Jonathan Saunders Elegant Fashion

Surprise surprise, I am shopping at Target for the usual house items when I discover the name "Jonathan Saunders."

Well, I discovered the dress first, then put the style to the name. I adore sophisticated looks as much as I do playful ones, and when they intertwine all the more to love.

I think Target's description of him states it best:

"Scottish born designer Jonathan Saunders puts a nontraditional spin on the modern, constructed silhouette. He brings eye-popping color, a meticulous attention to construction and a playful sense of style to everyday sophistication. Saunders creates a look for GO International that's distinctly effortless and brilliantly avant-garde."

If you know me by now you know it is what I look for when it comes to modern style.

This dress- style, I love it. Moreover, I must say I love the way it moves than anything else. The low waist line flares out as you walk which is a lovely contrast from the straight and sleek style of the top portion. Classic with a modern twist- nice touch with the white popping pattern in the center.

Another dress I found from Jonathan Saunders is pictured here- it is classic, elegant, and beautiful in its simplicity. Its the little touches I like about this dress.

It is a black dress that hugs nicely to the feminine form, but the sleeves which are long and slim are somewhat sheer from the neck on.

It is so simple but so beautiful and elegant. An absolute classic, yet somehow modern with its sleek shape.

His name and style has certainly caught my attention and I am anxious to see what is to follow. Color was stated in his description from Target- I did not see many pieces while I was there, but I am eager and excited to see it.

Playfully Bold Dress With A Bow

When it comes to fashion and style, dresses have always come first for me. I adore them as those who know me know the truth in this statement.

But there are so many kinds and styles- from the form fitted to the interestingly shaped, from the hardly there to the filled with volume. There are elegant evening dresses and fresh spring like day dresses.

It is why I adore this dress so much, it blends into both rather well. The colors and pattern are rich and sophisticated, yet the way it is presented, with a cute little bow and open wide fun shape, it is easily playful and fun, too.

Not to mention comfortable, but I like the simplicity. The lines of the dress do more than anything, and with such a bold pattern you don't want to do something too complex. This is a fun dress that works for any occasion and that is why I love it.

I want to find more like it. It is slightly fitted at the top and then flares out with huge volume to the bottom- but is not so long that it swallows you up, just enough to be fun and fashionable.

There are other very elegant dresses I own that wrap up top with a bow, however they are all either black and white or a consistent pastel shade- nothing so rich as like the pattern seen here. Since finding this dress it is something I have been on the look out for.

Caipirinha: Cocktail Luxury Of Brazil

caipirinha's as seen from story from LAtimes.com

I remember my first taste of a traditional caipirinha. Living in Miami, many of my friends were from Brazil and knew the drink well. I would see them drink it and it was only a matter of time before I began to indulge myself.

So what is a Caipirinha, anyway- besides a confusing to pronounce alcoholic beverage? A traditional one is quite simply:

muddled limes and sugar &..

2 oz cachaça

Cachaça is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugar cane and is most known for its relation to Brazil. It is very much the alcohol of Brazil.

A restaurant by the name of Table8 in Miami (though originally from LA as seen from the photo above) offered a black cherry caipirinha- talk about deadly and delicious! Their twist of the drink involved muddled black cherries with cachaça. It definitely was a moment of: oh, how delicious, let me devour a couple and then discover upon my first attempt to move that the world will move around for me first. It is quite potent! so beware and take caution.

Gourmet offers a recipe for a passion fruit caipirinha, which calls for the traditional recipe with the addition of pure passion fruit juice. The drink is quite simple to start which allows itself very open to fruit inspired variations.

All are grand really, it is difficult to mess up. Oh how I do love my cocktails, and I must say I have been quite happy to see this beverage show up in more and more bars across the states. This is one to keep your eyes peeled for. Try it (in small doses to start perhaps, or at a slower pace if anything else) and enjoy its luxurious flavor.

Don't feel as though you have to wait for your bartenders to discover this for you first- they are simple to make at home provided you find the cachaça.

Make a traditional one and then make your own lavish concoction. Its really quite fun, invite some friends and make it an occasion to remember.

Oh How Kitties Grow Up So Quickly

So I am relaxing on the sofa and one of my kitties has to come up and join me. He is very much a snuggler, and something of a leaner. I don't know where he picked that up from.. he just likes to lean with all of his weight against you. I don't know if it is entirely comfortable or not, but he certainly likes to do it. Strange little kitty.

Well, not so little any more as you can see! This is Ulric; he is named Ulric because of all the kittens in the litter he was the one that would constantly cry "wolf", or meow wolf in this case. He can be a bit of a puppy at times, loves to play/devour his toys and enjoys car rides-even loves the flavored bone toys for puppies. I know, strange kitty.

Here he is as a kitten, you could totally eat him up, I know- he is sooo cute. He constantly wants to include himself as I am typing my posts, so I thought why not include him in a post of his very own. So I will show my kitty a little love.

I kept Ulric and his sister, who I have named Aveline, from this litter of kittens who were sadly left behind during a neighbor's move. All the other kittens were given to wonderful homes (including that of a Veterinarian, I know they are in great hands).

Aveline is something of a fashion kitty.. she loves to sleep in a hat box and inspect any purse or shoe she sets her eyes on. She's something of a flirt, too.. I think I'll introduce her in her own little post sometime in the near future. She definitely loves her accessories.

One Of My Favorite Glamorous Dinners

So last night my fiance and I enjoyed a wonderful evening in celebration of a recent business endeavor. It is something we both wanted to accomplish and throughout the year finally made it true.

We decided, why not celebrate it in our favorite glamorous style- a meal that stands out like no other and is simply a celebration on its own.

And so we did- we opened our chilled bottle of Veuve Clicquot Rose and prepared a couple of hot dogs- a dinner of absolute style and delight.

Marlene Dietrich had it right when she said her favorite meal was hot dogs and champagne- they go quite lovely together- really! You have to try it, it is simply delicious and all around too fun. How can you not enjoy yourself? That is what it is all about anyway, isn't it. You may laugh but it is absolutely wonderful.

We enjoyed ourselves and will remember the occasion so much more for it. It makes it all the more unique and special. I think we are both anxious to do it again soon. I suppose that means we better start creating more reasons to celebrate. I think I can handle that ;)

Here's to a luxurious and glamorous dinner of Hot Dogs and Champagne- after all, in the words of Coco Chanel:

"Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it s not luxury."

Much love and luxury,

Bombshell Beauty

Floral Scents Of Beauty

Lately I have been feeling refreshed and pretty with floral and feminine scents. I don't like something that is too heavy or carries such a musk you feel as though you are living in a swamp- small doses are in order with heavier scents.

But I do like something light and crisp with maybe just a hint of a bite, something that gets your curiosity and attention going and says "ooooh."

I love Viktor & Rolf, they are creative and inspiring to me. With a name like FlowerBomb and such a delightful presentation, I was anxious early on to see the results. I find it to be lightly feminine and bold with that bite that is just right. And it definitely has it- bold and feminine bottled in such a pretty little bottle of a bomb. Its one I keep in supply at all times.

Now this one is perfectly feminine and sweet. It is light with a nice balance- a noticeable and welcome presence that is not at all overwhelming.

In fact, how I came to find it and love it is a story of itself- completely unintended at that.

A couple of years ago I was at work one day, standing in the entry way bored with a few other girls. It was that time of day where nothing happens, the calm before the storm if you will. It lasts an eternity it seems.

Anyway, there was a magazine I had been flipping through when suddenly a scent got my attention. I instantly smiled and sighed, tore the page and started fanning myself. Then, I proceeded to fan the girl next to me.

She instantly smiled and sighed. There we were, fanning ourselves and smiling. Now the third girl was looking at us quite strangely, it wasn't as though it was hot in the room or anything. We motioned and offered to fan her, she shook her head giving us the notion that we were indeed insane.

We laughed and began to fan her when she too- instantly began smiling. She got it at that point, and in fact was so in love purchased the perfume the next day.

We always could tell when someone was wearing it- it is just so lovely. Whenever I wear it I always think of that day when I first discovered it. Anyone watching us must have thought we were mad!

Oh well, I still enjoy Calvin Klein's euphoria blossom today as the perfect refreshing scent for my day.

A Feather Hair Accessory Experiment

Okay, here is a feather hair accessory I have somehow come into possession of (drat those pretty little impulse boxes by the register). I definitely like it on its own- it is very cute, but how to wear it in my hair and not look as though I am nesting a small family of birds. Hmmm...

This was a moment of opportunity to check and see how it would look, if you will. I had my hair in a french twist and a mass of curls to the side (from my previous post of a curly up do).

Just to test the waters, I tried placing the feathery clip in my hair to get a feel. Not so bad, definitely curious.

Personally, it could work but I think it competes with the curls too much here.. it is just unnecessary. I am determined to use the feathers, but in another style.

Simplicity works best when it comes to such bold accessories. I think a clean twist clasped by the feather accessory would look absolutely beautiful- almost like a vintage hat.

It is something I will be trying soon, but I wanted to give a little preview first and foremost.

More later- ciao!

Zyr, My Love Of Vodka

I *love* vodka, you must understand this before anything else. So when I say to you that Zyr is my favorite vodka, this is definitely saying something bold.

Its pretty blue bottle stands out from anywhere, and it is a gorgeous a bottle. Something very nice to see match its classy qualities; the presentation is much appreciated.

Russian vodka speaks of quality alone, but an inspection is always needed to see what sets it apart from the rest, and why Zyr particularly is so special.

9 : 5 : 3

Why will this suddenly have a meaning to you? Well let’s take a look by what they mean by this ratio.

9 Filtrations

5 Distillations

3 Tasting Tests

The results are absolutely amazing and incredibly smooth- dangerously smooth, in fact. It is a curious blend of winter wheat and rye- and the taste definitely is lovely.

I drink it neat or on the rocks, preferably on the rocks- it is best appreciated alone. It is such a smooth vodka and has just the perfect hint of a sweet finish. This is a yummy one and a must for any vodka and/or spirits lover.

I have yet to see someone who does not like it after having tasted it. Even those who generally do not prefer vodka (for usually they have not had it properly or have not had the right kinds).

Now, here is how it can be oh so extra dangerously smooth- if you choose to mix this vodka…

… you will devour your drinks faster than ever. It is so smooth it doesn’t feel like consuming alcohol at all when in the company of juices and other mixed drink combinations.

Now- it will definitely makes those drinks incredibly yummy and drinkable, if not refreshing, but for the true vodka lover on the rocks is the way to go here.

Should that stop you from ordering it in your mixed drinks? Never- do both depending on your mood. Tastes especially nice in a Basil8. Perhaps more on that one later.

Yum! I love it!

It is not available everywhere just yet, though you can find it available online. Be on the look out for it wherever you are- it is a wonderful and delightful treat.

Loving Tokyo Fashion

Well, I am at least loving this darling little dress I purchased from a Japanese boutique called Nonno. It's terribly cute, and I love it. Describing it may sound like a disaster, but it totally works the way I see it. And you do have to see it to believe it.

Let's look at this dress:

Brown with light blue polka dots, a blackbig bow belt, and white frilly poofy sleeves-bet you wouldn't seek that out on your own now would you. Nor did I, however I am pleased with the find.

Its one of those moments where you wonder "why do I like this, do I like this, I think I do, I can't stop looking at it" and while debating you end up falling in love with it.

Got to make a decision and move with it, that's for sure especially with fashion. If you aren't sure, no one else will be either.

So long as you love what you wear and wear what you love all is well by me.

I freaking love this bow belt, by the way. It has a little hook underneath so it is easy to match up with any other outfit, too. A black belt on a brown dress would never have been my first choice, but why not. This is how it came and was intended to be worn and I am quite enjoying it.