Week in Instagram

Sorry for the delay in posts, the fourth of July weekend definitely threw us all for a loop! Here's a recap of our week in Instagram filled with doggie assistants, fresh fruit and our favorite...new shoes!

xo

 

Creature Care and Summer Love from Libby Story

Just when we thought we couldn't love fabulous online boutique Libby Story more, they go and win us over with cute puppies in their newest lookbook! For their summer photoshoot, Libby Story partnered with CARA, their Community Animal Rescue and Adoption Center, to make a difference and showcase some sweet pups and help them find their forever homes. Clearly, these ladies have style, brains and a heart. We're proud to have our Risky Business wedge featured. View the whole lookbook on their website right here and while you're at it grab a pair of Risky Business wedges!

Summer Must-Haves: Siesta in the Sun

Channel your inner screen siren with our summer must-have list. We sugget packing your tote with summer essentials like SPF-loaded moisturizer, a hat, delicious drink and an easy read. Remember: golden tans and UV protection are not mutually exclusive, so slap on that sunscreen! x 

1/Seychelles Footwear, 'Primrose' in Yellow 2/Orangina 3/MyTheresa.com, Toyo Crochet Fedora with Neon band 4/Dolce & Gabbana, Polka-dot print briefs and top 5/ Anthropologie, 100 Years of Fashion 6/Aveeno SPF 45 7/J Crew, Farmer's Market Tote 8/Sephora, Professional Clear Natural Mascara

Summer Days

(Brooklyn Tailors shirt, Corey Lynn Calter shorts, Seychelles Snarl sandals)
I forgot how great our rooftop was until the Seychelles team decided it was the perfect spot for their Spring photoshoot! I tend to spend most of my days at work stuck inside the office downstairs, but there is an incredible view right upstairs. The other tenants in our building have cultivated this garden on the roof filled with every succulent imaginable. I took a little break from work today and hung out with my raccoon friend & snapped these photos. 
I'm so ready for my summer vacation! I've been wearing these Snarl sandals for the last year, but have been on the lookout for a new pair. Which ones are your favorite? I'm loving the Star Gazer and Iris sandals right now!

Grapefruit Macaroons - DIY

We were perusing through Pinterest and stumbled upon these amazing pictures by Lulu's Sweet Secrets, of macaroons. (which happen to be one of our favorite delicacies) We immediately decided if not now, when to trying to bake them for ourselves. It's a weekend project and we will definitely let you know how it goes. 

Any tried and true dessert recipes you care to share??

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Grapefruit Macaroons

courtesy of Lulu's Sweet Secrets

Ingredients for the shells

(from the book Miette)

(makes eighteen 1-inch sandwich cookies)

1 1/2 cups (7 1/2 ounces) whole almonds - I used blanched almonds

2 1/4 cups (10 ounces) powdered sugar

3 large egg whites

1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon finely grated grapefruit zest

Preparation

Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Using a 1 1/2-inch bottle cap as a template, draw 1-inch circles in rows on the paper, about 1 inch apart. You should have room for eighteen circles on each sheet.

Place half of the almonds and half of the powdered sugar in a food processor. Process for 30 seconds, until the almonds are finely ground. Pour the mixture into a separate bowl, and repeat the process with the remaining almonds and powdered sugar. Sift  or strain through a sieve to remove any lumps. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the egg whites and cream of tartar and whisk on high speed until very stiff peaks form, 3 to 4 minutes.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold about one-third of the almond mixture into the egg whites. Fold in the remaining mixture in two more additions, just until the ingredients are completely combined.

Fit a pastry bag with a medium (1/2- or 5/8-inch) round tip and fill the bag with the meringue. Pull up the cuff and twist it to seal and tighten the meringue down into the cone. Purge the bag of air bubbles by squeezing the bag. Keep the bag tightly twisted so that meringue doesn't come back up on your hands. Using the template as a guide, pipe 1-inch circles, 1/2 to 3/4 inch high, onto the baking sheets. Set the room temperature for 2 hours. this allows the macaroons to develop their distinctive crust and a "foot"or base on the bottom.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Bake the macaroons until set but not browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the baking sheets to wire racks and let the macaroons cool completely on the pans. When they are cool, use your fingers to carefully lift half of the cookies from the parchment and turn them upside down. Using a pastry bag fitted a medium (1/2- or 5/8-inch) round tip and filled with either the grapefruit butter cream, squeeze a nickle-size dollop of filling onto each of the upside-down cookies, and then top with the remaining macaroons to complete the sandwich cookies.

Store the macaroons, refrigerated, in airtight containers for up to 2 weeks. Serve at room temperature.

Grapefruit Butter cream

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoon freshly squeezed grapefruit juice

2 teaspoon grated grapefruit zest

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the butter, sugar and milk until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla, grapefruit juice and zest. Stir until well combined and smooth.

In the Mood for Nude.

At the moment, fashion is all about color - Pop, neon, stripes, patterns and bold prints. Why not balance all of it out with a little hint of nude so one shoe = so many outfit possibilities.

We sifted through our new SPRING SUMMER '12 styles and picked out some favorites. They could be for the everyday or amazing choices to pair with a wedding dress. Whatever the reason; go bold AND go neutral.

Blues & Creams.

Inspired by our very own APOSTROPHE kitten heels in quintessential navy; we built this look around the late summer transition into early fall. (yes, we are already almost in September). 

There's nothing better to cure the end of summer blues, than an amazing outfit to get the new season started. A conversation-piece Mirco Giovanni lightweight sweater matches perfectly with a subtle camouflage Opening Ceremony cotton mini-skirt. Vintage-esque Lizzie Fortunato leather and crystal earrings matched with a tasseled O.S.P Osprey day to evening bag round out this ensemble.

Oh the places you can go wearing this...

The Perfect Color?

We are mildly (actually fully) obsessed with rose gold and we figured what better way to pay homage to this perfect color, than to build an outfit around it featuring our brand new AMAZING Ampersand retro heels.

It's Friday and the weekend is calling. These shoes (and outfit) would make the perfect look for a late Summer party. Go for it. 

1. Top Shop Nude Cornelli embroidered tank

2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Snake Clutch

3. Need Supply Luv AJ crystal chunk ring

4. 3.1 Phillip Lim Garbadine shorts

5. Seychelles AMPERSAND retro heels

Summer ready.

  

              

1. Anthropologie Lunar Cycles Top 

2. Michael Kors rose gold watch

3. Anthropologie Brindled shorts

4. All Saints Aesa Stud earrings

5. Seychelles Hayworth heels

This look was inspired by our very own Hayworth sandal heels.  A little bit of grey, mixed in with cream and rose; we think it's the perfect Summer look.

What is your favorite color palette for Summer?

A Wedge Called Chirp.

With its rounded wedge heel, ankle strap and woven peep toe, we think our Chirp wedges are pretty close to perfection. 

What do you think? Where would you wear these and which color would you choose? Details ladies, we want the details...