Haute Cuisine, Julie & Julia

The mystic of France is hard to ignore. How do Frenchwomen stay so thin while consuming cheese, red meat, chocolate and wine? How do they dress so chic while making it appear to be so effort-less? And why do the French get to be the only ones to call their bubbles Champagne?

For all you Francophiles, the much anticipated Julie & Julia starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams opens in theaters today. While it may be light on the haute couture, it is sure to deliver on "haute cuisine." The film is based upon two best-selling memoirs, Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen, by Julie Powell and My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud'Homme. The film is about two women who live parallel lives both on the quest to uncover their hidden passions. Through perseverance, laughter, passion and a lot of butter both women find anything is possible in each of their lives.

Here's hoping your theater has French pastries or at least some baguette et fromage because popcorn and soda just doesn't seem an appropriate snack for this film! Bon Appetit!

Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures

Red Shoes

Today loves, you are in for a treat...we have a guest writer!  I've swapped blogs today with my friend Amy at The Bee Dot. We met through the The Classy Closet. Be sure to pop over to her blog to read my post as well! And PLEASE leave Amy a little comment love on her post here.

(photo courtesy of Christie Jane’s Flickr photostream)

 

 

Yesterday was a pretty rough day. Lots of things went awry.

 

On the way into the daycare, my two-year-old forgot he was wearing big boy pants now. We had to run, dripping, as fast as we could to the bathroom. But the running wasn’t so bad, because I was running in my brand new red patent leather spike heels.

 

When I got to work, there was a group of semi-hygienic bikers lounging on the sofas in the lobby. Everyone else was eyeballing them as if a cinema-worthy shootout was about to go down. Not me. I turned on my strut and made sure they saw my shiny leather. They were definitely entertained.

 

I got to my office and started gearing myself up for a fight. I knew I was going to have to confront a co-worker about a project deadline she had missed. The conversation started, took a bad turn, and I began to back down, as I often do. Then I looked down and spied my five inches of power. I stood my ground in my red shoes.

 

My red shoes and I spent the rest of the afternoon flirting, power lunching, and generally blazing our way through everything the day threw at us. We even caught all the green lights on the way home.

 

Look, I hate blatant materialism. I abhor people who acquire just for the sake of acquiring. I’m fine with lust and greed being deadly sins. But I think everyone needs a little something that makes them feel special or powerful. Something to think about or gaze upon that gives them a secret thrill. Something to save for, splurge on, or treat themselves to on a regular basis. Whether it’s a designer sofa or a creamy lipstick or a pair of perfectly-neutral Louboutins or an expensive set of cookware, its draw is uncontrollable.

 

Everyone needs a pair of red shoes.

 

What’s your “red shoe?” What item makes you feel confident, special or happy?

Bridal Eco-Chic

Amazing fiancé...check

Dazzling sparkler on left hand...check

Breathtaking wedding location on-hold...check

"The" Wedding dress...where to start?

The last one is an easy one to check off your to-do list thanks to Encore Bridal, a consignment and resale bridal eBoutique.  Specializing in gently used bridal dresses, as well as offering new and sample couture at unbelievable pricing...there's something for every bride and budget. 

Wondering how to buy a dress online not knowing how it will fit? Encore Bridal offers virtual styling to ensure brides get "The Dress" of their dreams. Having extensive experience working with multiple designers and an intimate knowledge of each gown in a well-edited inventory, Encore Bridal will deliver a gown sure to express each bride's unique and individual style. 

Green is the color of choice at Encore Bridal...being good to your wallet and the environment at the same time.  Encore Bridal is dedicated to using green business practices which include donating to Carbonfund.org.  In addition, a portion of every sale is donated to non-profit organizations supporting cervical cancer research and education.

Who says you can't have your dress and tiara too, all while being eco-chic?

Live in the Los Angeles area?  Visit Encore Bridal's Manhattan Beach showroom:

3215 Highland Ave.

(At 33rd Street)

Manhattan Beach, CA

310-545-1409

Encore Bridal Website

Hours:

Second & Last Sundays of each month 

11 a.m. - 4 p.m. (no appointments necessary)

Appointments only rest of the month

Upcoming Events:

Check out Encore Bridal's Veil and Accessories Trunk Show at the Manhattan Beach Showroom August 28th - 30th. For more information visit:
Encore Bridal Events