Chocolatey Fiasco

I've been a dreadful blogger. Absent, inconsistent, and unworthy of your love. So I thought I'd make you a treat.

Much to my dismay my sweet gesture turned into a bit of fiasco. They aren't pretty but it is the thought that counts, right?

I was feeling a bit blue on Friday, so I scurried over to Anthropologie hoping to indulge in a little retail therapy. It turns out I found this gem of a chocolatier's cookbook written by the Mast Brothers, the makers of rich, dark chocolate perfectly packaged out of Brooklyn. 

I felt like I had hit a gold mine when I was flipping through this giant book filled with inspiring desserts countered with a truly inspiring story. 

It seemed to be the perfect way to extend the olive branch to my loyal readers.

My first bite left me standing there, nose crinkled and brow furrowed. Where did I go wrong?

So, I went into damage control. I melted up the rest of the dark chocolate and started dunking the caramels. Sprinkled them with sea salt. Popped them in the fridge.

This gave them redeeming qualities but not so much in the looks department.

 I really owe you all one for sticking by my side! I know you are getting weary with all of these food posts. Buckle up. I'm headed West next week and I may not return.

XO,
Bee

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Top Frocks: Oscars

It's heeeeere! The Oscars are like my Super Bowl. It's the perfect combination of fashion/movies/hollywood/everything I love. I thought this year was especially great films like Great Gatsby and American Hustle nominated. Ellen DeGeneres is hands down the best host ever. I mean, she's now responsible for the most epic selfie of all time.

 I basically planned my week around the Oscars, so Sunday evening I settled in with some popcorn, a glass of wine, and lots of anticipation. It didn't disappoint. Here are my favorites from the red carpet:

Honorable Mention: Catt Sadler in Pamella Roland

Sadly, she didn't get much red carpet coverage because she hosted the early stages of E!'s all-day coverage, but I really loved her gown. I though it was unique, a little unexpected, and glamorous. Sidenote: I'm also a big fan of hers because she's a fellow IU grad (Go Hoosiers!).

5. Lara Spencer in KAUFMANFRANCO

Ok so maaayyyybe I'm a little bit biased on this one, but this is truly a really cool dress! There's some very intricate beadwork going on here.

 4. Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen
I'm always a McQueen fan. The structural draping on this dress is gorgeous, and paired with the royal navy color it's perfect. She looks very Oscar-worthy.

3. Olivia Wilde in Valentino

Maybe a surprising pick for the #3 spot, but I think she looks so simple, chic, and a little mod. I love how she embraced her baby bump as well. I think she's very understated cool.

2. Lupita Nyong'o in Prada,

She has been one of my favorites all awards season long. This made me a little reluctant to include her yet again, but SHE WORE A HEADBAND TO THE OSCARS! I love it. I love her. I love headbands...also the color and pleating of her dress. Not to mention her speech was so eloquent, she earned some major points in my book.

1. Jennifer Lawrence in Dior (of course)

I firmly believe that if we were to meet, we'd be best friends. I'm sure you all feel this way as well. She usually wears Dior and always looks fantastic, but her red number last night fit perfectly and was perfect for the Oscar's red carpet. I'm really a fan of her back-draped necklace trend (she did the same thing last year). Perhaps I'll start rocking it myself. 

I'm sad that awards season is finally over, but it went out with a bang!

XO,

Lo

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United Colors of Fashion

Since I gave a little behind-the-scenes look at my design internship during fashion week, I thought I'd also give a little glimpse at another internship I'm working on right now. It's with a non-profit organization called United Colors of Fashion and I think their mission is extremely important.

UCOF's mission focuses on two things:

1. Empowering youth through fashion
The fashion industry can be incredibly hard to break into. Being successful in fashion requires a lot of connections, and unfortunately many young people dream of entering the industry but lack the resources. UCOF provides a free fashion education to under-resourced youth in the New York City area. Students are taught various aspects of the fashion business and matched with internships that give them real-world experience and allow them to build industry connections.

photo credit: Luan Luu


2. Curing HIV/AIDS
Sub-Saharan Africa is an area that is greatly affected by HIV/AIDS. UCOF works with the Mapetla Day Care in South Africa to bring both financial and material assistance to children living affected by HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia, and paralysis. You can take a look at one of UCOF's trips to the day care here.

Co-founder and President, Ciano Clerjuste, on one of UCOF's trips to South Africa.

Consider the scope of the fashion and textile industry: from the creation of a textile to a finished product in a retail store, and the million steps in between. This makes fashion/textiles one of the largest industries worldwide. When an industry has that much power, it's important to use it for good. UCOF is doing just that, harnessing the power of the fashion industry to help others.

UCOF is also launching Ombré Magazine, a philanthropic arts, fashion, and lifestyle magazine run by interns. There's a lot of exciting things planned for Ombré, so expect big things in the future!

I've been working as one of the social media specialists at UCOF, so basically I use social media to raise awareness about the organization. So here you go, spread the word!

http://www.unitedcolorsoffashion.org/


XO,
Lo

p.s. these pics are all UCOF's, I'm just borrowing :)

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TBT: Tuscany

It's been a bit since we've done a throwback, so I decided to give you a look at one of my favorite days from study abroad. Funny enough, a lot of my favorite moments happened in my Food and Wine class, all strictly educational, of course. On this particular day we took a field trip to the the Tuscan countryside to visit a small farm. It was more like a mini village that produces its own olive oil and wine, but doesn't that sound like the best kind of farm? The place was so beautiful it doesn't need words, but I'll give you a few anyway.

It's a rough life, living at a vineyard in Tuscany and all.

After a presentation about how they make their products, we all sat down to a little "taste test". Olive oil doesn't seem like something you'd notice much difference in, but when I tell you this is the best olive oil I've ever tasted, it's no lie. I brought some home that I still use today for special dishes. The loads of bread, cheese, and prosciutto were also delicious.

Our teacher scheduled in some extra time to let us explore and take pictures, I think you can understand why!

Ciao Ciao!

XO,

Lo

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Wine + Cheese

Do you ever have those I want to pull out all of my hair kinds of weeks? Well I have had a few of those in a row, leaving me wiped out and a bit sour.

This working woman decided she deserved a treat. I sped off to yoga for a little zen time. Once good and centered I snuggled up with a tall glass of red, some fancy smancy cheese, and Sex and the City reruns.

It's just what the doctor ordered!

A little light reading.

See I eat healthy things too.

We all work hard. Don't forget to take a moment for your self. Because I said so. 

XO,

Bee

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