Style Lush

Can't Live Without: My ENORMOUS Hairbrush

by Maura

I've always had strong opinions about my hair. When I was a little kid, I was adamant that no curls could touch my forehead. I had (and have) this weird old man hairline that, even at 3 years old, looked like it was receding. It was not. I also have really curly hair. Shirley Temple ringlets. As an adolescent, I was obsessed with my hair product, L'Oreal Anti-Frizz Serum, and bought it in bulk. It was discontinued when I was in college and, believe me, it was a dark day in my life.

This past December my colorist convinced me to blow dry it straight. Believe it or not, in 30 years I had only done it twice and it looked awful. But when he did it, it looked FABULOUS and I haven't worn my hair curly since.

Blowing it out every morning is a chore, but I love this brush. It's twice as wide as my forearm, but it dries my hair quickly with minimal frizz (that along with a small amount of product!). It is made of ceramic, so the barrel gets hot, and there are vents. You can even stick the end of your hair dryer in the barrel! It is available on Amazon or at Sally Beauty Supply. Trust me, your arm does not get tired rolling out a big brush as much as a little brush. I can't live without this brush.

What hair product can you not live without?

Currently Coveting: EmersonMade Clothing and Accessories

by Maura

Clothing, clutches, flower pins, OH MY. I stumbled across the blog and shop of designer EmersonMade today on Kaleigha's blog, KrameyMartin (one of our Bloggers with Style and blog designer!). And MAN, I am totally smitten. First of all, HOW CUTE IS SHE?! Second, and equally important, is that her designs are impeccable. Each one is simple but beautiful. I adore everything in her shop.

The EmersonMade story is also really cool. Emerson and her husband moved from NYC to a farm and run their business together. How dreamy (the farm and the husband!)! I'm thinking my Christmas list is going to have some EmersonMade love.

1. 1960's Jacket -- the Tweed, $238.
2. The Silk Ribbons Blouse, $188.
3. The Pockets Skirt -- Goldie, $158.
4. EM Old School Straight Legs, $178. She makes jeans! The talent!
5. The Poppy, $54.
6. Beautiful Blue Wild Rose, $54.
7. Leather and Brass Post Belt, $98.
8. Emerson Clutch Tiny Dots, $138.
9. School Bloom and Lucky Clutch, $74.

What is your favorite?

Death by Banana Republic Discounts: Help Me Choose!

by Maura

I am really making an effort to curb my shopping. I haven't bought ANYTHING since June when I picked up a few items for my new job since I was going from business attire to business casual. (No more suits, woo!) And people? I walk past an Anthropologie (with a huge sale section) every. stinkin'. day. Talk about self control! Part of the reason is because I want to save money, obviously. The other reason is because my closets are busting at the seams (and I may need to share them with someone in the near future!).

But Banana Republic is trying to knock me off course with the slew of discounts they are offering me. I have two 15% coupons and a coupon for 40%-off one full-priced item. I know, that's how they GET YOU, but the coupons! I'm a sucker for them. I'm definitely going to use the 40%-off coupon and may be persuaded to use the others, too. So my question is ... what should I buy?

  
Short-sleeved cozy cardigan in Mushroom, $98. When I saw this I knew it had to be mine. I love sweaters and I'm ALWAYS cold.   

3/4 Sleeved Faux-wrap dress, $98. How pretty is this?! I love the color for fall and I don't really have any fall dresses.

Heritage Golden Braid Shell, $79.50. Such a great versatile piece with just the right amount of detail. It is perfect to go with a short black jacket I have with gold and black buttons. But will it be too baggy? This is a must-try-on and I hope it works.

Heritage Gilded Trim Cardigan, $89.50. It's ... a cardigan. And it's almost $100. But it has sparkles! I wear cardigans most days of the week, so I will definitely get my use out of it, but even with the discount, is it worth the money?  

The final option is pants. I feel like I wear black pants every day and my gray ones are ... a little snug. Maybe I should just add another staple to my wardrobe?

Martin fit grey Melange suit pants, $98. 

What should I buy?

Meal Planning and Recipes on the Go

by Maura

I stink at meal planning. I have great intentions of sitting down and making up a weekly meal plan and shopping list from my outrageous collection of cookbooks and food magazines. I even found (through the lovely Kate) this adorable meal plan chart, a free download from The Project Girl. Each week goes by, though, and I have found something better to do with my time. Ok, not better, just different (catching up on old seasons of Lost).

[Image credit: the Project Girl]

Without planning out my meals each week, I end up surfing the net or using an iPhone App (more on that in a minute) to find something to cook EACH DAY. Can we say stressful? Which means I'm pretty much thinking about cooking -- or stressing out about cooking -- most of the day. And holy drain on the pocketbook, Batman! It's still less than eating out every day, but daily grocery shopping is a pain in the you-know-where and expensive.

I would love to challenge myself like Mike did on his blog, Made by Mike, to make one recipe each week using the cookbooks I OWN rather than web surfing. Mike is making one recipe a week from his impressive collection of Everyday Food Magazines. Instead, most days I email myself a recipe that seems quick and tasty and shop from the recipe on my iPhone on my way home from work. On days I didn't email myself a recipe or am no longer in the mood for whatever I emailed, I use the iPhone App from Epicurious.

[Image credit: Epicurious]

It is pretty simple to use and it wasn't expensive ($1.99, I think). I find it helpful that you can bookmark or save a recipe as your favorite and with a touch of a button you can create a grocery shopping list. My chief complaint? Well, they are Epicurious recipes. Sometimes there are THIRTY-FIVE ingredients for spaghetti. Maybe I exaggerate, but I'd like some 5-ingredient stunners once in a while.

What are your tips and tricks for meal planning?

Summer Fruit Recipes: Peach and Blackberry Crisp

by Maura

Yesterday I was contemplating what to do with the five peaches and pint of blackberries that were not living up to my fruit standards. The peaches were not quite sweet enough and the blackberries were mouth-puckeringly-tart. The only thing left to do with them was bake! I spent a little time on the internet searching various cobbler, pie, crisp and crumble recipes and this is the one I decided to use. Can I say it was fabulous? I think I just did. We ate (ok, I ate) most of it last night. The recipe calls for blueberries, but I used the fruit I had. I'm sure it would be equally delicious with apples in the fall. I did not eat it with ice cream or yogurt because it was insanely expensive at the grocery store. What can I say, I'm cheap. But, it would have been a delicious compliment.

 [Image credit: MyRecipes.com]

Ingredients

• 6  cups  blueberries
• 2  tablespoons  brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon  all-purpose flour
• 1  tablespoon  fresh lemon juice
• 2/3  cup  all-purpose flour
• 1/2  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1/2  cup  regular oats
• 3/4  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 4 1/2  tablespoons  chilled butter or stick margarine, cut into small pieces
• 2  cups  vanilla low-fat frozen yogurt

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°.

Combine first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl; spoon into an 11 x 7-inch baking dish. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup, and level with a knife. Combine 2/3 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon, and cut in the butter with a pastry blender or 2 knives until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle over the blueberry mixture. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Top each serving with 1/4 cup frozen yogurt.

Note: Topping may also be made in the food processor. Place 2/3 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, oats, and cinnamon in a food processor, and pulse 2 times or until combined. Add butter; pulse 4 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Calories:  288 (26% from fat)

Fat: 8.3g (sat 4.8g,mono 2g,poly 0.9g)

Protein:   4.2g

Carbohydrate: 52g

Fiber:  3.8g

Cholesterol: 22mg

Iron:    1.3mg

Sodium:  96mg

Calcium:  77mg

 

Give Away! GetNoticed Designs

by Maura

I am really excited to bring to Style Lush readers another awesome giveaway! It is no secret that Style Lush writers (and readers!) love Etsy. We have been fortunate enough to work with some wonderful Etsy shops and designers to bring our stylish readers some amazing prizes from our favorite shops. Today is no different! The lovely Natalie and Jessa from GetNoticed Designs are offering one lucky reader a pair of fabulous earrings from their gorgeous collection.

I found GetNoticed a few weeks ago while writing this post on Tiffany-inspired jewelry on Etsy. I immediately fell in love with Natalie and Jessa's shop. Their jewelry is everything I look for in jewelry: simple, original and beautiful. And they have a lot of turquoise, one of my very favorite jewelry materials. Here are a few of my favorite pieces:

1. Turquoise Nugget Bracelet {$23}; 2. Solitaire Tiger Ebony Necklace {$20}; 3. Rose Leaf Necklace in Gold Matte {$22}; 4. Linked Rings Earrings {$13}; 5. Fountain of Youth Necklace {$23}; 6. Freshwater Button Pearl Bracelet {$18}; 7. Ginko Leaf Freshwater Pearl Necklace {$21}; 8. Ocotillo Green Magnesite Ring {$18}; and 9. Lucky Wishbone Necklace {$19}.

They also have a collection of earrings, necklaces, hair clips and bracelets that is perfect for weddings. I love the sophisticated combination of pearls and rhinestones (especially this headband! So gorgeous!) 

One of our lucky readers will get to choose either the Turquoise Stud Earrings or the Tiffany-inspired Silver Bead Stud Earrings shown below. All you have to do is visit the GetNoticed Etsy shop and tell us what your favorite piece of jewelry is! Also be sure to mention which set of earrings you would prefer if you win. The deadline is Friday, September 3 at 11:59 pm.

Even if you don't win, you still can get FREE SHIPPING on all of the items in GetNoticed shop and $1 from each purchase is donated to the American Cancer Society! So do something nice for yourself and the American Cancer Society and snatch up a great necklace or earrings from GetNoticed! 

[Image credit: GetNoticed Designs}

Reader Question: Bridesmaid Dress

by Maura

Stylish Reader Jen has a dilemma. She needs a bridesmaid dress:

So what's worse than your BFF asking you to be in her wedding and wearing a dress she picked out?  Your BFF asking you to be in her wedding and LETTING YOU pick out the dress!   Yes, I know... she thinks she is gracing us (there are 2 of us) with the perfect gift of free reign over what style suits our body types best, but I am not sure she took into account that I have absolutely ZERO fashion sense.  Its ok, admitting it is the first step and I've been at that step for years.  I just can't seem to go any further than step one.  My "uniform" of choice for the past few years has been a V-neck solid color T-shirt (short sleeve for summer, long sleeve for winter) and a pair of jeans or shorts.  Sometimes I get crazy and throw a hoodie in there just to mix things up a bit.

Well, Jen, I have your back here. My sister did the SAME THING! Her wedding is in October and, luckily, I have a LBD that will be just perfect. Since Jen needs a black dress, too, I was only too happy to help. The details are an evening wedding in November in Virginia and, in Jen's own words, she's "a pear shape (lots of junk in this trunk), and currently a size 14 due to having [her] 2nd child 6 months ago."  

This did not start out to be an homage to the Nordstrom Dress Shop, but OMG, people! The CHOICES! The PRICES! It is simply too good to be true (assuming Jen finds something she likes, if not, FIE on Nordstrom!)

  

L to R:Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Ruched Satin Sheath Dress {$158}; Alex Evenings Brocade Sheath Dress {$138}; JS Boutique Surplice Shantung Dress with Sequined Waist {$178}; Adrianna Papell Matte Jersey and Taffeta Dress {$178}.

 

L to R: Maggy London Twist Bodice Chiffon Dress {$128}; Suzi Chin Maggy Boutique Pleated Jersey Dress {$148}; Calvin Klein Ruched Sheath Dress {$158}; Maggy London One Shoulder Dress {$128}.

What I tried to do was find dresses that are A-Line or with a nice full skirt, but I did include two sheaths because I like them and I think they are super classy looking. Besides, there's nothing wrong with some junk in the trunk! If you got it, flaunt it! I also tried to find dresses that you can wear a regular bra with because, really? Nobody likes strapless bras. BUT! I did include a spaghetti strap dress and one shoulder dress because, hey, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. I hope you find something you love and feel beautiful in because that's what really matters.

You can find a Nordstrom store here, or order online and return via mail.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Green Eggs and Ham

by Maura

Today is the 50th anniversary of Dr. Seuss's famous book, Green Eggs and Ham. According to Publisher's Weekly (and Wikipedia), it is the fourth-bestselling English-language children's book of all time. Apparently, Dr. Seuss (whose real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel) took on a bet from from his editor to come up with a book using only 50 words. Green Eggs and Ham, first published on August 12, 1960, uses 49 monosyllabic words, with the word "anywhere" being the only exception.

Can you remember the other 49 words? This public radio article provides a link to a an excel table with a 5 minute countdown clock. Challenge yourself to guess the 49 words he used or just click on this link to find out what they are.

I loved Dr. Seuss books as a kid, especially How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Hop on Pop and Oh, the Places You'll Go. I always think that Go, Dog, Go! and Are You My Mother? are Dr. Seuss books, too, but they are both by P.D. Eastman, a protege of Dr. Seuss. I still love them.

Dr. Seuss's characters and spirit are found in more than just his books. There are so many invites, thank you notes and other paper products on Etsy for a Dr. Seuss themed party. If you are looking for a subtle, grown up way to express your love for Dr. Seuss, check out some of these cool Dr. Seuss-themed items I found:

Green Eggs and Ham pendant by Arts Desire Glass, $20 

Dr. Seuss drink charms by Clinks, $17 for 4

Green Eggs and Ham inspired cushions by The Sneaky Chicken, $40 for set of 3 

 
Dr. Seuss quote wood sign wall hanging by Nesedecor, $20
Quote says, "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind. - Dr. Seuss"

And for the kiddies:

Dr. Seuss Thing 1 bodysuit, $14.99 on Amazon

Cat in the Hat plush toy, $30 on Amazon 

What is your favorite Dr. Seuss book?

Longing for Fall: Anthropologie Pieces

by Maura

I am a huge fan of summer and its long days, fruity drinks and warm weather. Right about the time fall wardrobes start appearing in stores and online I have mixed reactions. I'm sad that summer is almost over, but also looking forward to the cool, crisp days of fall and the fashions to go with it. These are just four items I'm lusting over at Anthropologie.

Terrace  House Jacket in Orange, $138. I have a jacket similar to this in green and I LOVE it.

Lady's Choice Cardigan in Gold, $88 

Swirling Drops in Gold, $30 

Clinton Trench in Natural, $188. (Could you just DIE?) 

Even though each piece is a little pricey, I feel like I would get a lot of wear out of all of them. I love the colors and the feminine touches. (Ok, that phrase seems weird, I mean the RUFFLES.)

What's on your fall wish list?

[Photo credit: Anthropologie]

Favorite Weeknight Dinner: Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce

by Maura

Working all day and coming home to make dinner can be stressful, even with a partner who helps in the kitchen and does the dishes. I feel pressure to make something delicious and interesting every night. As a result, there are very few recipes that I make over and over. In fact, I can only think of one. We tried this pork tenderloin recipe last month and have made it twice. (Three times if you count tonight!) It gets my highest recommendation.

Pork tenderloin is a great cut of meat, not only because it is tender and versatile, but because it is VACUUM SEALED! That means if you don't get around to making it for a few days, it will be okay! On the down side, it can be a little expensive, but it is easy to use up leftovers!

This recipe is from the cookbook Everyday Food, Great Food Fast and is available on Martha Stewart's website. I love it because it is really tasty and has only a few ingredients, most of which I have in my pantry. I usually make only half for two people and have a little bit left over for lunch the next day. I like to serve it with sauteed asparagus.

[Photo credit:  marthastewart.com]

Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce
from Martha Stewart
serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:
1 T. olive oil
2 pork tenderloins (3/4 to 1 lb each), trimmed
coarse salt and ground pepper
1/4 c. whole-grain mustard
2 T. Dijon mustard
2 T. reduced-fat sour cream

Directions:
1. Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Season pork with salt and pepper; transfer to skillet and cook, turning, until browned all over, 5 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and cover skillet; cook pork, turning occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer registers 150 degrees. 20 to 25 minutes. Remove pork from skillet, wrap in aluminum foil, and let rest 10 minutes (reserve skillet with juices).

2. To juices in skillet, add mustards, and sour cream, and any accumulated juices from resting pork; whisk over medium heat until heated through (do not boil). Add water if sauce is too thick.

3. Slice pork thinly and serve with pan sauce.

Have leftover pork? Try using this recipe substituting the chicken for pork tenderloin cut in matchsticks!