{things i learned} bringing home the magic
[adorable iced sugar cookies]
[hand-carved african wooden masks]
[sassy coffee mugs]
[toy bin at downtown disney marketplace's enormous LEGO store]
[colorful hand-painted mexican pottery]
[the most adorable wind chime]
[my new favorite fragrance: the incredibly sweet 'prada candy,' available here]
[OPI's most recent disney collections: 'vintage minnie mouse' and 'the muppets']
[my personalized mickey mouse ears in front of cinderella castle]
I barely need an excuse to shop, so when I'm on vacation and there is a huge variety of merchandise to peruse I know that my wallet will be getting lighter and my bags heavier with hardly any effort. I got some fun souvenirs from our trip to Walt Disney World–some typical and cheesy (cute character mugs), some unexpected and unique (hand-made knick-knacks), but in the end they're all, like the memories, magically special.
I have one more tropical outfit to share with you on Monday–along with the winner of the BellaFusian bangle–and then it's back to New York City style, shopping, and dining. Until then, have a fabulous weekend! x
{things i wore} open-back tank
When the weather is swelteringly hot you can usually find me somewhere inside, not only in an air-conditioned room but stationed near the strongest cold air vent. This is impossible to sustain in Florida–you need to be outside to enjoy yourself, and that's where the heat, humidity, and mid-day sun are opressive and pretty much impossible to avoid. I tried my best to cope by wearing short shorts and a light tank–although the cute ties on its open back were for fun more than function.
p.s. These shots were taken in Epcot, my favorite of the four theme parks that make up Walt Disney World. For those of you who might not be familiar with its concept, the park features a "Future World" and "World Showcase"–eleven pavilions representing various nations arranged around a lagoon. I could spend forever in this international part for two reasons (both of which you could probably guess)–spectacular food and shopping (but more on that tomorrow).
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Shirt: Open back tank in Black, Belle Du Jour for Macys [not available online]
Shorts: Trouser fit shorts in Electric Blue, Banana Republic [no longer available online]
Bag: Medium Travel Tote in Black, LeSportsac [$78, available here]
Sandals: Sagitar T-Strap Sandal in Black, Hush Puppies [was $75, available here]
Jewelry: DKNY Unisex Stainless Steel Watch [$195, available here], Micropave Diamond Band in White Gold, Channel-Set Diamond Band in Yellow Gold [was $700, available here]; Thin Gold Band with Bezel Set Diamond, Jennifer Meyer [$175, available here]; Tiara Diamond Band in White Gold, Ice [$475, available here]; Silver Expandable Wire Bangle, Alex and Ani
{things i learned} disney dining
[an iconic mickey premium bar: vanilla ice cream with a dark chocolate coating]
[a decadent breakfast: macadamia pineapple pancakes from the polynesian's kona cafe]
[an individual torta di nocciole "cortemilia": hazelnut polenta cake with piemonte sweet cream from epcot's tutto italia]
[a coconut paleta: traditional mexican fruit popsicle from epcot's la cantina de san angel]
[smoked salmon on toasted sourdough bread with a goat cheese spread, hard boiled egg slices, and red onion: a traditional norwegian favorite from epcot's kringla bakeri og kafe]
[a sweet-but-tart 1970's classic: the citrus swirl ice cream cup from the magic kingdom's sunshine tree terrace]
[a handmade dark chocolate-covered sea salt caramel piece from the epcot's german karamell-küche by werther's original]
[poolside drinks: a coconut water mojito and a grand margarita on the rocks]
[exuberantly-colored treats: chocolate-dipped sprinkle-coated marshmallows on a neon mickey-shaped twist straw]
At some point while I've been going through my vacation photos, I've realized that I may have taken more pictures of food than of people (just kidding–sorta…there really are a lot). It was almost impossible to choose which ones to share with you–they all look as good and as interesting as they tasted. I've said it before and I'll say it again: if you think Walt Disney World simply features "classic" (read: unappetizing) theme-park fare, you couldn't be more wrong. Their food selections are varied and range from the wildly kitschy to the carefully authentic. My personal favorite? That Torta di Nocciole "Cortemilia"–I have a huge weakness for anything with chocolate, hazelnuts, or cream. It was heaven on a perfectly decorated plate.
{things i wore} asymmetrical scarf dress
From the moment I first spotted this dress in store, I knew I had to have it. I adore Rachel Roy and it really showcased the bold prints that are her trademark. Plus, it had a near-perfect color combination: all my favorites–black, purple, sand–were there. Things only got better once I'd tried it on. Not only was it fun to wear–I'm all about asymmetry lately–it was unbelievably comfortable. There was just one problem: as with any statement piece, it's sometimes hard to find an appropriate venue to showcase your find. Luckily for me our trip helped–the dress was the perfect fit for a late-night dinner at our resort with its tropical plants, tiki torches, and hammock-lined beaches.
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Dress: The Donna Sleeveless One Shoulder Striped Scarf Asymmetrical Dress, RACHEL Rachel Roy [$129, available here]
Bag: Canvas and Leather Tillary Tote in 'Flax', J.Crew [$228, no longer available]
Shoes: Thong sandal in Nude, Nine West [old]
Jewlery: Gold Expandable Wire Bangles, Alex and Ani; Wooden beaded bracelets [old]; Glass beaded bracelets [from Venice, Italy]
{things i learned} the most magical place on earth
[brightly-colored leis at check-in + the lush atrium in disney's polynesian resort]
[palm trees atop 'sunset point' near the seven seas lagoon]
[early morning crowds on maint street, usa, in the magic kingdom]
[mickey and minnie mouse meet and greet]
['wishes' firework show finale]
There's a reason why I've been a bit absent from social media lately–this past week I enjoyed a vacation to the 'Sunshine State's' most famous attraction. Regular rips to Walt Disney World, Florida, were a huge part of my childhood, which has made visits as an adult even more special. As you can see from these snapshots, the vacation blended some much-needed tropical relaxation with all the classic fun Disney has to offer. So I hope you're ready to see more of 'the Most Magical Place on Earth' because this week The Beautiful Things is going to Disney World.
{things i liked} khloe kardashan + a cropped jacket
[Photos from Sytle Bistro, the Daily Mail, and Ghanamma]
Khole Kardashian really got it right with this outfit. It's perfect for late summer, cohesively toned (although who would have trouble matching anything to that gorgeous Chanel shoulder bag?), and is perfectly tailored. I also love her red lip, sleek hair, and the fact that she's wearing something (the cute cropped jacket) from the line she shares with her sisters in a totally appropriate and not-too-obvious way.
ENTER MY CURRENT BRACELET GIVEAWAY HERE.
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[Photo from Sears - Smoky Cropped Jacket, Kardashian Kollection - was $99, available here]
[Sheffiled Distressed Jean, Rag & Bone - $231, available here]
{things i wore} blue trouser-fit shorts
I couldn't have been more excited when I spotted these bright blue shorts on a sales rack in Banana Republic. My only regret is that I hadn't found them earlier in the season (although my wallet thanks me–they would have probably been full price and I would have had to have them). I love their pop of color and structured fit. They're attention grabbing but in smart way.
ENTER MY CURRENT BRACELET GIVEAWAY HERE.
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Shirt: Silk Button-Down in Black, New York & Company [no longer available online]
Shorts: Trouser fit shorts in Blue, Electric Blue [no longer available online]
Shoes: Black thong sandals, Nine West [no longer available]
Bag: No Slouch Faux Straw Dome Satchel in Black, Kenneth Cole New York [was $198,available here]
Jewlery: Diamond Ring with Yellow, White and Rose Gold Diamond Overlap, Trio by Effy Collection [was $2850, available here]; Tiara Diamond Band in White Gold, Ice [$475, available here]; Silver Expandable Wire Bangles, Alex and Ani; Miscellaneous silver bangles [old]
{things i covet} color-block sandwashed-silk maxi dress by tibi
[Photo from Net-a-Porter and Rent the Runway - $675, available here]
I don't own anything that's sandwashed-silk but this billowy dress makes me wish i did. There is a luminosity to the fabric that is really unique–apparently it comes from treating normal silk with abrasives which polish the fibers. I love the bright colors (orange and hot pink–I'm seeing an island sunset or a tropical drink) and the cut-out detailing on its back is subtly sexy. One last hurrah of summer? Why not.
ENTER MY CURRENT BRACELET GIVEAWAY HERE.
{things i made} pasta with zucchini, tomatoes, and olives
I'd never heard of self-saucing pasta before I stumbled across this recipe. Dropping raw pasta right into a sauce as it cooks? I had my doubts, but they couldn't have been more misplaced. The pasta here is cooked to perfection and the sauce becomes silkily and thick with the starch. Zucchini, garlic, olives, and tomatoes round out the hearty dish–I'm already thinking about how perfect it will be on a chilly fall night.
ENTER MY CURRENT BRACELET GIVEAWAY HERE.
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Ingredients:
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1/2 head of garlic, chopped
4 zucchini, halved lengthways and cut into half-inch sliced half-moons
1 teaspoon dried oregano
4 cups boiling water
28 oz diced tomatoes
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup cured black olives, pitted and chopped
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 tablespoons of marsala
1 pound short pasta like penne, spirals, or shells
Directions:
1. Heat olive oil in a large pot. Cook the onions for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the garlic and zucchini and cook for 3 minutes.
2. Add all remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring once to prevent the pasta sticking. Serve immediately sprinkled Parmesan cheese.
{things i wore} body-con dress
This weekend I went to a friend's daughter's sixteenth birthday party. It's been a while since I turned sweet sixteen and though a lot of what I wear has in theory remained the same, I don't think I would have worn a dress like this back then. Now I adore its bright colors, exposed zipper, and close-fitting silhouette. Boulee is celebrity favorite–check out this 'Serena dress' on Giuliana Rancic and Jenna Lee Dewan-Tatum–and I can totally see why. The brand's clothes are fun–and do a pretty good job of making you feel like a teenager again.
ENTER MY CURRENT BRACELET GIVEAWAY HERE.
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Dress: Serena Dress in Fuschia, Boulee [$209, available here]
Bag: 'Cordoba' Clutch in "Black Onyx," Elliott Lucca [$98, available here]
Shoes: Court 2 Platforms Shoes in Black, BCBGMaxAzria [were $98, available here]
Jewelry: Ready Bangle, gold-plated, Medium, Swarovski [$55, available here]; Ready Bangle, stainless steel, Medium, Swarovski [$55, available here]; Diamond Accent Hoop Earrings, Macy's Fine Jewelry [$650, available here]; Diamond Ring with Yellow, White and Rose Gold Diamond Overlap, Trio by Effy Collection [was $2850, available here]
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