LIGHTS. CAMERA. PARTIES.

Come for cocktails, stay for dancing.  We're having a party this month on Style Maniac and you're all invited.  What are we celebrating?  The elements of entertaining itself, as both a hostess and a guest.  LIGHTING:  How to create a killer ambiance, with tips from one of the world's premiere lighting designers.  CAMERA:  How to look great in photos.  PARTIES:  What to wear, what gifts to bring, and how to enjoy your own soiree.  Hang on to your hats, girls, it's going to be quite a ride.

Photo above and in this month's masthead via iPhone Backgrounds app. Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/orange
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SPLASHES OF CITRUS

 
 



My craving for sunshine and Vitamin C has expanded to all things citrus in fashion, decorating and art.  Lemon, lime, orange, pummelo--bring it on.  (What's pummelo?  I'd never heard of this "sweeter, milder cousin of grapefruit" with yellow skin and orangey-red inside until it appeared in a Google search.  Has anyone ever tried it?)

PHOTOS: (1) Designer's Guild from my print files.  (2) Vintage Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress via Dorothea's Closet Vintage.  (3) The citrus striped floor of Faire Frou Frou boutique.  (4) Monet's Water-Lilies at Twilight pictured in The Impressionists:  A Retrospective edited by Martha Kapos, from my library.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/orange
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DON'T DRINK & FLY

Happy Halloween Weekend! 

cocktail napkin photo by Doreen Creede
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/orange
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PUMPKIN LOVE

 

Time to head to a pumpkin patch (well, my city farmer's market) and attempt once again to carve a Jack-O'-Lantern.  Much as I love them, past attempts have not been much of a success.  Anyone have some tips and tricks to share?

Jack-O'-Lantern image via BackgroundsSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/orange
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THE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT FALL

After a week of soaking rain and gloomy thoughts, I awake to a day that reminds me why I love Fall.  Brilliant sunshine, gleaming sky and air filled with the enticing mix of coolness and promise.  I head out into the city, perusing flea markets and partaking of festivals and think of all there is to come:  jack-o'-lanterns and crackling fires; goblins, ghosts and fashion shows; tailgates and road trips; barn sales and BLT cocktails; paisley wool shawls, suede leopard boots and chocolate leather totes; and perhaps a ramble down a country path, a halo of crimson, gold and orange dancing overhead.


"Autumn Drive" (Tammouth New Hampshire) courtesy AJ MessierSource URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/orange
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OCEAN CITY

 


The fifth element in a great beach vacation: the people you share it with. Not all friends travel well together. Luckily, The Blogstresses* [who?? see end of post] get along just fine whether at city or shore, a delightful fact we discovered when Barbara Hammond suggested she, Lee Romano Sequeira and I hold our monthly gathering at her cheerful beach house in Ocean City.

THE BEACH:  Ocean City, NJ  Although on weekdays a peaceful calm reigns over the stretch of sand and sea at the end of Barb's block, the front porch is where she finds her bliss, whether painting, writing, refueling or socializing. I just love this poem she wrote about it.

THE BOOK: Barb chose Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put On My Pajamas and Found Happiness by Dominique Browning because "it resonates with me about how crazy our lives have to get before we slow down and really live.  And I love Dominique's blog, mostly for the visuals. She has the most beautiful blog--wish I could figure out how to emulate it!"

THE LOOK: Barbara Hammond's creative cottage is just what you'd expect from an artist, with handpainted murals and a happy kaleidoscope of colors. "For years my husband, kids and I moved all over the country," says Barb.  "But no matter where we lived, for two weeks every summer Ocean City was home. Now I'm living my dream by having my own house here."

For attire, former Jersey girl Lee suggested I head to B&B, a mini department store overflowing with sundresses, bathing suits, flip-flops and more.  (I did and snagged a cute little aqua sundress and crazy-big, leopard-lined Murval straw bag for a song.) 

LET'S COOK:  "How about my Lemon Pasta?" Barb responded when I asked what she'd cook at the beach.  " It's quick, easy and good hot, room temperature or cold."  (I couldn't wait for a beach trip.  Made it immediately and mmmm--delicious anywhere!)  Here's the recipe:

1 box of your fave pasta
2 lemons (or more if you're crazy for lemon)
1/3 cup good extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely grated parmesan cheese (or romano if you like)
Cook pasta per box directions. Meanwhile zest one lemon into a bowl then squeeze both lemons into same bowl.  Add olive oil.  Using a small whisk gradually add cheese and mix until cheese melts into the oil and becomes creamy. Toss pasta in this yummy mixture and enjoy!
Book image via www.slowlife.com. All other images courtesy Barbara Hammond.  To see more of Barb's work visit her Flickr page and blog, Zero to 60 & Beyond.

*Who are The Blogstresses?  Three Philly friends--myself, Style Maniac; Barb, Zero to 60 & Beyond; and Lee, Madnesss, Mom & Me--who support, inspire and assist each other in our blogging endeavors ... plus enjoy cocktails and a lot of laughter.  If you recently started a blog, biz or other new venture I highly recommend gathering a support group to share the sometimes bumpy, other times bubbly journey with you.Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/orange
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ALMOST FRENCH

Part Two of "Paris & What She Read," with recommendations from some smart and stylish Francophile friends.  For Part Three, a pick by Anne Jensen, please visit the Style Maniac Facebook Page.




ALMOST FRENCH by Sarah Turnbull

"There are many books about expats living in France but this one is slightly different.  Australian-born Sarah Turnbull captures the joys and challenges of straddling two countries and not truly belonging to either.  She provides very interesting perspectives on the advantages and disadvantages of living in France." --Andrea Sowitch



Andrea and I have been fast friends since bonding during our junior semester abroad in Nice. In the time since we've shared countless talks about film, books, love, food and France.  Andrea is now a marketing consultant and continues her French language studies through Alliance Française in Denver.
Source URL: https://thesoap-box.blogspot.com/search/label/orange
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