Style File Picks March...

Like most fun, fearless, and fabulous women out there I have what Stacy and Clinton from "What Not To Wear" would 100% approve of, a larger that life style file. My file is chalked full of amazing outfits, jewerly, shoes, etc. that I find in magazines, hear about on tv or just experience live while out and about. I figured I would take time here on my blog to post up some of my fabulous finds since I seemed to have become a point person for finding the perfect look for friends and family.

On one my adventures home to PA I found this amazing modern yet vampy wedding dress at Prisilla of Boston that I went ga-ga for...everything about this look enticed me, the cinched waist, dramatic ruffling and also the simplicity of the cut at the bottom. I also liked how they made it a bit throw-back with the three stringed pearls and jeweled necklace..it was so vintagy it whisked you off the land of the Great Gatsby--take me away (a girl can wish can't she?)


Next up on the fab list are these AMAZING flower endorned shoes that cough, cough I get to wear as a bridesmaid to a wedding--and YES Jenny might be the MOST AMAZING and fashion forward bride I know, but seriously people these shoes are a dream come true! I want them in every color, particulary the fuschia ones (so va-va-voom), and to boot they are comfy. Granted I have only strutted around in my apt with them and they have been dance tested but so far so good..Also to plug Zappos here I ordered them and literally got them in 24 hours, it was amazing service, that is hands-down my favorite on-line shoe store!



Lately I have been letting my locks grow and have been at amiss on how to wear my hair...that is when my super stylish and long and curly haired lil sis comes to the resue. While home a month ago she suggested that I try a trendy loose braid in the front of my head as to frame my face and just overall "soften" my look. Apparently I am "too DC or corporate" with the super straight bob look, ha, but I didn't want to go my sister's route of entire Brooklyn fashionista so this braid worked for me. Cheryl twisted it up in two seconds and secured it with a few bobby pins (I don't think that girl leaves home without them) and then also just blended into my hair. I haven't been able to recreate it exactly the way she did but then again I am not use to braiding my own hair...I never masted doing a French braid to my hair in Girl Scout's so I am blaming in on that..needless to say those in need of new long locks idea I would say give this one a whirl..















I lastly though it neccessary to end this post on a hot note...which is exactly what I got when I discovered this "Jump Up and Kiss Me" hot sauce. Not a surprise I was attracted to this particular hot sauce becuase of its smoochtastic label display, but I got to be honest that make a great passion fruit hot sauce flavor that is incredible on fish tacos! I am usually totally intimidated by all of the hot sauce choices at California Tortilla but this is now going to be my staple...






















Until next month's style file keep your pumps HIGH and your pout GLOSSY ladies :)

Smooches,
Madame K

Decal-La-Pollooza!

I recently moved into this amazing one bedroom apartment that has spured my creativity full on! I wanted to spruce up the walls but did not want to paint them so I found myself doing some decorating research online with different blogs for ideas...everything seemed pretty normal with the wall hangings, shelf displays, yada yada but then I came across an article in Lucky magazine that talked about how the French use of decals for their interior decorating was "all the rage." I figured if the tres chic are French are down I have to give this ganger, resulting in me finding this amazing website Dezign with a Z.

Peach Cherry Blossoms

The Peach Cherry blossoms was an easy pick for my living room...I have a whole jungle theme going on there and I liked how I could customize both the color of the flowers and the branch to my liking. It was also easy to put on the wall even for a larger decal, you simple press down the decal like a sticker on the space you want to stick it, go over the entire decal with a credit card so there are no air pockets and then pull off the clear pastic sheet--Ta Da, you have a fabulous wall display! I must say this one in particular looks like I painted it on the wall.

I also decided to put up a spray of bamboo leaves close to the entrance way of my apartment, it sets the scene for "entering into the jungle" and of course the vibrant pop of color is nice to room that decorated with a chocolate brown accent rug and a large mocha colored selectional.

Then came the item that really sparked this entire endeavor the HUGE RED LIPS or my signature SMOOCHE! I seriously could NOT resist buying this it just SCREAMED Me, Love it when you find things like this in life :) It also goes with my whole martini girl theme in the dining room...I have the smooche placed as an after thought below my martini girl (soon to be girls when I order the other two) and I must say it looks devine :)

The final or I should say first decal that I put up was this one in my bedroom of a jeweled baroque style chandelier..believe-it-or-not I found this at Target randomly, or perhaps it found me! I think the attached jewels could have gone glam or tacky and I am thankful to say they got the "glam" vote from me...I have showed this picture to sooo many people and they think its a really chandelier, how funny!

Not sure if I can attest that I started a fade here or that "decals" are the new "Andy Warhool" must have art, but what I can say is that I love my decals and I am glad I got to try something new out to add that certain "je ne sais quai" that the Diva Den needed..

Smooches,

Madame K

No Sparks Email

So many of you know that my infamous "no sparks" email template has become quite popular these past of couple of years. Like most multi-tasking women I thought it was appropriate to conjure up an email template to write to a guy who you just didn't feel "the spark" with after the first date or two. Its just a considerate way to let them down and be honest with yourself. In this day in age of online dating and technology let's be real, we need something like the "no sparks" email, its like our own personal "cheat sheet" for dating! I feel like this should be one of those "modern girls guides to living rules"...# 131 When it doubt type the "no sparks" email out...So I have decided to post my latest and great version of this email for you

Version 1: After a First Date (or could be used after 2-3 dates)
Hey (insert name),
so first and foremost I have to say that I really think honesty is a virtue and I want to be honest with you moving forward because I think its the right thing to do. Although I have had a really great time hanging out with and getting to know you, I would be lying if I didn't say that I feel like there is something amiss, you know "the sparks". I don't believe in playing games or wasting anyones' time so I wanted to come clean with you about this before this progressed any further. Simply put, you deserve the best and all of the sparks this world has to give and so do I....

I am sorry if I led you on in anyway as this was never my intention. I truly wish their was an easier way to put this but I don't think hallmark has made a card for it yet ;P Regardless, I wish you the best in the pursuit of your plus one.

-Insert your Name

Version 2: Dating after 4-5 weeks...

Hey (Insert Guy's Name)
Thanks again for last night you are truly a great guy, and although I did have a good time with you I wanted to come clean and just say that I don't think the spark is there like I thought. I truly apologize if I led you on in any way but know that this was never my intention. At the end of the day I just feel that we are in different places in our lives and want different things. Its neither good nor bad just the reality of the situation. What I can say undeniably is that you're going to make some girl very, very happy someday but I think that day is too far away for me.
I hope we can still be cool if we run into one another - I've definitely had fun with you!

-(Insert Your Name)

Verison 3: After dating for a month or 2....

(Insert Guy's Name)
I wanted to write you this email to clear the air about a few things.....listen our relationship was what it was- a fun, carefree, unexpected series of events, nothing more and nothing less. I am sorry if I have hurt in any way that was never my intention, and honestly I thought things slowly died and all was well.

We are just worlds apart and need to go our separate ways. I wish you all the luck in the world finding your plus one..you deserve the best.
-(Insert Your Name)

Smooches,

Madame K!

Doppelganger Alert

OK in honor of Doppelganger week on Facebook I am posting pics of Sandra Bullock. If had a dollar every time someone said I looked like her I would be rich! Its a great compliment though, who doesn't love Sandra?

Smooches,

Madame K

Olive Oil Gelato-Yum!

A few months back I was in NYC attending a little house party that my sister hosted and little did I know that night that one of the guests would be bringing my newest craving, olive oil gelato! Yes I know what you are all thinking, what a funky combo right? That' s the thing though that if you really think about its a dreamy combo, because the smooth texture of the olive oil pairs beautifully with the silkiness of the gelato, and then you garnish it with fresh pressed olive oil and some sea salt and its a cravers delight, believe me!

Here's a shout out to a fellow blogger who posted the reciepe for this gelato if you dare to make it. If you are like me and aren't at that level of expertise yet you can always enjoy the stuff that Mario Batali has crafted up in his kitchen, although this would require a visit to NYC.

Smooches,
Leigh-Anndra

The Quest of a Lifetime

Love is passion, obsession, someone you can't live without.

If you don't start with that, what are you going to end up with?

Fall head over heels.

I say find someone you can love like crazy and who'll love you the same way back.

And how do you find him?

Forget your head and listen to your heart.

I'm not hearing any heart.

Run the risk, if you get hurt, you'll come back.

Because, the truth is there is no sense living your life without this.

To make the journey and not fall deeply in love - well, you haven't lived a life at all.

You have to try.

Because if you haven't tried, you haven't lived.



- William Parish, Meet Joe Black

Smooches,
Madame K

Elton John and Billy Joel: The Concert of a Lifetime

This past weekend I was one of the lucky ones that scored a ticket to the ulimate in rock showdowns...the "Billy Joel and Elton John concert". Legends in and of themselves, combined they are simply a symphony of bliss, that of which I wish never ended although they did play for 4 hours, I could have listend for 10..15...20..forever ever :)

Some lyrics that spoke to me by Billy...
"I said I love you and that's forever
And this I promise from he heart
I could not love you any better
I love you just the way you are."

-Just the Way You Are

"I don't need you to worry for me cause I'm alright
I don't want you to tell me it's time to come home
I don't care what you say anymore, this is my life
Go ahead with your own life and leave me alone."

-My Life

"She's got a smile that heals me
I don't know why it is
But I have to laugh when she reveals me
She's got a way about herI don't know what it is
But I know that I can't live without her anyway..."

-She's Got a Way

"You may be right I may be crazy
But it just may be a lunatic you're looking for
Turn out the light
Don't try to save me
You may be wrong for all I know
But you may be right."

-You May Be Right