Ne-ON!

Remember these?  Yeah, this is my level of neon.  Exciting, I know.  I love neon, but the purchasing bit is intimidating, and I'm always curious how I would actually wear it.

But...then I saw this dress.  I love. Neutral with neon.  Perfection.

And I saw this bag.  Love more.  Side-note, this dude is wearing it flawlessly.  Neutral blaze, neutral tee, neutral shorts.  Hmmm...do you think he'd be willing to re-do my closet?

*photos: mine, google.com, theglitterguide.tumblr

Poncho Envy

So, I tend not to be adventurous in my fashion.  Tailored - yes.  Polished - yes.  But, adventurous I am not.  So, when I saw this photo (thanks, google) I was tempted to put a poncho on for size.

Chain Letter

I was invited to join a multi-city art concept.  I would say 'gallery show', but it was more of an experiment in community, artist inspiration and curatorial insanity.  Glad I could participate.

I was invited by this artist, who I love and admire.  Her website, here.  She was asked to invite 10 artists who create work that she admires.  Yay!  I was on that list!  So, now it was my turn...

Bacon Wrapped Scallops

I feel a little silly giving this tutorial.  It's not really even a recipe...it's more like a "just do this and it's awesome".  But, hey...if you like bacon and I like bacon, we can spend the next few minutes walking over this together.

Weekday Walnut Pesto

I can't think of a quicker, easier way to throw dinner together than with a pesto.  Better yet, this pesto is gluten-free and dairy free (first seen here).  Dinner in a blender...yes, please!

Continues after the jump with easy-to-follow instructions (and photos).

Bionic Eye

This is beyond rad.  Tanya Vlach, has a prosthetic eye.  She asked the smarty-pants in the engineering world to help create a web-cam that could fit inside the acrylic shell of her prosthetic eye.  This camera could be controlled with a remote and a smartphone application.  I'm equally impressed with the dialogue that is surrounding her proposition; what truly makes an 'eye', what 'vision' really means, and how human you can/can't be with a prosthetic, kinetic eye.  Blame the art-school part of me.

With 13 days left in her Kickstarter pledge-building phase...I kinda' want to see her succeed.  No, she is not a cyborg.  No, she is not planning to become a spy.  And, no, she is not using the camera for a 24-hour looped television show.  She's just aiding her own dream, and potentially the dreams of others.  Feel free to check out her pledge-page, here.

Last Three

I'm always curious how people justify their purchases.  I mean un-necessary purchases.  Let's be honest - I don't need another pair of shoes.  But how do I justify those $30, $45, or $50 shoes each time?
There's a great article by GQ...great that it features Scott from the Sartorialist, dishing about how to purchase, so that you never have to think about your purchases.

Garlic Oil

One of the best cooking ingredients I've ever made from scratch.  I've used it to saute veggies, I've drizzled it over bacon-wrapped scallops, and I have an endless list of how I plan to use it.

Art.Surf.Shop.

I had the pleasure of attending an art opening this weekend, at Mollusk Surf Shop (website, here).  100 paintings by an amazing artist, priced for anyone who might fall in love with one.  I was, of course, running late.  Imagine that.

Yeah, by the time I got there, most of my favorites were already snagged.  Boo.

I'm a trooper, though.  I swooped in to snag one of the last that I had my lil' eyeballs on.  Okay, I didn't swoop in...I stood next to the list and refused to let anyone get a word in until I screamed my number out.  Yeah, that sounds more accurate.

 But who cares.  I now have a great piece of original work by an artist I admire.  And, it didn't break the bank.  Plus, I was even promised a studio visit to chat with him (since the rest of the world wanted a word, too).  In the meantime, check out the rest of his works here.

Learn How to Cheat

I appreciate when amazing chefs can recognize that the masses can't cook as well.  As much as I adore this Salted Caramel Chocolate Ganache Tart from Crust bakery...I don't always have the lead time to order them before the impromptu dinners.  In case you do, here's their website.
So, founder and owner, Stephanie was sweet enough to give me a "normal person" tutorial (my words, not hers).  The best part - she understood that people can't always use the professional grade ingredients.  So, we scoured the shelves of our local chain supermarket and walked away with all the ingredients for less than $12.

Grab:
store bought mini tart shells (our box had 16 count)

half a jar of caramel ice cream topping or 25 caramel square candies

1 - 4.5 ounce large dark chocolate bar

4 oz. of heavy cream

Sea Salt

 How cute are these?  From here on out, I'll give you Stephanie's tutorial so I don't fudge this up...

Decorating is in Fashion

While researching some visual proof of my concepts for my newest client, I stumbled across this apartment feature on Refinery29.  This fashion editor found a brilliant way to create corners and clusters of personal treasures, without seeming kitsch or gaudy.

Classy, young, fun and modern.  Exactly what I think my current client is looking for.

For more photos, check out the entire article, here.

But it's Only a Dollar: Thumbtack Attack

As promised, here comes the easiest Dollar Store tutorial ever.  Easy-to-follow photos after the jump.

Client Inspiration

So, I gained a new client this week.  She is very excited about making her year-old apartment a true home.  Between a growing business and a puppy, decorating has just sort of remained at the bottom of her list, naturally.

And that's where I come in.  I spent a day with her, gathering information, taking photos and cataloging her current pieces.  She actually has remarkable taste and great pieces to work with.  Between parental hand-me-downs and brilliant flea market finds, this client is more concerned with making it all work together.

Blame it on My Momma

Seriously, it's all my mom's fault.  I grew up eating brussel sprouts.  Yeah.  I was an actual human child, and I liked brussel sprouts.  So, after the weekend farmer's market trip...it was time to put them to good use.

And I'm not talking boiled and on a plate.  While this may be a side dish, it is definitely on it's way to the main stage.  (recipe and photos after the jump)

Walk This Way: Part V (Lift This Way)

While there is tremendous evidence stating that women will never get "bulky" by lifting extremely heavy weights, many women fear weight-rooms in the gym.  Ready for a quick test...(by the way, both these women have the exact same body frame, just treated in two different manners).
It's no more complicated than this.  Simply put; which female would you rather look like?  Anyone that would like to resemble the right can and should stop reading now.  For the rest of you ladies, keep on...

Second question; how many of you ladies can successfully do this?  Neither can I.  But that doesn't mean I don't have the capacity.  By the way, these are all women who train at a CrossFit gym in Orange County (site and great article on female strength-training, here).

All my new best friends now.  That's right...bumper plates, bands and kettlebells.  Don't know what any of these are either?  Fear not.

 Learn how to truly re-shape your physique and get really strong...
(more after the jump)

Walk This Way: Part IV (Thyme & Thyme, Again)

While gluten-free and dairy-free may limit both my dessert choices and my baking choices, I refuse to think that my adult-like beverages will suffer.  So, after a pile of cocktail books and endless searching, I think I discovered a new favorite - and well within the paleo diet.

Tequila Thyme Lemonade.  Brilliant.  I started with one cocktail, to test the drink.  

Grab:

2 lemon wedges

2 oz silver tequila

1-2 oz cold water

3 thyme sprigs

Agave nectar

Ice

Pop the thyme, lemon wedges and agave in a glass and muddle together.  For me, about 1/2 tsp of agave nectar was refreshing without being sugary.

This ended up being so tasty, that a pitcher was required to accompany my dinner with friends.

 You didn't think I'd forget about the exercise bit, did you?  What were those beautiful new weight-lifting kicks for, then?  Yeah.  Wait for tomorrow...it's gonna be good.
But, check out my recipe for Fig & Thyme Stuffed Chicken (after the jump).

Walk This Way: Part III (Mission Fig, Accomplished)

So, you're still with me?  So glad.  I'm still tippy-toeing into these new waters, myself...so if any of you are timid, as well, I'm glad to admit we are in the same boat.
My mom always taught me to look for the positive in everything.  Certainly one of her best practices, but I can advocate its use here, for sure.  Instead of dwelling on what I can't eat, I've spent a few days researching and discovering the new foods and ingredients I can now experiment with.

An amazing tasting coconut butter that has been blended with raw cocoa powder (graciously gifted to me my a paleo-friend in Australia).  LovingEarth, I learned, has an entire line of amazing butters and spreads, so start searching, here.  Hmmmm.  Someone suggested covering blueberries and freezing them.

These mission figs looked to delicious too pass up.  Plus, my family grew up loving figs, so I felt inspired to try to update some family favorites.  What to do with them now?

Perhaps I bought a surplus of dried apricots.  When you're starving at the farmer's market, what else can you do?  And in case you're wondering, the Mar Vista Farmer's Market in Los Angeles (corner of Venice and Grandview) is hands-down the best market I've ever been to.  Week after week.  Check out their site, here.

And, lastly...come on!  It was two dollars!  I spend two dollars every time I buy a lil' clamshell of sprigs.  Here's to hoping it lasts.  Check back tomorrow to see what I managed to concoct.  Suggestions welcome.

Walk This Way: Part II (Apricots, Bacon & Sage)

So, let me start by saying; this is going to sound scary and overwhelming at first.  I am not stating to be an expert, or suggest that this is the only method of staying healthy and happy.  But it has worked for me, and I am a huge advocate.  If you'd like to stick with me for four more days, I'd be happy to have you.
I have read this book cover-to-cover twice.  I can suggest you pick up The Paleo Solution by Robb Wolf, but even an internet search on the subject could reap huge benefits.

So, I sat down again with this book this past weekend (after eating and drinking plenty at dinners, lunches and celebrations).  And I was ready to revert back to eating cleaner after those decisions.  So, while I walk you through the lil' bit of my diet, I thought I would share a recipe to soften the blow: photos and tutorial after the jump...

Walk This Way

This week is going to be a fun one!  I'm highlighting a few new lifestyle changes I've come to adopt.  Baby steps, yes, but steps none the less.  So, with brand new weight-lifting shoes and a stack of cookbooks flagged with lunches, dinners, and desserts...get ready to sweat, simmer and smile with me.

Enjoy your Independence Day, chicklets!

Pie Shots

So, I was lucky enough to sit down with the owner and founder of Crust Bakery, Stephanie (website, here).  She has been an incredible influence in my baking endeavors.  During our conversation, I mentioned that my dessert posts tend to get the most interest...hello, people love sweets.
Stephanie mentioned that sharing food is one of the reasons she started her bakery in the first place.  So, she and I concocted a great way to share one of the most recent desserts I tried - Danger Pie (so good, it's dangerous...yup, that's right).  Portable, portion-sized and easy to share...Stephanie suggested Pie Shots!

So, I had leftover cans from the kumquat canning experiment and this was a quick solution to use them.

Did you know Nilla Wafers came in minis?  I didn't, but boy do I now!
(keep reading to get the full tutorial)