Lc's Lust List (Team USA edition)

It's official, the torch has been carried, the athletes have paraded in and I am in full blown Olympic obsession!

Since Friday, I have spent every extra second I have watching as much of the games as I can (who knew I was such a men's water polo fan?).  This has inspired my lust list for the week.  While it might not be the most conventional list, I assure you, I want to get my hands on everything on it.

$165

I am really digging this Ralph Lauren Team USA Olympic full zip fleece.  It completely captures the fresh feel of the chilly London games without looking too stuffy.  I adore the tri-colored cuff and the length would hit the right place on just about any girl.  It's super cute and really, who doesn't love a good RL polo horse silhouette with a popped collar?

$29

Due to my lack of height, drive and basketball skills will never go to the Olympics for b-ballin', but this Deuce USA Basketball Silicone Watch would at least have me convinced I'd be one of the best towel girls the team could have.  The flag colored silicone band  is feather weight, which is perfect for all those times you'll be waving your arms in the air like a crazy person cheering on the red, white and blue.

$450

The only thing that could come close to wearing an actual gold medal, might be this awesome Nike USA London 2012 21st Century Windrunner jacket.  The athletic gear mavericks have done it again with an ultra light weight, breathable jacket...and this time it's doused in America.  As if the cordport for your mp3 player in the front wasn't enough, the reflective material and vented sides makes it the perfect jacket to wear while pretending you are LoLo Jones.  A bit on the pricey side, the licensed jacket is an amazing find, especially with the rubberized ol' glory stitched to the sleeve.

Last, but certainly not least on my lust list is Ryan Lochte.  Despite coming up short in the 400 Men's freestyle relay, I would still like to get some face time with this swoon worthy swimmer.  He is turning out to be the heart throb of the games, which is fitting because this is the "XXX" games.  If you are interested in more Lochte eye candy, just click.  It seems that the only issues I might have with the 28 year old New Yorker is that he can't get behind the Cubs...next year is the year for Chicago, I'd bet a romantic dinner on it Mr. Lochte!

A New Way to Pizza

One of the most delicious foods on the planet is homemade pizza, but in the summer it's torture to think about heating up your kitchen to cook it.  So instead of kicking on the oven, and heating up the house, why not take your pizza pie outside to the grill.  I found an easy and delicious was to grill pizza (detailed instructions) and it's changed my life.

Here is how I make it happen....   

Turn your grill on and make your pizza crust, but don't leave a raised crust.

Heat up your grill and brush it with olive oil and slide your crust directly onto the hot grill.

Cook the dough for 2-3 minutes, when it's browned.  Take it off the grill and put it on a cookie sheet, browned side up.

Top the pizza, but use a light hand with the sauce, too much will make the pizza soggy and it'll break on the grill.

Apply more olive oil to the grill and put the topped pizza back on the grill, close the top and reduce the heat.  Let it cook for another 3 minutes.  Once cheese has melted slide it onto a cutting board and serve it up!

Words of Wisdom from my favorite Ladies

If you're like me, sometimes you feel like the world won't let up on you.  From personal to professional, it's easy to think  your life is a mess.  A bad day can start your thought process on a downward pity spiral, which has you thinking that you're going to be homeless on the street with bad shoes and frizzy hair for the rest of your life. 

Sometimes the best advice isn't from a famous person, or someone who
has tamed history.  Instead it's from someone you trusts.

I don't know if this will help, but I thought I would share a few words of wisdom I've collected from some savvy women.  Please note that these are actual women I know.  It's easy for people to copy and paste influential quotes from historic figures and slap it one their facebook status, but I think it's something really special to know the women you're inspired by.

Names won't be used, but I sure hope their advise will be.

"I want to put something beautiful in the world."
--Dear friend who has been a constant inspiration

Before I left my job earlier this year, I had a long talk with a very dear friend over lunch.  We sat and enjoyed tiny, over-priced, delicious sandwiches at a swank DC spot while it rained cats and dogs.  I told her I wasn't sure I was doing the right thing, but I knew I couldn't do what I had been doing.  Due to recent circumstances, I had changed and thus needed a  change.  I was no longer the person I was and I needed my job to reflect that.  I talked about drama and stress and how I wasn't fulfilled with my current situation and how I felt the job I was considering was just going to lead me down that same path.  She was not only a trusted voice, but she had been in my shoes before.  She told me that when she left her high power job to peruse her passion she kept telling herself one thing.
"Put something beautiful in the world." 
She is.

"Heels should be used every day, they are special and so are you."
--Former anchor at NBC Chicago

I got my first television internship in Chicago my junior year of college, it was for the morning show.  I had to be into work super early, especially when you consider that my roommates were coming in from bars as I was leaving for the station.  The first couple weeks I was coming in full suits, dresses and heels;  I wanted to impress.  One day a crew member commented on how I shouldn't be wearing heels, I was doing "grunt work" and I should dress for that.  Over the next few days I came in wearing flats and a more casual pant and shirt.  I didn't feel like myself, but, I had gained ground with the crew.  A few days after my wardrobe transformation, an anchor, who I had grown close to,  asked me why the sudden change in dress.  I told her about my conversation and she told me,
"Heels should be worn every day, they are special and so are you."
I now try to wear heels as often as possible. 

"Magazines have taught me a lot of important things, like how to do a smoky eye, how to properly hold downward facing dog and that I am prettier and luckier than any model...ever."
--Friend's sassy aunt

I was talking poolside with one of my friend's "crazy" aunts one day and she told me how she learned all her basic "lady info" from glossies.  Contrary to popular belief, she always felt better about herself after looking at all those skinny models.  Mind you this woman wasn't small.  I couldn't resist and I asked why, posing the same questions of self-esteem issues every person does when looking at a model.  She pulled out her phone and then proceeded to show me a never ending slide show of pictures of her and her family and friends, each one looking more joyous than the last.  At the end I assumed she was going to say something about "they won't have the people I do", or "I live life better than them."  Instead she asked me how SHE looked in each picture.  I told her she looked good and happy; what else are you supposed to say?  She told me I was wrong.  She looked great and that each one of the pictures I just saw wasn't photo shopped a bit.  She didn't need it and they did.  She went on to tell me how pictures are meant to bring back good memories and every picture she knew of with her in it, was just that, an amazing memory.   That's when she said, "Magazines have taught me a lot of important things, like how to do a smoky eye, how to do downward facing dog properly and that I am prettier and luckier than any model...ever."
And she really is, and so are we.

If you have any inspirational stories, from men or women, send them my way.  I'd love to read them and maybe post about those words of wisdom.

Spiked Popsicles...'nuf said

So many of us are suffering through this insane heat.  Whether you are facing high temps, humidity or both, there is no denying that being outside is a little miserable.

www.dandysugar.com

I find the best ways to beat the heat is with an icy treat or a cocktail.  So I decided to combine my two heat seeking weapons and make some spiked Popsicles.

Here is how you can do this at home.

Ingredients
3 cups of your fave juice
2 oz. of alcohol
*If you feel fancy you can toss in fruit or herbs

1. In a pitcher mix the juices together.  Then pour it into a popsicle mold.
*Don't have a Popsicle mold, use small paper cups and fruit.  One you've filled the cup, put a thin slice of lemon, lime or orange on the bottom and put the stick through that. 
**Don't have fruit slices, cover the cups with plastic wrap and poke a hole over each cup, then slide the stick into the cup.

2. If you are adding fruit or herbs, wait about an hour until the juice has partially set.  This will keep the add ins from sinking to the bottom.

3. Wait until the pops have fully set and enjoy!

This is one of the easiest recipes to take one and it's perfect for any party.  It's also a great way to get creative with flavors. Below are some fool proof combinations for you to consider when it comes time to mix it up...

Rum in coconut water with pineapple
Berry Vodka with cherry juice and cherries
Lemon vodka with lime juice and seltzer water (this is SOOOO refreshing)
Orange vodka with pineapple juice and strawberries

Keep it Simple...Syrup style

Starwberrey basil simple syrup

Something about summer begs to have a fruity drink with a tiny umbrella in it.  Many of these drinks have one thing in common.  No, it's not a excessive fruit garnish, it's simple syrup. 
I've spoken with a lot of bartenders and it seems all the good ones are making their own simple syrup, so i assumed it was sarcastically simple, like how how you call a big guy tiny.  Then I had dinner with my sister and one of her friends and i realized, it's actually really simple.

Ingredients:

• 1 parts sugar
• 1 part water

Preparation:

1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Dissolve the sugar into the boiling water, stirring constantly.
3. Once the sugar is dissolved completely, remove the pan from the heat. (Note: Do not allow the syrup to boil for too long or the syrup will be too thick.)
4. Allow to cool completely and thicken, then bottle.

Fun extras-
You can flavor the simple syrup by adding fresh herbs to the syrups while it's cooling before you bottle it. I added strawberries and basil to mine to make strawberry basil lemonade.

 To prolong the shelf life of your simple syrup, add a little vodka (you'll probably do that anyway) - usually between a tablespoon and an ounce, depending on how large the batch of syrup is.

Getting Board

A few years ago one of my best friends and I made a fabric headboard for her room.  It ended up looking great and it was really easy.  I think she is still using it to this day. 

Last month I was over at another friend's home and she was showing me her inspiration board.  I couldn't help notice how similar these two things were in construction.  They used the same method. 


Here is the easiest way to make your own...

Supplies
Square ceiling tiles
Fabric of your choice
Batting
Staple gun (and staples)
Adhesive velcro



Lay the fabric (print down) on the floor.  Then layer the batting then the ceiling tile on top of it.

Cut the batting leaving 3-4 inches extra.  Cut the fabric leaving 5-6 inches extra.

Pull the fabric and the batting to the back of the ceiling tile and staple it into place.  Do the same on the opposite side. 

Continue to pull the fabric and batting until the entire ceiling tile is tightly covered and secure.

Place the double stick adhesive velcro on the back and place it on the wall where you want it.

Repeat this process with as many tiles as you want.

Two tile makes a great inspiration board.
Six tiles is the size for a queen sized headboard, or for a shorter wall, use three

Lc's Lust List (summer shoes with some height)

During the summer months I have a tendency to fall back   intosome of my favorite flats; abandoning heels until cooler weather comes along.  But these shoes are enough to make me say "see you later" to the grounded shoes and "hello" to the ones that take me closer to my fashion heaven.

$790

Opening strong with the Prada bow ankle strap sandal are exactly what summer shoes should be about. They are in the color of the season, orange, and they unapologetically scream fun! While suede might not be your go to summer fabric, it's undeniable on these heels. While the pair comes in black, the bright orange has become a neutral in itself making it a utility player in your closet. From the dainty ankle strap and buckle to the perfectly neat bow on the toe, beating these shoes is impossible. They pair with your cutest short shorts or peaking out from beneath a maxi dress, they are sure to be a show stopper.

Sale on Gilt, was $195 now $79

I think we can all agree that summer isn't summer without espadrilles.  Something about the shape and style of the shoe screams warm nights and cocktails with friends.  Hence, I give you the (very much on sale) Fiona ethnic braided espadrille sandal  by Charlotte Ronson.  The rich brown of the leather with it's tapestry details adds a whimsy to the shoes not often found.  A stretchable slingback strap behind the heel will ensure you don't fall out of your shoes, with added support of a braided wedge.  Needless to say, these are the shoes you want to wear on a night out.

$180

Not every summer outfit calls for an airy, light-hearted shoes to finish.  Sometimes you need something with a little more substance to anchor your wardrobe choices, which is why I love the Boutique 9 Fringe Peep toe bootie.  The dove grey peep toe brightens up most outfits despite the heaviness of the dangling fringe and zip back.   The spike heel will add enough edge to toughen up even the most floral of belted sundresses.

$225

These Badgley Mischka Roxie Peep toe pumps are the perfect pump to show off your ladylike style.  With a 4 1/2 inch heel (including a barely stacked sole) they could easily be an all day shoe.  The painted satin with a subtle hint of gold against the light blue and white gives the shoe some interest without looking over the top.  I'd love to pair these with a bright orange shift dress, some bangles and a garden party.

Originally $365, now on sale for $183

If we are talking summer shoes, I have to include my favorite summer shoe, which is back again this year.  Stuart Weitzman Alex  became an instant classic in my wardrobe last year.  This, I will confirm, is one of the best shoes I 've ever owned.  The crochet straps are perfectly placed on the shoe for ultimate support and comfort, while the 1" platform makes walking all day a breeze.  Simple to pair with just about everything, I adored putting them with a simple pair of jeans and a white tee, add on a few easy pieces of jewelry and you are casually put together.

Pasta Salad with a Kick of Champagne

Pasta salad is one of my least favorite summer foods.  For some reason it's always at picnics; and it's always coated in layer upon layer of fat and dairy.  Just the thought of it sitting unattended in the sun for hours is enough to make my stomach stop.

A few years ago, my sister shared with me a light and delicious recipe she found for pasta salad and it changed my outlook on the side.  This colorful side tastes clean and delicious all day.  It contains no dairy and the vegetables are raw, so they contain most of their nutrients.  Plus, the combination of flavors is to die for!

This is the recipe for Champagne Pasta Salad...

One box of pasta
1 bottle of champagne vinaigrette (if you want to make it, here is a recipe I use)
Two bundle of raw broccoli
One jar of artichoke hearts (in liquid)
8 sun dried tomatoes
1/4 of a red onion ( finely chopped)
Two bell peppers

Cook the pasta.
Cut the veggies
Combine pasta, veggies and dressing in a Tupperware and toss it in the fridge.
Enjoy!

This dish only gets better with time. I suggest making it the day before so everything has overnight to marry.

Personalize your Paper

I love sending personal notes to people.  I think it's one of the small things a person can do to make some one's day. 

For a while my habit of note writing was taking a toll on my wallet.  All those cards were getting expensive.  Then I learned how to make my own personalized stationary, for pennies of what those cards cost.

Here's how!

Supplies
Plain paper (I prefer to use a card stock or resume paper)
Food coloring
Shaving cream (not the gel)
Toothpick
Disposable plate
Straight edge

Directions
Put a thick layer of shaving cream on the disposable plate.  Drop a few dots of food coloring (drop at least 6, more depending on how big the area is).  Swirl the food coloring in the shaving cream lightly, just enough for the colors to streak.  Place the paper on top of the shaving cream and lightly press it into the cream so it becomes saturated.  Carefully remove the paper from the shaving cream, try to lift it off without smearing.  In fluid motions, scrap off the excess shaving cream.  Allow the paper to dry.

This is the swirled shaving cream.  Dip the
paper in this.

I love doing those because it adds such a careful and colorful touch to any note I send, and it's really easy.

Lc's Lust List (4th of July edition)

The countdown is on to the 4th of July!  While you might be wondering what your Independence Day plans will be, I'm more concerned about what to wear.  Here are some lust worthy ideas to make your 4th more fashionable.
Warning, these looks will definately stimulate the economy with their prices.

Sale price $210

This dress is perfect for all-American, all day fun.  The DKNY Strapless Maxi Dress gives enough coverage to be conservative enough for the company picnic, while showing enough of your flirty side to keep you going long after the fireworks have wrapped up for the night.  The light, flowy fabric will help you fight the extreme heat we've bee facing and it'll add just the right amount of drama to your holiday.

$98

It's practically impossible to avoid your patriotic side while wearing these Splendid gingham Shorts.  As if the adorable print wasn't enough to seal the deal, the comfort of the cotton/lycra blend will keep your cool all day.  Sitting on the hip, they'll give a relaxed look which will keep you in step with Uncle Sam.  Pair it with a red tip and no one will question your patriotism.

$595

Obsession alert!  Rag and Bone's pleated silk watercolor skirt is possibly the coolest skirts of the season.  The color pallet is absolute perfect for summer, but especially for the 4th of July.  Imagine how much fun you'd have in this silken dream.  The airy fabric will exagerate any breeze, making you the subtle center of attention amid the bombs bursting in air.  As if that wasn't enough, the medium pleats will allow enough room for you to grab another burger.

$140

For those of you heading to a more buttoned up affair, Maggy London's Color block scuba dress might be the perfect solution.  The classic colors can't be argued with on Independence Day, while the preppy, nautical theme won't make you look too "stars and stripes."  The bold piping around the collar and bright red epilettes make it a little different, not to mention the braided belt, which adds a little whimsy.

Sale price of $600

You can't talk about an all American outfit without mentioning the iconic Ralph Lauren (he is designing Team USA's uniforms for this summer's Olympics).  I love the sleek silouhette of this heritage style Black Label Thurman dress.  It's clean lines won't need much more than a sparkler to really set it off.  From the simple neckline to the fitted waist, this dress will do every woman a lot of favors.