WIWW and a Basil update

Hi!

I got a haircut! And I am so happy! Oh, Joe, how I've missed you. I found Joe by chance when I moved to Austin and he was great. I even introduced him to my then-boyfriend (now hubby), who also thought Joe was the best. Then, I cheated on him and saw someone else, who was not that great (Josh remained faithful). Then I moved to Brazil and tried maybe 3 hairstylists and liked NONE OF THEM. Neither did Josh. If you want to find Joe, got to Avant Downtown.

Now that I am back in Austin, I decided I needed some Joe. And he did such a great job. We talked about how to fix the problem that my hair is nice and wav on the ends but really flat up top. I left feeling great!

As to what I wore - I made this top and I really like it for Summer (and even for Fall). I paired them with GAP jeans and flats. Really simple and effortless and pretty with a happy face and a new haircut!

And check out The Pleated Poppy for another installment of What I Wore Wednesday.

 Crazy new haircut face! :-)

What do you think?
Basil update!

Oh, and remember the little basil plants I showed you a few weeks ago? Only a few weeks ago! And now, look at this amazing basil. 

Love,

Sam

How to wear - Victory Rolls

Hi!

One of the hairstyles for Fall is the Victory Roll.

Donna Karan Fall 2012 (picture from Harper's Bazaar)

Check out more hair trends for Fall here.

While I love looking at the images from the fashion shows and editorials, I think victory rolls can look costume-y and old-lady really fast. So here is my interpretation of it. I tried to keep it low key and simple, with not a lot of volume, in a low ponytail in the back. Fair enough, it is hard for my hair to have a whole lot of volume.

And, if I am going to be completely honest, I really needed a hairdo for the days I am not washing my hair. I feel my hair never works unless it is washed, but then I end up washing it everyday...

So here is how I got the look:

I used Dove's Dry Shampoo all over the hair, following the instructions on the bottle. Then I added a little bit of extra-hold hairspray and used the blow-dryer and a brush, trying to add some volume. I parted the hair to the side and rolled from the front to the back, then added pins. The rest of the hair was pulled into a low ponytail.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

And thanks again to Julie from Ripped Tights and Pin Stripes for shooting the pics.

Love,

Sam

How to wear - Shear tops

Hi,

I found this really cool silk print at TexStyles and decided to make this very simple top, with a tie at the neck.

For this top, I made the pattern myself, using the basis of a shirt and yoke design with gathers where the yoke and the front meet. Since it is pretty roomy, no closure was added.

I made the skirt (and the pattern for it) a while ago. It is a simple pencil skirt, with a lower waist and darts, out of a stretch cotton pique.

How to wear it - Since there is volume at the top, I chose the fitted skirt, in white, to keep it classic and clean. I created pops of color  with the pointy toe flats (a gorgeous burgundy) and a deep forest green bag.

A note on proportions - The outfits should be broken into thirds. This skirt does not hit me at my actual waist, since I am short waisted. Although there is plenty of volume, no one is the wiser as to where my real waist actually is. I think it makes the whole look pretty slimming :)

Shoes - Arezzo

Skirt and top - made by me

Undershirt - Banana Republic

Earrings - somewhere in 25 de Marco (Brazil)

What do you think?


Love,
Sam

Friday Cocktail - Cava Sangria

Hi,

With the heat and all the fresh fruit around, I have been in love with cool sangrias.

Here is another recipe for one of the last Summer weekends.

Let me know what you think!

Love,

Sam

WIWW - Khaki Dress

HI!

Here is another installment of What I Wore Wednesday.  Check out The Pleated Poppy for more blogs participating on the project.

I love this dress! It is so comfortable, easy, and fun. I kept the look really neutral, but it can go with colorful accessories.

This week, I went with Julie from Ripped Tights and Pin Stripes to take some pictures at the Capitol. It was so much fun! And so much easier than trying to take pictures of myself. 

Thank you, Julie!

Enjoy the pictures!

Love,

Sam

Dress: Banana Republic

Shoe: Arezzo

Purse: BCBG

Sunnies: Chloe

Healthy Eating - Roasted tomatoes pasta

Hi!

I was at Whole Foods today and found these cute (and delicious) grape/ cherry tomatoes. I got a pint of each color. Aren't they adorable?

Since I need a little more complex carbs on my diet, specially before long runs, I decided to make a really easy pasta dish with these little jewels.

Ingredients:
2 pints of mixed cherry tomatoes
1 avocado
4 oz of goat cheese
1/2 cup of olives (I used almond stuffed ones)
3 cups of cooked whole wheat pasta
Basil
Olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste

Look at the great basil from our garden!


Roast the tomatoes in a 425F oven for about 10 minutes, on a dry sheet pan, until the skins start to brown and blister. They will look like this:

On a serving dish, place the cheese and the chopped olives, then place the hot roasted tomatoes (and those juices). The cheese will start to melt and create a nice simple sauce.

Add the cooked pasta and the basil, toss, add the avocados, toss lightly (so they don't get mushy), season to taste.

It was delicious, simple, healthy! And it tastes great cold too, perfect to take out on a picnic.

Try it and let me know what you think!

Love,

Sam

WIWW - Seersucker and how to start your basil farm

Hi,

I joining the several bloggers who are doing the What I Wore on Wednesday (WIWW)post, because it looks like so much fun!

Here is my outfit for another  very sunny and hot day in Austin. I hope you like it!

And checked out The Pleated Poppy for the collection of WWID posts from other great bloggers around.

Tank top - Banana Republic
Skirt - Made by me
Necklace - Made by me - tutorial to follow soon
Shoes - Check the tutorial here

Plus, check out our volunteer basil! We should have a new basil plant soon! The secret is to cut the flower-looking stems from the basil plant, and place in soil. Due to the heat, we have been watering these twice a day. So cute

How to - Peplum

Hi!

It seems like the peplum is not going to leave us any time soon and will be big for Fall as well, as seen at Style.com and WWD.

I have done a post before, using polyvore, but I really wanted to see how it would look on my actual body and I am happy!

I actually sewed this top myself, using a pattern from the latest Burda Magazine, in a cotton herringbone that I acquired at the Fabricker. It is great because it is washable and breathable - a must in Austin heat.

I think the peplum just added a touch a of feminine class to the white denim and it was so forgiving on the mid-section.

Top: made by me
Pants: Banana Republic
Necklace: Kendra Scott
Sunnies: Chloe
Shoes and Clutch: Arezzo (Brazil)

How would you wear the peplum?

Love,

Sam

Farmers market and easy pesto recipe

Hi!

So, we finally made it to the farmers market in Austin, after several attempts. It is worth a visit, if you are in Austin.

The drought that hit the country is surely not helping the farmers, but we did find some great pears, peaches and cherry tomatoes. With the help from our amazing basil, we had a lovely whole wheat pasta dish for dinner.

Here is the recipe:

2 cups of fresh basil

1/4 cup of raw almonds

1/4 of olive oil

1/4 cup of goat cheese ( we found some really good one at the market too)

Salt and pepper

10 cherry tomatoes cut in half

 

Blend everything except the tomatoes

Place the mixture in a bowl with the tomatoes, a few table spoons of the pasta water, and the pasta

Toss to combine and serve

It was very tasty and simple, using our beautiful basil.

I strongly recommend growing your basil. It is so expensive at the grocery store!


Try the recipe and let me know what you think!

Love,

Sam

 

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