Thursday, May 6, 2010

What I would be...

If I was a month, I'd be... July.

If I was a day of the week, I'd be... Saturday.

If I was a time of day, I'd be... ten o'clock in the morning.

If I was a liquid, I'd be... champagne.

If I was a gemstone, I'd be... emerald.

If I was an element, I'd be... Ne (Neon)


If I was a musical instrument, I'd be....a spanish guitar.

If I was a piece of furniture, I'd be... a dining room table

If I was a place, I'd be... a lake


If I was a fruit, I'd be... lemon.

If I was a tool, I'd be... scissors.

If I was a planet, I'd be....Venus
If I was a sea animal, I'd be... star fish.

If I was a flower, I'd be... a peony.


If I was a kind of weather, I'd be... sunny.

If I was a direction, I'd be... into the sunset.

If I was a car, I'd be...fast .

If I was a food, I'd be... dessert.


If I was a scent, I'd be....old books

If I was a sound, I'd be....laughter

If I was a tree, I'd be... a Magnolia

If I was a material, I'd be... lace.


If I was a color, I'd be... turquoise.

If I was an emotion, I'd be... giddy.

If I was a taste, I'd be... delicious.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

SATC2...Let the Countdown Begin!

Ladies…are you ready? Only 44 days until the release of Sex and the City movie 2!!! (insert high-pitched girly scream) I know where my friends and I will be on May 28!

I can’t think of a better way to get into the SATC2 mood than with a sneak peak at what is sure to be one hell of a high heel wearing, cosmo sipping, blockbuster of the year. Judging by the pictures below, I can already tell that the fashion won’t disappoint.





Ok, let’s take a moment to discuss the first promotional poster released by Warner Brothers…

While I’m not crazy about the disco-ball like “2” in the background, I do love Carries outfit…especially the white dress and gold heels. After doing a little research and crunching some numbers, I discovered that not only is this outfit outstanding…but so is the price.


Can you guess how much this total look costs?


Did you guess $200,000+? No. I’m not kidding. But really, would you expect anything less from Carrie?

Here is the breakdown:

Dress: White Halston Heritage dress, $325
Sunglasses: Mykita & Bernhard Wilhelm “Franz” sunglasses, $299
Clutch: Chanel, $1500
Heels: Christian Louboutin gold “Pigalle”, $3200
And here is the kicker…Necklace: Solange Azagury-Patridge, $198,200

Some more eye candy...



May 28th can't come soon enough!!!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Scrum-Diddly ~ Fresh Fruit Pizza

Fresh Fruit Pizza


This fresh dessert is unbelievably easy to make and is perfect for a Spring dinner party or afternoon brunch.

Cook Time: 15 Minutes
Yeilds 10 Servings


Ingredients
Pizza Dough:
1 package store bought sugar cookie dough
Toppings:
8 ounces softened cream cheese
1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Flatten cookie dough onto a 6-inch pizza pan. Bake until firm to touch, about 11 to 15 minutes. Cool.

In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese and sugar. Spread the baked cookie with the cream cheese mixture and decorate with sliced fruit. Slice and serve immediately.



Thursday, March 25, 2010

This Weekend in Cowtown...

Two great things are happening in Fort Worth this weekend!! Fort Worth Sings for Haiti and Spring Gallery Night. Be sure and check them both out if you are in town this weekend.

Fort Worth Sings for Haiti is a benefit concert and festival being held Saturday, March 27, 2010. The goal of the event is to inform, bring together and encourage the Fort Worth community to use its collective gifts, talents and abilities to make a positive difference in the lives of those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.


The area’s most acclaimed bands will perform on stage from noon to 9pm at Magnolia Green Park in Fort Worth’s Near Southside District. Admission to the event is free; however proceeds from sponsorships, merchandise and food/alcohol sales will be donated to assist the medical response efforts of Doctors Without Borders in Haiti. The event is family-friendly and will feature a fun zone for children under the age of 12.

The Line Up
12:00 p.m. - Chatterton
1:00 p.m. - Me and My Monkey
2:00 p.m. - Jason Eady
3:00 p.m. - Joey Green Band
4:00 p.m. - Charlie Shafter and The Gnomes
5:00 p.m. - Pablo and The Hemphill 7
6:00 p.m. - Holy Moly
7:00 p.m. - The Burning Hotels
8:00 p.m. - The Orbans
9:00 p.m. - Josh Weathers and The True+Endeavors



Fort Worth Star-Telegram: A Guide to Fort Worth's spring Gallery Night
by Gaile Robinson

Every other year, sometime in the spring, the Fort Worth Community Arts Center holds the Biennial show, in which every piece of artwork that comes through the door and meets a size requirement is put on display. It's a wonderfully democratic gesture. Pieces are mounted on the walls or on display stands pretty much as they arrive. Works by area professionals hang next to naive first attempts -- and this is what makes the show so visually rich.

The continued support of accomplished artists such as Carol Benson, Daniel Blagg, Dennis Blagg, Rachel Bounds, Debra Brown, Ann Ekstrom, Tosca Engisch, David Gappa, Cindi Holt, Carol Ivey, Leslie Lanzotti, James Lassen, Rebecca Low, Jim Malone, Stormie Parker, Jo Rutledge, Joe Self and Soon Y. Warren shows a commitment to local artists.

The Community Arts Center spreads inspiration through the ranks of young strivers and older wannabes who still cling to the day job. The established artists' participation gives the show a high-water mark that floats the rest of the entries by its presence.

The Saturday of the Biennial lands on Gallery Night, and a reception for the 405 artists who participated will be held at the FWCAC from 6 to 9 p.m. There is also a show in progress at the FWCAC of Tarrant County College art students, so their works will be in the large lower-level galleries. The two large shows should infuse the evening with literally hundreds more Gallery Night revelers.

Here's our guide to some of what you should see on Gallery Night:

Starting point

Begin the Gallery Night crawl at the Community Arts Center. There you can see the breadth of artistic talent in town, and it is quite impressive. Most of the works are for sale, and prices begin below $100. There are unusual pieces that don't often command their own shows, such as the three-dimensional fiber artwork by Laurie Mahoney titled Kit(sch)en Floor that is lusciously colorful and tactile. A sculpture of two busts made entirely of wood rulers by Steven Deo, Objects of Desire, is quite interesting, as the bent wood looks technically contemporary but the ruler markings suggest a schoolroom of long ago.

Another three-dimensional work, Mixed Box Construction by Kelli Holmes, separates itself from the two-dimensional work that surrounds it on the wall. Her use of objects with old photos and postcards presents a charming narrative.

Throughout the center are fortuitous groupings that enhance each other, such as the contributions by two young artists, Chapman Hercules and Remington Hercules, whose work is next to that of more experienced artists Andrew Boatright and Lois Way. This kind of chance hanging is the reason the Biennial is so delightful. Coming across two lovingly framed works by youngsters next to mature artists' work with a carefully painted skull then crowned with an assemblage of hearts defies all logic, but it looks great. Kudos to all the volunteers who help hang this monster show.

Hitting the galleries

After leaving the FWCAC, it's time to visit the galleries

William Campbell Contemporary at 4935 Byers Ave. is hosting a solo show of work by Cecil Touchon, "The New Beautiful."

Edmund Craig Gallery at 3550 W. Seventh St. is showing "Sky and Landscapes" by Nancy Bandy.

Gallery 414 at 414 Templeton Drive has a six-artist show in progress, "Blue-ing Blowbonnets."

Artspace 111 at 111 Hampton St. is hosting a two-woman show, Linda Guy and Jo-Ann Mulroy's "Time, Process, and Perception.

All of these great Fort Worth galleries will have maps to the other venues and supporting restaurants.
Two new venues for Gallery Night are the HSC Atrium Gallery at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, 3500 Camp Bowie Blvd., and the gallery at Casa MaƱana, 3101 W. Lancaster Ave. Don't forget to check out the retail establishments that carry local artists' work, such as the Artful Hand, 3408 W. Seventh St., and Art on the Boulevard, 4319-A Camp Bowie Blvd.; they also participate in Gallery Night.

Arlington action
If you live in Arlington or are heading that direction, the Gallery at UTA has a fascinating show of two contemporary artists who collect outsider art, and the show pairs work by the artists with pieces from their collection. This exhibit, "Outside Influences: Mike Noland & Fred Stonehouse," is worth a side trip to 502 S. Cooper St. Also in Arlington is the Upstairs Gallery at 1038 W. Abram St., with a group show of gallery artists.
There are more places than you can visit in a single day open for Gallery Night, but if you plan your route ahead of time, working in a few stops for libations, food and shopping ops, you should have a wonderful outing.


Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/03/24/2064720_p2/a-guide-to-fort-worths-spring.html#ixzz0jDtwC3S3

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Ain't nothin but G thang baby...

Personally, I love monograms, and I'm always on the lookout for anything with the letter "G" on it. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people associate the word “monogram” with preppy sweaters, fussy bathrooms, vintage silverware. These days, monograms have gone so far beyond traditional linens and barware. Also, the traditional monogram, while still loved by many, has evolved to where anyone can find a monogram to fit their personal style. Whether it be a full monogram, or just an initial, decorating with monograms can add, well…a bit of personalization to your home.

*Monogrammed items also make great gifts!
Monogram Doormat ~ William Sonoma ~ $69.95


Monogram Candle ~ Anthropologie ~ $26

Jonathan Adler Letter Pillow ~ $98



Monogrammed Pillow ~ Ballard Designs ~ $22
Monogrammed Walnut Cutting Board ~ Frontgate ~ $199


Monogrammed Plates ~ Neiman Marcus ~ $100, set of four

Initial Napkin Rings ~ Neiman Marcus ~  $48, set of 4

Enter the Dabney Lee at Home Collection...or the Monogram Mecca as I like to call it. Here you will everything from coasters to file folders, all customizable. Below are a few of my favorites from the collection.
Salt & Pepper Shakers ~ Dabney Lee at Home ~ $40

Monogram Lucite Tray ~ Dabney Lee at Home ~ $120

Playing Cards ~ Dabney Lee at Home ~ $55 for two decks

Today I learned...The History of the Monogram:
The marking of linen was not done originally for decorative purposes. Marking was made solely for laundry identification on washday. Each item held the indelible ink mark or stitching of its household on one corner. The Royals had “linen maids”. In the countryside, the whole village participated in the commoners' washdays. The laundresses used to go down to the stream or river together. They would all work alongside each other and it was easy to mix up the household items amongst the workers.

Fine, wealthy families in Europe considered linens precious items, as they were frequently woven in the rarest of fabrics. It was also an opportunity to show off and to display each others linens. They would spread everything out on the meadow to dry. This would call attention to the abundance of household items and social position. Often items were stolen due to their value, so families began marking their linens. Later, commercial laundries were available and the markings kept everything in order.

The monogram evolved in the 19th century, as the French Kings and nobles began personalizing their linens with large symbols of crests and coat of arms. The beauty of the embroidery enhanced the household and confirmed their wealth. Soon thereafter, others followed suit and began imitating the royalty by having their own linens embroidered. This is how the embroidered monogram evolved.

In imitation of the Kings, the trousseau became popular in the 1800's. Monogrammed linen was richly symbolic in the trousseau, as this was their mark of family wealth. Bourgeois European society even set up “trousseau funds” to enable the poorest of girls to have some household linen when they married. The trousseau was always brought by the bride and remained her property in case of widowhood or remarriage. via Monogram, Inc.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Side Braids

For someone like me, who has trouble coming up with interesting things to do with my hair, the side braid is the answer. Loose and a bit sloppy, but oh so stylish. Recently seen on the runway and the red carpet, this look can be sweet and sassy at the same time. Personally, I prefer the side braid for mornings that I want to roll out of bed, put as little effort as possible into getting ready, and head out the door.

Rachel McAdams at the Sherlock Holmes World Premier in London

Nicole Richie launching her Winter Kate Collection in Paris
Miu Miu Spring 2010 Collection

Alexander Wang Spring 2010 Ready to Wear

*Side Braid Tips*

*Remember to use a little hair spray before braiding your hair so it will last a little longer.
*Don’t make the braid tight, it’s supposed to be loose.
*If a few strands fall out during braiding, don’t try to tuck them back in. Messy is a Must!
*Tie the braid with a small clear elastic.
*Keep it simple.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Style Inspiration: Viviana Volpicella

You may have heard of Anna Dello Russo, the famous trendsetter/fashion guru/Fashion Director of Vogue Nippon. If you follow fashion week in NY, Milan, Paris or London, you will undoubtedly recognize her and her entourage. For those of you who think Anna’s taste is a little over the top, I would like to turn your attention to her assistant, Viviana Volpicella, who shines all her own. Viviana embodies the term “effortlessly stylish” and I absolutely adore her fearless sense of color! She makes bold, basic pieces look fabulous and never looks over dressed. Her ability to mix bold colors like turquoise with yellow is inspiring. Her beautiful hair, tanned skin and gorgeous smile don’t hurt either.
I wish I could fit my entire life in a clutch...
Love the double watches...is that a swatch?!?!

Images via The Satorialist & TheFashionSpot

Friday, March 5, 2010

Happy Weekend

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Happy Birthday shoutout to my friend Steph!!! I hope you have an amazing weekend celebrating 26!

xoxo, The Emerald Belle

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Dear Diary

Keel's Simple Diary

"Dear Diary... today was Tuesday and I went to work." 

Boring!

Feeling like your journal could use a little creative energy? Keel's Simple Diary helps you beat the mundane aspects of a daily diary with fill in the blanks and prompts like: "If your feet could talk, what would they say?" (New Valentino heels, please!) Plus, it comes in 6 great colors, and the first page prompts you about the color you chose. Brilliant!


buy it here and here