Guest Blogger-Alexandra Jacobs

I received a request from an aspiring writer to post a guest blog about one of her passion's which is fashion.  If you are starting to shop for your fall wardrobe here are a couple of great tips.  Thanks Alexandra!

New York’s fashion-lovers are finally trading in the sandals, and eagerly anticipating the arrival of their new fall boots. Whether you are a resident of Manhattan or Brooklyn, fall fashion has so much to offer. As a resident of Brooklyn, NY it is easy to find what types of trends find their way to the fashion-forward mind.

What to Expect from Fall Fashion in Brooklyn

Beacon’s Closet in Park Slope and Buffalo Exchange in Williamsburg allows residents and visitors to keep up with the trends for less. Though Ponchos, trench coats and capes are an absolute necessity in terms of runway fashion, Brooklyn’s fashion mavens are not exactly sold on this trend. In fact, this is not the only trend that is expected to differ from Manhattan’s fall fashion lineup. Here is what to expect from Brooklyn’s clothing shops:

Be Bold

Bold colors that are monotone, bright or contrasting are recommended this year for fall fashion. Separates, such as tights, shoes, skirts, belts and pants, in bold colors are featured in this fall’s line up. Expect DKNY and Derek Lam to follow this trend. Liz Claiborne offers fashion lovers vintage skirts, and bold-colored belts by Betsey Johnson are present in stores also.

Try Navajo Prints

Though this trend is growing in popularity, it requires some patience to find when shopping for it in Brooklyn. The bold print can be flattering to some body types.  A simple t-shirt can cost as little as $8.

Brooklyn Budget

In Brooklyn, fashion-mavens can obtain the runway look for a fraction of the cost. Try some of the vintage stores for discounted prices and exceptional finds. Even on a budget, Brooklyn residents can keep up with the trends.

Guest Blogger-Lauren Leighton

Well everyone if you are sick of looking at caramel apples for the last few days you are in luck because I have a couple guest blogs coming you way.  First up is Lauren Leighton who is an adorable young lady who works for O Magazine and kindly saw me drowning in Halloween events and decided to offer up her favorite cold remedy.  Check it out it sounds delicious!

It was no surprise to me when I woke up the other morning with a runny nose, sore throat and achy body. Everyone around me was sick and it was bound to happen. It took me a full two weeks to feel better, but I can attribute bouncing back to an easy coconut soup recipe I found on Pinterest. The original blogger who featured the soup mentioned its healing capabilities for the common cold, so I figured I had to try it. 

On my way home from work, with sniffles and tissues in tow, I stopped by the grocery store to collect all of the necessary ingredients to make the soup. Just to give you a little background on me, I am not very domestic. I love to cook and clean, but when it comes to simple entertaining or domesticity, I tend to freeze up! So if I could make this soup in less than an hour, so can you.

After collecting everything at the store, I waddled home and began cooking. See below for the recipe and all ingredients. The fish sauce kind of wigged me out, but other than that, this coconut soup, also known as Tom Ka, is fool proof, delicious and proved to have magical healing powers.

http://anurbancottage.blogspot.com/2011/11/tom-ka-soup.html

 

Guest Blogger: Casey Armijo

Guest Blog.

Do you have a "lust list"?? Items--big or small--that you're saving your pretty pennies for? For some girls, it's all about the designer handbag or those lovely red label stilettos. Now don't get me wrong, I can crush hard on accessories, but artwork is what really makes me swoon.

Upon moving from the midwest, I vowed that when I officially "made it" in New York City, I'd graduate from the ubiquitous Z Gallerie prints to the real deal: a one-of-kind piece of artwork. So when I landed a big girl job, I did just that. And like a good shoe collection, a girl can't settle for just one piece. So imagine my delight when I stumbled upon the work of artist Jennifer Sidel. She not only creates stunning abstract pieces with vibrant colors, she also specializes in custom digital art. Send her an email with some of your favorite pics, a list of your likes, and voila, she creates a custom one-of-a-kind piece of artwork made especially for you. The best part? Her unique pieces are easy on the wallet, so artwork can move from your lust list to your must list.

www.jennifersidel.com

Guest Blog

We're so happy to have a guest post today from Colleen Mullaney, the author of "The Stylish Girl's Guide to Fabulous Cocktails."

Pre-Plan for A “Pop-Up” Party! by Colleen Mullaney

I love when friends stop by. Weekends are the best times for those special impromptu gatherings with friends I call “Pop-up Parties.”

It’s a glorious Saturday afternoon right after your kids’ sporting games finish. Neighbors walk by and stop to chat and stay. Or you run into friends during errands and you’re all in need of a little fun. No sitter? No problem. Bring the kids and make it a multi-generational playdate. That’s what makes Pop-Up Parties so great. They’re spur of the moment and the more the merrier.

Mixing up a pitcher of Festive Sangria is perfection in a jug. So easy and the best thing about pitchers, is they’re self serve so you can enjoy the party! It’s always easy to add more wine to keep the party flowing. Snacks should be easy and quick too. I always keep staples in my pantry so there’s no excuse not to host. (See tips on www.colleenmullaney.com) Pull together an easy platter of cheeses, flat breads, dried fruits and nuts. Dinner can be as simple as a potluck; even sharing each other’s leftovers is fun. Put on a mix of fun tunes – anything from Colbie Caillat, Coldplay, Sting and U2 – and you’re always ready for friends to stop by.

Sunday brunch is also a fabulous time for Pop-Up Parties. Our family often invites friends over on a lazy weekend morning. Whip up a pitcher of Morning Glories and watch the morning melt into the afternoon. Add a potato and onion frittata, roasted asparagus and fruit salad and off you go! Put some classics on the hi-fi like Ella, Frank, Julie London or Michael Buble. Set the scene by keeping it simple. Bunches of the same flower tied in bunches set in clear glass vases or fresh cuttings from your garden set a buffet table in style. Enjoy!



Colleen Mullaney is the former editor-in-chief of Jo-Ann,Family Circle Home Crafts and FTD In Bloom magazines. She has written numerous books,including It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Punch: 36 Punch Recipes, One of a Kind Weddings, Faux Fabulous Florals and Fairy Parties: Recipes, Crafts and Games for Enchanting Celebrations.

Colleen lives in Westchester, New York, where she hosts playdates, whips up dinner parties, toils in the garden and adds a bit of flair to everything she touches. Visit her website at: colleenmullaney.com