Stuff I Love

There’s rarely I stripe I haven’t loved. Any walk into a J. Crew store has me unconsciously pick up a striped tee. A reason to walk into Petit Bateau is for a striped boat neck top and Marc Jacobs, Splendid and Ella Moss always have stripes no matter the season. Pick up a striped anything and you can add your theme whether it be parisian, nautical, prep or just simply classic.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Simone stripe dress
Saks.com, $628

Striped lagoon dress
Madewell.com, $98

Linen and cotton stripe
JCrew.com, $68

Cashmere striped sweater dress
JCrew.com, $250

Petit-Bateau.com, $78

Charming dress for the french riveira
OpeningCeremony.us, $265

Mini rugby dress
Splendid.com, $87

Stripe Elisa jacket
JCrew.com, $178

Striped maxi
JCrew.com, $98

Ami Dans La Rue striped cardigan
Shopbop.com, $75

Devastatingly Delicious, Decidedly Naughty and Wickedly Addictive Dessert

Dare I tell you about the infamous Seven Layer Bars that have taken over our home for the last few days?

Yes, I shall share the tale of the outrageous, foodgasm that erupts in your mouth each time you take a bite of one of these sinful pleasures. Sinful is where this short story starts. Our friends invited us to a glam affair to “Ring in the Rapture” although as we all know it The Rapture didn’t happen so it turned out to be a chance dress up and partake in sinful drinks and sweets. I made two desserts-devil’s food cake mini cupcakes with vanilla icing and red drizzled pitchforks and the seven layer bars which I like to think of as 7th Heaven.

I made two batches and kept part of the second batch back home when I couldn’t figure out how my husband and I could balance more than four trays of desserts. AND, that my friends is how at around 3pm each afternoon I start hearing a voice beckoning me into the kitchen to open up a tinfoil lined container housing these decadent little treats. I confessed to my friend, Jesse Brune who also happens to be a classically trained chef and my trainer that I should just throw them away. He, who has a love of sweets as well, agreed, “Throw them away or you’ll be doomed.” OK, he didn’t say doomed aloud, but he and I can communicate telepathically.

So after my training session today I went home and ignored the container until 4pm (oh, how strong I am) when I went into the kitchen and chose two squares and slowly ate them while taking a break to read the Hollywood Reporter. I went back into the kitchen and unwrapped the foil again to just take a look, a last look was the plan before I threw the rest away. Then I thought, perhaps I should freeze all the rest, but four squares. Only fair to let my husband have his share before they’re packed away for a few weeks until some fated night he suggests cupcakes for dessert or a mad dash to Milk for the blondie sundae and I say, “We’ve got bars in the freezer.” And guaranteed he’ll say, “Those will do. Those will definitely do.” And yet, I still haven’t packed them yet in freezer bags. Maybe just one last look, one last bite before they hit the cold.

So here’s the simple recipe for the wickedly addictive bars:

Seven Layer Bars

1 stick of butter
1 cup of graham caracker crumbs
1 cup of shredded coconut
1 package of chocolate chips
1 package of butterscotch chips
1 can of condensed milk
Your choice: 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or 1 cup of mini marshmallows

How to:
Melt the butter and pour into a 9 X 13 pan. Layer graham cracker crumbs on top (they will soak up the butter). Then layer the various chips. I admit I also added in peanut butter chips as well. Add the coconut on top of the chips and then add your nuts if you choose to use nuts. Then pour the condensed milk over the layers. Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes. If you want marshmallows add them halfway through baking scattered on top. They will soften, get a little oozy and turn a light brown on top.

Take out of oven and let cool. Once thoroughly cooled you can put the pan in the fridge for 10 minutes to make them easier to cut into bars or just go for the soft melty goodness that will happen.

Enjoying a naughty good time at the Ring in the Rapture party. Me, with my halo and Daysun with his horns.

Packing for vacation is always fun and when it encompasses days filled with swimming in the ocean, walks on white sand beaches and days chillin’ on a fancy boat it also brings up protection in my mind. Protection from the sun. Time to shop for the best ways to get a little shade besides SPF.

Eugenia Kim’s oh so nautical and hip, navy and white striped fedora with cream cord, $247

Hat Attack’s raffia traveler, $90
Wide brim to block the rays and roll up ready to go.

Eric Javits squishee IV hat, $198
It’s bendable, rollable and looks even better when it’s broken in. Available at Neiman Marcus.com

Helen Kaminski’s Indira canvas bucket hat, $75. I found this stylish option on TheFind.com. You won’t care if it gets wet in the ocean. Available at Bloomingdales.com

Madewell’s park bench fedora, $58. Chic and simple for days long past vacation.

A card, a phone call-those are some of the simple things mom would request from you this Mother’s Day, but this year step it up and give her a gift that really says thanks.

donni charm’s line of beautiful, airy scarves that give the perfect pop of color to any wardrobe, providing mom a great way to accessorize her day-to-day outfits. The line is designed by Alyssa Wasko in honor of her father, Donny, who passed away a few years ago. Each scarf bears a special charm, designed as a tribute to Donny who always referred to Alyssa as his “charm,” and provides a thoughtful way to keep loved ones close. Celeb mommies including Halle Berry and Isla Fisher are huge fans of the scarves, which all retail for UNDER $100. donnicharm.com

Two enterprising women teamed up to found CALM (an anagram of their names), a line of summery, pretty caftans handmade in Lebanon.

Each caftan is lovingly crocheted and sewn in the homes of underprivileged Lebanese women, many of whom are widows, of diverse backgrounds. These one-of-a-kind pieces intricately trimmed with beads and printed in bold solid hues or graphic botanical patterns are more than the perfect summer frock. The resulting caftans represent a means of financial support for the women who make them. $250, calmnyc.com

Looking for a personable, unique gift? Kindred Stones is a CUSTOMIZABLE jewelry line with necklaces for mom including the Kindred Pregnancy necklace (starting at $115), which is designed for expecting mothers (the baby’s gemstone is surrounded by smaller stones that represent each family member, and the necklace is accompanied by a small moonstone — a powerful feminine stone that promotes new beginnings, intuition and calmness) and the Kindred Tree necklace (starting at $70), which is perfect for a mom, grandma, aunt or other maternal loved one (her zodiac stone is hugged tightly by smaller stones representing each family member in this unique symbol of togetherness). kindredstones.com

Provide a place for her jewelry collection to grow. Each branch and leaf has been sculpted to hold rings, bracelets and necklaces, creating a well-ornamented tree. $70, redenvelope.com

A little out of the ordinary, but a gift that will last months and perhaps years. Instead of a vase with flowers that will be tossed after a week consider sending mom a small succulent garden. She can use it as a centerpiece, put by a window or replant it in larger pot for the patio. $45, proflowers.com

Gardens grow with a little help from Mother Nature and a lot of the right tools. This stylish garden tote keeps garden tools organized and easily accessible in one place. And more than her initials, her tote will bear her name. Add a few packets of seeds to get her started. $59.95 redenvelope.com

For the moms-to-be… Ms. & Mrs. is a mother-daughter company founded by two sisters and their mom to provide fun and functional collections for almost every modern emergency. The Labor & Delivery Survival Kit ($45) helps soothe and support moms on delivery day, providing 12 childbirth essentials (including a back massager, lip balm, slipper socks, breath mints, bubblegum cigars and more) all in a portable mesh tote. msandmrs.com

April showers may be abundant, but this is the time I wear a trench just about every day so when it rains I’m ready.

I don’t mind a bit of wet weather when stepping in puddles and staying dry are as simple as pulling on a few of my favorite rainy days items like these:

Cover up and strike a pose in one of these sophisticated trenches:

The ultimate classic trench. I bought this Burberry trench at least five years ago and it is the go-to coat in my closet.
A good trench with a removable lining can be worn all year. Perfect for keeping you dry when it rains and the ideal cover for dresses or just “make me look better” with jeans and a tee shirt.
Burberry $1,595
Bloomingdales.com

Because one trench is not enough. And the tip for belting is to not fasten the belt, but tie it.
Vince trench, $495
Bloomingdales.com

Dig this short version of the classic trench. I scooped up this stylish trench at Uniqlo for only $70.
Uniqlo.com

For casual weekends
Cole Haan, $375
ColeHaan.com

Pull them on and splash in a few puddles:

Love this one with the wedge heel. Far more sophisticated for stepping in puddles and wearing with your wardrobe.
Hunter wedge boot, $177.51
Asos.com

Nothing wrong with a bold shine during a storm.
Hunter wedge boot. $175
NeimanMarcus.com

And then you always need a chance to feel like a kid.
Sperry Topsider from Zappos.com, $68
Zappos.com

Swim suit shopping is a nightmare for most-bad lighting, cramped dressing room and altogether downward spiral. You look at yourself in the mirror and while you know you’re not Gisele, you also know you’re not Gwyneth or Jessica or perhaps even your BFF who’s the same age and has two kids.

So let’s embrace that black is back big time in swimwear and even more helpful can be a one piece swim suit with ruching. That simple pleating of fabric that distracts the eye and slims the tummy with it’s lovely detail.

Ruched Bandeau Tank, $88 from J. Crew
Jersey Lommelina Ruched tank, $150, J. Crew

A few favorites found through TheFind.com
Ella Moss ruffle strapless, $145 Piperlime.com
Fig Leaves halter draped, $90.75 Figleaves.com

Melissa Odabash, $280 Piperlime.com
Body Glove Smoothies, $82 SundanceBeach.com

Hello Fall Fashion,
See you on me next fall.

For now, these are a few of my favorite things. I’ll make space for you next September!

Isaac Mizrahi-Love the pink poodle! Isaac Mizrahi-Fab shoulder detail

L’Wren Scott-sophisticated high waist skirt Joanna Mastroianni-Best LBD

Prabal Gurung-Must have color mix! Alice + Olivia-Rich mix of textures

Rachel Roy-Pattern play Marc Jacobs-Sheer sparkle

Rodarte-Waist cinching Lela Rose-Flirty with floaty details

Chris Benz-Pretty boho Monique Lhuillier-Sweater never looked better

Carolina Herrera-New black tie Karen Walker-Weekend wear

Milly-Splash of color Milly-Seriously city chic

Tibi-Party invite Tibi-TV appearance

Yigal Azrouel-Power play Kate Spade-Get around town

Oscar de la Renta-Contemporary Mad Men Oscar de la Renta-Sweet

This would have been so useful when I lived in a small apartment, but couldn’t give up riding my bike around the city. Chris Brigham came up with a stylish solution. While visiting many of his friends in small apartments in SF and more so in NY, he noticed that there is a void when it comes to elegant bike management. Bikes always get in the way – either in the hall, or leaning up against a bookshelf or something. So he decided to design something to fix that problem. He calls it simply, the Bike Shelf. So get your bikes up off the ground whether high or low. Check it out for yourself at, www.knifeandsaw.com

My producer friend in Florida is always in search of THE perfect makeup that will keep her skin looking fresh and young. With the heat, humidity and brutal sun she doesn’t leave the house without makeup on and it must have SPF and not melt off her face. So while I had seen Hourglass in Sephora and been curious, my friend Leigh couldn’t stop pushing it on me when I visited her in Florida. And now I dig it too.

I like the consistency, the additional benefits of the Hyaluronic and absence of those pesky ingredients like parabens, sulfates and perfumes. The tinted moisturizer, veil makeup and primer are now a part of my cosmetic bag.

Illusion Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free SPF 15, $55
Sephora.com
What it is:
An alternative to liquid foundation with added SPF 15.

What it does:
Ultra-rich and deeply moisturizing, Illusion offers moderate coverage to help even out skintone and create a natural finish. Added Instalift® at 3% lifts and visibly tightens the skin within one hour of application. Hyaluronic Filling Spheres™ at 3% help minimize the appearance of wrinkles while increasing skin’s hydration levels to deliver a healthy, dewy radiance.
What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates