DI(fr)Yday: How to Make Miu Miu-Inspired Glitter and Suede Shoes

Like everyone else in the blogosphere, I exploded with gushy love over Miu Miu's glitter and suede shoes from the A/W 2011 shows. Since then, I've considered buying a used pair on eBay multiple times, exhaustively searched the Internet for a good knockoff pair, and brainstormed how best to DIY a pair. 

The main  problem with most knockoffs and DIY concepts was that they didn't include the amazing curved heel shape, which is one of my favorite things about the shoes. 

Then, I found this pair from Target, which, though not a direct Miu Miu knockoff, features the curved heel shape I love so much. I decided they would make the perfect base for a DIY.

Summer Recipe: BLT with Arugula and Homemade Garlic Aïoli

I love a good BLT. It's one of those classic, easy-to-make meals, and using quality ingredients can really push it over the edge into Super Crazy Delicious Town. 

Vine ripened tomatoes are always a good idea, as is good quality bread. Here, I used multigrain bread from my favorite local bakery, Shadeau Bread. I also think it's fun to use arugula or other flavorful greens in lieu of lettuce, even though it messes up the initialism. 

Instead of regular mayo, I like to make my own garlic aïoli. The completely from-scratch version can be found here, or you take a short cut by mixing a good amount of fresh garlic purée into store-bought mayo.

Summer Recipe: Homemade Tortilla Chips

After our taco night, I had some leftover salsa and corn tortillas. The solution? Fry those tortillas up and have chips and salsa!

I'd never made my own chips before, or even fried much of anything before, so I was a bit intimidated, but Emily's post on frying up your own chips assured me that it would be quick and easy, and I must report that it was. 

But I will say this: even though she wrote that I should watch them carefully, I still overcooked my first batch. It's because I put them all in one by one and then flipped them before removing them. I did this all in rapid succession, but there just wasn't enough time. 

Luckily, I discovered that they don't really need to be flipped at all. So, I cooked the rest of my chips by lowering in a batch of about 12 one by one (using tongs) and them immediately removing them one by one, starting with the ones that had been cooking the longest. This worked perfectly. 

I'd also recommend salting each batch as you lay them on the paper towels instead of waiting until the end, because the oil that's still clinging to the outside of the chips when they first come out helps the salt stick. 

Find my salsa verde recipe here. 

What I wore today: 06/16/2013 (Milk and Cookies)

I love tucking a t-shirt into a skirt and blousing it over the fitted waistline. Usually, I'll pick a band tee and a girl skirt for a nice contrast (seen here), but this time I was in a matching mood. I even used the skirt's pale-pink zipper as the inspiration touchpoint for my accessories. 

I wore this to Brunch with my parents on Fathers' Day and to see the movie Before Midnight, which I really enjoyed. I first saw Before Sunrise when I was about 17 and saw Before Sunset soon after that. Since then, I've bought them both and watched them many times. 

One of my favorite things in life is having long, interested conversations, so it's kind of thrilling to see films based on that idea and on the idea of falling in love with someone that way.

EDIT: This post has been submitted to IFB's Project "Black and White Ball." See the other submissions here. 

"Scalloped Stripes Pont Skirt" black and white bubble skirt - Girls from Savoy, Anthropologie

Zevs dripped Chanel logo t-shit - eBay

Pink satin ballet flats with ankle ties - had forever

Rose gold pouch - Marc Jacobs for Target

Summer recipe: Homemade Salsa Two Ways: Honeydew Salsa Verde and Pineapple Habeñero Salsa

Last week, we had my best friend Kelly and her husband over for dinner. We had planned to go out for tacos and see The Bling Ring, but, when we discovered that it was only in limited release, our plans changed course. 

Knowing how much Kelly loves tacos (sometimes the girl eats them two or three times a day), I asked Ryan if he wouldn't mind turning the buffalo steak he'd bought into carne asada, and whipped together a couple salsas. We served everything up with warm corn tortillas, queso fresco, crema, cilantro, and purple cabbage.

Homemade salsas are a great way to make taco night a little more interesting because they don't take long to make and they allow for plenty of experimentation. This time, I made honeydew salsa verde and pineapple habañero salsa. 

Traditional salsa verde is made with tomatillos, a relative of the tomato that grows in its own little paper lantern. I remember my mother growing them in our garden when I was little; I thought they were so pretty! For a twist on this classic salsa, I added honeydew melon. My old adage that everything green tastes good together held strong. The Rule of Green is truly one to live by.

To make this salsa, I combined four tomatillos, a cup and a half of honeydew, one jalapeño (seeded), and about a quarter of a white onion in the food processor with a little lemon, some cilantro, and a tiny bit of water to get it going. You may need to adjust amounts slightly depending on your flavor preference.

Pineapple salsa is another classic. Though many people make theirs sweet and mild, I like to go the other direction by adding habañero to it. That said, I used a whole habañero and you might well want to use less. I was born in San Antonio, and this salsa approached the edge of what I can handle.

Because I wanted this one to be a chunkier texture, I chopped everything finely by hand instead of using the food processor. The ingredients are: about a cup and a half yellow cherry tomatoes, one habañero, about a cup and a half chopped fresh pineapple (absolutely do not substitute canned!), and about a quarter of a white onion. As with the verde, you may want to vary amounts slightly depending on your flavor preference.

It's a good idea to start with less pepper, because you can always add more as you go.

Featured in IFB's Links à la Mode

I'm honored to have been featured in IFB's Links à la Mode once again, and especially to have my photo featured (on the far right). If you missed my post about my wedding DIY party, check it out below, and check out some of the other featured posts while you're at it. 

Action/Reaction

One of the things I love the most about blogging is that there are both actions and reactions in content. Action: making, creating, styling. Reaction: commentary, reviewing, dissecting. It satisfies both the heady space fashion can sometimes occupy, as well as occupying our two little hands. This week we have a great combination of things you can do and things to think about, and heck a couple of things you can put on your summer wishlist.

Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup

• Afternoon Social: The 5 Best Sites for Beauty Tutorials
• Attire Club: Dressing Up For Heavy Men
• Buy Any Means Necessary: 7 Jumpsuits To Jump For!
• Carly Tati: Interview with Adriano Goldschmied
• Chic Musings: DIY: Bohemian-inspired Metal Chain Foot Harness
• Christie Moeller: Logo Shirts, Say What?
• Cyeoms: DIY. Leather Hospital Bracelet
• Fashion Is Evolution: My Wedding DIY Party
• Fashion Moriarty: Fashion Journalism: the preserve of the elite?
• Fashion Thrill: Why is Hemp Seed Oil good for your skin
• Fashion Trends & More: 11 Thrifting Tips & Tricks
• Incognito: The State of Street Style Photography
• Kat Skull: The Cutest Bow Sandals Under $50
• Kristina J: How To Make A Tuxedo Skirt
• Last Year Girl: Vintage Tips for Summer City Style
• Olive Brown: Prada kills it again with mens AW13 campaign
• Runway to Style: The Resort 2014 Bestseller Collections
• Some Like It Lovely: Measuring Our Self Worth Through Social Media
• Style Bizarre: Get the Style of: Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones
• Voguette: Marant for H&M

What I wore today: 06/12/2013 (Morning Glory)

Yesterday I woke up before sunrise to do inventory at work. We finished around 10 a.m., and I can't tell you how satisfying it is to finish work and have a whole day ahead of you (even if you are pretty tired already).

Shooting outfit photos in public is always a little awkward, especially when people ask you what you're doing. Today, I deciding to shoot in front of my neighbor's morning glories, and when she stuck her head out the window and asked if I was taking pictures of her house, I sheepishly said, "No, I'm just taking pictures of your flowers." 

It worked out well though because she asked if I could email her some photos of the flowers, told me about the costume shop she runs out of her house, and invited me to be a part of her float in our neighborhood's Fourth of July Parade. I can be shy about meeting new neighbors (especially if they're first impression of me is who's that weird girl taking photos of herself?), but I'm always thankful to meet a new and friendly person. 

By the way, the last time you saw these AG polkadot jeans was also in front of pretty white flowers, but they fit me much better now. I gained a lot of weight over the last few years because I have Hypothyroidism and wasn't taking the right dosage of medication. But now, with the proper prescription, lots of exercise, and some calorie restriction, I'm finally shedding those unwelcome pounds. I still have a way to go, but it feels great!

Polkadot "Stevie Ankle" Jeans - AG, Anthropologie
Sleveless button-down "Pindot Chambray Shirt" - Cloth + Stone, Anthropologie
Black low-top sneakers - Converse
Cropped gray sweatshirt - Stylemint

25 Before 26 (A Birthday Goals List)

25 is the first birthday in a while that has felt really significant. I can't say I'm "in my early 20s" anymore, and I feel like I'm crossing over into a much more established sort of adulthood.

Paradoxically, some of the goals I'm making for the year (play in the snow) involve revisiting childlike joy; still, others (save more money) are decidedly adult. 

I'm looking forward to at least attempting to achieve all of them. If you're curious, you can see my last birthday goals list here (with a more thorough explanation of the concept) and see how well I did at achieving those goals here.

Do you ever make goals or resolutions at New Years or on your birthday? What are some of your favorites? 

Featured in IFB's Links à la Mode

I've been featured again in IFB's Links à la Mode. See the whole story below.

Primping All Proper

Getting ready for summer is no easy task. We're baring more skin, looking more "natural" and working with less layers and actual clothes to achieve that perfect style. So what do we do to make sure we're pulled together? Primp up! Between the hair care, pedicures (and what to do if you're to busy to get that done), getting that perfect braid and that perfect make up for your "natural look" without spending a fortune there's a lot to do! This week's roundup has a good mix of where to get all your beauty needs, and where to find the perfect accessories to go with that simple summer dress!

Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup

• Afternoon Social: The Best Drugstore Beauty Products
• Beauty & Bits: 3 New Hair Oils to Try Now
• Beauty and Sass: forget your sandals summer looks
• Burgundy & Whispers: How to Look Good in Shorts this Summer
• Et Ressureexit: Inner self's mask
• Fashion Is Evolution: Eclectic Personal Style Cheat Sheet
• Fashion Tag: What do you think about... Jumpsuits?
• For Sure J'Adore: Easy Summer Hair: Braids
• The Girl with the Bun: How to Dress in Monochrome
• Miss Sassy Girl: Get Fashionable Shoes Under $20
• Ms. Fabulous: DIY: How to Make a Punk-Inspired Beaded Cluster Ring
• My New Favorite Outfit: How to Wear White Jeans
• Rose & Pine: Arm Candy: 50 Bracelets for Spring for Under $50!
• Tangles & Chains: Stack ‘em up: How to Wear Multiple Rings
• The Fashion Co: DIY: 3 Great Shoe Makeovers ( Great for Summer!)
• The Urban Lioness: 10 Ways to Keep Your Cool This Summer
• Undercover Dress-Up Lover: Style Icon: Ramona Flowers (Scott Pilgrim)
• Via Morgan: 5 Ways to relieve tension b4 Blogging
• Wild Beauty World: Beauty Inventions: The Hair Dryer
• We Are Ready Made: Model: More than a Woman

My Wedding DIY Party

Last Saturday, my mom and a few of my closest friends gathered at my apartment to help me kickstart some of the many DIY projects I've planned for our wedding. 

It was an amazing afternoon of shared food, laughs, and creativity. I really felt loved and embraced, and it was cool to see my favorite people (some of whom were meeting for the first time) enjoying an afternoon together.

We decorated mason-jar votives with burlap and lace, stamped place cards and little bags for the recessional lavender toss, and cut fabric flags for a big banner as well as little ribbon ones to adorn drinks and sweets. 

The night before, I made up some cute s'mores kits as favors and created some prototype jars, flags, and bags. I was so excited about the party as I prepared for it, and I was not disappointed. My friends and mom are the best. Thank you so, so much, ladies. I love you!