ruffle scarves

luv this ruffle scarf from The Gap

and this one!

For the Reno Peeps

This post is pretty exclusive to the Reno area, but is big news! Check out new NBA Development league team playing at the Reno Events Center & print out the coupon below for a deal on the tix!

learn more about the Reno Bighorns here
•RENO BIGHORNS HOME SCHEDULE 2008-2009
Nov 21 (Fri) Albuquerque 2:00pm (Preseason)
Sat 29 Bakersfield 7:00pm
Dec 12 (Fri) Anaheim 7:00pm
Jan 2 (Fri) Anaheim 7:00pm
Sun 4 Tulsa 3:00pm
Wed 7 Dakota 6:15pm
Sat 10 Bakersfield 7:00pm
Sun 11 Los Angeles 3:00pm
Tue 13 Los Angeles 11:00am
Sat 17 Utah 3:00pm
Fri 30 Utah 8:30pm
Sat 31 Utah 7:00pm
Feb 21 (Sat)Idaho 3:00pm
Sun 22 Idaho 3:00pm
Fri 27 Anaheim 7:00pm
Mar 1 (Sun) Los Angeles 3:00pm
Fri 6 Fort Wayne 7:00pm
Sat 7 Austin 7:00pm
Wed 11 Bakersfield 7:00pm
Fri 13 Sioux Falls 7:00pm
Thu 26 Iowa 7:00pm
Sat 28 Idaho 7:00pm
Apr 2 (Th)Rio Grande Valley 7:00pm
Sat 4 Erie 7:00pm
Sun 5 Albuquerque 3:00pm
Sat 11 Colorado 7:00pm


Also, (what I'm even more excited about!) be on the lookout for Reno's new triple A baseball team, The Reno Aces whose season opener is slated for April 17, 2009.

read about the stadium here
•RENO ACES HOME SCHEDULE 2009
April 17 Salt Lake City Bees 6:05 p.m.
April 18 Salt Lake City Bees 6:05 p.m.
April 19 Salt Lake City Bees 1:05 p.m.
April 20 Salt Lake City Bees 6:05 p.m.
April 21 Colorado Springs Sky Sox 6:05 p.m.
April 22 Colorado Springs Sky Sox 1:05 p.m.
April 23 Colorado Springs Sky Sox 6:05 p.m.
April 24 Colorado Springs Sky Sox 6:05 p.m.
April 30 Portland Beavers 6:05 p.m.
May 1 Portland Beavers 1:05 p.m.
May 2 Portland Beavers 1:05 p.m.
May 3 Portland Beavers 1:05 p.m.
May 8 Fresno Grizzlies 6:05 p.m.
May 9 Fresno Grizzlies 1:05 p.m.
May 10 Fresno Grizzlies 1:05 p.m.
May 11 Fresno Grizzlies 6:05 p.m.
May 21 New Orleans Zephyrs 6:05 p.m.
May 22 New Orleans Zephyrs 6:05 p.m.
May 23 New Orleans Zephyrs 6:05 p.m.
May 24 New Orleans Zephyrs 1:05 p.m.
May 25 Oklahoma City RedHawks 6:05 p.m.
May 26 Oklahoma City RedHawks 6:05 p.m.
May 27 Oklahoma City RedHawks 11:05 a.m.
May 28 Oklahoma City RedHawks 11:05 a.m.
June 11 Salt Lake City Bees 7:05 p.m.
June 12 Salt Lake City Bees 7:05 p.m.
June 13 Salt Lake City Bees 7:05 p.m.
June 14 Salt Lake City Bees 1:05 p.m.
June 15 Las Vegas 51s 7:05 p.m.
June 16 Las Vegas 51s 7:05 p.m.
June 17 Las Vegas 51s 1:05 p.m.
June 27 Tacoma Rainiers 7:05 p.m.
June 28 Tacoma Rainiers 5:05 p.m.
June 29 Tacoma Rainiers 7:05 p.m.
June 30 Tacoma Rainiers 1:05 p.m.
July 4 Sacramento River Cats 7:05 p.m.
July 5 Sacramento River Cats 5:05 p.m.
July 6 Sacramento River Cats 7:05 p.m.
July 7 Sacramento River Cats 1:05 p.m.
July 8 Las Vegas 51s 7:05 p.m.
July 9 Las Vegas 51s 7:05 p.m.
July 10 Las Vegas 51s 7:05 p.m.
July 11 Las Vegas 51s 7:05 p.m.
July 12 Las Vegas 51s 5:05 p.m.
July 20 Portland Beavers 7:05 p.m.
July 21 Portland Beavers 7:05 p.m.
July 22 Portland Beavers 7:05 p.m.
July 23 Portland Beavers 7:05 p.m.
July 28 Tacoma Rainiers 7:05 p.m.
July 29 Tacoma Rainiers 7:05 p.m.
July 30 Tacoma Rainiers 7:05 p.m.
July 31 Tacoma Rainiers 7:05 p.m.
August 1 Colorado Springs Sky Sox 7:05 p.m.
August 2 Colorado Springs Sky Sox 5:05 p.m.
August 3 Colorado Springs Sky Sox 7:05 p.m.
August 4 Colorado Springs Sky Sox 7:05 p.m.
August 14 Round Rock Express 7:05 p.m.
August 15 Round Rock Express 7:05 p.m.
August 16 Round Rock Express 5:05 p.m.
August 17 Round Rock Express 7:05 p.m.
August 18 Albuquerque Isotopes 7:05 p.m.
August 19 Albuquerque Isotopes 7:05 p.m.
August 20 Albuquerque Isotopes 7:05 p.m.
August 21 Albuquerque Isotopes 7:05 p.m.
August 31 Sacramento River Cats 7:05 p.m.
September 1 Sacramento River Cats 7:05 p.m.
September 2 Sacramento River Cats 7:05 p.m.
September 3 Sacramento River Cats 7:05 p.m.
September 4 Fresno Grizzlies 7:05 p.m.
September 5 Fresno Grizzlies 7:05 p.m.
September 6 Fresno Grizzlies 5:05 p.m.
September 7 Fresno Grizzlies 1:05 p.m.

somefield.com

diggin' on these sketches:

view more here

staircase storage

ingenius idea for utilizing wasted space!
view more interesting stairs here

very luxe interiors

Interior Designer Abigail Ahern from the U.K.: very luxe, very fashion-forward, very modern, very now. I want to live in these pictures!




from design*sponge

fab fashion finds for the holidays: vol. 1

I am armed, credit card in hand, & ready to find the perfect holiday outfit:

Nanette Lapore 'Dynasty' Dress from nordstrom.com

Cole Hann 'Genevieve' Clutch from zappos.com

Ralph Lauren Shane Strapless Top from ralphlauren.com

Marc By Marc Jacobs Oxford Stretch Wool Pant from nordstrom.com

skinny desserts

get more recipies from self.com

Apple Turnovers

Apple turnovers are perfect when prepping a last-minute holiday dessert. With an easy-to-follow recipe and short bake time, the end result is a delectable looking (and tasty!) treat that will have your guests thinking you were in the kitchen all day long. We won't tell if you don't...

Serves 8

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• 2 medium Granny Smith apples, cored and thinly sliced
• 3 tbsp apple juice concentrate
• 2 tsp whole-wheat flour
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon (plus extra for sprinkling)
• 4 sheets phyllo dough, thawed
• 1 tbsp confectioners' sugar (optional)

Preparation

Heat oven to 375°. Coat a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Toss apples, concentrate, flour and cinnamon in a bowl. Stack 2 phyllo sheets at a time and cut them in half lengthwise. Place 3/4 cup of apple mixture across the end of one half. Roll up and place on cookie sheet. Repeat until you've used up all apples. Brush top of each roll with juice from apple mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake until browned, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool. Sprinkle with sugar, if desired. Cut each roll in half.

Chocolate Marble Cheesecake

From the February 2008 Issue

Reduced-fat ingredients create a light, creamy cake. Serves 12

Ingredients

• •CRUST
• 2 T slivered blanched almonds
• Vegetable Oil cooking spray
• 6 chocolate wafers

• •FILLING
• 15 oz. (1 3/4 cup) part skinm ricotta
• 8 oz. lowfat cream cheese room temp.
• 1 cup sugar or splenda
• 1/2 cup lowfat sour cream
• 1 lg. whole egg
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 t almond extract
• 2 T all purpose flour
• 1/4 t salt
• 2 T ameretto (if desired)
• 3 T unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 t instant espresso powder
• 3 T bittersweet chocolate chips
  

PREPERATION

1. For crust

   Heat oven to 350˚. Toast almonds on a small baking sheet for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven; reduce heat to 325˚. Coat an 8" springform pan with cooking spray. Wrap outside of pan in foil to prevent seepage. Process chocolate wafers and almonds in a food processor until fine crumbs. Sprinkle 2 to 3 tbsp crumbs onto bottom of pan (just enough to coat bottom lightly). Shake pan to distribute evenly. Reserve remaining crumbs.

2. For filling

   Puree ricotta in a food processor until smooth, about 1 minute. Add cream cheese, sugar, sour cream, egg, egg whites, almond extract, flour and salt; puree until smooth. Whisk amaretto, if desired (or same amount of hot water), 2 tbsp hot water, cocoa powder and espresso powder in a bowl until well combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Stir 1 cup plain filling into chocolate mixture. Set aside.

3. Assembly

   Pour remaining plain filling into prepared pan. Drizzle chocolate filling in a circular pattern over plain filling. Using a knife, make circular strokes to create swirls in the plain filling. Add 1 inch hot water to a shallow baking pan; place springform pan in baking pan. Bake until cheesecake is firm around the edge and slightly soft in the center, 45 to 55 minutes. Run a knife around inside of pan. Remove foil; let cool on a rack. Chill 6 hours or overnight before removing sides of pan. Press reserved crumbs onto side of cheesecake.

223 calories per serving, 9.7 g fat* (5.4 g saturated), 26.2 g carbs, 0.9 g fiber, 8.4 g protein
*This dish is slightly more than 30 percent fat but is still a healthy dessert option when part of an overall lowfat diet.

cuteness!

cozy cable cardigan from ae.com

swimsuit from ae.com

Stain Removal 101

This is genius info from Real Simple!

Stain-Fighting Strategies

Lipstick

Washables: Apply an oil solvent like Carbona and let dry, then remove residue. Treat with a liquid soap like Woolite and very little water. Rub to form suds, then rinse. Use an eyedropper and diluted ammonia to bleach any remaining color. Rinse with cool water.
Nonwashables: Same as for washables, but use diluted vinegar bleach instead of ammonia, which can corrode wool and silk.

Coffee

Washables: Stretch fabric over a bowl and, from a height of about one foot (gravity helps), pour boiling water from a kettle. Follow with an application of an oil solvent if the coffee had milk in it. If it had sugar, treat with glycerin or a combination solvent like Shout and let sit for 30 minutes. Finish with a regular wash cycle.
Nonwashables: Apply a gentle detergent like Woolite and very little water. Rub to form suds, then rinse. Use an eyedropper with diluted vinegar to bleach any remaining color. Rinse with cool water. If the coffee had milk in it, finish by applying an oil solvent.

Tea

Washables: Stretch fabric over a bowl and, from a height of about one foot, pour boiling water from a kettle. Next, use an eyedropper and diluted lemon juice to bleach any remaining color. Rinse with cool water.
Nonwashables: Use an eyedropper and diluted lemon juice to bleach the color. Thoroughly flush with cool water.

Red Wine

Washables: Cover the stain with salt, then stretch the fabric over a bowl and, from a height of about one foot, pour boiling water from a kettle.
Nonwashables: Apply an oil solvent like Carbona and let dry, then remove residue. Use an eyedropper and diluted vinegar to bleach any remaining color. Thoroughly flush with cool water.

Salad Dressing (Italian)

Washables: Shake on talcum powder or cornstarch to sop up as much oil as possible. Pick or scrape off the excess and rinse with cool water. Next, apply a combination solvent like Shout and let sit for 15 minutes. Finish with a regular wash cycle.
Nonwashables: Shake on talcum powder or cornstarch to sop up as much oil as possible. Pick or scrape off the excess and let dry. Follow with an application of an oil solvent like Carbona. Let dry, then scrape or brush off any remaining residue.

Ketchup and Tomato Sauce

Washables: Apply a combination solvent like Shout. Use an eyedropper and diluted vinegar to bleach any remaining color. Finish with a regular wash cycle.
Nonwashables: Same as for washables, but instead of washing, thoroughly flush the spot with cool water.

Mustard

Washables: Use an eyedropper and diluted ammonia to bleach the color. Apply a combination solvent like Shout and let sit for 15 minutes. Finish with a regular wash cycle.
Nonwashables: Use an eyedropper and diluted ammonia to bleach the color. Apply a combination solvent and let sit for 15 minutes. Thoroughly flush the spot with cool water.

Ballpoint Ink

Washables: Put glycerin on the spot, then treat with a detergent like Woolite and very little water. Gently rub to form suds and rinse.
Nonwashables: Same as for washables, but instead of rinsing the suds, just dab water onto the area.

Grass

Washables: Treat the spot with a paste made from a powder digestant like Axion and let sit in a warm place for 30 minutes. Use an eyedropper and diluted ammonia or vinegar to bleach any remaining color. Rinse with cool water. Finish with a regular wash cycle.
Nonwashables: Apply a combination solvent like Shout and let sit for 15 minutes. Use an eyedropper and diluted ammonia or vinegar to bleach any remaining color. Thoroughly flush the area with cool water.

Fresh Blood

Washables: Flush with cold water. Treat the spot with a paste made from a powder digestant like Axion and let sit in a warm place for 30 minutes. Use an eyedropper and diluted ammonia to bleach the color. Rinse and finish with a regular wash cycle.
Nonwashables: Treat with cold water, then use an eyedropper and diluted vinegar to bleach the color. Thoroughly flush the area with cool water.

Dried Blood

Washables: Soak in cool salt water for several hours. Rinse thoroughly, then treat the spot with diluted ammonia to bleach the color. If the stain persists, apply a paste made from a powder digestant like Axion and let sit in a warm place for 30 minutes. Finish with a regular wash cycle.
Nonwashables: Dampen the spot with cool salt water, then with plain water. Treat the spot with diluted vinegar to bleach the color. Thoroughly flush with cool water.

the dawn of a First Lady with (gasp) style!

At the onset of her becoming First Lady-elect, Michelle Obama chose a bold dress for her first appearance by Narciso Rodriguez. (Did I mention I love her! Very fab! Very Jackie O!) It was a modified (read: more first lady-like) version of a piece from his Spring '09 Collection. I don't love the original, but do really dig the white one, from the same collection that is similar. It's refreshing that we will be able to see a first lady who dresses more glam than dowdy!


Here are a few of my faves of her outfits so far. She rocks the whole dress, belt, and pearls combo!

Election Night 2008 Party!!!!

Get ready for ELECTION NIGHT! Plan a party w/ these great suggestions & let the fun begin!

Instead of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, blind fold your guests & have them • PUT THE LIPSTICK ON THE PIG

(PRINT IT: double click on the image above, right click on the larger version, & save as to your computer)

• ELECTION COLORING FUN!
• Get out your red & blue crayons
• Guess which state will go to which candidate before they are announced ~or~ • Color along as each state is announced


(PRINT IT: double click on the image above, right click on the larger version, & save as to your computer)


• DRINKING GAME:
Every time you hear the word/phrase ...
"undecided voters" - take one drink
"swing states" - take one drink
"Ohio, Nevada, Pennsylvania" - take one drink
"red state" or "maveric" - Democrats take two drinks
"blue state" or "change" - Republicans take two drinks
"Nailin' Palin" - any mention of the upcoming Hustler feature, everyone take at least 3 drinks
• During a commercial break, everyone does a Sarah Palin imitation and the one with the best gets to tell the rest of the group how many drinks to take.
• Everyone puts on his or her best Joe Biden smile, and the one with the whitest teeth gets to tell the rest how many drinks to take.
• BONUS: For every state you colored incorrectly on the electoral map, take one drink. - adapted from the Cin Weekly's Drink to Victory


• Have Political Know-How, or Fake it:
If you want to sound smart among all your friends, be sure to check out msnbc's article: Be the Star at Your Election Party


The shot: Red, White, & Blue Shooter

• 1/3 oz blue curaçao
• 1/3 oz grenadine
• 1/3 oz peach schnapps
(TIP: The key to layered shooters like this is to slowly pour the ingredients over a bar spoon in a certain order according to the density of the liquid.)
Other cleverly named drinks:
Theme it up at your Election Day party with these common drinks given fun politically minded new names. Think of it as the change we've all been waiting for.
• Obama Mama
• Whiskey Straight Up Talk Express
• Scotch on the Baracks
• Palin Ale
• Champagnes We Can Believe In


MAIN DISHES:
Obama Family Chili Recipe
•1 large onion, chopped
•1 green pepper, chopped
•Several cloves of garlic, chopped
•1 tablespoon olive oil
•1 pound ground turkey or beef
•¼ teaspoon ground cumin
•¼ teaspoon ground oregano
•¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
•¼ teaspoon ground basil
•1 tablespoon chili powder
•3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
•Several tomatoes, depending on size, chopped
•1 can red kidney beans
Saute onions, green pepper and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add ground meat and brown. Combine spices together into a mixture, then add to ground meat. Add red wine vinegar. Add tomatoes and let simmer, until tomatoes cook down. Add kidney beans and cook for a few more minutes. Serve over white or brown rice. Garnish with grated cheddar cheese, onions and sour cream.
McCain's Ribs
Dry Rub:
•1/3 part Garlic Powder
•1/3 part Salt
•1/3 part Pepper
•3 lemons
Turn the grill down to low temperature. Mix together garlic powder, salt and pepper. Then cover both sides of the ribs with that. Grill ribs, bone side down, for 90 percent of the time. It will take about an hour to an hour and a half. Squeeze the lemon on it frequently, because that makes it taste a lot better.
DESSERT: Election Cupcakes from marthastewart.com

Also, check out this great guide from [the nest]
(thanks to the phone call from Lib for great idea!)

fab poster design from aesthetic apparatus

my fave screen printers w/ some great new designs:

The Swell Season

The Evening Rig

new painting

from July 2008

Skin Rev-er Upper

I've been using this for 3 weeks & it has cleared up my skin better than any other product I have ever used. Bare Vitamins Skin Rev-er Upper: $21 at Sephora

cowboy cookies

Cowboy Cookies from Martha Stewart's Cookie of the Day

Ingredients (Makes about 5 dozen)
* Vegetable oil cooking spray
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 3/4 cup light-brown sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
* 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, cut into 1/4-inch chunks (1 cup)
* 3 ounces (3/4 cup) pecan halves
* 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat baking sheets with cooking spray, line with parchment, and spray parchment. Sift flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder into a medium bowl.
2. Beat butter and sugars with a mixer on medium-high until pale and creamy, about 3 minutes. Reduce speed to medium. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla.
3. Reduce speed to low, and slowly add flour mixture, beating until just incorporated. Beat in oats, chocolate, pecans, and coconut until combined. (Dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.)
4. Using a 1 1/2-inch ice cream scoop or a small spoon, drop dough onto baking sheets, spacing 3 inches apart.
5. Bake until edges of cookies begin to brown, 11 to 13 minutes. Transfer baking sheets to wire rack, and let cool for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks. Let cool. (Cookies can be stored up to 3 days.)

one shoulder dress

one shoulder dress from BCBG Max Azria at Saks: on sale!

drawings on paper

from explodingdog.com