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A Lady Travels in Style

3/9/2014

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"I don't know how to say this but, you two are, eh, tres chic!" - Air France Flight Attendant to my husband and I on our Honeymoon flight to Italy.

Do you remember a time when people actually dressed up to go out, especially when traveling?  In the days of yoga pants in public and pajamas on the airplane, I feel we're missing out on the experience previous generations had and the excitement of travel.  It seems now (to some) it is so casual they just roll out of bed and onto the tarmac with out a thought as to what they look like.  

How did we get this way?  

If you are over the age of ten, I'd say pajama's to the airport is not appropriate! It doesn't take much time to pick out a simple outfit and run a comb through your hair, and when you do take that extra step, you will be rewarded.  You will notice strangers (and airport security) are a lot more friendly AND you may even relish in the chance of an upgraded flight, free drinks, and many friendly smiles. 

I will admit, I used to be a member of the mile high pajama club.  I'd wear baggy sweatpants and a sweatshirt, had unkempt hair, and usually was cramming last minute items into my backpack creating a much to heavy, unorganized mess that I was then stuck with for the rest of the day.  As I've gotten older I've changed, and realized just the simple act of planning ahead and dressing up to travel, tends to leave me more relaxed, appreciated, and I have an overall more enjoyable time. It also makes traveling feel special and exciting.  If it were just as routine as sleeping...what is the fun in that?

For me, traveling comfortable and in style means a simple dress, (made of a comfortable cotton or stretch fabric) and a light sweater (usually because of air conditioning).  I wear ballet type flats that not only look cute but are practical (can be taken off easily and I can run if needed). I always bring a slightly larger purse than normal (one that can carry my all important travel essentials, like toiletries, ipad, sketchbooks, snacks, etc) and one small rolling carryon that fits at least two changes of clothes.  My purse/bag fits on top of my rolling luggage so that way one arm is always free and I don't look like a loaded up camel.  Also, I usually carry a mini cross-body purse inside my larger purse so when I get to my destination I am not lugging around an extra large purse everywhere. 

On long flights, at least one change of clothes is essential to getting off the plane feeling refreshed, but also handy when you get wine spilled in your lap mid flight (yes this just happened to me and thank goodness I packed an extra dress in my carryon avoiding what could have been an uncomfortable, grape-smelling disaster for the rest of my flight).  Depending on how large your purse is, you could even pack a wrap dress in there and not bring a rolling luggage. But generally, a carryon with all the essentials incase something did happen to your checked bags is a good bet.  Always be prepared.  Always.  You really never know what could happen, who you are going to meet, and the best way to make your trip stress free and relaxing (as vacations should be) is to be prepared.

Here is an example of my go to travel outfit and accessories:
(Click on the images to see my Polyvore site with product descriptions)

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And Men this goes for you too, so I had my husband put together his go to travel style:
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Now hop on a big bird and fly!

I am a lady | adarose
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My Retro Kitchen

2/17/2014

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In my last post I revealed that one of our big goals this year was to buy a house.  Every since I was a little girl I've always been very domestic.  When I played with dolls I focused on their living situations more than any other part, (second was their fashion).  This early obsession with living space is probably what led me to majoring in Architecture in college.  So, needless to say, I've been dreaming of my "perfect house" for a long time.

But one mistake I made when I was young, was thinking that I had to wait until I had that dream house to live how I wanted.  For example, I've always loved the idea of baking and cooking and secretly wanted a retro kitchen to experiment in.  Perhaps I watched too many episodes of "I Love Lucy" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show" growing up, but I was fascinated with all of Lucy and Laura’s various tools and containers.  As I got older and eventually had an apartment of my own with my husband, I went out and bought "temporary" kitchen stuff –not the cool retro items or gadgets I had really wanted. For some reason I thought I needed to wait for that "dream kitchen" to fill it with all my dream things. Plus I thought all those things would be too expensive.
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All sorts of retro treasures to be found in Rob and Laura Petrie's kitchen from the Dick Van Dyke Show.
Then finally, not too long ago I realized there really was no reason to wait.  I knew I couldn’t have ALL the things I wanted right away, (like that $$$ retro green mixer) BUT I could have some of the little things.  So, slowly but surely I’ve been adding to my dream kitchen collection and actively using these items in my current kitchen. 
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I've been told I have a "coffee problem", and that I look like the lady in the sign - so I've been collecting these funny coffee signs to display in my kitchen and coffee area.
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I love my retro green coffee container. Right now it holds Nespresso cups.
How did I acquire all these fun things?  I did not go out and have a shopping spree buying them all in one day, but instead collected them over time, shopping all over the place (literally from Washington State to Wisconsin) and not settling for just anything, but the right thing.

My husband and I like to antique shop, and one of our favorite things to do on the weekends is go out hunting for old treasures.  Sometimes we find extra special items and it can be hard because we can't afford to buy them yet (Like an awesome mint condition Eames lounge chair from the 1960's…) but it's fun to go around and dream together.  Each time we go I give myself a little budget even if it's only $5 or $10.  If I find the perfect item for that price – I buy it!  If I don’t, I go home empty handed, and I’ve learned that that is OK.  Eventually you will find what you are looking for.  In fact, just this weekend I found a set of retro containers with wooden lids to hold my baking supplies.  I’ve been searching for something like this for months, and the best part - they were on sale and under my budget for the day!
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My new canisters holding flour, sugar, and powdered sugar. I love to bake and having these items out and easily accessible is great!
What I have now may not be my "dream kitchen" but with all my little retro finds, it is so much more enjoyable and "me" than if I were just to have the standard inexpensive items that didn't have any personality. 
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Our favorite vintage yellow coffee cups found at a friends garage sale.
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Our most recent find - beautiful wood Salt and Pepper shakers for the kitchen table!
Now each day cooking in my little kitchen is fun and I'm not always dreaming of a new sparkly kitchen cause the one I have has become my own!

If you make it your own (and it doesn’t have to be your kitchen) - whether it be with your favorite color towels or retro containers, it is a lot more enjoyable and adds to making your life just that much happier each day, and some days that can make all the difference.

I am a lady | adarose

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Hello 2014!

1/18/2014

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I can't believe it is a New Year already!

In the past six months I got married, went on an amazing Honeymoon to Italy with my new husband (both of our first times in Europe), moved ACROSS THE COUNTRY, found a new job (actually two). So we have been pretty busy, but loving every minute of it.  

To kick off 2014 I'd like to share my New Years goals.  (I was told if you publicly announce them you are more likely to stick to them)  So here goes:
1. EAT BETTER
For my husband and I specifically this came from our honeymoon in Italy.  When we were there (Sorrento and Amalfi Coast), we had some of the best food we had ever eaten.  We had to know their secret, so we asked the chefs. Their answer: "Eeeeehh we're Italian!..."

Just kidding!  Their real answer was: "Fresh ingredients!" (fresh olive oil, fresh fish, fresh pasta, etc.)

So for 2014 we've decided to eat more like Italians, use fresh ingredients and really enjoy our food.  To start, this past weekend we went out and bought some potted herbs (mint and parsley) and have been using these in our food as much as possible. We also got an awesome cook book (Phaidon The Silver Spoon) and each week I pick one or two recipes to try. Eventually I hope to be cooking like this all the time, but baby steps for now.
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The first thing I made was garbanzo bean and spinach soup. It was surprisingly simple and very tasty.
2. EXERCISE MORE
I will admit, I have not been doing the best job staying physically active since we've moved so I'd like to change that. Especially since I'm turning 30 this year.  I'd like to begin this new decade looking and feeling my best.  Over the past few years I discovered that I love latin dance, so I decided to join a gym specifically for the latin dance workout classes (Zumba, etc.).  I found that if I am doing something I enjoy, I wont put it off or find excuses not to do it.  I encourage everyone to think of exercise that way. Find something you love then like NIKE says, just do it!  
3.  BE MORE ORGANIZED
This is difficult.  Not only do I have to be organized myself but I have to work with another person (my husband) and his own way of organizing.  Our new place is a bit smaller than the last, so keeping things tidy and organized is very important.  Also both my husband and I each have our own home business so keeping all that paperwork along with our personal things organized is a challenge.  I find Pinterest is great for tips and ideas for creative storage solutions.  (If you don't have a Pinterest account, I highly recommend it.) 

Also, I still keep an old fashioned (paper) planner.  I write EVERYTHING down in this and make it a habit to check it every morning and night.  Sure my iPhone has a  calendar and reminders in it (which I do use sometimes), but I use my phone for so many things, I just need a break - plus I like to doodle and planners are great for doodling...

4. BE A SINGLE DIGIT HANDICAP (Golf)
I've been playing golf since I was, well, old enough to walk.  So not being a single digit handicap after so many years is just laziness on my part. My husband has even taken up the game so now I really have no excuse. My favorite number is 8 so I've decided I'd like to be an 8 handicap. 

Now if I only had some new clubs...(Birthday hint).
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Me on the course, May 2011.
5. BUY A HOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clearly I am excited about this one because one of the main reasons we moved across the country (to Arizona) was so that we could afford a house of our own. My husband and I are both designers (and musicians) so having our own home that we can decorate/remodel and play music in is really really really really, really important to us.  This particular goal might take a few years, but we are working towards it full steam!
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Interior shot of one of the houses my husband designed. Of course we'd LOVE to design our own, but at this stage in life, we'll take what we can get!
Well, that is all for now.  I think five goals should be achievable in a year.  I'll provide an update on it in December and see how I did, but until then; HAPPY NEW YEAR!  More posts to come soon!

I am a lady | adarose

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A Lady walks down the aisle...

8/18/2013

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This is my "Lets get this show on the road!" face.
The day finally came - I got married!!!

It was truly the happiest day of my life, celebrating such a milestone with our loved ones and family. Even though the planning process was a bit stressful, it all came together and I can't thank everyone enough who helped along the way.

I thought this would be a good opportunity to share a few things I learned along the way that might help you or someone you know when planning for the big day:

1) Budget...Budget...Budget 
This is very serious and the first thing you should narrow down.  
Before doing anything, know who is paying for what, how, and when.  

You can have a wedding for any amount of money - but all decisions made need to be made with the budget in mind. As difficult as it is, this means you really should not go out shopping for $5,000 dresses when your total wedding budget is only $6,000. (Yes I watched my fair share of "Say Yes To The Dress") It will break your heart when you find your dream dress and then cannot afford the rest of the wedding.  Speaking of dresses - it is a good idea to ask the dress shops you are considering visiting about their price range before heading inside.  This will save you a lot of tears.  

I was fortunate enough to know of a dress shop where the entire collection (minus a few select designer pieces) was within my price range. So when the time came to try them on and I found "the one" I was pleasantly surprised to find it was UNDER my dress budget!  This then OK'd me to splurge on my Valentino red shoes... :)
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ahhh...those shoes...
2) I highly recommend a planner.  
This is different from a Day of Coordinator (which is also an absolute must).  We did not hire a planner and the entire time I truly wish I did.  Fortunately one of my bridesmaids who had recently gotten married stepped in and acted as a planner (reminding me of the things I needed to do, constantly checking on me to make sure I did them, etc). Seriously if she had not done that we would not have had the wedding we had.  There are so many things to coordinate and even with all the event planning experience my husband and I had, it is different when it is YOUR wedding.  There is such emotion, excitement, and expectations - you really need an outside person to help you keep on a steady path, not go over your budget, etc.

Also, when it comes to the day of and after, the last thing you want to be thinking is: Did we pay the photographer?  Do the musicians know where and when to set up?  Who is picking up the flowers from the florist?.. etc.  A planner will have all that organized and ready to hand off to the day of coordinator - and sometimes they are either the same person or work for the same company.  Our day of coordinator was excellent and even calmed our nerves the day before with her detailed list and notes, ensuring we had nothing to think about on the day and that she would be there at every step to make sure it all happened just as we wanted.  

All you want to do, and should do, as bride & groom is enjoy your day, and your experience.
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Just enjoying the moments.
3) Have a vision  
Outline what parts are the most important to you all the way down to least important.  This will help you when making decisions.  For us, the most important part was the venue.  Being both designers and former students of architecture, my husband and I knew we had to get married in a beautiful and inspiring space - and we would not settle for less.  This is important to note because getting that space (we chose The Olympic Sculpture Park) was higher than our budget really allowed, so we cut back in other areas that were not as important to us to make up the difference.

Our overall vision, was classic, elegant, and modern, and every single decision we made from the venue, to the decor, to getaway car, was made with our vision (and budget) in mind.  
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Olympic Sculpture Park - The rain stopped just as the music started!
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We opted out of a large fancy cake and instead had our favorite chocolate espresso cupcakes.
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Having a live band was also important to us and the Jason Parker Quartet was superb. They even entertained my crooner Husband, letting him sing a tune for me.
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The Getaway - a 1962 Rolls
In the end it all came together magically and my new husband and I had the best day of our lives.  We made sure to just soak it in and enjoy the moment, because we knew it would be over pretty much as soon as it started.  


4) Some things are worth the cost
A great photographer and videographer will capture your day and give you memories that will last forever - so be sure to seek them out first and don't be afraid to pay a little more for their services than you might want. Believe me, it is well worth it.  We lucked out with our photographer. She was an absolute doll to work with, and made sure she got every shot - and the photos were spectacular (as you can see). Also our videographers put together an absolutely amazing set of clips that my husband and I still watch to this day and cry because of all the happy memories it brings back.
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Luckily for him we were already married at this point!
In the end, remember it is all about you and your love, so don't let anyone or anything get in your way.  It doesn't matter if it is a barefoot ceremony on the beach, or a tux and tails event, the most important part is the two of you saying 
"I do".
I am a lady | adarose
Our AWESOME Vendors:  ( I highly recommend all of them! )
Venue: Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Sculpture Park
Catering: TASTE Events
Decor & Flowers: Prop Gallery Events
Hair: Jonathan Levi Powell formerly Gene Juarez Salon
Make-up: Danielle Krane | Gene Juarez Salon
Dress & Veil: Essence of Australia from La Belle Reve
Shoes: Valentino from Nordstrom
Groom's Tux: Made-to-measure Golden Fleece by Brooks Brothers
Photographer: Tonie Christine Photography
Videographer: Anchored Memories
Music: Jason Parker Quartet
Rings: LT Denny
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A lady wears gloves

1/26/2013

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One of my favorite accessories is a pair of gloves.  
Contrary to popular belief, gloves are not just for winter to keep your hands warm, but they are especially important  for ladies to wear this time of year (flu season).  The simple act of wearing gloves can help to keep your hands germ fee as well as complete your polished lady-like look.

If you live in a four-season climate (as I do now), you will soon realize that your once "go to pair of cotton gloves" will not cut it in below freezing temperatures. This does not have to break the bank, as I will show you with examples below, but it is important to get the right gloves for the weather to protect your hands. 

Lucky ladies that live in Arizona or similar climates can get away with one or two types for all the seasons (but don’t let me stop you from buying more!).

WINTER
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My favorite go-to pair of winter gloves are grey like the ones pictures above.  Grey is great because it goes with your black OR brown accessories.  For a bit of fun and variety, try a deep red or emerald green color.

FALL
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This is the best time of year for gloves because you have more flexibility.  You can go short or long and have different fabrics.  Again for the lucky Arizona ladies, a fall glove can be a good winter glove because it rarely gets below freezing.

My favorite fall glove is a short red wool/nylon/cashmere blend like the ones pictured above.  I also like to stick to autumn colors like burnt orange, coral, red, rose, and mustard yellow.  Any color you would see on a tree in fall is good in my book.

SPRING / SUMMER
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Because of the milder temperatures in the Summer and Spring, you can use a very light fabric. These gloves are really more for the keeping of germs away and lady like fashion so you can really have fun selecting gloves with cut-outs and cute details like button clasps on top that sturdy winter gloves just cannot accommodate. Color-wise I prefer saving the white gloves for fancy occasions (like Easter) and keep my everyday gloves as a pale pink, tan, light grey, light blue, mint green, or lilac.

A little bit of glove etiquette:
1) Gloves should only be worn outside
    ( Except for formal occasions like a wedding or ball )

2) Rotate wearing your gloves and be sure to wash them

3) Wear jewelry on the inside of the gloves - Bracelets are the exception
    ( For large rings - simply rotate the ring around your finger so that the jewels are 
    facing inward )


4) Do not eat, drink, smoke, play cards, or apply make up with your gloves on!

Now go out there and wear gloves!

I am a lady | adarose

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Fashion Friday!

3/16/2012

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Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day! 
It's my favorite day of the year. 
Why?
Because you can drink beer all day? 
No.
Because I'm part Irish? 
No.
  (But that is true)  
Because you can wear an entire outfit in my favorite color and no one will say anything about it?
YES!
(If you haven't guessed, my favorite color is GREEN)

In fact, on St. Patrick's Day... 

wearing an over-the-top green outfit is encouraged! Tomorrow I can walk around town looking like a green Santa's elf, and no one will think twice.  This makes me very happy.  

My sister once said...

after looking at my closet, "Well, at least you don't have to spend a lot of time in the morning matching outfits - everything is the same color!"   She was right. I have been known to wear an entirely green outfit on days other than St. Patrick's Day.   Which gets me thinking about these silly fashion rules and trends that people follow.   One day skinny jeans are in, the next it's wide leg sailor pants.  One season it's 1960's style - the next we bring back the 1980's. (I run and hide every time the 80's come back) 

If you pay attention to fashion at all, it gets pretty ridiculous. 

And what is even more entertaining is seeing carbon copies of magazine models walking around town as if they walked right into JCrew and bought exactly what the manikin was wearing without even thinking.  I guess if you want to make sure to "fit in" you can do this and be safe.

But when I really think about it, who really cares what is in or out?  
I say wear what you love. Wear what makes you feel good about yourself. 
Whether its an all green outfit not on St. Patricks day, or those bell bottoms that were your moms from the 70's.  Why wake up every morning doing the jumpy dance just to get your feet through the tiny hole at the end of those skinny jeans? Because that is what everyone else is wearing?  It just doesn't make sense to me.
 
Yes you will make fashion faux pas and might get some funny looks...

but you experiment, you learn, and eventually you find your own unique style that isn't anyone elses or what someone says is "fashionable".  And that is what style  is all about - at least for me.   

When I look back at that 1990's picture of me with Santa Claus...

wearing my bright orange T-shirt, mint green stretch pants, hot pink tube socks, and white leather slip-on shoes (and a grin the size of the Pacific Ocean) - I remember that I was one happy kid whose parents did not make her wear the standard "Pretty Dress for Santa Pictures Outfit" and that is how I became who I am today - the not always perfectly styled, but always stylish adarose.  

So - Happy Green Wearing Day!!  

And if you love the color green like me, keep wearing it all year long - or what ever color makes you feel good.  Because when it comes down to it, those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind!  

And guess what? Looks like green is in this year! 
I would definitely be caught wearing this...
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Green Dress by Phillip Lim
I am a lady | adarose
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Something Old Becomes Something New

1/21/2012

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At last – my love has come along!

On New Years Eve my longtime boyfriend proposed.
He did it the “old fashion way” - donning a tux and kneeling on one knee.  Very classy.  He even had our song” (Frank Sinatra “Look at me now”) on cue to play at that special moment.  And oh what a moment it was.
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_ The event its self was something out of a book, perfect in every detail – and there was one detail that made the engagement even more special.  Through my tears of joy as he knelled down and pulled open the box, I saw my new ring for the first time, and immediately recognized it: It was my Grandmothers diamond – in the very same setting that she had worn all those years.

This was exactly what I wanted. 

A few months prior, as wedding bells became more and more apparent for our relationship – I started pondering symbols of love, engagement and wedding rings. While the thought of a new diamond and ring was at first exciting, it quickly became stressful. There were so many choices, sizes, cuts, colors, and thousands of ring settings.  Surprisingly none of them appealed to me. Plus they were EXPENSIVE!  The only way this young couple could afford a diamond the size we liked would be to sell the car, or do something ridiculous (and forget about paying off student loans). 

The more I thought, the more obvious it was. What would be more special than taking an already existing piece of jewelry that means a lot to my family?

Enter - My grandmothers engagement ring. 

I have always loved that ring.  They do not make rings like it today.  The cut of the diamond is unique, as well as the setting.  It is simple, elegant, and very ladylike.  It accompanied my grandmother everywhere, and now will always be with me.
Extra bonus points to my new Fiancé for knowing exactly what I wanted – and pulling off such a flawless proposal! 

Re-purposing my grandmas ring turned out not only to be very meaningful – but good practice.  Why support the ridiculous diamond industry and buy a new diamond? Plus it fit our budget.  Repairing an existing ring is a lot less expensive and environmentally friendly than having a new one created.
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Me with my New (Old) ring on the way to the New Years Eve Ball.
__My grandmother never said why she left me her ring, but I can only imagine that this is exactly what she would have wanted.  I miss her a lot, but I am so happy that a part of her will be always be with me on this new journey.

I am a lady | adarose
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Always wear an Apron!

11/3/2011

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Two of my favorite aprons hanging in the kitchen ready for action!
“Life is messy. But that’s why we have aprons.” – Jennifer Fulwiler

I couldn’t have said it better myself.  I love discovering other modern women who share similar retro thoughts as me, so naturally when a good friend told me about this article I eagerly read it.  

The Apron: The Ultimate Symbol of a Culture of Life

While I am not sure I agree that the apron is the ultimate symbol for service to others, I do agree that cooking is messy, especially for ladies like me who always manage to spill something.  Fortunately I too discovered the wonderful invention called The Apron and ever since I always keep at least two in my kitchen at all times, and you should too.  Also, it should not be forgot that wearing an apron in the kitchen carries through to drink making as I witnessed yesterday when my normally not-so-clumsy boyfriend spilled cocktail mix all over himself and the counter.

Was he wearing an apron?   NO!!
Should he have?   YES!!!

This simple detail would have prevented the now imminent dry-cleaning bill.  I realize he (and many other boyfriends) will not wear one of my polka-doted retro fashions, but it is just as easy to keep a plain spare around. (Something like a Top Chef would wear)  There is no shame in a white or black chefs apron or smock. In fact, donning one makes men feel powerful - I think. 

But it is not easy bringing back something that has nearly been forgotten from our daily lives. Even though I absolutely adore my cute retro red polka-dottie (a thoughtful gift from my smarty pants boyfriend) it was hard to get in the habit of wearing it.  I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and while my mother did most of the cooking, she rarely used an apron. Consequently I grew up without the thought of ever using one.  But after far too many “incidents” in the kitchen I managed to make wearing an apron a habit.
 

Here are my suggestions on how to bring the apron back into your life:

1)    Find an apron that suits your personality
There are so many styles these days from the professional looking Top Chef to Classic 1950’s housewife. If you feel silly in your apron you wont wear it – and the whole point IS to wear it so you won’t ruin your clothes. So find one that makes you feel great, stylish, and even sexy!  Why not?  If you look forward to wearing it chances are you will more often.  And if you can't find one in your style?  Make it!  I know there are a lot of Project Runway hopefuls out there and this could be your chance to get creative and make something your own.

2)    Keep the aprons hanging in direct sight.
I keep mine on the wall immediately to the left when entering the kitchen.  A magnetic hook for the fridge can be great also. It is hard to pass by a red polka dot apron while getting your juice in the morning.  Bonus if they are a bright color (like red or yellow).

3)    Always keep a spare or two
You never know when you might have a kitchen helper (who doesn’t like polka dots). Or maybe you are making red tomato sauce and wearing a sparkly white apron is a recipe for disaster. Or even some days you might feel more like a Top Chef than a Happy Homemaker. You need to make sure your mood and food colors are covered!

 The simple fact that cooking is messy, and stain removal is tedious and can be expensive, is why we all need to bring these forgotten classics back into our lives.  Male or Female – you really need an apron in your kitchen!  Hopefully if you follow these steps, wearing one will be a regular part of your routine for you and your clothes safety (just like putting on a seat belt before getting in a car).

Plus, even if your actual cooking is not that great - you will look the part! And sometimes that is really all that matters!

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Me in my Retro Red Polka-dot Apron ready to get cooking!
Cheers to that!

I am a lady | adarose
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Never waist a brownie - even if it tastes like dirt!

10/14/2011

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After eating far too many boxes of Ghirardelli’s Double Chocolate brownie mix, I was convinced that with my baking experience I could create a homemade rival.  After many attempts, I finally came up with something to brag about and I never pass an opportunity to share these chocolaty delights with friends. Whether it is a neighborhood bake sale, birthday, or just a gathering of friends – I always bring my brownies. 

So a few days ago when I got wind that a group of special friends was going to be visiting from out of town, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to share my wonderful brownies.  There was only one problem – one of these friends has an allergy to gluten.

Now, I am no stranger to food issues and allergies. I myself am lactose intolerant, as well as my significant other. Yes - we were made for each other. But on top of us sharing dairy issues, he has a laundry list of foods he cannot process including: corn, tomatoes, mushrooms, squash, honey, cranberries, cow meat, and even more. Since the past three years I’ve had to be very creative in the kitchen, I figured I could handle this gluten thing pretty easily.

I got to work on my brownies.

Living close to a Whole Foods and shopping there regularly, I knew there were many gluten free items available.  The only thing in my brownie recipe that has gluten is flour so I figured all I needed to do was switch to gluten free flour and we’d have a success.  I was wrong.  My brownies with the gluten free flour tasted like chalky, chocolaty, dirt.  I was disappointed.  And worse, after spending all day shopping and baking I had nothing to share with my special friends.

I hate wasting food, so I did not want to throw them out – but they were really inedible.  Even my boyfriend who will devour an entire pan of brownies (or anything chocolate) couldn’t finish one.  I decided to leave them in the fridge over night just in case I was hit with inspiration. 

And I was!

I thought, “If they taste like dirt – why not continue with the dirt theme an make Dirt-cups!!”  I remembered this chocolaty treat from Halloween parties as a kid, and figured I’d give it a try.  The brownies were headed for the trash anyway – it couldn’t hurt.

With time running out, I woke up early and went to Whole Foods again. To my luck there was gluten AND dairy free chocolate pudding, as well as gluten free gummy worms! I got home and mixed everything together (brownies, pudding, gummy worms).  I even added some agave nectar for flavor.  Then I gave it a taste.  It was a success!  Something inedible turned edible – and actually quite tasty.  I am excited to share these with my out-of-town friends tomorrow. 
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So a lady learned a lesson:  When life hands you gluten free brownies that taste like dirt, make Dirt-cups!

Can you tell I am proud of myself today? 

As always,

I am a lady | adarose
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The Perfect Cup: making coffee at home

9/12/2011

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Since September is my newly declared month of "no extra spending at coffee shops" I want to share with you how I save money by making the perfect cup of coffee at home.

Before I go into the details of my preferred brewing method, you need to know the key points I've learned about coffee and coffee making. These tips are essential for making your coffee just as good (if not better) than your local coffee shop.

1) Use fresh coffee.
Coffee beans really only taste good for two weeks after you buy them. (I try to only buy as much as I need for one week).  Keep the beans in an airtight bag or canister in a dark, cool place.  I put mine in the fridge, and have even heard of people keeping theirs in the freezer.  However I have read arguments for and against both so I will need to do a bit more research.

2) Buy Whole coffee beans and grind them to the correct size immediately before you brew.
This makes a huge difference.  Yes you will need to get yourself a grinder but it is worth every penny. Leaving the grinds out even for 30 minutes will cause them to loose their flavor and taste "stale".  If you really want good coffee you need to take the time for this step.  I will go into more detail on grinding styles and sizes in my next post.

3) Use good tasting water.

If you do not drink your tap water because it tastes bad, do not use it for your coffee because (no surprise) it will taste bad too.  Also the minerals in your tap water can accumulate in your teapot/electric kettle and coffee brewing device.  Be sure to thoroughly clean your equipment (with a coffee descaler solution (can be found at the grocery store) or homemade vinegar solution (1 part vinegar, 2 parts water) and then use clean, purified water (filtered or bottled) from here on out. 

4) Find the right bean for you! 

There are so many different types of coffee beans from all over the world and they all have a unique flavor profile.  It might take some time to find your favorite, but it is an adventure worth pursuing. Many local coffee shops will sell you a 1/2 pound bag and I found this is the perfect size to sample. 

I personally like a Medium Roast for my morning coffee and an Italian Roast for night.  Usually a House Blend at your local coffee shop is a medium roast and these are a perfect middle of the road, flavorful but not too strong, place to start.  If you want something a little nuttier you can bump up to a French Roast and if you like darker try the Italian Roast.  Later you can look into beans from different regions like Columbia, Brazil, even Hawaii!  The possibilities are endless so just remember to have fun and keep trying. Eventually you will find “the one” and when you do it will add just that excitement you need to get you going in the morning.

I hope this brings you just a little closer to making that perfect cup of coffee at home!  Next week I will go over step-by-step how I make the perfect French Press cup of coffee every morning.

As always,

I am a lady | adarose

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    I'm a modern young woman with a passion for bringing back the classic elegance and timeless spirit of being a lady.

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