and steps to get you where you want to be in your business, whether it’s owning your own store, or the business of blogging, or anything!

2. A to Zoe
I love this book for many reasons; it’s a great coffee table book, it’s by an intelligent and iconic stylist, and goes over anything and everything you could need to know about dressing for various events and curating the perfect wardrobe.

3. Writing for the Fashion Business
This book was recquired reading for my college degree, yet it’s something I go back to time and time again and definitely suggest to anyone who takes writing for their blog seriously, or has aspirations of becoming a fashion writer.

4. Alexa Chung’s IT
This book is SO NEW to the market, yet has come with some great reviews. A collection of photos, blurbs, and stories about the iconic “it” girl is inspiration enough for any blogger coveting the “it” factor.

5. Fashion of the 20th Century
Another great coffee table book, this one is for the blogger who is visually stimulated, as it covers 100+ apparel ads spanning the history of fashion.

6. Man Repeller: Seeking Love, Finding Overalls
As a long time follower of the musings of Leandra behind Man Repeller, I was super stoked when she wrote a book. One of my favorite things about her blog was her way with words; her whitty rhetoric, her uncanny ability to perfectly use SAT level verbs to describe fashion, and her effortless analogies. While I have yet to pick this baby up, I need to. And so does every blogger you know!

7. The TeenVogue Handbook
This book is perfect for the fashionista in your life who has yet figured out her niche, or where she wants to go within the industry. I bought this book in college when I was at that level, and the in depth descriptions of the positions and jobs within the fashion industry helped give me a better overall view of the business, as well as helping me hone in on my favorite aspects.

8. The Fashion Book
Dictionary-like, this mini-book offers basic information about iconic designers and fashion terminology alphabetically. The cover and size also makes it a great reference book to keep on your desk or night stand! There’s also a heftier, larger version available perfect for the coffee table!

9. Fifty Dresses that Changed the World
If your blogger wants to run the world with the air of sartorial intelligence, knowledge of the iconic fashions is necessary. This book will show what it takes to make a stand out piece and to be inspired by the greats.

10. Lauren Conrad’s Style
Another celebrity penned book, this one talks about style basics, proportion, and how to dress for both the ‘burbs and the city life. Probably my all time favorite celeb book.

11. Lauren Conrad’s Beauty
LC can do no wrong; she always looks flawless, which is why she’s been on our radar for so long. I mean, do I really  need to be the one to tell you how long its been since Laguna Beach was on the airwaves? Instead, read this book and take beauty tips from the gorgeous star.

12. Born to Blog
Not yet in my position, but a book I’ve skimmed through before and love. It’s great for those just beginning to ponder blogging for fun or to make it a business. Born to Blog offers easy steps with thorough explaining to help you get off on the right foot.

13. Vogue The Covers
Last but not least, every blogger would love this iconic book of inspiration. Whether for their bookshelf, desk, or coffee table this book showcases over 120 years worth of fashion history, beginning from the days when Vogue was merely sketches and Sears ads.

Do you own any of these books? What do you think of my picks for your blogger this season!?

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Take My Hand and Come Along With Me

We’ve got nowhere to be
Don’t think twice, and put your mind at ease
Let’s play make believe

Cute outfit post, inspired by the impending Valentine’s Day. My beau and I will enjoy it in full relaxation mode, with Domino’s Pizza and a movie on NetFlix, safe from the kitschy and possibly dreary restaurant and bar scene. Honestly, there’s no ther way I’d want to spend it.

How will you be spending your VDay!?





Blouse c/o Persun Mall (get it here for $13.99!)
Skirt via TJ Maxx
HeatTech socks from UniQlo
Shoes from Rainbow
Hat from H&M
Bag from Fall River Leather
Marc by Marc Jacobs watch

Take my hand and spend your life with me
It’s our destiny
Just don’t think twice, and forever we will be
Forever you and me
Let’s play make believe

Recipe Monday: Pumpkin Trifle

Here’s a lovely, and delectable, dessert for all your holiday parties! A pumpkin trifle!

Ingredients you will need:

1 box Gingerbread cake mix
1 can pumpkin puree
4 boxes of butterscotch pudding
1 egg
Pie spice (allspice, nutmeg,, cinnamon
1 1/4 cup water
4 cups milk of your choosing (I use soy)
1 carton Cool Whip

Begin by baking your gingerbread cake; mix the egg, mix, and water, cook at 350 degrees until brown on top. Let the cake cool COMPLETELY.
While it’s cooking, prepare your pudding mix; whip together the milk and pudding powder, then slowly add in the pumpkin puree until a creamy, smooth texture is achieved.

When your cake is COMPLETELY cooled, crumble it; then begin by pouring 1/4 of it into your serving dish. Layer 1/2 your pudding mix on top, 1/4 the cake crumble, 1/2 the cool whip, and repeat. Finish off with a few crumbles and spices as garnish.

Chill in the refrigerator at least an hour before serving; then ENJOY!

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Recipe Monday: Vegan Stuffing

The Winter holidays are engulfing us, and with that comes plenty of eating. As a 13 year vegetarian my plates have always been lackluster, but with my sister going veg and my mom trying to eat healthier, my family has come up with more veg-friendly options!
This week I’m sharing with you a recipe for vegan stuffing; it’s delicious and hearty and everything you need as a holiday side!

Ingredients:
2 bags of Pepperidge Farms Stuffing bread cubes
1/2 chopped onion
2 chopped apples (red delicious)
1/2 cup fresh cranberries
1/4 chopped pecans
2 stalks sliced celery
2 tsp parsley
2 cans of vegetable broth
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp sage

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a frying pan, sautee the onion, celery, and apple with the spices. Put all your bread cubes in a bowl and add the broth first, seasoned vegetables blend next and toss.

Pour into a casserole dish and bake for 20 minutes, until the top is browned and crisp.

Serve and Enjoy! Have a great Holiday season!

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Thanksgiving Dressing

A little preview as to what I’m wearing today; keeping it dressy-casual this Holiday, and planning to spend the entire day with my immediate family and a few close family friends.

Skirt from TJ Maxx

J. Crew sweater

Baker’s shoes

Amercan Apparel tights

H&M ring

Satya Jewelry necklace (gifted)

H&M earrings

Vintage Liz Claiborne hat

Hope you all have a great holiday! Happy Thanksgiving ❤

Ringing in 2012

Hello, and Happy New Year you gorgeous fashionista’s and followers!

I’m in an exceptionally good mood, starting 2012 on a good note. For my NYE I spent it in Atlantic City, seeing my favorite band ever, Brand New, who I had never seen before, play a three set show. I know, music on a fashion blog? But it was THAT big a deal for me.

So, due to it just being a rock show, you won’t see any heels in this post. I wore some battered up Toms Shoes I had inherited from my previous roommate, with an American Apparel skirt, Target tights (god, I hate the hearts; I’d thought I’d grabbed solid black!), a new top from Urban Outfitters, and a Forever 21 jacket. It seems very clashy to me, but what do you all think?

As the clock counted down a chorus of a few hundred fans shouted a repetitious “They’re just jealous ‘cuz we’re young and in love” as twin screens behind the band showed the ball drop, dropping confetti and balloons on top of us.

It was magical, blissful, and pure perfection.

Hope you’re new year was all that you hoped for and more, and here’s to hoping 2012 is 12983719871293 times better than 2011!

A Christmas Post

Christmas has come and gone in a sweep! I blame my lack of time on my full time seasonal position, which don’t get me wrong, I love!

But here, a short but sweet photo log of my Christmas, with a few captions and explanations!

(Flamingo garland)

(Calendar for the New Year)

(Marilyn Sugar Skull tee from my sister <3)

(my Maven, playing lazy Godzilla in my father’s Christmas village)

(Heat Tech shorts from Uniqlo, PacSun thermal)

(Family game of cards)

(Ended the night with sushi and scorpion bowls)

I hope everyone has enjoyed their holidays! I got plenty more things (just no pictures, but I’m in LOVE with all the tea’s I got and my fancy new pretty kettle, as well as more clothes!) Hopefully you see more of me and outfit posts soon!

 

Nails of the Week

This week it’s getting so much closer to Christmas! I decided to celebrate with a semi-festive nail, but not go too over the top.
I used a red from Forever21, and Sephora gold glitter.

What do you guys think!?

Recipe Monday: Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin is my favorite part of fall; pumpkin muffins (which I made the first week of October), pupmkin bread, and ofcourse, pumpkin pie.

For Thanksgiving I took it upon myself, as the soon to be cooking connoisseur, I helped my father with as much as I could. We made a pumpkin pie from scratch, minus the crust.

Here are the ingredients you will need:

1 can of pumpkin puree

1 cup of sugar

2 eggs

1 cup of melted butter (or whipped butter, or margarine)

1tsp of molasses (we substituted cord syrup for it)

1/4 tsp of nutmeg

1/4 tsp of ground ginger

1 can of evaporated milk

1 pre made pie crust (maybe someday I’ll learn to make it on my own!)

Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees. Put the dry ingredients into a large bowl, dryly mixing the sugar, nutmeg, ground ginger, and a dash of cinnamon if you so please. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl.

Then mix all the ingredients, including the remaining molasses and evaporated milk, together in the one large bowl. Whisk until smooth.

Pour into the pre made pie crust/s, then bake at 425 for 15 minutes. Then, turn your oven down to 350 degrees, and continue to bake for another 40 or so minutes.

YUM!!

Nathaniel Paul Holiday 2011

Last night I had the pleasure of being invited to the preview of the Nathaniel Paul Holiday line. It was great to run into friends I haven’t seen in awhile like Tomeka Munroe of Fashion Steele NYC and Avril Lemieux of Alicat Avril Lemieux and Stephanie Lacabra, who had also modeled in Avril’s show with me during NYFW.

Anyway, I finally went out to my first NY Fashion Blogger Meetup event and I must say it was a blast. Nathaniel Paul, who’s website boasts he’s been sewing since he was 5, designs for women of all sizes. His dresses are intricately detailed and flatter every body type, making them uniquely satisfying to a broad spectrum of customers.

As you can see, the gowns and dresses are gorgeous! My favorite is “The Edith” as I love it’s subtly sexy cutout and the draping. I also truly love the backless gowns shown.

Among the beautiful presentation, drinks were served courtsey of Ty-Ku in the forms of Sake and Sujo cocktails. Baked by Melissa cupcakes were passed around, and I completely fell in love with the peanut butter and jelly one!

As for personally, I had come straight from school, so I look like shiza standing next to stunning Tomeka and Janique of HerGoodyBag.com