Bye Bye Sun...

As Summer draws to a close( thank god, because I am over this HOT weather) I am still wanting to keep my sun kissed look as long as possible.  But, in a healthy way of course- not by visiting a tanning salon.  No offense to anyone who goes to one- they just aren't for me.  I have found three incredible products to keep using through the Fall. Some of these you might be familiar with,  but they are new to moi.

The first are these Kate Somerville Tanning Towelettes.  Just rub the towelettes over your body and within minutes you'll have a sun kissed glow.  The towelettes gradually darken with your skin so the glow looks a la' natural and not like Lindsey Lohan orange.   Once applied to your skin the color dries in seconds so you don't have to worry about staining clothes, towels, or anything else.  Now, these towelettes aren't the cheapest way to go, 8 for $48,  so I am saving mine for special occasions.  You can get them at Nordstrom or directly from her website www.katesomerville.com

I first read about Chanel's Soleil Tan in a magazine.  It was listed as an item that Jennifer Aniston uses to get her sun kissed glow and she's always glowing! I've been using it for about a month now and love, love, love... It doesn't take much just a small dab, which I actually mix in with my daily foundation.  This gives me just the right amount of glow I am looking for.   You can purchase this anywhere Chanel makeup is sold. 

  

Last but certainly not least is Jergens Natural Glow Express Lotion. I know people have been using this for a while now but I just started to use and of course I love like everyone else.  I only started to use it though when I was in need of new foundation for the Summer.  I was explaining to my MAC girl how I hate when my face is darker than my neck because I don't know what shade of foundation to buy.  She told me to just buy the Jergens and rub it on my neck daily, that way my face and neck would be the same color.  Genius!  Why didn't I think of that?  So, now I use this daily as well and will continue to use into the Fall.  The express is supposed to jump start the color within one day compared to the regular.  Seems to do the trick for my neck. 

So, as we say goodbye to the long hot days of Summer I will continue to take my sun kissed glow wherever I go!

Farm to Table...

This past weekend Nathan and I had the opportunity to participate in Green Dirt Farm's Farm to Table Dinners.  Green Dirt Farms produce sheep's milk cheeses, yogurt, and 100% grass-fed lamb at their farm  near Weston, Mo.  Their philosophy is simple: They believe in the tradition of community-based farms where customers know how their food was produced, and who produced it. 

For the past 4 Summers they have been holding the ever popular Farm to Table dinners featuring a local chef from one of the many restaurants around Kansas City.  The Chef is able to use the 100% grass-fed lamb as well as ingredients from other local farms in the community.  These dinners are so popular that when we went on the website to book this year, the 16 dates were sold-out within 10 minutes.  Each dinner is 4 courses and there's a drink pairing with each course.  We were lucky to get Chef Ted Habiger from Room 39 in Midtown.  

The evening started around 6:30 at the farm and all the dinners are held in the old farmhouse barn.  The inside of the barn looks like something out of a Pottery Barn catalog. 

  We started out the evening with appetizers of Bruschetta, Lamb Tartare, Dirt Lover Cheese, Jam, and Orchard Bread.  It was washed down with a Cucumber Cooler to drink. 

We sat around a large farmhouse table with about 30 other guests. 

This was our menu for the evening:

 1st course:

lamb offal terrine paired with Zilliken Riesling, Germany 2011

2nd course:

oeufs en meurette paired with Michel Gay, Bourgogne Rouge, France 2009

3rd course:

lamb moussaka paired with Terra Dora di Paolo, Aglianico, Italy 2010

4th course:

apple cobbler paired with Huet, Vouvray demi-sec, Le Haut-Lieu, France 2007

The entire meal lasted around 3 1/2 hours and it was absolutely worth every penny.  What was so amazing was that after all the food we ate we weren't utterly stuffed but very content. The lamb was cooked to perfection and the vegetables were so fresh, you could tell they had just been picked. 

One of our new friends we met that evening . See, we are finished and all smiling! The only downside is we have to wait until next year to do it again!

 

Bang Bang...

We love Wednesday! It's one of our favorite nights out of the week to go out and eat.  We always head to the same spot - Bonefish Grill.  It's $5 Bang Bang Shrimp night!! 

If you've never experienced Bang Bang Shrimp put it on your calendar for next Wednesday night.  It's a hot steaming bowl of crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy spicy sauce.  It's devine! Usually we order one each with another appetizer and it's a full meal.   My favorite part is eating the lettuce that's underneath the shrimp with the creamy sauce mixed all over.

Tonight, Nathan decided to try the Mussels Josephine as a starter and I've never smelt anything so mouthwatering.  The mussels are warm and fresh and are sauteed in a broth of tomatoes, garlic, basil, and lemon wine sauce.

Add in a great glass of Sauvignon Blanc and you have and incredible weekday meal.  All for under $25.

The Eyebrows Say It All...

They say eyebrows help shape your face by enhancing your brow and eye area.  I was never a believer in this and thought it was just a bunch of malarchy.  Until that is I discovered a little hidden gem at Nordstrom.  Downstairs by the endless counters of makeup is a hidden door marked BROW STUDIO.This is where eyebrows are transformed by Sally of the Anastasia Brow Studio.  Anastasia is famous among the Hollywood elite including: Oprah, Madonna, Penelope Cruz & J-Lo, just to name a few for her method of shaping eyebrows. It used to be you could only get this wanted look at one of her two Beverly Hills studios.  Not any longer! 

Anastasia is available at select Nordstrom and Sephora locations nationwide, and we  are lucky enough to have it at our Nordstrom in Overland Park.  The shaping takes approximately 30 minutes and is relatively inexpensive at $30. There's even a kit you can purchase to try to get this look on your own at home.   Go try it out. Trust me. Your eyebrows will love you forever.

Back together again...

Ask anyone I know and they will tell you how I used to be obsessed with COACH handbags.  It was not a normal obsession either.  I wouldn't look, touch, or even think of any other handbag.  There was nothing else that existed besides COACH.  That is until about two years ago when we had a bad breakup.  I was basically over everything COACH.  Something happened to the brand.  It went too mainstream with outlet stores and major retailers carrying the same bags, and all those C's plastered all over the place!!! I couldn't take it anymore and pretty much deemed our relationship in the past. 

That is until now.  Have you seen the new COACH Legacy line?  Hello Gorgeous...  

The handbag line I once so adored has gone back to their roots FINALLY!!! The beautiful leather with classic hardware and that namesake tag all incredibly together once again. 

They've brought back some of the pieces that started the brand but now in all these bright, beautiful, and bold colors for FALL.   One of the most iconic is the duffle bag which was created in 1970.

COACH Colorblock Legacy Duffle

The Penny Shoulder bag is that perfect go to for the weekend when you need something small yet classy to carry.  It comes in 6 beautiful colors and has the iconic COACH turn lock closure.

COACH Penny Shoulder Purse

I think my favorite by far is the Legacy Basket Clutch.  It's such a fabulous size for date night or going to the office.  I want all 5 colors.  

COACH Legacy Basket Clutch 

It seems once again we might be back together.  Thank you COACH for going back to the archives where it all began.  

P.S.  I also checked out the COACH store at Oak Park which I haven't stepped foot into for two years.  If you haven't been lately you should check it out.  They've remodeled and it looks incredible!

Mestizo Saturday...

The weather this past weekend was incredible and we wanted to make sure we took advantage of being outside!  We ended up at Park Place of all things at a new restaurant called MESTIZO.  The chef Aaron Sanchez is not only a restaurateaur, but also has several hit shows on Food Network.

                                                                    

My love was most exited when he discovered a Li Hing Margarita on the drink menu.  This is one of our favorite drinks in Hawaii and this one had a bit of a Mexican twist.   It's a splendid combination of Sauza Blanco, Agave Nectar, and Grand Marnier. 

The menu was quite unique and not your typical Mexican cuisine which was very exciting to try. My love had Pork Belly Tacos with an agave chipotle glaze.  Now, I have to say these were probably some of the best tacos I've ever eaten!! I highly recommend trying them.  The pork melts in your mouth and I love when tacos are served with the traditional corn tortillas vs. the american flour tortillas.  

 I opted for the Shaved Brussels Sprouts salad with chicharrones, cranberries, and one of my favorite cheeses manchego.  It was definitely light but very filling and perfect for lunch. 

Mestizo has wonderful food and a great atmosphere, we will definitely go back.  But, I have to say the best part of all was the company I was with.  

What a fabulous way to spend a Saturday. 

French Friday...

When I first told my bestie I was starting a blog, she said and I quote," That's great but it's not going to be all about French things is it?"  Clearly, she knows me well.  As much as I would like this to have been the case , I would be the only reader I am afraid.   However, from time to time I will blog about French things and my obsession with their culture and all they do. I found this video online which shows how the French do an exquisite job of mixing fashion and art.  Let's face it- it's what they do best. It's an ad for Christian Dior's Fall 2012 Campaign, which takes place at Versailles.  I didn't make it there last time we were in Paris, but this will be my first stop next time I am in the area. 

Jouir and au revoir   ( Enjoy & Goodbye)

My FALL Wedge...

This year I want a pair of wedge booties for Fall.  I've been looking at them for a couple of years now, but have never pulled the trigger. I guess I've never thought of them as a "necessity" in my closet compared to the other 20 pairs of boots I have.  They are going in my closet this year and I have my eye on several so far. These will be great with a pair of boyfriend jeans and blazer or sweater.

    The J Crew MacAlister Wedge Boot at $198 comes in a range of 5 colors   

                                                        J Crew MacAlister Wedge Boot  

  

    Love the color of this Dolce Vita Bootie at $119, although wedge height might be an issue with my weakling ankles.

                      DV by Dolce Vita Penn Bootie                      

And, last by not least the new TOMS Desert Wedge- I am pretty sure this is going to be the winner and you can't beat the price at $89. I've actually slipped my feet into these and they are absolutely wonderful besides obviously for a good cause.

TOMS Desert Wedge