Blog Crush: Jacquelyn + Lark & Linen

Do any of you read blogs that bring you to a calm serene place? Lark & Linen does that for me. Toronto based Jacquelyn of Lark & Linen has such a keen eye for beautiful pieces - not trumped by her own good looks. For those of us in the states who are eagerly anticipating our Thanksgiving, check out Jacquelyn's inspiration here. I was fortunate enough to get Jacquelyn on board for my blogger interview series (see Concrete Catwalk here) - if you don't adore her after reading this, well then you're crazy.

When hosting a gathering (of any size) what is your go to recipe?

It’s funny because I’ve pretty much perfected thai and asian cooking, but couldn’t cook standard fare to save my life. Well, to be fair to myself, I haven’t really tried, but the idea is daunting for some reason. I’ve never roasted a chicken or grilled a steak, but pad thai? No problem! Enchiladas, pho, miso soup? No big deal! I’m big into curries and always gravitate towards green curry chicken when feeding my friends and loved ones. It’s the dish I’ve more or less mastered and always get requests for it whenever I’m in the kitchen (this recipe is a great one).

Three products you cannot live without?

chapstick (I cannot live without this one), my blackberry (I hate to admit that) and my hair straightner (which doubles as a curling iron). My morning do is all kinds of messy without that thing to tame my locks. If my straightner isn’t available, just hand me some bobby pins. Please. And hurry!

Item you are currently coveting

I’m currently on the hunt for some Turkish bath towels to warm up our bathroom. They’re super absorbant, dry almost instantly and have such a beautifully organic look to them. They’re definitely on my wish list!

New edition to your playlist

I’ve recently really started to listen to Angus & Julia Stone. Their song Big Jet Plane is my absolute favourite for the moment – I’m sure my boyfriend is sick of hearing it (on repeat - poor guy)

Most memorable quote

“You can do anything, but not everything” – David Allen. I recently found this quote while perusing pinterest and it really stuck with me. I’m an avid overachiever/multi-tasker/busy body/workaholic and feel like I would benefit from pasting this onto my forehead! It’s important to know your boundaries, learn to say no and find some semblance of balance – something I’ve learnt the hard way!

What is on your nightstand?

My One Line a Day Journal (highly recommend for those of you who like to keep a record of your daily musings, but find it difficult to commit to an entire journal), chapstick (addicted) and my current read. Right now I’m reading John Vailiant’s The Tiger as per my father’s recommendation. I’m about 3 pages in so I’ll let you know how it is!

Favorite Fall 2011 collection?

If we’re talking about clothes here you’re asking the wrong person! I know what I like, and I’m pretty sure I’m capable of throwing together a decent outfit, but I couldn’t tell you my favourite clothing designer let alone an entire collection. Furniture on the other hand? Furniture I know!

Where do you go to relax & escape? What do you take with you?

Definitely my cottage! I instantly feel more at peace the moment I’m near a lake. I usually bring comfy slippers, a bathing suit (or a knit sweater – pending the season), and my boyfriend, Justin. Also, if I have a good playlist going, a bottle of wine and scrabble in tow I’m set.

Best & worst part of your 20's:

The best part of my 20s has been trying to establish what makes me happy. The worst part of my 20s has been trying to establish what makes me happy. I feel that everyone goes through that strange limbo after graduation where you don’t quite know what to do, where to go and who you should be doing and going places with (commonly referred to as the quarter life crisis – of course!) It’s a bit of an uphill climb to figure out where you stand and to sift through that awkward phase between being a kid and being an adult. It’s a definitely grey area, without question. There have been good and bad days, mistakes, challenges, milestones and events worth celebrating. It’s been hard, but it’s gotten me to the point I’m at now and it has, without a doubt, all been worth it!

Blog Crush: Jessie + The Concrete Catwalk

I had the pleasure of meeting one of the sweetest bloggers ever at Blogger's Night Out, Jessie from The Concrete Catwalk.  She is a household name in Kansas City & is even more stunning in person (you'll develop a major crush just from looking at her pictures!) Recently I did a quick interview with Jessie that I wanted to share, don't forget to head on over to The Concrete Catwalk & subscribe to her feed!

When hosting a gathering (of any size) what is your go to recipe? 
Beer battered fish tacos with homemade roasted tomatillo salsa!


Three products you cannot live without?
Assuming we're talking beauty products... Lancome Definicils mascara, Healthy Hooves Horse Hoof Lacquer (topcoat for my fingernails!) & Moroccan Oil for my dry hair


New edition to your playlist
Lana del Rey... her music is incredible & her style is enviable!


Most memorable quote
Faith does not panic, God is near. - My Meema :)


What's on your bedside table?
Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Repair, my cell phone charger & my Keel's journal


Favorite Fall 2011 collection:
For this fall, I LOVED Erin Fetherston, Jenni Kayne, Jill Stuart & Suno


Where do you go to relax & escape? What do you take with you?
In town? My fave thrift store! I generally leave my phone in the car (unless I need to be "working") & just zone out while I scour the racks.  It's so inspiring & relaxing to me! A close second would be the health club we belong to. Out of town? My parents' house in Scottsdale, AZ. I totally let my parents spoil me when I'm there, & spending time with my immediate & extended family is a definite recharge.


Best & worst part of your 20's:
Oh man...not wanting to get too intense here (I've definitely had some rough patches), I'd say my worse two parts were the death of both our puppy & our kitten (separate instances). The best parts? Marrying my husband Gerard (going on 5 years!) & leaving the corporate world to start my own business! SO rewarding & both of those were the best life decisions I've made this far. :)

Drew Barrymore For Neiman Marcus

Never one to be a huge fan of Drew Barrymore, (something about the black lipstick she wore in her teens turned me off) I was challenged in my opinions of her when I opened Vanity Fair & saw her ad campaign for Neiman Marcus.  This girl, worked.the.camera.  Is this the same girl that starred in E.T. & Along Came Polly? Hardly. I think I would die, or sell my soul (at minimum) for the emerald Emilio Pucci dress.

via Neiman Marcus blog

Girl Crush(es): MK & Ashley Olsen

Weird? Sure. Eccentric? Spot on. Undeniably fashion forward? Absolutely.  The Olsen twins are NYC's version of a unicorn...well, two unicorns.  We know they are out there, rarely coming out of their hiding, & always dressed to kill.  I would die to go shopping with one + or both for a day.  Just one day.

via Pinterest

"You can have it all, because you don’t have to do it all perfectly"

The always chic Jenna Lyons.  6'5 in heels + creative director of J.Crew + ingeniously forward & always managing to out-do herself, needless to say over the years I have developed a strong affinity for her.  She would be another "layering genius" in my book - always somehow managing to pair just the right amount of colors / textures with complimenting accessories. I am convinced you're born with this ability - it cannot be taught. Don't be surprised when they rename J.Crew to Jenna Crew.

images via Vogue + NY Mag

Need more on Jenna? Read NY Mag's recent article here

BLOG Crush

Yet another girl crush. Style/blog/closet/shoe crush. Everything crush. Bee from Atlantic-Pacific has some serious style & can be noted as a "layering genius". Dare I say she puts Carrie Bradshaw & Cupcakes & Cashmere to shame...? I know where I stand, but I'll give you a few (or ten) pictures to decide for yourself. You have no idea how badly I wish she was my stylist/friend/personal shopper!!

Images via Atlantic-Pacific

I cannot help but want to do a complete overhaul on my closet after raiding BEE's blog. Few things I love most about her: red lips - yes! (everytime I wear my NARS redlipstick I join the BGC (bad girls club) - not kidding). Nerd glasses :) You know I have a soft spot in my heart for these. Bangles/baubles/bracelets piled high upon a big 'ol gold watch. Love.


If you haven't bookmarked Atlantic-Pacific - do.it.now.  (& thank me later!)

Drew

When I saw Drew wearing this outfit recently, something sparked inside me.  I don't know how, why, or what exactly "sparked" (other than a strong desire to shop)- but I am so.into.this.getup.

(Minus the shoe pairing.) Naturally I got right on the world wide web to purchase the two-tone denim shirt that I envisioned wearing with long jersey skirts, white denim jeans (& a big brown belt!) & a number of other things that would somehow justify this purchase. Wrong.  Outfit-fantasies came to a screeching halt when I discovered this little denim number is $278 (by Current/Elliott). Two hundred & seventy eight dollars for a denim shirt that I could probably pluck off some squirrely cowboy in the middle of Texas. My mother would have my head on a platter if I were to buy it. Saving my head, & my bank account - I found the look for less, ta da!

1. Ralph Lauren Rugby Skinny Chambray Workshirt $98
2. Aldo ALSIDIA Women's Wedges $80
3. James Perse Pull-On Maxi Skirt $145
4. Anthropologie Longeing Belt $48
5. Ray-Ban 3025 Aviator $139

Pretty Little Things

Wayyy back in the day, I fell in love with Pamela Hanson's work before I knew who Tim Walker was, before I even graduated from highschool. This woman is genius (well, her work is genius - clearly she needs a financial advisor but that's besides the point!) I would love to slink around all day in leopard-print lingerie & messy hair while Pamela shoots gorgeous photos of me. That would be a miracle. Not so much to have Pamela in my apartment, but the gorgeous photos part.  LOOK at these girls. They're perfect in every way, & I hate them even more when I realize they're not even trying to look perfect!

 

I may just have to purchase one of Pamela's coffee table books.  Looking at her work could keep anyone occupied for hours..

Girl Crush: Gwyneth Paltrow

Regardless of naming her children Apple & Moses, I still love Gwyneth Paltrow.  She entered 2011 with a legitimate bang, gracing the cover of InStyle (with an amazing pictorial). She is as successful as she is beautiful, & manages to seem incredibly down to earth even in her pictures. 

Girl Crush: Natalie Portman

Ever since seeing Black Swan, I am totally obsessed with Natalie Portman.  I remember thinking she was great in Closer (2004) when she played Alice, the seductive stripper who gets to makeout with Jude Law & then Clive Owen. When I wikipedia-ed this bombshell, I learned quite a few interesting things about her! For starters - Natalie Portman is just her stage name.  Her real name is Natalie Hershlag. I've always wondered why actors/actresses use stage names even when their origional names are not hard to pronounce...?  At only 29 years old, she is smashing the box office with a fury.  Graced with uncanny beauty, she is not just another face in Hollywood. Natalie recieved her bachelors degree in Psychology from Harvard University. She's incredibly talented (as we all know), smart & gorgeous - & also a vegan.  Score one for the meateaters!

I was pleased to see Natalie is on the January2011 cover of Vogue - with a great article accompanying it.
Wouldn't mind one bit if I woke up tomorrow morning & looked exactly like her...

Issa .... & Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton has put talented designer Issa right on the map.  DEAD CENTER of the map.  Look at these gorgeous silk jersey dresses...& then drool over the gorgeous girl.  Soon to be gorgeous Princess of Wales. 

..sigh.



Sidenote: Rose McGowan jumped on the bandwagon as well...

Neiman Marcus sells the Issa Collection .. & I have my eye on this amazing silk dress.  Too much for a wedding? Thoughts?

London VNeck Printed Dress