Paper Crown

To round out my pre-fall outfit inspiration this week, I leave you with some of my favorite looks from Lauren Conrad's new fashion line Paper Crown, due out in stores this weekend at Nordstrom, Fred Segal, BoutiqueToYou.com and RevolveClothing.com. Love her sense of style and she transformed it nicely into this line filled with chic blouses, edgy leather, romantic dresses and classic LBDs.

Happy Friday,

Shanelé

The lady behind it all, decked out in Paper Crown
{LC's fun bun tutorial here}

Trader Giotto's $10 Prosciutto Pizza

I got out of work early last night for a dentist appointment -- sad how I now look forward to such 'events' when I actually DESPISE the dentist. With all the extra time on my hands, I stopped by Trader Joe's to pick up a couple of my favorite ingredients for a homemade pizza. Here's a super quick and cheap summer dinner idea: 

Ingredients:
1) Half bag of wild arugula
2) Whole wheat pizza dough              
3) 6 slices prosciutto - 3/4 ths package
4) Handful of cherry tomatoes - sliced
5) 1 bag (3/4 lb) TJ'S Quattro Formaggio                          
6) 1 pressed garlic clove

- Extra virgin olive oil
- Crushed pepper

Instructions:
1) Roll out pizza dough and bake at 500°F for ~ 10 minutes.
2) Drizzle olive oil and spread garlic on baked dough before sprinkling with cheese.
3) Bake until cheese is completely melted ~5-7 minutes
4) Spread arugula evenly and top with strips of prosciutto
5) Slice & serve with a bottle of Chuck (TJ's 'Charles Shaw' branded wine to the layman ) and you have a whole meal for two / three for a grand total of...$13.00. 

                              Buon Appetito, 

Shanelé

Looks for Less: Real v. Steals

A couple 'Looks for Less' to get you over the hump on this fine Wednesday. Enjoy!

Casadei Criss Cross Sandal Originally $750 on sale for $460.87

Fergie Sanibel Backzip Sandal $70.70



Proenza Schouler Leather Satchel in Black and Brown $1,595

  

Bag Inc's 'Coveted Bag' - $92
And an ASOS version I like even better for even less - $60



Charlotte Olympia Alice Booties (not available online but seen on Olivia Palermo here) - $1,090
vs.
Sam Edelman Ria Bootie - $150
                                                     



Pre-Fall Cravings

I haven't quite mastered the art of editing sweat stains out of photos so I decided to forego the outfit pics in the 115 degree loveliness this weekend. With the heat wave finally breaking, today's 80 degree temps almost feel like fall...which got me thinking of a couple pre-fall wish list items. To say I'm happy about the bright colors of spring / summer being transferred over to my favorite season of the year would be a gross understatement.

xx,

Shanelé

Mustard yellow skirt - Similar here 

Colored pants -- Similar here and here

Bright Blue Blazer -- Similar here and here

Little (Leather) Black Dress - Similar here
p.s. How amazing are Jen's Gucci studded heels!?

{Pics via style.com, J Crew Fall 2011 Look Book x 2, google images x 2}

Weekend Update - 7/25/2011

{To the Rock-away (lean back, lean back...) Beach on Saturday}

My body hates me right now after spending as much time as possible out of my hotbox apartment, which led to a bit too much partying. Friday was out until the wee hours with an old friend before heading to Rockaway beach with a big group Saturday. Back into the city that evening for frozen yogurt, mani/pedis and a going away party for my dear friend Alexa Saturday night [tear]. Sunday was nothing short of fun with a book club brunch at my friend's lovely West Village apartment and dinner in the Lower East Side last night.  Sadly the party's over and it's back to life in The Cube. Hope you all had a great weekend!

xx,

Shanelé

{Colorful cotton candy}

{Fish tacos @ Rockaway}

{Soaking up summer}

{Cooling off with a refreshing Michelada}

{'Under the boardwalk, down by the seeeea...'}

{Champagne send-off at a Sunday afternoon brunch}

{Colorful denim at Rag & Bone}

Holy Hotness

{photos: unknown, unknown, southern living}

I will attempt to beat the heat this weekend with a trip to the beach, light layers and lots of liquids. 

Stay Cool,

Shanelé

Candy Pink

Skirt - Urban Outfitters
Straw belt, tee - Forever 21
Necklace worn as bracelet - Anthropologie
Flower pin, sunnies - H&M
Sandals - Marc Fischer
Bag - Zara

All smiles at the Candy Kitchen after scoring another steal of a deal. This skirt was on sale for $19.99 and then all sale items at Urban Outfitters were additional 50% for a grand total of $10. Shopping note to self for next summer: wait until the week before Fourth of July. Mega sales.

xx,

Shanelé

A Day in the Life of a Farmer's Wife

{Old railroad tie and homemade strawberry-rhubarb pie on the dining room table}

For the big 2-6, I got a fancy new camera that I have not the slightest clue how to use (yes, I thought zoom and focus were the same thing) but busted it out for the first time at my sister and brother-in-law's house in IL. And by house, I mean pretty much the most immaculately clean and perfect little farm house ever (even though it's not so little). We all sometimes wonder if she doesn't have a little bit of Stepford Wife in her. I'm only joking because I'm jealous I'll never be half as domestic. For example, the homemade pie you're seeing above...she baked two of before I managed to even roll out of bed. It's pretty clear that she takes after my always-organized Aunt Cindy and I'm more like my Mom....who can be found organizing her 47 bottles of nail polish when there's a whole house to clean. With all that cleaning, she did find time to decorate every little nook and cranny. I absolutely love her use of old mementos from family members that have passed and antiques from stores in the surrounding small towns.

xx,

Shanelé

p.s. If anyone knows of any good photography classes in NYC, do tell. 

{Variety of antiques atop a ledge between the up and downstairs}

{The farmer's wife herself, old chair and carpet that she vacuums 2x/day (nuts) so you can see the lines -- which are not evident in the photo b/c her 6'4" husband had just finished doing 'carpet angels' to mess them up}

{Chicken coop hung with a watering can inside & old pew from local church} 

{Bumbleberry (blackberry, blueberry, raspberry, apple, rhubarb) pie}

{More antiques, including my Grandma's old license plate, atop the kitchen cabinets}

{Barnwood picture frames holding old photos of their grandparents}

{Antique plow and and old barn window sitting on another church pew}

{No knob untouched or corner empty}

{Wooden-barrel side-table and antique laundry basket next to an old wagon wheel}

{Piece of an old porch turned upside down with a memory box of our great grandma}

{The window sill which is home to my sister's wedding ring as she washes dishes}

DreamCatcher

'DreamCatcher' Maxi Dress - Nanette Lepore
Necklace worn as bracelet - Anthropologie
Sunnies - H&M
Bag - Vivacqua purchased here
Nails - American Apparel 'Butter'

Obsessed with this dress...in a bad way. I was rushing through Bloomingdales on a lunch break trip to pick up a present for someone else and this little number made me quickly pump the brakes. Love the color combo. Love the print AND it's a maxi....made out like a bandit. Now I need to figure out a way to wear it year-round because the last thing a gem like this deserves is to go into storage during the winter months.

xx,

Shanelé