And I Leave You With This...

Create a life you love everyday.

Happy Weekend!

xoxo, The Emerald Belle

Weekend Happenings

This weekend, my plans include…


Cheering for my husband as he runs in the Cowtown Half Marathon on Saturday morning. Raleigh is an amazing runner and has finished in the top 10 the past 4 years. Run Raleigh Run!! http://www.cowtownmarathon.org/

If you happen to be an early riser, and don’t have any plans, I would highly recommend coming out to support all the local runners. Over 18,000 runners have registered for the race already. Runners from every state in the county, as well as those from foreign countries will compete. Not only is this race a huge event for the city of Fort Worth, I know all the runners would greatly appreciate the support!



Visiting the Andy Warhol Exhibit at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
 http://www.themodern.org/

Andy Warhol:
The Last Decade
February 14-May 16, 2010

Andy Warhol: The Last Decade is the first U.S. museum survey exhibition to explore the work that this seminal American artist produced during the final eight years of his life. Warhol entered a period of renewed vigor and enthusiasm in the 1980s that resulted in what was arguably the most productive period of his career.

The exhibition includes approximately 55 works lent by private collections and institutions such as The Museum of Modern Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art, and Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburgh. Along with an introduction to Warhol, it is divided into thematic sections based on significant Warhol series: abstract works; collaborations (featuring Jean-Michel Basquiat); black-and-white ads; works surrounding death and religion; self-portraits; camouflage patterns; and a concluding section of the artist’s Last Supper series.


Andy Warhol: The Last Decade is organized by the Milwaukee Art Museum.


Andy Warhol
Self-Portrait, 1986
Synthetic polymer paint and silkscreen ink on canvas
108 x 108 inches (274.3 x 274.3 cm)
Collection of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth,
Museum purchase, The Friends of Art Endowment Fund
Acquired in 1998
©2001 Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts/ARS, New York



And it wouldn't be a weekend without my favorite meal...brunch! (post on this coming soon) Mimosa's and Eggs Benny? Yes, Please! Will it be Lucille's? Taverna? Lamberts? So hard to choose.

Obsessed: Cross Body Bags

Current Obsession: Cross body bags.  I love these bags not only because they are fashionable, but also because they are practical. Think about it...these bags are perfect for travel, tailgating, concerts, shopping, going out, anywhere it’s a hassle to lug around a large bag or clutch...or anywhere you might want to have your hands free for oh I don’t know, a cocktail or two. Believe me, I’m usually the one toting around a 50lb shoulder bag carrying god-knows-what around with me, but I think I’m ready for a change.

Not to mention there is something a little 80's about this look, maybe that's why I like it.

 

**MY PICK: Wear this bag 3 ways: Lengthen the straps to wear across the body, shorten the straps for a shoulder bag, or remove the straps and carry as a clutch. 

Rebecca Minkoff ~ MAC Clutch ~ $330

**As Seen on Reese Witherspoon in Black 

Rebecca Minkoff ~ Linear Stud Rocker ~ $295

**As seen on Lauren Conrad 

MARC by Marc Jacobs ~ Totally Turnlock Percy Crossbody ~ $198

Banana Republic ~ Chain Embossed Mini Crossbody Bag ~ $69.50

Prada ~ Tessuto + Saffiano Crossbody Bag ~ $650

MICHAEL Michael Kors ~ Webster Crossbody Bag ~ $148

Kate Spade ~ Darien Jan Crossbody Bag ~ $195

**MY PICK: I love the size, color, detail, and price! You can't go wrong with this bag. 

 Steven by Steve Madden ~ Mini Belted Crossbody Bag ~ $98 

Anthropologie ~ Small & Mighty Bag ~ $98 

 Betsey Johnson ~ Heart of Gold Leather Crossbody Bag ~ $128

**MY PICK: Every Horned Frog needs this bag! 

Rebecca Minkoff ~ Mini Mini Leather Cross Body Bag ~ $295

Tea Party

Green Tea, White Tea, Peach Tea, Herbal Tea, Iced Tea, Hot Tea...you name it, I love tea. I inherited this love of tea from my mother. Growing up in our house, tea was the perfect bedtime drink. Just the smell of chamomile or lavender and my eyelids get heavy. Today, I still enjoy a cup of tea before bedtime, but I also love a strong breakfast blend in the morning to get me going. Since it's always a good time for tea, I've put together a list of my favorite teas, tea kettles and just a few fun facts about my favorite drink.

~The Great Debate: Loose Leaf Tea vs. Tea Bags~

I personally prefer the convenience of the tea bag considering I usually only have one cup of tea a night, and I’m the only one drinking it. It’s so easy to boil a small pot of water, pour it in a mug, and toss in a tea bag. However, if I’m going to be serving the tea to houseguests or friends, or plan on having more than one cup (say on a Saturday or Sunday morning) then I will brew loose leaf tea. Doing so requires a tea pot with a removable infuser (see below), so that the tea leaves can be suspended in the water and then removed once the tea has brewed. Loose leaf tea produces stronger flavored tea than a teabag, and also stays fresh longer. If stored properly, dry loose leaf tea can be kept for up to two years.

~A FEW OF MY FAVORITE TEAS~

Celestial Seasonings “Sleepytime Vanilla” Herbal Tea: This is my tea of choice when winding down after a long day at work. My mom always made it for me when I was younger and it's still a favorite! It’s caffeine free and helps relax my mind and body and get ready for a night of peaceful slumber. I love how the rich vanilla flavor blends perfectly with the mix of chamomile, spearmint and lemongrass. 

Celestial Seasonings “Cinnamon Apple Spice” Herbal Tea: Another favorite of mine, this tea combines the perfect blend of cinnamon and apple with a hint of creamy butterscotch. Heaven in a cup. 

TAZO “Passion”: A fresh blend of hibiscus, rose tip, citrus, mango and passion fruit. This tea, served over ice, is perfect for a hot summer day. 

TAZO Refresh: Warm blend of Peppermint & Spearmint leaves with a hint of licorice-like Tarragon. 

Teavana Roobios Peach Blossom Tea: This is a light and refreshing loose leaf tea. Its perfect whether you prefer your tea hot or iced. Roobios tea is not actually a tea but a African red bush root often called "red tea." 

I love these little triangle shaped infusers by Tea Forte. Try the Bombay Chai Black Tea for a strong blend of spices including cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and cardamom. 

 

~TEAPOTS AND KETTLES~ 

Ideal for the lover of loose teas, this traditional teapot is fashioned from clear glass so you can watch the tea seeping. The infuser has tiny holes so it keeps even the smallest leaves from escaping into the tea. 

Bodum Glass Teapot ~ $54.00 ~ William Sonoma 

You can't go wrong with this classic tea kettle from Le Creuset. Made from the same high quality craftsmanship as their cookware, this kettle would be a perfect addition to any kitchen. Not to mention, it comes in so many pretty colors! I love the blue! 

Le Creuset Tea Kettle ~ $70 ~ William Sonoma 

Isn't this the cutest teapot you have ever seen? I love the beautiful cherry blossoms on the side. 

Cherry Natura Cast Iron Teapot ~ 149.99 ~ Teavana

Here is a slightly less expensive clear bodum teapot from Target.

Bodum Assam 4-Cup Teapot ~ $29.99 ~ Target

Tea for one? This 2 quart teakettle brews just enough water for one or two cups. It's small, cute and the best part...easy on the wallet. Save money on the kettle, and buy more tea! Pick one up at Target! 

Copco Cavalier Teakettle ~ $18.69 ~ Target 

~PRETTY PRETTY TEACUPS~ 

I'm loving these adorable tea cups and mugs from Anthropologie! 

Cadiz Mug ~ $10

I adore anything with a monogram. Anything with a G? Yes please! 

Monogram Mug ~ $6

Sip-of-Nectar Mug ~ $12

Backyard Rows Mug ~ $12

Verdant Acres Mug ~ $10

~GIVE THE GIFT OF TEA~ 

Want to learn more about tea? A sampler of loose leaf green teas from The Art of Tea is a great introduction into the different varieties of Green Tea. Each tea sample is packaged in a resalable pouch and contains around 1-2 ounces, or 15-20 servings. Sample flavors include: Green Kukicha, Gunpowder, Jasmine Pearls, and Green Tea Pomegranate.

ART OF GREEN TEA SAMPLER ~ $19 ~ The Art of Tea

No matter if it's for yourself or for a tea loving friend, a membership to the Tea of the Month Club is the perfect gift. Experience tea classics, rare finds and specialty blends created exclusively for Tea of the Month members. Each month, 2-3 ounces (approximately 30 servings) of a new tea will be shipped. 3, 6, and 12 month memberships available. 

Tea of the Month Club ~ 12 Months $150 ~ Art of Tea 

Something to think about...

Closet Envy

Weekend Project: Organize Closet

One of my favorite things about our new house is my walk-in closet. I love, love, love having enough room for all of my clothes, shelves for my shoes, and racks for my handbags. I do have to admit I haven't been very good at keeping it organized, much less tidy. My goal this weekend is a complete closet cleanout! Below are a few to-die-for closets I found for inspiration. Enjoy!

I love the shelves of shoes in Eva's closet.

Rachel Zoe, clean up your mess girl!!

This clean closet belongs to Tory Burch. I love the draped doors which hide the clothes & shoes from sight and also the chevron print on the island. Classic!

Katie Lee Joel's amazing gold plated closet.

Rory Tahari

Paris Hilton. I adore the mirrored island, the chandelier and the fresh flowers.

Nicky Hilton, I love your closet.

I. Need. This. Closet.

The closet featured in the next three pictures belong to Vivre founder, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti.  The perfectly folded sweaters, folded and hung jeans, the shoes, the drawer of clutches...oh my god, I'm dooling.