This Or That

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With summer nearly upon us, I have been going through my closets and trying to pull together something resembling a warm-weather wardrobe. This is difficult as I have always preferred the layering times of year. I have always bought the cheapest summer clothes so that I can pretty much toss them at the end of the summer, or turn them into pajamas.

I have decided, however, that at the mature age of 30, it might be time to start building something that lasts, and abandon my fast fashion ways when it comes to my summer wardrobe. I like to start with the building blocks of any outfit – shoes. While shopping at Soula-Williamsburg this weekend, I came across some Camper shoes that made me pause and deliberate…

Camper_Allegra_Black

and deliberate some more…

Camper_Allegra_Gray

They are both named Allegra, and I don’t know which I like more, but I know that I like them both a lot. Which would you choose?

Music Moment: The Next Day

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Bowie_Cotillard_Oldman

Damn, Bowie! He is back with a vengeance, releasing the music video for another new song “The Next Day” in quick succession to his other new vid “The Stars (Are Out Tonight).”

It’s irreverent and will no doubt have some people pitching a fit about the religious iconography. But the video is super stylish, Cotillard is mesmerizing, Oldman is seductively skeezy, and Bowie is his usual enchanting self.

Image via: DailyMail

Friday Finds: Leapin’ Lilies

Oh, holy wow. You really do learn new things every single day. Like, for example, the fact that Victoria Amazonica water lilies can have a 20 foot circumference and support 300 pounds! Mind blown. Also, people in the 1890s liked to photograph their children (and dogs sitting on chairs??) on these lilies:

Nat_Geo_Lilies

The photo is from the awesome National Geographic “Found” Tumblr that I just stumbled on today. I have bookmarked it and will be visiting often. Such amazing photos.

Spring Transitions

The warmer weather finally seems to be sticking – it’s going to be consistently at least 60 degrees all week! Of course, the week after that it will probably jump straight to being 80 degrees and 100% percent humidity, so I will enjoy this pleasant in-between while it’s here.

This temperature shift made me think 2 things: 1) I want to cut my hair and 2) oh crap my legs are pale and the exact opposite of toned and it will soon be shorts weather, yuck.

Dealing with issue number 2 is a work in progress, starting with lots of leg lifts and some running that, while both slow and of short duration, is making me feel like I am going to vomit then die.

I took care of number 1 today, though. I went from this:

Photo on 4-25-13 at 3.40 PM #2

To this:

Photo on 4-25-13 at 6.26 PM

Not an insane change, but my hair feels lighter and more swingy already. I need the front layers to grow out a bit more so I can do something a little blunt and a-line. But for now, this is just the spring change I needed.

Now to work on these pasty legs of mine…

Going for the Chop

For the past several years, my “hair goal” has simply been to get it as long as possible without it looking ratty.  I wanted to see how low I could go with my super fine (but lots of it) hair type.  A week ago, I cut some off to get rid of the dry ends, but otherwise kept it the same as it’s been for quite a while – long and layered.

But, I feel spring in my bones and it’s ready to worm it’s way into my closet and onto my head.  I feel like chopping off a good chunk and freeing myself a bit.  I have some long bob inspiration photos I have been eyeing: pinning:

 

 

Source: posh24.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: beautyrsvp.com via Kate on Pinterest

Source: garancedore.fr via Kate on Pinterest

The last one is a street style snap from the blog of Garance Dore and it’s what really set me thinking about taking off my hair.

I need to consider it a bit more, but I am thinking more sleek than choppy, and ever so slightly long in front than in back. It will feel like such a weight off to finally give it a chop!

Aren’t you just dying for spring, too?

Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Kale Caesar Salad

Every now and again, I get on a bit of a health kick.  Nothing drastic, I haven’t given up my wine or chocolate…but I like to avoid white flour, processed foods, you know, the tasty stuff.  Due to the husband’s birthday last week, I ate more than anyone’s fair share of cake, fries, and carb-tastic brunch items, so today is the start of taking it down a notch.

This salad makes you feel like you are eating a ton because the kale is so fluffy, and the fiber plus the protein from the shrimp help you stay full.  The caesar dressing has a great garlicky/lemon kick  and the creaminess helps it to seem a bit decadent.

Best idea is to start with the salad first, it gives the dressing time to soak into the kale and soften it a bit.  I used this dressing recipe from Chrissy Teigen’s blog and it is the bomb.

You’ll need all these ingredients:

P1030384Once mixed together, they look a bit like this, though next time I will use grated, not shredded parmesan:

P1030386Take a big bunch of kale, wash it, and shred it into bite-sized pieces.  Massage a bunch of the dressing into the kale (note: this will get messy and you will want to lick your fingers at the end because the dressing is goooood.) (also note: don’t lick your fingers and put them back into the kale if you are making this for guests, if this is just for you, go right ahead, I won’t judge).  Go ahead and toss some extra parmesan in there, you know you want to.  You can let this sit for a while until you are ready to cook the shrimp, the kale won’t wilt.

P1030389 When you are ready to eat, take your cleaned, peeled shrimp and toss them into a pan that has some olive oil and butter already heated to medium-high.  These will cook about 2 minutes per side.  Feel free to sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste and then squeeze half a lemon into the mix.

P1030388Finish things off by topping a big bowl of the kale with however many shrimps your heart (and stomach) desire, then add an extra sprinkle of parmesan for good measure.

P1030392Another perk of this salad is that, because the kale doesn’t wilt like lettuce, you can take it for work the next day and it still looks perky!