Those Who Can't Buy...Get Inspired

With New York Fashion Week prep taking over my life and the city stuck in a haze of doom, gloom and rain, I went back to some photos from the Spring/Summer '12 shows for some inspiration. One of my favorites was a show I helped put together last season: Cut25 by Yigal Azrouel.

I'm too impatient to wait for spring to incorporate the neon trend into my wardrobe so last weekend I purchased this sweater from Urban Outfitters. It adds the perfect little pop to my cozy winter wardrobe. I also had to snap a shot of a typical day-to-day handful of NYC necessities including my bright pink JCrew cashmere lined gloves, favorite Be&D card wallet (perfect for easy MetroCard access) and my go to JCrew mixed chain necklace. Believe it or not, this shot wasn't staged but actually fell naturally into this kind of awesome assortment.

I've also been feeling inspired by some new music including the below by Afrojack + Shermanology (at LAVO tonight) which just feels like the musical compliment to the neon trend. 

Check it out and turn it up (just in time to get you through Friday).

Those Who Can't Mani...Personally Polish

I still haven't fell in love with a nail salon in NYC and even with a random Groupon purchase, weekly mani's just aren't in my budget. So, my latest obsession is trying new nail trends on my own. So far my favorites have been black with gold glitter (top), OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark paired with half moons of OPI's Not Like the Movies (middle) and finally some solid gold glitter for New Year's Eve (bottom). All three versions for the convenient price of...FREE!

Those who can't buy... DIY

After a recent work errand to Paper Presentation (19th btw 5th/6th) I was inspired to create my own version of Martha Stewart's Tissue Paper Pom-Poms. You can purchase them in pre-cut sets; however, I wanted to bring out the colors that already exist in my bedroom so I followed her great DIY instructions!

Those who can't buy... bake

 

You're never too old to leave cookies for Santa but update your 

offering with these addictive chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches.

What you'll need:

• Chocolate chip cookie dough (I love break and bake, it's easy, fast and cheap!)
• Vanilla Ice Cream

Bake the chocolate chip cookies for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees until they are golden brown. Remove cookies from oven and let them cool for 20-30 minutes until they are no longer malleable.  Heat ice cream in the microwave for about 10 seconds just so it is slightly soft. Use a large spoon (not an ice cream scooper!) to scoop a wide chunk of ice cream. Place ice cream on bottom side of one cookie. Use other cookie to gently squish the ice cream into a sandwich and voila! Just remember to leave some for Santa!

'Tis the Season

Anthropologie dress, Kate Spade necklace, JCrew shoes