Friday, January 28, 2011

the style list

You've all heard: it is officially award season!  Which means beautiful dramatic gowns and diamonds galore.  Unfortunately, it also means every. single. outfit is WAY out of our budget, and probably not really something that can be copied in every day life.  We always try to put a little glamour in our outfits, but a gown to the office might be a bit much... yes, I was just trying to figure our a way to make a gown on the job acceptable.  Dress for the job you want?!  No?  Ok, anyway, we are experiencing some glorious weather here in San Francisco, which means the tights can be stored for the week.  Our inspiration for today's outfit sans tights (sorry everyone in the Midwest and on the East Coast!): the adorable new Club Monaco ads for Spring/Summer.  Unfortunately, CM is a tad out of our budgets.  Below, please find the version that will still leave enough money in your wallet for a ticket south for Spring Break!



Here's the list:
1.  top, forever21, wide strip tunic, $13.80
2.  skirt, express, floral smocked-waist, $29.50
3.  belt, j. crew, classic leather belt, $32.50
4.  blazer, urban outfitters, silence and noise boyfriend, $78
5.  shoes, steve madden, trouser, $69.95
6.  necklace, topshop, bird in frame pendant, $18

photo credits: mama's rolling stone

the wish list: alcohol edition


This past week, my husband and I attended a cocktail making class hosted by our favorite SF eatery, Beretta.  Located in the Gourmet Ghetto (aka the Mission), Beretta is know for their delicious pizza and even tastier cocktails.  Once a month, they'll be passing along their knowledge of spirits to the general public.  Their first class, held this past Monday, focused on all things whiskey-related.  Yum.

Drinks we made included: a House Whiskey Cocktail (the first "Old Fashioned"), a Mint Julep, and a Whiskey Flower (whose ingredients include St. Germain Elderflower Liquour and lemon juice; so goooood).



As we sat behind our bar station, muddling mint and measuring syrup, I started to dream of stocking our tiny bar at home.  Needless to say I came up with quite the shopping list:

here's the liquor list:
templeton rye
wild turkey 101 rye
russel's reserve bourbon
st germain elderflower liqeur... yum

and the mixers:
angostura bitters
orange bitters
small hand foods gomme syrup



here's the list of tools:
jigger, $4.99
cocktail shaker, $29.95
bar spoon, $16.95
hawthorne strainer, $7.95
muddler, $14.95
hand juicer, $19.95
paring knife, $9.95, the BEST paring knives ever
bar towels, $19

We hope that this gets you started stocking your own bar!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

the decor list

I am still mourning the loss of Christmas decorations.  Ok, that's a lie.  We still haven't taken them down... I know, I know, it's mid late January, but like I said last time, I am just worried the room is going to be so boring without them; I'm just not ready for it!  You are probably asking yourself, "what, little miss Minnesota, are you going to add to your living room to fill the void?"  Well, my curious readers, I am going to make a bar.  Sorry Mom and Dad... but I promise to make it a classy one.


Here are a few choices for the base of your new watering hole:
1.  cb2, peekaboo clear console, $349
2.  plexi-craft.com, $229
3.  ikea, $199
4.  ikea, $79.99
5.  west elm, $549
6.  pottery barn, $399
7.  pottery barn, $299


Now, you of course need to add a tray to protect your lovely new table/cart of choice.  No one likes a water spot!
1.  z gallerie, $29.95
2.  z gallerie, $54.95
3.  cb2, $34.95



Next, the lovely glassware and protectors of our precious spirits:
1.  cb2, cocktail shaker, $14.95
2.  cb2, champagne bucket, $39.95 (already planning my Saturday morning brunch with Mimosas!)
3.  crate&barrel, decanter, $39.95
4.  cb2, martini glass, $5.95
5.  cb2, city glassware, $0.95-1.95

Now, I obviously wouldn't just leave the top of the table plain.  Follow the jump to read how to style up your new bar!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

the wish list


We have decided to dedicate Wednesdays to our ultimate designer wish lists.  Because, while we love to put the perfect outfit together on a budget, playing pretend dress up is always fun (and quite depressing)!  First up, the genius Michael Kors.

Now, you may be asking yourself, how, out of all the designers, did we decide to start with MK?  It's simple, really:  there is a bag that I really, really want from Mr. Kors, and once I started obsessively looking at it both online and in stores, I realized I couldn't stop adding things to my wish list.  Here is the edited version (honestly, we couldn't stop!); hope you enjoy!

here's the list:
hamilton tote, $328,
(Couldn't decide which color.  We'll take it in orange, black, brown, and navy.  Thanks!)
crossbody, $148
gia leather satchel, $695
ipad case, python, $130
metallic coat, $300
trench, $2895
flounce dress, $1995
sequin dress, $400  ... this one goes without saying
goddess dress, $2995
(How do I not have a Goddess dress in my closet?!  I'm going home tonight and just naming one that.  You should all do the same!)
rose golden watch, $250
golden oversized runway watch, $250
fingerless gloves, $59.50
bar wrap belt, $695
montrose sunglasses, $85

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

the celebrity style list



Remember back in December when we made ya'll buy a bowtie?  And then a couple weeks ago we copied Kanye West, and made you buy leather leggings?  And then we made you spend $24 on the beautiful pink Nars lipstick?

One of the best ways to make an adorable outfit is to re-style the pieces you have hanging in your closet.  And today's outfit does just that!  We love the juxtaposition of menswear pieces with ultra-feminine pink lips, sexy tousled hair, and a dainty nude bag.  Fearne Cotton is adorable.

Here's the list:

leggings, american apparel, $46
bowtie, JoSA bank, $49.50
blazer, urban outfitters, silence & noise, $49
top, j. jill, long white button down, $50 (should have one of these in your closet...)
bag, asos, $20.69
lipstick, nars, $24 (should have this little gem, as well!)
nail polish, sephora, OPI in "break a leg-warmer", $9
heels, aldo, $55 (or black pumps, which you have in your closet already- isn't this fun!)
rings: forever21, in full bloom, faux pearl rhinestone, set of two rhinestone rings, vine & leaf ring

photo credit: zimbio

Monday, January 24, 2011

the trend list: black swan


We are coveting all things tulle ever since we saw Natalie Portman portray a semi fully-psychotic ballerina in Black Swan.  Obviously, the movie has been getting a ton of buzz (Natalie won best actress at the golden globes and the film received 5 oscar nods), but we love the fact that design duo Rodarte has spear-headed the way for gorgeous, ballet-inspired pieces to come into our closets.  The designers created the amazingly intricate costumes for the film, and they've triggered our lust for airy skirts, skin-tight bodysuits, and ballet flats.

Here's the list:
1. dress, net-a-porter, zac posen, tulle and lace dress, $2050
2. bra, j crew, tulle underwire top, $60
3. skirt, urban outfitters, pins and needles, $29.99, on sale
4. dress, piperlime, plastic island dress, $94.99, on sale
5. skirt, shopbop, club monaco, $139
6. flats, topshop,  marina chiffon bow pumps, $55
7. bodysuit, the outnet, chloe, $216
    or bodysuit, american apparel, $32
8. necklace, urban outfitters, $29

photo credits:  christian dior: style.com; black swan stills: imdb & beyondhollywood.com

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

country strong

photos: imdb.com
I finally saw it this weekend.  It has some bad review... but I LOVED it.  Big hair, fake eyelashes, country music, love, cute Minnesotans cowboys singing... (sigh)... Honestly, what more could I-- sorry still thinking about those cowboys-- ask for?!  See below for what designer duds I would use to lure those sexy studs in!

1.  CABoots cowboy boots, $1200 (no seriously, I love and wear cowboy boots!  Mine were $20 at a flea market)
2.  dress, net-a-porter, stella mccartney, $1735
3.  shirt, net-a-porter, etoile isabel marant, $385
4.  shirt, net-a-porter, chloe, $995
5.  belt, ralph lauren, skinny leather concho belt, $22.99 (on sale)
6.  bag, ralph lauren, fringed leather hobo, $695
7.  ring, novica, solitaire ring, $119.95
8.  bracelet, neiman marcus, turquoise two-station bangle, $350

PS  To get in the real country spirit, PBR is on TV.  Not my first time watching it; in fact I love it and was really pissed to see they were in Northern CA.  Can't believe I missed it!

PPS  I love a man in a Carhartt jacket.  Yup, I said it.  Feel free to judge away.  I judge myself, but I can't fight the feeling.  Now after all this cowboy talk, I need to go find one... Which, I imagine, will prove to be quite a challenge in the City by the Bay...

-Minnesota

Monday, January 17, 2011

the golden globes


We absolutely love a red carpet.  Oh the glamour!  If only we had an excuse to prance in front of hundreds of paparazzi in jaw-dropping gowns.  Olivia Wilde looked like a perfect princess in her Marchesa ballgown, but her shoes really stole the show.  The gold-studded booties were amazing and should have won an award on their own.  The Louboutin website that they're featured on is to die for.  Oh, to dream.

Piper Perabo looked stunning and simple in a gown by Oscar de la Renta, with just the right amount of bow.  Jeweled green was well represented by Mila (Vera Wang), Catherine (Monique Lhuillier), and Angie (Atelier Versace).  And from salmon to buff, pink and nude hues were abundant.  Claire wore a very minimalist dress by Calvin Klein, while Lea showed her flare for the dramatic in a gown by Oscar de la Renta.  Natalie showed off her baby-bump in a sweet dress by Victor & Rolf, and Anne showed off her body (and back, in particular) in a gold paillette Giorgio Armani number.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

the decor list



The Christmas decorations must come down. And while I thought I loved my decor before, without all of the lights and sparkle my house looks... I can barely bring myself to say it....plain. And a plain home is just one of those things that is never acceptable! Even with the holidays being over, I still want a cozy home for these cold winter months (Don’t judge me-- 50 feels cold! I know..... I can’t even call myself a Minnesotan anymore...) Here are a few easy ways to create a luxurious retreat from the cold weather.
Add a cozy bold color or bright patterned rug to a room.
Add luxury with touches of velvet, whether it be a drape or a pillow. Ideally, I would like a whole velvet couch but that might be a bit out o’ the budget!
And finally, what would make it feel just like a mountain lodge? (Well, a fireplace, but I think that might be a bit more difficult/spendy to add.) A bar! Tune in next Thursday for quick how to guide. Hint? It could start with this sleek lucite table from CB2.
 
Here's the list:
Velvet textured pillow, CB2, $39.95
Velvet Pillows, World Market, $9.99
Velvet Drapes, World Market, $24.99
Purple Z Gallerie rug, $299
Pink flower rug, ABC carpet & home, $599
Velvet Chaise, Urban Outfitters, $579
Velvet tufted headboard, Urban Outfitters, $349
photo credits: style.com

Monday, January 10, 2011

the celebrity style list

Only a guy as fly as Kanye West can pull off a full-length blonde fur coat and a snakeskin bag, and do it  with a certain swagger.  We love the idea of mixing different textures: fur, leather, snakeskin-all faux, of course.  You can throw on your favorite high-tops or a pair of black pumps to finish the look.  But we wish we had these Louboutins in our closets.

Here's the list:
1.  shirt, j. crew, tissue crewneck, $32.50
2.  pants, american apparel, shiny leggings, $46
3.  necklace, sweetiepie, $82
4.  bag, topshop, faux snakeskin holdall bag, $80
5.  coat, asos, collarless blonde faux fur coat, $129.30
6.  shoes, neiman marcus, christian louboutin, lady peep glitter, $895
7.  sunglasses,  amazon, blues brothers dark wayfarers, $2.99
8.  watch, urban outfitters, wraparound watch, $38

photo credit: upscale hype

Friday, January 7, 2011

the wish list


I haven't done laundry since traveling east for Christmas.  I'm in desperate need of some undies.  Guess where I'll be headed this weekend... Shopping is sooo much easier than doing laundry.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

the celebrity style list


Here's the list:
1.  shirt, the limited, taped cuff shirt, $44.90
2.  pants, express, herringbone stacked wide waistband, $69.90
3.  scarf, shopbop, juicy couture scarf, $40.60
4.  nail polish, essie, glamour, $8
5.  lipstick, sephora, $12
6.  cardigan, bloomingdale's, cashmere cardi, $69
7.  purse, mango, shoulder bag, $34.99

photo credits: kim, zimbio

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

the celebrity style list


We just LOVED hearing about how many of our friends spent their New Year's Eve partying it up in Tahoe.  (Does sarcasm translate on blogs?)  And then reading about how we're just a train-ride away (on 7x7's website) just sent us over the edge.  If we were going, these are the things we'd try to shove into our carryall.

Here's the list:
parka, modcloth, walk in the parka, $129.99
laptop case, topshop, leopard print, $40
carryall, topshop, black wazed canvas holdall, $90
boots, piperlime, bcbgeneration, $90
boots, piperlime, dolce vita, $219.99
mittens, land's end, faux fur mittens, $12.99
hat, asos, leather look & fantasy fur trapper, $31.03
sunglasses, forever 21, $5.80
socks, j. crew, camp socks, $12.50
shirt, j. crew, double-gauze, $49.99
make sure you pick up some long john's, like bare necessities' cuddl duds

photo credits:  zimbio and zimbio

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

the celebrity style list


Unfortunately, the holidays are over, and it's time to get back to work.  Ugh.  One of our New Year's Resolutions is to lighten up our work wardrobe.  We find ourselves constantly gravitating towards wearing sooo much black.  We love how fresh and easy Kate Bosworth's ensemble looks.  And we think that 2011 will be the year of minimalism, clean palettes, and pink lips, of course!

Here's the list:
1.  top, mango, blouson, $39.99
2.  necklace, nordstrom, deco fringe pendant, $18.90
3.  skirt, talbots, shetland wool pleat skirt, $35.38
4.  belt, rachel roy, perforated belt, $26.60
5.  lipstick, sephora, NARS lipstick in catfight, $24
6.  shoes, zappos, ryan pumps, $49

photo credit: zimbio

Monday, January 3, 2011

the celebrity style list


New girl crush!  J'adore Clemence Poesy.  Her credits include Harry Potter (need we say more?), 127 Hours, and Gossip Girl.  And she's French!  We love the way her androgynous look can seem so thrown-together, but still so sexy.  "Stealing clothes from boys is the most fun you can have." (-C.P.)  I've never wanted a fedora hat and a pair of motorcycle boots so badly.

Here's the list:
1.  cardigan, twelve by twelve, chiffon collar cardi, $26, wrap it over a cami, and tuck it into your skirt
2.  skirt, forever 21, metallic laced bandage skirt, $19.80
3.  hat, urban outfitters, christy's hats fugazi, $34
4.  top, nordstrom, lush lace inset top, $36
5.  skirt, j. crew, taffeta marvelle mini, $39.99
6.  shirt, madewell, silk intermission top, $95
7.  skirt, banana republic, boucle pencil skirt, $75.99
8.  jacket, victoria's secret, sequin jacket, $139
9.  boots, piperlime, mia buckley boots, $69.99

photo credits: zimbioinstyle.com, zimbio, zimbio
quote: vogue, december 2010 issue, pg 302