Chanel celebrates 10 years of Coco Mademoiselle

Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle

If you are like me and have the impulse to run whenever you see department store "spritzers" eyeing you with their large perfume bottle in hand, take a look at their bottle before you decide to run.  If they have Coco Mademoiselle, give them a moment and give it a smell!  I, personally, love this fragrance.  I love that it has layers of sophistication to it; to me it's fresh and feminine without being over the top, floral or fruity.

I was super excited when I found out that Keira Knightley had collaborated with one of my favorite fashion houses, Chanel, to be the face of their Coco Mademoiselle 10th Anniversary campaign.  I loved the styling of the video campaign: she is dressed in the pale pink-ish color of the fragrance and looks so feminine but still manages to channel a slight edginess. 

behind the scene pics

all other pics via socialite-beauty.com

Wedding Update - Shoes

Even before Carrie Bradshaw made blue shoes the must have "something blue" for brides everywhere, I had dreamed of bright blue shoes tucked under my bridal gown.  

Manolo Blahnik's Something Blue Satin Pump

Like most brides on a budget, I won't be wearing the Manolo's at my wedding, but thanks to some fashion forward shoe designers, like Martinez Valero, I will have the something blue I have always wanted!  I think my choice will be Martinez Valero's "Zoie" Pump from Nordstrom.  

Martinez Valero "Zoie" Pump

Note to brides thinking of blue dyeable shoes: be careful!  I have been warned by numerous people (including bridal shop owners) that rain, humidity, and even sweaty feet can cause dark colors such as blue to run.  I didn't want to take this risk of damaging my dream dress* so I decided against dye-able shoes and am opting for the Zoie's.  I'm so excited, even if most people don't see my shoes, I know my toesies will be happy!  I really love these shoes!

*I am still discussing and tweaking the dress customization plans with the bridal salon, but as soon as that is finalized I will let ya'll know what I pick!  

Hiking the Stairs and Lettuce Wraps too!

Good Morning! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  

Recently, the Mister and I have been busy discussing wedding plans, addressing saving the date cards, and doing other "fun" things like hiking and cooking.  Yes, I said hiking... *Warning: this post contains a lot of pictures*

I am not a hiker by any means but I agreed to hike the Koko Head Stairs because the Mister has had his eye on them for a while and because I was trying to be a supportive wife in training. -Truth be told I was also trying to cross "hiking" off of my Thirty Before 30 list. :)
There were more than 1000 stairs (I think it was 1048 to be exact) to the top of the crater.  Okay let me be clear these were not real stairs, they are the remnants of railway tram tracks by the military during WW2 to haul supplies to the bunkers at the top of the crater.

a view from the road (the trail is in the middle of the pic)

The view from the bottom was daunting but we made it to the top together and cheered each other on one step at a time.

at the beginning of our hike

at this point we were maybe half way...

catching my breath - one of MANY breaks

getting closer to the top

YEAH!  we made it to the top! 

what a beautiful view

a view of Hanauma Bay

Whew! The Mister and I made it to the top in a little under an hour;  I was very proud of us for making it to the top.  Climbing the stairs definitely wasn't the leisurely hike I had in mind, but I have to say, it was enjoyable nonetheless.  

Hiking may not be my thing but cooking and eating are 2 things I really enjoy! The Mister and I tried a recipe for Chicken Lettuce Wraps and I have to say, it was quite delish! 

Ingredients for stir-fry sauce: 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon rice wine vinegar :: Mix all together

Ingredients for chicken stir-fry: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 8oz can water chestnuts (minced), 1/2 cup mushrooms (minced), 1/2 onion (chopped fine), 3 cloves of garlic (minced), 6 iceberg lettuce leaves

After about 15 minutes of cooking the stir-fry ingredients in the stir-fry sauce, voila! Chicken Lettuce Wraps! 

we used hoisin sauce instead of the "pouring sauce

We really enjoyed the lettuce wraps!  It was refreshing, and quick and easy to make... it even made it on our "cook again" list.  Yum yum!

Fabulous Friday - Accessories

via

I think people will agree with me when I say that a little black dress is a wardrobe essential. A great black dress is a "go to" piece because it's flattering with any skin tone and on any silhouette.  When you're wearing a black dress it becomes the perfect backdrop and palate for most accessories.  

I love that depending on how you accessorize it, one dress can be worn so many different ways: it can be dressed up or down, and worn either day or night.  Here are my picks of fabulous accessories that can transform a little black dress from daytime casual to nighttime glam! 

Day:

Watch: Michael Kors Watch with Crystals in Clear$250 - revolveclothing.com

Sunglasses: Dior Women's Cut Out Twisted Elegance Sunglasses, Black$375 - johnlewis.com

Bag: Beneta Fringe Tote, Large$2,650 - bergdorfgoodman.com

Hoop Earring: Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings/2?"$400 - saksfifthavenue.com

Sandals: Joe's Jeans Princess - Black Suede$230 - heels.com

Night:

Earring: Crystal Encrusted Gold Moonstone & Champagne Drop Earring$375 - alexisbittar.com

Wedges w/ Ribbon: Patent Wedge$1,280 - kirnazabete.com

Clutch: Patent Snakeskin Envelope Clutch$895 - intermixonline.com

Bracelet: Bracelet Flora Gold Small Gem Encrusted Vine Hinge Bracelet$450 - alexisbittar.com

Rings: Stackable Gem Rings (CIQZSQ)$238 - robindira.com

Tea Time!

My family is very important to me, and that's why I felt it was so important that I incorporate them in my Thirty Before 30, and what better way to do it than a tea party honoring some of the wonderful women in my family.  My vision for this event includes high tea service at either the Moana Surfrider Hotel or the Kahala Resort, chic invitations, favors, flowers, and of course lots of smiles and laughter.

individual images via Pintrest 

As I begin the official planning I find myself pulling inspiration from the opulence and colors of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette: pastels, punches of sharp pink, and dashes of bling.  The actual tea party is still a couple months off which leaves me plenty of time take care of the details to dream about those sassy Louboutins! 

Wedding Update!

262 days and counting til ... the BIG day! 

According to most wedding checklists I should have already said "YES" to the dress but after trying on well over 100 dresses, I am still without a dress! Grrr!  Feeling the pressure of finding a dress Mother and I spent the greater part of this past weekend at a bridal salons and I tried on dress after dress... I am happy to announce that I have made some serious progress.  Here are my Top 5 dress choices!

 * Let me know what you think!! *

Allure 8810

Maggie Sottero "Jenna"

Casablanca 2035

Paloma Blanca 4116

Alfred Angelo #427

Okay, truth be told, I am leaning toward one dress more than the others... Currently, I am waiting to hear back from one of the bridal salons about slightly customizing one of the dresses.  If I am able to do the customization I requested *fingers crossed* I might be saying "yes" to the dress very soon!  

Happy Pancake Day!

I love pancakes! Pancakes for breakfast, pancakes for snack, even pancakes for dinner! To me there is something so special about fluffy and (very) buttery pancakes.  And so I'm sure you can guess how happy I am that today is National Pancake Day!  Nomnom!

the original

banana hearts

funfetti pancakes

sunshine pancake

pancake sunday

In honor of Pancake Day, I decided to make a special pancake for the Mister!  It may not be as fancy as some of the others but it was make with lots LOVE (and sprinkles too)!