Fair Isle

One of my favorite things about winter is cozy sweaters.  And of the cozy sweaters, I definitely LOVE fair isle sweaters.  Something about them, the thickness, the scratchy soft wool just screams Christmas for me!  This seasons it seems that fair isle is everywhere, which I love!  Here's a few fun fair isle finds from around the web.

+ fair isle cozy knit throw

+ fair isle poncho for baby

+ snowed in fair isle PJ's

+ fair isle yoke sweater

+ fair isle sweater dress

+ contrast stripe fair isle scarf

+ fair isle earflap hat

+ cozy fair isle leggings

+ flannel fair isle sheets

+ fair isle baby tights

Any good fair isle finds you've found?

image/crazygirlyarnshop

Cake Pop Wedding Cake

I'm constantly amazed at what creative minds dream up to outfit a wedding. First there was the cupcake wedding "cake," then the Rice Krispies wedding cake, and now, fitting with the new cake pop fad, behold...a cake pop wedding cake!

image via pinterest

sweetlaurencakes

The Belt Twist

I feel so behind on the trends. Does anyone actually buckle their belts anymore?

Everywhere I look the belt twist is happening.

And I feel a bit dorky admitting this, but as easy as this looks, I've found this stylish look is not so easy to replicate. Weird, I know. I've tried twisting, flipping, and curling various belts within my own wardrobe, but it never looks quite as effortlessly chic as these ladies...

Do you rock the belt twist? Any tips? Do tell..

images via

bloom

bippityboppityboo

nataliemerrilyn

Tom Tom

I wasn't a big fan of TOMS...until I saw these! Ordinary canvas flat turned comfy chic wedge, done & done! Can't wait til they debut in stores!

image via unrulythings

To Sleeve or Not to Sleeve

To sleeve or not to sleeve - that is the question. According to stylists, Ivanka Trump may be bringing back the sleeved wedding dress. When Miss Trump contacted Vera Wang to design her wedding gown, she requested sleeves to suit her Orthodox ceremony. Wang then channeled icons past who had donned sleeves for their weddings, and modeled Ivanka's gown after Grace Kelly's, invoking the traditional and elegant "lace and royal factor."

I have to say, I kind of like the look. With my friends all buzzing with engagements, dress shopping, and wedding planning, I think in the end "unique," translates to "memorable." Kudos to Ivanka for stepping outside the trend box, who knows she might have even started a trend herself!

image/nymag

Fancy a Dance?

Aren't these adorable?!? When I was little, I loved standing on my Dad's feet as he walked around the house. Now you can do the dance-walk in style!image/handmadecharlotte
via designmom

Fried Chicken: A Migratory Bird?

There's just something about fried chicken. We know it's bad for us, yet we just can't resist the tempation to eat it. If you're echoing my thoughts, you're not alone. The New York Times just featured an article exploring the migration trends of fried chicken. Apparently this traditionally Southern dish is migrating North fast and furious, already flooding the trendy neighborhoods of New York City with it's tasty goodness.

While some claim this Southern favorite has no flavor once fried, critics warn there's more to fried chicken than crust. Ethnic cuisines are embracing this tasty entree, adding their own spices and flavors to make it their own, for example the spicy dark meat fryers in Korean-influenced glaze at NYC's Momofuku.

In Seattle, I'm a fan of the fried chicken at Kingfish Cafe, a Southern haunt in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. I'm a little afraid to try a fryer solo, but I'm up to a challenge. Anyone have a fried chicken recipe worth a share?

image/nytimes

How To Start Your Own Food Truck

I know I've reported on the street food scene a lot lately, (here and here), but this NY Magazine article caught my eye. If you're one of those entrepreneurial, go-getter, make-your-future-happen-now types - this might be right up your alley, the User's Guide: How to start your own Food Truck!

With the economy being what it is, an alternate gig might not be such a bad idea, especially since people seem to be crazy for mobile eats these days. And of course, food for thought - what is your favorite type of street food?

image/nymag

Feel the Burn!

Doesn't this look like fun? Welcome to Sweaty Sundays, an LA dance class where people dance off the previous night’s excesses to a soundtrack of indie rock, techno, and 1980s new wave hits. All the while looking Jane Fonda fabulous in lycra, leg warmers and belted leotards.

One of the regulars even affectionately calls the dance gathering “It’s kind of an American Apparel ad come to life." Once I read about this hot new way to feel the burn, I emailed the article to my sister who lives about 30 minutes from Foresight Studios in the hipster Silver Lake neighborhood. Within minutes I got a "Awesome!" reply with exclamation points...she's already got her leg warmers ready to go!

image/nytimes

Hittin' The Streets

Street food is the rage right now in Seattle. I had the ultimate privilege of sampling some of Seattle's street food at Skillet, the airstream trailer/gourmet burger wagon - the grass-fed beef burger with cambozola cheese, arugula, and bacon jam definitely packed a flavor punch! Next on my list, spicy pork bulgogi and kimchi tacos at Marination Mobile. See my previous blog about this fab place here. I'm on the move!image/skillet
image/marination

Accessorize the Costume

According to all the recent magazines - costume jewelry is in, in IN! Mixing and matching gold and silver, chunky and slender styles, essentially achieving that effortless "thrown together" appeal. I've never been a big jewelry girl, but in an effort to branch out and accessorize, I've been browsing etsy and came across these darling little pieces...

images/etsy

Blast From The Past

Has anyone had a chance to sample the new Pepsi Throwback? Featuring an old-school Pepsi logo instead of the modern smiling circle, the "throwback" drink will be sweetened with sugar, instead of High Fructose Corn Syrup.

I'm hoping it will have that honest-to-goodness true coca cola taste we Americans seem to prefer to go without. Back to basics, it'll be like when you buy a coke abroad and while the taste is a little bit different, but somehow simply better.

Has anyone tried it yet? Are you curious to try?

image/pepsithrowbackhub

There's A New Bridesmaid in Town

According to the New York Times, there's a new bridesmaid's dress code: "black, gold, sparkly, or cocktail." Way to change up tradition...

All you brides and brides-to-be out there, what do you think?

image/nytimes

In the Stacks

I've heard people say before that one of their favorite scents is the pages of an ancient library book. The romantic musk, the age and wisdom that has saturated the pages over the years...

This person is not me.
If this person is you, this might be right up your alley...

The new perfume, In the Library, smells like "a signed first edition of a favorite novel, Russian and Moroccan leather bindings, worn cloth and a hint of wood polish." It my not have a very sexy name, but it might just be enough to bring out the book smarts in your novel guy.

via smitten
image/teamsugar

Addicted

Yes, you've heard the hype. It's all true. Just finishing off a marathon of the 60's new-to-DVD drama, Mad Men. I've cruised through 3 of the 4 discs in record time, and am hopefully finishing the final disc of the first season tonight. I strongly recommend indulging in this series, trust me, you won't be disappointed.

image/vanityfair

Sass

Loving the sassy summer Sartorialist looks. Note to self - to sass up an outfit, add a funky cowboy hat, some strappy heels, and you're good to go!

images/sartorialist